NOVEMBER
2013 NO. 23
Lampstand The
THE ANNUAL MAGAZINE OF THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION
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PO Box 16073 Wellington, NZ 6242 • Telephone: 04 802 2537 • Facsimile: 04 802 2542 2013 The Lampstand Email: Web: www.wellington-college.school.nz RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IToldboys@wc.school.nz. ON
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REGISTRATION Attendees will be able to register online or by mail for the full package or individual events. We will also offer payments by instalments over the next four years to ease the financial burden. In the interim, we ask you to let us know of your intention to attend. Early in 2014, you will be able to formally register and make instalment payments.
TRAVEL and ACCOMMODATION Our appointed Event Management Company will assist you in securing and arranging the best prices for domestic and international travel. They have also secured a range of hotel options to suit every budget and preference and we
WELLINGTON COLLEGE’S TENTATIVE SCHED LABOUR WEEK All Day Thursday, 19 October
Afternoo
recommend you book your ‘special rate’ through them. They will also coordinate
Evening
transfers between hotels and venues. Hold off making your reservations for
Morning
hotels until you get our ‘Best Rate’ code.
TOURS of the COLLEGE
All Day
Friday, 20 October
Lunchtim
Our 2017 Prefects will be your ‘go-to-men’ over the weekend by taking guided
Evening
tours of the College and Archives as well as giving you directions and any other
All Day
assistance.
PHOTO EXHIBITION
Lunchtim
Saturday, 21 October
Afternoo
College Archivist, Paddianne Neely will be coordinating a plethora of photos and
Evening
memorabilia located at the College. If you have old photos, uniforms, academic
Morning
paraphernalia and anything else you think may be of interest to fellow alumni, please contact her at the Archives on 04 802 9411 (Monday and Wednesday) or email oldboys@wc.school.nz
All Day Sunday, 22 October
Lunchtim
Afternoo
If you can help with the displays, make sure you get in touch.
PARTNER PROGRAMME
Monday, 23 October (Labour Day)
All Day
While some of the weekend activities will cater for partners, the Cocktail Party
These activities are not firmly set in place b
and Dinner is for Alumni only (at this stage). We are sure you can appreciate
we hope to wor
that a large number of Old Boys will return and our priority is to cater for them at formal events. However if numbers are lower than expected, we will let you know. We are looking at a coinciding event for partners for the Saturday evening. Suggestions are most welcome.
MEMORABILIA and JUBILEE BOOK A range of Wellington College memorabilia and 150th Celebration souvenirs will be available for purchase prior to and over the weekend. Those alumni who register for the full package will also receive a copy of the Wellington College
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Evening
WHAT YOU NEED
Visit our website - www.wc.school.nz (WCOBA/150
attending this ‘Not to be Missed’ event. At the same
with travel and accommodation. Advance indication o venues and costs, which we can then announce to
assistance (both physical and fina
oldboys@wc.school.nz or
PO Box 16073, Welli
book of 150 years of history. A small number of copies will also be available to
Matthew Beattie, 150th
buy over the weekend.
Stephanie Kane, 150th Ce
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SPORTS EXTRAVAGANZA Saturday afternoon will feature Cricket, Rugby, Football and Basketball matches. If you have what it takes to play in one of the Invitation Teams or wish to coordinate and/or coach and feel up to facing the students, let us know at oldboys@wc.school.nz
E’S 150th CELEBRATIONS HEDULE of EVENTS EEKEND, 2017 Registrations
Day
rnoon
Golf Tournament
It will be a great afternoon of blood, sweat and tears as former sporting stars pit themselves against our up-and-coming superstars.
ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA Sunday evening will feature an array of cultural events.
ning
Own Arrangements
If you are a noted musician(s), debater(s), comedian(s) and would like to perform
rning
Full School Assembly
‘live on stage’, let us know. Likewise, if you are a current or former artist: painter/
Tours of the College
singer/band/dance/classical and modern musician or anything else, let us know
Photo Exhibition
at oldboys@wc.school.nz It will be a great afternoon and evening of excellence
Day
chtime
Staff Luncheon
ning
Cocktail Party Tours of the College
Day
across many areas of entertainment.
SPONSORSHIP
Photo Exhibition
In order to make the 150th Celebrations cost effective for both the school and
chtime
Firth House Luncheon
the attendees, we require support in the form of sponsorship. If you and your
rnoon
Sports Extravaganza
ning
Formal Dinner
rning
Church Service Tours of the College
Day
Photo Exhibition
chtime
Finale BBQ
rnoon
A Touch of Culture
ning
Arts Extravaganza
Day
Own Arrangements
lace but are just to give you a taste of what
o work around.
ED TO DO NEXT...
A/150th Celebrations) and register your interest in
same time, you can indicate if you require assistance
ion of interest will help us in finalising the programme,
e to you in February, 2014. Any queries or offers of
d financial) should be directed to
nz or Tel: +64 4 802 2537
Wellington NZ 6242.
50th Celebrations Chair
th Celebrations Convenor RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
business or company can help with such things as printing, beverages, transport, signage, memorabilia to name a few, please contact us at oldboys@wc.school.nz Naming Rights: Sponsors (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) will have up to four years of guaranteed publicity to a world-wide audience of Wellington College alumni.
COMMUNICATION: SPREAD THE WORD The most important factor is keeping you up-to-date on the 150th Celebrations. Postage is a very expensive outlay, so initial communication is recommended by email. By filling in the online registration of interest, it will mean you will be kept informed on the arrangements by email. We will also be setting up our 150th Celebrations Facebook page (in conjunction with our WCOBA Page). Search for: Wellington College Old Boys and click ‘Like’ and of course invite yourself to join. This will be another way of keeping in touch with news from the College, the WCOBA and of course the 150th Celebrations. If you don’t have an email address, let us know.
STAFF EVENTS If you are a former staff member and would like to help locate and communicate with fellow staff and/or help us plan additional events, please contact is at oldboys@wc.school.nz
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Uncovering the past in the Wellington College Archives
"We’ve all got them. Those things from our past that we just can’t bear to throw away. Years later, we find them at the bottom of a cupboard and the memories come flooding back" Thankfully, the hoarder’s philosophy that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure is something that the Wellington College Archives lives by. As a result, the College now has an incredible archives, all properly catalogued and recorded. If you have visited the College, you will have seen just a fraction of the extensive collection we’ve got. From text books, magazines and uniforms to furniture, newsletters and an enormous collection of photographs. The Archives contain objects from our first days right up to the present. We are always looking to add to our collection, so please let us know if there is anything you would like to donate. If it brings back a happy memory of your time at Wellington College then chances are it will stir the memories of your fellow classmates. Everything we get builds up a wonderfully detailed picture of how things have changed over the years. If you would like to come and see the Archives, please contact Paddianne Neely on 04 382 9411 or at oldboys@wc.school.nz You might even be able to help us put names to faces. 6
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Welcome
I’m delighted to welcome all Old
This year’s Lampstand announces
Boys and friends of Wellington
the plans for the 150th
College to the latest edition of
Celebrations in 2017. While you
the Lampstand, the magazine for may think four years is a while alumni of our school.
away, here in the WCOBA Office, plans are already underway
Many of our featured Old Boys
to secure venues and work on
are drawn from different eras
programmes which will cater for
of the College’s history, and
Old Boys of all ages, interests and
have contributed significantly to
budgets. I hope many of you will
sectors around the world, working take the opportunity to renew or in every imaginable field as varied
strengthen your relationship with
as in business, the arts, in sport,
the College and of course with
education, philanthropy, and by
fellow classmates and teachers.
supporting worthwhile causes. Our new WCOBA office - Office
Please remember to send us your news. oldboys@wc.school.nz
4 28 29 17 28 24 27 30 17
MAR MAR MAR APR MAY JUN JUN JUN OCT
McEvedy Shield @ Newtown Park Class of 1964 Reunion • 50 Years On WCOBA Luminary Fellows Dinner
Our WCOBA events section also
150 is ideally located at the
underlines the global reach of our
entrance to the main campus of
Old Boys, with updates from the
the College and we are grateful to
United Kingdom and Australia as
the Association for their financial
well as here in New Zealand. It
support in establishing this new
has been a pleasure to meet so
building. Please feel free to visit
many Old Boys this past year at
us and the adjacent Archives.
these gatherings. Special thanks to those Old In response to the growing global
Boys who have made contact
impact of our Old Boys, our social
with me - sending donations,
media network is also continuing
letters, photos, stories and other
to expand as we bring topical
newsworthy items for inclusion in
success stories from the College
the magazine. I really appreciate
Class of 2004 Reunion • 10 Years On
and of our Old Boys. There are
the time you have taken to keep
now more than 38 countries
in touch and support us.
Quad @ Wanganui Collegiate [to 2 July]
around the world where we have
Wellington College ANZAC Service Wellington College v St Patrick’s (Town) [H] Annual v Christchurch BHS at Home
Class of 1974 Reunion • 40 Years On
Old Boys residing and no doubt
Stephanie Kane
other countries as well.
WCOBA Executive Officer
Please support the Association by joining the WCOBA today. Your support assists in
SPECIAL THANKS to Paddianne Neely,
producing the magazine, funding Old Boys' activities and events, as well as supporting
our Archivist for providing material for
College awards, buildings, activities and maintaining the Archives.
our magazine and to Gil Roper (1959-61) for his proof-reading skills. Thank you
Life Membership: $150.00 (Includes a Certificate of Life Membership & Lapel Pin)
also to staff, students and Old Boys who took many of the more recent photos and
Alternatively, if you wish to just make a donation to the WCOBA to help offset printing and
provided news which all helps form The
postage costs for The Lampstand, we very much appreciate your support. Details are in the
Lampstand each year.
enclosed insert and online: www.wc.school.nz (WCOBA).
Stephanie Kane, Editor
The WCOBA is here to keep you informed and involved. Wellington College Old Boys’ Association PO Box 16073, Wellington New Zealand, 6242 Tel: 04 802 2537 Fax: 04 802 2542 Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz Web: www.wc.school.nz
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Stay in Contact Don’t miss out on the latest news and invitations. Update your contact details with us at any time by providing us with your email address so we can keep you up-to-date. Remember to let us know if you change your postal address.
Wellington College Old Boys We welcome your news, memories and feedback for future Lampstand issues and social media. Please keep in touch!
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WCOBA Special Offer In the cellar at Te Mata Estate winery are barrels filled with something very special just for Wellington College Old Boys. After a vintage described by Decanter UK as ‘the stuff of legends’, one lot of Chardonnay and one lot of Merlot/Cabernets have been put aside especially for our enjoyment to help raise funds for the Memorial Window appeal. The aim to restore the stained glass window, originally built as a memorial to Wellington College Old Boys who died in WWI, is a cause that resonates with Te Mata Estate’s Chairman John Buck – himself a Wellington College Old Boy. Organised by Development Manager, Tony Robinson, this very limited selection of wine from one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed wineries will be made available for our Old Boys in six or twelve pack cases. The 2013 vintage has already been much heralded as one of New Zealand’s greatest and these very special wines have been created to cellar perfectly until Wellington College’s 150th Celebrations in 2017. Don’t miss out on your chance to secure this limited edition. Each bottle will have an image of our Memorial Window on its back label. Two of 2013’s most exclusive wines made by one of the country’s finest producers, created and labelled just for our Old Boys to bring the Memorial Window restoration one step closer.
Register your order now! To register your order now Please contact Te Mata Estate on 0800 836 282 or email: shop@temata.co.nz Your wine will be delivered after September 2014. You will not be billed until the wine is despatched and you will be advised in advance should you not wish to proceed. $280 + $10 freight for a 12 bottle case $150 + $10 freight for a 6 bottle case (International shipping can also be arranged - contact Te Mata for details). Cases can be any mixed number of Chardonnay or Merlot bottles or a single variety.
Hawkes Bay-based Old Boy, Merv Ewing
lends
a hand at the harvest of our Wellington
College
grapes.
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Limited Stock The legendary Headmaster, JP Firth, who retired in 1921, pressed passionately for a Memorial Hall which would be dedicated to the courage and sacrifice of ‘his Boys’ in The Great War. In 1928, Firth (far left) attended the opening of this glorious building with its iconic stained glass window which Old Boys still believe depicts the symbolic heart of the College today.
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WCOBA Executive 2013-2014 POSITION
NAME
YEARS
CONTACT
PRESIDENT
Matthew Beattie
1970-1972
matthew.beattie@insteplimited.com
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Brian Smythe
1954-1958
smythelson@xtra.co.nz
TREASURER
Bob Slade
1954-1958
bob@slade.co.nz
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Stephanie Kane
CENTENNIAL TRUST CHAIR
-
Matthew Beattie
1970-1972
matthew.beattie@insteplimited.com
Robert Anderson
1969-1973
r.anderson@wc.school.nz
Roger Moses (Headmaster) EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
oldboys@wc.school.nz
-
r.moses@wc.school.nz
Matthew Reweti
1986-1990
matthew.reweti@gmail.com
Guy Randall
1999-2003
randall_guy@hotmail.com
Ernie Rosenthal
1957-1960
e.rosenthal@wc.school.nz
Scott Tingey
1974-1978
zl2tpd@gmail.com
WCOBA Objectives
THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED TO: •
Further the interests of the College and its past and present members and keep former students in touch with each other and with the school.
•
Maintain a register of names of all who have passed through the College since 1867 and endeavour to record the addresses of all those alive.
•
Arrange reunions and other functions for Old Boys.
•
Where needed, support current students at the College.
THESE AIMS ARE MET BY THE ASSOCIATION BY UNDERTAKING THE FOLLOWING TASKS: •
Produce The Lampstand and similar publications each year, covering activities of Old Boys and other relevant information.
•
Maintain a computerised database, giving details of all Old Boys of the College including teaching staff. This includes addresses where known. The Executive Officer will release addresses to bona fide Old Boys but will not allow any access for commercial purposes.
•
Provide financial support for College activities, including sporting and cultural activities, sponsorship and academic prizes, as well as supporting the Archives.
•
Organise various reunions and other social functions either at the College, nationwide or internationally for Old Boys which the Association wishes to encourage and extend.
•
Administer charitable funds managed by the Association for current and past students including assistance with fundraising appeals.
2013 WCOBA Annual General Meeting
The 2013 AGM was held in conjunction with the Traditional against St Patrick’s (Silverstream). While the fine weather and view offered from the Pavilion was excellent, unfortunately the result was not what we had hoped in both the Rugby and Football - but Hockey won!
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1
(L-R): Morrie Deterte, Bruce Heather, Bob Slade, Dave Eggers
2
(L-R): John Mills, Matthew Beattie
3
(L-R): Ross Macdonald, Dave Eggers
4
(L-R): Kieran Oliver, Tom Kane, Reece Cargill, Andrew Scotts
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Outgoing President’s Report Brian Smythe (1954 - 1958), Head Prefect • ACTIVITIES AT THE COLLEGE:
It is my pleasure to present this report, the third of my presidency. Due to my absence overseas in June, I am grateful to
The Frank Crist Centre [previously
Matthew Beattie, Association Executive Member and Chairman of
the Collegian Squash Courts], has
the Centennial Trust, who will table this report at the AGM.
been completely refurbished to incorporate both the Sports Academy and a Learning Centre, in honour of a
Although our year does not end until 30 June 2013, there is much to
wonderful teacher, housemaster and coach.
be reported upon: The WCOBA and Development Office has been busy, owing to the
The Sir Ron Brierley Artificial Turf: The all-weather playing field - a
continuing energies of Stephanie Kane [Executive Officer], and Tony
joint venture between the College and the Wellington City Council,
Robinson [Development Manager], and the able assistance of Glenda
now provides an immensely popular sporting facility on the middle
Schmitt [Development Officer]. Between them, these three excellent
field, without anxiety about mud or fixture cancellation.
operatives are responsible for the management of all activities of the Old Boys’ Association; in particular:
Development and WCOBA Office Relocation: The Development Office and WCOBA staff are pleased and relieved to be relocated, this
• COHORT REUNIONS: 55 Years +, Class of 1963; and Class of 1972.
July, from their remote and inadequate office, to a refurbished space
These popular functions fulfil an important purpose of the WCOBA –
at the top of the driveway, and close to the Archives in the former
to bring together old school friends and acquaintances to catch up,
Headmaster’s House. Refurbishment costs have been shared - 2/3
reminisce, network, view the College in its contemporary settings, and
WCOBA and 1/3 by the College. Thanks are due to Matt Beattie,
enjoy great socialising.
as Chair of the Centennial Trust, for driving this initiative, and for arranging that the WCOBA share of cost will be covered from the
• BRANCH GATHERINGS: Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Horowhenua/
Centennial Trust.
Manawatu and Canterbury. These are also popular functions, although we have noticed that
This facility will be far more convenient for Old Boys wishing to visit
‘younger’ Old Boys tend to delay their commitment to WCOBA matters
‘Head Office’, or the Archives [which continue to expand under the
until later in life. While this is understandable, we would encourage
expert guidance of the College Archivist, the incomparable Paddianne
younger alumni to engage in the affairs of their Association as soon as
Neely].
possible. • LUMINARY FELLOW AWARDS: The WCOBA Executive is finalising • FUNDRAISING EVENTS:
the establishment of an annual event to be known as the Wellington
Raise the Roof – a successful Cocktail Party and Auction which raised
College Luminary Fellow Awards, designed to acknowledge and
some $24,000, including a bottle of Te Mata Coleraine which went for
celebrate achievement by Old Boys at the highest level.
$3000! The auction proceeds go towards the cost of the Memorial Hall redevelopment.
• WELLINGTON COLLEGE 150TH IN 2017: This will be a major event in 2017, timed to coincide with the commission of the redeveloped
Memorial Window Relocation - this historic and priceless stained
Memorial Hall and Performing Arts Centre. The 150th will be jointly
glass icon will be relocated within the re-design of the hall. Tony
managed and financed by the College and the WCOBA [through the
Robinson invites Old Boys to donate in exchange for donor’s names
Centennial Trust]. Planning and budgeting will shortly commence.
on a commemorative plaque. A significant amount in donations has already been received.
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Thanks are due to the team at the Development and WCOBA Office, to Bob Slade for keeping the
Wine Project - thanks to the generosity of John Buck, an Old Boy
Association’s books in good order, and to all members of the Executive
who owns Te Mata Peak Winery, Tony Robinson has arranged for two
Committee for their welcome input.
blocks of grapes to be dedicated to production of a Wellington College wine, to be named ‘Wellington College 150’, with profits going to the
Brian Smythe, President • June, 2013
Memorial Hall redevelopment. • THE LAMPSTAND continues as the mainstay of the WCOBA with information and communication, due to the remarkable editorial skills of Stephanie Kane. Increasing publication costs are contained with The Lampstand now available online as well as in hard copy.
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New President’s Report Matthew Beattie (1970 - 1972), Head Prefect matthew.beattie@insteplimited.com I am delighted to lead the WCOBA again, having
A 150th Celebration schedule will
initially been President in 1999-2000.
be out soon for your scrutiny but there is still time for that ‘killer idea’
Introducing MATT BEATTIE Matt was at Wellington College 1970-72. He enjoyed his rugby and school leadership with three
We have much to celebrate as a College
to make it into the programme. It is our
years in the 1st XV and a
community. This is a very fine school, continually
intent to utilise reliable social media and regular
love for History and English.
achieving excellence in academic, cultural and
PR releases to keep you informed of 150 news and
He is an undergraduate
sporting success and as Old Boys, we should be
College life. If you haven’t already, get active on
in human resources and
enjoying the reflected glory that today’s young
Facebook and LinkedIn and regularly check our
psychology from both Victoria
men bring into our lives. The College confers great
website for developments.
and Massey Universities
values on these men and expects good measure,
and a post graduate in
pressed down, shaken together and running over
In early 2014, the College will be conferring four
International Relations at
in return.
Luminary Fellow Awards to two present and the
Deakin University, Australia
families of two deceased Old Boys who, over the
and had a small sojourn at
For the next period of our school history, the
course of their lives, have achieved at the highest
Harvard Law School studying
challenge is significant for Old Boys - among the
level and made an outstanding contribution to or
negotiation and performance
responsibilities is the planning and execution of
demonstrated leadership in their profession in
psychology.
the 150th Anniversary of the College in 2017. This
New Zealand or internationally. A Luminary Fellow
is not a small task as we expect up to 4,000 Old
could be drawn from Academia, the Arts, the
For 25 years, Matt was a
Boys in various ages, shapes and sizes to attend
Professions, Business, Sport or Service. We will be
professional Army officer,
the celebrations over Labour Weekend and it has
honouring our Luminary Fellows and their families
working in the UK, USA,
to be an occasion that befits both the grandeur of
at an inaugural dinner at the College in March 2014.
Australia, Bosnia and
the College and the down-to-earth, common touch
Once we have further details, we will advertise the
Germany and proceeded into
of the alumni and students. Your Executive and our details to you. This will be quite an occasion.
business in 1998 founding
Executive Officer are well underway on this project
Instep, a behavioural
- now based in our new Office 150 at the top of the
I look forward to travelling on your behalf and
healthcare company and
Dufferin Street driveway. Please drop in and get an
meeting many of you wherever you gather in the
later adding two more
update from Stephanie Kane.
future.
organisations in joint venture with colleagues in Australia and Canada. One of his great passions is supporting elite sportsmen and women in professional rugby and cricket so they can perform to their highest potential. His other community interests also include Trustee of the National Army Museum, Trustee of the Karori Events
Members of the Wellington College Foundation, Board of Trustees and
Centre, Vice President of
WCOBA Executive attended the recent official opening of Office 150.
the Wellington Returned
ABOVE and BELOW: New WCOBA President, Matt Beattie discusses the plans for the forthcoming 150th celebrations. ABOVE RIGHT: Deputy Head Prefect,
and Services Association, Wellington College Rugby Club, Project K and as a life facilitator for men at Rimutaka Prison.
Benson Oosterbaan cuts the ribbon to
Matt is married to Sarah
formally open Office 150.
and has two adult children, daughter Emilie and son Alex.
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From the Wellington College Foundation Chairman John Marshall (1960 - 1964), Head Prefect john.marshall@waterfront.org.nz The College Foundation has the task
students. We want to have this
These achievements could not
of developing and implementing a
new hall completed by 2017 for
have happened without the
fundraising strategy for Wellington
the 150th celebrations of the
dedication and commitment
College, and investing the money raised
College.
of so many of the teachers of
for the benefit of the College.
the College. The Foundation recognises this, and provides these
Over the last seven years, the A recent and very positive development is
College has raised some $3.6m towards this
that the College’s Development Office, which
hall project, and we need another $3.5m. So
is the fundraising arm of the College, now
we need YOUR support, as proud Old Boys, to
reports to the Foundation. We are together
make this happen!
teachers with a modest financial reward for their outstanding contributions. The next few years will be challenging ones for The Foundation as we work with the
working on a new strategy for fundraising, with the objective of raising sufficient money
You will read elsewhere in the Lampstand of
Development Office and Old Boys’ Association
to enable the College Hall to be extended and
the wonderful achievements of our current
to raise much-needed money, and then invest
refurbished, thereby creating a modern multi-
students in so many facets of life at the
wisely. To those of you who have made
use facility which can accommodate 1600
College - academic, the arts and in sport.
donations, thank you very much.
Office 150 Students, staff and Old Boys alike have been watching the
refurbishment of the decrepit Social Studies Classroom and wondering what was to become of the former leaking and cold classroom. In July, it was all disclosed when the signage was unveiled to reveal
Registered Office of the Wellington College Old Boys’ Association and The Wellington College Development Office
the new home of the Wellington College Old Boys’ Association and the College Development Office, under the auspicious title of ‘Office 150’. Why Office 150? No, there aren’t 149 other offices at the College (as many students thought), but it has been duly named this as the new hub, as plans get underway for the College’s 150th Jubilee in 2017. current students easier access. Based in Office 150 is Tony Robinson, the College’s Development Manager and Stephanie Kane, Old Boys’ Association Executive Officer
Staff, students and of course, Old Boys are most welcome to call into
and the College’s Communications and Events Manager. In a part-
Office 150 at any time. We have all the old Wellingtonians to read and
time capacity is Glenda Schmitt and volunteer, Susan Harding.
our extensive database for family research.
The refurbishment has been carried out by our Property Manager,
Visitors are also encouraged to call in at the adjacent Archives to view
Kelwyn D’Souza and his crew and includes new roofing, plumbing,
the collections on display. Please call Paddianne on 04 382 9411 or
kitchen, storage and of course working areas. The Wellington College
email oldboys@wc.school.nz to check that she is available.
Old Boys’ Centennial Trust funded the renovations. While day-to-day life will continue in the new surroundings, Office 150 will over the next four years, become a major hive of activity as we gear up for the 150th celebrations in Labour Weekend, 2017. Old Boys will be able to register at the Office and peruse other documentation in association with the jubilee. Adjacent to Office 150 is the Headmaster’s former house which now is the home of our Archives, managed by Paddianne Neely. Having both facilities close to each other, and within the school campus will give Old Boys and
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From the Headmaster Roger Moses, ONZM r.moses@wc.school.nz As I begin my 19th year as Headmaster, it gives me great pleasure to extend very cordial greetings to all alumni of our great school, both at home and abroad.
Schools’ Hockey), and qualifying to play in the final of the Wellington Competition, a game which is yet to be played [at the time of writing]. Our 1st XI Football team were worthy champions in the Wellington competition after a titanic struggle with St Patrick’s (Silverstream), and our Swimming Team returned from the national competition, retaining their title by a very narrow two points from Auckland Grammar School.
During the past twelve months, it has been, as always, exhilarating
Similarly, in the Arts, our students have continued to thrive. The
to meet with so many Old Boys at our 40 Years On Reunion, 50 Years
Wellington College Chorale performed brilliantly at the Wellington
On Reunion, at the Old Boys Dinner in London and, most recently,
Big Sing and was the only Wellington Choir to be selected for the final
the Quadrangular Tournament in Nelson and on three states on the
sixteen at the National Big Sing, where they won a Silver Award. Their
East Coast of Australia. I never tire of hearing amusing tales from
performance of the Samoan classic, Musika Malie, has received over
past escapades and enjoying that sense of camaraderie which is the
80,000 hits on YouTube. A combined performance with Wellington
hallmark of ‘Coll Boys’ the world over.
Girls’ College, featuring our choirs, Jazz Band, Stage Challenge and cultural groups, packed out the Wellington Town Hall in a truly
The last twelve months have been remarkably successful for
memorable evening. Young men at Wellington College are always
Wellington College. For the second year in a row, our boys topped
very proud to participate and give of their very best, whether it be in
the New Zealand Scholarship Awards with 153 Scholarships in total,
the academic, cultural or sporting arena.
breaking previous records. Three of our students were named as Premier Scholars (the top ten in the country), and two of those,
On a sad but, for me, very proud occasion, I was honoured by being
Nicholas On and Thomas Leggat, were jointly presented with the
asked to be a pall bearer at the funeral of Frank Crist, surely one of
Prime Minister’s Award, for the top student in the country. This stellar
the great icons at Wellington College. Over the last eighteen years,
success is unprecedented.
I had got to know Frank well and my life, like that of so many Old Boys, was enhanced by his charismatic presence. He was a great
On the sporting front, our teams have performed with distinction.
man in every sense of the word and a raconteur par excellence. In
The 1st XV were Wellington champions, winners of the Quadrangular
my experience, no former master was more respected than Frank.
Tournament in Nelson and reached the Top 4 in the NZ Secondary
In what was a fitting tribute, our wonderful new sports academy is
Schools’ Competition. Many Old Boys have spoken with considerable
named the Frank Crist Centre, and his name will look down on the
pride at seeing the 1st XV play on the Rugby Channel. Our 1st XI
young men of Wellington College as long as the school exists. With
Hockey has enjoyed its best season for a decade, reaching the
Frank’s passing, surely it is fitting to say... Kua hinga te tōtara i Te
last four in the Rankin Cup (the top tournament in NZ Secondary
Waonui a Tāne. A totara has fallen in the great forest of Tāne.
In May, when Wellington College students were present at the Top Scholar Awards, held at Government House, with the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education were all in attendance. Harry Berger, Thomas Leggat (right) and Nicholas On (left) were all 2012 Premier Scholars (in the Top 10 in NZ) and Colin Kuehne was Top Scholar in German. Thomas was also Top Scholar in both Classical Studies and Media Studies. The only award to be announced on the day was The Prime Minister’s Award for the student who was overall, top in the country. It was therefore a great thrill for the Wellington College contingent when it was announced that a joint award was made for the first time to Thomas and Nicholas. As Headmaster, Roger Moses said to a reporter at the time, from an academic perspective, ‘it doesn’t get much better than that’.
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Until he died, Frank Crist referred to his Wellington College rugby teams as his 'boys'’. Those 'boys', now decades out of College, were among the guests at the opening of the College’s new Frank Crist Centre, which incorporates a sports academy and learning centre. Mr Crist, a renowned sports coach from 1948-1962, died last year aged 93. Speaking at the opening, his widow, Greta Crist, said her husband had remembered his years at the College as 'the best of his life'. Till his death he still referred to his old players as his 'boys', she said. Headmaster Roger Moses, a pallbearer at Mr Crist’s funeral, said his friend represented what 'a great New Zealander is all about'. Frank was a great teacher, a great house master. He was a great rugby coach, he was a great cricket coach, he was a great man. The refurbishment of the centre previously used as squash courts, created a new centre with a sports academy, featuring weights and exercise rooms as well as extra classrooms.
New Centre honours Wellington College legend The opening of the Frank Crist Centre was a wonderful occasion which celebrated not only a spectacular new sporting facility, but also a former master who was revered by Old Boys of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Frank was a colossus in every way. A very imposing man with a highly distinguished record as a pilot during WWII Frank also played over a hundred games in his first class rugby career. He was a rugby and cricket coach par excellence and a terrific classroom teacher. He concluded his career as Headmaster of Hastings Boys’ High School from 1964-1984, but retained a deep love for Wellington College. It was a great honour and privilege that the centre was opened by his charming wife, Mrs Greta Crist. In my view, it is entirely appropriate that Frank’s name will be forever associated with the school he served so well. Roger Moses, Headmaster
TOP: The Prefects perform a powhiri as part of the welcome to the guests at the opening of the Frank Crist Centre. ABOVE LEFT: Junior students in their new Health classroom in the centre. ABOVE RIGHT: The plaque, honouring Frank now has pride of place at the front entrance of the FCC.
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update Development
Tony Robinson Development Manager t.robinson@wc.school.nz +64 4 802 7698
• RAISE THE ROOF CAMPAIGN and AUCTION This took place in the Assembly Hall on 27 February and was a lively and happy evening attended by about 200 people. The occasion was planned officially to launch the last phase of the Memorial Hall building project emphasising the aim of commencing construction in December 2014. This campaign has been branded ‘Raise the Roof’ as that is literally what will happen; the actual roof will be ramped up 2.4 metres so an upper mezzanine floor will increase the capacity of the building to 1600 people. Myles Gazley (1985 - 1989) was a very entertaining and humorous MC regaling the crowd with some colourful stories including being Dux of
Guests and aspiring bidders gathered for drinks prior to the Auction held earlier this year in the Memorial Hall. $24K was raised from the auction lots, kindly donated by parents, Old Boys and the community.
the College in his time here. Grant Robertson, the Wellington Central MP, proved to be an experienced and successful auctioneer and very
• THE ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW and BOOK FAIR
much got into the spirit of the event.
This event took place on a very wet Sunday in June, but despite the inclement weather the high point was having well-known antique
Auction items provided plenty of highlights, especially thanks to
expert, Peter Wedde (1965-1969), appraising items from a long line of
the generosity of Old Boy John Buck (1955-1958), the Director of Te
people who kept Peter busy for the full six hours. Peter entertained
Mata Winery in Hawke’s Bay, who donated a rare six-litre bottle of
the gathering with his colourful, articulate and experienced manner
Coleraine 2009 red wine. Other items that produced spirited bidding
and we are grateful for the huge contribution he made on the day.
were the use of a Gazley luxury car and a night at The White Swan in
Roger Moses and Rob Anderson presented items to be valued with
Masterton donated by Rob Slater (1989-1993); a silver-service lunch
both being surprised and interested at what they learnt. A couple of
with the Headmaster; a long weekend in a luxury Queenstown home,
antiques presented created particular talking points, one of which is
a Kelburn Village megabasket and appropriately naming rights to the
highlighted in the photo below.
first Memorial Window pane. There were also 5000 good second hand books for sale as part of The room was bedecked with 100 balloons in the black and gold of
the event and those not sold were given away to the Downtown
Wellington College and 50 of these contained prizes so everyone was
Community Centre. There were 34 people involved behind the scenes
able to enter into the spirit of things with many coming away with a
on this busy day and the backing of a strong College parents’ team
prize at the end of the evening. This special evening raised $24k for
made this unique event possible.
the Building Appeal.
The discovery of a rare 1688 porcelain ‘prayer book’ set the antiques roadshow fundraiser at Wellington College abuzz. The blue and white Delft piece was worth between $50,000 and $60,000. Appraiser, Peter Wedde (1965-1969), said it could go straight into the British Museum. The owner knew it was special, but had no idea how special. Old Boy, John Mills (1952-1956) [pictured above left] had a framed 1799 etching of a scene from Shakespeare’s Richard III. He brought the item in more out of curiosity than in the hope of a windfall, he said. The scene, depicting the murder of the two sleeping princes in the Tower, was a bit grotesque, he said. It’s not the sort of thing you put on the wall. The piece was valued at $200. Peter, [pictured above right with Headmaster, Roger Moses] is a Kelburn-based antiques expert who boarded at Wellington College as a boy. He said part of the appeal of the event was the element of surprise and emotion.
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Living Memory
Your opportunity to put your name to a piece of history. Give from your heart and inspire the future. The Memorial Window belongs to all of us - past, present and future Roger Moses, Headmaster
All Old Boys know the Memorial Window, an enduring symbol of pride, tradition and service. Wellington College now plans to return it to its rightful place at the head of the new Assembly Hall where the whole school can gather. A scaled-down version of the Memorial Window will be on display nearby, divided into 392 squares, where your family’s name and years of attendance can feature for posterity. There are three tiers of pricing, the highest value allocated to the centre. These numbers are limited. http://wc.school.nz/development/memorial-window-appeal
PAYMENT INFORMATION Yellow Tier
$1,000
Green Tier
$3,000
Red Tier
$5,000
Name Address Email Telephone I enclose a cheque made payable to the Wellington College Foundation Alternatively, payment can be made to the Foundation Bank Account. Please record your details for identification and receipting purposes. 06 0501 0575822 02 Ref: MW YOUR SURNAME You can now donate online and order your window piece by visiting our website: www.wc.school.nz and click on ‘Raise the Roof’ logo.
Enquiries to Tony Robinson on 04 802 7698 or email: a.robinson@wellington-college.school.nz
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archives From the
Paddianne Neely H: +64 4 386 2072 W: +64 4 382 9411 oldboys@wc.school.nz Wellington College Archives:
a goodly heritage, proud traditions, cherished memories
Open Mondays and Wednesdays or by arrangement at other times.
