2005 Rotary Convention Chicago (U.S.A.)

The Rotary Centennial Parade though the streets of Chicago was full of fun and to every ones delight the streets were lined with masses of cheering people.

IYFR float awaiting the crew

Ready for the 'off' FC Ferit to the left of the picture. In the centre Incoming Commodore Bill Robinson with First Mate Katia

At the end of the parade Bryan and Christ Skinner with Bob Stewart First International Commodore

Our Annual AGM/Luncheon was held at "Fulton's" on the river, a lovely setting with great views. Following the lunch Bill Robinson (Seattle U S A) was installed as our International Commodore, Brian Skinner (G B & I ) as our International Vice Commodore, and John Milne (NSW Australia) as International Rear Commodore. Following these appointments PIC Andrew Mitchell presented PIC Ferit Berin with his Past International Commodores jewel.

Following the AGM we enjoyed a wonderful two-day celebration of Chicago waterfront. We enjoyed seven wonderful exciting events with time for us all to enjoy Chicago Down Town and waterfront. During the whole of the Convention a wonder programme of sailing was put on by the Chicago Fleet organised by Fleet Commodore Phil Klien where we were invited every day to sail on Lake Michigan. We were given a wonderful three hour sail aboard the tall ship "Windy" where we were given a perfect view of the Chicago waterfront.

IYFR Mariners aboard Tall Ship 'Windy'

We were invited to join the Chicago Architecture Association Cruise to view the fascinating architecture of the river. and in the afternoon we visited the Shiedd Aquarium. Our final farewell dinner was held at Harry Caray's famous restaurant, where our final farewell were made before we all returned back to our homes.

Immediately following the Convention we were all very shattered to learn of the very sad news of the passing of PIC Joe Phillips. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Waikiki, and later he was responsible for the formation of the Honolulu Sunset Rotary Club. He also assisted in the formation if the Rotary Club of Diamond Head. He also was mainly responsible for the formation of the "Rotary International Bridge Playing Fellowship". Joe was extremely ill on his arrival in Chicago to attend the Rotary International Convention but so great was his love of IYFR that he was determined to say farewell to all his old friends, and this he did. His passing is a terrible loss to our fellowship, He was a wonderful International Commodore, and there was always fun and laughter whenever he was around. And we shall always remember his slogan a legacy which will be remembered by all Iforian's which was "fun fun fun fun" in his opinion this truly what our fellowship was all about. Rest easy Joe, you will be greatly missed, but will always be remembered by us all

Left to right: PIC Frank McDonald, PIC Joe Phillips, PIRC Max Cribb, PIC Ken Winter, IPIC Ferit Biren, IC Bill Robinson and PIC Andrew Mitchell

August 19th to 21st saw a large gathering of Rotary Mariner's from Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada) this is an annual meeting which rotates each year more than 86 attendees from five Rotary Districts attended on board some 35 boats to enjoy a weekend of fellowship and to help chartered the San Juan Islands Fleet. The Fleet Charter dinner was held at the San Juan Vineyards winery. At this meeting IC Bill Robinson presented the Charter to Fleet Commodore Jack McKenna and the Vancouver Fleets present a "Ship's Bell" to the newly chartered fleet

Many of the 23 new fleet members are not pictured because they were out doing what good Mariners do in August in the Pacific

In October we celebrated the birthday of PIC George Kent when he reached his 90th Year of Age. During his lifetime He served as President of the Rotary Club of Victoria, Fleet Commodore of the Vancouver Island IYFE Fleet and later as International Commodore of IYFR. He put together many mixed choirs and raised more than $100.000. He also took part in replacing the dinghy dock at English Camp on San Juan Island. PIC George Kent expresses total commitment to IYFR. It is hoped that George will celebrate his birthday in great style and we look forward to celebrating his centenary in a few years time.

In the September some 80 inbound Exchange Students were hosted by the Chicago Fleet. The Rotary Mariner;s rounded up some nine sail boats and two power boats to take their chaperones out for an afternoon of fellowship and fun. The event commenced at the Columbia Yacht Club where everyone was treated to a "Chicago Hot Dog Lunch" Sailing some three miles off shore anchors were dropped and our Students had a great time swimming before they returned to Columbia Dock.

Also in September a party of Iforian's from Turkye in the Yacht "Surprise" sailed along the Turkish Riviera. The sailed from Kis to Bodrum and then to Gocek where another Yacht was rented and some 15 Iforian's with their 1st Mates from the Skaw Fleet (Sweden) sailed to Kalkan. Kastellorzon (Greece) then to Fethiye where a third yacht joined us with four Iforian's with their 1st mates. They also were from the Skaw Fleet (Sweden) this then totalled some 29 people. They then visited Kalkan, Patara, Myra, Katellorizon. The mixture oof ancient cultures, marvellous sailing waters and Turkish hospitality with delicious food was irresistible. Our final get together was celebrated at Port Gocek Marina where sadly we said our farewells.

