Rotary Old Meg II

history of rotary brockville

Chartered on May 1, 1921, the Rotary Club of Brockville has served and supported the local community and organizations for 100 years.

Through the ideal of service, Rotarians have upheld the highest ethical standards in business and in profession, while serving locally, nationally and internationally.

Twenty forward thinking individuals came together with the assistance and mentorship of the Rotary Club of Ottawa to provide "Service Above Self" to Brockville and area.

Today, the Rotary Club of Brockville can be proud of the legacies that they have built over time. From purchasing Brockville's first motorized ambulance in 1927 to the realization of spearheading the Rotary Park Revitalization Project, the focus has always been on community wellness.

From monetary provision for youth exchanges, sports, programming, Camp Merrywood, school scholarships, hospitals, Sherwood Park Manor, to supporting the Children of Chernobyl, and other international projects, all have benefitted from this Club's fundraising.

As well, the Rotary members are involved with community events, volunteering at Blood Donor Clinics, Santa Claus Parades, Salvation Army Christmas Kettles campaigns, Brockville and Area Food Bank collection and the list continues.

The Rotary Clubs of Brockville is are two of the 35,000 clubs around the world that work together to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene, grow local economics, support education and save mothers and children.

Serving others changes lives!

Our Four-Way Test

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

history of old meg

The Old Meg concept was borrowed from Juneau, Alaska by the Old Boys Association of the Brockville Rowing Club. They needed to raise funds to buy much needed equipment and to further amateur rowing.

The Association would scour the local scrap yards to find a relic of a car, minus the fluids, that they would sit on the ice in front of the Rowing Club, for a lottery.

People bought tickets and selected the day and time they thought Old Meg would fall through the ice, as it melted.

The Old Boys Association ran this fundraising campaign from 1963 to 1969, raising over $4500.

A very popular attraction in Brockville, during late winter months.

This came to an end when government regulations caused the Brockville Rowing Club to abandon this type of contest.

This photo is on page 80 of the late Donald H. Swayne's book, The Brockville Rowing Club: 100 Years of Rowing and is the original Old Meg which was used for the first lottery in 1963.