2008 to 2009 No. 31

Calls via email for contributions have again elicited an overwhelming response. Mac is grateful to all who contributed. Keep the information rolling in! Mac has had to wield the editorial pen with considerable vigour (not to mention ruthlessness), however, as the printed version of the Bagpipe is necessarily limited by postage costs. Fuller versions of a number of the contributions appear on the OA website: www.oldandrean.com. Where the contributions have been significantly shortened, the symbol ¶ precedes the contribution. Some (marked ¶¶) have been radically shortened: it is worth making the effort to read the full accounts.)

Modge Walter (U4043) gets the ball rolling (Mac: or them while they were in Malaysia and Singapore and managed should that be the bagpipe playing?): As a retired couple, short trips to Thailand, China (my birthplace) and Sarawak both now in our eighties, we still seem to live a fairly active life whilst out in the Far East. This time we will be travelling via and continue to be thankful that we chose to retire to Port Halifax where my sister Alicia (an old DSG girl), now widowed, Elizabeth some twenty-five years ago. [This was after 36 years lives. as an electrical engineer and senior manager with Escom in ¶¶ Duncan Strachan ( M4545) writes: I returned to Natal and the Transvaal and after my retirement I was asked my home in Kenya, from College, just as WW2 was coming to serve as a Technical Consultant for Escom here in Port to an end. We flew from Grahamstown to Johannesburg, from Elizabeth for the Kwanabuhle electrification project.] there to some God-forsaken airfield in central Africa for the We are both active in our church – St John’s (Anglican) night, and then on to Nairobi - it took three days of flying in Church here in Walmer – as Lay ministers although I have an 18 seater Avro Anson, and it was at Mtito-Andei (probably partly retired from serving during the services and restrict my spelled incorrectly; and referred to as “God-forsaken” above) serving to visiting and ministering to ‘Shut in” members. (Mac: that we learned that the Japanese had sounds like he spends his time in the graveyard…) I am still surrendered. This led to a night of an active member of Probus and enjoy our monthly meetings celebrations and too much and also visits to various places of interest. As a result of drinking; so much so that our Probus membership my wife and I have made many good worthy pilot had to be friends - three of the men are O A s, namely John Goldsmith escorted to the plane before (E4446), Rex Winterton (A4347) and Mick Holmes (U4445) take off in the morning! But – all a year or two after me. Besides he delivered us home safely. weekly hikes with our wives, the above Which reminds me that a couple of and their wives and two other years later a friend, Kim Gladman, bet couples we socialise frequently and me £100 that I wouldn’t hitch hike the distance of the breadth play Canasta once a month. of Kenya with only a shilling in my pocket. He was reading a I am quite busy with book where one friend bet another that he wouldn’t hitch involvement with the Children’s hike the length of Great Britain with only one shilling in his Feeding Trust of Port Elizabeth pocket - and he suggested that we Kenyans were so and have been in children’s spoiled and “soft” that I would not do it. Well, a few days feeding charity business for later I arranged leave from my employer, and that evening on some twenty-two years. my way home, my motor bike developed a puncture. And as My wife Joan and I are I was pushing it along the roadside a car driven by a RAF the proud grandparents of pilot pulled up and the pilot asked me if I wanted help - and seven of our three children’s so after having had the puncture fixed he invited me to join offspring and now are also great him for a drink at the mess. grandparents of two. Joan and I are planning a visit during While there I told him of my challenge, and he said September and October to our youngest daughter and her “I’m flying a General to South Africa tomorrow morning - husband in Vietnam. Over the past five years we have visited would you like a lift?” Then I met another “world traveller” 1 hitching lifts by air to Europe - and I accompanied him, but Even though the Hitler war was in full swing, we saw got a lift to Bombay. There the customs / immigration officer and heard little about it. However there was Air School 44 asked me how much money I had on me - he asked to see it just up the Cradock road and we saw quite a lot of the trainees – and disappeared to the back with my money, and never and their trainers on occasions. Of course the old Airspeed returned. I was threatened with jail Oxfords would trundle about our skies morning, evening and for being a vagrant - but the night. British embassy picked me up I cannot remember how my brother John and I were and later put me on a plane befriended by Bishop Archibald Cullen (Diocese of Eastern back to Cairo and Nairobi. Cape) but we were often given lunch at his home and made Twice more we have done it: to play croquet afterwards with his daughter, Margaret. One Once when the airline I was holiday from school we went down to his seaside cottage – travelling on bankrupted during “Bishop’s Cote” at Bushman’s River Mouth. Those were the our trip and left us stranded in days when leopards used to visit the cottages in search of Basil, and once again in about 1990 unwary dogs for supper. Never saw one myself, (Mac: and when after relating the story of these hopefully never had an unwary dog for supper either!) but adventures to another friend, I was once again challenged to plenty of pugmarks in the yards. do it. The next day I went out to Lanseria Airport, outside Of course not all memories are happy. One night a glow Johannesburg - when I saw a very good friend who was a suffused our dormitory ceiling in Espin. Leaping from our beds company pilot, about to fly his bosses to Durban - so I asked we crowded round the back window which looked him for a lift. I spent the day on the beach, gathered a receipt onto the garage of a house next door. It was which I picked up on the beach; and returned that night having ablaze from end to completed the challenge. (Mac: well I guess you can see the end. The muni– world for 4 bob if you have friends in high places – he seems cipal fire-fighters to know a lot of pilots!) eventually After living in the USA for 14 years, my wife of 49 years put it out but and I now live in Birmingham, England. it had burnt ¶ Robin Kirkpatrick (E4244) fills us in on some of his all our maths’ experiences: As an OA I have been in the wilderness for 65 master’s car years! After leaving I went to UCT, and then I disappeared and fishing tackle off the radar, as they say, and was never in touch with my old – Our Mr. du Plessis. On the school again – until now. I would like to reminisce about subject of maths, I was the form’s duffer and seldom got any College during the middle wartime years. algebraic conundrum right. Tackling a particularly tough College in those days had a very mixed bunch of lads algebraic problem one evening at prep, I just threw in the from as far away as Ceylon and towel and dashed off what I thought a logical answer and Malaya, let alone Kenya and the slept soundly that night. Dreading the inevitable comment Congo. But for the war they might the next day, I crept into maths class and made myself small. have gone to England for their Dup was a little late. He also had a serious limp from some schooling. I am very glad they earlier problem, but when we heard a series of slow dragging didn’t because we South Africans footsteps approach our classroom we wondered if he was all gained a wider perspective of life right. Just then a hand appeared clasping from them. We had quite a the doorframe and slowly a head then sprinkling of them in my house, Espin. a body clutching books and papers. We had a lot of freedom in those After resting for a second or two Dup days – and, of course we abused it quite then reached his chair and plumped a bit. (Mac: well that hasn’t changed…) down. He looked up and said that he On Sundays, after morning service in the had a major shock and could barely chapel, we would dash back to our houses, pick up (usually) impart the awful news that no one a small tin of grape jam, a sausage and a chop, some bread – in the class had got the algebra and make for the hills for a glorious day free from classes, problem right – except one. homework and other restricting disciplines. Some of us even Wiping his brow he turned to me reached Howieson’s Poort Dam by foot, and just a few made and said he will never forget it to P. E. and got back in time for Evensong! They cheated by this day because nothing could hitchhiking. take away the sheer surprise and I particularly remember a day astonishment he felt when he found Kirkpatrick’s paper was when, for the first time in many years the only one right in the whole class of twenty-five boys! we had a light fall of snow and, at That was my ultimate mathematical success. assembly in the hall, our Head, Ronald As a result of the seminally important start I got Currey, asked those boys who had seen at College, I was open to intellectual influences snow before, to put up their hands. Just at UCT where I was astonishingly fortunate to five of three hundred-odd boys raised their meet up with Martin Versfeld (then a hands – including me. This rather showed that lecturer in Philosophy – later Professor we were all sons of a sub-tropical upbringing! of Ethics UCT) when, can you believe it, The Kenyan lads had, of course, seen snow – we were fishing for shad off Kalk Bay but only on top of Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount pier! Thereafter, under Kenya…… h i s mentorship, I was 2 at first a sponge then an acolyte and finally an independent him, Dave has acquired the thinker. I have always said that a good schooling intellectually ORIGINAL Owners Handbook prepares you for thought-provoking surprises in your early which was issued for that car at maturing years. (Mac: a few whacks on the tail always the time of manufacture. Cheap provoked a few thoughts…) at the price, Sterling 300 pounds. I am 81 and I am grateful for the years I spent at St (Mac: anyone interested in the Andrew’s since it unquestionably made me. Never anyone owner’s manual for my 1998 important in business or politics but me, in the fullest sense. Mazda?) My life has had its severe ups and downs, but never out of Ian Challis (U4852) writes control because of a strong philosophy gained by, firstly what with news of a contemporary, David (Dawie) Hoets. (X5052) I gained from St Andrew’s then, because of that, my advance Dawie’s 2nd wife was of Greek extraction which is how he into philosophic understanding of life in its fullest sense. got involved in taking South Africans on hiking tours of Crete Lorraine Mullins (A4953) in retirement is still happily (this year will be his 26th year) he loved the Island so much involved with Prep and College. He is busy doing a re-write that he emigrated there in 2005 and now runs his tourist and and update of Griff Mullins’s “The Prep Story” and would be journalist business from the Island sending regular articles back delighted to hear from Old Preppies, particularly in regard to to RSA. their recollections of those early days, and their adventures Dawie’s College days were since then. ([email protected]) Prep will be 125 years noted for his Rugby and for the old next year! Lorraine also spends a good deal of time bird- number of cuts he used to get from watching and serving on local environmental committees. Charles Fortune. One term he was on ¶ George Symons (M4851) writes: In what has been 99 cuts with about 3 weeks to go to end a really interesting and much enjoyed occasional e-mail of term. CAFF, knowing this, refused correspondence between Dr Marguerite Poland and me over to cane him as he knew Dawie the last 3 or so years, only one less than happy item (to quote wanted to score a century, which is her) was ”..that Chris Terry’s ”very something he never did as a cricketer. comprehensive and wonderfully written Those wanting to contact him can get