Dick Watts(1964)is alive and well and living out in the country, close to Lanseria Airport(near Johannes burg). He has renewed acquaintances with Old Boys at recent gatherings. His son, Rory, attending Maritzburg College,has been chosen for Natal Schools Rugby side this year. Lawrence Watt(1969) moved up to Johannesburg 6 years ago as an Information System Auditor ofthe First National Bank.He and his wife run a Christian Ministry for Disabled People called Paracletos Outreach. Shelton Wiercx (1976) runs his own plumbing busi ness at Waterfall. Miles Williamson (1985) is currently working in the Underberg areaforStockowners as a Marketing Adviser. Richard Winstanley(1973)writes that he gave up the corporate straight jacket in 1993 to follow his dream and backpacked around the worldfor a year.It musthave been the influence of the "Dead Poets' Society" or an earlier exposure to "Carpe Diem" but he had to finally do something adventurous before middle age medioc rity set in. He met Guy Blackbeard(1974)in Sydney as he was on a hockey tour and also spentsome time in New Zea land,the USA,Canada and England. Hesays,"Tothose ofyou considering emigration-Look before you leap.North/South/EastAVest-Home'sBest!" Ken Wiseman is working in Johannesburg for OreAmp Inc. who are consulting stmctural and civil engineers; having left UCT with a BSc Eng (Civil),PG Dip Eng MSc Eng. Peter Witney(1947)retired to Knysna in 1981.He oc casionally sees Old Boys holidaying there or passing through. Colin Vowles (1942) lives there and Tiny Doidge (1941)is in Plettenberg Bay. Two of his sons Mark and Guy were educated at Kearsney. Guy has his PhD in Agric and is at the University of Califomia do ing research and teaching. His youngest son, Blaise, is still at school in Knysna. John Woodhouse(1966) meets regularly with Gavin Bester, Ronnie Hemphill, Charlie Cawood and Michael Bester, mostly at the Wanderers Golf Club in Johannesburg where they are all members. Brian Woods(1943)is retuming after nearly 40 years in the Ministry.They have bought a house in Bathurst. At the end of 1993, at Rhodes University, Philip Deane graduated with aBSCH-Chemistry Hon ours David Street graduated with a BCOH-Industrial Psy chology Hons Murray Thomas graduated with an HDG. ★ ★ ★ STANLEY G.OSLER Extractsfrom an article by K.Fish(1957-1984): 1liked Stanley Osier.1 think he is the most"under-writ ten"headmaster that Kearsney ever had.He was almost embarrassed when he was put on a pedestal and spoken aboutand had that easy,happy way ofsaying nice things without it seeming pompous. Stanley's office wasalaugh,no wonderhe used his home (that lovely stone house in the trees across from Gillingham,currently the Post-matric residence)for all his interviews and entertainment. 1 think it must be a storeroom(Stan's office)atthe back ofthe kitchen block. It must have been 10foot square and housed MrLutley, the Bursar,Stanley and MrsPixy Milbank,his secretary -with one telephone.1 think 1 spoke more to Stan walk ing the grounds than sitting inside. What was Stan Osier's greatest contribution to the de velopment of Kearsney? Firstly,1 would say his/the Boards decision to expand. The school Roll in 1941 was 140 boarders; 1946 it was 190: 1947 it was 200.In 1955 it was 240 and in 1963, 420. Stan Osier was appointed in 1946 and Kearsney justtook offafter that.Lotsofthingscontributed 1know, the warended,money waseasier Stan Osier wasa mgby hero and ex-service, but it was the confidence that the quiet, determined and very likeable Stan and Annalene Osier exuded that attracted parents.Stan was a Method ist, made a real contribution in Church circles, was ar ticulate about what he wanted Kearsney to be and al ways wellreceived atSynod and Conference.The Chapel that he pushed for so rigorously, with very strong sup port from the Polkinghorne family, was eventually opened in 1956.The new house for the growing family came from donations from A.H.(Bertie) Smith who named it Pembroke, his home in Wales. This balanced Finningley and Gillingham. This was his second achievement-a South African Pri vate (Public) School. Stanley was adamant that he did not want an English implant. Gerry Burger joined the staffin 1945,(Bertie Nel was already there in 1944)and Jannie Storm came in 1947. This trio played a tremen dous part in our South African atmosphere. Bertie Nel became Housemaster of the new Pembroke, Gerry Burger was in Gillingham and Jannie Storm took over Junior(Haley)House. Thursday chapel service was in Afrikaans and wesangfrom the Nuwe Hallelujah.It did not please everyone, one must admit, but Stanley was adamant.Heeven got me to teach History in Afrikaans! Stan's reason was that the boys did not hear enough Afrikaans in their daily life. Stanley's third contribution was the massive develop menton the ground.1 appreciate that it wasthe Board of Governors who made the final decisions but Stanley's motivation was everything. Stanley and Annalene madefriends with every newfam ily who moved in to the West side of Botha's Hill. One retired couple were Mrand Mrs Hendersonfrom Johan nesburg where she had been a headmistress. They at tended all Kearsney functions and seemed to enjoy them. Tragically MrsHenderson died and one day alonely old man came to the Osier house and stayed for tea. Mr Henderson said, in his wonderful soft Scots accent: "1 want to give you £25000." This was 1960, 1961 doubled the figure to R50000 and by the time the plans had been drawn and passed, we had earned much more than that. Today the Mary MargaretHenderson MemorialHallstands,and we have a copper plaque high on the wall(made by Mr Ward of the Copper Shop on the Main Road)to remind us ofour benefactors. So,while 1thoroughly enjoyed my teaching others were not so happy. Old Boys mentioned the disappointment of having a Springbok rugby player as Head who did Kearsney Chronicle 1994 133
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