Rotary to mark 80 years of giving to Narrabri community

The Rotary Club of Narrabri is preparing to celebrate 80 years of community service, marking a milestone in the club’s long history of giving back to the town and its people.

You need only look around the town to see the diverse range of projects undertaken by Rotary in its 80 years. Many of these projects have become fundamental to community life. Others are used in a life-saving manner – such as the Narrabri Hospital helipad.

As an integral part of a rural community, the club has accepted many challenges and opportunities to improve amenities and services for the town and district.

The Narrabri Airport and Cameron Park developments, and support and sponsorship of the Voluntary Rescue Association, the Narrabri Sheltered Workshop complex, support for a hospital helipad, Neighbours in Need and Pink Up Namoi are perhaps some of the most significant.

As the inaugural president, Perce Barrett and his board decided that a children’s playground at Collins Park would be the community service committee’s project for the year.

Rotary completed its works on the Narrabri town clock in the late 1970s.

Clearing works and preparations for the aerodrome were conducted in 1948-49, equipment for the ambulance station was provided in the early 1950s, work for Cameron Park was held across the 1952-1953/1953-1954 Rotary years, and the club assisted in the clean-up after the great 1955 flood.

The construction of a lifeguard tower at the pool, further children’s playgrounds and portable x-ray equipment for the hospital were among the club’s contributions to the community in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Toilet facilities at Cameron Park were completed in the early 1970s and Rotary built an ablution block at St Francis Xavier’s Primary School in the later part of the decade.

One of its biggest projects came in the late 1970s and 1980s through its work with the Sheltered Workshop complex.

Following the demolition of the Narrabri Town Hall in 1971, the club later constructed a town clock using the clock from the hall.

Hospital equipment, seating at Collins Park and exercise equipment at Narrabri West Lake were among the projects in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

With the region in the grip of a devastating drought in 2019, the club worked tirelessly to support affected farmers and community members.

The club’s Neighbours in Need project pumped $820,000 into the local economy through drought assistance.

Rotary has generously donated thousands of dollars to not-for-profit groups in the community. Pictured at a presentation in 2024 were Tricia Hadley, Cara Stoltenberg, Joan Griffiths and Ros Kelly with outgoing president Karen Kirkby. RIGHT: Rotary played a crucial role with the Pink Up Namoi campaign in its debut year. Pictured, 2021-22 president Darrell Tiemens and Pink Up Namoi organiser and Rotarian Karen Kirkby with McGrath Foundation ambassador and director Tracy Bevan joining a club meeting via Zoom.

In recent years, some of the more significant contributions included assistance provided to local families, particularly through disability support and the provision of vehicles and addressing accessibility issues.

Through state government assistance, the club also developed its unique barbecue trailer.

Rotary was a significant partner in the launch of the Pink Up Namoi initiative, honoured the memory of the late Dr Bob Anderson with a seating area and tree in his honour at Selina Street, and replaced shelters at the Selina Street complex.

In addition to the list of projects, Rotary has also distributed large amounts of funds to local not-for-profit organisations as well as Rotary causes at a state, national and international level.

Charter dinner at old town hall marked Rotary’s debut

The club was officially presented with its charter at a dinner held in the Narrabri Town Hall on 30 November.

Twenty-one charter members initiated the club, with P.C. (Percy) Barrett as president, C.D.J. (Doug) Werner as vice president, R.H.A. (Ross) Kimmorley as secretary, A.V. (Dal) Cochrane as treasurer, and A.M. (Arthur) Howard as sergeant-at-arms.

S. (Stan) Carberry and W.B.S. (Bill) Killen served as directors on the club’s first board.

Other charter members included P.L. (Pat) Smyth, F.T. (Fred) Palmer, J.H. (Hart) Wall, H.G. (Harry) King, T.W. (Tom) Waugh, E.J. (Bert) Kimmorley, R.R. (Bob) Bruce, R.L. (Bob) Logan, W.A. (Bill) Gelfius, C.R. (Cecil) Myers, J.R. (John) Dunnet, A.W. (Arch) Hutton, V.W. (Vernon) Janes and Dr F.M. (Bill) Clifford Jones.

Today, Rotary is still a strong force in Narrabri and proudly boasts 35 members.

The current board consists of Julie Herbert as president, Di Ainsworth as vice president, Julie Drake as secretary, Kat Denniss as treasurer, Liz Campbell as club director, Grahame Herbert as community director, Tricia Hadley OAM as vocation director, Phil Norrie as youth director and Steve Dalton as international director.

The history of the club, and its many projects and contributions, have been chronicled through several club publications.

“History of the Rotary Club of Narrabri 1946 to 1971” was compiled by the late Reg Gilbert.

A book was published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Rotary and was overseen by a committee consisting of Pat Carberry, Richard Ritter and Jim Thomas. Additional assistance was provided by Christine Carberry.

Similarly, a 75th anniversary book was published through the efforts of Pat and Mike Carberry and Dylan Smith ahead of a celebratory dinner held at The Crossing Theatre in 2022.

Club members and guests will mark the milestone of 80 years with a function on 14 November.