JASON SETNYK
The Rotary Club of Cornwall marked a remarkable milestone December 13, celebrating 75 years of service to the community with a gala held at the Cornwall Golf and Country Club. The event, filled with heartfelt speeches, historic reflection, and a spirit of fellowship, drew Rotarians past and present, local dignitaries, and community partners together to honour a legacy of service rooted in the Rotary motto: Service Above Self.
The evening coincided exactly with the club’s charter date in 1950. “We were lucky that the 75th fell on a weekend,” said event chair and club secretary Sarah Bedard. “We wanted this to be a night to reflect back on the history of our club.” A display board showcased memorabilia dating back to the club’s founding, and live music by the Heartstrings Ensemble-featuring Rotary President Graham Sheppard and fellow member Lucy McCartney-provided a fitting backdrop for the occasion.
Bedard has been a member for three years, but her Rotary journey began long before that. “My father’s been a member for 42 years. He would have been here tonight, but he had a tumble during our annual ham fundraiser and is recovering in the hospital,” she shared. Treasurer Dean Stanley, a Rotarian since 1996, reflected on the club’s evolution. “Our first project was buying a refrigerator for the hospital to store immunizations,” he noted. “We’ve changed with the times. In the late ’80s, women were finally welcomed. That was a huge moment. But what hasn’t changed is our focus on youth, fellowship, and global service.”
Over the decades, the Cornwall club has contributed to countless local initiatives-from bursaries and seniors’ programs to the Rotary Clock Tower and Benson Centre ice surfaces. Most recently, the club pledged $75,000 to install an outdoor gym at Alexander Park, commemorating the 75th anniversary with a gift to future generations. “Despite the winter weather, a lot of the equipment is already in,” said Bedard.
Internationally, the club remains committed to Rotary’s global mission. Stanley highlighted the success of PolioPlus, Rotary International’s flagship campaign. “When we started, there were over 300,000 cases of polio annually. Now we’re down to two or three cases a year, with just one wild strain left. It’s a testament to the power of collective service.”
Among the many dignitaries in attendance were Grand Chief Leonard Lazore, MPP Nolan Quinn, MP Eric Duncan, Mayor Justin Towndale, Senator Bernadette Clement, Rotary District 7040 Governor Graeme Fraser, and Area Assistant Governor Terry Brouillet. Their remarks underscored the deep partnerships the club has cultivated across all levels of leadership.
Sheppard’s speech struck a balance between pride and purpose. “Rotary has always been about people-ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” he said. “From hospitals and youth programs to global clean water projects and polio eradication, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.” He emphasized the importance of carrying the torch forward. “Our future depends on opening our doors to new generations-to young leaders, innovators, and dreamers. Tonight is not just about looking back. It’s about what comes next.” As glasses were raised and toasts made, the message was clear: the Rotary Club of Cornwall isn’t just celebrating its past-it’s investing in our future.
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