Rotary is an organisation of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world.

From small beginnings in 1905 it is now a major force in helping the needy, impoverished and diseased, servicing the largest humanitarian foundation in human history.

There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians, members of more than 32,066 Rotary Clubs in 168 countries. The Illinois, USA-based headquarters of Rotary Clubs throughout the world can be accessed on the Internet at www.rotary.org Administratively this is divided into regions, and Australia is within the ANZO region, which has an Internet address at www.rotary.org.au.

Our Richmond Club is in District 9800 which is made up of 70 Rotary Clubs located both in the central areas of Melbourne, and many country centres to the west of the city, including Bendigo, Echuca-Moama and Werribee.

Our Club was established by Charter on August 24, 1964 under the auspices of the Melbourne Rotary Club.