Celebrating the Guild’s 25 Years in Hong Kong

LIVERYMAN PETER ROBINSON Hong Kong Regional Chairman

y installation as the listed as members in Hong Kong Region’s 1984, seven were to serve as Regional M17th Chairman began Chairmen, which I think as usual with a hand over speaks volumes as far as from the now Immediate Past dedication to the cause is concerned. Chairman at our Annual George Todkill took General Meeting in March last over from Pat as year. It was not until the Chairman, serving two minutes of the AGM were years, and also demonstrated to Hong being circulated that the full Kong’s predominantly significance of that meeting, Speech: Past Master David Mauleverer conveyed the Master’s ‘warm airline aviation scene greetings and congratulations’, at the formal dinner. Seated at the top that the Guild was not being the 24th, dawned on me. table are (left to right): Mrs Jean Preston, David Mauleverer, Captain Peter Robinson and Captain Patrick Preston. At the inner side of the just about airlines. Next year’s was going to be table sprig are: Mrs Dianne Binnie, Past Chairman Captain John George was President of the 25th anniversary of the Howie, Mrs Heather McDonald, Past Chairman Captain Richard the Hong Kong Aviation Stanley and Mrs Val Thorning. founding of the Hong Kong Club, an active flying has a long history with the Guild and instructor and heavily involved in HK Region of the Guild of Air traces his association back to 1929 general aviation. Unfortunately, George Pilots and Air Navigators. As when his father attended “the meeting” passed away some years ago, but his local custom has it, such an at Rules Restaurant in Maiden Lane, active and lively contribution to the auspicious occasion could not London, which invited all “B” licence Guild is still fondly remembered. pilots and certified air navigators to Jack Smith was the third Regional go unmarked. Planning started. meet to “explore the possibility of Chairman, also serving two years in In the end it was decided to mark setting up a Company on lines similar the occasion with two events. The first to the Great City Companies of was to take the form of a formal dinner London”. The Guild was formed as a to which I would invite Past Chairmen result of that meeting. In his speech to of the Region, the Master and Past the assembled Past Chairmen and Past Masters of the last 25 years to attend Masters at our celebration dinner, Pat with their ladies. The second event was told us that as he was growing up, he to be a family barbeque in the hangar recalls his father “disappearing off to of the Hong Kong Aviation Club at London from time-to-time and which we hoped to have as many of returning speaking enthusiastically our expanding membership and their about the enjoyable evenings he had in families present as possible – a bit of a the company of like-minded people at risk in January with regard to the Guild events”. Pat joined the Guild weather, but one that paid off. upon obtaining his Commercial Pilot’s Our founding Chairman, Patrick Licence and later came to Hong Kong Decanter: Past Master Alderman David Mauleverer Preston, served in that capacity for five in 1976 to take up employment with presents a crystal decanter, a gift from the Court to the years and was the driving force behind Cathay Pacific Airways and set about Hong Kong Region marking their 25th anniversary, to the establishment of the Region. Pat promoting the Guild and eventually Captain Peter Robinson, Regional Chairman. founding the Region. that post. In terms of length of active Pat also mentioned in his speech service to the Region, nobody comes the help he received from London, close to Jack’s contribution. He was specifically from the then Clerk, Wilf one of the founding members, has Rossiter, and how much he helped in served as Secretary, Treasurer, more the establishment of the HK Region than once, and very notably has been which came into being in January the Region’s Administrator for the past 1982. My research into who exactly 14 years. Jack’s special contribution were the Region’s foundation members was recognised in 2001 when he has been hampered by having to work received the Guild’s Award of Merit for for a living and to date obtaining a list services to the Guild. Jack maintains has proved elusive. However, the his active interest in the Guild and the Clerk’s briefing: Paul Tacon, Learned Clerk, hard at work in Hong Kong keeping the HK Region’s minute book contains a Region despite having ‘retired’ over a Regional Committee informed about current membership list, dated mid-1984, that decade ago. Those of us who have issues! From left: Mr John Li (Vice Chairman), records the Region’s membership at 58. recently had the honour of serving as the Learned Clerk, Captain Peter Robinson (HK It is apparent that right from the start, the Region’s Chairmen, find it hard to Chairman), Captain Jack Smith (Past Chairman and Regional Administrator) and Mr Ian the Guild in Hong Kong was an active imagine how we could possibly do the Fogarty (Immediate Past Chairman). and vibrant organisation. Of those job without Jack’s guidance and sagely (Photo: Samuel Lo©)

