NLC – Page 2 – Rotary Club of Wynberg, Cape Town SA

22 October 201422 October 2014

Members meeting – 9th October 2014

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.?

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.

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.

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.

A fitting end to an enjoyable evening.

14 September 201414 September 2014

Opening of the new de Duine Senior Primary School

A day to remember – 2nd September 2014. de Duine Primary, built in 1974 using pre-fab methods, finally came of age with a fantastic new school as part of central government’s ASIDI (Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative) .

The school hall was filled with 800 learners and 400 adults. Continue reading “Opening of the new de Duine Senior Primary School”

21 November 201322 November 2013

NLC Bursary Evening with Visitors from Norway

On Wednesday November 6, Wynberg Rotary Club handed out 450 bursaries to children from primary schools and one high school in Grassy Park and Retreat.

The bursaries are funded by two sponsors in Norway Oddemarka Junior School and Haugaland College, who raise money through their Solidarity Day, when all the students go out and work for a day. The project was started in Grassy Park 14 years ago to help two primary schools with funding for computer equipment and books. The project, facilitated by Wynberg Rotary Club through the Norwegian Liaison Committee (NLC), has gone from strength to strength and now includes Montagu’s Gift, Perivale, Lotus River, Die Duine, Stephen Road primary schools and Fairmount High School. Over the 14 years, this school project has raised approximately R4 million.

This was a special occasion for the recipients, the donor schools and Wynberg Rotary Club. For the first time all 42 teachers (including the principal) from Oddemarka visited South Africa, and Cape Town. They were joined by 4 scholars and two teachers from Haugaland, albeit in a separate tour party.

Are Hovstad presenting Bursaries to Fairmount Secondary learner

Late Are Hovstad presenting a bursary to Stephen Road student at the annual Bursary Night.

The week of 4 to 10 November was hectic for all the visitors. They toured the Western Cape, from Cape Point, through the wine routes, to Game Farms, Robben Island and Tablemountain. They stopped off at the Aquarium, the Waterfront, and Greenmarket square.

In their travels the party performed three very important functions: the reason for the visit.

In the evening of Wednesday 6^th November, the whole group joined the Norwegian Liaison Committee and members of Wynberg Rotary Club at Hyde Park Primary to hand out the bursaries. It was a fantastic evening, enjoyed by all, especially the children.

On Thursday 7^th November the party split up into 6 groups, each travelling with a member of Wynberg Rotary to a different school. There they spent two hours getting to know, and be known by, the principal, staff and in many cases enthusiastic learners.

Finally on the evening of the 7^th the tour party joined Wynberg Rotary at Palms Guest House for their weekly meeting. It was a convivial evening, a few speeches, a good meal, much talking and making of friends.

On behalf of Wynberg Rotary Club we thank all members of Oddemarka and Haugaland, both staff and learners, for this fantastic, gift they brought to our Cape Town learners. We hope they took back many pleasant memories.

28 November 201229 November 2012

Christmas came early to 6 schools in Grassy Park.

To lots of students, this is quite normal and no surprise,- as the early arrival of Christmas to 5 primary schools and 1 secondary school has been part of the pre-Christmas calendar for 12 years. Without fail.

The big night this year was on Tuesday 27^th of November, at Sid G. Rule Primary School, Grassy Park. The big hall was filled by excited students, their parents and teachers, members of the Norwegian Liaison Committee and other members of the Rotary Club of Wynberg. A special guest was Mr Glen van Harte, the Director of the Metropole South Education who gave the keynote address.

There was be no Father Christmas, but the spirit of Christmas was the same, and the certificates given to the students, was received with just as much excitement and joy as any Christmas gift. Between 600 and 700 students from 6 schools again shared the amazing amount of R370.000 – which was divided into bursaries for the upcoming school year.

The money can only be used for school material, uniforms and other equipment, all necessary expenses throughout the school year. The recipients of the bursaries are selected by the principals and teachers, and all funds are administrated by the school authorities. The selection is not necessary focusing on very clever students, but also taking into account those who need some extra financial help to get through the school year.

The amazing amount of money is being raised by young students in Norway, mainly on one specific Solidarity Day, when schools all over Norway close and the students take any work they can get. This day has a long tradition in Norway, and the public are very willing to create jobs for the youngsters for good causes. Every year there are many worthwhile charities which apply for the fundraised amounts, and it is therefore unique that the Norwegian students have managed to keep up the enthusiasm for this project over so many years. There is no doubt that this is mainly because of the fact that some students from the different Norwegian donor schools and a few teachers pay visits to Cape Town on a regular basis, to keep in touch with the schools in Grassy Park, as well as with the members of The Norwegian Liaison Committee of the Rotary Club of Wynberg. The visitors are guests of the Rotary Club of Wynberg when they stay in Cape Town, and they always make it a point not to use any fundraised money for their travels.

The many remarks from grateful students as well as their families on the Bursary Award Evening, show that not only will the money be of great assistance, but the feeling that some students in a country far away, care about them, and want them to succeed, is priceless.

So, Christmas did indeed come early to 6 schools in Grassy Park.

Schools for 2012: