Lampstand The
OCTOBER 2014 No. 24
THE ANNUAL MAGAZINE OF THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION PO Box 16073, Wellington, NZ 6242 • Tel: 04 802 2537 • Fax: 04 802 2542 • Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz
1 | The Lampstand • 2014
Wellington College extends an invitation to former and current serving Old Boys to attend the
2015 ANZAC Service at Wellington College, joining our current senior students and staff.
Friday, 24 April 2015 at 11.30am A light Buffet Lunch will follow the service at $25.00pp which includes wine. To pre-register or to make an enquiry, please contact the WCOBA Office: oldboys@wc.school.nz or 04 802 2537. Because of size constraints for both the service and catering, priority will be given first to Old Boys, before spouses and family members. Note: There will be minimal parking available because of staff/student use.
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www.wc.school.nz/wcoba/150thcelebrations
2 | The Lampstand • 2014
Digitising the School’s History Wouldn’t it be great if you could read past Wellingtonians and Lampstands online? Wellington College’s history at your fingertips! Read memoirs from the battlefields, sporting reports and Form Class lists. Reminisce the highs and lows of each year. Research relatives and peruse the successes of fellow alumni and staff. All issues can be read, downloaded and printed.
We need your help! We need an Old Boy from each year to sponsor his cohort’s magazine (and be acknowledged) *. If someone beats you to it, perhaps you could sponsor an issue prior to 1935. It’s a one-off payment of $60.00 (payable to the WCOBA) and with your support, we will be able to get each issue scanned, (with OCR text recognition for searching) and loaded in a magazine format on the Wellington College website. As soon as we have each year covered, we can start the process. * Perhaps you could club together and sponsor your cohort as a group, or you could sponsor your son or father or grandfather’s year. Alternatively, you may wish to just make a donation towards the process or support the printing and posting of our Lampstand magazine.
Name (s):
Cohort:
eg Class of 1965:
*
Email: * Alternative year to sponsor:
Or any spare year
Donation:
To the general processing of the Wellingtonians OR
Donation: Cheque:
To the Lampstand $60.00 payable to WCOBA or Credit Card details below
Expiry:
/
/
Visa Mastercard
Name on Card: Please mail to WCOBA. PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242 or email: oldboys@wc.school.nz with your credit card number.
3 | The Lampstand • 2014
and staff. You are an important member
Welcome
of the nearly 34,000 alumni of Wellington College. Old Boys are represented throughout New Zealand as well as in over 30 different countries. Regardless of where you live, we hope all of our Old Boys remain visable [a number
Welcome to the latest addition of The
of those are featured throughout the
Lampstand - our annual magazine for
pages of this issue] and keep in touch
our Old Boys and the Wellington College
with our Association and the College
community.
community in some way.
Each year, as we welcome new students
Stephanie Kane
to Wellington College, we are reminded
WCOBA Executive Officer
of the legacy left behind by our Old Boys
oldboys@wc.school.nz
TAKE PART: We love hearing about what former students are up to. Perhaps you’ve written a book, performed on TV, on stage, on air, started your own business, worked for a charity, been honoured, represented New Zealand in a plethora of pasttimes or anything else you can think of. Whatever you’ve been doing, we’d like to know about it. And if you know someone else who has - let us know as well!
SPECIAL THANKS to Paddianne Neely, our Archivist for providing material for our magazine and to Gil Roper
(1959-61) for his proof-reading skills. Thank you also to staff, students and Old Boys who took many of the more recent photos and provided news which all helps form The Lampstand each year.
2014/2015
WELLINGTON COLLEGE and WCOBA CALENDAR of EVENTS
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Friday, 27 March 2015
Monday, 29 June - Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Bay of Plenty Branch Lunch
Class of 1965 Reunion
Quadrangular Rugby Tournament
Daniels in the Park, Tauranga
50 Years On @ Wellington College
@ Wellington College
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Friday, 24 April 2015
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Te Mata Vintage 150 Launch & Tastings
Wellington College ANZAC Service
WCOBA Quadrangular Function & AGM
The Wellington Club, The Terrace
11.30am @ Wellington College
@ Wellington College
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Friday, 4 September 2015
Horowhenua Branch Dinner
Traditional versus St Patrick’s Town
Class of 1975 Reunion
Otaki RSA
@ Evans Bay
40 Years On @ Wellington College
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
Details of all of these events are
McEvedy Shield
Traditional versus St Patrick’s Silverstream
advertised throughout this publication. It
Newtown Park
@ Wellington College
would be great to see you at them!
Wellington College Old Boys’ Association PO Box 16073, Wellington New Zealand, 6242
Stay in Touch Don’t miss out on the latest news and invitations. Update your contact details with us at any time by
Wellington College Old Boys on Facebook Please remember to send us your memories, feedback, news and
T: 04 802 2537
providing us with your email address
F: 04 802 2542
so we can keep you up-to-date.
E: oldboys@wc.school.nz
and fellow Old Boys for our
Remember to let us know if you
next magazine and via social
change your postal address.
media. oldboys@wc.school.nz
W: www.wc.school.nz
achievements of yourself
We welcome your feedback, suggestions and ideas you may have for future articles and features.
The Lampstand is published annually. Contributions from Old Boys are always appreciated, so if you would like to be involved, please contact the WCOBA at oldboys@wc.school.nz
4 | The Lampstand • 2014
It has been my privilege to serve as your President for the 2013/2014 year. This is such an exciting time for Wellington College as we continue to celebrate the success of its students, staff and Old Boys and as we approach our 150th Celebrations in 2017.
From the President
Many more Old Boys are starting to take
becomes the ‘project management
Programme to name a few. Tony is also
notice of all that the College and the
facility’ for the College and your
actively seeking high-end donations and
Association are involved in, reflecting an
Executive believes that the refurbishment
thus naming rights’ to various parts of
increased public awareness of the value
investment in Office 150 is money well
the new Hall and to all of you who have
of our academic programmes and our
spent. As alumni we know that you must
supported any of these initiatives, I thank
sport and cultural prowess. Old Boys
invest now if you want to soon reap the
you most sincerely.
too are always in the news all around the
benefit. The WCOBA and Development
world, involved in a plethora of activities
Office profile has really taken off within
and achievements and many are regularly
the College plus they make great coffee!
returning to the College for their cohort reunions. I have enjoyed meeting some of
With Headmaster, Roger Moses,
them as they have ‘come back to school’.
Stephanie and Tony have hosted WCOBA Functions across the Tasman
Preparations for the 150th Celebrations are well underway and we hope to bring you a range of events and activities to suit all ages and budgets. We look forward to bringing you updates as they become finalised.
College and Association news is reported
in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane
annually through our highly sought-after
as well as locally in Nelson, Auckland
Lampstand magazine, capably compiled
and Tauranga. Roger also attended a
Pre-registration opens soon so keep www.
single-handedly by our Executive Officer,
get-together in London en route to a
wc.school.nz/wcoba/150th-celebrations
Stephanie Kane. Each year, around
conference in the USA. Old Boys, young
as a favourite to stay up with the play and
10,000 copies are posted out and others
and old have attended one of these events
to brief fellow classmates as you find
enjoy reading the publication through
and enjoyed meeting fellow alumni and,
them. Suffice to say, don’t go on holiday in
social media and our website. I hear that
of course, hearing news from the College.
October 2017 as you will miss the biggest
some take a full year to read it before the
Roger is naturally delighted to announce
College party for 50 years!
next one arrives in their letterbox. A good
our distinguished academic results and
number are also readers of the College’s
report on the fortunes of our sports teams
In conclusion, I wish to convey my thanks
Collegian Newsletter and the annual
and students involved in the Arts.
to the WCOBA Executive; Brian Smythe,
Wellingtonian magazine - also compiled
Bob Slade, Robert Anderson, Roger
by Stephanie. They are all a good read and
We have also hosted both the Classes
Moses, Matthew Reweti, Guy Randall,
help each of us to bask in reflected glory!
of 1973 and 1964 for their respective 40
Ernie Rosenthal and Scott Tingey. There is
and 50 Years On Reunions and again it
much to do in the months ahead and the
Since our 2013 AGM, we were delighted
is always a pleasure to welcome these
Executive has both great ideas and ability
to officially open ‘Office 150’, the new
gentlemen back to their old school. I am
to roll their sleeves up to make your next
WCOBA and Development Office
sure they will agree that the College is in
visit and memories the best possible.
funded by the WCOBA. At the top of the
good heart, and that the students reside
drive in prime position, many Old Boys
in a positive atmosphere in pleasant
None of the successes of Wellington
have called in to visit, update details,
surroundings. Other cohorts have taken
College would be possible without the
provide news, research relatives and
the initiative to arrange smaller, less-
outstanding efforts of the school’s staff,
of course visit the adjacent Archives
formal gatherings and by all accounts,
administration and gentlemen of the
and the wonderful Paddianne Neely.
seem to be very social occasions.
College, as well as the support of our
Office 150 houses Stephanie alongside
alumni and friends. This collective effort
Development Manager, Tony Robinson
The Development Office has been working
enables us to look with confidence to
and Development Officer Glenda Schmitt.
on a number of initiatives to support
our future and the next 150 years of this
All three are doing a tremendous job of
the fundraising campaign, including the
wonderful school. I thank you for your
profiling the College, the Association and
sale of ‘Wellington College [Vintage 150]
continuing support.
the fundraising efforts for our new Hall
Wine’, the purchase of a named piece of
and Performing Arts Centre.
the Memorial Window, the 'Give A Little'
Sincerely,
Campaign with excerpts of our students
Matthew Beattie, President
‘singing for their supper’ and the Bequest
Presented at the 2014 AGM
As 2017 nears, Office 150 increasingly
5 | The Lampstand • 2014
WCOBA Executive President • Matthew Beattie Class of 1972 matthew.beattie@insteplimited.com Immediate Past President • Brian Smythe Class of 1958 smythelson@clear.net.nz Treasurer • Bob Slade Class of 1958 bob@slade.co.nz Executive Officer • Stephanie Kane oldboys@wc.school.nz Centennial Trust Chairman • Matthew Beattie Class of 1972 matthew.beattie@insteplimited.com Executive Committee Members • Robert Anderson Class of 1973 r.anderson@wc.school.nz • Roger Moses Headmaster r.moses@wc.school.nz • Matthew Rewiti Class of 1990 matthew.rewiti@gmail.com • Guy Randall Class of 2003 randall_guy@hotmail.com • Ernie Rosenthal Class of 1961 e.rosenthal@wc.school.nz • Scott Tingey Class of 1978 zl2tpd@gmail.com
OLD BOYS YOUR ASSOCIATION NEEDS
YOU!
The WCOBA Committee are seeking new and youthful members to join their Executive. If you have skills in accounting, law, event planning or business nous - why not put them to use?
The Executive meets around four times a year and with the 150th approaching, we need your input. Please contact the WCOBA Office: oldboys@wc.school.nz for more information.
Wellingtonian 1923: Old Boys Notes We have received the following letter from a prominent and enthusiastic Old Boy, who has himself devoted much time for many years to furthering the interests of the College. The suggestion put forward at the end of the letter is, we think, an excellent one, and would certainly increase the interest of Old Boys, particularly of the younger generation in the Association. The following is the text of the letter: The School is about fifty-six years old, and the Association has been in existence since 1885. For over thirty years, the Association has been a live body, taking an active part in the affairs of the old School. Also functions of various kinds have been held annually, and affiliated sports' clubs have been formed, for the purpose of building Old Boys together; these make up the active routine of the year's work. But in such an organisation the sentimental side is the binding power, and here there seems to be something wanting; - not in the strength of the sentiment, but in the control and encouragement of it. At intervals one hears the opinion expressed that the Association and affiliated clubs are ‘close corporations,’ run by a few, and that many who are interested get no encouragement to join up, or, having joined up, to remain members. This is hardly a fair criticism, for the few have continually asked for ‘new blood’ on the committees, but the attendances at annual meetings have been so small in number that the old officers have been forced to accept nomination time after time. Now the continuity of the Association's efforts has without doubt been due to the fact that many members of the general committee have held office for several years in succession, but the "something that is wanting" may, perhaps, also be traced to the same fact. For it is certain that many Old Boys who are known to have a deep regard for their old School and its memories, have never been in close touch with the Old Boys' Association; but every Old Boy should certainly be a member - is it not the connecting link between the scholar and the School? An Old Boy going to a meeting or function, and finding no one of his period there, feels ‘out of it,’ and goes away with his enthusiasm reduced instead of increased; but the fault is his own, for he should have seen that some of his old chums were also there: it is a personal matter, and the blame cannot be placed on a committee. A boy of the ‘eighties’ cannot sit alongside one of a much later period at a dinner and enjoy the ‘fighting of battles o'er again,’ but two or three who were at School together can derive much enjoyment in doing so; their jollity will be evident to all. What is wanting, and what can we do? The longer we leave it the more difficult it will become; I have been thinking it over, and wondering if the following scheme would be possible:- Divide our years into five-year periods; select two or three keen boys of each period who would deal with the scholars of that time, and list up their names in alphabetical order and procure their present addresses; renew and secure their active interest; be prepared with a nomination for the annual meeting to represent their period. Thus the work could be brought up to date, so that we have a complete list of Old Boys for all time, and we might even hope, with this completed, to issue a ‘Record’ to supplement the one and only published in 1890.
6 | The Lampstand • 2014
HOW WE CALCULATE YOUR COHORT FOR OUR REUNION PROGRAMME: Example 1: Started 1961 • Left 1964
Example 2: Started 1962 • Left 1964
Cohort is still 1965
Cohort is still 1965 (as you were in Form 3
WCOBA Objectives
at another school) Form 3 Form 4 Form 5 Form 6 Form 7 Form 3 Form 4 Form 5 Form 6 Form 7 Up. 5th Up. 6th 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 3C1 4C1 5C1 5U2 6XX Thus 1965 is your Cohort Year (ie the five
Up. 5th Up. 6th 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 3XX 4C1 5C1 5U2 6XX Thus 1965 is your Cohort Year (ie the five
years from Form 3 to Form 7/Upper 6th
years from Form 3 to Form 7/Upper 6th)
THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED TO: • Further the interests of the College and its past and present members
1965 is the year from which your anniversary of leaving school is calculated, by adding
and keep former students in touch
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
•
with each other and with the school. Maintain a register of names of all who have passed through the College
started or left.
since 1867 and endeavour to record Please support the Association by joining the WCOBA today. Your support assists in producing the magazine, funding Old Boys' events, as well as supporting College awards, buildings, activities and maintaining the Archives.
Life Membership: $150.00 (Includes a Certificate of Life Membership & Lapel Pin) If you wish to just make a donation to the WCOBA to help offset printing and postage costs for The Lampstand, we very much appreciate your support. Details are in the enclosed insert and online: www.wc.school.nz Old Boys are reminded they can subscribe to our quarterly publication of The Collegian.
•
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.
Each issue contains a plethora of news, achievements and success stories of our current students as well as other news from the College.
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
Readers can visit our website to read the online version, subscribe by email or order a hard copy by post.
cultural activities, sponsorship and academic prizes, as well as •
supporting the Archives. Organise various reunions and other social functions - at the College, nationwide or internationally for Old
You can also catch up with social news through our Facebook posts: Wellington College and Wellington College Old Boys.
Boys who the Association wishes to •
encourage and extend. Administer charitable funds managed by the Association for current and past students, including assistance
Just contact the WCOBA Office to subscribe to any of the formats.
with fundraising appeals.
7 | The Lampstand • 2014
A very warm welcome to Wellington College Old Boys scattered throughout the world. As I begin my twentieth year as Headmaster of this great school, I am continually amazed by the goodwill extended by so many who look back on those formative years of secondary schooling with such warmth and good humour.
From the Headmaster
Whether it be at functions for Old Boys,
students, the largest in its history. While
Tony Robinson, our Development
such as the one I attended recently in
there is great demand to buy property
Manager, is continuing to work incredibly
London, or just informally in the street,
within the Wellington College zone, I am
hard to ‘Raise the Roof’ and enable us to
there is always the question How is the
delighted that all Old Boys who wish to
build a new facility which will house the
College going?
send their sons to our school have been
whole school and provide a venue for the
able to do so since the change in the law
performing arts.