him at account of the College Pipes and [email protected]. News from David himself is that he still Drums.... had to be reduced to writes for trade unions (Mac: can they read?) a double page spread...” From Mike van Ginkel (X4852) sent in two pages of an article that I gathered that about their epic journey that appeared in the magazine Leisure “Chris’s account” had Wheels for February 2009. A TV series with 8 episodes for been written for inclusion in the whole trip has now almost been completed and should “The Boy in You” but that be on our TV screens in the next month or two. This has total S.A.C. history being such taken a long time and been hard work. He is also starting to a huge story in the telling, space and editorial write a book. considerations prevented it being included verbatim in the Doug Sutherland (X5559) writes: Dear Bagpipe, (Mac: final “Boy in You” as published. I hope sincerely that Chris I have been called many things in my time!) It is 50 years has been able to follow Marguerite’s suggestion and is making, since I left College and the most important thing I seem to or has made a move to publish what she went on to describe have amassed is 7 grandchildren with an 8th due mid March. as being “a small book in itself”. This is in no small part due to the breeding ability of DSG I had hoped that it might have been possible that I could girls. My son Robbie(X8285) married Susie Thompson (DSG) have met Dr Poland in London and could have daughter of Dave Thompson (U4954) and sister to Debbie joined the O.A group tour to Delville (DSG), Mark (U7983) and Chris (U7579). Debbie’s son Brad Wood and the War Graves. But Horak started this year at College and keeps the Thompson practicalities of one’s age, pension line alive in Upper. Then my second son Andy married Kerry considerations, commuting etc. Allen (DSG) who is the daughter of Pete Allen (X5761) and intervened. his brother-in-law is Malcolm Holmes. My daughter Jackie Now, and for the past 9 odd (DSG) chose the Michaelhouse route for a husband, namely years, living on the Isle of Wight, James Clucas so her three boys will go to a red brick country being seemingly so close, but club in the Natal Midlands. As you can see all the breeding sadly, just too far and expensive to stock is DSG educated. It seems Biology as a subject is covered easily commute and attend O.A. (UK) very thoroughly at DSG! (Mac can think of many comments, functions. but has decided that he shouldn’t go there…) So any time Peter Pope (E5154) writes: there is any sort of family gathering it turns out to be a mini Motoring matters continue to hold my interest, Crankhandle Old Andrean/Old DSG reunion with all the festivities which Club hold their annual show next Sunday at The International accompany such meetings. Police Club at Timour Hall Plumstead. On Friday week I am The going to the show at George, reputed to be one of the larger second and better shows in South Africa. Last Wednesday morning part of my the Crankhandle Seniors were hosted by Dave Lyons at his story is beautiful home in Hout Bay to enjoy his hobby collection of about a beautiful cars, some 30 of them. Two of the really interesting renewed cars are Desmond Bauman’s (Baumann’s Biscuits), I think connection mid ‘50’s Mercedes 300 SL, and Brian Porter’s 4 1/2 ,1930 and insight Bentley. Rather interestingly, via a UK attorney who contacted I had to 3 College during 2008. Rusty Gillett (E5457) phoned me earlier Chemicals No 1 Plant. Pat and I were married in Pretoria in in the year and asked if I would help as the Gauteng arm of August 1962. (Mac loves the juxtaposition – the acids and the marketing team for Marguerite Poland’s new book “The chemicals section obviously equipped him for marriage !) Pat Boy in You”. As I had been most impressed with Marguerite’s was a Standard Bank employee and remained as such until address at the Jubilee dinner and had read her book “Iron our family began to take shape. Love” it seemed that it would be a very interesting project. From Modderfontein – a seat of great wisdom and Duff Rennie (U5559) was also part of the team. learning in discipline and systems, I joined Alcan Aluminium It was only when I arrived at College and met the Book of South Africa in Pietermaritzburg in 1963. I was involved in Committee that the full enormity of what I had done dawned the technical aspects of foil rolling and production. It was such on me. I was now in the company of two Rhodes Scholars, a tiny plant in comparison to the giant that it has now evolved Tim Nuttall and Ken Maxwell, the Headmaster David Wylde into as Hulett Aluminium. It was at Alcan that I (the only previous experience I had of headmasters was began my career in packaging. It was to be receiving a six from Spencer Chapman), a Professor of English, my passion for the next thirty- seven years. Frances Wilson, Rusty Gillett (the man responsible for my I acquired a taste for what flexible presence) plus a bevy of ladies which included an archivist, packaging was all about as a direct result of secretaries, and the ever helpful Liaison Officer Bev McCarthy. having contact with Alcan’s foil customers. I To top all this there was the author herself, the inimitable and applied for work at one such customer unassuming Marguerite Poland. I hope no one guessed it but in Cape Town. It used to be called I was somewhat E.S. &.A.Robinson (ES & overawed. AR). Now it is component Suffice part of Nampak Flexible Packaging. to say the I worked for ES & AR for some seven 1700 books years and returned to Durban as the Chief Chemist of were sold Henkel in Rossburgh. This still kept me very much in touch out relatively with the packaging industry – together with all the other quickly and industries with whom one deals when functioning as a large there are now supplier of a multitude of varied adhesives. The adhesives only a few industry was a most absorbing business to be involved and Collector’s Editions to sell. It is no rumour that this book will associated with. (Mac: you might say he went through a sticky certainly become a piece of Africana. patch …) Why I am writing all this is the experience of working My return to Alcan in 1974 placed me back in the with this august group of people reassured me of all the position where I had been introduced to foil manufacture some convictions and beliefs I had always had about the years previously. The function of converting aluminium foil extraordinary institution which is College. Being part of the at Hulett Aluminium grew substantially and we had to expand Marketing team I saw College from another angle where the our own business operation off site. We established Rotoflex people involved are passionate about what they do for the in Pietermaritzburg. I was appointed to the position of school. It was a privilege to be part of this group for a short Technical Director. Ultimately, in a convoluted way, Rotoflex while. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Nampak / Metal Box The following story may explain my feelings about and finally we came to rest within College. After his first term at College, my eldest son Robbie the Nampak Group of came home and said “Dad, I cannot understand why you are Companies. We had to absorb so bananas about College, there are no pictures of you the M.B. Flexible operation in anywhere and your name is not on any board?” I then tried Durban. This had been our to explain that it was “not what I did at College, it is what sister company which College did for me.” Today I know all three of my children previously used to trade as API understand this too. – Amalgamated Packaging Industry. ¶ Mike Yoell (D5556) writes: I was a newcomer in Some years after this event, we fully absorbed the Quix Day in September 1955. I had to adjust to life at St. Andrew’s, Converting operation in Isando into our own. As a result of having left St George’s, in Cape Town. The highlight of my this action we changed our name to Rotoflex / Quix first year at St. Andrew’s was our involvement in the Centenary Converters. I retired from Nampak and Rotoflex /Quix in Celebrations that took place in that same year. Dr. Currey March 2000. was headmaster at the time. It was good to be part of that Pat raised and cared for our little family comprised of milestone in the history of our great school. Debby and Ian born respectively in 1969 and 1971. They I left St Andrew’s at the end of 1956 - I find this reality have now flown the nest and Debby works for a large difficult to believe these days. Yes, it was a long time ago but, petroleum company having acquired her Doctorate in Organic was it, really, THAT long ago?! Chemistry. Ian obtained his Honours in Economics. After a Having become an Old Rhodian and, all but equipped period of work in the UK Ian came home and has started his and armed with a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry and Geology, I own business with his Greek wife Nicole. (By the way left the campus and started working at the SABS in Pretoria remember “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” – well we enjoyed a in 1961. I was a member of the Petroleum Section laboratory faithful replica of it. It was terrific.). Their product retails all staff. I had to write one more exam to acquire my full degree around the country under the banner of Nicoletta products. at the end of the first year of earning my living. In addition to his involvement in Nicoletta he also works for I met Patricia Edwards, while I was in Pretoria. Shortly Edexcel in the UK. He cares for their Southern African market thereafter I moved to AE&CI at Modderfontein. Here I was needs and clientele. He travels extensively around the world, employed as a Junior Superintendent, on the Acids & all in the call of duty. 4 We retired to Cape Town, from Pietermaritzburg. We adventurous settled in Durbanville, Cape Town and have recently sold our activities where first house in the area. Our move has brought us into a the individual is retirement complex in Durbanville. We are both very healthy pitted more and fit and are looking forward to many years of comfortable against natural living in our new home. It is taking shape nicely after our physical move at the end of January. challenges and Gardening is a great hobby and DIY tasks frequently obstacles than against his appear on the daily agenda. I have started the Uitkamp Action fellows on the games field. Group whose objectives are to assist the Biodiversity Traditional games did not lose any Management Group with the restoration and rehabilitation of of their previous encouragement the 33 hectares of much endangered Renosterveld and or support, but Spencer oversaw Wetland within the area of D’Urbanvale in Durbanville. We the introduction of more choice and have thankfully obtained TMF funding for a Conservator for other opportunities to succeed by complementing those well a period of three years and are now active in the field and established activities in which the School had always excelled. have commenced with alien clearing. I relished many of these new activities and have since enjoyed I am a member of the Ward Forum, as attached to the a lifetime of enjoyment of wild places and my own small scale local Koeberg 7 sub council and represent the Friends of the adventures. Tygerberg and the Uitkamp Action Group in the portfolio of Spencer was clearly a complex character; one environmental matters. Both of these latter organisations are whom we respected but with whom it was difficult affiliated to WESSA – the Wildlife and Environmental Society to have any warm relationship. He was famously of South Africa. reluctant to socialise with ‘glitterati’ parents and I serve in our All Saints Church as a lay minister and neglected that important diplomatic role of a assist with the running of the outreach course Alpha. I help headmaster. Others have written of his with gardening and maintenance matters at the church. bearing when striding about the school with ¶¶ Bryan McGee (M5558) sent Mac these recollections his nose in the air and his handshake like a of Freddy Spencer Chapman, Headmaster 1956 – 1962: wet fish. When I arrived at St Andrew’s College at the The car enthusiasts among us were commencement of