The current day Rotary Club of Toowong Inc. (known informally as Toowong Rotary) was established over 50 years ago on 26 August 1965, the original name being the Rotary Club of West Brisbane. Since that time, the Club has achieved a proud history of service to the community at all levels – local, national and international. We are particularly proud of the close relationships we have developed with International House (UQ) and with the primary and secondary schools in our area – as we are of the various youth development activities we sponsor under the Rotary umbrella.
Over the years we have also worked closely with other community organisations such as The Wesley Hospital, International House and, more recently, Hummingbird House (Queensland’s first hospice for terminally ill children). In so doing, we have touched the lives of many people, not only in our immediate community but also in places as far away as Bangladesh, The Solomon Islands and PNG.
Toowong Rotary is also doing its bit in support of Rotary’s global Polio Plus program – a one billion dollar project in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which aims to eradicate polio worldwide, the last frontiers being Pakistan and Afghanistan – and the good news is we are almost there!
Over the many years our Club has been active, we have been privileged to have the support of a number of generous benefactors whose financial support has enabled us to increase the breadth and depth of our community assistance programs. One such person who has helped, and continues to help Rotary make a difference, is Dr Clarrie Burke whose generous donations are helping medical research into new treatments for various diseases through the Australian Rotary Health program.
Dr Clarrie Burke receiving his Paul Harris Fellowship
We are an active group of community-minded people from all walks of life, and despite what may seem like a full program of activities, we are always interested in developing new project ideas. In order to do this, and to keep our current community projects going, not only do we need funds but also the new ideas and fresh enthusiasm that comes with new members and volunteers. So, if you would like to know more about Toowong Rotary and what we do, and perhaps even inquire about what is involved in becoming a member, please click here.