1981-82 to 1989-90
1981-1982
President: Gordon McKern
Membership Subscription $45-00 - Dinner Fee $5-00
In July, a battery-powered wheelchair was donated to the Eaglehawk & Long Gully Community Health Centre by the Rotary & Rotaract Clubs at a cost of $2000-00. Rotarian Albert Roy was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow.
The 15th Anniversary of the Club was celebrated on the 12th August when all Charter Members became ‘Senior Active’. Guest Speaker was Ken Hesse. A careers night was held at Eaglehawk High School, and catering was carried out at the Coloured Sheep Show.
In September, a Progressive Dinner was held at the homes of Bulls, Scotts, Millers & McKerns. A Raffle was held during the month to support District 318. The Indian hand-carved elephant was won by Carol Gurr and the wristwatch by Rotarian Stan Herbertson.
The Golf Tournament in October realised a profit of $946, and the Hamburger Stall at the Bendigo Show showed a profit of $750-00.
Advice was received that under a redistribution of Districts and Clubs, Eaglehawk would be in District 980 from 1st July 1982.
In November, a visit was received from our ‘matched club’, the Rotary Club of Sunshine. A clean-up of the Cemetery was carried out.
An International Year of the Disabled Persons Bush Walking Track was planned for Lightening Hill with signs in Braille for the Blind in December. 11 Rotarians & 9 Ladies attended the Pacific Conference in Melbourne and a Playground was built at Rotary Park.
In January Evan Costello returned from U.S.A and David Berlowitz left for Brasilia, and an Official Visit was received from Williamstown Club.
A BBQ was held at Lindsay Roberts home in February and Woodworking Tools valued at $650-00 were donated to C.Y.S.S.
Exchange Student Misa Watanabe, from Kobe Club in Japan, arrived in March, and the Club again won the Holmes Attendance Trophy, which was presented at the District Conference.
Also in March 1982 the 4 Bendigo Clubs purchased and presented a set of “Jaws of Life” to the State Emergency Service at a cost of $8,800-00.
A visit was made to the Country Fire Authority Training Centre at Fiskville in April
In May the Rotary Rotaract Ball that 123 people attended realised a profit of $274.62. Sixteen Members attended a ‘Matched Club’ visit to the Rotary Club of Williamstown; the sum of $500-00 was donated to C.Y.S.S. towards a Carpentry Shed and a ‘Fireside Meeting’ was held at Scott’s with recent Members and Past Presidents. A fellowship weekend trip to Echuca/Moama was also held.
Lola Miller, wife of Rotarian Bill Miller, received a British Empire Medal in the June Queen's Birthday Honours and the Picnic Shelter was completed at Rotary Park.
1982-1983
President: Leon Scott
Membership Subscription - $60-00. Dinner Fee - $6-00.
The Rotary Club of Eaglehawk became part of District 980 as from 1st July 1982.
In July a Civic Service was held at St. Peters Anglican Church
Thirty-eight members attended a fellowship trip to the Goldfields Restaurant, Maldon in August.
In September a Progressive Dinner was held, together with the member of Williamstown, at the homes of Rotarians Harvey, Scott, Miller & McKern. The following day a tour of the Whipstick was held with Williamstown & Kyneton Clubs. Rotaract celebrated its 10th Anniversary and a sprinkler system was installed at Rotary Park. The sum of $1,500-00 was raised by the removal of old car bodies.
The Annual Golf Tournament at Neangar Park Golf Course showed a profit of $915-30 in October and the Hamburger Stall was held at the Bendigo Show.
In November a “Trots Night” was held at Moonee Valley with the Bendigo & Castlemaine Clubs. Ron Barassi was the Guest Speaker at a Businessmen’s Dinner at the Eaglehawk Town Hall when $457-=00 was raised.
Club Members attended the first Provisional Meeting of the Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat in December and the Christmas Night was held at the home of Leon & Ann Scott. Thirty-one Christmas Cakes were distributed
In January David Berlowitz returned from South America and Julie Bullock left for Finland. A pool party was held at Lindsay & Dot Roberts home. Four sets of Tables & chairs were erected at Rotary Park.
