Edition 45 | October 2017

From the Advancement OfficeIt is once again my privilege to bring you a snapshot of 2017 news from your alma mater. This newsletter focuses on news about the achievements of several Old Hiltonians who have made us proud. Well done, guys, it is really lovely to read about your successes. From its inception in 1872, close to 150 years, Hilton College has provided thousands of boys with an exceptional educational experience that prepares them intellectually, socially and culturally for life beyond the school gates. Remember, wherever you go, you will always remain a Hilton boy and an ambassador for this wonderful school.

As we embark on the silly season, we hope that you have holidays to look forward to and that you will survive the rush to conclude all your activities for the year. Wishing you and yours a Blessed Festive Season and a prosperous and peaceful 2018. We will be back early in the New Year with news about events taking place in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom as I write this letter. Please keep sending us your news!

Kind regards,Linda van WykDirector of Advancement

Postal address:The Headmaster, Hilton CollegePrivate Bag 6001, Hilton, 3245KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Telephone: +27-33-383 0100Fax: + 27-33-383 0080Email: hc@hiltoncollege.com

Linda van WykDirector of Advancement

Warm greetings to you all!

It has been an exciting but busy third term.

We are happy to inform you that we have received the Rugby Fixtures for 2018, and the Reunion dates are as follows:

REUNIONS 2018

Reunion date Rugby dates (home games)

45 Year Friday, 16th March

Saturday, 17th March

DHS

40 Year Saturday, 17th March

10 Year Friday, 27th April

Saturday, 28th April

Kearsney

50 Year and Old Hiltonian Club AGM

Friday, 25th May

Saturday, 26th May

Westville

25 Year Friday, 15th June

Saturday, 16th June

Michaelhouse

30 Year

We had a wonderful turnout this year and we are hoping next year will be even bigger and better!

I will be sending out a ‘Save the Date’ notice to these Leavers in due course. Costs will be determined closer to the time. As per this year, a small amount is added to the event cost to boost income towards bursaries for the sons of old boys who may have fallen on hard times.

We are so looking forward to welcoming you back!

The Old Hiltonian Club

Branch regional activities

We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Chairmen of the Branches for their enthusiasm and tireless work in ensuring that the branch events take place and Old Hiltonians stay in touch! Thank you so much, guys! Please note that some of the dates and venues for events still need to be confirmed. We will keep you posted.

BRANCH REGIONAL ACTIVITIES OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2017

Area Name Venue Date Function Details

Mpumalanga Philip Tasker Edmondson House, Recoleta Estate, White River

24th October Annual Dinner

Australia John Drake Sydney October TBA

Canada Andrew Harington TBA October TBA

Gauteng David Heenan / Kyle Moyes Killarney Country Club 3rd November Hilton Michaelhouse Golf Day

Gauteng David Heenan Pirates Sports Club 17th November Schools Old Boys Rugby 10's

UK Richard Wood TBD 29th November Old Boys Drinks

Midlands William Bryant Lions River 10th November Bring 'n Braai

Gauteng David Heenan Baron Sandton TBA Quarterly Drinks Evening

Gauteng David Heenan Pirates Sports Club TBA Schools Old Boys Cricket 6's

Zululand Dave Bell TBA TBA TBA

UK Richard Wood TBD TBD MHS v Hilton Golf

S. Natal - Underberg

Guy Bastard TBA TBA TBA

The UK Old Hiltonians would like you to stay in touch via the UK Branch’s Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/hiltoncollegeuk

As always we would also like to keep you abreast of some of the events happening at Hilton College.

Event Venue Date Details

Various Sports Fixtures Constantly updated Please check link http://www.hiltoncollegesport.com/

On another note – you are now able to update your email address and cell number online – this will enable us to be able to keep in touch with you.

Please use the following link: http://www.hiltoncollege.com/old-hiltonians/update-contact-details/

I am preparing the next edition of the Old Hiltonian Magazine, and would love to add your news! Please let us know where you are, what you are doing and send us a photo or two!

Warm regards

Trish Hayeshiltonoldboys@hiltoncollege.com

Speech Day – 22 SeptemberIn his Speech Day address, Mr George Harris said that 2017 saw the College introduce a slightly different model to the Leadership structure at Hilton College. This construct is made up of Heads of Houses, Portfolio Heads, a Deputy Head of School and a Head of School. In discussion with Grade 11s, current Grade 12s and staff it was determined that this construct was serving the College well at the moment. Mr Harris thanked the Leadership team of 2017 who have acquitted themselves well to the task of leading and guiding.

