www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 27, 2009 - 3 Councillor honoured with top Kinsmen award Hal Rogers Fellow Award surprised Ralph Robinson By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF He organized the entire event, but had no idea he'd be the guest of honour. Veteran Oakville Councillor Ralph Robinson has been going to Town Council meetings for 27 years representing Ward 1 in southwest Oakville. However, he has been attending Kinsmen meetings twice monthly for 53 years -- with an unblemished record. That kind of commitment -- along with all the elbow grease that goes into doing the jobs, in addition to attending the meetings -- is why Robinson was handed the Kinsmen Club's highest accolade, the Hal Rogers Fellow Award Friday. The kudo came -- unexpectedly for Robinson, though he now realizes most of Oakville knew about it -- as Kinsmen clubs across Canada marked the organization's 89th anniversary and the Kinsmen Club of Oakville celebrated more than 50 years in existence. "I was chairing the Founder's Night Gala," said Robinson, adding, "I did all the work for this party." He didn't suspect a thing however, even when the evening's programs arrived sealed (ostensibly because of a paper curling problem) or went missing from the head table. He didn't clue in when he saw members of council and his family milling around during social hour. He even balked at sitting at the head table when he was practically ordered there because, as he was told, he was chair of the gala committee. He'd said the night wasn't about old Kin or politicians. "I just never figured it out," said Robinson. "It was something I never expected would happen to me." "Ralph Robinson is an active Life Member of the Kinsmen Club of Oakville with 53 years (and counting) of perfect attendance and the contributions he has made to our association are many," said Sean Thompson, national vice president of Kin Canada. "That being said, the Hal Rogers Fellow Award being presented to Ralph was approved by the Kin Canada Foundation board of directors in recognition of the leadership and service Robinson has delivered with the highest level of integrity to the Town of Oakville for over 20 years," said Thompson. The local celebration was also attended by Kin Canada National President Doug Robinson and Diane Rogers (the daughter of Kin Canada Founder Hal Rogers). As Robinson, 77, looks back over his years, he said he has always enjoyed belonging to the Kinsmen Club, particularly the fellowship that has allowed him to take a breather from politics. He joined when he was in his early 20s, in Lindsay where the manager of the firm for which he worked invited him to see what the club was all about. KAREN NEWMAN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HIGHEST KINSMEN AWARD: Oakville Councillor Ralph Robinson with his Hal Rogers Fellow Award. Robinson has remained a member through many moves around the country from Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, to Newfoundland, Halifax and then Oakville. The club usually meets these days at the Crusaders Rugby headquarters on Ninth Line, though the gala Friday was held at the Oakville Conference Centre. On having been able to make the commitment over all the years, Robinson said, "Marie (his wife) must have been awfully understanding." Marie, his family and more than half of Town Council, as well as Mayor Rob Burton, were on hand as Robinson received his honour Friday. The Kinsmen Club has historically been a young men's club, at one point one couldn't be over 40 and join, and if you were over 40, you could continue as a member, but not hold office. Robinson admits he's one of the older members now and notes new blood is always welcome as membership hovers around two dozen these days. Kinette clubs also exist, but for the most part, while they often involve the other half of a Kinsmen, they operate quite separately from the Kinsmen clubs. "It became a part of my life, it was a nice, social feeling," said Robinson. Over time, Robinson was involved in many endeavours, from the now defunct softball league and editing a club magazine to an annual magic show. "I was made a lifetime member in 1991," said Robinson, noting that, too, was a huge deal. This latest award was made by the relatively new Kin Canada Foundation and Robinson is first to receive it in the Oakville club and is among only half a dozen, who have received it to date. Those recipients include Kinsmen Club founder, the late Hal Rogers in whose name the award is set, as well as Rogers' daughter, Diane Rogers. Robinson proudly displays the ribboned medallion and certificate that states his award was earned through "outstanding leadership and service to the community." "I knew Hal very well," said Robinson, recalling how the Kinsmen Club founder who hailed from Hamilton, Ontario once told him a story at a Newfoundland Kinsmen gala. Apparently, Rogers made an arrangement with a Chinese restaurant owner to hold early meetings at the restaurant. The store owner wanted written confirmation that Rogers would pay for all the meals, so Rogers scrawled something to that effect on a piece of paper and handed it over. Rogers then asked the restaurant owner for written assurance he'd supply all the meals. The man scribbled the same down on the back of the paper Rogers had handed him and gave it back to Rogers. "Hal Rogers was a very dignified man. He looked dignified and he acted dignified," said Robinson. In addition to his council service and Kinsmen membership, Robinson has chaired the local Terry Fox Run for well over two decades. To have received this honour, Robinson said, "I feel pretty proud of it. It feels good, it's okay to feel proud." Of course, through the years, teamwork is the key to having accomplished things, said Robinson, admitting, "I like to keep busy." The Kinsmen motto is "Serving Our Community's Greatest Needs by working together to make our communities a better place to live and play." Hal Rogers founded Kinsmen on Feb. 20, 1920 in Hamilton. It came about after he was unable to join a Rotary club because of now outdated rules that deemed only one person from a certain employment field could belong to a club -- and his father, for whom he worked, already belonged. The Kinsmen Club of Oakville celebrates more than 50 years of service in Oakville. Throughout its history this group of men has: supported the mentally challenged, purchased an ambulance for St. John's Ambulance, financially supported the construction of Kinoak Arena and renovations of the Kinsmen Pine Room at the Oakville Arena, supported a number of minor sport organizations, run the Kinsmen Minor Softball League, annually coordinates the Santa Claus Parade food drive, supports the Crusaders Rugby Club, as well as Halton Women's Place, Habitat for Humanity Halton, Halton Trauma Centre, and Sheridan College in addition to numerous other community groups. "This is a true award of distinction that puts you in a very select group of recipients," Thompson told Robinson. Discover the convenience. Experience the trust. Glen Oaks provides everything you need for final arrangements... with a Chapel, Reception Rooms, Crematorium and mature Cemetery - all at one location! At your time of need, or when planning ahead, rely on our trusted specialists. Call now for a FREE Information Kit: (905) 257-1100 GLEN OAKS MEMORIAL GARDENS Cemetery, Crematorium, Mausoleum, Memorial Chapel & Reception Centre 3164 Ninth Line (Hwy. 403 & Dundas St.), Mississauga/Oakville www.glenoaks.ca