Avid bird lover passes away
Norman Elwell, an avid and knowledgeable birder and a stalwart at the Lakes Bird Club (LBC), passed away on 3 July at the age of 98. His birthday on 25 May was celebrated on two occasions - one at the LBC’s AGM on 11 May, and the other on his birthday at Genevafontein. British born, he came to South Africa as a young child and lived here his whole life. Throughout his life his interest in birds was predominant. During his working years in Edenvale he indulged his love of bird photography, presented bird courses and played a big role in nurturing the wellknown bird photographer Geoff McIlleron’s interest in birding. On retiring to George, he and his wife, Kay, lived in Genevafontein until their respective deaths. Norman was chairman of the LBC from 1993 to 2005, when Kay passed away. As an active member of the SANParks Honorary Rangers, he ran a monitoring programme for the endangered African Black Oystercatcher till he was 91, and was thrilled to receive an Owl Award from Birdlife South Africa for this work. He helped the
George Museum with photography projects, wrote on a meticulously researched family history and was a great lover of classical music and songs from musicals. On Friday 7 July the Very Revd Isaac Josephs led a memorial service for Norman at Genevafontein which was attended by most of his close friends. Norman and Kay had no children. Norman was an exceptional gentleman, always courteous and pleasant. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and particularly by all his friends in the Lakes Bird Club, to which he devoted so much time and which today, with a membership of over 160 members, is a fitting tribute to Norman’s hard work in its early years.