Born and educated in South Africa, she earned degrees in Occupational Therapy and Social Sciences, complemented by an Adult Learning Diploma and Leadership studies at UNISA. Her career began as an occupational therapist, but during South Africa's transition from apartheid, she evolved into an organizational development facilitator, training managers in leadership.

 

While in South Africa, Elsabé's commitment to community service emerged through her work with the Breastfeeding Association and teaching literacy to women. She supported her husband Conrad's Rotary involvement as a Rotary Ann at the Pretoria West Rotary Club, where they hosted exchange students and she attended her first District Conference in Nelspruit, Eastern Transvaal.

 

In 2001, the Falkson family embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Thunder Bay, Canada. Their household was a lively one: five teenagers, a baby, and four Great Danes. The family soon expanded to include five rescued cats, several Siberian Huskies, and a Newfoundland dog. They embraced Canadian winter sports, taking up cross-country skiing, skijoring, and dog-sledding, while also developing a passion for sailing.

 

After moving to Kingston in 2004, Elsabé immersed herself in community service. Her contributions span multiple organizations: serving as a director at Kingston Yacht Club (where she received an award for outstanding volunteerism), working with CORK as both board secretary and strategic plan facilitator, and chairing the board of Bereaved Families of Ontario after training as a bereavement counselor. She also served on the RKY camp board and currently contributes to Little Forests Kingston. As a 1000 Islands Master Gardener, she regularly participates in the weekly "Ask a Master Gardener" community zoom project.

 

Elsabé's Rotary journey flourished in Kingston. After establishing an Interact Club at Leahurst College, she joined the Rotary Club of Kingston in 2017, quickly making her mark and receiving the 2018-2019 award for "Outstanding Contribution of a New Rotarian." Her leadership roles included serving as Club President (2021-2022) and holding various executive positions from 2019-2023. In District 7040, she chaired the Environment Committee and serves as Seaway West Assistant Governor. Her dedication to Rotary is reflected in her Paul Harris Fellow recognition, EREY and TRF giving status, and memberships in ESRAG (which she joined in 2020) and ITHF. The Falksons have continued their tradition of hosting exchange students and international visitors in Canada.

 

An accomplished sailor, Elsabé races twice weekly at Kingston Yacht Club and has navigated waters across the Great Lakes, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Her environmental consciousness shows in her gardening practices, where she's replacing traditional lawn with native plants to support local wildlife, while also maintaining a vegetable and herb garden. Perhaps her most cherished role is that of grandmother to four boys, who delight in her enthusiastic participation in their favorite game - playing zombie chase!