respectively. since occurred and that others are In Hong Kong the Guild maintains interested in following in our footsteps. an active social calendar with regular I am proud and very satisfied that the and varied functions. In the last twelve Guild has had a hand in starting months we have held a charity dinner, something that will prove financially a formal Ladies’ Night, hosted the beneficial for the school and a source Master’s visit, which included a of immense satisfaction to the Drink to that: the Hong Kong Region’s 25 years cocktail party in the Clipper Room of students. Our members certainly had a are toasted by (from left) Past Master the Peninsula Hotel, an evening at a most enjoyable evening with the added Alderman David Mauleverer, Captain Peter Happy Valley Race Meeting, and a dimension of witnessing the justifiably Robinson, Regional Chairman, and Patrick Preston, the Region’s first Chairman. formal dinner at the Hong Kong proud smiles of the students. Hong Football Club. Completing the list for Kong members please note that we are advice. As was noted at our celebration the year were the two events held in looking to do it again in June this year. dinner, those attending had Jack to January to mark our Silver Jubilee. Last September saw our traditional thank for the lion’s share of work in The charity dinner was reported in Ladies’ Night Formal dinner held in the organising the salubrious and the October 2006 edition of Guild Police Officers’ Club, Causeway Bay. sumptuous dinner. Jack even has a News, so I won’t say too much more We were among the first to use a newly wall dedicated to him in Cobham about it here, other than to reiterate renovated private dining area that was House, the Guild’s headquarters in how satisfying it was to be able to warm and intimate. The 30-plus London! combine our social activity with attendees were well satisfied and it From what was a vibrant beginning, charity. At the end of the night the provided an appropriate event to the Region has maintained its growth atmosphere was nothing short of present some Freedom certificates and and is actively involved in a range of euphoric as the young people at the to acknowledge the success of activities. We now have some 160 Pinehill Vocational Training School (for Christian Kiesthardt. He had recently members and, it is pleasing to note, the the mild and moderately mentally returned from Adelaide where he average age of the membership is handicapped) realised how successful successfully gained his PPL on a Guild declining, particularly recently with the they had been and proved for the first Scholarship. More about the influx of young aviators who have time they could host such an event so scholarship programme later. joined the aviation profession in Hong well. The months of preparation had The Master’s annual visit is the Kong. Our membership has among it been worth it. I know a similar major event in our calendar and last those who work for, in alphabetical function with another organisation has year’s, I can report, went very order, Air Hong Kong, smoothly, much to my relief. Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Again, a lot of preparation by Fedex, Government Flying many paid off. The aim of Service, HK Civil Aviation introducing the Master to as Department, Hong Kong many Hong Kong members Airlines, Hong Kong as possible was broadly Aviation Club, Hong Kong achieved, although the Express Airways and Oasis inevitable constraints of Hong Kong Airlines. (Please working in the aviation forgive me if I have omitted industry meant that some anyone.) Also represented members were unable to is the full mix of attend. The last edition of nationalities of those so Guild News has these events employed. I am delighted well reported, so again I will to report that we have two Long into the night: the evening continues, leaving little doubt that historic not repeat the details this members as Principal occasions are well worth celebrating. In the picture (from left), front row: time. Officers on the Regional Captain John Howie, Paul Tacon (Learned Clerk) and Mr James Binnie. Much effort went into Middle row: Captains Charles Montgomery, Keith Griffin and Peter Committee who are only in Langridge, Past Masters Chris Hodgkinson and David Mauleverer, Captain planning the 25th their twenties, namely Peter Robinson (Regional Chairman), Past Chairman Wing Commander Anniversary celebration, Second Officer Gary Lui and (Ret’d) Harry Mayhew, Mr John Li (Vice Chairman HK Region), Captain which began with the Second Officer Kirsty Smith, Nigel Humphries and Past Master Arthur Thorning. Back row: Captain Brian Chairmen’s Dinner. We Greeves, Mr Ian Fogarty (Immediate Past Chairman HK Region), and serving as Treasurer and Captains Richard Stanley, Jack Smith, Patrick Preston and Colin Cox. Former Social Secretary Past Chairman of the Region, Captain John Farley, was absent. Region’s anniversary. went to the trouble of altering their It was my great travel plans so that they could attend. It pleasure to accept on was also an opportunity for some of behalf of the Region. our younger members to meet with In toasting the some of the Guild’s ‘elder statesmen’. guests, I mentioned My observation of the night was that of the privilege and much mingling and lots of people honour I felt to be the happily