INDUCTION DINNER 2013

Welcome to President Gaylen

 


PDG Mark Doyle, James Kingston & DG Anneas Balt

 

Rustenburg Rotary Club inducted their 63rd president on 16 July in great style. The club which was chartered in December 1950 has a rich history of flamboyant leaders and is well known for their worthy projects. So it was no surprise that the guest of honour and key-note speaker was James Kingston, professional golfer and known philanthropist.

The newly inducted President Gaylen Coelho, a young and dynamic personality, is committed to continue the good work of the club. She fully supports Rotary International’s vision to concentrate more on sustainable projects. Gaylen said she and the Rotarian's will encourage businesses and other organisations to form partnerships in order to increase the difference that Rotary makes in our community. She was an exchange student in 2004 to Germany through the Klerksdorp Rotary Club.

Gaylen studied BSc Medical Science at the University of Pretoria but decided that running her own company is much more challenging, she is not only involved with a promotion company but she also has her own travel agency. She is married to Miguel a mining Engineer. They both love travelling, good food and wine tasting and are often seen at all the “hot spots” Gaylen is totally in love with animals and would move heaven and earth to protect those in her care. Her pet hates are people with bad table manners and late arrivals. Miguel loves DIY jobs around the house but true to his profession he dislikes disorganised and unprepared people and situations.

Gaylen understands Rotary business and the importance of membership, in fact so much so, that she and Miguel are now expecting their first baby. Congratulations to the ‘swell’ couple!

DG Anneas, President Gaylen & James Kingston



PE Johan, master of ceremonies



New Rotarian: Andrew Webb

 


PP Alan awarding PP  Ronnie
with a 100% attendance certificate

 

Memorandum of Understanding with local municipality

RUSTENBURG ROTARY CLUB AND RUSTENBURG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY JOIN FORCES

 

The Rustenburg Local Municipality recently signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with the Rotary Club of Rustenburg to build on the strong relationship between the parties, ensuring a vibrant healthy community.



Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Mr Thobiso Mesesa,
 Rotarians: Johan Krugel, Gaylen Coelho, Elsa Doubell and
Dr. M K Mako, Municipal Manager of the Rustenburg Local Municipality.



This historic union was made possible by Executive Mayor, Cllr.  Khunou who has been in consultation with members of the Rustenburg Rotary club. The purpose of this agreement is to strengthen co-operation in considering legislation or regulations that will have impact on the communities falling within jurisdiction of both parties. 



President: Elsa Doubell & Municipal Manager: Dr. M K Mako



The Rustenburg Rotary Club is very excited about the support and believes that in these current economic times that this is the way forward. They also expressed a wish for forming more partnerships with local business to improve their efforts in their service to mankind.



Members of the Rustenburg Local Municipality and Rustenburg Rotarians with
Acting Executive Mayor:
MMC L Kgaladi and Municipal Manager: Dr. K. Mako.



Charter Dinner

Rustenburg Rotary Club's 62nd Charter Dinner

The Rustenburg Rotarians recently celebrated the club's birthday with a formal dinner at the local golf club. The Rustenburg Rotary Club was chartered on the 16th December 1950.  Mr. F W Offermeier was the club’s first president and many well-known people followed in his footsteps.

Rotary International attracts dynamic individuals with a strong desire to help the community around them, and with the Rustenburg Club, there is no difference. Over the years the members representing various professions and businesses have used their skills and networking abilities to make a sustainable difference.

The guest speakers were four young students who had recently attended RYLA, a youth camp for enthusiastic students, selected for their leadership potential.  Their message to the members was that this wonderful Rotary project had changed their attitude towards their role as leaders amongst fellow learners and the general populace, especially those in need.

Various sponsors were acknowledged and thanked for their selfless contribitions towards the Rustenburg Rotary Club.  Amongst those mentioned  was Muriel Vos,  co-owner of Palm Lodge,  who has generously donated money via a monthly debit order for more than ten years to the club's project fund. This fund makes provision for much needed assistance to organizations, like child and women abuse survivors, disabled people, the elderly and the various needs of those less fortunate, either by their social or physical situation.