A Dance was held in the Town Hall in February to commemorate the filming of “Eureka Stockade” in the Eaglehawk area. The Stars of the film were in attendance. An “Indian Night” was also held at the Town Hall in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Bendigo and the Indo-Australia Club of Bendigo.
In March an appeal was held for the victims of the Ash Wednesday Fires. The Street Appeal amounted to $951 and after donations from members and families the Club made up the Donation to $3,000. A visit was received from the Group Study Exchange Team from Sweden and the Clubs Float won 2 first prizes in the Dahlia & Arts procession.
At the District Conference Eaglehawk was awarded the Rotary/Rotaract Involvement Award.
Misa Watanabe returned to Japan.
In April $1,500 was donated for a hostel for the disabled and a weekend of Fellowship with Rotary Club of Hoppers Crossing was held that included a Progressive Dinner, visit to the Chinese Association Rooms, lunch at the Victoria Hotel and a visit to Sandhurst Town.
The Rotary/Rotaractors “Mad Hatter” Ball was held in May and the first Working Bee was held to construct a shed for the S.E.S. at the Council Depot in Adams Road, Quarry Hill.
In June 21 members and 18 partners attended the Charter Night of the Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat. Rotarian Lindsay Roberts made a “Badge Box” that was presented to the new Club. Peter Wurtenberger arrived from Germany as an Exchange Student for 6 months.
Rotarian Alan Bull was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow at the Changeover
1983-1984
President: Lindsay Roberts
In August 60 people attended a Progressive Dinner held at the homes of Rotarians Bull, Roberts and Harvey. The sum of $500 was donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Fund.
A Sportsmen’s Night was held in September at the R.S.L. for the Sun Tour sponsorship and a further Working Bee was held to install sprinklers at Rotary Park. Ten Rotarians, 11 Children and our Exchange Student attended a “Rabbiting Excursion” to Stuart Mill.
The Annual Golf Tournament raised $785-00 in October and $3,000 was received for the S.E.S. building at the Council Depot. Alan
Howard, Tourism Officer, was selected as a Group Study Exchange Team Member.
Our Dahlia & Arts Festival Float was lent to Rotary Club of Maryborough for the Golden Wattle Festival and won 1st Prize.
In November $1,500 was presented to the S.E.S and a tricycle presented to the Peter Harcourt Centre. A weekend Fellowship Trip was made to the Rotary Club of Hoppers Crossing and a Trash & Treasure Stall at the Epsom Market raised $454-45.
The Annual Christmas Night was held at the Eaglehawk Town Hall.
In January Peter Wurtenberger returned to Germany, Julie Bullock returned home from Finland and Jenny Lourie left for Denmark. A Pool Party was held at President Lindsay and Dot Roberts home.
Mrs. Nance Hester, our caterer, was selected as the Eaglehawk Citizen of the Year.
Changes to the Rotary Rules saw the abolition of Boundaries.
Eaglehawk Rotaractors won the Annual Raft Race for the 5th consecutive year and a Fellowship Night was held at the Goldfields Restaurant in February
In March, much time was held in assisting with arrangements for the Annual Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival – setting up stage outside Town Hall, preparation of Sound Shell, Sunday Lunches and setting up the Flower Show.
Twenty members attended a trip to the Musical “Oliver” in April and Paul Hatchard was selected for R.Y.L.A.
In May the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk and the H.I.A. jointly held a Fashion Parade at the Eaglehawk Town Hall – “Aussie Gear”
Two Stalls were conducted at the Bendigo Easter Fair raising $766-00 and Rotarian Vin. Walshe escorted the Exchange Students on a Safari to the “Centre”. Dave Starbuck, Foundation Awardee from U.S.A. visited the Club and a “Superwalk” was organised by the Rotaract Club.
1984-1985
President: Keith Allcock
Annual Subscription - $70-00. Dinner Fee - $7-00.
The Rotary Club of Eaglehawk combined with the Borough of Eaglehawk Council and the Eaglehawk Y’s Men’s Club to organise the construction of the Waterfall Project at Lake Neangar to celebrate Victoria’s 150 year Celebrations.
