Rotary’s busy bee Elsa (77) retires
Elsa Venter is also a proud mother of three children and seven grandsons.
Having given 16 years of service to Rotary, PRO for the Rotary clubs of Boksburg and Boksburg Lake Elsa Venter (77) has bowed out of the organisation.
Fondly known as “the brat with the camera” due to her passion for taking photographs at every club event, Elsa joined Rotary in September 2004 as a member of the Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark.
When she moved to Boksburg, she joined the Rotary Club of Boksburg Lake in 2013. She later joined the Boksburg Rotary Club where she worked as PRO for both Boksburg clubs. During her Rotary days in Vanderbijlpark, Elsa was the club’s secretary for three years and moved on to clubs president in 2010/11.
In 2006, she became the club’s PRO and the club also won an international award for public relations. She has also been a frequent contributor not only to the Advertiser over the years but also to the Vaal Caxton local press and
Rotary Africa magazine and was the club’s roaming journalist for its 6X award-winning newsletter, the
Ingot.
“I have also been responsible for the club’s monthly markets, Christmas markets and programmes and have coordinated the annual Badplaas project for senior citizens for eight years,” Elsa said.
She served as the district governor’s special aide in 2008 to 2009 and has served as a secretary of the D9300 events committee.
“Being part of Rotary has taught me a lot. I am happy that I have worked hard and provided enormous contributions to all three clubs I have been part of. I have peace knowing I have worked for the community and
assisted where I was needed.”
Achievements
The Boksburg North resident has been recognised three times as a Paul Harris Fellow. To be awarded a Paul Harris
Fellowship entails the club making a donation of $1 000 (about R13 500) in the new fellow’s name to the Rotary Foundation, for use in humanitarian programmes and other Rotary-approved projects worldwide.
Elsa was also honoured as a Rotarian of the year at both clubs, Rotary Club of Boksburg Lake and Rotary Club of Boksburg, four times, respectively.
She was awarded twice for her service excellence at DG Anneas Balt’s and DG Annie Steijn’s Discons.
Watch video:
More about Elsa
Elsa, who is an attorney by profession, was born in Vereeniging and matriculated at Hoërskool Voortrekker in 1962. She has three children and seven grandsons.
Having studied at the University of Potchefstroom and Unisa, Elsa holds six qualifications: LLB, Master of Laws (specialising in administrative law), BA (Languages), BIuris (with Latin), a constitutional litigation and estate planning certificates.
She practised law for 30 years at her firm in Boksburg and retired at the age of 55. Elsa is a cancer survivor and has a passion for travelling.
Derek Fox, Rotary Club of Boksburg president, has known Elsa for seven years.
“Elsa’s retirement has left a big gap in our club. When I first meet her she was full of zeal. She said Rotary doesn’t need her, she needs Rotary – and went on to take a front row seat in the organisation. I have managed successfully as the president of the club because Elsa backed me up with all the information that I needed.”
Also Read: Rotary’s publicist captures 7 500 unforgettable memories
Also Read: Rotary Anns president loses her battle with cancer
