Home Page | Rotary Club of Gosford

Gosford Rotary is the oldest Rotary Club on the Central Coast of NSW and for around 70 years, the club has served the region, and contributed to local organisations

It has instigated projects such as Pioneer Park at Point Frederick, Bradys Gully Park at North Gosford and the memorial steps and fountain near the Gosford waterfront. It also built and subsequently refurbished Rotary Lodge at Gosford Hospital.

The Rotary Club of Gosford meets every Thursday at 6.15pm at the Gosford Golf Club. If you'd like to attend, please contact us. You will be most welcome.

Postal Address PO Box472,Gosford,2250,NSW,Australia

Razzamatazz 2019

On April 17 Gosford Rotary will host its 19th consecutive Razzamatazz fundraiser. Last year an estimated 1000 young persons, many of whom came from families doing it tough, attended one of three variety shows. Without exception they all really enjoyed a mixture of fun, magicians tricks and great audience participation. We see no reason why they will not enjoy this years show just as much.

Gosford Rotary would like to take this opportunity to thank those many Central Coast businesses and individuals whose sponsorship makes this possible.

The many beneficiaries of this fundraising in the past include Lifeline, Coast Shelter, the Shirley Shuttle and victims of domestic violence.

This year, in an exciting initiative, we are going to devote the majority of funds raised to breaking the cycle of troubled young people making bad choices leading to a poor outcome. We intend to donate a car in a highly regulated environment administered by Coast Shelter with the aim of providing those same young people with disciplined driver training. It's not inexpensive to gain a driver's licence these days and for most of these young persons it would be unobtainable. Without a driver's licence many employment opportunities do not exist and every day we see unlicenced or poorly trained drivers causing accidents.

We intend to start breaking that cycle! If just one life is turned around it will be a great result.

Gosford Rotary goes to the movies

Gosford Rotary is going to the movies on Feb 21. It's a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Erina and we are very happy to lend our support.

The movie is Stan and Ollie and it follows the partnership of one of the all time great comedy duos. For just $25 you get the movie and a light supper.

All proceeds go to Erina's international projects in Tanzania and Afghanistan.

The good and bad of legal documents-Stuart Tipple has seen the lot.

Like all of life's experiences the more you see of them the more you know about them.

There can be very few persons on the Central Coast with more experience in the field of estate planning, organising enduring guardianship and things of that nature than Stuart Tipple.

For more than 40 years Stuart has been advising coasties how best to prepare their affairs for the future. Its not too much of a stretch to say if Stuart doesn't know the best plan for you, no one does.

A long time Central Coast resident Stuart has long been prominent in community events and has a well deserved reputation for the utmost integrity.........not something easily earned in today's rapidly changing world.

Its certain Stuart will keep us well entertained with a few selected stories from his illustrious career.......will they be good....will they be bad?

Come along and hear for yourself........all welcome, just contact us for catering arrangements.

Gosford Musical Society

Posted on Jan 10, 2019

Gosford Rotary has a long and enjoyable association with the Gosford Musical Society and on Jan 10, 2019 Darryl Davis will speak to our club about that association.

Darryl is a long time stalwart of the GMS and has seen it grow from a very small beginning to the fabulous organisation it is today.

There can be very few provincial cities in the nation blessed with such talent, and able to present shows of such quality so consistently.

We look forward to Darryl's visit and to our continued association. Visitors welcome as always.

Movies come to Gosford Rotary

Normally of course you"d have to go to a theatre to see the movies, but after our recent sponsorship of Gosfest, the movies are coming to us.

Gosfest was a short film festival organised and presented by the students of Gosford High School and as a result of our sponsorship those same students are bringing the best of the entries to us for a private viewing.

Not really private though because Gosford Rotary welcomes visitors at any time. Just let us know you're coming for catering requirements.

Trivia night at the Breakers

Gosford Rotary has cancelled its regular meeting in favour of a trivia night at the Breakers Country Club, raising funds for drought relief.

Gosford Rotary knows a lot of trivial stuff and we intend to prove it. If you think you know lots of trivial stuff too contact this web site to join one of our winning combinations.

Qu 1. Is this the worst drought in NSW history?

Qu 2. Do you want to lend a hand and have a fun night at the same time?

The Science and Engineering Challenge 2018

For 2 full on days Gosford Rotary has combined with the University of Newcastle and nearly every other rotary club on the Central Coast to stage the Science and Engineering Challenge 2018. More than 400 of the best year 9 and 10 students on the coast pitted their problem solving and innovative skills to construct solutions to engineering problems. And they had lots of fun at the same time !

