On Wednesday 22nd October RC Wynberg and RC Kromboom had a joint meeting at Kelvin Grove with DG Cecil Rose and AG Michelle Anders. This meeting gave a chance for all members of both clubs to meet the DG and AG, and to discuss strategies and plans for the year.
The meeting was well attended by members of both clubs, each represented by their respective President and Sergeant. Their were a number of other guests – Cecil rose was accompanied by his wife Lesley, and Michelle by her husband Bruce. We also had an international visitor, (ex South African) John Fowler, who was visiting the DG. Continue reading “An Important Meeting (with RC Kromboom, the DG and the AG)”
On 9th October 2014 Wynberg Rotary had a ‘members evening’, an evening to celebrate US, who we are and what we do. It turned out to be a fantastic event, with a visit from an old friend, an induction, a re-induction, a certificate from a grateful recipient, and a new idea, a ‘Me-talk’.
[see also Wynpress Vol 66 Issue 13_16 October 2014 ]
Probably the most significant occasions at Rotary are the inductions of new members. Tonight we had two, or is it one and a half.?
President Jackie inducting Keela
The first was Keela o’Driscoll, ex Wynberg Rotaractor and long time friend. After many months waiting Keela finally joined us bringing another youthful element to the club, with prospects of many years Rotary service.
As for the second: John Vivian, a long time Rotarian and honorary Rotarian, decided that he was too active to be honorary, and wished to be re-activated. We welcome John back to the club as full, active member.
Jackie re-inducting John Vivian
There were a couple of other membership changes. Ken WIlliams, a stalwart on any Youth Service resigned and the club was pleased to grant him honorary status. Ken gave a moving tribute to his wife Bertie, who helped out at any time of the day or night when people needed fetching, or feeding, or just company! We all thank him for his service over the years, and assure him the change in status is in name only.
President Jackie and Ken
Catherine Bailey from RC Taverstock, the daughter of retired member and friend – Peter Bailey – visited, and swopped banners with our president.
Jackie and Catherine Bailey swopping banners
Are, the chairman of the NLC, passed around an award certificate presented to Wynberg Rotary Club by Perivale Junior School as part of their 50th Anniversary, in appreciation of the financial and other support given by the Club through the NLC.
And finally, Dirk, one of our newer members, gave a ‘Me-talk’. This is a new idea for the club, a member sharing tales about about their life, their loves, their career and any other interesting information. Dirk set the bar high, with a most enthralling talk, and video, and song, and photo show.
Wynberg Rotary was fortunate to host two different visits to Isiphiwo Primary School during the last month. And from the reception, the school was thrilled!
The first visit was by Alina Topp, our STEP exchange student from Germany. Alina was given the Khayelitsha tour with a stop-over at Isiphiwo. We found that the Grade 3 class who have twinned with a French class as pen pals had made lovely mobiles using hangers (below).
The school has once again been recognised for their efforts. We found a number of paintings down the corridors with number and letter puzzles and general interest and geography lessons. Thanks to the Department of Education who have recognised Isiphiwo’s efforts and provided a some money that had to be appropriately spent on promoting literacy and numeracy.
Well done Mr Tabata and staff.
We noticed that the school has also shown pride in their surroundings. Bricks that had been lifted and stored in the quad had been put to great use by paving a previously sandy area and building a low retaining wall. Once again, using resources that they have to beautify the grounds for the learners.
The evening of the 19th June saw the induction of our new club president, Jackie James. The event was held at the very tastefully decorated Mowbray Golf Club,
InvitationPP Karen handing over Presidency to Jackie
There were a number of highlights to the evening. DGE Cecil Rose presented two awards to the club – a certificate of appreciation for hosting a successful Rotary Family Health Day in April 2014, and a certificate was presented on behalf of the Board of Directors of RI and signed by RI President Ron Burton for the highest retention rate of membership and membership development in District 9350. Well done to a very vibrant and successful club!
Karen and DGE Cecil Rose with certificates
The club also awarded a Double Sapphire Paul Harris to Honorary Rotarian John Vivian. John has been involved in Rotors, then Rotaract, and then became a Rotarian. During his time he has embraced many positions including that of President in 1989/90, but has always been enthusiastic and supportive in all spheres. He has designed and built many a castle
for Uncle Paul’s Christmas Parties even when large trees destroyed the castle. John, ever the
handy-man has been involved in many projects and always willing to help. His close association with Rotors/Rotaract was marked by their presentation of his first Paul Harris award given to him by our Incoming President Jackie when she was Rotors President. We all congratulate him.
