Isak Smuts finds old picture

I've just found the 1972 athletics photograph - only 2 matrics in the team -we must have been a slow gang in those days - we'll have to check on our speed this weekend.

Ian (George) Suttie Writes………..

Ian Suttie
Did Military Service in 1973 with 1SAI in Oudtshoorn. Spent 8½ months in the Caprivi Strip (Rodney Scheepers and Bev Long were fellow "grensvegters")
Studied at Graaff-Reinet Teachers' College 1974-1976 and then Paarl Teachers' College in 1977. Had an absolute ball!
Unplanned at the time but the correct decision, started teaching at Graeme in 1978 and have been here ever since, not regretting one moment!
Met Glynis (farming stock from the Komga "sweetveld" and schooled at Clarendon in East London) while a student and got married in 1980. We have two children, Bridget, an Interior Designer, who has recently moved to East London from Jo'burg and Bruce who has opened his own business: "Cool Spark" (Refrigeration, Air-Con and Electrical) also in East London.
Taken over from Titch Searle in more ways than one! In charge of the Junior School for 27 yrs and First X1 Coach for the last 31 yrs!
Heavily involved in the organization and administration of cricket at Provincial and National level. Seen most of the Protea players as schoolboys at various festivals and Nuffield Weeks.
Am a member of the Rotary Club of Grahamstown and when I have a spare moment, do pop into the Grahamstown Club but not as often a Titch though!
Enjoy outdoor pursuits like walking (since a knee replacement in 2010), cycling, play golf and hunting.


Getting a head of steam for the weekend!

Ian and Glynis on West Coast on Holiday

Bruce and Bridget Suttie



Carving a leg of dorper on holiday at Boknes



Patrick Knowles writes ...................

Who would believe that 40 years after walking out of Tempelton Hall after our last matric exam we'd be back again, much wiser, more grey / less hair (at least for Mick Francis), somewhat less recognisable (to be tested this weekend!) and, for some, closer to our retirement years.
A quick synopsis of my life includes a few years of studying, a two year stint in the army, a move to East London as a school teacher, six months touring Europe, Canada and USA, swopping the chalkboard for a financial calculator, one marriage (then a divorce), moving to Johannesburg, many years of playing league squash, coaching soccer, running many, many 10 km races and a dozen or so half marathons, completing a number of 94.7 and Cape Argus cycle races, a couple of knee ops, obtaining my deep sea skippers licence, two wonderful kids, two careers, meeting my life partner ..........
In detail ....... after school I studied at Rhodes and obtained a B.Com degree. I then did my military training which was initially for one year and was then changed to two years. I then returned to Rhodes and obtained a post-graduate education diploma. I started teaching at the Commercial High School (later Stirling High School) in East London in 1980 where I remained until mid-2005.
I then swopped careers and joined United Building Society in East London and moved to Johannesburg (United, later Absa Bank head office) in 1988. I performed various functions at various banks and started specialising in structured trade and commodity finance. Along the way I completed an MBA degree and a few other banking diplomas. I'm currently with Nedbank Capital in Johannesburg and head up the soft commodities department which deals in an array of commodities from cotton, cocoa, rice, sugar, wheat. We finance both the import and export of these commodities in bulk forms (shiploads) mainly to / from other African countries. In the course of business I've visited about 20 different African countries, the least memorable being Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Conga (DRC).
I was married to Marlene Smith (VGHS) but divorced after about 17 years. We had two children, Lyndene and Matthew, both of whom are studying part-time through Unisa. I met my current partner, Gill, about 12 years ago who will be in Grahamstown with me for this 'extended' weekend.
I've generally kept fit over the years in a dual effort to keep my back as flexible as possible and to keep at least some of the extra kilos away. Metabolism unfortunately seems to slow down with age!
Over the years I've been part of many get-togethers with Old Graemians in Johannesburg. The unfortunate thing is that our enthusiasm tends to wane in years that the Graeme rugby team does not participate in the various Easter rugby festivals here in Johannesburg. I occasionally see Mike Mills, Wade Buckley (1973), Garth Butcher (1970), Roy de Wet and Ashley Francis (1970). John Arnold, Nigel Pitt, Richard Jourdain, Bruce Bailey (bless his soul!) and Selwyn Gill also lived here in Johannesburg for many years, with Gerald Brookshaw (1973) and Brian du Toit, "noord van die boerewors kordyn", in Blue Bills country. It's always great to relive memories and chat about the good times at Graeme. I also see David Bilsbury (1973) from time to time who is currently settled in Port Elizabeth – he relived a story of a dog peeing on someone's leg whilst standing to attention on the main field during a cadet parade over the Founders' Weekend!
Whilst the outcome of the Graeme 1 st rugby and cricket teams may wax and wane over the years, the school often amazes me with its successes in other avenues – some years ago Graeme won the national Mintek (Mining Technology) Science quiz and were presented with the trophy here in Johannesburg. Not bad for a small school from the Eastern Cape! I've also picked up that one of the boys obtained Protea colours for bass fishing and another 2 received either provincial or national colours for surf fishing in the seniors event.
Anyhow, I'm certainly looking forward to seeing you guys again this weekend. Let's make the most of it. The next reunion will probably be our 50^th which scares the hell out of me!
I've enclosed a few photos of myself / family and a few other Old Graemians you might recognise. Some of the photos are from the 2010 Soccer World Cup, hence the regalia.