Greetings to you all. How wonderful it has been to be situated in
always packed with work and rushed, so for him to make the time was
our new location over the past 18 months -
indeed special.
it finally feels like home! Since 1990, the Archives has moved eleven times from its first It’s almost 25 years since Mike
room, a urinal and toilet block. The rather small but important
Dormer, [pictured right] a Nelson
collection has grown to fill the Headmaster’s house with displays,
College Old Boy, spent the whole
working areas and ample storage space. This has happened
weekend at Wellington College
because Old Boys and their families, staff and friends of the
accompanying two Old Boys - his
College have donated their treasures to be cared for and to share
father Orm (1919-1920), his mother
space under the name of the Wellington College Archives. This
and uncle, Bill (1921-1925) when they
is something unique and rich in history, leading up to the 150th
attended the 125th Wellington College
celebrations of Wellington College in 2017.
celebrations in 1992. His father Orm was a former member of the 1st
So, if you are contemplating donating photographs or other items
XV Rugby team and his uncle, Bill, a
to the College, please do so now and thus enable your material
former Captain of the 1st XI Cricket
along with stories you may wish to share, to be used for the
team. The two Old Boys were assisted
celebrations. Work to complete this massive task has already
by Mike to light the candle at the College church service. Mike has
started.
close ties with Wellington College. As the founder of the Willows Cricket Club at Loburn, North Canterbury, he hosts our 1st XI Cricket
Some marvellous items have been donated over the last twelve
team on alternate years. When Wellington College plays the Willows
months. Along with the gifts, often comes the pleasure of meeting the
team, they are watched closely by many of our Christchurch-based
donors. Mary Bennie from Australia with her aunt, Nancy McDonald,
Old Boys, who are also members of the Club.
came to view the NZ Hockey uniform and NZ Army uniform of her father Maurice Browne, (1926-1929). Stan George (1949-1953) arrived
A lovely story I’ve heard was when Orm proposed to Mike’s mother,
on his motorbike to leave a collection of much needed Prefect, Cricket
he did not have enough money for an engagement ring, so he gave
and Soccer team photographs. Collis Blake (1944-1948) gave Firth
her a promise of one, along with his most treasured possession, his
House groups, along with his 2nd and 3rd Rugby XV photographs,
Wellington College 1st XV Rugby cap. That cap now sits with Mike’s
which were very welcome.
own Nelson College 1st XV cap and his son Ben’s Christ’s College 1st XV cap, to form a much admired and treasured collection in the
Dr Malcolm MacDonald’s (1939-1943) 1942 Wellington College Pipe
Dormer home. Oh yes, and years later, Mrs Dormer received her
Band image has been added to this small but growing collection. Dr
ring! I had the pleasure of a visit from Mike earlier this year to view
Stuart Slater (1960) has begun a new collection with a seemingly
the Archives in the Headmaster’s house. His trips to Wellington are
new sport for the College. He has donated Softball images of the 2013 team which won the North Island Secondary Schools’ Division 2 Championships for 2012/2013. Class photographs have been provided by Les Howe (1950-1954), Emeritus John Harper (1951-1955), [who donated the medal pictured right], won by his father WJB Harper (1912-1913) who won it for the Athletics in the U14 Scratch 100yrd race 1912], Graeme Gunn (1961-1965) donated his late father, Bryce Gunn’s photos, Bruce Conyngham (19411943), Graham Chiu (1968-1972) and Bob Falconer (1953-57). Class photographs were not kept by the College until 1963, so anything we
Members from the Class of 1963 visited the Archives in March.
are able to acquire before that date is a bonus.
(L-R): are John Smythe, Phil Martell, Gavin Jack and Kenn Henderson
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My good friend Ted Clayton (1943-1947) has continued with his important work in the Archives, gathering and processing the newspaper files. He has also completed the research for a Timeline of major College events which is such an important record. Thank you Ted for this valuable help. Jan Bunting, a former College mother made numerous exquisite costumes for various College Shakespearean productions while her son was at school. Two of these are proudly on display in the Archives. Jan has now offered her help here. She has arranged the many sound and visual records in retrieval order. A vital task. Thank you Jan. Something else we have little of are boys’ exercise books showing their schoolwork. John Xanthopol
Six display mannequins and stands have been generously donated by my son Jason. A most welcome gift. Thank you.
(1952-1957) has filled that large gap brilliantly. He has also given various text books, and athletics programmes.
To Roger Moses the Headmaster, my husband Don, Stephanie Kane, Tony Robinson, Marilyn MacLennan, Kelwyn D’Souza, Roy Smith,
A rather touching gift came from Anne Webb, daughter of GWB (Dick)
Heather Benfield, Penny Basile and Glenda and Louis Schmitt - your
Barron (1932-1934). It was a letter he had written to his grandson,
help throughout the year has been much appreciated. 2013 has been
Warwick Webb when Warwick joined the College in the 3rd form in
a truncated year for me, but hopefully I’ll be back on board again
1989. It contained his College tie.
soon.
Ila Young, daughter of A A Gawith DFC (1929-1933) and former Battle
My thanks also to all the donors for your valuable gifts to the
of Britain pilot has donated her father’s 1891 Holy Bible [pictured
Archives. I look forward to meeting many more Old Boys and friends
above], which was also owned by his father, A C Gawith (1898-1900).
of the College in the future. The Archives is open most Mondays
Old Boy, Reece Cargill (2003-2007) has left a legacy. He has built a
and Wednesdays. Please phone first to check that it is convenient.
section of carpet-based wooden shelves to hold most of our small
Sometimes there are many visitors at a time and sometimes I may be
framed photographs. This wonderful addition to storage facilities has
away on Archives business.
enabled me to get precious team photographs off the floor. There is still a pressing need to have similar shelves built for the many largeframed photographs at present on the floor blocking an important storeroom. Are there any takers out there please?
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BELOW: Wellington College Cadets photographed at Wellington College during MBM Tweed’s years at the College (1904-1908). This photo was donated by his nephew, Malcolm Tweed.
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sport Wellington College
It wasn’t the best week for Silverstream!
The 1st XV overcame the quirks of a rugby calendar that required the Wellington College Captain and Head Prefect, Daniel Carbonattoteam to play their two most important games of the season just four
Bowkett enjoys a moment after his team’s penalty shoot-out win over
days apart.
St Patrick’s (Silverstream) in the Premier One Football final qualifying
them for the NZSS Champs. Daniel, who has four caps was named as Wellington came out best in a tense contest for the College Premier One ‘Player of the Tour’ in the NZSS U19 Team to the UK final edging to a 25-22 win over St Patrick’s (Silverstream). They then went on to win the Hurricanes Schools’ Competition which qualified them for the NZSS Top 4 Competition. Leni Apisai and Wesley Goosen were selected for the NZSS Team and James Blackwell was selected for the NZSS Barbarians Team.
2013 Sportsman of the Year While Nick Healy was supporting our 1st XV at Porirua Park in their Premier One final, his car was broken into and his Underwater Hockey gear was stolen from the boot - losing his fins, mask, gloves, snorkel and pucks. The loss was ill-timed,
Hockey
on the eve of Nick’s departure for the World Champs in Hungary. Nick was one of two students in the Men’s U23 team who went on to win Gold. Nick, our 2013 Wellington College Sportsman of the Year was the MVP at the 2012 NZSS tournament and was aiming to play in the U19 team but was selected for the U23 team after a successful trial. He captains our Senior A team (who won the Central Region Champs) and at the same time, coaches our Junior A Team. He also manages to find time to play both Cricket for our 2nd XI and is in Football’s 10th XI.
Sports Shorts
Swimming
Congratulations to our 1st XI Hockey, Senior A Softball and Swimming Teams on their wins in regional and national competitions. • The Hockey team won the first round of the local competition and all their Traditionals and finished fourth in the NZSS Rankin Cup. • Our Softballers are the current Wellington Champs and winners of the NISS Division 2 Championship. • Our Swimming Team were unbeaten in all secondary school competitions at local, regional, North Island and national level this
Softball
year. They were winners of the NZSS Championships for the third time.
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arts
Wellington College
THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE CHORALE • The Chorale has developed its reputation as a talented ensemble both within and outside the school community. At the regional Big Sing, the group gained three Best Performance Awards and was awarded Silver at the Big Sing National Finale. They have appeared on Seven Sharp, recorded for Praise Be and their performance of ‘Musika Malie’ has had 80,000 hits on You Tube. Six members of this talented group are in the NZSS Choir.
THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE JAZZ BAND • The Jazz Band is an
SENIOR PREMIER A DEBATING • This team of (L-R): Barnaby McIntosh,
auditioned group of 17 students, including two students from
Alex Wierzbicki, Ben Ayto and Jack Garden has performed well over
Wellington Girls’ College. They have performed at three Jazz Festivals
the year and was narrowly beaten in the finals of the grade. The team
during the year: The Manawatu Jazz Festival, where they received
has given a great deal to Debating at Wellington College through
Special Recommendation, NZSM Jazz Festival in Wellington and the
adjudication and coaching. Jack coached the Junior Premier Team, with
KBB Festival in Auckland where they were received a Bronze Award.
help from Ben and Barnaby, and was selected for the Wellington Team.
STAGE CHALLENGE: I KNOW BETTER THAN YOU • Under the outstanding direction of Ben Ayto, Stage Challenge cleverly conveyed the idea of inter-generational conflict with the trademark Wellington College humour and enthusiasm. The original concept was developed corroboratively, choreographed by the student leaders and featured excellent lead dancers. An efficient and skilled backstage and production crew helped to realise the vision of the leaders. The performance was placed second to Wellington Girls’ College.
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Reunions
CLASS OF 1963
This was the seventh occasion that we hosted our annual Fifty Years on Reunion - this time it was the Class of 1963’s opportunity to return to Wellington College in March this year. The reunion coincided with the honouring and opening of our new Frank Crist Centre that same day, so there were a good number of Old Boys in attendance from Frank’s ‘era’ throughout the day and night. The Class of 1963 enjoyed a tour around the College, ending up in our Archives to view the plethora of memorabilia Paddianne Neely had put together, along with a photographic display of photos from 1963. At the dinner that night, Roger Moses responded to the toast given by 1963 Head Prefect, Gavin Jack. Subsequent toasts
were given by Marc Paviour-Smith to Firth House; Ross Crotty remembered absent friends and Wren Green saluted former staff.
Back Row:
Anthony Cole, Wren Green, Marc Paviour-Smith, Richard Rhoades, Kenn Henderson, Peter McLaren, Brian Graves, Peter Farmer,
Bruce Taylor, Roger Bunckenburg, John Flux
Third Row:
John Smythe, Rod Page, Bruce Waddel, Chris Hector, Ross Kerr, Dave Bydder, Warren Dickie, Peter Willis, Michael Pitt,
Graeme Chatfield, Michael Smythe
Second Row:
Ed Hudson, David Coombe, David Roche, Murray Opie, Jim Poy, Peter Oliver, Ted Aspey, Ross Crotty, Peter Gully, Bryan Bird,
Charles Fordham Front Row:
Phil Martell, Denys Whyte, John Shennan, Malcolm Small, David Flaws, Roger Moses (Headmaster), Gavin Jack (Head Prefect),
Brent Slater, John Wells, Bruce Harris, David Heather
Absent:
Bruce Connolly, James Young
The 1963 Prefects thought it was a great opportunity to have their photo taken fifty years on - so standing in the same positions as in 1963, they are as follows: Back: [Absent: DB Smith, Deceased], Brian Graves, David Roche, [Absent: RJ Ussher, Deceased], Graeme Chatfield, Richard Rhoades, David Flaws Front: Ross Crotty, Bruce Waddel, Roger Moses, Gavin Jack, David Coombe, David Heather
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Class of
1963
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Class of
24
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Reunions Ten years ago, the 40 Years On programme began with the Class of 1964 returning to Wellington College for their reunion. In October, it was the Class of 1973s turn to reunite and celebrate their 40th anniversary. The reunion of the Class of 1973 began with a welcome from Headmaster, Roger Moses and then a tour of the
CLASS OF 1973
College followed, with the 2013 Prefects acting as escorts. The evening formalities kicked off with a drinks reception, then the Wellington College Chorale serenaded the assembled guests with their award winning voices. At previous reunions, Deputy Principal, Robert Anderson (1969-1973) has acted as MC, so it was a poignant occasion that this year, he acted as MC at his own reunion. Toasts were given by Head Prefect, Roger McKinley, followed by Gary Smith toasting Firth House, Richard Grant remembering the teachers and Kim Svensen read the apologies and sadly reported on those who had passed away. Colin Chiu, all the way from the United States concluded the evening with his memories of the five years spent at the College. Although most of the guests were Wellington-based, many travelled from other parts of New Zealand as well as the United States and Australia to be with us. The Class of 1973 renewed friendships, enjoyed photos and memorabilia, reminisced about their college days and shared their life experiences.
Back:
Richard Grant, Rob Anderson, Giles Goulden, Bill Wierenga, Hans Snoek, Rob Grant, Hugh Rhodes, John O’Brien, David Collins,
Peter Beauchamp
Third:
Morgan Tuimaleali’ifano, Andrew Harcourt, John Little, Gerald Sharrock, David Blackmore, Kim Svensen, Roger Tringham,
Alan Bradnock, Matt Benge, George Speedy, Neil Porteous
Second: Colin Chiu, Dan Reitsma, David Phillipps, Malcolm Bowes, Richard Beasley, Fraser Black, Bill Leask, Gary Smith, Chris Tarpley,
John Biss, Peter Hobbs
Front:
Grant Fastier, Neil Johnstone, Adrian Douglass, Barry Hing, Mike Pallin (Staff, 1973), Roger Moses, Roger McKinley, Andy Philpott,
Bryan Levestam, Ross Little, Khan Khan
Absent: Rob Jury, Bill Strickland
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Class of
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Class of
1973
CALLING OUT TO THE CLASS OF 2004 On Friday, 27 June 2014, there will be a 10 Years On Reunion. We will meet in Firth Hall at 4.00pm for refreshments and a very quick tour around the school with Headmaster, Roger Moses to take a trip down memory lane, and to see the changes have been made since we left. Staff who were also around in 2004 will also be invited to join us. We will then make our way to The Southern Cross where a function area has been booked for the rest of the night. Please RSVP to Mark Tinkle at wc2004tenyears@gmail.com There is also a Facebook page for this event so please indicate in your email if you wish to join to receive the invitation to the group.
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Reunions Earlier this year, 1993 Prefect, Nick Tipping realised with a not entirely pleasant surprise that it was 20 years since he left Wellington College.
CLASS OF 1993
others came from different parts of New Zealand. By mutual
in contact led me to the idea of holding a reunion. We had
agreement we had decided to dispense with any formalities,
lost touch with most other members of the Class of '93, and
and the result was a long and entertaining evening of
were curious to see how the intervening years had treated
conversation.
them. 20th reunions are not traditionally celebrated by the WCOBA, daunting task of tracking down the 200+ members of our cohort. Fortunately, one of the major developments since 1993 has been the internet. Through the power of Google, Facebook and LinkedIn, once the seed had been planted, word (and enthusiasm) spread. It was fantastic to see that others were just as interested as I was in getting together, and the power of social media meant that numbers quickly grew. A date (13 July) and venue (Wellington's Southern Cross Bar) was agreed upon, and the WCOBA again generously assisted with venue hire.
Around 75 Old Boys made it along, as well as a few current and former staff members. Several Old Boys made the trip from Australia, and
Conversations with fellow Old Boys with whom I was still
but thanks to the support of the Association, I was able to begin the
The night ended up being a fascinating occasion.
It was particularly gratifying to look around the room and see countless individual reunions taking place - Old Boys who hadn't seen each other in 20 years swapping stories, life histories, family photos, and email addresses. Overall the exercise, while time-consuming, was well worth the effort. The ability to trace and connect with people online made what would have been a massive task considerably easier, but the success of the evening is down to the durability of friendships made 20 years ago.
1 2 3 4 5 6
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7
The Group Shot Lionel Kea, Harvey ReesThomas, Dominic Vardon Nick Tipping, Ben Bell-Booth Barrett Blaylock, Oliver Gazley, Craig Brown Samuel Sakaria, Stu Filo, Uili Fecteau, Dominic Vardon Simon Reed, Nick Baty, Dylan Jorgensen, Michael Robinson Nick Churchouse, Talia Belford, Uili Fecteau, Aaron Sherriff
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Where are they now:
Class of 2003
It’s hard to believe that it has been
schools of Harvard University. Fraser
ten years since the Class of 2003 at
Lau, the legend himself, progressed
Wellington College graduated (well
from playing halfback for the
at least most of you). I have had
Wellington CollegeU55 Gold rugby
ten years to write this article and I
team to playing halfback for Otago.
leave it to the last minute. Clearly nothing has changed in my life!
I must also mention James Robertson who is now the CEO at Invert
(L-R): Michael Dobson (Deputy Head Prefect), Matthew Prosser (Head Prefect) and Alex Worker (Deputy Head Prefect).
Our Wellington College school days
Robotics. Invert Robotics has been
do belong in the past but I am sure
nominated for and won a raft of
Mark Elson has continued his
a curve ball or your priorities have
that you will all agree that the College
national and international innovation
successful Softball career. He pitched
changed, just remember that life is
will forever be a part of our growth
awards and was named winner of the
for Great Britain at the World Series
short and there is no point in wasting
which has helped mould our lives and
Ministry of Science and Innovation
held recently in New Zealand. When
your days away.
(MSI) Start-up award in 2012.
Josh Stevens saw an advertisement
make us who we are today. I know
on Facebook along the lines of: ‘Play
No doubt many of you are in the
reflecting on all the good times,
Alex Worker is one of the founding
dodgeball. Win beer’, he was hooked.
career you aspired to be in. I
highlights and lasting friendships that
Directors of Highground Brands and
Josh went on to represent NZ in Las
have already mentioned a number
were forged in the hallways and on
the Marianas Group, focusing on
Vegas at the World Champs.
of fellow students who are now
the playing fields.
the international Food and Beverage
that I personally often find myself
I have been lucky to have kept in touch
engineers, lawyers, doctors and fire
market operating between New
I know there are many more success
fighters, and this is great! Wellington
Zealand, China, and South America.
stories which I haven’t mentioned -
College has a long, proud history of
sincere congratulations to you all.
producing high profile and successful
many of the Class of 2003. This has
businessmen and professionals and
definitely been easier with Facebook
After studying for over eight years,
making the world a much smaller
huge congratulations go out to Liam
I have learned some important things
2003 has been no different. As may
place. For those I lost touch with, I
Dunbar, Omid Yassaie and Praveen
since leaving College. There are a lot
be the case with some of you, you are
have relished the opportunity to hunt
De Silva who are now practising
of things you don’t learn at school
in the position you aspired to when
you down and find out what you’ve
doctors and surgeons. All the hard
but you have probably learned them
you were at College, but have been
been doing over the last ten years.
work and late nights have finally paid
by now. Maybe some of you are still
dealing with the fact your priorities
off for you three.
grappling with them; hopefully for
have changed from what they were
those people this might help.
when you were 16 -17 years old.
I firstly want to pay tribute to a good friend to many of us, Sam Nolan who
Jimmy Trist achieved his lifelong
we sadly lost in 2006 just before his
ambition of becoming a fireman. This
Like many of you, when I left
What you thought would make you
21st birthday. Sam’s passing was a
has lived up to everything he wished
Wellington College I was young and
happy is no longer doing it for you.
monumental shock to all of us.
for.
naïve. I thought I would walk out of
Some of you have started families;
those great buildings into a stable
others are still living at home with
We should all celebrate some of
Some of the boys clearly enjoyed
career of my choice, maybe even one
parents or have yet to get past the
the outstanding achievements from
their days at Wellington College so
that I was born to do. I assumed the
dodgy student flat stage.
our fellow classmates over the last
much that they went back teaching
chosen path would present itself to
decade. It’s good to see those who
there. I'm sure many of us would
me, clear as day. I thought it would
Nothing has changed from the sage
I made a special mention of in my
have wanted Mr Grant Bundle as our
be relatively easy to get a decent, well
advice I gave you all at our final
Head Prefect speech in 2003 have
teacher back in the day.
paying job that I would be happy and
assembly in 2003 (if any of you were
successful in.
listening). Just remember that while
not let me down. Who could forget
we might be losing our hair and fast
guitar legend Calvin Pfeffer, making
We have also seen some sporting
up solos on the spot that would
success over the last ten years.
Things didn’t materialise quite like
approaching thirty, we are still young
make Jimmy Hendrix envious? He’s
One of the most graceful Rugby
that. In fact, life has a little way
enough to stop, turn around, and go
gone from entertaining the crowd
players I have had the privilege of
of dangling the carrot, giving you
in a whole new direction if we choose
at the Westpac Stadium Spectacular
watching is Seminar Manu, who
glimpses of greener pastures and
to. However, as we’ve been told since
to now living the Hollywood dream.
made the Highlanders Super 14
makes you question yourself, your
our early days of schooling, we’ll
Michael Dobson has continued his
squad. Piers Gordon has continued
direction and your decisions. I’m
never know until we try.
remarkable academic achievements
his outstanding success in the pool,
no longer running - as much as I
Believe in yourself, be true to yourself,
and is currently living and studying
playing Underwater Hockey for NZ.
would love to be hitting the bush
and always remember to take the
law in New York. Peter Williamson
It’s not the most spectator-friendly
trails. Years of injuries necessitated
light and pass it on. Here’s to the next
is well on track to achieve his divine
sport but from all accounts it’s
a major operation on both my legs
ten years.
mission in life. Peter is furthering
ridiculously tough. Well done also to
and reset my priorities. I now have
his studies, currently undertaking
Adrian Fong, (king of the nets), who
a passion for my own business as a
Matt Prosser
religious studies at Harvard Divinity
has represented New Zealand in
financial and risk adviser (who would
Head Prefect, 2003
School which is one of the constituent
Indoor Cricket.
have thought!). If life has pitched you
mprosser@moneybox.co.nz
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
2013
| The Lampstand | 29
Forthcoming
events A wELLINGTON cOLLEGE
LUMIN RY WARDS
2014
Wellington College Headmaster, Roger Moses and WCOBA President, Matthew Beattie would be honoured by your presence at the Inaugural Wellington College Luminary Fellow Awards to recognise four of our distinguished alumni Saturday, 29 March 2014 Wellington College Reception from 6.00pm • Dinner from 7.00pm $75.00 per person • $700 per table of ten (includes canapes, dinner and beverages)
Lumen accipe et imperti Receive The Light And Pass It On
RSVP: oldboys@wc.school.nz or online at: www.wc.school.nz/wcoba/luminary dinner Dress: Jacket & Tie
2014 Recipients Lieutenant-General Bernard Freyberg
1st Baron Freyberg VC, GCMG, KCB, KBE, DSO, KStJ
Wellington College: 1898-1904
Sir William (Bill) Pickering ONZ, KBE Wellington College: 1923-1927
Sir Michael Hardie Boys GNZM, GCMG, QSO KStJ Wellington College: 1944-1948
Sir Ron Brierley KB Wellington College: 1951-1954
50 Years On • Class of 1964 Friday, 28 March, 2014 The Inaugural 40 Years On Cohort
Also on the horizon...
40 Years On Class of 1974
Friday 17 October 2014 30
| The Lampstand | 2013
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
london WCOBA in
EDITOR’S NOTE: We are well aware that there are a number of Old Boys residing in the UK, albeit on their OE or permanently. However many of these ex pats still retain their NZ address so it is rather difficult to keep you informed of WCOBA events. If you wish to keep your NZ address, at least give us your email address and where in the UK you are based. Alternatively, join our us on Facebook: ‘Wellington College Old Boys’ so you can be notified when offshore events take place in the future.
On a sultry July evening the private dining room at The
and also that over 150 students
common bond will allow everyone
It was great to hear how the
Counting House on Cornhill in
competed in Debating. The school
to enter into the spirit of the
school continues to develop from
the ‘City’ provided a perfect
provides something for all the
evening. I had many memories
strength to strength. I have such
venue for over 42 UK Old Boys
boys.
brought back and of course news
fond memories of my time at
to welcome Headmaster, Roger Moses to London.
of old friends and of a few demises.
Wellington College and it is nice
Nathan Blundell and Billy
I have to say the whole event
to see in the Lampstand that so
Fitzgerald (2008-2012) fresh from
was splendid and meeting the
many of the staff that taught me
Adrian Risman (1971-1975) and
their respective house master
Headmaster was a bonus. Many
are still inspiring 'Coll' boys, as well
I formally welcomed the guests
posts at prep schools in Berkshire
thanks for the effort you put in to
as the variety of activities that are
and advised we received over
and Wiltshire, brought the dinner
organise it.
available. I remember the day of
40 apologies from Old Boys
to a close by blowing out the
both young and old. After the
candle.
sports and cultural photos being Derek Golding (1960-1964): Thank
a write off for me as I was plucked
you for organising that. It was an
from class to line up and pose
Mick Hattaway (1954-58), being
I personally wish to thank Adrian
absolutely splendid evening – highly
again and again. Up to 14 in my
the oldest Old Boy at the dinner,
for his help in organising and
enjoyable. What a bunch of good
Y10 year! It is these opportunities
was asked to light the candle to
also in particular to Roger for
old boys; that is a very special
that are so unique.
signal the start of dinner.
going out of his way in his busy
school and I am proud to be a part
schedule to socialise with the UK
of it.
obligatory group photo, Professor
Billy Fitzgerald (2008 – 2012): Nathan Blundell (also 2008/12) and
Between entrée and main,
Old Boys. I will let the testimonials
Roger, who had detoured to be
below describe the success of a
Edward Cook (1996-2000): Thank
I had a blast last night. We were
at the dinner, updated us on the
fine evening.
you very much for a very enjoyable
so glad we came, so thank you so
honours achieved at the College
Martin Conway (1971-1974)
evening. I was thrilled to see six of
much for the invite. It was really
my cohort (Class of 2000) present
awesome to talk to some other Old
not only included the remarkable
Gavin Gardiner (1955-1959): A
along with many
Boys, even though it was somewhat
academic and sporting successes,
little thank you for organising the
familiar faces from the years
surreal (still) to be called Old Boys
but also touched on the
event last night. I enjoyed it very
before me. I've had ‘Forty Years On’
ourselves!
achievements of the Chorale, the
much. I didn't know many people
circling my head all morning.
Underwater Hockey teams
there but it is amazing how a
over the last few years. These
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
1 Miles and Derek Golding 2 Roger Moses, Martin Conway and Tim Brown 3 Tom Murdoch and Andrew Tipping 4 Andy Matthews, Derek Golding, Roger Moses and Richard Boon 5 David Campbell, Peter Martin, Warwick Proctor, Oscar Choi, Edward Cook and Paul Wedde 6 Matt Bartley, Jonathan Norman, Billy Fitzgerald and Nathan Blundell 7 Mick Hattaway, Gavin Gardiner and Peter Williams 8 Andrew Ross, Chad Stevens and Chris Knowles
2013
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australia WCOBA in
In September, Headmaster, Roger
shared throughout the evening.
Moses; Development Manager, Tony Robinson and I jetted across
The last port of call was Brisbane, with
the Tasman to meet Old Boys in
lunch on the Friday at the Brisbane
Victoria, new South Wales and
Broncos League Club. Ewan Thompson
Queensland.
(1974-1978)carried out the honours
EDITOR’S NOTE: We are well aware that there are a vast number of Old Boys living in Australia, albeit on their OE or permanently. However many of these ex pats still retain their NZ postal address so it becomes rather difficult to keep you informed of such events. If you wish to keep your NZ address, at least give us your email address and where in Australia you are based. Alternatively, join our us on Facebook: ‘Wellington College Old Boys’ so you can be notified when offshore events take place in the future.
this time in coordinating the venue and First up was Melbourne and we
acting as both MC and our personal
assembled for dinner at the trendy
chauffeur.
South Yarra Restaurant, Mama Baba run by celebrity chef, George
30 Old Boys gathered for lunch in
Calombaris.
pleasant surroundings. While we think of Queensland as New Zealand’s
Around 35 Old Boys were at the dinner
retirement capital, there are a good
and it was a great opportunity for
number of Old Boys who reside there
them to meet Roger - some for the first
for the climate and employment
time, while others had only recently
opportunities and it was nice to have
bid farewell to him upon leaving school them attend and again share memories in the last few years.
and history with us.
Special thanks in particular to Howard
At all three occasions, Roger, Tony and I
Pauling (2001-2005) and Peter Osvath
were able to impart the good news and
(1966-1970) for help in coordinating
recent successes from the College, as
the dinner and tracking down our
well as bringing everyone up-to-date on
younger alumni now living in Victoria.
our fundraising initiatives.
We then flew up to Sydney and met at
We concluded by highlighting the
the Terrace on Kent in the CBD with
forthcoming 150th Celebrations and
a further 40 Old Boys for dinner the
are pleased to know that there will be
following evening.
a good number of trans-Tasman tickets booked for the Labour Weekend of
Bryan Gray (1977-1980), who arranged
2017.
the venue, acted as MC, and my thanks to him, as well as Michael Rhodes
My thanks to everyone who attended
(1962-1966) who dug into the NSW
- it was nice to reacquaint myself with
Branch coffers to assist with our
many who had been to the College
beverage tab.
for various reunions, and at the same time, meet new faces. A big round of
It was wonderful to have Darryl
applause must go to the wives and
Courtney-O’Connor (1962-1967) and
partners who also came along.
his wife Ann attend. Darryl is the generous benefactor of the Courtney-
We hope it’s not too long until we can
O’Connor Scholarship that allows a
return and in the interim, thank you all
Wellington College student each year
for your support and best wishes to the
to study at his International School
College.
of Management. Joining Darryl were seven of his ‘alumni’. A further handful
Stephanie Kane
of recent Old Boys also attended, joining our fellow guests who were at the College between the 1950s-1980s. Many fond memories and stories were
32
| The Lampstand | 2013
1: Melbourne
•
2-4:
Sydney • 5:
Brisbane
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
horowhenua &manawatu WCOBA in
EDITOR’S NOTE: It is with regret that our Manawatu stalwart, Robbie Bruce has retired as Branch Coordinator after many years, ably assisted by former Master, Mike O’Connor. Robbie and Mike have arranged a number of gatherings and we are grateful for their commitment. Thus we are seeking a local Old Boy to carry the baton and help us arrange future events in the region. If this sounds like you, please contact the WCOBA Office: oldboys@wc.school.nz
The Branch held a dinner at the
Jeremy Cooper (1958-1962)
with the gravitational forces of
We joined in the singing of
RSA Club in Levin in November
recited the Firth House grace
slippery wine. He then brought
Forty Years On with enthusiasm.
2012. 29 Old Boys rolled up,
whereupon we ‘tucked in’.
us up to date with another
Moreover, and following the
remarkable year at the College
prescription of our indomitable
together with Stephanie Kane, WCOBA Executive Officer and
Old Boys’ stalwart Don Stewart
in NZ Scholarship, the arts and
music master Mr R A (Rhubarb)
Tony Robinson, Development
ONZM (1951-1955), outlined
in sport. Brian endorsed Tony’s
Radford of the 1950s, the third
Manager plus our WCOBA
his happy days at College as
message and said that there was
verse was sung slowly, very slowly
President Brian Smythe.
a boxer, swimmer, Prefect
very good progress in regard
and with great emphasis and meaning.
1955, violinist and leader of the
to the fundraising for the new
As Host, I welcomed all to the
Orchestra before describing his
Assembly Hall.
annual muster. In the spirit of
very peripatetic life at home and
Lumen accipe et imperti, venerable
abroad as a medical practitioner.
In a ‘short and sweet’ AGM, I was
when our youngest Old Boy Julian
Old Boy and hot shot golfer Des
Don then proposed the Toast to
pleased to confirm that as the
Heyes (1971-1975), plant scientist
Patching (1943-1946), lit the oil
the College.
finances for the Branch were in
and former Rhodes Scholar
Our convivialities concluded
good shape, the sum of $250.00
extinguished the flame on the
of those Old Boys of the district
Matters moved around a bit
be forwarded to the Association
Lamp. Then with our appetites
who had passed away.
further when Tony Robinson
in Wellington to assist with the
replete and friendships renewed,
demonstrated how to contend
costs of printing and mailing.
we headed homewards.
lamp. We stood in remembrance
dunedin WCOBA in
Robbie Bruce (1954-1958)
Thanks to Jack McCaw (2005-2009), currently studying at Otago University, who provided us with the above photo - taken in September in Dunedin of some of our recent Old Boys avidly supporting our 1st XV in the top four competition. I have to say, that’s a pretty big flat and probably one of the more tidier ones. If you provide us with your email address it is so much easier (and more economic) for us to communicate with you so we can invite you to reunions, events and dinners, and also let you know of significant news from the College and the Association. Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz with your email address and contact details or check us out on Facebook: Wellington College Old Boys.
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
2013
| The Lampstand | 33
auckland
WCOBA in
The Old Boys’ Pavilion at
our roll at 1600 much smaller
Auckland Grammar School
than many of the Auckland
has become our second home
schools alone.
and acts as a superb (and free) location to host our Auckland
As Auckland becomes larger in
Branch Dinners.
size and greater in population, we are aware that there are a good
It was no surprise then to find
number of Old Boys residing
us back there in November
there, let alone the number of
2012 for our annual dinner, with
younger Old Boys carrying out
Headmaster Roger Moses.
their tertiary studies. It is difficult to host a dinner that will meet
Joining us as regulars, were a
everyone’s needs, with travel and
group of very esteemed (and
distance dictating attendance
quite mature) Old Boys whose
from the North Shore or more
times at the College dated back
remote suburbs. AGS do us a
to the 1930s and 1940s - to
great service by providing their
hear them fondly recount their
Pavilion for free, which means we
memories of their school days is
do not have to pass venue hire
indeed an honour.
and commercial beverage prices on to our guests.
It was also great to welcome some of our younger Old Boys to
We are looking for a local Old Boy
the occasion and we hope that
to assist us in arranging future
more will find the time to come
dinner events for our Auckland
along in the future.
Branch.
Roger addressed the gathering
We also seek a younger Old
with news from the College with
Boy who would be interested in
convivial interjecting from the
coordinating an informal event
floor. I’m sure that everyone in
during the academic term so
attendance were well pleased to
that the Headmaster can attend.
hear how their old school was
Perhaps an establishment near
faring and punching well above
the University Campus could
it’s weight across the academic
appeal, with a few beers and
spectrum.
bites. If you can help in either situation, please contact me at
Many were suprised to learn that
the WCOBA Office.
Wellington College is only the 38th largest school in the country,
Stephanie Kane
EDITOR’S NOTE: We are well aware that there are a vast number of Old Boys who now live or study in Auckland. However many of these ex Wellingtonians still retain a Wellington postal address so it becomes rather difficult to keep you informed of such events. If you wish to keep your Wellington address, at least give us your email address. Alternatively, join our us on Facebook: ‘Wellington College Old Boys’ so you can be notified when Auckland events take place in the future.
34
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
tauranga WCOBA in
A sunny but cool day, resulting
Drayton (a teacher from 1942-
top school in the country for NZ
of Forty Years On led by the fine
from the eclipse, greeted the
1944). This was followed by a roll-
Scholarships in 2011.
voice of Tom Hobson (1954-1957).
32 Old Boys and guests Roger
call where some Old Boys recalled
Moses, Stephanie Kane and
interesting or other experiences
Stephanie spoke about her work
The oldest Old Boy present was
Tony Robinson at Daniels
of College life raising memories of
for the Old Boys and in producing
Nevill Palmer from Taupo aged
In the Park for the annual
days gone by.
the Lampstand and other activities
92 (1934-1936), and amongst the
including the many Reunions that
many apologies received was one
now take place.
from Ken Frazer aged 98 (1929-
get-together lunch on 14 November, 2012.
The toast to the College was proposed by Lynn Morrison
1933).
