History of Rotary and our Paul Harris Fellows

Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellows

Rotary International Founder - Paul Percy Harris: 1868 -1947

Founded the World's first International service club.

Born in Racine Wisconsin, USA on 19 April 1868, Paul was the second of six children to George N. Harris and Cornelia Bryan Harris. At age 3 he moved to Wallingford, Vermont where he grew up in the care of his paternal grandparents. He received an LLB. from the University of Iowa and received an honorary LLD. from the University of Vermont. Paul married Edinburgh born Jean Thomson (1881 - 1963) on 2nd July 1910 in Chicago, they had no children, after Paul's death, Jean returned to her native Edinburgh in 1955, where she died in 1963.

Paul Harris worked as a newspaper reporter, a business teacher, stock company actor, cowboy, and traveled extensively in the U.S.A. and Europe selling marble and granite. In 1896, he went to Chicago to practice law. One evening Paul visited the suburban home of a professional friend. After dinner, as they strolled through the neighborhood, Paul's friend introduced him to various tradesmen in their stores. It was here Paul conceived the idea of a club that could recapture some of the friendly spirit among businessmen in small communities. 

On 23 February 1905, Paul Harris formed the first club with three other businessmen: Silvester Schiele, a coal merchant; Gustavus Loehr, a mining engineer; and Hiram Shorey, a merchant tailor. Paul Harris named the new club "Rotary" because members met in rotation at their various places of business. Club membership grew rapidly. Soon Paul became convinced that the Rotary club could be developed into an important service movement and strove to extend Rotary to other cities.

• The rest is now history, Rotary extends to every corner of the Globe, it turned out to be some stroll!

Perth Rotary Club has bestowed the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award on only four Club Members, Jimmie Cairncross, Tony Luck, Alex Masson and most recently, Robbie Singer, in recognition of their contributions to the Rotary Club of Perth, and more importantly the greater fellowship of Rotary International. Their long term commitment to Rotary and tireless work for others, both in the community and internationally, is an example to all who know and knew them and a lasting paradigm for others who follow.

Service Before Self certainly applies to these members, who embrace the ideals of Rotary in everything they do and did.

Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: Alan Calderwood

Alan Calderwood was appointed the Club's fifth Paul Harris Fellow in the Spring of 2016. In the year of the Club's Centenary Alan himself celebrates 50 years of continuous Rotary service.

During his highly successful career as a Director of Education in local government Alan has been a member of 4 Rotary clubs - Peebles, Uxbridge, Middlesbrough and now Perth. In that time, he has held most posts at club level and is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Uxbridge. Coming from a family where father and older brother were members of this club, Alan's own involvement with Rotary began in 1953 when he was selected for the Rotary Foundation Fellowship.

Alan undertook the formidable task of writing a comprehensive history of the Rotary Club of Perth 1917 - 2017 for the Club's centenary. His spirited enthusiasm and an admirable commitment to the Rotary movement and ideals of service together with his wholehearted support and guidance for all aspects of club activities are an excellent example to all. This award marks his selfless service and support.

Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: Robbie Singer

In June 2011 Robbie Singer became the Club’s fourth Paul Harris Fellow. Born in Ellon, and educated at Banchory Academy, he worked his way upwards in the meat industry. He became Assistant Plant Manager for Aberdeen Premier Meats and in that capacity was involved in the early development of vacuum packing for meat. He was a founder member of Banchory and District Round Table.  He moved to Perth in 1972 and joined Round Table. In 1987 he purchased the firm of Rattray, Butchers in High Street and refurbished the firm to the extent that it became a member of the prestigious Q Guild of Butchers. This elite group has only 140 members in the United Kingdom. After selling this business in 1994, he joined Simon Howie as a consultant.

Having joined the Rotary Club of Perth in 1994, he first became Secretary in 1998-99 and with only two short gaps has held the post to the present day. Successive Presidents have been indebted to him for the capable support and guidance which he has provided and it would be fair to say that the success and well-being of the Club during his tenure of office owes much to his competent stewardship. The award of the Paul Harris Fellowship recognised how much the Club is indebted to him.

Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: Alistair Richie

Alistair Ritchie became the Club’s sixth Paul Harris Fellow when, to his great surprise, he was presented with his award at the Centenary Dinner on 4^th November by President David Lindsay.

Alistair comes from a local farming family. After Morrison’s Academy, he studied at the Edinburgh School of Agriculture before beginning his own farming career at Mains of Huntingtower. He moved to his present farm at Bertha Park in 2000.

Married to Meg in 1969, he has two sons Andy and Jim. Andy, of course, is a member of this club.

