The Rotary Club of Helderberg celebrated their 40th anniversary in style with a formal black tie dinner hosted at Somerbosch wine farm on Friday (14 April).
Joké Young, president of the Rotary Club of Helderberg, explains that the club was chartered on 14 April 1983 and during the same time the Helderberg Anns was inaugurated.
“We had to celebrate these milestones. We also acknowledged the wonderful support that the Anns have given their husbands, enabling them to become Rotarians, giving them a foundation from which they could do the work of Rotary,” says Young.
Past President (PP) Kathy Boonzaier spoke about the founding of the Anns and various members talked about their projects of the past years including Dixieland, Bargain Box, Toys for Joy, Jersey Drives and the Subz project for girls.
PP Peter Humphries spoke on behalf of the Rotarians, also mentioning various projects including the club’s involvement in the Craft Market. He focused on the start from humble beginnings to the finished smooth operation of the shade cloths, braai, food stand and container.
Other projects mentioned were Lyndhurst, Happy buckets, Careers Expo, Youth Exchange students, GSE teams and Friendship Exchanges.
“There have been various building projects, namely creche’s in Nomzamo, additions to the Camelot Home for the Aged and the sports field at Raithby Primary School. Our biggest project has been the Bizweni Centre for Disabled Children. In 2010, we built a specialised 378 m² facility and in 2016 we added a further extension. We are hoping to add an additional extension in the coming year,” says Young.
A Vocational Award was presented to Louie van Rooyen in recognition of her services to the community. Past presidents André and Kathy Boonzaier were presented with the President’s Award in recognition of their past 40 years of service to the Rotary club and Anns.
Respects were also paid to Rotary club members who have passed away. A special mention was made of Henry Laubscher who passed away peacefully in his sleep last September, just days before his 95th birthday.
“He was a member of the Rotary Club of Helderberg since 1990. He was our Public Relations Director and was in charge of all press releases and photographs. He presented each chairperson with a book of press cuttings at the end of their year of service. He became the Chair of the Southey Vines Centre Association in 2000 and held this position for many years.
In 2007, he was made an Honorary Member of the Somerset West Rotary Club. In July 1995, Henry was honoured by the Helderberg Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Award. He received the Louis Volks Humanitarian Award from the Somerset West Lions, in 2012,” states Young.
