From the Pen of the President...
The fires in Hawaii, Rhodes and several other countries have been devastating and have
destroyed the homes and possessions of many families. Tragically, a number of people have
lost their lives. We can never be sure of the future and of what challenges and disasters we
may have to face. These events have also highlighted both positive and negative aspects of
human behaviour – from open-hearted assistance and support on one side to looting and
criminal behaviour on the other side. I am grateful that I am involved in Rotary and interface
with Rotarians who demonstrate so much positivity and concern for people and the
environment.
Costa Qually
President
Tailpiece
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you”
Jane Goodall
Zoom link...
The correct zoom link for joining the Rosebank Rotary meeting is:
It is the same each week.
Skittles evening on 1 September 2023...
Have you arranged to take part in the Skittles fundraising event? It's to be held on:
1 September
The Skittles evenings are relatively small events with a maximum of 26.
Due to the limited numbers per event, Sonja normally extends the invitation to our own club members.
It is a great evening of fellowship and fun.
Sonja also puts news of Skittles evening out to friends.
And people who have expressed an interest.
The reason for holding the Skittles evening on a Friday night (such as the evening of 1st September), is that people can normally stay later as there is no work the next day.
The start time is 6.30pm for 7pm start,
The cost of Skittles is R150 per person and this includes a number of games of Skittles.
Food and drinks are for your own cost. Sonja will run a WhatsApp group, where people pre-order their food, to ensure that everyone receives food timeously. There is a raffle with 3 prizes.
After the expense of paying the club for the use of the bowling alley for the evening, the monies raised is between R7000 - R8000 for the evening.
The funds raised at Rotary fundraising evenings are spent 100 percent on wonderful, life-changing Rotary projects.
Focus on Rotary...
Rotarians are neighbours, community leaders and global citizens uniting for the common good. With you we can accomplish even more. Leaders from different cultures, communities and occupations around the world are taking action to enhance health, empower the youth, promote peace and improve communities.
Q What makes us different?
A Our distinct point of view and approach gives us unique advantages.
- We see differently: Our multidisciplinary perspective helps us to see challenges in unique ways.
- We think differently: We apply leadership and expertise to social issues - and find unique solutions.
- We act responsibly: Our passion and perseverance create lasting change.
- We make a difference at home and around the world: Our members can be found across the globe.
Hot off the Press! A quiz evening tonight...
Costa writes:
On Monday 14 August we will be having another quiz challenge with the Rotary Club of White River. This time, they will be asking the questions. The quiz starts at 19:00. The Zoom link is
Please join in and enjoy the fellowship and fun.
Rosebank Rotary is perennial...
David Bradshaw found an excerpt from a Rosebank Rotary meeting held on 1982 - exactly FORTY-ONE years ago to the day!
David wrote:
I was going through some old Rosebank Rotary papers this morning and came across the Ramble dated 13 August 1982 - 41 years ago!!! Brian Leech was President, and Hector Cowen was Secretary.
The Topic of the Speaker that Friday was “Food Gardens Unlimited”.
Dates in the August 82 notes included: -
- Curry evening at Ted Coote’s House.
- D.G. Graham Money’s Official Visit.
- President’s Church Service followed by a Picnic Lunch.
There was a Roster for the Bryanston Morning Market.
Imagine how much positive impact Rosebank Rotary (and Rotary globally) has had over the many, many years of doing good!
The Revive project by David Heritage...
David Heritage addressed the club sharing his remarkable life story. He alluded to a difficult upbringing, which culminated in a crime for which he received a 25-year prison sentence at Leeuwkop Maximum Correctional Centre.
Whilst in prison, at a very low point in his life's journey, David became a Christian, He began to study theology whilst in prison and simultaneously he studied ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training). The success in his studies meant that he progressed to higher levels of learning - and today he is a university graduate. He ran ABET courses within the Correctional Centre from 9:00 until 15:00 daily and then studied each evening.
After seven years, he was released on parole and was able to join Church Outreach programs ministering to ex-prisoners on parole.
