In recognition that the RI Centenary was approaching, a District 9800 Committee was formed in July 2003 under the chairmanship of P.D.G. Vance Hilton.  The committee consisted of Royce Abbey, Judy Nettleton, Peter Sheppard (from Brighton), John Edmonds and David Wittner.

This committee's task was to act as a clearing house for the District Centenary celebration planning, to identify any competing activities, to gently discourage those ideas that had were not considered appropriate or achievable, and to encourage others that had obvious merit.   The committee was not intended to be an organising committee for activities, but offered help where possible and advice where it could.

In July 2003, the committee was were advised that RI were circulating a Centenary Bell around the first 100 Rotary clubs formed, and in fact it made a one day appearance at Rotary Club of Melbourne late in 2003.   That's when David Wittner had the temerity to suggest that the idea of an Australian Centenary Bell, commemorating 100 years of Rotary Service, might be an appropriate means of recognizing this important milestone in Rotary history.  The idea appealed to many Rotarians, so David took it up with then RCM President, Bob Glindemann, who supported the idea that the Rotary Club of Melbourne should back the project, and the Club's Board subsequently ratified the project.

What followed was a dedicated and focused effort to bring the Centenary Bell into existence.  It was recognized that Ron Mulholland, of the RC of Point Gellibrand, had a foundry which could forge a bell, and David spoke several times with him to learn that, whilst it could be done, he really needed a design to work to.  That's when Melbourne Rotarian Brian Mathieson was approached and agreed to provide the creative input to come up with a design for the bell.

It was also recognised that the key element in achieving the stated objective of circulating the bell 'on loan' to each new club formed in Australia, was dependent on being confident of being able to supervise its movement as and when required.   Accordingly, David spoke to Bob Aitken, Managing Editor of Rotary Down Under, who agreed that he was in a position to undertake the task if his Board agreed.  Fortunately, they did.  

It has to be said that the Club did not think the supervising of the bell's movement was a responsibility that it could successfully undertake and maintain, and had RDU not been supportive, the project may not have seen the light of day.

In addition to forging the bell, Ron Mullholland designed and had built an excellent carry case which not only serves to house the bell, but also protects it from inappropriate shipping arrangements from club to club.  The cost of producing the bell, its case and the inscription was borne by the rotary Club of Melbourne as its specific contribution to a perpetual recognition of the Centenary of Rotary.

The Club had a plaque engraved and attached to the base of the bell, which reads:

"Presented to the most recently chartered Rotary Club in Australia

for its own use until the next club in Australia is chartered. 

In commemoration of the first 100 years of Rotary International,

this bell was gifted by the Rotary Club of Melbourne

to Australian Rotary on February 23^rd, 2005. 

The Rotary Club of Melbourne was the first club

formed in Australia, on April 21st, 1921."

Rotarian David Wittner presents the Centenary Bell

Centenary Bell

District Governor Judy Nettleton accepts the Centenary Bell

Rotary Club of Melbourne Inc wishes to specifically acknowledge the tremendous work and significant dedication of its member Rotarian David Wittner for his enthusiasm, commitment and considerable contribution to the success of the Centenary Bell project.