Year ending June
1971
Constructed the Scout Canteen building at the Gunnedah Showground Video.
1972
The Cattle Project was started with 8 cows and calves to raise funds for club operations. The Cattle Account later became the Disaster Account and then the Community Needs Fund. The funds were raised from club members. Conducted a River Race from Carroll to Gunnedah to fund a recreation park. Hosted 24 children from the Rotary Club of Balmain for a week-end in the country.
1973
Commenced the manning of the gates at the Gunnedah Show and the provision of bar service at the Gunnedah Riverside Racecourse Video. This continued for 5 years.
1974
Completed Stage 3 of the Rotary West Park in Gallen Avenue. Sent 36 children on a return visit to Balmain.
1975
Joined with the Gunnedah Club to host a Careers Night at Gunnedah High School. In later years the two clubs paid for a bus to transport students to the Careers Market in Tamworth.
1976
Obtained an old caravan from the Shire Council and equipped it for food service to use as a fund raiser at Ag-Quip and the Dog Show. Held a Courtesy Week to acknowledge those who were courteous to the public. The first Gunnedah West Debutante Ball. The ball was organised by the wives of Rotarians and continues as an annual event until the present day. Gunnedah Rotaract Club was formed and would operate until 1989.
1977
Donated generators and two-way radios to the Ambulance Service and erected a radio mast at the Ambulance station. John Gibson and Len Phillips went to Kar Kar Island in New Guinea to assist a District project to build a hospital. Donated $4,000 for the Police Boys Club and $2,000 towards a sheltered workshop. Completed the Rotary West Park with the erection of a Space Robot (Rocket climbing frame).
1978
The club formed an Art Union to raise money with Bill Brady as the promoter. The first prize was a Grumman 2-seater aeroplane; second prize was a Subaru car; and third prize a TV set. The net profit was $14,500. The Rotaract Club received its charter.
1979
Second Art Union with the first prize being a trip to North America. The net profit was $2,600. The District Scout Campsite building at Keepit Dam was painted. Cleared the land and constructed a chapel for the Girl Guides on Hunt’s Road
1980
The club sponsored a member of a Group Study Exchange Team to USA and Canada; a Youth Exchange student to Clarksburg, West Virginia, USA; and hosted a student from Richmond, Illinois, USA. Funds were provided for a tube-well in Bangladesh.
1981
Donated $10,000 towards Rotary House at Tamworth Hospital. The Cattle Account was revived with capital of $1,000.
1982
Started the Courtesy and Service Award in Gunnedah.
1983
Donated $10,000 to the Gunnedah Frail Aged units – which became Alkira – to commence their funding. Rudy Zwolsman joined a FAIM team to Kerema, PNG.
1984
Rebuilt the floor of the Scout Hall. Collected the timber and erected seating at the Longmuir Playing Fields. Donated $5,000 for Alkira.
1985
Erected a canteen and amenities block at Longmuir Fields for the Netball association. Constructed a shelter in the park at Curlewis. Donated $3,000 to Alkira.
1986
Assisted at a Pork and Bacon Fair. Conducted a White Elephant Auction for Alkira.
1987
Brian Riordan led a Group Study Exchange team to Virginia, USA.
1988
Joined with the Apex Club to run a White Elephant Auction for Alkira raising $5,160. Conducted a huge Tapestry Exhibition in support of Alkira. Donated $3,231 to support the Rotary International Polio Plus program. Commenced our support of the annual Bowel Scan program.
1989
Another White Elephant Auction for Alkira. Ran a Careers Market in the Town Hall with up to 1000 people involved.
1990
Erected a greenhouse at Gunnedah Primary School in support of ‘Trees For Survival’. The club started the annual student exchange with Tazewell, Virginia, USA. The club's donation to Alkira reached $24,500.
1991
Laid turf at Alkira. We contributed to the purchase of a computer for Steven Scott who lost the use of his hands in an accident. Members laid pavers around the kiosk at the hospital. Club members commenced tree planting for the Gunnedah Coal Company. This project was facilitated by Hans Allgayer and continued on many local mines until 2008. A Careers Market at the Town Hall was visited by nearly 600 students. The club sent an entire team of six Rotarians on a FAIM project to Mainohama, PNG. The team was Bill Brady, Ian Carrington, Frank Foster, Bruce Pengelly, Brian Riordan and Peter Worthington.
