About GHA
Office Bearers
Members
Nursing Exchange
Scots - Texas
About Grampian
Exchange Visits
Honours
Links
Councillor Sandy Mutch C.B.E. J.P.
Councillor Sandy Mutch, C.B.E., J.P. was made the first Honorary President of the
Grampian-Houston Association in recognition of his role as the founding father of
Grampian's special relationship with the City of Houston. Councillor Mutch, who was
Convener of Grampian Regional Council from 1974 to 1982, died in May, 2002.
The twinning link won the Readers' Digest Foundation's International Sister City
Award in 1982 for its contribution to "furthering world peace and understanding
."
His Royal Highness Prince Charles recognised the twinning when he presented the Grampian-Houston
Association with a set of 10 framed Texas flags. He was given the flags, which trace
the history of Texas, when he visited Austin in 1986. The flags are now displayed
at Woodhill House, Aberdeen, headquarters of Aberdeenshire Council.
British Honours List
Two officials of the Houston-Grampian Association have been included in the British
Honours List being made Members of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) in recognition
of their work in furthering Scots-Texan business and cultural links. Rosemary Ryan
was presented with her award by the UK Consul General in Houston in 1994 and Mary
D. Metz received her award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace,
London in 2002.
Honorary Members
Made honorary members of the Grampian-Houston Association in recognition of their
services to the association are (left to right) Bill Neish, Press & Public Relations
Officer; Heather Anderson, Founder Secretary and Board member; and Robert Davidson,
Past Chairman and Board member.
On her retirement in 1998 after 19 years as Secretary of the Grampian-Houston Association
Heather M. Anderson was made an Honorary Texan. She was presented with a certificate
signed by the State Governor at the time, George W. Bush (later to become President
Bush).
Young Artists' Competition
Grampian Region's entry won a top prize in the 2004 Young Artists' Competition sponsored
by Sister Cities International. The painting by Lossiemouth High School pupil Terry
Morton on the theme, "Coming Together To Build a Better World," was exhibited in
cities across the U.S.
Jimmy Hay M. B.E.
Former oil company executive Jimmy Hay (left) is presented with a framed cetificate
in recognition of his service as Chairman of the Grampian-Houston Association during the
three years to June, 2007
Making the presentation is his successor as Chairman, Margaret Hadley, with Honorary
President David R. Paton looking on.
.
Mr Hay's two-year term as Chairman was extended by a year to allow him to lead a
Grampian-Houston Association delegation to Houston in September,2006.
Margaret Hadley
Margaret Hadley is presented with a certificate in recognition of her service as
Chairman of the Grampian-Houston Association from 2007-09. Making the presentation
is her successor as Chairman Raymond G. Bisset, watched by Honorary President David
R. Paton.