THE ROTARY CLUB
OF KNYSNA

Newsletter September 2008

COMMUNITY SERVICES AT WORK IN KNYSNA

The Community Services committee has been hard at work this month.  The CS and Foundation committees work closely together to obtain and implement matching grants.

Through Matching Grants, the Rotary Foundation matches contributions raised for international service projects by Rotary clubs and districts in two or more countries.  Rotary clubs or districts in at least two countries (a partner outside of the project country and a partner within the project country) must work together to plan, implement, and complete the project.

Joan Huskisson from Foundation was a guest at the CS meeting held on the 2nd September at the Rotary Office.

BEDS AND CURTAINS FOR LOERIEHOF

On Thursday 4 September, a number of Rotarians and Anns were present at Loeriehof Home for the Aged when 11 beds were officially handed over to the home.  The beds are specialised hi-low adjustable beds and are the result of a Matching Grant with the Preston Amounderness Rotary Club in England.  Curtains, made by the Anns were also handed over to the home. 

EFFECTS OF KNYSNA BY-PASS

On the 2nd Sept 2008, Dave Underwood gave a very interesting talk to the Club about the proposed By-Pass Route and the effects thereof from a geological point of view.

KNYSNA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL REVAMPED

The 4th September saw the official handover of painted classrooms at Knysna Secondary School. 

With the help of a matching grant obtained from the Rotary Club of Knoxville Downtown, USA, paint, brushes and materials worth R40 000.00 were donated to the school.  The painting was done by members of the school Interact committee, under the watchful eye of supervising Rotarians.  The project was an enormous success and a total of 44 classrooms were transformed.

DR MERLE FRIEDMAN AND THE MINDFEST

On 9 Sept 2008 Dr Merle Friedman, psychologist and Knysna resident, spoke to the Club about the “Mindfest” – a festival of the mind that she has created and was due to take place at Pezula on 24 – 27 September 2008.  The Mindfest is a bringing together of thought leaders for a couple of days to be enriched by each other’s interest, specialities and concerns.  Participants of the Mindfest would be taken to some of Rotary’s community service projects to experience the great work being done in our community.

INDUCTION AT PERCY MDALA

On 12 September Club President, Peter Klews, inducted the new Interact President and Committee for Percy Mdala School.  Headmaster, Mr Nicholas Njozeli, addressed the learners stressing the study opportunities that Rotary facilitates and introducing Belinda Mtslongo, the incoming Interact President.

A MESSAGE FROM THE DG

Hi the Rotary Club of Knysna,

Ina and I send our fondest greetings to you all.  Although we are enjoying the visits to the different clubs and the fellowship that we share, we still miss our own club.  We hope that your year is progressing well and that the many projects that you undertake are successful.

We have now visited 30 clubs in the district and every club is different – they each have their own personality.  There are still 31 to go so much visiting still to be done.  The projects being undertaken are something to behold!  Small clubs with big projects (worth a million or more) and clubs with so many varied projects that benefit the local communities in so many different ways (makes one very proud to be a Rotarian!).

Here are a few photographs of the places and clubs that we have visited. 

Continue the good work and see you all soon.

Elwin and Ina