The meeting was opened by a returned (from Churchill, Manitoba) MPres Trudy with a total of 30 members in attendance, three by Zoom. After the Rotary song, O Canada etc, Chris Compeau was the first of two of our newest members to give his Classification speech, accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation.

Chris explained his life after his birth in Kingston, with a family of seven until the early demise of his father, including several moves within the Province, his education and love of sports. From high school, he attended St. Michael’s College where he met his future wife, Yvonne Buys, a fellow medical student, in 1986. They were married in 1990 and have two adult daughters who are both very successful in their chosen fields.

Chris’s education and passion for medical science and practice led him to an outstanding career as a surgeon, teacher, and leader in his specialisations culminating in his time at St Joseph’s Health Centre as Chief of Surgery. He there encountered Dr Aldo Boccia who left a powerful impression on him and was his initial contact with Rotary. When Chris and Yvonne decided to retire at the height of their careers, the news was received with shock by many of their colleagues but they have no regrets about buying and renovating the former Pierson estate on Loyalist Parkway and running it as a hobby farm along the lines followed by Past President Brian McGowan and Lyn. They have a variety of small(ish) animals, grow much of their own veg, have bees, maple trees etc which would seem to go very well with Chris’s passion for cooking.

Chris’s speech was very well-received by the Club with many questions and positive comments following it. Chris was followed by Peter Campbell.

Peter, dressed in his flight suit, took to the lectern and began his speech by telling us about his family background which was strongly celtic with both Irish and Scottish components. Somewhat similarly to Chris, Peter had four siblings and moved around the Province as his father was an accountant for Ontario Hydro. The family had settled in Don Mills and Peter was able to attend Senator O’Connor College School until graduation. It was there that several of his passions were ignited, principally through joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadet League and involving himself in theatre arts like singing and dancing as well as taking up photography. Also like Chris, Peter has had a lifelong passion for sports and all kinds of physical activity, hockey, football, cycling, running, golf, including having run several marathons. The main love of his life, though, has always been flying and aviation and he completed his pilot’s training at a very early age. His career, which he initially began through Seneca College and subsequently followed by joining the Royal Canadian Air Force, was long and very eventful since he served in all the war zones and deployments of Canadian forces in the recent past, until his retirement. He did not, however, dwell on any of those experiences.

In 1981, Peter married his wife Josephine and they also have two adult daughters, Christine who lives and works in Greenwich, UK, and Heather who does the same in Ottawa. Peter and Josephine planned to continue living in their 130 year old house in Smith’s Falls to which they had moved in 2002, after retirement, but a change of heart and knowledge of the County brought them to Wellington-on-the-Lake this year. He continues his very active lifestyle through a major involvement in the Kingston Flying Club at which he is the Chief Instructor.

Peter’s speech was also very well received and prompted several comments to the effect that the Club is extremely fortunate to have such distinguished and successful new members.

In Club business, the bottle depot featured and PP Howard reminded members that volunteers are still needed for the new Board, for which elections are being held and nominations must be submitted by November 26th. PP Dave Robinet indicated that he would be open to standing for one of the Director positions on the Board, but would need someone to step up to take his place as speaker convenor. MPres Trudy informed the Club that the Guatemala Literacy Project which qualifies for a Rotary Global Grant is going forward with our $500 contribution. Christine has been working on dates etc for the Anniversary/Christmas Party which will take place at the Legion on December 7th. MPres Trudy attempted to clarify a SNAFU at Shire Hall regarding the ‘Field of Dreams’ site planning and Barry’s enquiry regarding possible tree purchases will go to the Board.