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NEWS & EVENTS
OASIS POTJIEKOS COMPETITION 2024
The annual Oasis Potjiekos competition was held on Sunday 23rd June 2024 on a fine typical Highveld Autumn day on the Field of Dreams at Cottesloe Homes.
Great consternation on arrival, there was maintenance been carried out by Johannesburg Water and the cottages had no water, which in turn left us no water for the public toilets. Thanks to everybody pulling together we managed to buy water and one of the Moths graciously allowed us to collect water from his home which has a borehole. Mutual Help at its best and the day was saved.
We had nine pots competing this year and for the first time we had a junior team participating in the competition namely the 1st Randburg Scout Group and we are hoping that they will in future be bringing along further Scout Troops to participate. I think it’s one way in which we can show a group of the younger generation as to what we are all about and hopefully will lead to other interactions between us and the youngsters. (Future Shellhole Supporters perhaps?)
To the two Shellholes, Chilly Trench and Warrior, the Johannesburg Regiment Association, the International Police Association, families and friends who participated a very big thank you to you all for another great fun filled day.
Once again to the stall holders who spent the day with us, thank you for your participation and last but not least our two esteemed judges Eileen Cronje and Sean Brophy, without your enthusiasm on the day and the professional way you both went about the task we could have not asked for better. A heartfelt debt of gratitude is owed to you both.
The members of Oasis and wives who stepped up to the plate and helped out, thank you and a special word of thanks to Moth Maryke Erasmus our Play Bill for putting a great day together.
Finally, a big thanks to the Cottesloe Management Committee for allowing us to make use of the field and facilities.
The winners of the Competition were:
1st Place. Team Babalas (Pieter and Kirsten Daniel)
2nd Place. Chilly Trench Shellhole
3rd Place. International Police Association
Juniors:
1st Place. Ist Randburg Scouts.
Non-MOTH Floating Trophy
This trophy is awarded to a non-MOTH who, in our opinion contributed the most on the day was awarded to:
Eileen Cronje from Cottesloe.
April Meeting 2024
Len Rudman awarded the Certificate of Comradeship at Oasis Shellhole
Moth Len Rudman,an Oasis Shellhole Member, and a Tenant at Moth Cottesloe Homes, was awarded a certificate of Comradeship, by Old Bill. of the Order Richard Wilson. Old Bill Richard is also the Chairman of Moth Cottesloe Homes. This certificate was awarded for the tireless handyman work that he does at Moth Cottesloe Homes. He has revamped Cottages, Carports, fixed plumbing issues and can often be seen doing routing maintenance on our garden equipment. This is not a comprehensive list, but an indication of the service Moth Len offers to Moth Cottesloe Homes with a smile. We thank his wife Janet, for allowing him to spend the hours that he does working for Cottesloe.
At this meeting the Old Bill of Oasis, Len Wynne was overwhelmed. As guests he had theMoth National Chairman Andy Boden, Old Bill of the Order Richard Wilson, who is also the Platinum Province Adjutant, District Old Bill Mike Groenewald, and Patrick Alfonso, Cottesloe Vice Chairman and Savannah Wee Bill. Then to add also welcomed Moth Joe Lowrie to the meeting. Moth Joe lives in Ballito. After the meeting all enjoyed harmony, with a good traditional braai.
Potjie Competition 16 June 2023
On, Friday 16th June 2023, Youth Day, Oasis Shellhole held their annual Potjiekos Competition on the field of Dreams at Cottesloe Homes. Although it was a chilly start to the morning the wind soon died down and it turned out to be a typical Highveld winters day.
A feature of this year’s event was the combining of Competitors with Stalls which at the end of the day proved to be a very winning formula, as peoplehad to stroll through the areas to look at the stall and mix with the teams. With the theme been Spanish Fiesta the field was festooned in colour with
the majority of teams taking the time to get into a very festive mood and the festivities carried well into the evening.
