Rotary Club of Hobart

FORMATION

The Rotary Club of Hobart was the first club in Tasmania to be chartered. Our inaugural meeting was held on the 26th February 1924 under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Melbourne.

Rotary International issued Charter No 1802 on 2nd August 1924 in confirmation of the club's charter.

It is a matter of keen rivalry that our sister club - Launceston - held it's inaugural meeting before us but we received the earlier charter number.

Twenty four charter members were inducted by the original Charter President Sir Henry Jones who is well remembered as the chairman of H. Jones & Co Ltd (IXL Products), a company in itself being an important contributor to the heritage of Tasmania.

Apart from Sir Henry, other Charter members were -
G. V. Brooks CBE, Sir J. H. Butters CNIG, MBE, D. Butler, W. G. Burton, F. B. Cane, W. A. Cane, T. Cooper, H. H. Cummins, W. H. Cummins, J. Ewing, Sir H. W. Gepp KB, F. W. Heritage, W. P. Hood, M. Kennedy, C. Lord, R. J. Morris, G. E. Murdoch, R. Nettlefold, A. W. Courtney-Pratt, M. W. Simmons, C. E. Webster, F. Yelverton Wilson, A. Weller.

The territorial limit of the club was defined as a radius of 20 miles from the Hobart GPO.

Inaugural office bearers were:

President: Sir Henry Jones KB
Secretary: R. J. Morris
Treasurer: H. H. Cummins
Directors: G. V. Brooks, F. W. Heritage, M. Kennedy,
R. Nettlefold, A. Courtney- Pratt, M. W. Simmons, R. Y. Wilson.

VENUES

The club meets each Thursday and has traditionally done so at lunchtime and this very effectively caters for the large number of business people in the C.B.D. who are members of the Hobart Club.

Whilst Hadley's Hotel was the venue for its inaugural meeting, the first midday luncheon meeting was held at the Imperial Hotel. In 1938 the club moved to the Belvedere for four years and then onto the Mayor's Court Room at the Hobart Town Hall.

From there the club moved to the 7HT Broadcast House in Elizabeth Street. In 1946 the club established a permanent home in the basement of the T. & G. Building, but relocation to the Naval, Military and Air Force Club became necessary in 1981 because the building was sold.

The next move in 1984 was to the RACT functions building in Macquarie Street and then onto Hadley's Hotel followed in 1997 by the current location at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, where excellent facilities and service compliment the outstanding views of the harbour and Mount Wellington.

EXTENSION

The club has been responsible for sponsoring the following clubs - Moonah 1955, North Hobart 1961, Bellerive 1963, Sandy Bay 1964, Kingston 1973, Hobart Town (now Sullivans Cove) 1979.

Each of these clubs is still prospering and very active within their local communities.

MAJOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

The 60 And Over Club - Our club took on the role of underwriting the cost of this building to house the 60 And Over Club which commenced operations in 1963 and is still operating today.
A large parcel of land at Taroona was purchased in 1938 to set up a holiday camp for families and youth groups at Taroona.

The camp operated successfully until 1964 when its was agreed that the facility had served its purpose and the decision was taken to dispose of the property for 17,750 pounds.

This capital was invested under a trust fund which has ensured the income earned is used for the betterment of youth.

It is a very handy source of finance which allows us to increase our support for worthy community projects to help youngsters become involved in Rotary projects such as M.U.N.A., R.Y.L.A., C.R.A. National Youth Science Forum, R.Y.P.E.N., the Siemens Science Summer School and the Youth Exchange Programme.

We support many of these projects annually.

In 1964 the Rotary Blanket Appeal was established as an annual winter-time event. It was extremely successful in its aims. Blankets were distributed to the needy under the supervision of various welfare agencies. This programme ran for 10 years until such time as it was considered that its appeal had served its purpose. The project was well publicised and our club became synonymous with the ideals of assisting the needy in our community.

In 1993 under the mantle "Business In The Community" the club established the innovative and highly successful Mentor Resources programme which offers assistance to small businesses which may be experiencing financial difficulties.

Volunteer "mentors" are accredited to offer expertise to clients who require such assistance.

The programme continues and has proved to be a great advantage to the small business community. Because this programme is so successful, strong government and corporate support has been provided to bolster our initial club funds.

OTHER PROJECTS

During its 80+ years history the club has been significantly involved with many commitments to youth which are too numerous to mention in detail. Much of the club's effort is directed towards youth support particularly in giving encouragement to youngsters who want to reach their potential and develop a sense of pride in their community.

FUNDRAISING

Many avenues of fundraising have been used throughout the club's existence. Currently its main sources of income are from the Sail Day, the Magic Show, income from the Taroona Trust Investments and from our Art Show.

DISTRICT GOVERNORS

The club has provided eight District Governors throughout its 80+ years. These were: -

Harry Cummins, 1931 - 32, J. Burgess Watt 1937 - 38 and again in 1943 - 44, Eric Cuthbertson 1948 - 49, Harold Ralph 1951 - 52, Bill Oats 1959 - 60, Tim Jacobs 1973 - 74, Jock Geeves 1981 - 82 and Bob Taylor 1982 - 83 who died shortly after taking office and his term was completed by Jock Geeves.

