PHUKET: The seven Rotary clubs based on Phuket celebrated the appointment of new officebearers with a big night out together earlier this month.

The installation of officers came in a fun night for 400 at the Royal Phuket City hotel.

Patong's English-speaking Rotary joined mostly-Phuket City based groups to mark the appointment of new President Brad Kenny, Treasurer Bruce Conrad and Secretary Jaspal Singh.

One of the Phuket City Rotary branches is all female, another contains all young people.

Patong Rotary is also broadening its membership, says past president Larry Amsden.

''We are working hard to attract younger members,'' he said. ''Much of our work is with disadvantaged children.''

Forty young people from Utah have been working with Patong Rotary in renovating a school for the children of Burmese workers in the port of Kuraburi, north of Phuket.

The club was established by the present President of the Phuket provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising, back in 2000.

People who wish to join simply have to contact an existing member or call Mr Amsden on 081 4874812.