Since 1972 when The Rotary Club of The Entrance was chartered, many things have been achieved.  Recently we have:

• Supported Yarran Early Intervention Centre
   
• Conducted "Tree of Joy" - a Christmas collection of toys to brighten the lives of children helped by the Salvation Army and Central Coast Samaritans
   
• Supported RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Programme for Senior High School students)
    
• Supported MUNA  (Model United Nations Assembly, for Senior High School students)
  
  (Several   of our newer members whilst members of the former Ourimbah Rotary Club were instrumental in inaugurating both of the above programmes on the Central Coast.)
  

• Cooked BBQs at local events for Charities

• Hosted overseas students and sponsored outbound students
   
• Supported International Group Study Exchange Teams
   
• Presented Pride of Workmanship Awards to deserving employees of local businesses and services
   
• Sponsored Youth Leadership and Enrichment Courses and Science Seminars
   
• Organised Community Bowel Scan Project
   
• Initiated the formation of several Probus clubs in the local area
  
  
• Organised Annual Community Raffle - over $550 000 raised by and for Community Groups
   

Additionally, we have given donations to ~

The Rotary Wing at Westmead Hospital, Midwives for East Timor, Central Coast Community Care Services, Grandparents for Grandchildren, National Science Forum, Child Abuse Protection Society, Queensland Cyclone Appeal, Victorian Bush Fire Appeal, Shelter Box Australia, the Haiti Earthquake Appeal, 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 Fund, Leukaemia Fund, Child Flight, Care Flight, Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service, The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Overseas Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), Wheelchair Foundation Australia, Salvation Army, Glen Centre, Plastic Surgery in Nepal, Central Coast Suicide Network, Life Education, Yarran Early Intervention Centre, Police and Community Youth Centre, Norah Head Lighthouse Trust, The Entrance Police Community Youth Club, and many other worthwhile charities.

Other Projects include ~

Combined Community Raffle

Drawing the winning ticket

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" about $550 000 locally.

This year, the main prize was a $3 000 travel voucher from Mingara Recreation Club, with the minor prizes provided by Quay West Resort Magenta Shores, Allamanda Retreat and Retravision at The Entrance. The raffle was drawn at the Rotary Club meeting at Mingara Recreation Club at 7:30pm on Tuesday, 16 February 2010.

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

Tickets for the 2010-2011 raffle will be on sale in October.

Tree of Joy

With the co-operation of the managements of Stockland Bay Village at Bateau Bay and Lakeside Plaza at The Entrance, Rotary's "Trees 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 once, 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 8173, Tumbi Umbi, 2261).

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 $10 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 in a carriage towed by an old jeep representing a train are enjoyed immensely by the children.  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 two entrants in recent Mardi Gras Queen Competitions.

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 once a 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

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