The sale of the breakfast rolls and coffee in the early morning and then after the judging took place, the sale of the pots to visitors, residents and also to other competitors brought in a fair amount of funds.
We cannot forget to thank firstly, the team from Johannesburg Regiment Association, the various Shellholes listed above and all the private entries made up from families and friends who support the Shellhole at the various functions. Without their support these types of events would be very small
indeed.
Thank to Jenny and other members of the Cottages who manned the pub and we
are pleased that they in turn had a very successful day with the sale of
much needed liquid refreshments to everybody.
Our thanks are also extended to the Shellhole Play Bill, Moth Toni Heili on
a very well-organized event and to her husband Christiaan for his help
before and on the day. To the members of Oasis and spouses who turned out in large numbers to either help out and or to participate, thank you for supporting the day.
It was very pleasing to see the large turnout of Moths from the various Shellholes in the District, too numerous to count, but from the Oasis Executive we wish to thank you most sincerely for your support on the day.
Winners of the day were:
POTJIEKOS COMPETITION:
1st place – IPA WEST RAND
2nd place- CHILLY FIESTA (CHILLY TRENCH)
3rd place – LAS HOMBRES
FLOATING TROPHY AWARD FOR THE BEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE DAY FOR NON-MOTHS:
KIRSTEN DANIEL, TAYLOR-JADE DANIEL, LAUREN O’DWYER
Savannah Visits Oasis 2023-03-19
In true fashion, Moth Savannah Shellhole visited Oasis Shellhole with Piper in tow. A good meeting was held and harmony was enjoyed by all afterwards. The piper Eric Clever entertained all with a few Scottish melodies and a few non Scottish Melodies. Thank you Savannah for visiting.
Oasis Potjie 16 June 2022 – Freezing conditions.
It feels just like yesterday that we were getting ready to host the 2021 Annual Potjiekos Competition, but here we are 2022 is upon us and the Competition is already a memory.
Upon arrival at Cottesloe early in the morning we were greeted by a sea of white frost and temperatures hovering around zero degrees. This did not bode well for us, but needless to say the blokes came out and very soon we had 12 pots on the go and I dare say, a fair amount of OB’s was consumed.
Again, I must say how humbled I am at the generosity of all the people who attended this function, with many of the teams been other Veteran Organisations and members of the public. So much so, we as a Shellhole have been able to donate a sum of money to Cottesloe Homes and they in turn benefitted from the Cotties pub been open and from all reports it was a good day there as well.
Our esteemed judges were the National Lady Billy Mothwa Vanessa Brooke and Old Bill of Warrior Shellhole Moth Brian Bennett. My sincere thanks to both of them for a job? Tasting well done.
To the members of the Shellhole who turned out to help with the day and to even participate, my grateful thanks,
Dardanelles Shellhole, Chilly Trench Shellhole, Last Post Shellhole, Johannesburg Regiment Association, 61 Mech Veterans Association, families and friends, thank you for your participation in what’s is becoming and great annual event.
Finally, to my long-suffering wife Penny for her help and support a very big thank you.
Unfortunately, not all can be winners, but after seeing the judging sheets it was not an easy task for the judges but at the end the results were as follows:
Most Original pot: Mal Mossels
3rd Place: Dardanelles Shellhole
2nd Place: Johannesburg Regiment Association – Kalahari
1st Place: Chilly Chickens (Chilly Trench Shellhole)
Keep the 16th June 2023 open.
26 September 2021
Moth Andrew Fenner awarded the Certificate of Excellence at Province meeting held Warrior Shellhole by Provincial Old Bill, Moth Dave Berry. A very deserved award.
June 16, 2021 – POTJIEKOS FUN DAY
Oasis Shellhole was fortunate to be in a position to hold a Potjiekos Fun Day on Wednesday 16th June 2021 on the Field of Dreams at Cottesloe Homes. An ideal opportunity for many to see each other in the open and be relatively safe from the spread of the dreaded Covid.
What started out as a Fun Day turned into a very serious competition with twelve teams eventually competing for the Passchendaele Somme floating trophy.