1992
Club members planted trees at the Blackjack Mine. Members commenced a roster to mow the lawns at Alkira.
1993
Members cooked a BBQ lunch for 1500 Guides at the Ag-Quip site. We conducted another joint White Elephant Auction and presented $9,000 to the Gunnedah Heated Pool Committee. The club hosted 25 visitors from Virginia on a Friendship Exchange. The Short Term Exchange Committee sent and received 5 students to/from Tazewell and other parts of the eastern USA. Rotary Clubs of Gunnedah hosted a teacher and student from Tartarstan, USSR. The club hosted a RYPEN (Rotary Youth Programme of ENrichment) seminar at the Gunnedah Scout Hall.
1994
Four tree planting sessions for the mines. Sausages sizzle for State Rail on the introduction of the “Xplorer” passenger service. The second RYPEN seminar was held at the Lake Keepit State Park.
1995
Sponsored an ‘Up-With-People’ concert at the Gunnedah Pool. Laid turf at Waterways Wildlife Park. Held a successful Diamond Ring raffle at Christmas. This was the first of seven raffles sponsored by Charles Priest Jewellers.
1996
Proceeds of $2,740 from another joint White Elephant Auction went to the Gunnedah Hospital for Palliative Care beds. Members catered for the annual Gum Tree Shoot. A Friendship Exchange team of 25 visited Tazewell, Virginia. The team included Ian and Ros Carrington, Brian and Anne Riordan, Peter and Delores Worthington. The club hosted a Youth Exchange student from Argentina. The club hosted a RYPEN seminar for 35 young people at Lake Keepit.
1997
The Catering Van was upgraded and used to cater for the Australia Day Luncheon and the Gum Tree Shoot. More Tree Planting for the mines. The 1997 RYPEN seminar was an outstanding success and was attended by 39 young people. Hans Allgayer and David Simm went on a FAIM trip to Rufoki, Solomon Islands. The club hosted a visit by the Rufoki Headmaster and sponsored two students at the school.
1998
Erected a flag pole at Yallambee. Constructed a Chapel at the Hospital. The inaugural Charity Golf Day raised $3,000. Started the Parcel Pick-Up at Ag-Quip. Operated the bar at the High School reunion. A formal sister-city relationship was established between Tazewell County, Virginia and Gunnedah Shire, NSW. Catered for the Australia Day Luncheon.The 1998 RYPEN seminar at Lake Keepit was attended by 33 young people.
1999
Tree planting at the Gunnedah Colliery. Three students went to Tazewell including Miranda Kerr. Supported Yallambee with the installation of air conditioning. The restoration of our 7 HP, 1911, Ruston-Proctor engine was adopted as a Year 2000 project. The engine was moved from Gunnedah Rural Museum to Sanson Sprayed Coatings. Served the Australia Day luncheon.
2000
Catering for the opening of Waterway Wildlife Park. Construction of the viewing platform by Graham and Craig Sanson and its erection on Pensioners Hill.
2001
Connection of a water supply and installation of a picnic table at Pensioners Hill. Provided bar service at the Federation dinner held in the Town Hall. Hosted a reunion of short term exchange students at the Rugby club which was attended by Fred and Elene Combs from Tazewell.
2002
Erection of the Entrance Gates and construction of the Ailsa Iceton Walkway on Pensioners Hill. Short Term Exchange to the US temporarily halted following the 9/11 event in New York.
2003
Installed a watering system and planted trees at the Whitehaven coal washery. Commenced work on the toilet block on Pensioners Hill.
2004
Toilet Block on Pensioners Hill completed. Charity Golf Day run as a memorial to former member Ian Carrington and proceeds donated to Rotary’s Research into Mental Health.
2005
Planted 1000 trees on the Whitehaven mine. Supported the ‘Relay-For-Life’ event run by the Cancer Council. Celebrated the Centenary of Rotary International.
2006
Work started on the Rotunda on Pensioners Hill. We planted 1600 trees for mine rehabilitation. The restoration of the Ruston-Proctor engine by Tony Bowles and Graham Sanson was completed. The engine was demonstrated at the Eulah Creek Field Days near Narrabri.
2007
Coordinated the Sesquicentenary parade. Presented the Rotunda on Pensioners Hill to the community of Gunnedah and celebrated the event with a concert on the hill. Six large rocks were sourced and mounted on concrete plinths to form a future sculpture park on Pensioners Hill.
