Aurora Rotary year kicks off in style

The function was held on June 28, at the Ebotse Golf and Country Estate.

Grace van Zyl took over the reins from outgoing president Denis Brandjes for the 2015/2016 Rotary year, which will run from July 1 to June 30, 2016.

Van Zyl joined Rotary in December 2011, to live her passion for helping people reach their full potential.

She is a financial life strategist and enjoys extreme sports.

On accepting her presidency, van Zyl said it is an honour to hold the title.

She thanked Brandjes for handing over a well-run club and congratulated him on an excellent Rotary year.

Van Zyl also thanked the club for believing in her and for the opportunity to lead the club for the next year.

In line with the Rotary International theme, van Zyl’s theme for the year is: “Be a gift to the world by creating sustainability”.

The club members will use their networks and time to help communities, by nurturing their talent and passing on knowledge to empower them, thus creating sustainable communities.

“By involving the community with projects and ensuring they are equipped to look after and maintain the investment that we and our donors make, we can change lives and ensure sustainability, and improve the local economy and environment, thus not only changing our community, but South Africa,” said van Zyl.

Barbara Davidson was inducted as the Anns president by the outgoing president, Ronel Davidson.

Outgoing Rotaract president Robyn Begemann inducted Angelique Kotze as her successor for the upcoming year.

Kotze fully believes in her 2015/2016 motto: “Be the change”.

She grew up in the Rotary Club and is following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Sylvia Knoop, who is a past District Governor Ann, a past president of the Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora and still very involved in the club.

The décor, which was provided elegantly and tastefully by Gail Wilson and Heidi Tucker, matched the personalities of the three incoming women presidents.

Wilson also acted as mistress of ceremonies and had members and their guests in stitches with her entertainment line-up.

A deserving van Zyl was awarded the title of Rotarian of the Year for her exceptional service to the club.

Other awards presented on this evening included nine Service Awards.

The recipients of the nine Service Awards made at the function were Mike Bellingan, Linda Case, Pam Hein, Sylvia Knoop, Jeni Paillard, Heidi Tucker, Grace van Zyl, Martin Westcott and Butch Wilson.

The big wooden spoon was handed over to the Stirrer of the Year, Kevin Norris.

The Stirrer of the Year makes the rest of the club think differently, stirring up things with new ideas.

Sylvia Knoop, Kevin Norris, Heather Smithard, Grace van Zyl, Gail Wilson, Butch Wilson, Martin Westcott, Linda Case and Denis Brandjes chalked up 100 per cent attendance in the past Rotary year.