Recent OJA Events
Brother David’s Annual Golf Day
Thursday 16th October 2008
David Harris writes:
The 25th Anniversary OJ Golf Day was played at Waterlooville Golf Club on Thursday 18th October 2008. Playing conditions were ideal in what Brother David referred to as ‘Catholic weather’.
In the early part of October it seemed attendance would be at a lower level than required. Other commitments had reduced the numbers from St. Joseph’s and St Peter’s making it impossible to play for the De La Salle shield. Also the loss of Tony Carroll OJ robbed us of a very influential supporter.
However we were supported by a number of hardy annual OJ’s, some of their names figure in the honours list. Also a fair number of Old Josephians from near and far were attracted by the magnetic presence of Brother Damian.
The greatest single group came from St John’s with a record turn out of 19 students playing. This happened with assistance from the College by Hilary Angel and Brian Saunders for which we owe many thanks. So, 50 players shared in this silver jubilee, which for so long had been Brother David’s loadstone; above all he would have been overjoyed at the student input. This regeneration might be the genesis of a past vs. present trophy.
Our Chairman, Tony Baker, was prevented from attending, but thanks are due to Brother Damian and Ignatius for flying the La Salle flag. Thanks also to Henry Ellis and Michael Hale for making the wheels go round and to Gary Kitchen for driving up from his Austrian home to act as player and scorer.
It is hoped that the day was enjoyable for participants despite the absence of the important Brother David factor. Some of us wish to continue Brother David’s good work but this requires stronger support from OJ’s, congratulations to all those who came. The 26th OJ Golf Day has been booked for Thursday 22nd October 2009; tee-off 10am at Waterlooville Golf Club where Brother David remains the sole player in 25 years of this tournament to have scored a hole-in-one.
RESULTS
Overall Winner Steve Kitcher
Low handicap 1. Alan Dye
2. Bernard lane
High Handicap 1. M Lunn
2. David Hughes
Veterans 1. Brother Ignatius
2. John Young
Guest 1. Gary Kitchen
2. Brian Saunders
Students 1. Henry Adams
2. L. Warren-West
ANNUAL OJA DINNER
The dinner turned out to be a great success following in the footsteps of previous years. It was held once again at the Royal Maritime Club, Queen’s Street, which has been such a pleasant host for the two previous years, although for the Centenary year (2009) we are already looking for alternative venues to accommodate the greater expected numbers.
After a nail biting run up for the Committee, 60 people attended which was a good number as only 24 people had responded the week before the date of the dinner. This happens every year but it still takes some getting used to.
There was a great mix of young OJ’s and “the Old Guard” OJ’s as well as current teachers and loyal guests including our friends from St Peter’s, Southbourne, Mr Black, champion of the St John’s politics Society and Mr John Davies, ex-headmaster of St Johns. The arrangement of tables of 10 worked very successfully allowing peer groups to sit together and reminisce.
The formality of the OJA AGM was well attended. The membership had the opportunity to be updated on the core OJA business of Finance, Membership, Editorial and General Strategy. They were also able to ask questions and finally vote for the 2008/2009 Committee members resulting in an increase in girl power which is making its presence felt in the OJA. We now have another new female committee member, Miss Kristen Gardner. The committee are delighted to have her on board!
As we sat for dinner and the evening got underway, the food was good and fine wine helped the process of reminiscing to begin in earnest. Bro Damian (the Old Johannian Archivist) evoked more memories by giving an extraordinary speech about the life of the college as we rapidly approach its 100th birthday (November 2008) depicting some key figures that had contributed so significantly to its success.
It was a long awaited pleasure to have Mr Nigel Thorne, (the current headmaster) give the vote of thanks. His appearance was a case of third time lucky following two years of unfortunate knee trouble and medical treatment coinciding with the dinner dates. His continued support to the OJA is of enormous help to us and so greatly appreciated.
As the dinner came to an end, the bar filled up as Old Johannians, young and old, male and female, continued with the merriment. The whole evening underlined why our Old Johannians’ club; -The Old Johannian Association - should and must continue through the next 100 years of the College’s life.
Our next dinner date has been set, following tradition, by making it the Saturday after Easter which in 2009 will be Saturday 18th April. More details will be following so keep updated either by the next Bulletin or internet. If you have any questions you can email ojasjc@yahoo.co.uk or write to our address on the back page, or by other mediums of the internet; the Facebook/Old Johannian Association group/Centenary Dinner discussion, or profile ‘St John’.
Committee Election Results:
Chairman - Tony Baker Membership Secretary - Christina BartkowiakSecretary - Charles Hoar Publications Editor - Sophie GoehlertTreasurer - David HarrisOrdinary Members - Trevor Clark, Brian Beale, James Goehlert and Kristen GardnerFollowing the sad death of Brother David, Brother Damien has kindly agreed to take the post of De La Salle Liaison.