Pretoria District Dugout
Shellholes:
- Casa Mia
- Coalbox/Mark II
- Colonel Bogey (Closed 15 September 2019)
- Field Marshal
- Gorgeous Wrecks
- Ouma (Closed 30 June 2025)
- Rusty
- Vacant Chair
Executive for 2025 – 2026
History of the Dugout click here
🍀 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑺𝒕 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌’𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒈 🍀
☘️ A Tale with a Touch o’ the Emerald Isle ☘️
☘️ Ah now, gather ‘round ye fine folk, and lend an ear to a tale worth the telling… ☘️
On the grand afternoon of the 14th of March 2026, Evenden House came alive with the spirit of St Patrick himself, as revellers poured in like a well-pulled pint of Guinness. The occasion? A mighty fine fundraiser—but truth be told, it felt more like a afternoon lifted straight from the heart of Ireland! 🍻
Decked out in green from head to toe, the crowd was a sight to behold. Shamrocks were pinned, hats were perched, and more than a few cheeky leprechauns (or so they claimed!) wandered about spreading laughter and good cheer. 🍀🧝♂️
Adding a touch of honour to the gathering was Moth Hennie Bresler of Blaize Away Shellhole in Mossel Bay—once a proud member of Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole—whose arrival was met with hearty handshakes and stories that grew taller with every telling.
📺 Now, no Irish celebration would be complete without a bit of sporting drama! The Irish took on the Scots in the Six Nations clash, and oh, what a match it was! Much to the despair (and colourful commentary) of Moths Gary Finlay and Dave Berry, Ireland triumphed 43–21. There were groans, there were sighs—but in true old soldier fashion, the drinks were raised regardless! 🍻
🎻 And then came the music! The Herring Bone Band filled the hall with lively Celtic tunes, setting feet tapping and hearts soaring. Even the stiffest joints found themselves loosening as the rhythm took hold—sure, it was magic of the finest kind!
🏆 A contest for the best dressed brought out the competitive spirit, and after much debate and laughter, the honours went to Moth Johnny Beukes and his good lady Annamarie—looking every bit the part of true Irish nobility.
🍲 And what’s a gathering without a feast? Dirk Muller served up a hearty Irish stew that could warm the bones of a winter’s night. Rich, filling, and full of flavour—it vanished quicker than a leprechaun’s gold!
☘️ And so, as the night drew to a close, the laughter lingered, the friendships grew stronger, and the spirit of camaraderie burned bright. Funds were raised, stories were shared, and memories were made to last a lifetime.
🍀 With a final raise of the glass and a twinkle in the eye, the night whispered softly:
“Sláinte, ye fine blokes and bloquettes… until we meet again!” 🍻🍀
GORGEOUS WRECKS SHELLHOLE RAID CASA MIA SHELLHOLE AND KIDNAP THE OLD BILL OF THE ORDER
of military planning, the fearless members of Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole learned that the Old Bill of the Order, Moth Leon Robertson, would be attending the Casa Mia Shellhole meeting on 1 March 2026.
The Wrecks immediately concluded that such an important dignitary could not possibly be left unattended amongst the Casa Mia crowd and therefore required urgent “protective custody.”
Orders were issued by Old Bill George Butler, who assumed command of the operation with all the authority of a General and none of the paperwork. The Wrecks assembled discreetly around the corner from Evenden House, attempting to look inconspicuous while forming a convoy large enough to invade a small country.
At the appointed hour the motorised column rolled forward and descended upon the Dugout with all the subtlety of a troop carrier with a loose exhaust pipe.
Upon entry, the invading force was bravely challenged by the Casa Mia Shellhole Sgt-Maj, John Hains, who attempted to repel the attack single-handedly. Sadly, he was outnumbered by a mob of Wrecks whose tactical plan consisted mainly of shouting loudly and occupying all available chairs.
The Executive of Casa Mia Shellhole were immediately placed under arrest, tried on the spot, and sentenced to banishment to the salt mines, a punishment considered most severe since it comes with no beer ration.
Meanwhile, the notorious Wrecks Sgt-Maj Francois Louw successfully carried out the main objective of the operation by kidnapping the Old Bill of the Order, Moth Leon Robertson. The distinguished prisoner was then held firmly to ransom, although witnesses report he appeared quite comfortable with the arrangement.
