Do You Remember the Eastside Cluster Centenary 2020/2021??
Rotary Australia and New Zealand Centennial celebrations in 2020/21 aimed to raise awareness of Rotary’s incredible work through gaining positive publicity, as well as boosting membership for Rotary clubs. Each club was asked to create their own legacy project to propel the organization into the next century. The Eastside Cluster of four clubs was not going to sit down on that job!
From April 2020, the Balwyn, Camberwell, Canterbury, and North Balwyn clubs, with Boroondara Council and residents, decided to collaborate on the creation of a suitable commemorative piece as a R100 initiative.
The Boroondara Council, invited the cluster to fund a park bench as part of the Stage 2 reinvigoration of Balwyn Park, situated at the corner of Whitehorse Rd and Cherry Road, Balwyn. The initiative was to be completed within twelve months, in time for Centennial celebrations on 21 April 2021.
It was a great day when the seat was installed on 12 August 2020, and the Cluster’s newly completed R100 commemorative seat in Balwyn Park was officially ‘sat on’ in early March 2021. Joining the Cluster Presidents and Cluster AG was Boroondara Councillor Di Gillies, who endorsed the Project with an emphatic thumbs up.
Park users have now enjoyed this comfortable, west-facing bench situated adjacent to a large shady gum tree and overlooking the parklands at the corner of Cherry Road. It’s well located on the largely pedestrian access road to the park and its new sporting facilities, adjacent to street parking and public transport.
Getting the inscription on the plaque required consensus on wording from the cluster clubs, Council By-laws, and Rotary standards. The final plaque was approved in October 2020 and after a few interruptions, it was installed on 4 February 2021. The final cost of the seat/plaque was $2,500, jointly funded by the cluster clubs.
Our Rotary Eastside Cluster Clubs are justly proud of this R100 project. Balwyn Park is used year-round, and the public can enjoy resting and ruminating on the Rotary bench, quietly thanking Rotary for the seat of contemplation.
MARCH 2021 - Standing – Tony Laycock RC Canterbury, Tim Reynolds RC Balwyn, Murray Anderson RC Camberwell
Seated – Greg Cribbes RC North Balwyn, Councillor Di Gillies, Cluster AG Casey Tan
THIS WEEK………the 2020/21 Past Presidents re-live the Centenary Project.
Sunday 13th July 2025 - Standing – Tony Laycock, Tim Reynolds, Murray Anderson
Seated – Greg Cribbes, Casey Tan