KNYSNA NEWS - A community Day of Appreciation will be held on Sunday 10 June at Pledge Nature Reserve in Main Street, Knysna, to commemorate the June 2017 fires.
The day is being coordinated by a group of Knysna locals to provide an opportunity for residents of Greater Knysna to unite in commemoration of the traumatic events of June. It will be an inclusive, non-political and non-secular occasion at a venue that is the green heart of Knysna.
The organising committee consists of Dalene Willemse, Claudia Pirker, Sam Lurie, Karen Rademeyer, Jeannine Orzechowski, Ashley Barnes, Cheryl Britz, Nanna Joubert, Alida Weldon and Jackie Barham. Spokesperson Dalene Willemse said that the word ‘appreciation’ also means recognition and a full understanding of the effects of the Knysna Fires on our community since the 7th June 2017 to date. It will be an opportunity to understand and recognise the losses suffered by so many in the area,” she explained. “We will also remember and appreciate all the magnificent deeds, gifts, support and assistance from within our community and beyond”.
“The day will provide an opportunity for the community to come together and to show our support of one another as we rebuild our lives and our environment. We trust that this initiative will be the impetus for other community-driven and creative projects, focused on healing and moving forward together as a community.”
The venue for the Knysna Day of Appreciation, Pledge Nature Reserve, was chosen because of its centrality, its connection with nature, and its association with the fire during which it suffered serious damage.
“We realised that people want to do something to mark the first anniversary of the fires, but many are not ready for a celebration and do not want to attend an event with speeches or an official programme.
"We also realised that some would want to spend the day of 7 June on their own or with their families. With input from psychologists Lynn Stoker and Joanne Kaschula, it was decided that our Knysna Day of Appreciation would be gentle and unstructured. People can relax in a beautiful and peaceful natural setting, take a walk through the recovering reserve, be part of planting a commemorative tree, and listen to local school choirs and unplugged music performed by local singers and musicians.”
Cathie Garner, Anita Best, Nanna Joubert, Maggie Gawie, Dalene Willemse, Ashley Barnes, Claudia Pirker with Hagar Gawie, Alida Weldon, Mervyn Crous, Sam Lurie, Sabelo Mntuyedwa, Jeannine Orzechowski, Jackie Barham, Karen Rademeyer.
The highlight of the day will be the launch of a creative project called “Healing Hearts of Knysna”. Community members are invited to contribute painted pebbles, with words or messages of appreciation, encouragement and hope. Pebbles will be formed into one giant heart, which will be mounted/placed at a later date.
Knysna Rocks, headed by Ashley Barnes, will be at Pledge Nature Reserve on the Knysna Day of Appreciation to facilitate painting and provide pebbles to people who do not bring their own. Those who would like to contribute painted pebbles, but are not able to attend the event, are invited to deliver their pebbles to The German Shop or Metelerkamps, both on Waterfront Drive. Smooth, rounded pebbles, no bigger than the size of your palm, should be decorated with acrylic paint and preferably also sealed with acrylic sealant. No other materials should be stuck or tied on, to ensure that the pebbles remain environment-friendly.
Cathie Garner, Hagar Gawie, Claudia Pirker, Ashley Barnes. Photos: ellephoto.co.za
The “Healing Hearts of Knysna” Project will be an ongoing project, to which those affected by the Knysna Fires will be able to contribute even after this Day of Appreciation. Lynn Stoker, who has counselled children traumatized by the Knysna Fires at many schools around Knysna, has kindly offered her assistance in arranging for affected children from all areas to be part of this initiative.
The occasion will also allow residents to help the Reserve get back on its feet after the severe damage it suffered in the fires. Guests will have the opportunity to buy a tree for R200 at the Reserve. In return they will receive a Pledge Certificate and the trees will be planted in identified areas after the event.
Cathie Garner and Ashley Barnes from Knysna Rocks who are facilitating the painting of rocks.
The Knysna Day of Appreciation at Pledge Nature Reserve will be from 12:00 until 16:00. There will be an entrance fee to Pledge Nature Reserve of R10 per adult or child. All proceeds will go towards the rehabilitation of the Reserve. Eats and drinks will also be available for purchase on the day.
Please note that alcohol is not permitted in the reserve and no pets are allowed on that day, due to the volumes of attendees.
For enquiries, please email dayofappreciation@gmail.com.
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