enjoying the company of their Chairman, particularly fellow aviators. I also suspect that on such an occasion. some more serious business was Indeed, if it were not conducted within a couple of huddles for the efforts of all throughout the night. This is another assembled I would not aspect of the social events that I feel is have been standing most important. The Guild is unique in there addressing its ability to draw together people from Scholarship winner: having gained his PPL, scholarship winner Christian Kiesthardt now has to complete his schooling! With him are Mr John Li everyone! I was glad the broad aviation spectrum. I am sure (left) (Vice Chairman) and Peter Robinson (right) (Chairman. to report that the that quite a few problems and issues Hong Kong Region get sorted in these casual meetings that was in good shape and was actively would otherwise not happen. Being the looked like achieving the impossible in involved in discussions on many conduit that allows this happen is to aviation circles; getting every one topical aviation matters. Pleasingly, our me an important part of the Guild’s there! Until the last minute we had all attendance at the various conferences, activities. sixteen of the surviving Chairmen meetings and working groups is not Turning to the more formal side of attending. Unfortunately, the son of only welcome but actively sought, and Guild’s business in Hong Kong, I am Past Chairman John Farley met with a we have strong relationships with our fortunate to have a strong technical serious sporting accident a few days regulators and the industry. With our committee. In an attempt to meet the before our dinner and required major growing and youthful membership I growing demands on its time, the surgery. John was naturally unable to am confident that the Guild will technical committee will be enlarged be with us, but I am pleased to report continue to be a strong and meaningful and broken into functional areas with a that the medical procedures went well body in the Region for a long time to person in charge of each area and a and his son is well on the road to being come. couple of assistants. Fortunately, we fully recovered. I had invited all Patrick Preston spoke next and have volunteers to man these positions Chairmen and Masters of the last 25 proposed the toast to the Guild. He but, as always, more are welcome. If years to attend the celebration. It was provided us with some first-hand any of our members wish to step indeed pleasing for us to be honoured history of how and what led to the forward and have not done so yet, with the presence of three Past Masters formation of the Hong Kong Region. He please do not hesitate. Our aim is to and their wives: Alderman Captain was proud to be able to claim an have sufficient people so that Guild David and Annie Mauleverer, Captain unbroken association with it since its representation can be maintained with Chris and Alison Hodgkinson and formation. “To say that the success of knowledgeable people, but without it Arthur and Val Thorning. I was also this branch has far exceeded what I becoming a burden to any individual. very pleased that the Learned Clerk, had envisaged would not be to Captain Nigel Tuffs served as Paul Tacon, and Mrs Maggie Todkill, exaggerate” he said, and went on to Chairman of the Technical Committee widow of George Todkill, were able to acknowledge the contribution of those for several years, but due to a pending join us as well. John Li, the Region’s who came after him. So it was with change of domicile stepped down from current Vice Chairman, completed the feeling that we rose at the end of his his position at the March AGM. I wish guest list. speech to toast the Guild. to publicly thank Nigel for his efforts, I The Hong Kong Club did us proud Two days later was the final event to wish him well for the future and to and provided a spectacular venue, be reported on here, a family barbeque state that should he change his mind in excellent food and, of course, very at the Hong Kong Aviation Club, when the future, there’s always an opening! good service. The evening followed some 75 to 80 people attended. I Taking over from Nigel we have City procedure with Past Master measure some of its success by the fact Captain Brent Hawkins who is an Mauleverer giving an entertaining that a few of our guests fom London experienced and senior airline captain speech before proposing the City Toast. He started by conveying the Master’s “warm greetings and congratulations” to the Region before going on to point out the links that aviation, the Guild and Hong Kong had in developing together. Drawing several themes together, he managed to further combine us all by incorporating everyone’s surname into a witty conclusion to a very well-received speech. Before closing, David presented me with a beautiful crystal decanter from the Court to mark the

