The Rotary Club of Albury has just 25 members after having gradually dropped from 41 in 2004 following a peak of more than 60.

President Ken Curnow said it was the first time a public appeal had been made for fresh participants, but with members having an average age of 55 it was vital.

“A lot of members have been in it for 30 to 40 years and we’re getting to the stage where we need to build up the members,” Mr Curnow said.

“You can’t keep going forever you need regeneration.”

The club’s chairman of membership development, Geoff Emerson, who has also been involved in Albury Rotary for more than 30 years, echoed his colleague’s view.

“We are seriously concerned about the drop in membership and what that will mean for the amount of work to occur in the community,” he said.

The club has no financial concerns with Mr Emerson saying $150,000 was distributed annually from its foundation which has supported organisations such as Carevan, Uniting Care and the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

The club also runs weekly raffles for Camp Quality, hosts an annual Circus Quirkus show for disabled and disadvantaged children and manages money collected for the Good Friday Royal Children's Hospital appeal.

Rotary Albury was formed in 1927 and has sponsored the formation of sister clubs, including Wodonga's branch which began in 1953.

About a third of its membership is female and Mr Curnow said the club wanted to foster a broad base.

“Often there is the misconception that Rotary is only open to mature-aged professional men, when in reality membership of the Rotary Club of Albury is open to all genders and people of all ages,” he said.

Mr Emerson said Rotary gave individuals with ideas the chance to have the “clout” of an organisation to back proposals.

Would-be members can find more information at the club's Facebook page or by phoning Mr Curnow on 0438 658 213.