Bulletin No. 23 - 8th December 2009

Bulletin No. 23 (The final issue for 2009) - 8th December 2009

Duty Roster

Today’s Attendance - Randall Prins

Visiting Rotarians

Jack Rosenberg (Old Dalian PRO) was the guest of Malcom Andrew, and Noelene Jorgenson and Jean Rigby from P.E. Sunrise

Make-Ups

Des Willis     Big Draw 26/11, Soccer Committee meeting 9/12, and District Strategy Committee meeting 12/12

Peter Long                                              Big Draw                                                                                                   26^th December

Peter Long, Michele Lehy, George Tzemis and Cameron Scott              Finance Committee           7^th December

Pam Cameron-Ellis                                Board Meeting                                                                                3th December                                                                                                                                                                  Attendance with Make-ups  87%

Non- Rotarian Visitors

Alana Wyss accompanied Gianna Doubell, and Leanne and Vernon Naidoo were the guests of Jeff Ilsley.

Manon Baelden, a youth exchange student from Belgium, was supported by fellow-student Charlotte Laiscour from Cape Town and host mother Jean Rigby

President Ian’s Announcements

• Pres Ian welcomed Ann President Pixie and Liz Prins, both of whom arrived to support their husbands
• The Rotary club of St Ives in Australia toasted our club last week
• The first meeting of 2010 will be on 5 January and will take the form of a Fellowship meeting. Please diarise.
• Grey High cyclists are planning another fund-raising cycle ride from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth early in the new year. This time they have invited 2 cyclists from the Children’s Home to join them in this challenging venture. The Board has decided to sponsor these two cyclists R1 per kilometre each i.e. a sponsorship of R2000. We wish them well!
• Caroline Ferreira of the Children’s Home thanked the Club for their support during the year and reported that 65% of the senior students had found employment in 2010. A fine achievement in these economic times.
• In response the ladies in charge of the meals were presented with gifts from the Club by Pres Ian and a generous cheque was handed over to be shared by those that serve us on a weekly basis

Induction of new member

Vernon Naidoo (proposed by Jeff Ilsley) was inducted into the club at lunch today and was supported by his wife Leanne, a psychologist in private practice in the city.

Vernon is a project manager in education associated with the development of Mathematics and Science at the Missionvale complex of NMMU.

He was warmly welcomed into the club

Other Matters

1. BLOOD DONORS are urgently required. Algoa FM and SABC are regularly broadcasting for donors to come forward as S.A.  is down to a very dangerous 2-day supply of this life-giving necessity………….. and we are entering the silly-season when the demand for blood reaches its peak. PLEASE DO THE NECESSARY.

1. A Christmas message from Amalie (sent to me by Gianna Doubell)

Hello Algoa Bay

I have been given the opportunity to send you a little Christmas-note, which is wonderful. So much has happened since I left you in June and I can truly say that there has been very little spare time to think about SA! I do of course miss you all very much and my experiences in your beautiful country have marked me for life. (In a good way, obviously!) This I can clearly see from the past 5 months where I have been a terror for my family and general surroundings when I wanted to show them my 16 GB of photos! But I have not only spoken to my friends and family about South Africa, I have also been doing quite a few speeches on the topic. My Rotary Club and our Rotary Anns of course wanted to know everything about it, but also my old school and my new class mates asked me for a presentation. Recently I showed my best shots at assembly at my school, which was wonderful. I’m really advertising your countryJ

I can also tell you that my own club is going to host an exchange student this upcoming year. Her name is Riley, she’s an Aussie and she will be spending her first 4 months in Denmark with me and my family. I’m sure I will be an amazing host sister and I will try to give her as great an experience as my wonderful host families gave me!

Besides this, it is good to be back home for Christmas. I have added a picture from my old school which was closed down for a few days last year, because of snow. Thought it would be fun for you to see. So far we haven’t had any snow, but I’m still hoping for it. It will be quite different from the warm, sunny Christmas in Bluewater bay, but I will still try to make of some Lynda’s amazing mince pies..

My family and I are also planning to visit you next year in July. As soon as the World Cup is over you will be run over by another bunch of tourists, namely me and my family!

It would be great to hear a little from you all, and I really enjoyed writing this little piece for the bulletinJ

Merry Christmas everyone

Amalie

“Me and My Job” talk  - Randall Prins

Born and educated in Cape Town Randall, the youngest in a family of 6 children, trained as a consulting engineer. For a decade he has travelled and worked in various countries in north, central and southern Africa. Assisted by wife Liz, who is a quantity surveyor, they have wherever possible recruited, trained and mentored suitable members of  the local population on building/construction techniques.

