The Rotary Club of Bunyip-Garfield has welcomed centenarian president affectionately known as “Young Harry.”
Harry van den Broek was appointed president of the Rotary Club of Bunyip-Garfield for 2025–2026, just a couple of months before he celebrates his remarkable 100th birthday on 30 October.
The club’s changeover event on Sunday drew a crowd of 45 attendees, including 14 members of Harry’s extended family. The celebration was also attended by four former members and past club presidents, as well as representatives from the Kooweerup-Lang Lang and Pakenham Rotary Clubs. District 9815’s newly elected governor, Peter Behm, was also in attendance to mark the special occasion.
Harry is a founding member of the Rotary Club of Bunyip-Garfield, which was chartered on 2 August 1983.
His Rotary journey spans more than four decades, having served as President in 1987, being named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1988, taking on the role of Treasurer from 2012 to 2017, and receiving the prestigious Paul Harris Sapphire Pin in 2021.
Born in the Netherlands as one of 13 children to Johannes and Helena van den Broek, Harry and his family arrived in Melbourne on 14 June 1951 aboard the Sibajak, beginning a new chapter in Australia. His lifelong commitment to community service and Rotary continues to inspire all who know him.
