On Tuesday 15 June 1971 at the Prince Mark Hotel, Princes Highway, Dandenong a Dinner was held to present the Charter to the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza.
The Program for the evening was as follows:
Call to Order & Welcome - Chairman, President Don Gordon, Rotary Club of Mornington (Sponsoring Club)
Invocation - Rotarian Rev Ray Smith
Loyal Toast - PDG Keith Norman
Introduction of Distinguished Visitors - President Norm Arthur, RC Frankston
Report by Governor's Special Representative - Rotarian Lou Guthridge for PP John Turner, RC Mornington
Introduction of Charter President - District Governor, John Emerton
Introduction of Charter Members - President Wal Cubbin
Address & Presentation of Charter - DG John Emerton
Presentation of Gifts - Chairman Don Gordon
From the program the evening we see:
BRIDGE THE GAPS
It was from the facile brain and lonely heart of Paul Harris that the idea came ... the idea of Rotary ... which stimulated the imagination of the three men gathered around him in that small office in Chicago in 1905. This idea challenged these men to dream a dream, even then, but they dared not dream that this idea would bridge the world - to Melbourne in 1921, and then on to Dandenong in 1935. It was the Rotarians of Dandenong who in 1947 bridged the gap to Mornington.
Now, just as others have shared Rotary with us, we share it with the Rotarians of Mount Eliza.
The Charter Members of the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza were:
BARNARD, Ern Building Renovations
CUBBIN, Wal Newsagency
CRIGAN, Alex Religion, Protestant
DONALDSON, Tom Agriculture Reserach
DUGUID, John Banking, Trading
FROST, Russell Law; General Practice
GARDINER, John Plastics, Marketing
GRAFTDYK, John Seed Production & Distribution
HALL, Alex (Sandy) Real Estate
JEFFREY, James Stationery, Retail
JONES, Gary Engineering, Bearings
MACPHERSON, Charles Petroleum, Refining
MATHESON, James Veterinary, Products & Manufacture
PARSONS, William Agriculture Administration
PYLE, John Milk Powder Manufacture
REID, Graham Cattle Raising
SAJET, Peter Paper Marketing
SPENCER, Stan Education, Special Schools
SUMMERS, Robert Petroleum Engineering
TAIT, Cyril Senior Active
WEBB, James Architecture
YOUNG, Allan Education, Primary