Club History

The Rotary Club of Ulverstone West was conceived by the Rotary Club of Ulverstone, early in the Rotary year of 1985. After some discussion a committee of dedicated Ulverstone club members was formed. A significant number of businessmen in the community were invited to attend a series of information evenings at the Beachway Motel. In September-November of 1985 a final list of interested people was compiled and the decision taken that a new club in Ulverstone would be viable.

By agreement, no members of the Rotary Club of Ulverstone were to be included in the new club, so the charter list was made up of non Rotarians. This decision gave our club a special character which we have retained.

Application to Rotary International to form a provisional club was made and the necessary paperwork put in train. In January 1986 the provisional Rotary Club of Ulverstone West met for the first time at Stones Hotel in Victoria Street, Ulverstone and a provisional club committee was formed. During the ensuing months the provisional club met each week at Stones Hotel and planned its first projects whilst going through a "getting to know you" exercise with each of the members giving an autobiography detailing his background.

Our Charter as a full member of Rotary International was granted in March. We gathered together with friends and supporters at the Ulverstone Rowing Club in May to be welcomed as a club and to induct the provisional members. Although there were twenty-five names put forward to RI, we inducted twenty-four members on the memorable night. The honours were done by the then District Governor Fred Edwards supported by DGSR Bert Cockerill.