The Presidential Year's 1964 - 1973

 
  • EDUCATION • PRIMARY SCHOOLS
  • CHARTER PRESIDENT
  • Inducted 22 May 1964

District Governor: Frank Moorhouse (OAM) Club Service: Ross David
Secretary: Ron King Community Service: Keith Lane
Treasurer: George Reynolds International Service: Jack Poel
Sergeant: Bill Richardson Vocational Service: Allan Ward

A Word About The President
Elwyn Mackay (ex RAAF) was headmaster of the West Wollongong Primary School. None of the new Rotarians knew much about Rotary. All they had was a little book to refer to. However, Jack David, of “David’s Foundries”, President of the Rotary Club of Wollongong, helped as much as possible. Elwyn became a most popular president but little is known of the first year of the club. Jack David was the club’s Rotary mentor for many years.
Formation of the Rotary Club of West Wollongong
The Wollongong Club was rather large at the time, (1964) with 140-150 members, Jack David was appointed to District Governor Special Representative to form a new club – West Wollongong. He met several business and professional people who were interested (see also President Harvey Chesterfield-Evans.)
A meeting to organise and form a new membership was held on 12 February 1964 and on 23 March 1964,Rotary International granted the charter of the new club. D.G. Frank Moorhouse, who inducted all the members, presented the charter to the charter club members on the charter night.
Elwyn Mackay was inducted as President for 1964-65 and the Rotary Club of West Wollongong was under way.
One of the early traditions at the club was that every meeting the fellows were asked to sing from the “Rotary Song Book”. According to Harvey Chesterfield-Evans everyone hated it as it although it was supposed to augment fellowship; however subsequent presidents “got the message”.
A couple of projects that the club became involved in 1964/65 were painting, plumbing and structural repairs carried out on the Wollongong Crippled Children’s School House. Other work was carried out on the Wollongong Hospital’s extension of Children’s Ward to close in the building’s verandah.
Another rule in the first year was that alcohol at the table was banned; Harvey soon found an excuse to break this tradition. When things got too noisy, Elwyn Mackay (being a headmaster) would say “Shut up you lot”. This usually quietened things down.
The first meeting of the Rotary Club of West Wollongong was held in the Grand Hotel, Wollongong. In those days it was run by “a very nice” couple. This is the picture of the club as it was in its first year, Elwyn Mackay in the middle of all these chaps all dressed in double-breasted blue suits.
One of the projects carried out in Elwyn’s year was the West Wollongong Primary School fete, which raised over $1000, a big amount of money at the time.
Little else remains of the history of Elwyn’s year, which is a pity because information from the club’s first Bulletins would have been very enlightening.


BACK ROW: Arthur Cratchley, Graham Jurgens, George Mitchie, Dan Ryan, Bill Richardson, Rev. Roy Gray, Bob Morris, Jack Poel, Neville Trotter, Harvey Chesterfield-Evans.
MIDDLE ROW: Tom Ward, Roger Kee, Geoff Thompson, Col Stewart, Ron Chapman, Dick Bosenquet, Gordon Staff, Visitor, Ross David.
FRONT ROW: Keith Lane, Ron King, Jack David (Wollongong RC), President Elwyn Mackay, DG Frank Moorehouse, Visitor, Visitor, George Reynolds.

Charter members absent from photographt: Jack Guest, Alan Reid and Phil Morrissey.

Ron King in 2003, he was the first Secretary of the Club.


 
  • ALLAN REID (1965 – 1966)
  • IRON & STEEL INDUSTRY – Service Shops
  • CHARTER MEMBER.  HONORARY MEMBER
  • Inducted 1964


District Governor   Leslie McGregor       Club Service:                
Secretary:  Ron King                    Community Service: 
Treasurer:  George Reynolds     International Service: Neville Trotter
Sergeant:    Arthur Cooper           Vocational Service:

A Word About the President

According to Harvey Chesterfield Evans, Allan Reid worked at AIS Steelworks as an executive of the workshops Steelhaven complex.  He was a very likeable chap and a mad keen golfer.  As one would expect, he was a very dynamic and excellent Rotarian and contributed to the progress of the club’s strong foundation in fellowship and community service that exists just as evidently today.

