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People and organizations

Vancouver Military Rifle Association

The Vancouver Military Rifle Association was formed by members of the Vancouver militia regiments (chiefly the 6th Regiment D.C.O.R.) to further competition in marksmanship. It appears to have been organized in 1896 by members of the No. 5 and No. 6 Companies, B.C. Brigade of Garrison Artillery, and appears not to have functioned after World War I.

Vancouver Opera Association

The Vancouver Opera Association grew from the Grand Opera Society of B.C. and presented its first professional production of "Carmen" in 1960. In the following years, operas were presented at six month intervals. An Endowment Trust Fund was set up to ensure continuity and stability of the Association's activities. The Association also initiated an opera training program.

Vancouver Poetry Society

The Vancouver Poetry Society was established by Dr. Ernest Fewster and seven other poetry enthusiasts in 1916, and was active until its dissolution in 1974. The Society was formed with the intention of encouraging Canadian poetic talent and developing a distinctive Canadian voice in poetry. According to its original constitution, the formal objectives of the Society were to cultivate and popularize poetry as an art and to arrange for its publication and distribution. In 1933 the Society's mandate was further expanded to include the study of poetry and poetic criticism, encouragement of poetic talent in Canada, development of public interest in the work of contemporary poets, and to encourage the speaking of English verse.
The activities of the Vancouver Poetry Society included regular meetings at which the verse of members was read and discussed, guest lectures and readings were presented, and dramatic and musical entertainment was provided. From 1936 until 1974, the Society published the magazine "Full Tide," which operated as a vehicle for the publication of the work of its members. From 1944 to 1945, the Society broadcast a 15 minute program of poetry on CKMO entitled, "Lyric West." Other activities of the Society included publication in 1925 of the first Chapbook of poetry printed in Canada. In addition, the Society also published the works of its members.
The Society, although relatively small, did have a formal administrative structure which included a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. The position of president was determined by vote amongst the members of the Society. Dr. Ernest Fewster occupied the position of president from the founding of the society in 1916, until his death in 1946. Subsequent presidents were John R. Barrett (1948-1959), Mabel McIntyre (1959-1961), Ken Symes (1961-1970), and Robert Summers (1970-1974).
The Vancouver Poetry Society maintained close association with a number of significant Canadian poets and literary figures, including Bliss Carman, Sir Charles G.D. Roberts, and Lionel Stevenson.
A history of the Vancouver Poetry Society, "A Book of Days," was published by the Ryerson Press in 1946 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Society.

Vancouver Public Aquarium Association

The Vancouver Public Aquarium Association was formed in October 1950, and incorporated under the Societies Act on March 22, 1951. The association was formed in order to organize public opinion and establish the demand for an aquarium, and to finance, construct and maintain an aquarium in the City of Vancouver. Construction of the aquarium in Stanley Park was completed in 1956 on land leased from the City of Vancouver. Although the aquarium is not part of the City of Vancouver, the city has some ability to influence the aquarium's activities by modifying the terms of the lease between the aquarium and the Parks Board. The lease agreement also gives the city the ability to appoint two members to the board of governors. The facility has undergone many expansions, and is presently (2003) the largest aquarium in Canada, and one of the five largest aquariums in North America

Vancouver Poetry Writers' Group

The Vancouver Poetry Group was organized ca. 1925 as a forum for local poets to discuss poetry and periodically publish their own works.

Vancouver Regional Construction Association

The Amalgamated Construction Association of British Columbia (ACA) held its first directors' meeting on June 13, 1966, bringing together the following organizations: the Victoria Building Industries Exchange; the Vancouver General Contractors Association; the Heavy Construction Association of British Columbia; and the Vancouver Construction Association. The main purpose of the Association was to represent the interests of various sectors of the construction industry in B.C., and as such it was responsible for various forms of arbitration; member benefits; administration of a central bid depository; education; review of legislation; liaison with government agencies; and other related functions. The Association was divided into three main divisions: general contractors; trade contractors; and manufacturers and suppliers. Each of these had its own board of directors, from which were selected the directors for the main board of the Association. The name of the organization was changed to the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) in November, 1999.

