The Rotary Club of Algoa Bay

Handover of the Phaco Eye Machine - 4th March 2010

Bulletin No.32 - 2nd March 2010

Bulletin No.32 - 2 March 2010

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance at the Business Lunch held at Vista Rus - Mike Wood

Make-Ups

Pam Ellis, Cameron Scott, Trevor Wells, Anthony Oshry, Rob Russell, Ross Kobus, Michelle Lehy and  A.N. Other at the Fellowship meeting.                                                         Date?

Ian Pringle, Michelle Lehy, Gianna Doubell, Glenn Harris, Lindsay Pearson, Christopher Holmes, Malcom Andrew, John Rauch, Nick Wilmot and Trevor Wells at the Board Meeting on 1 March.

Attendance with Make-Ups  100% plus

Visiting Rotarians

Nil

Non- Rotarian Visitors

The Anns who joined their Rotarian husbands and attended the lunch at this unusual venue (Pixie Pringle, Melanie Roberts, Joy Williams, Sandy Wells, Jenny Munro, Jenny van Graan, and Joan Osborn)  were given a warm welcome by Mike.

Gianna Doubell brought daughter Janika and Alana Wyss, Ed Gutsche was accompanied by Siobham and Exchange Student Manon Baelden attended her last lunch before returning home to Belgium on Thursday.

Vera Lawo a 1999/2000 Exchange Student from Aachen in Germany attended with her friend David Henneke. Vera is presently completing her PhD in Psychology in Germany. This highly intelligent young lady was an Exchange Student at the age of 16 years. After her year at Pearson she returned to complete another two years of schooling in Germany. Most unusual

President Ian’s Announcements

a)      Members who will be attending the hand-over of the Eye Machine on tomorrow  evening were requested to sign the list that Alana Wyss was circulating at lunch. Please inform Pres Ian/Christopher Holmes if you did not sign that list but plan to attend the hand-over of this R360 000 piece of medical equipment.

b) We are all expected to reply to committee meeting invitations. Silence,  when an invitation is extended,  is not an option. ENSURE THAT YOU REPLY TO EVERY INVITATION!

Visit to Vista Rus

From the moment we arrived the Rotarians and Anns were warmly welcomed and directed to the dining room.

The organisers had gone out of their way to accommodate us: decor was outstanding, the meal excellent and the service super!

In her short talk to us the organiser, Fatima,  gave us a few details about the home. Vista Rus is a Section 21 company which accomodates 526 destitute people (including 102 children). Without any support from the government the home depends financially both on a) donations from churches and the public and b) what the residents themselves earn in the community as car guards, labourers, through recycling etc

A really pleasant experience that all will look back on with pleasure!

Vista Rus is living up to their motto:  Making a Difference

Other Matters

a)      Katherine Holmes, our outgoing student to Canada, has written a long letter describing  her really positive involvement with her host families, in her school, with the local Rotary clubs and in the community. The letter is too long to be included in the Bulletin but is available in full on our web site.

Katherine is doing us and Rotary generally very proud!!!!!  Please read her letter

b)      The Anns are cordially invited to both the wildlife/bird presentation by Ken Munro at lunch on Tuesday and also to the bird-watching outing in Settlers Park on 13^th March.

Director’s Reports

Nick Wilmot drew attention to the Club’s financials emailed to members recently. He has requested that any queries comments etc should directed to him in writing so that he can give complete and considered replies.

Lindsay Pearson reported that four young people (two from St Dominics and two from Lawson Brown) will attend the RYLA camp this weekend. Details later.

Trevor Wells thanked Gianna for the organisation behind last week’s very successful Travelling Supper in which The Rector, The Surgeon and the The Decorator all displayed their remarkable culinary skills!

The Fellowship Committee has also arranged a braai at the North End Lake on 13^th March.  Details later.

Gianna drew attention to the 5 000 Rotary banners that Arthur Ahlschlager has filed in his archives and then asked the question, do we carry on with this old tradition or do we present something more appropriate to visitors? Gianna invited us to submit ideas for the PR committee to consider.

Michelle Lehy and her fund-raising committee are searching for another lucrative fund-raising activity (besides the Golf Day and the Big Draw) to boost club funds and by so doing increase our contribution in the community.  All members to give this some thought and then contact Michelle with your ideas

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

4 March                Hand over of the Eye Machine  (Phaco Presentation)                                      Grey Pavilion  5.30pm

9 March              Ken Munro                 Wildlife/bird presentation                                                     Lunch venue

13 March             Bird Watching                                                                                                                    Settlers Park  8am

13 March           North End Lake braai                                                                                                        Power Boat Club 5pm

16 March            Prof Leanna Uys  (vice Chancellor of the University of University of KZN)  Lunch venue

23 March             Lauren Stretch                                                   KICK                                                       Lunch venue

6 April                   Donovan May, President of the EP Cricket Board                                                              Lunch venue

13 April                Charter Dinner                                                                                                                 Humewood Golf Club

22 May                 Spit Braai                                                                                                                             TBA

29 June                Induction Dinner                                                                                                              Humewood Golf Club

From Paula Santos (Ambassadorial Scholar)

It has been some time since I have been in touch with any of you. Life has kept me happy, healthy and busy. After finishing up my doctorate I took a position as the Regional Clinical Director for a growing behavioural health group. I specialise in training, supervising, supporting and developing our clinical programmes. We work with children and families with children with various developmental delays. With school through I have a more stable lifestyle consisting of the director position, teaching graduate level course in psychology and behaviourism at 2 different universities, and a small private practice with a past professor of mine.

