Making a difference for 64 years
Rotary Club Upper Northern Beaches (Rotary), which encompasses Palm Beach to Collaroy and across to St Ives, has been making a difference to locals’ lives for almost 65 years.
From youth programs to charity fundraising, Rotary is involved in a variety of projects, from the Beach2Beach Fun Run, to selling Christmas trees with Terrey Hills Scouts.
Bruce Lakin is a seasoned Rotarian, being a past president and district governor of the club.
“We do a lot of community work,” says Bruce. “We also support a couple of international programs, such as the Rotary Youth Exchange. Students in the 15 to 18-year-old bracket do a year’s exchange in another country, and we host a student from overseas.”
Another program is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, where young people in the 18 to 21 age bracket are invited to undertake a week-long residential personal development course. Additionally, there’s the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment for children aged 13 to 18.
“The programs are based on giving young people a whole series of experiences to give them leadership skills and build confidence,” Bruce says. “Candidates are selected by interview.”
From 19 to 21 July, Rotary is running its fourth art show, with the aim of raising money for Lifeline and Rotary youth programs. There’s a top competition prize of $1,500 to aim for and a People’s Choice Award of $500. Artists will be entitled to a chosen percentage of the selling price of their artwork. There are no restrictions on style or medium.
Bruce is chair of the organising committee and says last year they had 120 pieces of art on exhibition and raised $15,000 for local charities.
He says the most expensive art piece sold for $4,500 last year, but there were also pieces in the $150 to $200 range, demonstrating the range of expertise from emerging to established artists.
Mayor Sue Heins will officially open the event at a gala opening night on 19 July. Former Pittwater MP and former chairman of Lifeline, John Brogden, will be the keynote speaker and Sarah Montgomery from Sydney Road Gallery will be the official judge.
The art show is at the Mona Vale Memorial Hall, and the closing date for entries is 18 June. Visit rotaryuppernorthernbeaches.org