I set up my ENT Private Clinic practicing at MEH in 1984. It is a custom for us to have a Saturday lunch, inviting all the doctors and friends – a kind of announcement of the opening. Dr Oliver Hennedige was one of them. He is a past President of RC Singapore. He casually mentioned, if I would speak to his Rotary Club. I accepted the offer but quite forgot about it. However, the Programme Director called me after a few days and invited me.
Mr Russi Cooper was the President then. At the end of the talk, thanking me, he said “In our club, the measure of the speaker’s performance is inversely proportional to the noise level dressing the speech.” He added that I had scored well in this area. I was invited to be a member. Around this time, I met the late PDG Dr M G John. He was an old friend and he told me to join this new club that he was forming – RCMC. He said it was better to be a Charter Member. This was my first experience of ‘politics’ in Rotary. The potential members initially, had informal meetings and I attended these regularly. My contribution was having a good lunch. There, I met up with an old friend, Dr Kwok Wai Mun. I also got to know Sunny Bay, Roberto and the late Hector Charles, our Charter President.
I must admit that I enjoyed the good food and the fun we had with the members. That was Rotary for me.
The 3rd President of our club was John Chan. The year was 1987. He approached me and invited me to be the Community Service Director. What was that? Of course being pedantic, I reached for Rotary information. I began to go through the entire website on Rotary – the history, the leaders, the vision and mission. It was truly mind-boggling and I was inspired.
The C S major project was to organize a play (A play by Stella Kon “Emily of Emerald Hill”.) Margaret Chan was an established stage actress and she volunteered her services. It was a sell out as we raised $60,000.00. This was donated to SANA.
From then on, I was a confirmed Rotarian. No looking back. I served to become the 6th President in 1990. Several district roles followed and finally I was nominated as D.G. for RY 1990-91.
This was the highlight of my Rotary journey and an experience I will not forget. Fortunately, there was no Covid then and I could travel to all three (3) countries of our unique 3 countries District, interacting with Rotarian in all clubs of our District and witnessing the good projects they did. This was a unique experience. It will remain in my heart for a long time.
Over the years, my Rotary involvement has dwindled. A time comes, whether because of ageing or some disappointments, it happens. I thank all Rotarian in RCMC and the District for giving me this chance to serve.
Click on the link below to see Dr Abraham's photos!
