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.

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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.