2016 CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION

-Merrilee Berrisford

BotSoc SA has attractive certificates for branches to acknowledge the contribution of people in the community, mostly members but also businesses which have given especial support. Here in Kogelberg Branch, an example is Penguin Place which under several owners has every month supplied loaves of bread for the Hack sandwiches.

In December, after the last committee meeting of the year, a small gathering enjoyed drinks and snacks in the garden (thanks to Natalie and Jeannie and their business, Solutions Connect Africa, for giving us a good supply of wine; committee members did the snacks).

Special guests were George and Margot Branch, speakers for the next day, Merran and Ed Silberbauer – Merran being our Honorary Life Member – and Dr John Rourke, past President of BotSoc SA with his wife Joy. John and George had fun remembering their UCT years together. What a class to produce two such luminaries of the SA biological sciences scene!

From left to right: Joy Rourke, Merran and Ed Silberbauer, and John Rourke.
From left to right: Joy Rourke, Merran and Ed Silberbauer, and John Rourke.
George Branch with Jane Fearnhead - as a marine biologist, he used to work with her late husband, Lex.
George Branch with Jane Fearnhead – as a marine biologist, he used to work with her late husband, Lex.

There is never enough space on the certificates to list the varied contributions of the recipients. This year there were three recipients: Andrea Benn has been a staunch worker for so many years, hacking tirelessly, being on the committee long ago and now again for the last several years, arranging and accommodating speakers, with John, providing the drinks for talks.

Andrea receives her certificate from Merrilee.
Andrea receives her certificate from Merrilee.

Peter Berrisford (no nepotism, someone else nominated him) has not only been treasurer for eight years with much more to do with the publication of the book, he is often the man responsible for the projection equipment and has very carefully obtained quotes for a new sound system which we hope will be installed early this year.

Merrilee hands Peter his certificate.
Merrilee hands Peter his certificate.

Then there is Edward Silberbauer, Convenor of the Hack for twenty-six years, retiring from that task at the beginning of 2016. In 2004, Edward was awarded the Denys Heesom Gold Medal for Conservation; twelve years later he had earned a bar to that medal. And now, not yet done in BotSoc, the Certificate was the only way to recognise an outstanding contribution to the landscape of Betty’s Bay. Few communities can boast such an active worker for good over such a sustained period. The Kogelberg Branch is very proud of you, Edward.

We're proud of you, Ed!
We’re proud of you, Ed!