In August a “Safety House Scheme” was introduced at Eaglehawk Primary School, Rotarian Leon Scott was elected to Council and Britt Styn arrived as an Exchange Student from Denmark.
A Progressive Dinner was held in September and also the Annual Rabbiting Weekend.
In October the Annual Golf Tournament raised $751-30, a Caravan was manned in the Hargreaves Mall in Bendigo for Hearing Tests, Brian Thomas from Year 11 at Bendigo High School was sponsored for the Summer Science School in Canberra and work commenced on the Waterfall Project.
A combined Picnic with the Hoppers Crossing and Kyneton Clubs was held at Kyneton in November and in December the Christmas Dinner was held in the Town Hall.
Also in December, Rotarian Albert Roy was made “Freeman of the Borough”.
Our Outgoing Exchange Student, Julie-Anne Hussey, left for Canada on 19th January 1985.
On February 3rd the Rotaract Club of Eaglehawk won the Raft Race on the Yarra River and the Rotary Club came second. An appeal to help those affected by the Bushfires in Maryborough was held. A Pool Party was again held at the home of Lindsay and Dot Roberts.
In March the Club was again heavily involved in the Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival – the Rotary Wheel Emblem was entered in the Flower Show held in St. Peter’s Church Hall. The Waterfall Project was Officially opened by Ranald McDonald.
The Stall at the Easter Fair in April raised $700-00 and Lynne Edwards was selected to attend R.Y.L.A.
The Eaglehawk Salvation Army celebrated it’s Centenary in May and Members of the Club billeted the musicians from the Camberwell Citadel Band.
In June a Fellowship Night was held at the Lake View Motel and the Probus Club of Bendigo was formed with P.D.G. of Rotary, Ray Downey, as its first President.
1985-1986
President: Stan Spencely
Annual Subscription - $95-00
Exchange Student Britt Styn returned home to Denmark in July and a cheque for $366 was presented to Sandhurst Enterprises.
In August a ‘Past Presidents Honour Board’ was presented to the Club by P.P. John Gurr, P.P. Bill Miller was installed as the Mayor of the Borough of Eaglehawk and District Governor Edwin Peat was afforded a Civic Reception during his Official Visit to the Club.
A Progressive Dinner was held in September at the homes of Rotarians Bull, Spencely and Harvey. Incoming Exchange Student, Lisa Schultz arrived from Westfield, N.Y. State, U.S.A. and the Club enjoyed a very successful Rabbiting Weekend.
In October another successful Golf Tournament was held at Neangar Park Golf Course that was won by Bill Miller Jnr. from Rob Miller. A total of $747-80 was raised.
The finale of the 150th Celebrations were held on the 8th & 9th November with the Club being heavily involved – including the Rotary Art Show that raised $478 and the Bonfire on Lake Neangar.
Later in the month a combined Picnic was again held with Hoppers Crossing & Kyneton – this time at Werribee Park.
In January Exchange Student Julie-Ann Hussey returned from Canada, a Pool Party was again held at Lindsay & Dot Roberts home and a visit was made to the Bridgewater Flour Mill.
The Eaglehawk Rotaractors won the Raft Race in Melbourne again in February.
In March our Exchange Student Lisa Schultz made her Debut at the Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Ball. The Club was very busy again assisting with the Dahlia & Arts Festival – carrying out the now normal duties of setting up stages, shifting chairs etc.
During April Geoff Brown from Lockwood was selected as our R.Y.L.A. representative at Latrobe University. The Club again won the attendance trophy for District 980.
A major project – to build a house – was commenced in May. The house was situated at 2 Chapple Street, Eaglehawk and was constructed by voluntary labour from members of the Club.
In June the 5 District Clubs, together with Eaglehawk Rotaract combined to assist a patient at the Bendigo Home & Hospital for the Aged with a “talking board”.
The Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Achievement Award was presented for the first time and went to Rotarian John Haugh
1986-1987
President: Vin Walshe
Annual Subscription - $100-00. Dinner Fee - $8-00
Lisa Schultz returned to U.S.A. in July – a farewell Dinner was held at the Dragon Court Restaurant. District Governor John King made his Official Visit and a Civic Reception was held in his honour.