This stable life style has allowed me to join a local Rotary Club! I just joined a months back and helped set up an Interact Club at one of the high schools, and have recently been asked to be president-elect of the club. I’m not sue yet that I can take on such a large role but have really enjoyed working weekly with the Interactors- we are off to a great start.

I have won a trip to a (S.A.?) game reserve through my club in Massachsetts and would love to stop in and see the Algoa Bay Rotarians if possible during my brief travels. I would also like to put our Interactors or clubs together so we could exchange information etc at this time

Sergeant -  Pam Ellis

Because of the shortage of time Pam was limited  to wishing Godfrey van Graan a very happy birthday for yesterday

and  congratulating Rob and Sally Russell on their 37^th wedding anniversary on the 3^rd and Des and Cathy Willis’ on their 43^rd on the 4^th March. Hopefully my Maths is correct

(Pam has requested that we do not try and contact her through the Collegiate fax number that appears in the Gold Book.)

Vocational Readings -  Ken Munro

Your legacy should be that you made it better than it was when you got it.

Lee Iacocco of the  Crysler Corporation

Many thanks to Pres Ian for acting as scribe during my absence last week

Malcom Andrew

Vistarus Luncheon-2nd March 2010

Bulletin No.31 - 24th February 2010

Bulletin No. 31 - 24th February 2010

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance

With Make-Ups: 71%       

Attendance.

Vernon Naidoo was on attendance today and completed his duties with aplomb. Marcus Oshry introduced Alison whom we all know and Barry Upton brought along his young daughter, Catherine. She appreciates a toasted sarmie and chips for lunch. Vernon’s wife, Leane joined him as a guest at the main table.

President Ian’s Announcements

Congratulations to John Allen on the birth of an 11th grandchild. Ian reminded the membership that lunch on the 2nd March would be held at Vista Rus in Sydenham and that we should all bring any books and magazines which will find good place in their library.

The Bus Party was on track and Gianna advised that there was still accommodation available on board. The handover of the Phaco Machine will be taking place at the Grey Pavilion on Thursday 4th March at 17,00 /17.30 hrs. Snacks would be available and there will be a cash bar. Ian requested that the membership be present with their Anns and partners as this was a big occasion for the Club in handing over a machine worth in excess of R360,000.

A comment from President Ian

“Our Fellowship Committee is doing a great job and they deserve your support. The functions that are being catered for cover the needs of our entire membership. There is always a cost to an event but I am delighted to see that some events are virtually free. There is really no excuse not to attend at least one of the functions. This Committee puts in a great deal of effort (and much deliberation!) and we appear to be ending off the year with a real flourish. Thank you for your anticipated support “.

Forthcoming Events

2nd March                                                          Lunch    - Business Meeting                         Vista Rus, Sydenham

4th March                                                           Phaco Presentation                                        Grey Pavilion 17.00/17.30 hrs

13th March                                                         Bird Watching morning                  Settler’s Park - 8am

(Feathered         variety!)

13th March                                                         North End Lake Braai                      Power Boat Club -17.00hrs

16th March                                                         Prof.Leana Uys                                 Lunch venue

Vice Chancellor - Univ. KZN

13th April                                                             Charter Dinner                                  Humewood Golf Club

22nd May                                                            Spit Braai                                                             Venue TBA

29th June                                                            Induction Dinner                                              PE Golf Club

Our Guest Speaker - Ismael Mahomed.

Our guest speaker today was The Festival Director of The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. He proved to be  a most interesting speaker and covered the entire administration and staging of this  internationally known festival. The event has grown over the years and the productions staged cater for the need of every “festino”.

In answering questions he stated that there had been no real answer to the disappearance of R150 million that had been earmarked by The Dept of Arts and Culture for the arts in our country. Three individuals had been suspended and no one can explain this disappearance act! The festival’s share of this had been R10 million but fortunately sponsors had stepped in to support the event.

President Ian thanked him and presented him with a Rotary pen, the magazine and The Four Way Test.

The Sergeant- Maureen Klos

Another first timer to this duty was Maureen who had a few good stories to tell. There were no anniversaries and or birthdays to report this week

Vocational Reading - Rod van der Weele

Your stand in Scribe for this week is your President and in bringing the meeting to a close and all that entails overlooked obtaining the reading from Rod. We apologise for the oversight but we all know Rod and he did leave us at the meeting with some good and sage advice!

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN YOU’RE  OLD.

Phillip Hewitson, an elderly man, from Norwich, was going up to bed, when his wife told him that he’d left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things. He phoned the police, who asked “Is someone in your house?” He said “No, but some people are breaking into my garden shed and stealing from me.” Then the police dispatcher said “All patrols are busy. You should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available.” George said, “Okay.”

He hung up the phone and counted to 30.Then he phoned the police again. “Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well you don’t have to worry about them now because I just shot them.” and he hung up. Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two fire brigade trucks, a paramedic, and an ambulance showed up at the Hewitson’s residence, and caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to Phillip, “I thought you said that you’d shot them!”