the new school year in February 1955, rather impressed by his Riley Pathfinder Ronald Currey was in his final year as headmaster. It was until this was upstaged by the school fitting that, after 17 years as headmaster and prior to his architect, Herbert McWilliams, when he appeared in his retirement, he was able to lead the school in the celebrations stunning Bentley Continental with its 2 door streamlined to mark its centenary in that year. coachwork by H.J. Mulliner; then the fastest 4 seater car in In many ways the school then followed typical English the world. ‘Public School’ lines, with its strong emphasis on games, The lectures particularly cricket and rugby, as the core of the non-academic which he also life. The objectives were to develop a strong sense of teamwork gave from and leadership in the boys in preparation for their subsequent time lives and careers in the community. The selection of Monitors and Prefects was still very much determined by success on the field. Academic opportunities were, of course, assured due to the immensely impressive quality of the teaching staff. One has only to look at the staff register for 1958 to be astonished at the number of Oxbridge educated teachers. In 1956 Frederick ‘Freddy’ Spencer Chapman, known to time about his adventures were given in his rather deadpan in my time as ‘Spencer’, (for some reason he never seemed style of delivery. They were nevertheless riveting to an to be given a disreputable nickname amongst the boys) took impressionable youngster like me who, until much later, had over as headmaster to begin the next century. never been out of South Africa. Spencer brought with him a very different and much On the political front he had to face the increasingly broader concept of personal development than had prevailed assertive Nationalist government of the day. We boys were before. His aims and objectives were not fully understood by not overtly political in our thoughts but we were aware that many in his own time and the benefits only came to be fully he strongly resisted Pretoria’s pressures to amend the recognised after his term of office. His own distinguished curriculum and even background in exploration, mountaineering and wartime suggestions that we exploits certainly gave new meaning and tangible relevance dispense with our kilted to the school motto: ‘Nec Aspera Terrent’. cadet corps since it was Even then I found the books he had written, and in too symbolic of our particular ‘Watkins’ Last Expedition’, ‘Memoirs of a ‘uitlander’ heritage. Mountaineer’ and ‘The Jungle is Neutral’, to be riveting and He strengthened our they left with me a thirst for reading exploits of exploration consciousness of our individual and endurance, which I have never lost. roles in a more inclusive society. For those boys who, like me, had no particular aptitude It was not until after his for ball games he promoted the concepts pioneered so resignation in 1961, after South successfully at Gordonstoun by Kurt Hahn. In this he Africa left the British Commonwealth, that he chose to make encouraged young people to take part in challenging and his innermost feelings public. Until then I believe his objective 5 was to use more subtle means to make College a more amazing how stupid the public can be when confronted with enlightened school. an emergency vehicle. In conclusion, I have felt the benign influence of Spencer Sir Miles Hunt-Davis (E5256) says: My news does throughout my life, for he opened many windows onto aspects not amount to much except that I am always glad to have of the world that I might not have found for myself. Our news of College :it is a very long time since I left College in generation bridged the two eras and perhaps gained 1956 and for much of that time I have either been in the disproportionately from both. Army as an Officer in the Brigade of Ghurkhas in the Far Jos Driver (U5255) reports that he has been “living in East or living in London where contrary to what is written in camp verde Arizona for the past 18 years...... not much change “ The Boy in You” I continue to work as to report other than the loss of hair and the occasional bruise Private Secretary to HRH from being bucked off a mule...... at 70 yrs old I The Duke of Edinburgh and don’t get off the ground as fast as I used to. not for Prince Charles as (Mac: but he still gets off a mule just well as is also written in the as quickly!) book: which on all other Planning a December accounts is a really most January vacation at Kasouga excellent account of the with 7 of my family...... all School we all owe so much eager to see where I went to to. My work here is school for 7 years and never absolutely fascinating and still involves a degree learned a darn thing.” of travel abroad but nothing like as much as Graham MacDonald when I first went to work at Buckingham (X5358) writes: I went on to Palace. Lastyear’s OA Dinner in London was excellent and Rhodes in 1959 after I would have thought very well attended. I am always happy spending 1958 as an to meet up with any of my contemporaries who might be in extra year at College, the London. first of the University Peter Terry-Lloyd (U5559) writes: After qualifying at prep years. At the end of Rhodes ( BA ), Pietermaritzburg (Hons) and 1962 Rhodes sort of threw me out - politely - because Stellenbosch (UED) I then taught Geography at although I was a pretty handy hockey goalie my Alexander High School, then moved, on academic record left a little (a lot actually) to be desired. promotion, to Ladysmith High and I moved to Rhodesia and married my Rhodes subsequently to Richards Bay as founder sweetheart (at least that was a huge accomplishment). I worked Headmaster of John Ross College ( 1985- as a farm manager for a couple of years before going mining. 1997) . After that I was asked to establish I became Chief surveyor at Alaska mine. Got my Govt Survey the high school component of Grantleigh, a “ticket” along the way. I served with pride in the Rhodesian local Independent school, thus becoming a forces. We left in 1978 because we figured standards would founder Head for the second time. (Mac be eroded for our children. muses on the fact that quite number Got to the U.S. via England and I worked for a mine of OAs have become founder here in Arizona for 20 years as a mining engineer (parleyed headmasters, of whom the latest in my Matric plus my Rhod. Govt Cert into an American degree the line is Tim Nuttall (E7478).) I equivalent). retired from education in 2003 and Retired at the end of 1999 and moved up to the high then spent 6 years as Manager of Zululand Hospice before country of Arizona where there is a huge ponderosa pine forest deciding to retire fully at the end of 2008. which stretches for miles. We live in the middle of it in a wide We have 2 children and 6 grandchildren, all in Australia, spot in the road called Overgaard (not a typo). so we try to juggle our resources to finance family visits to Pretty ordinary life really when compared with the OAs Brisbane and Sydney when possible, but do not wish to who have become movers and shakers in the world. I do emigrate. After 24 years in Richards Bay, we have happily credit College with giving me the ability to press on in some settled into retirement life. fairly hard encounters of my life. Gave me one hell of a A regular contributor to the Bagpipe is Anthony foundation anyway. (Mac: is that another word for a big Bateman (X5659), who sends “Greetings from Kabul, where butt?!) I’ve been on consultancy assignments over the past four years. Now, in my retirement, I drive an ambulance for the My current task is to advise the Afghan Foreign Minister, Dr local Fire and EMS Department and leave streams of barely Spanta, on the root and branch reform of the foreign service. intelligible profanity down the highway in the 40 mile trip to I am also implementing these reforms, heading a team of 20 the hospital (over often ice covered roads and at night. I even of whom I am the only international. Interesting and have some of my mates able to say challenging work, and rather less “bloody bastard” with a stressful than my passable assignment in Iraq in accent. 2003-04 as adviser to It’s the acting governor of the province of Baghdad. I was fortunate to have returned to Muscat on short assignments in 2001-02, having been director 6 of personnel and training in the Sultan of Oman’s Navy in from Steve Leith (A5559) so thank you again Steve! the 1980s. Since my official retirement in 1997 I’ve been able Fortunately the charging paperwork was completed just in to balance consultancies in several interesting countries, time for us to get back to our train before it departed Rosmead. including Ethiopia and SA, with more conventional work as Needless to say a few weeks later I was summoned to an organisational psychologist in the UK. My children, both Hoof’s (Freddy Spencer-Chapman) office to explain the whole born in England, have enjoyed their many visits to SA as incident. He of course was quite amused by it all and said I being the very best of their foreign family holidays. Both had nothing to fear and he would deal with the SAP and graduated from Scottish universities - my daughter Iona cancel my charge, which he subsequently did. Some days teaches English in China and Ross has climbed the first rung later when I was returning to Mullins House I passed Hoof of the seven year ladder to becoming an architect. (Mac: gosh, near Lower Field and he asked, “Been blowing up any more don’t they have staircases in Scottish universities?!) My wife trains, Cardwell?” We had a good laugh and it probably Susan and I plan to visit the Cape at Easter but probably brought back memories of some of his own wartime escapades won’t get further East than Knysna. No time for a visit to with trains in Burma. College, but at least I’ll see Bishops where I joined the Prep So, to end this record-straightening story, I need to tell 58 years ago. a short factual one about my old friend Doc who had the Geoff Cardwell (M5862) sent Mac the following: I have fright of his life one evening in Mullins House. A few of us wanted to set the record straight for some time now. My great thought it time to get revenge for some of his pranks so I friend Robert (Doc) Caldwell (M5862) has pushed his luck rigged a Big Bang cracker too far! Doc has reviewed and agreed that my version is with a fuse-wire ignition factually correct but not as entertaining as his!! It is now time pinned through the to set the record straight about a certain “train incident” in 230 volt mains flex to the Karoo dorp of Rosmead during one of my numerous train the bedside lamp in his journeys from Cape Town to College. Doc first told his story study. We waited for about this incident in Bagpipe #25 some 10 years ago him to return from an complete with graphic illustration by Mac. I was quite amused evening duty and hid at the time but when the same much embellished story near his study door. On appeared on page 320 of Marguerite Poland’s magnificent entering his study and book “The Boy in You”, I felt the facts needed to be told. But switching on the light let me first thank Doc for sending me the book as a 2008 there was an almighty Christmas present memento – certainly worth the personal bang and Caldwell reversed out slander and Marguerite’s noted apology. at an impressive speed. He admits even now it was the biggest The trains to the Eastern Cape stopped at Rosmead fright he has ever had and of course we thought it hugely Junction for some hours while coaches were shunted before funny, as we still do today. Doc tells me the UCT Old going on to either Port Elizabeth or East London. We became Driekoppen deluxe version of the prank had a paper bag of the Port Elizabeth train which branched at Alicedale. This flour tied around the squib. (Mac: a good job Arsie Clapham particular evening while our train was parked in a siding I hadn’t heard of that!) went to get a snack in the dining car but found the handrails Doc Caldwell (M5862) sends news and views of his between two coaches had been hooked across the walkway own: RI (Doc) Caldwell still plays squash badly though the preventing access to the dining car. There was no sign to