ROTARY CLUB OF ORANGE DAYBREAK
History in brief 1995-2005

1995-1996 Act with integrity, serve with love, work for peace

The Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak was established in January, 1995, under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Orange Calare and the guidance and direction of the then DG, Ian Mackay. The Club was chartered on March 20th,1995 with 47 members.

Inaugural President, Patricia (Fridley) Rixon, who remained in office until June 1996 recalls “it was a year of team-building, at times diabolical but always fun. A forging of great friendships and heaps of learning... it was the beginning”. First projects included a cemetery clean-up and helping a Bosnian Refugee family to settle in Orange. The Australia Day children’s activity-“Painting in the Park” which began in January 1996, has become an annual tradition.

Youth Exchange Program (YEP) also commenced in both the short term (ST) and long term (LT) programs. Outbound: (ST Nov 95-Jan 96) Toni Harp (D5260-California USA); (LT Jan 96-97) Sarah Page (D6400-Windsor Ontario, Canada) Inbound: (LT Aug 95-96) Maria Kuusisto (D1390-Tampere, Finland); (ST July-Aug 96) Rebecca Devlin (D6400-Windsor- St Clair, Ontario, Canada).

1996-1997 Build the future with action and vision

President - Christine Norris. President Christine’s aim was, “to achieve greater recognition of women in Rotary within the District”. The YEP was achieving very positive outcomes for the Club and the students. Other youth activities included the Interview Skills program for years 11 and 12 students from local high schools and the hosting of a very successful Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in 1997 and 1998. The latter resulted in the development of the RYLA Information kits which are now used as a format for other Districts.

YEP- Outbound: (ST Nov 96-Jan 97) Lisa Fleming (D6940-Pensacola,Florida,USA); (LT Jan 97-98) Tim Hewett (D6400-Essex, Ontario, Canada). Inbound: (LT Jan 97-98) Beli Vazquez (D4810-Plaza Espana, Cordoba, Argentina)

1997-1998 Show Rotary Cares

President - Graeme Fleming. Membership level was at 24 by June ’97 and Graeme’s aim “to increase numbers” was gradually achieved. In conjunction with Molong Rotary, we provided funds towards an overseas low-cost housing project. Assistance was also provided to “The Alley”, a local youth centre. A successful District Conference at Griffith saw the “Convicts” from Orange Daybreak taking out the best team costume award. Our fame spread via the Cover girls- Margaret Thomson and Nan Stevenson- who had pride of place on the front cover of May ’98 issue of Rotary Down Under! The Club award, “Rotarian of the Year” was introduced by President Graeme to recognize the outstanding service of an individual member. The inaugural recipient was Nan Stevenson.

YEP- Inbound: (ST Jun-Aug 97) Megan Plunkett (D6490-Decatur, Illinois, USA).

1998-1999 Follow your Rotary Dream

President – John Colgan. The Club had embarked on two annual fund-raising events- the sale of Christmas trees and Christmas gift wrapping at the Shopping Mall, plus we were also earning dollars for our projects through our work at the annual National Field Days. The proceeds from these events enabled the club to support local groups and overseas aid programs. A team comprising Amy Quesnel (YEP), Tom O’Brien and Simon Burns, accompanied by Nan Stevenson attended the MUNA program held in Wagga Wagga in June. Once again Club members made a big splash at the District Conference in Young, this time dressed as Chinese coolies!

YEP – Outbound: (LT Jan 99) Cecilia Harvey (D3340-Chumphae, Thailand) Inbound: (LT Aug 98-99) Amy Quesnel (D7820-Dartmouth East, Nova Scotia, Canada).

Rotarian of the Year: Lee Britton

1999-2000 Act with consistency, credibility and continuity

President – Lee Britton, whose aims to increase membership and strive for excellence in our Club activities were realized. The inaugural Central West Outdoor & Garden Expo was launched in October 1999. Such was the success of the Expo the Club received the Rotary International Significant Achievement Award. In conjunction with Cabonne Council, the development of a picnic area at Ophir Reserve-“Daybreak Point” was commenced. The GSE team from Georgia, USA, whom we hosted, assisted with tree planting at the reserve. The Club’s first successful GSE nominee, Joanne Gardiner, was accepted for the exchange visit to Georgia. Other highlights: Sponsorships of candidates for RYPEN and RYLA, Interview Skills program and the hosting of RYLA.

YEP-Outbound: (LT Jan 00-01) Mitchell Allen (D2280-Huseby-Flaatus, Norway)

Rotarian of the Year: Graeme Fleming.

2000-2001 Create awareness, Take action

President - Peter Perriman for whom the successful sponsorship/launch of the “Rotoract Club of Mid-West NSW" and the inducting of the Club’s first Paul Harris Fellow, Graeme Fleming headed the list of highlights for the year. The “Daybreak Café de Wheels” was put to good use for many catering projects, another successful Garden Expo achieved, and hosting of the Californian GSE team added to the list. Our first FAIM team member, Pet Brazier went to Nepal April 2001. Support continued for RYPEN, RYLA, Interview skills workshop and the annual Australia Day activity, “Painting in the Park”.

