2000-01 to 2009-10
2000 - 2001
President: Doug Harrison
At the Changeover Dinner congratulations were extended to the newly installed President, Doug Harrison on his engagement to Lyn Richardson.
In August the Club again catered for the Repco Trade Night and Members and Partners catered for 200 children at Walkabout Whipstick.
Cycleabout Whipstick was held in September and lunch was provided for all participants. Also in September the Rabbiting Weekend was held at Jeff Lougoon’s Patho property.
In October District Governor Des Jones and his wife Beryl made an Official Visit to the Club. Fellowship was enjoyed at the Annual Combined Clubs Weekend Working Bee at the Portsea Camp. The Club was invited to the full dress rehearsal of the Eaglehawk Golf Club Review. Members and Partners catered for the Bush Dance at the Eaglehawk Leisure Centre for Mental Health Week. A profit of $380 was raised. Leon Scott, Stan Spencely and Hans Siegloff collected a quantity of hospital items and furniture from the Inglewood Hospital to send to East Timor. The Bendigo Club donated $2,500, and a Bendigo Member $1,000 to assist with the cost of sending a container of goods to East Timor. The October Board Meeting was held in Rotary Hall at St. Laurence Court,
A Carnival Night was held at Stan & Jan Spencely’s home in November – this was also the Pie & Port Night and a Certificate was presented to Peter Major for his assistance with trophies for the Cycleabout Whipstick. The Club again catered at F.J’s Café at the Bendigo Swap Meeting. Total takings for the weekend were $78,725 with F.J’s. takings being $9,982. Ten members assisted with Orientation day at Eaglehawk Secondary College and provided a sausage & egg breakfast.
President Doug attended the Eaglehawk Secondary College Awards Night and presented Scholarships on behalf of the Club. Members & Partners enjoyed a Christmas Night when clown “der Fred” entertained the children.
Many Members and Partners joined with President Doug and Lyn at their wedding at Holy Trinity Church in January. BBQ’s were held at Parker’s and McKern’s in place of the first two meetings for the year. A total of 57 members, partners and children, together with District Governor Des Jones & Beryl enjoyed a night at the Golden Dragon Museum when 6,000 large mirrors and 20,000 small mirrors were cleaned on Sun Loong, Chinese Imperial Dragon, in preparation for the Easter Procession.
In February members held an evening at Chateau Leamon, Kangaroo Flat to raise funds for East Timor.
The Club attended a working Bee at Camp Getaway in March and catered for the Mountain Bike Championships. The Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival fundraiser was a Theatre Restaurant “The Man from Ironbark” presented by Geoffrey Walker Graham and raised $319-00. The District Conference was held at Darling Harbour, Sydney and Bill Slee and Vin Walshe were part of the support team for the bike riders who rode from Melbourne to Sydney.
In April an Easter Bonnet Parade was held with all Members & Partners taking part. This event raised $150 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. After the Anzac Day Service the Club Members and Partners enjoyed a Fellowship Lunch at the Little Sebastion Hotel.
Bendigo By Bike was organised in May with 600 riders taking part and $252-10 was raised at The St. Laurence Court Fair BBQ. A working Bee was held at Camp Getaway and Mayfair Park to pack a container for East Timor.
Hans Siegloff was awarded the Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Award at the Annual Changeover. The electric power was off for about 1.5 hours and the new President was inducted by Candlelight.
2001 - 2002
President: Alf Thorpe
A partners night was held in July when Judy McDonald spoke on the history of the Capital Theatre.
In August the 35th Anniversary of the Club was conducted in style and P.P. Ron Moss was honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Cycleabout Whipstick was held in September and we also received an Official Visit from District Governor Anne White. D.G. Anne was the first female D.G. in District 9800.
In October a Working Bee were held at Wedderburn to dismantle 407 metres of fencing donated by Coliban Water and to be used in East Timor and another Working Bee at Camp Getaway. The Club again catered for the Bush Dance for Mental Health Week. This catering raised $500-00. The Pie & Port night was held at the home of Stan & Jan Spencely.