say fancy 2008 shiny red squash-racquet makes him look better shunting was in progress or access was forbidden so I on the court. Fellow OAs Laurie Butlin (M6568) and Russell reconnected the two handrails to enable me to get to the Powell (E8689) play in the same Hilton-Howick summer dining car. Some time later, league but are much younger and far better. Powell is trying after I had to see how their young son can become a 5th generation Andrean: his great-grandfather is no. 861 in the register. (Mac: it’s quite simple – steal a train!) If my old pal Geoff Cardwell (M5862) tries to tell you that he did not divert PE passengers to East London, do not believe him: his memory is fading, down in the bottom right-hand corner of the world. He is very lucky not to have spent the rest of his schooldays returned in a cell guarded by the SAR police to my compartment, I noticed shunting had started so I went at Rosmead. to check progress only to find that the hand rails I had Hugh Duncan-Brown connected were now hanging loose after the adjoining coach (A5963) says: It is difficult to believe had moved away to become the East London train. There that I arrived at Armstrong 50 years was no damage; the handrail tubes had pulled out and it just ago. Luckily I am still in contact with needed someone to fetch the matching handrails from the many of my newboy friends-Mick other coach. Rivett-Carnac, Peter Gilbert, John To cut a long story short, after I had owned up to Lake, Vince Lockwood while there are others that I have reconnecting the handrails, the SAP konstabel took me to the looked up in far away places - Dick Norton, John Legge etc. Rosmead Station Master who, in a seriously grumpy mood, But one of the lasting memories I have is the number of friends said I should be charged for damaging SAR&H property. The I have from College. I see Keith Lister, John Harris, John SAP konstabel did see the funny side of the event but said he Halford, Mike Denoon-Stevens, Dave Wilcox - mostly on the had to do as instructed. I must point out that during this golf course. (Mac: presumably all playing hole 19!) So what unfortunate interlude I was ably assisted with moral support have I been up to? I have bought and sold a few businesses 7 and am now in the my hands, from furniture to brickfields, consultancy to finally solar energy now a hotel. Oh yes did I forget to mention that retirement business. If only lasted two years before I needed more than to write and anybody needs fish so bought the local hotel a couple months ago. Some of advice on solar, the family will have to run it, for I have passed my sell by please get hold of me date! at [email protected] Above all I would like to believe that I have never most of my peers I can’t believe seriously or for too long deserted the principles and integrity, I am this old. I have recently the Christianity and beliefs, that College instilled in me as a bought a mountain bike so boy. along with a little aerobics and ¶ Hello Mac, (Mac loves the “stream of golf, I keep reasonably fit. I consciousness” writing style, but is glad he wasn’t Clive’s would like to hear from my old English teacher!) mates - please keep in touch. I am Clive Lardner-Burke (E5761) a cousin of John News was also forth-coming from one of the who lives in Kenton. I received an email from Willem Kempen aforementioned friends, Vince Lockwood (A5962), who (U5760) last week informing me that I must remember things writes: I always enjoy reading the Bagpipe and catching up that happened our early years at College. with the OA’s of my vintage. I established the Prestige Office 1957: Espin & Upper new boys were at the Grange Cleaning Company in Johannesburg of which Hugh Duncan and our house Master was Eric Norton, this was as all boarding Brown was our finance director. This school students know a shattering experience as most of us was subsequently sold to Bidvest in had never been away from the comfort zone of home. 1993 and the family moved to The making of new friends in Espin Richard Camp, England where I started Michael Mc Namara, Neil Tweedie, Adrian Schweizer Glen Ecocleen Cleaning company Black Anthony Coke-Norris Michael Mc Manus later killed which is now national . My son Richard in a hit and run in PE. John Bassingthwaighte, Roy Allan, Lockwood (A9293) is involved in the Dave Collett Malcolm Hutton Chris Hickson Peter Goslar cleaning business too and I am Patrick Montgomery, Robert Procter, Ronnie Slater. The looking at retirement. We bane of all new boys being a fag for a monitor or a prefect. I moved to England 15 years ago cannot remember who my fag master was. I do remember he and now live in Lymington in the New came from Rhodesia and there was no love lost between us. Forest and play lots of golf. (Mac: it seems the 59 I am a bit vague on the Upper group Peter Gubb I knew vintage have very little to do …!) During the summer months his cousins at DSG, and have recently made contact with I can be found at my farm at Kenton on Sea which I have them in Knysna, Dave Martin passed away August last year, enjoyed for the past 25 years. Willem Kempen who I talk to on Skype at least 3 times a ¶ Jack Walsh (M5154) has caught up with himself week and hope to see him in the latter part of this year when and us! He writes: I matriculated in 1954 and, after leaving I do my around the world trip. John Parkinson and Dave the family business fairly early on, I have moved around Southey. I remember Eric Norton used to have a lovely fruit somewhat, so my association with College has been somewhat garden at the bottom of the garden and was out of bounds to less that it deserved. Certainly from my point of view I have us, so I go down to get fruit one Sunday and was caught never lost complete touch as my stepfather was a school guess who had a sore bottom on the Monday. We had to principal in the Anglican system, and my headmaster, in his walk to Espin for breakfast and retirement, became a close friend to my parents; the inimitable went past DSG with all the “Rook Currey”. I also had the privilege to have been under the control of Mullins Housemaster, Ashley Brooker, whom I always considered one of the most outstanding persons that I have ever met. I have never stopped being proud of my heritage. What personal news do I have? You can hardly condense 55 years into one submission, which I suppose is the cost of having been so delinquent towards the OA magazine in the past. A few marriages, four children, who have been extraordinarily undifficult considering their father’s behaviour at times girls hanging out the windows shouting and the general attitude of children of my era. I comments, then as a chorus hello Clive Lynnette Gubb had retired in 2007 to live on the banks of my told them my name get to maths class that morning Mr. Norton personal Utopia in this life, one of the most says you seem to be popular with the girls, second time of beautiful spots in Africa at the mouth of the blushing in one day not good for me, he had been walking Breede River in the Southern Cape. What have behind us. I done? Well above all else I have been a fisherman End of the year all new boys are sent to Hogsback for a certainly for fish, always for opportunity, and probably for camp while matrics are writing, Robert Procter climbs all the people as well. You name it and I get embarrassed; insurance peaks in one day so a few of us decide climbing is for the to fishing, fishing both physically at sea and as an entrepreneur birds and climb to the Kettle Spout falls and dam it up with in the industry, sea diamond recoveries, two companies taken rocks and stop the water flowing, to all College present to the JSE, and probably a 100 or so having passed through students there were no luxury busses we travelled in the back 8 of Beaumont and Rice lorries what an experience. I have a shovelling hit me on the finger the coal dust is in finger after feeling my smoking at school started at that camp 52 years, the nearest similar experience for heat and humidity Cadet Camps: New boys went to Hogsback the rest is when I went Western Deep Gold mine about 25 years ago went to Grahamstown Military Base. The army collected us to take photographs. in old Ford trucks, took us to the base which Smoking at College, was the in thing prefects were at that time was a stores depot for Ferret allowed to smoke in their studies the more of them that smoked armoured cars with a 6 cylinder Rolls the better it was for us they could not smell if we had been Royce engine. Then came the shock smoking. My final year at College Etienne Permanent Force instructors and lots of de Villiers was the house master instructions make your bed hospital and one evening he came corners and must be square no dip in into the study and warned middle coir mattresses, clean the me that they knew I was brass window fittings clean smoking and they knew windows polish the floor where and they were out to inspections in the morning. Wash catch me, I thanked him for the your own cutlery then appear on warning and said I would the parade ground except it was change my place and you concrete, our platoon instructor was Cpl. Nell with the can guess he was not best double ll he informed us he was based at EP command in pleased with that comment. PE. A very funny thing happened he shouted He never did catch me. a command and his false teeth popped 1962 I started my national service in the South onto the concrete the platoon doubled African Air Force Gymnasium in Valhalla, George up with laughter, took at least 10 min to Whitehouse (E5861) and Bernard Peters-Hollenberg settle down. The afternoons were taken (X5660) were there and after basics the were transferred up with lectures map reading how to to Dunnottar for flying training. I remained at the Gym and operate compasses etc. did photographic training at the Central Photographic 1958 Espin under Mr. Peter Harvey, Establishment at Swartkops Air Force base, so enjoyed it I Things are a bit vague but I do remember joined the Permanent Force in Jan.1963 to do a 4 year a brick path was laid from the front of apprenticeship course in 1965 I was transferred to Ysterplaat Espin towards the road and David to work on Shackleton, Albatross and Harvard aircraft camera Boucher placed some coins under the systems I did many hours of flying and the 27 Sqd. pilots bricks he said somebody will find the coins and know when were teaching me to pilot the aircraft, that helped a great deal the path was laid, a new dormitory and showers were in the when I worked in the Ops area in SWA. In 1966 I was at a process of being completed. The box room was where steel friend’s wedding in Plumstead and one of the guests was David trunks were stored and I decided to brew some pineapple van der Riet (E5661). I could not talk as I was taking photos. beer in my trunk It was a disaster I get a message “you better End of 1966 I qualified as a ground photographer and in go to box room there is liquid pouring out of your trunk”, the May 67 married Clare Gordon-Lennox in Salisbury Roman bottles had burst, there were 2 other boys with me. I am trying Catholic Cathedral, we spent our honeymoon at Kariba in to clean up the mess of fermenting pineapples and who walks the middle of the Rhodesian War and had troops escorting through the door? Mr. Harvey he speaks to me walks out and us. Training as a photographer in Cape Town you had such a didn’t mention the smell or mess, I thought my goose was variety of tasks functions with the top brass, groups { I met cooked that day. Mrs. Elize Botha then the wife of the Min. P.W. Botha} doing Jooste Dining Hall, the group photographs. I later became the chief photographer for kitchen was run by German Military Intelligence, the only photographer to have a top Caterer Miss Kramer nicknamed secret security clearance. I had the privilege of most high profile Amazon she was big when overseas visitors and travelling around the country with them you’re a newish boy, (Mac: taking photographs actually she was big when If any person would like to contact me Tel.27-012 you were an oldish boy 6671403 Cell. 27 –{0} 82 7073742 Skype. woodley_67 too!) actually what a email [email protected] delightful person to talk to and always My