The College enjoyed a wonderful start
some years ago. These intergenerational
to 2014 when, for the third year in a row,
links are such an important part of the
I trust that you all will enjoy reading
Wellington College not only topped the
Wellington College family.
The Lampstand as much as I do. My heartfelt thanks to Stephanie who, single-
New Zealand Scholarship Examinations, but also eclipsed the previous record.
I am very much looking forward to the
handedly, does so much through this Old
Our students won an incredible 179
150th celebrations which will be held in
Boys’ publication, to keep us all connected
scholarships which was followed by
2017. Our events manager par excellence,
and updated on the comings and goings
Auckland Grammar School with 152 and
Stephanie Kane, is doing a superlative job
of our alumni, wherever they may be. It
Westlake Boys’ High School with 125.
in putting together a packed programme
continues to be an honour and a privilege
These stellar results are a real credit to the
which will appeal to all Old Boys,
to lead your old school.
young men who won scholarships and
irrespective of age or circumstance. Such
their teachers who invested so much time
an occasion is a wonderful opportunity for
and effort in preparation.
galvanising the wider Wellington College community, and renewing old friendships
The roll of the College is now over 1600
Very best wishes Roger Moses ONZM, Headmaster
and acquaintances.
2014 ANZAC Service At the end of Term One, Deputy Principal and History Teacher, Robert Anderson and Teacher, Stephanie Meronek together with a Y9 History class, paid tribute to the 30 Old Boys who lost their lives at Gallipoli. Each boy in the class had written the Old Boy’s name, rank, regiment and date killed on a cross. The crosses were placed outside the Memorial Window. In a moving ceremony, each student placed a poppy on the cross of his 'adopted' Old Boy as the roll of honour was read out. In a fitting tribute, some boys gave readings, Y12 student Kip Cleverly played the Last Post and Y10 student, Michael McKenzie played the lament, To The Somme on the bagpipes. Headmaster, Roger Moses laid a wreath. Later that same week, the College held its annual ANZAC Services. We welcomed Old Boy and current serving officer, Major Scott Cordwell (1987-1991) and relief teacher, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Grant Crowley to the Service. Mr Crowley addressed the Assembly with a fitting speech. Messrs Ashby and Anderson held an afternoon ANZAC service for the Y9 students.
(L-R): Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Grant Crowley, DHP Riva
Williams, DHP Daniel Petrovich, HP Jack Trevella, DHP Tristan Fuli and Major Scott Cordwell. Insert: Michael McKenzie
8 | The Lampstand • 2014
News from the College: Academic We began 2014 with the quite remarkable news that, for the third year in a row, Wellington College students gained not
TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS 2009-2013 (as indicated on NZQA Website) Total Outstanding Scholarships Rank School Scholarships Scholarships 1 Wellington College 550 108 658 2 Macleans College 494 76 570 3 St Cuthbert’s College 449 99 548 4 Auckland Grammar School 444 88 532 5 Burnside High School 361 37 398 6 Westlake Boys’ High School 336 48 384 7 Epsom Girls’ Grammar School 312 48 360 8 Rangitoto College 303 37 340 9= Palmerston North Boys’ HS 278 30 308 9= Mount Albert Grammar School 276 32 308
only the most number of NZ Scholarships in New Zealand but also, once again, broke the national record. In 2011, our students led the country with 128 scholarships, in 2012 they gained 153 scholarships, and in 2013 they won an incredible 178 scholarships. These stellar results need to be put in some perspective. The next school after Wellington College was Auckland Grammar with 152 Scholarships. Only two other schools, Westlake Boys’ High School and Macleans College, won over 100 scholarships. The top school in the South Island, Burnside High School, won 77 scholarships. Of the top ten schools, only one (St Cuthbert’s College) is smaller
There are 16 regions in New Zealand
words were the harder I practise, the
than Wellington College.
named by NZQA in the scholarship
luckier I get!
results. If Wellington College, on its own, Wellington College won more than
was regarded as a region, it would have
The NZ Scholarship 2013 Top Scholar
four times the number of scholarships
come fifth in the country.
Awards ceremony was held at Parliament
of any other school in the Wellington/
in Wellington on 7 May, 2014.
Kapiti region, and won nearly 35% of the
It is worth noting that, over the last five
scholarships awarded in the entire region.
years, Wellington College students have
This annual ceremony includes the
89 different students from our College
won 658 scholarships. This total is 88
presentation of Premier Awards to the
won at least one scholarship. This
more than the next school, Macleans
top 10 NZ Scholarship students, and one
eclipses the former national record of 76
College, with 570 scholarships.
of these was selected to win the Prime
established by our students in 2012. Jack Garden [pictured above right with the Headmaster], was named as one of the Top 10 Premier Scholars in New Zealand, an award that is worth $10,000 a year. Nine other students, Tariq Kader, Benjamin Ayto,
Minister’s Award for Academic Excellence.
Our spectacular results do not simply happen by osmosis. They are the consequence of incredibly hard work from dedicated teachers and determined young men.
The Premier Award winners and the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Academic Excellence are recommended to NZQA by the Technical Overview Group (Assessment) – TOGA.
Sam Becroft, Benjamin Davies, Andrew Hall, Peter Lecky, Barnaby McIntosh,
Colleagues often ask Headmaster, Roger
Wellington College was delighted to
Thomas Roughton and Eyob Zewdie were
Moses why Wellington College has
learn that Jack Garden was one of the ten
all named as Outstanding Scholars in the
achieved such unparalleled success at
Premier Award Scholars. Jack achieved
next echelon of 60 students, an award that
this academic pinnacle. He is mindful
Outstanding Scholarships in English,
is worth $5,000 a year. That means that
of golfing legend, Gary Player’s famous
History, Statistics and Scholarship in
of the top 70 students in New Zealand, ten
response to the question why are you so
Calculus, Geography and Physics.
(14.2%) came from Wellington College alone.
lucky? Allegedly, Player’s memorable
9 | The Lampstand • 2014
News from the College: Sport While not the most successful year at the
The 1st XI Hockey Team: Wellington College's Sports Team of the Year
Premier level for our sports teams, the
dominant, have found Scots College too
at the ASB Centre. The Senior A team
depth of sport at Wellington College has
strong this year (they finished second at
won the local competition and finished
been reiterated by the number of boys
Nationals) but they did go on to win the
third nationally. Captain, Luc Saker was
participating and the success of teams
Tennis Quadrangular (against Auckland
selected for the NZ Men's team.
across the lower grades.
Grammar, Hamilton and Palmerston North Boys' High Schools) and share the local
Our Swimmers compete throughout the
It is obviously important to do well at the
Premier League (playing for the Onny
year. During Term One, the College's
top level and Term Four will see a review
Parun Cup) with Scots College. Again
Swimming Champs and Quadrangular
of our approach to sport which we are
we have a very strong Y9 cohort coming
take place. We won the latter and went
confident will ensure that our students are
through and great things are expected in
on to win both the Huia Relays and NISS
given every opportunity to succeed and
the near future.
Champs in Term Two and Term Three.
doubt that other Colleges both locally and
Rowing had an exceptional year,
Having won the NZSS Swimming
nationally have upped the ante and we
continuing to punch above their weight
Championships for the past three years,
must do the same. Our facilities with the
with the relatively little water time of other
with Auckland Grammar in second place,
Sir Ron Brierley Turf and the Frank Crist
centres.. Under exceptional coaches,
AGS’s efforts finally came to fruition,
Centre are second to none in the lower
they are going from strength-to-strength
winning this year’s competition by a
North Island. Sport as a subject has been
seeing off the 2014 season with the best
narrow margin.
introduced into the curriculum through
results ever. At Maadi Cup, they made
the Sports Academy and now we are in a
seven A Finals and nine B Finals and
Our top swimmers; Hamish Trlin, Nick
position to take the next step. Watch this
came away with a Silver in the U16 Singles
Crott and Devlin Forsythe were in Gold
space!
Sculls and U18 Novice Coxed-Four. The
Medal-winning form. All three went on to
College's Rower of the Year, Philip Wilson
win Gold at the national level.
enjoy the sport of their choice. There is no
The year began as always with the
was selected for the New Zealand Junior
McEvedy Shield, 2014 being its 92nd
Rowing Team which competed in the
Moving through to the winter sports -
running. St Patrick's (Town) continued their
World Champs in Europe.
again there were very little cancellations with the use of the artificial turf ensuring
dream-run finally winning by 49 points
games every week.
after we had pushed them all the way in
Our Softball team were placed second in
the earlier events. Our U14 athletes look a
the local competition; winning three out
particularly strong cohort which we hope
of four games (20 runs for and just five
The Senior A Basketball team made
will reverse our fortunes in years to come.
against) but were unable to compete with
the Top 4 of the local competition but
the stronger colleges at Nationals. Dante
unfortunately did not progress through
The summer sports benefitted from
Matakatea was selected for the NZ Junior
to Nationals. The Senior D and Junior C
the decent weather with very little
Black Sox team that came second in the
teams won their respective leagues. It
cancellations. The 1st XI Cricket team
World Champs in Canada.
should be noted that we increased our competitive teams from six to nine this
again fell short in the local Gillette Cup competition but have reiterated their
Volleyball has seen a resurgence in
year with large numbers also playing
potential by currently sitting at the top
interest and we are lucky enough to have
socially within the WBA competition. The
of the Premier table as we head into the
German international coach, Stefan
advent of the new outdoor court on the
second part of the season in Term Four. It
Maeschke on board. His influence has
area that originally housed the swimming
should also be mentioned that the 2nd XI
seen three teams participate in the local
baths has been instrumental in increasing
playing in this same grade, have taken a
competition and at the Regional level.
numbers playing.
currently sit in seventh position.
New sport, Futsal, has been the big mover
The 1st XI Football team finished second
The Senior Tennis teams - normally
during the summer with 150 boys playing
in the CSW Premier 1 competition, losing
few scalps themselves although they
10 | The Lampstand • 2014
to a very strong Hutt Valley High School
U55As being only team to win its grade.
team. They went on to finish sixth at the
A number of players were selected for
NZSS Championships, the highest ranked
representative teams with two in the
While the Senior A Badminton team won
Wellington team in the competition. Seven
Hurricanes U18 team.
the CSW Regional Teams Championships,
Intercollegiate Championships.
beating defending champion Hutt
teams won their respective leagues, with four finishing in second place. Jacob
In Underwater Hockey, the Senior A
Valley High School 5 - 1 in the final. Pun
Masseurs (only in Y10) and a starting
team won the local competition and
Thepkunhanimit took out the CSW Senior
member of the 1st XI has been selected for
finished fourth at Nationals, while the
Individual title.
the NZU17 team.
Juniors finished second and sixth in their competitions.
On an individual level, 25 students have made New Zealand teams and or have
A reminder for any former Soccer/Football followers that the history of Football at
Cross-County is traditionally strong at
won NZ Championships in their respective
Wellington College can be found on the
Wellington College and the Y9 Cross-
sports. We are seeing more sports
Football Club's website.
Country team (again reiterating the
appearing in this list each year and 2014
strength of this year's group) were
sees Climbing and Futsal appear for the
Hockey has continued to be arguably the
undefeated in all their races, winning the
first time.
most competitive of our sports. The 1st
Karori Relays, the CSW Relay Champs,
XI finished second in the CSW Premier
and the NZSS Championships three-to-
2015 promises to be a great year for
1 Competition, losing out in a penalty
count. They were also third in the six-
sport at Wellington College and we look
shoot-out thriller to Wairarapa College
to-count. As well as this, they won the
forward to hosting Rugby's Quadrangular
and finished Top 4 in the Rankin Cup for
Wanganui Round the Lake Competition.
Tournament as well as Traditionals
the second year in a row. Going into the
This is a fantastic performance, the last
with Napier Boys' High School (Cricket,
finals week, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XIs were
team from the College which won at Y9
Tennis and Golf), Palmerston North Boys'
all involved locally so unfortunately none
went on to win medals at Cross-Country
High School (Cricket), and St Patrick's
were able to take out titles. Three out of
for their entire five years at College. Let’s
(Silverstream) (Rugby, Football, Hockey
the six teams finished second in their
hope this team lives up to its promise.
and Basketball).
While not yet up to this standard, we
If any Old Boy would be interested
leagues. 1st XI Captain, Dan Harris has been selected for the NZ U18 team.
are getting larger numbers competing
in being involved in a coaching or in
A young 1st XV Rugby team did well to
in Orienteering. This is a growing sport
an administrative capacity in sport at
eventually make it through to Top 4 locally.
nationally and we anticipate our boys
Wellington College, please do not hesitate
Starting slowly, the turning point of the
coming though at this level in the near
to contact Dave Keat, Sports Director -
season was a well deserved win in the
future.
d.keat@wc.school.nz. Keep up-to-date with sports fixtures and results on our
Quadrangular Tournament in Wanganui against a fired up Nelson College team.
The College’s Shooting team took
Facebook Pages, both the College's and
Three Rugby teams made finals: the
second place at the Wellington Regional
the WCOBA.
Naitoa Ah Kuoi Wellington College Junior Sportsman of the Year
Rowing had an exceptional year, continuing to punch above
Daniel Harris
Under exceptional coaches, they are going from strength-to-
Wellington College Senior
their weight with the relatively little water time of other centres. strength seeing off the 2014 season with best results ever.
Sportsman of the Year
Captain of 1st XI Hockey
1st XV Rugby
Three years in 1st XI and
NZ U15 Waterpolo Team
Hockey Player of the Year
NZ U16 AFL team
Capital U21 Team
NZ U18 AFL squad
11 | The Lampstand • 2014
NZ U18 Team (Tiger Turf)
News from the College: The Arts In a departure from the usual programme
In Public Speaking, our students won the
of either Stage Challenge or a musical
regional competition for both the Race
as the major school production, the
Unity and UN Speech competitions and
production for 2014 was the play Riverside
Head Prefect, Jack Trevella was placed
Drive written by the late Graham Tetley.
second in the RSA competition. Those
This was only the second time the play
of you involved with Junior and Senior
has been staged, the rights having just
Drama will be pleased to know that these
Our auditioned Choir, the Wellington
become available, and we were excited
traditions continue.
College Chorale, once again sang superbly
and honoured to be able to stage what was a challenging and relevant play.
to impress all of those present, including Under the inspirational direction of HoD,
the adjudicator. They sang the Māori
Music, Katie Macfarlane, the profile of
Waiata, Purea Nei, a French classical
Riverside Drive played over five evenings
Music at Wellington College has gone
work entitled Tout Puissant, and the folk
at the end of Term Two. Set in 1950s
from strength-to-strength over the last
song Riu Riu that was also performed at
Lower Hutt, the play dealt with some
decade and has never been more evident
assembly. The Chorale won the trophy
of the episodes that led to the 1954
than in 2014. The decision to showcase
for Best Performance of a New Zealand
Mazengarb report into ‘Moral Delinquency
the talent of our boys in assembly has
piece, as well as a Certificate for the
in Children and Adolescence’ and showed,
added a welcome new dimension to our
Best Performance of a Folk Song. Two
from the teenagers’ point of view, how
formal gatherings. The Jazz Band has
students are currently in the New Zealand
the labels of ‘delinquents, hoons and
enjoyed spectacular success this year,
Secondary Schools’ Choir.
harlots’ that were thrown at them, were
winning the silver award at the Tauranga
unwarranted. The play covered serious
Jazz Festival and the ‘Best Big Band
Our instrumental music is also thriving
issues that were very relevant to our
Award’ at the Manawatu Jazz Festival. Two
in the orchestral area. This year, we
young men and their world, but far from
of our students have been selected for the
have combined our Orchestra with both
being moralistic and didactic, it was
National Youth Jazz Orchestra under the
Wellington Girls’ and East Colleges. While
amusing and entertaining as well as
direction of Rodger Fox and Derek Lisik.
there are some logistical challenges,
thought-provoking. The play lent itself to
the move has been very positive. Three
inventive and creative staging, including a
Choral music has become very prominent
of our students have all gained the
Gospel Choir, a rock’n’roll band and had
at Wellington College as a flagship for
remarkable distinction of being chosen
an interesting historical context as it was
the importance of music in the life of our
for the National Youth Orchestra and one
set in an atmosphere of keen anticipation
school. The Big Sing, both at regional and
has been selected for the New Zealand
of the Queen’s visit in 1953. In leading
national level, has been a major focus for
Secondary Schools’ Orchestra.
roles were Head Prefect, Jack Trevella, and
our choirs as they prepare to perform on
Y11 student Remy Armitage. Joining our
the public stage. This year, three of our
Finally, for ageing Baby Boomers raised
students were members from our local
Choirs have taken part in this uplifting
in the 60s, it is gratifying to see so many
girls’ colleges. Response to the production
choral festival. The All-Comers Choir,
of our lads involved in Rockquest. Groozy,
was overwhelmingly positive especially
also known as the Coll Boys Collective
came third in the regional finals. One
from the family of the author, who had
is a choir made up of students new to
student won the Mainz Musicianship
never seen the play performed.
singing. This large group of young men
Award for Best Musician, and another won
performed with great enthusiasm and
the award for best song.
