The Late Ross SmithIn 1981, at the request of the then-District Governor, Ron Sloan, The Rotary Club of Rockingham was approached to survey the Rockingham area to ascertain whether another Rotary club was needed in the area. A Past President of The Rockingham Rotary club, Ron Newbey was appointed, ably assisted by Past Presidents Les Godley and Murray Forbes to conduct the survey. The committee began its task by identifying potential members. Former members of the Rockingham club, John Greenway and Charles Griffiths, who lost their classification due to employment changes were now considered eligible for any new Rotary club as they now had suitable classifications. Others approached included former Moora-Geraldton club member Fawcett Bestall, Peter Dickman a former Bridgetown member, Basil Manessis from Merredin, and Stephen Yeo formerly of the Cunderdin club.
After weeks of approaching other business people in the area, an interest meeting was called. After several meetings of information on Rotary and its objectives, principles, and its place in the community as a service organization a provisional club was formed. A president and a board of directors was elected (The Late Ross Smith - Photo). The first official meeting of the Provisional Rotary Club of Rockingham Districts was on the 10th March 1982 at the Ocean Clipper Inn, the first official function at the new center, with 22 of 24 members present.

The club received its charter from Rotary International on the 12th April 1982 with a membership of 23. An induction meeting was held on 5th May and the charter meeting on the 9th of June 1982 attended by 140 people. On the 2nd January 2002, the club was renamed The Rotary Club of Palm Beach WA Inc.