THE ROTARY CLUB OF AUCKLAND 90th

President Don Bendall with youngest member Regan Hall

 receiving RI Presidential certificate

honouring RCA 90 years of service.

The Rotary Club of Auckland celebrated its ninetieth birthday on the 13^th June with a Cocktail Party for 140 members and guests at the Stamford Plaza Hotel. Exactly 90 years before, the Club had held its first meeting with 55 Charter Members in Prior’s Restaurant in the basement of the Strand Arcade. The Honourable George Fowlds was there elected the first President of the RCA.

During the Party former RI President Bill Boyd entertained the audience with a talk on the events leading to the founding by JW Davidson and JL Ralston of the first four Australasian Rotary Clubs in 1921. These Clubs were Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington and, lastly, Auckland.

To prepare for the Club’s birthday a booklet reviewing the RCA’s history, with a focus on the past 15 years, had been prepared by Club Historian Brian Barraclough and Past President Jim Johnston. The format was similar to that of the booklets written for the RCA’s 25^th, 50^th, 60^th and 75^th birthdays. RCA President Don Bendall, after welcoming everyone and thanking them for attending, formally launched the booklet. Secondly he invited the Club’s youngest member, Regan Hall to accept on behalf of the RCA an RI Presidential Certificate honouring the Club’s 90 years service to the community. Regan represented the many new young members who have refreshed the Club.

Members in conversation reflected on the notable philanthropic achievements of the RCA over 90 years. Fund raising, a fundamental preceding philanthropy, prompted memories of the Ellerslie Flower Show the largest and most profitable enterprise in the Club’s history producing from the nine shows, 1994-2003, some $1.1M for charity. Other real but less tangible benefits were the enhancement of the Club’s reputation and the fellowship enjoyed by members working together with a common purpose.

Presidents of the RCA include many notable Aucklanders, six have been knighted. From the Rotarian’s point of view it is Harold Thomas, RCA President 1937-38 and Honorary President 1984-92 who is outstanding because of his Presidency of RI 1959-60, the first New Zealander to be so honoured.

Website for the Rotary Club of Auckland:  http://www.rotary.co.nz/