The Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island

Upcoming Events

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Mark your calendars for...

Saturday, February 18, 2012: 2nd Annual YOUTH IMPROMPTU SPEAKING COMPETITION at the Victoria Golf Club

Sharpen your public speaking and impromptu skills at an exciting afternoon of impromptu speeches on the topic of Churchill and his modern-day relevance. Youths aged 14-17 are welcome to register. Members of the public welcome in the audience. Judges from Toastmasters International and SWCSVI. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finalists.

Where: Victoria Golf Club - 1110 Beach Dr. (free parking)

When: 1:00 pm - registration

1:30 - 3:30 - competition

3:45 - awards

Please contact Kieran Wilson at kieranwilson@telus.net if you are interested in participating or for more information. Must register by February 15, 2012.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012: Annual General Meeting with speaker, Dr, Mariel Grant (University of Victoria)

Where: Uplands Golf Club - 3300 Cadboro Bay Road (free parking)

When: 6:00 pm - registration & cash bar

6:30 - Appetizer Buffet

7:15 - AGM for SWCSVI and CFVI

7:30 - Dr. Mariel Grant of the UVIC History Department Topic: “The King and I: Historical Accuracy and The King's Speech ”

Admission - $30 members

$35 non- members

$25 youth

to register send a post-dated cheque by March 21st to:

SWCSVI 405 - 3989 Quadra St, PO Box 30125, Victoria, BC V8X 5E1

For more information: Dan Munro @ 250-727-2830 or Margaret Pyper @ 250-381-6440 or churchillsociety@shaw.ca

Print, view, or download the AGM poster:

Recent Events

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January 22, 2012: PRE-Tree Ceremony Speakers Event Presentations by members of the SWCSVI Speakers Bureau speaking on Churchill. Speakers and topics:

Ray Kretchmar (as Sir Winston Churchill) - The Blitz
Stan Orchard - Churchill and Butterflies
Chris Gainor - Churchill's 1929 visit to Victoria
Paul Summerville - Social Justice and SWC
Mayo McDonough - Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island

January 22, 2012: Annual Tree Ceremony @ Beacon Hill ParkMembers of the SWCSVI and Les Leyne of the Victoria Times-Colonist for a champagne toast to honour Sir Winston Churchill and to commemorate the date of his death on January 24, 1965

BBC News on Churchill's Death

Monday, November 28, 2011: Movie Monday screening of "The Battle of Britain"

Saturday, November 26, 2011: Churchill Birthday Luncheon

Friday, September 30, 2011 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.: Screening of the newly released film "Walking with Destiny"

Sunday, July 3, 2011: Winston Churchill the Artist presentation by historian Sidney Allinson
Coast Collective "Winston Churchill the Artist" poster:

Friday, June 24, 2011: Churchill Memorial Gala Dinner
"Churchill and Leadership" with John H. Maurer, leading Churchill expert, and noted author and Chair of the Strategy and Policy Department, Naval War College Newport, RI
Photos from event:

April 9, 2011: 1st Annual Impromptu Speaking Competition for Youth

March 30, 2011: Annual General Meeting with "The Gadgeteer and the Mad Professor: Churchill, Lindemann & Air Defence" by Dr. David Zimmerman

Photo Gallery

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11th Annual Gathering of Churchill Fans at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, January 2009

On Sunday, Jan 25, 2009, fans of Churchill gathered again in Beacon Hill Park, at the foot of Quadra St., Victoria, in front of the hawthorn tree that Sir Winston planted in 1929. This event was hosted, as usual, by Les Leyne, columnist with the Times Colonist newspaper and supported by members of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. About 90 people bravely turned out on a cold and blustery day and a few folks shared stories about the great statesman. All joined in a toast to his memory and took part in a draw for prizes.

The Right Honorable Winston L.S. Churchill
planted this tree

Sept. 6 1929

Hawthorn tree planted by Churchill in spring bloom, May 2008, with a plaque nearly hidden in the tall grass.

Beacon Hill Park, Victoria BC, Canada

Former Society President,
Mary-Jane Shaw, and Lord Boyce

Lady Soames, Churchill's daughter, and Kieran Wilson, youth member, at the 24th International Churchill Conference in Vancouver BC

Vancouver Island Members at the 24th International Conference, 2007, Vancouver BC, Canada

WW11 Victory Bell becomes Official Gavel for Sir Winston Churchill Society VI

At the March 29, 2007 AGM, member Lyle Acton presented Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island with a special bell. This bell had been bought at auction by Lyle and he deemed it fitting and proper that it should have an official place as the Society’s “gavel”. It was gratefully received and will be put to good use at meetings and special occasions.

This was a “Victory Bell” dating from the end of the Second World War, made in several different sizes and sold in aid of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, to assist war widows. The handle is decorated with the motif “V” for victory and in relief around the bell are the profiles of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin with the words, “CAST WITH METAL FROM GERMAN AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN OVER BRITAIN 1939-45 R.A.F. BENEVOLENT FUND”.

The bell was previously owned by another of our Churchill Society members, Isabel Morrison, who acquired it some years previously when she and her husband were in a buying mood for anything to do with Winston Churchill. When Isabel donated it for one of our Society auctions, it was purchased by Lyle who subsequently returned it to us as a much appreciated donation.

The engraved plaque on the bell cover reads “Presented to The Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island By: Isabel Morrison/Angela & Lyle Acton, March 29, 2007”.

