This email from Chris Wang, with mention of David Carruthers and Chris Stilwell, mentioned James Wheeler Davidson. Chris Wang as chair of Club's International Fellowship Committee reiterated the importance of Davidson and Ralston as important in the establishment of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand and around the world.
Editor notes:
Lieutenant Colonel Layton Ralston CMG, DSO, KC, President of Rotary Club of Halifax, Nova Scotia and Commissioner James W. Davidson, FRGS, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Calgary were sent to Australia to initiate Rotary in Australia in 1921.
They consulted with four of Melbourne’s most influential people: Sir John Monash, Harold Clapp, Professor W.A. Osborne, and Frank Tate, and so Rotary in Australia was established via Rotary Club of Melbourne.
Chris Wang conveyed he had a book written by Dr Robert Lampard (Rotary Club of Red Deer) The Life and Times of James and Lillian Davidson. It appears that Chris Wang assisted Rob Lampard when he visited Melbourne in 2011, with research for his book. Rob gave Chris a copy when Chris met him again at the 2012 Bangkok Convention.
Now the JWD Clubs! The Rotary Clubs of Bombay and Madras, in September 2021 hosted a Zoom meeting and formed an association of Rotary Clubs. Chris thinks there were around 23 active Clubs that have come together as Fellowship Clubs to honour James Wheeler Davidson, working together with the Rotary family.
Rotary Melbourne joined this group of Clubs as Melbourne was the first Club that JWD arranged to charter. So began the "JWD Clubs".
Incidentally, Chris wrote that through his involvement with Rotary Give Every Child a Future, as Deputy Chair and Australian Treasurer, he has been communicating with the Rotary Club of Calgary who have congratulated Rotary Melbourne on our 100th year. Chris has suggested they might convey the Calgary message to be presented at our Celebratory Lunch on 21 April.
Editor Notes:
Bruce Fenwick is a regular visitor to our Zoom meetings. The power of Zoom and good communication and Rotary fellowship.
Chris queried why Editor would be wanting to write an item for Bulletin about the email that David Carruthers shared with the Malvern Group. I think Editor wanting to share this information speaks for itself. Personally, I had heard about "JWD" Clubs but now understand.
Thank you David Carruthers and Chris Wang.
