GEOFFERY W. STIRLING
Nobody has contributed more to The Royal St. John 's Regatta especially during the past 36 years, than Geoffery W. Stirling. His contributions have demonstrated the love that Mr. Stirling has for The Royal St. John's Regatta.
Despite an extremely busy schedule involving travel all over the world, the love that Mr. Stirling has for the Regatta is strongly demonstrated by the fact that he makes it a point to always be at Quidi Vidi Lake when the Regatta is held.
Geoff Stirling does not miss a St. John's Regatta.
Mr. Stirling's support has been provided in four important areas.
During the pact 30 years, Mr. Stirling has donated more racing shells for the Regatta than any other company or individual. He has been personally responsible for three new racing shells being made available for Regatta rowers.
He presented the Regatta Committee with the "Miss CJON' in 1961. Last year, 1994, he donated two racing shells, "The Newfoundland Herald" and "The OZ-FM Network". It should be noted that it took Mr. Stirling only five minutes to make a positive decision when he wee informed of the need for two new shells.
Since 19S9, Mr. Stirling, through either CJON or NTV, has provided no less than two and a half hours television coverage of the Regatta in any given year. From 1959 to 1965 he arranged for CJON to provide live TV coverage of the complete Regatta.
It should be noted that through his decisions, CJON Radio and 0Z-FM radio have covered the Regatta since the mid-1950's.
He has always made certain that the Regatta receives extra coverage in The Newfoundland Herald .
Mr. Stirling has been mainly responsible for assuring that all of the media outlets which he owns have been especially good to The Royal St. John's Regatta .
Since the mid-1960's, companies owned by Mr. Stirling have sponsored, at a high cost 27 crews in the Royal St. John's Regatta.
While the 0Z-FM women's crew has been the main benefactor in recent time's, there have been CJON, NTV and Newfoundland Herald crews entered in many Regatta.
In the area of awards, the extremely attractive and much sought after "Kim Stirling Memorial Trophy" is the award for winning the women's championship race.
It was donated in memory of Mr. Stirling's daughter who rowed in the Regatta.
In addition to the trophy, Mr. Stirling has donated the plaques that are annually presented to the winners and he has presented sets of rings and bracelets to various winning crews.
Geoff Stirling has been a mayor benefactor for the Royal St. John's Regatta.
His support and backing has played a mayor role in the great success that the event has enjoyed since 1959.
Geoff Stirling deserves election to the Royal St. John's Regatta Hall of Fame and it is with great pride that I nominate him for that honor and recognition.