generation do not know how much fun computers helpful. One incident I do remember. can be. I have 4 of them 2X laptops the 2 are large and fast One meal I think it was Adrian Schweizer able to capture VHS video and store the image in DVD, and took his block of butter placed it on the having 1,500Gig of hard drive space. (Mac: but do you have end of his knife and flicked towards the person sitting opposite 8 arms to operate them all??) him and missed it stuck to the wall much laughter and at the ¶ Willem Kempen (U5760) writes: It has been great end of the meal Mr. Harvey came down to see what the scouring OA and DSG Ties web pages looking for names that commotion was all about I do not know what happened to have a familiar ring to them. Unfortunately most of those seem the perpetrator. On the subject of the kitchen the stove to be the children or relations of someone I once knew. My was coal fired, under the kitchen was large room used for age group is loath to use modern electronic communication storing the coal. One day coal was delivered and it was raining devices. Who would have thought, back in the 1950’s, that soon after this the coal started burning the fire brigade was we would all become typists?...hahahahaha!!!! summoned and they said all the coal had to be removed they I have, however, caught up, via electronic means, with supplied gas masks similar to the ones used in WW2 and we Tony Orr (Zambia), Grey Holmes (RSA), Clive Lardner-Burke had to shovel it out, I still have a mark where the other person (RSA), (Mac: he probably sends you 4 emails a day, one 9 from each computer!) Hamish Rumball (Portugal), Tony Taylor stories and anecdotes from the 1920’s to 1968 I thought that (Western Australia), Tony Wynne (South Australia), David there might be interest from OAs and I am hoping to come to Southey (RSA), Neil Wright (RSA), Peter Bassingthwaighte an arrangement with The Highlander to display the book for (Namibia), Geoffrey Chew (UK). Some other old friends still OAs to preview, but have not finalized this yet. have to return email approaches. Mervyn Wingfield (U5762) says: Sad to report that two I came to Australia in 1968 on a whim and stayed. I of the crew of Monitors that occupied the ground floor returned to South Africa on no less than 13 occasions for Monitors’ study in Upper in 1961 have recently died. Colin holidays and family matters in the ensuing time. My last visit Palmer (U5862) (‘my low friend Palmer’ according to to RSA was in 2005 and my last visit to St Andrew’s was in housemaster Blitz) died recently in Cape Town after suffering 2000. My wife and I also attended the 1983 OA Reunion. severe heart problems that ended with an unsuccessful heart My wife Judith, and I, moved around Australia a great transplant. Dave Martin (U5762) (affectionately known as deal over the years, following our noses and opportunistic Granny) also died recently after a severe illness. Dave is one enterprises before finally settling down in the small country of a number of OA Headmasters, having town of Peterborough, 250km north of the city of Adelaide in been the Head at St Martin’s in the State of South Australia ten years ago. Here we are Cape Town. The other occupant enjoying our lifestyle and the vagaries of late middle age. We of the study was John (Bev) bought a 110 year old stone cottage and set about refurbishing Pocock (U5761), famous for it and building a great garden. Judith is involved in Local having brought in a series of Government and the promotion of Art in the region. She farm animals into the house serves on various boards and committees and gets away with during the Matric exams - friends for painting days. Being retired, I fill in my time pressure does strange things with writing stories of my adventures and articles on some of to people!! our 4x4 trips and posting these on our personal website I remember another www.kempen.id.au . I enjoy gardening, genealogy, camping, celebrated incident in that tinkering with my vehicles and 4x4 expeditions, which I study when the pineapple organise and lead on an annual basis. Great joy is garnered cider container under the finding new electronic toys which could enhance floorboards exploded just the advancement of my hobbies. This year I am in the process before Anton Murray made his of organising a 3 month sojourn to the Great Sandy Desert Thursday evening visit to the house (in those days pineapples and Pilbara Regions of Northwest Australia. Around 800 were two for a penny off a truck that parked in the street kilometres will be driving across trackless country using our nearby). Anton, by his nose movements, was clearly very electronic devices to plot the course. The purpose of the suspicious of the aromas that were filling the study, but he journey is to search for historic markers of the late 1800’s was visually unable to locate anything suspicious, so the noted there by explorers on camels. We will also be looking incident passed uneventfully, thank goodness. I am not sure for Stone Age artifacts, left behind by the occupiers of the what the penalty would have been for running a still as a land of that time frame. Monitor!! My memories of my time at St Andrew’s are being As for me, I am living near Cambridge in the UK and revived by many Skype contacts with Clive Lardner Burke, hoping to retire soon. Sadly retirement may have to be delayed who has a better memory than me. I recall teaming up in - what appalling luck to reach retirement age when the world’s Upper House, with a number of blokes like the Jay twins, financial system goes into meltdown, triggering the worst David Southey, Tony Mauer, Derek Bowker, James recession since the 1930s!! Greathead, Rex Whitehead, David Martin and others, to Ava [“Tank”] Nicholson (U5559) writes that he moved pursue sport and mischievous pastimes, from 1957 until the from Johannesburg to Sydney Australia in 2001 to be closer end of 1960. I recall too being meted out severe corporal to children. He enjoys the place, the people and plenty of punishment by our Housemasters of the era, ‘Blitz’ Gascoigne- boisterous grandchildren. Ava runs a small horticultural Smith and Eric Norton. I supposed I deserved it as we were business. He and Daphne celebrated their 40th wedding an irreverent lot. Nevertheless, my time at St Andrew’s stood anniversary recently. me in good stead in later years as I learned the hard way to Younger brother Roland Nicholson (U/G6266) has lived be independent, to look after myself and to exercise in Melbourne Australia for more than 30 years with Monika, leadership. his wife, two daughters and three grandchildren. Youngest James McNaughton (A5761) has sent a somewhat brother John Nicholson (U6569) lives and works near York briefer email than some of those of his contemporaries, but in the north of England. He has close links with South Africa has wielded his pen at length in another way. He writes: still...and travels there regularly. (Mac: if I remember rightly, I’m not sure if this is appropriate but I would like to younger brothers Roland and John became known as “Tank” pass on the news about my book which is due to be published in turn. A regular armoured division!) around mid-year. The book, which is entitled “FROM “Tank 1” adds: I run a small specialist gardening business SCOTLAND TO THE KAROO”, Tales of an East Cape family, as a ‘retirement job’ in the Hills district of Sydney, and have is an account of my family’s trials and tribulations including chosen dark blue as my base colour for vehicles etc...with the experiences of several generations of McNaughtons at light and dark blue clothing. Amazing how some things never Prep and College. The emphasis is on hardship and humour get lost!! and the book will be illustrated with drawings by Irene Forbes Ron Morkel (U6064) writes: I was in Florida for 16 (SAC Librarian) as well as photographs. years arranging safaris to South Africa and Zimbabwe, and I David Wylde, one of my earliest friends, has agreed to had a taxidermy business there. I moved to the beautiful write a foreword and Neil Wright another old friend, who is Smokey Mountains of North Carolina about 3 years ago. It is assisting with the publishing, will write a preface. As there are really beautiful here except for the 2 winter months. The people 10 here in the mountains are very friendly country people and Rick Hudson (X 6164) says he is currently playing the everyone greets you with a wave and a smile. There are some Great Game (no, not rugby) in central Asia. The Great Game wild unconventional types (Mac: as was a term coined by Rudyard Kipling in his classic story ‘Kim’, he’s an ex-Upper boy, he must and deals with the political intrigues between Great Britain feel right at home!) and and Russia to gain control there is many a of the khanates that lay moonshine still between the expanding making the empires of British India “Good stuff”. I to the south and make my living Imperial Russia in growing grass.... the north. Today, the legal type. I the game is more have an erosion volatile and more control and complex: “Hydroseeding” Britain no longer is business. My 2 kids a major player, but the US are graduated and both in and Russia are still jockeying for medicine in Seattle. I seem to have less worries than I ever position in the world’s largest newest oil fields, and China, had and am living like a contented “Mountain Man”. India and Pakistan, between them comprising 1/3 of humanity, Peter Hibbit (M6267) says: In a couple of months I are close behind. reach the big 60 and, as a result, join the ranks of the Peter Betts (M6468) is a Freelance FGASA qualified unemployed. With what is happening in the world economies Nature Guide who takes overseas tourists in open Landy at the moment, it is probably not a great time to be retiring. Game viewing vehicles around Eastern Cape Game reserves (Mac muses that it may in fact be a good time to be retiring – including Addo Elephant National Park. He writes: I meet at least you get a pension! Those being retrenched may be the most amazing folk and I love people and the bush and less fortunate.) Friends who have already reached this driving 4x4 vehicles. Recently I entertained Prince William milestone tell me that retirement is a race between death and and Prince Harry at Schotia Safaris in October. I have never insolvency which makes me feel so much better!!! (Mac muses been poorer but never been happier doing what I really want that it is a bit like being a teacher really!) I have had an to do. I just wish the work was more regular. I am also a extremely enjoyable and varied working life, starting as a professional Photographer and recently got a top of the range partner in Pim Goldby (now Deloitte) in 1979, followed by a Nikon D700 full frame DSLR camera and I number of different roles in Nedbank, commencing in 1988 use this for home studio work and, about and culminating in the last few years as financial director of 6 weddings a year and of course I Imperial Bank. get the most amazing lion pics on my Over the years I have developed a passion for fly fishing, 2-3 weekly drives at Schotia. I sell a passion shared by my son Nick Hibbit (G9297). We have these on Stock Libraries around the had some wonderful fresh and salt water fly fishing in Alaska, world and make canvas prints on order Canada, Ireland, for clients to decorate their homes, game Norway, farms and lodges. I have just been to Australia and the Baviaans district past Willowmore to the Seychelles. fetch a new Border Collie female puppy Our next trip is (females are better workers...sorry chaps) to Costa Rica to replace Lucy the Border Collie I had in Grahamstown who in August. Apart from sadly died last year at 14 yrs. the overseas trips, we Our elder son Robert (E 9701) has passed his BCom have also had superb Accounting and has just done his Honours in Management fishing on the Zambezi, Accounting and has just started articles at PKF and will be based at Impalila doing his Accounting Honours through Durban University. Island Lodge. (Mac: Robert still plays great Hockey in the Eastern Cape Hockey hmmm! I can see he is leading in league. the insolvency race all right!) Although I am retiring from Younger son Andrew (M0105), like