In the month of April, Rotary will have been active in Australia for 100 years – yes one hundred years.  To recognise the continuous and growing impact of Rotary Clubs across Australia for the last one hundred years and the work Australian Rotary Clubs have done in the Asia Pacific region, the celebration has been given the acronym “R100”.  You will see this symbol popping up all over Australia – as you see above, even on the famous “Blue Mountains Explorer” double decker red busses. 

All clubs in the mountains and beyond are participating in the celebrations.  We are all joining in the running of an R100 torch, which is an Olympic style torch, which started in Melbourne.  The 7 Blue Mountain clubs have joined up and are starting in Mt. Victoria and taking it down to Glenbrook with stops in between.  It will be taken on the 22^nd April from Mt. Victoria to Katoomba.  On the 23^rd from Katoomba to Springwood and on the 24^th from Springwood to Glenbrook.  When the torch carrier reaches Glenbrook Park on Saturday 24th April, Lower Blue has arranged a celebration between 11am and 2pm for all members and guests to join the celebrations.

The 7 Rotary Clubs in Blue Mountains have been working together off and on for the last decade or two; sometimes together and sometimes independently.  This R100 celebration and torch carrying through all the Blue Mountains villages, added to the joint effort we had for Australia Day and now discussing how we can work together to mitigate homelessness in the Upper Mountains, is highlighting the benefits of working together; as a group, we are a much bigger force rather than seven small to medium clubs working independently.  We’ve had several goes at this; let’s make this time permanent.

 

For the full story of events go to www.rotary100downunder.com