By Rowan McClean
Bob joined Rotary Altona in very different times. The club was established for people who were working locally, but living elsewhere, and a dominant force was the local petrochemical complex.
A vet, Bob worked long hours and whilst he was initially interested in joining APEX, they met at an inconvenient time, which made joining Rotary more appealing. He joined in 1975 and has never regretted that decision.
Some of the Club’s early projects were Bingo Nights, an Art Show (still continuing) and, the jewel in the crown, a house-build with the profit from its sale greatly boosting Club coffers. Bob recalled that this particular project involved a Club member in real estate who was able to arrange attractive terms for State Government land; materials being donated; the local TAFE College providing labour; and, a solicitor Club member handling the conveyancing.
Bob was the Club bulletin editor for a number of years, a role he was able to juggle alongside his busy veterinary practice, along with a number of other Club projects. One Bob recalls involved an exchange student from Uganda who became very senior in her national health service, and was able to oversee a valuable Club water supply project.
Bob has seen a lot of change in the Club and the area over his 45-year membership. The inclusion of women has been an important development: “It took too long,” he says. All members now live locally and grandchildren of some of the original members are moving back in a form of urban renewal. There are also many migrants, especially from the Middle East.
Bob is proud of the strong support Rotary Altona has provided to The Rotary Foundation, and the cliché of ‘punching above its weight’ fits well here. The Club currently assists homeless young people and provides supplies including food and cleaning kits. There have been the ubiquitous Bunnings BBQs and a Kickstart Breakfast project for children in need. Another project instigated by the Club was "Ride to Conference", which has since grown and prospered! Funds raised have been allocated to medical equipment and research.
Bob’s motivation to remain in Rotary has been the enjoyable company at meetings. He has also been motivated by his generation of Australians “being extraordinarily lucky”, and he has felt an obligation to give back.
His message: “keep doing good things and through that practice encourage non-Rotarians to become involved. We need to find willing prospects and invite people who show interest.”