2008
A grant from BHP Billiton Caroona Coal Project of $28,000 permitted work to start on the Heritage Sculptures under the direction of Carl Merten and Joan Relke of Uralla. Installed picnic tables on Pensioners Hill. The tables had been constructed by Gunnedah High School students at the Gunnedah TAFE. Donated $12,000 to equip a room at the Nursing Home. Assisted in the 24 hour canteen for Relay-For-Life. Hans and Joanne Allgayer opened their gardens to the public to raise funds for The Rotary Foundation. For the final tree plantings for mine rehabilitation, we welcomed the assistance of students from the Gunnedah High School and help from the Junior Cricket Association. The Ruston-Proctor engine was moved, on-loan, to Gunnedah Rural Museum. The club sponsored a 'Making Farming Easier' workshop at the Gunnedah Bowling Club.
2009
Four members and partners formed a FAIM team to Tanna Island, Vanuatu to work on the Tafea School project. They were John and Kerry Rodstrom, David and Judith Densley, Kerry and Alison Bee and Hayley Scott. We combined with Gunnedah Rotary and Gunnedah Shire Band in manning the Show gates. We joined with Gunnedah Rotary in conducting a Natural Resources Survey under contract to Australian National University. Donated $10,000 to Rotary Clubs affected by the Victorian Bush Fires.
2010
Provided bar service for the first (and subsequent) Gunnedah Porchetta days. We cooked breakfast for the third 'Relay-For-Life' event. Three members and a partner joined a FAIM team to provide maintenance on the Vesulogo WW2 Memorial Aid Post in PNG and to construct a Cook House. They were Hans Allgayer, Bruce Higham, David and Judith Densley and Rotarians from RC Gunnedah and Taree.
2011
Electricity supply provided to Pensioners Hill and electric BBQs installed. Hans Allgayer, Brian Riordan and Chris Scott provided flood relief assistance in Stanthorpe, QLD, and along the Bruxner Highway, NSW. Kel Walls led a GSE team to Canada. The last four students went to Tazewell on the inter-club exchange which had started in 1990.
2012
Erected an exercise station in the grounds of Alkira. Donated $10,000 to Gunnedah Rural Health Centre.
2013
Official opening of the Heritage Sculptures on Pensioners Hill. Donated $5,000 to the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran Bush Fire Appeal. Provided a catering team to cook an evening meal for BlazeAid volunteers at Coonabarabran. Team members were Doug Brown, Pat and Kathy Mayoh, Col and Jill Rosewell, Vince Tydd and Peter Worthington.
2014
A busy year of community service projects including the Charity Golf Day, Ag-Quip Parcel Pickup, Porchetta Day Bar and Debutante Ball. Club members enjoyed a visit to the Currabubula Art Show followed by a meal at the Willow Tree Inn. We hosted a student from Helsinki, Finland.
2015
The club provided bar and BBQ services for a number of organisations including Sunday Sessions, Porchetta Day and Fire Fighting Championships. We were partners with Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group in the opening of the Hans Allgayer Shed on Pensioners Hill and planted 400 trees in the area below the Viewing Platform. Members and partners enjoyed a weekend at the Mudgee vineyards. We held a joint meeting with Rotary Club of Saint Johns, Perth, Scotland using Skype. The club and Gunnedah 2380 hosted an exchange student from Brussels, Belgium.
2016
The three Gunnedah Rotary clubs combined to host an exchange student from Como, Italy. We sponsored two teams to the Model United Nations in Kempsey. Commenced the erection of a fence to exclude kangaroos from the Village Homes. Several members and partners made a weekend visit to the Hunter Valley vineyards. Sponsored a student to the NSW Youth Parliament in Sydney. Vince Tydd and Rob Cull provided steers for the Gunnedah High School to enter in the Upper Hunter Steer Competition.
2017
Completed the fence at the back of the Village Homes. Joined with Rotary clubs of Gunnedah and Gunnedah 2380 to host an exchange student from Berlin, Germany. Over 30 members and partners from Rotary clubs in Gunnedah enjoyed a four-day fun weekend at Bourke to support Rotary Club of Bourke. Completed an upgrade to the Ailsa Iceton Walkway and Entrance Gates of Pensioners Hill. Kel and Pat Walls participated in two Rotary Friendship Exchanges to Sweden and India. Vince Tydd and Rob Cull again provided steers to Gunnedah High School for the Upper Hunter Steer Competition.