About Our Members

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Aleck Trawick, QC

June 17, 1945 - November 20, 2010

Aleck was a greatly valued member and Secretary of both the Churchill Foundation of Vancouver Island and the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. He has left a significant hole in our associations and in our hearts. Read Aleck’s obituary and leave a message for his family here.

Friends of Aleck Trawick who would like to donate to the Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island can do so by sending a cheque to:
Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island: 405-3989 Quadra Street, PO Box 30125 Victoria, BC V8X 3E0. Please identify that the donation is in the name of Aleck Trawick. A tax receipt will be issued and Aleck's family will be notified of your donation. Thank you.

MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

David Rodger turns 100! Read his amazing story here:

Author’s words reach unearthly audience: Chris Gainor’s book on the space program found a fan in Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk Tom Hawthorn Victoria— From the Globe and Mail Monday, May. 17, 2010 01:36AM EDT

As a boy, Chris Gainor arose at dawn to watch the launch of an Atlas missile atop which rode the astronaut John Glenn. He followed the Gemini program, and by the time Apollo took men to the moon, he was hooked, dreaming of the day when he, too, might go into space. Of course it never happened. Mr. Gainor became a journalist, winning a National Newspaper Award with the Vancouver Sun, and later working as a communications director for the NDP caucus in Victoria. Every January, he dons a trench coat and jams a long cigar into his mouth as he impersonates Winston Churchill at a ceremony in Beacon Hill Park to honour the memory of the British prime minister. Read more here

SWCSVI member, Olive Bailey, was awarded a special Commemorative Badge for her secret service at Bletchley Codebreaking Centre in England during WWII. Olive Bailey was among 10,000 men and women who worked in top secret to break enemy military codes during the Second World War.

Now, 64 years later, she and about 1500 other surviving cryptography operatives were recently honoured in October, 2009 , when presented with a special Commemorative Badge by UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband. Speaking at last year's Churchill Birthday Luncheon, Olive entranced us with her entertaining reminiscences of personal experiences in the secret world of code-breaking and counter-espionage at Bletchley Park.(Churchill famously described the security conscious staff as, “The geese that laid the golden eggs -- but never cackled.”) Foreign Secretary Miliband paid tribute to the codebreakers, saying: “Bletchley veterans represent the selfless commitment shown by every one of the people who worked in signals intelligence. I would like to thank you personally for all that you did and for the inspiration you have given to those who follow in your footsteps". To which, all members of SWCSVI also add our hearty congratulations, Olive!
Click link below for Olive's story and photos in our OCTOBER Newsletter:

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 2011-2012
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND

PRESIDENT Paul Summerville mailto:presidentvanislechurchillsociety@shaw.ca
VICE-PRESIDENT Chris Gainor
SECRETARY Joel Fagan 250.477.2006
TREASURER Heather Travers heather.travers@shaw.ca

Directors/Chairs

EVENT SPEAKERS Sarah Warder
MEMBERSHIP Margaret Pyper pyperjones@shaw.ca
SPECIAL EVENTS Dan Munro 250-727-2830 dcmunro@shaw.ca
YOUTH & EDUCATION Kieran Wilson kieranw@telus.net
COMMUNICATIONS Matt Kelly
WEBSITE CHAIR Fiona Bramble fionabramble@telus.net
SPEAKERS BUREAU Beth Trawick

Members-at-large
Norman Kerr; David Rodger; Ron Armstrong 250.385.9552 captainca@yahoo.ca

CHURCHILL FOUNDATION VANCOUVER ISLAND
Executive Director, Mayo McDonough
250.595.0008
cfvi@shaw.ca
www.cfvi.ca

Event Archives

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November 29, 2010: Celebration of the Anniversary of Churchill's Birthday @ Movie Monday: Into the Storm

November 27, 2010: Churchill's 136th Birthday Luncheon with David Stafford "Churchill and Secret Service" @ the Royal Colwood Golf Club, Victoria, B.C. For more information about speaker and author, David Stafford,click here.

July 11th 2010: Midsummer Art Festival @ Esquimalt Lagoon: "Churchill, the Artist"

June 12th 2010:Sixth Annual Gala Reception and Dinner @ The Union Club, Victoria B.C. Guest speaker, Dr. Ronald Cohen, author of the 3-volume set “Bibliography of the Writings of Sir Winston Churchill”. Cohen’s fascination with Churchill began during his time with The Economist in London, shortly after his graduation from Harvard University. He began collecting Churchilliana in 1969 and started working on this bibliography in 1981. The publication of this major work is the culmination of 25 years’ dedicated research. Cohen is the National Chair of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, a lawyer, founding Chairman of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, a Genie award-winning film producer, and President of the Friends of Library and Archives Canada. Dr. Ronald Cohen talked with Hudson Mack of A News about Winston Churchill before he left Ottawa for his Western Canada speaking tour. Watch the interview here: "A" News Interview with Dr. Ronald Cohen Images from the evening:

November 29, 2010: Celebration of the Anniversary of Churchill's Birthday @ Movie Monday: Into the Storm

November 27, 2010: Churchill's 136th Birthday Luncheon with David Stafford "Churchill and Secret Service" @ the Royal Colwood Golf Club, Victoria, B.C. For more information about speaker and author, David Stafford, click here.

