Rotary Club inducts new member, recognises excellence

Taking full advantage of a fifth Thursday of a month, the Rotary Club of Pietersburg 100 last Thursday evening inducted a new member and also made a vocational award to a deserving member of the community during the club’s weekly meeting at the Bowls Club in the city.
Hugo van den Dool was introduced by Grant Daly, Past District Governor and duly inducted as new member of the club by Johan Joubert, President, while Louise van den Dool was welcomed as member of the Rotary Anns by Yvonne Joubert, Rotary Anns President.
Renate Wieffering, former Enrichment Centre (Pathways) Head of Department at Mitchell House, received a vocational award. Rotary’s vocational awards are made to members of the community who excelled in their working environment by going the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of others.
Reflecting on her more than eight years working with children with special needs, Wieffering said that she was saddened to leave the institution at the end of November. “The Enrichment Centre has been my sanctuary, my second family and my home away from home, and the children have been my motivation, my inspiration and my passion. Each and every child I have had the privilege of teaching have found their very special spots in my heart. They have done me so proud as I have watched them grow, learn, develop and make the most amazing progress. Not only has working with these children been interesting, but even more than that, it has been rewarding beyond my wildest dreams,” Wieffering said.
“As much as it saddens me, the time has come for me to take my own ‘time-out’, although my time-out won’t be in the naughty chair, but rather in nature where rejuvenation is bound to take place,” Wieffering concluded in reference to her planned sabbatical on a farm outside Haenertsburg.

Story and photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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