Old Boys were very pleased to
(1957-1961) and responded to
Tony Robinson stressed how
enjoy the company of our guests,
enthusiastically.
important his development role
Regrettably, a short time after
is in fundraising, to continue to
the luncheon, both Ken Frazer
especially Stephanie who came to Tauranga for her first WCOBA
Roger Moses then gave a full
provide present and future boys
and Nevill Palmer passed away. I
visit. As usual, there was time to
report on the College, the boys
with the many facilities required
had the honour of representing
reminisce over a drink or two and
and their achievements and
for Wellington College to continue
on behalf of the Old Boys’
for the obligatory photographs.
the great number of different
as one of NZs pre-eminent boys’
Association at Ken’s Celebration
activities now available. Roger
school.
of Life. Ken, and Nevill both have
In welcoming those present, as
is one of the College’s longest-
host, I referred to the loss of
serving Headmasters and his
Gael Ansell (1948-1951) moved
several BOP Old Boys during the
enthusiasm seems to grow year
the vote of thanks to our
past year and especially Dr John
by year. He was especially proud
speakers.The meeting concluded
Hutton (1945-1946) and Dame Joy
that Wellington College was the
with the usual rousing chorus
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
had most fascinating life stories. Barry Ward (1948-1952)
2013
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nelson WCOBA in
With the 2013 Quadrangular Tournament being held at Nelson College, what better reason could there be to host a Function in conjunction with the matches.
QUAD Report Wellington College secured their eleventh straight title after beating home team Nelson College 16-10 in this year's annual Quadrangular
A good number of local Old Boys as well as
and thanked the Old Boys for their generous
those making their annual pilgrimage to the
support. Roger Moses also addressed the
Tournament were on the sidelines on both
group, followed by new President-elect, Matt
Having shared the title with Nelson
days, giving vocal support to the Black ‘n’
Beattie. It was remarakable to note that in
in last year's decider in Christchurch,
Golds.
attendance were four former President’s
Wellington successfully recovered
of the Association - Malcolm Perrett, Barry With a significant win to Wellington College
Jobson, Bob Slade and Brian Smythe.
against Christ’s College on Day One, there was much to celebrate on the following evening
Special thanks must go to local Old Boy, Ian
when we hosted a function at the Quality
McGuire, with help from Murray Lauchlan
Inn. Old Boys, current 1st XV members and
and Trev Valler who helped coordinate the
coaching staff were buzzing with anticipation
evening.
throughout the evening while many also reminising about their own Quad days from
Next year’s Tournament will be brought
yesteryear.
forward to the end of Term Three in order
Tournament rugby final.
from a slender 10-8 halftime deficit to eventually outscore Nelson by two tries to one. Blindside flanker Larry Banse had scored Nelson's try after barging over between the posts from a period of sustained forward pressure on Wellington's line. But trailing 10-3,
to accommodate the busy Term Three local
Wellington got themselves directly back
Captain, James Blackwell addressed the
finals competitions that involve all four
into the contest when winger Arthur
assembled group about their preparation
schools.
Crawford scored from a handy overlap. Wellington held Nelson scoreless for the remainder of the match as Nelson struggled to retain possession in the wet, slippery conditions. Wellington also coughed up early turnovers, but did enough during the second half to eventually put second five-eighth Wesley Goosen across for the decisive try with around 13 minutes remaining. Big No 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona made the initial break before Goosen slipped through Nelson's stretched defence to give Wellington their six-point buffer. It was enough in the end, with Wellington celebrating their 36th overall crown since winning the inaugural tournament way back in 1925.
2014 QUADRANGULAR TOURNAMENT @ Wanganui Collegiate Mon. 30 June - Wed. 2 July 2014 WCOBA Function on Tuesday, 1 July 36
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
ANZAC Day at Wellington College ANZAC Address delivered by Deputy Principal, Robert Anderson (1969-1973) IN MEMORY OF LANCE BRIDGE (1888-1915) Oriental Bay was the perfect
Waterpolo matches.
place for Lance Bridge to
grow up. He lived within a short
Edwardian Wellington
walking distance from the Te
was an idyllic place
Aro saltwater baths where he
for a sports mad and
could indulge his passion for
gregarious young man
competitive swimming. From
with lots of mates.
there it was just a little further on
However this easy life changed
to the Star Boating Club where
abruptly for Lance, his brothers
Lance, along with his brothers
and those of their generation
Cyprian and Hugh were heavily
when war was declared in
We do however, know of Lance’s
can learn a lot about a man from
involved in all the clubs activities,
August 1914. In 1909, Lance had
death as it was widely reported in
the way he dies. On the beach,
both rowing and social.
volunteered for the Wellington
letters written home by soldiers.
Lance, sensing that his wounds
(L-R): Old Boy, Lt John Ahearn (RNZNVR), with wreathbearers and Deputy Head Prefects, Benson Oosterbaan, Ted Taylor and Harry Glogau.
Battalion of the Territorial forces.
Decades later, veterans of the
were fatal, refused to be placed
And of course Oriental Bay was
Immediately upon the declaration
campaign became misty eyed as
on board a boat to take him to
also within walking distance
of war he enlisted with the NZ
they recollected Lance’s death.
the hospital ship, insisting that
of Wellington College where
Expeditionary Force. This force
wounded men with a better
Lance was a student between
was despatched to the German
Like so many other young
chance of survival go first.
1903 and 1905. Lance Bridge
colony of Samoa. Upon arrival,
New Zealanders, Lance Bridge
and Wellington College under
they discovered that the German
died on Gallipoli during the
It is hard to imagine what
the Headmastership of J P Firth
garrison was abandoned and
August offensive. He was on
conditions were like for those
were a perfect match for each
the New Zealand occupation
Rhododendron Ridge, a spur
waiting to be evacuated; for this
other. For at College, Lance had
began. Lance’s postcards back
leading up from the beach to
was August and the temperatures
ample time and opportunity
to his fiancée and family tell of
Chunuk Bair, the highest point on
on the peninsula were in the mid
to participate in Athletics,
a great time being had by the
the peninsula and New Zealand’s
to high 30s. At ANZAC Cove, it was
Swimming, Waterpolo, Boxing
soldiers eating tropical fruit and
goal during the offensive. The
easy to see where the wounded
and Rugby. He was also in the
swimming in the warm sea. Many
New Zealanders had just returned were located by the clouds of
Cadet Corps. Lance seemed to
of the thousand strong force
to their hastily dug trenches
flies that swarmed above them.
effortlessly excel in any sport
were College Old Boys and many
after repulsing a Turkish bayonet
Here men waited patiently to be
he chose to play. When he left
others were rowers from the Star
charge. Lance then noticed
evacuated to the hospital ships
school, aged 17, Lance began to
Boating Club.
a New Zealand soldier lying
lying offshore in the Aegean Sea.
wounded about 20 metres away.
They had no protection from the
deeds. The fascinating contents
In early 1915, the Samoan force
He recognised the soldier as a
searing heat, they lay in their own
of this scrapbook reveal Lance’s
was recalled to New Zealand
colleague he had served with in
waste, they had flies and insects
prowess on the sporting field.
and almost immediately posted
Samoa. Dropping his rifle he went
crawling over them, they endured
Lance played rugby for the
overseas. The soldiers fully
out from the relative safety of the
the pain from their wounds
Wellington Club Senior side.
expected to be deployed on the
trench to go and help his mate.
and relied on the generosity of
In the newspaper reports of
Western Front. However, they
He was returning to the trench
passing soldiers to give them a
the senior rugby games, Lance
disembarked in Egypt for training
when a Turkish machine gun fired
little food and water.
featured prominently as a
and then left for the Gallipoli
on the men. The wounded soldier
hard tackling and hard running
Peninsula. Little is known of
was killed and Lance was shot
It was in these conditions that
full-back. There was even some
Lance’s movements in the early
all down one side. He managed
Lance Bridge lay for two days
controversy when Lance was
stages of the ill-fated Gallipoli
to stagger back into the trench
until the stream of wounded
overlooked as a trialist for the
campaign. It is known that he
but within half an hour he was
abated and he was taken out
Wellington provincial side. The
transferred from The Wellington
paralysed and was carried down
to a hospital ship. However, his
scrapbook includes programmes
Battalion to the Otago Regiment
to the beach to await evacuation
wounds were too severe and he
from Athletic meetings held at
to boost their numbers after the
on a hospital ship.
died five days after arriving on the
the Basin Reserve, results from
Otagos had suffered appalling
Rowing Regattas, and clippings of
losses.
keep a scrapbook of his sporting
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
ship. He was buried at sea. It has been said that in war you
2013
| The Lampstand | 37
ANZAC Day at Wellington College Lance’s selflessness was not
HÄ mi Grace had been
for the remainder of his
and just a short distance from
forgotten by his comrades. A
killed at Gallipoli. Out
life he was tormented
Rhododendron Ridge, they will
mate from the Star Boating Club
of respect for their
by nightmares as he
place a poppy next to the name
wrote home to his mother: I was
memories, the Wellington
suffered from delayed
of Lance Bridge.
speaking to two chaps, who saw the
Rugby Club defaulted all their
shell shock.
last of him and the way he died was
teams on a designated Saturday.
Members of Lance and Hugh
On the stained glass Memorial
Bridges family, some of whom
about in the history of war. The
Lance was one of four brothers
Window at the back of this hall
are present today, including
Wellingtonian of December 1915
who served in WWI. One brother,
are these words, Greater love hath
WCOBA President, Brian Smythe
reported: He saved others, himself
Cyprian was gassed near Ypres
no man. The full quote comes
remember their great uncle and
he could not save. No finer deed
in 1916 and sent back home. He
from the Gospel of John and is
grandfather with great pride.
was ever done.
lived well into his 70s. Hugh was
Greater love hath no man than this,
equal to anything I have ever read
married with a baby daughter
than a man lays down his life for
It is important that as a College
After he died, his mother
when he enlisted in April 1916.
a friend. It is an apt epitaph for
we pause, pay homage to them
continued with his scrapbook. In
He survived the carnage of
Lance Bridge.
too, as well as the 450 other Old
it there is a poignant newspaper
Passchendaele, only shortly
clipping that stated that when
afterwards to be shot by a
A group of students from the
and in Afghanistan. That is why
news came through that two of
sniper near Polygon Wood in
College will visit Gallipoli. At
each year around ANZAC Day we
their star players; Lance Bridge
Belgium. A fourth brother, Lionel
the Lone Pine Memorial for the
take time to remember our fallen
and another College Old Boy,
survived the war unscathed, but
ANZACs, with no known grave
brothers.
Boys killed in World Wars I and II
WWII Veteran honoured in Australia
Two New Zealand WW II veterans living in Sydney had a special ceremony held in their honour in August, not only to
Bob turned 99 the following day. He's the former
recognise their efforts serving their country, but also to celebrate
president of the New Zealand branch of the
their 99th and 100th birthdays respectively.
Australian RSL and knows just how important the ANZAC relationship is. It's important that such a
WW II veteran Frank Harlow turned 100 years old the day before the
body continues and strengthens as the years roll
ceremony. He lives in Sydney and is a member of the New Zealand
on, he said.
branch of the Returned Services League. The pair are the first and only New Zealand WW II veterans to have a Relatives and friends travelled across the ditch for the ceremony.
reunion and ceremony held in their in their honour in Sydney.
There he was presented with a Korowai, similar to the one his mother was presented with in 1922, which is currently held at the Wanganui museum. Bob Wood (1928-1930) [(Italy/North Africa) Veteran 4261 Maj ABOVE: Bob Wood (left) cutting the ceremonial cake in his honour. (Rtd), POW] was also presented with a Korowai to wear for the day. I'm
Photo: TV3 News. LEFT: Bob in his WW II Uniform. RIGHT: The programme
tempted to sneak off home with it! he said.
from the ceremony.
38
| The Lampstand | 2013
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
Remembering our Fallen: A student’s perspective
The Wellington College Europe
were on the trip.
who laid poppies alongside
The most moving experience
mine - it was a very moving
Study material provided by
came late in the day with
experience. Also in the same
Study Tour of 2013 Daniel Gendall, Y13 Prefect
come so far from home.
the teachers included a great
the visit and ceremony at
cemetery is the grave of
In the early hours of the
booklet of images and facts
Chunuk Bair. The majesty
another Old Boy, Alex (Mac)
morning of 6 July, 53
focusing on WCOB, and Mr
of the environment coupled
McColl, so it was very nice to
Wellington students and
Colm McNulty’s excellent
with the mana on show in the
honour them both.
five teachers assembled
and unique publication, A
Wellington College Haka is
at Wellington Airport for
Brotherhood So Splendid
something no one who was
At Ypres, our first stop after
what proved to be the trip
which follows the fortunes of
there will ever forget. We laid
the break was at the grave
of a lifetime to Europe. Little
that 1st XV.
40 poppies at the base of the
of Old Boy, Douglas Harle. His
NZ Memorial and followed
story is particularly tragic
that with a rousing Haka.
as Douglas was killed in the
did we know that over the next three weeks we would
As well as the historical
experience things that would
side of things, we learnt so
last in our memories for ever.
much about the cultures
Very suddenly the whole
involved in, and did not even
On our travels we visited
of other countries which
group was plunged into a
get the chance to put up a
seven countries - Turkey,
the vast majority of us had
solemn and respectful state
fight but that is after all the
Austria, Hungary, Germany,
never visited - for some
of silence as we listened to
grim reality of war. If a bullet
France, Belgium and a transit
boys this was their very first
our guides explain the grim
or a shell has your name on
in Singapore – and along
trip overseas. Visiting the
realities of the area. We were
it, there's nothing you can do
the way we learnt about
different countries, hearing
then free to look around at
about it.
the history and culture of
the contrasting languages,
our own pace, with many
each place, with a special
tasting the local delicacies,
choosing to go alone to really
The Menin Gate Ceremony
emphasis on the story of the
and interacting with the
think about all that we were
was an amazing experience
1909 Wellington College 1st
locals were some of the most
seeing and imagining.
which would have made you
XV team, all of whom bar one
rewarding experiences for us
served in WWI.
because it brought home the
We then had a very moving
a part of Wellington College.
first engagement he was
all at home very proud to be
amazing variety of different
ceremony at the Jewish
The guys looked great doing
That part of the trip was
cultures there are to explore
Remembrance Chapel led by
it. Henry Glogau, Sam Becroft
particularly sobering as well
outside New Zealand.
our own David Emmanuel,
and Jack Laurenson laid the
who made a beautifully
wreath, along with Patrick
as interesting, because we, unlike the boys we were
Here are just some of those
crafted speech and then
Gibson who recited the Ode to
learning about, would all
highlights, with an emphasis
recited a Jewish prayer which
Rememberance.
eventually return home
on the Wellington College
brought tears to the eyes.
to New Zealand. As we
connection Gallipoli’s ANZAC
visited each battlefield and
Cove really brought home
The Western Front
significant places in Gallipoli
what the soldiers in 1915
‘Armentieres’ holds special
and on the Western Front, we
faced - a torrid, deadly and
significance to me because
nor the years condemn.
always endeavoured to visit
dangerous situation amongst
a relative, William Hopkirk
At the going down of the sun
some of the known graves
spectacular yet unforgiving
who was also an Old Boy, is
and in the morning,
of Old Boys, as well as those
terrain. We spent some time
buried there. I would like to
We will remember them.
of relatives of students who
contemplating those who had
personally thank all the boys
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them,
2013
| The Lampstand | 39
honours Bill Boyd, Auckland
Charitable Trust would give a
the distinctive features of his
Since John’s earliest vintage in
CNZM (1946-1948)
dictionary to every child at every
columns is that he has forthright
1982, Te Mata Estate has been
The Insignia of a Companion of the
decile 1 school in the country
opinions and does not shy away
recognised as one of our greatest
New Zealand Order of Merit for
when they entered Y4. In the four
from confronting non-scientific
wine producers and its flagship
services to Rotary International.
years since the project began,
beliefs and practices that rarely
wine, Coleraine as New Zealand’s
Bill Boyd’s work for Rotary
more than 100,000 dictionaries
get challenged in the media,
greatest red wine.
was recognised in the Queen’s
valued at $3 million have been
ensuring that readers get a
Birthday honours. The former
gifted to New Zealand children.
critical evaluation of some of
John’s contribution to the NZ wine
the unscientific ideas that float
industry extends well beyond
around.
his role at Te Mata Estate. He
New Zealand
President and Chairman of Rotary International was surprised when
Dr Robert Brockie, Wellington.
he checked his mail and found
MNZM (1947-1949)
a letter informing him he had
The Insignia of a Member of the
Among his many other talents, Bob
development of Hawke's Bay
been made a Companion of the
New Zealand Order of Merit for
is an accomplished cartoonist. He
Vintners from its very early days
New Zealand Order of Merit in
services to science and cartooning.
started providing cartoons for the
when there were only seven
recognition of his services to
Bob Brockie’s MNZM award in the
Victoria University magazine Salient
wineries in Hawke's Bay, and was
Rotary International.
recent Queen’s Birthday Honours
in 1953, and has been contributing
its Chairman in the 1980s.
is richly deserved for his eclectic
a weekly cartoon to the National
This is not the first time Bill’s work
achievements in science and
Business Review since 1975.
for the global network has been
cartooning.
helped with the founding and
In 1991, John established the Hawke’s Bay Charity Wine Auction,
John Buck, Havelock North
which continues today more than
Bob is possibly unique - his PhD
CNZM (1955-1958)
20 years later, having raised more
research on hedgehogs was then
The Insignia of a Companion of the
than $2 million for Hawke’s Bay’s
Bill has been involved with Rotary
the definitive work on the subject
New Zealand Order of Merit for
Cranford Hospice and has bound
for a long time. In 1971 he was
and, almost 50 years later, he is
services to the wine industry and
Hawke’s Bay’s wine industry into
asked to join the Rotary Club of
still the acknowledged expert.
the arts.
its local community.
acknowledged. He received the QSO in 2007.
Wellington South and from there,
The awarding of a CNZM to John
he started working with Rotary at
He is a leading expert on
Buck caps a wonderful year in
He represented Hawke's Bay
an international level.
hedgehogs and possums and
which John was named the 2012
on the Board of the NZ Wine
has researched the impact
recipient of the NZ Wine Hall of
Institute through the late 1980s
He remains heavily involved with
of animal pests and diseases
Fame award, and was made a
and then, from 1991 to 1996, was
the global network and says it has
on the destruction on native
member of Matahiwi, the marae
the Chairman of the NZ Wine
been a tremendous experience.
forests, having written several
of Maui in Hawke’s Bay.
Institute. This was period of great
Bill is the second New Zealander
books, including A Living New
to have been a president of Rotary
Zealand Forest and The Penguin
The CMNZ recognises John’s
John instigated and directed many
International and the first to be
Eyewitness History of New Zealand.
leadership in the New
initiatives that shaped the New
chairman. He believes the biggest
His illustrator’s hat has seen him
Zealand wine industry and his
Zealand industry of today.
thing Rotary has achieved is the
develop school journal content for
contribution to the arts through
work to eradicate polio.
the Ministry of Education.
the establishment of the NZ
Another lifelong love has been the
Poet Laureate award, and the
arts, and he has a passion for the
change in New Zealand wine and
After returning from his stint as
Bob is probably best known
restoration and on-going success
written word dating back to his
President in 2006/2007, Rotarians
to the general public for his
of the Hawke’s Bay Opera House.
schooldays in Wellington.
wanted to establish a project
regular weekly science columns
It follows John’s previous awards
in the Boyd name to honour
in the Dominion Post, now into
of an OBE, an honorary doctorate
In 1996, he established the NZ
his service. Bill knew of a good
his eleventh year, covering
from Lincoln University, and
Poet Laureate award, to recognise
dictionary for children so he
a wide range of topics, both
Fellowship of the Wine Institute of
the achievements of our country's
decided the Bill and Lorna Boyd
local and international. One of
New Zealand.
poets.
Bill Boyd
40
| The Lampstand | 2013
Bob Brockie
John Buck
Doug Catley
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
honours Douglas Catley, Wellington
Basin Reserve Trust. He was
He said he particularly enjoyed
MNZM (1951-1955)
Chairman of the Karori Cricket
working in Northland because the
The Insignia of a Member of the
Foundation for more than 20
region has a large population of
He was a committee member of
New Zealand Order of Merit for
years and was Chairman of the
Maori and people from deprived
the Millennium Science Initiative
services to sport and healthcare
Old Boys’ University Rugby Club.
backgrounds and his duties
in Chile and was a former member
services.
He continues to support sport in
include improving services for
of the New Zealand Science
This honour recognises Doug’s
many capacities - particularly at
Maori.
Subcommission for the United
services to healthcare and in
the College.
and the 2007 lahar.
Nations Educational, Scientific and Professor Vince Neall, P. North
sport.
Cultural Organisation.
Dr John Childs, Whangarei
MNZM (1960-1963)
One of the founders of Healthcare
MNZM (1970)
The Insignia of a Member of the
Vince has also been President of
with Peter Cottier in 1988 was
The Insignia of a Member of the
New Zealand Order of Merit for
the Camellia Research Trust, a
to provide create high-quality
New Zealand Order of Merit for
services to Earth Science.
committee member of the Royal
community support services for
services to health.
What started as a love of rocks
Society Manawatu Branch, and
older people within the Wellington
Dr John Childs is the Ministry of
has landed Professor Vince Neall
President of the Geological Society
region. Since then it has grown
Health’s clinical director for the
a New Year honour. Vince, the
of NZ. He also helped set up the
nationwide, employing 7,000
national cancer programme.
head of Earth Sciences at Massey
Te Manawa Science Centre.
people and supporting over
He spends three days a week in
University, was made a Member
18,000 people. The organisation
Wellington providing the director-
of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Ian Roche, Dunedin
began with a small hospital, called
general of health, the ministry and
for his work.
QSM (1944-1945)
Johnswood, in Upper Hutt that
Health Minister Tony Ryall with
provided continuing care for older
leadership and advice on issues
Vince, who has been involved in
services to Lawn Bowls
people.
relating to cancer control.
Earth Science at Massey since
Ian joined the Tainui Bowling
1974, said it was as much an
Club in 1975 and for the
The Queen’s Service Medal for
In the early 1990s, as expertise
John was born in Auckland, spent
honour for the staff he worked
past 37 years has made a
grew, Healthcare extended the
his childhood in Wellington, lived
with as it was for him. I just think
significant contribution to bowls
range of its support, establishing
in Melbourne for 12 years and
it is great that what we have done
administration.
its first disability services in 1995.
returned to Wellington before
in Earth Science at Massey is being
studying at the Auckland Medical
recognised.
The organisation continues to
It started with his own club and
School.
the Dunedin Bowling Centre. He
evolve today, seeking innovative
An internationally-recognised
was President of the Centre in
new ways to support our health
A past Chairman of the National
expert on volcanos, Vince said
1988 and led the committee that
system and to enhance people’s
Cancer Treatment Working Party
his interest in Earth Science came
joined the men’s Dunedin Bowling
wellbeing and quality of life.
and a member of the Cancer
about when he went to university.
Centre with the Otago Women’s
Control Steering Committee from
I was always interested in rocks and
Bowling Centre to form Bowls
Doug was Deputy Chairman of
2001-03, he has been a specialist
fossils in general, and when I left
Dunedin. He has been patron of
the Wellington Area Health Board
radiation oncologist at Auckland
school I wasn’t sure what vocation I
Bowls Dunedin since 2009.
and a member of the council
Hospital since 1991. He has
wanted to choose.
He has been a member of the NZ
for the University of Otago
also on the council of the Royal
Wellington School of Medicine.
Australian and NZ College of
After some study, his interest in
and was elected President for the
He is a member of the Medical
Radiologists.
Earth Science peaked on a trip
1993-94 season.
Research Foundation and was also
Bowling Association since 1987
to Antarctica. Since then, he has
Deputy Chairman of the board
For the past decade, John has been
studied artefacts found in former
Ian has promoted Bowls to make
of Trustbank - a government
providing oncology services in
lava flows in Papua New Guinea
the sport more meaningful to
appointed role.
Northland with clinics at Whangarei
and volcanic eruptions beneath
a younger generation and was
Hospital, assessing patients who
Iceland. He was also part of the
instrumental in introducing the
Doug has a real passion for
need radiation treatment which he
team that monitored Mt Ruapehu
national paraplegic singles.
sport and is Chairman of the
provides in Auckland.
before and after the 1995 eruption If you are aware of an Old Boy being recognised in any capacity, please let us know so we can share his honour with fellow readers.
John Childs
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
Vince Neall
Ian Roche
2013
| The Lampstand | 41
accolade
Australian
Darryl’s passion and determination meant he was able to raise funds from various willing investors and start building a chain of hotels from Melbourne
Founder of the International
1986 which grew to over 60 hotels
and Adelaide to Cairns, across
College of Management,
across Australia and New Zealand
Australia and eventually to
Sydney (ICMS), Darryl Courtney-
by 2011.
NZ. From this his passion and focus expanded into developing
O’Connor, (1962-1967), has been appointed a Member
Commenting on the award, Darryl
applied tertiary education for
of the Order of Australia for
said I’m very delighted to receive
services industries like hospitality,
significant service to the
this prestigious honour. It really was
business, sport management,
tourism and hospitality sector
a very big surprise and I’m humbled
events, property and many
and to the development of
that my work with the Touraust
others. Today the International
industry education.
Corporation and ICMS has been
College of Management Sydney
recognised on such a large scale.
Darryl was born in a pub in
has an international and
Darryl founded ICMS in 1996
The College is in particular close
Waitotara, a small town in the
domestic student population of
which has since become an
to my heart, as I can pass on my
North Island, raised a publican’s
approximately 1200 students and
internationally recognised
knowledge and experience to the
son and very early developed
enjoys one of the most collegial
business college offering bachelor
leaders of tomorrow. I’m very proud
passions for combining good
atmospheres of any university.
and masters degrees which
of what we have achieved at ICMS
wholesome hospitality with
include applied industry training
and I think our strong international
entrepreneurial business
Darryl’s ties with Wellington
and research respectively.
partnerships and our various
practices.
College remain strong. For the past eight years, he has
tourism and education awards are Darryl is also the Chairman of the
a testament to our commitment
After migrating to Australia in
awarded a prestigious two-year
Touraust Corporation, founding
to furthering progress within the
his early 20s Darryl joined the
scholarship at the ICMS worth up
the Constellation Hotel Group
industry.
corporate world of property
to A$48,000.
with twelve country motels in
development and land division.
Sam Judd: Young New Zealander of the Year Sam Judd of The Sustainable Coastlines
direct participation, wide-reaching media exposure
Charitable Trust was awarded the Coca-Cola
and public advertising campaigns, as well as through
Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year Award.
educational presentations to over 33,000 school students to motivate people to take positive action
The Award gives special recognition to honour and
in sustaining and protecting our coastlines which is
encourage our leaders of tomorrow and promote
an enjoyable activity for everyone.
youth leadership. The Tindall Foundation is supporting Sam’s work through a three-year Sam contributes to and benefits New Zealand society at a local,
donation to develop a training system and train presenters which will
national and international level through his work as co-founder and
allow TSC’s proven action-and education-based programmes to be
CEO of The Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust (TSC).
rolled out to a much wider audience.
At the age of 24, Sam was bitten by a tiger shark while surfing in the remote Galapagos Islands. While recovering, he motivated and
Sam was invited back to the College recently as guest speaker at
organised the local population to remove 7.5 tonnes of rubbish
our 2013 Black & Gold Foundation Awards Dinner - an evening to
from the coast in one day. It was the first time in the history of San
recognise those students who have excelled in the arts and in sport.
Cristobal Island that all sectors of the community worked together for
Along with presenting a number of awards, Sam also gave an inspiring
a common cause and the charity Sustainable Coastlines was born.
speech to the guests about his vision and challenges ahead to clean our coastlines.
TSC is a young, dynamic, multi award-winning New Zealand charity that has successfully motivated over 25,000 volunteers to remove more than 885,907 litres of rubbish from New Zealand’s coastlines. Since 2008, they have raised large-scale awareness about the challenges of coastline protection and solutions to address it through
42
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
lecture The Freyberg
The biennial Freyberg Lecture was introduced by the Wellington College Foundation six years ago as a means of bringing a top quality presentation on a matter of interest to the wider College community. The inaugural lecture, in 2007, was delivered by eminent historian, A.W. Beasley CNZM, on the life of Lord Freyberg himself. Many would argue that Bernard Freyberg is the most famous Old Boy produced by Wellington College in its long and distinguished history.
(L-R): Matthew Beattie, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Roger Moses This year, the Foundation invited the Governor General, Lt Gen The Rt
The second lecture, in 2009, was delivered by
Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, to give a lunchtime lecture to senior students
Douglas Mudgway on the life and contribution
in the College on the topic of leadership.
of Sir William Pickering, space pioneer and former Director of the California Jet Propulsion
Sir Jerry gave a superb address, drawing on his own considerable
Laboratory, who appeared twice on the cover of
experience as a soldier, and speaking to the students at their level. It
Time magazine. Pickering gained his love of space in the Wellington
was very clear that Sir Jerry is a father of young men and understands
College Observatory, which he reopened memorably in 2002.
very clearly the challenges facing teenagers today. It was not difficult
Arguably, his contribution on the world stage, is the most significant
to see why this humble but inspiring leader has endeared himself
by a Wellington College Old Boy.
to such a wide range of people within New Zealand society in such a relatively short time.
The third lecture in 2011, delivered by former New Zealand diplomat, Gerald Hensley CNZM, was on the fascinating wartime relationship
We were, indeed, greatly honoured by the visit of our ‘next-door
between Freyberg, Commander of the New Zealand Forces, and Peter
neighbour’ whose advice and wisdom was greatly appreciated by all in
Fraser, perhaps New Zealand’s most respected Labour Prime Minister.
attendance.
The Prime Minister visits Wellington College The Prime Minister, Rt Hon John
met with the College staff over
Key visited Wellington College on
morning tea. He commended
Wednesday 30 October 2013 to
both the Headmaster and staff
meet both students and staff.
on their success in recent years across the academic spectrum
After a welcome from our
and was proud to mention that
Kapa Haka students, the Prime
Wellington College was one of
Minister then addressed our
New Zealand’s leading boys’
Year 13 students in the College
schools. He also briefly outlined
Hall. He spoke about his days as
some of the government plans to
a youngster, his education and
further enhance education success
subsequently his career path that
for young people in New Zealand.
eventually brought him back from Mr Key’s visit concluded by
overseas to enter politics, which eventually saw him elected as Prime Minister in 2008. Mr Key then
meeting some of our Year 13 students where he took great interest in
invited questions from the floor and a good number of wide-ranging
their plans after leaving College and the likely pathways beyond their
questions were put to him by the students. These ranged from student
tertiary studies.
loans, issues of drug and alcohol use, overseas employment options, being a parent of teenagers and his recent meeting and weekend stay
It has been over 20 years since a Prime Minister last visited the
with the Queen and her family.
College – while we can account for four Governors General, not one Old Boy (to date) has gone on to become Prime Minister. Perhaps
With the Headmaster, Mr Key then moved to the staffroom and
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
after today’s visit, we may see one become elected in years to come.
2013
| The Lampstand | 43
The Headmaster pays tribute to four Māori Old Boys Te Piringa is the whanau
the College, taonga including
foremost leaders in the revival
support group for Wellington
Hāmi’s medals, the diary he
of the Māori language. In 1970,
College. I recently attended
wrote prior to his death and
he was appointed as the first
the inaugural meeting for the
other memorabilia which had
Professor of Māori Studies at
year, a very pleasant function
been prized by the family for
the University of Waikato, and in
where I was able to meet with
nearly 100 years. We were deeply
1987, he became the first Māori
many of the young men and
honoured by the occasion and
Language Commissioner at Te
their families.
a special memorial to this fallen
Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. From
soldier is now kept in the College
2003, Professor Karetu was Head
Archives.
of Te Kohanga Reo National Trust.
I reflected afterwards on the Māori presence which has been
He is also a leading composer
with us at all times since the
Sir Paul Reeves is
and organiser in the Performing
endowment of the College in
probably known
Arts.
1853, and is represented today
to everyone
by 9% of our students who
and is one of
Tanemahuta
identify as Māori. At the risk
Wellington
Gray was
of being selective, I believe it is
College’s most
Head Prefect
appropriate to mention just a few
famous sons. The first Māori
of Wellington
of the Māori Old Boys of whom
to become Governor General,
College in
we are immensely proud:
Sir Paul was both a Prefect and
1992. After
students, teachers and their families. Guests listened to Senior Management, Board representatives and TAB
a familiar inclusion at Wellington College Pasifika events.
worked as a professional dancer,
Grace attended
Archbishop of New Zealand,
choreographer, director and
Wellington
before being appointed to his
producer. He performed for five
College from
vice-regal role. While he was
years and gave 850 performances
1904 – 1907. In
very proud of being a Wellington
worldwide in one of the world’s
his final year,
College student, he spoke to
leading aerial theatre companies,
he captained
me of the difficulties he felt in
De La Guarda. In 2005, he wrote,
the 1st XI Cricket team and was a
identifying as a Māori in the
produced and directed Maui- One
member of the 1st XV. He went
1950’s. I was delighted to get
Man Against the Gods, a stirring
on to represent Wellington in
to know Sir Paul and benefitted
combination of Kapa Haka and
Cricket and was a Māori All Black.
personally from the bi-cultural
aerial theatre, that has now
Tragically, Hāmi’s life ended at
perspective he brought to our
played to over 75,000 people in
the age of 25 as the Wellington
nation. We are delighted and
New Zealand. Tanemahuta has a
Regiment fought for Chunuk Bair
proud that his grandson is a
great pride in his College, and has
in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.
member of the College today.
returned on a regular basis over the years.
in brass at the back of our
Professor Timoti
Memorial Hall.
Karetu was
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi,
a Prefect in
Engari he toa takimano taku
Some years ago, the College
Firth House,
toa
experienced a truly memorable
the former
ANZAC Day service when Hāmi’s
Wellington
whanau, led by the Paramount
College hostel, in 1956. A noted intellectual, Timoti Karetu
a warm welcome to new
laughter which has become
leaving school, Tanemahuta
is recognised as one of the
Support Group extended
an abundance of food and
1951. Sir Paul became Anglican
Te Heu Heu, presented back to
and Pasifika Parents’
College life and enjoyed
member of the 1st XI Cricket in
Chief of Tuwharetoa, Sir Tumu
College TAB Pasifika Leaders
leaders share stories about
T.M. (Hāmi)
Hāmi’s name is recorded forever
In February, the Wellington
Amongst the new families were a number of Old Boys who were astonished and pleasantly surprised that some of the current teaching staff who taught them some 30 years ago, were still here to teach their sons! Liz Sidler, PPSG (Liz’s husband Richard [Sala] Sidler, is an Old Boy of the College (1979-1983) and is a current member of the College’s Board of Trustees).
My strength is not that of one, It is a strength of many. Roger Moses, ONZM Headmaster
Reverend Au Liko (right) and Parent and Old Boy, Mau Moananu (1981-1986).
44
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
update Academic
Student earns a Duke University Scholarship Andrew Tan-
runner up to the Dux.
Delli Cicchi is one of two New
My goal is to work in
Zealand students
third world countries to
who are North
develop basic education
Carolina-bound on
strategies that are not
scholarships to Duke
only efficient but cost-
University.
effective and available to all, he said. I believe that
The Robertson Scholarship
creating education systems is the
recipients have received the
bedrock for progression.
opportunity to study and live at the university, worth $100,000
Andrew has lived in different
per year.
parts of Asia throughout his life, and was struck by the ugliness
University of Canterbury Graduate and Old Boy improves Mighty River Generator Jasin Long (Class of 2008), graduated from the University of Canterbury Mechanical Engineering programme with Honours in April. In the final year of the professional programme, all students carry out a research and design project as part of a team on projects that are sponsored by industry. For Jasin's final year project, he was tasked by Mighty River Power to investigate their generator’s braking mechanisms. Mighty River has nine power stations on the Waikato river. Brakes are required in order to shut down the hydro turbines in order for control and safety. However with any high friction task Mighty River needed to know whether over time, brakes were eroding. If they were producing any sort of fine dust, then this could cause electrical shorting in the generator. Jasin and his team conducted experiments on the brakes, assessed the material’s properties and gave their findings and recommendations to Mighty River on ways that they could improve their braking mechanisms.
of inequality and social injustice.
