Category: Hockey

Bulletin, Hockey

If there’s ever a mysterious IT hiccup, a screen that won’t cooperate, or a printer that suddenly develops a personality of its own, it’s 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂-𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 we’re calling.

𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥-𝘵𝘩𝘦-𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮-𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 – 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦.

𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸 in 2001, Compu-Serve has grown into a trusted name in Graaff-Reinet, with many in the community knowing exactly who to call when technology decides to misbehave. Whether it’s at school, at home, or in the office, they are the steady hands that bring order back to our screens.

It was therefore extra special to visit Compu-Serve at their premises at 1 Church Square, Graaff-Reinet, this week, where 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗰𝗸 were joined by hockey girls 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 and 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗺𝘀, who stopped by to thank them personally for their support of our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 initiative.

For Donovan, this support carries a meaningful sense of connection. 𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟵, he now also has two daughters at Union – a lovely reminder of how the Union story continues across generations.

Through their contribution, Compu-Serve will be supporting ACVV Huis van de Graaff, a local home for the aged that provides care, comfort and dignity to its residents. It is a cause that reflects the very heart of this initiative – using the energy of school sport to make a meaningful difference within our own community.

𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘶-𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 – 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴. 

Bulletin, Hockey

A heartfelt thank you to 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 and Pick n Pay Graaff- Reinet for so generously sponsoring our 1st team hockey girls with brand new backpacks for the 2026 season.

𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘺 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘦.

Bulletin, Hockey

In a small town, a business does not earn 75 years of support by chance. It earns it through trust, service and a willingness to show up for the community, year after year.

Union High School is proud to continue our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 series by recognising the generous support of 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝘆𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻, a respected local accounting firm whose offices are situated at 38 Somerset Street, Graaff-Reinet, and which has served the community with professionalism and integrity for an extraordinary 75 years.

𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟵𝟱𝟭, Van Wyk Theron has long been a trusted name in Graaff-Reinet, offering a comprehensive range of services spanning accounting, tax and business administration, payroll and financial systems support, estate planning and broader financial and management consultancy. 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘧 18 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘢𝘧𝘧-𝘙𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘵.

This partnership is made even more special by the firm’s strong Union connection. Managing partner 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿, who took over from 𝗗𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝘆𝗸 in March this year, matriculated from Union in 1994, making him a proud Old Unionite. His family’s ties to the Union Schools run even deeper – his wife is a Grade 2 teacher at Union Preparatory School, while their four-year-old son, Nathan, has recently begun his own journey at Union Pre-School. There is always something especially meaningful about former pupils choosing to give back to the school and town that helped shape them.

Through their 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 pledge, Van Wyk Theron will be supporting ACVV Huis van de Graaff, an old age home in Graaff-Reinet, extending the impact of this initiative beyond the hockey field and into the heart of the wider community.

On behalf of Union High School and our 1st team hockey girls, we extend our 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 to Brendon Burger and the entire Van Wyk Theron team for their generosity, their long-standing service to Graaff-Reinet, and their support of a campaign that continues to connect sport with community in such a meaningful way.

Bulletin, Hockey

How special it is that a former Union 1st team hockey captain is now giving back to the very girls who are walking a path she once knew so well!

Union High School, Graaff-Reinet is delighted to celebrate the support of Old Unionites 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗻 and 𝗝𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯𝘀, who have chosen to support our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 initiative in their personal capacity – not only as proud past pupils, but also as parents who remain closely connected to the life of the school.

For Bronwen, this contribution carries a particularly lovely sense of coming full circle. 𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟵, 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 and now finds herself supporting a new generation of players as they make memories of their own in green and gold. Her husband, 𝗝𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟴, shares that same deep-rooted Union connection. 𝗛𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, having played 1st team rugby from Grade 11 and captaining the school’s 1st cricket team in his matric year, making this a gesture grounded in both loyalty and legacy.

Today, that Union story continues through their children. Their son, 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗺, is running out for Union’s 1st XV this year as a Grade 11 learner, while their daughter, 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿, is proudly playing for the school’s U13A hockey side. And who knows – perhaps one day Taylor will follow in her mother’s footsteps and wear the colours of Union’s 1st team hockey girls herself.

Through this 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 initiative, Bronwen and Jason will be supporting GRAWS , extending the impact of their generosity beyond the sports field and into the wider community.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘨.

We are deeply grateful to Bronwen and Jason for their generous support of 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 and for the way in which their family continues to live out the Union spirit – across the sports field, across the years and across generations

Bulletin, Hockey

There is something deeply comforting about a place built on family – not only family in name, but in values and in the way people are cared for.

That is exactly what one senses at Build it Graaff-Reinet: a business that may deal in bricks and mortar, but whose true foundation has always been people.

Union High School is proud to continue our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 series by recognising the generous support of 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁, a much-loved local business that this year celebrates 20 years of serving the town from its home in Market Square.

