The District 3450 Area 5 Rotary Centennial Project came to its conclusion with the formal inauguration of the Rotary Centennial Institute for Wetland Conservation (District 3450 Area 5) on 23 February 2005, the 100th birthday of Rotary International.The ceremony was officiated by guest of honour Prof the Hon Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, G.B.S., J.P., Secretary for Education and Manpower, HKSAR, DG Alex Mak and WWF Hong Kong CEO Eric Bohm. The ceremony was well attended by Rotarians from the Area 5 Rotary Clubs, officials from District 3450, members and officers of WWF Hong Kong, and many reporters from the press and TV stations. (See Press Release and News Clippings.) A permanent signage was installed at the Visitor's Centre at the Mai Po Nature Reserve to identify the Rotary Centennial Institute as a joint Centennial project of the Area 5 Rotary clubs.

Centennial Project Summary

DG Alex Mak proudly displays the full-page Rotary message in the South China Morning Post of 23 February 2005 to commemorate
the 100th birthday of Rotary International, while City Northwest Hong Kong Rotarians gather with District 3450 officials before the newly
renovated Peter Scott Field Studies Centre at Mai Po Nature Reserve for the inauguration of the Rotary Centennial Institute for Wetland
Conservation (District 3450 Area 5).

Area 5 Rotary Club presidents with Area 5 AG Alice Liu, District Secretary Tony wong, PDG Liu Lit-mo,
WWF Hong Kong CEO Eric Bohm, and DG Alex.


While waiting, Rotarians inspect the new signage at the Visitor's Centre identifying the Institute as a joint Rotary Centennial Project of the five
Area 5 Rotary clubs. The Visitor's Centre is next to the Peter Scott Field Studies Centre with a fresh coat of paint and repaired roof, plumbing,
drainage,walls and foundation.

A new deck built on strengthened foundation looking out to the beautiful Mai Po Nature Reserve, winter home of the Black-faced Spoonbill. (See project symbol.)

New corridor flooring, ceiling, lighting, doors, bookshelves, fixtures.

Our officiating guest of honor, Prof the Hon Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, G.B.S., J.P., Secretary for Education and Manpower, arrives.

Prof Li sees an old friend ...

How much longer do we have to stand here for pictures?

Irene has all the reasons to smile today, as the VIPs proceed for a briefing of the run-down of the ceremony.

Centennial Project displays and the backdrop.

The ceremony starts with some musical chair playing.... Nope, it's only the introducing of the five Area 5 Rotary club presidents.

WWF Hong Kong CEO Eric Bohm, ...

... DG Alex Mak, ...

.... Prof Arthur Li take turn to give speeches ...

... to a large audience of Rotarians, District 3450 officials, WWF Hong Kong,members and officers, and many reporters from the press and TV stations. (See Press Release.)

Now the cutting of ribbon to formally inaugurate the Rotary Centennial Institute for Wetland Conservation (District 3450 Area 5).

Our VIPs find a new toy as souvenir.

Unveiling the first project of the Institute - a guidebook to Mai Po Nature Reserve planned for publication in March 2005.

PDG Liu Lit-mo presents a silver-plated Institute logo and the "Get to Know Mai Po" guidebook cover to Prof Li as souvenirs.

It's almost over....

How can we miss the birthday party after all?

Singing by all, ...

.... and some hard twisting by some to cap the celebration.

The smiling faces...

The end for now....

More about our Centennial Project

Official Rotary 3450 Area 5 Centennial Project website

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