Community
17 July, 2024
Cobden Rotary celebrates year that was
COBDEN Rotarians have celebrated the end to another year of service and fundraising.
Under the leadership of president David Childs, the club achieved an outstanding contribution of hours in serving the community.
“An estimated 2200 volunteer hours of service have been carried out by Rotarians and Friends over the past twelve months on many separate projects,” Mr Childs said.
“These volunteer hours represent over $65,000 of value to the community.”
“The club has also been successful in raising funds which enabled it to distribute over $23,000 to a range of humanitarian, welfare, health and youth projects.
“We are a relatively small club, but our members have an appetite for working where we can help most.”
In addition to the Rotary Club’s financial donations, the Quota Friends of Cobden Rotary have donated over $3600 towards community groups and appeals, as well as raising over $17,000 through the organisation of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal in Cobden and surrounding areas.
Cobden Rotary Club has been working to put together kits of hygiene equipment as part of an End Trachoma project to reduce and eliminate the disease among Indigenous children in remote communities.
The club also presented books to all children at Cobden, Simpson and Timboon kindergartens.
“As always, the Cobden Rotary Mini Golf has been a very active project of the club,” Mr Childs said.
“With administration by carried out by Gary Kimber, and Lesley Brown now keeping a keen eye on the condition of the gardens, it is a significant attraction for families and other groups throughout the year.
“Many community, school, social and welfare groups are regular users of this facility.”
The Rotary Club held a celebration dinner recently, at which it thanked a large number of community organisations – service clubs, schools, church groups, interest groups, health organisations, and individuals – who have all partnered with the Rotary Club in achieving goals together of serving some part of the community.
“The dinner was attended by members of neighbouring Rotary Clubs – Camperdown, Terang, Warrnambool and Warrnambool Daybreak, and by our assistant Rotary district governor Janey Preston,” Mr Childs said.
“A highlight of the night was the opportunity to give special recognition to a long-standing Cobden Rotarian.
“Marcus Hooker, who has been a key member of the Cobden Rotary Club, was considered by members to be a worthy recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition and was presented with his medallion at the dinner.”
The dinner concluded with the announcement of Cobden Rotary’s new leadership team for 2024-25.
Mark Towner will be president, Marcus Hooker will be secretary, and treasurer will be Frank Martin.
Other office-bearers for 2024-25 are Heather Petrie, Lesley Brown, Garry Ross and Gary Kimber.
Incoming president Mark Towner said he anticipated another year of the club making a positive contribution to the wider community, and welcomed anyone interested in membership to come along and learn more.
“The club is looking forward to another active year in the Cobden community and would welcome more members,” he said.
“Anyone interested is invited to contact any Rotarian directly or visit us at our weekly Thursday night dinners.”