Belfast goes back to the beginning to celebrate 100 years


Present day Rotarians set the scene by representing their counterparts of 100 years ago


The Rotary Club of Belfast celebrated its 100 years of Service in the City in the Europa Hotel on Monday 25th July 2011. Incorporating the records of the Club Minutes and a report which appeared in Nomadʼs Weekly and Belfast Critic July 29, 1911 (found by PP Bryan Johnston when writing the script), Club members, in full period costume, reenacted the first meeting held in the Royal Avenue Hotel at 1.15pm 24 July 1911 when William Stuart Morrow (PP Brian Johnston) on his return to his native land from the United States, informed 14 of the leading businessmen of the City (various members and PPs) of the history, objects and methods of Rotary Clubs in America.


After some discussion they unanimously agreed to establish a club in Belfast and after some disagreement, (reluctantly) agreed, unanimously, to fix the same charges as were agreed in Dublin. The members and guests present then waited with growing anticipation for the opening of the box sealed by the Golden Jubilee President Stanley Boyd in 1961. Aided by Past President


Arthur Boyd, Stanleyʼs son, Centenary President Dr Adrian Kerr, using a chisel, prised open the box revealing contents which encapsulated those times, as it contained mementoes of the Jubilee Year including newspapers, menus, bulletins and other Club memorabilia.


Of particular note were a gold sovereign and a letter bringing greetings, fellowship and goodwill from Jubilee President Stanley Boyd.


Following dinner the current day's Club Meeting ensued. Greetings sent from many Clubs throughout Ireland and the UK, from the Belfast Clubs of Maine, USA and Christchurch, New Zealand were recorded. As were the congratulatory greetings from President Burman, Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland which stated: "Today your club continues to bring new ideas and fresh enthusiasm to a tradition of service that has spanned generations. This year, as you reflect on past accomplishments, I ask you to continue to provide and strengthen your club as you provide essential humanitarian projects in your local and international communities and to lead Rotary into the next generation. As you celebrate this important milestone in your clubʼs history, remember the responsibility for Rotary is yours. Take pride each day in the decisions you make and the actions you take, because these choices continue to change and save lives.


The many members and guests present heard the greetings sent to the Club, and District Governor Barney Callaghan addressed the meeting saying: "I am conscious of the importance and significance of this special event we are here to celebrate tonight and I am very honoured and proud to be in a position to address this historic gathering. I am conscious of the founding president William Wallace; I am conscious also of the presence of the men here who attended the club gathering fifty years ago and am humbled in their presence. I am also struck by the fact that people like Alan Whyte, Arthur and David Boyd and Alan Rundle who have familial associations with the Rotary Club of Belfast going back to the meeting marking the clubʼs Golden Jubilee and to the founding of this fine Rotary Club one hundred years ago.


The box put up more of a fight than had been anticipated 12


We heard earlier about the fifty years that separate us but that fifty years and indeed the one hundred years that separate us also unites us as we mark this centenary year of celebration with confidence and hope for the future. As I promised two years ago I will be supporting the efforts of the Rotary club of Belfast to celebrate your centenary thought and the year and the celebrations will be a feature of the District Conference in Limerick in September."


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16