In particular, Chizembi and Vaughn led as a team, and set a new standard for those who will follow them.

Headmaster

He then proceeded to announce the young men selected to fulfil leadership roles for 2018:

Portfolio HeadsHead of Spirituality: Za NdebeleHead of Academics: Niaan TaljaardHead of Estate: Michael MakrisHead of Community: Douglas DorwardHead of Sport: Grant CousinsHead of Culture: Jacob Chidawaya

Heads of HousesChurchill: Guy Gillham Ellis: Bryce TroddFalcon: Marcus Montague-MofumiLucas: Olav AadnesgaardMcKenzie: Joseph ElphickNewnham: Jonty WeidemanPearce: Brandon Matambo

The Deputy Head of School for 2018 is Luyanda Cingo and the Head of School for 2018 is Stuart Roy.

From left to righ: Deputy Head of School Vaughn Williams, Head of School Chizembe Sakulanda, Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr Alistair Franklin, Guest of Honour Mr Paul Galatis, Headmaster Mr George Harris, 2018 Head of School Stuart Roy, 2018 Deputy Head of School Luyahnda Cingo.

He said that he was looking forward to a terrific 2018. He committed to continually exploring the place of education for the foreign country that is tomorrow and indicated that it was a privilege to be a part of this significant place at this particular time.

He concluded by thanking everyone for their continued support and said that he was indeed deeply appreciative of it.

All details will be in the next Hiltonian Magazine.

Our heartiest congratulations!

School News

Boys at BeaconsThis is part of what makes a Hilton education so magnificent – the opportunity for the boys to experience nature at its best. Just look at the exuberance of these three.

During the weekend of 15-17 September, Hilton once again hosted the Hilton Arts Festival, which ran seamlessly. With over 45 shows, more than 25 000 people from all over came to enjoy the spectacle. The students and staff also had a wondrous time during the course of the weekend, enjoying the exhibitions, shows, workshops and all that the festival had to offer.

Here’s to Festival 2018!

Tristan McKenzieTristan McKenzie (Grade 11 McKenzie House) has been involved in a very worthwhile initiative to raise funds for Paws for a Cause, a non-profit organisation. This has involved a photographic competition ‘Man’s Best Friend’, and the exhibition and prize giving took place on 30 August at 18:30, in the Hilton College Art Department.

If you are interested to support Tristan’s fundraising efforts, please contact him mc2258@hiltoncollege.com

Wild Coast President’s Award HikeThe boys (and girls) had to write a report on their recent hike on the Wild Coast for their portfolios for The Presidents’ Award. Here is such a report from Jacob Chidawaya

I wasn’t excited to start my holiday on a gold hike exploration. I could see the value of the opportunity but I thought all I needed was sleep after a tough exam term. This mind-set soon shifted as I began appreciating my surroundings, the people I was hiking with and especially the community of the Pondo Villages.

LifestyleThe Pondo are caught between the development of urban cities and the preservation of their traditional culture. The Pondo are genuinely attempting to continue their sustainable lifestyle. On the hike it became obviously clear that the comfortable lives we have in the city are comfortable but are currently unsustainable:

• The waste we, our group of 16 students and 5 staff, generated over a day was comparable to the waste a Pondo family of roughly 10 people gathered after weeks.

• Our electricity consumption is excessive and fuels pollution whereas, the Pondo predominantly make use of solar panels to power light bulbs and charge their phones

• We generally eat more than we need, forcing commercial farming, which often detriments the environment. Unlike, the Pondo families that make due with a meal a day which mainly consists of samp, seafood from the nearby ocean or vegetables from their self-grown crops.

• The lands of the people are rich with minerals that foreign capitalists are eager to mine and have promised benefits to the Pondo, but the Pondo are predominantly aware of the detriments that destroying the natural beauty of their land has. Thus, they are not willing to have their home violated by people mainly looking to benefit themselves.

The Pondo people are proud of their way of life and it is our responsibility as humans to respect their decisions. We have seen the negative impact that our development as humans has on the planet. Thus, without sustainable growth we are going to destroy this planet; we’re so desperate to call home.

