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SA Branch Minutes of the Annual General Meeting August 2008 |
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THE RLIRA - SA BRANCH
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD AT THE E2 OFFICES
JOHANNESBURG
SATURDAY AUGUST 2ND 2008 - 1330
Members present
As per the attendance register - Appendix 1 below
Apologies
John Cannon / Ian Downing / Dr Sanford Ware / Henton Jaaback /
Dave Gunns / Martin Kunhardt / Trevor Desfountain / John van Zyl
/ Tom Argyle / Trevor Schoultz / Ron Reid-Daly / John Redfern
Welcome
The Interim Chairperson (George Dempster) welcomed the members
and partners to the meeting on behalf of the SA executive and
suggested that the notice convening the meeting be taken as
read.
George explained the format for the day before asking Chris
Cocks to read a message from our Patron - Digger Essex Clerk.
Patron's Message
After reading the message (see Appendix 2 below) Chris gave a
brief overview of the RLI membership cards and the selling of
raffle tickets for the Troopie rededication.
Local Activities
George reported back on the activities of the local branch which
included Hamish McIntyre taking leave of absence as the
Chairperson, the appointment of George by the other exco members
in the position of Interim Chairperson, and the opening of a
bank account which has received R10,000 in donations over the
last 3 months. Members were thanked for the generous donations
towards the Troopie rededication.
Ian Bate gave an overview of the reasons for the association's
existence, which include the fostering of relationships through
regular meetings and improving communications.
Boerie Hume gave an overview of the Durban activities, in
particular Simon Willar's ‘GFL Lunch'.
Troopie Rededication
George opened the discussion on the Troopie rededication service
including the planned activities for the 26 September 2008 and
the wording on the plinths. Some robust debate took place with
regards to the extra plinth which will be placed at the bottom
of the Troopie. Skippy Mitchell asked the meeting to note his
displeasure regarding the additional plinth, duly noted. The
members were then asked to vote on the plinths on the Troopie.
The vote was unanimous - including Skippy.
International round-up
George Dempster spoke on changes during the year to the
international executive including the appointment of Brigadier
Digger Essex Clerk as the Patron of the association from
Australia. Colonel Ian Buttenshaw was elected the Chairman,
based in United Arab Emirates and Martyn Hudson the CEO based in
the UK. Other exco positions include Chris Cocks as the
historian and Shaun Ryan as the legal advisor. The branch
chairpersons - Tony Young from Australia and George Dempster
from SA make up the other exco members.
Overall the Association has become a lot stronger and
more active - The launch of the Saints and the advent of the
website attract at least 20 new registrations per month with
more than 5,000 hits monthly. International membership will
surpass 600 by the end of August and is expected to reach 1,000
by year-end.
The Ozzie and New Zealand branches get together on ANZAC
day - where they don medals and march under the Rhodie flag with
other OZ army units.
The UK branch, headed by Martyn Hudson, met for a weekend
bash last year to appoint a local committee. Since then they
have focused their attention on the restoration of the Troopie
and other Battalion paraphernalia.
America has not yet formed a branch. However, they got
together last weekend to celebrate the memorial of the 7
Americans killed in action with the RLI - spearheaded by Ed Coey,
borther of Cpl John Coey (KIA) and Rich Byrne, nephew of Joe
Byrne (KIA). Medics Keith Nelson (USA) and Mike McDonald
(Canadian) were both present at the reunion. Also present were
Jeremy Hall (2 Cdo) and Craig Bone (3 Cdo - Craig is our
‘official' RLIRA artist).
Exco Election - SA Branch
George asked if member's of the existing exco were prepared to
stand for nomination for the next year. All present accepted
with a postal vote from John van Zyl. Additional nominations
were called from the floor and were received from Phil Kaye,
Skippy Mitchell and Terry Pittaway.
No objections were raised to any of the existing exco standing
again or the new nominations - it was then suggested by George
that all members nominated stand as the exco for the following
year. This was approved by all members present.
Pat Hill nominated George Dempster as the Chairperson, which was
seconded by Ian Bate and a number of other members. George
accepted the nomination and proposed Chris as the secretariat,
which was seconded by Ian and accepted by Chris.
The RLI RA - SA Branch exco for 2008/09:
Chairman - George Dempster
Secretariat - Chris Cocks
JHB representative - Ian Bate supported by Phil Kaye
Durban representative - Boerie Hume supported by Nick Skipworth-Mitchell
Cape representative - Denis Croukamp
Nelspruit representative - Terry Pittaway
A note of thanks was delivered by Chris to Shirley and George
for organising the event. George in turn thanked Graham Roy for
printing the banners and suggested that all present - in typical RLI style - ensure that they go missing by the end of the day.
