SIXTY years ago a group of businesspeople gathered at the Laurieton Hotel and agreed to form the Rotary Club of Laurieton.
To celebrate the six decades of service that has followed, a diamond anniversary dinner was held at Laurieton United Services Club on Saturday, 7 February, with 100 guests in attendance.
Joining the party were past and present members of the Rotary Club; members of Taree, Port Macquarie and Wauchope clubs; and local dignitaries including Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold and Port Macquarie-Hastings councillor Danielle Maltman.
The well-attended evening was organised by longtime Laurieton Rotarians Vere Gray, Barbara Jackson, and Jenny Rogers, with entertainment provided by the Laurietunes Ukulele Group.
Speeches by current Club President Graham Blackett and Past President Ian Jackson paid tribute to the many achievements and efforts of the club.
Rotary District Governor Evan Burrell told News Of The Area, “Rotary continues to evolve, and the work done in Laurieton has ripple effects across the world, not just locally.”
Each year the club raises more than $20,000 through its book sales, raffles, BBQs, and can/bottle recycling – a particularly impressive effort for a club with less than 30 members.
In the last year the club has been reinvigorated with several new, younger members, including a former Rotary International Exchange Student, enabling this grassroots service organisation to provide mentorship, legacy and a sense of community through shared values.
At a local level the club supports the Rotary Lodge at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, contributes to numerous projects in schools, and provides crucial assistance after natural disasters.
On an international level the club has contributed to the Rotary International End Polio Campaign, helping facilitate a 99.9 percent reduction in global polio cases.
Special mention was made of club member and local plumber Steve Roberts at the anniversary dinner, who has made numerous trips to Vanuatu to carry out extensive plumbing and drainage work in the area.
By Rachael THORPE
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