Recently, Rotary Clubs of Australia turned 100 and the club needed to mark such a huge milestone.
“To mark the occasion and create a legacy that propels the Rotary Club of Rochester into the next century of service, club members created the Rotary International Wheel Herb Garden in the grounds of the Heritage Court House and Community Garden,” Rochester Rotary Club president Heather Watson said.
“We got together and had champagne to toast the birthday before going to the Rochester Hotel for dinner.”
The world’s first service club was founded on February 23, 1905, when lawyer Paul Harris and three friends who wanted to rekindle the spirit of friendliness they had known in their home towns.
They named their new club “Rotary” to describe the practice of meeting in rotation at the members’ various places of business.
Originally formed for fellowship, the first Rotary Club quickly evolved to use the talents and resources of its members to serve the community.
The Rotary Club Rochester was chartered by Rotary Club of Echuca (now Echuca Moama) on October, 24, 1964.
The club also wanted to involve the younger generations by presenting them with peace poles for local schools.
“Our young people make up 20 per cent of our population and 100 per cent of our future,” Ms Watson said.
“Hence the Rotary Club of Rochester members donated Rotary Peace Poles to Rochester Primary, Nanneella Estate Primary School and Rochester Secondary College to give the students peace as our centenary gift.”
Peace Poles are planted with the Universal Peace Message “May Peace Prevail on Earth”.
“They symbolise our common wish for a world of peace and stand as a silent vigil, reminding us to think and act in the spirit,” Ms Watson said.
“The peace message is written in four languages one panel on each side of the pole.”
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