The Local Paper - Wednesday, March 9, 2016 - Page 7
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Local People
Sad passing of Ruth Konig ■ Community worker Ruth Konig died on Sunday (Mar. 6) just two days after her 73rd birthday. Ruth had fought cancer, and was admitted to the Yea and District Memorial Hospital. She told friends on Friday: “I thionk my race is run.” Friends had gathered on Friday to celebrate her birthday, and to share the news that the international Rotary Foundation is to financially support a healthy water project in South Africa that she had aqdvocated. Ruth Konig had walked 900 kilometres on the Camino Pilgrimage from France to Spain in 2013 to help raise funds for the Daysprings Children’s Village in South Africa. Ruth and friend Robyn Kirby walked the Pilgrimage in 47 days, and $20,000 was raised. Sponsorship for the Dayspring Children’s Village was provided by individuals, clubs and organisations after Ruth conducted many presentations at Rotary Clubs across the district and at community organisations locally. Support for Daysprings Children’s Village had its genesis some years ago with the Sacred Heart School students visiting a Rotary meeting. Interest was sparked, and support given. Students from Yea Primary School soon followed with donations of clothing. Friend and fellow Rotarian, Julie Lynch, said: “Our Rotary theme this year is ‘Be a gift to the World’ and Ruth certainly epitomised that with her advocacy, determination and indomitable spirit – the Dayspring project - ablution block, toilets and a waste water treatment plant. “What an incredible journey pursued so passionately by Ruth. She can rest easy now that the project has finally been approved and the Dayspring children and staff will benefit from improved sanitation.” Apart from the walk, Ruth raised funds through a variety of events including the book stall at the monthly Yea Community Market at Railway Park. Friends were quick to pay tribute to her life of service and community involvement:
● Ruth Konig of Yea: passed away on Sunday (Mar. 6) Sharyn Walker: “Ruth, you was a baby in Australia, it is one of where a true inspiration to many in- my most cherished possessions. Your cluding my sons Jake and Sam. The last stay with us was wonderful Ruth, world is a better place for having you we were so glad you made it to us. “Your next journey is beginning in it. You will be truly missed and and wherever it takes you I know never forgotten, thank you.” Cat McCluskey: "To Ruth. Your your light will shine as strong as ever. “Thank you for being part of my light shone in our lives infrequently but when it did it shone so brightly family I love you. Catherine. RIP we were all touched by your magic. Ruth xxx” Lee Strahan: “To all who knew “I have a photograph of us when I Ruth. I was lucky enough to be with Ruth over the weekend. She got to see her global grant application approved on Friday and celebrated her 73rd birthday yesterday with family and friends. She told David Anderson on Friday night that she will be watching from above. God bless you Ruth. Now your most exciting journey begins. I only hope you took your long walking stick with you. R.I.P Ruth. Love Lee.” Paul J. Bannan: “Aw Bugga! She was a wonderful lady, in every sense of the word ... a true inspiration to many. I dips me lid.” Bob Glenister: “So sorry to hear this sad news. Barb and I will miss her wonderful spirit and friendship. The ladies from the Yea market committee will also miss this terrific lady.” Elizabeth Fitzgerald: “A remarkable woman. RIP Ruth.” Rebecca Gauci Maurici: “I'm so sorry. Ruth was an incredible woman and a wonderful Rotarian. Our condolences at with you all and her family. xx” Heidi Neicho: “Such sad news. An amazing support to our young people including the ongoing encouragement to our daughter. Her determination and courage will stay with ● Ruth Konig on her Camino pilgrimage fund-raising walk
● Ruth Konig at the end of her 900-km pilgrimage Ruth Byers: “Ruth, your drive, all of us forever. Thank you Ruth, vision and determination is to be adrest now. xxx” Sam Hicks: “Omg! So sorry to mired. RIP.” Kerry Noble: “Ruth Konig, you hear this news. What a huge loss for Yea and her projects dear to her heart. are an amazing woman, Teacher, I cherish the times back in YTA and Rotarian, God bless your soul.” Don Cox: “An inspirational lady. with the YAF. My thoughts are with Farewell Ruth.” all. RIP. Fly high lady, fly high.” Allyson Dixon: “Very sad news Phil Lusher: “A very sad day for her family, friends and Rotary. Good for the Yea community. Brett Perston: “So sad! She was bye Ruth Konig.” Gary Doherty: “Ruth was an a lovely lady.” Cheryl Edwards: “Awwww amazing women, who displayed determination that could only command Lovely Woman! She did so much respect . Your suffering is now over, for our community.” Tracy Pride-Elliott: “RIP Ruth may you Rest In Peace.” Margaret Kilmartin: “Ruth was you where an amazing woman. xx” Kelly Harris: “She was a very an