Sydney Rotary on Screen
Live Performance at the 105th Anniversary
Welcome to the Sydney Rotary Video Archive.
This public collection features the dedicated video production work of Rtn Jon-Claire Lee. Through his lens, we are able to share the heart of the Sydney Rotary Club, capturing our milestones, highlighting our community service, and showcasing the people who bring our projects to life locally and globally.
Whether you are a long-time member, a community partner, or just discovering what we do, we invite you to explore these stories of action and service.
"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves."
Paul Harris
Rotary founder
1921 | Sydney, Australia
How did Rotary first come to Australia?
This short film tells the story of Canadian Rotarians James W. Davidson and Lieutenant-Colonel J. Layton Ralston, who arrived in Sydney in March 1921 with a mission to establish Rotary in Australia.
Their visit coincided with Sydney’s Royal Easter Show and was complicated by illness and delays. Nevertheless, they began meeting prospective members and building support for the new organisation. Their work culminated in the inaugural meeting of the Rotary Club of Sydney on 17 May 1921, with Sir Henry Braddon serving as the Club’s first President.
More than a century later, the spirit of fellowship, goodwill and service introduced by Sydney’s founding Rotarians continues.
3 July 2026 | Admiralty House, Kirribilli
Video highlights from the formal induction of Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, as an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Sydney.
The ceremony reflects on Service Above Self, the shared values of Rotary and the Governor-Generalship, and Rotary’s community and humanitarian work in Australia and internationally.
Watch the video below.
For the full account of the occasion, read: Honorary Membership for our 28th Governor-General.