In August the Club held its 20th Anniversary Dinner with Ladies and Past Exchange Students present. Rotarian Ken Hesse was the Guest Speaker.
The Ladies of Rotary were presented with new Name Badges and the Council gave permission for the Club to hold a Wood Raffle in the Shopping Centre each Saturday Morning
A progressive Dinner was held in September at the homes of Rotarians Bull, Spencely and Adrian Thomas.
In October a “Plonk & Pastry” night was held at Scott’s and the Annual Golf Tournament raised $956-00 with the Ladies providing Afternoon Tea. Rotarian Des Harvey organised the Rabbiting Weekend that was held in Boort.
A Fellowship Night was held at the House of Khong in November and an International Night with R.I. President Royce Abbey was organised for 22nd November with Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Dutch and Scottish dancers performing. $750-00 was raised for Polio Plus.
The Christmas Party was held at the Town Hall as well as the Christmas Carol Evening. The Rotary Choir (?) performed at the Carol Service.
In January Exchange Student, Ann Billing flew to Marion, Cedar Rapids, Ohio, U.S.A, and the Club conducted a sausage sizzle for the Eaglehawk Australia Day Celebrations. P.P. Gordon McKern was named the Eaglehawk Citizen of the Year.
The Annual Raft Race was held in Kyneton in February with P.P. Leon Scott in charge. Rotarian Joe Cogo’s brother Emilio presented the Club with a banner from the Rotary Club of Bassano Del Grappa in Italy. Rotary House in Chapel Street was completed and sold and the extensions to the Sound Shell in Canterbury Park were completed. A combined Rotary Bowls night was held at the South Bendigo Bowling Club and an inspection was held at the Charlton Feed Lot.
In March a Pool Party was held in Rotarian Ron & Jeanette Moss’ heated pool. The Ladies held a Dinner & Fashion Fiesta in conjunction with the Dahlia & Arts Festival that raised $1,166-84. The District 9800 Conference was held in Adelaide.
Incoming Exchange Student, Yukihiro Fuwa (Ki) arrived from Japan in April and Chris Allcock was selected for R.Y.L.A. to be held at Anglesea. A visit, together with the Rotaract Club, was held at the Central Deborah Gold Mine.
In May 20 Ladies from St. Laurence Court were guests of the Club for Mothers Day when Thelma Herbertson distributed flowers. A Casserole Dinner was held to raise funds for Polio Plus when Guest Speaker was Revd. Harlin Butterley spoke “Life as a Parson”.
Also in May the first “Service Awards” were presented to Elaine & Joyce Bull for Community & Church work, Alan Pearce for work for the Eaglehawk Brass Band and Noel Thomas for work in Scouting.
Rotarian Des Harvey received the Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Achievement Award.
1987-1988
President: Bill Orde
Annual Subscription - $100-00. Dinner Fee - $9-00
On 29th July District Governor Ian Knight made his Official Visit to the Club when Mayor Willi Carney afforded him a Civic Reception.
At the Club’s 21st Birthday in August when the Cake was cut by the 4 remaining Charter Members, P.P’s. Tom Rothacker, Ken Burch, Bill O’Brien and Roy Parker. A Progressive Dinner was held at the home of Rotarians Cogo, Roberts & Spencely and a combined Dinner Dance was held with the Rotary Club of Bendigo Strathdale.
In September R.I. President Elect Royce Abbey spoke at the Bendigo Launch of Polio Plus when a Raffle and Fines raised $816-00. A Pie & Port Night was held at the home of P.P. Bill & Rita O’Brien and a BBQ Picnic was held at Shadbolts Park, Whipstick with the Rotary Clubs of Williamstown and Kyneton.
The Annual Golf Day in October raised $892-00. P.P. Lindsay Roberts was placed in charge of the Clubs Fund Raising for Polio Plus and a successful Rabbiting weekend was held at Boort.
In December a Fellowship Night was held at the Rich River Club at Moama that raised $246-00 for Polio Plus. The Christmas Party was held at the R.S.L. Hall when P.P. Ken Burch was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow.
Our Exchange Student, Ann Billings, returned to U.S.A. in January and the Club again conducted the Sausage Sizzle at the Australia Day Celebrations.