Vancouver Shakespeare Society

The Vancouver Shakespeare Society was formed in 1916 to promote enjoyment of Shakespeare's works through readings, lectures, recitations and theatrical performances.

Vancouver Typographical Union. Local 226

In the spring of 1888, an International Typographical Union charter was issued for the Vancouver Typographical Union, Local 226. The first officers of the Local were : W. M. Watters, president; Alex A. Anderson, vice-president; D. A. Monroe, treasurer; and J. W. Gunn, recording and financial secretary. The new Local soon passed a constitution, by-laws, and scale of prices. Local 226 has been at the forefront of organized labour in Vancouver. Late in 1888, the Union appointed a committee to consult other city labour organizations about forming a Trades and Labour Council. In 1893, the union also appointed a committee to organize country towns; in time locals were formed in New Westminster, Kamloops, Vernon, Rossland and several other communities. During the late 1960s and 1970s, in an effort to consolidate the organized printing trades in British Columbia, the Victoria, New Westminster, Kamloops, and Vernon locals were absorbed by Local 226 of the International Typographical Union.

Vancouver Rowing Club

The Vancouver Rowing Club, oldest athletic club in the city, was founded in 1899, as an amalgamation of the Vancouver Boating Club (founded 1886) and the Burrard Inlet Rowing Club (founded 1890). Their clubhouse, familiar landmark on Coal Harbour, was built in 1911. The club began as a rowing and boating club, but other sports have played a part in the Vancouver Rowing Club's history, including rugby, cricket, field hockey, jogging and tennis. Over the years, club members have successfully participated in Olympic Games, the British Empire Games, Pan Am Games, and other major competitions and regattas. Members of the Vancouver Rowing Club were actively involved in the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games Rowing and Sculling Committee. The club had strong affiliations with other rowing organizations including the North Pacific Association of Amateur Oarsmen and the joint sponsorship of the University of British Columbia (VRC/UBC) rowing team. The yachting section of the Vancouver Rowing Club was called the Burrard Yacht Club from 1932 to 1975 when it was renamed the Vancouver Rowing Club Yachting Section.

Vancouver Women's School for Citizenship

In 1941, a group of women, concerned about the seeming apathy of women in public affairs, formed the Vancouver Women's School for Citizenship. The founders included Laura Jamieson, Evelyn LeSueur, Helena Gutteridge and others. The aim of the School was to better inform women of the problems and duties of citizenship. The School taught Parliamentary Procedure and public speaking, presented guest lecturers, arranged field trips, and held book review meetings. The School was disbanded in 1958, but book review activities continued under the name of the Vancouver Book Review Club.

Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada. Vancouver Unit

The Vancouver Unit of the Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada was founded in 1923 by nurses who had served in Canadian military campaigns overseas. As stated in the constitution, the aims of the Association were to "promote a greater feeling of unity and friendship between all nursing sisters who served in Her Majesty's or allied forces, to work for national unity and international peace, and to give aid and comfort to nurses in need." Although primarily a social club which organized functions for members such as garden parties, picnics, bridge nights, cocktail parties, luncheons, visits to sick members, etc., the Association also engaged in service work through affiliation with the Canadian Red Cross, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 146, British Civilian Nurses Air Raid Victims, Shaughnessy Hospital, and the Vancouver Council of Women. As well, the Association sent gifts and cards to prisoners of war during World War II, knitted socks and sweaters for hospital patients, established and maintained a scholarship fund, "The Agnes Campbell Neill Memorial Scholarship," represented the organization at various memorial and remembrance day ceremonies, and undertook funding of the Nurse Window Restoration project at Canadian Memorial Church.

Vancouver Vagabonds' Club

The Vancouver Vagabonds' Club was founded in 1915 under the leadership of J. Francis Bursill (Felix Penne). In forming the club, whose membership was restricted to males, members primary concern was to promote good fellowship and cultivate intellectual vagabondage.