Debating and Public Speaking continue
energy at the Michael Fowler Centre and
to thrive . Although this has not been a
clearly impressed the judges. So too
It is truly exciting to see so many of our
stand-out year for Debating, with over
did the Combined Choir, which is run in
boys involved with music. In Plato’s
150 students involved, and a great deal of
conjunction with Wellington Girls’ College.
famous words, Music is the movement of
interest and talent in the junior school, this
The adjudicator commended the Choir on
sound to reach the soul for the education
is bound to change.
their balance and blend, as well as a very
of its virtue.
effective programme of challenging music.
12 | The Lampstand • 2014
News from the College: School Life
A taste of cafe culture at school Students falling asleep in class shouldn't be a problem at Wellington College, with the introduction of a coffee shop on site. BreWCafe opened in May and is staffed by students studying a barista course, which they complete outside school, in the reality of a busy cafe. Now students taking the course are flooded with more than 100 coffee orders at lunchtime as staff, students and visitors to the school line up for their caffeine fix. Year 13 student Ciaran Maddever took the barista course run through Mojo last year, and is keen to develop his barista skills further. On the course, you learn how to make coffee, but here you learn how to be a barista and all the stuff that comes with that, like customer service.
The Careers Department is keen to make contact with Old Boys who might be willing to give a lunchtime presentation (12.30pm to 1.30pm) to interested students about their career or business.
The students were under pressure when the cafe first opened, because a whole day's business was being condensed into interval and lunchtime, he says. We couldn't keep up, but now we've learnt how to manage the orders and work together. It can still be stressful, but it's fun. He hopes to get a job in a cafe during a gap year next year. The BreWCafe is now also open at weekend school and sports events. It was the brainchild of the school's Careers Adviser and Old Boy, Ernie Rosenthal (1957-1960), who previously helped set up the hospitality course at what is now WelTec. Claire Mathieson, a coffee training and education expert from Wellington's Run Brew Bar, was brought in to supervise the project. She said there was a notable gap between the skills students were being taught through courses and what the industry wanted. Working in the industry was no longer just a case of knowing how to make coffee. The BreWCafe was already selling double the number of coffees needed to break even and, once set-up costs were paid off, it would become a profitable business.
• Small Business owners and Retailers • Financial Planners and Accountants • Bankers and Share Brokers • Advertising and Marketing • Engineers, Architects and Designers • Hotel and Event Management • Property Developers and Entrepreneurs • Foreign Exchange Dealers or Exporters • Successful Sports People • State Services and Foreign Affairs • Businesses with foreign dealings • Creative writing, Journalism • Television, Radio, Media • Computers and software/web design • Trades: Building, Electrical, Plumbing • Trades: Joinery, Automotive • Health Professionals/Specialists • Dentists, Vets, Physiotherapists • Sciences: incl Forensics, Researchers • Food Service Industry • Lawyers • Police, Fire and Rescue Services • Agriculture Any further suggestions or inquiries, please contact: Ernie Rosenthal, Careers’ Adviser, Wellington College Tel: 04 802 2536 • Mob: 021 124 9439 e.rosenthal@wc.school.nz
13 | The Lampstand • 2014
The Class of 2013 join the Wellington College Old Boys’ family
Changes afoot at Wellington College
Many Old Boys may be aware that
made in the early 1920s. Once the roofing
carpark and adjacent outdoor eating area
following the two strong earthquakes in
engineer calculates just how many tiles
will be out of bounds. At the same time,
Wellington over the past 18 months, two
will need replacing, Wellington College
extensive work will also be undertaken
of our historic buildings have fallen below
will then need to order these tiles to be
to repair the leaking roofs in the Science
the compliant code as structurally safe.
made to the specifics and delivered to
Block and the roof and cladding on
The former Headmaster’s House (now
New Zealand from Wales. All the pillars
the Computer Block. The number one
the Archives) is at 13% and Firth Hall is at
will have steel reinforcing rods inserted
field will undergo a complete redrainage
10%. The new Ministry requirement to be
and the walls so that they adhere to the
development - no more wet, boggy and
deemed structurally safe is a minimum of
original brickwork.
smelly fields in the rugby season.
As you can imagine, the six-month project
Once completed, Firth Hall must resemble
In 2015, a six-month project will be
will have a disruptive effect to the day-to-
the original structure, opened in 1923,
undertaken to re-strengthen Firth Hall.
day running of the College. Firth Hall, while
taking into account that wiring, lighting
The project (which will cost around $1.5-$2
not only hosting school and Old Boys’
and ablutions etc must meet 21st century
million dollars) will be two-thirds funded by
social occasions, is also used for academic
standards, but the old charm and
the Ministry of Education, with Wellington
drama and music classes as well as a
ambience will not gone. JP Firth and the
College meeting the other third. Because
hired venue to outside communities for
Prefects’ Boards will be reinstated and it
Firth Hall is a Heritage Listed Building,
functions, meetings and similar activities.
will also mean that the clock at the top
the restrengthening must meet the code
Brierley Theatre will still be able to be
of Firth Hall (The David Tolan Memorial
67% and where practically possible 100%.
of compliance set by the Trust
used, with access via the Music
Clock) added to the building in 1933, will
and so that Firth Hall in future,
Department, and our resident
be repaired and back in working order –
will be able to withstand future
Caterers, Fine Cuisine will need
much to the delight of those at the Basin
shocks without impacting on
to be located elsewhere in the
Reserve.
life or adjacent property.
College so formal occasions will be out for the duration. B5 - the
Once complete, work can then proceed
The tiles on the roof of Firth
old music room underneath Firth
on the College Hall project, expected to
Hall are made from Welsh Slate
Hall has already been closed
start at the end of 2015 with completion
which means replacement tiles
already for two years to students
set to coincide with the 150th Celebrations
must replicate the original tiles –
because it is a risk. As well, the
in 2017.
14 | The Lampstand • 2014
VINTAGE 150 LAUNCH in association with
TE MATA ESTATE
Te Mata Estate and the College's Development Office invite you to join them at the launch of Te Mata’s Vintage 150 Wine, with tastings and the oportunity to purchase a case(s) of Vintage 150, hosted by Old Boy, John Buck and his son Nick.
Wednesday, 19 November at The Wellington Club's Kumutoto Room on Level 6, 88 The Terrace, Wellington. RSVP one week out is essential. Email: t.robinson@wc.school.nz or Telephone: 04 802 7698. We came across this delightful photo in the Archives of the
Wellington College cast in the
production of Molière's 'Le
Bourgeois Gentilhommee', performed in 1928 at the
College.
Photo: HG Turner (1931-1935) 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme'
is a five-act comédie-ballet—a
play intermingled with music,
dance and singing - by Molière, first presented on 14 October
1670 before the court of
Louis XIV at the Château of
Chambord by Molière's troupe
15 | The Lampstand • 2014
of actors.
Reunions: CLASS OF 1964
Back Row:
Onny Parun, Neil Maddocks, Derek Golding, Ian McGuire, Chris Jacobsen, Michael Saxton, Peter Peterson,
Third Row:
Kahu Pattison, Ken Adams, Roger Girdlestone, David Cox, Rick Gesterkamp, Derek De Lisle, Charlie O'Reilly,
Second Row:
Front Row:
Neville Trendle, Hugh Webber, Vince Neall, Peter Jenks Richard Clarke, John Harding
Jonathan Boyes, Murray Kerr, Paul Martin, Richard Sweetman, Juri Alnek, Alex Sharp, John Harding, Alan Harvie, Alan White
Apii Rongo-Raea, Rick King, Grant Reader, Ted Clayton (Master), Doug Lingard, John Marshall, Roger Moses (Headmaster), John Larkindale, John Bocock, Martyn Robey, Nick Cooper
musical work they were rehearsing prior to their Big
Around forty Old Boys from the Cohort Class of 1964
Sing Competition.
gathered at the College in March this year to celebrate their 50 Years On Reunion. The
Deputy Principal, Old Boy and Master of
Class of 1964 were the inaugural 40
Ceremonies, Robert Anderson began
Years On attendees in 2004 and they
the Dinner by inviting 1964 Head
quickly carried on from where they left off ten years ago. Many came
Prefect, John Marshall to Toast to the
from out of town and from overseas
College and this was reciprocated by
including Canada, the United States,
Roger Moses. Other Toastmakers
England and Australia to reconnect
included Doug Lingard (Firth House), Hugh Webber (The Masters) and
and reminisce.
Vince Neall (Absent Friends). The morning activities included Once the formalities were over, it was
a welcome with refreshments from
time to kick back and tell a few more
Headmaster, Roger Moses followed
stories, sing a few songs and eventually crawl
by a tour of the College. Even in ten years
home with bold promises to be not only at the 150th
there were noticeable changes which included the new Languages Building and the Frank Crist centre which
celebrations but to meet again in 2024.
encompasses the new Sports Academy. The evening began with drinks before the Chorale regaled the guests with a selection of
CLASS OF 1965 REUNION: 27 March, 2015 16 | The Lampstand • 2014
ABOVE: 2014 Head Prefect, Jack Trevella
with 1964 Head Prefect and Foundation
Chairman, John Marshall on the morning
of the Reunion.
17 | The Lampstand • 2014
Reunions: CLASS OF 1974
Back Row:
Peter Hobbs, Richard Gerard, Doug Johns, Martyn Renouf, Paul Rohtmets, Alistair Davis, Malcolm Clark,
Second Row:
Simon Baxter, Kim Bowie, Jon Baxter, Malcolm Stapleton, Malcolm Bowes, Hiram Ryan, Tony Burns,
Front Row:
David Darwin, Mike Brodie, Jeremy Christmas, Frank Ramage
Mark Holden, Peter Morrison, Hamish Vance, Martin Lubransky
Ken Chung, Tony Stuart, Mark Hucklesby, Steve Mahoney, Peter Cenek, Andy Archer, Roger Moses, Peter Deyell (Head Prefect), David Dowden, Gavin Bruce, Ken McDonald
The inaugural 40 Years On Reunion began in 2004 - ten years on,
how easy it was to reconnect, despite time and distance.
it was time for the Class of 1974 to continue with the tradition.
A Toast to the College was given by Head Prefect, Peter Deyell, to which Roger responded. Tony Stuart toasted the Firth House Boarders, followed by Alistair Davis to
Firth Hall was again the setting for the Reunion,
the Masters and Mark Hucklesby to Absent
held on 17 October. While smaller numbers
Friends.
than usual attended, the group made up for size in enjoyment, with the
Further anecdotes were recalled by
opportunity to catch up with former classmates, renew old friendships
fellow guests - as always, some
and test each other’s memories of
'tall tales' were told and there
the names and faces of classmates
were mirthful whispers of long
who they may not have seen for
ago scandals, there was no
over 40 years.
need to impress - rather, old and new friends shared yarns about family, friends, work, hobbies and
The morning activities, hosted by
relaxation. as the evening events
Headmaster, Roger Moses included
continued through until 12.30am, with a
a welcome and overview of the College,
good number heading into town to continue
followed by a tour of the campus, with the
reminiscing and where talk was already turning to
current Prefects, visiting classrooms and seeing all
meeting up again at the next reunion in ten years.
the structural changes around the place. The laughing and camaraderie on the night was a testament to
ABOVE: In a similar stance, 2014 Head
Prefect, Jack Trevella with 1974 Head
CLASS OF 1975 REUNION: 4 September, 2015 18 | The Lampstand • 2014
Prefect Peter Deyell on the morning of the
Reunion.
19 | The Lampstand • 2014
Reunions: CLASS OF 1994
(1) Bret McKenzie, Chris Morris, Anthony Barton • (2) Owen Mann, Tony Haigh, Tobin Druce • (3) Rob Cheyne, Nick Carlaw, Stu Bird (4) Sam Hughes, Jamie Crump, Dion Bennett, Mayu Pasupati • (5) Tom Lowe, Chris Lawrence • (6) Class of 1994
Having been inspired by reading in The
challenging exercise to reconnect with the
Headmaster, Harvey Rees-Thomas very
Lampstand about the Class of 1993 ‘20
guys without social networks! I knew that
much wanted to be there but had the
Years On’ Reunion, I thought we must do
a lot of the guys from our year had been
important prior engagement of one of his
the same thing for our year! With this in
living overseas, but was surprised to find
grandson's weddings.
mind, I got in touch with Stephanie Kane
out just how many were scattered across
at the WCOBA, as well as Nick Tipping
the globe in Australia, Asia, the United
A great night was had by all with much
who organised the Class of '93 reunion, to
States, UK and Europe. Many of them
reminiscing and banter. It was wonderful
find out what they had done. They gave
expressed how much they would've loved
to see all the guys in such good form and
me some great advice and I then floated
to make it back for the reunion.
to catch-up on what they'd been up to over the past 20 years.
the idea past a few fellow Old Boys. I found there was a strong level of interest
On the night of 2 August, around 40 Old
in having a reunion, so I decided to give it
Boys gathered at The Southern Cross Bar
a crack.
in Wellington, with several travelling from different parts of New Zealand and even
Armed with the list of the 250+ boys
a few making it over from Australia. The
from our cohort, I started the task of
WCOB generously assisted with the venue
tracking everyone down via Facebook
and there was a special appearance from
and LinkedIn. It would've been a very
our Deputy Headmaster, Gary Girvan. Our
20 | The Lampstand • 2014
I would certainly encourage the boys of '95 to arrange their ‘20 Years On’ reunion next year. It's well worth the effort! Jamie Crump, Class of 1993
Catching up with the CLASS OF 2004 It is an honour to write a Ten Years’ On report on behalf of the ’04 leavers, an exceptional group of Coll grads. Ten years on, we mourn the loss of two good friends. We lost John ‘Jack’ Howard, who was living his life’s passion fighting for the British Army in Afghanistan. And we also lost Adam Djanowski in tragic circumstances. Both of these losses were horrible tragedies, and our class stands with Jack and Adam’s friends and families in mourning their passing. More happily, many of our classmates are now pursuing their lives’ dreams: setting sports records, getting great jobs, and in some cases marrying and even starting to raise families. In reaching out to classmates for input on this article, I was struck by how strong our friendship bonds from Wellington College remain. There is something remarkable about the friendships and community that we built during our time at Coll, and even a decade on, we are lockstep in no time. Our years at Coll marked some major milestones. The first intake of the new millennium, we were the first to encounter and grapple with NCEA. In our first year, the Runathon hype really kicked off -—perhaps because the school managed to reach an impossibly large goal or maybe because we enjoyed the spectacle of Mr Moses shaving off his beard. In our final year, Coll was a force on all fronts. The crowd favourite, we won the regional Stage Challenge. We produced an exceptional production of Richard III. We set a new national benchmark for World Vision fundraising, with the Runathon raising $74,000. We dominated sporting arenas, including a record-breaking McEvedy Shield win with the largest points total in the history of the competition. These achievements set the platform for our exceptional cohort to achieve great things over the last ten years. The diversity
of professions spans shark scientist to start-up entrepreneur. A growing number of us (myself definitely not included) are now proud fathers! Though only a sample, I want to make mention of the remarkable achievements some of our classmates have made. Now called by his students 'Mr Tinkle', Mark Tinkle has returned to teach PE, Commerce, and Social Studies at Coll. He is the glue of the class, and our link between Old Boys and major events at the school. Our class has also made its mark on the international sporting arena. Dane Coles is now a household name, having become a key force in the All Blacks. Also from the 1st XV, Tim Natusch made his first NRL debut against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2009. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Matt ‘the Mule’ Archibald won a Bronze Medal in the Men’s 1km cycling time trial. Our class is also making its mark on stage and on TV. Nic Sampson has become a regular on TV as himself and Ernest Rutherford, building on his time as a Power Ranger. Elliot Travers played a feature role in the acclaimed sci-fi film Eternity, which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival in 2013. The wit of Chris Chang, which made for a very memorable leavers dinner, was the beginning of his career in the public eye. Chris is now the North Island correspondent for Breakfast on TVNZ. As a force on the Coll debating team, Stephen Whittington has taken his skill to the political stage, taking a break from his legal career to run for ACT in Wellington Central at the last election. I had the pleasure of working with Lewis Bollard and Tamaroa Wawatai as Deputy Head Prefects, both of whom have gone onto exceptional things in their respective fields.
