The eighties continued to see the club grow in members, projects and donations to the community.  We also continued to be leaders in the association by having two members represent the zone as deputy governor; they were Blaine Jenkins in 1979-80 and Paul McGraw in 1984-86.  We also hosted the spring zone conference in Newcastle in March 1985.

 

For the 30^th anniversary, celebrated in February 1982, it was decided to hold a special night.  The guest speaker for the night was former premier of Newfoundland Joey Smallwood.  Joe was known for his oratory and he certainly did not let those down who were in attendance.

 

On March 15^th, 1986 the Newcastle Kinsmen had the pleasure of a visit from the founder of our association, Hal Rogers.  There was a dinner and dance at the Miramichi Gold and Country Club in honour of his visit.  Founder Hal Rogers spent the night telling stories of Kin from across the country and he then honoured past president Robert “Bob” McCallum with life membership.  Any member that was present that evening still recalls it as one of the highlights of their Kin career.

 

Throughout the decade through projects such as the Kinsmen bingo, chicken BBQ, greaser dances and the spring and fall sportsmen stags, the club was able to continue to donate to many of the community’s greatest needs.

 

Some of these donations included an ambulance for the St. John Ambulance, $50,000 to the building of the Miramichi Civic Center, Jaws of Life and rescue boats to the local Fire departments, Chatham Fire Training Center, Chatham Day Care Center and many smaller donations to local groups, teams and people in need.  The club was also active in the winter carnival and Canada Day celebrations.

 

Major projects were held annually for cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis out national and district service projects respectively.  One of these projects was a “Donnie and the Monarchs” dance, where profits went to multiple sclerosis.  There was always great community support for these dances.

 

The major project for cystic fibrosis throughout the decade was the Bed Push.  We pushed a bed around the river and relied on the generosity of the public for donations, and they never let us down.  In the late eighties the Kinsmen became associated with Zellers and their employees, with the Moonwalk and all monies raised went to cystic fibrosis as well.

 

The eighties was a decade where the Newcastle Kinsmen continues to work to “Serve the Community’s Greatest Need” which is the motto of the association.  Thanks once again to the community for its support of the Kinsmen and allowing us to provide funding for worthy causes throughout the Miramichi Region.