When it comes to charity, care and determination, Annette Conradie believes she can and will make a major difference after recently taking over as president of the Newcastle Lions Club.

Not one to sit idle, Annette has already kick-started several fundraising initiatives aimed at making life a little less stressful for those less fortunate.

The Newcastle Advertiser got to know Annette a little better and found out what drives and motivates her, and what keeps her going despite tough challenges, naysayers and a town facing financial decline.

• Q: Where did you grow up and what brought you to Newcastle? “I grew up in Stilfontein, which was my hometown. My husband was given the opportunity to take over the Nashua franchise in Newcastle, so we decided to close our eyes, take a leap of faith and make the move. It turned out to be a wonderful new chapter for us.”
• Q: What inspired you to take on the role of Newcastle Lions Club president? “I joined the Newcastle Lions Club in 2023, simply wanting to be part of a group of ladies doing great things for our community. It quickly grew into something much more meaningful as I saw how many people in our community were really struggling. The first time I was asked to take on the role of president, I actually turned it down, believing it wasn’t for me. But as I became more involved, I realised how much more we could achieve together and I decided to take the opportunity.”
• Q: What does becoming president of the club mean to you personally? “Becoming president of the club means a lot to me personally. I never thought I had it in me to take on this role, so it feels like a major achievement. I did not seek the position, which makes it even more special.”
• Q: What are your main priorities for the Lions Club during your term? “My main priority is to build a strong, close-knit group of ladies who support and work well with one another and who are willing to take on any challenge together.”
• Q: Are there any new projects or initiatives you hope to introduce or support? “Yes, we are always working on new ideas and looking for projects that can make a real difference in our community. We strive to assist the Crisis Centre where possible and we have started a Mother & Baby project to help mothers who have little or no support, providing baby clothes and toiletries. The environment is also a big concern. When you look around and see the amount of rubbish lying everywhere, it is clear that we need to do more to encourage recycling of plastic, glass and paper. We also support Tops & Tags, which helps raise funds towards wheelchairs; and Brightsight, because good vision is so important for children. Vision screening can help determine whether a child’s learning difficulties are related to their eyesight or other factors. We also screen members of the community for diabetes. And the list goes on. There is always something more we can do and we are constantly looking for ways to make a difference.”
• Q: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the Newcastle community right now? “I think the biggest challenges facing the Newcastle community right now are unemployment and housing. With unemployment often comes hunger, as many families struggle to put food on the table and secure suitable, affordable housing.”
• Q: How does the Newcastle Lions Club plan to respond to those challenges? “The Newcastle Lions Club constantly tries to support those in need through food, clothing and other community projects. Affordable housing remains a much bigger challenge, but we will continue looking for ways to help where we can. We also know that we cannot do it alone. Without the support of the people of Newcastle, our donors, foundations, property owners and developers, churches, businesses and major employers, we could not achieve what we do. Together, we can make a much bigger difference in our community.”
• Q: What is the most rewarding part of being involved with Lions? “The most rewarding part is seeing what can be achieved, whether it is something big or something small, with the support of the community around us. Working together can make a real difference, as we have seen with projects such as the SPCA.”
• Q: Can you share a Lions project or moment that has particularly stayed with you? “There are many projects and moments that have stayed with me. The Winter Warmer, our support for the SPCA, testing the eyesight of 500 children, and our golf day initiative to raise funds to help the community are just a few that stand out. Each one has shown me how much we can achieve when we work together and have the support of our community.”
• Q: What would you like people in Newcastle to know about the work the Lions Club does? “I would like people in Newcastle to know that so much can be achieved with the backing of our community. Every donation – whether it is food, clothing or money – makes a difference and goes a long way towards helping someone in need.”
• Q: When your term as president comes to an end, what would you like to have achieved? “I have a huge vision for my term as president, but I know that Lions cannot do it alone. One of my biggest goals is to bring together people and organisations in positions of influence to explore a sustainable safe haven for homeless and vulnerable people in our community. With the support of bigger companies, local government, property owners, churches, NGOs, other service clubs and donors, I believe we can start making this vision a reality. It would be more than just a shelter, it could provide food, clothing, hygiene facilities, social support, skills development and pathways towards employment and more stable housing. If, by the end of my term, we have brought the right people together and taken meaningful steps towards making this happen, I would consider that a great achievement.”
• Q: What do you enjoy doing when you are not busy with Lions or work? “When I’m not busy with Lions or work, I love to read, although that probably sounds a bit lazy! Ha ha. I also love walking and hiking because I really can’t sit still for too long. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my kids and my grandson.”
• Q: Who or what has had the biggest influence on the person you are today? “I’ve had one or two great bosses in my career who gave me opportunities to prove myself. Their belief in me helped shape my career and the person I am today. Ialso have a 92-year-old father who taught me never to back down from anything or anyone. His motto has always been: Hard work never killed anyone. My brother, whom I lost very recently, gave freely and cared deeply.”
• Q: What is something people might be surprised to learn about you? “Ha ha, people might be surprised to learn that I’m actually a terrible romantic! I truly believe we weren’t meant to do life alone. Love, happiness, connection and laughter are what make the world go round. I’m also a proper girly girl; give me stilettos, dressing up and a little romance any day! For me, though, the best kind of romance is in the thoughtful little things, being remembered, understood and genuinely cherished.”

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