Another long standing friend of Rotary, Peter Floudiotes and his lovely wife Gillian were amongst those who were recognized for their kind assistance with projects over the years, especially concerning the elderly.

Thanks once again, for Rotary and similar service organisations couldn't survive without the help of local business, corporate companies and caring individuals.

Mr. Hilko Von Zwietering, who was a Rotarian of thirty plus years and who recently resigned as a member to enjoy his retirement, was handed a certificate of appreciation for the many years of service as club treasurer. We wish him and his kind-hearted wife Marie a long and happy future.

Gaylen Choelo was presented with the “Rotarian Of The Year” trophy. No task is too big or too small for this hardworking young Rotarian.

Schoolbag Project

A new year and a new beginning for first time learners.

President Elsa and the principal of Tshedimosong Primary explaining to the learners about Rotary

Rustenburg Rotary recently donated  new school bags filled with stationary to selected grade one learners from the following primary schools; Sunrise Park, De-Hy, Kroondal, Karlien Park and Tshedimosong.

This is the third year that Rustenburg Rotarians with the kind assistance of Rudan Motors and Wimpy was able to put a smile on these little people’s faces. After a short explanation of what Rotary is all about, an eager little learner when asked what he wants to be when he is grown up, said that he wanted to be President of the world and a Rotarian. Well done little one, with that attitude you are going to go places.

 

Eager little learners from the newly build Sunrise Park Primary School with their new schoolbags with acting principal, Mrs. Judy Schreuder

Club visit from the District Governor

District Governor Martin's visit

The Rustenburg Rotary Club members had the privilege to become acquainted and spend some time with District Governor Martin, District Governor Ann Christina Forsyth-Thompson and PGPR Mark Doyle during their recent club visit.  

The first stop was Rusoord Old Age Home where our esteemed visitors got showed around the newly renovated dining room which was done by Rustenburg Rotary Club and friends. Also on the premises is a current club project in process, a Wall of Remembrance and garden.  Money raised from the plaques purchased will be going to the old age home.

 Next stop was at Topologo Hospice in Phokeng where Bishop Kevin and General Manager Steve were in discussion with DG Martin and DGPR Mark about a ROTARY FAMILY HEALTH DAY.  More will be revealed soon, stay “tuned in”.

Wildforlife, Rustenburg’s only animal rehabilitation centre was next on the list. Although the sun was very hot (38 degrees) and it was almost lunch time the party of Rotarians were eager to learn more from Dr. Schouwstra and Adri, the resident falconer, about the running of the shelter and the history of the animals. The newly completed irrigation system witch was done by Rustenburg Rotary and 3 engineering students, were showed off to the guest. The next step is a gardening project which will benefit the animals as well as the workers.

The last visit was to the club’s pride and joy, Bessies Care Centre. The club is in the process of renovating the bathrooms with the sponsorship of Elikulu Granite Works.  Although all Rotarians are regularly exposed to disabled children one could see that our visitors were a bit teary-eyed when they got introduced to some of the little fellows.

The visit was rounded off with a evening function with the Kloof Rotary Club. It was a pleasure spending time with our leaders and hope to see them soon.

President Elsa, DG Matin, DGA Christina, President Sibusiso & partner Jane

Vocational Service Outing to Boston Dry Cleaners

LAUNDRY -  the never ending story

Members of the Rustenburg Rotary Club were recently treated to a delicious lunch and a tour by  old friends of the club, Josh De Sousa and his beautiful wife Grace, owners of Boston Dry Cleaners.



Rotarian's - Dr Alan & Dr Joosby giving a second opinion

Boston Dry Cleaners is one of the many long established businesses of Rustenburg. Josh took over the ownership in the 70’s and grew from humble beginnings to an empire. Today Boston Dry Cleaners service most of the hospitality industry in and around Rustenburg as well as the many depots all over the district.

Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a chemical solvent other than water. The solvent used is typically tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) otherwise known as “perc”. It is used to clean delicate fabrics that cannot withstand the rough and tumble of a washing machine and dryers.

The ancient Romans used ammonia (from urine) and fuller’s earth to launder their woollen togas. Fullonicae were very prominent facilities, with at least one in every major town of any notability. These laundries obtained urine from farm animals or from special pots situated at public latrines. The industry was so profitable that fuller’s guilds were an important political constituency and the government taxed the collection of urine. I can only wonder if they adhere to the four-way-test.

Modern dry cleaning uses non-water-based solvents to remove soil and strains from clothes. The potential for using petroleum-based solvents such as gasoline and kerosene was discovered in the mid-19^th century by French dye-works owner Jean Baptiste Jolly, who noticed that his tablecloth become cleaner after his maid spilled kerosene on it. He subsequently developed a service cleaning people’s clothes in this manner which became known as “nettoyage á sec” – i.e., dry cleaning.



Josh De Sousa, owner of Boston Dry Cleaners and a much appreciated friend of Rustenburg Rotary Club



Josh showed us the all powerful dry-cleaning machines which is a combination of a domestic washing machine and clothes dryer with capacity of between 10 – 40kg. The solvent temperature is maintained at 30 degrees Celsius.  

Garments are checked for foreign objects which might damage textiles. Some textiles dyes are “loose” and will shed dye during the solvent immersion. These will not be included in a load along with lighter-colour textiles. Not all stains can be removed by dry-cleaning it and needs to be treated with spotting solvents, sometimes by steam jet or by soaking in special stain-remover liquids before garments are washed or dry cleaned.







Needless to say, the Rotarians were absolutely amazed at all this and the informative way Josh and his staff were presenting it. What a great vocational activity, thank you Josh, you and your staff are excellent examples of the Rotary Code Of Conduct and a true friend.





Just hanging - Dr Joosby & Johan

Laundry - 3 x times cleaner with Elsa, Wilma & Gaylen

Rustenburg Rotary Donates Forty Thousand Rands

Rustenburg Rotary Club donated R40 000 to Thusanang Centre with money raised from the annual Marico Mountain Bike Race.

The Rustenburg Rotary club recently handed over a cheque of R40 000 to Santa Van Bart, founder member of the Thusanang Centre during DGPR Mark Doyle's club visit. The Centre is based in Groot Marico, one of the poorest areas in our country but known for their warm hospitality and the memories of Charles Hermann Bosman, who is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s top short-story writers.

This community project started in 1993 in Groot Marico with only 10 pre-school children in an old garage and slowly grew into a well run creche, after school care and adult education centre. Seventy two children are currently in their care. There is a soup kitchen which supplies the children with a daily meal, often the only food that these kids have.

Thusanang centre also provides unemployed women with skills training.  Beautiful handcrafted products are made for the purpose of generating an income. Their pride and joy is a permaculture garden project, which is self maintained and sustainable.

Rustenburg Rotary Club became involved 5 years ago when their famous annual mountain bike race was introduced to the area with kind assistance from Impala Platinum Ltd, Xstrata and various other sponsors. Proceeds of this event gets ploughed back into the Groot Marico community and the club's wheelchair project.

Santa Van Bart, Chris De Bruyn and Ronnie Schild the "backbone" of the  annual Rustenburg Rotary Club's Marico Mountain Bike Race

The Rotarian's are calling on the public for donations, like toys, books, vegetable seeds and any food to help  the children of Thusanang.  For more information phone Santa at 083 272 2958 or Ronnie Schild from Rotary at 082 655 4053.



Mark Doyle, District Governors Personal Representative, President Elsa Doubell, Santa Van Bart from Thusanang Centre and  Ronnie Schild, PAG.