The First Ten Years

"THE FIRST TWENTY YEARS"

1988 - 2008

ROTARY CLUB OF SYDNEY COVE

Club 25551, District 9750

www.sydneycoverotary.com

PO Box R654, Royal Exchange, NSW 1225

We meet Fridays at 7.30am

Aboard Captain Cook Cruises

Wharf 6, West Circular Quay,

Sydney, NSW 2000

THE HISTORY OF ROTARY

The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to capture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices.

Rotary's popularity spread and, within a decade, clubs were chartered from San Francisco to New York to Winnipeg, Canada. By 1921 Rotary clubs had been formed on six continents. The organization adopted the Rotary International name a year later. As Rotary grew, its mission expanded beyond serving club members’ professional and social interests. Rotarians began pooling their resources and contributing their talents to help serve communities in need. The organization's dedication to this ideal is best expressed in its motto: Service Above Self.

By 1925 Rotary had grown to 200 clubs with more than 20,000 members. The organization's distinguished reputation attracted presidents, prime ministers, and a host of other luminaries to its ranks - among them author Thomas Mann, diplomat Carlos P. Romulo, humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, and composer Jean Sibelius.

THE OBJECT OF ROTARY

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life; and

FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

THE 4-WAY TEST

In 1932 Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor created The 4-Way Test, a code of ethics adopted by Rotary 11 years later. The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions:

Of the things we think, say or do:

·  Is it the TRUTH?

·  Is it FAIR to all concerned?

·  Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

·  Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

MISSION

The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

MOVING TOWARD THE FUTURE

In 2001-02 Rotary International began developing a strategic plan to guide the organization as it entered its second century of service. In June 2007 the Board of Directors approved the RI Strategic Plan 2007-10 which identifies seven priorities:

·  Eradicate polio.

·  Advance the internal and external recognition and public image of Rotary.

·  Increase Rotary’s capacity to provide service to others.

·  Expand membership globally in both numbers and quality.

·  Emphasize Rotary’s unique vocational service commitment.

·  Optimize the use and development of leadership talents within RI.

·  Fully implement the strategic planning process to ensure continuity and consistency throughout the organization.

ROTARY CLUB OF

SYDNEY COVE

PAST PRESIDENTS:

Current (as at June 2008) Club Members who are Charter Members:

David Brawn Andy Buttfield Michael Costello Bill Fairbanks

John Hastings Trevor Haworth Bill Little Bryce Wauchope

Peter Welch

Paul Harris Fellows:

In recognition of their outstanding service to Rotary and the community, the following current Club Members have been given recognition by being awarded a Paul Harris Fellow:

David Brawn, SP Bob Bruce, SP Greg Prowse Philip Edmonds Guy Glenny

Trevor Haworth, SP Rob Taggart Fiona Lavan John Henderson Michael Maher

Bill Fairbanks Ian Cameron Thelma Wansley David Scarlett Bill Little, SP

Niels Warren Paul Ward-Harvey Michael Lowe, SP Michael Costello Dominic Williams

Alistair Gray Gary Price Ron Smart Robert Cameron Tom Gervay, SP

Andy Buttfield Max Connery Robert Bradshaw Derek White Maurice York

NOTE: SP designates Sapphire Pin holder

Honorary Members:

Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair AC

Ken Done

John Messenger

PP Peter Golding

PP Peter Watt

PP Graham Lightfoot

THE SYDNEY COVE STORY

When Captain Arthur Phillip realised that Botany Bay was unsuitable for settlement on his arrival there in January, 1788 he explored Port Jackson which James Cook had sailed past 18 years before.

Finding a cove with ample fresh water – the Tank Stream – and an excellent anchorage, he chose it as the site of the new colony and named it after Lord Sydney, the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The tents of the guards and convicts around its shores gradually gave way to permanent buildings. Campbell’s Wharf (1803), Macquarie’s commissariat and King’s Wharf (1812) providing berths for a small but thriving port.

Semi-Circular Quay, as it was first known, was completed in 1837. By the 1870s clippers were loading from the wool stores at its Eastern end.

When Circular Quay Station with the Cahill Expressway above was built in the 1950s, the Cove became Sydney’s main road, rail and ferry interchange.

In recent years Sydney Cove has been opened up again to the people, with rebuilt wharves, a spacious promenade to the Opera House and the remodelled Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Sydney Cove is the jewel of Australia’s greatest city.

ROTARY CLUB OF SYDNEY COVE STORY

Past President Peter Golding of Sydney Club (Host Club) commented to Peter Watt that he believed the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove will be one of the great Rotary Clubs in Australia.

In the inaugural address to Rotary Club of Sydney on 29 June 1987, incoming President, Peter Golding foreshadowed that an inquiry would be held into the feasibility of forming a new club in the Territory of Sydney Rotary as a means of attracting more men into Rotary. Peter Golding had in mind the great difficulty of all clubs of keeping up members including Sydney Rotary Club and that a new club would introduce up to 50 new Rotarians immediately.

Ross Gregg was appointed to lead a special committee to investigate the possibility of a new club and on 5 February 1988 the Board accepted the committee recommendations as follows:-

"That the Rotary Club of Sydney should:

(i) Seek approval of the Board of Directors of RI to form a new club to be known as the "Rotary Club of Sydney Cove".

(ii) Cede territory for this purpose as follows:

Southern boundary - Grosvenor and Bridge Streets

Eastern boundary - Macquarie Street to Bennelong Point

Northern boundary - Sydney Cove and Circular Quay to Sydney Harbour Bridge

Western boundary - Bradfield Highway.

