The Springs Gold Rotary Club has appointed Lauren Webber-Froneman as its fourth president, marking a new chapter in the organisation’s long history of community service.

Webber-Froneman officially took over the leadership role from outgoing president Andrew Irvine, who served two consecutive terms.

The handover took place on June 6 at the Riverside Country Estate, where Rotarians from various clubs gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, Webber-Froneman said she was honoured to assume the position and looked forward to building on the club’s proud legacy while responding to the evolving needs of the community.

Joining the organisation in 1999, Webber-Froneman’s connection to it began much earlier through her father, who joined Rotary in 1989.

Springs Gold was established in 2022 following the amalgamation of the Rotary Club of Springs and the Rotary Club of Springs Park.

Despite Springs Gold’s relatively recent formation, the club traces its roots back to 1935, when the original Rotary Club of Springs received its charter.

“Even though I am the fourth president of Springs Gold and the 91st president of Rotary in Springs, our history goes back to the original charter date of 1935,” she explained.

In last year’s induction, she was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow award, which is considered the highest honour in the organisation.

Throughout her Rotary journey, Webber-Froneman has been involved in numerous community projects, including blanket drives, educational support programmes, feeding schemes and initiatives aimed at assisting vulnerable residents.

Among the club’s flagship projects is the Cheerful Giver Project, a community-driven initiative that distributes donated furniture, clothing, household goods and medical equipment to those in need.

Operating from a container on a local property, the project provides an estimated R200 000 worth of goods annually.

“We call it a free shop. People who need help can come and take what they need. We have had everything from hospital beds and wheelchairs to clothing and household items,” she said.

Another initiative close to her heart is Men on the Side of the Road, a monthly initiative which supports day labourers seeking employment by providing sandwiches, soup, fruit and other essentials throughout the year.

“I have had people tell me it doesn’t make a difference because it is not sustainable, but for me, it makes a huge difference to those men.

“They get something in their stomachs, and if they get work that day, the money they earn can go back to their families,” she said.

She added that one of the most rewarding aspects of the programme is witnessing people rebuild their lives.

“When you go back regularly, you notice some of the people are no longer there because they’ve found work and got back on their feet. That’s what makes it worthwhile.”

Reflecting on nearly three decades of service, Webber-Froneman said Rotary had become an integral part of her life.

“Rotary has become a habit. It is a huge part of my life, and I cannot imagine my life without it.”

Her involvement has also provided opportunities to attend international district conferences and leadership training programmes, where she connected with Rotarians from around the world.

As she begins her term as president, Webber-Froneman remains committed to honouring the club’s longstanding traditions while embracing new opportunities for growth and service.

“I am hoping to take the club in a new direction while continuing the work that has always been at the heart of Rotary, serving the community and making a difference where we can,” she concluded.

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