At the Business Meeting on Monday 1st October Dr. Brian McQuade was presented with an award certificate celebrating his fifty years in Rotary.

He was also presented with six engraved wine glasses from all the members of the club.

The meeting was attended by the District Governor, John Dumbrell, together with the President and other members of the Aurora Club as well as Alex Forrester from Staines, who is a past member of our club.

President Jeremy gave the following address:

Brian has been a member of this club for 50 years. At the moment he is our Secretary, and I am told he has held this post for eight years. I, for one, am delighted that he has decided to ignore the standing orders about five years in one post; this was a rule that I had to invoke in Sunbury to get out of being treasurer!

Brian has been president twice, in 1966 and 1986. Logically he should have been president again last year instead of Max!

I have spoken to several long-standing members to get details of his Rotary career without finding any skeletons in the cupboard. As a doctor, he was of course able to certify them for burial, so they may never come to light.

Stories that I have heard include a report that together with Peter Gammond and Tom Smith, they provided the entertainment for a District Conference in Jersey. Also that he was always willing to come with his chainsaw to chop down trees in exchange for a donation to the funds.

On this last point, Moira and I have known Brian and Joy for nearly 30 years through the Riverside Arts Centre when Shepperton Players migrated from the Village Hall to Thames Street and I was able to dispose of an apple tree by donating to that building fund. I also heard rumours whilst a member of the Sunbury Club about his snooker table and its obstructions.

Brian has always been there when we have needed a helping hand: Christmas collections, Shepperton Fair, Bar duty on Race Nights, Blood pressures and many more.

It is for this devoted SERVICE ABOVE SELF that he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship four years ago.

In all this he has been supported by Joy, who was also a very effective fund-raiser for Sinebhongo.

Two years ago, David C B got us all issued with Rotary Centurion badges; Brian and Joy went to Chicago and earned theirs.

President Jeremy Edwards.

Above: District Governor John Dumbrell presents Brian with his Certificate

Above: Jeremy presents Brian with six engraved wine glasses from all the members of the Club

Above: the Fifty-year Membership Award

Brian has expressed his thanks to all the members of the club in the following email:

2 October 2007

L plates

Dear All,

The presentation yesterday was unexpected, but delightful. I have forgiven Jeremy for implying that I bury my mistakes, reserving of course the right to sue. (But he cannot be all bad - I did win the draw!).

Can it be that the first 50 years are not the worst? The handsome glasses will be christened, as soon as I can get this cork out………….        

Cheers, Brian