Club member and Past president Ian Shuey (pictured) is District Governor designate for 2009 - 2010

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS

1975 - Tim Jacobs OAM*
1979 - Eric Cuthbertson*
1981 - Eric Howard*
1982 - Bob Taylor*
1985 - Ric Burgess
1987 - Bill Oats OBE*
1988 - Jim Scott
1990 - Bertie Tucceri*
1991 - Tony Wyatt
1992 - Noel Cox*
1995 - Roger Sewell
1996 - Fay Cox
1997 - Don Walters
1997 - Paul Hogan - Southern Cross TV
1999 - Jeff Bester
2000 - Norm Deane
2001 - Peter Cripps
2003 - Russ McNaughton
2004 - Mark Manning
2005 - Ruth Howie**
2005 - Roger Sewell � Sapphire
2007 - Peter Sykes
2008 - Graeme Costelloe

1976 - Stan Trethewey*
1980 - Harold Sargison*
1981 - PDG Jock Geeves*
1984 - Ted Pool*
1986 - Dugald McDougall*
1988 - Bill Carrick AM*
1989 - George Tuckett*
1991 - John McMinn*
1992 - Gunnar Pusta*
1994 - Robin Hood AM
1995 - Una Hobday**
1996 - Fred Peacock
1997 - Rex Gardner - Mercury Newspaper
1998 - Max Darcey
1999 - Una Hobday** � Sapphire
2000 - Brian Gallagher
2002 - Robin Holmes
2004 - Ian Shuey**
2004 - Geoff Clarke
2005 - Stephen Shirley
2006 - Dugald McDougall
2008 - Rudie Sypkes*

* - Deceased
** - PHF awarded by another Club

PROBUS

The Hobart Rotary Club was instrumental in the formation of the Hobart Probus Club, established to foster fellowship among retired Rotarians and businessmen who share common interests.

Operating since 1987, the Probus club meets monthly and at the present time has a membership of 90.

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF HOBART

Founded in 1946, this club meets regularly to foster friendship, the ideals of personal service and international understanding.

Meetings are held monthly, usually in members' homes. The club was the originator of the Hobart Inner Wheel Sunset Club which caters for partners of Rotarians who because of work commitments are unable to attend daytime meetings.

STUDENT EXCHANGE

Many young Tasmanians have participated in the student exchange program on both an inward and outward basis. In fact, 24 have come to us and we have sponsored 24 to travel overseas.

The goodwill and international understanding from the exchange is immeasurable in providing students with an experience of international culture.

The club is indebted to the many families who have hosted students for us and to the schools - both Government and Independent - who have assisted with their education.

PAST PRESIDENTS

1925 -	Sir Henry Jones*	1925 - 26	Sir Herbert Gepp*
1926 - 27	Matthew Simmons*	1927 - 28	A.W. Courtney-Pratt*
1928 - 29	Harry Cummins*	1929 - 30	Dennis Butler*
1930 - 31	Frank Cane*	1931 - 32	Ernest Unwin*
1932 - 33	David Meredith*	1933 - 34	Cyril Taylor*
1934 - 35	J Burgess Watt*	1935 - 36	Arthur Wadsley*
1936 - 37	George Brooks*	1937 - 38	Edney Moore*
1938 - 39	Frank Wells*	1939 - 40	Harold Ralph*
1940 - 41	Harold Biggins*	1941 - 42	Sir Richard Harris*
1942 - 43	Sam Hancox*	1943 - 44	Roy Crick*
1944 - 45	Leslie Langford*	1945 - 46	Eric Cuthbertson*
1946 - 47	Roy McIntyre*	1947 - 48	Archie Park*
1948 - 49	Arthur Gifford*	1949 - 50	George Park*
1950 - 51	Harry Dunn*	1951 - 52	Les Williams*
1952 - 53	Keith Moore*	1953 - 54	Reg Cole*
1954 -55	Bill Copley*	1955 - 56	Reg Kemp*
1956 - 57	Edney Medhurst*	1957 - 58	Stan Trethewey*
1958 - 59	*Bill Oats OBE**	1959 - 60	Harold Cuthbertson*
1960 - 61	Cedric Duncombe* Stan Trethewey*	1961 - 62	*Robert Mather CBE**
1962 - 63	Bob Sharp*	1963 - 64	John Martin*
1964 - 65	Reg Blundstone*	1965 - 66	Don Gumley*
1966 -67	Ted Bessell*	1967 - 68	Hugh Cruickshank*
1968 - 69	Rex Farmer*	1969 - 70	Ray Gilson*
1970 - 71	Bob Taylor*	1971 - 72	Darcy Blackwood*
1972 - 73	Bill Casimaty	1973 - 74	John Verney*
1974 - 75	Max Diprose	1975 - 76	Noel Cox*
1976 - 77	Jock Geeves*	1977 - 78	George MacLaine*
1978 - 79	Gordon Bowman	1979 - 80	Ellison Hawker
1980 - 81	Gunnar Pustar*	1981 - 82	Ric Burgess
1982 - 83	Denis Nation	1983 - 84	*Bill Carrick AM**
1984 - 85	Peter Cripps	1985 - 86	Max Darcey
1986 - 87	Jim Collier*	1987 - 88	Tony Wyatt
1988 - 89	Bruce Felmingham	1989 - 90	Mark Manning
1990 - 91	Roger Locke	1991 - 92	Charles Holmes
1992 - 93	Bob Wilson	1993 - 94	Roy Pallett
1994 - 95	Robin Holmes	1995 - 96	Bruce Maddock
1996 - 97	Paul Hogan	1997 - 98	Robin Hood AM
1998 - 99	Forbes Ireland	1999 - 00	Graeme Costelloe
2000 - 01	Graham Wells	2001 - 02	Ian Shuey
2002 - 03	Richard Herr	2003 - 04	Colleen Dean
2004 - 05	John McDonald	2005 - 06	Peter Murfett
2006 - 07	David Catchpole	2007 - 08	David Skegg

* - Deceased

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