KNYSNA NEWS - Creating opportunities for young people, strengthening food security and improving children's oral health are among the key goals set by Julie Staub as she begins her term as the 65th president of the Rotary Club of Knysna.
Staub said leading the club is both an honour and an opportunity to serve alongside others who share a passion for making a difference.
"I see my role as an opportunity to work with a team of like-minded people as we seek to make a significant difference to the lives of others in our community," she said.
Empowering communities
One of her main priorities is youth skills development, as unemployment remains one of Knysna's biggest challenges.
"At Rotary we believe that the only way to address this is to provide opportunities for upskilling," she said.
The club will continue supporting the Seed of Hope food security initiative, a partnership with the Knysna Methodist Outreach NPO and local permaculture group Growing Upwards. Based at the Seed of Hope organic food garden at the Hornlee Methodist Church, the project offers a two-day gardening and entrepreneurial skills course, teaching people how to grow their own food and earn an income from backyard gardens. Since its launch in 2021, about 250 local growers have completed the training.
Continuing successful projects
Staub said another priority is continuing to build on the pre-school dental initiative introduced during the presidency of Murro-Wayne Spies.
"The dental initiative has been a success and will continue to be implemented during the 2026/27 Rotary year."
The programme, run in partnership with the Knysna Education Trust and the Western Cape Department of Health through Knysna Provincial Hospital, provides dental screenings, oral hygiene education, toothbrushes and toothpaste to pre-school children. It has reached 1 299 learners at 68 Knysna Education Trust-affiliated early childhood development centres, with follow-up visits showing significant improvements in oral health.
Rotary is also working with District 9350 and Rotary International to expand practical skills training for young people, while environmental care will remain a key focus through e-waste collection days, recycling projects and the annual Knysna Rotary Eco-Science Symposium.
Staub encouraged businesses, organisations and residents to partner with Rotary to strengthen the club's impact.
"I would like my legacy to be one that unites our communities for good, working in partnership with other non-profit organisations to create lasting impact," she said.
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