SOUTH AFRICAN ANTARCTIC ASSOCIATION
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 1971-72
Publicity
It is a pleasure to be able to report that there are indica- tion of a quickening of intere t in Antarctica, doubtless due (in part at least) to the vigorous efforts of the previous Committee. The colour feature in the Sunday Times Colour Maga:ine to which reference was made in the previous Chairman's Report, duly a ppca red in June, 1971.
Meetings
Two meetings held during the year were well attended.
On 19th October, 1971, three films were hown: Scie11tists in the Antarctic, Challenges of the North and Nonh Slope Alaska. On 2nd May, 1972, Mr. John Pitts, Assistant Editor of The Star, Johannesburg, presented an entertaining account illustrated by excellent slides, of his experiences as a journalist on the summer expedition of
1966-67 (Sanae 7 and 8) and Mr. Anton Aucamp for his film of Sanae 9. Meetings on the Witwatersrand were arranged by Dr. D. C. Baker and Mr. Chris Muir.
Annual Dinner
More than 100 members and guests attended the Annual Dinner held on 18th ~arch, 1972, at the Oklahoman Motor Hotel, Silverton, Pretoria. The BP Antarctic Medal for 1971 was pre ented to Mr. Henry Fulton by Mr. D. G. Milne, BP Principal Representative in Southern Africa; the Guest Speaker was Prof. E. M.
van Zindercn Bakker, Head of the Department of Botany, Univer ity of the Orange Free State; and on behalf of the Department of Transport, Mr. C. J. J. van Rensburg, Head of the Antarctic Section, presented ties and badges to expedition members. Guest included Dr. S. Meiring aude, Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and one of the Association's Patrons, and Mrs. Naude, diplomatic reprc entatives of Antarctic Treaty Powers, representatives of Sponsors (B P Southern Africa and Hovercraft South Africa), directors of the Antarctic scientific research programmes and Prof. E. H.
Carman of the University of Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland. As Master of Ceremonies, Mrs. Jubra Malherbe, known to all Antarctic expedition members through her radio programme '·Daar ver in die wereld", added lustre to a congenial social and professional occasion.
80
Membership
It is gratifying to be able to report that 29 new members joined the A sociation during the year.
Committee
Your Committee met on four occasions during the year.
Unfortunately, Dr. D. C. Baker (Committee Member) wa obliged to re ign in September for personal reasons and Mr. H. Kahle (Trca urer) in February when he wa transferred to South West Africa. Mr. A. Aucamp took over the dutie ofTrea urer. It i a plea ure to record my thank to all members of the Committee for the time and energy they devoted to the affairs of the A sociation and particularly to Mr. P. Turner, Vice-President, for his efforts in connection with publicity and as convener of the ledal Committee.
Two proposals for minor amendments to the Consti- tution have been submitted and will be dealt with separately on the Agenda.
The Treasurer's Report will al o be dealt with separately. In addition to the sponsorship of the Antarctic Medal and the Bulletin by BP Southern Africa (Pty.) Ltd., it is a pleasure to record two donations by Hovercraft South Africa Ltd. and General Spares Ltd.
The BP Antarctic Medal award will be announced at this meeting by the convener of the Medal Committee,
I r. P. Turner.
Bulletin
Since the March issue (vol. 11, no. 4, 1971) each bulletin ha been is ued by combining two number into one twice the usual length. Two issues of the double format have appeared since the last Annual General Meeting and a third is in press. The format has also been changed; the best photographs submitted for the photographic competition for each issue are now printed on the front cover. ew interest has been shown in the Bulletin and the activities of the Association ince this change.
Approximately five enquiries per week are received about the bulletin. The Editor is currently negotiating with BP Southern Africa to publi h a third issue in the double format annually.
Pretoria. 15th May, 1972.
D. G. Kingwill, President.