(iii) Agree not to exercise our right to draw members from the ceded territory for two years, except to replace existing members.

(iv) Agree that the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove should be totally independent (ie not use or fund the secretariat at the Masonic Club); and that
(v) The foundation members of the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove should make their own decision as to venue and meeting time.

After due notice, this resolution was put to a vote of members at a meeting on 15 March 1988."

By 29 April 1988 the committee had identified 50 prospective members and a breakfast meeting was called for 1 June 1988 at Playfair Brasserie at the Old Sydney Park Royal Hotel to discuss details of the formation of the new club.

At the second meeting on 10 June 1988 on board John Cadman II moored at Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay the 45 prospective charter members overwhelmingly voted to hold the regular weekly meeting on board the John Cadman II after Trevor Haworth offered this venue.

The third meeting held on John Cadman II on 17 June 1988 office bearers were to be appointed and instructed and the date set for the charter night (11 August). Peter Watt was successfully nominated as President. By June 20 the President had written to all Board members informing them of their duties and what was expected of them.

The Club was officially chartered on 23 June 1988.

Year 1 President: Peter Watt 1988/89

Your Life

By the sixth meeting on 8 July 1988 there were 50 charter members although by Charter night, 11 August 1988, held at the Intercontinental Hotel, 40 members of a total of 45 were present and duly inducted by District Governor, John Crowe.

The actual charter document hadn't arrived from Rotary International for charter night and was finally presented to the Club on 7 October 1988.

The first guest speaker was A.H. (Mick) Spire C.B.E., past British Consul General in Sydney and Executive Director of Australia - British Chamber of Commerce.

The first committee up and running was the International Committee led by Mike Costello.

The first winner of raffle by members was Stefan Bokaemper and the first raffle won by a guest was David Scarlett on 5 August. Raffle prizes at the beginning were bottles of Scotch and Joe Oost (Club Services) had the job of obtaining the bottles. It was said that hardened liquor retailers were taking, with a pinch of salt, Joe's explanation that he gives it away. Wine was substituted for Scotch in November.

The first birthday to be celebrated was Peter Lanham, 29 July.

Austin Green announced that the Club was the first in the world to meet on a floating venue.

The first new members (2) were inducted on 14 October and the third group inducted included David Scarlett (28 October). Of the 45 charter members, 14 remained members 10 years on and 9 remained members 20 years on.

The painting of Sydney Harbour by Ken Done was accepted by the club as a cover design for the Club bulletin in September and after design work organised by Sean Barrett the new cover was first produced on 4 November.

At the end of the first year the Club membership had grown to 67. Ross Gregg was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship at the Changeover Dinner.

Some recollections by Peter Watt from 1988, our inaugural year:

"There are decided benefits in being involved with the commencement of a new Rotary Club. It is all about the freedom of establishing benchmarks, precedents and club spirit.

The first board of directors included myself, Graham Lightfoot, Peter Lanham, Michael Costello and Bill Little with Dick Bradley, Joe Oost, Bill Fairbanks and Richard Nicholls. Only two of us had had previous Rotary experience which was
useful in providing a limited understanding of the various and necessary procedures. The fact that most members were new to Rotary gave the Club a wonderful freedom to "do things as we saw them". Sometimes I got into hot
water with the District Office for not following procedures. I recall inviting a guest speaker to the meeting at which our then, District Governor was visiting us.

I also recall a frown from senior Rotarians for multiple induction ceremonies; a kind of production line approach. Mind you, we were determined to build the strength of the Club in numbers as well as Rotary Service and we actually
achieved a net increase of 22 members and ended the year twice our original charter size!

What I suppose was the most rewarding aspect of our first year, 1988, was the fact that the Club developed a distinctive spirit and quality which has become the envy of many Rotary Clubs. The fact that we were formed in the Bicentennial
year, and met where this country began its modern history, and it was Friday for breakfast on the harbour certainly helped. But it was the people who got caught up in the spirit of Rotary which made our Club so successful. We took on
projects which other experienced clubs would have hesitated at. And we succeeded. All in all it was for me a special year in my life. I found new friends which developed into closer friendships and I look back with great satisfaction
to a period which I believe laid a good foundation upon which has been built this truly great Sydney institution."

Year 2 President: Graham Lightfoot 1989/90

Enjoy Rotary

“The Club got away to a great start under our inaugural President Peter Watt and my job in year two was to keep the momentum going and to build on the range of Club activities started and to open up new areas of service. The task was a little daunting to someone who had been inducted into Rotary one year and President the next, but lack of experience was compensated by a good measure of enthusiasm for the task ahead.

The main objectives set at the beginning of the year were
... to be a well organised and ACTIVE Club
… to be a friendly and CARING Club

... to enjoy Rotary and have fun while achieving the above.

We were active and we were caring. In year two we got ourselves out and involved in such things as:-

... clean up Australia Day
... the Biathlon event

… organising committee of District 975 Conference

... sponsoring of 1st Exchange Student Shelley Freeman to Austria and the acceptance of Maki Umeni from Japan

... a lead role in the first Operation Livewire in NSW where we provided no less than 25 Mentors to budding young entrepreneurs

... establishment of a Sister Club relationship with Port Nicholson NZ

... the bringing to fruition of the provision of Exercise Equipment in the Rocks area