The origins of this amazing organisation started from a visit to Indonesia, our nearest neighbour.

In 1963, Past District Governor Keith Hopper of Inverell, along with a team from the Council of Churches, visited an orphanage in Indonesia where the conditions were far from ideal. Upon returning to the District 9650 Conference at Surfers Paradise, he heard people saying, “There is nothing we can do about it.” Determined to make a difference, Keith proposed that Rotary’s Fourth Avenue be put into action. Forty volunteers responded, and soon fourteen members formed the first Project Volunteer Team to work on the orphanage. Thus, “F.A.I.M.” (Fourth Avenue in Motion) was born.

One of the first major projects undertaken was the rebuilding of a hospital in Bandung, Indonesia. The FAIM group traveled to many parts of Java in an advisory capacity, where Australian Rotarian farmers offered advice on improving stock and crops. These successes led to sending Rotarians to other neighboring third-world countries.

In 1966, FAIM became a commission of Rotary IPAC, and in 1971, it became a National Organisation. The first National Committee was formed, and a draft Constitution was submitted to the 1972 Rotary Institute and adopted, subject to approval by Rotary International. By 1975, FAIM was divided into four regions: Northern, Central, Southern, and Western. In 1980, it was reorganised into five regions, and a new constitution was adopted in 1984.

Keith’s view of FAIM was that “It has a prime and almost single purpose – to get to know our neighbours and not just a fellowship of Rotarians – it is too urgent for this although this is desirable – it is the education of each Rotarian towards a better understanding of peoples of other colors, races, and ways of life. No FAIM team member’s life has not been lifted to a new dimension by his or her FAIM experience.”

In June 1981, the “FAIM (Rotary) Overseas Aid Fund” was gazetted as a fund established under subsection 78 (12) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, exclusively for the relief of persons in developing countries. Donations and gifts of $2.00 or more made payable to the R.A.O.A.F. could be tax-deductible.

The history of RAWCS Limited can be traced back to 1986 when the Annual General Meeting of Rotary FAIM Australia Council accepted a decision by the Special Meeting of the National Coordinating Committee of FAIM Australia for the new body to be incorporated in NSW and that FAIM Australia be dissolved with effect from 30 June 1987. On 24th April 1988, Rotary FAIM Australia Limited changed its name to Rotary Australia World Community Service Limited (RAWCS). 

Since its inception, thousands of volunteers, both male and female, have given their time and expertise to assist people in neighbouring developing countries. The Project Volunteer Teams helped build much-needed hospitals, health centres, aid posts, schools, and staff housing.

RAWCS has continued to grow, offering more opportunities for Rotarians to enable global good both in Australia and overseas. In 2012, RAWCS Ltd consolidated its activities by centralising administrative and policy coordination nationally. The company also registered the Rotary Australia Benevolent Society (RABS) to facilitate similar services for Rotary humanitarian projects within Australia. In 2018, RAWCS registered the Rotary Australia Relief Fund (RARF) as a Level 2 Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) fund to provide a framework for fast reaction and efficiency in accumulating donations in response to public appeals.

In March 2025 RAWCS registered the Rotary Australia Trust for the Environment (RATE) with DGR 1 status that is available for projects both in Australia and overseas.

Since inception, RAWCS has facilitated $0.5 billion in humanitarian aid, implementing thousands of projects and positively impacting the lives of tens of thousands of people in 45 countries.