A simple clean out of the storage facility at the Dubbo Rotary Club led to member Mark Horton finding a piece of Bourke history.
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Mr Horton came across a pure wool banner from the Bourke Rotary and knowing the Club was celebrating its 61st birthday, he took the opportunity to get it framed.
He recently presented the framed banner to President of Bourke Rotary Leonie Brown and secretary Meredith Thompson.
“It was great that Mark would not only go to the trouble of getting the banner framed but also take the time to pen the inscription,” Ms Brown said.
“Both Meredith and I were extremely pleased that Mark went to all that effort and this sentiment was expressed by all other club members.”
Ms Brown said it was also symbolic that Mark chose the 60th birthday of the Bourke Rotary club to make the presentation.
“You can’t beat that link to history,” she said.
The Bourke Rotary Club was founded on August, 29, 1957, but it is believed the Club forgot to celebrate during the actual 60th anniversary milestone.
Ms Brown said the banner was still in great condition, despite it being around 50 years old.
“The banner itself was one that used to be given to visiting Rotarians as a memento of their trip to another Club,” she said.
Ms Brown said in its heyday Bourke was one of the key areas in Australia for the wool industry and a huge amount of wool was transported from the area initially by boat then rail.
“Then of course via truck and the fact that the banner features a sheep on the pure wool banner is a reminder of those days,” she said.
“From a Club point of view with a membership who have generally only a relatively short association with Rotary it is an important link to the history of the Club.”