The Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light is one of six Rotary Clubs in Tamworth. It was chartered on May 29th 1990. The Club’s first President was solicitor, Brian Thompson. The club grew from the notion that many Tamworth business people would like the idea of meeting for breakfast once a week in a service club environment. The prime movers in forming the club were John Barwick and Bob Scherf from Tamworth West Rotary Club. The name First Light had its origins in the fact that Tamworth has been known as the City of Light (before Country Music Capital took over). Naturally the fact that it is a breakfast club, meeting at 6:45am for 7am meeting, lent itself to the name as well.

Tamworth First Light is one of the largest Clubs in District 9650, and it is a mixed gender club. The first female member was admitted in January 1995.

ROTARY CLUB OF TAMWORTH FIRST LIGHT –
The First 20 Years

This 153 page publication was put together by past member Terry Burgess (deceased).
It is a large file 106mb – so be patient in when downloading it.

A summary of each year, compiled by Terry Burgess, is available in the following pdf files.
1990 to 1991	1991 to 1992	1992 to 1993	1993 to 1994	1994 to 1995
1995 to 1996	1996 to 1997	1997 to 1998	1998 to 1999	1999 to 2000
2000 to 2001	2001 to 2002	2002 to 2003	2003 to 2004	2004 to 2005
2005 to 2006	2006 to 2007	2007 to 2008	2008 to 2009	2009 to 2010
2010 to 2011	2011 to 2012	2012 to 2013	2013 to 2014	2014 to 2015
2015 to 2016	2016 to 2017	2017 to 2018	2018 to 2019	2019 to 2020
2020 to 2021	2021 to 2022	2022 to 2023

Photo Gallery from 2001 – 2005 (Some links may not work but interesting to look around)

The Club prides itself on being travel experts … mainly golf and leisure tourism. Its members organise successful and enjoyable golf trips to Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast every year. This year the club organised the first Hunter Valley Golf Trip. Club Past President and Paul Harris Fellow Dick Davison and his wife Pauline run many leisure Tours under the name “Condiki Tours”. The club gratefully acknowledges the wonderful assistance it receives from Hannafords Coaches in organising all these trips because they are the foundation of all the club’s fundraising activities. Funds are also raised through more traditional methods such as raffles, fundraising dinners, and occasionally simple bucket brigades through the main street or through the crowds at the Annual Children’s Medical Research Institutes Christmas Carol’s in the Park.

Tamworth First Light Rotary Club is a strong supporter of Local Vocational and Community Service. It also contributes strongly to international goodwill projects, as is expected of all Rotary Clubs.

Assistance in financial terms or by “helping hands on” has been provided for :

• Community Barbeques in Anzac Park and Viaduct Park
• Picnic tables have been constructed at the Tourist Information Centre
• Camp Quality in 1992 and again for Camp Quality 2000
• Painting of Private homes for disadvantaged citizens and Bullimbal Special School.
• Support for local indigenous students to attend Reconciliation Conferences
• Tamworth Base Hospital Dementia Care Unit, Diabetes Stabilisation Unit and Mammography Unit as well as providing a number of pieces of valuable medical equipment over the years.
• Challenge Foundation
• Annual Bowelscan Community Medical Programme
• Ronald McDonald Red Gum House Newcastle (Very important to many Tamworth families with sick children)
• Playground equipment at both City and Scully Park Pools
• Support for a Helicopter Rescue Service for Tamworth Involvement in Clean up Australia Day every year
• Privet Eradication Programme for Tamworth Lookout.

Tamworth First Light Rotary Club is looking forward to continuing its proud tradition of Community Service built up over a short time. They also look forward to many more golf and leisure trips away. It’s the most enjoyable way they know of, to raise much needed funds for Rotary Projects.