What is Rotary?

Rotary is a global community of more than 1.2 million men and women dedicated to building a better world. Through the use of their skills, experience, and enthusiasm Rotary can advance communities at home and on a global scale. Why do people join Rotary? Rotary is an avenue to give back to their communities and to connect with like-minded leaders and friends.

Our Mission, Values & Four-Way Ethical Test

Want to know what we’re about in a nutshell? Our mission, values and four way test describe us well:

Our Mission:

We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Rotarians have a simple motto: Service Above Self.

Our Values:

As Rotarians, we live our values through:

  • building lifelong relationships;
  • honoring our commitments;
  • connecting diverse perspectives;
  • applying our leadership and expertise to solve social issues.

Our Four-Way Test

Our Four-Way test is a simple ethical framework to help us in our lives every day. Feel welcome to use it yourself – it’s pretty simple:

Of the things we think, say or do:

  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Our Structure

Each of Australia’s 30,000 Rotarians belong to a local Rotary Club. There’s over 1100 Clubs in Australia, each Club led by a Club President and supported internally by a number of Club office holders. The position of President is rotated every July, providing ample opportunities for Rotarians to step up and gain leadership experience. Clubs operate independently, but often come together to work on joint projects and celebrate big events.

Each Club belongs to one of 21 Rotary Districts in Australia. Districts are geographically defined and sometimes cross state and even international borders. The head of the Rotary District is the District Governor.

Each District is part of 6 worldwide Zones, with Australia’s being part of Zone 8, which includes oceanic nations like Australia, New Zealand, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.

And of course every Club is part of the the wider Rotary International – a network of 1.2 million Rotarians in nearly 33,000 Clubs aroud the world, all dedicated to making the world a better place through promotion of peace, cultural understanding and service to the community alongside other like-minded community and business leaders.Rotary International is led by the Rotary International President.

Rotary: At the centre of your community.

We’ve Been Around A While… Over 100 years in fact.

Since 1905, Rotary has been making a positive impact in the world. Beginning in Chicago before spreading throughout the world, Rotary first touched our shores in Australia in1921, with the charter of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, closely followed by the charter of a Sydney Club and other Clubs around the nation.

Since that time Rotary has grown all over Australia, and no matter where you are, you’ll find a Club near you that has contributed to some amazing things.