Congratulations
with the local Soup Kitchen,
This is the second occasion that
Victoria University presented Distinguished
plans to study a 'design-your-
a Wellington College student has
Alumni Awards to John Campbell (1977-
own' programme in sociology,
won the Robertson Scholarship.
1981) along with five other graduates at a
psychology, and economics.
Deputy Head Prefect in 2008,
prestigious black tie dinner in July.
He was a Prefect in 2012, and
Hunter Douglas, was also a
was awarded Proxime Accessit,
recipient.
Andrew (2008-2012), who led Wellington College's involvement
Not your typical OE holiday
The presenter of TV3’s nightly current affairs show Campbell Live is known for a unique and effective communication style, and a determination to seek answers on a wide range of issues.
When Edward Stace (2001-2005) completed a BMedSc(Hons) research degree at Otago University in 2009, little did he know that this research project would lead on to being awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. The Scholarship, one of three awarded this year to New Zealand University graduates, will allow Edward to continue his research interests and pursue a Doctorate of Philosophy (DPhil) at Oxford University. His research investigated growing bone tissue from stem cells for storage and future transplantation. At Oxford, Edward plans to study for a PhD and to continue his studies in tissue engineering and further develop his education in preventive medicine and public health. Edward trained as an officer in the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army and was a member of the NZ Youth Olympic Rowing Squad. The Rhodes Scholarship is an international postgraduate award for foreign students to study at the University of Oxford in England. Rhodes Scholars can study any full-time postgraduate course offered by the British university. RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
The Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, and Edward Stace, from Otago University, who received a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University.
2013
| The Lampstand | 45
update Academic
One of life’s success stories
From rugby star to lecturer, there seems
and bide my time while I made it in rugby. The
to be nothing Porirua’s Arden Perrot
first essay I got back was covered with red ink,
(1998-2002) can’t do.
he said.
But success has not always been easy for the
It was that first failure that woke Arden up to
former Hurricanes flanker, and he is using
what he could achieve by using the support
his talent to show others that there is always
around him. I thought it was good, but I
time to turn their lives around.
obviously couldn’t write academically. I was advised to do a writing course, which helped
Arden is now a lecturer in Youth
me realise that education could be learned,
Development at WelTec and a star in Victoria
that it’s something you can actually get better
University’s Know Your Mind campaign.
at. I used to think you had to be born with it.
His life looked a lot less promising at the end of his college education.
Setting rugby as my main goal made me realise that if I could set goals in
The only things that mattered were rugby and girls. I failed every year at
other areas, like education, then I could do it.
college. “There were more than 1500 boys at my school and I think I got lost in the system, he said.
The first person in his family to gain a degree, he graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Education and received the Victoria
Despite playing Rugby at Wellington College, he quit the sport
Medal of Academic Excellence earlier this year.
after leaving college and found himself unemployed and without qualifications. Once you get on to that path of failing, it’s hard to climb
For Arden, the lessons he has learned have been an opportunity to
out.
give back to his community and help others, I became a mentor and a tutor because I knew I could save some students in the same way I'd been
An intervention from his father led Arden to travel overseas, where
saved. I could show them how to be better at studying and how to tap into
he coached and rekindled his love of Rugby. When he returned to
other people’s strengths and learn from them.
Wellington six months later, he set his mind on training, eventually earning a spot in the Wellington rep team.
He said his success, in Rugby and his new academic career, had not come overnight, but that the key was setting goals and slowly working
It was only to avoid labour work after training that Arden signed up
towards them. I’ll do it because I now know that the price of success is
for university courses. I only really went to university to muck around
doing what you should. do, whether you feel doing or not.
Helping to make our International Students’ feel at home Wellington is hoping to attract 1000 more
group, is in many ways a poster child of
foreign students to the city in a move
this process. Kartik was joined by current
that could add $27 million to the city's
Y13 student and Prefect, Fame Vonjibunta
businesses each year. At the end of 2011,
[pictured right], who replied to the Mayor’s
the capital hosted about 6000 overseas
welcome speech.
students, worth about $162m a year. City officials hope the number will grow to 7000
Kartik left Singapore at 13 to study at
by the end of 2013.
Wellington College, becoming a Prefect and strongly involved with our International
Education New Zealand figures show
Students’ association. After returning to
that the average foreign student spends
Singapore for Military Service, he returned
$27,000 a year while studying in New Zealand. Wellington is already
to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University, where he
internationally recognised for the business, accounting and law
has subsequently found a job.
programmes offered by its universities, which attract a significant number of students from Asia every year.
A self-confessed fan of Wellington, Kartik said the city's traditional education providers are well-equipped to handle the flow of students,
Kartik Retna (2003-2005), [pictured above left] who welcomed a group
as well as the shock of stepping into a completely foreign culture,
of foreign secondary school students in the Town Hall in March this
which he conceded was not easy.
year, alongside Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown and a Whitireia kapa haka
46
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
Good Sorts
The Kenyan Carpentry Programme
While we were at the
Part two of Loki’s vision will be
year. However fundraising is
recent WCOBA Melbourne
maintaining and renovating the
essential. So far I have raised $8.5k.
Dinner, we met an interesting
orphanage itself and surrounding
Money raised prior to my departure
and passionate young man,
buildings needing repairs. While
will be used to purchase materials
Loki Grant (2002-2006).
working on these projects, the
needed to build the school within
team will work with as many
the KCC slum project. Any left over
Loki trained as a carpenter,
young people as potential
money will be used on my returning
working in both Wellington
apprentices, teaching them the
trip to fund the programme.
and now Melbourne where has
basics of structural design and
worked on renovations of old
completion.
homes, apartment buildings and
Loki said that the programme Loki emailed us on the eve of his
will continue to need constant
contracts with the NZ Army. He
As the project continues, Loki’s
departure to Kenya, where he
fundraising for materials,
currently works for Ausform
goal is to set up a programme
will be for the next seven weeks,
stationery and tools. He has the
Construction and shared a vision
which will continue to operate
working at an orphanage and
full support of his employers in
he has had to ‘change some
independently with the hope
assisting with building a school
Melbourne and is now hoping
lives and improve communities
he can return and expand on
for KCC (Kitendo Children’s
that other companies will get on
in Kenya’. With the full support
the project by introducing more
Charity) slum project. He will also
board and support his vision.
of his employer, the ‘Kenyan
trades including plumbing and
scope out suitable locations for
Carpentry Programme’ was born.
block-laying.
his return visit when he runs his
He would be hugely grateful if
classes in 2014.
any Old Boys could help in some
Loki is currently in Kenya where
Loki’s long-term vision is to
he is setting up carpentry and
ensure that these young people in He says: I have made some very
fundraising campaign or just even
woodwork classes based in an
Kenya will face a brighter future
promising relationships with people
helping to raise awareness.
orphanage where he and his
by providing training in a pre-
over there that can help with my
team will teach young men how
trade course and give them hope
particular goals, so I am very
Here is a link for the donation
to use and maintain hand-tools.
of being employed within the city
confident this project will be up and
page: www.gofundme.com/
He then will start them off on
and at the same time improving
running shortly. When I do, I will be
kenyancarpentry and on
basic construction concepts of
their surrounding communities
setting it all up as a non profitable
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
tool boxes and picnic tables.
and living conditions.
organisation and returning next
KenyanCarpentryProgram
way, whether it be supporting the
Asthma sufferers benefit from Adam Glover’s ‘Long Ride Home’ We last featured Adam Glover (1986-1989) in
Having had no previous touring experience, he left
the 2011 Lampstand about his journey back to
London intent on self-sufficiency. He carried a tent,
Wellington from London by bike. We are please
gas cooker, pots, pans, clothes for all conditions, spare
to report he finally made it home.
tyres and other spare bike parts. The total weight was about 50kg. On the way he learned to deal with
Adam thought it would take just a year to cycle from
punctures, broken chains, cycling in snowy conditions
London to Wellington, but 708 days later he has
and 50 degree heat while travelling through countries
finally made it home. The 40-year-old left London
not renowned for their safety, he said.
on 2 April, 2011, and was greeted in Wellington on 3 March 2013 by many supporters.
Mountainous landscapes in many countries proved the most difficult task and taking an hour to travel a
His 31,000km journey took him across Europe
kilometre because of altitude sickness was common.
to Turkey, through Iran and northen Asia, China,
Adam averaged 100km a day with his biggest being
Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia,
an exhausting 210km stint in China.
East Timor and Australia. He then caught a container ship to Auckland, where on arrival, he headed straight to a fish and chip shop.
After raising more than $2500 for asthma, he is already planning his next adventure - cycling from the top of North America to the bottom
Adam took on the challenge with little training but said was motivated by a desire to raise money for asthma - an illness he suffers from.
of Argentina. If you would like to support Adam Glover's fundraising visit www.adamglovercycling.com
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
2013
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An Unsung Hero: The Story of Edric Baker and the Kailakuri Health Centre
New Zealand’s Own Mother Theresa
Old Boy, Alistair Gooch (19551959) wrote to us to bring to
The Kailakuri Project - A satellite
light, the inspiring story of fellow
health centre was established
Old Boy and classmate, Dr Edric
some five km away at Kailakuri
Baker ONMZ.
specialising in services for diabetics and TB. Here Edric was
Attached is the article I have
able to put into practice what
put together of Edric Baker’s
he had been working towards
amazing career, especially in
for many decades. The diabetes
Bangladesh for some 30 years
programme was managed and
and the Kailakuri Project for the
run entirely by diabetics. The
last seven years. The Kailakuri
TB eradication programme was
websites are www.kailakuri.com
managed and run entirely by
or http://sites.google.com/site/
persons who were either being
kailakurihealth.
cured, or had formerly been afflicted by TB.
Have a read and see if you can accommodate this story in
In 2006, Edric transferred from
the Lampstand for the College
the Church of Bangladesh to
Community to read, marvel at
The Vision – Providing Health
ready to embark on what has
a local NGO, the Institute of
and even make contributions.
Services by the poor for the
turned out to be his life’s work
Integrated Rural Development
poor - Kontum, near the Ho Chi
- developing health services for
and shifted over to work full time
After Wellington College, Edric
Minh trail, was a volatile part
the poor, by the poor. In 1983,
with the Kailakuri Health Centre
Baker ONZM (1955-1959) studied
of the country and at times the
he went to Bangladesh. Under
(The Thanabaird clinic continues
medicine at Otago University,
expatriate hospital staff were
the auspices of the Church
to operate under the Church of
graduating in 1965. At that time
evacuated out. On returning after
of Bangladesh, Edric went to
Bangladesh staffed, as Ed had set
the Vietnam war was building
one of these occasions, Edric was
Thanabaird in the remote north
it up to operate by locally trained
up. In 1968, Edric volunteered to
struck by how the local (totally
of the country. Here, starting
personnel). Today Kailakuri has a
work with the NZ Surgical Team
untrained) staff had managed to
from scratch, he taught literacy
staff of 90 persons, of whom Edric
in Qui Nhon, the provincial capital
keep the hospital running. This
and numeracy before training
is the only one with any formal
of Binh Dinh Province in (then)
awoke in him a vision of health
local people to become ‘barefoot
medical qualifications. Everybody
South Vietnam. The Surgical
services for the poor by the poor.
medics’ for the Church Clinic.
else has been trained on the
Team worked at the Province
The situation deteriorated in the
In accordance with his strong
job. All staff take part in weekly
Hospital and attended to civilian
Vietnam highlands and Edric was
beliefs, he worked hard to identify
training and re-training sessions.
casualties.
detained for four months.
fully with the locals – living in
Edric is head trainer, consultant
similar accommodation and
and Medical Officer in Charge.
He recalls his first lesson, After
He may well have spent the
several hours of traumatic war
rest of his life in Vietnam
surgery on a patient who made
had he not been deported
Through a mix of formal training
area with a mixed population
full recovery, I saw him come
by the communists after this
and ‘learning by doing’, the
of Bengali Muslim, indigenous
back three months later to die of
imprisonment. He set about
Thanabaird clinic was built up
minorities the Mandi (many of
dysentery. That was the first step in
equipping himself for a lifetime of
to a staff of 55 by the year 2000.
whom are Christian) and Borman
my awakening.
service to the poor. Over the next
Of these only two had been to
(Hindu).
eating the same food. The Centre services a very poor
few years he obtained Diplomas
high school. The programme was
After a spell in New Zealand,
in Tropical Medicine, Tropical
dealing with 16,000 outpatients
Prior to Edric and the Kailakuri
Edric transferred to a highlands
Child Health and Obstetrics in UK.
and some 700 inpatients a
Project, these different ethnic
mission hospital established
He then obtained tropical and
year. With assistance from Kiwi
and religious communities would
in Kontum by Dr Pat Smith.
obstetric experience by working
volunteer paediatric nurse Libby
have had little or nothing to do
This served the ethnic minority
in hospitals in Papua New Guinea
Laing, village health-workers
with each other. It is a measure
hill tribe people known as the
and Zambia.
also provided antenatal care,
of Edric’s personal stature and
preventative health, nutrition and
personal commitment that he
family planning services.
has been able to bring these
Montagnards. By the early 1980s, he was
48
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
disparate groups together – each
Patients pay for their care when
day starts with joint prayer and
they are able. It is estimated
the whole community, including
that their contributions make
outpatients and inpatients, prays
up about 5% of the cost of the
together for about 20 minutes
total. In time it may be possible to
before the day’s work with
get this up to 15%. So continual
patients begins.
fundraising is required from the Kailakuri Project Support Teams,
Last year the staff of 90 dealt with
here in NZ and some in US.
33,000 outpatient visits (25,500 in 2007), all seen by paramedics
Edric returns to New Zealand
while 21,000 people received
every two or three years to
health education which in many
support the Project by carrying
or most cases is life and death
out a speaking tour of New
information on how to live. This
Zealand to maintain support
At present also, there is a need
treatment of her cataracts and
is more health education than
here. He was interviewed by TV
for funds for two new low cost
she could see again. She became
given by all Auckland hospitals
and radio on his 2012 tour and
buildings – one for the village
a diabetes health educator,
put together.
made a plea for another doctor to
health programme, another for
married a local young man and
maintain the workload. You can
the new doctor being sought.
now has a child.
In addition paramedics (locals)
access the TV interview on:
There is an urgent need for funds
treated 1100 in-patients (921
http://tvnz.co.nz/
to improve the management of
Sujit – a diabetic came from a
in 2007), some extremely ill.
close-up/wednesday-
burns. So it goes on.
mission station. Edric brought
Diabetes is a serious problem
september-5-5064939/
and 1200 patients are currently
video?vid=5065259.
under supervision (892 in 2007),
him to Kailakuri, treated him Difficulties (delays) getting money
with insulin, taught him how
transferred internationally is just
to treat the diabetes and look
another irritant.
after himself. He went to open
with more than 700 on insulin.
Difficulties, even obstruction,
TB treatment has been very
from local authorities is a
successful – the only programme
major irritant – the road to
The first diabetes patient, Sultan,
school certificate. He now runs
supported financially by the
Kailakuri is currently being used
was treated with the help of a
the diabetes programme with its
Bangladesh Government. The 70
by large (usually overloaded)
diabetes hospital in Dhaka. A very
1200 patients.
patients treated resulted in a 94%
trucks picking up local crops of
intelligent young man, he became
cure rate (60 in 2007) which is
pineapples and bananas. The
a paramedic in 1984 because of
What is being achieved at
better than even the NZ rate.
dirt road immediately around
the successful treatment and now
Kailakuri is unique. Historically
the Project is regularly churned
at 50 is still a health educator at
antagonistic ethnic and religious
Other treatments – antenatal/
up in the rainy season, so the
Kailakuri. Now there are 1200
groups are working together.
obstetrics, general illnesses and
authorities dug it up to repair it –
diabetes patients.
minor surgery arise mainly from
but the repairs haven’t happened
the harsh environment and
so patients are seriously
Another, Shilpi – an 18 year-old
the Morgan Foundation, visited
extreme poverty of the region.
inconvenienced with knee-high
girl, was brought to Kailakuri
Edric last year in Bangladesh and
More complex surgery has to be
muddy access.
from across the country, having
calls him New Zealand’s Own
done outside and patients are
college every Friday and passed
Gareth Morgan, who establised
heard about the project. She was
Mother Theresa. You can read
sent away for this. And all this
Money is the most important
so weak and wasted she couldn’t
Gareth’s recount here: http://
with no Government financial
problem – the funds required to
stand on her own. She was blind
garethsworld.com/blog/morgan-
support!
maintain the operations... Edric
due to cataracts arising from
foundation/new-zealands-own-
tells of a time when the money
diabetes. After treatment she put
mother-teresa/
The total cost of operation for
ran low and staff had to be cut.
on 25kg. The project arranged for
the last year was NZ $222,000
One man was invited to take a
($110,000 in 2007) – covering
month’s leave. His answer – I
salaries, feeding 60 – 80 people
will not take pay but I will not
3 to times per day (up to 6
stop work. The project’s finances
times/day for diabetic/nutrition
require constant and careful
patients), medicines, surgery,
scrutiny, as most medicines are
transport and administration.
purchased from a nearby (eight
Even taking the exchange rate
miles away) pharmacy where cash
into consideration, that’s low cost!
is essential.
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
2013
| The Lampstand | 49
From Schoolroom to Boardroom John Rutherford (1963-1967), an engineering
development. They were wrong about that.
graduate left New Zealand in 1971 for the
Boarding life was very different to the home
United States aged 21. At the time, the USA
life I had experienced. In those days the first
was at the leading edge of world trends. The
year boys were treated a bit like subhumans,
Woodstock rock concert has just happened, San
publicly humiliated and made to serve the
Francisco was the city of love and the Vietnam
whims of the more senior boys. It was a tough
War was in full stride. It was an exciting time and
first year away from home. I hated it but felt I
I really came over here to be part of it, he says.
had no option and that my parents expected me to cope. I did cope - in fact I don’t ever
The move has been rewarding for John. He
remember uttering a complaint, although they
took up computer science at the University
could clearly read in my eyes that I hated it.
of Connecticut, really as a way to enter into
Some boys got their mouths soaped, some
the United States. He was talked into going
got dunked in the toilets, others had their
to Harvard Business School in Boston, and to
possessions taken by the senior boys and were forced to write lines as punishment for crimes
pay off his student loan he took a job with a management consultancy firm, Bain & Co. He never looked back.
that the senior boys committed. At night the class (Third Form) all shared a common bedroom - that is all 30 of us. If you spoke after
John recently joined with Hamilton Helmer in 2013 to found Strategy
9.00pm and were heard by a teacher on duty, you were taken out into
Capital, a hedge fund investing in large US technology companies.
the corridor, bent over, and strapped in your pajamas. It was a lot
Prior to Strategy Capital he co-founded Parthenon Capital Partners, a
different than home!
US$2 billion private equity firm in 1998 and was a Managing Partner until his retirement in 2012. John was also co-founder and former
Boarding school, while having many elements of prison life, actually
Chairman of The Parthenon Group, a 150-person boutique strategic
had its good points. First, we became great friends with many of our
advisory firm founded in 1991. Previously he was a Director of Bain &
classmates - after all, we went through boot camp together. We felt
Company.
much more integrated with the school than the day students that we viewed as part-timers (not real men). As one rose through the ranks
So how did John reach such dizzy heights from a small country at the
of boarding school, one obtained power and life became much more
bottom of the world? He recalls some of his memories as a youngster convenient. (including his time at Wellington College). Unfortunately, I left right at this time to return home. At Wellington Probably luck is the main thing I had going for me, but certainly the
College I was placed into the top form of six academic levels. Initially
early school experiences shape who you are and develop your talents.
I found the work largely repetitious of what I had already learned. As a result I became lazy. The culture of the boarding establishment
In my case, my parents decided to place me in a private school when
was to do as little schoolwork as possible and play sports as much
I turned eight. They had learned of a boy’s school that provided
as possible. I played sports - Rugby, Cricket, Basketball, Swimming,
excellent preparation for high school. It was called Wellesley College
etc. However I was not particularly good at them, especially those
and was located in Day’s Bay. The Headmaster, ‘Hoppy Stevens’, had
requiring hand-eye coordination. I quit trying in class and proceeded
a well-deserved reputation for strict discipline. He had an uncanny
to move from the top of the class down to the bottom. It was clear
knack for knowing how boys think and what particular mischief they
that I was failing. I needed to be stretched and challenged, just as I
were up to.
had been at Wellesley. I needed an environment where succeeding academically was valued positively. My parents realised that the
We would receive two or three hours of homework every day, but
situation was unlikely to improve, so they decided to have me live at
I treated this as a serious responsibility and always did all of it. So
home and attend the same school, but as a day student.
I developed early the habit of hard work. On reflection, much of my make-up was already determined by high school. I was serious,
My interest in the school did not improve, but my interest in study
steady, and hardworking, with a flair for logic and I got along with
did. I had a nationally competitive final set of exams at the end of
people.
high school. These I took very seriously and earned very strong grades. Many of my smoking companions had dropped out of school
My teenage years were largely defined by Wellington College, the high
by now and so I only saw them occasionally. I remained uninvolved
school I attended from age 13 until 18. The school was about forty-
in the school itself. I came across a boy Simon James, who was in
five minutes from our home so there was little reason to board at the
charge of the school textbook storage room. I joined up with him
school other than that my parents thought it would be good for my
in this subterranean vault where we would shelter away, largely
50
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
invisible to the world, and make toast, coffee and smoke cigarettes.
say on my recommendation was that I attended the school, period.
We thoroughly enjoyed our freedom and showed precious little Today Wellington College is not the same school. It brought in some
responsibility.
exceptional leadership and now has remade itself into the preSome friends and I went a little wild during the teenage years. We
eminent NZ high school of today. Would that I could have had my
would just take my parents’ car and drive off to some public dance
high school experience in the special place Wellington College has
hall. We would smoke and drink if we could find some alcohol. One
become!
sorry adventure I still remember with Paddy Battersby was buying a bottle of pre-mixed screwdriver, vodka and orange, finding a deserted
These days, John is married to Ann Ellen (marrying in 1977) and they
alley in the city, and drinking it straight, just the two of us. Needless to
have three adult children. John retains his New Zealand citizenship
say, we were both ill and I still won’t drink screwdrivers to this day.
together with dual United States citizenship. Throughout his business career, John has travelled with great frequency, well over thirty trips
Mr Holt was my teacher during my last two years. He was a very
per year. He also travels to New Zealand every two - three years. His
bright, retiring mathematician who taught the top students and
children all have New Zealand citizenship as he believes it is important
maintained some degree of control because he was so reasonable
that they could choose to live in New Zealand should they wish to do
and knowledgeable. I respected him highly and found that he would
so at any point in their lives.
warn me when the bureaucracy was about to launch an attack. He saw that I had ability and would find challenges to stretch me. When
John recently moved to Florida where he is taking Spanish lessons and
I graduated from Wellington College, the most the Headmaster would
now travelling frequently to Latin America.
That’s the Spirit Mathieson Carlyle, a current
This ranged from jumping off the
Y12 Student and a recipient of
bow, swinging on the yard swing,
the WCOBA Auckland Branch
going ashore for team building,
Spirit of Adventure Scholarship
cleaning up a beach, sailing in the
recounts his memorable voyage.
luggers – the smaller boats, and climbing up the masts.
I’m not much of a boatie. I get seasick easily and my most frequent
For the first eight days of the
sailing experience is cruising on the
voyage, we were shown how to
Interislander. So I was uncertain,
raise and strike (bring down) each
yet very excited about sailing on the
sail and other key tasks. As each
Spirit of Adventure. Together with
day passed, the crew had less and
39 other teenagers and ten crew,
less input. The idea being that come
we formed Voyage 645. Sailing for
trainee day, we would be able to
ten days around the Hauraki Gulf
do everything ourselves. For me,
we soon became firm friends and
trainee day was the highlight of my
still remain in contact via facebook.
trip. The night before, we elected who would take over all the key
Each day followed a set routine,
roles of the ship. These included
woken at 6.30am by the generator
Captain, four ‘Watch leaders’, 1st
and the lights going on. Then up on
and 2nd Mate, two cooks, two
deck for a swim, that also doubled
engineers and two navigators.
as a shower. Breakfast was at 7.15, followed by our morning meeting to
On trainee day, the crew sat in
the people under my command,
discuss what we were going to do
their lounge, on hand only should
we ran the entire main set of sails
for the day. Then clean-up.
anything go seriously wrong. We
for this section of the boat. What a
I am most grateful for the
Each morning, the whole boat had
teenagers were in charge of the
blast, working as a team to get the
scholarship from the Wellington
to be scrubbed inside and out. Then
ship! We cooked all the food,
sails up and down in time.
College Old Boy’s Association and to
we had to prep the boat for sailing
started the engines, planned our
and learn standard sea procedures,
sailing route, steered the ship, and
Since I’ve been back, many people
Career’s Adviser, who helped me
followed by lunch. After lunch we
managed all the sails.
have asked me about my voyage on
apply. I would really recommend it
would hoist the sails, and sail away.
days of my life!
Mr Ernie Rosenthal (1958-1961), the
the Spirit of Adventure. I suppose it
to anyone, from Y11 to Y13. It’s an
I was lucky enough to be elected
is pretty similar to a school camp,
amazing experience and something
Each day we would do something
Watch leader with responsibility for
but with a few fabulous twists. I can
that you will never forget!
that we had never done before.
the area of mid-ship. Together with
honestly say, it was the best ten
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
2013
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Taking on the World... When Mike Hewitt [left], (1997-
Mike’s relationship-centred
2001) and Liam Taylor, [right]
approach doubled with a ‘Nothing
(1985-1988) crossed paths in
is Impossible’ mind-set fuels him
Auckland early in 2012, they
to get out of bed in the morning
started hatching a plan to
and make a difference in some
leverage their expertise and
shape or form making every day
experiences in a number of
worthy of a standing ovation.
industries to create a brand that would be a vehicle to take
Ask Liam what the secret to
on the world. After a number of
success is and he will tell you that
flat whites and long blacks the
it takes a lot of hard work, staying
lads dream became a reality
one step ahead of the rest and a
when DARKHORSE was born in
fantastic imagination, that is the
November 2012.
philosophy and passion that he brings to DARKHORSE.
They saw a gap in the market for a multi-layered front foot,
Liam thrives on the creative
innovative, creative and high
process, delivering unique
energy approach to engage
experiences that drive an
brands with target audiences
increased level of brand
through meaningful and relevant
engagement and loyalty to its
campaigns. They also wanted
clients.
to showcase what the best country in the world had to offer
Liam has a diverse background
by creating unique money can’t
having gained a Bachelor of
buy experiences targeting both
Parks, Recreation and Tourism
inbound and local corporates and
Management from Lincoln
individuals.
University before embarking on
established Exclusive Events NZ in
Good Group, Air NZ, SKYCITY and
a career in the outdoors as an
the resort town of Queenstown,
Kathryn Wilson. The guys aren’t
Mike gained a noteworthy
instructor at Outward Bound New
focusing solely on destination and
going to stop there. They have
apprenticeship which has
Zealand, and later co-founding
event management. Liam now
a number of new clients on the
included working for iconic
Back-country NZ, a leading
has over ten years’ experience
horizon and have the intension
NZ and Australian start-up
adventure guiding company
producing large scale events and
to expand into the Australian
companies Charlie’s Juice and
based in the South Island.
bespoke adventures throughout
market in the near future and
New Zealand. Having worked with
move into different industries.
Nutrientwater, then some of the world’s most sort after brands
While pursuing his passion for
which has included Red Bull, Moet
snow sports, Liam has worked as
and prominent individuals
The guys have created a culture
& Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Dom
a Ski Patroller in New Zealand and
including Sir Richard Branson,
that reflects their personalities
Perignon, the list goes on...
the USA, and later a professional
and Larry Page, Liam has learnt
which has made the DARKHORSE
Heli-ski Guide for five consecutive
the importance of delivering
HQ an inspiring and fun
Mike’s background working
seasons, gaining qualifications in
premium service with the quality
environment that includes
for these brands has covered
Rock Climbing, Mountaineering,
of an international standard.
everything from Dedon standing
everything from building and
White Water Kayaking, Risk
running a company from scratch
Management, Advanced
Since launching DARKHORSE, the
Liam has a slight emotional
through to executing global
Emergency Care and Avalanche
guys have had amazing growth
attachment to through to a Veuve
initiatives across multiple aspects
forecasting.
and are fortunate to be working
Clicquot table tennis table which
with a number of Global Luxury
doubles as the boardroom table.
of a business which have included
several of NZ's leading companies
desks, a large white board which
multi-million dollar national sales
There was a shift in focus for
brands which includes the likes
programmes, creating money
Liam when he realised the
of Moet Hennessy, Domo Luxury
DARKHORSE: PO Box 47131,
can’t buy brand experiences
potential for experience-based
Furniture, Mini, DB Breweries
Email: mike@darkhorsenz.com
to fostering key relationships
events for corporations and
and Estee Lauder Companies,
Website: www.darkhorsenz.com
across multiple levels within an
their staff, along with catering
as well as some great New
organisation.
for individuals. In July 2007 Liam
Zealand brands which include
52
| The Lampstand | 2013
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
Birthday Celebrations and Congratulations! When Laurie Bade celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends in January, he must have remembered the dramatic moments on 21 March, 1945 when he cheated death. Flight Lieutenant Bade, who joined the RNZAF as a mature pilot, spent many hours flying Douglas transport aircraft between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands he ran until he was about 80.
and was also a flight instructor at Whenuapai, training the later echelons of young pilots for
Laurie was a representative
combat in the final stages of WWII.
sportsman, representing Wellington in Athletics, Hockey
On the day in question, for
survived into their 90s. Laurie has
attended from 1927-1929. He
and Harriers. He also played
some reason unresolved even
three children, Ian (1955-1959),
then went to work for Hope
representative Rugby and
by a Board of lnquiry, the C-47
Keith and Catherine and five
Gibbons (bicycle importers) in
Basketball in the Airforce. Laurie
Douglas Dakota NZ3501 was in
grand-children and two great-
Taranaki Street until early 1940
and his wife built a house in Tawa
collision mid-air with a Ventura
grand-children.
when he went into the RNZAF.
in 1949 and lived there until a few
Laurie returned to Hope Gibbons
years ago, Mrs Bade passed away
NZ4518, shearing off half the port wing, about 14 feet of it. Laurie
About 100 guests attended
after the war then shortly shifted
in 1996.
managed to bring the crippled
Laurie’s birthday party including
to MacDuffs (later to become
Photos: ABOVE RIGHT: Laurie at
plane and all its five crewmen
Barry Jobson (1954-1958)
Woolworths) before setting up
Wellington College (c) 1926.
safely back, landing at Whenuapai
representing the Old Boys’
his own importing/wholesaling
in Auckland. The pilot of the
Association and Development
business in the early 1950s which
Ventura unfortunately perished
Manager, Tony Robinson
with his plane but he had kept it
representing the College.
aloft long enough for all his crew
Laurie’s nephew, Roger Booth
to parachute to safety.
(1958-1962), Deputy Mayor of
ABOVE: Laurie at his birthday celebrations earlier this year.
Class of 1996 remember the good times
Kapiti Coast District Council also Laurie was awarded the Air Force
attended and spoke.
Cross in 1945. The citation reads [Flight Lieutenant Bade] is an
Laurie (we believe) is now the
outstanding captain of transport
oldest member of the Wellington
aircraft who had a sound
College Old Boys’ Association.
reputation as an extremely steady,
When he attended Wellington
devoted and reliable pilot]. But
College, he proved himself on the
that was before the accident, Laurie
sports field as a ‘good all-round
remarked.
athlete’. Asked what he thought contributed to making him a
He now lives at Summerset
centenarian, he replied ‘old age’.
Village Paraparaumu and
Hadden Morrison (1992-1996) emailed us to say a group of his fellow cohort members met up for a WCOB lunch in Wellington recently and hope to make it a regular occurrence.
participates enthusiastically in
Laurie was born in Berhampore,
Please touch base with Hadden if you would like to attend the next
activities arranged there.
went to Berhampore then
get-together. Hadden.Morrison@plunket.org.nz
Island Bay schools - from the Of the three boys and three girls
latter gaining a matriculation
in the Bade family, all but one has
to Wellington College which he
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
(L-R): Sloan McPhee, John Bell, Andrew Dowie, Peter Ashby, Ryan Brooks, Evan Belford, Craig Pearce, Danny Jones, Dave Calder, Hayden Walker, Ollie Martin and Hadden Morrison.
2013
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Dodging Disaster and Boxing On Former Master, Ken Bliss (1954-1969) believes in giving life his best shot. Once a week for half an hour, Ken heads to The Terraces in Howick and a health centre to do what many people half his age shy away from, building up fitness with a strength and conditioning course, complete with boxing gloves and weight training. Life is well worth living and the best way to get the most out of it is to look after your body,says Ken. I strained my Achilles tendon last year and it stopped me in my tracks for months. I couldn’t walk properly or play bowls. By the time I had sat around resting the leg, I was putting on weight. The tendon was the same and I was bored silly. For the first time, I started to feel old. Ken Bliss, is following the exercise advice
Ken has good reasons to treasure life – as a 21 year old in the RNZAF
of personal trainer Jennie Millen.
he served during the Pacific War at Bougainville and Guadalcanal. He had applied to train as a pilot, but was too tall for the cockpit, so
reversed back to Marton because of a ‘hold up’ on the line. We diverted
he sought to become a navigator. My father refused to give permission
through Taranaki and it took 24 gruelling hours to finally arrive at
and as I was then under 21, I couldn’t do a thing about it, so trained as a
Frankton Junction – twice the time of the usual journey. I was feeling very
radio technician, servicing the Corsairs. My father probably saved my life,
sorry for myself. To my surprise, my family was waiting anxiously on the
because the attrition rate in the air was terrible.
platform. It was then I found out the train I should have been on had gone down at Tangiwai. The second class carriages, where I would have been,
Besides enemy action and the Japanese hedging in on both sides of
had gone into the river with the engine and everyone in them was lost,
his base camp at Bougainville, there was another danger. Ken was a
including the librarian where I worked. Those last drinks with my mates
member of the surf lifesaving team hastily formed there after several
had saved my life.
United States servicemen were swept out to sea. Ken went on to teach physics and maths at Wellington College, before Most of these boys came from the middle of the United States and had
moving north to Auckland. Retirement from teaching gave him a
never seen the sea, Ken recalls. The beach was beautiful, a paradise to
chance to take up many new opportunities, including landscape
them. They would float on lilos and be carried out. If they didn’t drown
painting. Donning boxing gloves is just his latest adventure.
and drifted along the coast, the Japanese would pick them off, or the tiger sharks would get them. As the tallest lifesaver, I was the one who stood the
After the number of close calls I’ve had in my life, I think I owe it to myself
furthest out in the water, feeding the line to our strongest swimmer, whose
to keep fit and have the most fun I can. HOW WE CALCULATE YOUR COHORT FOR OUR REUNIONS Example 1: Started 1960 • Left 1963 • Cohort is still 1964 Form 3 Form 4 Form 5 Form 6 Form 7
job it was to reach the Yank and bring him back in. We made about 100 rescues and each time, we were out there with the sharks. Ken returned home from the war unscathed, to start his life anew by enrolling at Victoria University of Wellington and gaining a bachelor
Upper 5 1961 1962 1963 4C1 5C1 5U2 Thus 1964 is your Cohort Year
1960 3C1
of science with physics major. At the same time, he worked at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, documenting solar activity and its effect on radio waves. A momentous year for Ken was 1953 – he graduated and was looking forward to heading home to Hamilton for Christmas. That bright Christmas Eve he had no inkling of the danger he was in. I was in the pub with my workmates celebrating Christmas and a pretty good year – shouting rounds and really enjoying myself – and I missed my train. I sprinted to the platform waving my ticket at the guard as the next train prepared to pull out. He didn’t want to let me on, because the ticket was for the previous train, but it was Christmas, so he relented. The train was so crowded I had to sit in a corner on my suitcase and was kicking myself for missing the other train, especially when we stopped and
54
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Upper 6 1964 6XX
(ie the five years from Form 3 to Form 7/Upper 6th) Example 2: Started 1961 • Left 1963 • Cohort is still 1964 Form 3 1960 3XX
(because you began College at another school) Form 4 Form 5 Form 6 Form 7 Upper 5 1961 1962 1963 4C1 5C1 5U2 Thus 1964 is your Cohort Year
Upper 6 1964 6XX
(ie the five years from Form 3 to Form 7/Upper 6th) 1963 is the year from which your anniversary of leaving school is calculated, by adding 10, 20, 40,, 50, 60 years etc. Your cohort leaving year may not be the actual year you left Wellington College, but captures all those fellow students who you were at school with, irrespective of how many years you were at the College, or the years you actually started or left.
