Club History
The Rotary Club of Wollundry Wagga Wagga Inc. s
ponsored by the Rotary Club of South Wagga Wagga, was chartered as part of Rotary International on 13th May 1978 with Graham Hornibrook (at left) as Charter President. The club was formed as a lunch time club as South Wagga President Basil McMullen believed there was a need for a new option to the then three evening clubs.Markets
The Club undertook book collections as early Community Service but during the first year John Skeers and Leon Flegg investigated Sunday Markets in Canberra and proposed the development of Wagga Wagga Sunday Markets. This was successful with in excess of $4.5K donated to charities in the club’s first year. In 1997-1998 this cumulative fi
gure exceeded $1M and by 2009 had exceeded $2M.
gure exceeded $1M and by 2009 had exceeded $2M. The Wollundry Markets are currently held the second Saturday of the month at the Civic gardens adjacent to Wollundry Lagoon and the civic theatre. All profits raised by Wollundry Rotary from the market go to local charities and other worthy beneficiaries.
Gears and Beers
The inaugural Wollundry community cycle challenge was conceived by Wollundry member Phil McIntosh and originally run by Phil and the Rotary Club of Wollundry. It was held on Sunday, 5th October 2014. The event was rebadged as the Gears and Beers and has grown to become a two day Festival and include the support of the Coolamon Rotary club, all the Rotary clubs in Wagga and over twenty service, social and sporting clubs.
The event draws over 3,000 cycling enthusiasts from all over Australia and several overseas countries. There are 7 rides ranging from a challenging 130 k's to a family oriented 10k. After the rides there is a huge beer and cider and food Festival with popular bands and entertainers through to the evening hours.
The Gears and Beers is now a well known established cycling event on the national circuit. It has grown from a community event to a national event while keeping the active involvement and participation of the community. The club is proud to provide an event that promotes health, fitness and fun to all ages.
Food and Wine
The Wagga Wagga Food and Wine Festival is also an initiative of Wollundry Rotary. The Festival was launched on November 9th, 2002. The first festival immediately followed on from the Farmers Market which had been held in the morning. From these humble beginnings the festival has become a stand alone annual event which attracts more than 7000 people. The festival gives local wineries and food and dining outlets an opportunity to showcase their goods. As a stall holder, where else could you go and show off your products and abilities to over 7000 people in one day. As a patron, where else could you go and sample over 100 types of food and 200 wines as well as ASAHI Beers and some Cocktails. You will be entertained continuously as well as have distractions for your children whilst you enjoy the atmosphere. Because of the post Covid-19 impact, the Food and Wine Festival has been temporarily suspended.
Photo Competition and Exhibition
Beginning in 2021 the club established a Photo Competition open to all Junior, Amateur and Semi-Professional photographers. The 2023 prize money was$ 4,000 while giving the public a chance
to compete in a variety of categories and showcase their photos in a weekend public display.
to compete in a variety of categories and showcase their photos in a weekend public display.Fellowship
The Rotary Club of Wollundry Wagga Wagga Inc. has a reputation for robust fellowship among members and extending friendship to club visitors. Fellowship is fostered through the team interaction on markets, Food and Wine Festival, the Gears and Beers Festival and in other social activities building on the brief time spent together in lunch meeting.Support of Rotary District 9705 projects is strong with participation in overseas aid projects (FAIM), Rotary Foundation and Youth Exchange. The first being Kevin La Quey From Farmington New Mexico in August 1980. Since then the club has hosted and sent a large number of exchange students across the globe.