Phillip said, “I thought you said there was nobody available!”

The moral is, and with apologies to some of our older members, is do not mess with old people!

Malcom Andrew

Travelling Supper Report-24th February 2010

Bulletin No.30 - 16th February 2010

Bulletin No.30 - 16 February 2010

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance -  Neil Crawford

Make-Ups

Ed Gutsche                                                                         P.E. West                                                             11 February

Jeff Ilsley, Lindsay Pearson, Glenn Harris, Marcus Oshry, Ed Gutsche  and Malcom Andrew

Youth Committee                                            11 February

Attendance with Make-Ups  100 % plus

Visiting Rotarians

Philip Potgieter                                                                 P.E. Club

Non- Rotarian Visitors

The following  Anns received a special welcome: Melanie Roberts, Nancy Tzemis, Denise Long,  Judy  Giles and  Heather Rauch

Ex-Ambassadorial Scholar: Julia Webber

Other non-Rotarian guests at lunch were Grant Howard  brought by Tony Oshry, Richard Graves  by Nick Wilmot, Alison Doe by Marcus Oshry, Felicity Kickhoefel and Sylvia Abbate by Gianna Doubell, and Les Simmonds by Alf Levinthal.

President Ian’s Announcements

At Pres Ian’s request Rotarians and their guests stood as a mark of respect for PDG Charles Keast of East London who passed away recently.

From the notices below you will agree the Club has hit the ground running in 2010

1. Lunch on 2 March will be held at Vista Rus to which the Anns are invited. Please book your place(s) on the list that Gianna will circulate at lunch next week. This is vitally important
2. The hand-over of the R365 000 plus “Eye Machine” will take place on 4^th March. Please diarise. Details later
3. A Travelling Supper has been arranged for the evening 24 February and those interested should have indicated  on the list Gianna circulated at lunch today. Cost for the 3-course meal (at homes of Rob Russell, Cameron Scott and Neil Crawford) is R120. Maximum 60 people, the carrying capacity of the bus.  Late entries are to contact Gianna a.s.a.p.

Other Matters

1.       Les Kirkland underwent his second hip replacement operation this morning and is recovering very well at St Georges Hospital. Rumour has it that he is walking. Ex-principals  are a tough breed!

2.       The guided tour of the new 46 000-seater stadium arranged by Michelle Brown after lunch today was both well-organised and an eye-opener. Port Elizabeth can be extremely proud of this recently- added facility. Thanks Michelle for the initiative in organising this trip

Our Speaker - Dr Piet Naude

Listening to Dr Naude at lunch today was a pleasure and the applause at the end of his talk indicated that all members of the club felt the same.

Professor of Ethics, Director of the NNMU Business School, PhD in Theology from Stellenbosch University, author in English, Afrikaans, Dutch and German of over 60 articles published in academic journals,  seminar leader, consultant to the SAICA, author of Boardroom Basics in the Eastern Province Herald etc etc Piet Naude is well qualified to speak on the emerging role of SA in the world.

Some of the points he made were

• SA is one of the most vibrant democracies in the world, holding regular fair elections and with an independent Constitutional Court
• As South Africans we regularly under-estimate the achievements of the people of this country in sport and also in others spheres. He referred to 3 Nobel Prizes and 3 Oscars
• In the international sub-prime banking crisis we were less damaged than most countries, underlining the good banking laws and the healthy banking system we have
• SA has the second most compliant tax system in the world
• SA has the greatest increase in tourism in the world exceeding 8.3 million a few years back and climbing
• With the influence of the G8 declining and the G20 increasing SA is becoming a global player

He ended off with the famous quote “Africa is not for sissies” and spoke of the wonderful challenges that we, with our climate and position, can make in the green revolution that is sweeping the world. He also encouraged us all to be more positive when we speak to the younger generation about this country in the future.

It is a long time since I heard such a well thought out and optimistic summary of the SA position.

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

23 February        Ismail Mahomed      Festival Director: National Arts Festival                          Lunch venue

2 March                Lunch will be held at Vistarus .  BOOKING ESSENTIAL                                    Details later

4 March                Hand over of the Eye Machine                                                                                   Grey Pavilion  5.30pm

16 March            Prof Leanna Uys  (vice Chancellor of the University of University of KZN)  Lunch venue

16 April                Quarterly Dinner                                                                                                               TBA

29 June                Induction Dinner                                                                                                               Humewood Golf Club

Sergeant -  Peggy Saunders

Peggy wished Sherine Howell  a very happy  birthday for 17^th

Those celebrating their wedding anniversaries are Gary and Lynda Woodhead on the 18^th, David and Rosemary Browne enjoy their 38^th wedding anniversary on the 19^th .

Pride of place must be Mannering and Joan Osborn who will celebrate their Golden Anniversary on Saturday 20^th…….. 50 years and (like Johnny Walker) still going strong!

Peggy shared a few stories with us,  the most true-to-life was:-

An elderly American  called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car had been broken into. She was hysterical as she explained the situation to the dispatcher.

“They’ve stolen the stereo, steering wheel, brake pedal and even the accelerator”, she cried.

The dispatcher told her to stay calm as an officer was on his way.

