OD11 digital HR - Flipbook - Page 6
COMMITTEE MESSAGE
An eventful year…
A message from the ODU committee chair
T
his 11th edition of The
Old Diocesan is a stellar
publication yet again,
coming on the heels of what was
a very successful 2024 for Bishops
and ODs alike – one that celebrated
175 years of the school’s existence.
We remain grateful for the hours
of effort and dedication from the
team that produces the magazine,
and the many ODs who contribute.
As I write, we are again looking
forward to the traditional Founder’s
Week celebrations, which will
hopefully replicate the highs
of last year. The focus remains
on the many sporting activities
taking place against the school
on Founder’s Day, and the social
gathering for all ODs and friends
at the First XI cricket match
thereafter. The annual OD Dinner
in Cape Town will again be held
at Kelvin Grove, and we’re hoping
for another excellent turnout. It
promises to be a great occasion,
4 | THE OLD DIOCESAN
with Brandon de Kock (1986K)
hosting and Oscar Chalupsky
as guest speaker.
In the past year, the school
celebrated the recent recipients
of the Robert Gray Medal. We
congratulate Blaine Tomlinson
(1968G) and John Dobson (1985K),
who have both achieved great
success in their respective careers,
and who continue to give back to
society and their communities.
The school also honoured a past
recipient, Anthony Record (1956S),
who at last was able to officially
accept his award in the Memorial
Chapel. It was magnificent to be
able to celebrate the successes of
ODs who have excelled in vastly
different spheres, and to remember
that ODs continue to excel, with
international representation in
academia, on the sporting field, in
culture and on the business front.
The OD committee continues to
focus on what ought to be the core
Martin Bey (1990B), on behalf of
the ODU committee
THE MITRE PHOTOGRAPH DAVID ROGERS
To enquire about using the Mitre
or to connect with the OD office,
email odu@bishops.org.za.
elements of any union of old boys:
(1) friendship, (2) support and
(3) giving back. As such, gatherings,
reunions and social awareness
remain our key priorities.
As a result of the continued
enthusiasm and dedication of
OD Ambassador Paul Murray,
many events – reunions, concerts,
book launches and the like – have
been held at the Mitre, and within
the various branches, in the past
year. More are planned for the year
ahead. These will be posted on the
ODU website and in newsletters.
The UK branch has done more
than survive after Nicky Bicket
(1973F) passed on the secretary’s
baton, as it continues to host
successful events. There has been
a reinvigoration of activity in the
Middle East, Australia, Canada
and the US. The Gauteng chapter
has reintroduced an annual dinner,
and we plan to host an event in
Stellenbosch later this year for
younger ODs, to complement
the much-loved Boland dinner.
My thanks, in particular, to the
hardworking committee members
and the staff of the ODU, Dedry
Weich and Lynn Swanevelder,
who work tirelessly to ensure the
smooth operation of the Union.
I look forward to seeing you
at an OD event soon.
