The Chronicle 2022

BRANCH REPORTS

CAPE TOWN CHAIRMAN: CHARLES PHILLIPS

vineyards to the mountains was simply amazing! Sincere thanks go to OM John Hooper and his wife Lara for kindly hosting this event once again and putting on a wonderful three-course lunch.

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he mighty Cape Town OM Branch continues to thrive – and we had another super year! For Covid reasons we were unable to hold our annual drinks evening to welcome our first year OMs at the University of Cape Town – but as soon as we got the “all clear”, we went out to Stellenbosch to welcome our latest OMs there into the Cape Branch. A fun evening was had and a great turn-out, which was not surprising for free beer! Our annual dinner and AGM on Friday 19 August was held at Simon’s Restaurant, Groot Constantia again – really neat venue with our own private function room and we had an excellent attendance of almost 100. It was wonderful to have the Rector, Antony Clark in attendance to bring us up to speed on the school, also Murray Witherspoon (OM Director) and Wayne Witherspoon (OM President). Murray Witherspoon showed a wonderful and moving marketing video which featured Fred Pitout (Baines 62-65) explaining the special features of Michaelhouse, explaining what it has to offer and why boys should attend. Fred has not missed one of our previous thirteen Cape Town events since his arrival in 2009 as Secretary of the Old Boys’ Club, and he loved coming down to the Cape. We will all miss his sincerity and genuine warmth, infectious laugh, delightful sense of humour and wonderful smile – and of course, that famous red beret. RIP Fred. A bottle of Stars of the Morning cabernet wine went to each of our Kehla, Tony Roberts (Farfield 45-49) aged 91, the Inkonyane, Kyle McCoy (West 17-21), plus the Ndlela, who was in fact Callum Smythe (Farfield 66-69) who came all the way down from Hilton Road, KwaZulu-Natal. At the AGM, Justin Fletcher and Charles Phillips were re-elected onto the Committee once more. There was great support from the younger OMs at our dinner again this year and it was another noisy finale with the singing of the School Hymn followed by various first XV rugby war cries! Our Sunday Family Church Service was held on 21 August at the lovely Brooke Memorial Chapel at Bishops Diocesan College and OM Jacques Pretorius administered the service. Thank you again to OM Stewart Grant who played the organ. For a chilly winter’s morning, the service was fairly well attended by OMs and partners. Thanks as usual to Tony Reeling, Head of Bishops for the use of the Brooke Memorial Chapel. Then it was time for our annual Wine Luncheon at Mt Vernon Wine Estate. Seated at one long table of 40, we were blessed with great sunny weather again and the view from the patio over the This was followed by a minute of silence in Fred Pitout’s honour.

DURBAN CHAIRMAN: STEVEN BOAST

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traditionally packed field of 96 golfers dispersed from the clubhouse shortly after noon for a 12.30 shot gun start. A traditionally festive mood had first been established around the registration desk. This joie de vivre persisted, and was in fact improved upon, throughout the day. The course at Durban Country Club was in great condition which made for a very competitive golf day, the weather was stunning and the rain stayed away. The format was unusual but very enjoyable. Williamson Plumbers again sponsored a grand prize for a hole in one – as always, generating plenty of excitement and anticipation, but no one was able to emulate the Branch Chairman’s feat of a par 3 eagle! The objective of the event was to raise funds in support of various Club for Life initiatives, which the Durban Branch supports wholeheartedly. Events of this scale and popularity could not be achieved without the support of our loyal sponsors. Bringing their A Game to the occasion and walking away with the spoils of the victors were: Pumpy Lambert, David Lambert, Geoff Evennett and Charlie. Other winners on the day included the four nearest the pin sharpshooters: JP Coppez, James Murray, Mike Good and Pat Lambie. The longest drive went to Andre Joubert, while the lucky draw winners were: David Lambert, Wade Heath and Yann Le Clesio. A successful golf day does not just happen by accident and it takes a team of people behind the scenes to pull things together successfully. I would like to thank my team for their support, Nigel Williamson, Mike Good, Nick Tatham, Guy Cronje, Pat and Ian Lambie, and Iain Lambert. I would also like to thank our glamorous and loyal helpers at registration, Belinda Boast, Tanith Williamson, Lori Davidson who always do a superb job with the admin side of things. I would like to thank my loyal committee for the efforts this year and over the last number of years. I will be standing down as Chairman of the Durban Branch. The time is right to handover the baton to the next generation of passionate Old Boys to keep Durban Branch. Next year will have a new look Durban Branch with Nick Tatham taking over as Durban Branch Chairman and new committee members, Mike Good, Scott Rogers, Guy Cronje will ably assist Nick. The elder statesmen will still be involved to help where needed namely Nigel Williamson, Brett Davidson, Pucky Baker and myself.

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