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
Willy Moon - Star on the Rise When Willy Moon (2004) lived
precocious intelligence. It defined
U2, he has been profiled in the
in Wellington, he was a thief
my schooling.
British and American press, and
and a drug-user who left school
championed by The White Stripes'
with no qualifications. Now he
Everybody else would be learning
Jack White. He has appeared
is one of the music world's next
things I already knew and
in The New York Times, Vogue, Q
big names, with a song used in
understood, so I developed a sense
and Interview magazines, and
an Apple ad and an appearance
of laziness through that, because I
performed on The Tonight Show
on Jay Leno's TV show in the US.
never needed to try. Then I reached
with Jay Leno.
a certain age where it caught up He's signed to a big record label
with me and I lost enthusiasm for
Even more significant for any
and getting the kind of attention
learning.
recording artist in this digital age, his undeniably catchy single, Yeah
and media coverage overseas that no Kiwi other than Kimbra
Two months after he turned 18,
Yeah, was picked up by Apple and
could dream of.
Willy left Wellington for London
used in television commercials for
again. He occasionally stole to
its new range of iPods.
Willy Moon (previously Sinclair),
feed himself. I really had to steal
is the first to admit it's a long way
things in order to eat.
some of the album's rawness. I like tension between things. I always
His debut album, Here's Willy
liked the idea of having a seemingly
Moon, on which most of the
buttoned-up character who loses it,
he had no idea of what to do with
But in the space of five years,
tracks are written, recorded and
or the other way around.
himself or where he was headed,
largely under the radar of his
produced by Willy, was released
often in trouble with the law,
homeland, Willy has become
in New Zealand in April before its
In August 2013, Rockstar Games
Willy came and went from several
poised to be one of the biggest
release in Britain.
included Railroad Track in the
high schools and left without any
new names in music.
from his life in Wellington, when
Grant Theft Auto V soundtrack His sartorial image - he's often
list. Ubisoft also launched a new
quite got there. Before the age
Signed to recording giant Island,
pictured in dapper 30s-style dress
Assassin's Creed Black Flag trailer
of 13, I suppose, I was a child of
best known for Bob Marley and
and hairstyle - contrasts with
featuring Railroad Track.
educational qualification. I never
Our Newest Old Boys: Class of 2013
The 2013 Leavers’ Lunch for the Class of 2013 [306 students] was the finale event for the students before they headed off for study leave and subsequently, their exams. Students sat in their 2009 Y9 form classes with many still having most of their original classmates intact. There were also three tables of ‘Newbies’ - those who started here after 2009. A small number of students were invited to share their memories of the past five years with their cohort and there was much laughter as some of those Y9 awkward moments were remembered. Dylan Johnson (2002-2007) was the guest speaker - he touched on his time at the College and more recently, keeping in touch with both the College and good mates. The Headmaster concluded the lunch with a big thanks to all the students for their great contribution to College life.
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
2013
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update Sports
Music + Rugby = Baby Staff, students and Old Boys were delighted to hear that the end result of the Physical Education and Music Departments merger was one Miss Laura McRawles, the daughter of Music Department Head, Katie Macfarlane and Athletics ,1st XV Coach and husband, Lincoln Rawles. Laura was born in late May and has already clocked up a few airpoints. She attended the Big Sing Chorale Competition in Dunedin, where the Wellington College Chorale won a silver medal and has been seen on the sidelines at a number of 1st XV matches as well as other significant events held recently at the College.
I am sure that Old Boys will join us, in sending their best wishes to the new family, and that both Katie and Lincoln relish the enjoyment
Bedecked in her Wellington College Blazer and black n yellow pants,
of parenthood, just as much as we all have enjoyed the their
Laura seems to have adapted to her busy parent’s shared workloads -
commitment to Chorale performances at our Reunions and the
though at this young age - sleeps through most of it.
successes of the 1st XV.
Wellington College gains another All Black Congratulations to Jeffrey
instead of Joe Moody who broke
Toomaga-Allen (2004-2008) who
his leg in the ITM Cup final.
is our most recent All Black,
When the All Black selectors
having just been selected for
convened to pick over their
the end-of-year, northern
options, they decided to take an
hemisphere tour.
apprentice loosehead prop and while Jeff usually plays tighthead
Jeff [pictured left], who had to
he has apparently been training a
withdraw because of a knee
fair bit in his new position.
injury from the All Blacks earlier this year, has been picked for his
Jeff joins fellow Hurricane
maiden international voyage as a
and Lions teammate, Dane
replacement prop.
Coles (2004) in the team and is Wellington College’s 34th All
The 22-year-old was selected
Black.
All Black 7’s Coach comes a calling Wellington Lions and NZU20
big, fast and strong and a great
back, Ambrose Curtis (2005-
prospect for the future, Coach,
2009) has earned his first
Gordon Tietjens said.
cap for the NZ 7s squad after trialling for the team last year.
56
great ITM Cup rugby for Wellington. Our last All Black 7s player was Buxton Popoali’i (2003-2007)
He hasn't played sevens at this level
who appeared in two sevens
before, but he certainly has the skill
tournaments for New Zealand in
Ambrose played 2nd XV for
set. He was unlucky not to make
2010. He was again on the New
Wellington College 2008/09 and
my squad last year, when he had
Zealand sevens squad in 2011
was one of the Academy's 1st
a shoulder injury, but he has come
and now plays for Otago in the
inductees in 2010. Ambrose is
back strong and has played some
ITM Cup.
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
Big Night Out
update Sports
Hockey Heaven
Peter Taylor (19972001) shows off his 2012 Wellington Sportsperson
Congratulations to Alex Shaw
of the Year and Sportsman
(2003-2007) who made his New
award while netballer
Zealand debut with the Black
Katrina Grant displays her
Sticks Hockey team as part of
personality of the Year
the World League NZ squad
trophy presented at a
that played in Rotterdam.
function at the Wellington Town Hall.
Last year, Alex won several Auckland Hockey awards, winning
Peter's bronze medal, when
Men’s Outstanding Player of
rowing with Storm Uru in
the Year. He also captained the
the lightweight double in at
young Auckland team to win the
Alex Shaw during the match
the London Olympics was
National Men’s Tournament (he
from the Oceania Cup Hockey Kookaburras v Black Sticks Men, 1
enough to sway the judges over 1500m runner Nick Willis and Black
was just 22 at the time).
November 2013.
A Wrong Put Right
Sox captain Rhys Casley in the Sportsman of the Year category. Peter then faced stiff competition for The Dominion Post- sponsored premier award from the other major winners but he won the day. The former Wellington College student's row at Eton Dorney was simply too good to overlook. Peter has knocked on the door of these awards previously but never taken home the spoils so he was a popular winner and there was a strong rowing contingent in the town hall to celebrate his success. The future for Peter is exciting. He and Storm Uru have gone their separate ways, with Peter jumping into a lightweight four, which is already showing promise and could well be Peter's ticket to the Rio
A wrong done to sports broadcaster and Old Boy, Keith Quinn (1960-1964) almost 50 years ago was righted at the College recently. Keith became the oldest cricketer to have been capped by the school when Headmaster, Roger Moses surprised him at a special ceremony. In 1964, Keith, an opening batsman, was promoted to the College's 1st XI and was duly capped in a official ceremony. After one good score, he ran into poor form but was still surprised and disappointed when a month later he was asked to return his cap so it could be passed on to another player. Roger invited Keith to present the caps to the current 1st XI and at the end of the ceremony, surprised him by presenting him with his own cap. Keith was a member of the 1st XI in 1964 and it was not right that his cap was taken off him. I'm very pleased that we have remedied that situation. The cap I presented to him even had 1964 embroidered on it. I think Keith was chuffed to receive the cap, and so he should have been. It's been an honour, even if a belated one; said Roger.
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
Olympics in 2016. On the same evening, four former sporting heros were announced as Inductees as Sports Legends of Wellington including Mark Nicholls (1917-1919) for rugby. Mark was in the Wellington College 1st XV. He made his debut for Wellington in 1920. In 1921, he was selceted as an All Black, playing in all three tests against South Africa. Mark played at both first and second five-eight. As well as being an excellent goal kicker, he was regarded as a great tactician, with a gift for exploiting weaknesses in the opposition. Mark represented New Zealand 51 times, including ten tests, and scored 284 points. In 1924, he was selected for the All Blacks’ tour of the Northern Hemisphere where he played in all four internationals and scored 109 points on the tour. In 1928, after touring South Africa, Mark produced a book called The All Blacks in Springbokland. During the 1930s, Mark became a Wellington and then New Zealand selector.
2013
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Keeping the Tradition OBU is one of New Zealand’s largest Senior Rugby Clubs. With first class facilities including our artificial training surface at Boyd-Wilson Park, expert coaching and the best social spirit in Wellington rugby, there is something for everyone keen on rugby. Old Boys of Wellington College in the 2013 OBU Premier Team - (L-R): Ian Kennedy, Titapu Paira,a-Lewington, Jesse Johnson, Joe Hill, Stuart Simonsen, Tom Everton, Zek Sopoaga, Luke Campbell, Luke Fiso and Seminar Manu. As an aside, Luke Fiso and Jesse Johnson were selected for the 2001 NZ Universities U21 team, that coincidently was coached by old By, Ian Tulloch (1984-1988) and just this year, Zek Sopoaga was in the 2013 team. To find out more, email the Club Captain, Pete McFarlane: peter_mcfarlane@xtra.co.nz and set your 2014 rugby in motion now.
OBU is a ‘top four’ Premier Club and has eleven Old Boys of Wellington College in its Premier team alone.
Just who was fueling Team NZ? If you saw Dean Barker with a
equation. They were fantastic, said
small plastic tube in his mouth
Slyfield. They produced high-quality
during an America's Cup press
nutrition - and we ate what a lot of
conference, don't panic. It
people eat in restaurants, though
wasn’t oxygen, as some fans
you didn’t find a lot of nouvelle
mistakenly thought. It wasn’t
cuisine portions here.
vodka either, though he'd probably have preferred that.
In typical Kiwi fashion, it's an
He was re-hydrating, sucking
egalitarian food regime. The
in some isotonic fluid. All part
shore crew, support crew,
of the science of nutrition
engineers and designers all ate
which was hugely in play as the
the same tucker. There was no
America's Cup teams battled it
special diet for the sailing team
out for the Auld Mug.
but plenty of variety through carbohydrates, protein and other
Emirates Team New Zealand chefs Romeo Dowling-Mitchell (left) and Harry Lynsky (right) preparing a meal on the ETNZ base.
Oracle Team USA's trainers
food groups. On one rest day, a
reckoned that their sailors
chocolate cake was plonked on
okay for them to have some wine
and then crash. In fact, there was
chewed up something like 6000
the kitchen server fronting the
or beer with dinner. Harry said
even a Nespresso machine on
calories on a training run in San
dining room. Crew were nearly
happiness is an important part of
the tender/chase-boat! Harry said
Francisco Bay. Emirates Team
trampled in the rush. Well, says
their diet.
supplements added up to around
New Zealand's trainer, David
Slyfield, you have to have some
Slyfield, doubted the calorie
treats. You have to enjoy your food
A big focus was on the timing
useful sponsorships and suppliers
output was quite that great but
as well.
and quality of the nutrients
for a team to secure.
$10k per man, so they were very
throughout the day. Recovery
agreed that the sailors' diets were managed to ensure optimum
The kitchen crew worked out of
and hydration were key, and
Harry said the crew had been
performance in such a taxing
a shipping container that was
supplements were another huge
so pleased with how friendly
sport.
converted into a kitchen (it was
factor (a couple of their suppliers
everyone was in San Francisco
shipped over with the rest of
were Musashi and PowerBar).
- they were often stopped and
So Team NZ chefs Harry Lynsky
the base’s gear). While eighty
Another sponsor was Nespresso
cheered on. As he neatly summed
(1988 -1992) and Romeo Mitchell-
percent of what the crew ate was
- caffeine was built into their diets
up, It was the best place for a
Dowling were key people in
provided on site, for dinner, they
as a supplement, and was closely
regatta.
the vital plate-to-performance
were on their own and it was
monitored so they didn’t spike
58
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LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
Wellington Firebirds Appointment Glenn Pocknall (1992-1996)
In the off-season he has travelled
has gained reward for years of
overseas to further his coaching
service to Wellington Cricket by
CV, and has worked in India,
being named Assistant Coach
Holland, Australia, England and
of the Firebirds.
most recently, Ireland, where he
update Sports
coached the national women's Glenn has devoted his career to
team and U19 men's team, that
Cricket coaching, and has looked
he was delighted to be named as
after Wellington age rep teams
Siddons assistant.
at every level, plus the provincial A side and the champion Karori
Glenn was a promising off-spinner
Club side.
from the Karori Club, but soon after emerging from the junior
That's when I turned to coaching.
Four Old Boys are with the Firebirds this season: James
He has become increasingly
ranks had an accident, cutting his
involved in the senior rep team,
hand on glass. It didn't seem very
Glenn was at a loss to explain why
Franklin (1994-1998), Josh Brodie
the Firebirds, most recently
serious at the time, but I cut the
Wellington had not won any of the
(2001-2005), Illi Tugaga (2003-
helping coach Jamie Siddons in
tendons and ligaments of my first
big domestic trophies in recent
2007) and Michael Pollard (2003-
the area of analysis - statistics,
finger. I was not able to grip the
years. We've certainly had the talent
2007). Harry Boam (2004-2008)
results on certain grounds, the
ball properly and it soon became
for the past few years. Being on the
is taking a year out and in fact is
advantages of batting first or
obvious I was not going to be able to
inside, I've seen the development of
coaching the College’s 2nd XI.
second and so on.
play cricket to the level I wanted.
players under Jamie's tutelage.
NRL dream finally realised Last year, Charlie
letting the other players down.
Gubb's (2003-2008) days
But I knew that was in my
were spent as a semi-
control, so it wasn't going to
professional player
happen. Whatever happens,
for Queensland Cup
he's still living his dream.
Aiming for Perfection
champions Wynnum Manly and making ends meet with a nine-to-five job.
A 1st XV player in his school days, Charlie joined the Hunters Rugby League Club
Now he has started his NRL career.
in Wellington and soon earned a
The front rower made his Warriors
contract with the Warriors' U20 team,
debut off the bench in their 30-13
with whom he won a grand final. But
loss to competition-leaders South
when the Club opted not to keep him
Sydney, having travelled to Perth
it was Wynnum where he ended up.
under the assumption that he'd be watching from the stands. But when
His work over the offseason won him
Congratulations to Pratik Tailor (2007-2010) who
fellow prop Russell Packer was a late
a full-time contract, which he recently
was recognised at Victoria University’s Blues Awards
scratching, Charlie got the tap on the
had extended through to the end of
Ceremony for its top sportspeople and sports
shoulder from coach Matt Elliott that
next season.
administrators last month.
Charlie's older brother Peter (2002-
The Blues Awards, are the highest sporting accolade that
he'd been craving. I've been 18th man a few times this
2007), who's an outside back, is still on
season and so I try not to get too
the books at Wynnum and will play for
excited because when you find out
the Residents' side himself this year.
you're not playing - it's just too hard to
He played a pre-season game for the
take. When he told me I was playing,
Broncos earlier this year and there
a rush of excitement came over me,
are positive signs he'll earn an NRL
Charlie said. The only thing I was
contract of his own.
nervous about was getting tired and
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
can be attained at University level. Pratik, who when not studying at University works for Wellington College’s IT department. He is a member of the Brooklyn Smallbore Rifle Club and was recently awarded trophies as their Club Champion, 20 Shot Champion, Master Grade Champion and Master and A Grade Handicap.
2013
| The Lampstand | 59
Reaching for the Skies: The 1st XV Phenomenon One of our newest Old Boys,
When he was 14, Nelson was
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (2009-
picked for the Wellington Orcas to
2013) was the most talked about
play an age-group representative
player in 1st XV rugby this year.
fixture against Counties Manukau.
The 1st XV lock, flanker and No.8
This is when Nelson became
stands two metres tall and weighs
the Storm’s property. Nelson
120kg. His explosive running game,
elaborates: Jim actually missed
combined with aerial prowess,
his flight to the game so he sent
nimble hands and a huge work-
out a representative to watch it on
rate, has made Nelson the subject
his behalf. I was told later that the
of newspaper articles, social media
representative said, we have to get
hype and a tug of war between
this boy. games, scored 605 points and
ten games. The season ended
What persuaded Nelson to sign to
had four players selected for
in a closely fought National Top
Two years ago Nelson’s life was
with league? A lot of the kids I was
New Zealand honours. Nelson
Four Semi-Final against Hamilton
vastly different and he could
hanging out with were directionless,
was named Player of the Year
Boys’ High School. Nelson laments
have been lost to New Zealand
league was so willing to help, willing
and produced some blockbuster
I cried after the Hamilton game,
altogether. Nelson recalls he was
to do everything to take my career
performances, including a Man of
as I realised First XV Rugby was all
‘a bad kid’ who got ‘suspended a
further; they gave me hope.
the Match award for a televised
over. Nelson says I will miss the
game against Rongotai College
brotherhood here at Wellington
two codes, union and league.
few times’. Nelson admits ‘nothing seemed to be going right’. He was
Since signing the Storm contract
and four tries against Hutt
College, especially all the little things
angry he wasn’t selected for the
(a contract which is reviewed
International Boys’ School.
we shared together.
1st XV in 2011 and received a very
when he turns 21), he has
tempting offer to be educated
travelled to Melbourne several
In 2013, a team with apparently
Notes:
elsewhere. I was offered a
times, in addition to receiving
less talent, won 18 of 22 games
• Nelson holds the discus record
scholarship to go to Brisbane Boys’
personalised support like a
and advanced to the National
at the McEvedy Shield with a
Grammar School. They offered to
training programme. Nelson
Top Four for the sixth time. What
throw of 53.60 metres.
pay all of my fees. My parents and
expands; I have been to Melbourne
were the differences between the
• Nelson had a yo-yo test score
I went to see Mr Moses and laid it
about six times, the last time I
2012 and 2013 combinations?
(An endurance test, similar to
all out. Nelson was persuaded
went I did some fitness tests, skills
Last year we had all the talent, but
the beep test) of 19.2 this year.
to stay at Wellington by Roger
sessions and on the last day I
there weren’t enough leaders, we
All Black Conrad Smith is said to
Moses, who Nelson describes as
played a game.
weren’t taking advantage of what
have reached 19.4.
we had. Personally I was playing
• He insists he ‘doesn’t drink or
Nelson was initially aggrieved
too much like an individual. This
chase girls’, he is happy with his
Cousin and former All Black prop,
not to be considered for the NZ
year a lot more teamwork has gone
own company and that of his
Neemia Tialata (1999-2000) played
Schools’ this year, after making
in and as a senior I have become
family, who will be moving over to
a key role keeping Nelson at
a big impact for the Barbarians
more of a leader.
Melbourne to support Nelson.
Wellington. When I got suspended
in 2012, but his stance has
Neemia took me to meet some of the
mellowed in the last few months.
Winning the Premier One final
Tupou Sopoaga (2006-2010), a
Hurricanes. He told me this could
It’s fair they leave me out, because
has been the highlight of my
member of the Wellington College
be you, and he reminded me what
there are lots of good players
life. We were copping it from the
1st XV and 2010 NZ Schools’ team,
being a ‘Coll Boy’ is all is about.
and I will be working in a league
Silverstream supporters beforehand
made his debut for the Cronulla
environment next year and the
and doubted ourselves, but I knew
Sharks in the NRL this season.
other guy in a rugby environment.
we were going to win with about
an ‘inspirational man’.
Nelson wasn’t an instant hit
four minutes to go. We had a lineout
Nelson is interested in sports
Melbourne Storm Rugby League
The rugby environment at
and our Captain James Blackwell
science and is keen to become
franchise saw plenty of potential.
Wellington College has been
was so calm under pressure. He
a personal trainer should his
Aged 14, he signed an agreement
overwhelmingly positive for
came up to me and simply said
professional ambitions not be
to join the Storm’s development
Nelson. He has been a member of ‘Nelson, get me up’, he won the ball
system. Nelson, who had been
two successful 1st XVs and admits
playing Rugby since he was four
he has ‘matured’ greatly.
at Wellington College, but the
years old, only played his first game of league aged 13.
60
In 2012, the 1st XV won 16 of 20
| The Lampstand | 2013
and we cleared.
realised. He says his motto in life is: Never look up to anyone, never look down on anyone.
Wellington’s winning streak after
As told to Adam Julian of Sky
the Silverstream defeat lasted
Sport’s 1st XV Programme
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
update
Wellsy: Coach Extraordinaire
Sports
Chris Wells is a name that
the past? The last eight finals
is familiar to many past
have been contested between
and present schoolboys in
Wellington and Nelson and the
Wellington. A PE teacher for
results in the last few years show
many years at Wellington
that Christ’s and Wanganui are
College, Chris initially forged
slipping further behind?
his reputation as a respected Athletics and Rugby coach at
I am not worried about the future
Rongotai College.
of Quad. It’s a great tournament with a rich heritage. The onus is on the schools that have struggled
Chris Wells attended Wellington College from 1971-1975, years
Wells recalls; We wanted to
had incredible size and power up
recently to work harder. The best
that had an significant impact
beat them bad, the relationship
front, including Ross Kennedy and
victory I was involved with was the
on his life. A keen sportsman,
was great, but there was always
Neemia Tialata. Silverstream was
2000 win against Nelson College
Chris described his ability as
an extra intensity involved in
strong too. In those days the path
in Nelson. They were co-coached
‘modest’ meaning that teaching
Wellington and Rongotai games. We
to the Top Four was different, so we
by former All Black and later
and coaching became the next
played at Wellington College and
got another life and our success did
Wellington College assistant coach
and only option, Chris recalls:
John Jackson scored a memorable
not surprise me.
John Mills. They were a very good
My passion for schoolboy sport
try in the corner.
was born at the McEvedy Shield
side and the game was tight all Sky Sport Interviewer, Adam Julian
the way. Brendan Watt scored an incredible try to win it for us.
Athletics event. It’s such a big and
After Rongotai, Chris spent
asked: How do you get the best out
colourful event and I resolved after
some time at Newlands College,
of boys? Chris said, Stressing the
my teaching degree that I wanted to
coached the Johnsonville
tradition of success, is a big part of
Over the years you have had an
teach at Wellington College.
premiers and took some time
the culture at Wellington College. High
intense rivalry with Silverstream. Tell us about that?
off rugby and teaching. In 2000,
expectations both on and off the field
As a rugby player, Chris was a
he secured a job at Wellington
are demanded. The Rugby Academy
winger who reached senior club
College, where he has been a
that started here in 2006 has been
When I was at Rongotai, our team
level in Wellington and played in
prominent figure since. In his
a revelation. The academy starts in
never beat Silverstream. We lost
a very successful 1st XV that only
first year teaching at Wellington,
Term Four and anybody can turn up
four years in a row by six points. At
strengthened his resolve to return
Chris was an assistant coach of
to take part in physical conditioning.
an after match function one year,
to his old school. He scored five
the 1st XV with Dave Murphy.
You can’t attribute our success to one
I heard some rather unflattering
tries with the 1975 1st XV.
Despite losing three times to
coach, as the system of high-standard
words spoken about me, by a
Silverstream, including the
coaching here at the College is what
member of their staff. I felt like I
After earning his teaching degree
Wellington final, Wellington
has been the key thing.
was being looked down upon, and
Chris applied for a position at
College made the National Top
Wellington College but none was
Four final. Chris recalls: The 2000
Has the Traditional Quadrangular
the games against Silverstream.
forthcoming so Rongotai College
side was a very good team. We
tournament become a relic of
When I got to Wellington, we lost to
there was always an extra edge to
‘was the next best thing’. Starting
them three times in my first year.
in 1981, Chris stayed for nearly
I was thinking, I would never beat
a decade and certainly had a
them. In 2001, however we won by
big impact. Rongotai won the
18-13. Seminar Manu (Southland
McEvedy Shield three times in
Rep) scored a last-minute try from
1981, 1982, and 1989, in the latter
a charge down. After that game,
year by a record score. Rongotai
Wellington beat Silverstream nine
has not won the Shield since!
times in a row. Don’t get me wrong
He also coached the 1st XV from
I respect Silverstream, but I enjoyed
1983-1988. A top four side in
beating them.
Premier 1 every year, Chris took
As told to Adam Julian of Sky
Rongotai to its first top four and
Sport’s 1st XV Programme
Wellington championship in 1985.
TOP: Chris, playing for the 1975
In 1986 Chris beat his old school
1st XV. BOTTOM: With the 2001
for the only time at Rongotai.
1st XV.
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
2013
| The Lampstand | 61
Ian Kerr (1951-1952)
LETTERS College. He won of course. With
Geography Trip, South Island, 1967
School trips are relatively common
respect to Alexander Grant, he was
In the mid 1960s, Ray Hill and I were
these days but in the 1960s at
At the Hastings Golf Club recently,
my PE partner at a concert given by
both teaching 6th Form Geography.
Wellington College, it was a fairly
31 Old Boys, from the four schools;
Wellington College in the Town Hall
It was always a challenge to make
novel idea, so there was no one to
Wellington College, Wanganui
which included a PE demonstration.
6th form courses relevant to
give us advice. However, Ray and
Collegiate, Christ’s College and
The PE Master I remember as being
the lives of the students, and it
I planned it fairly carefully, and to
Nelson College, enjoyed an
very strict but I can’t at the moment
was an attempt to get out of the
keep the cost down we decided
afternoon of golf. The team event
remember his name. I incurred his
classroom and into the real world
that we would all camp out in
was won by Wellington College and
displeasure on the odd occasion.
that we floated the idea of a trip
tents and for the students to cook
to the top half of the South Island.
their own food. Some were very
Hawkes Bay
two Old Boys featured in the main prizes. Bob Morrison had the Best
One of the these was the boxing
The students were enthusiastic,
experienced at this but for others
Stableford and Warwick Bringans
tournament. In the first round, I
even though we realised it would
it was an entirely new experience.
had the best nett. Neil Kittow
was drawn to fight my best friend
be doubtful if we could obtain
The students were quite resourceful
collected a prize also for runner up
Gordon McKenzie. Gordon decided
permission to go during term time.
and this aspect of the trip was very
in the Stableford Comp.
the best way to win was to give
Accordingly, we planned the trip
successful.
me a bloody nose because we had
to take place in the first week of
This is the sixth occasion we have
been practising and he had already
the May school holidays (dedicated
One of our concerns was that
held one of these days and they
done this. All I could think to do
teachers that we were to give up
students would bring alcohol, so
played twice each year, in May and
was to fight back as ferociously as
our first week of holidays).
early on we said that the trip was
November.
possible with the hope of avoiding
to be alcohol free (little did we
this. So off we went hammer and
The idea of the trip was to help
know!). Acting in loco parentis, we
John Pether (1959-1953)
tongs to the great enjoyment of
the students become conversant
had to be careful that there were
Sarasota, United States
the school audience who cheered
with the geomorphology and bio-
no untoward accidents. There was a
jecpether@gmail.com
and stamped with excitement and
geography of the northern part of
contingent coming from Firth House
Below is the direct link to my new
acclaim. This sort of behaviour by
the South Island. I had graduated
(experienced at circumventing the
audio book, Hound of the Baskervilles
the audience was seriously frowned
from Canterbury University in 1963
rules) and we heard through the
written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
upon by the PE Master and we
and in the previous couple of years
grapevine that some boys were
and narrated by myself. It was
incurred his serious displeasure.
during geological and geography
going to stash some booze in their
produced by Trout Lake Media, of
Gordon was eventually accorded
courses we had gone on a number
packs. As a result, we let it it be
Canada.
the winner. He went on to meet the
of field excursions to study
known that we might do a ‘pack
eventual champion Dick Gray - a
Canterbury and the Nelson region
inspection’ before we left. That was
The audio book is available for
magnificent boxer. Dick also played
and many of us thought that these
just a bluff of course.
around $1 and is downloadable to
for the 1st XI as a spin bowler
were the best parts of the courses.
Kindle, I Pod, I Phone, Android or
where he performed with brilliant
It was a little of that experience that
On the trip we engaged the services
500 plus MP3 players.
success. He could turn the ball off
we were trying to give the 6th form
of a bus and driver who stayed
the pitch what looked to be least 45
students. We also thought that it
with us the whole way. We took
degrees.
would be a bit of an adventure and
the ferry to Picton, and our route
a lot of fun.
for the week was: Picton to Maruia
http://www.amazon.com/TheHound-of-the-Baskervilles/dp/ B00BX9C54G
Ernie Barrington, Staff (1964-1967)
Springs, then to Christchurch and
Auckland Tony Munden (1939-1942)
efb102@yahoo.com
Otago
Dear Stephanie, I have written
mundens@slingshot.co.nz
a piece about the 6th Form
What a magnificent edition the 2012
Geography Field Trip that Ray Hill
Lampstand is. I really appreciated
and I ran in 1967 (plus two photos)
and enjoyed it. Unfortunately at my
that you might like to include in the
age I am probably more personally
next Lampstand.
concerned with the obituaries. The group photo is pretty good but Two particular ones were Stuart
the camping photo not so, but I
Jones and Alexander Grant. Stuart
thought it worth including because
was also a very good tennis player
it gives a little of the flavour of the
and I played with/against him at
trip.
62
| The Lampstand | 2013
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
In the meantime,
identified. I still have
you might like to
‘somewhere’, my Pipe-
advertise it through
Band Cap Badge. The
the Lampstand. It
tartan we wore was the
would be interesting
Cameron of Erratt.
especially to former students and staff
Also, there were around
of the early 1950s
six of us boys (all forms)
(my cohort is
who received a book
1953). There are
scholarship, irrespective
also memories of
of our position in the
my dad (Q), although he is only
College.
briefly mentioned in the book. The on to Arthur’s Pass. We camped at
bus after our various stops, but
book is available through www.
We were all Heritage boys, as our
Maruia and in the bush at Arthur’s
an incident occurred on the West
amazon.com if you search for Alan
deceased fathers served in WW II
Pass. Even in May it was certainly
Coast after we had lingered at the
Robertson Quartermain
and died. I am not sure as who or
cold at the Pass! After briefly hitting
Punakaiki Rocks (Pancake Rocks).
Greymouth, we sped north up the
These are spectacular layered
Alan has devoted more than
the commencement of the year
West Coast and on to the Nelson
limestone rocks with blowholes.
28 years of a long and varied,
had to present ourselves to Mr
Lakes region and had the luxury of
After spending quite a bit of time
sometimes exciting, oft time amusing
Heron, who signed papers and our
a lodge for a couple of days. Bliss,
there, we rounded up the students
professional life to higher education
mothers in due course received the
after Arthur’s Pass. The final stop
from the various paths and set off in
and research for agriculture in
money for books.
was Motueka and then the ferry
the bus. A few miles up the road, Ray
Papua New Guinea. Alan currently
back to Wellington.
suddenly noticed that his son was
lives in PNG with his family at the
I am unable to find any information
not on the bus. We turned the bus
University of Natural Resources
with regards this through the RSA,
Ray Hill was a great colleague to
around and shortly we encountered
and Environment. In 2011, he was
as Heritage has closed down.
have on the trip because of his
Charlie runnng down the road with
invested as an Officer of the Order of
I hope also that someone may have
ability to make light of situations
tears streaming down his face. A
Logohu (OL) in the PNG New Year’s
some history of this.
with humour. The South Island was
much relieved Charlie (and parent)
Honours.
new to him because he had come to
clambered onto the bus.
New Zealand from the UK in 1964,
where this originated but we all at
Bernard Spolsky (1944-1948) Don Burte (1955-1958)
Professor Emeritus, Bar-Ilan
via a one year stint at Tikitiki District
Teachers don’t get much immediate
Auckland
University, Jerusalem, Israel
High on the East Coast north of
feedback on their efforts, but
burte.family@xtra.co.nz
bspolsky@gmail.com
Gisborne. What a transition. While
sometimes in later years an
Please find a copy of a slide [below]
I was happy to see my story in the
he was there it was announced
appreciation is heard, and several
found recently in my collection. This
2012 Lampstand. To update, I have
that the secondary division was to
students related that the geography
is the Pipe Band Barracks week.
a new Basque beret; Language
close at the end of the year, and
trip of 1967 was the highlight of
Known participants are:-
Management is out and a Latvian
that’s how we got him at Wellington
their 6th form year. One student,
Bottom Row (L-R): not known, John
version appeared in time for their
College. On the trip we also had
Brian Hurst, went on to become a
Stewart, Donald Burte
referendum on language policy and
help from one of the assistant
geography teacher. Later we also
2nd Row: not known, Martin Strong
a Chinese translation is promised;
house masters at Firth House,
heard stories of student escapades
(Pipe Major), not known
also The Cambridge Handbook
Haddon Kelly, who was completing
on the trip that we were glad not to
3rd Row:- none known
of Language Policy with other 30
a geography degree at Victoria
know of at the time!
4th Row:- none known.
chapters by experts has now
Postscript: Ray Hill passed away in
I hope that this will be of assistance,
sociolinguistic history of the Jewish
June, 2013 (in Napier) after a brief
more so if the students can be
people.
University. Ray also brought his younger son, Charlie on the trip.
appeared. I am now finishing off a
One of the highlights of the trip was
illness, aged 81. Remembered with
a visit to a coal mine on the West
affection.
Coast, and in groups we descended down in a lift to the coal face a
Alan Quartermain
long way underground. This was
(1949-1953)
scary for those of us who were
Papua New Guinea
claustrophobic, but it was worth it
aquartermain@unre.ac.pg
to see what the coal miners had to face every day.
Dear Stephanie I have written the enclosed book
We were always fairly careful
[pictured right] and would be
to make sure we had the full
pleased if you could donate it to the
contingent of students on the
Archives.