Community On our adventurous journey we experienced an amazing sense of community. The ability of the Pondo to respect each other is inspiring. We within our “developed” lifestyles have become so accustomed to high walls, secured doors and thousands of keys: it was weird for us to fall asleep with our door unlocked. Star gazing late at night without a fear was a reality out there on the wild coast.

Our guide emphasised the importance of respecting each other and we were often encouraged to interact with everyone, not just the people you know. In retrospect it’s becoming evident to me that we were actually replicating the environment around us. We were moving away from the lives we’ve become so heavily accustomed to where you only socialise with the people you know. Instead, we were having genuine heart-felt interactions with the people we met and the people within our group. We even started relying on each other for encouragement when the physical activities seemed too strenuous or adventurous.

Conclusion We learnt quite a lot that challenged our “modern’ mind-sets. Such as the Pondo:

• Using lemon grass to cleanse evil spirits.• Surviving on traditional medicines (herbs, seawater) because

hospitals/clinics are inaccessible.

And a lot of the content I mentioned above as well as plenty I haven’t even mentioned. This knowledge and these experiences all had their impacts on me.

I can’t say that going on this hike made me a new person but I do feel as though what I learnt has put into perspective the potential that I have. Changing the world is a mighty goal but there are many other accolades that hold the same importance. There is a lot we can do to better people’s lives. Whether that is spending one night with a family to contribute to their tourism initiatives or going out to fight for their rights. We can help, we just need to acknowledge it. Jacob Chidawaya

“Our guide emphasised the importance of respecting each other and we were often encouraged to interact with everyone, not just the people you know.”

Old Boys News

Grade 10Group Monochromatic Tonal Drawing in gridded blocks depicting Sir David Attenborough(Graphite Pencil on Paper)

The Cattle project continues to grow from strength to strength with over 600 Oxen now proudly on show, grazing the lush kikuyu pastures of the Hilton Estate!

Contributions towards bursaries have been significant with over R3million being generated via this initiative. Aspirant Cattle owners are encouraged to donate funds towards an Ox. R6,000 pays for a prime specimen although many have teamed up to contribute towards an Ox as a joint effort. The “purchase” is in fact a donation to the Hiltonian Society, and therefore qualifies for a Section 18A certificate, qualifying the donation as tax deductible.

The donation gives the contributor naming rights to an Ox and participation in the annual weight gain competition. The winner of which receives the Pat Eustace floating trophy and the Gibson prize of 1kg of biltong! All participants are recorded and names are published annually in the Old Hiltonian. All participants are updated quarterly via the “Vleisbook” newsletter with the winner of the annual competition named at the Old Hiltonian AGM.

As the pastures continue to develop and come into full production we envisage stocking over 800 oxen on the estate. There have been many very generous individual contributions as well as group contributions such as the Ballies who have contributed to 13 Oxen. We always welcome new participants and most recently the Durban Old Boys through a number of individuals donated over R20,000 to the project adding towards their growing herd!

The Cattle Project: Durban Old Boys

During the month of October, Mr George Harris, Headmaster and Mr Alistair Franklin, Chairman of the Board of Governors, travelled to England, Canada and America for a string of Old Boys gatherings.

An Old Boys dinner was held in Canada, before a host of events held in New York and Florida, and ending off with an Old Boys dinner in London. More details about the Canada and England events will be available in The Hiltonian Magazine.

The events held in America ranged from dinners, to lunches and golf matches in between, hosted in New York and Florida. Organiser Damian Farrell thanked all, especially David Meachin, for making these events the enormous success that they were. Without each and every one making the commitment and taking the time there would simply be nothing!

The golfing incorporated an Inter-House tournament and the results were as follows:The Inter-House Golf Tournament was won by McKenzie House – Rich Davies and Damian Farrell and Newnham were the runners up with a valiant, but very slightly lacking effort from Phil Reunert and Kim Nothard.

Low gross tie between Phil Reunert and Rich Davies.A self-predicted low net win by Guy Throssell.Longest Drive and one of the closest to the pins by Rich Davies.

The other closest to the pin by the fellow heading up the Old Hiltonian Club in the US at the moment.

All who attended have only had positive things to say about the experience. More of these stories will be shared in the next Hiltonian Magazine.

USA Old Boys Get Together

Tristan Blewett (Churchill) 2010 - 2014Congratulations to Tristan Blewett who made his debut for the Sharks on 15th September. He had an amazing game coming off the bench as an impact player. He has managed to come through the ranks and still plays for the province.

