President's Day 2025

26 June 2025

President Ken was delighted to welcome 33 members and guests to his President’s Day held at the Royal Belfast Golf Club, Monday 23 June. Always an outstanding event in the Club calendar, this year was no exception, with those in attendance thoroughly enjoying the relaxed and sociable evening.

Sadly, the weather was not conducive to sitting on the terrace, so pre-drinks were enjoyed in the bar before enjoying a delicious 3 course meal.

President Ken specially welcomed JCI President Teddy (known to the Club as Theodor) Pop and he was also delighted to induct new member Christopher Shiell (PE Heather’s husband) with the 4-Way Test being delivered by PP Maurice. Christopher replied that he was delighted to join the Club as a Rotarian.

PE Heather in her excellent tribute to President Ken noted that this had been his 3rd term of Office and he had constantly energised and steered the Club with great competency, equanimity, excellent humour and grace. He had exemplified the values of Service Above Self in all the work he has done over his years as President.

He has not only continued to lead the Club in continuing its long-standing service projects with encouraging words of support but has also led the Club to follow new initiatives such as Generation Chef and working with Belfast Homeless Services. In particular he has led the Club involvement with the Seeds of Hope programme successfully helping to get it going, recognised by RI and receiving a significant Global Grant – “a wonderful achievement!” PE Heather noted that Seeds of Hope is important to him as he was personally affected by the Troubles, including when a colleague was targeted and killed and has felt that the Good Friday Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation achieved Peace, but in many ways not Reconciliation. She revealed that President Ken has not only engaged members with interesting and varied speakers from work colleagues to businesses and to charities but has also regaled many other Clubs with his always entertaining speeches on a wide range of topics and commended him for all his work with other Rotary Clubs, bringing us closer as colleagues and friends.

Concluding, she stated that it had been a privilege to be President Elect working alongside President Ken and hoped do justice to the role that he has so admirably filled. Thanking Susan for all her support over his Presidencies she presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

President Ken, noting he would say more at the Handover meeting, thanked PE Heather for her kind words and support during the year noting that the Club is all about the members and he thanked those who come to the Europa for meetings or join in on zoom. He also thanked Hon. Sec. David and Jenny for all they do and presented Jenny with a bouquet of flowers and a candle to provide calming aromas during powerpoints at meetings!

Hon. Sec David noted that they had had a very pleasant afternoon of golf in testing conditions but no rain! 5 members played and it had had been very competitive Campbell Morton was 2nd (on the second 9) with 32 points but, having played beautiful golf, the winner of the MacNab Trophy was Hon. Treasurer Tim with a score of 76 (34 points). Tim congratulated PE Heather on her comments which had captured Ken and all his work so well. He noted that he loved to play the course and thanked David for his organisation.

Concluding the evening President Ken wished PP Gordon special congratulations on his forthcoming 90th birthday on Sunday 29 June and thanking The Royal Belfast Golf Club and staff called for the toast to Rotary International.