Diamond day for Greenock Rotary

The toast to the club was proposed by the Rev Norman Drummond, who was born in Greenock and whose father, Edwin Drummond, was a founder member of Greenock Rotary.

Members from nine other Rotary clubs, including Lisburn in Northern Ireland, also joined the 60th birthday party, along with Provost Robert Moran and Rotary District Governor Richard Lees.

Rev Drummond, who has been appointed to lead Scotland’s programme of commemorations for the centenary of the First World War, talked about the early days of the club, how important it had been to his father and how he had enjoyed the fun and fellowship at that time.

Past President Bob Burns replied on behalf of the club, thanking Rev Drummond for painting a picture of those days and for going on to inspire the present club to continue putting ‘Service Above Self’, while maintaining the values that were so important to his father.

President-elect Anne Hill then proposed a toast to the guests, thanking them for coming and helping to make the evening an enjoyable celebration.

Isabel Lind OBE replied on behalf of the guests, amusing everyone by saying how much she had enjoyed her time when she was a member of the club. She had been the first lady member and first lady president.

Club President Kenny Melville then surprised Isabel by presenting her with Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship, the highest award Rotary can give to anyone.

He said this was in recognition of all the outstanding work she has done for the community, especially in the area of education and recently for chairing the Inverclyde Music Festival in its 100th anniversary celebration year.

She said she was absolutely delighted to receive the award.

Entertainment during the evening was provided by Polly Beck singing a number of songs from the shows, accompanied on the piano by Ian McCrorie, who is an honorary member of the club.

Vice President Bill Knox brought the proceedings to a close by proposing the vote of thanks.