Southport Rotary Club 102nd Charter Night

The Rotary Club of Southport's 102nd Charter night was nothing short of amazing; a well-organised event by any standards. It goes without saying that the MC Rotarian Adrian Fletcher (PHF) did a wonderful job of raising the temperature in the room and providing enough evidence that 102 is indeed a special number, sharing interesting facts associated with the number so much so that we all fell in love with the number. One of the facts shared was that the atomic number  for Nobeliu, which was named after Alfred Nobel the inventor of dynamite and benefactor of science, is 102! 

As the Formby Rotary Club we were priviledged to join the Rotary Club of Southport in celebrating this wonderful accassion - the beatiful pictures captured on the night tell it all. We were inspired by the activities of the Southport Rotary Club as its members are evidently seeking to provide fulfilment of 'SERVICE ABOVE SELF'.We learnt about the amazing work the club is doing to protect the environment and preserve the coastline in its environs and this was lavishly priased by the District Governor, Beth Murray, who was in attendance. In all this, we recognised the leadership of President Trevor Briggs and the members who give time and skill to the various aspects of the Club's service. President Trevor's love for all Rotarians shined through his thoughtful actions towards all Rotarians and he even asked about members from other clubs who could not attend. How the 

The Guest Speaker of the night was the  inimitable  and decorated PDG Steve Martin (QGN, PHF) who shared his police story titled, 'One fateful night, My police story' and left us with something good, challenging and interesting to think about in the days that lie ahead. He was just 19 years old on the night he was embroiled in the protests which resulted in the death of PC Kieth Blakelock whose story was known to most of the audience. Steve's journey from  being on a Rotary Exchange program in Australia in 2001, acciddentally meeting with a Critical Incident Debrief expert and having the 'survivor guilt' lifted off him and later being honoured by the Queen of England fell onto attentive ears as he held the audience by the muse, with a trembling voice, in parts, as he shared PC Kieth Blakelock's (MHSRIP) demise with the kind of respect it deserves. At a time when numbers in volunteering are plummeting, it was heartwarming to see the venue filled to the brim with many Rotarians interacting in the spirit of friendship and fellowship from near and far afield. And what more, the food was delicious and everyone seemed to talk about how their taste buds had been spoilt throughout all event long.

Congratulations, again President Trevor Briggs and all Rotary Club of Southport members.

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Compiled by Rotarian Talent Rusinga.

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