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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, has a daughter and is living and working for a financial advisory and global consulting firm in the USA.
In 2002 Ian, Olivia and Robert immigrated to Australia and after living in Brisbane for 22 years, Ian and Olivia are now retired in Harrington NSW. Before emigrating 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 (Durban) where they were involved in the church youth group, Alpha, Prayer and Bible study groups. They were also part of a group that worked to raise funds and donations of clothing, food and Christmas parcels for the children at St Philomena’s (orphanage) in Sydenham.
Ian has worked in South Africa and Brisbane city as an engineer in various roles before retiring. 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. Olivia has performed voluntary work at church and when time permitted, assisted elderly people as the need arose. Ian and Olivia attend their local Catholic Church Harrington/Taree and have in the past many years 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!”