Toowoomba celebrates 100 years

The seven Rotary clubs based in Toowoomba, Qld., have combined to lend a hand in celebrations marking the city’s centenary .

From its opening in mid-February 2004 until late January 2005, an exhibition at the city’s renowned Cobb & Co Museum will feature the Rotary emblem on every interpretive panel.
The exhibition, titled Toowoomba – from Swamp to Garden City, traces the city’s development from the time it was known as The Swamp to its position today as one of Queensland’s largest cities. The exhibition covers the social, commercial, cultural and environmental aspects of the city’s growth. The seven Rotary clubs recognised the exhibition as a great opportunity to support the celebrations and to enjoy almost 12 months of public exposure in the year leading to Rotary’s Centenary. By sponsoring the 28 interpretive panels, the clubs have provided the informative link between the different sections of the comprehensive display.

Many sectors of the community have been involved in bringing the exhibition to fruition – local media and photographers, businesses, Toowoomba City Council, Arts Queensland, the Queensland Museum and many schools.

It is hoped that all local schools will visit the exhibition and a number have been given the opportunity to develop short-term exhibits in On Your Soapbox, the students’ section.
It is expected that a CD-ROM of the exhibition will be prepared in time for the actual date of the centenary in October. Copies will be presented to all schools and be available to the public.

As an additional benefit to Rotary, the Cobb & Co Museum will provide space during Rotary’s Centenary year of 2005 to allow the seven clubs to promote their history and the achievements of Rotary International.

Members of the Rotary Club of Leeming in Perth, W.A., saw an exciting opportunity to educate local primary school children and raise the profile of Rotary in the community when they read of the Rotary International Poster Contest.

Children worldwide between the ages of 10 and 13 years were eligible to enter, the theme being to Express Service to Others in the Community and in the World.

This fitted in well with the year’s theme of Lend a Hand.

It was decided to organise an additional contest between local schools encouraging teachers to include it in their curriculum to cover a range of subjects and skills.

Positive learning outcomes included artistic expression, research into the extensive work of Rotary worldwide, education on local projects and options available to young people which may be of interest to them in the future, exploration of extensive website information and community education and awareness on helping others.

Prizes were offered to the best entries and to the school with the most entries.

A large local shopping centre was happy to display the colourful entries which created considerable interest from the community and raised the profile of Rotary.

Coverage was also given in the local community newspaper. The best entry was entered in the Centennial Poster contest.

Rotarian Christine Wright organised the event for Leeming club and was delighted with the response.

“Approximately 150 students entered the contest with enthusiasm,’’ she said. “From their poster entries it was evident that they had researched the subject and discussed the role of Rotary locally and in the world.’’

Christine Wright was invited to a school assembly to present prizes and say a few words on the role of Rotary in the community.

“Everyone had a win . . . Rotary, the students and the community,’’ she said.