Dear Members It has been a while since I sent out a Club News update and there is quite a bit of news. First things first…welcome to our latest committee member, namely Roger French. Roger has been an active member for many years and is going to assist with outings and promo work for the club. We would also like to welcome Morne and Natalie who have moved to the Western Cape from Gauteng. They were very involved in the Gauteng branch and hope they enjoy their new home. Viv and the team are currently in Mozambique on a trail. I spoke to Viv and Mary the day before they left and it sounds like a real adventure. On Tuesday we have Russell's Womens Day outing and by all accounts it is going to be a good one. Then we have a club meeting at Outdoor Warehouse on the 24th of August , then on the 1st of September our Richtersveld Flower Trip starts, then it is a few weeks later we will be at Klein Tafelberg. As you know by now winter is a different time for club activities and the weather definitely plays a roll in what happens, or rather what does not happen. Keep your eyes open for a Midweek Madness social and a few more fun winter events. We have just organized another very successful Bridgestone 4x4 Night Challenge with 47 participants and a special thank you to the 29 marshals who assisted at the Special Task (Special event) stages. Although we had no sleep, maybe 30 minutes in total, it was great success with fantastic weather and not even a hint of rain. We have a number of new members, namely: Barry & Lynne Bowd Jakes Joubert Sean & Natasha Murray Elrico & Marlene Koen Tony & Charmaine Naidoo Jill Thorne Colin & Carol Cromhout Christopher & Priscilla Kirkman Timothy & Deborah Atkinson Manus & Kathleen Coetzee Andre & Tanya Huyshamen Mike & Lucy Walsh Hans & Kaz Hundscheid Quintin & Adeline Eiberg Theo & Nadine Loubser Geraldine Rudolph Deon & Gerda Rossouw Dirk & Diana Hoving Andries & Johlene le Roux Konrad & Madri van der Westhuizen Jacques & Pauline Wilkinson Lisa & Tony Espinasse Jason & Karin Codd Hans & Andrea Smit We hope they will enjoy their membership as much as we do. Our display at Safari Centre has been upgraded and it now boasts a brush aluminium frame, the photographs are displayed in a digital photo frame and when complete it will look fantastic – thanks to Roger who is running this project. The Photographic Interest Group has taken off in a big way with 22 people attending the first meeting and over 20 attending the first "show and crit". You don't have to have an expensive camera just the desire to improve your pics. We have Pro Photographers Justin and Andrew from Shutterbugs who crit the pics and choose a monthly winner. We have themes for the rest of the year and you are invited to submit your best two pics (theme topic) and two general pics. Thanks to Lisa for arranging for us to use the (Technikon) CPUT for our meetings. Gauteng are having their 10th anniversary in two weeks time and Gloria and I and Karsten and Daria will be attending their birthday function at Kora Kora outside Warmbaths. Bank deposits – people, people, people…please use your name in the reference NOT the trip …I have absolutely NO idea who you are. I have at least eight "membership renewals" at the moment. Lastly I try to respond to emails within a day or two BUT regrettably work does come first and sometimes I will only respond by the following weekend. Don't feel rejected or book a therapy session…you WILL get an answer. Members Page Come on members....send your details and a family photo to Russell for inclusion on the members page. Russell also adds everyone to the birthday list, so send these as well. russdewet@icon.co.za