The Rotary Club of Doncaster and its Association with The Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society and the Community
The Rotary Club of Doncaster was chartered in August 1972 and in 2022 will celebrate their 50th anniversary.
The charter President was Doug White, Vice President Ken Clark, Secretary Dave Donaldson, Treasurer Ron Douglas and Board Members David East, Bill Ulrich, Fred Andrew, John Hirst, David Perry, Milton Warn. The club was chartered with 35 members.
From the beginning Rotary had a strong association with the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society mainly through the Society member Irvine Green who was granted honorary membership of Rotary in 1976. Irvine was also an historian and that is how The Rotary Club became involved with the Society. Irvine was Chairman of the Schramm’s Cottage Preservation Committee when the cottage was moved from Doncaster Road to its present position in 1974.
In 1976 Rotary’s Community Service Committee built a shed in the grounds of Schramm’s Cottage for the display of the Society’s collection of orchard and farming equipment; I suspect with Society member Irvine Green being instrumental in suggesting this. The rebuilding of the cottage and restoration work on early orchard machinery were opportunities for Rotary to strengthen the ties between the two organisations. Rotary’s involvement also included working with ociety members in rebuilding the Gazebo from the Templestowe Cemetery in the cottage grounds. This association continues today with Rotary members assisting with the maintenance of the cottage gardens and general maintenance.
In 2000 the Historical Society allowed Rotary to erect a shed, known as “Lindsay’s Shed” for storing Rotary equipment and records. That year Rotary mem- ber Basil Ornellas recorded the commentary for each of the display rooms in Schramm’s Cottage, Atkins Cottage, the Sloyd Room and Fingers Barn.
Schramm’s Cottage Museum Complex is only one of the Community Service projects that Rotary is involved in. Some others are: Doncare – assistance with funding and Christmas hampers – Twilight Disco – for the benefit of less abled people; Dabs – basketball for less abled students; RSL – assistance with funding and hampers; a pathway and recreational area for Manningham Centre; Various forums addressing Hearing Impairment, Vision and Mental Health Awareness.
Source: Liz Olie writing in 2021-12 DTHS Newsletter
Rotary Club of Doncaster has contributed to many community projects in a wide range of areas over many years.
They provided plaques in the grounds of Schramm Cottage Museum Complex. See: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4002/PhotoAlbums/schramm-s-cottage-1
Rotary have also worked on preservation of the Waldau cemetery within the Schramm Cottage Museum Complex:
See also:
https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4002/
https://www.facebook.com/rotarydoncaster2
https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4002/PhotoAlbums/schramm-s-cottage-1
Rotary Organisation
Guest Speaker at our November meeting was Pat Armstrong a member of the Rotary Club of Doncaster. Pat gave a most enlightening and informative power point presentation on the scope of work undertaken by Rotary International and its affiliated clubs throughout the world.
Some interesting facts gleaned from Pat’s talk:
- Rotary International was established in 1912
- Current membership is 1.2 million
- There are 39,000 clubs working in 200 countries throughout the world
- Africa, Asia and India are countries of significant growth in terms of service.
Pat also highlighted some major environmental problems in various parts of the world today and how Rotary International is involved in helping to overcome these. For example Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) provides mosquito nets in countries where malaria is a major concern. Funds have also been provided to ultimately eradicate the incidence of polio throughout the world. Over the past 30 years this has been reduced by 99% through the immunisation of 2.5 billion children. Rotary International has contributed UA$1.8 billion to this program. Rotary International is also closely associated with the Bulawayo Orphans Education Project by funding school fees and teacher training programs and providing books and food supplements for children. On the local horizon, Rotary clubs are also involved in sustainability programs such as the planting and growing of trees raised from seeds. Rotary Doncaster is also currently involved in a project to help eliminate weed infestation at Anderson Creek (Warrandyte) by planting other grasses to suppress it.
Our sincere thanks to Pat for a most interesting presentation as evidenced by the number of questions from our members and for the ongoing support of members of Doncaster Rotary at our monthly working bees at Schramm’s Cottage.
Source: Eric Collyer writing in 2019-12 DTHS Newsletter
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