One of the notable District 3450 Centennial projects, the Centennial Time Capsule called for all Rotary Clubs in District 3450 to submit the history and information on three "signature" projects of the clubs for sealing in a capsule. This Time Capsule will not be opened till 2055, when Rotary International celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The ceremony for the installation of the Centennial Time Capsule took place on Sunday 4 December 2005 at the Fighting SARS Memorial Architectural Scene, Tai Chi Garden, Hong Kong Park (香港公園太極花園). It was a historical moment for District 3450 as the ceremony was officiated by visiting PRIP Frank Devlyn, Trustee Chairman of The Rotary Foundation, DG Peter Wan, PDG Alex Mak, PP Anwer Islam of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong, and PP Sunny Wong of the Rotary Club of Kowloon West. Rotary Kingspark Hong Kong had taken on the task of compiling the time capsule materials submitted by over 30 Rotary clubs from the District. Rotary Kowloon West is the club whose Rotary Centennial project was to establish the Fighting SARS Memorial Architectural Scene (jointly with the Hong Kong Institute of Architects) at the Hong Kong Park to show appreciation for the collective efforts of the Hong Kong community and to commemorate heroes and heroines who had selflessly sacrificed themselves in the fight against SARS during the SARS trauma in early 2003. Rotary's motto of Service Above Self could not have found a more appropriate home; it will stay intact, unperturbed, upon installation of the time capsule at this most serene, peaceful architectural scene in the Hong Kong Park for the next 50 years.

For Rotary City Northwest Hong Kong, the ceremony was also a special rendezvous for PP Anthony Chan and Secretary Perry Yu with PRIP Frank Devlyn. PP Anthony was the Action President in PRIP Frank's year 2000-01. The theme then was Create Awareness, Take Action. Anthony attended the Rotary International 92nd Convention in San Antonio, Texas, during RI President Frank's year of tenure in June 2001, and was the District 3450 Chair of the PolioPlus Subcommittee to help raise over US$1 million for the Polio Eradication Fundraising Campaign in 2002-03. PRIP Frank is the 2005-06 Trustee Chairman of The Rotary Foundation with one of the key humanitarian programs in eradicating polio.

Perry had earlier visited RI's headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, on RI's Open Day on July 6, 2000, met then RI President Frank, exchanged souvenirs and banners, and found in Frank a comrade in using the Internet to facilitate communication among Rotarians and to spread the words on the goals and deeds of Rotary to the world. Perry still remembers the bronze sculpture right outside RI's headquarters signifying RI's PolioPlus Program to eradicate polio. PRIP Frank of course still maintains his FrankDevlyn.org personal website to expound on important Rotary Foundation messages and solicit support from all.

The Time Capsule Installation ceremony was simple but was specially memorable as many of us fully understand we may not have the opportunity to witness its opening in another 50 years. It was also specially memorable because it took place on a rare sunny day of the season, under clear blue sky, and according to the Chinese almanac, at a most auspicious time of the day.

Rotary City Northwest Hong Kong's Time Capsule

The District 3450 Time Capsule is a stainless steel container holding materials submitted by over 30 clubs, other District documents and the District banner. Rotary City Northwest Hong Kong PP Anthony Chan and Secretary keep watch over the Time Capsule and show a page from the club's time capsule materials.

PP Anthony proudly points to his achievement of raising over US$1 million for PolioPlus in District 3450 in 2002-03 which will be chronicled in the Time Capsule.

Rotarians attending the ceremony include Area 8 AG and PP Albert Wong of Rotary Kowloon West, the club that established the Fighting SARS Memorial Architectural Scene, Tai Chi Garden, Hong Kong Park for the installation of the District 3450 Time Capsule, Mazhar Sultana of Rotary Kowloon Golden Mile, and her daughter, who will be present to open the Time Capsule in 2055.

More on the history of PolioPlus and exactly what will happen in 2055.

Almost anything done and any document created on the day bear historical significance - look at how people take special care in signing in to make sure their names and their affiliated clubs are clearly legible. Does this guestbook get put into the Time Capsule, attending Rotarians are asking.

PRIP Frank Devlyn arrives and speaks, pointing to the book A Century of Service chronicling the history of Rotary International. He has signed the book and will add it to the Time Capsule. He also throws in his name card before the capsule is closed and sealed.

DG Peter Wan and Rotary Kowloon West IPP Sunny Wong speak.

Kingspark Hong Kong PP Anwer Islam speaks, thanks parents for bringing their younger generation (though only three are there), and reminds the younger generation that it will be their turn to bring their parents to the garden to open the Time Capsule in 50 years!

Ready to part with the Time Capsule....

Boy, it's heavy bearing the burden of history.

Capturing the disappearance act....

Quite easily done!

Time for a reunion for Frank and Perry. (See 2000 picture in RI headquarters.), and for Frank and Anthony.

More photos for memory, a somber tour of the Fighting SARS Memorial Architectual Scene led by PDG Alex Mak and paying tribute to the heroes and heroines on this special day.


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