Each term the ODA Paul Murray hosts several talks in The Mitre Lounge. 

These are for ODs specifically, but Paul also hosts four society meetings per term for Bishops boys.  These are Forum, Lingua Franca, The Historical Bench and the Museum & Archives Society.

Forum and Lingua Franca are the societies established by a former staff, now deceased, Michael Fisher.

Paul established The Historical Bench in 1999 (Bishops 150) and the Museum and Archives when he retired from full time teaching (2018).

This week so far, we have had three of the four societies meet.  On Monday 07 October 2024 was the meeting of The Historical Bench, where the ODA addressed the members on the topic: "Is South African Art internationally competitive?"  A selection of slides was presented followed by interesting questions from the floor, and discussion.

The next meeting (Tuesday 08 October) was Forum addressed by Professor Roman Roth of the Department of Classics at UCT.  His topic was the position of Julius Caesar in the world.  He used Caesar as case study of what we want to know, what we can and cannot know about the ancient world. Professor Roth explained how Caesar was active in so many fields, including as a historian of his own achievements, and because our sources are manifold, including archaeological evidence like portraiture or his building projects in the city of Rome.  There was much enthusiasm for the talk, judging by the number of questions and interest.

The third meeting was the Museum and Archives Society, with a presentation of "Bishops Then and Now".  The video was produced by OD Michael van Ryneveld (1976G), as part of the 175 Exhibition Centre. 

A fourth society meeting, Lingua Franca, will be happening later this term with Professor Tim Noakes (1966W) addressing the members on sport motivation.

Further cultural events hosted by the ODA for this term still, are, a talk for ODs entitled: Following the lives of Sophia and Robert Gray, and some of their achievements including the churches designed by 'Sophy'. This is particularly apt with Bishops celebrating its 175th year.

A discussion of C Louis Leipoldt's The Valley Trilogy, which covers a history of the Cederberg area from 1806 - 1924 is set for ODs and their partners and friends as well, for this term.   

These talks are normally advertised to ODs in the Cape Town environment.

For further information, please contact Paul Murray [email protected] 

In the photograph above taken at the Forum meeting are: Matthew de Wet (Gr 8 - W), David Lewis (Gr 11 - G), Michael Ressell (Gr 11 - O), Jack Buckham (Gr 11 - M), Thomas le Grange (Gr 11 - G), Sam Purchase (Gr 11 - W), Ben Koenig (Gr 11 - K), Zeno Benolich (Gr 11 - W), Luke Carter (Gr 11 - F), Daniel von der Heyden (Gr 11 - W), Jeremy Liddle (Grade 10 -  G), Troy Stockdale (Gr 10 - B), Matthew de Jager (Gr 10 - K), and Professor Roman Roth.