Mission accomplished.
Chris reminded all present to forward information to populate
the VALE and gallery sections of the website with an appeal to
forward as many pictures as possible.
In closing
George reiterated Ian's earlier remarks that the association has
as its main goal the bringing together and reconnecting of old
friends through social gatherings and regular communications,
without forgetting those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
There being no further matters for discussion the meeting
adjourned at approximately 15h00. The chairperson thanked all
members who attended, inviting all members to enjoy a few cold
beers and a braai. - which lasted to just after 8pm.
Appendix 1 - attendance register
Armstrong, Pat
Atkinson, Stretch
Barron, Kevin
Bate, Ian
Bezuidenhout, Rhodes
Charles, dave
Cocks, Chris
Dempster, George
Doughty, Carol
Fletcher, Colin
Fraser, Rob
Hill, Pat
Hume, Boerie
Jansen, Mike
Kaye, Phil
Kotze, Andrew
Kruger, Paddy
Lamb, Ted
Leid, Pete
Olivier, Piet
Peak, Graham
Pickering, Dave
Pittaway, Terry
Ras, Chris
Roy, Graham
Scott, Ian
Skipworth-Mitchell, Nick
Soares, Dos
Strachan, Alan
Thompson, Wayne
Urwin, Bobby
Watt, Pete
White, Roland
Wrathall, Jon
Appendix 2 - Patron's message
PATRON'S SALUTE TO THE 2008 AGM OF THE RSA BRANCH
Greetings, to all Ouens in the Republic: en hou gaan dit?....
I send you a warm and strong salute from across the Indian
Ocean; and also on behalf of all Saints of our world-wide
Regimental Association.
Our Association has had a good year, and our numbers have
swelled as many ex Ouens of the Regiment have found their old
friends though our web-site, and renewed their strong bonds,
friendships, and mutual trust forged under stress. We thank
Chris Cocks, Tony Young and George Dempster for their initiative
and energy for getting us all closer together again.
We Australians had a good ANZAC Day reunion in Brisbane and
marched smartly though the City on the Anzac Day parade. We were
magnificently acclaimed by the crowd.
The UK Branch had a good reunion last year and are looking
forward to their big day on 27th September when they get
together with a few of us from overseas to celebrate and
commemorate the rededication and display of our Troopie and the
re-laying up of our old Queens and Regimental Colours in the
Salisbury Family Chapel on the Hatfield House Estate in
Hertfordshire just north of London. Wreaths will be laid on the
plinth of Troopie at the commemoration service, to represent the
UK, South African and Australasian branches.
Also The UK Branch, under Martyn Hudson will have done a superb
job of repairing, re-erecting, rededicating, and celebrating the
return of our Troopie. I thank you for supporting them so well.
I congratulate you in the Republic for having your second
reunion and for the renewed strength of your Branch and getting
together again today to further cement your regimental bonds and
to celebrate our illustrious past as a hard-fighting Rhodesian
battalion.
The Zimbabwe Government under Mugabe have made an utter disgrace
of ‘Old Rhodesia' and what we once fought for. The spirit of
Rhodesia that we all fought for then, has today burst into a
fresh glory as those nations that belittled and threw shame on
our colonial past are now damned eternally by their stupid
blunders as the world recognises our right to have fought hard
against the evil that is now represented by Mugabe and his
undemocratic and despised Zimbabwe government.
Well done then … and now … proudly. Have a great day together,
boeties: en alles van die beste'.
M'dala Digger Essex-Clark
Patron
Canberra, Australia
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Rededication of the Trooper
Statue - Appeal for Funds |
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Our Troopie
statue, forged
in honour of
those who served
and those who
fell with the
Regiment in
Rhodesia will
be rededicated
and given a
permanent home
in a ceremony
to take place
over the weekend
of the 27 of
September in
Hatfield House
London.
For the first
time since 1980
the Regiment
will have a
home where its
traditions and
history will
be commemorated
and those who
served will
be remembered.
As previously
mentioned, the
UK Branch of
the RLIRA is
currently seeking
donations for
this worthy
project: You
can help by;
Sending donations
in the form
of electronic
transfers to
the RLIRA -
South African
Branch bank
account. All
receipts will
be acknowledged
on the website.