July 11th 2010: Midsummer Art Festival @ Esquimalt Lagoon: "Churchill, the Artist"

June 12th 2010:Sixth Annual Gala Reception and Dinner @ The Union Club, Victoria B.C. Guest speaker, Dr. Ronald Cohen, author of the 3-volume set “Bibliography of the Writings of Sir Winston Churchill”. Cohen’s fascination with Churchill began during his time with The Economist in London, shortly after his graduation from Harvard University. He began collecting Churchilliana in 1969 and started working on this bibliography in 1981. The publication of this major work is the culmination of 25 years’ dedicated research. Cohen is the National Chair of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, a lawyer, founding Chairman of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, a Genie award-winning film producer, and President of the Friends of Library and Archives Canada. Dr. Ronald Cohen talked with Hudson Mack of A News about Winston Churchill before he left Ottawa for his Western Canada speaking tour. Watch the interview here: "A" News Interview with Dr. Ronald Cohen Images from the evening:

April 7th 2010: Spring Reception and Annual General Meeting @ Uplands Golf Club Guest speaker, Paul Summerville, gave a most informative and entertaining talk at the annual spring gathering of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. His topic was “Social Justice in Sir Winston Churchill’s World View” and he offered some tantalizing insights into how those views would translate into the 21st century. The event was the occasion of the Annual General Meeting and the election of new Board for the coming year. A listing of the Officers, Chairs and Directors can be found on our website under Contact Us and About Our Members. There were 45 members, including seven guests in attendance. Guests are always welcome at local events. Read Paul Summerville's speech: Social Justice in Winston Churchill's World View: Lessons for the 21st Century

January 2010 Annual Tree Ceremony @ Beacon Hill Park Sunday, January 24th @ 2pm . The Society's annual gathering and toast to Winnie near or on the anniversary of his death at the Hawthorne tree near Park entrance at the bottom of Quadra St. , Victoria BC, Canada. Sir Winston planted this tree himself in 1929. See photos here. Click links below for Churchill tributes: Funeral Service of Churchill: Part 1 BBC: On This Day

NOVEMBER 28th 2009 135th Birthday Anniversary Luncheon A luncheon to celebrate the anniversary of Sir Winston’s birthday was held on Saturday, November 28th, at the Royal Colwood Golf Club. It was a rousing celebration of the life and times of a fellow born over a century ago but gone for the past 44 years. About 56 members, including a number of guests, heard speaker, Sidney Allinson, describe Churchill’s experiences leading up to and beyond the Dardanelles/Gallipoli Campaign of 1914 to 1916. Allinson is president of the Society this year. Guests were also treated to a presentation and explanation of the Society’s new website by student member, Kieran Wilson, who is also member of the SWCSVI Speakers Bureau. Kieran has given a several talks in the past year to high school classes and to another local organization. The 2009 recipient of the Churchill Foundation Scholarship at University of Victoria, Cameron Loveless, was also introduced to the gathering. See photos below. NOVEMBER 30th 2009 Special Viewing of "The Gathering Storm" The true anniversary of Sir Winston's birthday, November 30th, was celebrated at a special viewing of the HBO movie, "The Gathering Storm", at Movie Monday, Eric Martin Pavilion. Over a dozen Society members were present, including 3 members of the Speaker's Bureau. The film itself was riveting; Albert Finney's performance was genius, alternately fierce and funny, with no small assistance from the stellar Vanessa Redgrave. Finney truly seemed to have channeled Sir Winston. Our Speaker's Bureau fielded questions from a curious and knowledgeable audience and all present were touched by a Polish man's remembrance of his town, Danzig, being fired upon by invading forces and his childhood fear that all was lost. It was important for him to remind us, in his words, "only Churchill cared about us" and that he owed his life to Churchill's tenacity and conviction. This man is living testament to the legacy of Sir Winston. Many thanks to HBO for giving us permission to screen "The Gathering Storm" at this new event. The 26th International Churchill Conference: San Francisco, U.S.A. “Churchill for Today” was the theme for the 26th International Conference, held in San Francisco on September 9 – 12, 2009. It was a most appropriate theme considering the issues that faced Churchill in the early years of the 20th century and the startling similarities to current economic and political issues. Four essays from Churchill’s book “Thoughts and Adventures” written in 1932 formed the basis for this year’s panel discussions. The essays, “Mass Effects in Modern Life (written in 1931), “Consistency in Politics” (1927), “Shall We All Commit Suicide” (1924), and “Fifty Years Hence” (1931) were powerful and prescient considerations of issues, remarkable in such a young man. Attendees at the Conference numbered about 200, including four from the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. It was an informative and entertaining event, made so as much by the distinguished list of guest speakers as by the knowledgeable and articulate audience during the Q & A periods. One of the interesting participants was Winston Churchill, the great grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, who commented on his great grandfather’s astute observations in 1928, concerning the potential rise of Islam as a world force. Next year’s conference will be held in Washington, DC and promises to deliver a formidable array of speakers and topics as well as the usual appeal of well-planned pre-session tours and special events. Annual Memorial Dinner May 2009 Churchillians were invited to the annual Memorial Dinner on Saturday, May 2 at the Executive Eurostar Hotel, 3020 Blanshard Street, Victoria. The reception began at 6:30 pm with a cash bar, followed by a three-course dinner with wine at 7:30 pm. Highlight of the evening was guest speaker Deborah Winslow Nutter, and her topic was “Winston and Clementine”. Professor Nutter is Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Practice at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, MA. However, she is also extremely knowledgeable about the life and times of Winston Churchill and especially his long and loving relationship with his Clementine. Professor Nutter was a dynamic and engaging speaker. Her presentation revealed fascinating insights about the couple’s loving relationship – Winston’s initially bashful courtship, Clementine Hozier’s sometimes difficult early life, her fierce loyalty to Winston and her shrewd insights into the character of his friends, associates, and political enemies. The famous pair had a near-perfect marriage, a genuinely romantic union that endured for 50 years, despite enormous pressures stemming from Winston’s stormy political career, wartime leadership, periods of financial uncertainty, and occasional family crises.Through it all Clementine maintained a stable home environment and was a wise counsel to her husband, then staunchly continued to protect his memory and reputation long after his much –mourned death in 1965. 11th Annual Gathering of Churchill Fans at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria Jan 2009 On Sunday, Jan 25, 2009, fans of Churchill gathered again in Beacon Hill Park, at the foot of Quadra St., Victoria, in front of the hawthorn tree that Sir Winston planted in 1929. This event was hosted, as usual, by Les Leyne, columnist with the Times Colonist newspaper and supported by members of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. About 90 people bravely turned out on a cold and blustery day and a few folks shared stories about the great statesman. All joined in a toast to his memory and took part in a draw for prizes. Annual Churchill Birthday Luncheon On November 27, 2008 In celebration of the birthday of Sir Winston Churchill on November 30, 1874, a buffet luncheon was held at the Royal Colwood Golf Club for 54 members and guests. Highlight of the programme was a panel of three members of the Society outlining “Why Am I Interested In Sir Winston Churchill”. All the panelists shared wonderful and amusing memories and experiences in connection with their interest in Churchill. One panelist, was a member of the Bletchley Park organization during the Second World War. An entertaining and informative afternoon for all who attended. 25th International Churchill Conference in September 2008 The 25th International Churchill Conference, sponsored by the Churchill Centre and New England Churchillians, was held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, Thursday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 14. Churchill visited Boston on four occasions during his life-time and delivered several memorable speeches there. Theme of this year’s Conference was “Churchill and Ireland” and over 200 attendees came from mostly the US and Canada, but the Czech Republic and Ireland were also represented. Guests enjoyed stimulating presentations by a number of excellent speakers on the theme. The occasion of the Conference also marked the 100th anniversary of the marriage of Winston and Clementine in September, 1908 and guest speaker, Deborah Nutter, who has done extensive research on the subject, gave a spirited, informative and entertaining glimpse into the personal lives of these two exceptional characters. A guided tour of the impressive Boston Public Library was another highlight of the Conference, as was a special half-day tour to a particularly well-presented private Museum of World War 11 in nearby Natick, Mass. Admiral the Lord Boyce GCB OBE DL Guest Speaker at Memorial Dinner June 14, 2008 Lord Boyce joined the Royal Navy in 1961. He qualified as a submariner and in the course of his time in that specialization commanded two conventional submarines, a nuclear attack submarine and the Submarine Training Squadron. He also became an Anti-Submarine Warfare specialist. Away from the underwater world, amongst other duties, he commanded the frigate HMS Brilliant, was Director of the Naval Staff and had the role of Senior Naval Officer Middle East. He was promoted to the Flag List in 1991 and was subsequently Flag Officer Sea Training; Flag Officer Surface Flotilla; Commander in Chief Naval Home Command and Second Sea Lord; and Commander in Chief Fleet. During this period he was knighted and also held a variety of senior NATO Commands. He became First Sea Lord in 1998, Chief of Defence Staff at the beginning of 2001 and retired in May 2003. He is a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of W S Atkins plc and VT plc; Chairman of The D Group Advisory Group; and an Advisor to Computer Sciences Corporation, and Tricolom Ltd. Lord Boyce was elevated to the peerage in June 2003 and was appointed Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle in July 2004. He is a Freeman of the City of London, Elder Brother of Trinity House, Knight of St John, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, Colonel Commandant of the Special Boat Service and Honorary Doctor of Laws (Portsmouth). He is also involved in a number of charities and associations, including being: President of St John Ambulance (London District); Patron of the Submariners Association; President of the Officers’ Association; Trustee National Maritime Museum; Vice Chairman and Trustee Royal National Lifeboat Institution; Chairman White Ensign Association; Patron Sail4Cancer; Patron Trafalgar Woods; Vice Chairman & Director Naval & Military Club; President RN Squash Rackets Association; President Royal Navy Submarine Museum; Vice President Forces Pension Society. He is a keen sportsman, on and off the water, and follower of opera and ballet. April 2, 2008: Annual General Meeting The AGM was held at Uplands Golf Club on April 2, beginning with a reception at 6:00 pm followed by an appetizer buffet, a short meeting and then the feature of our evening – two special guest speakers. They are the husband and wife team of Peter Clarke and Maria Tippett. Dr. Maria Tippett, the noted biographer and historian, spoke about her recently published book on Yousuf Karsh, the famous photographer of Churchill. The book is published by Anansi. Maria Tippett is Canada’s great cultural historian. Among her many books is her famed biography of Emily Carr. The January 15, 2008 issue of the National Post, Arts and Life, features a two-page centre spread on five famous Karsh photographs and commentary by Maria Tippett. Her husband, the equally eminent Peter Clarke, former Professor of Modern British History at Cambridge University and Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, talked about his new book, The Last Thousand Days of the British Empire (Allen Lane/Penguin Books.) January 20, 2008: Churchill Tree Ceremony at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria On Sept. 6, 1929 Winston Churchill visited Victoria and planted a hawthorn seedling in Beacon Hill Park at the foot of Quadra Street. This year was the 10th anniversary of a ceremony, instituted by Les Leyne, a Times Colonist columnist and keen Churchill fan. The annual Churchill Tree Ceremony at Beacon Hill Park is usually held on the Sunday closest to January 24th, the anniversary of Winston Churchill’s death, and is meant to honour the memory of Churchill with a few short speeches, usually several draws for Churchill memorabilia and books, and a toast to the great orator and statesman. In the last several years a crowd of anywhere from 75 to 100 persons gathers to take part, including a number of members from the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. Les Leyne usually notifies readers of his column of the event date.

