Rotary fully embraces the motto Service Above Self and that was evident at the Deca-Centennial Gala held at the Westin Nova Scotian on Thursday, September 21st. The evening opened with greetings from Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally, Mayor Mike Savage, current District Governor Richard Sevigny, and current Club President Godfred Chongatera.
News Release: September 22nd, 2023
Chartered on August 1st of 1913, the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbour was the 4th Club established in Canada, preceded by Winnipeg, the first Club in Canada, in April of 1912, Toronto in March of 1913, Vancouver in April of 1913 and Halifax in August.
Chartered on August 1st of 1913, the Rotary Club of Halifax Harbour was the 4th Club established in Canada, preceded by Winnipeg, the first Club in Canada, in April of 1912, Toronto in March of 1913, Vancouver in April of 1913 and Halifax in August.
The Rotary Club of Halifax Harbour has enjoyed a long and distinguished history in working to improve the quality of life locally, regionally, and globally. From that first meeting on April 21st of 1913, held at the then YMCA Building, later the CPR Building on Barrington Street Rotary has been meeting weekly ever since…. save, of course, the wars and the pandemic years. Charter members of that first Club include well known figures in Halifax’s history, John Gass, an insurance underwriter, Harry Marshall of HH Marshall, Charles Chimo, noted Halifax photographer, William Hart, owner of the iconic Green Lantern Restaurant, shoe retailer Herbert Wallace, Scotia Pure Milk merchant Charles Butcher, businessman Harry Bethel, Maurice Crowell, and Real Estate leader Hugh Fraser. These nine founders established the foundation for a Rotary presence in Halifax that has grown and flourished as the City has grown. Over the years Rotary has invested millions of dollars in providing service to others.
Rotary fully embraces the motto Service Above Self and that was evident at the Deca-Centennial Gala held at the Westin Nova Scotian on Thursday September 21st. The evening opened with greetings from Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally, Mayor Mike Savage, current District Governor Richard Sevigny, and current Club President Godfred Chongatera. Two outstanding Rotarians were honoured, The Inaugural Rotary Peacebuilder Award, presented by Past President Jillian Gibson, was given to Alex Handyside and former Club President and Past District Governor Stella Roy did the presentation as Herman Ssebazzo was noted as an Honourary Rotarian for his many years of service to Rotary. A reading of an original work by former Club President Heather MacDonald on the value of being a Rotarian was a moving moment in the celebration.
Guest Speaker for the evening, Dr. Colin Dodds, a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, shared his thoughts on the value of Rotary. Dr. Dodds was introduced by former Club President Chris Hornberger.
A video presentation of thoughts and messages from Past District Governors, former Presidents and longtime Rotarians proved to be highly entertaining. Deca Gala Chair Valerie Bobyk, Master of Ceremonies Louisa Horne, and a number of Rotarians worked hard to ensure the 110th Anniversary of the Club was well celebrated.
The Rotary Club of Halifax Harbour is deeply committed to service in the community and supports many organizations, most notably the IWK Workshop, Soul’s Harbour, Joseph Howe School, International Student Exchange, adventures in Citizenship, YouthNet, and a myriad of other nonprofits that require assistance. The Club has sponsored a number of international projects, water projects in Africa, development work in the Dominican Republic, Shelter Box, literacy programs in a number of countries and the founding of the PALS program within the Halifax school system.
The Rotary Club of Halifax, an exceptionally diverse Club with 66 members, looks forward to the next 110 years.