21 | The Lampstand • 2014
Lewis attended Harvard University for his undergraduate studies, where he was selected to deliver the class graduation address. He recently graduated from Yale Law School, and now works for the Humane Society of the United States, where he’s advocating for an end to factory farming around the world. Tamaroa completed his law degree at Victoria University in 2010. He then joined the New Zealand Army where he graduated from Officer School. He was recently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and now serves as an Infantry Platoon Commander. Based in Linton, he works with a number of Old Boys including Dylan McKay, Sione Stanley, and Daniel Reddington. Since graduation from Melbourne University, I have been working in East and Southern Africa. During the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy in a post-Mbeki South Africa, I worked for the National AIDS Council. I’m now based in Dar es Salaam with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and lead a project to improve the quality and competitive position of local pharmaceutical manufacturers in East Africa. Ten years on, much remains the same (even the jokes). The friends certainly do. Beyond our days in school uniform, for me, the legacy of Coll is the group of mates I count as brothers. I hope you share that legacy too, and will keep it strong until we’re 40 years on and afar and asunder. Tom McCarthy, Head Prefect 2004 tmccarthy@clintonhealthaccess.org
Class of 2005 Cohort If you have some news to share with 2005 classmates and fellow Old Boys, please get in touch with your Head Prefect, Michael Hobbs at mjd.hobbs@ yahoo.co.nz
Reunions: CLASS OF 2004 It was not easy coming to the realisation
to the school in the past decade is the
that it had been nearly ten years since
Frank Crist Centre and the opportunities
our time at Wellington College finished.
it now provides students involved in sport.
However a few of us felt that it was a
We had a quick tour of the building and
worthwhile milestone to celebrate and so
everyone was impressed if not a little bit
the idea of the Class of 2004 10 Years on
jealous that there was no such facility
Reunion was born.
available ‘back in our day’. It was very timely that just next door in the Brierley
With Facebook, it is now so easy to track
Theatre, the cast of Riverside Drive (this
down people and organise events - so
year’s musical) were practising their finale.
the wheels were set in motion. A good number of the 2004 cohort were living
We were able to see first-hand the strong
and/or travelling overseas but around 35
cultural element of Wellington College
Old Boys arrived at the Firth Hall on a June
by being a live audience. Most of us then
Friday evening ready to reminisce. For
strolled through our old school and down
many, this was their first time back at their
the drive towards the Southern Cross
old school.
where we carried on catching up on the past ten years.
There was plenty of catching up to be done over refreshments and nibbles. It
A big thanks to all the Old Boys who
was fun to look at old photos posted on
attended, Rob Anderson, WCOBA and
the wall which brought back so many
most of all, Stephanie Kane who helped
memories. In Roger Moses’ absence,
with a huge part of the organisation. To all
Deputy Principal, Rob Anderson welcomed
the Old Boys of the Class of 2004 - see
everyone with a great speech and filled
you at the 20 Years On Reunion!
us in on what was happening around the place. One of the biggest changes
Mark Tinkle, Convenor
22 | The Lampstand • 2014
2004 H ead Pr efects thy, Le (L-R): wis Bo Tom llard, Tama Wawa itai
McCar
Branch Events
United Kingdom An introduction to our July dinner at The Counting House, Cornhill, London from the oldest Old Boy present, Gavin Gardiner (1955-1959).
NZ journey 25 times. Only a century ago it
achievements of any ilk are celebrated in
took two or three months by ship.
all aspects of the College from academia
When I took SC French in 1957, it was before
where 90 boys achieved 179 scholarships
some of those present tonight were born.
So the world has changed enormously in
last year to sport, art, music and drama.
We were seated in the old Memorial Hall
recent years and who knows what is to
Roger also advised that the recently
and one of the translation questions was a
come? Some things however don't change.
opened Frank Crist Centre (the old squash
piece about the first men on the Moon and
Values don't change. I don't remember
courts and Old Boys Club House) has
the difficulties they would encounter. It was
much Algebra but I remember the values
given the opportunity for many boys to
like a piece of science fiction and not very
I learned at our old school; integrity,
use specialist gym equipment in order to
relevant to us. However only twelve years
sportsmanship, honesty and diligence
excel in their chosen sport.
later, when I was at the Queen Victoria
among them. These have stood me in good
Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex, we
stead throughout a long time and I like
Old Boys present were Chris Allan 2002-
all watched the live landing. And of course,
to think, a successful career in surgery.
06, Tim Benton 1965-68, Richard Boon
one of our most distinguished Old Boys
I remember my College days with much
1978-82, Andrew Clare 1994-98, Gavin
played a part in that.
affection and I firmly believe that my old
Gardiner 1955-59, David Lockie 1975-79,
school is in good hands and look forward
Tim Prendegast 1992-96, Adrian Risman
Years later from my holiday home in
to hearing of it latest successes from Mr
1971-75, Matt Sime 2001-03 and two former
Florida, I have watched live launches
Moses.”
staff members from 1992-99 Andrew
which are now quite common. My Mother
Kerrison and Katrina Boxall.
was born the year before the Wright
Roger, en-route from the United States
Brothers first flight and the world has been
to New Zealand, updated those present
Martin Conway (1971-1975)
made so much smaller by the advent of
to advise the current roll is 1640 with 80
martinsconway@yahoo.co.uk
mass jet travel. I must have done the UK-
students from overseas. Successes and
Bay of Plenty Daniels in the Park has been the luncheon venue for the Old Boys of Wellington College in Tauranga and surrounding areas for a number of years. So once again, on 13 November 2013, 25 Old Boys and three guests assembled at Daniels for their annual get-together and a time of reliving school-days and being updated on life at the College today, in a congenial and friendly atmosphere preceded by pre-lunch drinks. The Wellington guests were Stephanie Kane, Old Boy Executive Officer, Old Boy and Deputy Principal, Rob Anderson together with Susan Streeter daughter of Geoff Streeter the oldest OB present.
2014 Lunch with Roger Moses: 13 November After a warm welcome and remembering Old Boys who had passed away over the past year we proceeded to the ‘Roll Call’ of name, years at College and special reminiscences of which there were many. The catering from Daniels was up to its usual high standard and the courses were interspersed with addresses from Rob and Stephanie. Rob advised with pride of the many successes of the boys and especially achieving top school in the country for scholarships for the second year in a row with 153, (subsequently superseded in 2013 with 178), the opening of the Frank Crist Centre, many sporting victories and achievements in the Arts and the plans for the new Memorial Hall, were also covered.
23 | The Lampstand • 2014
Stephanie spoke of the planning for the School’s 150 years celebrations in 2017, her work for the Association and the forthcoming issue of The Lampstand. Brian Duncan (1945 -1949) proposed the vote of thanks to our speakers and Gael Ansell (1948-1951) the toast to the College, both of which were responded to enthusiastically. It was agreed that the luncheon was a most happy occasion which was then concluded in fine fashion by the singing of Forty Years On. Barry Ward (1948- 1952) barry.ward@kinect.co.nz
WCOBA Quadrangular Function
On the Tuesday of Quadrangular Tournament in Wanganui, the WCOBA hosted a function for local and visiting Old Boys. Joining the event were members and the coaching staff of the 1st XV. Deputy Principal and Old Boy, Robert Anderson spoke on behalf of the Headmaster, who was overseas at the time. Rob covered a number of highlights of 2013-2014 and invited questions from the floor on various aspects of the College. One of the 1st XV players included Josh Michael, grandson of revered former master, Ray (Mickey) Michael. Old Boys of Mickey’s vintage were quick to recount fond memories of him to young Josh. Despite the atrocious weather, the 1st XV very much appreciated the side-line support of our Old Boys.
WCOBA Annual General Meeting
The 2014 AGM was held in conjunction with the Traditional against
Matt and Roger endeavoured to answer. It was then on to lunch
St Patrick’s (Town) on 28 May.
and a grandstand view of the Rugby. It was almost a clean sweep over our rivals with wins in Football, Hockey and Golf and losses
President, Matt Beattie opened the meeting with his overview of
in Rugby and Basketball.
the Association’s activities from the past year. He was followed by Headmaster, Roger Moses who updated the guests with news
On a sadder note, one of our alumni and regular AGM stalwarts;
from the College and then Bob Slade presented the Treasurer’s
John Taylor (1945-1949) unfortunately took ill following the
report. Once the formalities were over (including the election of
meeting and while extensive attempts were made to revive him,
Officers), questions were submitted from the floor in which both
he did not survive.
24 | The Lampstand • 2014
School Uniform: 1914 It is now good-bye to the 'longs' and 'knickers', for we have now been asked to come' to school in blue shorts and a grey shirt, the uniform which the boarders have been wearing for some time. No more trouble with fancy collars and ties, no more trouble with cumbersome coats, but instead each boy will wear a neat and comfortable uniform. It will certainly mean a great improvement in both comfort and looks. Comfort, which ought perhaps to be classed first, is assured in this outfit. The shorts will be a great advantage to the Cadets, who this year have to do so much physical drill, for which ordinary clothes are quite unsuited. This uniform will also make great improvements in the general A group of students and teachers outside Wellington College. The Central block, spire, and western wing (seen here) was built in 1874. The Architect was Christian Julian Toxwood.
The Eastern wing was added in 1883 by builders Thomson and
McLean. This was photographed by an unknown photographer between 1874 and 1883.
appearance of the boys. It will be a treat to see about 400 boys all uniformly dressed and assembled in the big school. It was the shorts of our Cadets who went to Canada that won the prize for the neatest uniform. Many of the boys have welcomed the idea with so much pleasure that they have lost no time and are already donning the new uniform. We hope by the beginning of next term to see that every boy in the school has followed their example.
School Uniform: 2014 Schoolboys are continuing to go to fashion extremes in an effort to keep up their image despite wearing a school uniform. Finding a friend or family member handy with a needle and thread is Wellington College's 1885-86 cricket team and staff surround
the school's long-serving Headmaster, Joseph Firth. Known as
'The Boss', the 1.96-metre-tall Firth aimed to mould his school
commonplace at one Wellington secondary school. Wellington College boys have been keeping
on along the lines of English 'public' schools such as Rugby
in vogue by turning their school
of amateurism, believing they developed mental and moral
introducing 'puffer' jackets to the uniform, and pushing the
and Harrow. He encouraged strict adherence to the principles
trousers into 'skinny' pants,
qualities.
boundaries with longer hair. Y13 student Joe Reid [pictured above] said senior boys in particular were really obvious about trying to do their own thing with the uniform. 'Puffer jackets' are worn because they're warmer and they look cool. Some boys would 'skinny' their pants if they were a bit wide, to avoid 'looking like an egg'. One of the senior students had a brother who was a handy sewer and had hemmed a few of the boys' trousers. While untucked shirts were always common, clothing and hairstyles were changing all the time. Most of us like having a
The Quadrangular (circa 1960) at the rear of the old Assembly Hall, classrooms and offices and adjacent to the Fives Courts.
uniform though, because it's easier and you don't have to decide what to wear. The senior uniform is quite nice and I wear it on Saturdays for rugby as well, and there's a lot of pride in that.
25 | The Lampstand • 2014
The Archives The Archives has been buzzing like a
‘a goodly heritage, proud traditions, cherished memories’
hundred years ago.
show us what went before and how life has changed. There are masses of
hive over the last twelve months, despite the fact that for at least six months I
Former parent, Chairman of the Board
photographs of our College, staff and
have been stuck at home working but
of Trustees and author of our the last
students out there in the public domain
have still managed to make many quick
Wellington College history, The Light
that have not seen daylight since 1867 to
dashes over to the Headmaster’s house to
Accepted, Wyn Beasley, has also used our
the present day. Many people believe the
welcome visitors.
facilities this year. Wyn is researching his
College has kept these same images. This
next book which features prominent Old
is not true. Much of our history was lost
Boy, Bernard Freyberg.
over the years due to dozens of shifts,
Visitor numbers have been in the
demolition, change of administration, poor
hundreds. Two annual Old Boys’ reunions brought many into the Archives
Napier Boys’ High School archivist
storage, improper care and also lack of
and Headmaster’s house, for the first
Phillip Rankin is still finding and rescuing
a permanent home to store them safely.
time. They were fascinated and glad to
Wellington College Book Prizes from
Since 1990 our history has poured in due
see the Collections and how their own
second hand book shops all over the
to the efforts to retrieve items for the 125th
memorabilia have been cared for.
North Island and posting them to me.
celebrations and now in 2017 for the 150th celebrations. We are proud of our Archives and the ability to protect the Collections.
Old Boys on flying visits to the capital
The Old Boys Authors’ Library continues
are frequently on the doorstep. So too
to grow thanks to David Bailey (1952-
are numbers of Headmasters from
1956), a genealogist from Australia, who
There are so many people who help to
Christchurch through to Auckland. Our own
has sent three stunning volumes on his
make the Archives tick successfully.
staff and students as well as the archive
family the Baileys and Lauders and his
My thanks to all the donors for your
group SAG, and researchers from Te Papa
own autobiography with special stories
marvellous gifts - there are so many of
and National Archives, have all shown
and photographs featuring his years at
you! Also to Headmaster, Roger Moses,
much interest in the heritage of our College.
Wellington College.
my husband Don, Marilyn MacLennan,
Puawai Cairns from Te Papa has plans
Due to the growth of this Collection it has
importantly my good friend and helper Ted
for a large display to be held at Te Papa
been necessary to enlarge storage space.
Clayton, very sincere thanks to you all!
to honour and commemorate the WWI
Property Manager, Kelwyn D’Souza has
Centenary. She intends to incorporate
come to my rescue yet again and provided
This is a special plea to all of you to
our own Old Boy, Hāmi Grace in her work.
another glass fronted cupboard. The Art
make a concerted effort to search your
She has very kindly given Wellington
and War Collection of books donated by
attics, suitcases, garages, basements,
College copies of photographs of Hāmi, his
W.A.S. Armour will be transferred to this
cupboards and drawers and find your
brothers and his gracious mother. National
thus allowing more shelves for the Old
photographs both old and new, uniforms,
Archives researchers as well as makers of
Boy Authors and Book Prize Collections.
sports equipment and send or bring these
Penny Basile, Stephanie Kane and most
treasures to the Archives at Wellington
documentaries for television have searched for photographs, diaries, letters and any
Special thanks again to Kelwyn and Roy
College now. 2017 is not far away. What
other relevant material. We have only a
Smith who have constructed a large
you discover may be the very item needed
few precious pieces but they have been of
framed support shelf in one of the rooms
to tell a story or fill a gap in the tapestry of
value to these people. If anyone is able to
to hold all the big photographic display
our wonderful College for the proposed
provide more items I’d be most grateful.
boards. This has enabled me to protect
exhibition. Good hunting! I look forward
as well as access them easily. As finance
to hearing from you.
Old Boy, Brian Smythe kindly allowed
becomes available, the next stage will be
me to inspect his scrapbook/album of
to build and house the collection of large
memorabilia depicting his great uncle and
framed old team photographs and various
WCOB Lance Bridge, who died in WWI.
paintings. These are presently leaning up
The images show fun loving and healthy
against one another on the floor. Not a
young men, all members of the Wellington
good method of storage nor suitable to
Star Boating Club. My favourite is of the
access!
practice facilities now long since gone like the numerous Old Boys who were
Photographs are the visual history of
once members of the Club, well over one
the College and they are vital as they
26 | The Lampstand • 2014
WELLINGTON COLLEGE ARCHIVES Paddianne W. Neely, College Archivist T: (Work) 04 382 9411 T: (Home) 04 386 2072 Open most Mondays and Wednesdays. Please phone first, to make sure I’m there.