Currently David and his wife run the Revive Ministry (www.revive.com) which focuses on meeting the needs of the poor in Gauteng. Initially he was able to provide 32 meals a week, but with the sponsorship of Woolworths, the organization is providing 20000 meals a week to destitute families as well as giving to animal and bird welfare organizations. Rosebank Rotary supported this initiative with a donation of blankets.
The primary focus of the Revive ministry is to provide support and practical training for prisoners on parole and ex-prisoners. The success of the Revive structured program is evidenced in a success rate of 95%, with the ex-prisoners starting new lives as responsible citizens who will not revert back to a life of crime. These "graduates" are involved in assisting in the various support initiatives of the Revive organization.
Prizes for fundraising events...
The grand prize is a fantastic holiday.
News from Mille, our exchange student...
Michelle, Mille's host writes:
Mille has had a week filled with "shocks", as she calls them. Oh yes, and a braai that she refers to as a "sausage party" Since arriving last week and seeing Helpmekaar's annual production, Mille was also invited by Emma's friends to: "Liefde by die Dam", an Afrikaans party at Emmarentia Dam on Saturday.
Afterwards the kids went for pizzas at one of the friend's home, where they also taught her to "sokkie" ... a style of dance that is unique to Southern Africa and popular amongst Afrikaners. It is a type of ballroom dance - great fun!
Thank you to Lyn and Pam who, on Tuesday, invited Mille to their birthday party tea, kindly hosted by Brigid.
On Wednesday, Mille was off to Rock City to rock climb with her new friends.
And on Friday, she learned to make Malva Pudding with Brigid and attended her second Rosebank Rotary meeting. This was followed by dinner at Michelle's friend Carla, who made a traditional Cape Malay Chicken Curry.
News from Emma, Michelle's daughter...
Emma is still on holiday, but she had a busy week. The new intake of Rotary exchange students was arriving. Emma is very excited to have Stina from Sweden coming to live in Weisswasser and also attending Landau Gymnasium. Emma's is looking forward to being a new friend of Stina
They visited the nearby town of Hernhut (population of 5773) to learn how to make their renowned stars.
Hernhut has a very interesting history. It is situated in the Gorlitz district of Saxony, Germany known for the community of the Moravian Church, established by Nicholas Ludwig, Count von Zinzondorf in 1722. Hernhut holds a prominent place in the history of Protestantism, as well as in the broader history of Christianity. Zinzondorf's community influenced John Wesley in creating Methodism and it contributed to the rise of Evangelicalism. The first organized Protestant missionary movement began in Hernhut in 1732, when two 'brethren' went to the Dutch East Indies and then others went to Greenland. The first North American mission work began in Savannah, Georgia in 1735.
In 1738, the missionary station of Genadedal was founded in South Africa. Christiansfield in Denmark followed in 1771.
The Hernhut Star, which originated over 160 years ago in the Renewed Moravian Church, is considered the source of all handmade Christmas stars. At the beginning of the 19th Century, the first star which was made of paper and cardboard shone in the rooms of the boarding school of the Moravian Church. Constructed by a Mathematics instructor in class, the star served as a communication tool to improve geometric knowledge. Since then, Children have been crafting their stars on the first Sunday in Advent (in the Christian calendar) thereby introducing this custom to their families. Even today, beginning the peaceful Christmas season is still a charming tradition. Emma made stars.
Emma was also invited to a German wedding and was surprised with having to break plates - which she thought was a Greek custom! The customs associated with Polter Night (Polterabend) probably stems from Pre-Christian times. The day before the wedding, stoneware and porcelain - never glassware is violently smashed by friends and family in order to chase away evil spirits. The shards are traditionally swept up by the betrothed.
In Northern Germany, Polter Night ends with the burning of the groom's trousers or the bride's bra at midnight, to symbolize the end of bachelorhood. The ashes are buried next to a bottle of Schnapps, which has to be dug out for a communal round of drinking a year later.
Who would have known?!!
For your diary...
18 August: Business meeting
25 August: Social meeting
01 September: Pieter van Niekerk: Guide Dogs
Birthdays in August...🎂🎂🎂
Lyn Collocott: Tuesday 8 August
Costa Qually: Saturday 12 August
Jean Bernado: Wednesday 16 August
Did you know?
Rosebank Rotary was chartered in 1954!
Next year is our 70th anniversary!
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