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
2013
| The Lampstand | 63
Obituaries
Wellington College and the Old Boys’ Association extends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of those listed below for whom the Association has received notification of death since the 2012 Lampstand. (•) An obituary (sourced from the media or from family) is included on the following pages for some Old Boys. If you can assist us by adding to an obituary or providing one that we do not have, we would be most appreciative. The list is recorded in cohort years. Class of 1933 • FRAZER, Kenneth John MC. MiD 1914 - 2012 of Te Puke Wellington College 1929 - 1933 Major, NZ Army WWII 7706, 27th Machine Gun Battalion. • GAWITH, Alan Antill DFC, USA Bronze Star 1916 - 2013 of Nelson Wellington College 1929 - 1931 WWII RAF Pilot Class of 1934 HARVEY, Stuart James (Jim) 1916 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1930 - 1934 TOSSMAN, David 1918 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1930 - 1935 Class of 1935 CURTIS, Randall Alfred Wilmur 1917 - 2013 of Tauranga Wellington College 1931 - 1935 • RICHARDS, James Harrey (Ray) ONZM, DCS
1921 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1935 WWII, Lieut. Fleet Air Arm Navy Pilot Class of 1936 • BLAKE, Collis John MNZM, JP 1918 - 2012 of Levin Wellington College 1944 - 1948 Firth House HELLBERG, Claude John 1918 - 2012 of Germany Wellington College 1932 - 1934 Class of 1937 HARRISON, Thomas Roydon (Tom) 1921 - 2013 of Dunedin Wellington College 1933 - 1936 RNZAF F/O 162 Squadron HILLOCK, William (Bill) 1919 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1933 - 1935 RNZN • TWEED, Moore, John (Dr) MBCH, BrCP, FRACP, MBE
1920 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1933 - 1938 Firth House Class of 1938 BURTENSHAW, George Allan 1921 - 2012 of Wanganui Wellington College 1934 - 1936 O’DONNELL, Barrie George Michael 1922 - 2013 of Waikanae Wellington College 1934 - 1938 • PALMER, Nevill Reginald 1919 - 2012 of Taupo Wellington College 1934 - 1936 • QUINN, Kenneth Fleming (Prof) 1920 - 2013 of Waikanae Wellington College 1934 - 1939 SYDDALL, Alex 1920 - 2013 of Christchurch Wellington College 1934 - 1938 RNZAF: F/O
64
Class of 1939 CRAIG, Robert McKenzie 1921 - 2012 of Havelock North Wellington College 1935 - 1937 DOVEY, Lawrence Edward (Laurie) 1920 - 2013 of Te Puke Wellington College 1935 - 1936 NZRAF FRASER, Charles Henry (Ray) 1922 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1935 - 1938 WWII 22nd Battalion Class of 1940 TAYLOR, Leslie Norman 1923 - 2013 of Lower Hutt Wellington College 1936 - 1939 WWII Class of 1941 • CAMPION, Richard Meckiff OMNZ 1923 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1937-1941 1st XV 1941 Staff: 1958-1959 CARPENTER, Peter Russell 1923 - 2012 of Dannevirke Wellington College 1937 - 1939 Firth House SOLE, Keith Langdon 1923 - 2012 of Auckland Wellington College 1938-1941 • TREVENA, David Stewart 1923 - 2012 of Blenheim Wellington College 1937 - 1940 Staff: 1957-1961 Class of 1942 COOPER, Peter Leonard 1924 - 2012 of Calgary, Canada Wellington College 1938 - 1942 GLASTONBURY, Trevor John Alfred 1923 - 2013 of Wanganui Wellington College 1938 - 1939 KNIGHTON, Graham Ramsay 1924 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1938 - 1942 WWII PEDLAR, Ian James 1924 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1938 TOBIN, William John Dollimore 1925 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1938 - 1942 Class of 1943 BROOME, Graeme Stuart 1925 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1939 - 1942 Class of 1944 CHAPPELL, Roger Henry Fergusson 1927 - 2013 of New South Wales Wellington College 1940 - 1943 CROWTHER, Alan James QSO 1926 - 2013 of Christchurch Wellington College 1940 - 1943 MADDEN, Peter John 1926 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1940 - 1943
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Class of 1945 • AARONS, Ian MB.ChB, MD, MCPA, FRCPA 1928 -2013 of Adelaide Wellington College 1941 - 1945 • NIXON, Oliver James (Ollie) 1927 - 2013 of Mount Maunganui Wellington College 1941 - 1944 1st XV 1944 STEELE, Charles Richard (Dick) 1927 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1941 - 1944 WILLIAMS, John Gregor 1928 - 2012 of Auckland Wellington College 1941 - 1944 Class of 1946 BRIDGES, Ronald Gordon 1928 - 2012 of Palmerston North Wellington College 1942 - 1944 Class of 1947 BURMAN, William Bruce 1930 - 2012 of Wellington Wellington College 1943 - 1947 CUMMING, Sydney James 1929 - 2012 of Lower Hutt Wellington College 1943 - 1947 DOYLE, Ian James 1927 - 2012 of Levin Wellington College 1943 - 1946 Firth House, 1st XV 1946 NEWBY, Anton Clare (Tony) 1930 - 2013 of Wanganui Wellington College 1943 - 1946 RNZAF W/O 14 Squadron, Firth House • SPENCE, Robert Alfred (Bob), QSM 1928 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1943 - 1946 Class of 1948 BURDAN, David Arnold 1931 - 2013 of Levin Wellington College 1944 - 1946 HOPKIRK, Robert Douglas (Bob) 1930 - 2013 of Lower Hutt Wellington College: 1944 - 1949 NAPIER, Edward Duilo 1931 - 2013 of Upper Hutt Wellington College 1944 - 1947 SALKELD, Arthur Donald 1930 - 2012 of England Wellington College 1944 - 1945 Firth House, WWII Evacuee • STENHOUSE, David 1932 - 2013 of Palmerston North Wellington College 1947 - 1948 • WARD, David Roland 1931 - 2012 of Wellington Wellington College 1946 - 1948 Class of 1949 CALDWELL, John Keith 1930 - 2013 of Palmerston North Wellington College 1945 - 1947 1st XI Hockey 1946 DYKES, Maurice Leslie 1932 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1945
FINDLAY, Brian Paton 1931 - 2012 of Napier Wellington College 1945 - 1946 • MATHER, John Joseph 1932 - 2012 of Rotorua Wellington College 1945 - 1948 TURNER, Trevlyn William 1932 - 2012 of Christchurch Wellington College 1945 - 1949 Class of 1950 • GRUNDY, Clive Arthur 1931 - 2012 of Geraldine Wellington College 1946 - 1948 HOPKIRK, Donald Featherstone 1932 - 2012 of Waikanae Wellington College 1946 - 1950 PALMER, Graham Croxton 1932 -2013 of Mount Maunganui Wellington College 1946 - 1950 1st XV 1950 • PRESTON-THOMAS, Grant 1931 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1946 - 1950 Class of 1951 BROAD, Arthur Martin 1933 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1948 Firth House Class of 1952 • NODWELL, John Gordon 1934 - 2013 of Brisbane Wellington College 1948 - 1952 Class of 1953 BRANDON, Terence Charles (Terry) 1935 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1949 - 1954 FRANCIS, Clive Lindsay [Dr] 1936 - 2012 of Waikanae Wellington College 1949 - 1953 1st XI Cricket Captain (1953), Prefect Class of 1954 • BARNES, Derral Arnold 1937 - 2012 of Wellington Wellington College 1950 - 1953 McARTHUR, Roberts Gordon 1937 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1950 - 1953 1st XI Hockey 1953 McGAFFIN, Terence Alan 1936 - 2013 of Bulls Wellington College 1950 - 1952 POMEROY, Brian Lewis 1936 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1950 - 1954 SADLEIR, John Roddick (Jack) 1937 - 2012 of Suffolk, UK Wellington College 1950 - 1954 Firth House WARDLE, George Frederick 1937 - 2013 of Pongaroa Wellington College 1950 - 1952 Firth House
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
Class of 1956 • ADE, Graham John CPEng 1940 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1952 - 1956 Auckland Branch Convenor WCOBA HAWKEY, James Noel (Jim) 1938 - 2013 of Christchurch Wellington College 1952 - 1954 Class of 1957 STUBBS, Victor John 1939 - 2013 of Paraparaumu Wellington College 1952-1957 RICHMOND, Terence 1939 - 2012 of Auckland Wellington College 1953 - 1957 Class of 1958 COCHRANE, Andrew Alexander (Andy) 1941 - 2013 of Gold Coast, QLD Wellington College 1954 - 1957 Firth House MARTIN, Donald Lewis Maunsell 1941 - 2012 of Sydney, NSW Wellington College 1954 - 1959 WILKINSON, Kenneth Gresson William (Bill) 1940 - 2012 of Masterton Wellington College 1954 - 1955 Firth House Staff 1954-1960 (English/French) Class of 1959 MacDONALD, Barry David 1941- 2013 of Brisbane Wellington College 1955-1959 SMITH, Robert Chadwick (Bob) 1942 - 2013 of Rotorua Wellington College 1955-1958
Class of 1960 • STOKES, Peter Graham QSM, JP, NZDSM, DIPPHTY
1942 - 2012 of Havelock North Wellington College 1956 - 1960 Head Prefect, 1960, 1st XV 1959 - 1960 YALDEN, Michael Alexander (Mike) 1942 - 2013 of Taneatua Wellington College 1956 - 1958 Sgt, NZ Army Class of 1961 IRAIN, Milton Gary 1944 - 2013 of Paraparaumu Wellington College 1957 - 1959 OAKEY, Alan Wallace 1943 - 2013 of NSW Wellington College 1957 - 1961 SPENCE, Michael Frederick 1943 - 2013 of Lower Hutt Wellington College 1957 - 1960 Class of 1962 HOLLIS, Raymond John 1944 - 2013 of Levin Wellington College 1958 - 1961 Class of 1963 • BYDDER, David Edward (Dave) 1945 - 2013 of Kapiti Coast Wellington College 1959 - 1962 Firth House DOAK, Cedric Frank 1945 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1959 - 1963 Class of 1964 POWELL, Daniel Llewellyn 1946 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1960 - 1964
Class of 1985 CUDBY, Warwick Brett 1967 - 2013 of New Plymouth Wellington College 1981 Class of 1992 • WALKLIN, Andrew James 1974 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1988 - 1990 Class of 1993 McGINLEY, Dolan James 1975 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1989 - 1993 Class of 2002 METHAM, Michael Mokateke 1984 - 2012 of Hamilton Wellington College 1998 - 2002 Class of 2004 DAJNOWSKI, Adam James 1987 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 2000 - 2003 Class of 2005 • TRUESDALE, Andrew James 1988 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 2001 - 2005 Staff • CRIST, William Frank 1919 - 2012 of Hastings Wellington College 1948 - 1963 RNZAF WWII Squadron Leader RAF 610 Squadron HENDERSON, James McLeod (Jim) D: 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1981-1987 • HILL, Ray D: 2013 of Hawkes Bay Wellington College 1965 - 1976
Class of 1965 STANLEY, Peter Charles 1947 - 2013 of Otaki Wellington College 1961 - 1964 Class of 1968 CLOUT, Gregory William 1951 - 2013 of Upper Hutt Wellington College 1964 - 1967 • McARTNEY, David Ewan (Dave) 1951 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1964 -1968 Class of 1971 HYDE, Michael Galbraith 1953 - 2013 of Sydney, NSW Wellington College 1971 Class of 1975 BRASTED, Paul John 1957 - 2012 of Sydney, NSW Wellington College 1971 - 1975 Class of 1978 RAINBIRD, Thomas (Tom) Reginald 1960 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1974 - 1978 Class of 1979 WEAVER, Neil Michael 1961 - 2013 of Waikato Wellington College 1975 - 1979 Class of 1980 BARNETT, Christopher Miles 1962 - 2013 of Napier Wellington College 1976 - 1980 Class of 1982 • STRANGE, Adam Hunter Andrew 1965 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1978 - 1981 Firth House
The Mighty Totara Has Fallen When our beloved former
that breadth by commencing
Wellington College Master,
this eulogy just by
Frank Crist passed away
addressing everybody
late last year, there was an
present as ‘friends’ .
So, let us now praise
outpouring of communication
But what unites us
a famous man. As
University College. As he said of
between fellow Old Boys
all and brings us
everyone present
himself in an interview only a
and the WCOBA Office as
here today is our
will attest, Frank
couple of years ago, he had a go
classmates, sportsmen and
friendship with
was, throughout
at everything. That was a major
staff shared their memories
Frank and
his life and in every
understatement for, in a list
and anecdotes of Frank’s
Greta.
life, particularly those of his Wellington College years.
So, friends of Frank and Greta from all walks
Crist, to comfort Greta and one another.
After a fine career at Dannevirke High School, in 1937 he entered the then Auckland Teachers'
sense of the phrase,
Training College and Auckland
which is exhausting just to read,
a Big Man: he was Big
he played and obtained Blues
in stature and heart, big
in Rugby, Swimming, Athletics,
in his accomplishments,
Cricket, Tennis, Table Tennis,
We thought the best way to sum up
of life, we are foregathered
Frank’s persona was to reproduce
here today to celebrate the over
country and to the communities
wonder whether he won the cup
the eulogy given at his funeral by
flowingly full and rewarding
he served, and big in his
for the best all-round athlete in
Hugh Williams (1953-1957), close
life Frank led throughout his
friendship, concern and caring for
his final year? Could anyone else
friend and Frank’s 1st XV captain
93 years, to acknowledge the
those with whom he came into
have been in contention?
of 1957.
multiplicity of contributions he
contact - especially for those less
made to New Zealand - principally
well favoured than he.
big in his contributions to the
Hockey, Squash and Softball. I
And to prove he was not
When one looks at the numbers
the communities of Wellington,
of people present and the
the Bay of Plenty and the Hawke's
Physically, Frank was a strapping
also qualified as a teacher.
diversity they represent, it might
Bay - and through our presence
individual with a sporting prowess
Volunteering for the Royal New
be thought not to acknowledge
and recollections of William Frank
which matched his robust frame.
Zealand Air Force in 1941, he won
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
there just for the sport, he
2013
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The Mighty Totara Has Fallen his 'wings' and then spent four
the Peter Stuyvesant
years in the European theatre
New Zealand Golf
for over 19 years until
flying, and training others to fly
Championships in
his retirement in
single-engine aircraft including
1976.
1965, a position he held
1984.
those who have followed him (and who capitalised on his prowess at Hastings Boys' High School) he served the school with distinction during his 19 years as
Spitfires. He was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader,
Even in his less
To divert for
its head, considerably increased
a rank he carried through to
active later years,
a moment.
its educational, sporting and
his command of the Wellington
he continued
Frank had two
community reputation, and
College Air Training Corps
to follow sport
spiritual homes
played an enormous role in
Squadron from 1947-1960.
avidly, especially Rugby, Cricket and,
Apart from the sidelight of
as many present will
helping beat the Axis, he played
know, Racing.
for four years for the New
in and from the mid-1960s. They were Wellington
raising the overall standards, and standing, of the school to the point it proudly occupies today.
College and Hastings Boys' High School. It is no
Over the course of that
Zealand Combined Services in
Friends, even if that list were all,
secret that, at that time, he would
distinguished career, Frank
Rugby and later in Cricket. He
a list of sporting achievements
have liked the Headmastership
garnered some recognition of
represented the RAF in Athletics,
such as that would, on its own,
of Wellington College - and
the place he occupied in the
Rugby and Squash.
warrant a eulogy on his passing.
Wellington College would have
communities he served. In 1970,
But sport was merely one of the
liked him to be its Headmaster.
he was awarded the prestigious
Returning to New Zealand, Frank
many areas where Frank was a
At that stage, it would have been
Woolf Fisher Travelling Fellowship
locked the scrum for Wellington
Big Man.
right for both, and he would
which gave him six months
have been the great success at
overseas. In 1981 he was
1952. He played 103 first-class
He was a Big Man in his
Wellington College as he later was
awarded Rotary’s highest honour,
matches in all, at a time when
professional achievements as
at Hastings. But - as fate would
the Paul Harris Fellowship.
there were many fewer games
well, especially in the field of
have it - the Headmastership
And in 2010, in recognition of
which qualified as first class. He
education. He was a teacher at
at Wellington College did not
his standing in the community
was an All Black trialist from 1948
Wellington College from 1947-
become vacant at the right time
and his services to education,
to 1950 and, as I understand it -
1963 where, unusually for a
for Frank, and as a consequence
the Hastings District Council
but not from him, he was robbed
master at a secondary school,
he threw his considerable
conferred on Frank, its highest
of wearing the Silver Fern only by
he was not so much admired
energies and abilities into the
honour, the Civic Award for
a cruel and inopportune injury.
as revered by the boys for the
Headmastership of Hastings
Outstanding Community Service
in Rugby for four years up to
sporting success he brought
Boys' High School. Despite that,
in the field of education. Those
Alongside playing, he coached
the College, the breadth of his
Frank's continued strong links
successes and awards were well
the Wellington College 1st XI in
skill and learning - apart from
with Wellington College and the
deserved but, though they are
Cricket for six years to 1952, the
the entire range of subjects of
College's strong links with Frank
notable in themselves, there are
1st XV for ten years to 1962, and
Chemistry, Mathematics and
are evidenced by the many, many
many who feel Frank's services
the Tauranga Boys' College 1st XV
Science, he also taught Latin - and
occasions over the years when
were under-rewarded by the
in 1964. He may not have been
for his manliness. He was an
Frank has returned to Wellington
nation as a whole.
playing competitively, but all who
object lesson to the students as
College as the principal guest
played in his 1st XVs knew he was
to just what they might achieve.
and speaker at many, many
That is especially the case
reunions. As Roger Moses, the
because, in addition to the
far fitter than any of us! Having obtained a Diploma of
present Headmaster, who is here
accomplishments recounted,
Later, he continued to play
Teaching in 1951, he resumed his
today, would agree, Frank was
Frank was a Big Man in his
Squash and Cricket, and then
university studies and graduated
always a most welcome guest at
friendships to many and his
turned his sporting abilities to
with a BSc in 1961, majoring in
Wellington College.
contributions - many unsung
Golf, a game at which - as many
Geology. From that point his
here will know - he excelled to
career, deservedly, took off.
Returning to the narrative, even
the point where he won the
He became Deputy Principal of
in 1965, Hastings Boys' High
Hastings Golf Club Intermediate
Tauranga Boys' College from
School was a large school with
In Wellington, he served as
Championship both in 1973
1963-1964 and then, as a large
over 1000 students plus about
Vice-President of the Wellington
and 1974 and was a member of
proportion of those present will
1500 adults enrolled in the
Rugby Union and President of
that Club's team which nearly
recall, became Headmaster of
evening classes, and well over
the Centurions Rugby Club. In
won - they were runners-up - in
Hastings Boys' High School in
100 staff. With no disrespect to
Tauranga, he served on the Bay
66
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to the communities in which he worked.
LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI
The Mighty Totara Has Fallen of Plenty Rugby Union. And in the
was Rotary. Joining the Hastings
nearly won a scholarship, and has
regard which each of us, in our
Hawke's Bay, he served on the
Rotary Club in 1965 and
been a success in the rest of his
varying roles, felt for him.
local sub-union of the Hawke's
becoming Secretary for over 20
life because of Frank's inspiration.
Bay Rugby Union.
years from 1969, and President in
As the former student said, he
In the 2010 interview mentioned
1991-1992. Frank remained active
has been grateful all his life that
earlier, Frank said that if he had
Also in the Hawke's Bay during
in and contributing to Rotary - not
Frank helped a ‘ratbag of a kid’ in
his time over again he wouldn't
the 1970s and 80s, he was a
quite until his death but until ill
the way he did.
change a thing. How many of
foundation councillor of the
health precluded his continuing
Community College, a long-term
participation.
us, looking back over our lives, Secondly, Frank was a member
would say we wouldn't change
of the management committee
a thing about them if we could.
Promotions Committee and
That is truly a remarkable
of the Akina Activity Centre, a
Frank's statement was that of an
was on the Advisory Committee
chronicle of Frank's putting
specialist school for ‘drop-outs’ in
accomplished and happy man.
of the Hawke's Bay Secondary
his achievements and abilities
education.
Teachers' Training outpost,
to work in furtherance of the
all roles leading to Frank's
interests of the community in
Thirdly, and typical of the man, is
said his life had been one of a
significant influence in the
which he worked. But important,
that, recognising the desperation
wonderful sense of grace. His choice
establishment of the Eastern
significant and deserved as those
and lack of opportunity for those
of words puzzled me at first but,
Institute of Technology. He was
achievements were, they are
in jail, Frank voluntarily spent
well-knowing Frank's passion for
an educational advisor and
merely temporal achievements.
six years teaching mathematics
words - he was always in demand
member of the Sir James Wattie
I suggest to you that the
to those in prison - until that
as a speaker or as a raconteur,
Memorial Trust, a member of the
quintessence of the man Frank
worthwhile programme was axed
and was a ‘whizz’ at solving cryptic
Anakiwa Outward Bound Trust,
was, is shown by the - almost
by officialdom.
crosswords - I looked it up. He was
the originator of the Hawke's Bay
entirely unpublicised - helping
Secondary Schools’ Principals
hand he extended to many who
But the final area in which
and an ‘exceptional favour’
Association in 1965, a committee
had not enjoyed the advantages
Frank was a Big Man was in
granted to him.
member of the Hawke's Bay
he had enjoyed.
the relationships he had and
member of the Tertiary Education
Superannuitants' Association in
Also in that interview, Frank
saying his life had been ‘a privilege’
the friendships he formed -
Sorry Frank. For once in your life
the late 80s and early 90s, and
May I give you just three
first with Shirley, his lovely
you were wrong. It is we who
was appointed by the Governor-
examples. One of the many - now
and lively partner for over 30
have had the ‘privilege’. It is we
General as a lay observer to
numbering in the hundreds of
years up to her untimely death
who have had the ‘exceptional
the Law Societies of the Central
emails expressing their sympathy
in 1982, and then with Greta,
favour’. That was granted to
Hawke's Bay region for three
which Greta has received, was
whom he married in 1984
us by being, in so many ways,
years from 1983.
from one former student of
and who has been his loyal
and throughout his long and
Hastings Boys’ High School, a boy
and constant companion and
highly-regarded life, his students,
And, as is testified by the
who, until Frank literally seized
helpmate ever since. Her love
colleagues, team-mates, fellow
presence of so many members
upon him, was a ne'er-do-well at
and companionship for Frank
Rotarians, fellow members of a
here, one of the principal avenues
school.
has been manifest to all. Her
multitude of other conmmunity
through which Frank performed
His family was uninterested in
support for nearly 30 years - right
organisations, but above all, and
his service to the community,
him. Frank seized him one day
up to the day of his death - was
in every instance, and on every
from the lower form
complete, unstinting and selfless.
occasion, being friends of William
class that he was
Every one of us - and many who
Frank Crist, a Big Man in every
in, marched him
cannot be here today - extend our atom of his being and every
to the top form's
sympathy, our deepest sympathy,
classroom and said
to Greta as, despite the support
Stay here and get
of her family and despite the
PHOTO LEFT: Frank at the Firth
nothing less than a
support of us all, she faces the
House Reunion in 2010, recounting
top 10 finish in all
future without Frank.
one of many stories about life
your subjects by the
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
aspect of his life.
in the hostel - in particular -
year's end. He did
Frank's friendship, coupled
the infamous Dagwood who
that. He passed
with the sage advice he gave
mananged to infiltrate the
School Certificate.
so many of us and the example
ceiling structures to ‘spy’ on the
He passed UE. He
and inspiration he furnished is
housemaids.
gained a Bursary,
testified by the enormously high
2013
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Obituaries AARONS, Ian MB, ChB, MD, MCPA, FRCPA 1928-2013 of Adelaide Wellington College 1941 - 1945
While we were unable to source an Obituary for Ian, we did come across a letter he wrote to the Lampstand in 2004 which tells of an outstanding career and some anecdotes from his time at Wellington College. It was around 1993 that I wrote to the College requesting the words to the song Forty Years On we used to sing during Assembly. As I was on the point of retiring (for the first time) I thought some of the words could well apply to that occasion. I received a very pleasant letter from the then Headmaster including the requested verses. There was also a comment therein that the School records included an Israel Aarons but not an Ian Aarons. I truly meant to reply forthwith, thanking him and the school for his prompt reply and also pointing out that in 1946 I had changed my name by Deed Poll to Ian - a name I was always known by at school and by friends. That at least would settle the College record straight. Sadly various events took over and the reply was overlooked. That aside, although the aim was indeed to retire then, colleagues and the ‘Firm’ I worked in, talked me out of it and in fact I carried on working mostly part-time for a further ten years. It was my attendance in Dunedin, 2002 for the commemoration of the 50th year since graduation from the Otago University Medical School in 1952 that I came to my senses and realised that the time for retirement was well overdue! Yet, because of further peer pressure and the comment that I had not yet reached the ‘use by date’, retirement did not happen till 31 December 2003! It is with much hesitation that I add the following, but considering that at long last this letter is being written coupled with the fact that I have finally come to the end of my career, please forgive me for reminiscing about aspects of my past related to the College. I guess I owe allegiance to Wellington College, which gave me the
68
foundations for my future. However, sadly, all is not quite that simple. While it’s now truly past history perhaps you might be interested in a few facts. WW II changed the format of the College considerably and by necessity some of the younger teachers left - some, regrettably to be killed (a delightful Mr Dale, comes to mind). Sadly, because of these circumstances, classmates and I came under the spell of a few less-capable teachers. One in particular, took us for Maths and Science - ineptly. His lazy teaching methodology was destructive to me (and I believe others). I gained little if anything from him, while at the same time he managed to instil fear and an intense lack of confidence. Perhaps I was mentally immature, but I did badly in my first attempt at what was then called Medical Preliminary disastrously in Maths - a subject that had become frighteningly mysterious! Yet, miracles can occur! By immense contrast, there came into my life next year a marvellous teacher, a man of great worth who, for reasons best known to him, had faith in me and consequently altered my entire student and later life. I admired him and still do, for it is to him I owe what became my future. His name was James (Jimmy) Hall. While we met after my graduation in Medicine when he openly showed much joy and pride, I feel my gratitude to him was totally insufficient. Even now, I wish I had sought him out to make him understand and acknowledge my positive feelings towards him and how much I owed and admired him. Unfortunately, I left Wellington soon after and lost contact. I do not mean to sound melodramatic, but this regret haunts me. However, there is another event that I feel I should relate out of interest, for it taught me very much. It took place in one of Jimmy Hall’s classes, in 1945. I was in what was called 6R as I had to repeat the Medical Preliminary of the previous year, this time more successfully but was obviously not bright enough to be placed in 6A. The Headmaster at the time was Mr Hogben. We were in what was then the West School (is it still
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standing?). He openly sought me out in the class. As I stood in front of my classmates, Mr Hogben openly and loudly suggested that as I had done reasonably well in Maths and Science this time (thanks Jimmy!) I should sit the then new University Entrance exam and head for an engineering course. I remember thanking him but indicated my desire was to try for medicine and nothing else. He became agitated as I repeatedly refused his request. Then, in front of my peers he angrily pointed out that: 1. I did not have the intelligence to enter medical school let alone become a medical doctor; 2. My character was wrong for that profession; 3. I came from the wrong social group. Standing in the front corner of the room, adjacent to the windows, was an embarrassed, pale, sad-looking Jimmy Hall and the class was so quiet! I remember telling Mr Hogben that he had every reason to question items 1 and 2 as far as they concerned me but he had no right to comment on the social aspect (referring to my Jewish background). He stormed out slamming the door and for better or worse that was the last occasion we spoke to each other, as I was now obviously persona non grata! I can’t understand why this discussion was not held privately in his room. I would have stayed an extra year in the College were it not for that event but was later also assured by both James Hall and another great teacher James Cuddy that I could now manage University and would be happier there. I gladly took their advice and ultimately was fortunate enough to be one of the six non-scholarship students selected directly to Medicine from Victoria College - as it was called then. I truly do not know how many applicants for medical school entry there were that year from Victoria College but I believe it was in the vicinity of 200. Immediately after graduation from Medical School in 1952, I sauntered up to the Headmaster’s residence, diplomas in hand to ‘show off the impossible’. But pride is inexcusable and perhaps it’s as well that the event did not happen - the cleaning lady
told me that Mr Hogben had just left Wellington College and New Zealand for the UK. These events taught me that a teacher has immense power - mostly for good but sadly at times for the opposite. While diagnostic medicine was always and remained my true love, I have done much teaching throughout my career, be it at first most reluctantly but later with much enjoyment. I have undertaken numerous under- and postgraduate courses not only in New Zealand but also London and ultimately in Australia, both Melbourne and Adelaide. Included were training sessions mostly for Pathology Registrars but also candidates for the Colleges of Physicians and of Surgeons. I was invited to be an examiner for the College of Pathologists of Australasia, a position I held for 16 years till I realised that some of the candidates knew more than I did! I still think that Wellington College’s Motto is a gem and I hope most sincerely that in my time I was able to pass on to students and colleagues what knowledge and experience I might have gleaned over the years. However, because of the unforgettable influence of Jimmy Hall and a few other teachers I hope most sincerely that I managed to combine this with patience, encouragement, positivity and humour. It is with very considerable hesitation that I enclose for your perusal a copy of my CV. Please do not misconstrue its enclosure as arrogance or the like on my part. Ian’s CV reads like a medical journal on its own. A graduate of Otago University’s Medical School in 1952, Ian’s posts include Medical House Officer, Hastings Hospital, various GP and Obstetric Locums, Pathology Register at Dunedin Hospital, Senior Lecturer in Pathology at OMS, Senior Consultant Pathologist at Otago Hospital, Forensic Pathologist at OU, Membership and Fellowship of Pathologists of Australasia, Research Fellow at Institute of Pathology at London Hospital Medical School, Renal Transplant Diagnosis and Research at St Mary’s Hospital, Denver Hospital
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and Medical School processing renal transplant tissues for immunological and electron microscopy studies and diagnostic research, Senior Lecturer of Histopathology and Experimental Pathology at SMH, Associate Professor in Pathology at OMS, Pathologist in charge of Surgical Biopsy and Cytology Services, Immunofluorescence and Electron Microscopy at OMS, Co-deputy Director and Senior Consultant and Renal Pathologist at Dept. of Anatomical Pathology, Prince Henry Hospital, Melbourne, Senior Special Pathologist, Head of Renal Pathology, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide, Clinical Senior Lecturer at Adelaide University, Honorary Senior Consultant Pathologist at Adelaide’s Children’s Hospital, Pathologist Clinpath Laboratories in Adelaide, Locum Pathology in Cavan, Ireland and Examiner for Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. Ian has also had 48 publications and presentations produced. Beloved husband of Vivienne and father of Jonathan, Erin, Debbie and David. Grandfather to Emily, Caitlin, Holly and Zeb. Father-in-law of Dale. Brother of the late George Aarons (1948-1953). ADE, Graham John 1940 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1952 - 1956 Auckland Branch Convenor WCOBA Graham was born in Seaford Sussex England in 1940 at the beginning of WWII. The threat of invasion meant that he was immediately evacuated to ‘Runabouts’ which was a children’s home where his Aunt was the Matron. At the end of the war Graham attended Lewes Grammar School in Lewes Sussex. It was difficult living in England after the war, so in February 1952 Graham’s family came out to New Zealand. Graham attended Wellington College from 1952-1956. In 1957, he completed an Intermediate year
at Victoria University, followed by three years of Civil Engineering at Canterbury University. He graduated in 1961. Graham belonged to the Port Nicholson Sea Scouts and spent most of his leisure time on the water or tramping in the hills around Wellington. It was at this time of his life that he developed a love of all sports around water. Engineering was Graham’s passion. He just loved the challenges engineering put in front of him every day. Over many years he was involved in projects both in New Zealand and Overseas including: • Site Engineer on Bridge/Wharf construction in New Zealand. • Design Engineer in Consultants office, Civil and Harbour Works • Design/construction of Taharoa Iron Sands off shore loading system • Project Engineer on many Oil, Gas, Effluent pipelines, Harbour and River crossings, and Outfalls in New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia • Design Consultant for Oilfield access bridges and unloading facilities • Bahrain Freeport Cold Storage complex and Napier Spiralveyor ship unloading facilities • Engineering/Construction of numerous Marina Projects including dredging, Reclamation, Breakwaters, Floating wave attenuators, floating berths, on shore facilities and services in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and South Pacific nations In 1975, Graham was presented by the New Zealand Institution of Engineers with the Angus and Furkert Awards for the best papers complying with the conditions of the awards. For many years, Graham worked for IPENZ assessing Engineers for CPEng. He joined IPENZ as a Graduate member. He gained Professional Membership in 1964/65 and became a life member in 2009. He was registered as a CPEng in 2003. For many years as well, Graham was the Auckland Treasurer of the Wellington College Old Boys’ Association. He was on the Bucklands
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Beach School PTA for a number of years and was a life member of the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club. He really enjoyed his golf and belonged to the Howick Golf Club for many years. Graham really enjoyed water and anything to do with water. He bought and sold a few yachts over the years. The last yacht ‘Dedication’ a Davidson 35 he bought as a hull and deck and proceeded to pop it on the front lawn where it became a very expensive garden ornament for a couple of years! Two years almost to the day Graham finished fitting it out in his spare time. It was a credit to him. Dedication was a beautiful Yacht. Graham didn’t manage to find the time to retire. He was always too busy designing some new project. He did make time in the last few years to travel with his family. Much to his families disgust, Graham would always manage to find a Marina to look at. Always the Engineer!!
surfboards and would use these in his competitions and then put them up for sale as a winning surf board. As in later life, Derral was very diligent and helpful and would help his father on the milkrun he had, before going off to school at Wellington College. He says it was all very hygenic, filling billies with milk summer or winter. Sometimes these hadn’t been washed and other times rain would be running off his nose into the billie along with the milk. In the mid 1950s, Derral won a Dominion Scholarship to become a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy and was one of only three winners from the whole Commonwealth. He went to England for training as an officer and pilot and became a fully qualified pilot. He served at various Naval Air stations around the UK and served on the aircraft carriers HMS Eagle and HMS Centaur in 891 and 899 squadrons. He served in the middle east and was involved in the disturbances in Aden in the early 60s and also served in the Far East and down into the Pacific.
As a family we have lost a wonderful, loving husband, father and grandfather. The Engineering world has lost a very talented and clever Engineer.
On leaving the navy he moved to Bournemouth in the south of England and got a job towing targets for AA gunners. This was a brief experience after some hair raising experiences where the inexperienced gunners targeted him rather than the target.
Graham is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Rochelle, Granddaughter Isabella and Fletcher his loyal loving dog. BARNES, Derral Arnold 1937 - 2012 of Wellington Wellington College 1950 - 1953 Derral was born in Masterton and was one of three children. They lived in Masterton for a while and then moved to Paekakariki. It was here that Derral acquired his love of the sea with swimming and diving. He became a surf lifesaver and won many medals for his Club and eventually went on to become a New Zealand Surf Lifesaving champion. He would make up his own
He moved onto Saudi Arabia to train pilots to fly Lightning jet fighters. Most of them were princes. Whilst in Saudi Arabia he and a colleague set up a business diving for tropical fish, catching them and freighting and selling them in the UK. For a while he was a pilot with a budget airline called Court Line flying to Spain etc. They had planes of every pastel colour apparently. With two colleagues, Derral started a company for Mohammed Al Fayed of Harrods fame. They had a jet and flew all over the world on demand. This brought him into contact with the rich and famous including people like Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond and Roger Moore. Derral reckoned that Al Fayed
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Obituaries was a good employer once he had him trained so that he didn’t demand instant transportation without flight plans. Al Fayed was a very meticulous man and the plane would be fully catered for every trip but invariably not much food was eaten. Derral didn’t like to waste anything, so he took whatever was left over home. Derek reckons that while living in Bournmouth they had the best cheeseboard in the South East of England.
In 1985 Derral, moved permanently back to New Zealand, and bought a house in Wellington. He became an Airline Inspector with the NZCAA, and he was constantly and gently amused that New Zealand CAA would send him over to Los Angeles and Heathrow airports among others, to make sure they complied with NZs aviation requirements. Derral was a member of Featherston Wine club for a number of years. He was involved with the Brevet Club and the RSA being treasurer of both. He was a member of Civil Defence for a while, the Royal Society and the Computer Society. BLAKE, Collis John MNZM, JP 1918 - 2012 of Levin Wellington College 1944 - 1948 Firth House Collis and his wife Helen are possibly best known for funding the popular Levin Adventure Park, with its development starting in 2001. Collis Blake did things differently from most people. He was a man who thought laterally and was a great businessman. He was a philanthropist, a supporter of farmers and young people. Not a talker, but a doer, someone who got on and made things happen. Born in Otaki, an only child, Collis had his primary schooling at Otaki School. He would ride his pony there and leave it in the horse paddock. He had his secondary schooling at Wellington College.
