DAVID BEATTIE (1954-1959) “After 11 years of corporate life in America, my wife, Jane, and I returned to South Africa in 2000 and are living happily in Hermanus in the Cape. We travel to India annually to visit our son, Iain, also an Old Hiltonian, and his family, including two of our three granddaughters. Iain founded and runs Wildspace Expeditions, organising specialised trips to and from India and South Africa. Our daughter is an architect in Cape Town where she lives with her husband and our third granddaughter.
 

I am keeping myself busy as chairman of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve Advisory Board and the Hermanus Coastal Cliff Path Management Group in addition to other past and present involvement in civic and environmental organisations.  I'm looking forward enormously to the 50th anniversary reunion at Hilton in August 2009 with '58, '59,'60 and '61 leavers.”
 

GUY D’ELBOUX (1974-1978) “We moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town in 1996 and have really enjoyed living here and now that the kids are at school looks like we will stay . My brother Rick (class of 79) emigrated in 1981 with my folks to Australia and is currently living in Armidale in New South Wales. He works as a Systems Analyst at the University in Armidale essentially to fund his hobbies: hunting, fly-fishing, and paragliding.  He is still single and looks to remain that way for some time.
 

I will have been married to Yolanda 15 years this year September. Two children, my son Patric Jacques is now in grade 2 (7years old) and my daughter Fabienne Dana Grade R (5 years old).  Both are at CBC St Johns in Parkland Cape Town. The school moved out of Green Point due to a dwindling student body. So we are now part of the Catholic school community and are really enjoying watching the school grow.
 

I have been a Funder Relations and Contracting Manager at Medi-Clinic in Cape Town for the last 10 years  Essentially I negotiate with the Medical Aid schemes on behalf of Medi-Clinic, a private hospital group with 51 Hospitals in South Africa & Namibia, and have recently moved into Dubai and Switzerland. So the company has become truly international. As you can imagine Healthcare in South Africa is under the microscope and there are, as a result, some interesting challenges for the private hospital industry as a whole. Nevertheless it keeps me busy and stimulated.”
 

MIKE ‘BUCKS’ DYKE-WELLS (1944-1947) “I wonder how many of my contemporaries from the " bad years" are still viable.  Not many?  However here's my story in case any one is interested.
 

I arrived at Hilton by train from Johannesburg, via Hilton road and a 4 ton truck, in 1944. We descended from the truck with our trunks and were deposited without reception, under the clock tower. The old hands knew the ropes but us new-poops were left to find our way. Rather like the air terminals where everyone expects you can hear the announcements and moves,  leaving you alone and worried. I found myself looking at lists and found myself assigned to ‘The Train’. Confusing because that was where I had just come from!

Anyway help eventually came in the form a large boy who aggressively asked, "What the hell are you looking at me for?" I explained my dilemma and was pointed in the right direction to the 'train': a pre-fab dormitory no longer in existence.
 

Anyway I survived the war years which were more important as years used in developing the survival arts than years of academia and left at the end of '47.

Those years need recording which I am happy to do if anyone wants.  I became a Pharmaceutical  Chemist destined to work in the family business making Choat's Extract of Lettuce cough mixture (Choat was my grandfather). This started a career path that lead through the American drug companies Pfizer and Bristol Myers, graduating in the process from Pharmacy to Marketing, and from thence into the Advertising industry where I founded my own Agency, Bates Wells, in Johannesburg. I retired in '89 and "lived happily ever after" in Plett, where I now live with my family on two small farms, actively involved with educational affairs and looked after by a gorgeous wife and two dogs. What every good old Old Hiltonian deserves!”

RICH CONYNGHAM AND MATT EB have written to us about their interesting Cairo to Cape Cycle Challenge adventure.  Click here to read their story and link into their website.
 

MARK FYVIE  (1985-1988) Is an Entrepreneur and Private Consultant.

He consults to leading South African investment banks, to identify and negotiate partnerships with major retailers. He evaluates, negotiates and manages the transactional processes for the trade sale of leading clinical trials organisations to international buyers. He also is a co-founder and shareholder. Managed the IP landscape and business development process for an oil purifying technology company.  On an ongoing basis he continues to develop his knowledge of the Life Science Industry through extensive reading of biotechnology material. In addition, he is also a keen reader of fiction and enjoys novels.  Sporting activities include being an active golf and squash player, as well as a keen Scuba diver and fly-fisherman. He believes it’s vital to maintain a healthy level of fitness and exercises regularly at the gym and competes socially in running and triathlon events. He has also taken the opportunity, as a student, to travel extensively and has backpacked through Western and Eastern Europe (including Russia), South America, Africa and the Middle East.