President Karen awarding Double Sapphire Paul Harris to John Vivian
In accordance with tradition, the incoming presidents of Wynberg Rotaract and Retreat Rotaract, Lee Bergman and Thasmine Abrahams were inducted as Honorary Members for this coming Rotary year.
We had a number of illustrious guests attending:-
DGE Cecil Rose
AG Michelle Anders and her husband Bruce
Incoming president of RC Sea Point, Tony Davidson
RC Sea Point PP Gavin Schachat
Incoming president of RC Waterfront, Maryke Vermaak
RC Waterfront Chris Fick
Incoming president Wynberg Rotaract, Lee Bergman
Incoming president Retreat Rotaract, Thasmeen Abrahams
Wynberg Rotaract – Jessica de Shmidt, Kerri Connor, Chrisleen Rankin, Daniel Doyle, Zintle Gantsho, Morne Valentyn
Friend of Retreat Rotaract – Lucien Willemse
Friend of Wynberg Rotary – Simisha Pather-Elias and her husband Imraan
Honorary member June Orsmond and her husband Guy
Honorary member John Vivian and his wife Mary
Partners – Derek Waldman, Jackie Wernberg, Kit Schreiber, Wenche Hovstad, Colin Bird, Janet van Wyk, Valda Todd, Edith Hime, Marietjie van Eerden, Pam Jackson
In her incoming speech Jackie highlighted the need for partnerships in Lighting up Rotary:-
Rotary, both at an organisational level, and at our club level has experienced many changes recently. Over the past two years our club has grown rapidly from 19-29 members. Since July 2013 Rotary International has shifted it’s focus to “larger, higher impact projects” that are sustainable. By sustainable they mean “projects must benefit the targeted community long after the grant fund has been expended.” Together with this they have introduced the New Grants Model, including Global Grants, enabling clubs to access large amounts of funding.
For many years now the Rotary Club of Wynberg have been committed to such long-term projects – Lavender Hill High School, Norwegian-sponsored schools in Grassy Park and Lotus River, the Sailing Programme and Retreat Community Hospital. Funded by a Global Grant we are now supplying much-needed medical equipment to Victoria Hospital, developing a literacy programme and a Baby College programme.
Key to these projects are the partnerships we have developed – with the clubs and colleges in Norway, with our recipient schools and with local Rotary Clubs. We looked forwarded to working closely with RC Sea Point, RC Waterfront and other clubs, not only on project but socially and sharing of ideas.
Incoming RI President Gary C K Huang’s theme for this Rotary year is “Light up Rotary”, and his goal is to “light up the lives of people in need”, emphasising, together with DG Cecil Rose the importance of participation. RC Wynberg’s goal is to keep up our hard work and increase the light we spread in our communities, and to continue to keep the light of fellowship burning brightly in our club.
In accordance with Tradition Jackie finished with a quote, in this case from Leonard Cohen:
“There is a crack in everything, that is how the light gets in”.
Van der Bilt student Ryan Selvaggio was here in May to July 2013. Ryan did a lot of work to establish a house system at the School. The students and staff were consulted and provide input and made choices.
Last week the house colours were officially launched. These are some pictures of the launch.
2014 Bag hand-out:
Each year Biffy tries to hand out bags to say well done to the students who have not dropped out of the system and stayed all the way to Grade 12. The bags are filled with a few goodies (depending what Biffy can get her hands on). This year the students got t-shirts, water bottles, pens, soap and other odds. This was largely due to donations from Virgin Active, Wynberg Rotaractors and other sponsors. Thank you sponsors.
This task is getting harder and harder due to the increased number of Grade 12 students each year. Although the task gets harder, this is good news as more and more students are staying the distance. When this project was started it was a case of looking for 60 or 70 bags. This year it was a case of having to find 126 bags and contents. I believe that next year it will be over 200. This is truly good news to see more and more students not dropping out of the system and making it all the way to Grade 12.
When speaking to the students of Grade 12 they made me a promise to have a 100% pass rate. Good luck Grade 12s. Make us proud and live up to that promise. Put your heads down for the last few months and do your best.
