Rotary Club of Powell River has recognized five outstanding citizens for service to community.
In conjunction with the club’s 60th anniversary in Powell River, Paul Harris Fellowships, named after Rotary’s founder, were awarded to Lilla Tipton, Robert Maitland, Colin Palmer, Dave Formosa and Don Allen.
In presiding over the presentations, Jan Gisborne, outgoing assistant governor for the Rotary district, said Rotary’s motto is service above self, but Rotarians are not the only people who serve their communities and the world around them.
Gisborne said Powell River is fortunate to have other service clubs that are active in many projects that benefit the local community. One of them is the Kiwanis Club of Powell River, celebrating 55 years here. Robert Maitland, president of Kiwanis, attended a Rotary meeting a few months ago and Rotarians learned a lot about the local Kiwanis club.
“Their focus is on children and they support many projects locally, including our festival of performing arts,” said Gisborne. “The Kiwanis go-kart races are always a hit with both young and old.
“They have scholarships, are involved with sports, and of course, we all know about the Kiwanis Garden Manor and Kiwanis Village.”
Rotarian David Morris presented a fellowship to Tipton and said she has devoted her whole working life to the advancement of the rights for persons with disabilities.
“One point that is really important to note is that she was the originator of the handiDART [transportation] system when she worked in Prince George,” said Morris. “She has worked with inclusion Powell River Society and its former manifestation...I’ve had the pleasure of working with her and can really attest to the fact that her dedication to persons with disabilities is significant.”
Gisborne said that Palmer has been a resident of Powell River for 50 years, involved with Powell River Anti-Pollution Association, provincial environmental appeal board, Tourism Powell River Board, Powell River Community Futures, BC Ferries Advisory Committee, past president of Powell River Chamber of Commerce and chair of Powell River Regional Hospital District. He served as mayor for the city and has been on the Powell River Regional District board for 15 years. Plus, he is a director for the Association for Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC).
Gisborne told the meeting that Formosa was born and raised in Powell River and is another past president of the chamber of commerce and past vice-president of Powell River Hospital Foundation. He is also a founding member of the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society and the Powell River Regional Economic Development Society.
Formosa was elected to city council in 2008 and is now in his second term as mayor of Powell River. In 2013 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for his contributions and achievements.
William Mitchell-Banks presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to his son-in-law, Don Allen, who he said is one of the most skillful carpenters in the world. He added that he is also one of the kindest people in the world.
“He has quite a long resume of good things he has done, largely with the disadvantaged,” said Mitchell-Banks.
