Eight decades of service to the community. That’s what the Rotary Club of Katoomba is celebrating, as it marks the club’s 80th birthday.
A fantastic night was held recently at the Hydro Majestic Grand Ballroom to celebrate the Katoomba’s club’s 80th year of continuous service (from 1937) to the local, and the international, community.
The Rotary Club of Katoomba is the oldest club in the Blue Mountains. It is also one of the oldest in Australia.
Guests included Rotary district 9685 Governor Bruce Lakin, who presented the club with a certificate of commendation from the Rotary International governor, assistant governor, David Hart, Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle and, representing Blue Mountains City Council, Councillor Kevin Schreiber. Many local identities dressed in 1937-themed Speakeasy costumes with Kerry McKenzie and Morris Cooper as gangsters and brash gentry standouts.
The event also featured a uniquely themed Rotary murder mystery dinner, entwined with the original Katoomba charter presentation, which kept guests guessing until the very end.
A special segment of the evening featured the beautiful and talented opera star Nicole Giezenkamp-Bakija who performed Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro to the enthralled audience.
Newly elected president Maralyn Arnott said the night was a spectacular success and the club and its members looked forward to serving the local community for the next 80 years. All proceeds went to Blue Mountains Cancer Wellness Support.