On the occasion of his first meeting as President, Doug Fleming was unable to attend due to illness. We hope it was nothing more than a minor ailment and that he will be back, fit as a fiddle with gavel in hand in no time! In the meantime, Treasurer Gail Halderman ably stepped in to chair our meeting today and lead us in a rendition of O'Canada. Gail noted that July is Maternal and Child Health month in his opening remarks. We had 24 members in attendance with 4 joining online today.
After introducing our guests, Gail invited Ken Zollner to introduce today's guest presenter.
Scott Zollner (yes, Ken's son) is a mechanical engineer who works with QinetiQ Canada designing and building air and naval target drones for use by the Canadian Armed Forces and military customers worldwide. Scott was an exchange student sponsored by our club many years ago and we share Ken and Sharon's pride in their son's success!
ROTARY AT MEDICINE HAT LEVEL: MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY
The Monarch is having a promotion on a "book" of tickets. Check it out - it is a great deal!
The Monarch is hosting several exciting music events over the next week, so check out the program.
Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, and will give members a heads-up about opportunities to serve. If you are interested in volunteering at the Monarch, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson know (403-952-1907) and she will provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.
Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support our historic local landmark.
Ideas for Future Programs
The Rotary Club's Program Committee members are Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com), Alain Guerard (aguerard@telus.net), Sharon Hayward (sharon.hayward@medicinehatymca.ca).
PLEASE NOTE: During the noon meeting on Monday 29 June, the Club Program Committee handed out a summary of the 2025-2026 club program, as well as a five question survey. The committee is counting on receiving your responses to the five questions, to feed into the planning of the 2026-2027 program - many thanks! We will email these two documents to all members, so as to ensure we have feedback from all.
Our guest presenter, Scott Zollner introduced in the President’s Greeting, works with QinetiQ Canada whose parent company is based in the United Kingdom. The company has an interesting history evolving from a program at Defense Research Development Canada at Suffield to a small company based in Medicine Hat focused on aerial drones. After various iterations and acquisitions, the operation was purchased in 2016 by QinetiQ UK Defence.
Presently the company operates worldwide with 7,500 employees serving 40+customers including 19 NATO customers. To date, over 12,000 targets have been delivered to its customers.
In Canada, QinetiQ operates in locations across the country including the east and west coasts, CFB Suffield, CFB Cold Lake and Ottawa with the head office here in Medicine Hat. QinetiQ strengthens the local economy, support provincial growth, and contribute to Canada’s national industrial capacity — while improving resilience, responsiveness, and long-term sustainability by using:
100 Local suppliers
200 Provincial suppliers
400 Federal suppliers
Four primary areas of focus:
Test and evaluation targets
Standard Training Targets
ISAR platforms
Single Use non target drones for special missions
Naval Target Drones
Ironically most of targets built in Medicine Hat involves boats - small tow targets to 9 meter vessels.
750th Hammerhead boat has just been built.
Boat testing done at Lake Newell, 40 Mile and Elkwater such as autonomous testing with self navigating/drirving boats
Aerial Targets
The company originally started in this area with products including small multi rotor, fixed wing and supersonic jet targets. The target drones are used to simulate aircraft and missiles for training in air to air and ground to air on land and maritime environments.
For example, the Banshee 80+ jet is re-usable so cost effective. Work is ongoing on hypersonic (above Mach 5) drones as this is the types of missile technology potential adversaries are beginning to deploy.
By accident or design, this company is a local success story flying below the radar (see what I did there?). It is a leading player in a growing local aerospace industry in Alberta and across Canada.
Sharon Zollner, Lenora Stein and several others whose names I failed to capture. My apologies and know that everyone's presence was valued.
MEETING DRAW:
Ken Zollner won a box of tea from Taiwan and a Rotary travel gadget!
Dave is looking like a million bucks with his new pacemaker! Dave and Dale did a stellar job manning the desk today!
BIRTHDAYS:
Nadia Deenen - July 10
Debra Best - July 15
Jillian Koch - July 19
Marg Mazerolle - July 24
ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES:
Sandy MacKay - 49 years - July 01, 1977
Jim White - 47 years - July 01, 1979
Kitt Brand - 17 years - July 29, 2009
Glen Presley - 11 years - July 27, 2015
Margie Booyens - 10 years - July 04, 2016
Lionel Brideson - 2 years - July 08, 2024
Kevin Walcer - 2 years - July 08, 2024
Mihaela Craciun - 2 years - July 08, 2024
Odessa Vermee - 2 years - July 09, 2024
Sharon Hayward - 2 years - July 29, 2024
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR JULY 2026:
The Rose Runner for June is ANNE CARRIER.
NEW MINUTES AND REMINDERS:
ROTARY CLUB OF MEDICINE HAT DINNER CLUB: Odessa Vermee has taken over responsibility for organizing our Dinner Club. Thank you, Odessa! Please sign up with Odessa if you are interested in hosting a dinner in your home!
GOLF AFTER ROTARY: Rotary golfers began regular golf after the noon meeting on Monday May 25th. Those involved normally golf at the Connaught Golf Club and begin around 1:45 or 2:00 pm. It's a lot of fun. If your name is not on the weekly signup list, please contact either Dale Stein or Dave Panabaker.
THE 2026 TERRY FOX RUN: SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER: 46 years ago, Terry Fox crossed Canada, running on an artificial leg, to raise money for cancer. The annual runs organized by Keith Walker nd the Sunrise Rotary Club have, over the years, have raised $70,000. So this year, the Terry Fox run is once again around the Rotary Sunrise Trail (Medicine Hat College campus), 3km, no hills, starting at 10:30. Do join in! You don't have to run, you can walk! Form a team to participate and have fun! Please register: terryfox.org. You can donate on this website or at the start of the race.
DOOR GREETERS NEEDED FOR MONDAY NOON MEETINGS: Please talk to Dave Stalwick. Consider getting your name on the roster. Being a ‘meeting greeter’ is a great way to welcome and to get to know fellow members.
Program Committee Survey - Margie distributed a survey to seek feedback on last year's program and seek ideas for this upcoming year. If you did not receive the survey, contact Margie and she will be sure to get you one!
Exchange Student - an exchange student from Brazil is coming in December-January. A third host family is needed for a 2 week period. Contact Margie for details.
BINGO: Dave Panabaker shared that there is a Bingo tonight and thanked everyone who came forward to volunteer - he has a full crew!
E-RAFFLE: Alain Guerard intimated that he is looking into the possibility of an electronic raffle as a fund-raiser for our club. He will have more information by September.
JANE MACKAY: CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Gregg M informed members that a come and go celebration of Jane’s life will be held in the Reception Gallery at Medalta on Friday 10 July from 1-4pm..
Family of Rotary:
Jane MacKay: The celebration of Jane's life will be held on 10 July. Please see details above.
Please keep a Board Member informed about members health and/or any other changes, so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.
Our first meeting of every month is a business meeting, but all meetings are both in person and available on ZOOM. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
