100th Anniversary Celebrations begin

40 Rotarians attended a Civic Reception in the Bendigo Town Hall to kick off the 100th Anniversary celebrations.

As we approach our 100th Anniversary the Rotary Club of Bendigo enjoyed a Civic Reception hosted by the City of Greater Bendigo in the Bendigo Town Hall, on Wednesday, March 12. That date being 100 years to the day that the then Mayor of Bendigo, Cr. E. M. Vains hosted a meeting on that site to measure the interest amongst community members in creating a Rotary Club in Bendigo.

Cr. Vains would go on to be the first President of the Rotary Club of Bendigo and the first meeting was held the following week at Favaloro's Cafe in Pall Mall, Bendigo. We eventually received our Charter from Rotary International on July 30, 2025.

Speakers included the Mayor of Bendigo Cr. Andrea Metcalf who took time our from the Council budget meetings to come over and spend some time with us. The Honourable Maree Edwards MP, Speaker of the Legislatie Assembly, Dr Michael Pearson, President of the Club and District 9800 Governor Michael Lapina.

We also heard from some respected members of the club in Des Samson, the longest serving member on the day, Daryl Watts, the most senior, and youngest, President of the Cub, Val Broad, the most experienced female member of the Club and the Larrie Winzar, the most senior female president of the Club.

Val shared that she had first shown an interest in joining the Rotary Club 28 years before she was admitted. All these speakers are Past Presidents of our Club and they have all been awarded a Paul Harris fellowship for the work within the community and commitment to the Rotary 'Service above Self' mantra.

A great day was enjoyed by all with another 48 visitors and friends sharing a light lunch and some excellent fellowship after the speeches. The Civic Reception marks the beginning of celebrations to acknowledge the 100th Anniversary of our Club with a Gala Dinner planned for Saturday, August 23. Save the date.

Also of note were visitors from both Ballarat and Geelong Rotary Clubs who will also celebrate their 100th Anniversaries during the 25-26 Rotary Year.