DAVE GALE (1979-1982)  is still living on a smallholding on the outskirts of Cape Town with his wife Barbara (a fresh water ecologist), son Dylan (12), daughter Brynn (11) and various horses, dogs, cats, etc.  Until the company was purchased by Vox Telecom recently, Dave was the Director of Business Development at alternative Telco Storm Telecom.  He is now taking a breather and considering his options.  Having been a key player in growing the Storm brand to be a respected challenger in the telecoms industry and having given Telkom a run for its money for the last 8 years, he's wondering if it is time to give Eskom some competition. 
 

NICHOLAS GOODWIN (1962-1966)  writes “Here is a 'brief' run down of my doings since escaping the clutches of Edwin Lancelot Harrison in 1966. After a mercifully short and breathtakingly unremarkable Army career, I decamped (sic) to UCT Cape Town and to Architecture. Thereafter, to UK (London 1975) and Amsterdam (1978) and, having acquired a marriage certificate, a splendid Dutch wife and 5 years of thoroughly enjoyable swanning about, we returned (mostly at her insistence) to SA (Cape Town 1980) - there to pursue the serious business of acquiring daily bread.
 

This involved Architectural practice till mid 80's then, after a rush of blood to the head, the setting up of a furniture design and manufacturing enterprise (Goodwin Design). By the early nineties, the blood had returned emphatically to its place of origin and during this hiatus, we took to renovating our then old farm house in the Constantia Valley. Thus began a whole new (and fortunately more lucrative) activity - small time property development. Miriam, my wife, had at this time developed an incurable malady: horses. This was to put an end to our dally in that leafy suburb and in late 2005 with equine zeal, much trepidation and a good deal of luck, we discovered a small farm near Wellington that succumbed to our blandishments and became ours in early 2006. Here we (that's mostly  Miriam), hope to establish an equine wellness centre - a kind of spa for horses. It is here and to this end that we are presently beavering away (in between heat waves and load shedding) but loving every minute nevertheless.  We are blessed with two daughters Fran, 24 and Emma 23”. 
 

J HENDRIK ELS  (2003-2007) has put his studies towards his Engineering degree on hold for a while.  He is sailing the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and plans to dock in Durban by the first weekend of February 2008. He will complete the sea rescue and emergency course in February and plans to set sail to the Mediterranean thereafter.
 

PETER FANNIN (1930 1937) Our daughter Annette and her fiancé John Peattie have now been out here for 12 months, and are loving it. We are also so pleased to have them so near us. We have been here (New Zealand) nearly 19 years. Our other daughter Sue has her eldest daughter Lauren living in the States for a year on a Rotary Scholarship. Our son Terry is still running his successful computer business with his wife Ron in the UK and their son Jody (14) is a champion Go Karter, having just become Champion of the Year at Bayford Meadows.  We, Colleen and I, have just celebrated our 54th Wedding Anniversary, and I (Peter) will be celebrating my 88th birthday on the 19th February. Am I the oldest old boy? We are still living in Porirua near Wellington, and our daughters are living in Paremata which is just a few kilometres from us. Having just had a successful operation to remove a cataract from my left eye, I am looking forward to getting back to my reading which I haven't been able to do for some months.
 

METHENJWA MACHI (2000-2004)” I'm busy studying at TUKS (University of Pretoria) doing BA Music degree. I transferred from Rhodes University originally and things are going well for me here so far. A lot of work, but doing well.
 

I'm busy recording an album with fellow DJs here, and the album's due for release sometime this year, so music hasn't slowed down yet. I've been involved in Music Production, but right now I'm working independently, finding people and recording songs with them. With regard to my instrument (Trumpet), I entered the Lubner Music Competition last year November. I'm proud to say that I made it to the final round of the competition and won the category prize for my instrument. That's a total of R5000 won! I was really proud of this achievement. Still studying, but I'll hopefully graduate in 2 years time.
 

I'm proud to be an Old Hiltonian, and I will never forget the good times I had there.”
 

TSOLO MAKARA  (1993-1998)  is based in Johannesburg where he is the Executive Director of a Vehicle Motorplan Provision concern.  He and his wife have a little girl who is turning 1 in June! Her name is Keiko. They married 2 years ago (whew time flies!).
 

