Townsville was a port city of 25,000 people when the Rotary Club of Townsville was chartered in 1926. It served the needs of the pastoral, agricultural and mining industries in the north and north-west of Queensland.

The idea of a community service club as an organization for the carrying out of specific jobs of some public benefit developed fairly slowly. Fellowship and the social side seemed to predominate in the early years.

However, when the depression of the 1930's hit Australia, the club was quick to respond to the needs of the community. It raised funds for the social services, (social security as we know it today was non-existent then), for Christmas gifts for distressed people and for meals for the unemployed and their families.

In the early World War II years, (1939-1941) the club concentrated it's efforts on fund-raising for the Red Cross Society and in supporting the purchase of war bonds.

Townsville was one of the largest military bases in the South-West Pacific region during the war with Japan. The civilian population of 30,000 was increased by up to 100,000 Australian and United States troops in the years 1942 and 1943. The U.S. Army 5th Air Firce was formed in Townsville and from it's current base in Japan has responsibility for the Pacific and South-East Asia zone.

Many of the club's members enlisted with the armed forces or were assigned by the Government to essential war-based activities. Nevertheless, the club still remained active in raising funds fo rthe Red Cross, Comforts Fund and the Armed Services Clubs, obtaining blankets for war victims and in entertaining the troops.

Upon cessation of hostilities the club thrrew it's support behind the 'Food for Britian' appeal, sending thousands of food parcels to designated depots in Britian. The club also backed the Government's "Bring out a Briton' scheme.

The club purchased, renovated and equipped ex-Army buildings at Rowes bay for the establishment of a Bush Children's Home on Crown land. The health of children from the outback had always been a club favourite and now a newly-formed Bush Children's Home Committee could organize annual holidays with medical care.

In 1962, the club formed the "Townsville Senior Citizens Welfare Association" and raised funds for the erection of suitable buildings on a seaside location, leased from the Harbour Board. The Association was so successful that more buildings had to be erected by the club to meet the needs of our seniors. The Association is now self-supporting.

A major project for the youth of the City was the building of a Traffic Training Centre and playground on land donated by the City Council. The project was completed in 1975 and extended in 1981. It is highly valued by educational authorities for the training it provides to schoolchildren.

In 1978, the club was invited to join the Red Cross Society and the Townsville and District Rugby Union in poineering "Bingo City" as a major fund-raising venture, proceeds and costs to be shared equally among the three bodies. During the 22 years that "Bingo City" has been in operation, the Rotary Club has distributed $1.7M to charity and community groups as it's share of the net proceeds from Bingo.

The club introduced a Community Chest Motor Car Art Union in 1985. The club provides all prizes and all expenses (tickets, permits etc), conducts and accounts for the Art Union with all participating groups retaining the full proceeds of their ticket sales. Distribution from the 16 Annual Car Art Unions total $1.15M for a total cost to the club of $397,762 (from it's bingo fund-raising).

One of the main beneficiaries from the Bingo fund-raising was the Good Shephard Nursing Home which received $350,000 over a period of years.

Although Bingo fund-raising and the Car Art Union take a lot of the members time, other projects are not neglected. The Townsville club was one of the first in Australia to conduct Bowelscan (in 1993) and has done so annually since. Polio Plus was a special project, with it's own fund-raising – our four-year target was reached in the first year.

The twin cities of Townsville and Thuringowa now have a population of 150,000, with 10 Rotary clubs. They are thriving communities with many industries, including the largest zinc refinery (Sun Metals) in the world and with major defense installation of the Army and Air Force.

Rotary continues to serve Townsville well!