On Saturday, 1 August, the Royal St Andrews Hotel provided the perfect setting for a very special occasion — the 40th Anniversary Dinner of Settlers Park Retirement Village.
It was an evening of laughter, music, memories and generosity, but above all, it was a celebration of the people who have made Settlers Park Retirement Village the vibrant community it is today.
The evening opened with Delores, also known as Gino Fabbri, taking on the role of Mistress of Ceremonies. Fresh from a bowls tournament in Queenstown, she proved more than equal to the occasion, entertaining guests with hilarious observations about growing older, technology, hearing aids, eyesight and the inevitable generational gap.
Derek Thompson, General Manager of Settlers Park Retirement Village, by his own admission, was hard-pressed to follow such a delightful ol’ gal and did well to provide a very warm welcome to more than 100 guests.
Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner as the evening unfolded as a lively mix of fine dining, fundraising and entertainment. The auction and lucky draws took place between courses and performances, with spirited bidding for a variety of auction items. The beautifully handcrafted quilts proved particularly popular, while one lucky draw produced an especially memorable moment when the winner discovered she had drawn her own number!
Importantly, the funds raised on the evening have been ring-fenced for specific projects at Settlers Park Retirement Village that will directly benefit residents — making the generosity of guests part of the Village’s continuing story.
Gino Fabbri kept the fun at full throttle, demonstrating his extraordinary versatility by appearing throughout the evening in a succession of colourful characters, including Delores, Helmut the traffic officer, Ruan from Benoni and the unforgettable Minuto Peniso. Each appearance brought another burst of laughter and kept the evening moving at an energetic pace.
And then there was the music.
Gino took guests on a nostalgic journey through the decades, with much-loved favourites including Sweet Caroline, I Called to Say I Love You and Have You Seen the Rain?. African favourites such as Sister Bettina and Ryperd had guests singing along, while a six-minute drumming mash-up of the songs we all instinctively thump out on the dashboard provided a wonderfully energetic finale.
Adding a wonderful touch of local character to the evening was resident and former Chairman of the Settlers Park Board, Brian “Bugs” Wilmot. Well known throughout the Lower Albany for his LA Lore books, which capture the humour, characters and colourful stories of the region, Bugs paid tribute to Settlers Park with a heartfelt toast to the Village and its community. As he raised his glass, guests rose to their feet and joined him in celebrating 40 years of Settlers Park. He then added a final touch of fun by conducting a lucky draw for the fourth and final book in the much-loved LA Lore series — a fitting prize from a man whose own work has helped preserve the stories and spirit of the community he calls home.
In her closing remarks, Jo Rice, Chairperson of the outgoing Board, thanked everyone who had contributed to the evening, including Irene Marais, local businesses, supporters and all those who attended and participated in the fundraising.
She also paid tribute to the visionaries who established Settlers Park Retirement Village 40 years ago.
Today, Settlers Park Retirement Village is much more than a place to live. It is a home, an employer, a business and, above all, a busy and joyful community.
As the evening drew to a close, there was a strong sense that 40 years was not simply a milestone to celebrate, but a legacy to carry forward.
Forty years of community. Forty years of memories. And a future worth celebrating.
A heartfelt thank you
Dear Editor
On behalf of the entire Settlers Park Retirement Village community, I wish to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to our 40th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday, 1 August, creating such a wonderful experience for all.
It was a memorable evening of celebration, friendship and community, made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, donors, supporters and of course our guests. The funds raised will be ring-fenced for specific projects that will directly benefit the residents of Settlers Park.
Our utmost appreciation go to Albany Business Machines, Amakhala Game Reserve, Brian ‘Bugs’ Wilmot, BUCO, Build It, De Klerk & De Villiers Insurance Brokers, Eastern Province Caterers, Edge Finance, Gardmed, Gary’s Refrigeration, Harcourts, Hollard, Judy’s Kitchen, Kenton Garden Service, Kowie Quilters, Kowie Tobacco, Lalibela Wildlife Reserve, Leach Pharmacy, Lemon Tree, LifeFirst, Little Fish Agency, Mr & Mrs Matt Le Roux, Multi Security, Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve, Pam Golding, Penny Farthing, Pick ‘n Pay, Pig ‘n Whistle, Preston’s Liquor Store, Rob Heffer Photography, Rosehill Spar, Royal Port Alfred Golf Club, Royal St Andrew’s Hotel, Serenity Spa, Sports n All, St Francis Health Centre, Starlight Security, The Border Family, The Frameworks, Three Valleys Game Farm and Vinimark – The Wine Company.
We are truly grateful for your generosity and for the wonderful community spirit that made our 40th anniversary celebration so special.
Derek Thompson
General Manager
Settlers Park Retirement Village
