Our History

The Rotary Club of Five Dock has been working in the community for almost 50 years

Our first club meeting was held on 16th April 1973. The Club's charter night was then held on the 21st July 1973. The Charter was presented by the then District Governor, Bob Johnson and Past District Governor, Steve Turtle. At the time the club had 24 charter members.

Since then the  Club has developed a rich tradition of involvement in the local community, from its award winning restoration of Rodd Point and the Cross and Tomb, to participation in many local projects and events.

More than half a million dollars has been raised and distributed to organisations and charities supported by the Club such as:

  • Children's Hospital at Westmead 
  • the Lucas Gardens School (Five Dock) 
  • Concord Hospital
  • Balmain Hospital 
  • the Red Shield Appeal and
  • the Australian Rotary Health and Research Foundation, as well as many local organisations.

Rotary Youth Programs

The Club supports all the Rotary Youth programs developing strong ties with the local Schools. It has hosted many inbound and outbound exchange students. It has been involved in local school fetes, the local scouts groups, the Blaxland Ridge Rural Fire Brigade, Walk Against Drugs, The Olympic Torch Relay, the Paralympic movement, two Tunnel walks and the Airport Link.

 
Many members have served on District Committees and others have served on offshore working teams. The club helped send two containers of goods to a mental hospital in Fiji and is currently involved in another humanitarian project in Fiji. In the area of Vocational Service the club has hosted annual Pride of Workmanship Award nights enabling local businesses to give special recognition to employees.

Awards

The Paul Harris Fellowship is Rotary’s highest award. Twenty-one have been awarded by the Club, 4 to non Rotarians, providing US$21,000 to the Rotary Foundation for its humanitarian work, Ambassadorial Scholarships and Group Study Exchanges.
 
In addition, 7 members hold Sapphire Paul Harris Pins. These include current members Jim Simpson and Tony Lo Surdo.  


Past Presidents Russell Marsh and Claude Bennie were nominated by the Club and received Commonwealth Recognition Awards for Senior Australians in 2000.  They were also awarded Commonwealth Centenary Medals.  Tremendous achievement by both of them.

In the Rotary Year, 2000-2001 the Club was awarded the prestigious District 9750, Athol Johnson Trophy for the best achievement over the Four Avenues of Rotary Service. It also became a sister club to the Rotary Clubs of Messina, Italy and USJ, Malaysia in this year.

The Rotary Club of Five Dock enjoys a reputation as a vital and friendly club – may it long continue in this spirit and in its efforts to place "Service Above Self".