his brother Robert, Nedbank, I will continue to work, but hope that I will have a the first 6th generation pupils at the Schools, has just bit more time for fishing, bird watching and game viewing! completed his Marketing Management Diploma at NMMU and Roy Hulton (E6064) writes: My wife Caroline and I is currently working on getting his BTek Marketing degree this had a wonderful trip to the UK in Nov-Dec 2008 to visit our year. Last year Andrew was chosen from a prestigious group son Anthony (unfortunately Old Hiltonian) (Mac: whose fault of 100 Marketing students in the Eastern Cape to go on a 3 was that?) and daughter Lucy (Old St Anne’s) in London week internship at Audi at Midrand. He worked under his and Cornwall respectively, and to catch up on our 4 mentor Ryan Searle (E 8489) who has since been made CEO grandchildren (2 each) aged 2.5 - 6 years. Best part of the of Audi South Africa following in his dad’s footsteps - Peter trip, other than a memorable Xmas in Cornwall (first time all Searle (E5054) ex Chairman of College Council and CEO of family together since1995), was watching live at Twickenham, VW SA.. Andrew also plays serious Hockey in PE and earns the Springboks thrash the “Poms” 42-6. Had lots of red wine his pocket money by coaching teams at schools like Pearson, (warmed up in a Pom’s Jaguar) in the freezing car park to Herbert Hurd and Summerwood. celebrate the victory! (Mac: I trust you judiciously spilt a little My brother Michael (M6670), like me a 5th Generation of the wine...) pupil at the schools, is the Tax Partner at PKF in Cape Town. 11 Mike lives at Steenberg Golf Estate in Constantia next to former research for the book. The UK Club Chair, Graham Bird Bok rugby captain, Francois Pienaar. Mike’s 2 boys went to (U8387), in turn Bishops where Paul was Deputy Head Boy in 2000 and thanked both David Derrick was Headboy in 2001 and later the Bishops Rhodes and Marguerite Scholar. College could have done with those likeable and for their inspiring talented boys. talks. Roger Brooke (E6771) says that he met up with his During the old friend and running nemesis, John Gardner (X6771) when course of the Roger visited Auckland recently. “Just as ugly as ever, we evening the had hoped that we would improve with age, but no such November luck,” he says. Draw for the Godfrey Harris (E6670) writes: After 38 years in the 300 Club Financial Services Industry I asked for early retirement at the took place. Hillary end of October 2008. Most of my working life was spent in Mullins (Doug Mullins’ (G6569) wife) drew the lucky ticket KZN where I ended up as the Provincial Operations Manager for the Whisky Draw. This was won by David Lardner- Burke. for FNB for the province (KZN). Ingrid Wylde then pulled out the ping-pong balls for the four Having lived in Westville for the past 32 years my wife main draws - all won by SA residents. Tradition continued Cheryl and I have purchased a new home at Amber valley in with the youngest OA present toasting DSG. The lucky lad Howick. We were associated with Howick some years ago was James Widdop who only left College in 2007. and met up with two Old Andreans Peter Seymour ( E6569) Bruce Steele-Gray (A6266) writes: Hi Editor (forgive and Laurie Butlin (M6569) Peter Seymour and his wife live in me - not sure who you are these days !) (Mac: when I last the same complex we are moving to. looked, I was the same person as always … perhaps Bruce Our association with the Eastern Cape continues as we suspects multiple personality disorder?) frequently visit our family holiday Richard Steele-Gray (A9094) is back in SA after four home at Morgan Bay. and a half years with Deloittes in the US (Denver, San Fran I also race walk since stopping and San Jose). He is now living in Rontree Ave in Camps running a few years Bay and working for IDU – a company specializing in ago and will be accounting systems for businesses. participating in Notwithstanding the offer of a green card he chose to the Addo come back and is now so happy to be amongst so many old Extreme Trail friends from College and Rhodes. Paul Penzhorn (G9094) race 50 miler (80 was one of the first old friends found and the odd beer km) in early May is now had at Forries! (Mac: I bet the even ones are 2009.- A lovely race had too!) Giles Parnell (X8992) married to Lisa through the is also now just around the corner in Fish Addo game park Hoek so watch and surrounding out for low farms in the Addo / flying kites Kirkwood area. screaming along the Brian Wakeham (X6366) says: Being the Treasurer of surf in that area. the UK Branch of the OAC since 1976, I have had the good We celebrated fortune of meeting and being in correspondence with many Niall Wylde’s UK and Europe based OAs and more recently ODSG Alumni (A6267) as they start out on a formal Old Girls’ Club in the UK. 60th birthday The UK Branch Annual Dinner (usually held around St at Mpila Andrew’s Day) is a good event for meeting OAs of all Camp in generations. The 2008 Dinner was quite exceptional and was Umfolozi last held at the RAC in London on Wednesday November 5th Oct. Brother with 83 attendees. Amongst the attendees were some Dave (A5862) and Ingrid, sister Anne, children and Bennett distinguished OAs and their partners: Sir Michael Edwardes (U6267), Bowker (M6366) and S-G (A6266) (the last three (U4648), Lord Eddie Leicester (M54), Sir Miles Hunt-Davis now nicknamed by Neil-Boss (A6266) as “The Kenton Trailer (E5256), equerry to Prince Phillip, Mike Tetley (E4447), who Trash!”) watched (as usual) while Chum did the braai-ing was blinded during the Mau Mau uprising of the 1950s, David (shirtless as usual) and made enough noise for us Lardner-Burke (E5154), who, together with his wife Virginia, to nearly be kicked out of the camp (shocking has hosted the UK Branch Summer Braai on so many occasions, Antony Clark (A7074), former Headmaster and Martin Oosthuizen (E6266), Marguerite Poland’s husband. Guests of honour were David Wylde, retiring Headmaster, and Marguerite Poland who both gave excellent speeches. David brought the UK members up to date about the recent changes at College with regard to the renovation works on the various Houses as well as touching on the visit to Delville Wood and Ypres on the preceding two days. Marguerite launched “The Boy in You” in London and gave what in some places was a tear jerking speech about her 12 and quite normal - even the “nearly ex headmaster to be” running again. All persons whose names are on the database was noisy!) will receive notification of a meeting to be held to announce Had lunch with Ant (A7074) and Bridget Clark, Roger the resumption of its activities and to elect office – bearers and Christianne Freebairn (staff 63-68?) in a little village close shortly. to Holt (Greshams School) just days before Ant and Bridget ¶¶ Robert Moodie (X7174) sent what he described moved westwards to take up the Headmastership of Malvern as “Just a (long) snippet of an update on the last thirty or so College in Sept last year. Roger sends warm greetings to all years since leaving College.” (Mac: this truly fascinating he knew at College – in particular Tony Brukman, Ron Forbes, account has had to be drastically shortened, but it is well Roger Krohn, Geoff Bennett, et al. He really loved his time worth visiting the College website for the full account.) at College and has now retired from his life’s labour of love at After doing Matric in 1974 I did a year at Radley College his old school Oundle. in Oxford UK taking the opportunity to travel around Europe Peter Terry (dM6467) writes: I can’t think that - some of it with Stephen English (dE7074) of the same year, anybody’ll be interested in MY news, but here goes. Since and also meeting up with Richard Ashcroft (Armstrong or leaving school (1967) I’ve basically worked in the Mullins if memory serves me well – though obviously not entertainment industry for the last 37 years or so - mostly well enough if I’m not sure which anymore). (Mac: for the theatre. I was attached to the Performing Arts Council Transvaal record, Richard was M6974) I also took the summer / State Theatre for 28 of those years, then they threw us all (European) to travel around the UK including a trip up to the out on the street in a paroxysm of political correctitude. I’ve ancestral homestead on the Island of Hoy in the been freelancing since then, and done all sorts of odd and Orkney Islands north of Scotland exciting things - eg Headmaster in the M-Net reality TV show, whence the family had moved to Project Fame, making a toilet cleaner commercial for Japanese South Africa in 1817 TV (and my brilliant performance led directly to an 80% bringing 3 ships of increase in sales - 60,000,000 Nipponese housewives can’t Scottish settlers to be wrong!) working in all sorts of TV productions both locally South Africa. (The and internationally, including that wacko Laugh Out Loud, family is where I was responsible for thinking out those cruel hoaxes. documented to If you hear one of those irritating have moved “Please hold on your call is there from important” messages the Norway some chances are it’s me. 900 years ago!). (Sorry about that, but it (Mac: Ah! A bunch of gypsies!) helps pay the exorbitant On return from Radley I completed a B Com and LLB school fees...) I suppose at Rhodes during which time I met up with the love of my life my biggest claim to fame and life partner to this day Gillian (née Bush, ex Priory in PE) was being Nige in the – our first date on 14 May 1997 is still engraved in my very successful CTM memory! (Mac: heh! It appears to have taken him 22 years “Bob & Nige” ads for 10 to get through his degree at Rhodes! I suspect memory is years. It’s two years since they playing tricks again…) Of course like all pale Safricans of the stopped, but I still get people coming up to me and asking me era I then had to do national service and on completion joined if they’ve met me somewhere before. (If they’re very pretty I the Department of Trade and Industry and Gill and I were usually come up with incredibly witty repartee like, “Yes, in subsequently transferred to Canada from 84 to 88 in my role your dreams,” but that hasn’t exactly led to countless as Vice Consul [Commercial] in Toronto, Canada – which conquests.) (Mac: have you considered a face-lift?) I have a was already pretty full of South Africans then including some wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters, one of whom is of the Boustred clan and Mark Askew who were also ’74 about to qualify as a waitress - oops, actress, at UCT; the Matrics. Our daughter Devon was other wants to be a ballet dancer. They are both beautiful, born in Toronto in the midst of a but clearly doomed to lives of poverty and heartbreak, blizzard.