HiltonVillage.co.za clients met up at Nicolson's Restaurant and Bar at Garlington Estate in Hilton to network and celebrate the end of a good year. Nicolson's prepared a delicious array of foods which received compliments and the vegetarian platter specially made for one of our networkers was highly appreciated.

Dr Claudine Lee presented a brief talk on basic first aid, focussing on CPR The useful first aid kits she had available were snapped up. These can be purchased at Dr Lee's rooms at 26 Hilton Avenue.

Promotional gifts were shared out and everybody enjoyed a relaxing time. Watching Hilton mist roll in from the veranda at Nicolson's is always memorable. Thank you to Nicolson's for graciously hosting this event once again.

View advertising options at HiltonVillage.co.za

.

Lilla Gopp earned the Trust Cup for Dux of the school for 2014 which was presented at the Laddsworth Primary School Annual Senior Primary Prize Giving Ceremony on Monday, 8th December 2014. In addition to this Lilla received six more trophies for her outstanding academic achievements.

Izabella Little-Gates, a well-known business woman and the author of the Tug-of- Life series was the guest of honour at this prestigious event. Drawing on her experience and passion for guiding parents and children, Izabella shared tips on winning when faced with challenges of modern day life. Izabella led eight pupils through a light yet memorable visual presentation which clearly spelt out how to equip one to remain strong when faced with difficult choices. The message was directed at the Grade 7 leavers.

L-R: Lilla Gopp, Dux of 2014 is congratulated by Gavin Lambooy, Headmaster of Laddsworth Primary School.

News supplied.

The main event at our club this week was the IF Sponsored Trips played on Friday. Once again there was a threat of rain in the air, but we went ahead at 08:30 as planned. The format for this competition is that entered teams draw for opponents. The teams then play three skins of 7 ends. For each skin won two points are scored with an additional 4 points going to the overall winner. The fine mist turned to a light drizzle as the last teams came into the clubhouse.

Winners by a large margin were Fred Palmer, Dave Garrard and Mike Fairhurst. Second prize went to Beth Williams and Peter Bailie who were forced to play a pairs match when one of their team did not arrive. Sincere thanks to all the fellows at Investment Facilitators for their generous support over the last year.

Although activities are winding down a bit as we move towards the end of the year, we have a Chicken Run this Saturday, and the Quarry Spar Christmas Cup will take place on 20 December. An entry list has been placed on the notice board.

With the exception of Christmas Day, normal tabs-in games will be played during the holiday season.

Duties: 14 – 20 Dec: OOD: Margie Garrard. Tabs: Derick Hull. Duty Team: Fred Palmer. Teas on Sat 20 Dec: N/A – Quarry Spar Lunch. Biscuits: 16 & 18 Dec: Vince Seale & Gil van der Hoven.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Grace College announced the 2015 Heads of School at the final Prize Giving Ceremony on 2 December. The school congratulates them on their appointment and wishes them all the very best in their tenure as Heads of School.
Pictured: Mark Swanepoel (Deputy Head Boy), Ki-An Kambaran (Deputy Head Girl), Megan Tychsen (Head Girl) and Ross Perrett (Head Boy)

The new sectoral determination of domestic workers starting from 1 December 2014 to 30 November 2015 prescribes the minimum wages for domestic workers who work more than 27 ordinary hours per week.

In major metropolitan areas, domestic workers have an hourly rate of R10.95, the weekly rate is R476.68 and the monthly rate is R2,065.47.

Domestic workers who do not work in major metros have an hourly rate of R9.30, weekly R418.32, and monthly R1,812.57.

Minimum wages for domestic workers from December 1, 2014 to November 30, 2015, working 27 ordinary hours per week or less were also adjusted.

For those in major metropolitan areas the hourly rate is R12.40, weekly R334.74 and monthly R1,450.33.

Those not working in major metros would receive an hourly rate of R10.98, weekly R296.35, and monthly R1,284.09.

Article by Jean Allen HR Consulting.

There was great excitement earlier this week when the bulk of the St Anne's Matric pupils, after having written their final examination, English Paper 2, gathered around Annie in front of the Admin Block. In keeping with a longstanding tradition, they each released a helium-filled, bio-degradable balloon in the colour of their respective Houses, as a sign that their school years have come to an end.

News supplied by St Anne's Diocesan College.

FREE story hour for any children, with their care-giver or arrangement for drop-off 12.30pm to 1.00pm Wednesdays. Starting from tomorrow the 26th until Christmas.

Call to book or for more details call 'Hedgehogs' and Daisies Daycare on 033 343 2243.