P.P. Howard Osborne reported on a very poor attendance by the public in November at the “Active Australia Day” held at Rotary Park for the City of Greater Bendigo Council. Rotarians present to do the catering outnumbered the participants. The Club was awarded the Eaglehawk Times Volunteer of the Months Award – the gift voucher for a meal for 2 at Jo Jo’s was raffled. Past District Governor Colin Martin visited the Club to speak about Rotary Foundation and the working bees continued on the Angel Fountain in Canterbury Park.
The catering at the Swap Meeting was very successful with the takings at F.J’s Café being up by 44%. Although very busy this was a great weekend of Fellowship for the Club.
Christmas Cakes & Puddings were sold during December and donations to the value of $3,000 were received towards the Monster Christmas Stocking Raffle. The Salvation Army Band led the singing of Christmas Carols at the Club Christmas night.
In January Fellowship Meetings were held at the homes of Gordon and Anita McKern and Roy Parker.
The Club members cooked 600 sausages for the Australia Day Celebrations.
A very successful Bendigo By Bike was held in February with 70 riders taking part. P.D.G. Gordon McKern & Anita were honoured to attend the District Governors Training sessions in Anaheim, USA as trainers of the incoming District Governors.
The Annual Rotary Evening at the Dahlia & Arts Festival was titled “Music Gold” with excellent talent including Simone Richards, Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and Clan McLeod Pipe Band. The Show raised $2,800-00 and donations were made to various organizations that had participated. Members and Partners again assisted in many ways for the Festival. Twenty Club Members and friends raised $1,680 by walking for 24 hours at “Relay for Life”.
In May a Fellowship Night was held at the Star Theatre –The film was titled ‘A Beautiful Mind’. Also in May the International Committee organised an International Cookery Night when all members brought either a main course or a sweet. The main course was won by Hans Siegloff and the sweet by Bill Slee. $500 was raised. A cheque for $225-10 was received as being 50% of the profit made at the St. Laurence Court Fair BBQ.
Rotarian Terry Williams sold knitted footy dolls in June to raise money for International Projects and a Fellowship trip was made to Melbourne by train to attend Colonial Stadium. A cheque for $2,000 was presented to the Special Development School as a result of the Bendigo By Bike event.
Rotarian Leslie Siegloff received the Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Achievement Award.
A well-earned Paul Harris Fellow was awarded to P.P. Howard Osborne.
2002 - 2003
President: Hans Siegloff
P.P. Bill Slee reported that $1,293-68 had been raised at the Repco Trade Night. Ten members attended the “Stack the Timor Container – Practice Run”. A Fellowship Night was held at the National Hotel.
In August a cheque for $1,200, that was made up by each Club in Bendigo contributing $200, was presented to P.P. Leon Scott to be used for out of pocket expenses of the Rotary Team going to East Timor to build an Orphanage.
District Governor Des Hosking and his wife Judy made an Official Visit to the Club. During the meeting a surprise telephone call was received from Leon Scott in East Timor- this was able to be amplified to all members present.
In September the Club agreed to sponsor a student, Chantelle Sobczyk, to Belgium at no cost or obligation to the Club. P.E. Bill Peterson volunteered to be Student Counsellor. Two hundred trees were planted at Lake Tom Thumb.
In October P.P. Stan Spencely reported that the Angel Fountain Project had been completed. A Pie & Port night, with a Halloween Theme, was held at the home of Rita O’Brien. Rotarians & Partners catered for the Mental Health Week Bush Dance and raised $550-00.
In November Bendigo District Clubs again took part in the catering at the Swap Meeting. Eaglehawk as usual looked after F.J’s. Café. The Club filled 124 x 4hour shifts and took $16,077 – an increase of 11.3% on the previous year.
At the Annual Christmas Party in December special Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Leon Scott, Rita O’Brien and David Dolman for their contribution to the East Timor Appeal. John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, had signed these Certificates. The Christmas Stocking Raffle was a great success.
Our first two meetings for 2003 were fellowship nights at the homes of Maureen Lougoon and Roy Parker. P.D.G. Gordon McKern and Anita were again appointed as trainers for the Incoming District Governors Assembly in Anaheim.
