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About Our Club
The Rotary Club of Nerang was chartered in 1975. Nerang has long been considered the “green behind the gold” because of its location behind the Gold Coast and its position as the gateway to the Lamington mountains which provide a scenic back drop to Nerang.
The porthole provides a glimpse of the Nerang River which played a key role in the economic and social development of the Gold Coast. In the early part of the twentieth century a paddle steamer called the Maid of Sker regularly travelled from Brisbane to bring goods and guests to the Coast. As a young Club the Rotary Club of Nerang co-ordinated a community project to restore the “Maid” and gave her a place in the centre of town. Since then the “Maid” has become somewhat of a icon for the town. The primary school, the Chamber of Commerce, the RSL and other groups have adopted the “Maid” and featured her in their logos.
The Maid of Sker is pictured with the Panitz Bridge in the background. The bridge that links the two sides of town was named in 2001. Peter Panitz served as a local Councillor and worked for many community groups, he was a Charter member, Past President and Paul Harris Fellow. Peter’s father, George was the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Nerang and a Paul Harris Fellow. Their dedicated Service Above Self was recognised by the wider community with the naming of the Panitz Bridge.