Unfortunately, no hard history is available on Allan’s year; however both George Reynolds and Harvey Chesterfield-Evans said that Allan had a “good” year. It’s disappointing that no information is available.

 
  • JACK POEL (1966 – 1967)
  • FINANCE • CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
  • CHARTER MEMBER
  • Inducted 1964


District Governor  Eric Callaway     Club Service: Hubert Burrows
Secretary: Jim Morris                     Community Service: Bill Shoobert
Treasurer:                             International Service: George Reynolds
Sergeant:  Harvey Chesterfield-Evan    Vocational Service:Roger Kee

A Word About The President
Jack Poel was a very cheerful, gregarious gentleman, who was a local businessman dealing in finance. He was a charter director who attended the Inaugural Dinner on 12 February 1964 to form the Rotary Club of West Wollongong. Jack was active in various committees’ right throughout his time with the club until his death in 1973.
During Jack’s year the club moved to Renown Court under the “motherhood” of Proprietor Norma Naulty who was so popular within the club that she used to refer to the clubs members as “her boys”. The club is still at Renown Court and is extremely well looked after by Proprietor Erica Crittenden who is also a member of the club.
Once again, there is no hard evidence to provide details of Jack’s year.


A recent photograph of Carole and PP Arthur Booth.
Arthur was the youngest ever Rotarian
in the RC West Wollongong he was inducted at 25 years.

 
  • NEVILLE TROTTER (1967 - 1968)
  • EDUCATION • SPECIAL SCHOOLS/PHYSICALLY HANDIDICAPPED
  • CHARTER MEMBER
  • Inducted 1964

(Year completed by Elwyn Mackay when Neville transferred to the South Coast to Ulladulla by the Education Department)

District Governor Charles Jackson MBE Club Service: Hubert Burrows
Secretary:                                         Community Service: 
Treasurer:
Doug Gorrell                 International Service: 
Sergeant:    George Reynolds         Vocational Service: Roger Kee

A Word About The President
Neville was a special person who took on the responsibility of teaching at Greenacres S.C.W.A. School for handicapped children. He served as the club’s first Bulletin Editor and Chair of the Publicity Committee. He also attended the club’s Formation Dinner on 12 February 1964, and was Chairman of International Service 1965/66, Vice President 1966/67. Neville left the club in January 1968 after transferring to Milton, Ulladulla.

The record of history of Neville’s year has been lost.

(vice-president of West Wollongong Club), and (right) Elwyn Mackay, Charter president, at the inaugural dinner of the new chartered club.
   

 
  • WILLIAM (Bill) SHOOBERT (1968 – 1969)
  • INSURANCE • INSURANCE LIFE
  • Inducted 1964

Ron King (Secretary of the newly-formed West Wollongong Rotary Club), Frank Moorehouse of Kiama (district governor of 275 district), Jack David (past president of Wollongong Club), David Maddison
District Governor Gordon Swift Club Service: George Reynolds
Secretary: Doug Gorrell             Community Service: Graham Jurjens
Treasurer: Ron Almond             International Service: Roger Kee
Sergeant: Bob Thomas             Vocational Service: Allan Hoy

