For years, we’ve watched the numbers and wondered where everyone’s going. But here’s the truth: Rotary isn’t shrinking because new people don’t care, or members don’t want to be there anymore. It shrinks when we don’t offer choices for people coming into Rotary and options for our members before they leave.
ROTARY CLUB OF GEELONG
A new era Charter, No. 2144 : granted July 14th, 1925
The formation of a Rotary Club in Geelong was considered by a small group of Geelong citizens in 1924, and the following year on July 1, 1925 the club’s initial meeting was held at the ABC Café in Moorabool St, in the presence of Commissioner Professor WA Osborne and President Alfred Holtz of the Rotary Club of Melbourne. Mr G. G. Jobbins was elected as the charter Presi-dent. The club received its charter protractedly on October 19, 1925, having undergone a lengthy sea voyage by steamship from America. It now covers a region that would later become Greater Geelong. The Club received its Charter on 19 October 1925. At the Club's second meeting on 14 July 1925, a member from the Rotary Club of Bendigo presented a neatly inscribed aboriginal club to the Sergeant-at-Arms. This 'waddy' has since been returned to the indigenous owners at the Djaara Aboriginal Centre in Bendigo. Prior to its return, it has been associated with raising large sums of money over the years by the Sergeant using it as an enforcer, looking to fine everybody for any misdemeanour they ever supposedly committed.
Foundation members included prominent Geelong Citizens: George R King, the Principal of the Gordon Institute of Technology Geelong , T J Buchan, a Partner at Buchan Laird and Buchan Architects. First Secretary of the Geelong Rotary Club, Lance Fallaw, the Editor of the Geelong Advertiser, T. B. (Tom) Hawkes, of Hawkes Brothers G. (Gilbert) Jobbins, Manager and Senior Engineer of Melbourne Electricity Supply Company which ran the trams in Geelong.
On July 1, 2024, the club merged with the Rotary Club of Corio Bay, officially becoming the Rotary Club of Greater Geelong.
 |  |
Defy The Drift successfully conducted another program in 2025. The initiative was hosted at Longerenong College, near Horsham, and included visits to several agricultural businesses within the Horsham region. Congratulations are extended to the organisers as well as the farmers and industry personnel who contributed their support to the program.
To explore the Rotary Foundation “Click Here”
For further information “Click Here”
A small truckload of materials has been donated by a Draper in eastern Victoria that is closing its business. These materials require transportation in a small covered truck and are intended, along with sewing machines, for delivery to volunteer seamstresses in Lese Oalai, where they will be repurposed into blankets, clothing, and related items.
The District is seeking assistance from individuals or organizations capable of transporting the load from Bayswater to the SHARE sheds in Broadford.
This initiative is part of the Rotary Club of Torquay’s international project, which includes several sub-projects focused on rebuilding the school in Lese Oalai, Gulf Province, and restoring the Lese Oalai Aid Post
Anyone that can assist can contact John Oswald - OAM, FANZCA, PHF, SAS - on 0418 508 219
By Johnnie
Shaping the leaders of tomorrow starts with investing in today’s youth. Through its impactful programs, Rotaract and Interact, Rotary is doing just that—empowering young people worldwide to lead, serve, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. These initiatives provide the skills, opportunities, and connections necessary to inspire leadership and foster a lifelong commitment to service.
What Are Rotaract and Interact?
Click below for more information
Youth Empowerment: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders - Rotary Australia
Below Link will take you to the finale address from the 2025 Calgary International Roary Conference.
Calgary finale addresses peacebuilding, literacy, and human trafficking | Rotary International