Several local Hilton artists will be holding an Exhibition of some of their paintings on Saturday morning 29 November at the QUARRY CENTRE, near the Standard Bank and Cottage Framing Shop from 9am.

Both paintings and cards will be on sale at The Easel and Beret Art Exhibition.

Pictured here are two of the artists, Rob Bircher and Cristina Richardson.

St Anne's Diocesan College congratulates Matric Art students Jodi Hulley, Kirsten Wing, Caitlin Fleming, Julia Church and Julia Van der Riet for being selected to exhibit at the ANNUAL MATRIC ART KZN Schools EXHIBITION (2015 to be held at Hilton College). This is a real testimony to their dedication, hard work and talent.

Julia Van der Riet's Harmony of Logic is a pencil drawing of a lady transforming into DNA strands.

Julia Church's rationale for her piece Con Brio: "When I think of music, I think of it to be timeless, expressive, personal and most of all valuable. Its value is in terms of its emotional content, meaning and emotional release and not in terms of monetary value.

In this artwork, I have portrayed a barcode on the keys and this relates to the exploration of the way in which music has become, over the years, increasingly consumerist and money-driven. Music is more of a "business" than it ever used to be and I feel that the levels of fraud and corruption in the industry are what rob music of its essential purpose. The birds juxtapose this commercial notion in the sense that they are musical creatures and represent music in its most natural and simplest form. They are also portrayed in bright colors on actual wood in contrast to the cohesively structured black-and-white theme on the rest of the piano to express music's natural vibrancy and passion. "Con Brio" is a music term referring to music with vigor, spirit and color – the way in which I wanted my birds to appear. The title also plays on the word 'Con' which relates to the fraudulent aspects of the music industry such as piracy and copyright infringements."

Caitlin Fleming's, The shadow of strength: This work is made up of a series of 40 process drawings and reflects both the self and the other of anxiety as whole. In this work she explores the otherness of anxiety and how it shapes oneself into something unrecognisable, it shifts you into 'other'. The work displays a number of figures in various body positions, positions of defeat, shame, awkwardness, and discomfort. They display the emotions and turbulence of anxiety, the figure's face is usually covered, turned away or unrecognisable this is to highlight the fact that social anxiety does not choose its victims to a certain criteria but rather can randomly choose to torture and taunt anyone. The various techniques and materials are used to amplify the pain and the harshness of anxiety. For example, the vivid reds and the gauze represent the pain and frustration of anxiety. The use of the ink and glue technique emphasizes the uncontrollable nature anxiety as does the almost complete disappearance of some of the figures into the background of the paintings, underling the disappearance of oneself into other and how one is only left with a "shadow" of strength to fight it.

We have had a great year with over 20 new members joining us. Unfortunately they haven't all stuck around. Perhaps New Year resolutions will bring them back??! We have taken part in many events including the Ronnie Davel in January and the Spar Ladies In June as well as many of the trail runs and walks that have been popping up all over the place! We celebrated our achievements both serious (top members for the year) and not-so-serious (swimming, dancing, talking...!) in the Hilton Run/Walk for Life Athletics awards evening at Taste of Thai in November. Thanks for donations of lucky draw prizes, especially to Moira Naude of Naude Eyecare Inc and Ronocco Nursery.

We are supporting Archie Roberts on his journey to Comrades as he raises funds for Orientation and Mobility training for the blind. Look out for Archie in his Run/Walk for Life colours, 'like' his Face Book page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Archies-Comrades-Journey/1568619476684654) and sponsor his races. Archie is a very courageous young man who was blinded when he deployed a landline in the '80s and was inspired to do this work to fill a great need.

We are having our last session for the year on 19 December at Laddsworth. This will take the form of a short walk on the road followed by a social get together. We will be celebrating the life of our stalwart founder member Prof Rose Bamford who sadly passed away on 12 December after a long illness. She was an honorary life member and an example to us all. We will resume again with renewed vim and vigour on Monday 5 January 2015. Come for a free session to see what we are about!

Don't forget our gift vouchers for that last minute gift.

Pictured on the left is Archie Roberts and his guide at the Capital Climb and below is Prof Rose Bamford.

News from Run Walk for Life Hilton

This year Laddsworth Primary School Grade One and Two pupils performed 'The Grinch who stole Christmas'. Their light hearted, song and dance interpretation of the well-known Dr Seuss story was received with much applause.

A production of this nature requires a huge amount of effort and congratulations are due to all the children, staff, parents and friends of Laddsworth who help behind the scenes and supported this show.

L-R: Taking part as 'Christmas Stockings' are Brynn Morgan and Alexis Jennings.