Well done Tristan, we are so proud of you!

David J P Meachin (Ellis) 1953 - 1956

Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, has named David J.P. Meachin a Lifetime Achiever. An accomplished listee, David Meachin celebrates many years’ experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field.

David Meachin has served on public SEC-reporting company boards for 16 years, during which time he has been a Member of the Executive Committee of the Board, Chairman of the Audit Committee, and Member of the Compensation and Governance Committees. He has served on the boards of Lyondell Chemical Company (NYSE), Millennium Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE), and The Ground Round (NASDAQ), as well as on the board of an Indian Emerging Growth Fund, and is currently a Director of FOCoS Innovations Corp - a Florida based enterprise IT-Healthcare focused company, and a member of the Advisory Board of SCIC. He serves or has served on a number of non-profit organisations’ boards as Chairman, Vice Chairman or a Director, including the British American Educational Foundation and University of Cape Town Fund in the US. He is a member of The Economic Club of New York, the National Association of Corporate Directors, the American College of Corporate Directors, the Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Florida Venture Forum. He is also a member and former Governor of the Union Club in New York, a member and former Governor of the Misquamicut Club in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, the Oxford & Cambridge Club in London, The Pilgrims of the United States, the Harvard Clubs of New York and Tampa, and the Feather Sound Country Club in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In 1991 David Meachin founded Cross Border Enterprises, www.crossborderent.com, an internationally-oriented financial advisory and strategic consulting firm that assists IT and technology focused companies with their investment banking (M&A and financing) and their C-suite strategic business development needs. Previously he served for 10 years as a Managing Director of Merrill Lynch & Company in New York after being associated with Salomon Brothers in New York

and London and with Smith, Barney & Co. in New York and Tokyo. He started his career as a Project Engineer for Humphreys and Glasgow Ltd., a London-based international chemical plant contracting company. David Meachin is a frequent speaker and forum participant on issues of corporate governance, private equity and investment banking at Director Conferences and at university Business and Law Schools in the US and internationally. He has lived and worked in New York, Tokyo, London, Paris, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and travelled extensively on business in the U.S., Canada, Europe, China, India, South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Mr. Meachin, who was born in Devon, England and spent his formative years in South Africa, is a citizen of both the US and the UK. He received his MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School. He holds graduate qualifications from Cambridge University and the French Petroleum Institute, Paris (which he attended as the Total Oil Company Scholar from South Africa) and Chemical Engineering and Physical Science degrees respectively from the University of Cape Town, where he served on the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, where he was awarded a SA Breweries scholarship. He matriculated (First Class) from Hilton College in KwaZulu-Natal.

David is valued as one of the major driving forces behind events for Old Boys in the USA and Canada.

Contact him to indicate your interest in attending the 2018 events: dmeachin@crossborderent.com

Rob Maclean (Pearce) 1965 – 1968Rob was in Pietermaritzburg during August for the SA CanoeMarathon Championships, racing in the Masters division and the category; 66 - 69 years.

Rob won 2 silver medals in his category (he was beaten on the line in a sprint finish by Dr Alan Hold, who had a son at Hilton - Kurt - in the mid-1990’s, in both the K1 (single canoe) and K2 (double canoe) races).

By virtue of these placings, he was selected to represent South Africa in the Masters Cup of the forthcoming World Canoe Marathon Championships (the first two paddlers in each event are chosen) that was held at Camps Drift in PMB from 4th - 10th September.

Matt Carlisle (1969 - 1973) winning the gold medal in the Masters 60 - 64 years K1 and K2 events; Mark Drummond, racing in the same division as Matt, winning a bronze medal with his K2 partner and there was at least one current Hiltonian racing - Hamish Lovemore - who has also been selected, he being in the Junior Men’s category.

Matt Carlisle Hamish Lovemore – SA Canoe Marathon Champs 2017 Rob MacLean and Hamish Lovemore

The oldest (Rob MacLean - Masters category 65 - 69 years) and youngest (Hamish Lovemore, Junior U18 category) Hiltonians who competed in the recent World Canoe Marathon Championship, held at Camps Drift in PMB.

Another Hiltonian who competed was Ant Rowan - who is a 'young' Master paddler. There were a number of Hilton Old Boys and current Hiltonians competing in the SA Champs.

