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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-05-01 Daily Xml
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Rotary Clubs

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:43): Over 46,000 Rotary Clubs and 1.4 million members stems from one man's vision in Chicago, America. Paul Harris and three other professionals formed the first club on 23 February 1905. What started as a networking opportunity for professionals quickly evolved into a global force for community service, with international clubs forming by 1912.

The Rotary wave hit our shores in 1921, with two Canadian commissioners sent to establish clubs and Melbourne became our first. Eventually, Melbourne members came to Adelaide and involved our leading citizens in an inaugural meeting in 1923, which led to the Adelaide club's official creation the following year, an occasion that was celebrated by members this year as part of its centenary celebrations.

I recently attended one of my local Gawler Rotary Club's 70th anniversary celebrations on Saturday night. Born from the vision of 24 dedicated individuals in 1954, the club has raised well over $1 million to initiate and support a wide range of projects to benefit not only our community but also those abroad.

The first decade of their existence was tough, with Gawler slow to recover from the effects of the Depression and World War II, especially with the closure of James Martin and May Brothers engineering works. The impact the Gawler Rotary Club had on the community was still massive, including playing a pivotal role in establishing our public swimming pool, raising funds for the Gawler hospital's anaesthetic machine and upgrades to the Gawler Institute, one of many donations to public facilities and appeals over the years. There was also the purchase of an old coach house to help establish a boy scout troop, the purchase of an F class locomotive which was made in Gawler and now resides at the Gawler Railway Station to this day, and providing Christmas gifts for residents of nursing homes.

This was just a sample of the many contributions Rotary would make to our community. Membership growth enabled their involvement in a range of local causes and organisations over the years, forming senior citizen groups and raising funds and also supporting other local community groups, Meals on Wheels, a kindergarten, schools, ambulances, medical centres and events, both physically and financially. What they achieved stands the test of time as some of Gawler's biggest events and landmarks are still in existence, including Clonlea Park driven by then president, Mike Johnson. At the time, the club raised $10,000 alongside a $96,000 government grant to make it happen.

They continued to add to the amenities with a barbecue shelter, a playground and other facilities to benefit the many families that use this park. In addition, $80,000 was donated by Rotary to build the Gawler Recreation Centre, which is one of our community's biggest sporting and event hubs to this day. The club erected our famous Pioneer Park archway that stands alongside our main street, which commemorates 100 years of Rotary International, and is also where many services are held. They also continue to run the successful Village Fair event that has been in our community since 1976, raising valuable funds for various community organisations.

One particular member who was celebrated during the 70th anniversary event was charter member Dr Bruce Eastick. Sadly, he is the only surviving charter member having clocked up 70 years of continued membership of the Gawler Rotary Club. However, he has served his community in more ways than on working bees and fundraisers since the club's inception all those years ago. Already serving the community as a young veterinarian, he also served as Gawler mayor twice. He sat in this very chamber where we sit today as a member of parliament for the local district which I now hold, was Speaker of the House of Assembly and was also the leader of the opposition for a time.

But outside all his political work, he was also on the ground serving on the Gawler Community Retirement Homes board, including as chairman, for about 50 years. He helped start a village of 11 homes for retired people in 1971-72, which has since grown to six villages and 159 homes by 2025. He was also involved in the finalising of our local swimming pool and served for many other community groups. But he is just one of the many Rotary members who have made outstanding contributions to our community, including the current team headed by President John Lyons.

I do wonder where would we be as a community without the many service clubs that have the drive and passion to make a difference in our regions. I am glad we do not have to worry about that, though, because especially in the Light electorate, we band together to achieve great things. Happy 70th birthday, Gawler Rotary Club.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Light. I must say in the past couple of weeks I have been reading a few of Speaker Eastick's judgements and rulings—very interesting too. He did a very good job as Speaker of this house.

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