Summer Club Speaker Online – Paul Begley

President Charles welcomed everyone to the meeting and, in his interesting Rotary information presentation, Charles highlighted Rotary in Nazi Germany.

In Germany, no Rotary Club had been formed before 1927, because of opposition from the continental Clubs. For a while, after Hitler came to power in 1933, Rotary Clubs “met with approval” of Nazi authorities and were considered to offer “opportunity for party comrades to provide enlightenment regarding the nature and policy of the National Socialist movement.” By 1937, more than half the German Rotarians were Nazi Party members.  Six German clubs were formed after Hitler came to power. They came under pressure almost immediately to expel their Jewish members.

Several German Rotary Clubs decided to disband in 1933, while others practiced a policy of appeasement or collaborated. In Munich the Club removed from its members’ list a number of Rotarians, Jewish and non-Jewish, who were politically unacceptable for the regime. Twelve members resigned in sympathy with the expelled members.

In June 1937, the incompatibility between Nazism and the international humanitarian organization resulted in civil servants being forbidden to be members of Rotary, the National Socialist movement declaring that Party and Rotarian membership would be incompatible as from January 1938. In September 1937, German District 73 dissolved itself. Subsequently, the charter of German Clubs was withdrawn by Rotary International, although some Clubs continued to meet “privately”.

Willie Talbot reported that the Bonus Ball had been a rollover.

Secretary Ian announced that there will be a Council meeting next Thursday, 15^th July, after the normal Club meeting. 

Treasurer Tom reported that he was finalising last session’s accounts and would be approaching the auditor, Bill McCallum.

This evening’s speaker, Paul Begley, was introduced and he spoke on Donald Dinnie who was born, near Aboyne, in 1837.

He was an all-round athlete an excelled in sprint, hurdles, long and high jump, pole vault, putting the stone, hammer throwing, tossing the caber and wrestling.  He won his first sporting event at the age of 16, winning £1 in prize money.  Over 50 years, participating in over 11,000 competitions, he earned over £25,000 (worth £2 million in today’s money) through sponsorship and prize money.

During his life Donald travelled extensively enjoying fame, success and riches in Highland competitions in America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Cape Town in South Africa.  He was too old to compete in the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.  However, his past performances indicated that he would once have been capable of winning over seven gold medals.  He was regarded as the 19^th Century’s greatest athlete.

In 1860, he undertook a feat of strength by carrying two large boulders with a combined weight of 775lbs across a bridge over the River Dee to counterweight scaffold which workmen were using to repair the bridge.  These stones became known as the Dinnie Stones.  Over the years, others have tried to match his feat. 

In later years his strongman image was used by Barr’s Irn Bru and Scott’s Porage Oats to promote the products.  As an old man he still tried to do sporting things to survive financially.  A major fundraising concert was organised to give him money for life.

President Charles thanked Paul for a very interesting talk.

‘Wrap Up Lanarkshire’:

It was agreed that a small committee should be set up to assist Callan Dick and Community Convenor Jean Murray with the ‘Wrap Up’ project.

Callan reported that he there would be a meeting next Sunday of all Clubs who had indicated involvement in the ‘Wrap Up’ project.    

Video Clip:

Callan Dick showed a short video of an interview that took place some 5 years ago between Sylvia Whitlock (first female President of a Rotary Club) and Jennifer Jones, who will be the first female R.I. President next year.