In February working bees were held at Camp Getaway with the Rotary Clubs of Altona & Essendon North. A Fellowship Night was held in Rosalind Park – “Broadway Under the Stars”.
March proved to be very busy. The Club participated in “Clean Up Australia”, The Dahlia & Arts Festival at which we set up for the Flower Show, shifted chairs and then shifted the chairs again and generally helped with the Food & Wine in the Park, Procession, Church Service and Family Day. Music Gold was again a great success and raised a total of $2,491-00. The District Conference was held in Bendigo and Eaglehawk Club hosted a pre-Conference Dinner for Kyneton, Woodend and Gisborne Clubs. Our Club sold $3,000 worth of tickets for a fundraising event by the Alola Foundation at which Kirsty Sword Gusmao, First Lady of Timor, and former resident of Eaglehawk, was the Guest Speaker.
The weather was perfect for the Annual Bendigo By Bike event
In April a team of Rotarians, Partners and Friends took part in the Relay for Life, raising $3,585 for Cancer Research.
The inaugural Eaglehawk Employee of the Year Awards Night was held in May with I.G.A’s. Eileen Smith being the winner. P.P. Bill Orde chaired an International Night when Asian Food was served. Leon Scott left for his third trip to East Timor. Following the Mini Tornado Rotary joined the Freemasons, C.F.A., S.E.S. and Red Cross with several clean-up Working Bees. The McKerns, Laytons, Spencelys and Siegloffs attended the R.I. Convention in Brisbane.
Walter Lourie was awarded the Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Achievement Award.
P.P. Bill Orde and Rotarian Peter Ludeman were honoured as Paul Harris Fellows.
2003 - 2004
President: Bill Peterson
In July a Partners Night was held with Bishop Joe Grech, Bishop of Sandhurst as Guest Speaker
President Bill Peterson reported on a very productive meeting with a diverse group of people in relation to a proposed Skate Park in Eaglehawk
The Club celebrated its 37th Anniversary in August. The City of Greater Bendigo contacted the Club in relation to finance for restoration of the Cal Gully Mechanics Institute.
District Governor Don Jago and his wife Marjorie made an Official Visit to the Club and the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow was made to P.P. Doug Harrison. Visitors that night included Doug Harrison’s mother who was celebrating her 80th Birthday that day.
P.D.G. Gordon McKern was presented with a Sapphire to his Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Also in August the Club assisted with the Inaugural Bendigo Steam Rally at the Prince of Wales Showground. A meeting of about 40 people was held to discuss the Rotary Overseas Student Exchange (ROSE). P.P. Leon Scott reported that half a container of space was available for the next container to East Timor. Eaglehawk Primary School had donated 150 boxes of goods.
In September Cycleabout Whipstick was held. The weather was not good but approx. $2,000 was raised,
P.D.G. Gordon McKern advised that the City of Greater Bendigo had allocated $30,000 to the Club for the re-roofing and re-wiring of the Cal Gully Mechanics Institute.
The Club allocated $10,000 from the investment account for a Farm Project at Pattaya Orphanage. An application was being made for a Matching Grant from the Rotary Foundation.
Several Rotary Partners were busy knitting scarves which raised $2,705 for Relay for Life. Catering was again carried out for the Bush Dance during Mental Health Week.
A very informative tour was held of the State of the Art facilities at the Bendigo Hospital Radiology Department.
The Annual Pie and Port Night was held at Rita O’Brien’s in November. Catering was again carried out at F.J’s Café at the Swap Meeting.
P.P. Bill Miller was elected as an Honorary Member of the Club.
P.D.G. Gordon McKern travelled to Thailand to arrange a Sister Club Agreement with The Rotary Club of Jomtien Pattaya and assess the Farm Project for the Orphanage. Catering for an Essendon Football Club function at Eaglehawk Secondary College raised $1,200-00. The Christmas Stocking Raffle was again a great success with a profit of $3,800-00.
In January P.P. Leon Scott was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his Community contribution. Exchange Student Muriel Roland arrived from Belgium. P.P. Leon Scott reported that around $17,000 had been raised and spent on the orphanage in East Timor.