All funds received
will be transferred
to the UK branch
during August
08 - This will
reduce the amount
of bank charges
- No matter
how big or small
- please deposit
funds - WITH
YOUR NAME as
the reference
number to;
Absa Bank -
Northcliff Branch
Bank Code -
334705
Account number;
9202735349
Account Type
- Call account
Account Name
- E2 RLIRA SA Branch
International
Swift Code -
ABSA ZA JJ
Every proudly
donated Rand
will help, so
please raid
your piggy banks
or money-boxes.
For now
Kind Regards
George Dempster
0832844957
gd@e2.co.za
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South African Branch Newsletter May 2008 |
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Dear Members
Hard to believe that seven months have passed since our re-launch meeting
in Johannesburg on the 27th October 2007. Members of the executive committee
met in JHB on Friday May 9th – where the following was discussed and agreed
upon.
- Chairmanship
Hamish McIntyre has stepped down as chairman with immediate effect because
of out-of-town business commitments. George Dempster will take over
as Interim Chairman until the next AGM (Aug 2, 2008). Hamish will remain
on the committee of the SA Branch.
- Durban Rep
Boerie Hume is appointed to the committee with immediate effect, as
the SA Branch's Durban rep.
The committee therefore, until the AGM, is comprised as follows:
(Interim) Chairman: George Dempster
Secretary: Chris Cocks
Ian Bate (Jhb)
Hamish McIntyre (Jhb)
John van Zijl (CT)
Trevor Desfountain (CT)
Boerie Hume (Dbn)
- 2008 AGM
The AGM will be held at midday on Saturday
2 August 2008 at George Dempsters offices (in the outside
entertainment area) at:
E2 Solutions
Unit 16
Northcliff Office Park
203 Beyers Naude Drive
Northcliff
Johannesburg
- Theme: "Fundraising for the Troopie"
- Cash bar available – or bring your own
- Bring and braai
- Entrance: R20 per head (to cover salads & rolls, which will
be available)
- Dress: casual
- Partners welcome
- 2009 AGM
It was agreed that the AGMs should be held on a rotational basis between
Joburg, Cape Town and Durban. It will be decided at the AGM whether
the 2009 AGM is to be held in Durban or Cape Town, with the 2010 AGM
being held in the other.
- Bank account
GD will endeavour to open an RLIRA SA Branch bank account at Absa soonest.
- Website
GD will open up a "Classifieds" section on the website, with a specific
"Careers" section included.
- Trooper Statue
The RLIRA SA Branch expressed gratitude and wholehearted support for
Martyn Hudson's and the UK Branch's efforts in the relocation/rededication
of the Trooper Statue.
Rededication of the Trooper Statue
Our Troopie statue, forged in honour of those who
served and those who fell with the Regiment in Rhodesia will be
rededicated and given a permanent home in a ceremony to take place
over the weekend of the 27 of September in Hatfield House London.
For the first time since 1980 the Regiment will have a home where
its traditions and history will be commemorated and those who served
will be remembered.
A world wide members meeting, disco and Sunday lunch will take place
at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel.
Please visit the website www.therli.com
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MEDICAL APPEAL for ALAN HAWK
Alan Hawk (aged 58), an ex-RLI corporal, is seriously ill in Harare. His
friends are desperate to get him to South Africa for medical treatment.
The cost of the operation will be around US$15,000 + costs of getting
him to SA.
Alan is currently in a government hospital in Harare, suffering from some
form of gangrenous thrombosis that has attacked his feet and legs – he has
already had a toe amputated. Suffice to say, hospital conditions are appalling
– no drips, no medicine.
If you can help in any way, please urgently contact Martin in Zimbabwe
on 00-2634-851842 or 00-263-912-336644
or via email on bubi@ecoweb.co.za
or Chris Cocks on info@30degreessouth.co.za
or 0027-11-673 2218
IN CONCLUSION
Our intention is to forward a short monthly newsletter to all members of
the SA branch from now on with information on events and a membership update.
If you have a regular or planned meeting in your area – or looking to re-establish
contact with an old mate – then forward details by e-mail to
gd@e2.co.za.
For now
Kind Regards
George Dempster
0832844957
gd@e2.co.za
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Minutes RLIRA (SA) meeting Joburg 27/10/07 |
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Minutes RLIRA (SA) meeting Joburg 27/10/07
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MINUTES OF THE
MEETING OF THE
RLI REGIMENTAL
ASSOCIATION
(SOUTH AFRICA)
HELD AT THE
FOURWAYS GARDENS
CLUBHOUSE IN
JOHANNESBURG
AT 1200 HOURS
ON SATURDAY
27 OCTOBER 2007.
- 53 delegates
attended
of which
34 were
full members
- George
Dempster
(GD) welcomed
everyone
and outlined
the purpose
of the meeting
as a) a
reunion
and b) to
elect an
RLIRA (SA)
committee.