Membership

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Click on thumbnail below to view, print, or download Membership Application

Membership in the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island will entitle you to attend events and activities locally, as well as participate in a variety of events held nationally and internationally. These all feature outstanding speakers on important matters of public interest in honour of the memory of Sir Winston.

Also included in your membership are two publications from the Churchill Centre. “Finest Hour, The Journal of Winston Churchill” is an attractive and comprehensive magazine containing scholarly speeches and papers, as well as material from lectures and theses, works from fraternal organizations. In addition, there are some less scholarly, but very popular columns and features such as “Wit and Wisdom”, the “Quiz”, and “Around and About”. This publication is truly aimed not only at Churchill scholars but also at anyone with a serious and abiding interest in Churchill generally. The “Chartwell Bulletin” is devoted to information about officers, events coverage, news and business matters relating to the Centre and to the many Churchill Societies and Affiliates around the world and is available to members online.

We look forward to welcoming you as a member and having you participate in honouring the life and achievements of Sir Winston Spencer Churchill.

Youth and Education

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Poster and registration information for 1st Annual Impromptu Speaking Youth Competition -Saturday, April 9, 2011:

In My Early Life, Churchill wrote,
"Twenty to twenty-five! These are the years! Don't be content with things as they are. 'The earth is yours and the fullness thereof.' Enter upon your inheritance, accept your responsibilities. Raise the glorious flags again, advance them upon the new enemies, who constantly gather upon the front of the human army, and have only to be assaulted to be overthrown. Don't take No for an answer. Never submit to failure. Do not be fobbed off with mere personal success or acceptance. You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true, and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her. She was made to be wooed and won by youth."

The Youth and Education Committee, like Churchill, knows that the young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow and has the joyful responsibility of encouraging and supporting youth education and youth membership in the Society through educational materials, a $500 high school award, and a university scholarship endowment.

The Committee also offers the services of our Speakers Bureau, a fascinating group of men, women, and youth whose lives have been and are touched by Churchill in incredible ways. Our speakers are multi-generational and speak on a variety of topics. The Speakers Bureau is available for local talks and presentations to high schools, university classes, and other organizations for no charge.

Members of any age are most welcome in the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. Our youngest member joined at the age of eleven, so it is never to early, nor too late, to heed the words of Churchill.

Click the links below for more information and to view, print, or download forms:

Contact the Youth and Education Committee: kieranw@telus.net

Speakers Archive

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Guest Speakers at Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island

The following is a list of some of the distinguished guest speakers who have addressed the Society since its inauguration

Nov. 30, 2004 - Professor Robert Harmon of Seattle University
Inaugural Dinner “The Pleasure of his Company"

Mar. 22, 2005 - Stan Orchard, Member SWCSVI
1st AGM - Wine & Cheese “Churchill and Victoria”

May 14, 2005 - Viscount David Montgomery of Alamein
1st Annual Gala Dinner “Churchill and Montgomery”

Nov 30, 2005 - Barry Gough, Member SWCSVI
SWC Birthday Luncheon “Titans at the Admiralty:
Sir Winston and Admiral Lord Fisher”

Mar 15, 2006 - Robert Brown
AGM- Appetizer Buffet “Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar”

May 25, 2006 - Dr. David Jablonsky
Annual Gala Dinner “Churchill, The Grand Strategist”

Nov 30, 2006 - Charles Maier
SWC Birthday Luncheon “The Heraldry of Sir Winston Churchill”

Mar 29, 2007 - Chris Gainor, Member SWCSVI
AGM – Appetizer Buffet “Churchill and Me”

May 09, 2007 - Dr. James W. Muller
Annual Gala Dinner “The River War”

November 29, 2007 - Tim Travers
SWC Birthday Luncheon “Churchill and the Gallipoli Campaign”

April 2, 2008 - Peter Clarke
AGM-Appetizer Buffet “The Last Thousand Days of the British Empire”
& - Dr. Maria Tippett
“Portrait in Light and Shadow:
The Life of Yousuf Karsh”

June 14, 2008 Admiral the Lord Michael Boyce
Annual Memorial Dinner “Churchill, the Royal Navy and the Lord Warden
of the Cinque Ports”

Nov 27, 2008 Sidney Allinson, Olive Bailey and Pamela Reynolds
SWC Birthday Luncheon “Why Am I Interested in Sir Winston Churchill”

Feb 11, 2009 Brian R.D. Smith, QC Member SWCSVI
AGM-Appetizer Buffet “Winston Churchill and British Columbia
- An Early Connection”

May 1, 2009 Deborah Winslow Nutter
Annual Memorial Dinner “Winston and Clementine”

November 28, 2009 Sidney Allison
SWC Birthday Luncheon "Scapegoat of the Dardanelles"

April 7, 2010 Paul Summerville
AGM "Social Justice in SWC's World View - Lessons for the 21st Century"

June 12, 2010 Dr. Ronald Cohen
Annual Gala and Reception "Churchill the Author"