Patrick at a Casual Beach Wedding at Glen Navar, near East London





 Garth Butcher (1970) and Mike Mills at a 2010 Soccer World Cup Party





Patrick and kids (Lyndene & Matthew) and Gillian at Soccer City after the 2010 Worldcup Netherlands / Denmark game:






David Bilsbury, his wife and Patrick at Umtata River Mouth, Transkei (with compulsory hats!)






Wade Buckley (1973)



A message from Brian du Toit

To all my fellow classmates and friends.  During our formative years at school I think the mutual feeling was to finish up with school as soon as possible and then enjoy life doing what grown-ups do.  If it was as simple as that!   In retrospect I think I should have stayed around longer and enjoyed the protected life of a youngster.    I left Grahamstown in 1973 on a troop train to Oudsthoorn together with a number of our classmates.  What an experience that was – a real wake up call for the future.  After completing a year of compulsory National Service I joined for an extra year on a voluntary basis with the benefits that were offered at the time and was stationed in Grahamstown.  On completing my National Service I worked as an insurance clerk, merchandiser for Cadbury’s and a sales representative for Kimberly Clarke in Port Elizabeth.  After two and a half years I decided that the business rat race was not for me and decided to join the Permanent Force in 1977.  Coming from a military family and background this appealed to me.  I  was initially stationed at Ladysmith Natal and then was transferred to the Military Academy at Saldhana Bay, the faculty of Military Science of Stellenbosch University,  and completed a B Mil BA degree majoring in Political Science and Military History.  After spending two further years at Katima Mulilo in the Eastern Caprivi of the then South West Africa, I was transferred to Pretoria where I  served  most of my career, including three years of detached duty in Venda. I decided on an early retirement in October 2011 after having been in a Colonel’s post for 14 years and have subsequently settled in Beachview Port Elizabeth.  I was involved with military intelligence, public relations as a media relations officer for the SA Army and then the main effort and last part of my career has been involved with change management in the Army, leadership, command and management development.  I was responsible for the development of leadership strategy in the SA Army and compiled the current SA Army Doctrine of Leadership, Command and Management.  I had the opportunity to visit the UK, Westpoint Military Academy in the USA, Israel and Sweden. I have three children of my own and an extended family of four children, all with their own children.  Needless to say a very large and rowdy family when all of us are together.   After school I played rugby for many years and managed to be selected for the SADF rugby trials and rugby trials in South West Africa.  I have been playing league squash for the last twenty years and now have focused my sporting attention on golf. (Much easier on the knees).  On a sporting administrative level I was involved in squash management since 1993 as SANDF Squash Chairman and received the Squash SA Honours award in 2008. Currently I have become a real pensioner enjoying golf twice a week and keeping myself busy with odds and ends at the house.  I have also acquired a SAQA qualification in Education and Training and my intention is to get involved in this field.  We have been active members of the Presbyterian church and intend becoming involved with counseling in our new congregation. It is to be an interesting weekend ahead,  to meet old faces again that I most probably will not remember from school days, so please forgive me beforehand.  My best wishes to those who cannot make it and God’s richest blessings for all. May I conclude by paying homage to the 2^nd XV of 1972.  We were a great team and could have successfully taken on many 1^st XV’s from other schools. To all my classmates I salute you.

