Dr Paul Murray has been very busy engaging with ODs across the UK while in Cambridge. 

I very much enjoy my informal meetings with ODs here.  Only recently, I had dinner with Peter Robinson (1966S), and coffee with Peter Beare (2011M), with still many more engagements to come before leaving for Cape Town on 25 March. 

Peter Beare  and Paul Murray catch up over a cup of coffee

While there he has also been connecting with key players of the UK branch to see how best we can serve them from the OD office which is the support hub for branches across the globe.  Helping branches grow is something he is passionate about.

A few days ago he sent this update to us about developments in Canada and USA and the plans for other branches further afield:

There is great news from Canada.  Justin Elvin-Jensen (1988G) has accepted the role as the new Western Canada ODU Secretary after the sterling work from Neil Philcox (1988K) to whom we extend our thanks for the work that he has done there! 

Nic Searle (1988,O) of Eastern Canada, and Justin are planning some virtual events via Zoom, for this year and look forward to connecting with ODs in South Africa and around the world. This initiative is particularly pleasing for me and Wilbur who have been visiting Canada, now, on a number of occasions. 

Taking a leaf out their book is what we are hoping for, for areas where ODs live and where distance is a challenge.  We should be able to have similar sessions up and running with Denham Apperley (2009,O)  in New York and are hoping to connect in Australasia and Asia. Thanks to East and West Canada!  I look forward to attending all the online meetings as well as the others to come from other regions.

Locally, we are currently/will be setting up gatherings, including branches in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape as well as other areas in SA, and are currently preparing for these.  There is a big call for these! 

Then there are the IP gatherings in Italy and France proposed for later this year and we will send out details in the near future (once I am back in SA). In all of this, ODs and also Parents who are connected putting their hands up has been very comforting. 

Thanks to all for the great support! 

Exciting times for the ODU where one of our core values is to promote and support ODs everywhere!