A few minutes later the officer radioed in. “Disregard”, he said “She got in the back-seat by mistake………”

Woman drivers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vocational Readings -  Denzil Stickells

“A child is a person who is going to carry on what you have started. He is going to sit where you are sitting, and when you are gone, attend to those things you think are important. You may adopt all the policies you please; but how they are carried out depends on him. He will assume control of your cities, states and nations. He is going to move in and take over your churches, schools, universities and corporations. All your books are going to be judged, praised or condemned by him. The fate of humanity is in his hands”                                                       Abraham Lincoln

Malcom Andrew

Bulletin No.29 - 9th February 2010

Bulletin No. 29 - 9 February 2010

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance -  Ed Gutsche

Make-Ups

Trevor Wells                                                       East Coast Bays (New Zealand)                 18 and 25 January

Terry Baker                                                         Sunrise                                                                 29 January

Jeff  Isley                                                             Priory Interact                                                   Date not provided

Des  Willis                                                             District Training                                                                ”

Pam  Ellis                                                              Fellowship                                                                          ”

Roy  Jones                                                           Sunrise                                                                                 ”

Fred  Roberts                                                      Sunrise                                                                                5 February

Peter Long, Terry Baker, Gavin Gilmer, Roy Calder, Richard Stephenson, George Tzemis, John Rauch, Trevor Long, Colin Fox                                                                  Projects Meeting                                             2 February

Attendance with Make-Ups 100% plus

Visiting Rotarians

Phil Gutsche                                       P.E.

Non- Rotarian Visitors

Di-Anne Qoto   (Speaker)  and Manon Baelden  (Exchange Scholar)

President Ian’s Announcements

1. Bev Radue was welcomed back after his stay with family in New Zealand
2. Alf Levinthal was looking very perky with his two new knees
3. Lunch on 2 March will be at Vistarus. To avoid unnecessary expense an attendance list will be circulated shortly.  Booking is essential
4. Julia Webber, our Ambassadorial Scholar of a few years back, will attend lunch next week
5. The Christmas Party shortfall of R5280 was caused by cost of band (R3000 which was approved by the Board), dinner for the band (R780), decor (R540), corkage (R320) and R640 extra charged by the German Club because we did not have the expected 80 people present that evening

Our Speaker - Di-Anne Qoto (Miss P.E.)

This eloquent, elegant and bright 24 year-old matriculated from Linkside High and then graduated LLB from NMMU. She  is presently a Candidate Attorney at Boqwana, Loon and Connelan in PE.

Di-Anne proved to be an outstanding ambassador for P.E. and her charity of choice during her reign has been the remarkably successful Reach for a Dream, where the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases are heard and catered for.

Recently she has been fully involved in the decorating and equipping a desperately needed children’s room at the Dora Nginza hospital and, in the future, plans to get involved in the development of women in South Africa which she perceives as an area of critical importance.

Di-Anne plans to specialise in Marine Law, a relatively new discipline,  in the future.

Her talk was well-received and generated a number of questions by Rotarians.

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

16  February       Dr Piet Naude from NMMU                                                                                        Lunch Venue

23 February        Ismail Mahomed      Festival Director: National Arts Festival                          Lunch venue

2 March                Lunch will be held at Vistarus .  BOOKING ESSENTIAL                                    Details later

16 March            Prof Leanna Uys  (vice Chancellor of the University of University of KZN)  Lunch venue

16 April                Quarterly Dinner                                                                                                               TBA

29 June                Induction Dinner                                                                                                               Humewood Golf Club

Other Matters

1. Trevor Long reports that the Alpha Primary School Matching Grant worth about R100 000 has been approved.  Donors are  a)  The Rotary Club of Istanbul-Karakoy in Turkey who will provide R5 550

b)  Ron Ferrill from  D7570 DDF R59 200

c)   our club will provide R28 268

Again, many thanks to Trevor for his hard work is finalising this MG, particularly in these tough economic times.

1. CORRECTION.  John Rauch has asked me to correct a statement I made in Bulletin No. 28. The Trust funds (both capital and/or interest) may be used for club projects, not just the interest.

Sergeant -  Des Willis

Des congratulated those celebrating birthdays in the forthcoming week. They are Lindsay Kobus and Moira Theodosiou ( 10^th), Jill Harris (11^th), Rosemary Browne and Shena Wilmot (13^th), John Rauch (14^th) and Michelle Brussouw (15^th)

Both Michael and Sherine Howell (11^th) and Godfrey and Jenny van Graan (15^th) celebrate wedding anniversaries this week.

Special mention must be made of the van Graan’s who celebrate their 56^th wedding anniversary! A wonderful milestone!

To ensure the Fellowship Box moves along Des has invited all Rotarians to the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s Concert in the Park next Sunday. Details later.

To end off he used some out-of-the-mouths-of-babes type quotes including

a) A  little girl was asked when is it OK to kiss .  She replied,  ”When they are rich”

b) And a young boy was asked, ” What do you do to make marriages work?”. His reply ” Tell her she is pretty, even though she looks like she has been hit by a truck!”

Vocational Readings -  Steven Theodosiou

Unfortunately both the humorous story and the moral did not arrive an d therefore cannot be included

ShelterBox

You will recall that both the Club and Herbert Hurd Primary have donated a ShelterBox to the devastated people of Haiti.