2018
Provided the BBQ and Parking Management at the Wean Races. Provided three meals for the Chevrolet Car Club's visit to Gunnedah. Combined with Rotary Club of Gunnedah 2380 to host an exchange student from the south of France. Carried out ground preparation for AgQuip. Supplied catering and/or bar staff for Commonwealth Games Torch Relay, Anzac Concert, Mayoral Dinner, Carols by Candlelight and Community Scholarship's Comedy Festival. Joined with Rotary Clubs of Gunnedah, Coonabarabran and Boggabri to stage the Model United Nations (MUNA) event in Gunnedah.
2019
Prepared the site for AgQuip and operated courtesy buses within the grounds. Manned the gates at the Vintage Car Club Swap Meet and the Gunnedah Show. Catered for the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia at the showgrounds which included two meals for two hundred of the Association’s volunteers and breakfasts for the general public each morning of the week-long event. Supplied catering and/or bar staff for Daracon, Gunnedah Leather, Carols in the Park, Cancer Council, and Bravehearts Fun Run. Provided drought relief distribution of Forage Sorghum seed from Pacific Seeds, funds from Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) and $15,000 provided by the Lane Cove Community. Joined with Rotary Clubs of Gunnedah, Coonabarabran and Boggabri to stage the Model United Nations (MUNA) event in Gunnedah for a second year.
2020
The club continued to assist with the distribution of drought assistance and enjoyed a visit from our sister club of Lane Cove who have provided substantial drought support to Gunnedah. We assisted with traffic control for the Gunnedah Gallop, bar services at the Can Assist Ball, catering for the Carols by Candlelight, labour for AgQuip preparation and operations and catering for the Army Band concert. Activities for the second half of the year were limited by COVID-19 restrictions but assistance was provided for the Gunnedah Public School Breakfast Club, the Jobs Australia Women’s Shelter and a start was made on the restoration of the grave of Thomas Breen (1839-1938) the first Mayor of Gunnedah.
2021
The restoration of Mayor Thomas Breen’s grave was completed with the project receiving good publicity. COVID restrictions impacted many community service activities especially the cancellation of AgQuip. However, we adapted with new and traditional activities. Club members carried out work in the gardens at Yallambee and assisted with the MHERV (Mens Health Education Rotary Van) to provide free medical check-ups. Fund raising included the Charity Golf Day and BBQs for Australian Stock Horse Association, Gunnedah Shire’s Business Leaders Forum, the Youth Expo, State of Origin Over-50’s Cricket Tournament, and manning the gates at the return of the Gunnedah Show. Bar services were provided for the Car Trek Rally, our Debutante Ball and the Allawah Cottage Charity Ball. A new initiative was providing 60 participants for three Meat Tasting sessions run by UNE on behalf of the Meat & Livestock Association.
2022
COVID restrictions continued to impact Community Service. The Charity Golf Day was postponed twice and eventually took place in January 2022. A security fence was erected around Allawah Cottage which is a refuge for victims of domestic violence. Members provided bar service for the Debutante Ball and manned the gates at the Gunnedah Show over three days. Work in the gardens of Yallambee continued and will become a long-term project. BBQ services were provided for a Careers Expo and quarterly at Gunnedah Leather Processors.
2023
The club conducted several major events such as Emerald Hill New Year’s function (proceeds to Youth Activities), Rotary Golf Day, Chicken sales (benefitting mower acquisition), Yallambee fund raiser wine night, and negotiating the acquisition of a ride-on mower for Yallambee.
Community activities undertaken include BBQs for Australia Day at the pool, Sydney Youth Orchestra, Make Music day, and PCYC flood victims. Volunteers also participated at the Allawah Ball and Gunnedah Gallop (course marshals).
BBQs with a funds contribution to our club were provided to Gunnedah Leather Processors (several occasions) and GBP Cranes.
Other activities undertaken included the manning of the Gunnedah Show gates (proceeds to Westpac Rescue helicopter), Gunnedah Car Club swap meet, and AgQuip. The latter comprising site preparation, slashing of car parks, pole erection and painting, tank and safety markings, courtesy bus drivers, sponsor flag sorting, signage update and replacement.