(She is now in the unless a terribly successful OA can provide me with wealthy unusually privileged position of sons to marry them. My lobola demands are not high. I had a carrying Canadian, South pretty hectic brush with prostate cancer a few years ago. African and Irish passports – Anybody reading this over 40 years old please NB : get your one of the world’s true global PSA tested regularly! Fingers up the butt might appeal to some citizens!) (Mac: yup, gypsies, (and you know who you are!), but as a test for tumours it’s I knew it!) less than sufficient. On return to South Africa Hilary “Buzz” Bowker (M6366) writes of his offspring: I was appointed as the first The ‘Wop’ brothers’ - Craig (M9094) and Ian secretary of the then brand new (M9296) Bowker both married in 2006 and are both Business Practices Committee practising as civil engineers in Cape Town, Craig in construction and at the same time completed an LLM in and Ian in consulting. (Mac: I hope once they’ve practised, International Law which I hurriedly had to finish 6 months they’ll get on to create the real thing!) Both became proud earlier than intended on being sent in 1991 as First Secretary fathers in 2008 - Craig of a son, Benjamin, and Ian of a (Trade) to the then South African Embassy in Taipei which daughter, Emily. (Mac: ah! The real thing!) South Africa at the time recognised as the Republic of China. Doug Gow A7579) and André Williamson (A6467) At the time we were also responsible for trade relations write of the Pietermaritzburg Branch OA Club and DSG Guild: between South Africa and the Philippines. After just two short after a few years of inactivity, the branch will soon be up and years in Taipei we were asked to go to Beijing in January 13 1993 to open up a commercial office to promote South African unfortunately left me with a considerable amount of exports and to recruit investment from China into South Africa. disillusionment about effectiveness of the systems processes It truly was a business and life experience beyond compare – and structures and skewing of objectives away from not the least of which was having to open up a school for our commercial. Looking at the soaring crime and real career children and those of other colleagues and companies as there barriers into the future for our children Gill and I took the was just no space in the existing international school. The wrenching decision in to move to Ireland in January 2004. school we started is still going strong to this day with more Much as it was traumatic and trying for all, the clear benefits than 400 children I believe, and still the of comfort and safety of the children and their unfettered same headmistress when I last progress at university in Ireland has proven a hundred fold heard! In the period we grew that for them it was the best move. I was able to pick up an two-way South Africa- old school hobby of sailing which I China trade from $14 to had only been able to indulge in $3,2bn, so it was a really sporadically over the years and fulfilling time. During our Gill joined me in that – and we six years in greater China have been fortunate to have we made friends from all been regular and active crew in corners of the globe and several winning yachts in local keep contact with many to events in Waterford in Ireland this day, and had the enormous but also further afield in the privilege to be able to travel all over. Cork Week in Cork, Getting back to SA in 1997, and on the basis of my Sovereign’s Cup in international law qualifications I was roped into negotiating a Kinsale and Calves Week series of Bilateral Investment Treaties between South Africa [yes Calves, not Cowes!] in and a host of partner countries to promote and give protection Baltimore and Skull at the to foreign investments coming into South Africa and for South same time doing several African investments going abroad. It was a highly pressured delivery passages from as far as process and involved frequent travel to places as far afield as Carrickfergus in the North. New Delhi, Moscow, Geneva, Morocco, and Tehran and flying I was involved briefly in a number of exciting business into Maputo on the IDC corporate jet for a few hours with ventures including going to South Sudan a couple of times to Alec Erwin (then Minister of Trade and Industry) to get an introduce SABMiller to the opportunity to establish a brewery agreement signed to underpin investment going into the Mozal there after the signing of the Peace Accord. I then moved on Aluminium smelter from France, the UK and South Africa. In to developing business plans for the Dunhill Inventors Village the two years we held negotiations in South Africa or abroad which is a groundbreaking and unique community generated with something upward of 30 countries, setting pretty much initiative in Dunhill in Ireland to stimulate and support of a record of negotiating, signing and implementing an entrepreneurship and innovation. It is a focus of a drive by a agreement with the PRC in 3 days! I say “we” somewhat Belgian, Irish, Dutch, British and French local authority euphemistically as the team consisted of just one partnership to get EU funding of some R120m to pilot it along with other initiatives to establish a practical example of how to achieve integrated community based sustainable development. I would still be actively involved in the Dunhill Inventors Village if I had not been made yet another exciting offer to come back to Africa to be part of another brand new and innovative initiative by the Irish private sector and the Irish Government in partnership to bring a real business dimension into sustainable development pursuing the global Aid for Trade strategies in tandem with the UN Millennium Development goals – the principle is simple: growing business grows jobs, person – I can remember the Chileans being astounded as revenue and quality of life and affords individuals to care for they had a team of 13 working full time on these agreements. their own social and life needs and provides the tax base from At this point I nearly took up an offer by Sasol to move which governments can undertake their own infrastructure back to China as their Business Development Manager but and development objectives sustainably instead of falling into decided to go after new geographic pastures, (Mac: there’s the never-ending aid trap. (Mac: say that again in words of that gypsy background again!) and was moved to Brussels as one syllable!) Our initial operations have me now working in Minister/Counsellor (Economic) at the South African Embassy a recently established office in Kampala Uganda from where to Belgium and Luxembourg and Permanent Mission to the this update originates. The potential in Uganda is enormous European Union, and was very soon tasked with and while our company’s Irish origin has us tapping heavily simultaneously fulfilling the same role for the Embassy in The into the success of Irish businesses to provide support and Hague spending a week in every month in the Netherlands. mentoring, there is enormous scope for business from South Whoever said that South Africans or public officials were afraid Africa to stretch into this economy – which already has a vast of hard work never walked in these shoes! number of South African companies operating here such as On getting back to South Africa I headed up the MTN, Eskom, Nando’s, Spur, Protea Hotels and a myriad International Operations of Trade and Investment South Africa others. during an extremely busy time, and even more so an extremely Fortunately there is an active sailing club here on Lake daunting time of “restructuring and transformation” which Victoria with a dozen to two dozen boats on the water every 14 Sunday with fierce but friendly competition. Our children are In addition to the coffee roasting biz, I also have a 5 both completing IT Honours Degrees at the top flight Waterford acre vineyard, Am a professional USCG master 100 tons Institute of Technology in Ireland – our daughter having license and deliver and race sail boats all over, private pilot, completed her B degree with distinction. This has Gillian still artist and violinist. looking after them in Ireland for the time being but as soon as Richard Arderne (M7275) writes that he and Jane they are done she will be joining me here which makes for (Purdy) Arderne (1978) own the Pam Golding St Francis Bay some interesting philosophical thought on the fact that if all franchise and invite OA’s and ODSG’s to contact them if the world’s ancestors originated in this region of Africa, we they want to rent a holiday house …. or buy one! Reg Medley, can truly say we have really round tripped the world from who taught both of them, is a rival estate agent … Africa to Europe through our ancestors several millennia ago, back to Africa (South Africa) through our ancestors several centuries ago, back to Europe via North America and Asia and finally back to Africa in our own generation. (Mac: the gypsy king all right!) Another sailor is Iain Hudson (G7781), who writes: Twenty years of teaching afforded me the opportunity to teach at some good schools in South Africa (including College!) but in 2005 I decided to expand my horizons. I spent three years in Muscat, Oman, implementing and administering IGCSE and A-Level Gavin Harvey (M7276) & Richard organized a examinations and having an excellent time Christmas series of paddling, MTB, running, triathlon races exploring the country. Last year I moved at St Francis …. (Gavin is in good shape for a bald 50+ year to Cebu in the Philippines and I am now old). Richard adds: I saw Ryan Anderson (M7275) here learning the intricacies of the International recently, now living in Mauritius. I still hear from Mark Baccalaureate programme while I head the Herdman (M7275), who has been in Sydney for a few years, English Dept. at Cebu International School. and Mark Graham (A6973), who has been in NZ for about A large part of my spare time since leaving 10 years. Pete Golding (A7074) is coming here next month College has been devoted to staying on the to partner me at doubles squash. (Mac: and a few doubles of surface of the ocean and I have been another kind in the pub afterwards no doubt!) fortunate to do a number of trans-ocean Rick Melvill (A7176) writes with news of Max races but now in the Philippines I am Melvill (A2007), who he says returned from a gap learning about the delights of diving - this year where he qualified as a snow ski instructor in is an excellent country full of great dive France (and then followed up with a beer drinking sites. qualification in England) and is enrolled into Jonathan Lewis (X7275) is happily first year Architecture at UCT (Smuts hall). married with three children. He is an (Mac: where he is putting his beer admitted attorney and corporate drinking qualification to good use, governance consultant. He has developed no doubt! Perhaps he’ll governance IT solutions for various industry design bathrooms with sectors. He recently sold his SA company beer on tap?) and relocated to Cardiff, Wales in the UK After many years where he is establishing a new global of commuting from business offering governance IT solutions. Johannesburg to Australia, Timothy Tulloch (M7276).writes: Matthew Mullins (M7475), After a UK University, I worked in Zaire for recently moved to Perth with five years in the 80’s exporting coffee. Met wife Celeste and daughter Jessica, a Peace Corps Volunteer from Minnesota, temporarily leaving Tamlyn and USA. In 1986 moved there and began a Kirsten in undergraduate studies at coffee roasting business. Rhodes. Perth is very liveable, and This has grown into a 16 million FULL of ex-Eastern Cape people. dollar biz called European Roasterie Matthew was appointed Global Manager Resource Evaluation Inc. www.euroroast.com. I have for BHPBilliton, and looks after Brownfields Exploration for four kids- Radiologist, Doctor, Teacher and the Group. Lawyer. John Kayser (G7374) is now practising at the Bar in Therese, my Grahamstown (since 2007) after a 3 year stint at the Jo’ burg wife of 25 Bar. (Mac: we should compile a list of OA bartenders …) years, is a Prior to returning to Rhodes University to complete a post- writer. (Mac: graduate LLB in 2000-2002, he spent 20 years in sales, and not a marketing and management consultancy in the IT single bean- industry, mostly in the UK where he met his wife, Bev. counter Brothers Paul (G7476) and Alex (G7477) both live in among Auckland NZ running their own businesses. Paul is married them!) with two daughters at university and a son at school. After 15 many years in the advertising business, he runs a design Alan Hobson (E7478) has relocated to the consultancy and a web-based business called Clever Bastards. Eastern Cape and hosts some very unique events, a (Mac: the mind boggles at what the business produces!) Alex MacNab “got ya Mac!”, (Yup, Mac is left speechless!) snr became a proud father for the first time just a year ago and Hobson’s Choice, all to do with hunting and fishing and is besotted with his daughter. He runs a specialist printing in the Eastern Cape, Somerset East. business on the North-side. John’s two older sons David Hilton Sinclair (G8791) writes: “I completed (G0103) and Simon (G05) both live my National Service in the SA Navy and then studied in the UK now. David’s just electrical engineering for a year before moving on to completed a post-graduate drama picture framing. I spent about 4 years picture course in Oxford and is struggling to framing in Grahamstown. I coached find acting work, while Simon 2nds water-polo at College for a year, is working and finding his which was great fun, with the likes of feet. (Mac: they