inspiration to so many and will be special lady who will be deeply sadly missed. Condolences to all.” Zanni Waldstein: “What an missed.” Ash O’Neill: “This is terrible to amazing woman - I hope I get to be like Ruth at that age - incredible drive hear she was a lovely lady and a and energy and positivity. A sad loss.” great teacher.” Louise Fillmore: “Thank you Jacqueline Kirby: “RIP Ruth! Glad I got to know you beyond just Ruth for all of the wonderful things school, always on the go! Always you have done for our community! helping others in need ! Very kind Very sad news. xxx” Gaye Garlick: “A lovely lady who and selfless woman!” Belinda Fisher: “Rest peacefully contributed so much to our commuRuth, your inspiration, drive and dedi- nity along with the wider community.” cation will be sorely missed. Erica Monagle: “So sorry to hear Hannah Elizabeth Garlick: “Awww Ruth. Beautiful beautiful this. Rest peacefully Ms.Konig x x” Jan Wealands: “Such a positive, lady. I will always remember you. X inspirational lady. Much admired. A x x” Supattra Jittasathien: “Rest in huge loss to our community. Thanks Peace my super woman , you are Ruth. X.” Shona Miljkovic: “RIP Ruth. It always in my heart.” Tracey Ukosich: “Ruth was an was a pleasure to know and care for amazing woman, so very involved you in your final days.” Debra Collins: “Rest in peace with the community and her passing Ruth you are amazing woman.” is a sad loss.” Kelly McLeish: “How sad. Yea Tori Glenister: “What a lovely lady, sad day for the Yea community. has lost a very wonderful lady. RIP.” ● Turn To Page 8 xo”
● Kids from the Dayspring Children’s Village, South Africa
Page 8 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, Martch 9, 2016
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Local People: Ruth Konig ● From Page 7 Kathryn Natalie: “Sorry to hear this. My sympathies with families and friends, rest in peace Meagan Callander: “Sad news.” Ian Davies: “RIP, an inspiration this lady.” Deb Kaak: “I'm so very sorry to hear that.” Suzi Essex: “RIP Ms Konig, such a lovely lady.” Sheena Smith: “RIPA lovely lady Jan Tull: “RIP Ruth” Jess Holt: “Oh wow. RIP Mrs Konig. A great teacher at YHS. Many memories.” Sue Stanley: “Sad news.” Emma Baynes: “RIP Ruth.” Matt Kells: “Rest in peace Ruth.” Sam K Wareham: “RIP Ruth.” Jane Marks: “Very sad news.” Phil Macdonald: “Bye Ruth.” Hendrik Wortmann: “Sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace!” Don Baker: “RIP Ruth. Condolences to the family.”
PHOTO: DAVID ANDERSON
● Clockwise from left: Robyn Kirby, Ann Drysdale, Ian Lynch, Julie Lynch, Glenda Woods, Ruth Konig and Sandra Hanley.
Living tribute to Ruth
● Ruth Konig on her travels
■ The healthy water projects in South Africa will be an ongoing tribute to the selfless life of Yea woman Ruth Konig. The Rotary Club of Yea received news on Friday morning that its project was the recipient of the first Global Grant from the Rotary Foundation to be awarded to a club in Rotary District 9790. The grant is for a project to deliver an ablution block and biological waste water treatment plant at Dayspring Children’s Village near Rustenburg in South Africa. The grant received by the club is for $A53,000. The Rotary Club of Yea $A27,000. A similar contribution has come from the Rotary District 9790 Foundation, whilst smaller contributions came from the host club and District in South Africa. Total cost of the project is $A123,000] Dayspring Children’s Village is an orphanage and school providing a safe environment and education for children who are the victims of poverty and whose parents have been affected by AIDS/HIV. This is the second project undertaken by the Rotary Club of Yea at Dayspring but the first involving a Rotary Foundation grant. In 2009, the club in partnership
● Ruth Konig and Sandra Hanley.
● Healthy food and water are being provided at Daysprings with the Sacred Heart Primary School in Yea, jointly funded a project to install a bore at the orphanage and school. The project will provide the school with a modern sanitation and ablution block, and the recycled grey water will be used as irrigation on the community’s vegetable block.
Ruth Konig wass delighted with the funding that the project has received from the Rotary Foundation. “It has taken over two years to complete the project submission and a lot of hard work on the part of Rotarians in both Yea and in South Africa but we have achieved our aim,” she said just prior to her death on Sunday. “ The children, the staff and the Dayspring volunteers will benefit from the project and it’s more healthy outcomes”, she said. Rotary District 9790 is home to 65 Rotary clubs stretching from the northern suburbs of Melbourne to Holbrook and Deniliquin, and includes the Shepparton/Goulburn Valley area as well as the Albury/ Wodonga area. Founded in 1917, The Rotary Foundation provides funds to Rotary Clubs for projects both locally and internationally. - with David Anderson
● Rotary projects were dear to Ruth’s heart