The District Conference was held in Adelaide and P.P. Bill Slee rode in the Fundraising “Trip to Conference”. A fellowship night was held at the Victoria Hotel and “Music Gold raised $2,500. A Vocational Visit was made to “On Track” and walkers raised $5,179 for Relay for Life.
The first Working Bee was held at the Cal Gully Mechanics Institute in April. The Club voted unanimously to relocate meetings to the Mechanics when restoration was completed.
In May $3,000 was raised at a concert by the Australian Army Band for the Baliba Primary School Project in East Timor.
It was an exciting day for the Club when 5 Orphan Children arrived from Pattaya Orphanage for their 12 months study of English. A successful BBQ was held to help Eaglehawk Secondary College celebrate its 40th Anniversary - $1,886 was raised.
At the Changeover Dinner the theme was Christmas in July. P.D.G. Gordon McKern received the Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Award.
P.P. John Gurr and P.P. David Dolman were honoured with Paul Harris Fellow Presentations.
2004 - 2005
President: Rob Layton
In July Dr. Nitipoon Navaratna from Bangkok who was the Government Advisor for Foreign Affairs and Tourism was the Special Guest of the Club. He and Miss Pepsi from Thai Airways had been filming in Bendigo. Nitipoon had been an Exchange Student stationed in St. Arnaud many years ago and he spoke on how this experience had changed his life. He was very interested in our 5 ROSE students and offered them Scholarships at one of his Universities on their return to Thailand. President Rob thanked Miss Pepsi for arranging free Flights with Thai Air to enable them to come to Australia.
Our A$10,000 has attracted support from the Rotary Club of Watford, England and groups in Thailand and after the Matching Grant from Rotary Foundation is now valued at approx A$50,000. Muriel Roland, the Exchange Student we shared with the Rotary Club of Bendigo returned to Belgium.
In August the Club catered for the luncheon at the 150th Birthday Celebrations of the Eaglehawk Primary School - $939-00 was raised. A Fellowship Afternoon was held at the Mandurang Winery.
District Governor Judy Nettleton and her husband, John Nairn, made an Official Visit to the Club in September. A Vocational Service visit was made to the Eaglehawk North Primary School
A very successful progressive Dinner and Car Rally was held – starting at Parker’s Shearing Shed and finishing at Camp Getaway
In October catering for the Bush Dance during Mental Health Week raised $406. A Cake Stall at Eaglehawk IGA raised $312 towards blinds for the Mechanics Institute. A Trivial Pursuit night organised by Rotarian Cheryl Sobczyk was held when 50 answers on Rotary subjects were answered.
In November the Annual Pie & Port night was held at Rita O’Brien’s with the profit going to the ROSE Program. Seventy people took the opportunity to inspect the work at the Cal Gully Mechanics Institute and the partners held a trading table that raised a further $358-55 towards Window Furnishing for the Hall. A Fellowship Night was held at the Schweppes Centre after the inspection.
Louise McCarthy and Anita Smithurst were our representatives in the Rotary Centenary Speaking Competition in December.
There were 108 people in attendance when Father Phillip from Pattaya Orphanage visited the Club. The 5 ROSE Students were delighted to see him. The girls performed traditional dancing and the boy’s fire dancing. Assistance was given with the Carols by Candlelight that was cut short by rain.
Scholarships were presented to Primary School students at Raywood, Eaglehawk North, Eaglehawk, Comet Hill and Cal Gully as well as Eaglehawk Senior Secondary College.
The Christmas Stocking Raffle was very successful and raised $6,000.
Following the Tsunami Disaster the members raised $6,000-00. December 22nd 2004 was our final meeting at the Eaglehawk Senior Citizens Clubrooms.
The first 2 meetings for January were Fellowship Nights and we catered for the Australia Day Celebrations in lieu of our meeting on 26th
Wednesday 2nd February was our first meeting at the California Gully Mechanics Institute - new home.
Paris Craig represented the Club at the Festival of Sails in Geelong and ROSE student Chon attended the RYLA Camp.
