History

In the beginning

The first meeting of the foundation committee was held on 17th February 1954 and was presided over by Charles E White, an influential member in the early years of Rotary in Ireland. He founded some 80% of the earlier clubs in Ireland. His modus operandi was to select a prominent, respected local person to be the first member and gradually build the new club around him. However, things were different in Lisburn and Jamesie Bass, although a relative newcomer to the town and still in his thirties, was selected. This meant that Lisburn began as a comparatively youthful club, the average age being around 40.

The inaugural dinner was held in the Temperance Institute on 25th May 1954. The Temperance Institute established in 1890 (and now known as The Bridge Community Centre) was, among other things, the only community centre in Lisburn and it was here that the club was to meet over the next dozen years or so. Subsequently the club met in other venues, ie the Woodlands Hotel, Dunmurry Golf Club and Malone Golf Club.

(From an article by Jamesie Bass)

Sadly Jamesie Bass and Jim Black, two of our founder members passed away in the Rotary Year 2004/2005. Both were in their nineties and had given great service to Rotary  for their fifty years as Members.

Over the last few years  a number of our senior members have passed away but we remember them and record their Rotary dedication

Norman Collins is  a founder member and Paul Harris Fellow. He is an honorary member of the Club.

Unfortunately Norman passed away on 9th November 2012

Past District Governor Ted Grainger was a past President of the Club .He was also an Honorary member and a dedicated Rotarian who attended regularly until he passed away

Frank Moorhead was a  Paul Harris Fellow and a member since 1960, was also an honorary member.

Jimmy Mathewson, was a Paul Harris Fellow, Past President and member since 1964. He was  an honorary member.