Attached is a page from the latest issue of Time magazine which outlines both the history of this Rotary project, the impact it has had and the contents of a ShelterBox.

From small beginnings …………………………………

In 1999 I watched a disaster unfold on the evening news. As aid workers threw loaves of bread on the ground and people scrambled after them, I asked my wife, “Why can’t they hand the bread to those people? They’ve lost everything. Why should they lose their self-respect too?” It was as if someone hit me over the head with a cricket bat. I got out a piece of paper and wrote down what I would need after a natural disaster: shelter, warmth, comfort, dignity. (See video of Shelter Boxes being delivered and used in Haiti.)

I approached my local Rotary Club with the idea to give survivors sturdy boxes that contained a 10-person tent, blankets, pans, utensils and a stove that could burn anything from diesel to old paint. Since 2001, we’ve raised enough money to send 75,000 boxes to more than 100 disaster zones in places like India, Congo and El Salvador.

On Jan. 12, the alert system at our warehouse went off; within an hour we were mobilizing for Haiti. Our warehouse is like a Walmart for disasters. We tailor the box contents to each crisis. A summer flood in Sudan requires more mosquito nets than a winter earthquake in Nepal. Haiti is tropical, so we put in fewer blankets and added extra water-purification tablets.

By Jan. 30, we had delivered 5,000 boxes to Haiti, and we are packing 5,000 more. All told, at least 100,000 people will benefit. The first tents that arrived in Port-au-Prince were used to house patients at a field hospital.

Our boxes don’t just create tent cities. They build communities. Within an hour of the tents’ going up, a mother starts hanging laundry lines and someone else sets up a minishop. Kids like the crayons and coloring books, which bring back a degree of normality.

In Haiti, people are turning the green ShelterBoxes into makeshift cribs, tables and wheelbarrows. Imagination is one resource that isn’t in short supply.

Gimme Shelter

See what life is like in a ShelterBox tent in Haiti at time.com/haiti_tents

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1960259,00.html#ixzz0fJ5Js0rN

Malcom Andrew

Bulletin No.28 - 2nd February

Bulletin No. 28 - 2 February 2010

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance - Bernhard Rupp

Make-Ups

Phillip Shaw, Peggy Saunders, Gianna Doubell, Trevor Wells, Anthony Oshry, Ross Kobus, Godfrey van Graan,  Roy Calder                                                                                                                                                Fellowship Meeting on 28 January

Ian Pringle, Christopher Holmes, John Rauch, Trevor Wells, Malcom Andrew, Gary Woodhead, Michelle Lehy, Les Kirkland, Gianna Doubell                                                                                                  Board Meeting on 1 February

Des Willis:     Foundation Meeting 23 Jan, Port Alfred 25 Jan and Sunrise 23 Jan

Fred Roberts:  Sunrise    29 January

Attendance with Make-Ups 100% plus

Non- Rotarian Visitors

Michelle Campbell attended with Ed Gutsche

Manon Baelden  (Exchange Scholar)

President Ian’s Announcements

1. Alf Levinthal is back home after his successful ops to both knees and is moving around on crutches. He should be back at lunch next week
2. Bev Radue is on his way home after a stay with family in New Zealand and should also be back shortly
3. Manon Baelden’s  parents will be in Port Elizabeth shortly. Rotarians and Anns are invited to a Bring and Braai at 7.30pm on 12 February at 15 Verdi Ave, Walmer Heights. Please RSVP to Jean 082 401 2545 or sms 0729350267 should you be planning to attend.
4. There are still too many members who are not attending lunch and are also not apologising for their absence. To underline this point 13% of the club were absent from lunch today and did not apologise for their absence. This is not acceptable
5. The same rule applies to Committee Meetings. If you cannot attend an apology in good time is expected
6. The official handover of the “eye machine” will take place with maximum publicity in the near future. Details later
7. The usual lunch meeting will move to Vistarus on 2 March.   To ensure the catering is adequate please ensure that you apologise to Gianna if you cannot attend.  NB Old books and magazines are desperately needed in the Vistarus library, which is used by all the residents. Please ensure that your boot is full when you attend the lunch!

Gianna will announce other details pertinent to this visit in due course

1. Trevor Long is looking for volunteers to facilitate the arrival, storage and distribution of containers of school and other books donated by Texas Rotarians. A very exciting project

Directors Reports:-

Gary Woodhead-  Membership

Our membership has recently dropped slightly through natural attrition, the latest being  Don McGillivray. As usual we are looking for good potential Rotarians, but there is presently no need for concern as we are more interested in quality rather than quantity.

Les Kirkland - Projects

a)      Les reminded us that there are 3 projects in the pipeline  for MG’s:-     a) Ubuntu

b) Alpha Primary School

c) Lake Farm

However he feels that we need to get others organised so that when the moratorium on MGs is hopefully lifted in the near future we are in a position to submit immediately.

b)   Peter Long is looking for volunteers for a hands on project to resurrect the bathroom at Khayalethu, home for street children, this Saturday. Five strong men immediately responded and will be taking their 4-pound hammers and chisels with them. Many thanks Arthur, Trevor, Ian, Roy and George for responding so enthusiastically.

c)   Natalie Stear reminded us of the need for dictionaries for the Star Schools,  which teach Maths, Science and English to the disadvantaged students on Saturdays. Many of these students have produced stunning results in the recent matric exams. Pres Ian agreed that the necessary R5 000 would be forthcoming from club funds

Michele Lehy  (Fund-Raising)

Besides the Golf Day and the Big Draw, which of course are our main sources of income, Michele and her committee are looking for additional fund-raising ideas.  All ideas are welcome. Please pass them onto Michele a.s.a.p.