Problems ranging from connecting electricity grids to constructing bionic hands and from encoding fibre optic signals to building a Mars buggy chassis were no problem for our scientists and engineers of tomorrow.

In a bid to encourage more enrolment in STEM subjects the University of Newcastle has combined with 11 of the 14 rotary clubs on the Central Coast to design and present an incredible variety of challenges, sometimes using really simple components, and the results are there for all to see.

From a very small beginning right here in Gosford 18 years ago this is now a national event travelling to every state and territory. More than 550,000 students have "done the challenge" and every year another 22000 add to that number.

Gosford Rotary is very proud to have started such an event and we are very grateful to the other rotary clubs on the coast without whose support we simply could not manage. We are also priveliged to be given free use of the mighty St Edwards College Hall with undertakings to continue to the foreseeable future.

More than 40% of enrolled university physics students in Newcastle report being motivated by "the challenge".

Please see the event photos on our photo album.

Razzamatazz 2018

Now in its 18th year this year's event brought joy to hundreds of special children and their families, giving them a much needed day out. This year kids were treated to the RAZZAMATAZZ variety show, an entertaining mix of tricks, fun and magic, including a special appearance of iconic duo Marty and Emu.

Made possible through the generosity of local businesses and individuals, a portion of the tickets sales has also gone to Zero to Hero, a local program that helps educate and empower our youth to cope and reach their full potential.

David Boardman, treasurer and event organiser of the event said that this had been a standout year in another one of Gosford Rotary's standout annual events.

"This is an initiative very close to our hearts. We know how much these families go through and that they are often time poor, sometimes their children don't get to go out a lot. We host this event so they can enjoy a free day of fun for the whole family and bring a smile to their faces" he said.

"The support and generosity of locals and local businesses makes a huge difference to the lives of these children, while helping to raise funds for important initiative that support the commmunity."

A record 1600 children and families enjoyed the fun and games this year over the 3 shows held.

The Battle of Villers-Brettoneux

The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux

On April 26 The Rotary Club of Gosford will commemorate the passing of 100 years since the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.

The evening will begin with a 2 course dinner before proceeding to the main event...........the history of this important battle.

This was to be the first time a major battle was led by an Australian, General John Monash. It proved to be a turning point in what had previously been an intractable struggle in a horrible war. In what we plan to be a tasteful presentation there will be not only the history of the battle but also pictures of the devestation.

It is well known that the French Nation has not forgotten Australia's contribution and we are greatly honoured the the French Consul General and the French Ambassador will be attending. The Australian Government will be represented by MHR Lucy Wicks.

While still available tickets can be purchased at only $30pp by contacting President Jim Katrikilis on 0414 777 748

The African story with a surprise ending

Feb 22

Barry Henwood reviews a club project which ran for several years in Africa and which kept morphing from one endeavour to another and had an ending no-one could foresee.

Great Thunderstorms of NSW

After a distinguished career in meteorology Dick Whitaker became the face of Sky News Weather..........for once giving the viewer a weather report from an actual meteorologist.

Now a resident of the Central Coast Dick is going to describe and show some of the most dramatic weather events seen in NSW.

The power of nature through the eyes of an expert............an event not to be missed.

Join us on feb 15, visitors welcome.

We go to the movies

Feb 1

Gosford Rotary takes a night off and goes to the movies, in support of Erina Rotary's fund-raising movie night.

At the fabulous Avoca Beach Picture Theatre we see the first release of "The Phantom Thread".

We have a good night out and support a great project at the same time.

Legacy

December 14

Rick Cranna has been a leading figure in managing the resources of Legacy for the past 50 years. Its an extraordinary period of service and no-one could be better qualified to speak on Australia's most highly regarded charity.

As members of this club know full well, raising funds for charities is not always easy...........unless its for Legacy. Legacy has that impeccable record of good management and the entire community knows support for it is the right thing to do.

We know its a good cause but how many of us know that Legacy distributes its funds not only to financial support but to quality of life enhancement, scholarships and many other worthy causes.

Military service to our country is a debt which can never be repaid.........that's why Legacy is Australia's most highly regarded charity. Come along and hear Rick talk about the various areas of Legacy support.

North Korea-past ,present and possible future

On November 9 Brett Torey will speak on North Korea. To understand how the world has arrived at the current unstable situation we need an understanding of the past. Few people are as well qualified to understand the strategic mechanations as Brett so come along for what is certain to be an unusually well qualified discourse.

Visitors welcome, contact us for catering arrangements.

Mining Iron Ore in Western Australia

Iron ore is a massive part of the Australian mining portfolio and probably our biggest natural resource.

But how much do you know about how we mine it, transport it and export it.

