The Rotary Club of West Vancouver

History of Our Club

Fifty Year History of the Rotary Club of West Vancouver

The Club was inaugurated on Monday, March 30, 1953 at The Drum (now called the Beach House.  Sponsored by the Vancouver Rotary Club, the first President was Rupert Harrison, Municipal Clerk of West Vancouver.  Other officers elected were: Russell Richards, Jim Brown, Jack Clowes, Harry Gregson, and the new Directors were Victor Blanchflower, Roger Gauthier, Frank Barnard, Don McMillan.  They met on Wednesdays, at noon in St. Mawes Hotel, Dundarave..   

Rupert Harrison is still an active and valuable member of the Rotary Club of West Vancouver, who also has maintained a perfect attendance for the full 50 years. 

During its 50 years of operation, it has maintained its International Motto “Service Above Self”.  With this in mind, the Club has always played a major role in the community affairs.  They provided the first West Vancouver Ambulance in 1954 and the members were volunteers who were required to acquire a first aid certificate and took turns on call around the clock as ambulance drivers who operated the vehicle. 

The Capilano Senior Citizens Housing Unit on Esquimalt Avenue was built through the efforts of the Rotary Club of West Vancouver who were instrumental in raising the necessary funds to complete the building.  After 34 years of service and careful maintenance the Club is advised that the present market value of this facility is about $5,000,000.00.  Five members of the Club continue to serve on the executive committee of this Society. 

The Rotary Club of West Vancouver is also responsible for the founding of the West Vancouver Historical Society in 1980.   As part of Community Day , 1981, the Club charted the last operational West Vancouver Ferry for a “Memory Cruise:, hired a brass band and a piper for entertainment and signed up the Society’s first 100 members before they got off the boat.  Although the Club stepped later stepped aside after the election of the first officers, three members, Doris Lewis, Hugh Johnston, and Honorary Member, Rupert Harrison still serve on the executive committee of the Society. 

Other activities that have resulted in the benefit of West Vancouver have included funding for the Lions Bay Sea Scouts, the West Vancouver Boy Scouts, “Jaws of Life’ for the West Vancouver Fire Department, the Girl Guides Activity Center, the Horseshoe Bay Propeller Fountain, Rotary Lane, Lahanie Park Housing Society. 

Up to the present time, the Rotary Club of West Vancouver’s direct contribution of nearly $300,000.00 has succeeded in leveraging over $23,000,000.00 in housing g amenities and other facilities within the community. 

In addition to the Community benefits, the Rotary Club of West Vancouver continues to assist in projects for the International Community.  These have included Swaziland, Africa, Kiev, Tanzania, and El Salvador. 

The Rotary Club of West Vancouver meets every Wednesday at the Hollyburn Country Club, 6:30 p.m.  Visitors are welcome.