Col. Chris Hadfield performs David Bowie's song Space Oddity at the end of his presentation at the Gala event. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Col. Hadfield visit

Astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield a highlight of Rotary Centenary Gala

Oct 23, 2021 | 9:22 AM

It was a fantastic voyage for those attending the Rotary Club of the Battlefords 100th anniversary gala event at the Dekker Centre Friday evening.

Retired astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield, the special guest speaker for the event, shared many of his experiences of space exploration during his presentation. About 300 business and community leaders attended the event, all of whom were required to provide proof of vaccination.

Hadfield commended the local Rotarians for their efforts in community service since the organization started in the Battlefords. He also spoke about leading the way for tomorrow’s young leaders, emphasizing how important it is for parents to do whatever they can to help their children reach their goals in life.

“Anybody by being in this auditorium understands our responsibility and our goal to our kids,” Hadfield said. “Because what we have done doesn’t really matter. It’s just history. But the future of this community and the future of our species is absolutely in the hands of our kids, and their kids. That’s what we have to work for.”

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Hadfield also discussed some of the challenges he experienced over the years and how he overcame them.

To wrap up his presentation, Hadfield who is also a musician sang the song Space Oddity.

Col. Chris Hadfield shown after performing a song at the gala. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

Hadfield who is also a best-selling author took the opportunity to autograph some of his books at the end of the evening.

Among the speakers during the dinner gala were Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill and Saskatchewan Lieut. Gov. Russ Mirasty.

The event was also an opportunity for Rotarians to come together and celebrate their achievements over the years.

Rotary Integrity Award recipients honoured. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

Many outstanding and long-serving Rotarians were honoured during the evening.

Many Rotary past presidents still with the organization today, including some others represented by their family members, were recognized during the evening. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

At the end of the night, Rotary Centenary event co-chair Warren Williams said he was pleased to see that everything turned out well.

The two-part celebration that started with a visit by Col. Hadfield at North Battleford Comprehensive High School and wrapped up with the gala dinner and presentation by Hadfield at the Dekker Centre in the evening was years in the planning.

While it was stalled twice due to the pandemic, Williams was glad to see the event finally was able to take place.

“I think it went spectacular,” he said. “We had a couple of hiccups along the way. Col. Hadfield mentioned that’s what life is – adjust, adapt, and move on and keep going.”

A previous version of this story had said the event required proof of vaccination or a negative test result. That error has been corrected.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow