The Old Diocesan Issue 10 - Magazine - Page 6
COMMITTEE MESSAGE
Celebrating 175 years
of Bishops
A message from the ODU committee chair
T
he 10th edition of The Old
Diocesan coincides with
the commemoration of
175 years of Bishops’ existence.
Once again, this wonderful
magazine is the result of hours
of effort and dedication by
Tim Richman and his team,
with contributions from many ODs
around the world. It is one element
in what promises to be a great year
of celebration ahead. Another is the
opening in March of a dedicated
175 exhibition in the Mitre, curated
by OD Ambassador Dr Paul Murray,
working with Dijon Design heritage,
museum and design consultants.
Thanks to the enthusiasm of
Dr Murray, many events have been
held at the Mitre and within the
various branches in the past year,
with more planned in 2024. These
events will be posted on the ODU
4 | THE OLD DIOCESAN
website and in the newsletters.
Please do get involved.
As I write, preparations for
the traditional Founder’s Day
celebrations are again taking
place, with a renewed emphasis
on sporting activities, and a social
event after the First XI cricket
game. The annual dinner in Cape
Town returns to Kelvin Grove,
and is set to host in excess of 370
ODs. What a marvellous way to
celebrate the 175 anniversary!
The ODU is there for the benefit
of ODs, to facilitate and encourage
relationships and networking
across generations. With this goal
in mind, the current committee
has continued to build upon the
previous committee’s good work.
Following the sad death last year
of Raymond Ackerman, who had
already stood down as Patron,
the committee has decided on
a new Patron-elect to fulfil that
vacancy: Justice Craig Howie,
a vice-president of the ODU.
I encourage all ODs to connect
with the ODU office as well as
their respective branch secretaries,
to update their details and actively
engage with our community. It is
important that our database is kept
up to date; for this, engagement
is critical.
My thanks go to committee
members and the staff of the
ODU, in particular Dedry Weich
and Lynn Swanevelder, who work
tirelessly to ensure the ODU’s
smooth operation.
It is with some sadness that we
also thank Nicky Bicket, for giving
more than a decade of service
to the UK branch (and beyond).
He has indicated that he will step
aside from his Branch Secretary
duties at the end of March. Nicky
leaves an indelible mark on the UK
branch; his energy and involvement
have been unmatched. (See p92.)
Here’s to a successful remainder
of 2024 – hopefully you will get
to enjoy and participate in one
or more of the many events and
functions hosted by the school!
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.