75 Years ago this year, Rotary was first established here in Kingaroy in the South Burnett region of Queensland Australia.
And to this day we are still doing good in the world.
75 Years ago this year, Rotary was first established here in Kingaroy in the South Burnett region of Queensland Australia.
The club was sponsored by the then Rotary club of Gympie in 194.
The inaugural member’s meeting was held in Kingaroy on the 8th of December 1948 with the club being handed its charter and with John Nesbitt being elected as the 1st president of the Kingaroy Rotary Club.
- Since our club’s beginning in 1948, we estimate that our club has contributed approx. $200K to the RF in its fight against Polio and other priority programs.
- Rotary Foundation – conservatively estimated that the club has contributed approx. $200 000 to the RF since 1948.
- Vocational Service Awards acknowledging local employers, inspirational staff members, eg. Huston Ford, PCA, Swickers, hospital and medical centre staff, Sth Burnett Regional Council, Kewpie Stockfeed, schools, sporting clubs, Telstra
- Establishing connections with local businesses and community groups to enhance their impact – Autism group, QCWA, QPS, QAS, high schools, other service clubs in Sth Burnett towns, hospital auxiliary, sporting clubs…
- GSE visits to local businesses & organisations – US, Canada, The Philippines, Japan, UK…
- RYLA – opportunity for local young leaders to develop skills to apply in work and personal lives
- SB Private Hospital improvements and equipment provision
- Scouts hut security
- Girl Guides – donation for upgrades
- Nursing home landscaping
- SB Care landscaping
Support of a broad range of community groups in the form of volunteering, fundraising or mentoring, including –
- Autism group (fund raising & Country Markets),
- Junior Rugby League defibrillator
- Donation of services to community events
- Running community events – Gala balls, Ride, Walk, Run, charity walks & runs, bars for events…
- Club BBQ trailer used extensively to fund raise
- Cricket Club donations
- Development and upgrading of Rotary Park
- Progress group support e.g. Bunya Mts
- Salvation Army donations for programs + Red Shield Appeal driving & collection + shed erectio
School initiatives – Speech comp since 1996, debating, Rotary Readers 13 years, annual Speech Night awards, KSHS Tertiary Bursary
Men’s Shed donations
Purchase and donation of 36 Defibrillators – spread from Blackbutt to Proston and the Bunya Mts + selling defibrillators to other Rotary clubs
Fund raising for funds to support Sth Burnett Youth Suicide and Mental Health initiatives
Instrumental in the establishment of the ‘Free Meals for those in Need’ weekly service.
And the list goes on and on and on