The latest Governor’s Kitchen, presented by District Public Image Committee, features Past District Governor Belinda, as well as District Governor Andy Li, Past District Governor Keith Chow and Immediate Past District Governor Norman Lee.
Club Installation was held at Regal Hong Kong Hotel on July 14. It was a hybrid affair, with Rotarians attending both a physical lunch and a virtual broadcast via Zoom. During the installation, the presidential sash was passed from Immediate Past President Sam to President Eliza, with Immediate Past District Governor Keith and District Governor Norman presiding over the ceremony. Many Rotarians, families and friends also attended the virtual broadcast, including Past District Governor Peter Pang, District Governor Elect Andy Li, District Governor Nominee Nigel Lo, Assistant Governor Brian Ho, representatives from our service partners, representatives from our Interact and Rotaract Clubs, invited guests and friends of our Club, and our esteemed sister club friends from Rotary Club of Pudu, Rotary Club of Taoyuan Southeast and Rotary Club of Taipei Mingmen. Congratulations to President Eliza, and enjoy a splendid year as Immediate Past President, Sam!
On May 12, District Governor Keith Chow, Past District Governor Ada Cheng, Immediate Past District Governor Eric Chak and District Governor Elect Norman from District leadership joined our luncheon. From Rotary Club of Hong Kong Island East, our “mother club”, President Bernard Lee, Past President William Wong, and President Elect Rico Fung joined. Other guests included District Secretary Elizabete Fong, Mr. Kevin Chuc (a former speaker) and Winnie (Past President Dora’s guest). Our Honorary Member Vivien Lau introduced our speaker, the Honorable Kenneth Fok, a member of Hong Kong Legislative Council. Kenneth’s talk on “The Role of Sports in Social Development” was an extension of his talk at the 61st District Conference in 2021. Sports is more than sports. Over the course of the last 50 years of Chinese history, sports played a role in opening China to the world. In challenging political times, it is always best to keep sports and cultural exchange open among nations. In the Q&A session we learned a bit more about Kenneth. His grandfather’s involvement in sports development in Hong Kong and China was critical to his choice of profession. Just elected to the 7th Legislative Council, Kenneth seeks to support sports, arts, culture…
On March 26, our Club met on Zoom to celebrate our Club’s 35th Anniversary. District Governor Keith Chow, Immediate Past District Governor Eric Chak, District Governor Elect Norman Lee, District Governor Nominee Andy Li, District Governor Nominee Designate Nigel Lo, Chief District Secretary Ron Chan from the District joined our Zoom celebration. Past Club members including Douglas Hsia, Yoshie Takenaka, Kennedy Tang, Veronica DeKrey, Eddie Wong, CK Chan, Charles Lam, Patric Lee and Theresa Chan also joined. Organizing Committee Chair and President Elect Eliza, President Sam, District Governor Keith, Charter President Patrick and Past District Governor Belinda gave us opening remarks to kick off this special celebration. We also played snippets of video congratulations messages from Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta, Past Rotary International President Gary Huang, future District leaders, as well as Presidents of our sister Clubs. President Elect Eliza announced winners of the 35th anniversary photo competition. Past Presidents Ricky and Webster led us through a wonderful edition of Hong Kong Harbour ABC quiz. We particularly thank Organizing Committee Chair President Elect Eliza and the rest of the Organizing Committee for planning the original physical celebration and then this Zoom celebration.
On January 13, our speaker was District Governor Keith Chow, who spoke about the various youth programs of our District. Due to the raging pandemic, our Club meeting was conducted via Zoom. Among the many insights and information offered by District Governor Keith was Junioract, a new program designed to serve children aged 6 to 12. The program was established since RY2020-2021. Upon parental consent, children are provided with opportunities to broaden their horizon and to serve others. During the meeting, we also had the privilege of inducting our newest member, Rotarian Tony Tang, who is a business development executive with deep experience in China, charities and philanthropy. We enthusiastically welcome Tony to our Harbour family!
Several of our members were active at this year’s End Polio Now Walk & Carnival. Past District Governor Belinda, chair of District Rotary Foundation Committee, led the District’s End Polio work this year along with support from Past President Grace and Past President Eddie from our Club and others. Rotarian Jason, on the other hand, led our Club’s effort. President Sam, Past President Grace, Past President Dora, President Elect Eliza and Rotarian Jason’s friend Ken had lunch at Tai Po Cooked Food Centre. The group was guided by food recommendations from Charter President Patrick, as well as Past Presidents Ka Hing and Lily. After lunch, Past President Grace went ahead to Science Park to help to set up the special ceremony. Rotarian Jason, President Sam, Past President Dora, President Elect Eliza and Ken went on a 5.5km walk from Tai Po to Science Park as part of the End Polio Now Walk. The Carnival was full of games, and arts and crafts booths. Our Club was recognized by District Governor Keith Chow and Past District Governor Belinda for its contribution to the PolioPlus fund. The ceremony was also live-linked with Macau and Mongolia.
On September 30, District Governor visited our Club (at President Sam’s office). President Sam, Charter President Patrick, Vice President Kelvin, Past Presidents Kay, Grace and Webster, President Elect Eliza and Rotarian Jason represented our Club and our Board. District Governor Keith Chow led a full team from the District including: Assistant Governor Sunny Chen, Chief District Secretary Ron Chan, Deputy Assistant Governors Stella Law and Stacy Ho, and District Secretaries Brian Ho and Louis Ma. It was also agreed that District Governor Keith will be our speaker at our January 13 lunch meeting.
On September 9, Assistant Governor Sunny Chen visited our Club. The main purpose was to prepare our Club for District Governor’s visit (to be held on September 30). Assistant Governor Sunny shared with us this year’s District focus, mainly: Membership, Youth, TRF, Health and Public Image. “Each One Bring One,” Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta’s membership theme, is central to District Governor Keith’s goals this year. President Sam noted to Assistant Governor Sunny that our new member, David, was an Interactor, Rotaractor and RYLA participant, which surely will score big points in District Awards. Finally, Assistant Governor Sunny reminded President Sam to complete reports for District Awards and Club Citation, as this is a recognition for all members of our Club.
On August 1, District Governor Keith, President Sam, Past Presidents MK, Eddie and Grace, and President Elect Eliza attended the 24th Island Scout Trail Walk Prize Presentation Ceremony. Past President Eddie also represented the Hong Kong Bone Marrow Foundation, as one of the beneficiary organizations of the trail walk. In a special arrangement, the race took place virtually from May to end of June of this year. Normally the prize ceremony would take place at the square outside The Peak Galleria. This year the ceremony moved indoors to the Hong Kong Scout Centennial Building in Wan Chai. The high point of the day was the presentation of the Hong Kong Harbour Cup by District Governor Keith and President Sam to the team with the best time. The next competition will come very soon in October 2021 to March 2022, which will be part of Scout’s 110th anniversary celebrations!
Club Installation marks a time for new beginnings. Immediate Past President Mark gave his year-end review, including some interesting photos. President Sam, under the supervisory eyes of District Governor Keith Chow and Immediate Past District Governor Eric Chak, was handed the meeting gavel as well as the presidential sash. Several members were recognized during the Installation, including Charter President Patrick and Past District Governor Belinda for their great support of the Club and of the District over the years; outgoing Board of Directors; and Paul Harris Fellows in 2020-21. Overall, 24 of 26 members attended, plus two of our Honorary Members.