In February Exchange Student Yukihiro Fuwa’s parents visited the Club and were entertained after the meeting at the home of P.P. Leon & Ann Scott. Ki returned to Japan later in the month after presenting the Club with a Japanese Painting of Sumo Wrestlers. A Progressive Dinner was held at the homes of Rotarians Orde & Ludeman.
The District Conference was held in Albury in March but clashed with the Dahlia & Arts Festival. The Ladies of Rotary organised a Dinner for Polio Plus – “Here Comes the Bride Again”, a display of Wedding Gowns over 100 years. This raised $1,928-00.
In April the Mayor of Eaglehawk, Cr. Jack Taylor, tendered a Civic Reception to the members of the Club in appreciation for their work for the Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival. The Club hosted the Presidents Elect Training Seminar at which P.P. Bill O’Brien was a Guest Speaker.
In May the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk became an Incorporated Body and was henceforth known as The Rotary Club of Eaglehawk Inc. Our representative at R.Y.L.A. was Ron Hogan.
Citizens Awards were made in June to Lois Lockett, Harold Pithie, Walter Staples and Coral Evely. The Most Courteous Shop Assistant was awarded to Grant Gorrie.
P.P. Lindsay Roberts received the Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Achievement Award and the Mayor of Eaglehawk; Cr. Jack Taylor was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow – the first presentation by the Club to a non-Rotarian.
1988-1989
President: John Haugh
Annual Subscription - $110-00 Dinner Fee - $10-00
In July the first meeting was held at the new venue – the Eaglehawk Senior Citizens Club Rooms. A number of Rotarians and Partners travelled to the World Expo in Brisbane.
Incoming Exchange Student, Katja Patojoki arrived from Finland in August. A meeting was held to discuss the building of a new toilet block at Lake Neangar. An Official Visit was made to the Rotary Club of Kerang. D.G. David Wills made his Official Visit to the Club and P.P. Bill Miller was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow.
In September members attended an Olde Time Music Hall Show at the Marong Hotel and Rotaract celebrated its 16th Birthday.
The Annual Golf Day in October was again organised by P.P. Bill & Lola Miller and raised $1,130-00. A Pie & Port Night was again held at O’Brien’s and move was being made to form a Probus Club at Eaglehawk with Rotarian Colin Hutchieson in charge of arrangements. A Fellowship Trip to the Ettamogah Pub was held and the Annual Rabbiting weekend was again held in Boort.
In November a Bi-Centennial Bonfire was held at Lake Neangar and a major raffle of $3,000 worth of tools was held with proceeds being donated to St. Johns Ambulance and the S.E.S. The Club was entertained at St. Laurence Court and a trip taken, with Rochester, on a Murray River Paddle Steamer.
Our Caterer, Kelvin Corbet donated a large Christmas Stocking in December to raffle for Christmas. There was an Inter-Club Visit to Castlemaine, and a Fellowship Trip to the Rich River Club. The Inaugural Meeting of the Probus Club of Eaglehawk was held on 12th December with Joe Miles as the first President. Sale of Hams realised $180-00
BBQ’s were held at the homes of Rotarians Hutchieson & Donaldson for the first two weeks of 1989. An Inter-Club visit was received from Rochester. A Sausage Sizzle was held at the Australia Day Celebrations.
In February cheques for $2,500 were presented to both Bendigo S.E.S. and St. Johns Ambulance Brigade as a result of the November Raffle for Tools. Plans were completed for the Toilet Block at Lake Neangar and the Council advised that the Grounds at the edge of the Lake were to be named Rotary Park.
The Rotary Club of Castlemaine, together with Partners, visited in March. A White Elephant Sale was held and raised $793-50. Heather Ross was selected as our candidate for R.Y.L.A. which was held at Mt. Evelyn. The Club assisted in all aspects of the Dahlia & Arts Festival and organised a Theatre Restaurant Night at the Town Hall which raised $491-94
In April the Wood Raffle recommenced. The District Conference was held in Adelaide with our P.P. Bill O’Brien as Sergeant at Arms. The Club again won the Attendance Trophy and also a Certificate of Special Recognition for Excellence of Club Bulletins. The G.S.E. Team from Austria visited the Club.
