Club Projects — Rotary Club of Singleton on Hunter

Highlights from 2023-2024

Projects from our own backyard to the global community.

**The Singleton Art Prize- annual**
Our major fundraiser, over $130,000 donated locally over the last fifteen years from the proceeds. 600-800 paintings displayed, all for sale, are painted by local, statewide and nationwide artists.
www.singletonartprize.org
**Rotary Foundation- ongoing**
Our members contribute personal donations as well as funds raised for the Rotary Foundation. Its activities include the End Polio Now program, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Rotary Foundation grants support Rotarians in their humanitarian, vocational and educational activities.
**New Member Projects**
Upon becoming a member of our club, new members are provided with seed funding for a project of their choosing. Recent member projects have been for sensory devices for use in aged care/dementia treatment and hygiene packs for boys and men living in challenging circumstances.

**Fresh Start**
Originating as a new member project, Fresh Start offers hygiene packs for boys and men living in challenging circumstances, delivered through partner organisations such as Salvos, OurCare, Singleton Neighbourhood Centre, Upper Hunter Homeless and Singleton High School.
Packs are distributed throughout the year. Donations can be made here.
**Recycled Tech**
Don’t know what to do with your retired laptop or tablet? Why not donate it to our Recycled Tech program? Devices are wiped, restored to factory settings and loaded with updates- then donated to those in need of devices through the Salvos. These devices are often used by senior high school students and job-seekers. To arrange a donation, just email the club here
**Salvation Army Edible Garden- 2020**
As part of the Salvation Army’s work, in conjunction with grant funding from Singleton Council, our club built an edible garden and retreat area in an unused area of the Salvation Army premises at Singleton.
**Interplast- periodic**
Interplast is a not-for-profit charity supported by Rotary which raises funds to send surgical teams of doctors and nurses to the Pacific area to attend to plastic surgery for children and young adults suffering from disfigurements to enable them to lead a better life.
**Arise and Shine Uganda- 2013-2020**
This is an orphanage located in Jinja, Uganda on the shores of Lake Victoria. In conjunction with Hunter Valley Rotaract, we have raised funds towards building a new babies home, including facilities to improve water supply and hygiene. See the progress at https://www.facebook.com/arise.shine.uganda/
**School Breakfast Facilities**
In 2013 we installed our first kitchen at Singleton Public School. This program is aimed to improve the lifestyle of children who skip breakfast at home for various reasons.
**Bowl Scan** We support the activities of Rotary's Bowl Scan program.
**Singleton Hospital and Emergency Department** The club has in 2012-2013 provided over $56,000 in funding for equipment for the hospital and in particular the Emergency Department. Members, in conjunction with Bunnings staff, have undertaken to beautify the courtyard located outside the Day Surgery area.
**Pride of Workmanship Awards** The club recognises local people for their significant effort and professionalism in their vocation.

Celebrating 100 Years of Rotary in Australia

The Rotary Club of Singleton on Hunter has had a long tradition of supporting the arts in our local community.

When the construction of the Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre in 2021 coincided with 100 years of Rotary in Australia, our thoughts naturally turned to acquiring a piece of art to commemorate this milestone and the contribution of Rotarians both locally and within Australia. This is the story of our sculpture....

We approached local blacksmith artist Will McGuire, who has achieved national acclaim for his artworks, to create a sculpture. The aim was to enhance community interest in different art forms, tell a story about the connection between Rotary and the Community, celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and highlight the involvement of Rotary Clubs in our local community.

We applied for a grant through the Community Economic Development Fund (administered by Singleton Council) to cover the cost of the Sculpture and installation, which was successful.

During the design process we sat down with Will and talked about Rotary and Rotarians and how Service Above Self exemplifies the commitment of every Rotarian. Will’s design showed “A cluster of Individual’s, handmade, irregular humans united in a cause and distinct in individual concern for others.” “A group where its value is greater than the sum of its parts, this arrangement of figures finds its strength collectively in the complex possibilities when viewed and considered from different perspectives.”

“The work is durable and low maintenance, designed to be climbed, sat upon and interacted with.” “The process of creating this work uses Blacksmithing techniques which are thousands of years old, the skills pass from master to apprentice, generation after generation.” This perfectly embodies the continuity of Rotary in Australia and the world as it has evolved through generations of Rotarians taking up the challenge of doing good in the world.

Will further explains “to me, Rotary is really about people doing things for people. Building community and doing good things ….. What I have tried to do is focus on the individual only insofar as it forms a necessary yet incomplete part ….. It is only as we observe closer that we see details such as mouths and communicative linkages between the individuals who make it up. This I hope can be understood as recognition of the ongoing community building work achieved by Rotary, made possible by the individuals embodying the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.”