A number of members attended the Official Opening of Camp Getaway and also the Dinner at the All Seasons to celebrate the Centenary of Rotary International.
Our new Clubrooms were opened on 20th February. (See separate report) Our Meeting on 23rd February was the actual Centenary of Rotary International. The Guest Speakers were Rose, Blue, Phol, Chon and Tutka, the 5 Rose Students who had been in Eaglehawk for 10 months studying English. They flew home on 25th February.
Several members and Partners attended a Family Picnic Day at Werribee Park to celebrate the Centenary. This rounded off a very busy week of celebrations.
In March the Club took part in Clean up Australia and the Club organised the first City of Greater Bendigo Bike Ride in conjunction with the Madison Weekend. The District Conference was held in Hobart. The Club, as usual, helped with all the festivities of the Dahlia & Arts Festival. The Rotary evening of “Music & Song” raised $2,249.
Following the Anzac Service in April a Fellowship Luncheon was held at the Boardwalk Café.
In May 200 Riders took part in Bendigo By Bike which raised $4,000. The Fellowship Committee held a great “Black Cat Night” at the Mechanics.
At the District Awards night we were presented with the ‘Rotary Image Award’ for the ROSE Program and the ‘District Governors Award for the Most Outstanding Centennial Project’, the restoration of the Mechanics Institute.
At the last meeting of the year our only remaining Charter Member, P.P. Roy Parker was awarded a Sapphire to his Paul Harris Fellow.
The Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Achievement Award was presented to Rotarian Graeme Lock.
Centenary of Rotary International
Opening of California Gully Mechanics Institute
In 2003 the City of Greater Bendigo asked the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk if it would be interested in taking over as the Committee of Management of the Cal Gully Mechanics Institute that was in very poor repair.
The Club took a long hard look at the building and several of the far-sighted members declared it had potential for restoration. – there were some cynics but overall it was decided that we could tackle the job.
The building was constructed in 1862 and had several additions over the next 35 years. It was used as a School between 1862 to1878 and then as a Mechanics Institute and Free Library from 1883 to the 1950’s. By the 1950’s the Library was little used and the collection was dispersed. In the 1960’s fire damaged part of the back room. The building has seen continued and varied use until the present day. It was once used as a Public Hall and a Polling Booth.
The building is of Regional cultural significance because of its genesis in a significant era of regional development, and its links to important social and educational themes in the history of the region.
With this in mind the Club decided that this restoration would be their project to celebrate the Centenary of Rotary International – a project that would return a local building for useful community purposes.
Every member of the Club had contributed in some way to what has turned out to be a magnificent new home for the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk and a top venue for the local residents.
It is always dangerous to mention individuals but it would be remiss not to mention P.P. Stan Spencely. P.P. Stan, a retired builder, took charge of the whole project from a building point. Stan had personally spent around 2000 voluntary hours on the project. P.P’s. Bill Slee and John Haugh had clocked up in excess of 1500 hours of preparation and painting.We think of the magnificent work on the tables in the meeting room by Rtn. Joe Cogo, and John Fitzpatrick (a former member) who constructed the lectern from recycled timber.
In total there were over 5000 hours of voluntary labour by this Club and an expenditure of well over $50,000. Everyone has contributed time, effort and money. The Club even sold the naming rights on the chairs in the meeting room.
The Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo, Cr. Rod Fyffe, opened the new Club Rooms on Saturday 20th February 2005. The Official Party that included District Governor Judy Nettleton and her husband John Nairn, arrived in P.P. Bill Orde’s Vintage Car.
During the festivities President Rob Layton presented Sapphires to add to the Paul Harris Awards of P.P. Stan Spencely and P.P. Leon Scott. Rotary Clocks were presented to P.P’s. Bill Slee and John Haugh to acknowledge their tremendous contribution to the restoration work.
After the Official Opening a BBQ luncheon (Cooked by our caterers) was enjoyed by all in attendance.
