The Rotary Club hosted the opening of the Port Fairy lighthouse during the Port Fairy Winter Weekends Festival held from 7th to 10th June.

The lighthouse on Griffith Island is only opened to the public a few times each year with tours being coordinated by local community groups like the SES, Rotary and the Historical Society who use the opportunity to raise funds.

 

ImageThe historic lighthouse was opened up to the public on Sunday 9th June and a steady stream of visitors throughout the day (anticipated to be between 150 and 200 people) helped raise over $600 for the Rotary Club.  This follows up on the Club's efforts over Easter when the lighthouse was opened over two days.

Although the lighthouse was first used in 1859 it still operates as a valuable safety beacon in the south west waters of Bass Strait.  Today it operates automatically fueled by solar power.