Home Page | Rotary Club of Pender Harbour (Madeira Park)

The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.

A safe transition beyond the wire

A Rotary club in Kansas helps women break the cycle of incarceration and elude dangers on the outside

Rotary projects around the globe – August 2026

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.

Food as medicine for TB recovery

Rediscovering a weapon against the deadliest infectious disease, TB advocates look to better nutrition

We meet In Person

Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.

Legion Hall at Madeira Park

12829 Lilies Lake Rd
Madeira Park, BC V0N 2H0
Canada

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Please support Rotary Pender Harbour, and your community by purchasing our 50/50 tickets, a great chance to win cash and help your community at the same time.

Since this is a monthly draw, your chances of winning are greatly improved by purchasing multiple tickets & tickets for each monthly draw.

Best of Luck and thank you for supporting your community

Your PH Rotary Family

Buy Tickets Here

Rotarians update Storybook Walk with Back to School theme

Cassandra LOVES school so much she never, ever wants to leave!

Cassandra does not want to go home from school. She stays after the nice teacher leaves. She stays while the janitor with a tattoo mops the floors. She stays after the slightly scary principal turns off all the lights and goes home. She plays with the clay and reads until after dark, when her mom and dad realize she is missing and come in a panic to take her home.

The next day, Cassandra gets up, eats breakfast, gets on her bike and heads off to school ― but it is Saturday and all the doors and windows are locked. So on her way back home she stops by the store and places an order.

The next day she looks out the window to find her purchase has been delivered ― there is a brand-new red-brick school with a nice teacher, a slightly scary principal, and a janitor with tattoos in her very own backyard, so she can have school any time she likes!

This story was written for Cassandra, a girl from Pickering, Ontario who said that the most interesting thing about her was that she LOVED school!

Voters & Vintage Rides Gather for Rotary’s 21st Annual People’s Choice Awards.

Congratulations to the Mennear Family, they won first in the 1939 & older category, with their 1929 Mercedes Gazelle and second overall for the Ron Johnston’s People’s Choice Award.

The Pender Harbour Rotary Show & Shine was resounding success with 75 spectacular cars, trucks, and motorcycles cruised in for this annual family friendly event. Hundreds of spectators cast their votes to choose the day’s 24 winners.

A big thank-you to the Legion and to Brent & Tracy Parker for lending their grassy field, and to all our generous sponsors.

And let’s not forget our pit crew of Rotary volunteers—working at top speed to raising near $9,000 for future community projects.

Ron Johnston People's Choice - Best of Show

1st Place: Bradley Stafford - 1961 Ford Thunderbird

2nd Place: The Mennear Family-1929 Mercedes Gazelle

1939 & Older

1st Place: The Mennear Family-1929 Mercedes Gazelle

2nd Place: Rod Gruber - 1931 Ford Model A

1940-1949

1st Place: Cal Widman - 1940 Ford Coupe

2nd Place: Dale Kerfoot - 1946 Mercury

1950-1959

1st Place: Nathan & Dianne Maddrell - 1959 Chev Corvette

2nd Place: Niel MacGregor - 1950 Mercury Coupe

1960-1969

1st Place:Larry Prevost - 1964 Ford Fairlane

2nd Place:- Bradley Stafford - 1961 Ford Thunderbird

1970-1979

1st Place:Ron Sander - 1979 Pontiac Firebird

2nd Place: Dave Sowles - 1970 Dodge Challenger

1980-1999

1st Place:Don & Anglea Muir - 1980 Camero Z28

2nd Place: Doug Andress - 1984 Buick Rivera

2000 & Newer

1st Place:Joerg & Barb Gardey - 2017 Corvete 206

2nd Place: Rich Chalke - 2009 Ford Mustang

Motorcycles 1978 & Older

1st Place: Carlos Gebrandt - 1959 BMW R50

2nd Place:Carole Howie - 1969 Bonneville

Motorcycles 1979 & Newer

1st Place: Sean McAllister- 2000 Honda Goldwing

2nd Place: Dave Cobh - 2000 BMW R1100LT

Trucks 1959 & Older

1st Place : Cheryl Bryce - 1947 Pick Up

Trucks 1960 & Newer

1st Place: Greg Herbert - 1971 GMC Truck

2nnd Place: Brian McDonald - 1977 Ford Bronco

Pender Harbour Puts on a Show

Ahoy all classic car enthusiasts. The Rotary Club of Pender Harbour presents their 21st Annual Peoples Choice Show & Shine, Sunday August 9th at the Royal Canadian Legion #112 in downtown Maderia Park.

