Fellowship Evening

At its meeting on 30 July, the Bridge of Allen and Dunblane Rotary Club celebrated the 90^th birthday of member David Mackie, and honoured his contribution to the Club and to Rotary in general.  David is not only the oldest member in the Club, he is also the only remaining founder member of the Club retaining full membership.

As a young man David served in the Royal Navy in the Second World War, being involved in the protection of Atlantic convoys and, subsequently, Arctic convoys which were taking supplies to Russia.  After the War, David joined the Bank of Scotland, in time becoming the Manager of the Dunblane Branch, where he is fondly remembered.

As the specially commissioned birthday cake was brought in, former President Bob Watson “addressed” the cake by way of a poem which he had composed for the occasion. He did admit, however, that his poem owed more to McGonagall than to the Bard’s Address to a Haggis.  In his poem he reflected on the contribution David has made, and continues to make, to the Club and to Rotary at large. When there is a job to be done, David, as always, is to the fore.  As a memento of the occasion, David was presented with a copy of Bob’s poem in a special presentation case.

Members then joined in a toast to David’s 90^th birthday and his 42 years with the Club.  Having blown out the birthday candle, David responded by thanking the Club for honouring him in this way; it had taken him totally by surprise.  He said that he had greatly enjoyed the fellowship of members, together with the opportunity afforded by Rotary to take part in activities which benefitted good causes and which made a contribution to the community in general.  The hard work often involved was worthwhile when weighed against the benefit to the charities providing much needed services.

In a particular highlight of the evening, President Nominee George Morrison announced that there had been very special recognition of David’s birthday and his services to Rotary.  A letter had been received from the world President of Rotary International, signed personally by K. R. Ravindran.  In it, he said:

“Each year we are given is a gift.  And our birthday is an opportunity to reflect on the years past and the years to come.  It is a chance to commit again to Rotary and the lasting good work it does for ourselves as well as for others.....I wish you every joy and great success, and send you my best wishes for the coming year”.

Members were deeply appreciative of this gesture by the worldwide President, and confirmed that David’s contribution to Rotary fully warranted this recognition.  If ever there is a call for support, David is there, whether it is to help with car washing, marshalling an event or standing for six hours helping with crepe-making. He has sold ducks for the Duck Race, collected for disasters in the Phillipines and Nepal, given support at the Am-Am golf competition and the Judy Murray tennis, and sold daffodils for Marie Curie. 

His contribution to the Club and to Rotary in all aspects of its activity was previously recognised by the award of a Paul Harris Fellowship.  He thus joined a select group of Rotarians singled out for this honour.

Following on, Honourary Member and Past President  Roy Erskine (also a founding member of the Club) spoke of David’s central role in bringing about the establishment of the Club in 1973.  He was one of the three who came together to bring the Club into being.  He then became the first Treasurer and subsequently was President in 1986. Over the past 42 years, David has at all times been a role model, quietly but effectively supporting the Club in all aspects of its activities.  He was, and is, entirely self-effacing, going about the various tasks without any thought of getting credit for his efforts.

President Mary Fraser thanked Rod Jones for taking on the organization of this tribute to David, and expressed her gratitude to those who had been involved in marking this very special event.  She was delighted that David’s birthday and his contribution to Rotary had been recognized in this way.