Over the past two decades, Build It has become far more than a trusted name in home improvement and building supplies. Under the care of a family management team consisting of dad 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗻, son 𝗚𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳 and daughter 𝗟𝘆𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲, the business has grown into something that feels wonderfully rooted in the life of Graaff-Reinet itself – a place where people are welcomed warmly, relationships are valued and community matters deeply.

Their words say it beautifully: “𝘈𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦.”

And in truth, that spirit shines through in everything they do.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁 – a sincere love for this town and its people that can be felt so clearly. Businesses like this help shape the soul of a community. They stand alongside local families through ordinary days and important milestones alike, and through their quiet consistency, generosity and care, they become part of what makes a town feel like home.

Through their pledge, Build It Graaff-Reinet will be contributing towards Camdeboo Hospice Graaff Reinet, a registered non-profit organisation that provides a holistic home-based palliative care service to those infected and affected by life-threatening diseases, with a particular focus on HIV & AIDS, cancer and motor neurone disease.

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀. Camdeboo Hospice serves some of the most vulnerable members of the community with tenderness, dignity and compassion – offering comfort, care and support at moments when it is needed most.

On behalf of Union and our 1st team hockey girls, we extend our 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 to Build It Graaff-Reinet for their generosity, their deep love for Graaff-Reinet and their commitment to building not only structures, but a stronger, kinder community too

Bulletin, Hockey

There is something wonderfully fitting about a business devoted to cleaning, repairing and restoring choosing to support causes that do the same for a community – 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘯, 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵.

Union High School continues our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 series by recognising the generous support of Radium – Graaff Reinet.

The connection to Union is a special one: Mr Neill is the father of last year’s 1st hockey captain, Kenza Neill, while his wife, Tess, serves on Union’s staff. All three of their children matriculated at Union, with two going on to serve as deputy heads – 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭.

For many in Graaff-Reinet, Radium is a familiar and trusted name – a business known for the many practical ways in which it helps keep everyday life running smoothly. From dry cleaning, laundromat services and home and industrial laundry, to carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning and car valets, Radium has long offered the kind of reliable service that people quietly depend on. Their specialised mending work includes bags, shoes and boots, saddles and tack, sun blinds, tarpaulins and canvas, while their manufacturing services extend to retractable acrylic awnings, patioshades, shadeports, patio drop blinds, Venetian blinds and vertical blinds.

Through their 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 pledge, Radium Canvas & Cleaning has chosen to support both Clean Trade and GRAWS – two organisations doing valuable work in Graaff-Reinet. In doing so, they are helping to uplift both the environment and the welfare of vulnerable animals, reminding us that community care takes many forms and that kindness is often found in the practical, everyday decisions people make.

Radium’s involvement is a lovely reminder that businesses are about far more than the services they offer. At their best, they become part of the fabric of a place – supporting families, strengthening institutions and helping good work go further.

On behalf of Union High School and our 1st team hockey girls, we extend our heartfelt thanks to 𝗠𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹 and the team at 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗮𝘀 & 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 for their generosity, their loyal connection to Union and their support of causes that are helping to make Graaff-Reinet an even better place to call home.

Bulletin, Hockey

Montego Pet Nutrition. What can we say?

In a town like Graaff-Reinet, some names become part of the story – woven into its growth, its people and its heart. Montego Pet Nutrition is one of those names.

From its beginnings in the early 2000s right here in Graaff-Reinet, Montego has grown into a proudly South African brand, built on family values, innovation and an unwavering commitment to quality – 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽-𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.

We are, therefore, especially grateful to include them among the businesses supporting Union High School, Graaff-Reinet‘s 2026 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 campaign.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿. Their contribution to the town – rooted in a steady, sincere commitment to making things better – is something quite special. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 and it is this quiet consistency that makes their support so meaningful.

Built on a foundation of entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for pet nutrition, Montego has never stopped striving to improve – refining their formulations, investing in their facilities and growing a brand that now reaches far beyond the Karoo. Yet despite this success, their heart has remained firmly in Graaff-Reinet. It is a beautiful reminder that growth and community can go hand in hand.

Through their 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 pledge, Montego will be supporting Graaff-Reinet Animal Welfare Society (GRAWS), a cause that feels perfectly aligned with who they are. 𝘈𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴.

On behalf of Union High School and our 1st team hockey girls, 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 to Montego Pet Nutrition for their generosity, their incredible community spirit and for always standing behind Graaff-Reinet and the Union Schools

Bulletin, Hockey

There is something rather special about a business whose story stretches back almost as far as the town itself. In the case of 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, that story begins on 1 August 1856 – a remarkable legacy that speaks not only to longevity, but to trust, stability and deep roots in the Graaff-Reinet community.

Union High School is proud to continue our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 series by recognising the generous support of Midboard Financial Services, a business whose history is woven into the fabric of this town and whose connection to Union is especially meaningful.

