Australia was ready to embrace Rotary in 1921
When Jim Davidson and Layton Ralston arrived in Australia the time was right for the introduction of Rotary. The Armistice to end World War I had been signed in November 1918. Gradually the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops were returning home, scarred by the horrors of Gallipoli and the Western Front. As the country emerged from the carnage of war there was a desire to move on into a global environment that led to lasting peace.
By 1921 Rotary's reputation as an instrument for international friendship and peace had grown. At least 1,800 Rotarians from North America and Great Britain served in the war, hundreds more enlisted in the Red Cross, YMCA and other charitable organisations. More than 50 gave their lives.
When the war ended The Rotarian magazine laid out the new challenges 'hammering at the door of Rotary' - welcoming home returning soldiers, aiding disabled veterans and securing the hard-won peace. These acts were, in the words of Rotary President John Poole "promptly, intelligently and unselfishly advancing the principles for which the Allies were fighting."
With the war over, Rotary focused on fulfilling the words of Chesley Perry, acknowledged as Rotary's first general secretary, who wrote in 1914: "Let Rotary make international peace and goodwill its mission as an international organisation': It culminated in a resolution at the 12th annual convention in Scotland in 1921 to include in the amended goals of the organisation 'to aid in the advancement of international peace’.
The growing reputation and influence of Rotary around the globe resonated with Australia's civic leaders in 1921. It follows that in chartering the first Australian clubs an impressive list of we/I-known and respected citizens eagerly became members.
Charter Members
The charter members of the first Australian Rotary club were business and professional leaders.
Melbourne, at Scott's Hotel, Collins Street, Wednesday, April 21, 1921
D. Avery, Chemical Engineer
A.R. Bailey, Chemist
J.H.A. Boyd, Free and Bonded Warehouse
Herbert Brookes, Australian Paper Mills Co Ltd
Alexander Cameron, Chairman Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board
Ben Chaffey, Pastoralist
Harold Clapp, Chairman Victorian Board of Rail Commissioners
W.H. Clarke, Carlton Brewery
Lance Cleveland, Cleveland Son and Hislop Public Accountants
James Davies, Commercial Travellers Association
T. G. Ellery, Town Clerk
Sir John Ge/Ii brand, Chief of Police
Sir Robert Gibson, Iron Founder
Henry Harper, Robert Harper & Co, Grocers Sundries
L.J.M. Hooper, R.G. Dunn & Co, Mercantile Agency
J.G. Latham, Barrister
Burdett Laycock, Laycock Son & Co, Woollen Manufacturers
Harrie B. Lee, Chief, Metropolitan Fire Brigade
T. C. Lothian, Publisher
James McDougall, Australian Nail Co, Wire Manufacturers
Sir John Monash, Administrator, State Electricity Commission
H.E. Morton, City Engineer
Dr Alan Newton, Surgeon
W.H. Osborne, Western District Factories Ltd
Professor William A. Osborne, Professor of Physiology, University of Melbourne
Ernest O'Sullivan, E. & A. Bank
Ernest R. Peacock, Office Equipment
D.H. Ross, Canadian Trade Commissioner
E.F. Ryal/, General Manager, Mutual Store
Hon. Thomas Sammons, USA Consul General
Dr Sydney V. Sewell, Physician
Guy Smith, Hoadley & Co Pty Ltd, Jam and Fruit Canners
Sydney Stott, Typewriters and Office Equipment
D. York Syme Jr, Melbourne Steamship Co
Frank Tate, Director of Education
W.C. Thomas, W.C. Thomas & Sons, Flour Millers
George Turton, Royal Insurance Co Ltd
J. Sydney Wilson, Actuary