Congrats to you all!

Ant Rowan -is wearing the orange cap (on right).

Richard Mattison (Churchill) 1991 – 1995

“For the past five or six years, South Africa has averaged a sound kernel recovery rate of between 27.2 and 28.5 percent across all the cultivars. Seen in this light, the Mattisons’ rate is phenomenal,” Mr Venter said.When it comes to farming, experience helps. The Mattisons have been farming macadamias in the Port Edward area for 17 years. They have a number of other macadamia farms and these comprise the DR Mattison Farms group. They have been supplying Mayo Macs for many years and are shareholders in this macadamia processing company.

The over 50 percent sound kernel recovery was achieved on a mature orchard of cultivar ‘816’. In a normal year, this cultivar averages around 35 to 38 percent on the South Coast. The orchard is under micro-jet irrigation and the grower follows a strict fertiliser programme and pest spray programme to control stink bug and nut borer. Trees are pruned regularly to open the canopies up for light management and improved pest control.

The Mattisons make use of expert advice. The Mayo Macs extension officer for KwaZulu-Natal is Andrew Sheard and he has worked with them for seven years, providing horticultural advice. The record-breaking farmers also follow a fertiliser programme supplied by Lindsay Tredgold who is a crop nutrition consultant from Nelspruit. They receive pest control advice from Dave Jenkins from Farmers Agricare.

“Despite the severe drought affecting KwaZulu-Natal, the Mayo Macs group has seen a dramatic improvement in kernel recovery this season,” said Mr Sheard. He attributed the Mattisons’ phenomenal recovery rate to a combination of ideal temperatures, correct nutrition and irrigation management, coupled with good pest control.

According to Mr Venter, this year the South African macadamia crop is estimated to be around 46 000 tons. This translates to an estimated R2-billion. The main markets are China, Europe and the United State.

Dave and Richard Mattison are proud of their record-breaking macadamia crop.

It may not mean much to the layman, but Dave and Richard Mattison have recently delivered a 2.37-ton consignment of macadamia nuts with a world record-breaking sound kernel of 50.4 percent.

The nuts were from Kaiser Farm near Port Edward and they were sent to the Mayo Macs processing factory in Paddock. In macadamia farming circles, this sound kernel percentage recovery rate is considered the equivalent of Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile. It is believed to be the first-ever delivery of more than 50 percent sound kernel in the world.

According to a Mayo Macs chief executive PJ Venter, the sound kernel percentage is the percentage of the nuts that can be marketed as raw kernel; the edible portion of a macadamia nut. The remaining percentage is made up of nut shells and any defective or insect damaged kernel. By getting the nutrition right, controlling the insect damage and being lucky with favourable weather conditions, a farmer hopes to achieve sound kernel recovery rates in the 40 percent range, but this is the first on record for above 50 percent.

Neil Macaskill (Ellis) 1995 - 1998

Neil recently participated in three open water swims for charity, which have received quite a bit of attention. He says this about himself; “I try to fill my life with as many different experiences as possible, but one thing that has always been with me is my love of the sea.” Here are the swims he was a part of:

17 Nov 2016 – Dead Sea Swim• First ever group to swim across the Dead Sea

(26 swimmers from around the world)• Guinness World Record for Lowest Swim• Hazardous and unique water conditions due to salt and buoyancy• R100,000 raised for Smile Foundation (As per his nomination

amongst many of the other charities that benefitted from this swim)

Received lots of media coveragehttps://www.deadseaswim.com/https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/neils-dead-sea-swim-2016 (Donations were received off this platform as well)

8 March 2017 – Solo Robben Island Crossing• Solo crossing from Robben Island to Big Bay• R6,000 raised (R50,000 in total from 8 swimmers) to assist in

sending SA Special Olympics Athletes to the Olympic Games earlier this year

5 May 2017 – Pan-American Colibri Swim• 10km San Diego to Tijuana swim in aid of the Colibri Centre for

Human Rights• 12 swimmers from around the world• R15,000 raised

Considerable media coverage, including support from Stinghttps://www.panamericancolibriswim.com/

PLACED in the “WORLD 50 MOST ADVENTUROUS OPEN WATER MEN 2017”

http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/2017/06/worlds-50-most-adventurous-open-water.html

His next challenge is taking place in December, and he hopes to beat his fundraising efforts from his Dead Sea swim.

