Rotaract Club of Narrabri celebrates charter

The Rotaract Club of Narrabri has celebrated its official formation with a charter dinner marking the group’s launch.

Young members of the club have been busy fundraising, holding activities and raising awareness about the organisation. However, Saturday night’s festivities marked the official celebration of the club’s debut.

Speeches at Saturday night’s dinner at the Crossroads Hotel were presented on the night by the group’s president Sam Werleman, Rotary past district governor David Mayne, Rotary Club of Narrabri president Dylan Smith and Narrabri Industrial Network business development manager Kodey Stanford.

Ms Werleman said the group had been busy holding fundraising events as well as keeping its younger members engaged with the community.

She said Rotaractors will work with Narrabri High School to bring workshops and speakers to the school to assist students with advice on future studies.

Ms Werleman said she hoped these workshops could help the students to build leadership skills and inform them about what groups exist in the community to support them.

She also spoke of the other highlights of Rotaract since it was formed.

“The most exciting is the partnership we have been able to form with the Narrabri Industrial Network,” she said.

Narrabri Industrial Network selected Rotaract as its partner charity for a black-tie gala event held earlier this year.

More than $4000 was donated to Rotaract as a result of the gala dinner held at The Crossing Theatre.

Ms Werleman said Rotaract was looking forward to getting to work on local and international projects.

“The establishment of the club means young individuals are able to come together to work towards making our town a better place.”

Mr Mayne praised the group of young Narrabri people for forming the club.

The initial formation of the club stemmed from a conversation between Ms Werleman, Mr Mayne and past Narrabri president Darrell Tiemens.

“It’s fantastic to see the keenness of the members,” Mr Mayne said of the Rotaract Club.

“You will have great support in the Rotary Club of Narrabri.”

Mr Mayne explained that there was more to Rotary and Rotaract than cooking barbecues at community events.

Mr Smith spoke of Rotary’s achievements at an international level, including its continued fight against polio.

“You will always see that Rotary roars into action when there’s any type of disaster. Floods, bushfires, droughts – adverse weather events – in Australia and across the world,” he said.

“When you look at what Rotary achieves – whether that’s building new barbecue shelters on Selina Street in Narrabri or eradicating polio – you, as Rotaractors, are part of that movement.”

Ms Stanford told the dinner gathering about Narrabri Industrial Network’s role as well as its keen interest in supporting a young organisation doing wonderful things in the community. Later on in the night, a raffle was held and featured prizes donated by local businesses. A successful auction was conducted by Jimmy Duncan and raised more than $1500, rounding out the night’s activities.