Greater Victoria Rotary Anns celebrate 60

Since 1948 the Rotary Anns have been diligently working - often behind the scenes - to support the good work of the Rotary Club and some of their own projects too.

For 60 years, the Greater Victoria Rotary wives have found companionship through their volunteer work and they celebrated the anniversary earlier this month.

"We're really lucky -- we've got minutes from (meetings) dating back to Day 1," said president of the service club, Dana Norman.

Back then, annual membership fees were $2 and lunch cost $1.05.

Victoria was the first Rotary Ann club to start up, followed by Oak Bay, Colwood, Saanich and Sidney.

Due to dwindling attendance, municipal clubs amalgamated about 15 years ago -- about the same time that the Rotary Club started accepting women.

Most members, however, stayed on as Rotary Anns instead of switching over to the newly co-ed club

"We're an older generation," said Elsie MacAulay who first joined the Sidney branch in 1964. "We felt it was our husbands' commitment and we were willing to support them."

MacAulay travelled with her husband to provide aid in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch. She and many of the Rotary wives have acted as host moms for the Rotary Club's international exchange program.

Today, there are 60 members of the Greater Victoria Rotary Ann Auxiliary ranging in age from 50 to 95.

The club is mostly social now, with monthly luncheons and special-interest clubs for golf, bridge, walking, reading, genealogy and other.

But service projects, both local and international, continue. The women fundraise for a number of charities, including Bridges for Women, Community Options for single parents and Peers.

They also sew teddy bears for children in disaster zones and support a school in Malawi.

"There are so many things you can get involved with," MacAulay said.

rholmen@saanichnews.com