Daylesford Rotary raises over $25,000 every year to support worthwhile projects locally, around Australia and overseas.

Most funds are raised through the annual Daylesford Rotary Art Show and the the monthly Farmers’ Market at the Daylesford Primary School.

Daylesford Rotary has been running the Art Show during the extended Cup Day weekend each year since 2010. Now in its 40th year, Rotary took over the event from the Daylesford Lions Club when the Lions folded.

Rotary took over running the Farmers’ Market in the middle of COVID when the previous manager decided not to continue. Rotary wanted to be able to support local stall holders and provide another market option for locals and tourists. The market, run by volunteers, raises money through stall holder fees, gate donations and the infamous Rotary Sausage Sizzle.

Local projects supported by Rotary include:

  • The Wombat Christmas Trees in partnership with Daylesford Men’s Shed and the Daylesford District Community Bank,
  • Hepburn Cheer to support needy people in our community,
  • The 5000 Club community lunches, and
  • The Daylesford New Year’s Eve Parade.

Daylesford Rotary has also supported schools in the Shire through:

  • Funding School Awards,
  • The Annual Combined Schools Music Night which has been running for two decades, and
  • Springs Kids ART project which we have contributed to over the past several years.

Local Schools have received $3,000 funding for Arts programs with Daylesford Rotary, the Daylesford District Community Bank and Springs Medical Centre each contributing $1,000. Check out some of the school art work next time you are at the Springs Medical Centre.

The main overseas projects supported by Rotary this year have been:

  • Days for Girls,
  • Sponsorship of a Vietnamese high school student,
  • WASH – Ian Tena Village, Flores, Indonesia, and
  • Sindhuli Community Technical Institute in Nepal

Days for Girls has a Daylesford Team who make reusable feminine hygiene products so that girls in certain overseas communities can attend school when they are menstruating, with the funds going towards purchasing fabrics. The WASH project is to provide water and sanitation to a village in one of our nearest neighbours. The donation to the Sindhuli Institute, which is a school for training nurses, provided ceiling fans for a full floor.

If you are interested in becoming a stall holder, getting involved in Rotary or finding out about these projects, contact Rotary for more information. New market stall holders are always welcome, particularly local fruit and vegetable farmers, and they are looking for a local baker!

Daylesford Rotary meets 6:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at the Savoia Hotel.

For more information, contact the Rotary President, Terri Oprean, or see their web page or Facebook page.