Hugh Campbell joined the Rotary Club of Belleville in 1991 and participated in several Rotary committees and events throughout his years as a member of the Club. He served for over 12 years as Chair of the Diners and Duffers committee. During its time span, the Diners and Duffers Committee has raised a profit of about $200,000. These funds have been used in our community to support special needs children and projects such as our local hospital. Not only has the book proven to be profitable, but it is very popular in our area and has helped develop a positive image for Rotary. This initiative is the second largest fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Belleville. In honour of his many years of dedication and Service Above Self attitude, the Rotary Club of Belleville presented Hugh with a Paul Harris Fellow + 3. (pictured L to R Rotary Club of Belleville President Darrell Smith, recipient Hugh Campbell, Rotary Club of Belleville Secretary Jo-Anne Wheeler, District Governor Iosif Ciosa).
The concept for our Diners and Duffers Book was developed around 2003 by Belleville Rotarian Mark McNamara, assisted by Dave Chatson. During the first two or three years, the book included discounts only for dining rooms and golf courses. When Mark left the club, Dave took over and in his second year recruited Hugh Campbell. Organizational meetings were held by the six participating clubs which led to including not only dining rooms and golf courses, but also wineries, breweries and theatres. A few years ago, Hugh relinquished his position as chair of the committee to co-chairs Ken Wheeler and Jeanette Minaker.
Hugh taught elementary school for 30 years, retiring from his role as principal. He has been married to Rotarian Sharon for 56 years. Sharon is a founding member of the Rotary Club of Wellington and a retired educator.
During the production of the 100th Anniversary History book, Hugh was called upon to proof the content prior to it being published - a role he took seriously. Hugh was a wealth of knowledge when articles were being researched for the book.
Hugh’s hobbies include golf, skiing, swimming and travel. One of his greatest accomplishments was to obtain bragging rights to being the first Rotarian to win the coveted “Green Jacket” for the 1997 Rotary fun golf day!