Death of Treverton’s last surviving Founder Governor
He was involved with Treverton for over half a century; from the first meetings when the concept of the school was being debated to the school celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year
Reverend Rae Trew, the last surviving Founder Governor of Treverton Schools passed away in Johannesburg on April 12 at the age of 87.
He was involved with Treverton for over half a century; from the first meetings when the concept of the school was being debated to the school celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year.
He grew up in Cape Town, and attended St Georges Grammar School and the University of Cape Town, where he was awarded a B.Sc.(Eng.)
He later became a minister in the Baptist Church.
His first association with Treverton was when he was a Baptist Pastor, in Hillcrest.
He was invited to attend a meeting with Rev John Jonsson, Wilfred Harland and Sydney Hudson-Reed to discuss the possibility of the establishment of a school in Mooi River on the property of the former Treverton Preparatory School, which had closed in 1961.
He stated that he was privileged to be one of the Founders who took the decision on November 23, 1962 to purchase the derelict school property and re-establish Treverton; he became a founder governor and Honorary Secretary to both the Board and the School Council.
He was one of the signatories at the joint meeting of Governors, Trustees and School Councillors that signed the Trust Deed on 24 April 1963.
He served as the Secretary for 20 years.
As a tribute to his service to the school, the first girls’ hostel at Treverton College was named Trew House.
His association with Treverton has spanned three generations of the Trew family.
His youngest daughter Debbie, now the Chairperson of the Board of Governors, attended Treverton from 1979-1984 and was the head of Trew House in her matric year.
Two grandchildren attended Treverton College.
He also served on the History Committee.
Rae was Chairman of MOST (Mobile School of Theology).
He also retained his connection with the engineering industry as a director of Proconse Consulting Engineers in Pretoria.
He is survived by his wife Eileen, to whom he was married for over 58 years, their four daughters and six grandchildren.
