Winter has arrived! The bare trees in our gardens and parks are evidence of this, but luckily, we have raked up tons of leaves over the last two months. In the blink of an eye, the new leaves will start to appear on the trees again.
Our new financial year commenced on 1 July 2024, and a levy increase was implemented for the 2024/2025 financial year. We have accomplished various goals during the last financial year and have already started to replace the wooden fence poles at the dam and in the rest of the Estate
with recycled plastic fences. This will ensure durability and low maintenance of the fences. The Clubhouse roof will be treated in August this year, before the rainy season and various other projects that need attending to.
In celebration of Madiba Day on Thursday, 18 July, we gifted soup to the domestic workers and gardeners of the Estate. All were very grateful for the small but kind gesture.
The small bridge at the dam connecting Blue Gill and Waterfront received much-needed attention. Read more about this on page 12.
See Christine’s recipe for an easy butternut dish on page 13. This dish can be enjoyed as a side dish or during a braai. Yum! We have started with the upgrade of the
pavement from the Blue Gill exit gate towards the Blue Gill dam inlet. Thank you to our generous residents for their contributions to make this project possible! It is truly appreciated.
We have hosted our first Fragrance Day Event for the ladies of Blue Gill. Read more about this delightful day on page 14.
Please send any pictures of the Estate to Elda Weideman for use on the front pages of future newsletters. Our newsletter belongs to you, so please feel free to share your stories with us, as you are part of our community. Email Elda
Weideman at bluegillmgr@bluegillestate.co.za.
Please note that refuse collection is on Mondays, including public holidays, except for Christmas Day. We kindly request that residents remove their bins from the street view and place the bins behind the walls of their property once collection has occurred.
National Women’s Day
We look forward to celebrating National Women’s Day on Friday, 9 August, centred around this year’s powerful theme: “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. We extend our heartfelt wishes for a wonderful day to all the women in our Estate.
“Where there is a woman there is magic.” - Ntozake Shange
We are happy to report that there were no serious security breaches in the Estate over the last two months.
The school holiday also went by smoothly, with no vandalism or pranks by children reported during this time - fantastic!
OFinancial Matters
ur new financial year commenced on 1 July 2024, and a levy increase was implemented for the 2024/2025 financial year. We have accomplished various goals during the last financial year and have already started to replace the wooden fence
poles at the dam and in the rest of the Estate with recycled plastic fences. This will ensure durability and low maintenance of the fences. The Clubhouse roof will be treated in August this year, before the rainy season and various other projects that need attending to.
Warm Hearts
on Madiba Day
In celebration of Madiba Day on Thursday, 18 July, we gifted soup to the domestic workers and gardeners of the Estate. All were very grateful for the small but kind gesture.
Mofya G uard of the Month
Joseph
June 2024
Congratulations to Joseph Mofya, a valued member of the Blue Gill team since April 2003, for being named Guard of the Month for June 2024. This marks Joseph’s second time receiving this honour within the year. Joseph, thank you for your unwavering service and dedication. You are truly appreciated.
Charlie Brown
Bridge Revived
The Charlie Brown Bridge has received a much-needed makeover, thanks to the generosity of our resident, Mr Elsmore of PL Steel Services (Pty) Ltd. He kindly donated steel, and the wooden slates were replaced by durable Vastrap steel. This will last our Estate for many years to come. The small bridge has also
received a unique emblem. Stop and have a closer look when you walk over the bridge again, it will bring a big smile to your face!
We wish to thank Mr Elsmore who made this upgrade possible, as well as Corrie Snyman who assisted with the supply of electricity for the construction of the bridge.
Christine’s Butternut Bake
A delightful dish to warm you up this winter!
INGREDIENTS
• 1kg of cubed butternut
• 250ml of fresh cream
• 1 packet of white onion soup
• 1 tin of sweetcorn
METHOD
1. Boil the butternut until cooked.
2. Mix the cream and white onion soup powder.
3. Add to the cooked butternut.
4. Add the tin of sweetcorn and mix everything together.
5. Either bake in the oven at 160°C for 45 minutes or cook over the fire for about one hour.
Optional: garnish with crumbled feta cheese. Serves up to six people. Enjoy!
A Scent-sational Event
to Raise Funds for our Estate
On Saturday, 29 June, fragrance enthusiasts gathered for a spectacular afternoon of olfactory delights at our inaugural Blue Gill fragrance event. The event, held at the clubhouse, not only captivated guests with the array of exquisite scents but also succeeded in raising significant funds for improving the aesthetics of the Estate. The afternoon began with a
champagne and wine reception. Guests could enjoy a variety of canapés meticulously prepared by the Social Committee and beautifully decorated by Nadia Botha. The clubhouse was adorned with floral arrangements kindly donated by Engen Glen Marais. As guests settled into their seats, the main event commenced with an interactive session led by our own fragrance connoisseur, Chárel Wright. Guests were treated to a sensory journey, sampling a curated
selection of perfumes that ranged from timeless classics to niche creations. The fragrances were carefully chosen to appeal to a variety of tastes, ensuring there was something to delight every guest.
"I loved discovering new scents and learning about fragrance in general," remarked Brumilda, a guest at the event. "It was the most fun I have had in ages!” The event concluded with guests trying their luck at the claw machine where Nicole and Cheree Strydom encouraged and applauded their efforts. By the end of the afternoon, the Fragrance event had not only enchanted our guests but also achieved our fundraising goal, thanks to the generosity of attendees and sponsors. At the end of the fun-
filled event, guests received gift bags containing samples of the afternoon’s featured fragrances and a sense of fulfilment knowing they had contributed to a meaningful cause.
With the success of this year's event, organisers are already looking forward to next year's fragrance event promising even more delights and opportunities to support our Estate’s fundraising efforts.
We kindly thank our sponsors for making the day possible: Bacher and Co, Engen Glen Marais, Plastico, Amy Merrit, Wright Business Partners, Chique Skin, 24-7 Salon and Spa, Elsje Groenewald, and Thome-Lee
Wright.
Upgrade
of the outside pavement
We have started with the upgrade of the pavement from the Blue Gill exit gate towards the Blue Gill dam inlet. Thank you to our generous residents for their contributions to make this project possible! It is truly appreciated. Should more residents wish to contribute towards this project, please contact Elda Weideman at the office for more information.
Share your NEWS AND PHOTOS!
Please send any pictures of the Estate to Elda Weideman for use on the front pages of future newsletters. Our newsletter belongs to you, so please feel free to share your stories with us, as you are part of our community. Email Elda Weideman at bluegillmgr@bluegillestate.co.za .
We have noticed various dogs roaming the Estate and request residents to keep their animals secure in their premises. Please remember that your animal is your responsibility, dogs and cats alike! We thank you in advance for your co-operation in this matter.
• Adhere to the speed limit, a maximum of 40 kilometres per hour.
• Stop at stop streets! We are watching and taking random videos.
• Secure your animals in your property.
• Walk your dog on a leash. Pick up excrement as per Estate rules, nobody wants to step in or have to clean up your animal’s parcels, which is solely your responsibility.
• Please attend to your dog’s constant barking and ensure they have a nametag.
• The use of lawnmowers and machinery on a Sunday is between 09:00 and 13:00, as well as between 16:00 and 18:00. No exceptions!