The committee is also looking into arranging a luncheon for potential donors where the advantages of Matching Grants could be explained to them.

Trevor Wells (Fellowship)

Trevor reported that at their planning meeting last week it was proposed that the monthly Fellowship functions be:-

a)      a travelling supper in February

b)       Bird walk in Settlers Park in March, using the expert services of Ken Munro

c)       Quarterly Dinner in April

d)      A braai and film for the residents at Lake Farm in May

e)      Induction Dinner in June

John Rauch (Trust Fund)

The fund was started in 1988 and John explained that there is presently R493 000 invested at the Old Mutual. Only the interest may be used for projects

Glenn Harris

Herbert Hurd Primary has purchased a Shelter Box to assist some of the Haitian people made homeless  by the recent earthquake. Cost to the school was R6076, and Glen challenged other schools/institutions  to match this generous humanitarian act.

Pres Ian announced that the Club will also purchase such a shelter.

Each of these shelters will provide for a family for 6 months

Nick Wilmot (Treasurer)

The latest financials have been emailed to you recently and are available to all members.

The good news that Nick shared with us is that the Club is solvent with:-

R328 000 in the General Account

R476 000 in the Matching Grant account

R493 000 in the Trust account

Thanks Nick. A most pleasing financial situation!

Pres Ian has requested that this uplifting letter from Trevor and Denise Long be brought to the attention of all membersl

PROVINCIAL ONCOLOGY PROJECT

Ray Klingingsmith visited Port Elizabeth last year and he was taken to the Provincial hospital to see where some of the CHOC Matching Grant initiated by the Grey Boys would be spent. As a result of that, Maureen Heath, Denise Long, and later Sandy Wells, were able to arrange for some pressing needs to be met.

Algoa Bay Anns, P.E.West Inner Wheel and St Paul’s Anglican church have been able to supply sandwiches on 3 days a week for the oncology out patients. Previously only 2 days were organized. There is still space on the roster if anyone would like to assist. The more participants there are, the fewer occasions one has to do a duty. Contact Pixie Pringle for details if you are able to assist.

Dr Neil Littleton needed some additional equipment to enable him to assist more patients.  This equipment was obtained from ROMEX (Rotary Medical Exchange in East  London).  Michelle Brussouw very kindly arranged for Grant Tomlinson from Intertown Transport to do the transporting.  He brought the equipment from East London, and then delivered it to the hospital.  There was no charge for this. In these time of financial hardships for businesses this was a very generous gesture.  If anyone needs any transporting to be done, you will know who to contact in the future.

Peter Long will very kindly arrange for a partition to be built. New curtains and painting of the oncology day room would complete this project, and hopefully this could be accomplished in the near future.

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

9  February         Di Ann Qoto (Miss P.E.)                                                                                                 Lunch venue

16  February       Dr Piet Naude from NMMU                                                                                        Lunch Venue

23 February        Ismail Mahomed      Festival Director: National Arts Festival                          Lunch venue

2 March                Lunch will be held at Vistarus .                                                                           Details later

16 March            Prof Leanna Uys  (vice Chancellor of the University of University of KZN)  Lunch venue

16 April                Quarterly Dinner                                                                                                               TBA

29 June                Induction Dinner                                                                                                               Humewood Golf Club

Sergeant - Bernhard Rupp

Bernhard congratulated both Rod van der Weele and Karin Shaw both of whom will celebrate their birthdays on 7 February, and Ross and Lindsay Kobus who will celebrate their 39^th wedding anniversary on 6^th February.

Congratulations and best wishes to all four of you.

Des Willis still has the Fellowship Box

A Department of Water Resource representative stops at a Free State farm and speaks with the old farmer.

“I need to inspect your farm to ensure you are not exceeding the water allocation”, said the official

“No problem”‘ said the farmer, “but do not go into the field over there”

The official responded ‘ “Meneer, I have the full authority of the ANC government. See this card? This card means I am allowed to go wherever I wish on any agricultural land: no questions asked. Do you understand?”

The farmer nods politely and goes about his chores. Shortly thereafter he hears loud screams and sees the official running for his life closely followed by the farmer’s bull. He is obviously terrified and screaming for help so the farmer throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs…

“Your card!  Show him your card!”

Draw

Vaughan Giles conducted the Draw with the following results:-

Attendance: Bill Williams

2^nd Prize: George Tzemis

Ist Prize: Incoming- President John Rauch

Vocational Readings -  Mel Levitan

1. Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road  - Dag Hammarsjold   (did Steve’s firewalkers not receive a similar message?)
2. Don’t say you do not have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Theresa, Leonardo de Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein  -   H. Jackson Brown

Thanks Mel. There are some stimulating thoughts in these words.

Malcom Andrew

Bulletin No.27 - 26th January 2010

Bulletin No. 27 - 26 January 2010

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance - Bernhard Rupp

Make-Ups

Nil                                                                                                                                                

Visiting Rotarians

Lionel Heath                                       P.E. East

Barry Evans                                         Bellville

Phil Gutsche                                       Port Elizabeth

Nolene Jorgensen                           Sunrise

Non- Rotarian Visitors

Catherine Upton accompanied Barry

Nadine Jackson was a guest of Gavin Gilmer and Manon Baelden, Exchange Scholar from Belgium, was also present

President Ian’s Announcements

1. The next Board Meeting will be held on Monday at 5.30pm at the Old Grey Club
2. The lunch meeting on 2 February will be a Business Meeting
3. The next Project Committee meeting will be held at 5.30pm on Tuesday 2 February in Gavin Gilmer’s offices
4. Paddye Monks has unfortunately had to resign for health reasons
5. Condolences were extended to Godfrey and Jenny van Graan on the recent passing of Jenny’s mother
6. Alf Levinthal is recovering well from his double knee replacement ( brave man!!!!!) in Greenacres and he welcomes  all visitors! Interesting to note that Bev Radue urged him to have his teeth checked before undergoing surgery and from what I can gather this was a very good move on Alf’s part!
7. Wine on the table was a gift from Bill Williams, who celebrated his birthday today. Nice work, Bill
8. The ice cream that arrived on the tables at the end of the meal was a gift from Gianna Doubell in celebration of her birthday yesterday. Many happy returns of the day, Gianna.

Our Speaker:  Stephen Theodosiou

Some time back the local Ford staff was invited to a motivational talk at the Holiday Inn. Little did they know that they were going to walk on burning coals before the evening was out!

Stephen’s talk was extremely well received.

After all rolling up one’s pants to above the knee,  cold-bloodedly stepping onto newly-formed hot coals and then walking slowly 10 metres over braai coals is not something the average car salesman does daily. Particularly with the boss and 50-odd peers watching.

The final instruction given by the presenter before the walkers hot-footed onto the coals has relevance in our everyday lives. They were told by the presenter that if they were to be successful they were to trust him, fix their eyes on the star and never look down!

Translated I think that means that in life generally we need to set a target, have faith and never look back if we are to succeed.

Many thanks,  Stephen.  (May I suggest that Natalie Stear be invited to participate if the fire-walkers are ever back in town!)

Other Matters

1. Peter and Wendy Long’s daughter, Phillipa, has recently become engaged to Ross Oxenham. The wedding will take place shortly at the Krom.  Where else?
2. Does anyone have a copy of the March 2008 Rotary Africa?  Denise Long needs to copy an article, thereafter the magazine will be returned to you.   Arthur can you help?

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

28^th January        Fellowship Committee meeting                                                                                                Michele Lehy’s home

1 February          Board Meeting                                                                                                                  5.30pm Old Grey

2 February          Business Meeting                                                                                                            Lunch venue

9  February         Di Ann Qoto (Miss P.E.)                                                                                                 Lunch venue

16  February       Dr Piet Naude from NMMU                                                                                        Lunch Venue

23 February        Ismail Mahomed      Festival Director: National Arts Festival                          Lunch venue

Sergeant - Mannering Osborn

Mannering congratulated Pat Scott and Bill Williams on their birthdays today, Danie Theron tomorrow and Bob Wynne on 31^st.

Vaughan and Judy Giles are congratulated on celebrating  their 47th wedding anniversary today, and Leen and Diet Mulckhuyse on their  51^st tomorrow. Great achievements!

The whereabouts of the Fellowship Box is not known by the Bulletin Editor.

Mannering quoted from the Bulletin boards of some unnamed churches, the best of which are probably:-

• “The sermon topic next Sunday will be ‘What is Hell’.  Come early and listen to the choir.
• “Don’t let worry kill you, let the church help”
• On Wednesday the Liturgy group will meet and Mrs Smith will sing ‘ Put Me in my little bed’ accompanied by the Pastor

Vocational Readings -  Christopher Holmes

1. Most girls detest 4-letter words such as wash, iron, cook, dust etc.

Our words may hide our thoughts, but our actions will reveal them

1. Hebrew: n.  A male Jew.  As distinguished from a Shebrew, an altogether superior being.

Malcom Andrew

Bulletin No. 26 - 19th January 2010

Bulletin No. 26 - 19 January 2010

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance - Ed Gutsche

Make-Ups

Nil                                                                                                                                                

Visiting  Rotarians

Andy Crowe (Assistant Governor)            P.E. East

Lynn Grenfell                                                East London

Non- Rotarian Visitors

Manon Baelden (Exchange Student  from Belgium) was brought by host Christopher Holmes, Gary Andrew accompanied Malcom  and Leanne Naidoo supported her husband and new member Vernon at his maiden speech.

President Ian’s Announcements

1. The next  Board Meeting will be held on Monday 25^th at 5.30pm at Old Grey
2. There will be a Fellowship Committee meeting at Michelle Lehy’s home on 28^th. All committee members to attend please
3. Denzil Stickells (welcomed back after a 4 month absence overseas visiting the family) and Andy Crowe (Assistant Governor)  were afforded a special welcome to the lunch
4. To maximise her exposure to the local area specifically and South Africa generally Rotarians planning trips/outings should try and invite Exchange Scholar Manon Baeldon to join them if at all possible

Change of Date: The visit to the soccer stadium that has been arranged by Michelle Brown will take place on Tuesday 16^th February (NOT the 9^th as previously announced) . The plan is that immediately after lunch on that day we will move down to the stadium to be there at 2.30pm for a prompt start. Those interested in attending are to ensure Michele has your name.

