The Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon celebrated the 30^th Anniversary of its charter as a Rotary Club with a black tie dinner at the Belgravia Bowling Club, Bedfordview. The club was chartered on 29 June 1989, on the same date as the Rotary Clubs of Warsaw and Moscow, there countries having recently emerged from Communism and now open to the concept of NGO’s engaged in humanitarian efforts.

The club was started with 33 founder members drawn from former Round Table members of the Eastern Witwatersrand area of which 11 attended the 30th Anniversary Dinner.

The anniversary dinner was an occasion to engage with former members and reminisce about the many successful charity fundraisers and projects that the club has executed. It was also a time to reflect on the good fellowship and personal growth of the members that comes with being an active Rotary club member, united with fellow Rotarians to serve those less fortunate.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of 4 members of the community and the club, with Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Awards for their significant and sustained contributions to charity, community service and in helping of those less fortunate. A Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship, Sapphire level, was also awarded to Merle Howroyd for her 30 years of dedicated and selfless service to the ladies of the Gerald Fitzpatrick House and Nursing home in Bertrams, Johannesburg which was established in 1929 and is home to some 77 ladies of limited financial means. Merle served as manager at the facility for 27 years, until her retirement a few years ago, which immediately saw her joining the board of trustees to continue her contribution to the care of the elderly.

The clubs founding President, Lu Petra, a key driver in the formation of the club and many successful charity projects, travelled from Cape Town for the celebration and was recognised for his contribution to the club, by the members granting him honorary membership status.

The Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon meets on Wednesday evenings at 18h30 at the Belgravia Bowling Club, 56 Florence Avenue, Bedfordview. While the club’s primary purpose is to help those less fortunate, the active and diverse speaker programme and engagement in projects provide an opportunity for personal growth. Furthermore, the fellowship aspect of being a club member provides an opportunity to meet new friends locally and internationally. Members of the Bedfordview and Edenvale community with an interest in the club’s activities and/or joining are invited to attend a meeting. Contact details can be found on the club website at www.rckp.org.za