Celebrate our first 100 years with us

We’ve been around a while… more than 100 years in fact!

Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International , on his first trip with his wife Jean to Australia in 1935. He planted a tree to symbolize goodwill and friendship as part of a global Rotary tree planting program.

Rotary in our region turned 100 in 2021. To celebrate this milestone our four founding clubs: Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington – all begun in 1921 – have joined forces to develop a major commemorative centenary project.

What does Rotary 100 years mean? ”
– Garry Browne AM, Chair of the Centenary Committee

A Centenary event in Rotary is a unique occasion for the Rotary world. A once in a lifetime opportunity for Rotary in Australia and New Zealand to celebrate the First 100 years of Service to 2021.

In 1921, four Rotary Clubs were created in Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington and Sydney. From there, Rotary and Rotaract clubs were created everywhere across Australia and New Zealand. We all shared a centenary in 2021.

To celebrate together a common legacy. To think about the impact that Rotary has made in our region!

The best way to mark the occasion is to do what Rotary does best! Projects. And build on a legacy that will propel Rotary into the next century of service. This is so important – we will not have another chance in our lifetime!

Projects are already underway. Projects endorsed by Rotary as signature projects that address a real community need, drive us into the next century of community service, energise members, provide a magnet for new members, find new partners and raise our profile.

Rotarians Think Big. Taking on nation building projects, tackling community issues, accelerating health problems for the disadvantaged, expanding the horizons of young people, creating vocational excellence, helping local communities enjoy local fellowship. You name it, we have done it! In celebrating the First 100 years of Service, let’s reflect on what we do next and create a platform for The Next 100 years of Service!

Check it out

A message from our Ambassadors, the Governor General of Australia and Mrs Hurley for Rotary’s centenary in 2021

How it all started…

Rotary was introduced to Australia in 1921 by two Canadian Rotarians, James W Davidson and J Layton Ralston. By 1928, when the first Canberra club was chartered, there were 17 Australian clubs.

Rotary’s first headlines The Argus, Melbourne 29th Saturday 26th March 1921: “Lieut.-Colonel J L Ralston, CMG, DSO, KC, and Mr. James W Davidson are visiting Australia as commissioners for the extension among professional and business men of the ‘Rotary Club’ movement which claims about 80,000 members in Canada, the British Isles and the United States.

The Rotary Club movement had its beginning in 1905 and has for its slogan ‘He profits most who serves best’. In each club there can only be one representative of each line of business and each profession. Its aim is to encourage and foster high ethical standards in business and profession.” Ralston and Davidson only met in Los Angeles on their trip to Australia and New Zealand. But from their endeavours, within weeks, the first Rotary meetings were conducted in Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington and Auckland.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Since 1905, Rotary has been making a positive impact in the world. Beginning in Chicago, before spreading throughout the world. With the help of a couple of Canadian clubs – The Rotary Club of Sydney was established on May 17, 1921.