The prize of not one but two brand-new Mitsubishi cars could not have gone to a more deserving or committed NSRI supporter. Lilian Mallet, whose daughter Wendy Nortje accepted her prize on her behalf, is 100 years old and has been donating to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) for decades.
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“Her reaction to winning was a sight to behold,” Wendy told the NSRI. “It started off with a loud yell, and her hands shot up to her face in disbelief, which soon gave way to total joy and amazement. We are still pinching ourselves to make sure it’s not a dream. ”
Lilian, a fiercely independent woman, lives in a retirement village in Boksburg, Gauteng, in a small flat and prepares her own simple meals. She also has meals brought to her by her daughter, to whom she has given the cars, and who is “absolutely thrilled to have been so lucky”.
“Mom has been a supporter of the NSRI for many, many years,” said Wendy. “It all started with her second husband, Paul, who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He was the commander of the ship, HMS Goodall. Later, General Smuts recalled the South African personnel on board the ship back to South Africa, and it later sank during the war near Russia. This meant Paul’s life was spared, and he lived for many years thereafter. Thanks to his love for the sea, years later he began supporting the NSRI. When he passed away in 2005, my mom continued her support, and in 2010, she started taking part in the car competition each year in memory of Paul.”
Wendy describes her mother as a cheerful person with a great sense of humour and a happy disposition.
“In her younger days, she played bowls as a sport and participated in league games,” said Wendy. “She also served as chair lady in her bowling club.”
Lilian has a son, Dave, who lives with his family in North Carolina, USA, and a daughter, Wendy, who lives in Boksburg, not far from the retirement village. She has a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Wendy told the NSRI that she is now a widow, having lost her husband to cancer not too long ago. She now spends a lot of time assisting and supporting her mother so that she can continue to lead her “independent life,” as she chooses.
“She insists she does not want to go into assisted living, where someone else will try to rule her life for her,” said Wendy.
Wendy thanked the NSRI for their service.
“The work that is done by the NSRI is to be truly admired. The volunteers who put their own lives at risk while they rescue others is such a selfless gesture. The numerous rescues which are responded to and now also being so involved in preventative measures like teaching children to swim and by doing so, trying to prevent drownings, is remarkable. In fact, everyone at the NSRI, from the admin to the rescuers, seems to be just one big family, conscious of the needs of others. They provide selfless service to the public. They are knights in shining armour!”
The NSRI heartily congratulated Lilian and Wendy and wished them much joy with their prize.
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Picture: National Sea Rescue Institute