Wellington College students strolling up the College driveway
Star Boating Club Carnival 1910. Old Boys Bernard Freyberg
John Moffat collection, (1946-1949).
Archives/Smyth Collection.
with St Mark's Church in the background.
(centre in apron and cap), Lance Bridge, kneeling.
The rowing training equipment for our Old Boys at the Star Boating Club, 1908.
(L): Gordon Charles Kirk, Dux 1916
Future NZ Davis Cup Manager Stan
(R): Peter Whittle, Dux 1944
Painter (1935-1937) with his tennis
trophies in 1935. Stan won the Junior
I’d love to complete this Collection of Duxes and
and Senior Tennis Championships at
Head Prefects so that we have a record of these
boys. There are only a few original photographs, most are poor copies from the magazines.
school in both singles and doubles. He
then finished school, there was nothing
else left to do.
Our Tennis team 1938. (Back): 1st Left R T Barber (later a NZ cricketer and NZ's oldest living cricketer); and last in row, Brian Barratt-Boyes, later a prominent NZ heart surgeon. Who are the other boys please?
Wellington College School Prefects, 1964, before the hockey
match with Wellington Girls’ College. Can you identify them?
27 | The Lampstand • 2014
ANZACS
A Lost Century At the age of just 21, Leslie Gower (1909) set off from his Mount Victoria home to take part in a war that killed more than one percent of New Zealand’s population. Lesley enlisted as a WWI gunner in August 1914, but by July of the following year, he was dead. Lesley embarked on his final journey in October 1914 as he waved goodbye to his parents, Letitia and William, and his McFarlane Street home. Little did he know it would be for the last time. After a stint in Egypt, Lesley was sent to the shores of Gallipoli, where almost 3000 New Zealand soldiers were killed. As he and a friend sat in a dugout having their evening meal, a shrapnel shell exploded above their heads, ending both of their lives. Lesley was seriously injured by the fragments, taken to a hospital
Where they lived Wellington College students killed in Belgium
ship and died soon after.
The impact of WWI on local communities and institutions such
what happened to him after he set off for combat. We covered the
as clubs and schools is starkly illustrated by the experience of
initial story in the 2013 Lampstand.
Lesley Gower is buried in the Lone Pine Cemetery at ANZAC Cove in Turkey. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War medal (1914-1920) and the victory Medal. More than 20 years ago, a small brown suitcase filled with postcards and letters from a young WWI soldier was sold at a Wellington auction house. Now 100 years on, thanks to the tireless work of amateur historian Bob Cameron [pictured below right], who bought the case for $25, the soldier's family has discovered
Wellington College. During the war, 1643 of this school’s former students served overseas. Of these, 223 were killed, and a further
Bob spent years transcribing the letters and postcards belonging
350 were wounded.
to Gunner Leslie Gower. Earlier this year a local newspaper spoke to him about his work and, after the publicity, Lesley's great-
This map of Wellington shows the location of the homes of some
nephew, Glenn Thomas, contacted Bob and arranged to meet
of the 40 college Old Boys who were killed on the battlefields of
him, with Glenn's brothers Stephen and Philip. Suddenly we go
Belgium (including eleven who had been boarders at the College).
from only knowing that Uncle Leslie died in the war, to this tearjerking, heart-warming story, Glenn said.
In a pattern repeated throughout New Zealand, few streets or suburbs were untouched by the fatal consequences of war. Many
Through hours of research at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Bob
residents would have known or been related to one or more of
pieced together details from the last year of Lesley's life. It was
these men.
still a mystery as to why a member of their family would sell a suitcase filled with their family memories. But if Bob hadn't bought it, it would probably be sitting in an attic somewhere, so it's best that something was done. It's great to see how it has all unfolded. Bob said he got great satisfaction from preserving Lesley and other young men's memories. I think people are realising that we [New Zealand] had to go to war there, and people were making sacrifices, so we could live how we do today. Bob is researching other members of Lesley's battalion. - To find out more about Bob's research and to read the transcripts of Lesley's letters and postcards, go to robertcameron. wordpress.com
28 | The Lampstand • 2014
Two Minute Silence Armistice Day (also sometimes referred to as Remembrance Day) marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended WW1 and commemorates the sacrifice of those who died serving New Zealand in this and all wars and armed conflict.
Edward George Honey (1885-1922) was an Australian soldier and journalist who suggested the idea of a moment of silence on Armistice Day. Edward was educated at Wellington College, New Zealand (1898) and Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne, and served briefly during WWI with the British Army before receiving a medical discharge. He later worked in Melbourne as a journalist for The Argus newspaper. On 8 May 1919, Edward, who was working in London at the time, wrote a letter to the London Evening News newspaper suggesting an appropriate commemoration for the first anniversary of The Armistice Treaty which signalled the end of WWI, signed on 11 November 1918 at the 'eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month'. In the letter he said, Five little minutes only. Five silent minutes of national remembrance. A very sacred intercession. Communion with the Glorious Dead who won us peace, and from the communion new strength, hope and faith in the morrow. Church services, too, if you will, but in the street, the home, the theatre, anywhere, indeed, where Englishmen and their women chance to be, surely in this five minutes of bitter-sweet silence there will be service enough. Edward had been prompted to make the suggestion as he had been angered by the way in which people had celebrated with dancing in the streets on the day of the Armistice, and believed a period of silence to be a far more appropriate gesture in memory of those who had died at war. Edward's letter did not immediately create the Remembrance Day traditions, but on 27 October 1919, a suggestion from Sir Percy Fitzpatrick of a similar idea for a moment of silence was forwarded to George V, who on 7 November 1919, proclaimed that at the hour when the Armistice came into force, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, there may be for the brief space of two minutes a complete suspension of all our normal activities … so that in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead. No record directly suggests Fitzpatrick was prompted by Edward's letter to propose a moment of silence, but Edward was recognised for being involved in the idea when he was invited by George V to a rehearsal of the moment of silence at Buckingham Palace. Edward died on 25 August 1922, and was buried at West Norwood Cemetery, in South London. A monument of Edward was erected near the Shrine of Remembrance in St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
29 |
Old Boy starts training as a Navy Helicopter Pilot
Old Boy, Sub Lieutenant Sam Williams (1998-2002), 28, has dreamed of being a helicopter pilot in the Royal New Zealand Navy since he was six years old. His dream is becoming a reality as he gets ready to embark on the second stage of his pilot training course. I joined the Navy in 2011 with the goal of becoming a Seasprite pilot. In 2013 I went on the Air Force WINGS course and completed my primary training phase on the CT-4 Airtrainers. Currently I’m working in Naval Staff at Defence HQ in Wellington until October when I’ll start my advanced pilot training on the King Air aircraft, said SLT Williams. Once he completes his advanced training, SLT Williams will progress to the Helicopter Basic Course, then onto the Seasprites at 6 SQN at Whenuapai in approximately 2017. Being the only Navy person in an Air Force course hasn’t been a problem for SLT Williams who says although there are slight differences in the culture of each service, being able to experience Air Force life is providing valuable experience. When I am a trained pilot and flying for the Navy I expect that I will still have a lot to do with my course mates in the Air Force as we work on various deployments and missions together. I’m really looking forward to seeing us all graduate in a few years knowing our hard work has been worth it, said SLT Williams. The pilot training course is difficult and those who graduate are the best of the best. For SLT Williams the highlight to date has been a week flying around the South Island. It has been an incredible experience so far and better than I could ever have imagined. I’m looking forward to getting onto the King Airs and achieving the next step towards my goal. Wellington College extends an invitation to former and current serving Old Boys to attend the 2015 ANZAC Service at Wellington College, joining our current students and staff. Friday, 24 April 2015 at 11.30am A light Buffet Lunch will follow the service at $25.00pp which includes wine.
To pre-register or to make an enquiry, please contact WCOBA: oldboys@wc.school.nz or 04 802 2537. The Lampstand the • 2014
Campbell Live at Wellington College In August, TV3 presenter, John Campbell (1984-1988) returned to his old school as part of a fundraising initiative as our guest speaker. Around 200 people attended the evening, sampling local wines and
From the Development Office
beers and participated in the interactive address from John. Headmaster, Roger Moses referred to John’s enrolment card and noted that John’s best efforts at the College was playing truant. However all was not lost as he achieved both School Certificate and University Entrance. John spoke about his role on Campbell Live, giving a few anecdotes and home truths - both in the public arena and how his exposure affects his family. Guests were then welcome to put the shoe on the other foot and ask him a few questions of their own.
Te Mata Vineyard ’s Vintage 150 Orders can still be made with delivery
in
October/November
of
this year. After a vintage described by Decanter
UK as ‘the stuff of legends’ Te Mata Winery in Hawke's Bay has produced 500 cases of Merlot/Cabernets and 500 cases of Chardonnay for the enjoyment of the Wellington College community and to mark the significance of the approaching 150th year. Don’t miss out on your chance to secure this limited edition! Each bottle will have an image of the Memorial Window on its back label. These are two of 2013 most exclusive wines made by one of the country’s finest producers, created and (L-R): Former Headmaster, Harvey Rees-Thomas, Headmaster, Roger Moses, Head Prefect, Jack Trevella and Alumni Guest, John Campbell.
Your opportunity to put your name to a piece of history.
All Old Boys know the Memorial Window, an enduring symbol of pride, tradition and service. Give from your heart and inspire the future.
labelled exclusively for the Wellington College community at extremely reasonable prices by John Buck (19551958), CEO of Te Mata Estate. $280 +$10 freight for a 12 bottle case. $150 +$10 freight for a 6 bottle case. Cases can be any number of chardonnay or merlot bottles or a single variety.
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. www.wc.school.nz/development/memorial-windowappeal
30 | The Lampstand • 2014
Place your order now by contacting Te Mata Estate on 0800 836 282 or by email at shop@temata.co.nz Tony Robinson, Development Manager Wellington College
PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242 Tel: 04 802 7698
Email: t.robinson@wc.school.nz
Young College Batsman’s insatiable appetite for runs becomes a fundraising initiative I answered a knock at my door a couple of
to be several years older as was characterised
months ago to be visited by a Y9 student,
by facial hair being a regular feature and with
Tim Campbell, who informed me he had a
players driving away from the grounds in their
fundraising idea for the 'Raise the Roof' building
own cars.
campaign. Tim’s name was known to me only in that he had scored several centuries in his
Despite strong opposition, Tim’s team
first half season at the College and is spoken
performed well and Tim did himself proud. He
about as a young cricketer of notable talent and
had twelve innings with two not outs, 470 runs
potential.
scored in total with a highest score of 74 not out and an overall average of 47 per innings.
Tim explained that he was soon to go on a three-week tour of India with a regional side for
Once Tim had been back to all his sponsors
a series of 20 and 40 Over Matches, and as a
to collect the money, he had amassed a total
batsman he was keen to arrange sponsorship
sum of $4,300, a magnificent effort which the
for every run he might score on this tour. Tim
Headmaster recognised at a formal College
then created a suitable sponsorship form and
assembly. Well done and thank you Tim. Myself
then scrupulously gathered together a long list
and no doubt the College community will look
of people who were prepared to sponsor him.
forward to following your future career with interest.
Tim’s stories on his return were intriguing. The wickets were often impacted mud and varied greatly, the opposition appeared
EXOTIC SOUTH INDIA... Come travel with us!
iSPICE TOURS
Tony Robinson, Development Manager. September 2014
• Travel with us to raise funds towards Wellington College’s ‘Raise the Roof’Campaign. • iSpice Tours will contribute NZ$500 for every confirmed escorted tour booking. • Few more seats left for our next tour of South India, start date 11 December, 2014 • Call us today on (04) 475 3519 to book your place and let us ‘Raise the Roof’ together! iSpice Tours is a private business driven by passion - a passion for the wondrous things that exotic South India has to offer. Warm, friendly and colourful people; tropical clime; green and verdant; blue skies and beaches; exotic cities and villages; scrumptious and spicy cuisine and a shoppers’ paradise - all woven into a rich tapestry of culture, tradition, customs, architecture, history and arts! Yours to embrace experience and enjoy. We personally escort you, as part of a small group (max 10 per tour), to enrich your experience through our in-depth knowledge of the people, places, customs, traditions and languages. Our hand-crafted itinerary allows you to experience both village life and bustling cities so you get a real sense of the way of life while our hand-picked boutique accommodation entreats you with serenity, relaxation and scenic rejuvenation. Travelling in a small group ensures you get our personal attention, makes it easy to move around and enables personal interaction amongst ourselves and with the locals, free to explore off-the beaten track places in our own time while enjoying the optimal balmy weather conditions. For every full priced escorted iSpice tour booking made through Wellington College’s ‘Raise the Roof’ fund-raiser, iSpice Tours will contribute NZ$500 towards the ‘Raise the Roof’ fund-raising (minimum numbers required for the escorted tours). For those who prefer to do it on their own, we will work with you to create a tailor-made tour package that meets your needs and arrange for you to be looked after while you are travelling around in India using our network of hand-picked destination management companies.
31 | The Lampstand • 2014
It’s Happy in Hell Being involved in local communities has been a cornerstone of Hell’s Pizza philosophy since inception. Hell’s sponsorship of the 2014 LIANZA Children’s Book Awards was lauded by experienced librarians as ‘the best promotion for children’s literacy they’ve ever seen’. The lure of a ‘333 Kids Pizza’ for reading eight books saw students all over the country swarming to libraries, churning through the pages and redeeming their rewards. In selected small towns with no Hell store, the Hell caravan pulled up to remunerate the hungry bookworms. Wellington College’s Girvan Library approached Hell in June this year to tailor a sponsorship package specifically for the College. The first initiative was a Reading Challenge where students who read any six novels from the Girvan Library (throughout Term Three) received a Hell Pizza voucher to redeem at any Hell Store throughout Wellington. Hell have also kindly agreed to provide pizzas for the Student Librarians’ End of Year Party and plans are also underway for a Book Club. Founders (and directors) of Hell, Stu McMullin (1985-1989) and Callum Davies (1986-1989) made two recent visits to Wellington College. They first rocked up with the launch of the Reading Challenge, and more lately, returned to see how the challenge is going. Girvan Librarian, Brett Moodie has been impressed with the ‘buy in’ from the students. While our students on the whole are good readers, the extra incentive can only improve their literacy and reading habits. The challenge
stimulated a discussion about literature between the boys and the Librarians, that leads to new reading pathways being established. Four high-profile marketing campaigns have, on the face of it, been the catalyst of the ovens of Hell’s recent sales success. However, in the background, investment in people, technology, premium product development and a focus on franchisee relationships have created the foundation for the record sales and record franchisee satisfaction. Challenges with bad publicity in 2011 led Stu and Callum to review the business’s direction and make the changes necessary to reinvigorate the brand and the franchise system. Hell’s reputation had a couple of difficult years and a lot of work has been done to rectify that and get the business to where it is today, said Stu, who, together with Callum sold the master franchise in 2006, purchased it back in 2009. We knew we had to improve the professionalism of the company, but at the same time we had to get back some of our original roots; the culture at Hell is critical to its success. We replaced personnel who didn’t fit with people we knew understood what made Hell tick. Fifty per cent of our head office staff were hired in or after 2012 and all have worked with Hell before, including general manager Ben Cumming. Ben has done an exceptional job of realigning and refocusing the business; the franchisees are the happiest they’ve been with the business in a long time, as are Callum and Stu. This year has seen the introduction of
32 | The Lampstand • 2014
the premium Hell Wild Food Series, which launched with the wild rabbit pizza. Supported by a global-attention grabbing 6m x 3m billboard made from rabbit skins, the 600kg of wild rabbit was sold out before the campaign end date, leading to the best week of sales in Hell’s 18-year history. That record was short lived, when, two months later, Australasia’s hottest pizza ‘the Angry Dragon’ was consumed by 3,526 brave souls in less than two weeks. Coinciding with Hell’s iconic Black Friday special ($13 double pizzas), the records for the best sales in a single day and for one week fell again. The threat to hold Australia’s kangaroos hostage launched the latest pizza in the Hell Wild Food Series, the Boomer. The new offering, topped with strips of wild Kangaroo, has proven irresistible to a significant number of first-time customers We pride ourselves on our creativity and developing new and exciting products that put us right up there with NZ’s most innovative companies. Our focus is to continue to surprise and delight our customers and provide a successful platform for the franchisees of our 64 stores. Our sales figures and feedback from our recent marketing campaigns have been tremendous - we've been able to make people laugh and provoke a bit of discussion. Now back on track, Hell is well positioned to turn the heat higher: Hell is New Zealand’s premium pizza brand. Our goal over the next 18 months is to consolidate that with great product, engaging marketing and superior service.
