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  Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellows Rotary International Founder - Paul Percy Harris: 1868 -1947: The world's first international service club.
Born in Racine Wisconsin, USA on 19 April 1868, Paul was the second of six children to George N. Harris and Cornelia Bryan Harris. At age 3 he moved to Wallingford, Vermont where he grew up in the care of his paternal grandparents. Married to Jean Thompson Harris (1881 - 1963), they had no children. He received an LLB. from the University of Iowa and received an honorary LLD. from the University of Vermont.
Paul Harris worked as a newspaper reporter, a business teacher, stock company actor, cowboy, and traveled extensively in the U.S.A. and Europe selling marble and granite. In 1896, he went to Chicago to practice law. One evening Paul visited the suburban home of a professional friend. After dinner, as they strolled through the neighborhood, Paul's friend introduced him to various tradesmen in their stores. It was here Paul conceived the idea of a club that could recapture some of the friendly spirit among businessmen in small communities.
On 23 February 1905, Paul Harris formed the first club with three other businessmen: Silvester Schiele, a coal merchant; Gustavus Loehr, a mining engineer; and Hiram Shorey, a merchant tailor. Paul Harris named the new club "Rotary" because members met in rotation at their various places of business. Club membership grew rapidly. Soon Paul became convinced that the Rotary club could be developed into an important service movement and strove to extend Rotary to other cities.Perth Rotary Club has bestowed the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award on only three Club Members, Jimmie Cairncross, Tony Luck and most recently, Alex Masson, in recognition of there contributions to the Rotary Club of Perth, and more importantly the greater fellowship of Rotary International. There long term commitment to Rotary and tireless work for others, both in the community, and internationally, is an example to all who know and knew them and a lasting legacy for others who follow.  Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: Alexander Masson
 Alex Masson was born 1914 and grew up in Aberdeen, educated at King Street School and Robert Gordon College Secondary Department, becoming an Apprentice Engineer while studying at Robert Gordon Technical College, now Robert Gordon University. Alex joined the Fire Service in 1935 serving at 3 stations in Surrey. Transferred to Stretford & Urmston (Lancashire) Fire Service in 1939, serving as Sub Officer and Station Officer operating throughout the Northwest during periods of enemy action during the 2nd World War. After further study he became a Member of the institution of Fire Engineers. Appointed Firemaster of Clydebank Fire Brigade in1941, at the inception of the National Fire Service, he was appointed Divisional Officer in charge of the area Clyde Coast from Langbank to Irvine, Argyll, Bute and their Islands together with Clyde Estuary, which were then the largest and busiest Royal Navy and Merchant Navy Anchorage in Britain. In 1946 Alex was promoted to Fire Force Commander, No.8 Area, Scotland, which included the Perth and Kinross Area. On the return of the Fire Service to Local Authority control in 1948, Alex was appointed Firemaster of Perth & Kinross. Alex retired from active service in 1975, having been awarded an M.B.E. in 1949 the O.B.E. in 1956 and the Queens Fire Service Medal in 1975. Alex joined the Rotary Club of Perth in 1964, and is still a very active and regular member, Alex deems it a great honour to be presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship by the Club, and we in the Rotary Club of Perth, deem it a great honour that we have him as a member. Alex is an inspirational character, an example to us all, and epitomises the Rotary ethos 'Service before Self'. Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: James Kennaway Cairncross: 1920-2002
 Jimmie Cairncross was born and brought up in Perth, educated at Sharps Institute and Perth Academy; he left school to join Edinburgh Jewellers, Hamilton & Inches, training at the Herriot Watt University. Jimmie went on to become a Fellow of the Association of Gemmologists and member of the National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain and Ireland, becoming their President in 1987, an achievement of which he was justifiably proud.
With the advent of World War II, Jimmie joined the Royal Navy reaching the rank of Lieutenant; Jimmie saw active service protecting the Russian Convoys, not once, but on three separate occasions. This love of the sea and sailing never left him, he became a member Perth Sailing Club and Commodore in 1957.
Jimmie Cairncross was both a Rotarian and a High Constable in Perth for over 50 years, he held many positions in his remarkable life, giving quiet unassuming service, to The Guildry Corporation of Perth, The Tailors Incorporation, Perth Probus Club, Rosemount Golf Club, and The Paddle Steamers Preservation Society and proudly served as an elder of the North Church, in Perth, for many years. His lasting legacy the Cairncross Trust, set up to support local projects including sport and the arts, lives on. Rotary Club of Perth - Paul Harris Fellow: Anthony Gordon Luck: 1933-2005
 Born and brought up in Dorking Surrey, Tony went to school in Dorking and left to join General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Ltd in 1948, where he worked until he was transferred to Perth in 1961 by General Accident. He was chosen as part of a team, set up to run their brand new Computer Department, at new custom built premises in Isla Road, Perth.
Tony joined the Rotary Club of Perth in 1985 and was President in 1992 - 1993 he was appointed District Governor in 1996 -1997. Tony and his wife Mary attended Rotary Conventions on numerous occasions, travelling as far as San Antonio and Indianapolis in the USA and to Singapore in the Far East. Tony dedicated himself to the Rotary movement, and in 1998 was proud to be chosen as one of only twenty seven tutors to pass on his skills to incoming District Governors from around the World. |
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