Toorak RSL Services Club
15th October 2011
Guest of Honour
Brigadier (Rtd.) Neale Bavington RFD ED
Chairman of Reserve Forces day Council - Victoria
Sixth SAMVOA Formal Mess Dinner
15th October, 2011
Toorak RSL Services Club
Guest of Honour; Brigadier Neale Bavington RFD ED and Mrs. Ruth Bavington.
On Saturday 15th October, 2011, the National Executive of SAMVOA proudly hosted its sixth annual 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 for the 26 guests 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, Kevin Edwards. The Guest of Honour and guests were piped into the mess area by our piper, Karl Brown.
Grace was said and the Host, Veteran Tony Macquet welcomed everyone.
The menu was the same as the previous year, that had gone down so well with those attending. Congratulations to the Venue Coordinator, Mr Callum Kaka. The entrée was 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.
Veteran Gordon Pugh, the Regional Chairman of SAMVOA Queensland recited The Ode.
During the proceedings, our Mess President welcomed Neale Bavington, who was the Chairman of the RFDC (Reserve Forces Day Committee). Mike honoured him as a great Australian Veteran and thanked him for his support of South African Reservists taking part in the large RFDC parade in Melbourne. Neale responded in a most appropriate way and thanked SAMVOA for always turning out, always turning out perfectly in dress and in discipline that made the Australian Reservists pick up their game.
The Toasts were made:
1. South Africa, the Mother Country, wishing her peace
2. Australia, our new home, may we be worth citizens.
3. Fallen Serviceman and women, “Lest we Forget”.
Veteran Karl Brown played a very well-received medley on his pipes, which included some favourite South African tunes.
Veteran Kevin Edwards, as Mess Vice President, controlled the evening well and, not only were his timings excellent, but he also kept us in order this evening.
Attended by:
Neale and Ruth Bavington
Mike and Colleen Black.
Karl and Edith Brown
Kevin and Jenny Edwards
Cliff and Josie Everton
Tony and Dee Macquet
Gordon Pugh
Trevor Robinson
Paul and Gillian Roos
Walter and Alex Skilton
Derick and Vanessa Smith
Brent and Debbie van de Stadt.
Cliff and Sandy Styles
Gerald and Mila van der Weg
Chairman's Plaque Awards:
Veteran Karl Brown - In recognition of his dedication to duty and undaunting dedication to the ideals of SAMVOA. This includes taking on a leadership role in the The Peninsula Club, the Reserve Forces Day parade, the National Formal Mess Dinner along with his excellent piping skills.
Veteran Gordon Pugh - In recognition of his dedication to duty and undaunting dedication to the ideals of SAMVOA. This includes holding the first State Formal Mess Dinner in Queensland, building on the Queensland membership and progress towards a Queensland SAMVOA Museum.
CHAIRMAN'S CUP WINNER : Queensland Region
SAMVOA BUGLE WINNER : Veteran Aubrey Sonnenberg
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