The Pride of Workmanship Awards was launched in June, 1975 to encourage a much needed pride in personal performance in the workplace and to create a national attitude for the benefit of our country.
Les Whitcroft, of the Rotary Club of Ryde, produced the first plaques which introduced the now familiar slogan, “Do it once, Do it well. Build a better Australia” and which is still in use today. Many of these yellow plaques with blue lettering are displayed in shops, offices and factories across the country.
The Rotary Club of Pennant Hills followed up with the establishment of an annual Awards presentation evening and also introduced the marketing of trophies and plaques as a Rotary fundraising project which was recognised by Rotary International.
The program has now been adopted by more than 600 Rotary Clubs in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Malaysia, Canada and the United States, with Clubs in other countries showing interest in introducing Pride of Workmanship programs.
