26/07/2026
The Rotary Club of Taree had a very successful 89th Changeover Night on Saturday at Club Taree. President Anna Hutchinson reported that over $237,000 in donations had been made during the year.
The following toast to Rotary International was made by past assistant Governor Ashley Cleaver.
On Sept 16, 1995, Prime Minister Paul Keating opened the Kokoda Memorial Hospital in New Guinea, along with the New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign in 1942.
Australian Aid commissioned Rotary Australia to build the $ 2 million hospital, consisting of 36 beds.
A former member of this club, PDG Bob Young, played a major role in its construction and supervision. Bob visited New Guinea over 30 times.
The construction recognised the sacrifice at a pivotal time in World War II when Japanese troops were intent on attacking and capturing Port Moresby but were repelled.
Bob arranged for a Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel at that time, now a chief, to visit the Rotary Club of Taree in this clubhouse, complete with regalia.
From this, a nurses' training program was founded, where nurses from Kokoda would work and train in our Port Macquarie and Taree hospitals.
Many members have since visited and worked on the Kokoda project, the most recent visit being that of PP and RAWCS Chair David Denning last year.
In 1998, PP Brian Hole led a Rotary Club of Taree delegation to visit the Rotary Club of Okayama Chuo in Japan to form a sister club relationship.
This relationship continues today with members going to Okayama in September to celebrate that club’s 40th anniversary.
In Taipei, the most recent international conference was held in June this year.
Over 38,000 Rotarians from 140 countries attended, including Lucy and Mariko from this club.
Rotary’s sophistication in organising international conferences is second to none.
Rotarians present at the conference could reflect on the organisation's success with its-
Polio Plus Program for the eradication of Polio.
Its Anti-Malaria Campaign.
Its ShelterBox programs
The provision of fresh water and sanitation to numerous towns and villages in countries where none existed.
The plethora of youth projects, including the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.
The two billion Rotary Foundation and its careful funding through matching grants and the like of thousands of worthy projects throughout the world.
Rotarian initiative to help and assist knows no bounds.
The strength of Rotary is its Vocational Foundation, the amalgam of members' vocational occupations, past or present, within the club.
The importance of that precious individual member has been and is pivotal to the continued success of Rotary.
Whether you are the local Toyota Car Dealer who becomes Rotary International Treasurer, as former member PDG Kevin Hardes did.
Whether you’re the local TAFE principal who supervised the construction of a hospital in Kokoda as former member PDG Bob Young did.
Whether you’re a retired engineer who sets up Rotary Club’s in Eastern Russia as member PDG Ian Dyball did.
Whether you’re a TAFE principal who organised the successful District Bowel Scan programs, as former member PP Kevin Sharp did.
Whether you’re a doctor who conducts maternity training in the Congo and the Philippines, like member PP Grace has done and is doing.
Or whether you just enjoy the camaraderie and community spirit of your fellow Rotarians at a club meeting, knowing many millions of dollars raised by this club over its 89-year history have gone to many worthy local charities.
Whatever – Your membership is vitally important to a worldwide organisation of significance,
That has promoted humanity, world peace and the betterment of mankind for over 120 years.
Guests and fellow Rotarians, I ask you to stand and toast -
One of the great organisations of the world -
Rotary International.
