It was an evening 30 years in the making ... it was time to reflect on our 30 years of Rotary fellowship, fun and ‘Service above Self’ in our local, international & youth communities. At a most iconic, interesting & unique venue, we were welcomed to the Bradshaw Farm near Wilsonville for a wonderful evening set-out to re-establish relationships, re-live our memories, reflect on achievements and renew ourselves for the future.
It could not have been done better. After achieving all of the aims set out by the organizing committee, we left with a feeling of deep pride on what we had achieved, a wonderful sense of fellowship for the relationships we've maintained and a confident awareness for a bright future.
So it was that on that perfect afternoon, 87 Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) members (active & retired), family & friends gathered and were able to mingle, to enjoy the unique Bradshaw facility, to read-into and admire the displays and to generally reset old and new Rotary acquaintances;, … Many photos were taken and are being accumulated in the RCNS@30 event folder on our website - go to this link to see how much fun we had. The evening passed so quickly; and yet we absorbed so much. You can get a sense of the way the evening unfolded by going to the ‘Read more …’ tab.
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the evening and/or who have supported us over our 30 years - we are proud of the communities we support, the service we offer and the friends we have made.
On 16 May 1996, the RCNS was chartered under the Presidency of Keith Flexman, and this early Club Logo;
after 30 years of ‘Service above Self’, the RCNS has Co-Presidents Ross Gowan & Mary Mercato, and this current Club Logo.
Social Time & Introductions. The Event Organizer, Keith Jones gathered everyone to their tables and introduced the MC for the evening, Steve Malo. After a few brief remarks concerning the nature of Rotary, the Club and the evening before us, Steve then introduced Alan Plater, John Wallace, Keith Jones, Tina Millea, Rudi Atkinson, Cathy Harrop, Gail Catherwood, Joanne Keifer, Ross Gowan, Jim Simpson & Rasmus Kjaer to introduce the members of their respective tables - so much Rotary experience and support to be recognized!
Music and Food. From the outset, we were entertained with background music by the Doppelgängers. We were also fed a wonderful feast by the catering team lead by past-member Tracy Winkworth - hors d'oevres, salad, short-ribs and cake - all prepared and delivered to our tables perfectly and as the evening's agenda unfolded.
Leadership Recognition. One aim for the evening was to recognize the extent of community leadership that the RCNS has offered over its 30 years of ‘Service above Self’ - in so-doing, it was important to note those who formed the Club in 1996 and those who have lead it since then.
Charter Members. The RCNS's initial, charter group of 54 Sunrisers; some of whom are still with the Club (as shown in bold font) included; Debra Abbott-Greenfield, Mark Boerkamp, Randy Bridge, Dave Brown, Cam Carter, Tony Cheung, Rhonda Clarke-Bruyn, Randy Coates, Robert Cole, Joan Davidson, Mike Dickenson, Yvonne DiPietro, Charlie Douglas, Dave Douglas, Keith Flexman, Mike Fredericks, Blair Harrison, Al Harrington, Mike Heirwegh, Gary Hepburn, Steve Jackson, Keith Jones, Janet Kazakevicious, Terri Kristman, Carrol Lambert, Doris Long, Steve Malo, John Matecsa, Scott Morris, Dave Murphy, Linda Newbury, Kim Novak, Jeff O'Donnell, Jim Peters, John Race, Keith Rainey, Peter Rasokas, Mike Redden, Barry Robinson, Eric Rustan, George Santos, Doug Slade, Bryan Slaney, Tony Suprun, Dawn Swaenpoel, Shawn Swarts, Gerry Townsend, John Verbakel, John Wallace, Peter Wheatley, Carolyn Wiens and Wayne Wormald, and
Past Presidents. Since 1996, the following members have provided the RCNS with great leadership; Keith Flexman, John Wallace, Jim Peters, Carrol Lambert, Steve Jackson, Steve Malo, Sue O'Dwyer, Keith Jones, Dave Murphy, Carolyn Weins, Ross Gowan, Lucine McKay, Mark Boerkamp, Bill Clevette, Paul McAllister, Cathy Harrop, Paul Zorad, Gail Bouw, Sue O'Dwyer, Jeff Mereweather, Marjorie Dawson, Gail Catherwood, Keith Jones, Rudi Atkinson, Steve Malo, Louise Schebesch, Louise Schebesch, John Wallace, Ross Gowan & Mary Mercato.
Memories, Anecdotes & Stories. MC Steve Malo called out several member of the Club to entertain us with their recollections of memories and highlights over the years. Contributing to this were Steve Malo (reflections on cooking classes, trail development, the need for fig leaves and Jim Peters), Dave Bradshaw (importance of red-capped John Race and impressions of international polio trips), John Wallace (formation of the 52-member Club in 1996, Op Eyesight & Connection to the RedBud), Dave Nicolle (personal memories and upcoming marriage to Elaine in three days!), Rudi Atkinson (value of the student exchange program and personal reflections), Stephanie Moddison/Bradshaw (experience as an exchange student to Argentina), Tom O'Neil (congrats from our parent Club, the Rotary Club of Simcoe), Keith Jones (kilt reflections), Dan Barker (battle of the sexes), and Paul Zorad (spook-house).
Club Achievements. Co-Presidents Mary Mercato & Ross Gowan were introduced to offer their remarks as our current RCNS leaders. Mary offered an official welcome, gratitude to the organizing committee, expressions of pride & inspiration that she has in our group and cited congratulatory messages for past members and partners. Ross listed a series of Club projects and initiatives that have impacted the communities in which we live. As a rough estimate, over 30 years it could be reasonably sated that we raised over $1.5M that has been ploughed back into our local, international and youth objectives. Furthermore, we have contributed over $700K to the Rotary Foundation for further community work. Ross' long list of achievements included many non-costed initiatives that assist our communities.
Closing. MC Steve Malo closed the evening by thanking the RCNS@30 organizing committee (Keith Jones (Chair), Gail Bouw, Gail Catherwood, Joanne Kiefer, Mary Mercato & Steve Malo), the catering team (Chef Tracy Winkworth et al), the musical talent (The Doppelgängers) and our wonderfully generous host family (David & Brenda Bradshaw).