Vancouver Yukoners' Association

The Vancouver Yukoners' Association was a social organization for those people who went to the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Victoria Drive Community Hall Association

The Victoria Drive Community Hall Association, formed in 1922, was known first as a Community Association. When the Hall was built the name was changed to Victoria Drive Community Hall Association. A committee of six had decided that a building was necessary for a growing community. The South Vancouver Municipal Council gave the site for the Hall at 44th and Victoria at a nominal rent of $1.00, for 20 years. The first Community Hall in Vancouver, it was built by Greater Vancouver merchants who donated much of the labour and material. The Association was managed by a board elected every year, and no one was paid except the janitor. After the 1929 amalgamation, the property was deeded to the Association.

Volunteer Civilian Protection Committee

Following the outbreak of war in 1939, air raid precautions were established in various provinces under the Department of Health and administered by provincial officials. In British Columbia, the Volunteer Civilian Protection Committee was organized by Major S.F. Moodie and set up committees and training programs in major metropolitan areas. In August of 1940, this service was taken over by the Attorney-General's Department and expanded to cover the entire province. Classes were offered to train volunteers for auxiliary patrolling and fire-fighting forces and in first aid.

Goepel, W.J.

W.J. Goepel served as Deputy Minister of Finance for B.C., 1913-1921.

Grecula, Walter A.

A railway enthusiast, Walter A. Grecula described the Great Northern Railway from Vancouver to the American boundary.

Sage, Walter Donald MacKinnon

Walter Donald MacKinnon Sage grew up in the areas of the West Point Grey and University Hill. His father, Walter Noble Sage, was a Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. Don Sage worked as a teacher in the Vancouver school system.

Wheelwright, Wesley

Wesley Wheelwright, songwriter and musician, was born in British Columbia. Many of his songs celebrated the natural beauty and city life of the province.

Westcoast Transmission Company

The Westcoast Transmission Company was incorporated in 1949 to extract and distribute natural gas and provide other energy services. Established by Frank McMahon, it had its headquarters in Vancouver. In 1988 the name of the company was changed to Westcoast Energy. By 2000, the company had five gas processing plants and three sulphur recovery plants. In March, 2002, Westcoast Energy was acquired by the U.S. company Duke Energy.

Western Canadian Writers

Western Canadian Writers was founded by Laura Cook, Ella Capstick and Tom Browne in 1941. Members included novelists as well as those who were interested in selling short pieces to magazines and newspapers.

West Point Grey Lawn Bowling Club

The West Point Grey Lawn Bowling Club (Men's Club) was formed on February 15, 1921, the Ladies' Club being formed on June 9 of the same year. W.G. Armstrong served as the first president of the Men's Club, Mrs. G.E. Winter serving as the first president of the Women's Club. The two clubs amalgamated in 1974. Members promoted the sport within the community (Point Grey and Vancouver) and participated in local and provincial matches with other member clubs of the British Columbia Lawn Bowling Association. The Point Grey Club was represented in the British Empire Games held in Vancouver in 1954.

Western Sports Centre

The Western Sports Centre, located at 111 Dunsmuir Street, first appears in the Vancouver Directory in 1938. In 1958, it relocated to 139 East Hastings Street, and in 1990, it was located at 801 East Hastings. During the period covered by these records, the Centre appears to have been a men's social club and gymnasium.

Harold, Wilfred G., collector

Wilfred Harold worked as a freight traffic agent for the Great Northern Railway from the mid-1950s to about 1980.

Beveridge, William

William Beveridge was born in the district of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia on July 21, 1862. He arrived in Nanaimo in 1889 and lived there for 30 years. Upon retiring he moved to Vancouver where he died January 29, 1939 at the age of 76.

Kipp, William D.

William D. Kipp (1872-1956) was born in Chilliwack and came to Vancouver in 1908. He went into business for himself in 1911 and remained in business until 1937.

Warn, William Gladstone

In 1929, William Gladstone Warn, a Vancouverite, was granted a patent for the invention of a signalling device for motor vehicles.

Sharp, William H.

William Sharp was a member of Division 320 of the Brotherhood of Railway Engineers, when the 50th anniversary of the first trans-continental train to reach Port Moody was celebrated.

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