Past President Bruce Eastick
Charter Member Rotary Club of Gawler
Inducted March 8th 1964 – 70 Years of active Rotary Service
Wikipedia gives a brief and rather clinical biography of Dr Bruce Eastick
Gawler Council
Eastick was a member of the Gawler Council from 1963 to 1972,[2][3] and served as mayor from 1968[4] to 1972. He had a second stint as mayor from 1993[5] to 2000.
Parliament
Eastick was elected to the House of Assembly for Light, based on Gawler, in 1970. Two years later, after Steele Hall resigned as LCL leader, the party elected Eastick as his successor.
Honours
In 1996, Eastick was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), in recognition of his "service to the South Australian Parliament, local government and the community".
On his 90th birthday, the Bunyip published and excellent biography written by Laura Collins. This gives a much better picture of Bruce Eastick the one time only vet between Adelaide and Darwin, family man, Rotarian and Gentleman than the stark summary above and is printed below.
Our Bruce was inducted into the fledgling Provisional Rotary Club of Gawler on March 8th 1954 and is the last surviving Charter Member. On March 8th (next Friday) he will have been a Gawler Rotarian for 70 years. I believe that he is the longest serving active Rotarian in the world, but I have not been able to officially verify that.
Bruce was the seventh President of the Rotary Club of Gawler 1960-61. His vast network opened doors not available to most Rotary Clubs and his negotiation skills combined with his reputation for honesty, integrity and fairness enhanced the reputation of Gawler Rotary and the wider Rotary World.
Bruce’s work in the Gawler Community and beyond is amazing and continued long after he retired from business and public life. Bruce has probably served on more committees than any other person in the world and I doubt there are any community facilities in Gawler that Bruce has not supported. (See attachment for organisations with which Bruce has been involved.)
One little known achievement is the Gawler Community Retirement Homes organisation.
This commenced with the Rotary Elimatta Retirement homes project which has now expanded to six Villages with a total of about 130 units (and still counting) providing independent living facilities for the elderly at affordable prices.
It is fitting that the latest Village announced in October 2023 will be named the Bruce Eastick AM retirement home units.
As Chairman of Northern Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Board from 1997 until February 2016, Bruce played a major role in having the Bruce Eastick flood mitigation dam built on the North Para River.
Bruce has received many Rotary honours and awards, but I believe his proudest moment was in October last year when his Grandson Kyle Smith was inducted into the Rotary Club of Gawler.
Congratulations Bruce! Still an Active Rotarian who rarely misses a meeting. A great achievement.
A special celebration dinner to mark 70 years since the official presentation of the Charter of the Rotary Club of Gawler will be held at the Vine Inn, Nuriootpa on Saturday April 27th. Everyone who has been associated with the club over the past 70 years is welcome.
For details please contact Beth Hudman Phone: 0499 775 966
Email: eventsrsvp@gawlerrotary.org.au
