But sadly, the club's 50^th year will be its last, with the club set to fold at the end of the month.

This Saturday's 50^th anniversary celebration at Rydges Bathurst will be the club's last public function.

Club president Tony Pollard said the impact of COVID-19 and struggles to attract new members contributed to the decision.

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"It's a bittersweet time for us, but COVID stifled our momentum to attract new members and stage fundraisers," Mr Pollard said.

"While it's an unfortunate decision, we're incredibly proud of everything the club has achieved over the last 50 years, and hope to extend our assistance to the other Rotary clubs in town where possible."

The club first formed in April 1971, and has raised over $1 million through various fundraising initiatives over five decades.

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A host of Bathurst community groups and organisations, including Daffodil Cottage, Mitchell Conservatorium and Kelso High Campus, have benefitted from the clubs fundraising initiatives over the years, as have communities in Nepal, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

Foundation member Alan Petersen said some of the club's finest achievements include financing two guide dogs for local recipients in the 90s and helping Rotary International eradicate polio worldwide.

"One of our more creative fundraising pursuits was the annual Tomato Growing Competition, which we devised to support Daffodil Cottage," Mr Petersen said.

"We recently donated $1000 to Daffodil Cottage on the back of the last competition, and it always proved popular among local producers."

Maree Richards, who was the first female member [and female president] of the club, said the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness [RYDA] program was another initiative brought about by Bathurst East members.

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"Its since been continued by Bathurst Rotary, and we're proud to see it still plays a part in educating the importance of road safety awareness among learner and provisional drivers," Ms Richards said.

Mr Pollard said the burning question now facing surviving Rotary clubs is how to maintain groups into future generations.

"You'd be hard pressed to find a club in Bathurst with a member under 40 years of age, so for clubs to survive, there needs to be a conceited effort to connect with younger demographics," he said.

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