News supplied.

Thank you for all your support this year, we have had a wonderful year at Sue Tarr's.

For those of you who have not bought your Xmas presents yet - our shop is still bulging with presents for everyone. La Popote closes on Sunday the 21st but we will be open until 1pm on Wednesday the 24th for any last minute shoppers.

We will open again on the 13th January when La Popote opens and look forward to seeing you all.

Kind regards
Sue, Lindy and Sylvia

Grade 6 pupils from Laddsworth Primary School visited the Nelson Mandela Capture Site as part of their Social Science theme on Democracy. Learners walked through the museum and answered questions in their booklets which would aid their understanding of the time period and of the life story of Nelson Mandela.

A walk down the 'Long Walk to Freedom' pathway to appreciate the sculpture of Madiba's head by Marco Cianfanelli, ended their outing.

L-R: Luke Pellew-Jarman, Callum Ross, Luke Pieterse and Donovan Bornman.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

The Jaxx Roll on Wednesday was won by Ken Hooper, Rodney Braithewaite and Pam Spring. Vouchers from Dulcѐ's were won by Fred Palmer, Barry Best and Vernon Hickinbotham. The Sportsman's Prize went to Olga Hutt, Margaret Meek and John Aubrey. Thanks to our sponsors and to all the visitors who support our club. Well done to the victors.

On Saturday we played for the Surelink Trophy. This is a mounted genuine Lignum vitae wood. Winners were Thelma Mylne, Bill McQuade and Ingrid Oellermann. Shelly Brooks from Surelink graced us with her presence to present the prize. We truly appreciate the generous donation that Surelink gives us each year.

Those who have not yet enlisted for Bill's Bash this coming Saturday have missed the boat. All available places have been booked. Proceedings will kick off soon after 08:00 when teams will be drawn. Bowls will be followed by a super lunch provided by Bill Lambert. If the weather precludes play, the lunch will still go ahead.

Club events planned for December include IF Trips on 5th, Chicken Run on 13th, Jaxx Roll 17th and the Quarry Spar Christmas Cup on the 20th. Lindsay's vouchers and Lister prizes will played for on weekday tabs-in sessions.

Many of our neighbouring clubs will also be holding special Festive events. Check your calendars and go visiting during December.

Duties: 30 Nov – 6 Dec OOD: Jean Pluke. Tabs: John Pluke. Duty Team: Des Morrish. Teas on Sat. 6 Dec: Tom Hartley & Tony Francis. Biscuits: 2 & 4 Dec: Basil Fann & Dave Hammond.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Tyler Francis of Laddsworth Primary School played for the U13 KZN Inland Squad in a Quadrangular in Kimberley from 23-26 October 2014. This squad was then trimmed down to 13 players including Tyler who has been selected to play for the KZN Inland team at the CSA (Cricket South Africa) U13 Cricket Week taking place in Potchefstroom from 11-15 December 2014.

Pictured L-R: Tyler Francis is presented with his cap by Mr N. Barron, Treasurer of the KZN Inland Cricket Union.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

Claudia North, CJ Bergs and Amy Hewat of St Anne's Diocesan College spent two months on exchange in Australia; this is what they had to say about the experience on their return:

"Hearing of the mass 'Australian emigration' from South Africa we set out to see what all the fuss was about. As hard as the Aussies tried we were relentlessness in standing firm as proud South African St Anne's girls. The green and gold did not turn into the gold and green and boeri on the braai did not become shrimp on the 'barbie'. However, we did unfortunately fail in making an argument for why Masterchef South Africa was better.

I think this is what exchange was all about for us. Emerging ourselves in another country's culture and broadening our mindsets through the experience. From getting lost while visiting Sydney, discovering the beautiful Gold and Sunshine Coasts, to experiencing the 'Outback', and forming unbreakable friendships with our St Margaret's family. Over the two, unforgettable months we had a taste of what Australia has to offer and from what we saw it definitely out-shone its expectations.

Being paired with someone across the world may have been daunting but time only proved us wrong. We bonded over our shared passion for rugby, a good steak and our common rivalry against the Kiwis. We are proud that we can now say that we have Australian sisters.

Thus we will not be immigrating to Australia but we can safely say that Australia will always hold a part of our hearts."

Read the latest Hilton Ratepayers Association news here. The association has been very busy and say 'We apologize for not sending out a newsletter for August 2014. This was because there were many issues pending which we preferred to combine into a single newsletter.

This newsletter will deal with four main topics as follows: Town planning (Greater Hilton area), Hilton hospital, Water supply problems and Densification of the Greater Hilton area.'