On Nov 16 Matt Aldrick will tell us all about his experiences in this vital part of the Australian economy.

Gala Concert 2017

Saturday 21 October

The 20th Annual Rotary Gala Concert

featuring The Central Coast Brass Band

Central Coast Concert Band

Central Coast Youth Orchestra

Philharmonia Choir

with special guests from the Gosford Musical Society Juniors

another spectacular concert to celebrate our 20th succesive year.

Phone 43247477 to reserve your tickets then collect at the door of the Parkview Room, Central Coast Leagues Club.

Doors open at 1.30 for a 2pm start

Central Coast Multi Cultural Centre

September 28

Jodie Smith and Milka Roach are going to to speak about one of the very most interesting topics in our country today. We've all heard the term "Multi Culturalism" but here on the Central Coast not many of us have first hand experience.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear and learn about the activities of our own Central Coast Multi Cultural Centre and to offer the usual full Gosford Rotary welcome to our fellow community members, of all cultural backrounds.

Cultural diversity enriches us all so come along and join us. Use contact us for catering arrangements.

The North Connex tunnel

September 21

Cassandra O'Connor and Melinda Kelly will speak about the North Connex Tunnel..........a 9 km tunnel linking the M1 and the M2 and removing the vast bulk of the traffic from Pennant Hills Rd.

Without exception everyone who has shared the Pennant Hills Rd gridlock with massive trucks will be pleased to see this project reach conclusion but on Thursday Sept 21 at Gosford Rotary we are going to see and hear how this remarkable, deep long tunnel is being constructed.

Come along and join us in this great opportunity to see behind the scenes of a major piece of NSW infrastructure.

Running a radio station

Not many people know how to run a radio station and even less of us know about the unusual events that can be thrown at such management. Peter Little has a long and distinguished back round in the day to day management of a radio station right here on the Central Coast and on Sept 14 he is going to share with us not only the day to day issues but some of the really curly ones with which he has had to deal.

It takes a wily approach to lure such a speaker out into the open but Gosford Rotary has found the way. Come and join us, visitors welcome, just let us know for catering purposes.

Bob Williams and Mick Pittman

It can be tough growing up these days or it can be easy. Its a fact though that if you have an Aboriginal back round and you are a young bloke then the short odds say its a lot harder than it need be. On Sept 7 Bob Williams and Mick Pittman are going to tell Gosford Rotary all about it and how this vexed problem is best addressed.

A lot of resources have been thrown at this problem and we are determined to find a better way.

Membership Information Night

Gosford Rotary has been around for more than 70 years so as you might imagine, we've done a thing or two.

If you might be interested in numerous youth sponsorship programs

building a park at Pt Frederick

running a science and engineering educational challenge for 500 of the coast's best students

building a sanitary block in a shanty town in Johannesburg

raising and donating $25000 to victims of domestic violence

building a hospital at Kokoda

pretty much anything which would benefit our local or the international community, then we would like to get to know YOU.

On August 31 members will speak briefly about the above projects. Its an information night--no obligation, just find out what we have achieved and think about what you might be able to do if you were a rotarian.

Phone Jim on 0414 777 748 or contact this web site to register your interest.

Infrastructure in the 1990's

Ron Thompson provides some interesting insights into infrastucture in the 1990's. Roads, bridges, freeways and major public structures don't just happen.

Most of us have no idea how much planning goes into these big projects and we are fortunate to have Ron help us piece these steps in infrastructure together.

No need to wonder about the planning for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel......we can just ask Ron.

Visitors welcome as always.....let us know for catering purposes.

Rhodesia to Zimbabwe

Steve Woods lived in Zimbabwe throughout the 90's, a time of great change and difficulty in an African nation.

A world far removed from the relative stability we enjoy has produced people of great resilience, courage and determination and in many ways Australia has been the beneficiary of political turbulence in a country far removed from our own.

Steve's insights and recollections are sure to be educational and interesting.

He is not to be missed!

Meals on Wheels

We all know about Meals on Wheels and what a good thing it is, but how many of us know how it works.

You can't have such a massive organisation without a lot of infrastructure and management.

Come along and hear from Gail Ransley all about the size and methods of one of Australia's best service groups.

Inner Wheel

Calling all women who want to be part of one of the largest voluntary service clubs in the world.

Exclusively for women, the Inner Wheel supports local, national and international causes and has fun while doing so.

If you would like to know more, you're invited to a no-obligation morning tea at The Entrance.

Cost; no cost

Venue; Diggers at the Entrance

Date ; Wednesday August 23, 2017

Time; 1030

RSVP by Aug16