Alistair joined Rotary in 1988, and over the years has distinguished himself in every aspect of Rotary service. He has served as Convenor of practically every committee in the Club, and in recent years has been particularly noted for his lively and imaginative leadership of the Club’s Entertainment and Fellowship programmes. He has played a part in a number of the Club’s curling successes and was a member of the team who won the Gavel Challenge at Dyce in 2010.

He was a very effective President in 2002-03 dealing with, amongst other issues, the club’s change from male-only membership to include women.

He has continued to play a leading part in the life of the Club, displaying the best qualities of Rotary service, and his Award is very well merited. 

Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: Alexander Masson 1912 - 2014

Alex Masson was born 23 August 1912 and grew up in Aberdeen, Alex celebrated his 100th Birthday recently, educated at King Street School and Robert Gordon College Secondary Department, becoming an Apprentice Engineer while studying at Robert Gordon Technical College, now Robert Gordon University.

Alex joined the Fire Service in 1935 serving at 3 stations in Surrey. Transferred to Stretford & Urmston (Lancashire) Fire Service in 1939, serving as Sub Officer and Station Officer operating throughout the Northwest during periods of enemy action during the 2nd World War. After further study he became a Member of the institution of Fire Engineers.

Appointed Firemaster of Clydebank Fire Brigade in1941, at the inception of the National Fire Service, he was appointed Divisional Officer in charge of the area Clyde Coast from Langbank to Irvine, Argyll, Bute and their Islands together with Clyde Estuary, which were then the largest and busiest Royal Navy and Merchant Navy Anchorage in Britain. In 1946 Alex was promoted to Fire Force Commander, No.8 Area, Scotland, which included the Perth and Kinross Area. On the return of the Fire Service to Local Authority control in 1948, Alex was appointed Firemaster of Perth & Kinross. Alex retired from active service in 1975, having been awarded an M.B.E. in 1949 the O.B.E. in 1956 and the Queens Fire Service Medal in 1975.

Alex joined the Rotary Club of Perth in 1964, and is still a very active and regular member, Alex deems it a great honour to be presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship by the Club, and we in the Rotary Club of Perth, deem it a great honour that we have him as a member. Alex is an inspirational character, an example to us all, and epitomises the Rotary ethos 'Service before Self'.

• Yes Alex, the children of Belarus did get their shoes, and you did get the recognition you so richly deserve.
• Happy Birthday Alex from all your friends and fellow members at the Rotary Club of Perth! You are a "jolly good" Fellow!

Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: James Kennaway Cairncross: 1920-2002

Jimmie Cairncross was born and brought up in Perth, educated at Sharps Institute and Perth Academy; he left school to join Edinburgh Jewellers, Hamilton & Inches, training at the Herriot Watt University. Jimmie went on to become a Fellow of the Association of Gemmologists and member of the National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain and Ireland, becoming their President in 1987, an achievement of which he was justifiably proud.

With the advent of World War II, Jimmie joined the Royal Navy reaching the rank of Lieutenant; Jimmie saw active service protecting the Russian Convoys, not once, but on three separate occasions. This love of the sea and sailing never left him, he became a member Perth Sailing Club and Commodore in 1957.

Jimmie Cairncross was both a Rotarian and a High Constable in Perth for over 50 years, he held many positions in his remarkable life, giving quiet unassuming service, to The Guildry Corporation of Perth, The Tailors Incorporation, Perth Probus Club, Rosemount Golf Club, and The Paddle Steamers Preservation Society and proudly served as an elder of the North Church, in Perth, for many years. His lasting legacy the Cairncross Trust, set up to support local projects including sport and the arts, lives on.

• A Perfect gentleman, remembered with love and affection.

Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: Anthony Gordon Luck: 1933-2005

Born and brought up in Dorking Surrey, Tony went to school in Dorking and left to join General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Ltd in 1948, where he worked until he was transferred to Perth in 1961 by General Accident. He was chosen as part of a team, set up to run their brand new Computer Department, at new custom built premises in Isla Road, Perth. 

Tony joined the Rotary Club of Perth in 1985 and was President in 1992 - 1993 he was appointed District Governor in 1996 -1997. Tony and his wife Mary attended Rotary Conventions on numerous occasions, travelling as far as San Antonio and Indianapolis in the USA and to Singapore in the Far East. Tony dedicated himself to the Rotary movement, and in 1998 was proud to be chosen as one of only twenty seven tutors to pass on his skills to incoming District Governors from around the World.

• Tony is missed by his home club, but leaves a lasting legacy to Rotary.