Since being chartered in 1935 [the third South Australian Rotary Club behind Adelaide and Mt Gambier], the Rotary Club of Unley has excelled in many spheres of endeavour, both locally and overseas. It has spawned eight ‘daughter’ clubs, 13 grand-daughters, 11 great grand-daughters and two great great grand-daughter clubs…..over 30% of the clubs in SA.

In its early days it helped people in need in the local area (which was quite vast) and constructed/upgraded community facilities. Some notable achievements include:

  • Our Thrift Shop opened in 1974 and has raised well in excess of $1m in today’s dollar terms which has enabled us to provide more finance for local and overseas projects.
  • SA Police Officer of the Year was launched in 1978.
  • The most visible of all our local achievements is the Rotunda and Bandstand at the Unley Soldiers Memorial Gardens, built with a large team of volunteers and presented to the City of Unley in 1995. There is also a Peace Garden in memory of the Bali bombing.
    Unley Soldiers Memorial Gardens Rotunda
  • The annual Christmas Carols at the Rotunda followed soon after.
  • In 2001 Unley sponsored the formation of the Overseas Specialist Surgical Association of Australia; volunteer surgical teams from OSSAA have provided thousands of life saving/changing operations in East and West Timor and Papua.
  • Also in the long list of memorable moments . . .
    • A blood cell separator for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (which took 4 years to pay off)
    • Sponsorship of Indigenous Medical Scholarships at inception
    • A bus for Julia Farr and for the War Veterans Home at Myrtle Bank
    • Sponsoring and hosting many overseas youth exchanges
    • Assisting with the upgrading and furnishing of women’s refuges
    • Partnering with the Unley Salvation Army to help the less fortunate
    • Sponsorship of many young students in leadership, team work and scientific programs.