East Kilbride Rotary Club
President
Bruce Gunn
2016-17














East Kilbride Rotary Club started the second half of 2016-17  with the induction of a new member to their club. At last Friday's lunch President Bruce Gunn had the pleasure of inviting Kath Shanks to the membership of the club and the world wide Rotary family, informing her of the objects of Rotary and the Rotary Four-Way Test,  and presenting Kath with a rotary badge and information pack. Classification will be Administration

In the first half of this Rotary Year 2016-17 the club were certainly not idle, several events have taken place namely our annual AM/AM golf tournament that successfully brought in  over £5000 this money was shared brtween Dementia Care and Toys for Kids.
Our Youth speaks competition had a larger entry this year with 9 teams participating in the intermediate class and 5 teams in the senior class. 
Lord Bonomy presented the prize to the winning team from St Andrews and St Brides who were Emma Graham, Isabella Drennan and Cara McManus from the intermediate class. MSP Graham Simpson presented the winning team  St Andrews and St Brides  with their prize in the senior class.
Our representitives also won the district 1230 finals now progress to Regional finals

Once again under the organisation of Roddy Shanks and Co. we participated in the Scottish Poppy appeal over a 3 week period manning the  posts designated to us over the 3 week period. The amount raised was in excess of £43,000 pound

Primary Schools Burns Competition, 20th February 2017
East Kilbride primary school pupils took part in the annual Rotary club Robert Burns's competition. Rotarian Archie King took charge of organising one of the clubs favourite events, now in its 25th year. Mums, Dads, Grans, Grandads and friends listened and applauded the wonderful renditions of songs and poems and instrument recitals by P4/P5 AND P6/P7 pupils. The evening was chaired by Past President of the Bridgeton Burns Club and Past President of East Kilbride Rotary Club Ian Macpherson calling each competitor onto stage, relating the odd story about the bard and trying to settle the pupil's nerves.  Audrey gave an over view commenting on the high standard in all of the disciplines. The winners in P4/P5 were recitation 1st Darcy Russell, 2nd Tanith Bavaird. Singing: 1st Lucy Green, 2nd Lily-Mae Kelly. Winners for P6/P7 were recitation 1St Matilda Frew, 2nd Jemma McMillan. Singing 1st Charlotte McDougall, 2nd Millie Foster. Instrumental 1st Ryan Dornan, 2nd Aaron Hodge. All contestants were presented with certificates and the 1st and 2nd places now go forward to compete in the
prestigious final of the Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs competition.

Past presidents dinner was held on the 17th of March2017 with 15 Past presidents in attendance namely  , 
Club President Bruce Gunn, Ian Macpherson 1984-5, David Taylor 1982-3, David McNidder 1987-88, Edwin Robertson 1994-5, Barclay Wales 1997-8, Ian Wiseman1998-99, Tom Wilson 2001-2 ,Barry Wood 2002-3 Douglas Kilpatrick 2004-5, Jim Moretti 2006--7, Frank McLuskey 2008-09, Roddy Shanks 2010-11, Leslie Irvine 2011-12, Archie King2014-15 

East Kilbride Rotary Club was under "Starting Orders" when they held their charity race night.  Members, family and friends came along to the Bruce Hotel on Friday 19th May 2017 to raise funds for Rotary International Charity, Foundation. Throughout the evening they watched eight horse race videos, all races sponsored by members and all the horses bought and named. Not surprising there were some unusual names selected and not likely to appear on your screens if watching Ascot!  "Delboy" " Laragh Pie" "Do I Have To Work" to name but a few. The betting however was fast and furious followed by noisy support when the race took place. The final race was an Auction Race with all the runners auctioned with the lucky winner owner receiving half of the auction pot raised. The club would like to thank Sporty Race Nights for being involved and particularly Jim, compere for the evening. He kept the night going smoothly and ensured that everyone enjoyed the evening. The amount raised has not been finalised but it is anticipated it should exceed £1000.

In a joint venture East Kilbride Rotary Club and her daughter Club Kittoch Rotary held their annual dance at the Crutherland Hotel  where 94 Rotarians and guests gathered for a fun evening. There is a lot graft and hard work with organising the dance but undaunted President Elect of East Kilbride Rotary Club Leslie Irvine began with arrangements in the latter part of 2016,    After piping in the top table East Kilbride President Bruce Gunn welcomed the guests with Kittoch President Ray Lyon saying grace. Strathaven Rotary Club was represented by their President, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Margaret Morton. Following a delicious meal the talented Duncanrig High School Pupils ceilidh band provided superb entertainment with a number of foot tapping reels encouraging guests onto the floor for a bit of jigging. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow to East Kilbride Rotarian Tom Wilson for his services to Rotary. The DJ kept the music going for the remainder of the evening with guests taking to the floor until it was time for the carriages bringing a wonderful evening to a close. The £785.00 raised from the table raffle will be donated to EK Hangout, a local club for young adults aged 18 to 25 with disabilities.

Benevolent Fund Distribution
McMillan Cancer  £250, Headway £150,  Diabetes U.K. £100, RNIB £100, Shelter Box-Haiti  £350, St Andrews Hospice £700,
Shelter Box  £2380,  EK Dementia Carers  £2000,Toys for Kids  £2529, Duncanrig Music Trip £200, Calderwood Baptist Church £350,
Loaves & Fishes  £200  Special Needs Playground  £200, EK News Tapes £250