Cobar Rotary celebrates half a century

The Cobar Rotary Club celebrated their 50th birthday on Saturday night at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club. The official guests table included guests Vanja Turk and Irena Vrtaric, club president Gary Woodman, District Governor Adrian Roach, District Governor Elect Stephen Jackson and visitor Christine Roach.
The Cobar Rotary Club celebrated their 50th birthday on Saturday night at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club. The official guests table included guests Vanja Turk and Irena Vrtaric, club president Gary Woodman, District Governor Adrian Roach, District Governor Elect Stephen Jackson and visitor Christine Roach.

The Rotary Club of Cobar celebrated 50 years of serving the community on Saturday night with a special dinner at Cobar Bowling & Golf Club.

The club, which was formed in 1965 with Warren Turton as the foundation president, has gone on to undertake numerous community projects and assist many needy people in the Cobar and wider community since that time.

The present 12 members of the club celebrated the important milestone with almost 40 visiting Rotarians and invited guests at a dinner on Saturday night at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club.

Current club president Gary Woodman said that it was very important that the club recognised and remembered the long period of service to the Cobar and wider community.

District Governor Adrian Roach (and his wife Christine) along with Past District Governor Peter Raynor (and his wife Margaret) and District Governor Elect Steve Jackson travelled to Cobar for the celebrations.

They brought with them a certificate and letter of congratulations from the president of Rotary International KR Ravindran which was presented to Mr Woodman during Saturday’s dinner.

During his welcome speech Mr Woodman outlined the history of the club and the important community work undertaken by its members over the past 50 years.

He also highlighted the efforts of club foundation member Max Humphries who has been a very active member of the club and who to this day continues to help out at various fund raising barbecues.

Club member Tony Punzet, who remains in contact with Warren Turton, read out to the gathering a letter from Mr Turton congratulating the club on reaching 50 years of service and passing on his apology for not being able to attend the celebrations due to poor health.

During the dinner Mr Woodman presented membership certificates to three Friends of Rotary volunteers Tonette Martin, Kevin Martin and Bernie Martin.

Mr Woodman said he aims to increase the club’s membership by at least another six members during the next 12 months and is keen to hear from any Cobar residents who might be interested in joining the club or becoming Friends of Rotary.—contributed