Good Things Happening to Good People

It's always nice to share good news and this week our old friend Oliver Quambusch has quite a bit of it to spread around, both on the personal front and in terms of his Hotel Hope Ministries orphanage in Melville.
     The orphanage has until now only been allowed 18 babies at a time. Initially New Dawn was going to help them build on an extra flatlet on the property to house an extra care worker, which according to then government rules and regulations would've allowed up to 24 kids getting ready for adoption at a time.

Oliver Quambusch inside Resurrection, the well-known Melville charity shop, which generates most of the running costs for his charitable work

     In the past few years Hotel Hope's classification was changed, however, meaning that they didn't have to have an extra worker living on the premises.
     That's when New Dawn, in conjunction with Oliver, decided to sponsor a flatbed bakkie instead, with which vital work for the two charity shops aligned to the charity, could be done. The money came primarily from the Rotary Club of Delft in the Netherlands.
     After years of lobbying, Hotel Hope suddenly got the green light a few months ago from the City of Johannesburg that they can increase the number of children to 28.
     Shorty after this earth shattering news, says Oliver, a generous partner of Hotel Hope gave them the use of a home rent-free for ten years, which in effect means the number increases to 46 children.

The hand crafted wooden cases which are a staple offering for sale at Resurrection

     On the personal front Oliver was chosen as a finalist for the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry's recent Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 awards.
     This was mainly in recognition of the pioneering work he has done in self-funding for the orphanage from the two charity shops in Melville, the main one being Resurrection in 7th Street.

We had some high-powered visitors at last weeks' meeting. From left: Judy Sanderson, Lyn Collocott, Paul Kasango, Linda and Mike Vink and Amina Franse 

Visitors
     Last week's meeting ended up being a general discussion because our speaker, Beate Schulte-Brade from the Johannesburg North Central club, was unable to attend.
     It meant there was time to catch up on the Rotary family Health Days, the Golf Day and other issues affecting the club such as the Macsteel Cycle Race coming up on Sunday, the upcoming Foundation seminar at the Van Gaalen Cheese farm near the Hartbeespoort Dam (19 November) and the PR seminar the previous Saturday. These district and regional meetings are normally very fruitful and members are encouraged to attend. It is the best way to learn more about Rotary; by seeing the organization in action.

Carol Stier (third from the right in the back row) attended the PR seminar organized by Steve Margo (front in the blue shirt), the new public relations dynamo of District 9400

     We were also graced by some unexpected but very welcome visitors, always one of the great pleasures of Rotary.
     Judy Sanderson, a retired editor at the SABC, was visiting Amina Frense to attend the SA National Editors' Forum meeting in Johannesburg and came along for some Wednesday morning fellowship. Before her retirement the SABC moved Judy to Durban, from where she was a quite frequent visitor to Gauteng and she mostly used to stay at Twickenham Guest House during those stays, so it was a wonderful opportunity to renew old ties.
     Judy is a founder member of Sanef and a very active member at that. Their efforts in defense of freedom of speech are vital.

Siblings Judy Sligcher and her brother, Harmon Gonggryp attended

     The Judys were pulling no punches because our one Judy, Judy Sligcher, brought her brother, Harmon, along for the meeting as well. Harmon had flown in from Europe the previous day.

Cosying up ... Linda putting her good arm to good use, and Lyn Collocott

     Our third visitor was Lyn Collocott, AG for the club, who has been seen around quite regularly, so thanks for that Lyn, it keeps us on our toes!  

Speakers
     There was a glitch with the speaker last week because the date hadn't been confirmed with her, but we're back on track now.
     Tomorrow Duncan Gibbon will be the speaker.
     Duncan was a music industry executive for many years with both Gallo and Sony where he ended his career as Marketing Director. He was a co-founder of Sony Music in South Africa.

Music maestro Duncan Gibbon

     Duncan retired in 2011 and was asked to help take the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra out of business rescue after the orchestra had quite literally imploded.
     He held the position of CEO of the orchestra until last year, when the JPO joined forces with the Durban based KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra under a new management team.
     Duncan will be responding to questions led by Linda, and speaking about the music industry.

Cooking with flair ... Philippa Robinson will be sharing secrets and
recipes from the Masterchef kitchen

     The following week, 9 November, promises to be just as interesting, with Philippa Robinson as the speaker. Philippa came third in the last Masterchef South Africa, the hit TV reality series designed to find the best home chef in the country.
     Sadly that proved to be the last season of Masterchef SA, with the kitchen on the Nederburg Estate in Paarl having subsequently been closed down.
    Sharon will be followed on 16 November by Beate Schulte-Brader, who will be speaking on the BodyTalk System and about whom we have written previously.
     Tomorrow we'll also try to fit in a fireside chat with Debbie de Vries after the meeting, as arranged.
     More dates to remember: Region 2 meeting with DGR Christopher Thompson at the Douglasdale Retirement Village on Saturday, 12 November; 5Cees AGM on Monday, 14 November in Berea (6.30pm); 23 November, Club Assembly; and 9 December is the annual Christmas dinner.
     A Thought for the Week: If you be pungent, be brief: for it is with words as with sunbeams - the more they are condensed the deeper they burn. - John Dryden (1631 - 1700).