Entrants display their cars on the grassy apple orchard adjacent to the legion.

All makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles welcome. Registration is 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Show time 11:30 - 4pm.

All proceeds will go to Rotary community projects in the harbour.

This is a great family event, so come vote for your favourite vehicle. Multiple awards to be presented.

Food Fun & 50/50 Draw

Breakfast sandwiches & coffee start at 9am in the legion. Barbecued burgers & smokies start at 11 on the patio. Don't miss the legion's meat draw from 11am to 1 pm and enjoy live music while you wait for the winners to be announced. Half cut & the Slackers will be playing 2-5pm, $10 cover. Free admission for Car Show Entrants.

Rotary 50/50 Draw Supports New AED

Pender Harbour Health Center Executive Director Nick Gaskin recently received a cheque for $880. from PH Rotary President Sarah Johnson.

Proceeds from the Rotary Rocks 50/50 draw. This money will be earmarked for a new AED (Automated External Defibrillator) as the current one at the Health Center is coming to the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced within the year.

In addition winner Ken Reynolds of Garden Bay donated back his earnings to the Health Center, for this valuable piece of equipment.

Way to go Ken!

When you Play our Community Wins too.

Pender Harbour Health Center receives New Medical Equipment

Executive Director Nick Gaskin (c) proudly displays the PH Health Center’s new examination bed and heart monitor. Funding for both came from a $4,000 donation by the Rotary Club of Pender Harbour.

The club also applied and donated an additional $2,750 raised through a Rotary district grant.

Pictured (L-R) PH Rotary President Sarah Johnson, Nick Gaskin and Past President Ian Grant.

Lifetime Achievement Awards

Rotary Club of Pender Harbour President Sarah Johnston (left) proudly presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Bill and Lyn Charlton in recognition of their countless contributions to our club and the Pender Harbour community.

Sean McAllister and Jon Paine were also honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards but were unavailable for the photo.

Thank you, Bill, Lyn, Sean, and Jon, for your unwavering commitment to Service Above Self. Your dedication has made a lasting difference in our community and continues to inspire us all.

Rotary Congratulates 2026 Graduates with Scholarships

Congratulations to Poppy Mackenzie-Arnet, Ava Young, Isla Mackay, and Kalen Zayshley, recipients of four $1,000 Rotary Club of Pender Harbour bursaries, presented by Bill and Lyn Charlton at the Pender Harbour Graduation Ceremony.

Your hard work, dedication, and achievements have earned this well-deserved recognition. We wish each of you every success as you begin the next chapter of your educational journey.

Bill and Lyn also gave a talk to the Grads about the importance of service and their involvement specifically in the community.

Congratulations, graduates—we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish!

Supporting Youth in the Harbour

The May 22nd PH Rotary Club meeting focused on hearing presentations from the PH Community School representatives about their youth support programs and discussing upcoming events.

Each director explained their role providing support to vulnerable youth in the Pender Harbour/Egmont area, through food programs, outreach services and recreational activities.

Darcie specifically handles year-round youth outreach, supporting 9-14 families and 6 youth living independently outside their family household.

The team discussed the new PH Community School project scheduled for completion in September, which will provide much-needed space for programs and better facilities.

The Rotary Club of Pender Harbour provided $30,000 to assist in the initial funding of the new building.

Providing Music Programs

Pender Harbour Rotary president elect Sarah Johnson (r) & PHR Treasurer Kathy Riches (c) presented a cheque for $800. to Pender Harbour Music Society treasurer & Board member Kathleen Barlow. Funds raised through the clubs online 50/50 draw from March & April, will help fund the PHMS Youth and indigenous program.

The ongoing music concert/workshops are provided to the Madeira Park Elementary School, and Pender Harbour Secondary School. In addition a class of Sechelt Secondary students attend the PHSS student concert/workshops.

The PH Rotary Club proved an additional $1,000. to fund this worthy project.

What a wonderful opportunity for our youth!

Sunshine Coast MLA Randeen Neil takes the Plunge for Rotary Fundraiser

MLA Randeen Neil proved to be a good sport, making a splash at the PH Rotary Dunk tank. New “Victims” rotated every 15 minutes throughout the afternoon, plunging into the icy water.