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He spent his first year at Victoria University enjoying all it had to offer, but not passing a paper. His mother wanted him to be a veterinarian but Collis wanted to be a farmer, and he did a Diploma of Agriculture at Massey University in Palmerston North. He and his wife Helen built up their farming interests. Collis realised farmers were not getting much for their stock, and bought two butcher shops. Long-time friend Alan Smith said Collis was a person who thought outside the square. He had remarkable business acumen and a sharp analytical mind. Collis said, Never owe the banks a penny. Work your butt off and manage on what you have and free yourself of debt or one day they will call you to account. It was that calling to account that thrust Collis Blake into the public eye. He went to a forced farm auction in the early 1980s. Collis stood at the door and asked all farmers not to bid. It was the beginning of his fight to keep people on farms and put a stop to mortgagee sales at a time of rapidly increasing interest rates, peaking at 20%. He started the Provincial Support Group, which helped farmers throughout the country stay on their land by restructuring famers’ debts and helping them move on. He often reached into his own pocket for rural people. In the 2000 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Collis was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to farming and the community. A year ago, he was admitted into the Kapiti Horowhenua Business Awards Hall of Fame for supporting community initiatives over 25 years. Collis shared in the construction of the Clubhouse at Lake Horowhenua, and for the Hockey Turf, he provided an interest-free loan and, supported the AP&I Stadium. At Waiopehu College he and Helen were instrumental in the Health Centre for students and supported the on-going costs of a part-time doctor and with contributions to Ronald McDonald House in Wellington, where folk
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from his region stayed while young members of their family receive medical treatment. In the month before he died Collis was still asking the question, what can we do about these kids? So much of what Collis and Helen have done bears his unique mark. A concern and a compassion for children. A demand that folk be fairly treated and offered justice. Just as he had a passion for the land and for farming he had a passion for this community and the people in it. Otaki MP, Nathan Guy said he would remember Mr Blake for his ability to get things done, as well as his generosity and concern for younger generations. His work has saved lives and made our community a better place to live. Collis Blake is survived by his wife Helen of 50 years, and two daughters, Barbara and Susan, as well as grandchildren Sarah, John and Helen. BYDDER, David Edward (Dave) 1945 - 2013 of Kapiti Coast Wellington College 1959 - 1962 Firth House From Marc Paviour-Smith (Class of 1963). I’m sad to report the death of Dave (David Edward) Bydder. He had not kept good health for some time. Dave was an Old Boy (1959-1962) and lived at Firth House during those years. He was my best friend at school but our lives went in separate ways after that and only linked when school reunions came around. I was delighted to be able to bring him to the recent Class of 1963 Reunion where I know he really enjoyed himself catching up with old mates and seeing the old and familiar parts of the school that still remain. We both had a lot of fun reminiscing. He farmed all his life in the Wanganui region but several years ago he
retired and moved to Raumati. He leaves wife Trish and two daughters. He was a good cricketer at school (possibly 1st XI but my memory is poor on that) and a handy rugby player. While at Massey University he made the Manawatu rugby team (196769) playing 18 games and eight with Feilding. He also played for NZ Universities in 1968 in two ‘Tests’ against Japan. Mark Sayers, another Old Boy and former All Black also played in those ‘Tests’. In later years, when farming, he represented Wanganui (1970-73) in 28 games and played an All Black Trial in 1970. I always enjoyed his rugby stories, especially the one about his first match ‘derby’ match v King Country where he came up against the mighty Colin Meads and his brother Stan. In retirement Dave played golf at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club. CAMPION, Richard Meckiff ONZM 1923 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1937-1941 1st XV 1941 Staff:1958-1959 Life was an exuberant theatrical experience for Richard Campion, so it was only natural he should make it his career. He even said he never thought of acting as acting, just being. His outstanding productions were the formation of The New Zealand Players in his early years and, closer to home, his family, including daughter, Academy Award-winning film-maker Jane Campion, who credits him with the illustrious path she took. For the past decade, Richard ’s deep theatrical involvement, though never his attendance at theatrical events, was limited by poor health, but punctuated, in 2004, by the award of a New Zealand Order of Merit
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Obituaries for more than 50 years of service to theatre. That included acting in, directing and producing innumerable productions for stage, television and film and helping to establish the Downstage and Mercury Theatre companies. His daughter Jane’s love of theatre came from him and her mother, Edith Campion was the most acclaimed New Zealand actress of her era. Richard ’s probably came from home, too. His mother was an inspirational storyteller. His father was a butcher and the family of eight children, which followed Exclusive Brethren dictates, lived in Wellington’s Mount Victoria, where Richard claimed he probably killed the last rabbit. The young Richard escaped religious confinement largely by becoming an Evening Post paper boy, buying a bike with his pay and noting, through the windows of houses on his run, that not all non-Brethren homes were dens of iniquity. There were no books in the Campion house but he used to sneak into the library, not far from The Post, and read them. In school holidays he was sent off to a farm and it was on one of these excursions that he spontaneously kick-started his acting life. He had borrowed, for the journey home, a Richmal Crompton William book and recalled in an interview: The whole train was exposed to Little Dick, roaring with laughter. I went back to Clyde Quay School and organised some of the boys to act it out. Just as we were ready, poliomyelitis hit and we were all sent off. He saw his first real play as a student at Wellington College, presented by Wellington Repertory, and thought it astonishingly phony and, later, his first opera, where he could hardly stifle his amusement. He was later to direct opera. At Wellington College and Wellington Teachers’ Training College he came into the orbit of two of the country’s finest theatre exponents, Bruce Mason (1938) and Ngaio Marsh.
Mason, at the stage he knew him at school, struck him primarily as a very elegant wing in the 1st XV. We appreciated the same sort of things. He knew about acting and he’d been to a few plays. Richard was in the 1st XV in 1941. That same year, he was involved in producing the Crimson Coconut – the main item of a concert in aid of the patriotic fund. Marsh he encountered at Training College, but it was the later influence of Maria Dronke, a talented and exotic German Jewish emigre, which seems to have been greater. He recalled her reading New Zealand poetry with a German accent so it was both electrifying and funny, at the same time giving her young New Zealand audience an understanding of themselves. Richard graduated as a teacher and went back to teach at Wellington College. He was confident he was a good teacher. A noted head of what was the New Zealand Drama School, George Webby, described him as inspiring and the catalyst for amazing student productions. Webby also described Richard as an inspirational dreamer. But what ‘stuck like a biddy- bid’ in Richard’s mind was George Bernard Shaw’s declaration that people who can, do, and people who can’t, teach. In 1945, he married heiress Edith Hannah, only child of George and Jessie Hannah and granddaughter of the industrialist Robert Hannah, founder of the shoe chain, one of the great dynasties of New Zealand retailing. The young couple set off by flying boat to train at The Old Vic in London, he as a producer, she as an actress. There they worked with some of the greatest actors, designers and scripts of the day. A story he told of that time, weeping in an interview in the 1990s as he did so, is a manifestation of the merging of his life and art. He was in Manchester, his story went, in the early 1950s, still at the Old Vic and involved in an outdoor production, when a real-life drama began playing
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out at a nearby pond. The trees were all black, the bark was all black, with a glint of green here and there. Suddenly a person rushed up to shout: There’s a baby fallen in the pond. Richard and others abandoned the play and rushed to the pond where a group of British people were all pointing at a submerged baby carriage. The baby had drowned. They thought they couldn’t get their feet wet, or thought they weren’t allowed to get into the pond, conditioned not to do anything on their own initiative. It wouldn’t have happened in New Zealand.” After three years, abandoning Britain and its woefully obedient population, the Campions returned to New Zealand and together founded The New Zealand Players. Their first production, in the coronation year, was The Young Elizabeth. They toured, giving thousands of New Zealand school children their first taste of theatre. When New Zealand theatre was down on its luck in the 1960s, Richard spent time in Australia, first as resident producer for J C Williamson in Melbourne and later for the Elizabethan Theatre Trust and visiting tutor at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. Back in New Zealand, he directed the New Zealand Theatre Centre, promoted by the newly formed Arts Council. For a while, he also went farming in Horowhenua, but theatre was too deeply imbedded in his being. He said of his sidestep into agriculture that he felt he was imitating life in the theatre and after a while you are in danger of imitating imitation. After his marriage to Edith foundered, he married his second wife, Judith, then headmistress of the exclusive Hawke’s Bay private girls’ school Woodford House. They were alike in their love of theatre, though Judith’s delight was in being a great audience rather than an actor. Twenty years younger, Judith eventually left her principal’s job to share life with Richard in Wellington.
Until well into his 80s, Richard played golf and tennis and swam at the Thorndon pool, within walking distance of their home. Together, the couple attended an extraordinary number of Wellington theatre productions, musical events excluded. Even in his last year, unable to hear or fully understand the production he was at, he could still absorb the atmosphere which had fuelled him all his life. The Dominion Post ETUATA, Tom Hardley (Junior) 1966-2012 of Wellington Wellington College 1979-1983 When Tom Etuata did not show up to dinner, his brother knew something was wrong. Half an hour later, he found him dead on the floor of his Greenlane flat, having suffered a brain aneurysm. Tom was the Chief Executive of the Pacific Media Network. He also worked as a fitness instructor at Les Mills and lived a healthy lifestyle. So his sudden death stunned his family, who have been told by the coroner that Tom had a blood clot on his brain that burst suddenly and would have killed him instantly. His father, the Rev Tom Etuata, told the Weekend Herald the family were struggling to comprehend why such a fit and healthy man was cut down in the prime of his life. We are still dealing with the grief and pain. A parent should not have to bury their child; that’s not the way it should be,he said. We have the same name, so when he passed away there was some confusion. People were ringing thinking it was me who had died. I told them that I wished that was the case, that it was reversed and it was me instead of him. Mr Etuata said his son spent much of last Saturday with his brother Steven. They had planned to meet again that night to have dinner in Ponsonby and watch Auckland play Canterbury in rugby’s ITM Cup final.
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Obituaries After waiting 30 minutes, and not able to get his older brother on the phone, Steven Etuata drove to his flat and found him dead. As a church minister I go and comfort people in these situations, Tom Etuata Snr said. Recently I was helping a family here in Wellington deal with the tragic death of their son aged just 32, not realising that we would have that kind of pain pierce through our hearts ourselves two weeks later. Tom Etuata Jnr was born in Niue and moved to Wellington when he was aged 4. His father and mother, Akeletama, had come to New Zealand two years earlier to undertake training with the intention of returning to Niue and working for the Government. But they decided to stay, and moved their children over as well. Tom went to Mt Cook Primary School and Wellington College, where he was a Prefect and excelled at sports. After school, he had several casual jobs before he started working for the Government’s Valuation Department and then the Ministry of Defence. Twenty-four years ago, he married Viola and moved to her homeland, Samoa. They stayed for six years.
Pauline Winter. His vision, energy and commitment to broadcasting in New Zealand and into the Pacific will be sorely missed by many Pacific people both in New Zealand and in the region. His interest in Pacific initiatives and issues meant the service he offered was not only professional, but reflected his deeply held commitment to Pacific broadcasting. He is survived by Viola and their daughter Summer, 18. FRAZER, Kenneth John MC. MiD 1914-2012 of Te Puke Wellington College 1929 - 1933 Major, NZ Army WWII 7706, 27th Machine Gun Battalion Ken Frazer was born in 1914 in New Zealand, where his father, Sir Francis Frazer, was a judge. There he worked as a bank clerk and courier, but in 1940 he joined New Zealand army and served in North Africa and Italy, rising to Major. He was awarded the Military Cross for leading allied troops back to safety through lethal desert minefields after the fall of Tobruk.
He achieved a great career, he was a very hard worker. Tom was the pride of the family, his father said.
After the war, his adventurous spirit led him to serve as a District Officer in Palestine and in Gambia for ten years until its independence; there he even toured with the District Nurse, delivering babies! Thereafter he settled in Athens on his small pensions, and worked gratis both for the American archaeological mission at Sardis in Turkey and for the EES as a surveyor and draftsman. He first worked with Jack Plumley at Qasr Ibrim (1963, 1966 and 1969), surveying the fortified citadel and planning the ‘cathedral’ area. In 1966, he joined Bryan Emery’s team at the Saqqara Sacred Animal Necropolis (soon they were sharing desertwar reminiscences over midnight whiskies!).
The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs paid tribute to Tom as well. The sudden and untimely death of Tom Etuata is a loss not only to his family and community, said Chief Executive
To Ken’s intrepid exploration, surveying skills and fine draftsmanship, the Society owes the published plans of the vast and dangerous catacombs of the ibises,
While there, Tom became involved in broadcasting and on his return to New Zealand, began working at Auckland’s Radio 531pi as a sales manager. He later moved to Radio Niue FM and after the two merged, he was named CEO. Tom Etuata Snr said his son revelled in his job and was passionate about his heritage. He had been back in Niue this year to teach locals about healthy eating and fitness, and came back with a love of his culture and a strong connection to his roots.
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falcons, baboons and cows and of the shines outside them. This he achieved with a pre-war theodolite and tape-measures, while constantly hampered by excavation work, inadequate lighting, bad ventilation and armies of fleas – a colossal achievement. After Emery’s death in 1971, Ken continued working at Saqqara. In 1974-76 he helped the writer to complete the Sacred Animal Necropolis excavations and interpret the site’s building history. From 1975, he worked for many years with Geoffrey Martin and the EES/ Leiden team on the New Kingdom Necropolis, undertaking more perilous underground work and producing many of the published tomb-plans. In 1977 and 1981 he worked at Anubieion, and finally in 1994-46, when over 80, he sportingly returned to the Sacred Animal Necropolis to check and amend his splendid drawings, on which he had worked for years in Athens. A staunch Kiwi and proud Scot, Ken was interested in and communed amicably with all humankind, whatever their race, faith or status. His courage, loyalty, endurance and will-power speak for themselves; his trustworthiness and sense of honour were unbreakable. Whatever the circumstances, he never complained, while his constant optimism, good humour and determination inspired others. He was generous of spirit and of pocket; in Athens, all unbeknown, he helped many aged, handicapped and lonely people. In camp his stories, jokes and unexpected presents made him a legend with staff and workers alike. He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and an unforgettable human being. Egypt Exploration Society GAWITH, Alan Antill DFC, USA Bronze Star 1916 -2013 of Nelson Wellington College 1929 - 1931 WWII RAF Pilot Alan Gawith was one of the last remaining veterans of the Battle of Britain, having served
as a fighter pilot with the Royal Air Force from the beginning to the end of World War II. From his first mission on the day war was declared in Europe, on 3 September, 1939, Alan flew dawn and night interception patrols and several missions during the desperate defence of British air space the next year. The defeat of the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain prevented Germany from gaining air superiority and is credited with saving Britain from a planned German invasion. Alan received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bombing and destroying a German communications centre in the Netherlands in May 1941,disrupting the Luftwaffe’s fighter wing at Eindhoven for several days. In 1944, as the senior British liaison officer of the RAF, he worked with the United States Air Defence Command to plan the invasion of Normandy, France, and was later awarded the Bronze Medal for his services with the attack. Alan was born in Masterton, the second child of seven and the eldest son. The family lived on a farm at Longbush. Because of the distance from town, a school was set up in a cottage on the property for the Gawith family and some neighbours’ children. When the school was shut in 1927, the Gawith boys were sent to stay with an aunt in Palmerston North, where they spent three years living in a tent on the back lawn. Alan attended College Street Normal School in Palmerston North, then Wellington College and Nelson College. He moved back to Wellington to study law at Victoria University in 1935. In 1937, he applied for a short service commission with the RAF, learning the ropes at the Elementary Flying Training School at Scone Airfield, Scotland. His father objected to him going, warning that war was imminent. Alan
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replied that if that was so, he would be fighting in it anyway, so he had better get all the training he could. After completing training, he joined No 23 Squadron, based in Stamford, England, which flew night time missions with twin-engined Blenheim bombers that had been converted into night fighters via the installation of Browning machine guns. He served with the squadron for two and a half years. When he left at the end of 1941, he was the only pre-war pilot left alive. In 2007, Alan spoke with the NZ Air Force News about just how close the Battle of Britain had been. The Luftwaffe’s bombing campaign of RAF airports in early August 1940 had left the force almost at breaking point, he said. Whether you were flying or working on the ground, you were working around the clock and had been for so long that exhaustion had just about collapsed Fighter Command. Then, German bombers targeted London, and in retaliation, Winston Churchill ordered the RAF to bomb Berlin. From then, cities, rather than airfields, were targeted by both airforces, something that gave Fighter Command just enough space to recover, Alan said. It was divine intervention, I’d say. Another day or two and it would have been all over. Alan always saw his service to the RAF during the war as his first priority. Everything else, including personal matters, came after. He had met his sweetheart of many years, Elliot Wallace, on Mt Taranaki. The pair were keen trampers and were both in the Tararua Tramping Club. At the time, Mr Gawith was at university and Elliot was still at high school. They formed a bond after Alan decided to ‘bush bash’ his way down Mt Taranaki, rather than take the easy way, and his eventual bride-to-be followed in his tracks.
pair married in October, 1939. Alan could get a leave pass for only 48 hours to cover the ceremony and honeymoon. The couple had three children, Alan, Eila and Sally. Elliot and the children returned to New Zealand in March 1945, followed by Alan in October that year, after the end of the war. The family settled in Masterton and he again took up the law books, completing his degree in 1949 and joining his uncle’s law practice, said his daughter, Eila Young. The Americans wanted him to go back to Washington after the war, and I think [Admiral Louis] Mountbatten wanted him to go to Burma. But he felt he needed to get home because my mother’s nerves were shot. Alan served for many years on the former Masterton Borough Council and farmed sheep as a sideline on a property he bought in Lansdowne. The Guy Fawkes night bonfires in the paddock were legendary and very popular. Alan remained with the law firm until his retirement. His son followed him into the profession and the firm, becoming the fourth generation of Gawiths to practise law in Wairarapa. Alan was devastated when Elliot died in 1970, but found happiness again with Shirley Woodman, the widow of another RAF veteran. The couple married in 1978 and moved to Nelson in 1987. Alan enjoyed a quiet life in his retirement, developing some close friendships with neighbours, and keeping active with walking and tai chi, his daughter said. With Eila, he attended the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain commemorations in England in 2005. I remember him saying he was just one of the lucky ones who survived. Going up at night, with no radar or anything, it was pretty horrific. The Dominion Post
They reunited in England, when she was caught by the outbreak of war while visiting family in Scotland. The
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GRUNDY, Clive Arthur 1931 - 2012 of Geraldine Wellington College 1946 - 1948
and Soccer, was in the school chess team and was the heavyweight boxing champion.
Clive had been involved in archery for many years, being a member of Christchurch, Dunedin, Geraldine and Timaru Clubs.
After leaving school, Ray then had to complete two years National Service in the Army. In 1954 he entered St Mark & St John Teacher Training College, Chelsea, London, for a two year course. His main subjects were Geography and Physical Education. He was also a member of their Chess and Soccer teams.
In his retirement he fostered archery at the Geraldine High School, built target butts and purchased beginners equipment and had regular competitions every Thursday afternoon. He had a dream to start an archery club in Geraldine and started Sunday sessions for adults in the schools grounds and with this, basis a club was formed.
In 1954 he married Margaret McMullen with sons Adrian (19681972) and Charles (1969-1973) born in 1955 and 1956 respectively.
He was still shooting competitions in his seventies even after major heart surgery such was his passion. He was a unique character who in his own way contributed much to archery and people in his community.
Upon completion of teacher training. Ray’s first appointment was to Credon Secondary Boys’ School at Bermondsey in London. After two years he was appointed Head of Physical Education. In 1958, to further his career, Ray started a five year part time degree course at the London School of Economics majoring in Geography. He graduated B.Sc (Economics) in 1963. By this time Ray wanted to get away from the stress and congestion of London so, after considering various options, he decided to emigrate. He wrote to every Education Department in NZ and was subsequently accepted for a position at Tiki Tiki Māori District High School (12 miles north of Ruatoria, 96 miles north of Gisborne).
Hill, Raymond Ivan (Ray) 1932-2013 of Hawkes Bay Staff: 1965-1976 Ray Hill was born on 17 April 1932 at Stockwell, London, England. His primary education was at St Mary’s School Clapham, London, but in 1940 he was evacuated to West Hoathley, Sussex, a quiet rural village. Ray commented that when walking the country lanes they would often look skyward to see the vapour trails and dogfights of the Battle of Britain, not realising the significance of what was going on. Schooling was transferred to West Hoathley and in 1943, upon passing the 11 plus exam, Ray returned to London to attend Henry Thornton Grammar School at Clapham Common. In 1951, at the age 19, Ray left Henry Thornton Grammar having matriculated in seven subjects. He had been in the 1st XI for both Cricket
In September 1964, the family set sail from Southampton on the Shaw Savill liner Southern Cross arriving in Wellington six weeks later having passed through Las Palmas, Cape Town, Durban, Fremantle, Melbourne and Sydney. Then followed a train, bus and car ride to get to Tiki Tiki.
Wellington College Social Team 1975. Ray is in the back row, far left.
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Obituaries On arrival, Ray was informed that in December 1964, the High School section of the school would be closed. He was offered a teaching role at Ruatoria but subsequently accepted a position at Wellington College where he began teaching in February 1965 with a focus on Geography, Physical Education and Junior Maths. He also set about enhancing the status of Soccer at Wellington College and in 1967, his 1st XI won the inaugural NZ Secondary Schools Championship. Another win followed in 1971. He was also involved in Cricket, Life Saving and Basketball. Ray stayed at Wellington College until May 1976 at which time he decided to have a break from teaching so left and went to work for Air NZ Cabin Services at Wellington Airport. In February 1978, Ray returned to teaching at Hutt Valley High School specialising in Physical Education and Maths. He took Soccer and Cricket teams and also developed an interest in a sport at the school called Orienteering. This interest was to last 20 years. He eventually concentrated his sporting focus on Cross-Country Running and in 1983, HVHS won the National Secondary Schools’ Individual Cross-Country Championship and the Team event. Ray was always an advocate for activity outside of the classroom so willingly participated in school trips for outdoor pursuits in Marlborough. He also liked to organise social sporting activities involving both staff and students. In 1986, Ray retired from teaching which he advised was mainly due to failing eyesight. He got a job with the National Bank in Wellington where he stayed until April 1992 at which stage he officially retired at the age of 60. He kept himself busy maintaining his house on a challenging section at The Ridgeway in Mornington, Wellington. By 1995, Ray had decided that while he and wife Margaret loved their home of 23 years, they needed easier access and a flat section so in January 1996, they moved to Upper Hutt.
schools and also joined the local Bridge club. They stayed in Upper Hutt until 2006 when they decided to move to Napier to be closer to family which by now included four grandchildren.
Hutton, John Brassell
Sadly, in 2009 his wife Margaret developed liver cancer and passed away that year on 29 September. Ray struggled with his loss and never really got over it but he remained as active as he could be and continued to live independently.
John Hutton was born in Pahiatua and attended Pahiatua High School until the fifth form when he enrolled at Wellington College. His sporting skills were soon evident at College where he became a member of the College’s 1st XV and 1st XI and a prominent tennis player. He was a boarder at Firth House.
On the morning of Sunday 2 June 2013, Ray suffered a heart attack. He managed to call the Emergency Service and let them know his address but collapsed while talking to them. St John were soon on the spot, his heart had stopped beating but they managed to revive him in the Ambulance. He spent the next six days in Intensive Care where there was an early glimmer of a possible recovery but by the end of the week it became apparent that it was not to be. By Saturday 8 June, treatment had moved from thought of recovery to that of comfort and dignity. He slipped away from this world at 12.19pm that day with family present. Ray’s life was one well lived. From a modest background in London he became a respected Teacher. While always an Englishman at heart, there was no doubt in his mind that the move to NZ benefited all of the family. It gave him the opportunity to teach at both Wellington College and Hutt Valley High School which he considered two very good schools. It also gave him far readier access to the great outdoors for tramping, canoeing, sailing and orienteering. He was always willing to take family, friends and work colleagues along on the journey. His life was not one of great affluence but certainly once rich in experience. Always a word to say and a story to tell. Adrian Hill (1968-1972)
There he maintained his interest in Orienteering by helping out at local
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B.Agr.Sc., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D, F.N.Z.I.Agr.Sc.
1928 - 2012 of Tauranga Wellington College 1945 - 1946 Prefect, 1st XV 1945-1946, 1st XI 1946
John’s University education began in 1947 at Massey Agricultural College. In 1950 he was awarded the Sir James Wilson prize, and in 1951, he graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and in 1953 graduated with a Masters degree with First Class Honours. He kept up his sporting interests playing Rugby and Tennis for Massey and Manawatu, and in 1949 was selected in the New Zealand Universities Rugby team. In 1954, John lectured at Massey College. Between 1955 and 1957, John studied at the National Institute for Research in Dairying at the University of Reading, completing a PhD in lactation physiology, studying the effect of growth hormone and oestrogen on milk production and composition. In 1958, after competing his PhD, he joined the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as a scientist in the Nutrition Section at Ruakura Animal Research Station in Hamilton. In 1961 John was appointed section leader of the Nutrition Section. This was the beginning of a long distinguished career in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. In 1968, John was awarded a Post Doctoral Fellowship by the United States National Institute of Health to study calcium and energy metabolism in lactating cattle at the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University. On his return to New Zealand, he established No. 5 Dairy at Ruakura as a premier dairy research unit and attracted many local and international scientists working on improving the efficiency of milk production.
Amongst these were methods which could be used on farms as management tools. John considered his biggest achievement in Agricultural Science was the development of a technique for farmers to accurately measure ‘by eye’ the amount of feed available in their pasture from week to week as a basis for planning and management decisions on the farm. This became known as ‘feed budgeting’ and was used throughout New Zealand and in Australia and Ireland. Later as Director of the Agricultural Research Division he took responsibility for the successful introduction of exotic sheep genetic material and supervised major changes in the development of MAF’s research strategies and resources. In 1975, John became an Assistant Director of the Ag Research Division under Dr Lyn Wallace. He was awarded the McMeekan Memorial Award in 1976 by the NZ Society of Animal Production for an outstanding contribution to both animal production and the Society. In 1990, he was awarded a New Zealand Commemoration Medal in recognition for his services to the nation. MAF shifted the Agricultural Research Divisional Headquarters to Wellington in 1979 with John appointed Director. He worked and lived in Wellington until he retired in 1989 and moved to the Bay of Plenty where he and his wife Yolande built a new home and garden. Initially, they grew Sandersonia lily tubers for export to Japan before developing a beautiful collection of exotic trees, a vegetable garden, and from 1993 an avocado orchard. He was very influential in New Zealand’s agriculture sector through membership of many relevant industry and professional bodies. These included the executive of the Meat Industry Research Institute of NZ; the National Committee of the International Dairy Federation; the Standing Advisory Committee of the NZ Livestock Improvement Council; the Meat Producers Board’s Animal Production Advisory Committee; the Maximum Quarantine Advisory
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Obituaries Committee to the Minister of Agriculture; and the Research Advisory Panel to the Minister of Lands. He was a staunch advocate for research and of his staff, never being afraid to speak his mind when he perceived decisions being made using little supporting evidence. His senior staff valued his capacity for work and his leadership. He was always well prepared for any meetings and presented his views with authority and conviction. Hard work, refusal to tolerate argument that was based on emotion rather than fact, accountability for ones own decisions and actions, and loyalty to staff. He was a man to be respected. One could disagree with him and he encouraged debate. He had a mischievous side and at times became a devil’s advocate seeking well reasoned opposing views. He could never be ignored. John maintained an interest in sport and exercise through jogging and tennis. He could be described as a sports fanatic, having been fit and active for most of his life, and an interested, sometimes painfully passionate spectator when supporting his children or grandchildren on a sport’s field. He had an opinion on ‘everything rugby’ based, of course, on extensive knowledge. Amongst his passions were gardening, and music especially opera. Written by Douglas Wright, CNZM (1944-1948) MATHER, John Joseph 1932 - 2012 of Rotorua Wellington College 1945 - 1948 Bruce Heather (1953-1957) wrote to tell us a bit of Johnny Mather. Johnny Mather was a Ngaio Boy and a top athlete. I do believe he held the Wellington College 100 yards title for many years. The time was remarkable at something around 10.3 seconds but It may have still been a record when we went metric!
Leaving College, he was a senior wing three-quarter for Onslow Rugby Club in the early fifties . His brother Dave Mather started College in 1952 and lives in Petone. McARTNEY, David Ewan (Dave) 1951 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1964 -1968 As a founding member of the group Hello Sailor, Dave McArtney was at the heart of the New Zealand rock and roll scene in the late 1970s and 1980s. A guitarist and songwriter, Dave penned the hits Gutter Black, Pink Flamingo and All Around This Town. His death at age 62 resulted in an outpouring of love and admiration from members of the New Zealand music scene, many of whom he had played with or taught as a tutor later in life at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand. Dave had something of a nomadic childhood, attending a variety of schools as his bank manager father moved the family several times. At Milford School in Auckland in the early 1960s, Dave became friends with Harry Lyon, with whom he would later form Hello Sailor. The 13 and 14-year-olds maintained a friendship when Dave’s family moved to Wellington after a year of high school at Auckland’s Westlake Boys’. At Wellington College, Dave had a band called The Ohms, in which he played guitar. He began a degree in English literature at Victoria University before transferring to Auckland University when his parents moved north. He rejoined Harry Lyon and the pair flatted together, playing as a Bob Dylaninspired folk duo on Sunday nights at Levi’s Saloon. Dave and Lyon dropped out of university in 1972 to become professional rock musicians. At university, Dave had met then-
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gardener Graham Brazier and later the pair flatted and composed together at a St Mary’s Bay house known as Mandrax Mansion. They had two speaker stacks at the flat. Brazier had written Hello Sailor on one, Dave had written Goodbye Dove on the other. Hello Sailor stuck.
with his girlfriend Donna Mills, the daughter of future Auckland Mayor Les Mills. In 1983, Dave re-joined Brazier and Lyon in a new venture called The Legionnaires, which eventually went back to the old name of Hello Sailor.
The three joined forces and in June 1975, they played their first professional gig, at the Trees Tavern in Tokoroa, followed by two weeks at the Leopard Tavern in Napier.
Dave married Donna in January 1985 and they had two children, a son, Gabriel, in 1985 and a daughter, Moana, in 1992. The family lived in Europe and New Zealand throughout the 1980s and in 1990, Dave returned to University and completed his degree in English literature, majoring in Renaissance poetry.
Hello Sailor’s fame grew as they played venues around Auckland and supported international act Melanie, who was touring her hit song The Rollerskate Song.
Hello Sailor and the Legionnaires played gigs throughout the 1990s, releasing the album The Album in 1994, which produced the single, New Tattoo.
In 1976, they appeared on television music shows Ready to Roll and Grunt Machine, hosted by Paul Holmes. The band recorded their eponymous debut album and released it in 1977, touring New Zealand on their intensive but highly successful Rum and Coca-Cola Tour.
In 2000, when Lyon began tutoring at the Music and Audio Institute, Dave was also brought in to tutor. Hello Sailor toured extensively and played support for international acts and the festival circuit throughout the 2000s. They released the album, Surrey Crescent Moon in 2012.
The album Hello Sailor produced the charting singles Blue Lady and Gutter Black, which later found fame as the theme to the TV drama Outrageous Fortune. It was the first New Zealand-produced album to achieve gold-selling status and the band were awarded with many awards at the following year’s RIANZ Music Awards. Hello Sailor played numerous gigs at Ponsonby venue The Gluepot in 1978, released their second album, Pacifica Amour, the same year, and toured to Los Angeles. However, overindulgence in the party scene and too much competition saw them return unsuccessful. A subsequent trip to Australia was also unsuccessful and the group returned to Auckland and disbanded in 1980. Dave started the new band The Pink Flamingos, which released two albums while in New Zealand and Australia. Despite drawing large crowds and receiving critical acclaim, financial mismanagement saw the band founder and Dave went to Europe
Hello Sailor’s last outing was a show in Waihi on New Year’s Eve 2012, where they played with Jordan Luck and Andrew Fagan’s band. Dave’s last words to his wife Donna were that he was working on a new arrangement for a song. NIXON, Oliver James (Ollie) 1927 - 2013 of Mount Maunganui Wellington College 1941 - 1944 1st XV 1944 From Garth England, (1941-1945) Another of our old class mates has passed on. Ollie Nixon died at Mount Maunganui in April. He was an oustanding sprinter at the 440yd distance and represented the College at McEvedy Shield. He was also a good hockey player and I think, he was in the 1st XI 1943/44. From Ollie’s wife Val: Ollie passed away peacefully wearing his Cricket Society Shirt and watching the Super 15 Rugby.
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Obituaries He would have been thrilled to see Adam Scott win the Masters golf but just missed this event. The Motor Neuron Disease had reached his lungs so he was finding it difficult to breathe and talk on the last couple of days but his mind was still very alert and active. I will miss him dreadfully after 61 years of marrage. NODWELL, John Gordon 1934 - 2013 of Brisbane Wellington College 1948 - 1952 John Nodwell was born in August 1934 in the town of Danniverke. He was the second child and only son of Arthur and Dorothy. His sister Lindsay was five years his senior and the childhood that he and Lindsay shared was quite idyllic in spite of the fact that their father served overseas during the war. After his return from the war, Arthur and Dorothy moved their family to Wellington - where John continued his education at Wellington College. He was an outstanding student academically, even gaining the distinction (at that time anyway) of being the only student in the senior year of gaining a 100% grading in Mathematics. After finishing at College, John went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Canterbury University, where he spent happy years. Upon graduating, John worked in the public service for a short time before suffering severe emphysema, which in those days was an extremely serious lung condition and at times, John was close to death. He had several surgeries and spent four months in hospital. It was at this stage he met Pamela, an English girl working in New Zealand and before long they were married and embarked on what was to be a working holiday in the UK. After two years, along came Kevin and two years later Lisa. Sadly the marriage failed and John,
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who had travelled to Australia several times through his work with Kelloggs in London, was offered a position at Goninan, an engineering company in Newcastle, where he met and married his wife Carol in 1972.
academics he worked alongside.
In 1974, John was asked if he would like to take up a position with the Burmah Oil Company in the UK. As engineers in John’s field were doing anything to earn a living in those days, thanks to the Whitlam government’s desire to nationalise the oil industry, this was a lifeline John and Carol relished.
His wife Herta had died a couple of years earlier and the couple, described as very private people who did not want the fuss of a public funeral service, had no children.
Burmah’s headquarters were in Swindon in Wiltshire and they were very fortunate to be able to rent a national trust cottage in the small village of Steventon some 40-minutes drive from Swindon. They spent almost three years there and it was such an incredible experience. They relocated from Sydney to Brisbane in 1985 and both felt immediately at home becoming fanatical Queenslanders. John had a passion for engineering, continuing to work until he was 75 years of age, loving almost every minute of it, and over the years was privileged to work with colleagues he admired and respected, many of whom are friends to this day. John loved all animals - wallabies, birds and ducks and most especially his cat Sidney. John was also an avid reader, loved good food and good wine, and also music, mostly classics and jazz. He played the piano, although self-taught, and sometimes the quality of his music was dependent upon how much wine he had consumed or conversely how much wine the listener had had. Nevertheless, Christmas will not be the same without John playing carols. Roger Nodwell, (1954-1956) QUINN, Kenneth Fleming (Prof) 1920 - 2013 of Waikanae Wellington College 1934 - 1939 Kenneth Quinn’s tenure at the University of Otago spanned just three years, but in that time he made an indelible impression on the students he taught and the
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Professor Quinn died in Karori, earlier this year. His death notice kept brief to the point as he had requested. He was 92.
