Proud history: Ross Taylor at Yering Golf Club before the weekend's celebrations. Picture: Rob Carew
LOW-key is how the men of the Rotary Club of Croydon would describe themselves, quietly going about their philanthropic ventures under the banner of the club's familiar wheel insignia.
But that understated manner has at times been interpreted by the community as exclusiveness — and it's a misconception president Ross Taylor wants to dispel.
"We got ourselves a reputation of being old men who meet for lunch," he says.
"So we want to raise our awareness among the community, make them aware it's not an exclusive club."
On Sunday, the organisation celebrated 40 years of being a chartered Rotary club, an event Mr Taylor says was all about highlighting the members' good work.
The event, held at Yering Golf Club, saw members review all the club's achievements over the past 40 years, with special guests including the club's first president and the Rotary district governor.
The club has helped to build medical centres and schools in Cambodia, Vietnam and the Solomon Islands, as well as providing funds to help set up irrigation systems in parts of India.
Its achievements, however, are not limited to overseas, with local community projects such as rasing funds for the Safe Futures Foundation in Croydon, which helps provide shelter for the homeless, also a part of its work.
"We do a lot of work with Maroondah Hospital in the psych ward and literacy programs with local primary schools."
About 120 people attended the celebration. Mr Taylor, in his second term as president, said he was proud Croydon was upholding Rotary's traditions.
"Rotary is the largest community club in the world," he said. "We are happy to be continuing those traditions."