A Word About The President
Bill Shoobert was responsible for making contact with Edwin Klein, the owner of “Hillview” at Sutton Forest. A brief history of the origins of “Hillview” in included below for your interest.
The Rotary Club of West Wollongong came up with an old-fashioned “Fete” or “Fair” which was conducted in February 1969 for the first time and ended 16 years later when it was held for the last time in John Aldridge’s year of 1985.
The main reason for the demise of this great project and even greater fellowship was the deterioration of the “Hillview” complex due to Edwin Klein’s (Hon. Member) ageing and health concerns. This resulted in a very heavy burden for club members working a few weeks before the “Hillview Fair Weekend” to get the old home and grounds in a reasonable condition to open it to the public. Unfortunately, it became untenable and was left to P.P. Brian Hedley to call it quits.
In the words of Harvey Chesterfield-Evans, Hillview was started thus:
“Bill Shoobert was the president in 68-69, and managed the GIO in Wollongong. He was a fairly small fellow with an extremely Australian accent, spoke very  slowly, and was very witty in a quiet sort of way. He was very good with his hands and later on as he got older he retired to Rockhampton. He made club history because he started Hillview.”
“One of the things I forgot to say about our first year was that the Crippled Children’s Hospital, opposite then Guests Garage, had a tiny little building right next to it on the right hand side of the drive which was empty and they wanted to make it into a school for the kids, so they gave us the job. We said okay we‘d do it. It was one of the funniest weekends I have ever had. We went out there with hammers and saws, paint, nails, etc. At that stage, Jack Guest was in the club and he had all the power tools. In one weekend, we pulled out the fireplace and boarded it up, put in power points, painted the walls, put in extra steps, made the taps work. In one weekend we converted it into a little school and at the end of the day we stood back and thought, fancy turning that little place into a school and then drank lots of beer.”
“Our next project (although we were not in it alone) that followed on from this was the Children’s Ward at the Wollongong Hospital. There was a wall along the parking lot there near the chapel that was just used as an open verandah. We got involved with other clubs to extend the children’s ward outwards, which was then closed in to give the “school” more room and the kids somewhere to ride tricycles that made the children’s ward a lot more comfortable.”

The Birth of Hillview
“In 1968, Bill Shoobert went and saw this old chap Edwin Klein at “Hillview”. Edwin Klein started out as a builder in the Shoalhaven area and he was a philosopher. He remained unmarried and he used to build for people. “I’ll give you the money and when it’s built you can have it back” and he charged them for it at 1 or 2% interest because he had considerable assets of his own, and so he became extremely well known. He bought Hillview.”
“Hillview is up at Sutton Forest, near Moss Vale and it was a country residence of NSW Governor in olden days in the late 1800s early 1900s, so when they had to go and relax and so on, they left Sydney and all went down to Hillview at Sutton Forest. It was an area with a lot of ground. If you go between Moss VALE and Sutton Forest, it is up on the left and is of significant historical interest. Bill said, “Would you like to open it to the public once a year in February”, and Ed said “sure, that is when the dahlias are out” so we went up there for 16 years, until Brian Hedley’s presidential year, which was in 85-86. We opened it every February and used to go up there and prepare the place a couple of weekends before, mow the lawns and set everything up and then we would advertise it. It was an enormous source of fellowship. Fellows would go up there and they would find skills that they did not know they had and came to believe they could cook better than anybody else could. We had guided tours all the way through. People used to come from all over the place, Goulburn, Canberra, Nowra, Wollongong etc. so it was a great source of fundraising. I used to love working on the gate to charge a small fee for entry and have a chat with each driver.”

 
  • RONALD (Ron) KING (1969 – 1970)
  • REAL ESTATE AGENCY
  • CHARTER MEMBER, HONORARY MEMBER
  • Inducted 1964


District Governor Ronald Pate (OBE, OAM) Club Service: Allan Hoy
Secretary: Doug Gorrell Community Service: Vic Evans
Treasurer: Ron Almond International Service: Reg Kunkler
Sergeant: Tom Jennings Vocational Service: George Reynolds

