Fun, Fellowship and Funds were the theme of the annual Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn Golf Day at the the Parkview Golf Club on Friday.
The rain held off and the golfers were able to complete their rounds in time for a great function where the winners were announced (the first placed team was from the Central Gauteng Golf Union, invited by Andy Ostle).
The total takings, which after expenses should be around R50 000, will be enough to kickstart a bursary scheme in conjunction with Paul Channon's Alexandra Education Committee to give bursaries at schools in the New Dawn area of operations, which includes the National School of the Arts.
The aim is to raise R1 million in as short a time as possible through our fundraising and corporate sponsors to be able to use the proceeds of the investment to help give children a proper education, something the AEC is an old hand at.
The big winner on the day was Joan Sainsbury, whose winning ticket was drawn in the raffle for the Barrow of Booze. Joan gifted the wheelbarrow and contents back to the club for another raffle at the Festive Dinner on Saturday, 3 December, making the club another big winner on the night.
Although total takings aren't as much as in pre-Covid years (player numbers were down and green fees up) the club can be proud of what was achieved.
Many of the golfers have become old friends, like Greg Smith, an ex-member of New Dawn who started the Golf Days and still plays every year and Jon Morte of Impala Butchery in Northcliff, who sponsors prizes and plays every year.
Old stalwarts matter, but so do new conquests and this year we had a number of new sponsors on board, amongst them the estate agents Remax and Rawsons, a good indication that more local businesses must be approached to join in the fun.
The annual visit by the District Governor is a highlight of the Rotary year and there was a good turnout of club members when DG Koekie Makunyane-Quashie and her husband, Koblai, attended the meeting last week.
Koekie was born in Orlando West, Soweto but the Quashies have lived in Eswatini since 1962 and she'll be presenting her District Conference there next year. She and her husband, who is heading the Discon committee, invited all New Dawn members to attend next year (27 April to 1 May 2023).
She was satisfied that she had received all the relevant information from New Dawn that clubs have to provide to the DG every year for the official visit (annual financial statements, club goals loaded onto My Rotary, a clean bill of financial contributions to Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, etc.)
DG Koekie quoted Jennifer Jones, the current RI president and first women to be president of Rotary International, who likes to say that Rotarians must go out and tell the Rotary story "because that's how you attract new members. And wear your Rotary pin and badges to identify yourself and show you're proud of being a Rotarian."
The RI president has already travelled to 12 countries of the world where she gets to meet heads of state. She calls it her "Imagine tour" in line with the Rotary motto for her year, Imagine Rotary.
Apart from membership, amongst Jones's other Rotary passions are the environment and the "empowerment of the girl child".
DG Koekie said when a club brings in new members, they must "apply the philosophy of comfort and care" by making sure they're comfortable in the club. Get new members involved in the club as soon a possible.
"Imagine a world that deserves our best by knowing that when we get up in the morning, we know that we as Rotarians can make a difference in the world."
She ended up by praising New Dawn for being a vibrant and dynamic club and said the New Dawn will definitely be getting a Presidential Citation for the year from RI.
After that it was time to induct Barbara Angove as the newest member of New Dawn, a task with which DG Koekie helped by pinning her badge and Rotary pin.
A Reminder: The Comrades Marathon legend Bruce Fordyce will be the speaker at the meeting this week. Remember, the meeting shifts to tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25 and that it is an evening meeting that starts at 6pm. Be there for some more fun and fellowship. There is no meeting on Wednesday morning.
Entrance costs R100 which you can preferably pay by EFT into the club account (FNB 62217422609) or bring cash or a credit card to the club. Drinks are for your own account, although there will be complimentary snacks.
A Thought for the Week: The human race has one very effective weapon, and that is laughter. - Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
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