The Rotary Club of Canberra East, held its inaugural meeting on the 23rd March 1965 and received advice of the granting of its charter on 7th April 1965.Rotary came to Canberra with the formation of the Canberra Club in February 1928 and for the next 37 years this was the only Club. During this time Rotary had assumed a high profile within the community with its list of Presidents reading like a Who's Who of Canberra's elite, led by that architect of the Commonwealth Sir Robert Garran.
With the population increase, Rotary International applied pressure to the Canberra Club to cede part of its territory to enable the formation of a second club. The business hub of Fyshwick, Kingston, and Manuka was chosen in which to form a new club under the guidance of Rotarian Bob Wardle. Canberra East became the second club in the City of Canberra.
Foundation membership was twenty seven which covered a very good cross section of the Classifications in this area. The presentation of our Charter and the Induction of the foundation members was carried out with due ceremony and sincerity by P.D.G. Gordon Machin on Saturday 19th June 1965. It was a memorable occasion attended by many Clubs from District 971, who had assisted with the launching and inspired Canberra East Fellows with the Motto of Rotary and the principles of the Four Way Test.
Over the past 26 years the Club has had a significant international and local focus, especially on Youth. The Club sponsors young people to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) , Rotary Youth program of Enrichment (RYPEN) and the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA), Young Aboriginal Rotary Network (YARN) , and our work with youth at the Quamby Youth Detention Centre.
