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Rotary Club of Parramatta |
| District 9690 |
 Paul Harris' Essay on the International nature of Rotary, written at
Parramatta.Parramatta was not the bustling city it is today in 1926 when Rotary came to the then market town. The highlight of Parramatta's week was the weekly auction sales on Mondays and Thursdays of livestock, vegetables, fruit and goods of all kinds. Businesses were locally owned and business leaders lived in Parramatta making it a fertile place for Rotary ideals. Representatives from the Rotary Club of Sydney came in 1926 and met prospective Rotarians at the historic Woolpack Hotel. Twelve prospective Rotarians were identified and a further meeting was arranged for the next week. HW Sheppard and JC Browning worked tirelessly during this week and the twenty members required were achieved. A submission was made to Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Parramatta was officially admitted on 20 June 1926 with HW (Hank) Sheppard a well respected local solicitor being Charter President. He was a man of high ideals and ensured the Club became an ornament to Rotary's best aspirations. The Club supported local needs but its greatest efforts during its early years were directed to supporting the Rotary Club of Sydney's great initiative in establishing the NSW Crippled Children's Society. The Parramatta Club established a class for crippled children in Parramatta using the hall at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church and volunteer Rotary drivers for transport. The Northcott School for Crippled Children later absorbed this class. One of its unique features was the great fellowship and the singing of members. Two members, Jack Ritchie and Harry Grainger, who had fine voices provided leadership and it is recorded in notices that the Club choir met for practise on Monday evenings in preparation for the Wednesday meetings. Another unique feature for the first twenty years was the services to the Club by Miss L Kaylock. This lady secretary to Rotarian Alexander attended every meeting, wrote the minutes of every weekly meeting in long hand and prepared a report for the local newspaper the Parramatta Argus. Was she in spirit at least the first lady Rotarian? She certainly exemplified the motto Service Above Self. The Club did not live unto itself. It soon sponsored new clubs at Bathurst and Burwood. Despite this it grew to over one hundred members because of the large area covered. It continued to support the growth of new clubs, two of which are in Parramatta. Parramatta North (now Parramatta City) in 1972 and the joint sponsorship with Parramatta City of the Rotary Club of Parramatta Daybreak in 1992. There was no greater occasion in the early life of the Rotary Club of Parramatta than 10 April 1935 when Paul and Jean Harris visited the Club. The Carolean Reception Centre and Roxy Theatre were the scenes for Rotarians and spouses (separate of course as was the custom of the time) to greet Rotary's founder and his wife - it was a grand occasion for all. A tree planted by Paul on that day in Prince Alfred Park bears testimony to this visit. After World War 11 the City of Parramatta changed from its earlier market day, semi-rural image to a thriving financial, retail and administrative centre. Many residences of earlier years were acquired and Rotarians tended to move to adjoining northern suburbs. This has changed the earlier residential family centred club to a more business centred club with both male and female members. The Club has continued to sponsor other clubs rather than maintain its once large membership. All aspects of service continue to be strongly emphasised with rewards for vocational achievement, a steady flow of exchange students, interest in the worthy causes of the city and meetings that are always worthy of the Object of Rotary. One of the highlights of each year is the highly respected Public Speaking Competition for the ES & AM Clift Shield. The late EM Clift, the donor of the shield, was a member of the Club continuously for 63 years (1928-1991). This competition for secondary students has greatly assisted many students in the art of public speaking. In 2001 the Rotary Club of Parramatta celebrated seventy five years of service to the Parramatta community and worldwide programs of Rotary with a special very well attended function, when a host of memories were recalled and there was an opportunistic dedication to future service. The Rotary Club of Parramatta has been an important part of the life of the City of Parramatta and will continue, in conjunction with the other two Parramatta Clubs to remain a positive and enriching influence in that city's future and the wider programs of Rotary. |
| This page was compiled and provided by PDG John Louttit |
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