The Rotary Club of Forbes has been a part of the local community for over 70 years and is a volunteer service organisation which aims to create and support various programs which help local, regional and international communities.

Rotary is the oldest and largest service organisation in the world, with some 1.4 million members worldwide and is essentially about service to the local community .

At the changeover dinner, a couple of awards were handed out to acknowledge the efforts of members, with Eleanor Lewis awarded a Paul Harris Fellow.

Retiring President Garry Pymont detailed in his president's report the challenges the Rotary Club has faced over the past 12 months and the successes they have had.

He said he would like to thank his wife Dianne as well as his fellow Rotarians and board members for their support this year.

Incoming President Chris Finkel said they have had a relatively successful year, and were able to donate over $10,000 to various community groups and causes.

Among the groups they supported were the Royal Far West, Angel Flight as well as local farmers and rural businesses who were still in financial trouble as a result of the recent extremely long and severe drought.

Looking to the future, Mr Finkel said the club is looking for more people who would like to become members and help them support some of their upcoming projects.

Some of the projects they are looking at running are educational programs and scholarships aimed at helping disadvantaged kids.

Other things the club would need help with include their fundraising activites such as their community barbecues.

However, it is not all work, Mr Finkel said, with a great fellowship and social aspects.

Mr Finkel said they are also looking at reaching out to other organisations to discuss corporate memberships.

The Forbes Rotary Club meets at the Vandenberg Hotel every first and third Wednesday of the month at 6:15pm.