On Monday May 16th, a large gathering of Rotarians, former members and friends of the Rotary Club of Kapunda, Pres Ian Todd welcomed a large crowd from Kapunda, Gawler, Gawler Light, Playford, Clare, Barossa and Barossa Districts, District Governor of District 9510 Jeff Neale, Area Governor of area 5 Craig Dowling, Light Council Mayor Bill O’Brien and members of local organisations met at the Kapunda Bowling Club to celebrate the Rotary Club of Kapunda’s sixty-three years of outstanding service to the Kapunda and districts community.
Kapunda Rotary has always played an active and committed role in the community life of Kapunda, fostering goodwill and fellowship and enabling an avenue of service for men and women and their families both locally and internationally.
Twelve members of the Rotary Club of Gawler which sponsored the Rotary Club of Kapunda on 29th August 1958 were also present.
In summarising the history of the club, Past President David Hodge said there were 27 Charter Members and the late Eli Hambour was the first President.
David mentioned activities and projects including building Map the Miner, foliage regeneration projects, tree planting, the Pines Conservation Reserve, construction of the Kapunda Hospital Helipad, Medical Emergency Booklets, social and family functions, international exchange programmes, educational, enrichment and support programmes for young people, recognition of individual community effort and beautification programmes. Kapunda Rotary also raised funds for Rotary International health and education programmes and disaster relief worldwide.
11 RYLA awarded, 8 RYPEN students 10 student exchanges in and out and a lot of other youth projects, including overseas and local schools.
One of the club's most successful projects was the bi-annual Kidman Art Show which was well supported by the Light Regional Council and corporate sponsors and offered prize money in excess of $10,000.
During its sixty-three years of service, the club contributed well over $1.2 million to its local community and beyond.
Each of the seven club members, Dean Rohrlach, Don Franks, David Hodge, Frank Ware, Andrew Amos, Ian Todd, and Brenton Dean reflected on their membership.
Governor Jeff Neale and Mayor Bill O’Brien also spoke, praising the club for its achievements over the years.
In closing the final meeting, current president Ian Todd thanked everyone for their support and pointed out that the legacy of the Rotary Club of Kapunda would live on for many years.