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Old Raineians’ Association Presidents Page
President’s Message September 2009
Welcome to the Presidents Page of the Old Raineians’ Association web site.
Well, following the resignation of Roy Smith as Old Raineians’ Association President at the May Annual General Meeting,
I find myself President of the ORA for a third time. Fortunately I have a small but very competent and enthusiastic committee
comprising Clive Baugh, Claire Burrows, Brian Chaperlin, Eddy Dodwell, Tony Groves and John Smith. Although not known by most members,
the committee meets every two months after work to discuss matters such as the ORA website, newsletters, reunions, preserving school
memorabilia, etc. and the Association owes its continued existence to these few dedicated persons.
The former pupils of Raines Foundation School previously relied on the ORA to keep people in touch, reunite old friends and
provide information on the current school activities. The age of the computer, the Internet, Friends Reunited, Face Book, etc.
has to some extent replaced that need but it should not mean the ORA is redundant. On the contrary, the ORA is using the Internet
to try to reach more former pupils via e-mailed newsletters and the ORA website (presently being redesigned by Laurie Dalton), so
please keep visiting the site. In addition to reunions and newsletters, the ORA has for many years strived to maintain school memories,
its memorabilia and advertise its history.
The ORA donates funds to the school today for specific school projects and is particularly proud of its recent financial
support and continued interest in the successful restoration of the Raine Memorial in the St. George’s-in-the East churchyard.
I would like to give particular thanks to Roy Smith for the instigation, management and completion of this task on behalf of the
ORA. Earlier this year committee members attended the opening ceremony for the Memorial with a tour of the churchyard and an
explanation of the restoration works undertaken to date and future plans.
The substantial amount of Raines memorabilia held at the school is being catalogued by the ORA and this task is made more urgent
as the memorabilia’s future home is uncertain should the building be demolished in 2010 as currently expected.
I hope that members recognise the importance of the ORA in preserving the school history and supporting the school today,
and that you will continue to support the ORA wherever possible..
Sandra Johnson
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