Quentins at Oakhurst was the setting for the handover of presidential duties for the Rotary Club of Hout Bay, at the annual induction dinner on Tuesday May 14.
President Keith Bull handed over the chain of office to incoming president Athol Rice, and wished him a similarly successful year in delivering services to the community.
As has become customary, a “Rotary Moment” was shared with the audience, as Mr Bull reminded the guests of victorious year that had passed. He reminisced about the success of the various projects that were run in 2018.
One project was the bursary scheme, which allowed seven students to graduate and secure employment this year.
The climax of the presidential year, at the end of June, will be the launch of the showcase Eyethu Skate Park project. Over R1.5 million has been raised for this world-class skate park, which is currently nearing completion, due to officially open in July.
“This is the culmination of four years of planning, so it will be a big celebration for not only the club, but for the entire community,” said Mr Rice, who has lived in Hout Bay since 1988.
“The focus of the next Rotary year will be continuing the five core projects that the club currently runs, which includes a new initiative called Vision Testing, for Grade 1 and Grade 7 pupils in all primary schools in Hout Bay.
“We have just completed a very successful pilot in Disa Primary, and are currently securing funding to scale out this project to include all primary schools in Hout Bay. We will be handing out 28 pairs of glasses shortly to pupils who are in need of vision correction, and we’re excited about how these glasses will change these children’s lives going forward,” he said.
Mr Rice spoke about another project, where over 700 children in the neighbourhood are fed e’PaP at various crèches on a daily basis.
“While the club runs its core projects, we also do many smaller care projects, such as distributing wheelchairs or holding Christmas parties for the elderly or displaced families in our communities. All our projects are designed to make a difference on a daily basis in people’s lives in this vibrant suburb,” said Mr Rice.
“Witnessing what
happened in March 2017 after the Imizamo Yethu , I love seeing, how in times of distress, everyone comes together to assist those in need,” he said. “
Mr Rice has asked to reach out to the broader community to see if there are like-minded people who would value “service above self” (the Rotary credo). If so, contact him at atholjrice1004@gmail.com