Glen Waverley RSL
11th October 2014,
Guest of Honour
Major General (Rtd) Gert Opperman SD SM MMM
Ninth SAMVOA Formal Mess Dinner
11th October, 2014
Glen Waverley RSL,
Guest of Honour; Major General (Rtd.) Gerrit (Gert) Opperman SD SM MMM
Part of Gert Opperman’s trip to Australia included him presenting to the Students Archaeological Association his findings relating to having to do excavations in a Hostile Territory. The SAA teamed up with the South African Military Veteran’s Association of Australasia (SAMVOA) to host a lecture run by General Gert Opperman visiting from South Africa. General Opperman lead a team including a Forensic Anthropologist/ Archaeologist into Angola to excavate burials of three famous missing soldiers during the Cold War era. They, along with one other soldier, were known as the ’Ebo 4’. General Opperman presented on the logistics of such an operation, including excavating in a foreign country with residing hostile feelings, as well as procedures and tools used, such as GPR.
On Saturday 11th October, 2014, the National Executive of SAMVOA proudly hosted its ninth annual formal mess dinner at the Glen Waverley RSL. There was a lot of interest in the Guest of Honour as he served in the South African Defence Force and the South African National Defence Force for a period of 33 years. He commanded various units, as well as Sector 70 (Eastern Caprivi) and Northern Transvaal Command. He also served as the Military Secretary to the Minister of Defence for a period of five years, and ended his career as the Chief Director Corporate Communication of the SADF/SANDF during the critical period of integration and transformation of the seven constituent forces between January 1994 and August 1996.
The Formal Mess evening began for the 65 guests with Drinks at 1930H at the downstairs reception. Mike Black, the Mess President presented the South African Sherry before the call to dinner was made by the Mess Vice President, Brent van de Stadt. 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 following, with alternate servings.
• The Entrée was:
o Cream of Buttermilk Pumpkin Soup.
o Ricotta filled Ravioli in rich Tomato Sauce, shaved parmesan.
• The Mains were:
o Slowly Braised Karoo Lamb Shank, served with creamy mash and seasonal vegetables.
o Farmer’s Roasted Chicken Breast Fillet with Apricots and Almonds, filled with apricots and almonds, topped with a creamy chardonnay sauce, accompanied by creamy mash and garden salad.
• Desserts were;
o Settler’s Sticky-Date Pudding, served warm with vanilla bean ice cream, butterscotch sauce, donned with a Halo of Toffee.
o Ouma’s Lemon Meringue Pie, served with whipped cream.
• Coffee, tea and beverages from the bar.
During the proceedings, our Mess President welcomed Gert Opperman and his wife, Ria, and spoke of his many senior positions in the SADF and SANDF. Gert responded eloquently, as a practiced presenter, and we all enjoyed a thought-provoking presentation, which made us realise how lucky we were to have had a leader at this level and of this caliber.
he 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 Brent van de Stadt, as Mess Vice President, controlled the evening well and all went as planned
Attended by:
Gert and Ria Opperman.
Ian and Sylvia Batholomew
Mike and Colleen Black
Karl and Edith Brown
Ross Brown
Andre Burger
Gustav and Talana Cook
Donovan Croucamp
Kevin and Jenny Edwards
Stephan and Elizabeth Erasmus
Fanie and Ciska Etsebeth
Cliff Everton
Brynton and Harriet Fennel
Neril Grimes
Richard and Kym Goodwin
John and Val Hanlon
Patrick Honeyborne
Barrington Ingram
Sandra Kahn
Lloyd Knowler
Tony and Dee Macquet
Max Newman
George and Vera Paouros
Garth Pienaar
Gordon Pugh
Kevin and Debbie Rother
Nico Robbertse
Paul and Gillian Roos
Neil Roos
Kevin Shaw
Neil and Lee Slaughter
Derick and Vanessa Smith
Richard and Linda Southey
Sheldon Tully
Pierre van Blommestein
Andre and Daleen van der Berg
Brent and Debbie van de Stadt
Jacques van Niekerk
Mike and Louwna Weber
Jenna Wolsky
Megan Wolsky
Johann Zietsman
SAMVOA National Chairman's Plaque Awards:
Veteran Maxim Glodkov - ARVU - In recognition of his dedication to duty as an outstanding Veteran of the Angolan War / Border War, who, unselfishly dedicates himself and his organisation RAVU to reconciliation between all combatants over the period 1988 to 1989. SAMVOA is honoured to reciprocate this friendship and firmly takes the hand of Veteran Maxim and members of the Russian Angola Veterans Union. SAMVOA salutes you.
Veteran Chris Pattison - In recognition of his dedication to duty and to the ideals of SAMVOA, not just in service, but for holding the New Zealand Region intact whilst it was in a transition phase. This he accomplished most satisfactorily.
Maj Gen (Rtd.) Gert Opperman SD SM MMM - In recognition of his dedication to duty as an outstanding soldier and leader, dedicated to the preservation of peace in Southern Africa. His admirable and committed dedication to both his tasking and to those placed under his command, along with the powerful position he currently holds within Veteran circles, rightfully places him as a "Hero in his own time". SAMVOA salutes you.
Veteran Derick Smith - In recognition of his dedication to duty and to the ideals of SAMVOA. As a Director of SAMVOA, Derick has played a very meaningful role, taking on significant projects, which included last year's Formal Mess Dinner and being a coordinator for this year's function.
CHAIRMAN'S Cup Winner : South Australia Region
SAMVOA Bugle Winner : Veteran Carlo Vlok
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