A Word About The President
If ever there was a dedicated Rotarian it was Ron King. A gentleman in every respect. He was always absolutely dependable and the first to volunteer even when he was unwell. Ron served the club for many years on Rotary Information (1973-85) and Membership Development (1986-2002) for which he conducted interviews with every potential new member, which in itself was a monumental effort, and a significant call on his personal time.
Like many Rotarians Ron served in WWII, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant He was captured in Crete and spent the rest of the war in P.O.W. camp in Germany. That he survived indicates strength of character that was evident in his approach to life and his dedication to Rotary. He was honoured with Honorary Membership in 2003.  Every club needs someone with the character of a Ron King.  Once again, it is disappointing to be unable to unlock memories and write a good account of Ron’s year as president, but unfortunately, this history has been lost.
District Governor Frank Moorhouse presented a Rotary book on 22nd May, 1964 named “Adventure in Service” to those present at the Inaugural 1st Meeting of the club – detailed below is the inscription inside the cover of this book still in Ron’s keeping.  Also included is the 6th Change over night dinner bulletin.

 
  • ROGER KEE (1970 – 1971)
  • FOOD INDUSTRY • GROCERIES RETAILING
  • CHARTER MEMBER
  • Inducted 1964

District Governor: Samuel Downie     Club Service: Gordon Harman
Secretary: Len Radcliffe     Community Service: Vic Evans
Treasurer: Ron Almond     International Service Ross David
Sergeant: Noel Hart         Vocational Service:       George Reynolds

A Word About The President
(Comments by Harvey Chesterfield-Evans)
The next president was a chap called Roger Kee, Roger was a lovely fellow rather retiring and although the town has changed a bit now, he had a grocery shop roughly, opposite what is now the Red Rooster at the corner of Gladstone Avenue.
I was on the Vocational Service committee during his presidential year. Nowadays business offices have these board meetings, but in those days you always used to go to the presidents home. So we used to go to Roger’s place upstairs in the shop. During the board meeting we would get these fantastic smells coming through and at the end of the meeting, his wife would serve coffee and turn on a fantastic Chinese dinner. You were lucky to get home by midnight. We saw an enormous difference in Roger from when he came in as president to when he finished. He got that extra bit of confidence and he was a very good president. He has now retired up in Sydney. He had the utility that he used to do deliveries in and some bloke pinched it. It was found up at Broken Hill and so the Sergeant fined poor Roger for having too extensive a practice.
Sadly, nothing exists to extend the knowledge of Roger’s year.


 
  • DOUGLAS (Doug) GORRELL (1971 – 1972)
  • REAL ESTATE • LAND DEVELOPMENT
  • Inducted 1965

District Governor Phillip Budden OBE     Club Service: Vic Evans
Secretary: Len Radcliffe     Community Service: 
Treasurer:
 Ron Almond& Ted Nash     International Service: Hubert Burrows
Sergeant:                          Vocational Service: Harvey Chesterfield-Evans

A Word About The President
Doug, as described by Harvey Chesterfield-Evans, was a good president and was very keen to have a successful year, which he undoubtedly did. Doug remained in the club for 13 years and served mainly as Treasurer, 5 years, Secretary twice, and mainly Membership Development. He was highly regarded by all as an excellent Rotarian. No history records have survived the various secretaries over the years with a mysterious filing cabinet having disappeared with all the clubs documentation
Club Service
All that remains of President Doug’s history is a letter from Len Radcliffe (Secretary) to Ron King whilst Ron was on holidays regarding membership. Main points were: Roger Kee indicated that he was moving to Sydney and would be leaving the club much to everyone’s dismay – Bill Sanderson has resigned – two members were inducted, Brothers Wal and Col Koenig – two more new members to be inducted shortly, Bruce Sheats and Marcel Benson. Over the year thus far, there have been nine inductions, six resignations that increased the membership from 47 to 51.
Len writes: “I hope we can have another 25-30 proposals to consider in the coming year”. Allan Hoy contacted Steve Surtee (District Governor’s Representative) to attend District Governor visit August 23rd. Ron’s new ID card is enclosed and signed by Reg (Klunker).Ross (David) back from illness.
Ron Almond has been transferred back to Wollongong, he was one of our 100% members before his transfer to the “bush”, but missed four meetings while away.
Ted Nash is to be the new treasurer as Gordon (Harmer) has been transferred to Rotary Information.

