2019 - SAMVOA National Formal Mess Dinner

Glen Waverley RSL

12th October , 2019

Guest of Honour

Veteran Koos de Wet

Fourteenth SAMVOA Formal Mess Dinner

12th October, 2019

Glen Waverley RSL,

Guest of Honour; Veteran Koos de Wet

On Saturday 12th October, 2019, the National Executive of SAMVOA proudly hosted its fourteenth annual formal mess dinner at the Glen Waverley RSL. There was a lot of interest in the Guest of Honour as Koos de Wet is well known for his contribution to the development of blast and ballistic protection for the SADF and the SAP.

Koos trained as an anti-tank infantry soldier at 8 SAI in Grahamstown and, after completing his National Service in 1966 and having developed an inherent passion for heavy trucks and off-road vehicles, he pursued further studies as a mechanical engineer at Stellenbosch University.

Koos started out his career as the design authority on the technical evaluation team for blast and ballistic protection designs analysis for vehicles of the SADF and SAP. This resulted in the design, evaluation, re-development and production of a range of platforms such as Buffel, Casspir, Nyala, Albatross and Kamancheh to name a few.

In 1996, Koos was contracted to the Australian Defence Industry (ADI Thales) where he directed the engineering redesign for the ADF vehicles, which were the APC workhorse for the ADF troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With an extremely successful career spanning more that 45 years of design and developing blast and ballistic protected vehicles, Koos’s infinite pride lies in the fact that his designs have saved thousands of lives.

The Formal Mess evening began for the 78 guests with Drinks at 1800H at the downstairs Anteroom. Mike Weber, the Mess President presented the South African Sherry before the call to dinner was made by the Mess Vice President, Derek Hadley. 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 R4 Geweer - Coconut Pumpkin Soup, served with sour cream and chives.

o M26 Grenaat - Minestrone Soup, served with tasty parmesan cheese.

• The Mains were:

o Ratel 90 Herb Crusted Port Cutlet – Char-grilled pork cutlet, topped with a soft macadamia and herb crust, served with sweet potato mash, buttered vegetables and drizzled with Bearnaise sauce.

o G6 Kannon Beef Eye Fillet – cooked medium and served with a medley of roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables and topped with a red wine jus.

• Desserts were;

o Rooioog Brandy Snap – Basket filled with fruit salad and served with whipped cream and a berry coulis.

o 81mm Motier - chocolate mousse blended with Kahlua liqueur, served with whipped cream and a strawberry garnish.

• Coffee, tea and beverages from the bar.

During the proceedings, our Mess President welcomed Koos and Georgia and Koos responded with a very interesting recount of his life in the military support side. It was a most enjoyable and very interesting presentation.

The Toasts were made:

1. South Africa, the Mother Country, wishing her peace – Veteran Garth Pienaar

2. Australia, our new home, may we be worth citizens – Veteran Michael Schoeman CN

3. Fallen Serviceman and women, “Lest we Forget” – Veteran Andre van der Berg

Veteran Karl Brown played a very well-received medley on his pipes, which included some favourite South African tunes.

Veteran Derek Hadley, as Mess Vice President, controlled the evening well and all went as planned

Attended by:

Alex Anderson

Ian and Sylvia Batholomew

Mike and Colleen Black

Adriaan and Louise Botha

Kim Brennan

Karl Brown

Ben and Merryl Burger

Denholme Chapman

Charl Villiers

Gustav and Talana Cook

George and Heather Cooney

Koos and Georgia de Wet

Sarita Engelbrecht

Fanie Etsebeth

Bryton and Harriet Fennel

Keirnan Fowler

Derek and Judy Hadley

John and Val Hanlon

Ted and Judy Hayes

Lance and Tatjana Hobson

Patrick and Heather Honeyborne

Gary Hulley

Jonathan Jooste

Joe and Beverly Keyter

CJ and Maggie Luke

Tony and Dee Macquet

Max and Annali Newman

Mike O’Connor

Chris and Ronnell Odendaal

Gary and Michelle Osborne

Roy and Marietjie Pereksies

Garth Pienaar

Paul Roos

Kevin and Debbie Rother

Brendon Rother and Jodie Orchard

Michael and Mandy Schoeman

Grant Seiderer

Kevin Shaw

Richard and Linda Southey

Glenn and Helen Stander

Cliff and Sandie Styles

Etienne and Tanja Theart

Robby Turner

Andre and Daleen van der Berg

Gideon and Robyn Van der Westhuizen

Jacques and Elmi Van Niekerk

Mike and Louwna Weber

Frank White

Shaun Winson

SAMVOA National Chairman Distinguished Service Awards: TBA By Veteran Richard Southey MMM with Vice Chairman Veteran Joe Keyter MMM

SAMVOA Victoria Regional Chairman Distinguished Service Awards: TBA. By Veteran Mike Weber and Vice Chairman Kevin Rother.

SAMVOINT Chairman Distinguished Service Awards: By Veteran Tony Macquet MMM and Vice Chairman Veteran Garth Pienaar

Veteran Adriaan Botha - In recognition of your dedication and skill in establishing the new SAMVOINT Website.

As Director Digital Asset Owner, you have unselfishly contributed your time, means and talent in support of this project, for which SAMVOINT and its global membership are very grateful.

Veteran Jonathan Jooste - In recognition of your many years of dedicated service in establishing and ensuring the effective functioning of the SAMVOINT Face Book.

As Director Social Media, you have not only developed good policy, but you have ensured its implementation. You have unselfishly contributed your time, means and talent, for which SAMVOINT and its global membership are very grateful.