From the Pen of the President....
A great big thank
you to all members who were able to attend the meeting on Friday. It was super to see several of those with
whom we have had minimal contact for an extended period. Many thanks to Ann and Josh for the efficient
Zoom connectivity with those who could not attend in person. Here’s hoping that we will return to in
person meetings every week before too long.
Comments that I have had indicate that being able to chat to those next
to you creates much a greater sense of fellowship and leads to a more enjoyable
meeting. So let us hope that the Covid
pandemic continues to show a reduction in infections and mortalities.
Costa Qually
President
Tailpiece
There is no
possession more valuable than a good and faithful friend (Socrates)
Last Friday....
...after what seemed like an eternity, we finally had an in the flesh meeting at Wanderers, and to mark the occasion we invited our Vocational Services Award nominees to receive their certificates in person and threw in an induction as well.
It truly was a joyous occasion attended by 22 members, 5 Anns, 1 inductee, 4 award recipients and four visitors. Ann Hope Bailie arrived early to set up the Zoom connection and microphones for those members that could not be there in person, Gareth Hood managed to be part of the festivities via his mom's facetime and besides his vocational services award his number was also drawn out of the bag and he won James Croswell's lovingly reared succulent plant, which Sonja graciously accepted on his behalf.
Our Vocational Services Award recipients:
Marilyn Bassin, nominated by the Anns.
Marilyn is a Physiotherapist and a human rights activist who works with squatter communities as well as deep rural communities around South Africa.
Since the early 1990s she worked with terminally ill children fighting for their rights to medical care and the ability to die with dignity. She founded an NGO (Boikanyo the Dion Herson Foundation) in 2011. This was after fighting for the rights of physically maimed children at Baragwanath Hospital for over 4 years. She then moved on to work with very impoverished families in Protea South Soweto. Initially she established a massive vegetable garden in a school which led to other programmes aimed at improving various facets of schooling.
Her physiotherapy background has led her to starting a programme of renovating and fitting profoundly disabled rural cerebral palsy children into special wheelchairs (also known as Madiba buggies). ".
Activism and being a voice to the voiceless has always been integral to her helping indigent communities. She is a voice that speaks out against grave injustices, especially those impacting the poorest communities. Just last month she secured running water for a school that the Department of Education refused to assist.
Gideon Morar, also nominated by the Anns
Gideon started working at the Johannesburg SPCA in 2010. He always had a deep love and respect for animals, nature and all living things. After 2 years of harsh training, he became a qualified Animal Inspector and started working independently in numerous suburbs, townships and squatter camps. His mission was to confront and prevent Animal cruelty and neglect. Despite the constant heartbreaks, stress and fear he experienced on a daily basis, he continued this mission for over a decade.
There came a time, just before Covid 19 arrived, when he decided to leave the SPCA and start his very own NPO. It has always been his dream to run an organization that is purely for the benefit of animals in need. They provide animal welfare services, free of charge, to those that need it most. Services such as parasite treatments, vaccinations, pet sterilizations,food, blankets, kennels, collars, leashes and various other medical services through different veterinary practices. They depend solely on donations to execute their work and goals.
Professor Shelley Schmollgruber, nominated by Melodene Stonestreet
Prof Shelley is a senior lecturer of intensive and critical care nursing at the University of the Witwatersrand.
For many years Shelley has been involved in identifying worthy recipients of our Lester Connock Nursing Award.
She is passionate about her profession and especially training young nursing candidates.
She has generously offered to assist with our selection of Physio and OT as well as nurses when we once again resume our vocational guidance for matric students.
Sue Harwood, nominated by David Bradshaw
Sue has been a freelance writer-photographer for many years, proceeds from her photoshoots go to BAGS of LOVE and BAGS of LOVE too.She has also allocated funds from the sale of her fun book “Under the Rainbow” to needy causes she is involved in.
Sue's monetary award will go to the Tears Foundation.
Gareth Hood, nominated by Lyn Collocott
Gareth's vocation as a teacher came to its full potential during hard lockdown when he returned back to South Africa from his teaching post in China and volunteered to become our designated quizmaster and spent hours compiling interesting and challenging questions for our weekly sessions, that expanded from inter-club challenges to cross country and cross border events.
For many of us these quiz evenings represented the highlight of our week.
Also on Friday...
...we inducted our newest member Tayla Burger into the Rotary Club of Rosebank.
Her ties to Rotary began in 2012 when she went on Youth Exchange to Monticello, Minnesota USA.
She studied at Stellenbosch and did a BComm Honours in Industrial Psychology.
Now Tayla is a Key Account Consultant for Allan Gray and is currently busy studying for a post-graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.
She is married to Daniel, she enjoys cooking and baking, organizing events and loves meeting new people and exploring new places and restaurants.
Welcome Tayla, no doubt you will be a valuable asset to Rotary.
Rosebank Rotary members prove that we are People of Action....
It was fitting that a few of our members and Anns volunteered to assist Marylyn Bassin with a mammoth task.
Taken from Marilyn's Boikanyo Facebook page:
"This weekend was incredible. We renovated the 25 buggies (wheelchairs for profoundly disabled cerebral palsy children) that we are going to take to Thohoyandou on the weekend of the 5 November. The atmosphere was wonderful. We know the gift that we are about to give these lucky families, and that knowledge kept us going.
We will spend 2 and a half days fitting children at Donald Fraser and Siloam Hospitals.
The buggies came to us from The Paige Project, who collect condemned buggies from various hospitals and clinics in Gauteng.. They released 25 to us last week for reconditioning and redistribution. The denim covers were collected earlier today.
Preparations for our weekend away are advanced: the foam has been collected, we are just waiting for lap straps, footplates, and tray tables.
This is truly Gods work. The Hollywood Foundation NPC has funded so much of this project, the inspiration and goodness of this particular outreach comes straight from heaven. This one is a very special one."
Jerry Bernardo, this is for you. Your hard work in making the trays and footplates will be honoured and remembered.
Hats on for Children...
James Croswell's reports:
*Hats on for Children’s Hospice Care*
Our Palliative Care team at Baragwanath wearing fun hats participating in the #hatsonforchildrenshospicecare campaign by the International Children’s Palliative Care Network.
The need for improved pain control and palliative care for children and support for their families is restlessly on- going.
On Friday we will be handing over the refurbished container. All are welcome to attend.
A number of us will be attending this ceremony on Friday the 15th of October at 10:30 am at Baragwanath.
Please let James know if you would like to attend.
Meanwhile.... What are our members getting up to?
Juanette McCrindle went walkabouts in the beautiful surrounds of Bad Pyrmont, 2 and a half hours south of Hamburg and shared these bewitching photos with us.
Now that our borders are opening again, maybe this could become a travel destination...
This Friday....
Our monthly business meeting.
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