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MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT FRANC BENTLEY
FRANC'S FABLES
August has proved to be another event-filled month for our Rotary Club.
The DG and Partner’s visit is always a special occasion in the diary of our Club and this year was no exception. Club Admin is thanked for co-ordinating this fine event. Awards went to Interact Clubs with Knysna High receiving a Presidential Citation and Montessori, the SANTAM trophy for the best Interact Club 2009/10. DG Shân gave a favourable report on our Club and was impressed with projects accomplished. DG Shân inducted Candy Sharples to the Rotary Club of Knysna and she is welcomed and wished well.
Interact Presidents for 2010/11 have been inducted at Knysna Sekondêr and Percy Mdala and I also look forward to attending the inductions at Knysna High and Oakhill which will take place shortly.
Penny and I were privileged to attend the Rotaract District 9350 Induction Dinner which was held during their recent District Conference – an outstanding and joyous event and all who were involved are to be commended.
It was my pleasure to be at the official handover of the Wolverhampton/Knysna Rotary Matching Grant at the Knysna Education Trust where items totalling ± R125 000 were given to improve the educational quality in the lives of young children. The letter of thanks received from KET is truly heart-warming. Thank you to Joan, Ina, Lesley and the Rotary Anns for your commitment to this project.
A Club Assembly took place and the next is one scheduled for November.
A successful Interact Training Seminar at Belvidere Manor was enjoyed by local Interactors, Teachers and Rotarians and some from as far afield as Mossel Bay, Beaufort West and Dysseldorp. Appreciation goes to the convenors and Mike and Sue for their hospitality.
Until next month, stay well and remember: Help Ever, Hurt Never.
Franc
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DG SHâN BIESMAN-SIMONS INDUCTS ANOTHER NEW MEMBER
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Rotarian Candy Sharples was inducted as a member of the
Rotary Club of Knysna by DG Shân during her Club visit.
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Club of Knysna by DG Shân during her Club visit
ROTARY YOUTH PLAN FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
The hall, filled with Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners, applauded when Shaun Galant was inducted as the Interact President for 2010 -2011 at Knysna Secondary School. He then announced his Board and introduced them to the assembly. President Shaun and his Board are very excited about their plans and are enthusiastic about the year ahead. Rotary President Franc Bentley and members of the Rotary Club of Knysna attended the function and wished the Interact Club well for the year.
Ricardo Smith, the outgoing President for the Interact Club, accepted an Award from the Rotary Club of Knysna, for “Excellent Service to the School and the Knysna Community“for their Interact Club. Norma Plaatjie, the teacher involved in the Interact Club, was thanked by President Franc for all her hard work and dedication to the learners and the Interact Club.
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Ricardo Smith inducted Shaun Gallant as the President of the
Interactors Club of Knysna Secondary Club.
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PRESIDENCY OF PERCY MDALA INTERACT CLUB CHANGED HANDS |
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Masixole Dyan excepted the presidential chain from Past President
Nobuhle Sibande. President Masixole introduced his very enthusiastic Board to the rest of the school.
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| INTERACTERS RECEIVED PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS |
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From left to right: Brandon Victor of Knysna High School,
Campbell Easton from Montessori School, Nobuhle Sibande
from Percy Mdala High School and Ricardo Smith
from Knysna Secondary School.
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The Rotary Interact Clubs in Knysna received awards from the Rotary Club of Knysna and abroad.
The Knysna High School Interact Club received a Presidential Citation from the President of Rotary International, John Kelly for their excellent work done during the Rotary year July 2009-June 2010. To qualify for this citation, the Interact club had to complete at least two activities overall from Club service, Vocational Service, Community Service or International Service. They could also participate significantly in at least two activities of the Rotary Club of Knysna.
Montessori School Interactors received the SANTAM trophy for “The Interact Club of the Year” while Knysna Secondary High School and Percy Mdala High School received certificates for “Recognition of Excellent Service to the School and the Knysna Community”.
The learners received the Awards from the District Governor, Shân Biesman-Simons of Rotary District, 9350, during her Club visit on Tuesday, 10 August.
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| A TSUNAMI OF GOODWILL HITS KNYSNA |
In the July copy of Rotary Africa, Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammer encourages Rotarians to
“Take advantage of what we have learned from our Polio Eradication programme: We need to think big”.
The members of the Rotary Club of Knysna took this message seriously, by flooding the town and surrounds with more than thirty mini-projects over a period of four months!
It all started with one Rotarian’s conviction that an entire club of 57 members, when given R1 000 each to do with what they wished, would enjoy”spending” their money. The only prerequisites were that the name of Rotary was spread, the Four Way Test was adhered to and each individual could decide on a project free from negativity or criticisms from fellow Rotarians. Should mini-projects require more than R1 000, Rotarians were encouraged to form alliances. In this way, members worked together and shared ideas.