In 1999 Randall started his own building business in PE where he continues on his mission to help develop people and make a difference.

They have a family of three daughters

Forthcoming Events

12 December                     Christmas Dinner                                                             German Club

22 December                     Informal Lunch                                                                  Brewmasters

5 January                             Fellowship lunch                                                              Lunch venue

Sergeant - Natalie Stear

Natalie noted that Pres Ian and Pixie celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary on Monday 14 December. All join in congratulating them on this signal achievement

Rob Melvil (12^th) and Taryn Smith (14^th) celebrate birthdays this week. Many happy returns of this special day to both of you.

After referring to the very successful Anns Christmas Party that she and Birgit attended at the home of Fred and Melanie on Monday evening (and the dashing and superbly efficient butler service that operated so effectively throughout the function) she read her poem, which many can identify with:-

THE ROTARY CLUB OF ALGOA BAY:  frivolous verse by Natalie

1.          Although our founder members all have gone -

The club they formed in ‘Fifty-Eight lives on.

December comes - we raise the glass to cheer

Our Rotary Club on yet another year.

2.          And while we reminisce about our Charter,

Let’s turn our thoughts to keen historian, Arthur.

To more than keeping files his talents run;

He’s recognised as Master of the Pun.

3.          And lest we should forget those men of yore -

We have our Father Christo to the fore.

His blessings rain on all good men and true -

More faithful member, no one ever knew!

4.          But - could those worthy men of old foretell

That after 40 years we’d have - MICHELLE?

The battle of the sexes had begun;

Though no one lost and no one ever won!

5.          When Natalie and Birgit followed after,

The jokes were tamed, but surely not the laughter!

And ladies on the Board next year will be

Michéle the Other, Pegs and Gianna D.

6.          That leaves three more to give the club a gloss -

Newcomer Pam and Dr Maureen Klos;

And last, not least, to add to the appeal

Our lively Lindsay brings her special Ziehl!

7.          And would our Club succeed with all its plans

Without the glamorous back-up of our Anns?

At all our functions they reveal their class -

Our Cordon Bleux - that very few surpass!

8.          Headmasters and two Mistresses are found

At every table, if you look around.

With Pam and Nats are seven gentlemen -

Neil, Lindsay, Andy, Trevor, Jeff, Les, Glenn!

9.          PP’s abound and four smart PDG’s.

Bev, Fred, Des, Trevor - share their expertise.

The Projects Team helps those in dire need

And, led by Les, the hungry mouths they feed.

10.        To offer many statements we have Ed,

Who’s never short of words, let it be said.

Young Marcus makes our average-age look good,

And Colin to the poor gives daily food.

11.        And what about the famous kudu braai

That Vaughan, the Master, welcomes you to try?

Or Godfrey’s spinach, fresh for all to eat,

Or Spit-grilled Lamb by Paella-Lord, Sir  Pete?

12.        We’ve Anthony, of Oshry’s-farms, the king;

And Ken, whose ken of birds is staggering;

While Ross attends to creatures great and wee;

And Marcus rescues humans lost at sea.

13.        Rob heals the sick; and sound advice on law

Is offered by the Pagden’s chief, Phil Shaw;

And if Gav cannot track your 4-by-4

Both Chris and Steve will sell you one (or more).

14.        We trust our Nick the money to collect

Succeeding John, our President-Elect.

Randall has told us all about his job

And welcome, Vernon, to our happy mob.

15.        I’d love to sail with Richard on his yacht;

Or paint a house or two with Cameron Scott;

Or work with Terry on some grand designs;

Or watch how Alan decorates his signs -

16.        But Ian, our Pres, is saying, “No more time!”

And so I can’t continue with this rhyme.

Each one of you has made a contribution

But you’ll be tired of endless elocution!

17.        But this the last - and here the secret lies -

It’s fellowship that binds our diverse ties.

We would not gather every week, I say,

Without the fun and friends at Algo’ Bay.

Natalie Stear

Well done Natalie, you have an amazing talent with words!

Vocational Readings -  Jon Allen

At Christmas play and make good cheer

For Christmas comes but once a year.

Thomas Tusser 1580

Tailpiece

A veterinarian-type joke from Ross Kobus:

What do you get when you cross PMS with GPS?

You get a crazy bitch who WILL find you!

Malcom Andrew