Did you Know...?
(L-R): Callum Davies, Stu McMullin, Cameron Rose, Thomas Mace
(first to read six books in the challenge) and Girvan Library Manager,
•
Friday is the most popular night to order Hell Pizza.
•
The most popular Hell Pizza is the Lust (Meatlovers version).
•
2,189,900 Hell Pizzas were sold in New Zealand in 2013.
•
354,248kg of cheese is used per annum.
•
Hell was the first food company in New Zealand to introduce internet orders (in 1996).
•
They then became the first New Zealand company to run with mobile eftpos.
•
Hell opened 62 outlets (66 in total) in a four year expansion plan and never once advertised for a franchisee. It was all word of mouth and Callum and Stu were very selective.
•
Pizza Roulette was Hell’s global sensation two years ago - two drops of the world hottest sauce hidden on a slice but Hell didn’t tell you which slice. The tag line was it doesn’t cost but someone pays! Hell was featured in a five-minute segment on CNN and appeared in Time Magazine, New York Times, Huffington Post to name a few. Not bad for a Wellington pizza place!
•
Hell once had the world’s fastest hearse with NOS (nitros oxide). Entered into the Guinness World Records but it was beaten a few years later by those Aussies! Hell still have the hearse.
•
Hell released the world’s first interactive zombie adventure on You-tube using annotations. Based in the concept of ‘pick a path’. It has now had over 40 million combined views. Stu made a Hitchcock style cameo as a zombie in the bowling alley getting his head ripped off!
•
Hell released the world’s first augmented reality zombie game on a pizza box. You downloaded their app and the pizza box turned into a 3D city and your job was to protect the hell store from marauding zombies.
•
Three months ago, Hell introduced New Zealand’s hottest pizza called the Angry Dragon. If you ate it completely, you got your money back - and a photo on the wall of flame (or if you failed, the wall of shame) - and a free pair of undies! Hot was an understatement. Of all the guys in the Hell Head Office, the most anyone had was three slices!
Brett Moodie.
KNOW SOMEONE WHO’S GOING THROUGH HELL? As a kiwi-owned business, Hell loves to throw its weight behind local communities. From supporting major NZ charities and foundations to donating pizza to schools and clubs, Hell’s long been a backer of worthy causes. Satan’s Little Helper is a reformed sinner, on a quest to cut a break for good souls who keep getting struck down by the big guy in the sky. Tell us why your pal’s plight is worthy of un-divine intervention and Satan’s Little Helper will see what he can do. NOMINATE someone for Satan’s Little Helper’s Services. Satan’s Little Helper is looking for people who are genuinely stuck in the pit and who are happy for their situation to be checked out and talked about in public. If Satan’s Little Helper chooses your mate, we’ll do what we can to help get your buddy topside asap, and hook you up with some Hellish goodness for your efforts. www.satanslittlehelper.co.nz
33 | The Lampstand • 2014
Hauraki Hero PHOTOS (L-R): David Gapes in 1966, David with Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame earlier this year.
Generations of New Zealanders were
David vaguely recalls when it all but he's
portfolios.
introduced to some of the best music
just not sure which pub it was. It was
As they were dreaming their vision,
including the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix
just some loose conversation in a pub in
two other young men, Derek Lowe and
and Led Zeppelin because of two pirates.
Wellington. Maybe the public bar of the
Chris Parkinson, were thinking the same
David Gapes (1955-1958) together with
St George, he thinks. No, the Britannia.
thing. Derek was a brilliant producer
Denis ‘Doc’ O'Callahan, who were the
Anyway, the one next to where the
of commercials, Chris was a studio
original Radio Hauraki pirates. These
Evening Post used to be. David was a
technician and had a fantastic radio
two and the other two original directors,
journalist back then. He is again now.
voice. The men met, nutted out details,
Derek Lowe and Chris Parkinson, plus a
It's print media which flows through his
shook hands, and got to work.
team of rebellious youngsters, waged war
veins, not radio, he says. They had no real idea what they were
against the stuffiness of state-controlled radio in the '60s. They set to sea in a boat
But back in 1966, you couldn't switch
getting into in the ‘60s, then aged in their
and changed the airwaves forever and
on the radio and listen to your favourite
early to mid 20s facing storms at sea,
thanks to them, New Zealand progressed
music. David had already been a reporter
bureaucracy, politicians, police and court.
from state-controlled radio with a few
in Sydney where he'd been exposed to
stations, to dozens of commercial
music stations and he'd got a taste for
With Derek and Chris on board, other
networks and small stations broadcasting
them. Our government stations would
key people came too, many of them from
out of suburbs throughout the country.
play the hit parade for half an hour a
the NZBC - quality people frustrated
week, a bit of classical music and a lot of
by government bureaucracy and red
The story has been covered both in print
Parliament - pretty dire for the nation’s
tape. Support for the venture took on a
- [Radio Pirates: How Hauraki Rocked
youth. Before then, there was a radio
momentum of its own, says David. But
the Boat, Adrian Blackburn], on the big
wasteland made up of horse races,
first they had to get out of the harbour.
screen [3 Mile Limit] and more recently
rugby, Aunt Daisy, Doctor Paul and not a
on television [Pirates of the Airwaves].
lot else.
It wasn't easy. They were beset by rules and regulations, lack of money, and the
In December, 1966 the first radio
David says he knew nothing about
boat they acquired, the Tiri, wasn't in
transmission went out from the Tiri in the
broadcasting, just that he liked to listen.
great shape either.
Colville Channel, between Great Barrier
But he had the drive. Denis, the skipper
Island and the Coromandel Peninsula, in
of the Tiri, knew the ‘technical stuff and
One of the banes of their life was Jack
a little pocket of international water.
the marine stuff’, so he had two key
Scott, who was not only Broadcasting
34 | The Lampstand • 2014
PHOTOS (L-R): The book; Radio Pirates and the Kapuni (dubbed Tiri II).
Minister for the National Government
Defiant, they still tried to leave the
Denis says he never listens to Hauraki
but also the Minister of Marine and
harbour. A crowd had gathered but police
these days. David still listens but says
Postmaster General. It was a strange
lowered the Viaduct drawbridge to stop
it's a bit head-banging for him. He likes
relationship. His role was to stop them,
them. They were eventually stopped
Radio Sport and Concert FM.
but he was also for them.
leaving the harbour, arrested and taken to court, a case they won.
David went on to manage local band Hello Sailor which included fellow Old
He worked for both sides, them and us, says David. We never trusted him totally.
In November, they finally snuck out
Boy, Dave McArtney (1964-1968). The
We liked him. But he was silver-tongued.
of the harbour. Given the age of those
latter refers fondly and often to David
We knew that, fortunately. We might have
on board, the rock'n'roll music and the
Gapes in his biography [featured
been naive but we weren't green. He was
excitement, you might think there would
elsewhere in this Lampstand publication],
always trying to accommodate us, talk
have been one big party. The men say
David dared to take the Kiwi band
us out of it, sweet talk us. But he always
no. It was serious stuff. They would work,
to California to try and realise their
kept the lines of communication open
sleep, eat, cook, fish, read and swim.
international potential with a ground-
which was valuable. I think deep down he
And, the news had to be read. They
breaking deal.
probably quite liked us.
would unashamedly collect the news by listening to other stations.
For the past decade, David been working at business-to-business publisher
But, says Denis, Scott's role was to protect the government monopoly
As well as battling bureaucracy, there
Profile, first as editor of NZ film industry
and then the Post Office was the
were storms at sea. In 1968, the Tiri ran
monthly Onfilm, and for the past five
only authority which could license
aground on rocks at Great Barrier Island
years as editor of the ad industry monthly
broadcasters.
and the Tiri II was caught up in the storm
AdMedia. Strangely, he’s grown fond of
which sank the Wahine. It ran aground
the advertising business - real people in a
again later that year.
real business trading in real money, quite
When the Tiri was due to leave in
unlike the government handouts that rule
September 1966, marine inspectors stopped them. When the pirates tried
Finally, in 1970, Radio Hauraki received
to leave again, in the dead of night the
a legal licence to broadcast and headed
next month, Scott himself boarded and
for dry land. Yes, it does seem like a long
Radio Hauraki is still here and so is
threatened to have them arrested.
time ago, they say. They have had lives
Hello Sailor. David Gapes has made a
and other careers since.
substantial contribution to both.
35 | The Lampstand • 2014
the movie biz.
farming. I started reading it and thought, 'Why would you go any other way?' It just made so much sense. It just resonated with me." It awakened in him an obsession with organic gardening. It was the first step onto a path that led to founding the ecovillage and ecostore. Malcolm describes ecostore as ‘a capitalist beast with ethics’. He says many people from his quarters - the arts and eco scenes - see money as being evil in some way. But his belief is that to change the world, you need to make money.
and the
ECOMAN Malcolm Rands (1968-1969) is the man who started with a vision and homebased production and turned his business into a global success. His ecostore environmentally conscious consumer products are now in supermarkets across New Zealand, in more than 1800 stores in Australia, the US and Asia. Malcolm started ecostore in 1993 – then, it was nothing more than a humble mail-order business. The company now provides New Zealand's leading range of plant and mineral-based household cleaners, body care, and baby products which look after the health of people and the planet. Its range is in thousands of stores all over the world and the company reported sales of around $30 million last year. The first 20,000 copies of his first full catalogue came out in Spring 1993. As the mail-order business slowly grew, Malcolm, wife Melanie, and their two young daughters moved to Auckland to develop their own products. They hired a chemist, worked hard on the marketing and started getting space on supermarket shelves.
His book, Ecoman was released earlier this year and tells the story of how he's taken ecostore 'from a garage in Northland to a pioneering global brand'. Malcolm describes himself as a serial entrepreneur. I've always started things up. I mean, we started New Zealand's first eco-village which still exists today, he says. That eco-village in Northland, called Mamaki, is where Malcolm and his wife spend half of their week. They load up the Toyota Prius and leave their Auckland home on a Thursday night, making the long drive to Matapouri, north of Whangarei. Malcolm wakes up on a Friday and spends the day making Skype calls to clients in Australia. And then on Saturday and Sunday I go back to what's good for my soul, being a peasant farmer again. We usually come back on Sunday nights and on a good week we bring back organic eggs and vegetables for everyone in Auckland.
Malcolm received a Green Ribbon Award from the Ministry for the Environment, and ecostore was the NZ Sustainable Business of the Year in 2010.
A shy ‘geek’ at school, Malcolm was on track to follow in his father's footsteps as an engineer but realised he had no interest in it. Instead, he was drawn into the world of rock and roll. His college boy band was called Beavershot. Later came glam-rock band Rueben. I was actually a full-time, paid rock musician for about four years.
Malcolm has just turned 60 but there are no signs of his passion abating. He's no longer a long-haired young hippie earning peanuts. These days he's balding, wears trendy classes, cool jeans and a suit jacket. But that doesn't mean he cares any less about saving the planet.
In typical Kiwi fashion, Malcolm tookoff, travelling for about four years and then returned to Auckland as a 26-year old lacking direction. He came up with the idea of digging a garden for his mum, walked into the local library and immediately saw a book about organic
36 | The Lampstand • 2014
If you don't make money, there is no tomorrow, he says. If you don't make money, you can't hire the best people in the world to work for you. One of those people is New Zealand's highly-regarded scientist Sir Ray Avery, who Malcolm hired in 2005 to re-formulate many of the ecostore products. In Ecoman, Avery describes Malcolm as a true eco warrior who lives and breathes environmental sustainability. Apart from his business success, Malcolm has almost single-handedly created a national and international awareness of the need to create an environmentally eco-friendly sustainable business and shown how it can be done, Avery writes. Malcolm has big plans. He wants ecostore to be well established in Asia. He's also looking at a direct delivery system for regions like Europe. Rather than actually setting up chains of ecostore or bothering with the supermarket chains, we might just have a very clever system partnering up with Amazon or something. Malcolm says he has the classic strengths and weaknesses of an entrepreneur. With passion, vision, energy, and optimism come a loathing for details and repetitious work. His advice for young entrepreneurs is to avoid getting caught up following the latest trends or fads. If it's not a true passion and it's not something you're good at already, don't even start because you'll run out of steam and there'll be other people who will out-compete you. It's just taking on a project that everyone else is too afraid to do. Imagine the future and do it now. That's my motto.
Under INVESTIGATION Journalist David Lomas (1969-1970) is the
Zealand and was for two years a writer
'investigator' on the brand new series Lost
and the deputy editor of the Listener.
& Found on TV3. (which went to air mid September)
David’s produced a number of acclaimed television documentaries, including the
It’s David third programme investigating
top rating Wahine Disaster and The Real
family mysteries. Previously he was the
Mr Asia.
TV3’s multiple award-winning Missing
Other television credits include the
Pieces and he also investigator for the
ground-breaking series Courtroom, the
family history programme Family Secret.
National Geographic series Croc Hunters and the recent TV One series Women in Blue that profiles women police officers.
a 13 year-old schoolboy he covered sporting events for The Evening Post,
Before making independent TV
The Dominion and the Sunday Times in
programmes, David worked for 15 years
Wellington.
for TVNZ news and the current affairs department. He was the producer of 60
I was boarding at Firth House and on
Minutes and Sunday and an executive
weekends I used to both play and coach
producer of TVNZ news. He was also
rugby on Saturday mornings and then
a foundation member of the Holmes
in the afternoon I’d sneak off and cover
programme.
senior club rugby games for the Sunday Times, he says.
being in Kabul, Afghanistan, while it was being shelled by Taliban artillery; two visits to Antarctica; three times being threatened with a gun; covering an All Blacks game in Fiji that was called off because of rioting; being deported from Fiji and surviving a fatal helicopter crash
producer and director for four series of
David started in journalism early. As
Mururoa Atoll, French Polynesia;
Work has taken David to more than 40 countries and to all the seven continents.
It was incredible that I got away with
Unique experiences have included being
working for newspapers while a boarder.
the first NZ journalist to gain access to
But I was really lucky that at both the
the French nuclear testing sites on
school and at Firth House I struck some
in to the sea off the East Coast, along with TV presenter Paul Holmes. In his series Family Secret that screened in 2013 and 2014 David’s investigations ranged from a chilling insight into life inside the Seacliff Lunatic Asylum to discovering the real story of New Zealand’s involvement in the "Argo” story. In his new series Lost and Found, David returns to his old Missing Pieces stomping ground, helping to reunite families. But he says the new programme is quite different from Missing Pieces in that it also investigates how people become disconnected from their cultures and heritage. We’ve also broadened the concept of family reunion. In Missing Pieces the reunions were mainly one-on-one events
really good and liberal thinking masters
– a son meeting a father. But over the
in Seddon Hill (Headmaster) and John
course of the 50 programmes we did for
Craig and Graham Thomas (Firth House
Missing Pieces we realised that there
Masters). They all knew that I was
was a big ripple effect with family matters
ducking away and working, but they
– there were siblings and grandparents
chose to turn a bit of a blind eye to it, even ignoring by-lines in the paper.
that also felt strong ties to lost family
David has now been involved in journalism
incorporate more of that so in
members, David says. We wanted to Lost & Found we try to involve more of the
for almost 50 years, the last 25 years in
greater family.
television. He has the unique distinction of having been awarded the "Journalist of the Year" title as both a television reporter and a newspaper reporter. As well as working on newspapers and television, David has worked on Radio New
37 | The Lampstand • 2014
Playing for Laughs We caught up with comedian, Dai Henwood (1991-1995) and he kindly (and politely) answered the questions we put to him: Q: You attended Wellington College in the early 1990s under Harvey Rees-Thomas, did you ever end up having ‘one-on-one’ sessions with him for discipline issues or academic success? Were there any teachers who rattled you or who could see potential in you? I had a lot of respect for Mr Rees-Thomas and a healthy fear and respect for his Deputy, Gary Girvan. I feel I attended the school in the heyday of personality based teachers such as Wilf Haskel, Bruce Farland and Dave Sowerby. They were teachers of legend. I was well behaved at school and outside of the odd minor run in, I was lucky enough not to see the disciplinary side of any of the aforementioned teachers. Q: Was humour a big thing for you at College or did that come later? Humour was with me since I was five. I have always liked making people laugh, although it came to the forefront at College. I was heavily involved in Junior and Senior Drama where most of my roles were in comedy. I was President of the School Council and turned any opportunity to address the school assembly into a mini Stand-up comedy set. Also, while playing rugby and cricket, I put my comedy skills to good use when it came to sledging. Q: Thus did you participate in the cultural way of life at school ie drama, debating, theatreports? All of the above. Junior and Senior Drama especially with involvement inboth performing and writing. I was lucky enough to go through College alongside some very talented performers. I loved the fact that as well as being a high achieving school on the academic and sporting front it also nurtured the Arts.
