When the Rotary Club of Wollongong was formed in 1927 it was the start of 90 years of service above self to the Illawarra community.

Among the first five Rotary clubs in Australia it was formed out of the Sydney Rotary Club and emerged shortly after the Hoskins family signed an agreement to build a steelworks at Port Kembla.

Business leaders and politicians celebrated the 90th anniversary of Rotary’s service above self in the region at City Beach Function Centre on Saturday.

Since 1927 hundreds of Rotarians have been involved in countless projects that include building the road up to Summit Park at Mount Keira in the late 1950’s and helping to establish and maintain the lookouts.

The creation of the Greenhouse Park and Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards are among the dozens of other projects Wollongong and other clubs have been involved with regionally, nationally and internationally.

Many memories were recalled on Saturday and the evening culminating with entertainer Graham Wilson singing his Wollongong Song.

Guests came from all the clubs the Wollongong club helped charter.

It also helped foster more than 40 other clubs. That means the Rotary Club of Wollongong has been the instigator for thousands of people unselfishly giving their time and energy for the well-being of others.

"There are nine clubs in the Illawarra with all of us will be getting together to celebrate," Dot Hennessy said.

The Rotary Club of Wollongong was formed by a group of businessmen in the city and the new club was ushered in at St Michael’s Church Hall on December 10, 1927.

Other significant things to happen that year included Wollongong Town Hall opening and Avon Dam being completed.

The inaugural president was former Illawarra Mercury editor Robbie Musgrave.

The club's major project during World War II was the raising of £12,000 to fund a Spitfire fighter for Great Britain. But the money ultimately went to buy food, not a fighter, after the Australian Government blocked the international transfer of any cash.

The annual Breakfast on the Beach, investment in Summit Tank Siding, Twilight Tournaments at PCYC clubs, Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) training camps, Rotoract and study exchange programs for youth are among the many initiatives Rotary is involved with in the community.

But globally it has worked with Rotary International on programs such as the eradication of polio and the provision of water, education and health care to communities in need in China and other countries.

Significant amounts of money have been raised for organisations such as Wollongong Hospital over the decades.

Among the challenges in recent decades has been the push to attract younger members.

Many traditional rules were relaxed around a decade ago to help that happen.

Women now make up an increasing number of Rotarians in the region.

Mrs Hennessy became the first female member of the Rotary Club of Wollongong in 2007 and became its first female president in 2009.

Rotary clubs in Australia first welcomed women in 1989 and Mrs Hennessy previously joined the Illawarra Sunrise club in 1994.

Read more: Bob Hennessy recognised for his community service

Peter Rixon and David Burrows, the assistant governors of the clubs in northern and southern Illawarra, were among those in attendance on Saturday.

Wollongong Rotarian Brian Reid remembers the road up to Mt Keira Summit Park being bulldozed through when he arrived in the Illawarra in the 1950’s. “I remember climbing up there in my A40 Tourer when I first arrived and was looking around”.

Mr Reid has been a member of the club since 1972.

“My best memories have been dealing with youth through the Rotary Exchange Program. We ourselves hosted three America and Europe,” he said.

Mrs Hennessy said there was still a monument at Summit Park celebrating that achievement over 60 years ago.

But far more community work has been done and much of that was recalled on Saturday.

“We shared with everybody projects each of the clubs do that are different to each other. We also shared the projects the clubs do as a group such as Wings Over Illawarra, Rotary Youth Driver Awareness and the bowel scan project,” she said.

“The thing that I think is really strong about the Illawarra is there are two groups of clubs that work really well together. We do our polio film nights where we fund-raise for Polio Plus which is our campaign to end polio now. So it was a great opportunity for us to share the 90 years of history. We also wanted to share with the community what each of the clubs have raised in funds and given back to the community in the last 12 months. The community see us our fundraising. And we give it all away to either fund our programs or give to various groups in the community.”

July 9, 1927 - Inaugural meeting.

December 10, 1927 - Charter night in St Michael's Parish Hall.

1930’s - Started to establish the first of 41 "children" when daughter clubs were born in Goulburn and Nowra. It also helped establish the Wollongong and District Children's Society.

1940’s - Over £12,000 was raised to buy a Spitfire to help in the Battle of Britain. The club was also involved in a clothing drive and food drive.

1950’s - Helped construct a road to Mt Keira and two lookouts at the summit.

1960’s - Established Rotary Park, supported youth and introduced Interact, Code and Rotoract Clubs to Wollongong.

1970’s - Involved in a television hiring scheme at Wollongong Hospital that raised over $150,000 worth of equipment.

1980’s - Helped build facilities for waste paper handling at Greenacres and became involved in student exchange. Started the Christmas Trailer Raffle, which raised over $240,000 for charity over 17 years. Started the annual Christmas Shopping Night for the elderly and people with disabilities.

1990’s - Bob Jessop Grove at JJ Kelly Park was dedicated in memory of a club member who died while planting a tree in the park. Involvement in Breakfast on the Beach began and the club developed facilities at Summit Tank Siding for the Cockatoo Run and established the Babidge Trust annual scholarship to UOW.

2000-2002 - Helped restore Customs House, assisted the development of Greenhouse Park.

Became involved in a program to improve facilities in parts of China. Supported Donna Edye on her sea kayaking voyage from Cooktown to Wollongong to raise money for schizophrenia.

2011 - Launch of the Pride of the Illawarra Emergency Services Officer of the Year Awards.

2015 – Illawarra Rotary clubs launch the first Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards.

City Beach Function Centre owner Jim Eddy said it was great to be able to host the event that showcased and celebrated service above self by so many in the Illawarra community.

Mr Eddy said Rotarians had contributed significantly to the region.

“They do so much good work in the community, They are constantly looking for projects that have a direct impact on the community,” he said.