In the beginning...

Monday May 13, 1974 saw the organizational meeting of the club at the Uplands Golf Course. Present at the meeting was the Rotary International president for 1974, William Carter, who just happened to be in the area. Three weeks later, the venue was moved to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, and the meeting time set to Noon on Tuesdays.

Official recognition that the club had become part of Rotary International was received on July 24, 1974.

The Charter Night meeting was held on October 19, 1974 with 22 charter members in attendance. District Governor, Bob Brewster, presented the charter to the Club's first president, Barney Simmons. Among the charter members were Deans (D.P.) Peggs (father of Joan Peggs), Bruce Walker (father of Kevin Walker), and Ray Rawnsley (Neil's father). At that meeting, the club received the first banner by a visiting Rotarian from the Retford Club in Nottingham, England. This is one of hundreds of banners the club has received to date.

On October 28, 1974, the first Club Assembly was held. The luncheon cost was $3. This was raised two months later to $3.75. The first termination of membership occurred due to poor attendance and non-payment of dues at this time.

The Club's first project took place on March 11, 1975, when the club members built four picnic tables in Uplands Park at a cost of $300. Six were proposed, but after a letter of complaint to President John Ansell that the tables could lead to destruction of rare native plants in Cattle Point, only four were built and installed.

On January 25, 1976, the Club welcomed its first Exchange Student, Kathy Igoe from Australia. She now lives in Lilydale in the state of Victoria

In February, 1978 signs were erected on the Pat Bay Highway (near the race track) and on the Trans Canada Highway (near Goldstream Park) advertising the meeting days and times of all local Clubs.

Deans (D.P.) Peggs was appointed District Governor for 1978-1979. The Club donated a 12-passenger van to the Oak Bay Police Department for the purpose of transporting youth to various school and sporting events. A successful fund-raiser ($3775.60) was a raffle, the prize for which was a round-trip to Australia.

On July 23, 1979, the members met aboard the SS Robertson II, with a Harbour Cruise thrown in.

On September 13, 1979 the 43 Club members coughed up $10 each to erect a sign informing the public of the historical importance of the John Tod House on Heron Street. It was unveiled on February 24, 1980, Rotary International's 75th birthday. Mayor Watts and MLA Brian Smith were in attendance. The idea for the plaque came from past-president, Nels Granewall.

March 1980 saw three events:

D.P. Peggs achieved Pioneer status after 20 years in Rotary
Three tape recorders were purchased and sent to Israel
The luncheon cost increased to $6.50

A Casino Night was held November 6, 1981 which saw a profit of more than $2,500. In 1984, the Club joined forces with the Victoria Club to hold what was to be, according to Len Lane, the greatest Casino bonanza of all times. It was, however, a bit of a disaster, raising only $854. Reasons for the disaster were: there was a Casino nearby, a hugely important hockey game was on, and the City of Victoria experienced the worst rainfall it had seen in years.

Some of the luncheon venues the meetings were held in in the early years included: UVic, Pearson College, Jack Lee's Chinese Village, the Racquet Club, the Yacht Club, Panda Restaurant, the Ramada inn, and Brentwood Bay.

Organizations receiving financial help in the early eighties included:

• George Pearkes Centre (a play-learning centre; $2167; 1982)
  Geriatric Centre (purchase of a van; $3000; 1984)
  Gerontology Association ($1000; 1984)
  Juan de Fuca Hospital (Wheel Chair)
  Bursaries to Oak Bay Senior Citizens to take courses.
  Cash Donations to Operation Eyesight and the Salvation Army
  Sale of Cookbooks (Among Friends) for R.I.'s Polio Plus Campaign

The Tenth Anniversary meeting was held on October 19, 1984, with President Nels Granewall presiding.

A successful 100% attendance drive was held in November 1984, followed by a 90% attendance rate for 75 consecutive months.

On June 17, 1986, one member paid for his lunch in quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies.

In May 1989, a Bicycle Safety Rodeo was held at Monterey School, arranged by Jamie Stevenson.

THE NINETIES AND ON

Oak Bay Rotary and Harbourside combined forces to improve the lookout at King George Terrace. It was officially opened on February 8, 1990 by Mayor Susan Bryce. The Club donated $3000.

The Peter Pan Water Park Project at Carnarvon Park was opened in July 1991 by Mayor Dianne Butler. This followed many weekends of toil and sweat by Club members.

The First female Club President was Helen Beirnes, 1993-94

July 24, 2003 was declared Rotary Day in Oak Bay by Mayor Chris Causton in recognition of the work done by the Oak Bay Rotary Club in the community.

2004 Oak Bay Teen Centre and Skateboard Area named the Rotary Teen Area in recognition of the donations both in time and money towards this area by the Oak Bay Rotary Club.

In 2005-2006 Joan Firkins (second female Club President) was District Governor for District 5020.

In November, 2006, the meeting venue moved to the Oak Bay Recreation Centre after the closure of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel

• Community Projects and Donations over the years include:
  
  Donation to Oak Bay Library
  Donation towards audible signals for intersections
  Donation towards new Cancer Centre
  Purchase of a double-wide trailer to be used as a Teen Centre
  Purchase of playground equipment for the community
  Donation towards Skateboard Area - Centennial Project
  Major donor towards the renovation of the Oak Bay Recreation Centre
  Donation to Victoria Habitat for Humanity
  Windsor Park Pavilion

MUCH of our HISTORY is missing. If you have information, corrections, or know of members' names that are missing or spelled incorrectly, please email tricia@photo-j.com