Our Speaker: Vernon Naidoo

Vernon gave us a clear and lucid  idea of what makes him tick.

His motto: “Never give up!”

One of 8 children, he was born and educated  in Port Elizabeth. Working for NMMU he spreads the critically important message of the value of Maths, Science and computers to mainly the under-privileged schools in the northern areas. And he is passionate about what he does.

Much time is also given to counselling and motivating the principals and the teachers (many of whom are under-qualified to teach these subjects) to ensure these subjects obtain maximum exposure.

Vernon has the makings of a good Rotarian, and Leanne a committed Ann.

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

25^th January        Board Meeting                                                                  5.30pm                                Old Grey

26^th January       Stephen Theodosiou    “Walking on hot coals”                                                     Lunch venue

28^th January        Fellowship Committee meeting                                                                                                Michele Lehy’s home

2 February          Business Meeting                                                                                                            Lunch venue

9  February         Di Ann Qoto (Miss P.E.)                                                                                                 Lunch venue

23 February        Ismail Mahomed      Festival Director: National Arts Festival                          Lunch venue

Letter from Paula Santos (the Ambassadorial Scholar we hosted a few years back) was sent to me by Trevor Long

Greetings from Sunny California!

It has been some time since I’ve been in touch with any of you. Life has kept me happy, healthy, and busy. After finishing up my doctorate I took a position as the Regional Clinical Director for a growing behavioral health group. I specialize in training, supervising, supporting, and developing our clinical programs. We work with children and families with children with various developmental delays. With school through I now have a more stable lifestyle consisting of the director position, teaching graduate level course in psychology and behaviorism at 2 different universities, and a small private practice a past professor of mine. This stable lifestyle has now allowed me to join a local rotary club!! I just joined a few months back and helped set up an Interact Club at one of the local high schools, and have recently been asked to be president elect of our club. I’m not sure yet that I can take on such a large role to be president but have really enjoyed working weekly with the Interactors- we are off to a great start.

I am writing for 2 requests: (1) do you have an Interact Club affiliated with the Algoa Bay Rotarians that we could put the Pasadena Sunrise/Blair Interactors in touch with? and (2) I know how active you have always been with your matching grants and projects. Our club is looking to take on a project regarding sanitation/clean water. Would you be interested or know a club in the area who might be? and I am planning a trip back to South Africa before the end of 2011! I have won a bid for a trip over to game reserve which was a fundraising project through my sponsor district back in Massachusetts I would love to stop in and see the Algoa Bay Rotarians if possible during my brief travels and should we be able to put our Interactors or clubs together in any way we could also exchange any information, etc. at this time.

I hope this emails finds you all well and happy in 2010

Yours in Rotary,

Paula

Who will respond to Paula?  Trevor have you got this under control?

Water Project

Members will recall that with Uitenhage South this Club supported a water provision project in Uganda a few years back.

Les Kirkland has just received the official report from the Rotary Foundation which states that the project has been successfully completed and over 800 people in the rural areas of that country benefit directly from the borehole, pumps and storage tanks installed.

Another good job completed. Well done!

Sergeant - Rolf Angelbauer

Club members with birthdays this week are David Browne (23^rd), Ria Angelbauer (24^th) and Gianna Doubell and Lindsay Ziehl (25^th).       Best wishes to all of you.

Wedding anniversaries celebrated this week are:-

Danie and Thelma Theron on 24^th.

Melwyn and Esther Levitan celebrate their 40^th (Ruby) wedding anniversary on 19^th, which is very impressive.

But  Ken and Jenny Munro celebrate their 51^st wedding anniversary on 24th, which is outstanding!

Congratulations to all of those mentioned.

Rolf told the story of the absent-minded man who only remembered his wife’s name (Rose) when his friend identified the name of the flower with bright colours and thorns growing in the garden

2009 Academic achievements

Rotarians were invited to let me have details of 2009 academic achievements of their children/grandchildren for inclusion in the Bulletin.

Besides Nina Brown who was mentioned last week  the other children/grand children whose details were passed onto to me were:-

Simone Brussouw (grand-daughter of Fred and Melanie) passed her matric well and will be reading for a degree is Media Communication and Culture at NMMU this year

Shelley Saunders (Peggy’s daughter) enjoyed an outstanding year in 2009. Not only did she achieve 5 distinctions in the B.Com Marketing degree she completed last year, but also played cricket and hockey at provincial level. She will be reading for her Honours degree in Marketing at NMMU this year.

Vocational Readings -  Michelle Brown

Michele read us the last two lines of William Henley’s poem “Invictus”, which inspired Nelson Mandela to achieve the extraordinary heights he has.

“I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul”

How do we get the majority of our population to buy into these concepts?

Tailpiece

Do you realise that in about 40 years time there will be millions of grandmothers throughout the world with pierced navels and colourful  tattoos in the strangest places.

A scary thought!!!!!

Malcom Andrew