Sharon Fox’s speech from 60th 
celebration.

Recalling the Charter Year of Alexandra Rotary Club 1966-1967
Past President Sharon Fox
 
It is my pleasure to talk about the first couple of years of the RC of Alexandra particularly its formation and the charter year .

In 1966 the District Governor of Rotary District 280 appointed PP Jack Ansett of RC of Seymour and Fred Hardisty of the RC of Euroa as District Governor’s Representatives to survey the Shire of Alexandra with the view to forming a Rotary Club in the area.

The DGs Representatives identified possible members and approached them to attend an interest meeting. Then an organisational meeting was held at the Commercial Hotel (now the Corner Hotel) on 11th November 1966.

The first meeting of the Provisional Rotary Club of Alexandra was held on 16th December 1966 and the first Bulletin was printed for that meeting.

The club was chartered in 25th November 1966 with 24 members and Ken Weeding as President.

A charter dinner was held on 1st April 1967 with the charter being presented to the club by DG Vic French after President Ken presented the 24 charter members. 341 Rotarians and guests attended the charter dinner in this shire hall.

Office bearers for 1966-1967 year were Ken Weeding President, Vice President Les Coates, Secretary Rex Tate, Treasuer Gordon Newton and Acting Past President Charles Cornall – not sure how you can have a past president when this is the club’s first year.

At this point I’d like to recognise relatives of our charter memberswho are here tonight.

Jocelyn and Murray Coates – Les Coates daughter in law and grandson, and Jocelyn’s husband John was a member of this club also.

Christine Middleton – daughter of Rex Tate

Patrick O’Brien and Lorraine O’Brien son and neicerespectively of Bernie O’Brien, Bernie was the inaugural Community Service Director.

Geoff Dobson son of Alan Dobson

And of course Rhyl Long and myself daughters of Roy Fox. I am very proud to say that Dad was a Rotarian until his death in 2016 and since 1997 was the only active Charter Rotarian of RC of Alexandra.

However there was another member of the club who was a charter member of another club the RC of Nunawading in 1963, and that is John Sharwood who after 53 years is still an active member of the RC of Alexandra. Well done John.

Unfortunately President Ken Weeding died on 25th July 1967 and Les Coates assumed the Presidency for the remainder of the Rotary year.

During the charter year club members entertained a Group Study Exchange Team from Canada, travelled to Corryong  and Seymour for their respective changeover nights.

After finding their feet in the first six months the theme for 1967/1968 was Make Your Rotary Membership effective, which the club did by increasing their membership to 28.

A walkathon commenced and raised $1300.00. an electric clock was supplied to the swimming pool.

In its second year the club moved straight into Student exchange with Taka Kouji from Japan.  

A gladioli scheme was started under the instigation of Albert Holly. First sales were in 1968 raising $65.00 and prizes were won at Euroa and Alexandra shows. A street stall caravan was purchased and given to the shire – what happened to that?? It was partly funded by a $5.00 levy on all members.

An interact club was established at the High School.

A bull was purchase and shipped to India through the For Those who have Less organisation.

The club assisted in the formation of the Alexandra Historical Society with charter Rotarian Charles Cornall elected as president.

From reading the Bulletins from the era the club seemed to have fun as well as doing all their good work both here and abroad.  Although I think the woke police would have had a bit to say about some of the notes. Remember this was an all male club until our own President Debbie joined the club in 1999-2000.

The Rotary Club of Alexandra has continued to do its good work andsupported our community and others over 60 years of membership.

Once again this year they were called upon to provide that help and support our district needed during and since the Longwood bushfires. Along with RC of Yea, Euroa and Seymour hundreds of thousands of dollars and in kind donations were distributed. I know our members spent many hours at the Woodies dispersing vouchers and workwear and anything else that came their way to anyone who asked. And as one of those directly impacted I thank you for being there and doing what you always do.Just getting on with it.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the evening.