Community
7 August, 2025
Rotarians reflect on almost $20k donated
TERANG Rotarians this week reflected on a successful year which saw more than $19,000 in donations made.
On Tuesday evening the members reflected on an incredible range of donations made during the year, as highlighted in the Terang Rotary Club’s Financial Report 2025.
Members looked back on more than $19,000 which has been pledged to local, national and international causes.
Donations during the year which will support the Terang and district community include $6000 to Western District Food Share, $600 to four schools to support presentations, $2000 to support the No Roads Expeditions Kokoda Project, $1000 to Terang College to support students through the school’s breakfast program, $500 for the Terang Athletics Club, $3000 for the restoration of the gazebo at the rear of the Civic Hall and $2000 to support the Western Victoria Drought Emergency Relief Fund.
In addition, the Terang Rotary Club also provided funding for wider initiatives such as $500 towards supporting Warrnambool Rotary Club projects, $500 towards the Lift the Lid Rotary Youth Project, $1000 towards the National Youth Science Forum, $1000 towards a shelter box which can support vulnerable people overseas and $1000 to Polio Plus.
Terang Rotary Club president Wayne Reicha said the members cherished the opportunity to give back but never lost sight of why they were able to do so.
“The thing we always keep in mind is we can’t do that without our community,” he said.
“Our community are always behind us for our fundraising, from the Golf Days through to showbag sales at the Noorat Show and that’s where all this money comes from.
“It all comes from the community and we get the chance to make sure we’re looking after them in turn.
“People are struggling at the moment and unfortunately the countryside gets left behind when it comes to support from the politics side of things, so it’s local efforts that are how we make the difference.
“We always find it rewarding – we don’t look for the publicity, but we do enjoy getting the opportunity to look after our community.”
As part of this week’s club meeting on Tuesday evening, the club welcomed Terang’s Lucy Eldridge and Heath Baker, who had been part of the No Roads Expeditions Kokoda which the club had helped to financially support.
The initiative sent students from six Corangamite Shire schools to trek the 96-kilometre Kokoda Trail.
Lucy and Heath shared their story with Rotarians of traversing the often-steep trail, the camaraderie they built with their peers, the excitement of Papua New Guinea locals when seeing Australians arrive and the humid conditions which saw the students drink around 30 litres of water on the journey.
Mr Reicha said he was pleased to hear the students had such a great time.
“It was a great opportunity to make sure kids in our town get the opportunity, like the other kids, to go and have such a special experience,” he said.
“They may never otherwise get this opportunity and our club is all about giving opportunities.
“We set out to make sure we can look after the youth within our town because they will have that for the rest of their lives – the experience is something we hope will help to generate confidence and leadership qualities which will support them well into the future.”
Terang Rotary Club member Barry Wickham said it was a positive to see the club continue to be in a sound financial position, which he believed was indicative of the great work the limited membership can achieve.
“I thank all of our members for their commitment to our fundraising activities,” he said.
“The club would also welcome any new members with open arms.
“Terang Rotary Club meet once a fortnight at the Rotary Room in the Civic Hall from 6.15pm.”
“We have a meal and discuss potential fundraising activities.
“In addition to our fundraising efforts, we’re also a very social club.”
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