By Danielle Kutchell
He may have come to Rotary late, but Robert Edgar has wasted no time since joining in getting straight to work on a number of community projects.
Robert originally joined the Frankston North club in 1993, serving as president in 2002.
It was never his plan to join Rotary; school council friends had often invited him, but Robert felt that his job at the time, which involved a lot of travel, would inhibit his ability to give his time to the club.
Eventually, he gave in – and he hasn’t looked back.
A major focus of Robert’s presidency was on International Service, developing projects in Tonga over approximately ten years. He recalls working on restoring a farm machinery training building for Tongans during 1999 and 2004. Then, after receiving a Foundation Discovery Grant in 2004, he travelled to Tonga himself to work on constructing gardens in the village of Popua.
The project captured the attention of Rotary in New Zealand, which contributed $250,000 for similar gardens in three other villages and assisting 300 households with growing their own edible gardens.
In 2013 it was time for a change and Robert shifted to Rotary Bendigo. The club has a strong focus on Samoa, and Robert soon found himself working on projects for a new island nation.
COVID put a stop to some projects, including plans for a beekeeping course in the country, but it hasn’t dampened Robert’s enthusiasm. Now that he is (as he puts it), “getting on a bit”, Robert says he is “a bit past volunteering overseas”. Instead, he is now focusing his efforts on vocational training for youth in the region. Servicing on the Vocational Service committee, he has helped promote a university scholarship for graduate study in agriculture. This scholarship is one of his proudest achievements.
Another achievement was a 2019 art show that raised $80,000, which was promptly donated to East Loddon Food Share, Drought Angels and the School of the Air.
Robert describes being part of Rotary as “quite satisfying” – a pastime that has allowed him to live his dream of travelling to the Pacific, and build friendships and connections across Australia.
“The fellowship and friendship of Rotary is excellent,” he said.
Robert plans to continue his work on drought relief and agricultural projects and is particularly keen to see the continued development of the scholarship program.