In November at the "Intercontinental Beachcomber Hotel" of Moorea the Rotary Club of Moorea was chartered under the presidency of Yves Pasquiet. Later that evening our IC Bill Robinson chartered the French Polynesia Fleet in atten dance were 9920 District Govenor Colin Nicholas with his lady Judy, N Z Fleet Cmdre Terry and 1st Mate Meryl, Past Fleet Cmdre Roy and Barbara Budgen (N Z) Past District Govenor Beryl and Colin Robinson, and Past Papeete Rotary Club President Emmanuel and Marie-Claude Porlier. After accepting the Fleet Charter frim IC Bill Robinson Fleet Cmdre Nicholas Spillman introduced the Bridge Officers to the Rotary Club, IYFR Fleet and their guests. The combined evening was a wonderful and unforgettable event for the 100 guests, dignitaries and charter members.

French Polynesia Commodore Nicolas Spillmann accepts charter from IC Bill Robinson

Also in November at Lake Taupo in the centra of the North Island Hugh Corrigal President of the Rotary Club of Taupo hosted a charter event at the Club's new venue adjacent to the swift flowing Waikato River. Fleet Commodore was the master of Ceremonies, and International Bill Robinson presented the Fleet Charter to the Fleet and commissioned the Bridge. International Rear Commodore John Milne presided over IYFR member burgee presentations. The fantastic dinner catered by Rotarian members included delicious smoked rainbow trout caught earlier that day by Rotary Members. Everyone felt very much at home the function had a wonderful atmosphere and was enjoyed by all those present.

The IYFR Bay of Plenty Charter Members

12 hours after becoming a charter member of IYFR "N Z Bay of Plenty Fleet Roy Marsden took off from Taupo airport climbing his Cessna 177 Cardinal into a brilliant clear sky with three IYFR passengers on board. With a sparkling lake below in this spring morning he flew IC Bill Robinson with his 1st Mate Katia and fellow Charter member on a sightseeing flight of the area. Both IC Bill and 1st Mate Katia thought the flight was a wonderful guesture by Roy. The flight actually was the icing on the cake.

Also in November a charter lunch took place aboard the 105 ft luxury Motor Yacht "Pacific Mermaid" after cruising the bay the anchor was dropped in tranquil Puhutakawa Bay Moturoa Island. Following lunch and a social afternoon IC Bill Robinson then Chartered the "New Zealand Bay of Islands Fleet" the fleet was chartered with 34 members, and 68 people were on board "Pacific Mermaid" for the chartering. Adding to the occasion were 1st Maye Katia Robinson, IRC John Milne with his 1st Mate Merrill from Australia, and from the South Pacific Regional Cmdre John Mills and his wife Marcia, IC Bill pointed out that this was a very unique occasion as this was the first charter ceremony to take place on the "high sea's" and thanks were given to PIC Ken Winter for making "Pacific Mermaid " available for such a wonderful event.

Chartering the New Zealand Boy of Islands Fleet

Left to right: RC South Pacific John Mills BOI FC Doug Gallbraith, IC Bill Robinson, BOI FVC Murray Wilderson, IRC John Milne, BOI S/T David Welch and Auckland FC Terry Stretton.

It was reported in Melbourne (Australia) that Past Regional Commodore Arthur Hodge was presented with the "Australian Yachting Federation Race Administration Award" Arthur Hodge is one of the most respected, accurate, and sought after on water racing managers for some of Australia's top sailing events. He is dubbed as "Mr Excellence on the water" Congratulations, well done Arthur.

21st October this year was the 200th anniversary of the "Battle of Trafalgar" where Admiral Nelson defeated the French. IVCmdre Brian Skinner with members of the East Coast Fleet, and Solent Fleets watched the International Fleet Review. They reported that the celebrations ended dramatically with a mock sea battle. A dozen tall ships took part with cannon, fire, and fireworks followed by a remembrance dinner IVC Brian Skinner also asked permission from IC Bill Robinson to "Spice The Main brace" and on this occasion IC Bill reply was "By all means as representatives of IYFE please Splice the main brace with the assembled company", as you would expect our members of IYFR dutifully carried out this seafaring tradition.

The 'Grand Turk' and the 'Normandy Express' in the distance. Inset: 'The Royalist' leaving Portsmouth.

In March our fellowship received the very sad news that our Rotafloat Editor had passed away. Dorman Anderson was a member of the Rotary Club of Seattle and within two years after joining Rotary he and his 1st Mate Sandy became very involved with the Seattle Rotary Mariner's and he ably served as its Commodre in the mid 1990's They cruised their own sailboat "Espirit" in the fabulous waters of the U S and Canadian Pacific Northwest. Dor did a great job producing our Rotafloat and we can only from the bottom of our hearts thank Sandy for carrying on the good work as our Rotafloat Editor. Dorman Anderson did a great job as our Editor and will be sadly missed by Iforian's/Mariners throughout the world.

Further very sad news was received when we learnt of the passing of Colin Dodds (NSW Australia) He was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Concord where he served as Club President and Director, He was appointed District Governor of District 9690 in 1981-1982. Colin served as Commodore of the NSW Fleet (Australia) and later served as Regional Commodore South East Australia. His boat "Contessa" was always generously available for the service of Rotary and Friends. Colin had a great sense of humour and will be greatly missed by his many friends both in Australia and around the world