Great Shark Swim – 2/3/4 December 2017• Attempt World Record for fastest ever 100km in 12 hours• Swimming in the Aghullas Current• High Danger level of sharks, cold water, off the continental shelf• Aim to highlight Shark Conservation initiatives, as well as the usual

children’s charities supported by Madswimmer.

Craig MacNab (Pearce) 1969 - 1973

Craig wrote: “This is what retirement looked like for me, prior to rupturing the Achilles tendon last week

that is! Fortunately, we have real Cowboys to manage the cattle.

It was hard to find time for emails let alone golf being a ranch hand these days - However it "was" fun!”

Kyle Schoonbee (Falcon) 2009 - 2013Kyle Schoonbee just won the silver medal in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in the single scull at U23 World Rowing Champs. Congratulations Kyle, we are so proud of you!

Kyle, having represented SA at two World Rowing Junior Champs and just recently having won a silver medal at World U23 Champs, has been

selected to the Senior National Squad and represented South Africa in the single scull at the World Championships in Sarasota USA. He placed third in the C Final.

Well done Kyle, you have done us all proud!

Bruce Robertson (Pearce) 1976 – 1979Bruce Robertson is the founder and CEO of Gulu Agricultural Development Company (GADC) Ltd. Through GADC he invested in Northern Uganda in 2009, as it emerged from the murderous reign of the Lord’s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony. Starting by buying and ginning cotton, GADC has branched into sesame and chillies, and now trains 60,000 farmers across Northern Uganda in agronomy, financial management and organisation development. GADC has also planted 500ha of timber and 60ha macadamias.

Bruce has worked with the Ugandan government, cotton farmers and other ginners for the last decade and a half to rebuild the cotton crop after Idi Amin’s regime destroyed it. He is the Chairman of the Uganda Ginners and Cotton Exporters’ Association which provides farming inputs to 300,000 cotton farmers.

From 1991 to 1995, Bruce was general manager of Premier International Development where he was responsible for trade in wheat flour, maize, and edible oils for Premier Group in Sub-Saharan Africa. He also investigated investment opportunities for Premier in other African nations. He was Regional Coordinator of Consultative Business Movement from 1990 to 1991 (Johannesburg Region). He was responsible for establishing dialogue between business leaders and political leaders in the area of economic policy, development and conflict resolution.

Tim Theunisen (Pearce) 1987 – 1989The 1st Hilton Old Boy to finish the Absolute Motion Hilton PSG Mountain Bike Race held on 9th July was Tim Theunisen.

Congrats Tim!

Stephen Robert Coppinger (1997 – 2001) Newham

The 33-year-old won his first PSA World Tour title in 2007 when he beat Hong Kong’s Wai Hang Wong in the final of the Buler Squash Challenge Cup.

Coppinger’s other achievements on the Tour saw him win 178 of his 307 matches and break into the world top 20 for the first time in his career in April 2013 – becoming the first South African to do so since the late 1970’s. He also went on to achieve a career-high World Ranking of No.14 in April 2015.

The 33-year-old’s last title came at the Charlottesville Open in 2016 when he beat Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly in the final to lift the title for the second successive year.

“I think the timing of retirement is always a tough decision for any athlete,” said Coppinger.

He says; “It’s been a very eventful two years for me, particularly with the birth of our son Kai early last year and most recently our move to Austin. I guess that there is no better way to put it than to say that I’m happy with my playing career and I’m ready and looking forward to the next adventure whatever form that may take.”

Adding what he hopes to do following his retirement, the 33-year-old said: “Right now I am exploring ways to continue within squash here in Austin. I’m looking at ways to build the community here, start coaching in the region and hopefully bring some exciting squash projects – that have been lurking in my mind for a long time – to fruition. So it’s definitely not a goodbye to squash just yet, just a shift of perspective.”

Coppinger announces retirement from professional squash South Africa’s World No.19 Stephen Coppinger has announced his retirement from professional squash after an 11-year career that has seen him lift 10 PSA World Tour titles.

Guy (Head of Churchill House) has won the photography Henri Cartier Bresson Award 2017 (a big international award) for his photo documentary work called "Museum of the Revolution". He received the prize in Paris, which includes an exhibition with the foundation in Paris, and funding towards publication of a book.

