The Waite Research Institute hosted this year’s Peter Waite Day in the Urrbrae House gardens on Friday May 10.
Held each year on the Friday closest to Peter Waite’s Birthday (May 9), the afternoon is an opportunity for people from across the campus organisations to come together over a few drinks and celebrate being part of the Waite community.
The rain cleared in time for the hotly contested Bocce tournament, which this year saw 12 teams fighting it out for the Peter Waite Bocce Trophy. Last year’s defending champions, the Fermtastic Four, were eliminated early but the Macrame Owls from the APPF and CSIRO’s Bowleriffics made it to the final. In the end, it was the Macrame Owls with the win and the Peter Waite trophy has pride of place on top of the Plant Accelerator fridge for the next 12 months.
Special mention goes to the Italian themed ‘Bocconcini’ team for best costume and ‘Correct Waite’ for best team name.
A huge thanks to the staff at Urrbrae House for hosting us. It’s apt that we gathered at the family home of Peter Waite, because it is his generosity and foresight that we acknowledge every year on this occasion. Peter Waite’s philanthropic gift to The University of Adelaide, which led to the establishment of the Waite Agricultural Research Institute in 1924, has enabled and funded important agricultural science outcomes and continues to support our endeavours.
Thanks to Ian Reed and David Price from Urrbrae Agricultural High School and Greg Rolton from Unley High School for joining us this year. The land both schools are situated on is part of Peter Waite’s bequest to the State Government and they are very much a part of the Waite Community. We were also delighted to have Mayor of Mitcham Dr Heather Holmes-Ross join us and present the trophy to the winning Bocce team.
Thanks to everyone who joined in. You now have 12 months to practice your bocce ahead of the tournament next year!