2005 - 2006
President: Walter Lourie
Fourteen Members and Partners attended the District Governors Changeover when John Wigley of the Rotary Club of Kyneton was inducted as District Governor. The Skate Park Project was underway with Convect Design being appointed to draw up plans
In August District Governor Elect, Bernie Walshe visited the Club and 32 Rotarians and Partners attended the 80th Birthday of the Rotary Club of Bendigo. District Governor John Wigley and Fran made an Official Visit to the Club and a very successful launch of the Skate Park was held.
Cycleabout Whipstick, with 171 riders, was held in September and showed a profit of approx $2,000-00. A team of President Walter Lourie, P.P. Leon Scott, Norm Kenyon, Heather Ridge, Hannah Ridge and Brian & Pam Hall left to carry out further work on the School in East Timor. During our meeting on 21st September a phone call was received from President Walter Lourie in East Timor.
In October the Club catered for the Pre-Pets Seminar that was held at Camp Getaway and raised $2,200-00. A Vocational Service visit was held at the Australian Defence Industries. The Partners held a “make-up” night at Spencely’s that raised $500 for the Relay for Life Team
A Garden Party was held at Maiden Gully in November with Rotarian Heather Ridge as Guest Speaker – proceeds were directed to the work in East Timor. The Pie & Port night was held at O’Brien’s and the ROSE Students again performed traditional and fire dances – this night raised $700 for the ROSE Programme. Catering was again carried out at the Annual Swap Meeting and after an allocation of $14,000 to the Bendigo Youth Choir Eaglehawks share of the profits was $4, 250-00
In December an Inter-Club visit was held to Daylesford and the Christmas Party was held at the new Club Rooms – the Mechanics Institute.
Two Fellowship evenings were held in January in lieu of the usual meetings.
In February the Club took part in the Civic Pride Clean-up. Sam McLeod who had been our nomination as a participant in the Skandi Weekend spoke at the Club as did Pang from the ROSE Program who had been our nomination for RYLA. Two of our members, P.P. Leon Scott and Rotarian Carolyn Robinson had the privilege of carrying the Queens Baton for the Commonwealth Games.
District Governor Judy Nettleton attended our meeting on 22nd February and presented P.P. Rob Layton with a Presidential Citation awarded by the Rotary International President for 2004-2005 Glenn E. Estress Sr.
In March the Club catered for the “Summer in the Park” film in Canterbury Park and took part in Clean up Australia. The Thai students were farewelled from Tullamarine on 5th March 2006. Fifteen members and Partners attended a successful District Conference held in Geelong and the Club organised the City of Greater Bendigo Parks Ride. The Club also assisted with BBQ catering at the Civic Gardens during the Commonwealth Games. The “Back To” musical during the Dahlia & Arts Festival raised $2,615 towards the Skate Park and other efforts during the Festival raised $962-00
In April concrete slabs were poured for two Storage Sheds on the Grounds of the Mechanics Institute. One shed for Eaglehawk and one for the Rotary Club of Sandhurst.
In May President Walter Lourie, P.P. Leon Scott and Honorary Member Norm Kenyon returned to East Timor on another working trip. A Community Breakfast was held to Launch “Empowering Eaglehawk”.
P.P’s. Howard Osborne and Leon Scott announced that the City of Greater Bendigo would be contributing $100,000 towards the cost of the Skate Park.
Peter Cox reported on the District Assembly and advised that P.P. Rob Layton had been appointed an Assistant Governor of District 9800 for 2006-2007. A number of Members attended the Annual Pie & Port Night at Rochester and Bendigo By Bike raised $2,360-00.
In June Working Bees were held to erect fencing between the Mechanics and St. Laurence Court. At his last meeting President Walter announced that our attendance to May 2006 was 84.5%, which placed us at 4th place for District 9800 – a great effort.
At the Annual Changeover the Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Award was made to Rotarian Charlie Cunneen.
Mrs. Vivienne Osborne, wife of P.P. Howard Osborne, was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow for her work with the ROSE Students.
A Sapphire, which had been purchased for Mrs. Anita McKern to add to her Paul Harris Fellow award, was presented.
2006 - 2007
President: Peter Cox
On 9th August 2006 an Anniversary Dinner was held at the Mechanics Institute to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Club.
