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Reunion - Perth, W. Australia - 1st March 2009
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Photogallery
"Picnic on the Swan" - Perth, W. Australia - 1st March 2009
Photos & text supplied by Mick Parry
Old Cambrians who attended the picnic
L-R:
Back row: Dave McFarnell, Henk Lippinkhof, Hector Munro, Alan Martin, Neil McDonald, Tony Williamson, Mark Young
Middle row: David Wyber, Alan Griggspall, Alastair McKechnie, Alan Dale, Harvey Storm, Stan Bleazard
Front row: Mike Purves, Rodney Norie, Mike Lawrence-Brown, Mick Parry, Rory O’Toole, Richard Matthews.
Missing from the main photo:
Brian Galton-Fenzi & Ted Grobicki Peter Eckhart
PICNIC on the Swan was the main attraction more than 80 former East Africans on Sunday, 1 March 2009 – despite an
outdoor cinema muscling on the usual site for the annual gathering. The cinema engulfed the barbecue area normally
chosen as the meeting point so picnic organisers Mike Purves and Mick Parry arrived early to secure an alternative
shelter.
After an interminable 100 minutes of waiting, the mob began arriving soon after 10am, clutching fold-up chairs and
tables, blankets, drink coolers and assorted picnic paraphernalia. One keen picnicker arrived with a suitcas ..... but
more on him later.
It was the third annual East Africa schools and Kenya Regiment Association 'Picnic on the Swan' and attracted a
total of 85, slightly up on last year. "The Prince of Wales School was the best represented with more than 20 Old
Cambrians turning up," reports Mike. “There was also good representation from the Duke of York, St Mary’s, Kenya
High School and Loreto. Some of the other schools were also represented – Limuru, Banda, Iringa and Delamere – and
we hope they bring more of their old class mates next year,” says Mike. He reports that some of the “usual suspects”
were missing this year, but there were new faces which made up for the absences.
Ted Grobicki, who was in Hawke house from 1962, arrived with his suitcase - he was on his way to catch a flight back
to South Africa. “When I saw that the venue was between the city and the airport I just had to come along,” says Ted,
who had time to catch up with some old faces before heading back to Johannesburg.
Despite the muggy conditions, it proved a good day out for all those who attended and who were able to meet up
with some old acquaintances. “Didn’t you go to Nairobi Primary?” was heard more than once. There was some good-hearted
banter between Old Yorkists, Old Cambrians and St Mary types and there is talk of old sporting rivalries being taken
up again. Old Yorkist Mike Goble-Garratt plans to organise a sports competition between former East Africans around
August. Bearing in mind that the majority of those attending on Sunday last graced the sports fields of Nairobi more
than half a century ago, this next contest is likely to be on the bowling green.
For the record, Old Cambrians who attended the St David’s Day picnic were: Peter Eckhart, Stan Bleazard, Mick Parry,
Harvey Storm, Dave McFarnell, Mike Purves, Rory O’Toole, Rodney Norie, Mike Lawrence-Brown, Richard Matthews,
Alastair McKechnie, Henk Lippinkhof, Tony Williamson, Alan Griggspall, Alan Dale, Brian Galton-Fenzi, Mark Young,
Ted Grobicki, David Wyber, Alan Martin, Hector Munro, Neil McDonald.
Old Cambrians Stan Bleazard and Neil McDonald with Old Yorkist Francis Keast
Old Cambrian Alan Dale with Tony Swain who attended St Mary’s
Former Tanzanian tour operator Mike Dove with Old Cambrian Alan Griggspall
Alan Martin, Brian Galton-Fenzi and Tony Williamson
Dave McFarnall turns back the pages of time
Old Cambrian Dave McFarnell with St Mary’s old boy Murray Sinton and Old Yorkist Mike Garratt
Old Cambrians Hector Munro and Alan Dale
Old Cambrians Rory O’Toole and Rod Norie
David Wyber signs in
Alastair McKechnie and Peter Eckhart
Tony Williamson and Mark Young
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OLD YORKIST ATTENDEES AT 3rd EAST AFRICAN SCHOOLS & KENYA REGIMENT
ASSOCIATION ~ PICNIC ON THE SWAN 1st MARCH 2009
Back Row: Jim Landels, Richard Tredget, Tony Tucker, John Harris, Ian Campbell Clause, Francis Keast
Front Row: George Perry, Andrew Hillier, Mike Goble-Garratt, Patrick Nield, John Steel
(Absent due to early departure from Picnic: Chris Durrant)
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