In 1982-83, PP David Wittner (1979-80) was asked by President Elect Geoff Cox, to identify a new project for his year. David convened a search committee for a project which would meet an urgent social need. The committee consulted widely via Melbourne City Council, Victoria Police, the Salvation Army, and the Open Family.
Two projects relating to homeless youth and street kids were created. It was at a final interview with the Salvation Army that David asked their representative for the name of the proposed project. He remarked: “Well these kids are at the crossroads, aren’t they?” Immediately this suggested the name of The Crossroads Youth Program.
To fund The Crossroads Youth Program initially, Rotary Melbourne approached trusts and corporations. Club Groups raised money through dinners and tennis parties and individual Rotarians gave generously.
PP Tony and Vicky Kosky and Bill and Rosemary Tope organised two splendid fund-raising functions: a gala night at the Hilton Hotel and a youth concert in the Concert Hall of the newly opened Arts Centre. At the end of the first year, these efforts had raised the $140,000 needed and the final amount raised was $230,000 (today $384,000).