JOHN HERSELMAN (1966-1970)  writes : “My career: Airline Pilot.  I started flying after school, having first  joined National Airways Corporation as a charter pilot thereafter Air Lowveld (Jnb).  I then Joined SA National Carrier, South African Airways, as a Junior First Officer (3^rd Pilot) on Boeing 747 in 1977. Was promoted to First Officer in 1980 flying B727, then Airbus A300 before returning to the Long Range operations as a Senior First Officer on B747. Further promotion to Commander in 1990 B737 and appointed Fleet Captain B737 Durban.  Transferred to Johannesburg as Fleet Captain B767 in 1995. Appointed Chief Pilot (B737 & B767) . Appointed Technical Pilot A340 in 2001 and was responsible for testing and accepting SAA’s new A340 aircraft. Presently Senior Check Captain A340 Long Range Operations.  He is single, and enjoys being with his brother Angus, and sisters Jeanne and Sue. His sport interests include, surfing, sailing, golf, squash, kite boarding, snow and water skiing. Other interests: I have a BMW 1200GS motorcycle and travel SA extensively.  e-mail address: majordad@iafrica.com.”

NEVILLE HODGSON (1959-1962) After he left Hilton, he attended the Air Force Gymnasium in 1963 and thereafter completed a BCom at Natal University and UNISA. He worked in various organisations in S. Africa and the UK, gradually being drawn into Human Resources Management. He became more curious and challenged by the human behaviour he encountered which drove him to return to university in 1980 where he obtained an MA in Clinical Psychology. He is currently in Private Practice in Pietermaritzburg.  He is a keen golfer and tennis player and past aviator with a private pilot’s licence. He is in the process of publishing his autobiography dedicated to his late brother, Tony, who was at Hilton College from 1957 to 1960. Each chapter in the book is about the different phases in Neville’s life which of course includes anecdotes about his experience at Hilton College, some hair raising flying incidents and work as a psychologist in the ‘madhouse’. The book is entitled ‘Beyond the Stained-glass Window’. (A must read if Neville can find a publisher – any suggestions?)
 

ROB GUY (1980-1983) writes: “Sarah and I moved to Australia 6 years ago. We can now say that we have fully landed, although I still support South Africa against Australia at sport.... but then I support anyone against Australia, especially when it comes to cricket.

Australia has been very good to us. The people are warm and friendly when you get used to their candour, which we now enjoy. After some time in Adelaide we relocated to Brisbane and live in the west fringing the Brisbane Forest Park, which at 26 000ha forms the inland boundary of the city. Within thirty minutes drive to the west we can be walking in tropical rain forest at Mount Glorious with ferns and strangler figs. Forty minutes to the east and we are on the ferry to N.Stradbroke island with its clear sand-filtered lakes, forest and calm and surf beaches - a great place for cycling.  We enjoy visiting SA and have managed to frequently catch up on old school friendships that have lasted the time and distance. Most recently Alex Larsen, William Bryant and Nick Davies. Here in Australia I am great friends with Themba Bungane who now lives in Adelaide working in software development. I have also met up with Dave Nothard who also lives in Brisbane."
 

RALPH PAIN (1971-1975) writes: “Ran the Comrades in 76 and 77, best time 8 hours 10 min. He left S Africa  in 1978 and attended university again in the UK at Sheffield Mechanical Engineering for 4 years.  Met his wife Clare in 78 and they married in 1986. They have two girls, now 13 and 16, both a delight.  He completed his MBA in France in 1995 and he arrived

in Australia 1996 and is based in NW Sydney.  His brothers CHARLES (1975) and JONATHAN 1976,  and their wives and children, and their father are all in Australia too. We’ve recently started property investing together. Management consulting to large and small businesses (business coaching) for the past 9 years.  “Now on a project with KPMG. Always interested in fitness, stopped running to let my knee heal 2 years ago so now I’m cycling and sometimes swimming - and now have added an interest in what I eat !  Turning into a real nut (or perhaps a raw vegetable).  Can’t be helped.  Now a converted Aussie.  I’m afraid to say I even support the Aussie Rugby and Cricket teams, even when playing England or South Africa.  Can’t stretch to the soccer team though. We have 3 cousins and their families here in Sydney too, and our grandfather was a Queenslander in the Anzacs.”

NEIL SMITH (1993-1997) “I currently live in Brisbane. I work at Cutting Edge in TV as a Broadcast Engineer. This job takes me all over the country each week putting live sporting events to air on various TV networks such as Channel 10, Fox Sports, Country Music Channel.

Primarily during the Summer we do the Domestic cricket for Fox sports, this is a 16 camera job in SD (standard definition), with 4 EVS’s (machines used for replays)

We also do the NBL (basketball) during the summer months. Its done with 7 cameras and 1 EVS in SD.  During the winter we do the AFL (Aussie rules football) for channel 10. This is also a 16 Camera job, but is done in HD (high definition) and 5.1 surround sound.

