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Water, water everywhere
At Dumfries Rotary Club’s recent meeting President Gerry Robertson’s
first pleasant task was to make a presentation to Mrs Isa Grant, who had
finally retired after many years of serving lunch to Rotarians at the
Cairndale Hotel. Isa will be missed by all of the members.
Donald Macdonald was then introduced by Gerry, to give his job talk. Donald
is Dumfries born and bred. After receiving his schooling here, he attended
Glasgow University and graduated with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering. In
his own words, he also “majored” in extra-curricular activities
while at University.
He decided to concentrate on water in all its varying degrees of clarity
and lumpiness, and displayed a formidable knowledge of the stuff, from
its purpose for drinking to its less glamorous purpose in treating sewage.
Donald’s first position was with the local authority in Stranraer,
and during his time he has served under the management of two eminent
Dumfries Rotarians in Jim MacLean Cameron and the late Jim Ivison. In
fact the latter’s love of football may have had something to do
with Donald securing a move back to Dumfries, in that, almost as a pre-condition,
he was required to sign up for the local YMCA football team!
Over the years the delivery of water services has been undertaken by a
constantly changing stream of authorities, from the local Council, then
West of Scotland Water and now Scottish Water. Donald remained afloat
throughout this period, keeping his head above water until he left Scottish
Water in 2005. He had enjoyed his time immensely, with its highs and lows,
and his most dramatic experience was when, after the Lockerbie air disaster
in 1988, he was given the responsibility of ensuring the continuing security
of the town’s water supply.
More recently, Donald spent 18 months as part of the Dumfries & Galloway
Construction Industry Forum. Since then he has acted as a Consultant,
and is currently attached to a major private company which delivers large
water projects.
Past President John Henderson thanked Donald for his talk, saying how
refreshing it was, after recent experience, to hear someone talk extensively
about water instead of having the stuff land in copious quantities on
members’ heads!
Flower Girl - Dumfries Rotary President Gerry Robertson presented Mrs
Isa Grant with a bouquet of flowers. Isa has finally retired after many
years of serving lunch to Rotarians at the Cairndale Hotel.
acknowledgements to Dumfries & Galloway Standard 3rd
September 2008
acknowledgements to Dumfries & Galloway Standard 10th
September
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