Members were asked to look for those “forgotten” people, identify environmental needs or consider organizations helping animals.
The concept was passed by the Board and members of the Club and the hunt for those special, one-to-one causes was on!
Slowly but surely the completed projects came rolling in and when asked how they as Rotarians had benefited by this Campaign, smiling and enthusiastic members said:
“It was wonderful to represent Rotary.”
“It made me think of many other needs and options.”
“I had the satisfaction of helping someone in need.”
“Satisfaction of the giver. I realized how privileged I am”
“I realized more and more that there are people who have so little – a R1 000 went so far!’
“I benefited, once again, by the exposure to Rotary’s activities on a very personal level.”
“For me, the project was an opportunity to get to know the poorer community, who are desperately in need of assistance.”
And when asked how the recipients had reacted to their “windfall”, the general feeling was that of delight, humility and immense gratitude.
The tsunami of goodwill was starting to touch people all over the town – more than 30 mini-projects were completed.
Projects such as:
An alliance helping the Labour Pool Feeding scheme, which feeds 400 hungry, job-seeking people per week;
Gas was bought for a soup kitchen (on a deposit basis) which will allow the kitchen to use 9kg of gas per two weeks over a four month period;
Money was given towards the sterilization of dogs in the townships;
Two Rotarians prepared a braai for 50 residents of a municipal block of flats who are battling to make ends meet;
Mrs Steele, a resident in an Old Age home used to sew “hot boxes” with her old Treadle machine. She was given a new Singer machine – here the Rotarians also formed alliances with the Singer company in George;
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and face-cloths were given to the residents of Epilepsy SA;
A fishing rod and some food was given to a car-guard, who fished to feed his family;
A amputee, who lives in Karatara and who suffers from bedsores, rejoiced when she was given a gel cushion for her wheelchair;
Partnering with a dominee, who preaches in the outlying areas of Knysna and who sells wood at R200 per bakkie load to make an extra income, was asked by one of the members of the Club to identify five of the most needy people he knew, so that they could receive a bakkie load of wood each. The Rotarian helped load and off-load the wood and a strong alliance was formed between the two men. Five families were warm when the next storm came.
Not only was this a gesture of goodwill, but more importantly, Rotary benefited in more ways than one – the answers Rotarians gave speak for themselves:
“It generated an immense amount of goodwill.”
“It was good public relations and one-ness in the Club.”
“It was good for our image and endorsed the fact that “Rotary Cares”
”I think that there is a greater awareness of Rotary’s activities, as we spent hours together loading and off-loading wood”
“It spread the word that Rotary is a community-based caring organization, which makes a difference in the community in a positive way”
This “tsunami” has benefited all role-players – the Rotary Club of Knysna, the Rotarians and the recipients. May it flood our town again next year! |
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ROTARY SUPPORTS KNYSNA EDUCATION TRUST PRE-SCHOOLS
The equipment bought with the financial Matching Grant between the Rotary Clubs of Knysna and Wolverhampton was handed over by President Franc and graciously accepted by Gill Mathiesen, on behalf of the KET. Educational Mentor, Annette Nelson, expressed her gratitude on behalf of all staff and children who are reached by KET programmes. A plaque commemorating the partnership between the Rotary Clubs was attached to the office wall.
Past President Joan Huskisson negotiated the grant of R125 000, and Ina Thompson and Past President Lesley Satchel have been working for many months sourcing all the different items. The Knysna Education Trust supports 22 Educare Centres in the townships and rural areas around Knysna, and 22 separate items were bought for the project.
Bookkeeping classes presented in Afrikaans and Xhosa, including all calculators and stationery, refreshments and transport to and from the venues was part of the grant.
It has taken a long time and much browsing and buying to eventually reach the stage that this Marching Grant has been completed. Thank you to the Anns who undertook lots of sewing to make all the dress-up outfits, and to the Rotarians who helped.
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Gill Mathiesen, a Trustee of Knysna Education Trust, received
the naming plaque to put up in the office, from President Franc. |
Past President Lesley Satchel with some of the equipment
bought for the pre-schools.
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The Knysna Education Trust
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The greatest gift is the gift of learning |
11 August 2010 |
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| Rotary Clubs: Wolverhampton St Georges & Rotary Knysna |
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| Dear Rotarians |
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| RE: THANK YOU – MATCHING GRANT |
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The Knysna Education Trust wishes to extend our sincerest gratitude for your Matching Grant, in aid of our projects once again this year. We are overwhelmed at the fact that we are thought of as the most professional team to bring about the positive change you had in mind.
We have included a few pictures of the handover, which took place at our offices.
