Greek & Portuguese Evening 2009

One of Cycad's biggest fundraisers occured on 30 October 2009. The Greek & Portuguese Evening is a bi-annual fundraiser with a twist. The evening saw many guests clapping along to Zorba and breaking plates to their heart's content. A Portuguese band and Greek performer entertained the guests as well as some very sultry belly dancers who presented shows with fire, wings and sword balancing. The proceeds of this fundraiser have been allocated to the incinerator project at St. Joseph's Home for the Aged. A big thank you goes out to sponsors and donators: Paramount Construction, Woestalleen Colliery, Hercules Campher & van Deventer, Friendly Grocer Middelburg, Geojar Liquor Warehouse, The Ridge Casino and Entertainment Resort, Sign-a-Rama and Stamwil Caterers. Thank you to Rotarians, helpers, guests and loyal supporters of Rotary fundraisers and projects. Without your input this evening would have been impossible!

DG Visit - Club Assembly

The day ended with Club Assembly at Coffee & More, the induction of our new member Celeste Erasmus and of course lots of happy fellowship. Rotarian Loekie received a MGM for her 4 member she has introduced to the club. Well done Rtn Loekie! DG Albie highlighted yet again the importance of motivation in Rotary, how it can be achieved and commended the club on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, a very important factor for a successful Rotary experience.

DG Visit - Mhluzi Home-Based Care

Lastly, with the company of Mr. Herman Geldenhys, we stopped at the MHBC. Yunis, manager of MHBC, and Mr. Geldenhys gave us a tour and enlightened us about all the challenges they are faced with.

DG Visit - Middelburg Combined School

Next, we were off to the Middelburg Combined School, where we were welcomed by the principal and Mr Freddie Maroos. Mr. Maroos is a teacher at the school and has undertaken, together with pupils, the garden project. After seeing the excellent progress of the garden, the borehole was officially handed over by DG Albie. The principal and Mr. Maroos thanked Rotary for making this project possible. In Mr. Maroos' eyes what Rotary is doing can be illustrated in the following way: "You can give someone a fish and he can eat for a day or you can teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime". Rotary offered the means to something sustainable.

DG Visit - Middelburg Provincial Hospital

On 5 October 2009, the RC of Middelburg Cycad welcomed DG Albie van de Venter and his lovely wife Elna. The day tour comprised of a few stopovers at Cycad projects to review the progress made on them. Our first stop was at the Middelburg Provincial Hospital where we all witnessed a newborn premature baby sleeping peacefully in the Fanem incubator we donated to the children's ward. The introduction of just this one incubator has lowered the mortality rate by a whopping 60%.

Ann's Evening 31 August 2009

The Cycad Ann's Evening was held at Coffee & More and was again a good excuse for fellowship and fun. Amongst the guests were former GSE member Candice Maroos, former outgoing Youth Exchange member Jonty Myburgh and incoming Youth Exchange member Alexander Graul who also enjoyed the evening.

Rotary's Greatest Train Race

The dawn of 22 August 2009 brought about alot of buzzing activity for Rotarians, marshals, volunteers and athletes. Many put their efforts together to get this annual fundraiser off the ground. The day proved to be a success judging by the upbeat athletes and positive vibe felt by many. Well done to all! For more pictures log on to the Rotary Club of Middelburg blogspot: www.middelburgrotary.blogspot.com

Meet the cousins

A day of fellowship and learning awaited our Cycad Rotarians on 1 August 2009. The merge of districts 9250 and 9300 was discussed at this presentation and many interesting speakers and activities graced the day.

Borehole for Middelburg Combined School

This project is an extension of the Garden project our club initiated at this school last year. After seeing the success of the garden project and how the learners have committed themselves to its productivity, Cycad agreed to putting in a borehole in order to sustain this effort. The project is still in progress.

Ann's Evening 29 June 2009

Editor's error: This post should heve been posted earlier....but that's what happens when you update the blog after 4 months ;-)

Anyhow, this Ann's Evening was a very special event held at Coffee & More on 29 June 2009. Not only was it an enjoyable dinner with our wonderful anns and partners but certain special people received Paul Harris and Sapphire awards. PP John Brislin received a Sapphire for his exceptional work as a Rotarian. PP Giovanni Lamprecht, President Wessie van der Westhuizen and Herman Geldenhuis, co-ordinator of Mhluzi Home-based Care, were each presented with a Paul Harris award. Well done!

Rotaracts at work

The Rotaracts of Middelburg were hard at work distributing oranges in Avalon with big smiles on their faces. Avalon's community is very poor and in dire need of assistance in any form. Job well done to the Rotaracts!

Wheelchair Distribution

More wheelchairs are handed out to our needy community members by Cycad.

Saaitjieland Nursery School

With the knitting skills of Mrs. Noelene Martins and the sponsorship of Middelburg Cycad Rotary Club, toddlers at Saaitjieland Nursery School were able to warm up with these lovely, colourful jerseys provided to them. The nursery School is a community project for children in need. Mrs Noelene was kind enough to knit all these jerseys herself and received a service award for this cause. Rtns Loekie oversaw the distribution thereof.

Induction of President Wessie van der Westhuizen

The new Rotary year saw Rtn Wessie van der Westhuizen as new Cycad president. The induction took place at Amazon's restaurant on 6 June 2009 and guests included AG Gaylene, Ann President of Middelburg Club Ronel Vismer, Cycad and Middelburg Rotarians and a few special guests. Newly inducted members included John & Jhalmine Myburgh, Ben & Hannetjie Nolan, Werner Muller & Gavin Topper. Welcome to Cycad! Ann President Ronel inducted Ansia van der Westhuizen as Cycad Ann President. Other awards included "Rotarian of the year", which was presented to Rtn Colin Hasses, "Certificates of Appreciation" to Rentia Janse van Rensburg, "Member-get-member" award to Rtns Coleen Lamprecht and Marilou Louw and "Stirrer of the year" award went to none other than Rtn Maureen Kivits.

Blanket & Jersey Distribution

Cycad was very proud to distribute blankets and jerseys received from the blanket drive project organised by PDG Cliffe Peake to very needy community members. Destinations included Dooringkop, Nazaret, Mhluzi, Bloekomsig and Avalon.

Incubator Project

What a proud moment it was when Cycad handed over the incubator to Ward 18 at the Middelburg Provincial Hospital! Greeted by Dr. Gouwa (stand-in for CEO), Matron Elbie Botha , doctors and nurses, the handover signified a step forward in the combat of child mortality. On installation of the incubator, training was offered to the staff by Mr Neil Pretorius.

Incoming GSE

It was a pleasure meeting the incoming GSE from Kansas City, Missouri. Their presentation on 28 April at the Middelburg Care Village to the clubs of Middelburg Cycad, Middelburg and Witbank was fantastic. The team consisted of team leader Bill and members Jeanne, Michelle, Jim and Mark. The following day we spent an interesting day together on a tour of Mhluzi, where they were brave enough to take muti from a sangoma, taste home-made beer from a shebeen and eat mopani worms at Something Out of Nothing.

SPCA Work Party

Hard work ruled on Saturday 4 April with Rotarians and volunteers assisting in the repainting and general maintenance of the SPCA house. We hope that the new manager Ian Lombard and his partner eventually feel this as a welcoming home.

Pub Nite

The Pub Nite held on 27 March proved to be a success as well as an enjoyable evening for all. A fun-filled night with a cause, entertainment from Billy Brandt and saloon girls, raffle prizes and lots of dancing, the Cycads managed to raise funds for a water/sanitation project still in progress.