Some News from Mike Francis

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the contributions to the blog from fellow members of the Class of 72 to date and hope to read more before the reunion.

I studied part time at Rhodes for a BPrac degree from 1973 — 1978 while doing articles at the same time with Green & Truter (The Late Joe Truter was my principal and also an Old Graemian).

I spent 1979 and 1980 in military training (1979 basic training and officers course in Kimberley and 1980 giving tutorials at Fort Hare trying to win the hearts and minds of the people).

Then moved to East London and joined F W Cooper & Rein as a PA.

In 1983 I joined Marshall Kaplan as junior partner with Steve Clarke (also an Old Rhodian) who remains my partner. Steve and I bought the practice from Louis Kaplan and continued in partnership until 2004 when we amalgamated with Bax Incorporated to form Bax Kaplan Incorporated where I am now the senior partner, specializing in conveyancing and commercial work.

On the sporting front I played tennis for Rhodes and SA Universities. Also played for Border for 10 plus years — and was president of Border Veterans Tennis for 10 plus years.

I had a hip replacement about five years ago and unfortunately my tennis days are over and I now try my hand, very unsuccessfully, at golf.
I joined Gately Rotary Club in 1992 and I am a past President and the holder of a Paul Harris award and a Paul Harris Sapphire Award.

I have a daughter, Pippa, from my first marriage who is now 25 years old. I have been married to Lee for 9 years and she has a daughter, Jayd, who is in Grade 12. Pippa, like her Dad, partied her way through a B.A. at Rhodes and Honours (Cum Laude) at Stellenbosch in Journalism. She is travelling the world — presently teaching English in South Korea.

I still enjoy keeping fit, playing golf, fishing at Riet River and hunting in the winter months with Steve Clarke, Denville Tarr and Ben Ford (both also Old Graemians).

Look forward to seeing you all at the Reunion.

Andre Koetser

Fellow Fortiers

Bev Koetser ( Andre's Wife) Has kindly agreed to us publishing the email that was sent to the school. We will be thinking of her and her family's tragic loss as we gather next weekend.

Regards Ian (George)

It is with a deep sense of sadness that I wish to inform you of the passing of one of your fellow Old Graemians - i.e. Andre Koetser passed away 10 May 2011.

Andre was a Hostel Prefect and matriculated from Graeme College at the end of 1972. He attended the then PE Teacher's College for three years. Thereafter he taught Physed, English and Maths  to Grade 7's at the Charlo Primary School in Charlo Port Elizabeth for 5 years. During that time he was also an EP Athletics Coach and President of the Eastern Province Lifesaving Committee.

During 1981 he decided to leave the teaching profession and joined South African Breweries in Newlands Cape Town as a Training Officer. He was soon promoted to the post of Training Manager and after completing further studies, to the post of Industrial Relations Manager. During his 5 years at Newlands Brewery he continued with coaching Life Saving and was also the Chairman of the Western Province Life Saving Committee. During 1986 Andre accepted a transfer to the Southern Associated Maltings in Caledon, which was a subsidiary of South African Breweries, as Human Resources and Industrial Relations Consultant. It was during his 5th year in Caledon that Andre was asked to take a touring group around the Maltings plant. On one of these tours he suffered a major asthma attack by breathing in the barley dust while it was being immersed in water. He was rushed to the hospital but suffered 3 cardiac arrests and with the 3rd one came a form of brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

Andre was left a quadriplegic with mild brain damage, he also had a form of blindness due to the incident where he could no longer read or write or watch any tv. He also had a speech impediment. He lay like this for 21 years and 3 months suffering much. His family tried to do what was humanly possible to assist him but he never returned to being like his old self. Eventually he developed pneumonia during April 2011 and sadly passed away on 10 May 2011.

During his time of illness and despite his quality of life being very poor, Andre was extremely brave and never lost his keen sense of humour - always being ready to either tell or listen to a joke. He remained a shining example to his children and indeed to all those who knew him.

Andre leaves behind his wife Beverley, three sons - Robert, Gary and Dale who are all married, his parents and six grandchildren.

He was a wonderful husband, a brilliant father and always so very proud of the school he had attended - Graeme College!

 

Thank you

Sincerely

Bev Koetser

"Some 1972's a Few Years Earlier - With "Apache" our Maths Teacher"