‘His project has involved photographing the streets of African Cities including Johannesburg, Durban, Maputo, Beira, Harare, Nairobi, Kigali, Kampala, Addis Ababa, Luanda, Libreville, Accra and Dakar over the past four years. The photographic traditions of street photography frame the work which reflects on how the grids and avenues of these cities are the living museums of the successes and failures of the revolutions that overthrow colonial powers’ – insert taken from ‘Word on the Street’ –Sunday Times 09.07.2017.

Guy Tillim (Churchill) 1976 – 1979 – Post Matric 1980

Peter Symons (Ellis) 2010 – 2014 and Nick Smit (Pearce) 2012 - 2016Hilton Old Boys Peter Symons and Nick Smit appeared in the Pretoria University Res Rugby final for Maroela Residence 1st XV.

Their victorious Maroela team now go through to next year’s national res championship as part of the Varsity Cup.

Sent in by John Symons

For anyone who would like to make a donation to this worthy cause, please see below:

Kings School Banking Details:NEDBANK KINGS SCHOOL TRUST ACCOUNT NO: 9012628042 ACCOUNT TYPE: SAVINGS BRANCH CODE: 198765 SWIFT CODE: NEDSZAJJ REFERENCE: RJCM

To get more information online: Search ‘Run for Rosa’ on Facebook and Instagram or visit the official website at: www.runforrosa.org

Stuart Rayner (Ellis) 2004 – 2008Hilton Old Boy “Runs for Rosa”.

Rosa Carlyle-Mitchell

Stuart Rayner, Hilton College matriculant of 2008, recently completed 10 marathons within qualifying times, in a single 13-day period. His 422km endurance feat began in Plettenberg Bay on 16 July and ended in Cape Town on 28 July. This journey of fortitude was dedicated to the memory of his late cousin, Rosa Carlyle-Mitchell, who died tragically on her 21st birthday, exactly four years prior to Stuart completing his epic run.

The ‘Run for Rosa’ ended significantly at the Kimberley Hotel, the venue where Rosa died in 2013. Making this achievement even more remarkable was the fact that Stuart embarked on the ‘Run for Rosa’ just six weeks after having run his first-ever Comrades marathon where he picked up a knee injury.

Stuart was supported along the way by family and friends, many of whom are also Old Hiltonians; brother Alistair Rayner (2013), father Paul Rayner (1980), cousins Luke Carlyle-Mitchell (2009) and Nick Brown (2015) and uncles Dominic Carlyle Mitchell (1982), Mark Drummond (1972) and Chris Brown (1975). 10 marathons. 13 days. 1 causeThe other objective of Stuart’s challenging journey was to raise funds to pay the school fees for an underprivileged child to be educated from Grade 3 – 7 at Kings Preparatory School Nottingham Road; an institution that has close ties to the Carlyle-Mitchell family, who have run the school for 3 generations and have a lifelong interest in education.

David Larsen (Newnham) 1984 – 1988

David Larsen is the Managing Director at Africa Media Online and assisted Hilton to partner with World Press Photo to bring out the World Press Photo Exhibition 2017. It is the first time in over 20 years that South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province has had the privilege of seeing the world’s foremost photojournalism exhibition.

Alongside that the DocuFest Africa will also be running. It is a visual storytelling festival presenting to the public important African documentary projects and the curation of significant African archives. The line-up of audio-visual presentations includes the only African

photographer who has ever won the overall World Press Photo of the Year Award, Jodi Bieber.

David says; “On the Africa Media Online home front, we have moved offices. It’s never an easy undertaking, but I am really excited that the move has given us the opportunity to build a state of the art digital archive and backup facility. We have also carried out some really interesting digitisation projects, one worth highlighting was the digitisation of historic fashion collections for the Google Cultural Institute.”

World Press Photo Exhibition 2017 / DocuFest Africa 2017 / Google Cultural Institute Project / World Class Digital Backup

World Press Photo Exhibition 2017 at the Hilton Arts FestivalDocuFest Africa: Festival of Visual Storytelling at the Hilton Arts Festival Building a State of the Art Digital Backup Solution Shooting for the Google Cultural Institute: Fabric, Fashion and Identity - The Story of IsiShweshwe

Xilombe Tlakula (Ellis) 2012 – 2016

When he was 15 years old, Xilombe lost his right arm in a freak accident, while hiking in the Drakensberg with the school. The accident left him feeling even more isolated and self-conscious than he had been before, but it wasn’t long before he started to use the experience as a motivation to be better than he had ever been before. He started doing speeches at schools to motivate others to look beyond their challenges, and even learned how to write with his left hand!

