PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
UPDATE ON OLD BOY ADAM NUNN’S EPIC CYCLING ADVENTURE
Last month we reported that Old Boy Adam Nunn (Class of 2012, School House), together with friend Ron Rutland, had embarked on a 45 000km cycling trip to raise funds for the charity ChildFund Rugby.
Their “warm up” 1 579km ride from Cape Town to Windhoek ended on 30 January 2022 from where they had to make their way to Japan for the official start in Tokyo.
Adam updated the Old Boys Association as follows:
“So, since Windhoek, we had a massive hiccup because we needed to wait for our visas to Japan.
Through a lot of paperwork and verification processes we finally got the visas and landed in Japan on Sunday, 6 March 2022.
Since arriving in Japan we have had meetings with the Japan Rugby Union and DHL (our sponsor) to coordinate our departure on 13 March 2022 from the Tokyo stadium, which was the venue for 2019 Rugby World Cup final. From there we will cycle around 100km a day towards Nagasaki via Osaka. We will then take a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. We can’t get into China and South Korea at this time due to Covid-19 regulations”.
Please see racetorugbyworldcup.com for more updates on Adam and Ron’s location and @racetorwc on social media for daily happenings.
Adam is passionate about raising funds for the charity ChildFund Rugby.
More information about the charity can be found on their website www.childfundrugby.org which believes “in the power of sport to change children’s lives”.
OLD BOYS, ENSURE YOUR GRADE 7 SON IS ENROLLED FOR 2023
Old Boys with sons in Grade 7 are reminded of the upcoming application process for Form I, 2023. For any queries in anticipation of the process, please make contact with Mrs Cameron on 012-4602246 or email admissions@boyshigh.com after the current holidays (from 5 April 2022).
70 YEAR ON REUNION ARRANGEMENTS AT ADVANCED STAGE
The first-ever 70 Year On Reunion is taking place on Friday, 6 May 2022 which, after the Easter Holidays, will be on us very quickly! Luckily all arrangements, under the stewardship of Old Boy Mr Ron Sutherland, are at an advanced stage.
A peak into the 1952 edition of the Phobian revealed a photograph of the prefects of that year, see R W (Ronald Walter) Sutherland, Rissik House, in the back row. Ron, as he likes to be called by young and the not-so-young, still lives and breathes his alma mater Pretoria Boys High School.
Reminder: Ron has extended the invitation to the reunion to all who attended PBHS between 1950 to 1955 inclusive – email him at ronvon@mweb.co.za to book a place.
The 70 Year On Reunion will include Old Boys from 1950-1955 inclusive.
Mr Bill Schroder sent in this poem which was passed on to him by Old Boy Mike Holmes (Arcadia 1955) which is very appropriate on the eve of the 70 Year On Reunion:
The Class of 1955
On Saturday we gathered all
the stags for dinner in the Hall;
with upturned chairs and tables there,
was this the class of old Bob Fair?
The Reverend Tooke e-mailed the Grace
from Franschhoek, his retirement place;
this was pronounced by Peter Smith,
still living here, and he was with
Johann his brother, Architect
from Maritzburg and, just reflect,
another Smith, Professor Jan,
who flew out here to meet us on
a plane from Pittsburgh, U S A,
and others drove from far away,
like Rob McQueen and Mickey Bird,
while many chaps, like Hirst and Heard,
could not be traced, but Colin Hall
felt that in spirit really all
of those who wrote from far – like Shear
and Dovey, Balfour, Dyer – were here.
Chiappini, Thorrold and du Buy
Were here in person at Boys High.
Nico Bonsma, Cloete Dirk
(the right way round just wouldn’t work)
van Onselen and John de Wet
and Boy Scout Wilcocks also met.
Old Norman Hultzer, fit and strong,
And Cedric Stedman came along
with Robin Gilbert, from his farm;
and Hendrik Davel’s youthful charm
matched Danny Swart, of statue fame,
who’s barely added to his frame.
Rotund and smiling Milburn-Pyle
Flew up from George in Banking style;
Dick Goslett, an invited guest,
Came to our party by request.
Reg Roos, in Gynaecology,
Recalled nostalgic’ly how he
had come with Mike Bondesio
from Zeerust all those years ago,
of Mike’s extreme integrity,
and how he died so tragic’ly.
Brian Steward had a tale to tell
and Trevor Beddy had as well.
Bill Schroder talked about the school,
of sports and water polo pool,
of academic trends and honours,
soft-selling to potential donors.
Then Wilfred Joss, the Motor name,
recalled how Peter Storey came
from Hatfield Primary, but he
left for the Cape beyond Form Three.
We had some old Schoolmasters who
had joined the celebration too:
Dittberner, Hendry and du Toit
With Batty looking like a boy.
One hopes we’ve mentioned one and all;
if not, complain to Colin Hall,
for it was he who cut the deal
with Brian, Trevor … Charly Steele.
Other Reunion dates taking place this year are:
60 Year On Reunion, Class of 1962 – Friday 13th May 2022 (convenor – Mr Donald Jones)
50 Year On Reunion, Class of 1972 – 26 & 27 August 2022 (convenor – Mr Rod Cairns)
40 Year On Reunion, Class of 1982 – 28 & 29 October 2022 (convenor – Mr Simon Brown)
30 Year On Reunion, Class of 1992 – 02 & 03 September 2022 (convenor – Mr Chris Oberholzer)
20 Year On Reunion, Class of 2002 – Saturday 30th July 2022 (convenor – Mr Devon Light)
10 Year On Reunion, Class of 2012 – Saturday 13th August 2022 (convenor – Mr Daniel Swiegers)
For more information contact info@pbhsob.com by e-mail
PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION BRANCHES
ASSOCIATION BIDS ‘AU REVOIR’ TO OLD BOY STALWART EDDIE PENZHORN
On Thursday 24 March 2022, the Directors of the PBHSOB Association bade au revoir to one of our own at the PBHS Old Boys Club. Mr Eddie Penzhorn (front right) and his wife are leaving for Perth, Australia next week to join their children and grandchildren. Eddie (Class of 1964 Town House) has not only been a Board Director for the past seven years but was also a teacher at Pretoria Boys High School for several years. Board Chairperson, Jason Webber, said that Eddie will be sorely missed for his friendliness, professionalism, dedication to the School and Old Boys Association and his integrity.
THE OLD BOYS CLUB
Living in or visiting Pretoria (Tshwane)? Remember to pop into the Old Boys Club for great deals and warm hospitality!
IN MEMORIAM
Old Boy Curtis Andrew Duncan (School House 2004) passed away tragically on 1 September 2021, and it was brought to our attention that his obituary was unfortunately not published. It can now be found on our website at https://pbhsob.com/curtis-andrew-duncan-2004/ May he rest in peace and our condolences to his loving family.
Please remember to send any snippet of interesting information to info@pbhsob.com for the attention of Sally