Passchendaele Somme Trophy some might ask at an Oasis function? Well, the history behind this, is that Passchendaele Somme Shellhole started the Potjiekos Fun Day in 2001. The first winners were Battle Ensign MOTHWA and the Fun Day carried on until 2016 and was won by Moth Eric Bosch. Unfortunately, the Shellhole closed shortly afterwards and the trophy all but disappeared. Many of the members of the defunct Shellhole transferred over to Oasis and have made their new Shellhole their home. Oasis run a couple of Fun Days after that but there was never a floating trophy. The idea was once again brought up in a Shellhole meeting earlier in the year and the date of the 16th June was decided upon. It was by pure coincidence that Moth Eric popped into to see me about a battery and I asked him if he knew where the trophy was, and with great excitement he said that he was in procession of it. He returned it to me and we were thus able to resurrect the Trophy for the Fun Day. Which I believe is a fitting tribute to a lost Shellhole.
The winners on the day were:
The Johannesburg Regiment Association “Officers”,
Second was Dardanelles Shellhole
Third was Just for Fun (Oasis Shellhole).
I wish to thank everybody who attended this fantastic day. Not only did the Shellhole make a few bob, but the Cottesloe pub was able to make some much need cash as well.
To the two judges, namely Moth Kallie Calitz and Moth Brian Bennett, my grateful thanks for a job very professionally done and executed.
To the members of Oasis, their wives and children who helped out on the day, thank you.
We hope to see you all next year, so diarize the 16th June 2022.
Mike Groenewald
Old Bill
Oasis Shellhole.
94th Founders Parade at Mount Memory
Inductions July 2017
19th November Parade
Oasis Shellhole held their annual Service of Remembrance at the Shrine situated in the grounds of the Oasis/Warrior cottages in Muldersdrift on 19th November 2017. The Service was attended by over 60 Moths, tenants from the cottages, family, friends and the Pipe Band.
After the Ceremony of Light, the Old Bill of the Shellhole, Moth Mike Groenewald opened proceedings by welcoming all and gave a brief history of the Shrine.
The following article appeared in the Aardvark which was the newsletter of Sandton Commando dated December 1988. Titled – Oasis Shellhole, Dedication Ceremony 27th November 1988. The ceremony was the Dedication of the Shrine and the first Remembrance Parade which has been held for the last 29 years.
“On the 27th November 1988 there was a dedication service at the Oasis Shellhole in Muldersdrift. There was a turnout of one hundred and fifty people and the event was characterized by a good spirit of comradeship.
The Shrine at the Shellhole was unveiled by Keith Ford (Oasis Old Bill), and the sermon was given by Padre W Marshall. Padre Marshall emphasized in his sermon that battlefields are Holy ground since everyone pays the supreme price. Wars are about ordinary people fighting one another. Even though enemies in war, soldiers can become close friends after the cessation of hostilities. It was ironical, the Padre remarked, that in reality, all nations crave peace. Wreaths were laid by various military officials, including Commandant Edgar, the O.C. of Sandton Commando.
After the ceremony an excellent light lunch was provided by members of the Red Cross. Sandton Commando members manned the bar and also assisted with the preparation of the venue by erecting tents”
It was also pointed out that three members of Oasis Shellhole who attended that parade were present at the service, namely Moths Robbie Dow, Mike Hart and Sean Mc Harry. Interestingly they all were Sergeant’s Major in Sandton Commando as well.
In closing Moth Mike mentioned that the bricks had been donated by Ken Faithful, a member of Sandton Commando and a Moth and the Shrine was built by Moth Alec Alexander who has a section of the cottages dedicated to him and that the 30th parade which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities will be as special as the first parade in 1988
After the Service everybody retired to the Warrior Arms Club for the toasts and light refreshments.
Christmas Lunch at Cottesloe on the 17th December 2017
Oasis Awards Jess Wynne Certificate of Good Comeradeship.
Oasis Potjie Competition 29 April 2018
