Rotary began as an idea more than 100 years ago. Today, Rotary flourishes worldwide with 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.
Rotary History and Archives is the authority on Rotary's rich, evolving history. Located in Lincolnwood, Illinois, USA, the History and Archives team continues to update and provide access to its collection of tens of thousands of items from all over the world.
Read more at the History of The Rotary Foundation and History of Rotary International pages.
Rotary Club of Dandenong History
Following a dinner late in 1934 at the Club Hotel. Dandenong, when a group of prominent members of the Rotary Club of Melbourne discussed with representative business and professional men of Dandenong the possibility of forming a Rotary Club at Dandenong, the inaugural meeting of the proposed Club was held at the Royal Hotel, Dandenong on 29th March, 1935.
This meeting, attended by many members of the Rotary Club of Melbourne and nineteen charter members, also had as Guest of Honour President Emeritus Paul Harris. the founder of Rotary, giving the Rotary Club of Dandenong the honour of being the only Rotary Club in Australia to have that distinction.
The Club's Charter was presented in the Town Hall, Dandenong on Wednesday, 3'd July, 1935 by acting District Governor Angus S. Mitchell of 65th Rotary District, and the nineteen original charter members were –
President: Dr. Alf Oldham
Vice-President: W. F. Roulston
Vice-President.: Leslie G. Taylor
Treasurer & Sergeant at Arms: James Hillard
Secretary: Hugh D. T. Williamson
R. W. Allen, Rolf S. Brown, Wells Brumley, E. C. Butler,
J. H. Cunningham, D.S. Game, R. A. Jeffers, George Keys.
Jeffrey Macpherson, K. G. McAlpin, Harold Pugh.
Stewart J. Scott, Clyde Westmoreland. Harold Whitney.
The Club has always been keen to promote the well being of Dandenong and its surrounds.
