GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - In last week's edition of the Advertiser, a call was made upon former students of the now-defunct Dower Training College in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage to attend a meeting in Graaff-Reinet on 5 July, to discuss the possibility of a big reunion in 2020.
The meeting, held at the Kroonvale Library Hall, was a big success. It was well-attended, with more than 20 former or current teachers in attendance.
The oldest attendee was Johanna Mack (formerly Matthews) who started her teacher's training in 1961 in Uitenhage.
The meeting was chaired by Rev Martin Williams from Port Elizabeth who also chairs the 2020 Dower Reunion Committee in Port Elizabeth. Prominent ex-Dowerians like Stag Mitchell, Anton Arends, Melville David, Amos Grootboom and Ebben Hufkie also addressed the meeting.
A Graaff-Reinet co-ordinating committee led by Amos Grootboom was elected to coordinate the planning of the 2020/2021 Centenary Celebrations of Dower.
A small reunion is planned for September 2019 at the old Dower College buildings in Port Elizabeth, as well as a Golden Oldies function in Uitenhage on 24 August 2019.
Information regarding these gatherings, as well as the 100 years celebration in 2021, will be made public at future meetings of the Graaff-Reinet Ex-Dowerians Group.
Another aim of the Committee is to compile a database of all information regarding ex-Dowerians from Graaff-Reinet and surrounding towns.
These former students can contact Ethne Hufkie on 083 650 2556 or Virginia Christoffels on 083 359 2301 for further information. A follow-up meeting will be announced called shortly.
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