Thank you to all the volunteers, attendees and participants; over $1,300 was raised for future projects in the Harbour

Harbour Master Robin Miller takes a shot to soak MLA Randeen Neil

Harbour Spiel Article

Read the story at: Harbour Spiel

Posted by Bricin "Striker" Lyons, Founder of Danger Bay

LOYAL & LOCAL PENDER HARBOUR ROTARY SPONSORS THE ATTACK OF DANGER BAY!!! ONE OF OUR OLDEST SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS OF 24 YEARS!!!!
IT ALL STARTED WITH THE LATE GREAT ROTARIAN MICHEAL CROWE... EVEN STILL TO THIS DAY WE COMMEMORATE & CELEBRATE HIS CONTRIBUTIONS WITH THE MICHEAL CROWE ROTARY TROPHY HE PRESENTED US BEFORE HE PASSED.

History: The Attack of Danger Bay is the world's longest-running downhill longboard race. Founded 25 years ago by former RYLA student Bricin "Striker" Lyons. Held in Pender Harbour, this legendary event is a cornerstone of Canadian downhill skateboarding and coincides with the community's May Day festivities.

Rotarian Jennifer Peters makes Dreams Come True

Dreams Come True was founded by Jen in 2017, with the help from the Cinderella Project. The initiative provides free graduation dresses and accessories to students. Hairdressers and make-up artists are on hand to complete each girl's look for their special day. Held each spring at Chatelech High School in Sechelt, it offers a boutique-style experience to help grads from the entire Sunshine Coast, find their dream outfit without financial worry, The program accepts gently used donations.

Pender Harbour Rotarians Jennifer Peters (centre) with helpers; former graduate Georgia (L) and sister Rachelle(R)

The Pender Harbour Rotary Club provided funding to purchase two portable changing rooms

Sunny skies bring hot sales at annual April Tools Wooden boat challenge

All hands were on deck under the rotary tents to barbecue up a storm of hot dogs & burgers.

With extra help from our Pender Harbour High school students, Ava, Isla, Kalen and Poppy, this fundraiser fed a boatload of the public and brought in over $2,100.

In addition over 100 free hot-dog/chips and juice boxes were provided to children under 12.

Special thanks to our Madeira Park IGA for sponsoring the food for this event.

RYLA Leadership Camp Experience

Five Pender Harbour Secondary students shared their experiences at RYLA, a leadership camp they attended during March break. They discussed how the camp pushed them out of their comfort zones, helped them make new friends from diverse backgrounds, and provided valuable team building and workshop opportunities. Students described specific activities they participated in, including team competitions, community service projects, and public speaking events. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend and mentioned that they have continued making connections with peers from the camp through group chats.

Funds to cover each student’s $550 tuition to attend were raised in November, through the club’s annual Scotch Tasting event.

Purple Martin Housing Project

Purple Martins Rely on Human 'Landlords ...

Linda Tamm and her team of hard working Rotarians built 38 Western Purple Martin nesting boxes and installed them throughout the inner Pender Harbour area.

Traditionally, the largest swallow in North America – the purple martin – nests in a colony in groups, returning to our area in early April migrating from Brazil.

From six nesting pairs in BC in the ‘80s, there are over 1,200 now. Natural nest sites had disappeared with waterside development, so human help is required.
Special thanks to the amazing John Creviston from Brentwood Bay who helped us with education, planning and installation, and to Linda for coordinating this worthwhile project.

Welcome to our newest member Angelo Ingrao

Angelo is a Financial Advisor with over 20 years of experience helping clients build and protect their wealth. Based in Vancouver, he’s now expanding his practice to the Sunshine Coast—a step toward his dream of opening an office there and eventually relocating full-time to his newly built home in Madeira Park.

Although he currently lives in Vancouver, Angelo spends at least one week each month on the Coast, embracing the lifestyle he and his wife Bettina love. Both are passionate about nature and hiking, and the Sunshine Coast has become their perfect escape.

Family is at the heart of Angelo’s life. He and Bettina have two children—Lucia, 20, and Matteo, 17. When he’s on the Coast, Angelo enjoys fishing, cooking, and ending the day outdoors by the fire with a glass of red wine in hand.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

The Irish and Irish want-a-be’s amassed at the legion for a rotary social, to enjoy “The ShamRockers”, and Guinness Stew. All washed down with a bit of green beer or tot of their choice. The craic was ninety.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Feeding Our Students Future

Pender Harbour Secondary School PAC lunch program coordinator, Stephanie Van Dyk receives a cheque from Rotarian Jen Peters for the high school lunch program. Our Rotary Club raised $615. for the program, proceeds from the club’s January & February 50:50 draws. The PHSS Parents Advisory provides a weekly lunch every Wednesday to 65 students at an average cost of $300.

Congratulations Guy on your Paul Harris Award

Rotarian Guy Halford-Thompson recently received his Paul Harris Award from PH Rotary President Ian Grant. The award is in recognition of Guy’s $1,000 donation to the Rotary International Foundation