By Kevin Sheehan, Immediate Past President, Rotary Melbourne
Rotary Melbourne is proud of the entire centenary effort, which after many years of concept promotion, gained valuable momentum throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Rotarians far and wide are witnessing not only the 100th Anniversary of the first Rotary club in Australia, but also the creation of the Centurion Alliance with Rotary Sydney, Wellington & Auckland, all having a 1st May 1921 Charter date, the first such alliance in the Rotary world.
Plus, there is the great work of our National Committee enabling Rotary throughout Australia to capitalise on 2021 as the centenary year, expose the hundreds of centenary projects that clubs have implemented…some small, some huge…and promote signature events.
History can record that Rotary Melbourne’s leadership initiated recognition of this milestone, creating the Centurion Club Alliance with Sydney, Wellington & Auckland and inviting, through District Leadership, all 1,284 clubs in Australia and New Zealand to answer the question: ‘What is your Centenary project?’
Rotary Melbourne implemented the centenary signature project concept in which Rotary clubs have been given the opportunity to create a new project or elevate an existing project, but ultimately nominate a project that can be celebrated.
The centenary signature project criteria was simple – address a real community need; propel Rotary into the next century of community service; energise members; provide a magnet for new members; find new partners; and, raise Rotary's profile.
As an outcome of implementing signature projects, Rotarians ‘downunder’ will leave a legacy for the next 100 years.
Rotary Melbourne’s R100 Team were involved with numerous other initiatives, including the centenary stamp and coins, the Peace Symposium, New Bites for the Rotary Down Under magazine and spearheading the successful bid for the 2023 World Convention, as well as providing guidance and support to Rotarians who tabled their initiatives such as the Centenary Baton and Relay, Peace Poles, Peace Walk and a centenary book publication.
Rotary Melbourne’s centenary endeavours sprung from the profile created around its 90th Anniversary, in particular the Gala Dinner, graced by the presence of the Governor General Quentin Bryce and Mr Bryce, recognising and celebrating the Club’s long history of service.
Of note is the Vice-Regal recognition of Rotary’s Centenary with His Excellency The Governor General and Mrs Hurley becoming Ambassadors and presiding over signature events.
Now that the Centenary is with us, it is an exciting time to be a Rotarian, with the best yet to come (as COVID restrictions ease) for 2021 to provide further recognition opportunities.