News and Press Releases

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Click thumbnail to view, download, or print the SWCSVI Summer 2011 Newsletter:

Click link to view, download, or print recent SWCSVI Newsletters:

Dr. Ronald Cohen, guest speaker at June 12, 2010 SWCSVI Gala Event, talked with Hudson Mack of "A" News about Winston Churchill before he left Ottawa for his Western Canada speaking tour:
Watch video here: "A" News Interview with Dr. Ronald Cohen

SWCSVI Director and historian, Chris Gainor, recounts Churchill's Visit to Victoria B.C. in 1929:
On Friday June 11, 2010 “A News” (Channel 12) of Victoria produced a segment on Winston Churchill’s visit to Victoria in 1929 based on the article by historian and Society director Chris Gainor that will be featured in SWCSVI's Summer Issue of the Roaring Lion Quarterly . News personality Shachi Kurl interviews Chris Gainor who appears in the character of Winston Churchill and highlights his trip to Victoria. Watch video:
Chris Gainor as SWC in 1929

Churchill Pleads with Eisenhower to Put Him on a Ship as Part of D-Day Invasion:
CASHIN'S COMMENTS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010 [AN ENCORE PRESENTATION]
(Editor's Note: The following historical note was originally presented by an old friend on the floor who is a military history buff. We didn't have time to research it ourselves but he swears it's true and, on the floor at least, your word is still your bond...so here goes a remarkable story.)

On this day (-1 approximately) in 1944, Winston Churchill called Dwight Eisenhower. The conversation went something like this: "Ike, I want you to put me on one of the ships to observe the invasion. We've waited so long for this moment. It will be a turning point in the history of all mankind. And, I can not send so many brave boys to meet danger or death without showing them I share some risk."

Ike replied something like - "Mr. Prime Minister, I understand your feelings completely. But you are such a symbol of the Allied cause that I cannot allow you to take the risk. If something happened to you, it would be a setback to the war effort no matter what fate we met on the beach."

Churchill threatened to call FDR but Ike said he would resign before letting Churchill board the invasion fleet.

Churchill then reminded Ike that he (Churchill) had once been First Lord of the Admiralty. Therefore, he said "I think I still have enough friends in the British Navy to get aboard some vessel whether you like it or not." The reply - "Perhaps, Mr. Prime Minister...but I assure you I shall do everything I can to prevent it."

Later that day, Ike took the unusual step of calling Windsor Castle. He asked to speak to George VI, the King of England. After excusing his own impertinence, Ike told the King that Churchill was being foolish and stubborn and that if anything happened to Churchill the war effort would suffer regardless of other events.

The King listened sympathetically. He agreed with every point Ike made. Then he said that after working with the Prime Minister for months, Ike must know that Churchill was clearly a very stubborn Englishman, who might well ignore an order even from his king on this matter.

Late that night the King called Churchill. "Winston, what's all this tomfoolery about you being on board the invasion fleet?" A stunned Churchill replied - "It's no tomfoolery, Your Majesty! We've worked so hard...suffered so much...historic moment in the history of mankind...brave boys at risk...etc, etc. It is no tomfoolery, Your Majesty, it is my solemn duty as Prime Minister!!"

The King paused a moment then replied - "You're right Winston! But if it is the solemn duty of the Prime Minister to be aboard, it is 10 times that duty for the King to be there...what ship do you suggest we sail on, Winston?"

It probably took Churchill a second or two to realize he had been outfoxed. Then he said, "You've made your point very well Your Majesty. We'll both await the news at home."

SWCSVI Media Release, May 14, 2010:
Release date May 14, 2010
Event Date June 12, 2010

Churchill’s words when he received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953: “I am proud, but also I must admit, awestruck at your decision to include me. I do hope you are right. I feel we are both running a considerable risk and that I do not deserve it. But I shall have no misgivings if you have none.”

"Winston Churchill: The Politician and His Pen" by Dr Ron Cohen on June 12 at SWCSVI Gala Event

(Victoria BC) Dr. Ronald Cohen, National Chair of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and author of the three-volume magnum opus, A Bibliography of the Writings of Sir Winston Churchill, will be the Guest Speaker at this year’s Gala dinner, to be held Saturday, June 12 at the Union Club in Victoria, at 805 Gordon Street.

Ronald Cohen’s fascination with Churchill began while with The Economist in London, shortly after his graduation from Harvard University. He began collecting Churchilliana in 1969 and started working on this bibliography in 1981. The publication of this major work is the culmination of nearly 25 years’ dedicated research. Cohen is the National Chair of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, a lawyer, founding Chair of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, a Genie award-winning film producer, and Past President of the Friends of Library and Archives Canada.

The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar. The three-course-meal, which includes wine, will be served at 7:30 pm. Dress is black tie or business suit. Guests most welcome! For tickets see www.churchillvictoria.com or call Dan Munro 250-727-2830.

The Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island is devoted to ensuring the inspiration of this great global statesman, from the last century, will motivate even greater leadership today. Run by volunteers, the society provides events and activities for members and for the general public. For more info see www.churchillvictoria.com

Media contact:
Mayo McDonough mailto:mayomcd@shaw.ca
250.595.0008

Note: The cost for the Gala evening is $85 per person ($50 per student member). Please make cheques payable to Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island and mail to PO Box 2114 Sidney BC V8L 3S6 to be received no later than June 5, 2010.

