Rotary Club of Donaghadee 10th Charter Dinner held in Donaghadee Golf Club 13 May 2004

Photographs from the night may be accessed here 

or a slideshow viewed below

On Thursday 13^th May 2004 the members of Donaghadee Rotary Club held a 10^th anniversary dinner at Donaghadee Golf Club. President Les Jones welcomed the members, partners and honoured guests to the proceedings. Among the guests were District Governor Frank Arnold , Past District Governor Edwin Dunlop, Past President Norman Ferguson from Newtownards Rotary Club and Colin Barkley the speaker for the evening. Seven Past Presidents were also present. Eight of the original-founding members are still active club members.  

After a four course meal Past District Governor Edwin Dunlop proposed a toast to The Rotary Club of Donaghadee in which he said that “ One of the highlights of my year as District Governor in 1994 was to present the charter to the Rotary Club Of Donaghadee. I consider it a privilege and an honour to propose this very important toast to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Donaghadee. I am not only delighted but thankful 10 years later to be here to perform this pleasant task.  

I would like to reminisce and go back to how it all started and pay tribute to some of those responsible for us being here this evening. Back in 1992 the late Past President John Steele from Ballywalter and President of The Rotary Club of Newtownards1993/4 approached me with an idea of sponsoring another Rotary Club in our territory. During discussion I suggested why not my own now hometown of Donaghadee to which he readily agreed.  

The wheels were set in motion and the seal of approval was given by District and District Extension Officer the late Past District Governor Bertie Shields starting by appointing Past President Norman Ferguson as the Rotarian on the ground to do the spade work. The first exploratory meeting took place in John and Hilary Steele’s house in Ballywalter about October/November 1993.  

As numbers grew successive meetings took place in the former Copeland’s Hotel under the guidance of Past District Governor Bertie Shields, with the driving force of Past President Norman Ferguson at the helm, his able secretary Past President Jack Niblock and supported by the entire membership of The Rotary Club of Newtownards. Incidentally President Les Jones is a Past President of Newtownards and an original supporter. Past President Jack McKeag became founding President in the Copeland’s Hotel on 17^th February 1994 of the interim Rotary Club of Donaghadee and finally received the charter from myself on the 13^th may 1994 at La Mon House Hotel.  

Since then the Donaghadee Rotarians have been living like nomads in many hostelries too numerous to mention but now appear to be happily settled in The Stables at Groomsport. Sadly Past Presidents John Steele and Alf Buchanan are no longer with us but it is a fitting tribute to both that Hilary and Kate have kept up their connection with the Rotary Club of Donaghadee and are here to represent John and Alf. I am glad to see some former-founding members present. Perhaps tonight may influence them to consider rejoining whenever they see something of what they are missing by not being a member of the Rotary Club of Donaghadee.  

Having been made an honorary member along with Past President Norman Ferguson, Past District Secretary John Stevenson and the late Past President John Steel, I have been able to regularly participate at their weekly meetings to enjoy their fellowship and spirit of camaraderie and be active in some of their projects.  

Perhaps the Donaghadee Rotary Club may be low in numbers but as Rotarians they make up for it in quality. The enthusiasm of the members shows no bounds as they involve themselves in all aspects of Rotary service above self for the benefit of others. They are a Rotary Club that District, RIBI and Rotary International should be proud of. I consider it an honour and a privilege to be associated with the Donaghadee Rotarians.  

I will finish with my words as I expressed 10 years ago. I hope you Mr President and the members of The Rotary Club of Donaghadee will be long spared to enjoy the fellowship of Rotary.

Please be upstanding, charge your glasses and assist me in the toast to The Rotary Club of Donaghadee for their good health past and future success. To The Rotary Club of Donaghadee”.  

The toast Rotary International was responded to by District Governor Frank Arnold who began by thanking President Les Jones for his kind invitation and for his warm and gracious welcome when he arrived. He continued by saying “ It is nice to be back in Donaghadee among so many friends, I have already made an official visit to your club, in October last, which I enjoyed very much. My regret today is that Vianne is unable to be with me, as she is working in Edinburgh this week (only the second social function missed).  

I thank you sincerely for you wonderful hospitality this evening, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. It is my privilege this evening to respond to the toast to Rotary International. In doing so I’m sure that ill cover ground familiar to most of you, nevertheless I believe it important, that we remember the foundations upon which our great organisation evolved.  

District Governor Frank then went on to give a brief history of Rotary and recent achievements.

The audience were then entertained by the scintillating sarcasm and rapid repartee of the guest speaker Colin Barkley who singled out a few members of the club for special well-deserved attention.  

Peter Irwin gave a vote of thanks to the speaker and managed to fine a few members in the process.  

After the speeches the members and guests examined the club archives diligently and lovingly kept by Past President Jack McKeag . A few of the ladies were surprised when looking at photographs of their husbands taken 10 years ago just how much they had changed. Could this be the result of being a member of Donaghadee Rotary club for 10 years?

back