Home Page | Rotary Warragul

Welcome to Rotary Warragul.

Service Above Self

We meet In Person

Wednesdays at 6:00 pm

The Courthouse Restaurant

72 Smith Street,
Warragul, VIC 3820
Australia

Phone:

0448 709 044

Email:

president@warragulrotary.org.au

First, second and fourth Wednesdays dinner meetings (meet 6.00pm for 6.30pm dinner, for more info. contact via secretary@warragulrotary.org.au) Third Wednesdays board and committee meetings.

District Site

Bulletins

Venue Map

From a Plan to a Park

Past Club Office Bearers

About Our Club

Club History

Indigenous Garden

Art Show Project

Christmas trees project

Vintage Steam Train

Business Excellence Awards nomination form 2025

Warragul Rotary annual report 2023/24

Warragul Rotary annual report 2022/23

Warragul Rotary annual report 2021/22

Warragul Rotary annual report 2020/21

Club 80th Anniversary Booklet

Club 75th Anniversary Booklet

Warragul Rotary annual report 2019/20

Warragul Rotary annual report 2018/19

Rotary Warragul Supports RSL Wellness Centre

The Warragul RSL recently celebrated the official opening of the Baw Baw Veterans and Families Centre.

The centre was a vision of the now centre manager and veteran Ben Vahland and was built on land adjoining the current RSL Building. As the Warragul RSL is a traditional RSL with no meals or gaming facilities operating the building was funded by a State Government Grants and a Grant from RSL Victoria. This provided the two new peaceful room, however, without furniture. This is where Rotary Warragul stepped in to help, with funds from a local raffle and a matching grant from Rotary Foundation. Alone these funds would not have covered all the furniture required plus a Computer. President Lyn Bennett in discussions with John Mai at Office Choice Warragul accepted a offer to discount the furniture enabling us to complete the furnishings. John also donated a printer to the RSL. We could not have completed the furnishings without the help of Office Choice Warragul and the Rotary Foundation.

New Baw Baw Veterans and Families Wellness Manager Ben Vahland said at the opening " Our centre would just be two empty rooms if it was not for the support of Rotary Warragul in completing this project".

Below: Ben Vahland Baw Baw Veterans and families Centre Manager, Lyn Bennett Warragul Rotary President and Lyn Mizen RSL Warragul President.

Business Excellence Awards 2025

Once again, the Rotary Club of Warragul is seeking nominations for their “Excellence in Small Business” program. “It’s not a competition”, says club president Tony Carson, “rather it’s a way of recognise a small business in the Warragul district for their outstanding service”.

Warragul Rotary President Chris Drenen presenting the 2024 “Excellence in Small Business” awards to three outstanding Warragul businesses.

Left to right: Alan Tatlow (Vocational Director, Warragul Rotary), Jo Bourke (Warragul Dry Cleaners), Tammy Patrick (Studio 21 Music School), Jamie Padfield (Aussie Disposals) and Chris Drenen (President, Warragul Rotary).

Fred Bellamy Obituary

Fred Bellamy passed away on 4 April 2025. He was a long time and outstanding member of the Rotary Club of Warragul. He was a member of the club for 33 years (January 1972 to June 2005), served as club president in 1983/84 and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Below is a reflection from Fred on his time in Warragul Rotary, a truly outstanding commitment to the club and contribution to the community in Warragul and far beyond.

Warragul Rotary Christmas trees 2024

Frank Spiteri Remembers Rotary’s Global Polio Eradication Effort in India

In February 2010, Frank Spiteri from the Rotary Club of Warragul, along with five other dedicated Rotarians from Gippsland, embarked on a mission to Visakhapatnam, India, to support Rotary International’s relentless fight against polio. Among the team was Frank’s daughter, reflecting the commitment and passion for this crucial cause.

At a recent club dinner meeting, Frank recalled his experiences with club Rotary Foundation chair Greg King and other club members, further highlighting the camaraderie and dedication of the Rotary community.

Franks Spiteri (right) and Greg King (left) displays the poster Frank was given while at the vaccination clinic in Visakhapatnam, India

Warragul Rotary President and Board for 2024-25

At the recent Rotary Club of Warragul change over dinner newly installed president Tony Carson saw his priority projects for the upcoming year as continuing the development of the indigenous garden at Rotary Park, supporting the national Rotary End Trachoma project and consolidating the club’s work with local communities in Vanuatu.

