Posted on Oct 14, 2022
Many of the 116 seniors who participated at no cost on September 7, 2022 in Quesnel Rotary's annual Expedition to Barkerville, the gold mining heritage town dating back to 1862 -- the largest living-history museum in western North America -- have been long-time supporters of local Rotary fundraisers. This expedition has become an annual tradition since 1962. In fact, other than the past two years on interruption because of the pandemic, it is the longest continuous service project in Rotary District 5040.
 
Seniors participating in the expedition are transported by bus from Quesnel to Barkerville, have their admission paid, lunch, a performance at Theatre Royal, and plenty of time to explore. For those with mobility challenges the club became the first sponsor of an electric scooter at the site, where there are now five. The day always concludes with a group picture in front of Barkerville’s 150-year-old St. Saviour’s Church. The event is possible thanks to the involvement, this year, of 18 volunteers and a budget of over $8,500.
 
Top left, a photo of Quesnel Rotary's original seniors' expedition to Barkerville in 1962, top right the 116 participants and volunteers at Quesnel's Legion for departure, bottom left lunch and bottom right a performance in Theatre Royal
 
Quesnel Rotary's president Laurey-Anne Roodenburg says this annual outing for local seniors is the club’s most important community service project.
She says: “Rotary has been hosting local seniors to Barkerville for nearly six decades and this event continues as a wonderful way for our club to recognize and honour the contributions our seniors have made to the betterment of our great community.”
 
The expedition group gathers in front of St. Saviour’s Church in Barkerville
 
Long-time expedition organizer Ron Paull says this annual day trip for area seniors is the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of his many years of Rotary service. 
 
“Our club is committed to continuing this event for seniors,” Paull says. “We acknowledge the assistance of the Province of British Columbia, by way of a Community Gaming Grant which pays for the outing, while the charter bus company, Barkerville Historic Town and Park, Barkerville restaurants, Goldfields Bakery and Theatre Royal all give us a break, which we truly appreciate.”