When Linda Scott first joined Hoppers Crossing Rotary in 1998, she was one of only two female members.
Today, numbers are more favourable – of the 27-strong membership, eight are women – but the club is keen to boost female membership so that half of its numbers are women.
Ms Scott learned about Rotary when she and her husband were looking for something to do together, and was president in 2004-05.
She said she loved giving back to the community.
Fellow Rotarian Sharon Crulci, who will take up the mantle of president in 2018-19, first joined the Ballarat South club eight years ago, and moved to Hoppers Crossing about four years ago.
“I went to one night and I was just astounded … they made me feel so welcome and that got me involved. I started thinking, ‘maybe I can do this, maybe it isn’t just an old man’s club’,” she said.
“They were helping the local community and fundraising for the local area. Now I’m hooked.”
Hoppers Crossing Rotary is hosting a Women in Rotary evening, tonight at Di Caprio Family Restaurant on Derrimut Road from 6.30pm, to give interested women an insight into Rotary life.
The evening will include the induction of newest member Shemsiya Waritu and a question-and-answer panel with women at various stages of their Rotary careers.
For more information about the club, email secretary@hopperscrossingrotary.org.au
