In the thirty or so years since The Entrance Rotary Club was chartered, many things have been achieved. We have:

• Carried out improvements to Rotary Park at Long Jetty
   
• Constructed and maintained the Tourist Guide Board
   
• Held Charity Golf Days
   
• Supported Yarran Early Intervention Centre
   
• Conducted "Tree of Joy" - a Christmas collection of toys for needy children
   
• Organised Community Raffles - about $400 000 raised by and for community groups
   
• Conducted Mingara Charity Markets
   
• Cooked BBQ's at local events for Charities
   
• Hosted overseas students and sponsored outbound students
   
• Supported Vocational Tours for Group Study Exchange
   
• Presented "Pride of Workmanship Awards" to business and service employees
   
• Sponsored Youth Leadership Enrichment Courses and Science Seminars
   
• Organised Community "Bowelscan Project"
   
• Hosted Annual "Top Ten" Artists' Show
 

Additionally, we have given donations to ~

Our gift to Norah Head Lighthouse Trust

Australian Red Cross, Norah Head Search and Rescue, Terrigal Sea Rescue, Local Surf Clubs, Wyong District Hospital, Long Jetty Hospital, The Smith Family, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Camp Breakaway, Operation Hope, The Children's Hospital, Killarney Vale Pre School, Cord Blood Bank, Voluntary Fire Brigade, Australian Health Research Fund, Leukemia Fund, Child Flight, Care Flight, Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service, The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Overseas Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), Shelter Box Project, Wheelchair Foundation Australia, Salvation Army, Bushfire Appeal, Plastic Surgery in Nepal, Central Coast Suicide Network, Life Education, Yarran Early Intervention Centre, Police and Community Youth Centre, Norah Head Lighthouse Trust and many other worthwhile charities.

Donation to Bateau Bay PCYC	ADG Tony Mylan accepts other donations

Other Projects include ~

Combined Community Raffle

This annual event is designed to assist all local sporting, cultural, school and similar non-profit organisations and groups interesting in raising funds for themselves.

The Rotary Club of The Entrance has, since 1984, organised the raffle, provided the tickets free of charge and organised a substantial prize.

Each organisation is rewarded with the total value (100%) of its ticket sales.

Since its inception, the raffle has "earned" over $400 000 locally.

This year, the main prize is a $3 000 travel voucher from Mingara Recreation Club, with the minor prizes provided by Forresters Resort, Oaks Waterfront Resort, and a small appliance pack from Retravision at The Entrance. The raffle will be drawn at the Rotary Club meeting at Mingara Recreation Club at 7:30pm on Tuesday, 12 February 2008.

Any worthy non-profit organisation wishing to know more about this self-help fundraiser should contact Con Bartsos on 4367 6540.

Tickets for this year's raffle are now available from James Sleeman Optometrist, Shop 2 at Chittaway Shopping Centre (ph. 4388 9488)

Tree of Joy

With the co-operation of the managements of Stockland Bay Village at Bateau Bay, Lakeside Plaza at The Entrance and Civic Video at Long Jetty, Rotary's "Tree of Joy" are installed each November at these centres. Members of the community are asked to take a card from the tree and purchase a gift for a needy child living in our local area. Gifts are distributed prior to Christmas by local charitable organisations.

Pride of Workmanship

In March or April each year The Rotary Club of The Entrance participates in an Australian Rotary program entitled "Pride of Workmanship" in which the efforts and achievements of local employees from a wide variety of vocations are recognised and applauded. The program seeks to promote pride of workmanship by honouring these people irrespective of age or vocation, who in the eyes of their employers show a distinct quality in their approach, attitude, commitment, responsibility and dedication to their work.

The theme of the program is "Do it one, do it well. Build a better Australia".

At an awards dinner which is held by the club each year, the presentation of a citation and an especially designed plaque is made to each of the awardees.

Employers wishing to nominate an employee for such an award are invited to contact the club (PO Box 155, The Entrance, 2261).

Top Ten Art Show

Organised by Kevin Hill and his "Top Ten Australian Artists", in association with The Rotary Club of The Entrance and "Oaks Waterfront Resort" at The Entrance (note change of venue), the show is now a regular feature of the club's  calendar, and has proved popular with local and visiting art lovers.

The artwork is of a very high quality and has featured artistic work by Norman Lindsay, Pro Hart, Kevin Best, John Dynan, David Brayshaw, John Bradley, Max Mannix, Otto Kuster, Werner Filipich, John Vander, Richard Bogusz, Paul Margocsy, marine artist Ian Hansen, James Hough, Gary Myers, Bill Ambagtsheer, John Pickup and other selected artists.

"Win this Painting" Raffle

This year was the 26th Anniversary of the Top Ten Art Show, and Kevin Hill gave away 10 lucky door prize: over the weekend. Our club raffle prize was a beautiful painting by Jim Hough called 'Red Rumped Parrots', valued at $3 000 and won by John Millard of the Central Coast.

The show is held every year over a weekend in September or October, with the official opening, drinks and canapes from 7.00 pm Friday ($10 entry). Entry is free on Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 am.

Make sure you don't miss the next show in 2008. Come along, meet the artists and enjoy an outstanding show. Everyone is welcome.

Bowelscan

For fourteen years, Rotary has operated Bowelscan, a cancer detection programme involving a simple self-administered test which can be done at home.

Bowelscan is conducted each year around June or July, and is supported by our club.

It is recommended for both men and women over forty. The kits cost $8 and are available at pharmacies and Rotary stalls in shopping centres.

Over the years, Bowelscan has detected cancer and polyps that could potentially become cancer, in more than six hundred people on the Central Coast.

Yarran Christmas Party

The Rotary Club of The Entrance has supported Yarran Early Intervention Centre for many years. We have provided donations to the centre and have assisted with the outdoor areas.

Each December, we help to organise a Christmas party for these special children and their families at their centre at Bateau Bay. We organise this "Fun Day" within the centre, where we provide presents for the children, a sausage sizzle, sweets, chips and drinks. Rides are provided by an old jeep representing "Thomas the Tank Engine" which the children enjoy immensely. The highlight of the day is the arrival of Santa with his sack full of presents.

This is a delightful family day, and the director, staff and families of Yarran are most grateful for our assistance and ongoing support.

Spin 'n' Win

One of our major projects is our number wheel activity which we call "Spin 'n' Win". Held each month on the second and fourth Saturday mornings at Stockland Bay Village Shopping Centre, we offer prizes of meat and vegetable trays which can be won for the outlay of only a dollar.  The event is popular with patrons of Bay Village, and helps us to raise funds which are used to assist local charitable organisations.

Mardi Gras

On occasion, the club has supported the Tuggerah Lakes Mardi Gras held at The Entrance in December.  We have entered a float in the street parade and sponsored an entrant in the Mardi Gras Queen Competition.

Our Rotary float - 2006 Mardi Gras	Our Mardi Gras Queen entrant 2006

Lucky Envelopes

Our newest fundraising venture is the age-old "Lucky Envelopes" which, with the generous support of Lakeside Shopping Centre management, is held on the third Saturday every month.  For the outlay of one dollar, a secretly numbered envelope can be purchased with the chance to win cash prizes up to $50.  This new/old fundraiser provides about $1 500 annually for our charity funds.

Rotarians on duty selling lucky envelopes

Other Club Activities

Social activities such as Theatre Nights, Craft Evenings, Golf Days, Parties, Picnics, Bus Outings and Car Rallies are a significant part of our Rotary Club life.

District Conferences, Assemblies and the Rotary International Convention are also part of the Rotary scene.