(Photo: Samuel Lo©) generously provided free air travel for our winners; and we have the support of Flight Training Adelaide who, apart from providing high quality flying training, assist us in many other generous ways to help keep our costs manageable. John Li, the Region’s Vice Chairman is also the Scholarship Chairman, which runs as a separate (Photo: Samuel Lo©) company and is an officially-registered Hong Kong Government charity. John with many years of check and training Michael Miller who promised “that was the driving force in setting this up experience. Brent inherits a good team when he won the London to Sydney Air and deserves special mention for this and a busy agenda. We are currently Race” he would donate part of his alone. It is satisfying to see such involved as one of the parties in talks winnings to provide a PPL flying success and there are many others who with the HK Civil Aviation Department scholarship for two young people from have helped in many ways. To those of over the future HK Flight Time HK. Mike went on to win that air race, you I have not mentioned specifically, I Limitations and have regular meetings but was unfortunately killed as a result hope you will accept a general ‘thank with the Hong Kong Observatory to of injuries received in a motor racing you’ for helping in a job well done. keep abreast of the latest windshear accident before the funds appeared or As you can see, the Hong Kong Region detection, prediction technology and anything was formalised. However, has a strong and growing membership, research. In addition, we are well down Mike’s widow, ‘SP’ Miller, made sure and an active committee. We have an the track to formulating a view on the that her late husband’s wish came to active technical committee with willing Multi-crew Pilot’s Licence so that we fruition and we had the funds for our volunteers to help us in our areas of stand ready to offer our advice when first scholarship in several years. I am interest and a vibrant and financially and if asked, as well as keeping abreast pleased to report that one of those healthy scholarship fund that has of ATC and airspace issues in the scholarship winners is currently produced three PPLs and three “half- Region. All of this keeps the technical working as a Licensed Aircraft Ground PPLs” in the last three years. Not bad committee quite busy. Engineer, and the other, having for 160 members. So it is with The last major area we have completed university, is undergoing confidence that I see the Guild running is our flying scholarship interviews for a pilot position with an continuing to root and flourish in Hong programme. The Region has been established local airline. The Captain Kong. Long may it continue. involved in offering flying scholarships Michael Miller Memorial Scholarship for many years, although when Kai Tak was only going to be a one-off, so it Airport closed and the airlines moved was with a great sense of relief that the HONG KONG REGION to Chek Lap Kok, things for committee learned of an extremely recreational general aviation in Hong generous benefactor that wished to GUILD CHAIRMEN Kong became quite quiet for a while. fund the Guild Flying Scholarship The Hong Kong Aviation Club is Programme. Respecting the wishes of Patrick Preston 1982 - 1987 basically not allowed to operate from this benefactor I will say no more, HK International Airport. Even if it other than that finances are no longer a George Todkill 1987 - 1989 were, the cost structure would make it problem. Jack Smith 1989 - 1991 more expensive than it is now, and Since the inception of this perpetual aviating in HK is not cheap! Over the scholarship, we have produced one Peter Langridge 1991 - 1992 intervening period recreational GA, PPL holder who is still completing his mainly under the auspices of the HK schooling and very much wants to be James Binnie 1992 - 1994 Aviation Club, has continued with fixed an airline pilot. Three others have Brian Greeves 1994 - 1995 wing operations at Sek Kong, a former completed approximately half their RAF Base but now operated by the training and are planning to gain their Colin Cox 1995 - 1996 People’s Liberation Army, and an full PPL after completing training in the active and burgeoning rotary wing (HK) summer school and university Alasdair McDonald 1996 - 1997 element operating still from Kai Tak. holidays later this year. By the time you John Howie 1997 - 1998 The situation immediately after the read this, we should know the names closure of Kai Tak made providing of this year’s scholarship winners and John Farley 1998 - 1999 flying training for a Guild scholarship they will join last year’s winners in Nigel Humphries 1999 - 2000 next to impossible, so the programme Adelaide later in the year to start their died. It is also true to say that the Asian training as well. Previous Guild News Charles Montgomery 2000 - 2001 Economic Crisis and the SARS virus articles have explained why we outbreak did their bit to make sponsors currently use Australia for our Harry Mayhew 2001 - 2002 sparse as well. However, all that is scholarship flying training, so I won’t Richard Stanley 2002 - 2003 history and the Region once again has repeat those details. an active and continuing scholarship There are many who helped this Keith Griffin 2003 - 2004 programme. scholarship come into being. There is The resurrection of the Region’s our benefactor, without whom it Ian Fogarty 2004 - 2006 scholarships was initially made simply wouldn’t happen; there is Peter Robinson 2006 – possible by the generosity of Captain Cathay Pacific Airways, who have