Q: I read recently in the newspaper that Rugby League was your passion then and still is today, but that you were not permitted to play at Wellington College. Do you think if you could have, you may have taken a different career path - say as a professional league player? No it was always going to be comedy, although I was involved in a lot of sport and still am today (see answer below) Q: Since League wasn’t an option at school, did you play anything else? Although I love Rugby League, during my teens I played Rugby. I represented Wellington in my early teens and played for the 3rd XV during my 6th and 7th form. I was also an avid cricket player Q: When you left school, you went to Victoria University - was there a push from home to follow in the footsteps of either parents ie law or acting? Did you complete your degree (in what) and has it helped? My parents were very supportive of me no matter what I did and I thoroughly enjoyed university studying a BA in Religion and Drama. There was never any pressure to follow either parents footsteps. However I was always veering towards the performing arts. Q: Do you prefer stand-up comedy or recorded ie TV? Does the money play a part in your consideration? What about any serious roles - have you performed in highbrow stuff? I love both sides of my job as they have a different skill set. Performing live is hard to beat however, as it keeps you honest. When you are in front of a live audience, they can't fake laughing so you know whether you are doing a good or bad job straight away. I am lucky enough to have done this as a full time profession for over ten years. Money however has never been a deciding part in which jobs to take though. In terms of serious roles, the
38 | The Lampstand • 2014
closest is probably playing a teacher in the children's movie, Kiwi Flyer (I still had a few laughs in it though). Q: Do you and fellow Old Boy and comedian, Steve Wrigley ever reminisce about Wellington College? Have you ever been back or wish to? Both of us enjoyed our time at Wellington College. However we were in different years. We occasionally have a chat about the old days but to be honest we are both people who very much look forward. I have returned to the school once since I left and who knows, I might do in the future. In fact I think I still have a Statistics assignment to hand in. Q: Before filming 7 Days each week, do you study up on topical events or play it by air as the issues/topics arise in the programme format? I watch the news and read the papers everyday, constantly thinking of jokes on all the topics so I can use them when the topics arise on the show. You have to know what you are talking about to really pick the funny bones out of topics (even though it seems I have no idea what I am talking about most of the time). Q: What’s next on your career agenda? I have just finished a stint at the Sydney Comedy Store. I would like to do a bit more work in Australia. 7 Days is still in full swing and continuing next year as well as a live tour of the show at the end of the year. Plus I am writing a new standup show to perform at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in 2015.
Recommended Reading If you are looking for a good book to read these summer holidays, don't go past the intimate, raw memoir by Dave McArtney (1964-1968), a founding member of one of NZ's iconic rock bands, Hello Sailor; a tale of creativity, misadventure, success and excess. Dave 's description of Hello Sailor's campaign to conquer the American music scene is as funny as it is accurate. In this long-awaited memoir, completed just weeks before his untimely death. Dave gives the reader an access-all-areas pass to the life of a working rock'n'roll musician. From the band's earliest days at the notorious 'Mandrax Mansion' in 1970s Ponsonby, to becoming the biggest band in the land and then taking on the world, One chapter covers Dave's time at Wellington College; In 1964 the family moved to Wellington, where the old man was to be the chief accountant in the ANZ
well. Consequently I struggled to enjoy
Gutter Black is a story of music, mateship
head office. We lived in Thompson Street
it - although I did enjoy sleeping outside
(Mandrax) and a good deal of madness. It
at first, just off the end of Cuba Street, then
Athletic Park for All Black internationals,
is also the memoir of a uniquely creative
moved to our own home at 103 Barnard
especially the mid-winter game against
musician, who went on to further success
Street in Wadestown. The swinging 'sixties
South Africa in 1965.
with his band the Pink Flamingos, and a very personal story of love, family and
had begun. And so had the endless summer. There was also something else happening.
facing one's own mortality.
At Wellington College, cricket and rugby
The Beatles had given way to the Stones,
were compulsory. Every Saturday, after
the Yardbirds and the Kinks. Ivy league
Complete with previously unpublished
bruising encounters with teams from St
trousers had been replaced by Levi's,
photographs and band memorabilia,
Pat's, Rongotai College or Naenae College,
flared pinstripes, button-down collar
Gutter Black is the definitive account of
we headed out to Lyall Bay, where with a
shirts and zip-up Chelsea boots (I had
the man, the bands and the music that
couple of mates, Alan Gordon and Alastair
to hide mine from my mother). And a
rocked a nation.
Rees-Thomas, we honed our skills on the
mysteriously dark and neon world of
old nine-foot-six Malibu board.
nightclubs beckoned. The second phase of my musical induction had already begun.
I was never a playmaker or centre-of-the-
From the school band doing Yardbirds and
action participator in rugby, so was always
Animals covers, to playing 'Blowin' in the
relegated to wing. centre and sometimes
Wind' in church on Sunday mornings and
second-five, because of my ability to run
at Sunday-night Bible fellowship, the next
fast. In those days you rarely saw the ball;
step was taking the old man's car and a
back-line shifting, angle running and cut
few girls up Tinakori Hill for a pashing
-out passes were unheard of in schoolboy
session. That was curtailed when one
rugby.
night the car went into a ditch. Oh dear, the double life and the regular exposure
I was useless under the high ball as
had begun as well.
39 | The Lampstand • 2014
The McArtney boys: Philip, Richard, Barry and Dave
Dining Dynasty Born and raised in Wellington, Leonardo [Nardi] Bresolin (1994-1998) [immediately left] is a graduate of the famous Swiss Hotel Management School. He lived and travelled extensively around Europe before returning home to work alongside his father, Venetian born Remiro Bresolin at Wellington’s famous Il Casino. In 2006, he and his brother Lorenzo (Enzo) [ex Onslow College] opened their first
kitchens were vying to be recognised as
Leonardo’s cooking motto: Good food,
business interest, Scopa Caffe Cucina. The
the best of Dine Wellington, with set lunch
good wine, good company - Great times!
brothers now own further popular eateries
and dinner menus on offer for the festival.
(Duke Carvell’s and the Crazy Horse Steak
Scopa Caffe Cucina
House) and the kiosk Tommy Millions
Earlier this year, Leonardo and Lorenzo
141-143 Cuba Street, Wellington
and Gentlemen’s Beans Micro Roastry,
shared their expertise with TV3 Cooking
www.scopa.co.nz
and come September will open another,
Show, The Great Food Race Teams - a
The Bresolin, in the historic building that
roller coaster ride of crazy cooking
Duke Carvells
housed Bar Bodega.
challenges that tested each team’s ability
6 Swan Lane, Wellington
to cook under pressure and outside their
www.dukecarvell.co.nz
Leonardo’s ‘hands on’ management
normal cooking conditions, but also their
technique and eye for detail have
competitive streak.
contributed to recognition from his
Crazy Horse the Steak House 129 Willis Street, Wellington
industry peers including receiving the
Both boys learnt their trade at the knee
‘Outstanding Front Of House Manager’
of their father, a man whose charismatic
title at Wellington's Capital Awards.
hospitality was legendary. They polished
Tommy Millions
glasses and waited on tables at the
Courtney Place Kiosk
Now, at 34, he is the father of two sons,
family’s Italian restaurant, Il Casino. Other
www.tommymillions.co.nz
Remiro and Lucero, with his partner Wiki.
family members also contributed to the
Duke Carvell’s were finalists in the recent
brother’s education in the art of living well
Gentlemen’s Beans Roastry
‘Wellington on a Plate Food Festival’,
and generous hosting; table etiquette and
Courtney Place Kiosk
for a second year running. Ninety-eight
the appreciation of good food.
www.gentlemensbeans.co.nz
Mark Grantham Queen’s Service Medal for Community Service Wellington College: 1990-1991
since he was twelve, when he was the top
a number of high-profile customers,
student vendor in a school fundraising
including rugby star Michael Jones and
initiative. Since then he has sold more
former Auckland Mayors John Banks and
than 50,000 chocolate bars for World
Dick Hubbard. Former Prime Minister,
Vision after seeing an advertisement for
Dame Jenny Shipley also often stopped
Mark Grantham has been a familiar sight
its child sponsorship programme.
for a chat.
years, selling chocolate bars for charity
Mark has also shared his story of selling
Mark’s efforts have also seen him named
from his wheelchair. But few would know
chocolate to make a difference at schools,
Newmarket Volunteer of the Year, and
that he has raised more
community groups and churches, and
win the Spirit Award in the 2011 Attitude
www.crazyhorsethesteakhouse.co.nz
to Newmarket shoppers for more than 20
than $40,000 for children
given presentations at
awards, for someone who overcomes
in need. I'm very honoured
seminars and conferences
hardship to achieve their goals.
to have this award, he
in New Zealand, Australia,
said.
the Cook Islands and
The Chocolate Seller on Broadway -
Hawaii.
Mark’s life story, written by his father Chris, was released earlier this year and is
Mark, 37, who has cerebral palsy, has been selling
Over the years, Mark
chocolate for charity
Grantham has had
40 | The Lampstand • 2014
now into it’s second edition.
John Green Queen’s Service Order for Services to Conservation Wellington College: 1960-1965 John Green (1960-1964) has chaired the LakesWater Quality Society for the past eight years, helping secure $234 million funding to
What’s in a Crest?
clean up five lakes - Rotorua, Rotoiti, Okareka, Rotoehu and Okaro - in the Bay of Plenty region. Naturally, I'm pleased to be given this honour but to be honest there have been hundreds of people involved in the process of cleaning the lakes since it began in 2003, he said. I've been happy to have been part of the process to restore the lakes and clean up the environment but I'm really just receiving it on their behalf. The society had been instrumental in bothering to find solutions to restore the lakes after community concerns on lake water quality became heightened in 2002-2003 when algae blooms appeared in Lake Rotoiti for the first time. Many people said 'how is this happening?' and 'what's causing these algae blooms? There were a lot of questions being asked, and people started staying away from the lake. It was just not acceptable to have toxic lakes in a major tourist destination. The society used science to highlight the problems, bringing speakers to talk at symposiums on the effects of algae blooms in Europe and the US, he said. It resulted in local and central government, farmers and iwi becoming involved to find solutions and provide funding for sewerage schemes and a wall to divert nutrient-laden water from Lake Rotorua to the Kaituna River. Both the wall and the sewerage scheme have caused a dramatic change in the water quality on Lake Rotoiti. The society was instrumental in getting the Waiora and Oturoa agreements, signed in 2011 and 2013 among stakeholders, to reduce nutrient emissions into Lake Rotorua. John has had an extensive international career as a senior audit and management consulting partner in the world wide firm of PriceWaterhouse. Over the last 20 years, he
In the early years of Wellington College, one aspect of the formal side of the College was attended to by the Governors. On 3 July, 1873, a seal design was adopted: ‘a burning lamp on a tripodal altar surmounted by the motto’ Lumen accipe et imperti in a scroll, the whole surrounded by the words, ‘The Governors of the Wellington College’, The design was adapted and adopted by the three descendent colleges, and it became the crest when Wellington College obtained its Grant of Arms in 1987, though the altar was renamed as a pedestal. In 1874, his Excellency the Governor, at that time Sir James Fergusson, agreed to accept the Office of the Visitor.
has pursued a wide and challenging career in merchant and investment banking, corporate acquisitions and restructuring in New Zealand, Australia, England, Singapore and America. He has held positions of Managing Director of R & W Hellaby Limited, Finance Director of The National Provident Fund, Chief Operating Officer of Brierley Investments Limited in Singapore and Chairman of Union Shipping Group and ANZDL Shipping Line. In recent years, he has taken on professional directorships in commercial and investment organisations. He is currently on the board of Quayside Holdings Limited which controls the investments of Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council and includes majority ownership of the Port of Tauranga. He is also on the board of Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua. John was a former Chair of the Wellington College Board of Trustees and the Wellington College Foundation. John, and his wife Ann live at Lake Rotoiti. He has recently taken on the role of Chairman of Grow Rotorua Limited, the newly formed council controlled organisation of the Rotorua District Council. John and Ann had five sons attend Wellington College; Jason, Nick, Chris, Simon and Sam and all played in the 1st XV just like John in 1965.
41 | The Lampstand • 2014
The arms of the Wellington College, granted by Lord Lyon in 1987, give heraldic status to the school’s traditional colours, black and gold. Below the lamp in the shield, an open book has its bookmark charged with the five white plates of the Wellington arms. And above (in chief) are the four gold stars derived from the arms of Lord Freyberg. The crest is the school’s traditional emblem of the lamp on its pedestal.
From the 1940s
Chairman of the Karori
Diamonds are Forever
Community
Sixty years ago in June, 1954, a young Alan
Centre Michael
Rice (1944-1947) married his sweetheart,
Fagg says
Joan and recently, the couple celebrated
the event was to
their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
thank Wally for the 25 or
more
years of work Wally had put in as part of the community centre. Jenny Raines, of the Wellington City Council, says he was a volunteer extraordinaire - a gentleman with a great sense of what was right. Committee Member of the Karori Community Centre Heather Baldwin, Former Karori Community Centre Coordinator Ethne Wyndam-Smith, Wellington City Councillor Andy Foster (19851986) and President of Rotary Club of Karori, Rowland Woods, all made speeches at the farewell. They received congratulatory letters from the Queen, the Governor General, the Prime Minister and their local MP. Joan
Heather said in her speech his departure will leave a huge gap
also received a pair of sparkling diamond earrings from Alan.
but he could be very proud of what he has done. We thank you for everything you have done. We realise that this has been a
Alan, an avid cyclist from the age of 16 was surprised with a
huge part of your life because you have done so much to make
bicycle wheel guard of honour from his friends as the newly-
our suburb of a better place in which to live. You have been an
weds left the church.
inspired advocate and supporter for the Karori Community Centre and with the Liaison Coordinators, we know that you have
The couple met when Alan was living in Gisborne, on transfer
given hundreds of hours for them and for the Youth Centre and
with Shell Oil and a friend invited him to a picnic that Joan also
particularly with the Youth Awards.
happened to be at. Joan had slipped in a small ditch and Alan went to her rescue. She grinned and I grinned, and that was that,
Andy Foster said in his speech it was a real privilege and honour
said Alan.
to be speaking at the event. One thing we will always remember is that you have wanted to do it right - not by demanding, but by
After the wedding, the couple bundled all their worldly goods into their new Morris Minor and moved to Wellington.
presenting your information.
From the 1950s
These days, Joan and Alan live at their home in Tawa and have four children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Aerospace Awardee The Meritorious Service Award is made
And Alan’s secret to 60 years of love? It’s versatility; it’s a matter
by the Royal Aeronautical Council of
of going with the flow.
the Society, and recognises long term contributions and practical achievements in
Through Alan’s work, the Rices’ have lived throughout New
all sections of aerospace in New Zealand.
Zealand and a stint in Papua New Guinea. With Alan’s love
The award takes the form of a certificate,
of cycling, they always made friends through local cycling or
a citation and a medal. This Meritorious
athletic clubs. Alan’s dedication to the sport was honoured with a
Service award has been made to John Cook (1950-1954).
