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KNYSNA NEWS - Rotary Knysna recently welcomed two important representatives of the regional Rotary district who graced Knysna's shores for a quick stop-over.
On 25 October, district* governor Tracey Wilson and assistant governor Claire du Plessis attended a board meeting where they were updated on many projects and activities in the Knysna community. This was followed by a Rotary lunch at the Knysna Yacht Club.
Not many Rotarians get to be inducted by the district governor, but this privilege fell to newest member, Maurita Borcherds-Hendricks, whose induction ceremony coincided with the visit.
After lunch Wilson and local Rotarians visited Pledge Nature Reserve (10 hectares of indigenous forest, fynbos, streams and ponds, located in the heart of Knysna), for the official opening of the newly planted Rotary arboretum.
The arboretum was born when members of the Rotary Club of Knysna bought 60 indigenous trees in celebration of the club's 60th anniversary this year. Reserve manager Albert de Villiers addressed those present on the preparation involved in establishing the arboretum - which included a lot of strenuous digging!
Prior to planting out the new trees, alien vegetation needed to be cleared, exposed slopes shored up and pathways established. The next step will be the installation of plaques providing information on each tree and naming its donor.
Besides cutting the ribbon to officially open the arboretum, Wilson also endorsed the project by purchasing her own tree. Rotarian Andy Muir, one of the key players in the project, then presented her with a bottle of aptly named Arboretum wine.
Knysna Rotary president George Coon, district governor Tracey Wilson and assistant governor Claire du Plessis.
Other pledges of help
This is not the first time that Rotary has assisted Pledge Nature Reserve with new trees. During the devastating Knysna Fires of June 2017, three quarters of the park suffered severe damage, with most of the infrastructure completely razed.
Rotary International president at the time, Australian Ian Riseley, had challenged every Rotarian worldwide to plant a tree as part of his presidential theme of "Rotary: Making a Difference".
The Rotary Club of Knysna ran with this and in March 2018 planted 160 indigenous trees at Pledge Nature Reserve, assisted by the Knysna Rotary Anns and in partnership with the Rotary Club of Chatsworth in KwaZulu-Natal.
Maurita Bocherds-Hendricks with Knysna Rotary Membership Committee Chair, Owen Govender.
*The Rotary Club of Knysna falls in Rotary District 9350, which covers Angola, Namibia and the western half of South Africa, and includes 58 Rotary clubs.
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