We truly appreciate all the effort that went into the fundraising of this grant. Thank you ever so much for being our friends in need and in deed and we value your friendship. |
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| The following items have been successfully delivered to each of our partnered Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres thus far:- |
| 1 Box of musical instruments, |
| 3 Tea & house item sets, |
| 1 doll stroller and doll, |
| Puzzles, |
| Wooden box filled with blocks (numeracy), |
| 2 refrigerators (Diepwalle & Siyafunda), |
| 2 microwaves (1 Isiseko so far), |
| 30 single mattresses (Magdaleentjies 20 & Noluthando 10), |
| 100 Blankets, 50 Plastic tables and 117 chairs were distributed, |
| 2 CD Players & 11 Kiddies CD’s, |
| 1 box of dress up clothing made by Rotary Anns and last but not least |
| The Bookkeeping training which is still in progress. We have had very positive feedback as to how this training has improved the skills of our principals. |
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KNYSNA HIGH SCHOOL INTERACTORS’ SLEEPOVER |
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The Interactors at Knysna High School had a “Sleepover” at school on Friday night. Forty boys and girls turned up to play games and to paint the Interact wall.
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The picture designed by Phoenix Racingcloud Theron for the Interact Wall. |
Phoenix (on the left), Nicole Swart, Nikitha Roelofse and Marè Franken
are painting the design on the Interact Wall. |
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| ROTARY DICTIONARIES AT WORK |
More and more learners, teachers, Rotarians and an Ambassadorial Scholar arrived on Saturday for the Interact training. More and more chairs had to be carried into the venue at Belvidere Manor, fifty six in all.
Thirty seven learners from seven Knysna schools, Dysseldorp Senior Secondary, near Oudtshoorn and Hoërskool Sentraal in Beauford West attended the training course presented by Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Knysna. Also attending was the Ambassadorial Scholar, Damian Lahoud. Six teachers and twelve Rotarians also gave up their Saturday to spend time with the youth. All agreed that it was a productive day where much learning and good fellowship took place.
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THE ART EXHIBITION FOR THE KNYSNA SCHOOLS |
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Margi Harpur asked President Franc to hand out the
24 prizes which the Rotary Club of Knysna donated
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Janie Hattingh of Oakhill School with her picture
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Greg Hyde of Oakhill School with his picture
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DISTRICT 9350 ROTARACT CONFERENCE
The Rotaract Club of Knysna hosted this year’s Rotaract District Conference over the last weekend of July.
Early Saturday morning (at 1am), Rotaract members from Wynberg, Stellenbosch and Claremont arrived in Knysna. After a warm welcome, food and drink, the Rotaractors socialized around the blazing fire.
Conference was officially opened by PDG John Satchel on Saturday at 9 am. The morning included a presentation from the Group Study Exchange team which recently visited India along with a report back from Linzi Frost on the Rotaract District performance over the year 2009/2010. The new District Roratact Representative, Justin Schonegevel, was invited to present his objectives for 2010/2011 to the Rotaract teams.
Conference attendees enjoyed a relaxing cruise on the John Benn on Saturday afternoon before returning to Brenton On Lake for a Rotary quiz prepared by PDG Elwin Thompson.
Saturday evening welcomed the Gala Dinner and the official handover to the new DRR Justin Schonegevel. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all, including the Rotary Club of Knysna President, Franc Bently, his wife and Rotary Ann President, Penny Bently, Assistant DG Mike Mills and Sue Mills, the GSE team, Michael Lawrence and a number of Knysna Rotarians which kindly assisted in ensuring the smooth running of the event.
On Sunday, the group completed the AGM and closed Conference with a Soccer Challenge.
The Rotaract Club of Knysna would like to extend a HUGE Thank You to all the Knysna Rotary members, Rotary Clubs in the district and Rotaract members for all the support received in the organising of the Conference.
A special thanks to David Schady and the Knysna Rotary New Generations committee, your support and encouragement was the backbone to the event.
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KNYSNA ROTARACT PRESIDENT INDUCTION
On 21st August, Pierre Bredahl was officially inducted as the 2010/2011 as the President of the Knysna Rotaract Club. His focus will be on club expansion and getting Interact clubs involved in Rotaract projects. If any Rotarians know of young individuals in Knysna that would fit the Rotaract/Rotary criteria and are interested in assisting in the community, please refer them to Pierre.
The Rotaract Club has maintained a close relationship with the Knysna Education Trust and is currently organising the design and creation of educational posters with an African theme for a few crèches in the Knysna community.
For more information on Rotaract projects, please email: rotaract@knysnarotaract.co.za |
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President: Franc Bentley; Past President: Ian Ballantine;
Secretary: Graham Waterston; Treasurer: Adrian Auckland;
Club Administration: Rob Clark;
Service Projects: Alan Warne;
New Generations: Mendy Weiner;
Rotary Foundation: Peter Southey;
Public Relations: Ina Thompson;
Anns President: Penny Bentley |
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Should you not wish to receive further newsletters please email knysna@rotary9350.co.za asking to be removed and provide your name and email address to which the newsletter was sent |
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