Kenneth’s appointment to the Chair of Classics at Otago University, replacing Prof. Guy Manton, was announced in late July 1965. At the time, he was a reader in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Melbourne. However, the news of his appointment caused something of a stir in Dunedin as he had already built up quite a reputation, having published two important books, The Catullan Revolution (1959) and Latin Explorations (1963), and was working on what would become a major book on Virgil’s Aenoid, eventually published in 1968. As Emeritus Prof John Barsby notes in his forthcoming history of the Otago Classics Department: There are three main things to say about Quinn’s tenure of the Chair. One is that he was the first Otago Professor of Classics with an internationally recognised publications record. Second, that with his so-called New Critical approaches he introduced a new dimension to the study of Latin literature, which some students at least found quite inspiring. The third thing is that Quinn left more or less intact the structure of the teaching programme, which was still heavily biased towards language and literature with the occasional historical survey paper added as background. He did, however, leave a small but significant legacy by the introduction of classical studies as a free-standing non-linguistic stage 2 unit, which pointed the way to major future developments. Retired Otago University Professor of English Alan Horsman was Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the time of Prof
Quinn’s appointment and remembers his former colleague with mixed feelings, describing him as a brusque, decisive man, who could also be a real livewire. Prof Quinn was not approved of by the university’s ‘old guard’ in his subject because he discussed Latin poetry in a way similar to that in which English poetry was discussed. His methods however, certainly appealed to many students. Born in Greymouth on 25 December, 1920, Prof Quinn attended Wellington College then completed a BA at Victoria University in 1943, before serving with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in WW II. After the war, he was awarded an army rehabilitation scholarship to study at Emmanuel College, at the University of Cambridge, where he took first--class honours in classical tripos, getting his Cambridge BA in 1947 and an MA in 1952. It was while he was at Cambridge that he met his future wife, Herta Ilse (her nickname was ‘Gamby’), an Austrian. He was also the Commonwealth Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge (1957-58). After Cambridge, Prof Quinn returned to Victoria, where he was a lecturer from 1949 to 1955, and then moved to Melbourne as a senior lecturer, being promoted to a readership in 1960. Prof Barsby says Prof Quinn played his part in Dunedin by serving on several university committees, but one sensed that he had not been as influential in these circles as his three predecessors had been. In its record of appreciation at his departure, the senate noted that, like Socrates, Prof Quinn saw his role as that of a man who asked awkward but stimulating questions, and expressed its gratitude to him for fulfilling this role so well, a comment which can be read two ways. In January 1968, Prof Quinn accepted an invitation to lecture at the University of Illinois, near Chicago, on Virgil’s Aeneid and, the following year, he resigned from Otago to take up a position at the University of Toronto.
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Obituaries A long-term friend of Prof Quinn says he was considered a big fish in a small pond at Otago University and his relationship with the ‘establishment’ was scratchy at times, so he was delighted to receive an offer from overseas.
autobiography.
Not so Herta, who had made many close friends, friendships which she kept up long after they left Dunedin.
A devout Christian, Nevill had trained at Flock House in Bulls and worked for the Herd Improvement Association as a herd tester, and later as a successful Manawatu dairy farmer.
In Toronto, he received many lecturing offers, particularly from the United States. The couple returned to New Zealand on sabbatical leave a number of times, and on the last such occasion bought a house in Raumati South to which they retired. PALMER, Nevill Reginald 1919 - 2012 of Taupo Wellington College 1934 - 1936 Nevill Palmer, 93 was killed his bike was hit from behind by a light truck in Taupo where he had been collecting stamps for charity. Just before, he had been at a local business to collect used stamps which staff kept for him, and had almost fallen over after losing his balance. He had explained to a person in the office that he had low blood pressure after biking into the town. Employees at the office said his regular visits would be sadly missed. Nevill, who had lived alone since his wife, June, died three years ago, was known for his independence, said his daughter Frances. He was a free spirit... he loved cycling and often biked into the township daily. It’s really sad he died in such a horrific way, but it wouldn’t have been him to be sitting in a chair.
After retiring to Taupo, he collected used stamps from local businesses to give to charities such as the Leprosy Mission and Bible Society to help raise money.
PRESTON-THOMAS, Grant 1931 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1946 - 1950 When Grant Preston-Thomas knocked off work as an engineer with the Municipal Electricity Department in Wellington, he got his next big buzz in life by becoming the capital’s best known volunteer ‘bushwacker’. When he retired, aged 60, from the task of having to keep Wellington’s power supply plugged in, he embarked upon the task of cutting walking and cycling tracks through mainly western suburbs hill country. He performed this role alone for years until one day in 2000, when he was working up on Wrights Hill, house-father Derek Pope (1965-1969), a retired restaurateur, happened along. Derek was a frequent visitor to the Preston-Thomas home both before and after cancer took hold of his longterm mate earlier this year.
Nevill was born in Wellington in 1919, and went to Wellington College.
Along the way, the pair were also joined by fellow bushwhackers Dave Henderson, Wayne Holmes and ex-GP Jock Fleming, who, in his mid-80s, before his death held the title of Wellington’s oldest track-builder.
Collecting stamps had been a passion since primary school. His father, Alfred, worked at the BNZ head office in Wellington and would bring home stamps from countries in the British Empire for his son, Nevill wrote in an
The merry band hewed out treelined, track tunnels through the city’s undergrowth on Wrights Hill; at Zealandia, where they built tracks in and around the bird sanctuary and on both sides of the valley, behind Karori
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Park, above Otari-Wilton’s Bush, around Karori Cemetery, on Johnston Hill, Trelissick Park in Ngaio, Mount Victoria and links between Highbury, Brooklyn and Aro Street. During a 22-year retirement period, the lanky Mr Preston-Thomas, often dressed in his trademark khaki shorts and sandals, did ‘the whole nine yards’ by putting in thousands of hours, armed with his grubber, pick, pruning saw and loppers. With these implements he developed tracks that many thousands of Wellingtonians and visitors now enjoy every year.
provided heating for cooking, water heating and filling the copper for washing. Kerosene lamps and candles provided the lighting. The toilet, remote from the house, was a long drop and the family draught horse pulled the plough that tilled the fields, and the cart that collected provisions at the swing bridge. When money became more plentiful, the family shifted from Otaki to Manurewa in Auckland before shifting to the Hutt Valley suburbs of Belmont and Days Bay. While living in Days Bay, the teenager caught the coal-fired ferry Cobar across the harbour, before boarding a double-decker tram to Dufferin St and Wellington College, opposite the Basin Reserve.
The keen bush walker, with an aversion to steps, specialised in constructing zig-zags that were user-friendly for people like his wife Alison, who unwittingly became one of the city‘s most discerning track connoisseurs.
After leaving College, Grant joined Railways in 1951 on a cadetship with the signals branch and the department put him through an engineering degree at Victoria and Auckland universities.
ln putting a number of these tracks through, Grant was happy to break rules he had already bent in the first place, when it came to seeking permission from Wellington City Council to penetrate the land. The council and the mountain biking Kennett brother gurus wisely learned how to work alongside Grant and his mates.
With Railways, he worked at the Kaiwharawhara Depot on Hutt Road and in the Hutt Workshops. He helped resignal the North Island main trunk line while based in Te Kuiti and Taihape. He was also happy to bunk down in basic railway huts on wheels in the more remote areas of the King Country, while working alongside people like veteran Raetihi track maintenance man, Avril Pehi.
Grant often found it easier to apologise to the council after he had built tracks which deviated from plans, rather than seek permission to change the route in the first place. His childhood days in a tough depression environment on a rough Otaki farm at the foot of the Tararuas, meant he accumulated impeccable track-building credentials from an early age. As a young student at Otaki School, he walked 3.5 kilometres from the basic family homestead to a suspension-bridge roadhead where the school bus collected him. This Riverdale farm childhood prepared him admirably for his subsequent career as an electrical engineer and a volunteer track builder. The farm was a dairy farm with no road access, no electricity, no running water and no radio. Driftwood
He spent a year in Christchurch based in the signals office and from there made many trips to Greymouth. It was in Christchurch that he first met Alison Hughes, his wife of 50 years. About a month ago, as the cancer took hold, Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and councillor Andy Foster decided Grant and Alison Preston-Thomas should take a trip in a 4x4 with the councils track manager, Dave Halliday. Mr Halliday drove them up and over the Kohekohe track above Otari-Wilton’s Bush, which leads up to the Skyline track. Grant walked back down the hill to savour the fruits of his track-building labours for the last time. He took joy from the fact Wellingtonians loved walking and
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Obituaries biking on his tracks. The Kohekohe track was one of the last constructed by his ‘Dad‘s Army’ team while he was still alive. On the drive up the hill, Mr Halliday obtained approval from the PrestonThomases that the track would be named ‘Grant’s Track - The Kohekohe Walk’. The Dominion Post RICHARDS, James Harrey (Ray) ONZM, DCS 1921 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1935 WW II, Lnt Fleet Air Arm Navy Pilot Ray Richards was an influential publisher who encouraged the writing of many uniquely New Zealand voices, including Barry Crump and Mona Anderson, and introduced the wider public to the works of painters Peter McIntyre and Toss Woollaston, and photographer Geoff Moon. He was also one of the now-thin ranks of WW II veterans. The one-time editor, managing director and publisher of AH & AW Reed was a man of words, who never missed the opportunity to say something striking, not even on his deathbed. As his grandchildren gathered for a final farewell, he told his wife Barbara: They have love dripping from their eyes. As more family gathered, he commented: This is an extraordinary experience, I must remember their names... He died soon after. Ray joined the Reeds’ new Wellington offices aged 15. I was as green as grass; nobody could have known less about the world than I did, he told the Listener magazine in a profile. When war came, Ray joined the navy and was one of a handful of Kiwis who flew with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm.
Sprite helicopter so that he could see the last Corsair FG-D1 flown by a Kiwi. He had flown a Corsair in the British Fleet Air Arm, taking part in several Pacific battles, including an air raid on Japanese-held oil fields in Palambang, Indonesia. I’m feeling overwhelmed . . . it is hard to believe I used to fly this, he said at the time. He earned a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the war. He returned to Reeds in 1946 and was married to Barbara for 64 years. Ray was born to be a publisher, she said. His first book as a publisher was Wayleggo, by Peter Newton, in 1947. It featured tales of high-country farm life and sold 60,000 copies. The family firm of Reeds was taken over in 1983 by Associated Book Publishers. Ray and Barbara Richards set up New Zealand’s first literary agency in 1977. Clients included Maurice Gee, Witi Ihimaera, Dorothy Butler, Joy Cowley and Tessa Duder. Booksellers New Zealand gave him a lifetime achievement award in 2001 and said he had a unique visionary presence in the growth of New Zealand children’s literature.
and follower of Rugby and an integral member of the 1st XV that year and in 1959 - regularly playing at full-back.
David Stenhouse was born in Sutton, Surrey, England in 1932. He proposed the ‘4-factor’ theory of evolutionary intelligence and was active in ethology, education, evolutionary biology and philosophy of science in Australia and New Zealand.
While in the senior school, Peter had his mind firmly set on training to be a physiotherapist once he completed College. Academic success was something that Peter had to work at, and with strong application and diligence, he was successful in gaining entry to the Physiotherapy School at Otago University. Once completing his Diploma in Physiotherapy, and gaining practical experience, Peter set up a practice in Wellington, where he combined his passion for Rugby and physiotherapy treatment for those with sports injuries. He assisted the Wellington Rugby Union and was also the official physiotherapist for the Springboks in their Rugby Tour of New Zealand in 1981.
David spent his childhood on the outskirts of London and in SouthWest Scotland, where his parents were from. His paternal grandfather, also called David, was the Headmaster of the Sandbank school. The son of J.F.M. & M.M. Stenhouse, he had one sister, Joyce. His parents moved to New Zealand when he was in his teens. After taking degrees in both Philosophy and Zoology at the University of Otago, he lectured at Universities in New Zealand and Australia - in the Department of Zoology at The University of Queensland, the Department of Education at Massey University, and the Department of Psychology at Massey University. He is the author of a number of books and articles. STOKES, Peter Graham
SPENCE, Robert Alfred (Bob), QSM
QSM, JP, NZDSM, DIPPHTY
1928 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1943 - 1946
1942 - 2012 of Havelock North Wellington College 1956 - 1960 Head Prefect, 1960, 1st XV 1959 - 1960
Athletics New Zealand Life Member and past President, the Reverend Bob Spence QSM of Wellington died in May, aged 86. Bob served on the track and field committee and was convenor of the records committee of Athletics NZ for many years. He was President of Athletics NZ 1985-1986 and was made a Life Member in 1991. Bob received the Queen’s Service Medal in the 1997 New Year’s Honours for community service. Bob was also a Life Member of Athletics Wellington and was a long time Patron of Wellington Harrier Athletic Club.
This year, he was flown to the Wairarapa Air Show in a navy Sea
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STENHOUSE, David 1932 - 2013 of Palmerston North Wellington College 1947 - 1948
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The climax of Peter’s time at Wellington College was in 1960 when he was appointed to the prestigious role of Head Prefect in his final year at school. A person with strong people skills, Peter undertook this task with effective maturity, leadership and diplomacy that were recognised by staff and students alike. A keen and talented sportsperson, he showed prowess as a sprinter, excelling in the senior 100 and 220 yards College Athletics events. He then captained the Wellington College Athletics Team in the McEvedy Shield. Peter was also an enthusiastic player
Peter’s experience and skill in his profession and an ability to relate effectively to others from all walks of life were recognised, when he was appointed the physiotherapist for the All Blacks – a role he undertook with considerable acceptance and appreciation by those across the Rugby fraternity. In 1984, Peter was awarded a QSM for Community service in the New Year’s Honours List. He also served as a JP in the Hawkes Bay where he had retired in the late 1990s although did operate a practice in Flaxmere. Peter attended the 50-years on College reunion in 2010 and as Head Prefect of 1960, spoke to the College assembly, where he outlined some of his memorable and valued experiences at College as a student. Peter passed away on 28 December 2012 and is survived by his wife Joan, sons Ritchie and Robbie and daughter Lesley and their families. STRANGE, Adam Hunter Andrew 1965 - 2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1978 1981 Firth House Members of the advertising and film industry
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Obituaries paid tribute to Adam Strange. The ad maker died in a shark attack at Auckland’s Murawai Beach. The father of one had been at Silverscreen productions for more than ten years before working independently. His portfolio included work for Telecom, NZRFU, Pepsi, Casio and the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority. Sugar & Partners creative partner Damon O’Leary told NBR ONLINE the advertising community was in shock over the tragedy. There’s so many people in advertising with egos and he was one of the nicest in the industry. Adam had a great talent for animation, live action and special effects. Joyride films producer Anzak Tindall said he was a one of a kind and a special friend. He had worked on short film Aphrodite’s Farm with Adam, which won them the Berlin Crystal Bear. Adam also won a Cannes Lion, among other awards, for his craft. His strengths built on from his graphic design background were his photogenic eye, powerful directing of action sequences and thorough knowledge of modern postproduction techniques. In recent times, Adam had been overlooked locally but was held in high demand in Asia. Adam had a ‘never-say-die attitude’ towards creative projects and had just recently mentioned making a film about surfing. One of Adam’s favourite words was ‘intrepid’ and I think this is a great way to sum up the great man and the way he has departed us. TREVENA, David Stewart 1923 - 2012 of Blenheim Wellington College 1937 - 1940 Staff: 1954-1960 David Trevena was born in Palmerston North, in 1923, the eldest of three children. His father Albert was a primary school Headmaster who moved around rural schools in the central North Island.
David attended Waipawa District High School for the third form but the family moved to Wellington where David attended Wellington College for the next three years. When David left school, he started working as a law clerk for a barrister’s office in Wellington, while embarking on a law degree. This was interrupted by his conscription into the army in 1941 where he trained in the artillery and was stationed on Mount Victoria, manning anti-aircraft guns. David then moved to Christchurch where he trained as a radio and radar operator before training women in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps as anti-aircraft radar operators. David joined the Fleet Air Arm and in 1944, aged 21, went to England where he continued training, including learning to fly Tiger Moths. During leave, David and his friends would cycle around England, including London where he could hear German V1 flying bombs at night. Once the war was coming to an end, there was little training done. With the war over, David returned to New Zealand in 1946, went back to University, where he completed an MA - his thesis was on delinquent boys - and also attended Teacher Training College. He taught at primary schools in the Hutt Valley and at Clyde Quay School where he met his future wife, Beverley, who was also a teacher. In 1954, David became known to the secondary teaching service and was seconded to Wellington College as a teacher of French and English, where he taught for seven years. After Wellington College, David taught at Taita College for five years as Head of English and French. In 1966, he moved with his family to Blenheim where David held the position of Deputy Principal at Marlborough Boys’ College. David held this position for 18 years, and one of David’s achievements was the fundraising and organising of the building of the squash courts for the College. David was never in favour of corporal punishment so instead he ordered pupils to collect rubbish around the school grounds.
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Upon retirement in 1983 David and Beverley travelled overseas sometimes with the Friendship Force - grew orchids, and was involved in the Marlborough Historical and Genealogy societies. David was a keen gardener, providing the family with fruit and vegetables, and he had a short stint at hobby beekeeping.
After his secondary education years, he discovered his passion. It was no surprise to anyone, given his caring, generous nature that he was attracted to becoming a paramedic. His journey towards this goal started off as a volunteer for Wellington Free Ambulance, and he enrolled at Whitirea studying paramedicine.
David served on the committee for the Marlborough Theatre Trust for several years and he was a founding member of the Blenheim Riverside Railway Society. He served on the committee for 28 years and was heavily involved with the construction of the railway, including the laying of railway lines, organising working bees, building the railway station and driving the trains. Despite David’s short illness, he kept working on the roster of train drivers in the months before he passed away.
Andrew impressed with his natural aptitude for the job, and excelled in his studies. After his graduation he was offered a full time role. His colleagues reflected that he had a fine combination of skills that made Andrew very successful at his job: his medical knowledge, his superb instincts, and his keen sense of humour.
David is survived by his wife Beverley, three daughters and one son, and six grandchildren. TRUESDALE, Andrew James 1988 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 2001 - 2005 Andrew attended Wellington College from 2001 - 2005. During his time he participated in a diverse range of activities from every aspect of the college, earning himself an enormous social circle. He was well known for being approachable and good-humoured, forming friendships with juniors, seniors, and his school bus driver who would sometimes take a detour from the bus route to drop Truesy at his door. While at the College, Andrew played Cricket and Hockey, umpired Hockey, stage managed drama productions, and was a ‘canteen line’ regular. He performed well academically in a wide spectrum of subjects as he searched for his passion. Throughout his time at Wellington College, he personified the spirit of the school motto by making the most of all the opportunities he could find.
When Andrew was diagnosed with a brain tumour, his response epitomised his outstanding character. His immediate reaction was to find a solution and a way to fix it. As the illness progressed, his concern turned towards how his family was coping. Throughout this time he was desperate to return to work, eager to pass on his remaining plastic toy watches which he gave to young patients. Andrew showed an admirable determined optimism and maintained his witty quips right until the end. Like his approach to golf, he was rarely angered by his illness. While most golfers who hit a tree - rather than a fairway - become frustrated or worried about their score, Truesy took it in his stride, maintaining a laid-back tone and always keeping a calm and rational approach. At one point Andrew was asked if he could do it again, without the tumour, would he have done things differently? Most would expect a typical answer mentioning travelling more or reclaiming a missed opportunity. But instead Andrew replied no, I’m happy with how I’ve lived my life. This shows his maturity, wisdom, and just how happy and proud he was of what he has left behind. Jerome Cargill (2001-2005) and Jason Roche (2001-2005)
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Obituaries TWEED, Moore, John (Dr) MBCH, BrCP, FRACP, MBE 1920 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1933 - 1938 Firth House Eulogy to Doctor John Moore Tweed by Malcolm Tweed On behalf of my father, thank you for making the effort to attend today. Especially those who‘ve come from as far away as Auckland, Christchurch, Invercargill and Melbourne and those who have sent messages from England, South Africa and America. Our thanks also go to those who have made today possible. Dad has directed this funeral. Do this and keep it simple. Dad also liked succinct; so here is a vignette about Moore, my Dad and your friend. For Dad‘s medical and care industry colleagues, friends and medical and contacts; Dad was his last patient. He diagnosed his ailment. He determined his treatment. He chose peace. For those of you, like me, who aren’t scientific Dad and I were the same age when we lost our fathers. Dad was 54 when his father died at the age of 83. For the family who might at this time find some comfort in symbolism, when Debby and I made our final trip to Wellington to be with Dad our room at the Wellesley Hotel was the Martin room. And for those among us who might lean towards the spiritual, on the night Dad died, neither Debby, Jessica, Duncan or I slept well and our cat had a major personality malfunction, and our dog for the first and only time in her life used the cat flap to go outside and bark incessantly, at something... And for those wondering how the Tweed households reached across the generational divide; in two respects Dad was ahead of his time. He and my mother started their family when in their mid 30s, and Dad once had a black car, well before it became fashionable, at least in Auckland. Dad grew up, immediately
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post the Great War in a large and sprawling family reaching from Ashburton and Martinborough to Dublin. He spent several young years in Dublin with his late brother Bill and sister Phillipa while their mother Marjorie helped care for her ailing parents. He witnessed the Great Depression, and on his return to New Zealand, was never comfortable about attending school wearing shoes, when others couldn’t afford to them. Modesty and humility were a life long hallmark. Despite enlisting in the army at the start of WW II, Private Tweed’s ambition to study medicine meant he was never called up. He struggled to come to terms with what he considered this privilege, and given to him when others he knew, were making the ultimate sacrifice. He later became a Major in the Territorial New Zealand Medical Corp. But he was chuffed at surviving Dunedin’s climate, made easier by living at Knox College until he qualified Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the age of 24. Two years later in 1948, he married my mother Margaret and together they made their way to London. Dad completed postgraduate study with a Research Fellowship from the Empire Rheumatlsm Council, became a Member of the Royal Australian Colleges of Physicians. He later became a Fellow of both colleges. This was a time of great happiness for Dad and my mother. No theatre in London was left unattended. We have boxes overflowing with programmes. On their return to New Zealand, he assumed the running of his father’s GP practice in Willis Street. And just after he began his rheumatology journey, which would lead to the establishment of a rheumatology unit at the Hutt Hospital, and public recognition in 1991 when he was awarded a MBE, tragedy struck. Margaret died at the age of 42. They’d been married 17 years. His world collapsed. How Dad managed to hold everything together is testimony to
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his courage and character, and to the love and support of a network of family and friends, who both supported him, and cared and on occasion put up with me. Sad times did give way to good times, and Dad’s 1967 marriage to Margie laid the platform for 28 years of love, happiness and joint endeavour. They were inseparable. Whether travelling, socialising, playing golf, tennis or bridge, or door-to-door fundraising for the Arthritis Foundation, they did it with total dedication. If Dad was the meticulous planner, Margie, the consummate administrator, made sure it got done. With Margie’s death Dad’s world was again rocked. Losing one wife is hard enough but losing two by the age of 75 was a cruel twist of fate. But with courage Dad got up again. He packed in a further 17 years of living. He needed little encouragement to enjoy social, intellectual and artistic times with a tight, and perhaps shrinking, group of friends. And with his regular visits to South Africa, he could also just be, a grandfather. As a grandfather, or simply Moore to Jessica and Duncan, Dad the romantic also fell in love again. This time it was to Debby. If l hadn’t married her, he might have had a good run at it. Theirs was a very special relationship. I came across a great complement to Dad amongst his papers and I’Il finish by sharing this with you. l have always been very impressed by Moore’s willingness and help and have valued his meticulous work, always carried out cheerfully with wisdom and diplomacy. Despite an exceptionally heavy workload, he has always been willing to give generously of his time, with care and thoughtfuIness.
as you can. In 2010, the Morgan Foundation Kiwi battler of the year joint-winner said when accepting the award that he was limited only by what his body would let him do. He won the award for his efforts in rising above a lifetime fight against cystic fibrosis, a disorder that did not prevent him becoming a sports coach and administrator extraordinaire and the President of his local Lions Club. Andrew’s older brother Paul died at age 12, when the younger sibling was just 10 years old. From the time of his brother’s death onwards, Andrew knew his own life would be cut short. Because of this, he adopted an altruistic, carpe diem philosophy and lived life to the full. He was the son of Doug and Margaret Walklin, who shared every day of their two sons‘ respective life sentences by ferrying them to and from doctors’ surgeries and regular hospital treatment sessions. Andrew, who was never a healthy baby, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 15-months-old. Recognising unusual signs in both their sons, the Walklins took the boys for specialist consultations in Auckland. It was there the family received the news that neither son would make old bones. Brother Paul’s death made Andrew determined to stay active and keep healthy to fight off the disease. Once Paul died, the family’s all-consuming focus was to place as much effort as possible upon keeping their younger son alive for as long as possible.
WALKLIN, Andrew James 1974 - 2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1988 1990
Privately, in the wake of his brother’s death. Andrew did admit to feeling depressed. But, in responding to the support of family and friends, he was not a person to allow negative thoughts to consume him. Indeed, he resolved to live each day as if it was his last.
Andrew Walklin lived his abbreviated life according to a simple philosophy: Do what you can as long
Andrew attended Northland Primary School and Wellington College from 1988-1990, before moving on to work as a groundsman with the Wellington City Council after leaving College. Cricket was a passion for Andrew and
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Obituaries preparation of the Anderson Park wickets near Wellington’s Glenmore Street as a groundsman was a labour of love. In 1996, he spent a year playing Cricket at the High Wycombe Cricket Club in the United Kingdom before returning to New Zealand. Back home, the gregarious side of his nature saw him take on and enjoy working in the food and beverage industry. As the need for pure oxygen feeds through his nose increased, he was forced to give up this work at such well-known Wellington establishments as Theo‘s Greek Taverna on Pirie Street and the St John’s Bar and Restaurant. When his infected lungs became increasingly raspy and his body required more and more hospital treatment from the respiratory team at Wellington Hospital, once again Andrew never gave up on life. In between consuming intravenous antibiotics to clear up his system, he turned his attention to voluntary coaching and community-focused activities. Throughout his short adult life, Wellington Hospital was in fact Andrew’s second home. It was a place where the orderlies, Nursing staff, doctors and specialists all knew him on a first-name, personable basis. He regularly consumed a cocktail of 44 pills an hour before breakfast each morning and conserved his strength so he could go out and coach the Rongotai College and Onslow College 1st XI cricket teams. The medication regimen made a nine-to-five job difficult and to compensate, Andrew took on administrative activities such as a vice-presidents role with the Karori Cricket Club. He was also elected President of the Tinakori Lions Club, a position he held till two years ago. Things became even more serious for Andrew earlier this year, when a leg had to be amputated in July as a result of associated diabetes and kidney problems. Living with cystic fibrosis was like breathing through a straw every day of his life, he once said. It’s like
a climber climbing Everest. He’s on oxygen to reach his goal. We also have to go on oxygen, but for CF people we haven’t quite knocked the bastard off. A goal for me each day is to get through it. Andrew had no idea for most of his life how long he would live, but regularly told friends and family he was determined to make the most of the time available to him. He knew how to face facts and when it was his time to go. Two days before his death, Andrew summoned his parents to his Wellington Hospital bedside and told them he could not fight the disease affecting him any longer. The man who worked for others died, having achieved more in his life than most people do in their regulation spans of ‘three score and 10’. Dominion Post WARD, David Roland 1931 - 2012 of Wellington Wellington College 1946 - 1948 David Ward was born in Wellington on 8 December 1931. Growing up in Northland the eldest of four boys, he attended Northland School, Scots College (intermediate) and Wellington College. After serving in the College ATC unit, he developed a love of aviation, going on to join the Territorial Air Force before becoming an air traffic controller. It was as a controller that also he found a love of travel. CAA postings took him to Palmerston North, Hamilton, Christchurch, Nadi (Fiji) and back to Wellington during which time David and first wife Mavis, raised five children. After the accidental death of first wife Mavis, David married Catherine Bell in December 1985 and shortly thereafter began a long period of world travel. David and Catherine’s travels took them to India, Nepal, South East Asia, Europe and included a year teaching English to airline pilots in Guanghan in the far west of China.
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
In 2001, and thanks only to the timely intervention of his brother Neville, a couple of off duty surf lifesavers and an off duty Emergency nurse, David was lucky to survive breaking his neck and drowning in the New South Wales surf. A week in a coma and then a long period of rehabilitation followed and for the next 12 years , David’s every movement was a struggle although he never heard to grumble or complain. Only slightly hampered and aided by his walking stick, he and Catherine went on to continue their travels until just a couple of years ago. In addition to a love of flying and travels, David was a long serving Freemason and sadly missed his longed for 50 year medal by only two years. He was also immensely proud of his time at Wellington College, seldom missing an opportunity to visit or attend College functions. In 2010 and accompanied by family members, he had the rare privilege of addressing the annual Wellington College ANZAC assembly on the occasion of the unveiling of the updated WW I bronze memorial plaque recognising the death of his uncle, and Old Boy Roland Leslie Ward on the battlefield at Gallipoli in August 1915. As well, David’s father, two brothers and two sons are all Old Boys of Wellington College.
WCOBA Ties and Badges Don’t forget about the Wellington College Old
Boys’ Ties and Lapel Pins - available for purchase from the WCOBA Office or via the feedback form. The Ties retail for $30.00 each and the Lapel Pins are $5.00 each. You can also subscribe to a Life Membership to the Association for $150.00 which gives you your certificate and Lapel Badge, and will help support the Association in its endeavours with the College.
WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS' ASSOCIATION
This is to certify that A. N. Old Boy who attended Wellington College during 1945-1950, is a Life Member Dated at Wellington, NZ this 1st day of November, 2012
of this Association.
EMAIL ALERT
David passed away at the Churtonleigh Hospice on his 81st birthday after a very short battle with cancer. He is sadly missed.
Next
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Mike Ward (1968-1971)
oldboys@wc.school.nz WITH REGRET In the 2012 Lampstand, I inadvertingly included John Millen (1951-1955) in the list of obituaries. I am pleased to advise that John is in fact well and truly alive, living in Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada and when I contacted him to apologise for my insensitive error, he replied that he is fortunate to be alive and well and am hoping I will get to go skiing with my grandsons again this winter.
My Email Address Hi Stephanie Here’s my email address: anoldboy@email.co.nz Regards
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Photos from the Past
Secondary school boys from Wellington College leaving the Paramount Theatre Wellington after watching a screening of "Macbeth." Photographed by an Evening Post staff photographer on the 25th of March 1983.
A group of boys from Wellington College using radio equipment to commentate on sports day over a loudspeaker system. Photograph taken on 17 March, 1950 by an Evening Post photographer.
The Wellington College Orchestra in the school hall, taken 21 September, 1956 for the Evening Post newspaper of Wellington by an unidentified staff
Wellington College classroom. Date unknown
photographer.
Wellington College (c) 1875
Scenes from early 1960s
Sports Day, 1960. Athletes/staff unknown.
As Archivist, Paddianne Neely sets to work on displays for the 150th celebrations, she often comes across unnamed photos amongst her collection. Perhaps you may be able to identify these people, places and dates. Please contact the WCOBA Office: oldboys@ wc.school.nz remember, if you have any old photos of the College and/or students, please think of sending to the Archives for future displays.
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Isaac Newton’s Apple Trees Available Here’s an opportunity to grow a direct descendant of one of the most famous apple trees in physics. In the home garden at
Dominion Physical Laboratory
All sale proceeds will go
Woolsthorpe Manor, Isaac
(later renamed the Physics
towards supporting the Gifford
Newton’s family home near
and Engineering Laboratory) in
Observatory Trust’s operations,
Grantham in Lincolnshire,
Gracefield, Lower Hutt.
providing astronomical facilities
Old Boys may like to subscribe to The Collegian (the
at the Gifford Observatory behind
England, stood (until 1814) an old apple tree. In 1666, Isaac
Through the combined efforts
Wellington College for all young
was staying there, because the
of Fred Knox, Les Roberts, Eric
astronomers in the Wellington
University of Cambridge had been
Cairns, Stewart Dixon and the
region.
closed due to the plague. He
Gifford Observatory Trust, a
could well have seen an apple
strictly limited number of bare-
Isaac Newton’s Apple Tree scions
fall to the ground from that very
rooted 2 to 3 metre high Isaac
are priced at $34.78 + $5.22 GST
tree, inspiring him to think about
Newton’s Apple Tree scions
= $40.00
extending the effects of earth's
that have been grafted onto
gravity out to beyond the moon.
semi-dwarfing rootstock are
Interested buyers should contact
Isaac Newton’s Apple Trees are of
now available for sale. The tree
me as soon as possible to arrange
the ‘Flower of Kent’ variety, best
roots are packed in sawdust and
payment, pick up and planting in
as cooking apples.
wrapped in sacking – a preferred
your garden prior to mid October.
method of transplanting, as
The Collegian College’s quarterly hardcopy and digital newsletter) to acquaint themselves with current news of the College and forthcoming events. Each issue includes news from the Headmaster, the Head Prefect and the Board, as well as coverage of our Arts and Sporting activities and success stories achieved by our students, plus academic news, international students’ activities and the Old Boys’ Assoc.
Scions (descendants) of this tree
planting is easier and there is
Duncan Hall (1971-1975)
The Collegian link can be
were planted in the grounds of the
no possibility of root binding.
Gifford Observatory Trust
emailed to you or you can read
UK’s National Physical Laboratory.
They should be planted before
Treasurer
each issue on our website.
On Arbor Day 1957 a scion was
mid October while they are still
duncan.hall@computer.org
Check out past issues of The
planted by Mr. J.B.C. Taylor in
dormant. They are available on a
(04) 476-7400
Collegian and The Lampstand
the grounds of New Zealand’s
first come – first served basis.
on our Wellington College Website.
KELBURN NORMAL SCHOOL CENTENARY 2014
ARE YOU A WELLESLEY OLD BOY?
16 - 18 MAY 2014
Kelburn Normal School is about to turn 100! All past pupils and staff are invited back to school for a weekend of celebrations! If you went to Kelburn Normal School register your interest in our Centenary reunion now! Website: www.kelburnnormalschool100.com Call: 022 385 2819 Or write to: Centenary Committee, Kelburn Normal School, Kowhai Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012
PS: Pass it on! Please tell any KNS friends about the Centenary - the more the merrier!
RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND PASS IT ON
Wellesley College turns 100. Join us to celebrate and reconnect. Labour Weekend 2014 For more details www.wellesley100.co.nz
KelburnNormalSchoolCentenary
2013
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The Memorial Window was unveiled when the Memorial Hall was opened on the 2 March 1928. It was designed by an artist (name not known) employed by the firm who made the window. This firm was Kelly & Co of Finsbury, London, who are described in a document from the Wellington College archives as an old established firm that has had much experience in designing stained glass windows, especially for memorials to men who had fallen in the Great War. Sir Charles Fergusson is speaking at the official opening of the Memorial Hall. The group is ranged below the memorial window include Fergusson, Charles (Sir), 1865-1951; Field, William Hughes, 1861-1944; Sinclair-Burgess, William Livingstone Hatchwell, 1880-1964; Ward, W F, 1900; Rolleston, Francis Joseph, 1872-1946. Former Headmaster, JP Firth sits at the far left.
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