The Morningside Rotary Club is a true symbol of the history that has developed and moulded the contemporary and cosmopolitan city of Sandton.
This club was founded 30 years ago and its primary focus is fundraising, friendship and fun.
The club’s current president, Arnold Bell said, “The club was chartered on 2 July 1986 with about 40 members. The only remaining charter member is orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Brian Barrow, who is the longest serving club member of 30 years. The oldest member of the club, Don Devereux, is 91 years old and the youngest member, Alef Meulenberg, is 28 years old.”
He said that Rotary International has a rich history and was formed 111 years ago in the United States with more than a million members worldwide and 33 000 clubs in over 200 countries.
Read: Over a century and still going strong
“This is the third time that I have been the president of the club and in July 2016, I will be handing my title over to Meulenberg who will become our new president.”
The Morningside Rotary Club believes that it is important to ‘be a gift to the world’ and they have followed this mantra throughout their history by doing many community service projects. “The Rotary Club of Morningside has carried out and is still involved in many projects covering aspects such as drug and alcohol abuse and rehabilitation, education, health, counselling, career guidance, feeding schemes and rape and trauma [counselling]. We have also run very successful blanket drives.”
He elaborated on a handful of these projects and said that the club is very proud of the difference that they have made in many communities. “We were involved with the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) and we built them a new drug and alcohol abuse centre in Diepsloot,” said Bell.
The club has further invested in health care by donating equipment to the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital’s Rainbow Clinic which can be used to obtain evidence from a rape victim after the assault has occurred. Bell explained that this evidence is admissible in court and assists many victims in seeking justice.
“We have assisted schools such as the Generaal De La Rey Primary School, Vuleka SSB High School, Kwena Molapo Secondary School and Sefikeng Primary School through construction and upgrading. We also supply them with a lot of educational equipment,” he added.
Read: Rivonia Recreation Club stands the test of time
Bell said that the club is an opportunity for individuals to be part of a community with a rich history and concluded, “There is no work without play!”
Details: Arnold Bell 082 774 6216.