GSE Team member: Nick Cooper (California USA-2001)
YEP- Inbound: (LT July 00-01) Kristin Bratland (D2270-Moi Rana, Norway)

Rotarian of the Year: Geof Murray

2001-2002 Mankind is our Business

President - Claire Baram. The most successful Garden Expo ever culminated in the Club receiving the local Australia Day award for the outstanding Orange Community Event of 2001. The monthly Farmers’ Market commenced April ’02 with proceeds going towards “Sailability”, a special project for children and young people with disabilities. Although we lost a few valued members due to work & family commitments, the growth in membership continued. RYPEN, RYLA, NYSF and the Rotaract Club enjoyed continued support from Daybreak.

GSE Team member-Tom Vanzella (Essex, UK-2001)
YEP- Outbound: (LT Jan-Dec 01) Jason Griffiths (D2630-Gifu, Japan); Inbound: (LT Mar 02-03) Akiko Okazaki (D2630-Gifu Chero, Japan)

Rotarian of the Year: Peter Perriman
PHF awarded to: Rtn Ric Cother & Rtn Allan Baker.

2002-2003 Sow the Seeds of Love and Harvest the light that is within you

President - John Da Rin , who believed in getting on with the job and leaving the credit with the members who pulled together to achieve yet another successful year of fun fellowship and fundraising. The RI World Conference in Brisbane was an amazing experience enjoyed by John, Michael Milston and his wife Ann Dib. Five members joined the Centurion Club to aid TRF, plus we contributed $1000 to Polio Plus. Members gave freely of their time and energies to many projects, well over 835 hours in fact. One such activity was the Orange Adventure Playground, which enabled members to provide not only valuable community service but also afforded the opportunity to get to know our fellow Rotarians in the other Clubs. Despite our best efforts the Rotaract Club could not be sustained due to low membership however the other youth projects RYPEN and RYLA were well supported.

YEP- Outbound: (LT Jan03-04) Matthew Derrig (D1390-Jyvaskla,Finland)

Rotarian of the Year: Margaret Thomson

2003-2004 Lend A Hand

President - Michael Milston. The positive and “can-do” attitude of all the members, the camaraderie and fellowship in our Rotary family and the commitment of all to ‘Lend a Hand' resulted in another excellent year for the Club. Community Service activities which were varied and many included the 5th and final Central West Garden & Outdoor Expo, the monthly Orange Farmers’ Market, which has gained momentum and popularity amongst the local community and visitors to Orange, and specific youth projects. More than 22 community groups have benefited from the fundraising activities throughout the year which tallied nearly $46,000. The increased vigor and commitment has prepared the way for our next and new major event which will be centered on the association of animals with humans. The Club sponsored 9 students to RYPEN, 3 young leaders to RYLA and a student to the Honeywell Engineering Summer Science School, all of whom found their particular experience to be very positive and beneficial.

YEP- Outbound: (LT-Jan 04-05) Kiera Riley (D2630-Gifu City, Japan) Inbound: (LT-Jul 03-04) Guillaume Jamart (D1630-Chaudfontaine, Belgium)

Rotarian of the year: Bruce Smith.
PHF awarded to: Sue Kuter (non-Rtn), in recognition of her commitment to raising funds and awareness for the Mobile Blood Bank, which is for use in Orange and surrounding districts.

2004-2005 100 Years: A Century of Service – A Century of Success

President - Ric Cother. The Farmers’ Market continues to go from strength to strength, attracting a greater number of stall holders and patrons from all around the Orange district. Our fundraising activities are a work in progress with the international focus being the Literacy kits for children in the South Pacific Islands, RAWCS (a water purifier/Malaria nets for ‘Adopt a Village’ project) and continued support for the work of Sister Christine Martin and the program ”Trauma Management of Children affected by AIDS in South Africa”. A group of 12 members enjoyed a very productive day in September working at the Donations in Kind depot which will become an annual event. A great response for RYPEN with 7 students sponsored by Daybreak. The annual sale of Christmas trees was very successful. The hard work and efforts of the Expo committee will come to fruition in March ‘05 with the inaugural Feathers, Fur & Fun Pet Expo.

GSE: PP Graeme Fleming PHF has been selected to lead the 2005 Team to Florida, USA.
YEP- Inbound: (LT Jan 05-06) Claudia Reich (D 2000-Zurich, Switzerland).

Rotarian of the Year: Sue Moffatt

Summary

The year 2005 is a significant event in the history of Rotary as we celebrate its Centenary. For the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak, the added significance is that we celebrate our first decade. Ten years on, we have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of Rotary. Each year has been led by a President with commitment and passion for getting things done through the respective Boards and Club members. We are proud of the role we have in the community and the work we have undertaken to make the community, both local and international a better place. Orange Daybreak continues to be a vibrant and enthusiastic Club with strong membership, a Club that dares to be different, a Club that brings the warmth of fun, fellowship and friendship in the truest sense and we look forward to continued service in all avenues of Rotary.