A special tour was arranged for some members of the Class of '81 who commemorated and celebrated their 30 years out of school (now 32 years) which was not held due to Covid. 

This celebration was held over the weekend of Friday 19 to Sunday 21 January 2024 in Cape Town.  

Left to Right in the picture above: David Trafford (1981W); Peter Hund (1981F); Robert Weight (1981F); Richard Burton (1981K); Jeff Buckland (1981W); Ian Midgely (1981F); Billy Joubert (1981F);  Anthony Sauerman (1981O); Andrew Nicol (1981G); David Rogers (1981G); Paolo Viotti (1981O) and Danny de Wit (1981W).

The touring party began their tour in the War Memorial Chapel, sharing memories and reliving their times.  There were some changes to the interior, such as to the roof which used to have an added layer. 

From there they visited the site of the new Learning Centre (part of the 175 Project).

A further addition was the new water polo pool; and Mallett House as well as the Mallett Centre.

Then they visited the new indoor cricket centre named after Steffan Coutts-Trotter (1986B), made possible by the incredible generosity of the Coutts-Trotter family, who wanted a memorial for their son Steffan (1996B) who tragically passed away during the Two Oceans Marathon of 2011. Today this is called the Stefan Coutts-Trotter Memorial Indoor Cricket Centre.

A new addition to the buildings was the Simpson Centre named after the Simpson family, which houses the art centre including the Sam Butler Room, and the Design and Technology Department.   

They spent some time in the historic Founders Quad, sharing experiences of the time.

The final part of the tour was in the Brooke Chapel which they remember as the library.   

They returned to The Mitre for a wonderful wine tasting presented by David Trafford.    

There were further celebrations arranged, such as an evening function with partners at Constantia Glenn where more members of the year attended and a golf day.  

According to David Rogers, one of the organisers, the feedback to the school event was that

"Many said how impressed they were at how much the school had adapted to the times".  

Their sights are set on their 45th which is just around the corner! 

We wish the Class of '81 well, and for coming to the ODU to celebrate and look forward to their next Reunion!