KNYSNA NEWS - The Rotary directional signpost at the Knysna Waterfront, much loved by visitors and locals alike, has been missing in action for the past few months.
Sadly it snapped and came crashing down in a huge storm earlier this year.
Refurbishment has been a lengthy process. It started with laborious hand-chiselling to remove 30cm of rotten wood embedded in concrete without damaging the surrounding mosaic tiles. This required the manufacture of job-specific tools.
Redesigning the sign to make it sturdier and more weather-proof required careful thought and the final (and biggest) challenge was to mount each arm of the sign to point in the correct direction. Of course, many well-intentioned, but not necessarily geographically accurate, suggestions were made by passers-by during the installation!
Rotarians at the inauguration of the revamped sign 15 August.
The sign was officially inaugurated by the Knysna Rotary Club on Tuesday 15 August, with a ribbon cutting conducted by Rotary president Herb Hunter. Rotarians were joined by Gillian Gething, the owner of Scoops Homemade Ice Cream at the Knysna Waterfront, who rescued the sign from blowing into the harbour during the storm.
As a thank you, the Rotarians present treated themselves to some of her delicious ice cream cones and cups.
Knysna Rotary is extremely grateful to Rotarian Mike Smerdon for spending long hours working on the restoration of the sign. In recognition of his efforts, Hunter presented Mike with the club's "Bertie the Beaver" award.
The signpost was badly damaged during a storm earlier this year.
This award is a shout-out to Herb's Canadian heritage, as the beaver is Canada's national animal.
Beavers are industrious and hardworking - traits that should characterise Rotary members. Each month Bertie is awarded to the busiest beaver in the club - the one who works tirelessly to help accomplish the club's goals.
Knysna Rotary president Herb Hunter with Rotarian KG Govender.
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