P.P. Lindsay Roberts presented a Banner to the Club in May which acknowledged our over 100% achievement for the Polio Plus Appeal. Our Exchange Student, Katja Patojoki spent her 18th Birthday in Hospital with appendicitis and P.P. Gordon McKern was appointed as a D.G’s. Representative.
Community Service Awards were presented to Mavis Ellis, Doris Snell and Lorna Thomas
P.P. Stan Spencely and Rotarian Des Harvey were awarded Paul Harris Fellows at the Changeover. 18 Members attained 100% attendance for the year.
1989-1990
President: Gordon Forbes
Annual Subscription - $135-00 Dinner Fee - $11-00
In July an “Open House” was held at Rotarian Rob & June Layton’s home to farewell Katja Patojoki who was returning to Finland.
A Fellowship function was held at the Golden Gully Steakhouse and a Pie & Port Night in lieu of a regular meeting was held at McKerns due to S.E.C. Restrictions.
A used 1974 Toyota Coupe was purchased in August as a prize for a Major Raffle. P.P. Leon Scott was installed as the Mayor of the Borough of Eaglehawk and Honorary Membership was bestowed on P.P. Jim Evans. A Secret Ballot to decide to admit women to Rotary Membership was defeated. A letter was received from our new Foster Child – Soresh Guikwad.
In September another Rabbiting Weekend was enjoyed at Boort. A Progressive Dinner was held and also a tour of BCV 8. A Trees for Survival Project was held with the Rotary Clubs of Balwyn & Williamstown.
The Golf Day in October raised $801-05. A Refund of $800-00 ($20-00 per member) was received from Rotary International after a budget surplus. A new set of clothes was presented to Vikash Chandre who was brought from Fiji by ROMAC to have a life saving operation in Adelaide.
In November a Fellowship Weekend Tour was organised to the Wangaratta district and later in the month to Rich River Club at Moama
Also in November District Governor Lawrence Atley made his Official Visit to the Club and was tendered a Civic Reception.
P.P. Lindsay Roberts reported in December that the Toilet Block at Lake Neangar was completed. Cost of materials was approximately
$11,000 and value of voluntary labour by the members $13,000. The Used Car Raffle was drawn and won by G. Corless of Heathcote.
Profit from sale of Christmas Puddings was $200.
On 17th January the Toilet Block was Officially Opened by the Mayor & Mayoress of the Borough of Eaglehawk, Cr (P.P.) & Mrs Leon Scott who cut the pink & blue ribbons and read the poem “The Saga of the Rotary Club Loo”. This was followed by a BBQ & Salads.
Exchange Student Kate Bisset was welcomed home from Japan and the members took part in the Big Aussie Clean-up by working at the Eaglehawk Cemetery. The usual assistance was given at the Australia Day Celebrations.
Shamina arrived from Fiji in early March for a leg & pelvic operation. An Inter club visit was made to Castlemaine when there were 150 people in attendance. The Club carried out all the usual duties at the Dahlia & Arts Festival and the Dinner Revue was “A Time to Remember” by the Eaglehawk Golf Club Group. A meeting was held at the Central Deborah Mine. Eaglehawk won the Attendance Award at the Canberra Conference.
In April a Fishing Competition was held at Arakoon – 450 people took part but the tagged fish was not caught. A dinner meeting was held at Chimneys and Satomi Hasigawa, our first Japanese Exchange Student returned to visit the Club.
In May 2000 trees were planted by local schools on Arbour Day and the Rotary Club of Balwyn assisted with planting 600 trees a few days later. It was decided that lighting at Lake Neangar at a cost of $5,000 would be installed.
Civic Awards were presented to Mrs Mary Mills & Mr. Harold Trahair. The Apprenticeship Award was made to Paul Peterson.
Mr. Jack Taylor, PHF was made an Honorary Member of the Club.
Paul Harris Fellow awards were made to P.P’s. Joe Miles and Gordon McKern. The Sutcliffe Golden Eagle Achievement Award was made to Rotarian Jeff Lougoon