- Ian
Bate then
addressed
the floor
and highlighted
the importance
of the reunion
and the
meeting.
He put emphasis
on the pride
of having
served in
the RLI.
- Pat
Hill addressed
the floor
and outlined
developments
with the
Rhodesian
Forces Memorial
Project
and urged
members
to support
the project.
- Trevor
Desfountain
addressed
the floor
and passed
on best
wishes from
Ian Douglas
Smith to
the RLIRA.
He also
talked in
general
terms about
Cape Town
and its
activities
in terms
of the RLIRA.
- Chris
Cocks then
read out
an address
from the
Patron,
Digger Essex-Clark,
followed
by a message
of support
from Peter
Walls.
- GD explained
the roll
of the EXCO,
the voting
process
and nominations
for the
SA Branch
of the RLIRA.
He read
out the
nominations
as:
George Dempster
Chris Cocks
John van
Zyl
Trevor Desfountain
Ian Bate
Hamish MacIntyre
- GD asked
for additional
nominations.
There were
none.
- As no
additional
nominations
and no problems
with those
nominated,
those nominated
were accepted
unanimously
by those
members
present.
-
The new
SA EXCO
then met
and the
following
appointments
agreed upon:
Chairman: Hamish
MacIntyre
Secretary: Chris
Cocks
Treasurer: George
Dempster
Cape Town rep:
John van Zyl
Cape Town rep:
Trevor Desfountain
Joburg rep:
Ian Bate
Three resolutions
were passed,
namely:
- The
first priority
of the association
was to establish
networks
and contacts
of ouens.
- to open
a bank account
- action
GD
- to find
a Durban
rep to sit
on the committee.
Pat Armstrong
will assist
with this.
The meeting
was formally
closed at 1400
hours.
Minutes: proposed
by George Dempster
Seconded by
John van Zyl
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The Les Booth Raffle - for Operation Miracle |
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Rhodesian Air Force - Request
The Les Booth Raffle - for Operation Miracle
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Les Booth (30 LAR) has kindly made a RAF 5 Pound Coin and
Spitfire print as shown below available to raffle to raise funds.
"90th Anniversary of the RAF £5 coin" manufactured from 925/1000 sterling silver and proof finished stuck by the
Royal Mint in Guernsey. |
DEFENCE OF THE REALM
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Along with that comes a "Defence of the Realm" print of the
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIa as it banks over the London skyline.
The actual size of the print is 234mm x 183mm.
In addition Prop Geldenhuys has donated a copy of the Operation
Miracle book that will form an integral part of the prize for
one lucky winner - - to be drawn during the evening of the
Unveiling of the Miracle Memorial on 3 October 2008 - in a mere
six weeks time.
Cost of ticket is R10.00 each (South African Rand)
Cash payments to, or Nedbank deposits to P.M. GELDENHUYS,
Account No 1349 086738, (Branch Code 134925 and or SWIFT Code
NEDSZAJJ, if requested), together with Name with RAFFLE as
reference, will qualify.
Ticket purchasers are requested to show proof of payments /
deposits by e-mailing Prop at pey@lantic.net and / or phoning
Durban 031-3066408 to confirm transactions. (Any other
volunteers who would like to help run this Raffle will be more
than welcome.)
Pledges are also most welcome - but remember, if not 'paid up'
by the time the draw is made, then 'no draw!'
A special appeal is made to all our affiliated associations to
please circulate this notification to their members and also to
remind them that if they are able to attend the Unveiling at the
Shamwari Club on 3 October 2008 that they are very welcome and
their company would be appreciated. However, please advise Prop
if you are attending so that the club can be notified of numbers
attending (for catering purposes).
Note by Eddy Norris
I would like to mention that it would be greatly appreciated if
overseas associations could offer suggestions as to how overseas
folk could participate. I do believe that I saw Terry Bennett
hand up to take charge of the UK folk. Thanks Terry?
Could the AFA Branches, BSAP, Army and School Associations
please also pass on this notification to their members.
Eddy Norris / Prop Geldenhuys
Verification is available from: orafs@isdial.net ;
pey@lantic.net or
Les.Booth@marshallaerospace.com
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Rhodesian Light Infantry Regimental Associationn
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