OPENING OF MBONISA WEIR - 12 MAY 2006

On Friday 12 May, in the late afternoon, there was a short ceremony at Mbonisa Weir in Quiet Waters. The purpose was for the weir to be officially opened by the College’s honoured guests, Jimmy and Jenny Goddard.  

 Jimmy and Jenny Goddard address the invited guests just before unveiling the plaque.

There were several specially invited visitors to the occasion, including the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr Andy Laing, and Miss Heather Gaston; Mr and Mrs Alastair Coulson; Mrs Patty Bristow; Mrs Yvonne Thomson and Mr and Mrs Richard Pearce. The Headmaster and Mrs Querl, the Chairman and members of the Quiet Waters Committee, members of staff, College prefects, schoolboys and Quiet Waters workers, joined them. 

Gordon Macdonald opened proceedings by welcoming everyone, and as he did so, the three giraffe appeared on the edge of the bush surrounding the water of the weir. Gordon maintained he had arranged for their arrival, as he claimed he had done when a flock of white faced duck appeared at the opening of the Homan Hide, and when a flock of swallows swooped over the gathering at the opening of Fish Eagle Retreat! 

Right: Gordon Macdonald, Chairman of Quiet Waters opened the proceedings and delivered his thank you speech to the Goddard family.

Left: A 'thankful' giraffe keeps a close eye on the proceedings from behind the weir wall.
        

Reg Querl spoke briefly, thanking all those who had helped to fund and to facilitate the construction of the weir, and stressing what an important feature it would be. He made especial mention of the vision of the Board in planning for its construction. 

In his short speech, Gordon Macdonald acknowledged all those who had helped in so many ways, and he spoke about Jimmy and Jenny Goddard. Jimmy is not only a parent but also a Falcon Old Boy, and some mention was made of his exploits at the College! Gordon especially thanked the Goddard family who were responsible for the construction of the weir, and he invited Jimmy and Jenny to unveil the commemorative plaque, which had been set into the weir wall. Jimmy responded to what Reg and Gordon had said, and then Jenny unveiled the plaque. 

    The plaque anchored to the beautiful stone wall of the weir

There were drinks and snacks afterwards, and guests could mingle in the specially cleared area under the Acacias bordering the weir, enjoying the balmy evening, and they were smiled on by a rising full moon, thus completing a perfect setting. They could also admire the display of photographs which recorded the construction of the weir, and the other impressive dam Jimmy constructed near Shurugwi.

 
   
 Left: Guests enjoying snacks and drinks after the ceremony.        
    

Right: The full Moon rises above the Umlungwane Hills to give the snack party a little illumination.