26 May 2019
On the Friday 26th May 2017 a group of 36 Old Boys of the 1957 Matric Class gathered at the School to celebrate their 60 Year On Reunion. Out of Towners met on the Thursday evening at a local Guest House and started their catch up over a glass or two of wine. Two of our 26 Old Boys living overseas Ray Dunn from Queensland and Sydney Preiss from Jerusalem had come back for their first Reunion.
Friday morning saw us all meeting on the Solomon House lawns where the Headmaster, Tony Reeler welcomed us and gave an outline of the programme for the day. A tour or the School grounds or an option to browse through the fascinating museum gave us all an idea of the amazing developments at Boys High in recent years. We met for tea in the library in the impressive new ‘Bill Schroder Centre’. There was time for some fellowship and sharing old photos and chat about our school days and to recall some fond memories.
We then moved to the gallery of the magnificent new 1500 seater hall for the weekly Friday Assembly. After announcements and presentations to some achievers, the Headmaster called on our 1957 Head Boy, David Dalling to address the assembly. He gave an inspirational message about the need for tolerance and love in all one’s dealings in life.
David then spoke briefly about Eddie Barlow, great sporting icon of our 1957 year, who apart from captaining South Africa in cricket went on to devoting most of his life to cricket both here and internationally. He presented an inscribed copy of “Eddie Barlow – The Autobiography” to the Headmaster. We were moved by the beautiful singing of the choir and the meaningful words of the school prayer.
After a Group photo on the school steps we proceeded to the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion for the luncheon. Our very able and light-hearted MC, Jack Klaff, ensured we were able to chat and socialise between the various courses. He read out messages and greetings with apologies from many of those unable to be with us.
After the toast to South Africa by Peter Eedes, Ed Meyer spoke of our absent friends, some 29 who had died since our school days and passed on to higher service. At our 40 Year On Reunion only 6 had died, most notably gifted sportsman Alan Hector. Ten years later we had lost a further 4, including Eddie Barlow, who died in Guernsey in December 2005. Since our last Reunion, as most of us headed into our seventies, understandably we have lost a further 19, eight of whom attended that event. Courageous Johnnie Du Plessis and Rene Lion Cachet had both borne their crippling circumstances bravely, but finally succumbed. Humble, outstanding sportsman Rowan Burns, Captain of Hockey and Tennis and First XI Cricket and Athletics and Tiny Mabbett 1st XV have both passed on. Head of Rissik, Dave Milne the ‘entertainer’ died in Hout Bay in 2015 and his deputy Eric Todd, had a massive stroke in the remote Richtersveld, just after he had set out on his dream retirement safari. Most recently, Howard Soulsby who had planned to be with us at this Reunion died of heart failure in Cape Town. Ed asked those present to raise their glasses in a toast to all their Absent Friends.
Ray Leibman was then invited by Jack to propose a toast to “The School” He recalled with subtle humour a number of incidents and some of his memories of our lives at Boys High in the 1950’s. We had all shared some great times and had the opportunity to be reminded of those days by meeting up with our former classmates at this Reunion. We had been given the chance to view the great developments and progress at Boys High and the important role the School had in generating future leaders and balanced members of our society. Ray then proposed a toast to “The School”. The Headmaster in his reply gave us some insights into the vision he had for Boys High today. We were given an optimistic glimpse into the future, working with the young men who we had seen in our walk around the school campus. He quoted some of the impressive academic results, the broad range of extra mural programmes in sport and cultural activities to equip this generation of young men for important roles in our society.
David Dalling thanked the Headmaster and the School for hosting our 60 Year On Reunion and presented a small gift to him. He then presented flowers to the Headmasters lovely wife, Rose, and called on Inge Paulsen-Liddle of the Old Boys Association to receive flowers for her massive contribution in helping to arrange our function. Jack was asked to take back to Messina a gift for his PA Yolande, who had handled all the admin and communication with our group. In closing, David thanked all the convenors particularly Jack Klaff and Ed Meyer for their help in organising the Reunion.
A small group of stayers then proceeded to the Norfolk pine below the East Tower to experience a newish Boys High tradition. At exactly 17h30 every Friday, the haunting bugle call of the ‘Last Post’ rings out from the tower and two minutes of silence is observed by school boys and guests alike to honour lost family and friends. It was a moving experience to end our emotional Reunion.
– Ed Meyer (1957)
