Page 3 - Rotary Matters - October 2020

Rotary Club of Unley celebrates 85 years

The Covid-19 delayed celebrations from 17 April were held in fine style in August in a Hollywood setting
with both Governor David, Immediate PDG Tim and their partners in attendance. The club also received
a congratulatory letter from RI.

Club historian Bob Mills said the club chartered from Adelaide has now 7 daughter clubs and 28
grandaughter clubs as well as 7 District Governors to add to an impressive list. Not to be outdone
numerous Councillors and 9 Mayors have been members.

The Thrift Shop was established on Glen Osmond Rd in 1973 and though a number of iterations is now
on Unley Road. About $1.5m in today’s currency has been raised.

Of the many club projects, the establishment of a club for War Veterans in 1945 was a highlight. At the
Soldiers Memorial Gardens the club progressively provided a flagpole, fountain, Peace garden and rebuilt
the Rotunda in 1995 where our annual Carols are held.

SA Police Officer of the Year was launched in 1978. Strong support was provided for indigenous health
scholarships and more recently Purple House. There have been significant humanitarian projects overseas
in Timor Leste, India, Cambodia, Indonesia and Peru.

DG David mentioned that the club continues to have an annual bowls tournament with its eldest daughter
club, Mitcham, and has been doing this for the past 55 years.

Past Presidents and Paul Harris Fellows Rotary Club of Unley

The event was celebrated appropriately with social distancing and mask wearing but members were still
able to eat what was described as a superb meal and a birthday cake cut with 85 year old knives (or so it is
said) and enjoyed a performance from the Unley Concert Band Trio.

Stephen Baker

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