Ian and Olivia Cerff

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Ian and Olivia Cerff met in Johannesburg South Africa where they were both living at the time. They met through mutual friends and after becoming engaged in early 1979 they married in June of 1979 and had one son Robert a few years later. Robert is now married and is living and working as a data scientist in Los Angeles USA.

 

In 2002 Ian, Olivia and Robert emmigrated to Australia and we have been living in Brisbane ever since. Before emmigrating they lived in Westville, Durban, South Africa. Both Ian and Olivia worked for AECI Umbogintwini and Robert went to school at Marist Brothers' College, St Henry's, Durban.

 

The Cerff family were members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Westville where they were involved in the church youth group, Alpha, Prayer and Bible study groups. They were also part of a group who worked to raise funds and donations of clothing, food and Christmas parcels for the children at St Philomena’s (orphanage) in Sydenham.

 

Ian now works in Brisbane city as a project engineer. His hobbies are walking, particularly in the bush, photography and videography for which he has a strong interest. Both he and Olivia love boating, kayaking and fishing. Olivia has worked in Office Administration, Bookkeeping and as a Personal Care Assistant, she is currently occupied with home duties. Olivia also does voluntary work at church and when time permits assists elderly people as the need arises. Ian and Olivia attend their local Catholic Church Darra/Jindalee and over the past 16 years have been involved in ministry, prayer groups and bible study groups.

 

After being approached by Chris and Gem Guyler to join Shepherd’s Keep Australia, we felt privileged to be a part of this as firstly, having lived in Durban, we understand the situation with abandoned babies. Secondly, after having been very involved in ministry at the Catholic Church in Westville, which was so close in proximity to Shepherd’s Keep in Durban, we felt it was right to do.

 

WE REMEMBER WHAT MOTHER THERESA SAID:

 

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love!”