Shown below letter dated 30 June 1972.



 
  • ALAN HOY (1972 – 1973)
  • BROADCASTING • TELEVISION SERVICE
  • Inducted 1967

District Governor Steve Turtle     Club Service: Ross David
Secretary: Reg Kunkler                 Community Service: Bill Fancourt
Treasurer: Col Derham                 International Service: George Burns
Sergeant: Tim Browing (Silver Fox)     Vocational Service: Hugh Burrows

A Word About The President
Alan was a very happy, outgoing person who was well liked and popular in the Wollongong and surrounding districts. This was no doubt in part due to his exposure as Chief Executive of Television Win 4. His and his company’s contributions to charity through television exposure to “Hillview” was most welcome and ensured that the crowds rolled up to the event each year. Club meetings were always lively with Alan at the helm and he was sorely missed when he was transferred to Sydney due to his occupation.
Once again, very little remains of the history of this year, however the “change over” Bulletin was found and printed below in its entirety:

•     Rotary Club of West Wollongong President’s Report - Year Ended 30th June, 1973
Fellows,
My Annual Report, the 9th of the Rotary Club of West Wollongong, is presented to you with a great deal of satisfaction.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the year of Presidency and express my sincere thanks for the honour that you bestowed upon me.
The year has been most rewarding. I doubt that any other undertaking in the future could bring forth more satisfaction than this year of Presidency.
To Immediate Past President Doug, I am truly indebted. His guidance has been of tremendous assistance to me as President and to our Board of Directors. It is with a great deal of regret that we way farewell to Doug as a Board Member. I am certain however, that Doug’s wise counselling will be given eagerly whenever required.
Roy D. Hickman, President of R.I., chose as his theme for the year “Let’s Take a New Look”. It has been my endeavour to carry out this theme in every activity associated with our Club.
We have indeed taken a “new look” at many aspects and perhaps one most worthy of mention was the New Look D.G.’s Visit.
I was fortunate to be able to endorse a toast to D.G. Steve at our final President’s Meeting last month and to pay tribute to his leadership and approach to Rotary in general. I am so very glad that I was able to serve D.G. Steve this year. His acceptance of many new innovations has endeared himself to each and every Rotarian in our District.
We as a Club were fortunate in being selected by Steve to co-host with Wollongong Club, the District Conference. The success of the Conference was due largely to the efforts of the fellows of West Wollongong and I must place on record my personal appreciation for a job well done. It was extremely gratifying to be able to act as a co-host President to Club’s throughout District 275.
Looking back in retrospect, we have had a most successful year and in my mind, some of the highlights have been:
•     District Governor Steve’s Visit
•     Co-hosting the District Conference
•     A very fruitful “Hillview” weekend
•     International Student Guests
•     Our participation in RYLA.
•     Professor Derek Llewellyn-Jones address•     Again this year our attendance has been commendable although it will not reach the all-time high last year of 94.7%, it remains near the top of the District Attendance Competition.
•     Bulletin -Bill Henderson and Derek Swyer have carried out their duties in a most satisfactory manner. The Bulletin has been extremely well prepared and above all each edition was “newsy”.
•     Classification and Membership Development - I have been delighted with the progress of this Committee under the guidance of P.P. Ron King. Although the development of the Club was slow at first we have been able to induct 12 new members. With five resignations during the year, membership now stands at 56.