Click thumbnail to view, download, or print Media Release pdf:

From Telegraph.co.uk, March 2, 2010:
Winston Churchill, who died today aged 69, never quite managed in 27 years as a Conservative MP to shrug off the burdens of having had the wartime leader as his grandfather and the ebullient, self-destructive Randolph Churchill for a father. Read more here

From Maclean's Magazine, February 22, 2010:

Rarely seen colour television footage of Sir Winston Churchill has been uncovered to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the college in his name at Cambridge University. (Telegraph.co.uk, October 17th, 2009) Watch it here

Churchill Foundation Awards 2009 UVic Scholarship
Cameron Loveless was selected to receive this year's Scholarship Award of $800 from the Sir Winston Churchill Foundation. In addition to his first-class academic record, Cameron has served as a coach and referee in various childrens' sports programmes, and was a volunteer helper at Saanich Peninsula Hospice. While studying at Camosun College, he was named to the Dean's List for academic excellence, then transferred to UVic.Cameron expressed his deep appreciation for being awarded the scholarship, saying, “The Winston Churchill Society has shown great generosity by investing in my future, and I thank all members for this honour.”
“This scholarship will help me to achieve my academic goals. I am a fourth year History student, and have recently been accepted to the Masters programme at the University of Victoria. My long-term goals are to either complete a Doctorate in History, or else go to Law School..In either case, I will go forward in part thanks to your support. Sir Winston Spencer Churchill was a truly great man, and your Society can be proud in perpetuating his memory among today's young Canadians.”

Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island Funds a Scholarship at University of Victoria First Recipient named in 2008
On December 14, 2007, the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island handed a cheque for $20,000 to the University of Victoria to fund an endowment for an annual award. The scholarship is intended for third or fourth-year History or Political Science students who best exemplify the character and qualities of Sir Winston Spencer Churchill. The first award was announced in April by the History Department at the University. Our Society is pleased to announce that it will go to History scholar, Randy Neville. Subsequent awards will alternate between History and Political Science students. It is hoped that this scholarship will encourage students to take leadership roles and keep interest in Winston Churchill alive at UVic. Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island is a not-for-profit Society incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia on March 15, 2006. The Foundation limits its activity solely to charitable works that will reflect the objectives of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. Those objectives are to stimulate an appreciation of history and, national and international affairs through the provision of educational scholarships, bursaries, prizes and awards, and to sponsor speeches, lectures, panel discussions and debates, in such a manner as to perpetuate the memory of the Right Honourable Sir Winston Spencer Churchill. The immediate focus of the Foundation is on Youth and Education. The Foundation is registered as a charity with Canada Revenue Agency and is therefore able to issue receipts for income tax purposes for all donations over $25. The Foundation has a brokerage account which enables donors to donate corporate shares listed on a stock exchange and thus take advantage of recent amendments to the Income Tax Act. The donor receives a receipt for the market value of the shares and is not required to take into income any capital gains on the disposition of the shares. Please contact the Treasurer of the Foundation for details. The officers of the Foundation for 2009/2010 are as follows:

President Sidney Allinson
Vice President Ray Travers
Secretary Aleck Trawick
Treasurer Nancy Vivian ph. 250-655-4773

Canada Post issues Churchill Stamp In 2008
Churchill Society Vancouver Island members and guests will remember the informative and entertaining account given by guest speaker, Dr. Maria Tippett at the April 2 Spring Reception and AGM, on Yousuf Karsh.. She had just published a book on Karsh and his amazing talent in photographing prominent figures, especially Sir Winston Spencer Churchill. This year, to mark the 100th anniversary of Karsh’s birth and to honour his work, Canada Post is issuing a set of three stamps. One of the stamps, (international rate $1.60), features his most famous portrait subject and the photograph that made Karsh famous.
The story is often told of how Karsh created his portrait of Churchill during the early years of World War II. Churchill, the British prime minister, had just addressed the Canadian Parliament in 1941 and Karsh was there to record one of the century's great leaders. "He was in no mood for portraiture and two minutes were all that he would allow me as he passed from the House of Commons chamber to an anteroom," Karsh wrote in Faces of Our Time. "Two niggardly minutes in which I must try to put on film a man who had already written or inspired a library of books, baffled all his biographers, filled the world with his fame, and me, on this occasion, with dread."
Churchill marched into the room scowling, "regarding my camera as he might regard the German enemy." His expression suited Karsh perfectly, but the cigar stuck between his teeth seemed incompatible with such a solemn and formal occasion. "Instinctively, I removed the cigar. At this the Churchillian scowl deepened, the head was thrust forward belligerently, and the hand placed on the hip in an attitude of anger."
The image captured Churchill and the Britain of the time perfectly — defiant and unconquerable. Churchill later said to him, "You can even make a roaring lion stand still to be photographed." As such, Karsh titled the photograph, The Roaring Lion.
However, Karsh's favourite photograph was the one taken immediately after this one where Churchill's mood had lightened considerably and is shown much in the same pose, but smiling.

