HAPPY BIRTHDAY 'DR SHUKES'

Today we celebrate the ninety-third birthday of Kearsney College Old Boys legend, Dr Graeme West Shuker.

?‘Dr Shukes’, as he is fondly known, was born in Eshowe, Zululand on 25 August, 1930. His father was a close friend of Kearsney’s Headmaster R H Matterson, both being members of the Sons of England Lodge in Darnall.

?He was only ten years old when he arrived at Finningley House as Standard 4 (Grade 6) pupil in 1941. He later moved to Junior House (now Old Block, Haley House) when it opened in 1942. He was a prefect it Finningley in his matric year, 1948.

?After leaving Kearsney College he read for a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg. He later wrote his doctoral thesis on “the Physical Properties of Some of the Soils of the Sugar Cane Area of Louisiana and graduated as a Doctor in Philosophy from the Louisiana State University in 1957.

?That year, he joined the staff of Sir J L Hulett & Sons, for whom his father had worked for many years, and worked as an agronomist in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Swaziland and Natal.

?Dr Shuker later became Executive Director of Tongaat-Hulett Sugar Ltd. and was responsible for agricultural development in KwaZulu. He also served as President of the South African Sugar Technologists Association, Chairman of the South African Sugar Experiment Association, and Chairman of both the South African Sugar Millers Association and the South African Sugar Association.

In the meantime, he had married Patricia “Paddy” and had three children, Iain Shuker , Bruce Shuker and Jane. Dr Shuker retired as Director of Tongaat-Hulett in 1991 and eventually settled at Hathaway Village just below Botha’s Hill.

?The contribution of Graeme Shuker to Kearsney College, and its sister school Epworth School, has been immense. He served on the Joint Board of Governors of Kearsney College and Epworth until separate boards were established at the end of 1978. He then served on both boards and was soon appointed Chairman of the Kearsney Board, a position which he occupied with distinction for twelve years. In 1992 he became Chairman of the Trustees but continued to serve on the board as Chairman of the Estates Committee. In later years he served as Chairman of the Kearsney College Heritage Committee. In 1993, the Kearsney College Old Boys Club justly recognised his outstanding contribution by declaring him Honorary Life President of the club.

?Throughout this time – and beyond - he has been a major donor and a trusted counsellor to Kearsney’s Headmasters and staff. He was also a generous donor to Epworth High School where he was valued for his “devoted interest and expert guidance”.

?Examples of his generosity went far beyond his pocket. He has continued to devote considerable time and effort in many different spheres at Kearsney. Both he and his charming wife, Paddy, were largely responsible for the restoration of the Old Kearsney chapel which had fallen into abysmal state of disrepair. He also supervised the revamping of the Memorial Cricket Pavilion and compiled an extensive history of Kearsney rugby, a sport whose matches he rarely misses.

?Happy Birthday, Dr Shukes, and thank you for all you have done and continue to do for Kearsney College. We salute you!