Community Service
This Committee with leadership from Bill Fancourt and Col Stewart has been extremely active. The members have not been called on to do a great deal of physical work however; the achievement of this Committee has been outstanding. The following points deserve mention:
•     Excellent organisation of Hillview weekend
•     A feasibility study and a sizeable cash donation to Nareena Home for the Aged.
•     The completion of

 
  • VICTOR (Vic) EVANS (1973 – 1974)
  • CONSTRUCTION SERVICE
  • COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
  • Inducted 1967

District Governor Robert Johnson     Club Service: George Burns
Secretary: Reg Kunkler             Community Service: Ken Barnes
Treasurer: Col Derham     International Service: Bob Henderson
Sergeant: Noel Lamerton     Vocational Service: Tom Robertson

A Word About The President
Vic, according to Harvey Chesterfield-Evans, was a “big happy fellow” whose board meetings were always brief as Vic was a “teetotaller” which disappointed Harvey no end. Vic who was inducted in 1967, first served as Programme Chairman then was on the Board for the next four years finishing with Rotary Information when he left the club when his company transferred him from the District. All those who knew him missed Vic. A small section of one club bulletin has survived of Vic’s history.

Community Service
•     “The Wollongong Show” – the club sold lucky numbers tickets at the show on October 25, 26 and 27 to raise funds.
•     Hillview was again the focus of the club’s year.
•     Crippled Children: At the Annual Meeting of the Illawarra Society for Crippled Children, the club presented the Society with a cheque for $1500.

International Service
– (A reprint from Vic’s bulletin 5 June 1974.)
Rotary’s Standard (from R.I. News): When catastrophes wrought by either nature or man have the potential of destroying the hopes and futures of a single person or a whole community, there is a great need for someone to help. Help comes when someone obeys a standard based on concern for one’s fellow man, such as that embodied in Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self”. An ancient sage from the Levant said that if a person saves one human from destruction, he saves the whole human race, but if he destroys another human or neglects to help him, he destroys the human race. Under such standards, all mankind is one.
In a speech to a district president’s meeting, the President of R.I.B.I. stated, “the most urgent need to reconstruct a system of standards and this is what it’s about. Rotary stands for an objective standard and that corresponds to reality”.
Voicing similar concerns, the late naturalist Joseph Banks who, like President William C. Carter had much to say about improving the quality of life, wrote, “Without standards one lapses into anarchy and the individual becomes aware of the intolerable distance between himself and the universe.”
Acceptance of the concept “Service Above Self” enables us to become aware of the short distance between himself and another human being. The results of natural disasters such as droughts and floods, along with individual physical handicaps illustrate the need for, understanding, and help. The reality of human suffering causes us all to understand the meaning of “Service above Self”.
 
Vocational Service
•     A combined meeting was held and we welcomed members of three other clubs representing Lions, Apex and Kiwanis. Through brief outline histories presented by representatives from each group and by means of fellowship we were able to learn the principles and ideals of the various organisations. The Guest Speaker for the evening was Charles Morrison, who presented recordings of highlights from “50 years of Broadcast in Australia”. It was pleasing to note the number of famous names in the world entertainment who gained a start in their careers through radio, and perhaps surprising to learn that radio itself is growing in its popularity. We thank all the members of the other clubs who joined us for the evening and Charles for his interesting and sometimes provocative illustrations of the growth of one aspect of the media. His talk must have set many thinking with regard to the development of our society, and that it is something not always easily achieved.
•     Vocational Service Award -The main part of our meeting was given over to Vocational Service, Vice President Bill Fancourt introduced us to the recipient of the Vocational Service Award – Ian Dixon, Bill was supported in his comments by Colin Conacher. From the reaction of those present it was obvious that the Board decision was both a popular and worthy choice. In reply Mr. Dixon thanked the club for the presentation and reminded us that the award is in total a most important thing and that clubs had an important part to play, not only in raising money to help people’s essential needs but also in maintaining moral standards.
After the presentation, two films were shown that describe the approach necessary in managing people. These views presented by Dr. Wilf Jarvis left us with food for thought when dealing with staff.

Edwin Klein the owner of “Hillview” and an honorary member of the club receiving his Paul Harris Fellowship with President John Chaplin in 1979