About Rotary Club of Rowville - Lysterfield

The Rotary Club of Rowville was formed in early 2004 by a group of Rotarians and interested community members who saw the need for a committed service club in the Rowville area. The Club was 'Chartered' (officially recognised by Rotary International) on 1st July 2004 with a total of 22 members, of whom only 7 were previously Rotarians.

We have an active and enthusiastic team of members (both young and old) and are constantly looking to add to our numbers to increase our activities in local, national and international projects.

We have supported a wide range of local activities and groups during our years of existence. We have called for applications for Community Grants and as a result have distributed $10,000 amongst a local junior sporting club, social welfare activity and kindergarten. We have supported many activities at Rowville Secondary College, amongst them the provision of rain water tanks, mock vocational interviews, student travel support for international experiences, and opportunities for senior students to be involved in Rotary leadership programs such as RYLA, RYPEN and MUNA. With sponsorship from Knox Council we have also staged Cyber-Safety seminars at the school for students and parents. Most importantly, however, in conjunction with the college we have started what is now the oldest Interact club in our District, giving the students the opportunity to join the Rotary family and do good in the world in their own right.

We have given our support to many international projects and amongst a long list this has seen us provide significant funds for the re-building of a school in Aceh province in Indonesia after the 2004 Tsunami; the sponsorship of a medical student in Sri Lanka for the duration of her studies after her family was lost in the tsunami; support for Rotary’s Safe Water, Saves Lives campaign; funds to support Polio Plus and the eradication of the disease; and with the support of the local Sri Lankan community, Rotary International and fellow Rotary Clubs in Sri Lanka, the provision of substantial funds for shoes for children in tsunami hit areas of the country. Also, in conjunction with the Sri Lankan and Bangladesh communities of Melbourne, we have supported the work of SHEBA to fund the appointment of District Nurses and associated healthcare in needy areas of Bangladesh.

In addition we have provided sponsorship and hosting for inbound and outbound Exchange Students through the auspices of Rotary.

Closer to home we have provided significant funds for Shelter Boxes for fire affected Victorian communities following the Black Saturday bushfires as well as fund raising for the CFA. In recent times a regular series of Business Breakfasts have been organised with speakers and associated fund raising activities and to date nearly $20,000 has been handed over to local and international causes. In memory of a former Club member we have initiated an annual scholarship program at Chisholm Institute to acknowledge a worthy apprentice. We joined with other Rotary Clubs in Knox to purchase a Community Policing Car for Victoria Police.

What we do

 

Assist Locally

Our club is always listening to our own community and helping those in need in a variety of ways.

Assist Internationally

Even though our club is small the Rotary movement is huge internationally. We have projects that help people in our Pacific area as well as far across the world.

Have fun

Our members meet weekly and often at other times on special projects or social outings. Rotary Club Members are people that you will want to meet and develop worthwhile relationships with.