May 2003 - Nr. 5
Community Matters!
Our community does matter. Whatever we do as individuals or as a group has a ripple effect somewhere else. Often we do not think about it at all, do not even recognize the connection until someone makes a point of it.
Every year we are given fine examples of leadership or the setting of good examples, or celebrate noteworthy anniversaries that speak of perseverance, endurance, loyalty and commitment. Sometimes, sadly, we wait too long to acknowledge the contributions of others and only remember when they are no longer around. But even that is better than never acknowledging the good deeds of others.
Here then are a few instances worth mentioning.
Canadian-Austrian Leadership
When
Christine Meyer took over the presidency of the Canadian Austrian Society
from long time president John Raschke she was already familiar with the
organisation’s activities. She simply did more of the things close to her
heart, namely Austrian Canadian relations. People and cultures have much to
share and she always supported that. She is also a great supporter of the
young people’s and student exchange between the two nations. And when the
big flood hit Europe last year and also devastated large parts of Austria,
she sprang into action instantly to solicit support wherever she could for
the purpose of helping. With her efforts she managed to persuade people to
show their support and CAD 55,000.00 were raised.
Thus it is no surprise that the President of the Republic of Austria, Thomas Klestil, decided to bestow the Decoration of Merit in Gold onto Christine Meyer. The actual decoration took place after the annual membership meeting April 25th, 2003, at the National Club and was carried out by Ambassador Wendelin Ettmayer, who was full of praise for Christine Meyer and her commitment to Austrian Canadian relations and her charitable activities.
We add our congratulations to the many others.
German Canadian Club Hansa celebrates
45th Anniversary
The
festively decorated hall had not seen so many guests at this annual event
for a few years. This time however, it seemed as though everyone was at hand
that was anybody. Animated chatter greeted us as we arrived and sat down to
a well-prepared meal from the club’s own kitchen. Catering manager and cook
were later both presented with a bouquet of flowers for their regular
contributions to all of our well-being.
For
any ethnic club 45 years are quite an accomplishment. Founded by post WWII
immigrants, it shows that it only took a few years for the group to be
stable enough to think of community events. The many volunteers and Boards
of Directors with their Presidents, the Women’s Auxiliary, the grounds
keepers and volunteer builders, they all
can
take a bow to have helped to establish this Brampton institution, that even
the local politicians do not want to miss. Thus the Mayor of Brampton sent
someone to bestow a plaque onto the club for its community merit. Introduced
by Lou Wegner several people were called to be thanked specifically, as
every year.
This
year an honorary membership was bestowed on Ida Brandt of Brandt Meat for
fostering the German culture. She had turned up with her whole clan and some
friends.
Consul
General Dr. Klaus Rupprecht came for the first time to the club and was
quite impressed with the facility and what the members had done with it. He
publicly praised the clubs work and emphasized its importance.
Framed were the formal activities by the recently much improved Hansa Choir with wonderful songs.
After the official part was over the Golden Keys from Kitchener entertained with dance music to everyone’s liking and the Weiss Blau Dancers, reminiscent of Bavarian customs, young, younger and youngest, entertained with dancing and cowbell symphonies. Later in the evening the Almrausch Dancers came out in their beautiful costumes of Germany’s alpine region, just to prove again that one does not have to be from a Hanse City to be part of the Hansa Club.
Dancing & Music
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There
are two other events that took place along side and have to be mentioned.
The children of Willy and Renate thought it to be a great idea to celebrate
their parent’s wedding anniversary at the club, since it also was a 45th
anniversary.
Lucrezia
& Robert, Petra & Peter, and Rudi went all out to make this a very special
occasion for their still very youthful parents. So many years of working,
raising and nurturing a family deserve special congratulations in our day
and age!
Faces & tables
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The other item put a bitter drop of sadness into our cups. Already as we arrived I noticed the club’s flag flying at half-mast. And when before the meal a minute of silence was called for to remember Irmgard Bunge, one of the past president’s (Henry Bunge) wife and herself a long time president of the Women’s Auxiliary, I understood why. We would remember her more at length on the following Monday, at church, at the cemetery and again at the club. Throughout the evening 2 empty seats were the steady reminders that something was missing in our community.
The evening was not loud, never really is, but I felt that just a small damper had been put on the proceedings by the knowledge of this loss. Otherwise the celebration was a wonderful and fitting celebration of what is best in this community, with this club, the Hansa Club.
And in the end it is clear: if any one member of a group does exceptionally well and contributes to the group’s survival as a whole, then we all do so much better, we all benefit, we all are stronger and better for it. And if one of us falls down then we all fall down just a little bit. For that very reason alone it is important that we should strive to get along and help one another, rather than hinder or hurt one another.
It could all be so simple, if…yes, if…
Community does matter!
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
