An excerpt from the April 1988 Grand Banquet speech, "A Brief Glance at the History of the Rotary Club of Vancouver on it's 75th Birthday".
The Club was but a year old when the deadly rattle of the Maxim Gun and the earsplitting crash of artillery ushered in the war that almost swept away a whole generation of young men of the belligerents. The Club sent 44 members to serve the King, one of which gave his life.
But close to home a deadly and stealthy killer stalked the land, wasting away children, youth, and young parents -- Tuberculosis. [TB] yielded to no proven nostrum or magic bullet but hope lay in early recognition and healthy lifestyle.
The Club made medical and Rotary history by building the Rotary Clinic for Chest Diseases, a free, outpatient clinic for those exposed to TB.
Rotary TB Institute for Chest Disease in Vancouver, circa 1920
Rotary Fresh Air Camp for children exposed to TB, circa 1920
The tuberculosis work of the club continued unabated until the late thirties. ... The aftermath of the war brought many needs for rehabilitation work and this was undertaken.
Rotary Vocational Rehab Workshop, circa 1930
Through all the challenges of the two world wars and the great depression, the Rotary Club never lost heart. The Club met all challenges with optimism and active participation.
