As in previous years, the weather had us all on edge heading into the Spring season, with the possibility of being rained out looming large. However, our day started off perfectly! On 26th September 2024, we were greeted by a stunning summer morning, with clear blue skies and the sun shining brightly, setting the tone for our much-anticipated annual ACOC Golf Day.

This event is a staple on the aviation calendar, bringing together aviation experts for a day of fun, friendly competition, and networking. The golf day is not only a great way for professionals in the industry to connect but also a fantastic opportunity to support worthy causes. This year, we were proud to dedicate our charitable efforts to Woodrock Animal Rescue, a remarkable non-profit organization doing vital work for animals in need.

In keeping with the spirit of generosity, Aero Africa added two exciting prizes to the T-Box activities. There was a prize for the closest to the pin, and an incredible hole-in-one prize—a car! While the strong winds made achieving a hole-in-one particularly difficult, the atmosphere around the T-Box was nothing short of electric. Watching the players cheer each other on, working together, and hyping themselves up was a true testament to the sense of camaraderie that the ACOC Golf Day fosters.

This year’s charity, Woodrock Animal Rescue, holds a special place in our hearts. One of the oldest independent domestic animal rescue centers in South Africa, Woodrock is a pro-life, non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing homeless, abused, neglected, and unwanted animals. Based in the beautiful Hennops River Valley, they provide a safe haven for canines and other animals that would otherwise face premature deaths. Their gratitude for our donation of R100,000 was overwhelming, and it was heartwarming to see the impact our efforts can have on such a deserving organization.

The massive contributions made by our industry friends, whose generous donations to Woodrock Animal Rescue helped make this year’s fundraising an incredible success. We also want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tickets and participated in making a difference. Your contributions meant the world to both Woodrock and the animals they care for.

A special shout-out goes to local celebrity and charity advocate Martin Bester, from Jacaranda 94.2FM, who gave Woodrock Animal Rescue a fantastic mention on his Friday morning radio show. His platform provided much-needed visibility to this noble cause and helped spread the word about the amazing work Woodrock is doing.

For anyone who wishes to continue supporting Woodrock Animal Rescue, it’s never too late to donate, sponsor, or even adopt a pet. You can find more information and make a difference by visiting their website at Woodrock Animal Rescue.

As they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and this year’s ACOC Golf Day was a shining example of that.

We’re already counting down the days to the 2025 event, and we hope to see you all there again for another round of golf, networking, and giving back.

 

About the ACOC: The Air Cargo Committee is committed to advancing the industry’s understanding and knowledge of air cargo economics and practices. Its focus is to assist airport operators in the management of existing air cargo resources, maximization of potential air cargo opportunities and the enhancement of air cargo revenues, in addition to providing a forum to discuss cargo-related security issues and developing concerns in the air cargo industry.