Churchill sunset painting sells in New York for $350,000
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Apl. 24, 2008.
NEW YORK - An auction company says a painting by Winston Churchill of a Moroccan sunset has sold for $350,000.
"Sunset Over the Atlas Mountains," a vibrant landscape painted in 1935 from Churchill's balcony at the Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech, had been expected to bring at least $600,000 at the Bonhams New York auction house on Wednesday.
The company's website announced the sale but didn't say who bought the painting.
Churchill invited Roosevelt to travel with him to Marrakech after a conference in Casablanca in 1943 so he could experience the beautiful view for himself.
After Churchill's death in 1965, the 50x60-centimetre oil painting went to a daughter, who sold it to a private collector in Texas.
The collector sold it in 1992 to the family of the San Francisco owner who auctioned it Wednesday.
Churchill, who began painting for relaxation and loved working in brilliant colours, often did not sign his work, including "Sunset," so as not to influence judges, Bonhams European paintings specialist Malcolm Walker said.
"He was as good as an amateur artist will get," Walker said before the sale.
A 1948 Churchill painting, "Marrakech," depicting the city's gates against the backdrop of the Atlas mountains, sold at auction for about $950,000 in December 2007. Earlier that year, his painting "Chartwell Landscape with Sheep" sold for $2.06 million, a record for him.
© The Canadian Press, 2008

Forms, Brochures, and Posters

2006-09-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

Click links below to view, download, or print forms.

Contact Us

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email:
General Enquiries: churchillvi@gmail.com
Youth and Education: kieranw@telus.net

snail mail:
Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island
405-3989 Quadra Street, PO Box 30125
Victoria, BC
V8X 5E1

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 2011-2012
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND

PRESIDENT Paul Summerville presidentvanislechurchillsociety@shaw.ca
VICE-PRESIDENT Chris Gainor
SECRETARY Joel Fagan 250.477.2006
TREASURER Heather Travers heather.travers@shaw.ca

Directors/Chairs

EVENT SPEAKERS Sarah Warder
MEMBERSHIP Margaret Pyper pyperjones@shaw.ca
SPECIAL EVENTS Dan Munro 250-727-2830 dcmunro@shaw.ca
YOUTH & EDUCATION Kieran Wilson kieranw@telus.net
COMMUNICATIONS Matt Kelly
WEBSITE CHAIR Fiona Bramble fionabramble@telus.net
SPEAKERS BUREAU Beth Trawick

Members-at-large
Norman Kerr; David Rodger; Ron Armstrong 250.385.9552 captainca@yahoo.ca

CHURCHILL FOUNDATION VANCOUVER ISLAND
Executive DirectorMayo McDonough
250.595.0008
cfvi@shaw.ca
http://www.cfvi.ca

SWCSVI Speakers Bureau

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"Haven't you learned yet that I put something more than whisky into my speeches?"

-Sir Winston Churchill to his son, Randolph

Our speakers bring HISTORY to life!

Sidney Allinson is a Canadian novelist and military historian, author of six books, numerous magazine articles, film scripts, and book reviews. His newest book is called The Bantams: The Untold Story of World War One.

Olive Bailey was "called up" in London in 1940 and sent to work in a factory producing sections of Halifax bombers, shortly after which she became part of the team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park who worked in utter secrecy for the duration of the war.

Timon Ferguson is a Camosun College student and Churchill admirer who read Churchill's autobiography "My Early Life" at the age of 13. Timon believes Churchill had the charisma and spirit of an action hero and enjoys discussing Churchill's humour and sense of adventure.

Chris Gainor is a historian and writer, specializing in the history of space and aviation technology. His most recent book is titled To a Distant Day: The Rocket Pioneers. Chris has taught history and the University of Victoria and is an ardent Churchill fan and look-alike.

Stan A. Orchard is an amphibian and reptile specialist and conservation biologist. He is currently working on research problems with the management of alien invasive species. In his spare time, he studies the origin, evolution, and ecology of Sir Winston S. Churchill.

Kieran Wilson is a Grade 11 student at Esquimalt High School and the youngest member of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island. Kieran is a budding Churchill scholar, keen historian, and an award-winning Effective Speaker with the 89 Pacific Squadron.

Ron Armstrong is a model boat builder and military history enthusiast with a special interest in Churchill's military career.

Akili Pomian studies Art History at the University of Victoria and is keen to talk about Churchill's art and painting style.

For more information about some of the speakers, visit our About Our Members page.

Sample Topics:

The First World War
The Second World
Espionage
Churchill the Action Hero
Churchill as a Young Man
Leadership
Churchill and Canada
Churchill the Writer
Churchill and New Technologies
Churchill the Artist

To book a speaker from our Speakers Bureau or for more information, please contact: Beth Trawick @ 250.658.2258 or btrawick@shaw.ca

Churchill Speakers Bureau In Action
Olive Bailey, a member of the SWCSVI’s newly formed Speaker’s Bureau, recently spoke to the Probus Club of Oak Bay. At their November meeting a record audience of 75 members and 14 guests heard Olive’s talk, described as follows:
“If any of us thought that we were good at keeping a secret, then we had not met Olive Bailey. This bright and articulate woman described the vital role that she and many others played at Bletchley Park, Bucks, UK, during the Second World War. The work involved “code breaking” or decrypting and interpreting Axis codes and ciphers from 1939 to the end of the War. The entire operation was not made public until the 1970’s, meaning that Olive and her civilian and military colleagues kept the Bletchley Ultra project secret from family and friends for over 30 years! Born in 1921 Olive was “called up” for duty on July 11, 1940 and assigned to an aircraft factory (on the Watford Bypass) where she was introduced to security duties. In 1941 she was assigned to Bletchley Park where her bright mathematical mind joined others in code breaking work; a top-secret Ultra operation which was crucial to the Allied war efforts. Olive regaled us with tales of intrigue and danger from her Most Secret Life; all told with her lively sense of humour. Listening to Olive right after Remembrance Day brought back so many memories. We were left with feelings of admiration for the courage of so many people during the War.
Thank you, Olive.”
We members of the SWCSVI echo their sentiments.