District Governor Bernie Walshe and his wife Margaret made an Official Visit to the Club on 16th August 2006.
Cycle about Whipstick was again held in September and in October the Ladies of Rotary held a very successful Fashion Parade to raise funds for the Skate Park
Carolyn Robinson. Leon Scott, Norm Kenyon and Heather Ridge went to East Timor with a work party,
A Garden Party at the home of Heather & Noel Ridge raised $3,151 for the Skate Park and Jacinta Allen M.P. promised $100,000 towards the Skate Park if re-elected. The Annual Pie & Port night was held at the home of Rita O’Brien,
The Club again was involved in the catering at the Annual Swap Meeting and this resulted in a donation from the Combined Clubs of $10,000 towards the Skate Park
The Christmas Stocking Raffle to raise funds for the ROSE Program was again successful.
The cath lab at St. John of God Hospital was dismantled and loaded for transport to Sri Lanka.
In January 2007 the Club opened a Bar at the Club Rooms at the Mechanics Institute and in February assisted with the shifting of the Archie Robinson Seat from the grounds of Stafford Ellinson to land owned by St. Laurence Court (Bendigo) Inc., on the corner of Eaglehawk Road and Speedy Street.
In April P.P. Howard Osborne announced that we had been successful in obtaining a grant of $100,000 for the Skate Park from the Federal Government
On Wednesday 30th May a Cocktail Function was held to celebrate the completion of the Fundraising for the Skate Park.
President Peter Cox welcomed Rotarians & Guests and thanked everyone for their valuable contributions towards the Skate Park. After 3 years the campaign had raised $123,000 through Rotary and the Community. City of Greater Bendigo, State & Federal Governments had each contributed $100,000 making a total of $443,000. Naming rights had been given to the McKern Family in recognition of their many years of service to the Eaglehawk Community and also their financial contribution of $25,000 from McKern Building Products and $25,000 personally from Gordon & Anita McKern. The park would be known as the McKern Skate Park after construction.
The Club honoured P.P. Howard & Vivienne Osborne on their outstanding work on many Projects. President Peter then presented P.P. Howard Osborne with a Sapphire for his Paul Harris Recognition.
2007 - 2008
President: Doug Poole
District Governor John Davis and Joan made an Official Visit to the Club on 22nd August and then in September DG John, PDG Lawrence Atley and other Members of the Rotary Club of Footscray used the Mechanics Institute to launch the 2008 District Conference in Shepparton.
Work commenced on the McKern Skate Park in September and Leon Scott and Heather Ridge led a work party to East Timor.
The Lady Partners Fashion Parade raised $2,331, with $2,000 going towards the Mechanics Building Program and $331 for Relay for Life.
Work commenced on the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen at Eaglehawk Primary School.
The Club was involved in the dismantling of the Council Buildings in Strathdale to salvage building material for East Timor.
Swap Meeting Catering was down due to inclement weather – total raised $32,000.
Inter-Club visit to Kyneton held at Car Museum of Ivan & June Smith - $1,000 raised for East Timor Projects.
The Club named the Meeting Room the Stan Spencely Room, the Kitchen, the Bill Slee Room and the Board Room the John Haugh Room in recognition of their work in the restoration of the Mechanics Institute.
P.P. Stanley James Spencely passed away on 16th February 2008 after a battle with cancer.
The McKern Skate Park was Officially Opened on 23rd February 2008 after many years of hard work. Particular mention was made of P.P. Howard Osborne & P.P. Alf Thorpe for their tireless contribution.
District Conference was held in Shepparton with 5 members attending.
More containers were loaded for East Timor and Leon Scott, Walter Lourie and Norm Kenyon together with 3 non Rotarians made a trip to Maubisse as a work party.
The Club obtained a Liquor Licence and we were now able cater with alcohol for outside events held at the Mechanics.
At the Changeover Dinner on 25th June Paul Harris Fellow Awards were made to Walter Lourie and incoming President Alf Thorpe.
Rita O’Brien received the Golden Eagle Award
2008 - 2009
President: Alf Thorpe
District Governor Jim Studebaker and Carol made an Official Visit to the Club.
