Toorak RSL Services Club
8th November 2008
Guest of Honour
Colonel John James (Retd)
Chairman of the Toorak Services Board
Retired Colonel, Australian Infantry
Third SAMVOA Formal Mess Dinner
8th November, 2008
Toorak RSL Services Club.
Guest of Honour: John and Sally James.
On Saturday 8th November, 2008, the National Executive of SAMVOA proudly hosted its third formal mess dinner at the gracious Toorak Services Club in Melbourne. A club steeped in military history and fine tradition, with very much in keeping with our traditional messes in South Africa.
The ethos was to combine the traditions and splendour of a formal mess dinner, with a few of our own new variations, to form the unique fabric of a SAMVOA formal dinner.
The evening began with Drinks at 1930H in the Churchill Room with Mike Black, the Mess President presenting the South African Sherry before the call to dinner was made by the Mess Vice President, Adriaan den Dulk. The Guest of Honour and guests were piped into the mess area by our piper, Walter Skilton.
Grace was said and the Host, Veteran Tony Macquet welcomed everyone, mentioning that SAMVOA was now approaching having 300 members throughout Australia and New Zealand.
The menu was an interesting one, with an entrée of Peri-Peri Chicken Salad, followed by a Mains of Karoo Style Baby Racks of Lamb. The Dessert was Cape Brandy Pudding, followed by tea or coffee and other beverages.
During the proceedings, our Mess President welcomed John James and honoured him as a great Australian Veteran who has been very good to SAMVOA as President of the Toorak RSL Services Club. John responded in a most appropriate way and related some interesting stories of his own.
The Toasts were made:
1. South Africa, the Mother Country, wishing her peace – Mess President.
2. Australia, our new home, may we be worth citizens – Host.
3. Fallen Serviceman and women, “Lest we Forget” – Veteran Cliff Everton.
Veteran Adriaan den Dulk, as Mess Vice President controlled the evening especially well and, not only was his timings excellent, but he also kept us in order this evening.
Attended by:
Mike and Colleen Black
Adriaan den Dulk
David and Angela Curry
Kevin and Jenny Edwards
Cliff and Josie Everton
Heidi Fourie
John and Sally James
Kirsten Macquet
Tony and Dee Macquet
Walter and Alex Skilton
Derick and Vanessa Smith
Brent and Debbie van de Stadt
Ras van der Merwe
Lettie van der Vyver
Chris van der Spuy
Jacques van Niekerk and Suzanne Siritzky
Paul and Tania van Dyk
Neil van Wyk
Formal Mess Host Veteran Tony Macquet MMM
Formal Mess President Veteran Mike Black
Formal Mess Vice President Veteran Adriaan den Dulk
• Event Coordinator: Veteran Tony Macquet MMM
• Function Coordinator Veteran Heidi Fourie MMM
• Function Attendee Coordinator Veteran Mike Black
• Finance Coordinator Veteran Adriaan den Dulk
• Function Printing Coordinator Veteran Brent van de Stadt
• Function Special Projects Veteran Kevin Edwards
Chairman's Plaque Awards:
Veteran Adriaan den Dulk - In recognition of his dedication to duty as a member of The Mess Committee and contributing to the success of the 2008 SAMVOA National Mess Dinner.
Mrs Alma Pace - In recognition of her dedication to duty as a member of The Mess Committee and contributing to the success of the 2008 SAMVOA National Mess Dinner.
CHAIRMAN'S CUP WINNER : Western Australia Region
SAMVOA BUGLE WINNER : Veteran Chris van der Spuy
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