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Brief histories of the "australiaclubs.org" Clubs

Rotary Club of Brisbane

Rotary International District 9600

Brisbane, the birthplace of RYLA

Host Club of the Rotary International Convention of 2003

Founded 29 May 1923
Club #: 17787

The Rotary Club of Brisbane was not sponsored by another Club but was formed under the old system of a Rotary Commissioner traveling to a town and getting together community leaders. In the case of Brisbane, the Commissioner was Henry Braddon (later Sir) from the Rotary Club of Sydney. The Club was chartered on 29 May 1923 with a membership of 16. The Charter President was Peter B Macgregor - a leading Barrister. The Club has been responsible for the sponsoring of the following Clubs: Mackay and Townsville in 1926-27 (with the involvement of Immediate Past President Tom McWilliam in conjunction with Rotary Commissioner Sir Henry Braddon of Sydney Rotary Club), Ipswich, Bundaberg (1929-30), Toowoomba, Maryborough, Lismore (1931-32), Fortitude Valley, South Brisbane, Brisbane North, Brisbane West, Brisbane Mid-City. During its history the club has carried out many outstanding projects including:   Establishment of the Queensland Society for Crippled Children   Establishment of International House at the University of Queensland   Gundoo Week which later developed into R.Y.L.A. Week, now a world wide project of Rotary International

Establishment of Hilcom Limited - workshop for the disabled Establishment of the Queensland Surf Life Saving Foundation Establishment of and resources for Bridging the Gap - Job Help Inc. Provision of funds to assist in the construction of a Therapeutic Pool Complex at the Montrose Home for Crippled Children Continuous support for Donations in Kind Seed funding to Operations Kinder - Community project at Riverview Special grants for a water tank, serum supply and other medical equipment for Aitape, Papua New Guinea Support for World Vision Children Furnished a unit Wesley Rotary Lodge Establishment of Vision Queensland to support vision impaired workers Donated medical equipment to Prince Charles Hospital and Honiara Hospital Vehicles for Red Hill Special School, Blue Nurses, Vision Queensland Mobile first aid unit for Moreton Island Production of "Your Move" first aid adventure video Formed "Sister Club" relationships with Rotary Clubs of Tsim Sha Tsiu East, D 3450, Hong Kong and Taipei Tatung, D 3480, Taipei, Taiwan, and "matched club" relationship with Rotary Club of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, D 9600

Brisbane hosted Paul Harris and his wife in 1935 (see articles, click to enlarge and read)
The Telegraph, 13 March 1935, front page	Telegraph article on Harris' arrival	Continuation of article and an explanation of "He Profits Most Who Serves Best." To understand the origin and meaning of this motto, click here now.	Courier newspaper interview of 13 March 1935, continued in second thumbnail
Jean Harris is a goodwill ambassador for Rotary and her home in Chicago	An interview in The Courier on board their ship	She speaks of a group known as the "Women of Rotary."	Her description of the friendship garden in Chicago and of their travels.
Details of a tea in her honor	An afternoon tea and details.	The founder upon his departure.	Acknowledgement
			Our thanks to Heritage Planning "Consultants, Basil T. Veal; Carolyn Nolan, History Consultant and Dr. Keith Watts 2001-02 president Rotary Club of Brisbane for their efforts in obtaining this important information which is now part of www.rotaryfirst100.org, www.rotaryfirst100.org and other portions of our project.

Learn about the Paul Harris - Brisbane (Montrose) "Friendship Tree"

 

More on the "Friendship Tree" connection to the

Queensland Society for Crippled Children at Corinda