History of The Rotary Club of Glenferrie

The Rotary Club of Glenferrie is the third Rotary Club to have been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hawthorn in its locality. The first was the Rotary Club of Camberwell, chartered in 1956, followed by the Rotary Club of Kew in 1967. The idea of canvassing support for a third new club in Hawthorn territory was first discussed early in 1974. Some of the older members of Rotary Hawthorn saw the need for further extending Rotary activity in the area and their opinion was backed up by a request from District Governor Ted Atkinson (1974-75) to examine this idea. 

A subcommittee was formed in October 1974 to consider the proposal. After detailed investigation in which more than 200 unfilled member classifications were identified the Hawthorn board made a favourable recommendation in March 1975 to the District Governor and so the process of starting another club began. Jack Cathie of Rotary Hawthorn was charged with managing the preliminary work as the Governor’s special representative. His first step was to make a detailed survey of all the businesses in the Hawthorn municipality in May and early June 1975.  At the same time organisational details such as club name territory and meeting time and place were discussed. In due course, the Hawthorn board resolved that a new club should be formed, that no territory would be ceded -  meaning the Hawthorn and Glenferrie clubs would seek members from the same area - and that the club would be based on dinner time meetings so as not to clash with Hawthorns lunchtime meetings.  The name Rotary Club of Glenferrie was agreed on 29th of July 1975.

By the end of August 1975 about 90 prospective members had been identified. A team of club members carried out interviews with the prospects leading to 22 people indicating their interest. A preliminary meeting of the proposed Rotary Club of Glenferrie was held at ‘Tay Creggan’ in Yarra Street, Hawthorn on 7th of October for those who accepted membership. A week later an organisational meeting was held at Angelucci’s Restaurant in Walpole Street, Kew at which board members and office bearers were chosen. Jack Balloch, a member of the Rotary Club of Kew since 1968 ,was asked by Jack Cathie to become the inaugural president

The Rotary Club of Glenferrie was granted a charter on 22nd of October 1975. Formal presentation of the charter and induction of 30 members was carried out at a dinner in the Hawthorn Town Hall on Monday 24th of November 1975 before a gathering of 280 friends partners and fellow Rotarians representing 34 clubs most of them from the then District 280 (now District 9800).

In his speech that evening titled ‘What makes Rotary so special?” District Governor Frank Newman identified two key factors for the future life of the club. The very first thing, he said, is the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service. The second factor, he noted, was the opportunity to show leadership in the community, particularly in the area of youth. Rotarians were well placed to accept this responsibility.

Charter Members of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie

What makes Rotary so special?

From the beginning, two factors have consistently been identified as primary goals for any Rotary Club and Glenferrie is no different. These are:

• The development of acquaintance or friendship as an opportunity for service.
• To provide opportunities for community leadership

Some of the outcomes

In 2025 the Rotary Club of Glenferrie celebrates 50 years of continual service to the community. Since its Charter in October 1975, the club has carried out countless community service projects, operating on a local, state, national and international basis. Some of the standouts have included:

• The River Run, a successful fundraiser for Vision Australia for 27 years, taking participants on a 10 km journey along the Yarra River from the city to Hawthorn.
• Founded the Probus Club of Glenferrie in 1990 and the Combined Probus Club of Auburn (Vic) in 2003
• Operation of a Coffee Shop at the monthly Hawthorn Craft Market in the Hawthorn Town Hall from 1985 to 2003 serving soup, sandwiches and Devonshire teas.

                 

• Establishment of the Boroondara Farmers Market. On the third and fifth Saturday of every month up to 60 stall holders and 1200 customers come to Patterson Reserve in Auburn Road, Hawthorn, to buy a great range of fruit and vegetables, meats and prepared foods at this popular market. Club members do the set up and clear away work on a roster basis. Established in 2003, this project is now the Club’s major fundraiser and has in the past been voted the best farmers market in Victoria.
• Sewing machines for East Timor. More than 500 second-hand sewing machines were collected by Club members, serviced and shipped to East Timor in 2001, together with large quantities of fabric and haberdashery.
• The Boroondara Family Network was established in 2000 to provide support for parents with newborn babies and very young children. Through this program, a team of volunteers is organized to help families meet the often demanding needs of young children.
• The establishment of the Hawthorn Men's Shed in partnership with Uniting AgeWell.
• The formation of the Sumba Eye Program on the island of Sumba in Indonesia, in partnership with Rotary Club of Kew, The Australian College of Surgeons and the Sumba Foundation.
• Youth leadership. Glenferrie has hosted and sponsored many young people through the Rotary Youth Exchange program. The Club has also sponsored students to attend the National Youth Science Forum and Youth Leadership camps and has hosted Rotary Foundation Global Scholars.

Click other headings in this website to find out more about the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and what it does. Better still, arrange to come to one of our regular meetings and see for yourself. You can be sure of a warm welcome.

Rotary is a Global Movement