President Tony outlines his goals for the 2024-2025 year

2024 Awards for “Excellence in Small Business”

Three Warragul small businesses were recently presented with business excellence awards by the Rotary Club of Warragul at a club dinner meeting. In presenting certificates to the proprietors of Studio 21 Music School, Warragul Dry Cleaners and Aussie Disposals, Warragul Rotary President Chris Drenen said these businesses represent both outstanding customer service and a support for their local community.

Warragul Rotary President Chris Drenen was pleased to present “Excellence in Small Business” awards to three outstanding Warragul businesses.

Business Excellence Awards 2024

Once again, the Rotary Club of Warragul is seeking nominations for their “Excellence in Small Business” program. “It’s not a competition”, says club president Chris Drenen, “rather it’s a way of recognise a small business in the Warragul district for their outstanding service”.

There are many small businesses, including sole traders we as consumers deal with, often on a daily basis, who provide outstanding service to their customers. This is the opportunity to give a more formal acknowledgement and appreciation for that service. The award will focus on small businesses – of up to ten persons – which operate in the Warragul, Buln Buln and Jindivick postcode districts.

The awards will consider various aspects of a business’s operation, including customer service, ethics, quality in terms of approach, attitude, commitment and dedication, safety, initiative, and reliability. All nominated businesses will be presented with a framed certificate they can display in their business.

Application forms are now available in Warragul at Suzy’s Fine Jewellery (52 Smith St.), the Advantage Pharmacy (27 Victoria St.) or downloaded from the following link -

https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000005371/AdminImages/Rotary-Small-Business-Awards-WARRAGUL-NOMINATION-FORM-2024.jpg

Nominations close on Wednesday 22 May 2024. For more information contact Alan Tatlow on 5622 1699.

“Who is your favourite local business, and wouldn’t it be great to give them the recognition they deserve.” concludes Chris Drenen.

Christmas trees 2023

Former Warragul Rotarians continue their support for The Purple House in Alice Springs

Past Warragul Rotary Club members Peter and Sally Dell are continuing their good work of supporting Purple House in Alice Springs. Purple House is a non-profit Aboriginal community-controlled health service looking after people on dialysis from remote communities.

Peter and Sally sent Warragul Rotarians an update on their recent trip to Alice Springs.

Former Warragul Rotarian Sally Dell (right) presents one of the seven beautiful children’s quilts donated to the pediatric ward in Alice Springs. They will be given to children to take home. Thanks also to Warragul Rotarian Rosemary Allica who made the quilts.

Warragul Rotary Tidies Up Warragul CBD

After some of our members commented that littering seems to be increasing, the Rotary Club of Warragul decided to support the Keep Australia Beautiful Week with a clean-up event on Sunday 13 August. The aim of this week is to engage and challenge the community, while encouraging long term change behaviour that can be adopted well after the week is done.

What will the litter collected tell us about behaviours that need to change to reduce the problem?

(From the left) Rosemary Allica, Andrea Klindworth, Teresa Mitchell, Chris Major and Geoff Chilver display all the rubbish they collected from the Warragul CBD

Rotary Club of Warragul Sponsors Youth Leaders

The Rotary Club of Warragul sponsored leaders Ashley Gillespie and Cassie Leong at this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference for 18 – 30 year-olds.

Former participants of the program, Ashley and Cassie undertook additional training to share their passion for Rotary and to help build the leadership skills of the next generation. They guided this year’s participants through activities designed to unlock their potential, turn motivation into action, have fun and form lasting friendships.

Warragul Rotarian Andrea Klindworth (centre) with RYLA trainers Ashley Gillespie and Cassie Leong

Warragul Rotary Changeover 2023/24

The new President of the Rotary Club of Warragul, Chris Drenen was inducted Rotary District Governor Elect Colin Byron on Wednesday 28 June at the Parnassius restaurant. Full story and more photos below.

The new board of the Rotary Club of Warragul installed at the annual changeover dinner are (from left to right) Chris Drenen (president), Greg King, Andrea Klindworth, Fleur Craig, Tony Carson, Chris Major, Teresa Mitchell, Di Carson, Alan Tatlow, Andrew Lewis and Sunil Bhatt.

Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service

A wreath was laid by club members Di and Tony Carson at the Indigenous Memorial Service recently held at The Shrine. The wreath was laid on behalf of the Rotary Club of Warragul.

Warragul Rotarian Diane Carson presents a wreath at the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service

Business Excellence Awards 2023

“Would you like to recognise a small business in the Warragul district for their outstanding service?” asks Warragul Rotary President Teresa Mitchell. With this in mind the Rotary Club of Warragul is now calling for nominations for their annual “Excellence in Small Business”.

People for the Planet - Warragul Rotary Action

The Rotary Club of Warragul’s Environment Committee are now bringing to club members an environmental mini talk on the second Tuesday of the month.

Rotary Steps Up to Clean Up

The Rotary Club of Warragul was proud to join the millions of volunteers across Australia participating in Clean Up events over the past 34 years.

On Saturday 4 March, members gathered at Rotary Park, donned gloves and took bags to collect rubbish. Teams cleaned up the park and along the linear trail and Hazel Creek from Bowen Street to behind the Burke Street sporting precinct before enjoying a well earnt morning tea.

Geoff Chilver delivered the safety talk before the clean-up activity was started.

Left to right: Anthea Dacy, Ross Dawson, Paul Vaughan, Richard Habgood, Geoff Chilver, Tony Carson

Indigenous Garden Update

Rotarians have been busy at Working Bees on 7 November, 12 December, 16 and 30 January. The indigenous gardens is now starting to take shape with a lot more work to be done in coming months.

Warragul Rotary Christmas Trees on Sale

Grant for Tree Planting

Grant for Tree Planting for Rotary Park Indigenous Garden

To celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia, the Rotary Club of Warragul decided to develop the grassed area of Rotary Park into an indigenous art garden to celebrate the culture of the Kurnai people. The club engaged the services of landscape architect Prue Metcalfe to translate the painting “Art from the Air” by renowned local indigenous artist, Dr Auntie Eileen Harrison, into a plan for the park.

Planting the first tree in the indigenous garden are (from the left) Cr Peter Kostos, Member for Monash Russell Broadbent, mayor Michael Leaney, artist Dr aunty Eileen Harrison, landscape designer Prue Metcalf and Warragul Rotary president Teresa Mitchell.

Warragul Rotary Changeover 2022/23

The new President of the Rotary Club of Warragul, Teresa Mitchell was inducted Rotary District Governor Paul Mee on 13 July at the Smith and Albert restaurant. Full story and more photos below.

Warragul Rotary Club President for 2022/23 Teresa Mitchell (front left) with new board members (from left) Diane Carson, Alan Tatlow, Fluer Craig, Rosemary Allica and Sunil Bhatt.

Excellence in Small Business Award 2022

Excellence in Small Business Awards - 2022

Four Warragul small businesses were recently presented with business excellence awards by the Rotary Club of Warragul at a club dinner meeting. In presenting certificates to the proprietors of Rowe’s Nursery, Choo Choo’s Coffee, Gifts and Glamour and The Press Cellars, Warragul Rotary President Diane Carson said these businesses represent both outstanding customer service and a support for their local community.

Warragul Rotary President Diane Carson was pleased to present “Excellence in Small Business” awards to four outstanding Warragul businesses.

Top row, left to right – Steve Rowe (Rowe’s Nursery), Diane Carson (President, Warragul Rotary), Stewart Hay (The Press Cellars) and Coral Smith (Gifts and Glamour). Bottom row, left to right – Alan Tatlow (Vocational Director, Warragul Rotary), Saffron Hay (The Press Cellars), Deb Green (Choo Choo’s Coffee) and Jenny King (Gifts and Glamour).

Work Starts on Indigenous Garden

The Rotary Club of Warragul, our Indigenous community and Baw Baw Shire Council are working together to create a new garden of local cultural significance.

Works began on Friday 3^rd June with excavation of the centre piece for stage one of the Indigenous Art Garden at Rotary Park, Warragul.

Awards for “Excellence in Small Business”

“Would you like to recognise a small business in the Warragul district for their outstanding service?” asks Warragul Rotary President Diane Carson. With this in mind the Rotary Club of Warragul is now calling for nominations for their annual “Excellence in Small Business”.

Warragul Rotary Christmas Trees Now on Sale