Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, May 8, 2025

President Jackie chaired the meeting.  

Rotarian Gerry was warmly welcomed back to the Rotary meetings after being in the hospital since January.

Elaine informed Rotarians that 6 Rotarians had attended the Sea Cadet Corps Annual Ceremonial Review on Monday, May 5 at 6pm at the Gallipoli Armoury. 

 Rotarians were pleased to attend and watch the precise drills executed by the cadets followed by Elaine addressing the assembled cadets. Awards were handed out after which Lt(N) Cyril Coombs Commanding Officer of 184 RCSCC Curling addressed the cadets.  The evening ended with many photos being taken and a pizza party for the cadets. 

 Lobster Boil

 Rotary Program organiser Linda spoke about the Lobster Boil with suggested date June 12. This seemed to be a good date for most Rotarians so the Lobster Boil will be organised for this date.  Rotarians are asked to reserve the date and closer to the time more details will be given.

 Program Chair Karen introduced Dan Bursey who spoke about the Islaview Foundation.  Dan began his presentation by passing out the children’s book “A Town called ISLAVIEW pronounced I-La-View”. Dan had written the book and his daughter Charlotte aged 7 had drawn the pictures. He began by reading through the book and then explained the significance of the story to everyone.

 His niece Isla Short living with her parents in Deer Lake, was not well and ended up being rushed to the Janeway Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of children’s cancer.  For the next 18 months her parents Sarah and Mike Short’s world was turned upside down. Their lives radically changed with the treatments and procedure’s that Isla needed. Isla passed away when she was three and a half years old. Her death resulted in the formation of the Islaview Foundation. This Foundation was formed in memory of Isla in support of all the families who battle day in and day out with the challenges that come with having a child with a life-threatening condition.  Dan, Isla’s uncle before writing the book thought about how Islaview sound like I love You which he used as a starting point for a poem which led to the writing of the children’s book. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to the Islaview Foundation.

Since 2017 Deer Lake commemorates Isla’s life by changing the name of the community to Islaview for one day.  This year Islaview Day will be May 26^th. There will be community breakfasts, and community events. This community kindness movement gives hope and understanding of the needs of families with children with life-threatening illness.

The Islaview Foundation to which donations can be given is built on hope, kindness and love. Through the foundation over 100 families from across the province have been emotionally and financially supported plus given hope for the future.

 Dan answered several questions before being thanked by Paula on behalf of the club for his informative, interesting and inspiring talk.