Work commenced to assist the Neangar Pony Club with alterations to Club Rooms.
An Inter-Club visit was received from the Rotary Club of Euroa with Sisters Neena and Zeena from East Timor also in attendance. The Sisters spent 2 weeks in Bendigo and were hosted by Maureen Lougoon
Past President Bill Miller PHF passed away on 6th September 2008 after 42 years of Service Above Self.
Cycle About Whipstick was held in September and in October a GPS was purchased for the Bendigo Ambulance Service.
The Annual Pie & Port Night held at Rita O’Brien’s raised $1,011 for the ROSE Program. Goods ere salvaged from Weeroona College and another container loaded for East Timor.
The Club again ran F.J’s. Café at the Bendigo Swap Meeting.
The Christmas Stocking Raffle raised $8,800-00
On 7th February 2009 Eaglehawk was devastated by the Black Saturday Bushfires. Honorary Members Norm Kenyon’s house was completely destroyed. Many Working Bees and Fundraising events were carried out by Club Members to assist the victims of the fire. Many donations were received including the American Riders Association (Harley Davidson) who visited the Club and presented a cheque for $5,300-00. Three families were treated to a holiday at Narooma, NSW. The Bushfire victims were offered free Surveys of their properties. It was estimated that this project alone would be around $45,000-00.
Three Members and Partners attended the Conference in Launceston.
Bendigo By Bike had 81 participants.
Goods valued at approx. $150,000 were recovered and recycled from Golden Square Secondary College for transportation to East Timor.
Five Students arrived from Pattaya, Thailand for their 12 month stay in Australia. Nut, Rit, Kaew, Urgn, and Gib.
At the Changeover Dinner in June, President Alf Thorpe made a presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow Award to June Layton and a Sapphire to P.P. Rob Layton. The Golden Eagle was presented to Doug Harrison
2009 - 2010
President: John Jones
On 9th July a ceremony was held to re-dedicate the California Gully Mechanics Institute World War 1 Honour Board. The Board was restored by Stan Tobias and re-dedicated by the Bishop Bendigo, Rt. Revd. Andrew Curnow.
District Governor Colin Muir and Pauline made an Official Visit to the Club in August.
Past President Vinnie Walshe, PHF, passed away on 13th August 2009 after nearly 43 years of Service Above Self.
Leon Scott, Graeme Lock, Ron Moss, Norm Kenyon and John Jones took part in another work party in East Timor.
Cycle About Whipstick was held in September and the Premier of the Film Mao’s Last Dance realised a profit of $3,300-00.
A number of Rotary Partners organised a “High Tea” at the Mechanics which raised $1,639 for Relay for Life.
Working Bees commenced at the Eaglehawk Secondary College Wes Vine Hall which was being relocated to the Eaglehawk Soccer Ground.
Three Students from Eaglehawk Secondary College were sponsored for a short term exchange to Turkey.
Over $8,000 was raised for the ROSE Program from the Christmas Stocking Raffle.
As had been the custom for many years the Club assisted with the Eaglehawk Australia Day celebrations.
President John Jones attended the District Conference in Perth.
“Festival Idol” raised $2,500-00 and $5,393-00 was raised for Relay for Life.
A Community Breakfast was held at the Conservatory Room at the All Seasons in May with Mike Hirst, CEO of Bendigo Bank as Guest Speaker.
The Club was awarded a grant of $10,000 from District 9800 Bushfire Relief Fund and this amount was passed on to “Our Place” to continue the work for Bushfire affected people. The Club also received a District Simplified Grant of $3,340-25 and the added another $1,659-75 to make a donation of $5,000 to the Bendigo Maubisse Committee to enable another container to be shipped to East Timor.
The State Government contributed $300,000 towards the completion of the relocating of the Wes Vine Hall.
At the Annual Changeover a Paul Harris Fellow Award was made to Rotarian Graeme Lock, a Sapphire to Walter Lourie and a second sapphire to Leon Scott.
The Golden Eagle Award was made to P.P. Bill Slee.