Three words welcome one when visiting the Grey High School website: Tradition, Excellence, Opportunity.
At the end of 1974, I was one of almost a hundred 17- and 18-year-old young men leaving Grey High School and venturing out into a largely unknown and uncertain world. Many of us had the next few years mapped out, as best we could in that pre-TV, pre-internet, pre-social media era – some off to meet military conscription obligations, others off to study further, and still others keeping their options open, undecided about their immediate futures.
Fast forward fifty years (and it really has seemed like a “fast forward”!), and 43 of us were able to return to The Grey for our 50th year matric class reunion in May – one of the largest returning 50-year groups that the school has hosted. More folk wanted to attend, but were unable to make it, for a variety of reasons. The excellent turnout comprised Old Boys, many with their partners (I was one of them), from all over South Africa, as well as from New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the UK.
And for myself, what a happy, momentous occasion the four-day reunion proved to be! A true celebration of shared memories going back 50 years, of a bond and support for each other that was difficult to quantify but that was keenly felt, of exchanging the experiences of life, of listening to those who have suffered immeasurable loss yet whose characters shine through ever brighter, the seeming paradox of not having seen each other for so many years but somehow feeling a friendship that seemed stronger than ever.
The realisation that everyone – everyone! – has a story to tell, and every story deserves to be listened to with the utmost humility and respect.
In short, for me, it was an amalgamation of so many experiences, of so many emotions, culminating in the difficult-to-define yet simple pleasure of “just having been there”.
(Garth Webster of Webster’s Flooring, welcoming his 1974 classmates back)
It was also fantastic meeting two of our excellent teachers from the 1970s – Jock Cullen, our Latin teacher, and Don Gibbon, our science and Class 10B teacher. The interaction with Jock, now in his 90s, was limited to a few brief occasions, but Don was able to attend our class function on Friday evening in Dexter’s Den. One of the things I’ve learnt in life is that good, decent people leave legacies that are often difficult to understand at the time, yet are profoundly positive and usually only fully appreciated many years later. As with these two men. They impacted our lives in so many meaningful ways that neither they nor we could have imagined all those years ago, but for which we are now truly grateful.
(Our Friday evening class function; Don Gibbon is sitting in the middle of the front row)
Enthusiasm is infectious, and Keith Simpson, our class reunion coordinator, is an example of this. His indefatigable energy, dedication and commitment to both us and the school were highlighted by his recognition/award at the Reunion Dinner for being made an OGU Honorary Life Member (the two other superb recipients that evening being Graeme Pollock and Rory Stear). Keith has been engaging with us as a class group since before our 25th reunion in 1999 and our large attendance this year is a tribute to his never-ending efforts.
(Keith ringing the HOPE bell after our lunch with the Rector on Wednesday)
Lastly, I know from personal experience that these sorts of events require an inordinate amount of time in planning and coordination, not to mention dealing with the many frustrations that inevitably crop up. So I would like to personally thank everyone involved in the behind-the-scenes organisation in making this four-day event such a wonderful time for both my wife and I – from the Old Greys’ Union team, the Grey Foundation folk, those running the Old Grey Club, the school’s support staff to those who did the catering, and so on. No doubt there are many others, unnamed and unseen, but who made vital contributions nonetheless. To all of you – thank you.
In this regard, I feel that the Rector, Chris Erasmus, deserves special mention. Besides the ongoing, day-to-day running of the school that had to continue during our festivities, he was involved in almost every reunion activity, for all returning year groups, over the four days. His attention to detail, and personal attention to us as a 50th-year group, were greatly appreciated and admired. The common feeling amongst us was that with people such as the calibre of Chris Erasmus leading one of the finest schools in the country, as with those before him, then an institution such as The Grey simply has to be supported in all its endeavours – be they academic, sporting, social or cultural. As importantly, it has to be supported for the positive, continuous impact it makes in young men’s lives, and the impact they will make on others, as their turns come to leave The Grey and start out on their own life journey.
(R Adm Derek Christian takes the salute at Trooping the Colour Parade)
Tradition, excellence, opportunity – three words associated with the school that I certainly have greater appreciation for, these 50 years later. Thank you, once again, to all involved, and especially to the Class of ’74 – the memories will last forever!
Until we meet again …