A strong Rotary presence in Logan City enables a wide variety of charitable projects. The familiar logo, the Rotary Wheel is an international symbol dating back to when Chicago attorney Paul Harris formed the first Rotary Club on 23 February 1905, ‘so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.’
Its international focus, apolitical and non-religious status ensured success around the world. By 1921 Rotary International reached Australia. Two Canadians brought the club Down Under. From its start a century ago in Melbourne the organisation has grown exponentially. Currently it has a membership of close to 40,000 spread across Australia. Rotary’s motto is ‘He profits most who serves best.’ Rotary, in its early phase was, like Freemasonry, a male bastion. The organisation has over time evolved to almost equal gender representation in clubs around the country.
In each club there can only be one representative of each line of business and each profession. This meant that only one realtor, one banker and one baker could join and serve in a local Rotary club. However, realising the limiting recruitment factor, pragmatism trumped over time. To get around the restrictive practice two doctors could be members of the same club; one a general practitioner, the other a specialist.
Membership was by invitation only. Members of the public can now contact Rotary who consider requests and match potential members with the appropriate clubs. As a rule Rotary does not have club houses or other premises. Instead, Rotary clubs meet in centrally located hotels, clubs and taverns where weekly meetings generally conclude with dinner or light suppers. To this end, fund raising efforts – the special goals of Rotary Clubs – are not focused on maintaining upkeep on costly real estate. This pattern is closely mirrored across the world.
FOUR ROTARY CLUBS IN LOGAN CITY
There are currently five Rotary Clubs in Logan. They are found in Loganholme, Browns Plains, Rochedale. The Beenleigh club, established in 1953, with a membership of twenty-nine, staged the recent Cane Festival with a street parade and night time ball. Relative to its small membership, the Beenleigh Rotary Club punches above its weight on many fronts. Led by gregarious president Heather Kucks, the club rarely rests on its laurels.
The diversity of its multiple charitable projects derives “from thinking outside the square,” says the club’s media officer, Rachel Mulraney. To that end, to mention but one of multitude projects, the Beenleigh Rotary Club has partnered ASCO Linen Services in a unique program. When 5-star hotels and resorts noted slight wear and tear on towels they were destined to landfill. Not so, any more. Towels now find their way to Rotary and in conjunction with Night Lights, Café Edge and Family/Kids Care foundation are donated to the homeless.
President Heather Kucks
STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
One of the more well-known programs associated with Rotary is its international exchange program. Temporarily suspended since Covid-19 many current and former Rotary members were themselves exchange students in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, USA, Germany, Sweden and Norway. Most learned far more than language and culture during their temporary tenure. They brought back to Australia a broadened mind of international relations and acceptance of diverging viewpoints under the umbrella of humanity.
The current membership of Logan’s many Rotary clubs is a microcosm of society at large. Says Beenleigh’s Rachelle Mulraney: “Right now we have an accountant, postal officer, trucking operator, RAAF officer, realtor, to mention but a few.”
In its planning stages, is a Rotary sponsored illustrated children’s book charting time and place of Beenleigh and its community. Author and illustrator are currently being sought. As Rotary never, or rarely fails in its programs, Logan primary schools can look to widen its library shelves with a valuable addition, thanks to Rotary’s powerful force for good in Logan City.
