1995 Rotary Convention Nice (France)

We all thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful International Convention in Nice culminating in a fine luncheon in the Grand Aston Hotel with in excess of 100 Iforian's and Friends in attendance. We witnessed the inauguration of Frank McDonald (NSW Australia) as our International Commodore, Arnold Verkake (The Netherlands) as Vice Commodore, and Joe Phillips (Hawaii U S A) as Rear Commodore.

International Rear Commodore Joe Phillips, Vice Commodore Arnold Verkade, Commodore Frank McDonald, Past Commodore Andrew Mitchell

It was reported that during the current year the following Fleets were established, they were:-

The Izmir Fleet Turkiye--- (20 members)

The Philippines Fleet ------(62 members)

The German North Fleet --(14 members)

The Mid Baltic Fleet-------- (14 members)

The North Baltic Fleet -----(57 members)

The Sound Fleet------------ (24 members)

The South Baltic Fleet----- (33 members)

The Skaw Fleet-------------- (55 members)

It was also reported that the San Francisco (USA) and the Mare Nostrum Fleet (Spain) are also in the process of returning to our ranks.

Following the Nice Convention Iforian's travelled by coach to the site of the Eastern Scheildt Storm Barrier. Surely an 8th wonder of the world? A Ferry trip with lunch aboard took us to Medierikzee where we were able to wander about this ancient port and learn of it history. That evening whilst enjoying another wonderful meal we were entertained by an all male choir made up of Officers of the Pilot service of the Netherlands.

The final day saw us board a wide variety of vessels before being taken to Lake Grevelingen. It became very cold and a force 6 wind started to blow up, however all enjoyed the adventure before returning to our hotel for a final night of fun and entertainment.

Immediately following the Nice Convention our new Commodore Frank McDonald together with his first Mate Edith travelled to the United Kingdom to visit Fleets there. During his stay he visited six fleets in all, they were The East Coast, Lakes, Solent, Sussex, Thanes, and Suffolk Fleet. When visiting the Sussex Fleet they were given the prevalence to be present at the disabled children's outing. This was followed by a visit to the Thames Fleet to participate in the "Admiral Cruise" in the area of the River Medway where they participated in the procession of some 60 vessels to assist the Mayor of Rochester and Maidstone to beat the boundaries "by ship" This ancient tradition dates back to 1479 and is re-enacted every year. After this event our International Commodore joined the Suffolk Fleet to participate in their two day project to entertain handicapped people of all ages aboard the Thames Barge Hydrogen which is now over 100 years old.

Embarking on THISTLE is always a matter for care and concern, but never more than when handling the wheelchairs and occupants-a great joy once accomplished.

This is an annual event undertaken by the Suffolk Fleet. The ship sails up the Orwell River to Ipswich and then cruises the Stour River before returning back to Harwich where all those on board are given a hot meal ashore. Following this event farewells were said to Commodore Frank and his First Mate Edith as they returned home to

The "Thames Barge Hydrogen" with a group of handicapped people on board sailing out of Harwich with the tug "Ganges" approaching. International Commodore Frank & Edith at the Stern.

Australia.

Immediately following the Nice Convention Past International Commodore Jack Keyser together with his first Mate Kay then made a visit to International Vice Commodore Arnold Verkade in Amsterdam before proceeding to Sweden to visit members of the Swedish Fleets.

He was greeted by IRRC Bent Solve who because of the great number of Iforian's he had gathered together made them into Five Fleets They were:-The Skaw Fleet based in Goreborg with 55 members, The Sound Fleet Helsingborg with 24 members, The South Baltic Fleet in Karlkrona with 33 members, The Mid Baltic Fleet Arkosund with 14 members, and finally, The North Baltic Fleet Stockholm with 57 members.

I.P.C. Jack Keyzer presents the Charter to the Commodore of the Mid Baltic Fleet

Helsingborg-Sweeden Chartering Sound Fleet at Harina Hotel IRRC Bengt Solve at right

From left: Our host Fritz mattsson, our skipper Tor Strandberg, Cmdre. Edgar Karlson. Sect. Ray Soderholm, Cmdre. Visiting an Island in Aaland

At a celebration dinner Immediate Past International Commodore Jack chartered the new five Fleets. This dinner was followed by a visit to Aaland to visit one of the new chartered Fleets.

It should also be noted that during the term of command by I P Cmdre Jack Keyser the following Fleets were also established. They were:-The Izmir Fleet with 20 members, The Philippines Fleet with 62 members, The North German Fleet with 14 members. Other reverent news was, that the San Francisco Fleet had been reformed. It was also reported that at the Nice Convention some 78 new members were enrolled.

In January 1996 the Japanese reported the terrible disaster of the earthquake there. Funds were sent to assist them in some way to restore things back to some normality, and the Kobe and Osaka Fleets raised funds to assist in helping those in distress.

IRRC Masami Hiroka reported that the Osaka and Kobe Fleets held a Naval review in the sea off Yura of Awaji Island at Osaka. He reported that some 93 members together with their families took part in some 20 boats.

Returning once again back to his native country Australia, Our International Commodore Frank together with his first Mate Edith visited the Gippsland Fleet in Victoria, A visit was also made to Queensland Fleet to celebrate their 35th anniversary.

A Happy group of IYFORIANS with International Commodore Frank McDonald and International Rear Commodore P.R. Colin Dodds during a recent visit by the New South Wales Fleet to the Port Lincon Fleet, the southern most Fleet of mainland Australia. The ocean to the top left of the photo is a direct line to Antarctica

Following this visit our International Commodore Frank McDonald together with his First Mate Edith took part in a grand Fleet exchange between the New South Wales and the Port Lincoln Fleets (The most Southern Fleet in Australia) Our hosts the Lincoln Fleet produced a most comprehensive and interesting programme for us all.

In November our International Commodore and his First Mate travelled to the Giggsland Fleet and then on the Tasmania to charter the Fleet there.

A visit to the Gippsland Lae Fleet for AGM group aboard Spray to include IC Frank and Edith, Skipper Bob and Betty

In November 1996 it was with a great deal of sadness that we received the news that Commodore (G B) Silver Carter had passed away. He was a most dedicated Rotarian and Iforian and well known throughout the world. For many years he ran almost single handed the Fleets of Gt Britain. Our fellowship will be much the poorer at his passing to a higher plain He will indeed be greatly missed by his many friends around the world.

Prior to attending the R I Convention in Calgary International Commodore Frenk McDonald together with his First Mate Edith flew via Los Angeles to Tampa to join IRRC Charles and Nancy Carroll. Over a six day period visits were made to the Tampa Bay Fleet, The Naples-Marco Fleet they also attended the District 5320 Convention in (Orange County California) visiting the Newport Harbour and San Diego Fleets. They than travelled to join IRRC Jack McCarley to visit the Russian River Fleet, before finally ending up in Victoria to visit the Vancouver Island Fleet prior to travelling to Calgary to attend the 1996 R I Convention.