Our club was conceived during the winter of 1991/92 by four Tsawwassen
residents, Bill Learmont, Henk Veldhuis, Dave Hutton, and Ross Purse.
They were members of the nearby Ladner Rotary Club and took up the challenge
of spreading Rotary to the community of Tsawwassen. An energetic membership
drive commenced under the capable stewardship of Provisional President
Bill Learmont and it attracted an astonishing number of new Rotarians.
The Club was chartered on June 26, 1992 with no less than fifty members
under the stewardship of Henk Veldhuis as our first elected President.
Henk led our new club by involving members in all Four
Avenues of Rotary Service within our first year, including an active
(and continuing) participation in the Exchange Students program.
Dave Hutton succeeded Henk in 1993. Dave deserves much of the credit
for the initial membership campaign, which created a solid and sustainable
foundation for the Club's success. Ross Purse retired and moved away.
He maintains contact with the club and is our first, and most respected,
Honorary Member.
Subsequent Presidents Graham Mallett, (94/95); Eleanor McWhannel, (95/96);
Roger Pryke, (96/97); Bruce Cran, (97/98); Blair Ledingham, (98/99);
Joan Hansen, (99/00); Dave Hamilton, (00/01); Don Michiel, (01/02);
Earle Nind, (02/03); and Jack Waterfield (03/04) have made unique and
lasting contributions to our club and to our community.
1997/98 Past President Bruce, like Past President Graham, hails from
Australia. Past President Henk is from Holland and Past President
Garry has Scottish roots. Our members originate from the length and
breadth of North America and from parts all over the world. We are a
club rich in accents, dialects, backgrounds and experiences. We take
pride in our diversity, our camaraderie and our togetherness.
During the Rotary Centenary Year 2004/2005 the club was led by Garry
Shearer. He is a charter member of our club and has been an energetic
participant in the club from its very beginnings. His personal
commitment to Rotary, coupled with strong leadership skills ensured that our club remained vibrant as well as committed to fulfilling
the ideals of Rotary through the Four Avenues
of Service.
Since Garry's tenure, we have benefited from the stewardship of Murray Lott (05/06), Graeme Peck (06/07) and most recently, Orv Nickel (07/08).
We have now started yet another year and the gavel is currently in the capable hands of Marilyn Rafter.
Marilyn will steer us through yet another year of success supporting programmes in our local community
and at the international level as well.
Individual Rotarians are honoured in several ways for the work they
do as service-minded volunteers. The Tsawwassen Rotary Club recognises
our outstanding members by enrolling them as Paul Harris Fellows of
The Rotary Foundation. Our club is fortunate to have a number of Paul
Harris Fellows, some of whom were enrolled prior to the chartering of
our club.
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