Tony Leon to speak at Rotary club’s celebratory dinner
The Rotary Club of Durban will celebrate 90 years with a celebratory dinner on 5 February.
THE Rotary Club of Durban celebrates its 90th anniversary on 25 January 2015, and will celebrate this achievement on 5 February in the Great Ilanga Room at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban.
Tony Leon, keynote guest speaker, will add to an interesting evening.
With 24 Charter members the first club luncheon on 25 April 1924, took place at the historical Marine Hotel which was located on the corner of the then Victoria Embankment (Esplanade) and Gardiner Street. Dick King’s statue was situated directly opposite the hotel in the gardens on the Esplanade and was adopted as the club’s logo. The membership, featuring many well-known Durban citizens and prominent Durban families, grew steadily over the years and at one stage reached some 160 members.
“We have come a long way. We have a proud, rich history. Over the years we have chartered twelve clubs of which ten still exist. The club has also been responsible for the establishment of institutions including Life Line, TAFTA (The Association for the Aged) jointly with Round Table, Lulama Treatment Centre and the Community Chest. We intend expanding and are looking forward to our hundredth year in 2025,” said Mike Hiron, 92nd president of the Rotary Club of Durban.
An amusing story, back in 1928, happened when one of the club’s activities was reported in a local newspaper. At that time such publicity was seriously regarded as ‘undignified advertising’ of Rotary and the club had to answer for it. Another interesting story was the need, in 1930, for a president’s medallion for the chain of office. A quote of R4,20 was received from the Pretoria Mint and the medallion duly ordered. Flushed with success and highly impressed with the new medallion, the club decided to obtain another medallion from the same source at a cost of R32 to be presented to the District Governor of the then District 55. While a similar medallion could be imported at a lower cost it was decided that one manufactured in South Africa would be more meaningful and patriotic!
Contact Mike Hiron on 082 551 9443 or John Johnston-Webber on 083 457 9842 should you be interested in attending this function on 5 February.