Last year Cutting Edge and Channel 10 combined were the first to put 5.1 surround sound and HD pictures live to air of a sporting event for an entire season.

The grand final was the biggest single HD live broadcast in Australian history. It had 34 cameras, 7 EVS’s and required 3 Broadcast trucks.  Occasionally we do Super 14 rugby, Rugby league and domestic A league Football (soccer)
 

ROY WALLACE (1958-1963) writes:  “My life has been very full and exciting: After Hilton I went to PMB University and plugged the first year of BSC due to women, wine, and song!  I then drove to South West Africa (now Namibia) on a 250cc BMW motor bike, traveled 5 days and fell five times; got a job on a  copper mine with the intent of returning to PMB Varsity, but met my wife who put the noose around my neck and I stayed here.

After dedicating our lives to the Lord at a Youth For Christ youth camp at the age of 21, we (Gerda and myself), went to Bible School in Irene for 3 years and then into the ministry  which we have continued until now. This has proved to be the most interesting, exciting and adventurous life: we started our own indigenous ministry in 1985 and now have 36 churches in Namibia; and the following look up to us as their spiritual parents: 32 churches in Ghana, 10 in Ethiopia, 2 in Angola, one 3000 membership in Rwanda; others in America, Puerto Rico, Germany and Austria and Spain  and in Pakistan 100 churches. Plus 2 Bible schools in Namibia, one in Angola one in Rwanda and one in Pakistan.

I have written three books: "Is the Bride Ready"; "21 Revealing  Insights into Christian Leadership" and have just taken our Early Autobiography to the press called "Dare To Trust God".   I am now presently busy promoting Abstinence as the strategy to halt the HIV/ Aids pandemic and have the privilege to work with the President's wife and the Prime Minister's wife in connection with abstinence and I am now busy writing my doctorate on HIV/AIDS as well.  It has definitely not always been plain sailing, but a very full life for which I am very grateful to my Lord. Plus I now experience that what Hilton College put into me has enabled me to be more successful - Thank you Hilton!”

GRAHAM BOND (2000-2004) is currently in Newcastle, UK and writes as follows:

“In mid August I tried to change from University of Canterbury to Canterbury Christ Church as I had decided not to follow Criminology but Policing.  Unfortunately as I was back in Malawi working during the July/August months the Police were unable to screen me so I have had to defer my entry until Sep '08.  In the meanwhile I am at Newcastle College/Lifestyle Academy doing a one year cricket coaching course.  Hopefully I should hear early next year as to whether I will be going to either Middlesex or Christ Church Canterbury University to do BA Policing.  I am hoping for Middlesex as would like to ultimately join the London Metropolitan Police Force and this is the main University that they recruit from.  I am keeping well and looking forward to playing some Club cricket early next year.”
 

VINCENT LEE-THORP (1940-1945) writes: “Last October my sons, grandsons and their wives arrived at Hilton on a beautiful Sunday morning and spent several hours touring the spectacular buildings and grounds. Other than myself, who left the school in 1945, none of my family who live in the United States, had ever seen the college where I spent six years growing up and learning about what life is all about. They had a memorable visit: they learned about my early life in South Africa, which was the purpose of bringing them all for a twenty-one day tour of the country beginning in Johannesburg's Gold Reef City, then Witbank my birthplace, Bongani near Kruger Park, winding up in Cape Town to visit many relatives.

I came to the States in 1951, worked for General Electric and in 1954, joined a Consulting Engineer in Washington for eight years and then opened my own company, Summer Consultants. We grew to a forty-person firm over the years, and I practiced Professional Engineering for forty years. In this time I was responsible for the design of more than two thousand projects, including work in the Capitol of the United States, the White House, Washington Monument, the Pentagon , and one hundred-thirteen other government buildings, Universities and private projects.  During this time I kept in touch with a number of school chums and their wives;  Dennis Middlebrook, Graham Edkins and Bill Dalgleish, and I try to get to SA every year to renew friendships and visit my Sister, eldest son Patrick and grandsons who live near Cape Town.  My book "Washington Engineered" was published a year ago. As I indicated, I practiced Engineering for almost half-a-century, and upon retirement I went to the Library of Congress, one of the largest in the country, and asked them what they had  on the "History of Engineering in Washington". They had nothing. So I decided to write something on the subject, spent six years researching engineering from its beginning, and its impact on the creation of the Capital City of the United States, and finally got the book published. It is not a technical treatise but a book for any one who has wondered what "Engineering" really is.