With the Dugout firmly under Wrecks control, Moth George Butler seized the chair and promptly closed the meeting before anyone from Casa Mia could recover their dignity. In the finest traditions of MOTH justice, everyone present was immediately fined on the spot in order to raise ransom money for the safe return of the Old Bill of the Order.
After vigorous collection (and a few threats involving additional fines), the impressive sum of R1,410.00 was raised and ceremoniously handed to Moth Robertson to assist with his travelling expenses — or possibly to ensure he would forgive the kidnappers.
With hostilities concluded and honour more or less intact, the afternoon descended into the usual harmony session, followed by a bring-and-braai. Good fellowship prevailed, tall stories were told, and it was unanimously agreed that the raid had been a resounding success, even if nobody could quite remember who actually won.
All participants returned safely to their respective Shellholes, slightly poorer from the fines but considerably richer in good humour and comradeship.
COMBINED SHELLHOLES MEETING – 18 JANUARY 2026
The Pretoria District Dugout kicks off each new year with the Combined Shellholes Meeting. This has always been a successful event and raises much needed funds for Evenden House. The meeting is a casual affair with the members of the District electing a Combined Meeting Executive by bidding for their preferred candidate. An amount in excess of R16,000.00 was raised.
The meeting was then followed by a bring and braai which was enjoyed by all
PRETORIA DISTRICT DUGOUT – OLD BILL’S DINNER 2025
The Old Bill’s Dinner took place at Evenden House on 11th October 2025 hosted by District Old Bill Thinus Prinsloo of the Pretoria District Dugout. The Dinner was established to give recognition to those Old Bill who have supported the District over the years. Those in attendance were:
- Moth Dave Berry – Past Old Bill of Whizzbang Shellhole, Past District Old Bill of Pretoria District Dugout and Past Provincial Old Bill of Platinum Provincial Dugout.
- Moth Gary Finlay – Old Bill of the Combined Shellholes Meeting.
- Moth George Butler – Old Bill of Gorgeous Wrecks Shellhole and past Old Bill ofHalfaya Pass Shellhole in Oudtshoorn.
- Moth Johan Strydom – Old Bill of Coalbox/MkII Shellhole and Moth Melt van Sittert – Past Old Bill of Coalbox/MkII Shellhole, Suzette Avis – Past Old Bill Coalbox MkII
- Moth Andrew Olivier – Past Old Bill of Col Bogey Shellhole
- Moth Tim Lane – Old Bill of Field Marshal Shellhole
- Moth Joep Joubert and Moth Henry Schnettler – Past Old Bills of Casa Mia Shellhole
- Moth Graeme Thorold and Moth Hannes van Niekerk – Past Old Bills of Vacant Chair Shellhole
- Moth Vaino Prinsloo – Past Old Bill of Monte Sole Shellhole in Ermelo
- Moth Ed Ruziecki – Past Old Bill of Otjiwanda Shellhole in Grootfontein.
- Moth Niel van Dyk – Past Old Bill of Alan Wilson Shellhole in Pietermaritzburg.
During the Dinner, the District Old Bill delivered his keynote address on Warriors Gate which covered the establishment of the Gate to what it is today. His address was enjoyed be all and was an eye-opener for those blokes who have not had the opportunity to visit the Gate.
Moth Thinus then awarded Mr Dirk Muller our caterer with a Certificate of Appreciation for his services to the Pretoria District.
The Dinner was concluded with the drinking of the various toasts and the Old Bill’s and Past Old Bill’s were then dismissed to harmony
The Pretoria District Annual General Meeting – 17 August 2017
District Old Bill Thinus Prinsloo delivered his 2016-2017 Old Bill’s Report and at the conclusion of his report, he presented the District Trophies to the following recipients
The Pretoria District Annual General Meeting – 18 August 2016
During the District AGM the Provincial Old Bill Moth Dave Berry installed the incoming Pretoria District Executive
The Combined Shellhole Meeting held at Evenden House on Sunday 17 January 2016 was attended by 40 Moths
The 47th Veterans’ Dinner held at Evenden House on Sunday 01 November 2015
Pretoria District Dugout: The Annual General Meeting Evenden House – Thursday 20 August 2015
The 2015 Annual District Awards
The Annual Border Boys Parade Pretoria Cottages – 16 August 2015 Casa Mia Shellhole hosted the Annual Border Boys Parade at the Sound Memory Cottages in Pretoria on Sunday 16 August 2015
The Annual District Old Bill’s Dinner 