50 year celebration for Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Esperance is gearing up to celebrate half a century of service to the community, supporting all sectors from seniors to youth since it was established on September 22, 1962.

About 140 current and former club members will be taking part in a day-long program of activities next Saturday to recognise its many achievements.

Six charter members from the original 28, Bob Stead, Allan Wills, Tony Mott, Dave Edwick, Bob McCracken and Don Mackenzie, are expected to take part in the event next Saturday.

Its most noticeable landmarks include the Rotary Lookout, which has undergone three major upgrades since it was first built in 1964, the Recherche Rotary Nursing Home and the Adventureland Park playground.

Organiser Louise Gray said the Rotary Club of Norseman, which has since folded, was the sponsor for the Esperance club which had gone on to charter the Rotary Club of Esperance Bay, a Probus club and Rotaract club.

President John Gray said it would be a “Back to Rotary” day for people who were returning to Esperance for the celebrations.