There was a great enthusiasm and anticipation on the evening amoungst the nearly 100 guests, members and representatives of a number of environmental organisations and forums, City officials and friends.

Vernon Head (Chairman Cape Bird Club and Deputy Chairman
of BirdLife South Africa), Mel Tripp (Cape Bird Club) and  Paul Slabbert          
from Edward Snell & Co the sponsors.

Nazeer Sonday and Dalmain Williams with last mintue preparations and all is on track.

Sharon Bosma, Philippa Huntly (WESSA) and George Davis (SANBI).

The very competent Mel the Master of Ceremony, checking his notes 
before introducing the evening.

Some of the audience who could make it on time. Otto Schmidt a past
Chairman of the Cape Bird Club and the current Chairman of the
Tygerberg Bird Club Gerald Wingate were present. Brian van der Walt
from TBC was also there. The Vice Chairman of the Cape Bid Club
Heather Howell was also present.

.....and some more.

Anne Gray the first speaker of the evening and the prime mover to get
the Flamingo Bird Club established and accepted into the organised structure
of the Western Cape Bird Clubs. She recalled meeting and hearing
Nazeer Sonday at a Western Cape Wetlands Forum meeting in 2010,
with a plea for help to conserve the wetlands in the Philippi Agricultural Area.

Vernon Head welcoming the inauguration of a new Bird Club in the
Western Cape as the representative of BirdLife South Africa and the Cape Bird Club.

Victor Stegmann the nominated Chairman of the Flamingo Bird Club and the 
Chairman of the SCEA (Schaapkraal Civic and Environmental Association).

Some of the young Flamingo Bird Club members listening to the procedings.

The hall was steadily filling up with standing room only.

Leon Rix Chairman Schaapkraal Landbou Vereniging relating the 
history of the Philippi Agricultural Area. He reminded all  that the first
Agricultural Society in South Africa was the Kaapse Vlakte Boere
Vereeniging formed here and is still the oldest surviving agricultural
organisation. He related how the farmers started farming in very difficult
conditions more than 150 years ago. They conserved the land,
the natural animals and birds and he is pleased to be part of the Flamingo Bird Club.

Calvin Cochran (Boundary Road and Princessvlei ) encouraging all present
to take responsibility and help conserve the remaining open corridors
as natural areas for all species to survive and co habit.

Nazeer Sonday introducing with his enthusiasm the reasons for wanting
to form the Flamingo Bird Club, especially for the younger generation. 
The Club wishes to help keep them focused on conservation of the
remaining natural areas in their community while in their formative years.
This is a wonderful example of the local community taking responsibility
for themselves and their families to make their lives richer and more enjoyable.

Rondevlei Sub Council Chairman George Marsh aligning himself and other 
City Councillors from the area and stressing the importance of increasing
budgets for the conservation of the natural environment.

Paul Slabbert from Edward Snell & Co - Glendower Whisky who
not only sponsored the evening and 10 pairs of binoculors and 
10 Bird Field Guides for the Club, but have committed their organisation
to the longterm funding of the Club and its activiities as part of their 
social responsibility. 

Camerworld also part sponsored the binoculars for the Club. 
Thank you and well done to both businesses.

Nazeer the Secretary of the Flamingo Bird Club introducing a
special Awards Cereomony.

Anne receiving a Life Time Membership of the Flamingo Bird Club
from the Chairman Victor.

Calvin receiving a Life Time Membership of the Flamingo Bird Club.

Dalmain accepting the Life Time Membership of the Flamingo Bird Club
on behalf of Dr LV Rapiti who could not be present.

Mel, Vernon and Anne being thanked by Paul from the sponsors Edward Snell & Co
- Glendower Whisky for helping to organise the evenings procedings.

Mel introducing junior member Cherilene Fortuin of the FBC. 
On behalf of the members she thanked the number of the role players
who have helped launch the Club.

Dalmain the nominated Treasurer of the Flamingo Bird Club with a vote of thanks
for the evening.

Dieter Oschadleus (Animal Demographic Unit, UCT) and Shaun Overmeyer
(Cape Bird Club, Conservation Committee).

Some of the Flamingo Bird Club members looking at the photographs
of a recent outing they were on.

This article was in the Argus newspaper on 7 March 2011.   new 09/03/2011