“The only person who imposes limits on me is myself!” say Xilombe.Now, several years later, Xilombe has decided to launch the Limitless Foundation, which will act as a support system for youth who are going through similar situations, but do not have access to the same kind of support he had. The Foundation uses its network to assist with doctors, advice, counselling, physical therapy and even equipment such as specialised computers for learners.

They have recently partnered with St. Christoper’s, a special needs school located in Pietermaritzburg. Together they have drafted short term and long term projects that will benefit the learners, and are looking for all the support they can get. Because of this initiative, Xilombe was chosen as a Lead SA Youth Hero of the Month earlierthis year.

To find out more about The Limitless Foundation and to support their work, visit their Facebook page

“Limitless has started small but there will come a day where this foundation shows all of us that the only

thing that disables, is you. Not a boulder in the berg. Not cerebral palsy. Not your lack of confidence or

self-belief. Only you.”

Reunions

On Thursday, 21st September we were privileged to host our Old Hiltonians’ 75-year Luncheon.

Our thoughts were with the family of Mr John Hodgson who passed away just over a week before he was to celebrate his 75-year with his great friends.Mr George Harris, the Headmaster, and Mr Alistair Franklin, Chairman of the Board of Governors, were also able to attend the luncheon for a short while and welcome the Old Hiltonians in attendance. They also paid tribute to John Hodgson.

75 Year Reunion Lunch – Thursday 21st September

From left to right: Mr Rolly Shorten, Mr Donald Bransby, Mr Aubrey Welsford, Mr Cyril Souchon and Dr Des Sonnenfeld.

“This note is to thank you for so kindly sending us “The Seventy Fivers”, your photo of the five of us who were privileged to be at the luncheon on Thursday 21st. I was aware that we represented others who were not able to be there, due to travel constraints in South Africa and from distant countries, as well as the many that have passed on.

Whatever, I believe that our 6th form comprised 69 chaps in 1942 and the few of us present were proud to represent them all.

The presence of Headmasters, current and past, as well as The Chairman of the Board of Governors, was a compliment and appreciated. Thank you for all that was done in arranging such a special occasion.

Sincerely,

Cyril Souchon”

Condolences

John Hodgson (Churchill) 1940 – 1942 It is with deep sadness that we need to inform you of the passing of one of the most distinguished servants of Hilton College, John Hodgson, on 13 September 2017. A member of the class of 1942, his Valete comments indicate that he was in the tennis team, played cricket, and was a member of the band and the Debating Society. He had an extraordinary business career, characterised by foresight, hard work, innovation and much success.

John’s active service to Hilton spans a period of over thirty years. His years of service to Hilton, as Chairman of The Board of Governors of The Hiltonian Society and Trustee of the Hilton College Endowment Foundation represent not what he did after retiring from business, but the culmination of his career.

Peter ‘Puck’ Marshall Addison (Ellis) 1945 – 1948Peter (Puck) passed away on 23rd July 2017 after a short illness. Our condolences go the Addison family whom we value very much as fellow Hiltonians.

Stephen Vivyan De Burgh Allison (Ellis) 1947 – 1951We received notification that Stephen passed away in June 2015.

Guy Walwyn Barker (Pearce) 1939 - 1941We were notified that Guy passed away a number of years ago.

John Brailsford Hodgson (Churchill) 1940 – 1942Our condolences go to Robert and the family on the passing of John.

Robert Eric Hultquist (Newnham) 1965 – 1968We received notification that Robert passed away in May 2016. Our belated condolences go to Gaynor and the family on their loss.

David Charles Latham (Churchill) 1941 - 1943David Charles Latham of Orlando, Florida passed away during the evening of 29 April, 2017. David was born on November 5, 1927 in Johannesburg, South Africa, the middle child of Jack and Margaret Latham. David’s brothers, Peter and Michael.

Douglas John Robertson (Pearce) 1949 – 1951Our condolences go to Gill, Bruce, Kevin, Tracey, Amanda and the family on the passing of Doug.

Henry John Tayler (Ellis) 1946 – 1950Henry passed away on the 18th August. Our condolences go to his nephew Andrew Robson and the family.

It is with sadness we report the passing of the following Old Hiltonians:

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this time.