were at the Patrick Carlson, Johnny Mallett and end of his legs, last time I Martin Muller. For the last 10 years I saw him…) John’s daughter have been working in the Mineral Bethany is doing well in Grade 10 Exploration field, running the at DSG and Alex, his youngest son, operations of remote projects all over goes up to College next year. He’ll Africa, in countries such as, Liberia, be the seventh Kayser at College/DSG. Gabon, DRC, Zambia, Namibia, William Scott (X7882) is divorced and lives in London. Botswana and Madagascar. I got William is working for Lottomatica Spa, one of the largest married in Sept 2006 and we are gaming companies in the world, providing systems and expecting our first born in July. We are services to over 60% of the lotteries currently living in Namibia, busy setting up an office and base in the world. William has for our company here.” He adds news of Oliver Sinclair taken the company into (G8892), who is married and living in Hillcrest Natal. He was internet gaming with a ranger and Head Ranger at Londolozi for 6 years before four acquisitions over moving down to Natal. He is now in the Air conditioning the past 18 months. The business and doing very well. (Mac: that’s trading one kind company is now one of of fresh air for another!) the leading providers of poker, Hilton informs us also that casino, sports betting and skill “Kevan McNamara (E8791) is gaming software over married with 3 kids the youngest born the internet. (Mac: I bet yesterday. They are in Windhoek. he makes lots of Kevan is an architect working with his money!) father.” Richard Holmes Robbie Blomfield U8791) and (U7982) writes: My wife and I Camilla (ex staff) have a son, Thomas David game farm with safaris between Graaff Reinet and Cradock. Blomfield born 16 May 2008, their first child. We also have an indigenous wild cat Ken Kilkenny (X8489) writes: I hope this breeding, conservation and makes it into the mail Bag in time as it is the education project for the 4 small most significant event in my near future. (Mac: I guess that species - blackfooted cat is our makes it “recent past” now!) I am getting married on the 9 of main species, with caracal, serval April this year to my gorgeous fiancée Karen Guise. She is a & african wildcat. Our son, Mitchell, Kiwi and an English teacher. We will be having the ceremony is in his first year at Prep, grade 4, in Auckland at the Settlers Country Manor (another reminder boarding at Fairlawn. for me of St Andrew’s and Grahamstown) Follow the link Dacre Haddon (E7577) writes: http://www.settlerscountrymanor.co.nz/ It is going to be really My news is that in November I turned exciting for us and we are really looking forward to a wonderful the ripe old 50 - feel no difference. I life together. To those that thought I would remain a bachelor am still in PE, involved in PE council forever (and even encouraged it, Keith, Pete, etc) – well, as the DA Chief whip of caucus. I SURPRISE! (Mac: congratulations Ken!) stood for Provincial parliament in Bruce Whitfield (X8185) is a financial journalist based April for DA with a remote chance in Johannesburg where he presents a daily radio show focusing of election. I am still married and teen age kids keep me busy. on business and markets Lance Higgins (X8286) writes: Live in Mazabuka and gets to Zambia (anybody needing a bed, give us a shout ) (Mac: I interview wonder if he’ll hear me all the way up there?) I am married fellow, mostly to an old Kingswood girl, Sian (Evans) and have 2 boys , considerably Darryl - 13 yrs currently at Prep and Christopher - 10, here older, OA’s. at Musikli in Maz . I am now a full time farmer, growing Seed- He also writes maize and soya in the summer and wheat in winter, and I still for a range of get out to do the odd Safari. (work for S & S Safaris) I play publications and polo during the cooler months, (on & off) and have got into presents regular racing Quads in Enduro’s . Would really like to catch up with investment programs the old crowd and will certainly be down for K-days on television. He and 16 wife Catherine recently welcomed Cameron to the fold. “Had From Ken Lemmon-Warde (staff 8302): We are well I known it was this good, I would have started sooner,” he settled in Durban with a view of the harbour. says. (Mac: but it is all the practising that is such fun!) I run a bible study group and help out at a mission William Moolman (U9195) writes: I am getting married school once a week teaching maths in an ACE school for to Lylie Moon on 21 Feb 2009 in Knysna , but we are still Advanced Christian Education. I am also a lay preacher and based in London (Mac: I just can’t help thinking that this belong to an intercessory group. We belong to U3A which is might be the origin of the expression, “over the moon”…!) university of the third (old) age and I run a maths and puzzles Sipho Nghona (E9296) group (Mac: maths was always a puzzle …!) and Avril (DSG has thrown his weight San 8802) is learning Zulu. behind the newly Our son John Lemmon-Warde (G8388) has emigrated formed Congress of to Melbourne in Australia and is working with Duncan Brown the People (COPE), (X8590). John and his wife Roanne have a daughter Sarah and currently serves in 5, and twin sons Daniel and Jason 18 months. Our daughter the Youth Movement’s Nicola (DSG Crewe 8385) is National Steering living in Brisbane with her Committee and is their husband Brad Freeman National Spokesperson. He who works for says it is refreshing to be part of Commonwealth Bank. a movement geared towards Daughter Ali (13) is in “change and hope” in our grade 9 and Michael country, and welcomes former (10) is in grade 6. We Deputy President Phumzile will visit them from Mlambo-Ngcuka and Saki Macozoma (Andrean Parents) into 16th March - end of the COPE family. April. Great expectations! Olwethu Mafanya (E9397) says: I am currently working Mark Norgarb (A9600) writes: thought I would let as a Portfolio Manager at Advantage Asset Managers, a you know that I am engaged to be married on the 18th April subsidiary of the FirstRand Group, in Bryanston, this year to a beautiful girl by the name of Joanne Flanigan. Johannesburg. After graduating with a degree in Commerce We got engaged in Dec 2007, and had been together for over from UCT in 2003, I worked for Allan Gray and Rand 7 ½ years before we decided to ‘tie the knot.’ Merchant Bank in various roles in Cape Town. I am not married, and enjoying the exciting opportunities (both socially and on the busi- ness front) that Johannesburg provides. I look forward to making strides in the financial services sector in the near future. He is studying If you need any further information, or a pic, or anything, towards the CFA please don’t hesitate to give me a shout. (Mac: send pin up of charterholder. beautiful wife!) Andrew Winckworth (G9595) writes: I was only at Sheenagh Harris, mother of Duncan Harris (U8791) College for one year, 1995, Post matric. and Christine (ODSG) sent a photo of Christine on the day After leaving College I studied at Pietermaritzburg of her marriage to Joe Read, from Canada. Christine was University and obtained a BSc. Agric in Horticulture. the first DSG girl to play in the pipe band. The piper at her I am married to Kerryn and have been for 6 years. We wedding was Matthew Marshall.(G0004). have two children, Matthew who is 4 and Nicole who is 1. I Other piping news (Mac is always glad to hear of those am presently working in JHB for Tuberflora Nursery where I who continue their piping after school) is that the Springer have been for a year now. I am responsible for the ‘plug’ twins (X0105) are both performing in the Edinburgh tattoo unit where we this year. Thomas Fuller (U 9397) continues to lead 1 grow seedlings Medical Battalion Pipe Band to ever greater heights. After for re-sale. 3 years as SA Champion of Champions in Grade 3, the band was upgraded to Grade 2 (the top grade in SA), and performed with minor but pleasing success in the grade this year. David Springer and Chris Terry (M6165) both play with the band. Sean Irwin (M0004) writes from the UK: The Oxford area has become a bit of a hub for OA’s From our Rhodes scholars to Rowing coaches there is definitely a community forming. Andrew Craig is completing his post grad in maths at St John’s College, Oxford University, John Gearing, Ryan

1717 Demaine, Sam Wells, and Sean Irwin are all coaching rowing in schools around the area. We also have a few chaps doing very well with their own rowing, Jonathan James has been selected for the Oxford Brookes 1st 8+ and Sam Waterson is doing very well at Reading University. Roscoe Wheeler (X9899) writes: Hello from Down under - been in OZ now for almost 9 years, and loving every second of it. I live in Canberra, the nation’s capital. I work as a sales specialist for Telstra, which is a Telecommunications company in OZ. I met the woman of my dreams 4 years ago, and will be getting married on OCT 31 2009, in Noosa, on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. I’m busy working really hard to start building my house on a block of land just outside Canberra, which has great views into the mountains around Canberra. ¶ Tim Stones (X9396) writes: Last September, I had the privilege of representing Great Britain in the Marathon at the 1st World Deaf Athletics Championships, in the city of Izmir, in Turkey. It was an incredible experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed mingling with people from over 30 countries, all of us united not only by our passion for athletics, but by our hearing loss, and its associated challenges. The camaraderie was infectious, and the team spirit like League (Senior Men’s 12km), was Western Cape Deaf Athlete none I had previously experienced. The Marathon was run in of the Year, and ended the year ranked in the top 10 Deaf scorching heat. The roads were not closed for the race, and at athletes in Europe for the 10km, half-marathon, and the one point I was almost run over due to a marshalling error. Marathon. I was also ranked first Those who remember me from in Great Britain (Deaf) in the 10km, half-marathon, 30km, and the Marathon, with my 30km time being a British Deaf Record. My Marathon time is the second fastest officially recorded time school days will probably on the British Deaf all-time list. laugh at this as in Grade 10 I am still working at the I was run over at the National Institute for the Deaf, crossing on Somerset and am very grateful for all the Street, the positive result of opportunities I have been which were the robots that given here. At the end of we now have there. March, I will be travelling to In the end I came 7th in the Stockholm in Sweden, where Marathon, with more than half the I have been invited to field dropping out of the race due to participate in an the extreme conditions – including the International current World Deaf Record holder. My Training placing and time were good enough to Programme qualify me for the 2009 Deaflympics, on Human which will be held in Taipei this September. Rights and It does not seem, at the moment, that I will Disability. I will be able to attend, however, as I have not receive training managed to secure sponsorship. Great Britain on issues relating decided to withdraw all funding for Deaf athletes from to human rights March 2008, in order to prioritise the hearing Olympics and disability, and Paralympics that take place in London in 2012. I remain as well as hopeful that someone, somewhere, will assist me to fulfil my have the dream of becoming a Deaf Olympian. opportunity 2008 was a special year for me in athletics. In addition to make study visits to to my experience in Turkey, I won the Boland Cross-Country relevant institutions, schools and agencies. (Mac salutes your achievements.)

An invitation to your inner literary soul to let us have a story to two, an anecdote about your time at College or perhaps some more recent tale about yourself or another OA — be it a success story, an amusing incident etc.It simplifies Mac’s task considerably to receive information via email. Please include the details of House and years at College ) EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

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