After months of complaining about the lack of interesting educational opportunities in the Georgian Triangle, a group of seniors sitting around a picnic table made a breakthrough decision. One of them finally stood up and said "Enough talk. Let’s do it. Here’s my $50."  Throwing a bill on the table, he challenged the others to join him. They did, and a total of 37 families donated $50 each as seed money to get this new educational thrust started in our community. That was in 1995, and that $1850 has paid rich dividends.

That was the beginning of GTLLI. None of the founding families received any financial return.  More than that, they had the satisfaction of starting something of value to themselves and many others like them.  Annual membership in GTLLI now exceeds 500 persons.

In 2004, GTLLI thought it was time to recognize its Founders (see below) by establishing a 'Founders' Lecture'.  Periodically, an exceptional speaker is invited to give an evening Lecture to members of GTLLI and the public at large. On April 6, 2004 Stephen Lewis delivered our Inaugural Founders' Lecture to a Sold-Out crowd at the Gayety Theatre.

FOUNDERS' LECTURERS
May 5, 2011 - Paul Heinbecker May 6, 2010 - Tom Clark April 30, 2009 - Dr. James Orbinski May 7, 2008 - David Halton October 3, 2007 - Dr. Douglas Bland October 4, 2006 - Janice Stein May 2, 2006 - The Honourable Bob Rae April 6, 2004 - Stephen Lewis
FOUNDING MEMBERS OF GTLLI 1995
Mary & Peter Angus Dorothy & Alan Backley Joan Bichan Sally & Alan Brechin Peg & Riley Brethour Anne & David Burt Mary & Keith Cameron Fran Christie Jane Christie & Don Coburn June & Bud Crookes Marni Donoghue Letitia & Arnold Edinborough Helene Filiatrault & Mark Mullins Laurie & Lloyd Gilbert Barbara & Cedric Gyles Jean & George Hately Harold Huestis June & Ralph Kreuger Joan & Stewart Maclellan	Mollie and Hardy Main Mary Lou & Graham Matthews Eleanor & Ronald Miller Marie & Ben Parr Sarah Pearson Helen Pinchin Marion & Paul Reid Mary & Jim Robson Carol Rykert Allan Sandberg Valerie Semple Betty Sheppard Joan Sheppard Verna & Howard Siddall Betty Smith Natalie & Bill Wheatstone Pat & Don Williams Joyce & Harold Zuckerman
List provided by GTLLI’s First Registrar