The Paul Harris Fellow recognition was established in 1956 and is named after Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905. A Paul Harris Fellow is the highest form of recognition that a Rotary Club can bestow on a Rotarian who has made outstanding contributions to the Club, community and the world. It acknowledges individuals who make significant contributions to the Rotary Foundation and who share in the spirit of Service Above Self. The Paul Harris recipient goes above and beyond. Today, President Peter has the honour and pleasure of recognizing three incredible individuals from within the Rotary Club of Belleville who have done exactly that.
The Rotary Club of Belleville recognizes two Past Presidents for the anniversary of 50 years of Rotary service.
Past President Bob Burns joined Rotary in January 1973, a very fine year as it is the year that Sunderland AFC (as underdogs) went on to beat Leeds United and take the FA Cup. This would be the very year that Bob Ord was President of our Club, a 60 year Paul Harris Fellow recognized earlier this year. Bob Burnw was the club's youngest President during the 1978-1979 Rotary Year just 5 years after joining Rotary.
Past President Garth Stephanson joined Rotary in January 1974. Some people may know that Garth and Bob were room mates at some point -- wouldn't you love to be a fly on that wall. Garth followed Bob Burns as Club President the 1979-1980 year.
Dave Albert joined Rotary a few years later in 1987. Best known over a lot of years, Dave has been and continues in a critical Club role as head cook and magical organizer in the infamous kitchen of Camp Merrywood. Dave has faced some of the greatest challenges known to any Rotarian and that his teaching and turning the likes of Bernie Ouellet, Wayne Dewe and Doug Peterson into finely tuned cooking machines. Every year they come up with nutritious and tasty meals for thousands of Belleville Rotarians over the years. If you haven't tasted this fine food fare, Peter urges you to do so.