Pictured here are Union hockey girls 𝗟𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆 and 𝗔𝗺𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 with Midboard’s 𝗠𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗮𝘄 – a proud Old Unionite from the Class of 1981 whose ties to the school run deep.

Married to Lizet Crankshaw, who serves on Union’s staff and father to Kara-Lynn (Class of 2012) and Jonathan (Class of 2016), Mr Crankshaw and his family have long been part of the Union story.

𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 – 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥, 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭.

That is what makes Midboard’s support of this initiative so fitting. 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 is all about partnership – about local businesses choosing not only to back our 1st team hockey girls, but also to shine a light on causes that are doing important work in our wider community.

Through their pledge, Midboard Financial Services has chosen to support the 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, an organisation that offers comfort, practical assistance and compassion to local patients and families walking the difficult road of cancer treatment. It is a cause that touches many lives, often quietly and behind the scenes, and Midboard’s decision to stand behind it is a deeply meaningful reflection of the care and community-mindedness that have helped define the business over generations.

In a campaign that celebrates the powerful link between sport, service and community, this partnership is 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁. Midboard’s legacy may stretch back nearly 170 years, but its willingness to continue investing in people and place is what makes its contribution so significant today.

On behalf of Union High School and our 1st team hockey girls, we extend our 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 to Midboard Financial Services and Mr John Crankshaw for their generosity, their enduring connection to Union and their support of both our girls and the Graaff-Reinet Cancer Association.

Bulletin, Hockey

There are some businesses in a town that become part of the rhythm of everyday life – the places people pop into for the essentials, the familiar faces behind the counters, the stores that quietly help keep homes running and communities connected. For around 30 years, SPAR has been one of those constants in Graaff-Reinet.

Union High School, Graaff-Reinet is deeply grateful to continue our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 series by recognising the support of 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘂 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥 and 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥.

Today the stores are owned by 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗶𝗲 and 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗲𝘁𝘇𝗲𝗲, whose leadership reflects a deep commitment not only to good business, but to the wellbeing of the community around them. Together, the two stores employ 115 people from Graaff-Reinet – 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴; 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Recently, Union hockey girls 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲 and 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘁𝗼𝗻 popped in to personally thank the SPAR team for coming on board in support of the girls’ journey through Goals for Good.

What makes this partnership especially touching is the charity SPAR has chosen to support: the 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. For 53 years, this remarkable local association has been serving cancer patients and their families with compassion, dedication and quiet strength. Made up of volunteers, the organisation walks alongside patients on what can be an incredibly difficult journey, offering practical help such as meals and linen, while qualified counsellors provide emotional and psychological support when it is needed most.

They also assist with travel and accommodation for patients who need to leave town for treatment – easing some of the burden during an already overwhelming time. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱, 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.

That is what makes the Goals for Good campaign so special. It is about more than goals scored on a hockey field. It is about linking the energy and determination of young sportswomen with the generous hearts of local businesses and the important work of charities that care for the people of Graaff-Reinet.

On behalf of Union High School and our 1st team hockey girls, we extend our 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 to Frikkie and Martinette Coetzee, and to the teams at Spandau SuperSPAR and Camdeboo SPAR, for their generosity, their faith in our girls and their continued investment in the community we are so proud to call home

Bulletin, Hockey

If you’ve lived in Graaff-Reinet for any length of time, chances are you’ve walked through the doors of Xipe Totec Technologies (XTT Graaff-Reinet) at some point – perhaps to stock up on school stationery or even (for those who remember!) buy a stack of blank CDs back in the day.

What many people may not realise is that this trusted local business is celebrating a remarkable milestone this year: 𝟮𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

Union High School is delighted to continue our 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 series by recognising the generous support of XTT – a business that, much like our own schools, has grown and adapted alongside the community it serves.

Founded a quarter of a century ago, XTT has witnessed enormous changes in both technology and retail. From the days when thousands of blank CDs flew off the shelves to the modern digital world we live in today, the business has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of its customers. Throughout it all, one thing has remained constant: 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀.

Stationery has always been at the heart of the business, making XTT a familiar stop for countless Union learners and families over the years. More recently, the store has expanded its offering to include a range of premium cleaning chemicals suitable for homes, businesses, and schools – another example of how the team continues to innovate and respond to the needs of the community.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘟𝘛𝘛 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 1𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦.

Through their pledge, XTT is supporting Clean Trade, a registered Public Benefit Organisation founded by Graaff-Reinet locals Elaine Stanley and Tia-Mari Jacobs. Clean Trade is doing important work in our town by tackling environmental pollution while also helping to address hunger – a powerful reminder that community upliftment can take many forms.

𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗫𝗧𝗧 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 and warmly encourage locals to visit their modern new store at 𝟴𝟵 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 – where friendly service, sound advice and a genuine commitment to Graaff-Reinet continue to define this trusted local name.

𝘖𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 1𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘟𝘛𝘛 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