General News
7 July, 2025
New faces for Rotary’s new year
The Warracknabeal Rotary Club has a rich history of more than 90 years of community work in the region.
That’s set to continue following the recent changeover of their governing structure, aligning with the majority of Rotary clubs in the world beginning a new year at the start of July.
On June 25, about 40 people gathered at the Warracknabeal Golf Club, including active members and non-active members – along with invitees from the local Lions, Apex and Probus clubs and Rotarians from Nhill, St Arnaud and Horsham East also attending to celebrate the handover.
Outgoing secretary, Tim Hewitt said the club was always doing “a whole lot of little things in the community” and expected their engagement with major events such as Annual Australia Day Community Breakfast at the Warracknabeal Racecourse to continue.
The changeover from last year’s President, Bill Alford, to David Drage was run by District Governor of District 9780, Christine Dufty, from the Nhill Club.
It’s been a busy 2024/25 with a significant number of community events on the Rotary calendar, including providing a once-a-week Breakfast Program at the local Primary School, raising funds for the Country Education Foundation which distributes money to local students to help with further education costs, and supporting local youth through the great Rotary programs such as RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership) and Defying the Drift held at Longerenong College for year 10 and 11 School students.
Other notable highlights through the last 12 months: providing marshalls for the Easter Street Parade and the Run the Beal fun run organised by WAG, cleaning up a section of the Henty Highway north of the town, continuing to maintain Rotary Park and the Dog Park/exercise area, and assisting the community by providing a barbecue at a seniors concert/Primary School Gala Night with the Men’s Probus Club and others.
Mr Hewitt said the club was keen to continue assisting many community organisations in any way possible and always looked forward to annual events, such as their recent Curry Night, which raised $947 for the local Take a Break Childcare Group.
The full list of new office bearers includes president David Drage, secretary Bill Alford, treasurer Christine Gunn, fellowship director Bernie O'Connor, community director Chris Hewitt, youth director John Aitken, vocational director Tony Gregson.
(Directors are the leaders of the sub-committees of the club.)
Mr Hewitt said the club was always on the lookout for new members and invited those interested to email wbealsecretary@gmail.com or talk to any local Rotary member for more information.
WRITTEN BY MARK RABICH