Wellington Lifetime Contribution to Sport Award in 2012. John trained as an accountant, but developed an interest
Local Legend Bows Out
in aviation and became a private pilot and member of the
Karori legend Wally Simmers (1945-1948) had a very special
Wellington Aero Club. He owned a 4-seat light aircraft, which he
farewell to commemorate his retirement from the Karori
kept at the club, and was Club President for over ten years.
Community Centre. John participated in the wider aviation community, including the The farewell was held in February and was well attended by those
Royal NZ Aero Club Inc, the NZ Aviation Federation and the Royal
wishing to recognise the hard work Wally has done for the local
Aeronautical Society. In addition, he became a council member of
community.
42 | The Lampstand • 2014
the Aviation Training Council, part of the Industry Training Organisation (now ServiceiQ). He remains a council member of the NZ Aviation Federation. John was appointed a founding director of Aviation Services Ltd, responsible for the provision of examinations for NZ flight crews and aviation engineers for the NZ CAA. He remains a director of a number of aviation related companies. In addition to his array of aviation related commitments, John has contributed both his time and talent to a number of non-aviation organisations, including the Arthritis Foundation of New Zealand Inc, Barnardos NZ and the National Heart Foundation. John was Chairman of the Wellington Branch from 1998-2013, and is
people are opting for something a little different. Former
actively involved with the activities of the NZ Division.
Carterton Mayor and now a Greater Wellington regional councillor, Gary McPhee (1969-1972), of Carterton, has converted
John has made and continues to make an invaluable contribution
the sidecar on one of his HarleyDavidsons into a coffin.
to Society, the wider NZ aviation community and other charities, and the Royal Aeronautical Society is delighted to present the
Once or twice a year, he carries departed brethren of the
Meritorious Services Award to John Cook.
motorcycling fraternity on his last ride to the cemetery, often at
From Bottle to Blog
the head of a procession of bikes. A lot of these people don't like cars. A lot of them got killed by a car on motorbikes.
Barry Johns (1955-1956) of Waipara Wines fame has joined the blogging atmosphere. His blog: Oogy Wawa is now up and
Complete with a bed and pillow, the coffin was also a handy
running and can be read at http://oogywawa.co.nz
place for a nap after a few too many drinks at the pub. It's like having a motorhome.
Oogy Wawa speaks of the expression used by the
NZ Art Show showcases local talent
Zulu people for the English equivalent of Cheers!
A local in the northern suburbs was recently selected to exhibit Barry is the General Manager of Glasnevin Wine
at the New Zealand Art Show. John Archbold (1961-1963) was a
Estates Ltd, a business which he set up with
general exhibitor at the national art show, which was held in July.
his eldest son Ben in 2005. Barry intends to make weekly postings on wine related matters and adventure and welcomes your feedback. He has also recently written had published a short novel under the title A Winelover’s Tour de France, published through www.ebookit.com. The book is also available from AmazonKindle books at US$3.74 .It is supported by a top review which rates the book as a 'definite must read', 4/5 stars.
From the 1960s What a way to leave the world
John has been painting in oils for about ten years now, and
Funerals are becoming more varied but the services of Kiwis are
enjoys depicting Wellington land and seascapes. I love the ever
tame compared with some overseas. Sombre and black are on
changing light of the Wellington landscape, and have several
the way out, as Kiwis increasingly demand a unique formal send-
paintings of the Ohariu Valley and Makara coast in the show,
off, often from beyond the grave.
John says. It is only more recently that I has had time to develop my art.
The hearse may be the default option for funerals but many
43 | The Lampstand • 2014
He is an active member of the Khandallah
the summer months and the public are able to
Art Group that meets every week at the
experience this unique environment. The last
Johnsonville Community Centre, where John
account of Molesworth was published in
also tutors drawing classes.
1969, so this book is a timely continuation of its history.
A born and bred Wellingtonian, John
South Australians are in safe hands
grew up in Eastbourne and was educated at Wellington College, with later study in London.
Malcolm Jackman (1965-1969) has been appointed as the Chief
His working career has been spent in graphic design
Executive of Defence SA, South
with a strong association with the printing industry, running his
Australia’s lead government
own graphic design business. As a side line to the mainstream
agency for all defence matters and
design work, I undertook many illustration and painting
the nation’s only stand-alone state
commissions and these lead to my interest in working further in
defence organisation.
watercolour and oils, John says.
Molesworth Station book a winner
Reporting to the Premier, its mission is to grow Defence
Congratulations to Harry Broad (1964-1968) who recently won the Booksellers Choice award at the prestigious national NZ Post Book Awards.
presence and build a sustainable defence industry for South Australia. Working closely with Defence and industry, Defence SA targets defence investment and expansion opportunities and drives and supports the delivery of major defence projects and facilities. Born and educated in New Zealand, Malcolm has a BSc in Pure Mathematics and a BCom in Accounting from Auckland University. He spent his early career as an officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander, before joining the staffing services and recruitment industry in 1984. He
The Ngaio resident and award-winning journalist created the book in conjunction with local photographer Rob Suisted. This was Harry’s first book but he is no stranger to writing having had a successful career as a farming journalist before working in the Department of Conservation as a pest control advocate. He has had a long interest in the history of the South Island high country, and the chance to do a book on the great Molesworth Station has enabled him to combine all his interests under his beret. Harry said that he met many of the characters on his journey in writing the book which gave the stories life and breadth.
worked in a variety of senior roles in New Zealand, Australia and North America as well as spending time in Asia and Europe. From 1996 he was CEO of Manpower Australia and New Zealand. He joined the publicly listed Coates Hire in 2003 as CEO, and oversaw a period of rapid and sustained growth as the company consolidated its position in the Australian equipment rental market as well as rationalising their overseas operations. In early 2008, Coates became the largest public to private transaction in Australia. Malcolm was appointed to lead the merger and manage the integration with National Hire before stepping down July 2008. In September 2008 he became the CEO of Futuris Corporation
The name of Molesworth has huge national recognition, not only because it is our largest high-country station, but also because of the remarkable story of how, from the late 1940s, the legendary manager Bill Chisholm rebuilt a ruined landscape and turned it into a flourishing and profitable farm. Molesworth covers an area greater than Stewart Island, and is in every sense a working farm, home to one of the country's largest cattle herds. For many years it was virtually closed to the public, which is one reason for its mystique, but that is in the process of change. Now managed by the Department of Conservation, vehicle access is allowed during
that changed its name to Elders Limited in April 2009. During his tenure he initiated a significant business restructure and change in strategic direction focussing the group operations on its core agribusinesses. Elders transformed itself into one of Australia’s largest Agribusinesses having divested its Automotive business and successfully wound down its Forestry operations as well as divesting a significant number of non-core or under-performing assets. This was achieved despite the company being under significant pressure with an over geared balance sheet and constrained working capital.
44 | The Lampstand • 2014
Appropriately Malcolm has dual Australian and
formed the Wellington Heads, a jazz/rhythm
New Zealand citizenship. He remains an 'All
n blues band, that has played in and around
Black tragic', follows the Hawks with real
Wellington and at numerous jazz and blues
passion and retains his lifelong interest in
festivals throughout the country. As well
boating and all things nautical.
as recording four albums with Wellington
Music stays in the blood
recorded a very well received album of
Heads (and a fifth in the pipeline) he also
Neil Worboys (1965-1969) doesn't boast to
original blues numbers in 2008.
the kids at his school about beating one of New Zealand's greatest bands in a talent quest. He
Neil plays in a number of bands besides the
easily could.
Wellington Heads, currently fronting Gravel Road, the popular Wellington country/folk band who recently released their debut CD Heartland - a collection of stories about New Zealand life, history and the places that inspired the band. He’s also regularly performing with his new jug band - The Kelburn Viaduct Municipal Ensemble Jug Band which recently performed at the Manawatu Jazz / Blues Festival. Neil also performs with a current version of Hogsnort Rupert, a skiffle/pop band that was very successful in the early '70s. Aside from his uniquely powerful and gravelly voice, Neil is also a fine harmonica player and provides rhythm through his electric or acoustic guitar, banjo or mandolin. Neil has been Principal of Wainuiomata Primary School since 2003; it’s a job he’s loved. He will, however, be retiring from principalship at the end of 2014 and is looking forward to
The Wainuiomata Primary School Principal [pictured above left on
focussing his energies on music for at least the next decade.
the banjo], still remembers when his Bulldogs Allstar Goodtime
First up - a 40 year reunion of Bulldogs Allstar Goodtime Band in
Band trumped Split Ends - before the ‘Ends’ became ‘Enz’ - in
January 2015!
New Faces, a televised talent quest, 41 years ago in 1973. Neil, who still performs in Wellington and around the country,
From the 1970s
doesn't like to gloat about being in the band that beat Split
Winemaker's Vintage Victory
Ends. His own band, the Bulldogs Allstar Goodtime Band, made
Congratulations to Winemaker, Alastair
up mostly of teachers college students, played professionally,
Scott (1978-1982) who won the Wairarapa
released an album of originals and had two songs in the top 10
seat for National in a tight three-way tussle
for a period. We burned bright for a certain time and then we
in the 2014 elections.
called it a day. Their hit records included Everyone Knows and Miss September. The ‘Bulldogs’ also included Brien McCrea, a
Owner of 'Matahiwi Estate' near Masterton,
former teacher at Wellington College.
Alastair’s credentials and the popularity of his party saw him emerge as the victor.
As history shows, Split Ends soon turned into Split Enz and became one of New Zealand's proudest exports. But some
Alastair’s business skills are beyond
people, usually of a certain age, also fondly remember the
question - he was a banker in London
Bulldogs Allstar Goodtime Band. Neil seems without regret,
and Tokyo before returning to New Zealand and established his
though he sometimes does wonder maybe we should have gone
successful wine estate in 1998. He also chairs a free-range egg
a different way of doing it.
company based in the Wairarapa.
Neil continued to play jug band and roots music in the 1980s
Both the Wellington College Development Office and the
and early 1990s while teaching and living in the Gisborne area.
College’s Rugby Club have benefited greatly from Alastair’s
He returned to Wellington in 1993 to take up the principalship
generosity with him donating a large pellet of Matahiwi Wine
of Mount Cook School, at the top of Tory Street, where he
which both recipients have auctioned to support our fundraising
successfully led the school for ten years. During this time he
initiatives.
45 | The Lampstand • 2014
Alastair is the son of Bay of Plenty Old Boy,
Helu (1999-2004) knows he has a fight on his
Bruce Scott (1953-1957) and the father of
hands just to make the match day.
Sydney-based rower, Ben Scott (20072011) and Joe Scott (2009-2013), who was
With both two of the leading stars missing,
a recent member of the College’s 1st XV.
the English Premiership season through
Step-sons Sam Brandwood (Captain 1st XI)
injury, Will grabbed his chance with both
and Liam Brandwood are current students.
hands.
From the 1980s
I just put my best foot forward and played the best that I could. This season is going to be a
A quick return visit
massive challenge for myself but on a positive note we
While he only attended Wellington College for two weeks, back 30 years ago, technically this still makes Daniel
are pushing each other. I always go for the first ten metres and the rest is up to them. I think we could well be the quickest team in the league.
Kraft an Old Boy. Will returns from his summer tour with Tonga for the new season Daniel, who resides in the United
after joining the Club for the start of the 2013/14 season.
States, is a leading and highly sought after speaker in medical science. In conjunction with the Minister and Ministry of Health, Daniel was invited to speak
He made 21 appearances in his first season at the Club and scored nine tries, including a hat trick against Rugby Viadana in the Amlin Challenge Cup. Will also impressed with his dazzling
at Parliament on The future of Health and Medicine - Where can
footwork, most notably in the match against Exeter Chiefs which
Technology take us?
earned him the ‘hotstepper’ nickname. He was awarded the Players' Player of the Season award alongside James Haskell for
Daniel is the nephew of the College's Careers Adviser, Ernie
his performance last season.
Rosenthal’s (1957-1960) [pictured above left with Daniel]. Daniel is a graduate from Stanford University and a world renowned and
The 27-year-old plays wing and centre and has previous
sought after speaker on developments in Medicine and Medical
experience in English rugby having played for Bristol. Will played
technology.
for Bristol after signing from Rugby Roma in 2011, but he returned to the Italian Club after a year.
Daniel also managed to speak to a tightly-packed room of Wellington College students with aspirations in the medical field.
Will has played in the Pacific Nations Cup and also has World
He was very generous with his time and answered a good many
Cup experience, having been part of the Tonga squad that beat
questions from the boys.
France in the group stage in 2011.
From the 1990s
In the off season, Will returned to Wellington College to make a
Sports Academy Envy
special presentation to his old school. His 1st XV Coach, Chris
London Wasps Rugby Club have a collection of wingers that are
accept Will’s treasured Tongan rugby jersey - signed by the whole
the envy of nearly every club in world rugby and Tongan star Will
team. Enjoying his catch up with Chris, Will was able to view the
Wells (1971-1975) [pictured below left with Will], was on hand to
new Frank Crist Centre which encompasses the Sports Academy. He was most impressed with the facilities and what was on offer to the students - quite envious that he and fellow 1st XV team mates had to train off-site to maintain their fitness levels in his day.
Champion goes from strength-tostrength In 2013, Peter Taylor (1997-2001) made the successful switch in the lightweight boat classes - from sculling in the double to sweep oar rowing in the four. The lightweight four tasted success in 2013, winning Gold at the Sydney, Eton and Lucerne World Cups and finished the
46 | The Lampstand • 2014
season off with Silver at the 2013 World Rowing
Stanley as his desire for Olympic gold pulls him
Championships. The lightweight four crew
home.
remained unchanged in 2014, where they won Gold at the second and third World
George, his wife, and two children, will
Cup regattas, an unfortunate stroke of luck
relocate to Cambridge in August, and he
meant that James Lassche was injured
will also be involved in a start-up business
a crew change was made at the world
in the food industry in Auckland.
championships. Alistair Bond jumped in the four, and helped them to silver.
After winning gold with Nathan Twaddle in the Pair at the World Champs in 2005, the duo claimed Bronze at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, having finished fourth at Athens in 2004. In the 2009 New Year Honours, George was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for Services to Rowing. George will put that dedication into his comeback. I'm going to need all of the 809 days left until the opening ceremony, he said. It is something I cannot achieve by training part-time around a 12-hour work day. Unfortunately, there is
Peter, [second from left], is a world class single sculler as well
no real competition in Singapore. Training with the NZ rowing
as a top crew performer, and in the 2012 New Zealand Rowing
squad is one of, if not, the best rowing training environments in
Championships, unofficially recorded the best time ever for a
the world and this intense daily competition provides the best
lightweight single sculler over the 2,000 metre race distance. He is
possible path to reach Olympic medal standard.
a multiple New Zealand champion in the lightweight single sculls. George admitted he didn't even know if he'd be able to handle Peter said, We were truly enthusiastic with our Silver. Gold was
the comeback, but that chasing a long-held dream of Olympic
most definitely the closest it has ever been for our crew, within
Gold meant it was worth it, along with the benefits of a better
our grasp and we let it slip away. We have and will grow from this
lifestyle to bring up his family in New Zealand.
experience, become a tighter, more robust and stronger team. We are a better crew for it now and Rio is still the ultimate goal for us.
On his return, the goal is to rejoin the national squad in October and earn selection in a crew in March next year - both of which
I can’t go without writing about how much of a stellar regatta
he knows are certainly not guaranteed.
it turned out to be for New Zealand, our best ever in rowing history. Taking home six Gold medals, four of which were in
I have put myself through a number of tests recently and after
Olympic Class boats, two Silvers and a Bronze - putting our small
six months' part-time training, I am two to three per cent off my
nation as the best in the world. May the in-house competition
best 2000m erg time, George said. On the water, I'll face a stern
be as fierce as ever when we hit the water again in October and
test in just over a month's time. I will travel to Europe in June and
concentrate on the Rio Olympics.
race at Holland Beker regatta in Amsterdam, followed by Henley
Rio is also on the radar for fellow rower
Royal Regatta in the UK in early July.
From the 2000s
Former Olympic medallist
Local TV showcases Old Boys
George Bridgewater (1996-
Viewers of TV3’s 7 Days may have picked up on Joseph Moore
2000) will make a surprise
(2002-2006) appearing as one of
return to rowing as he eyes
the guests recently (coincidently
up a spot in the New Zealand
playing against fellow Old Boy, Dai
team for Rio in 2016.
Henwood).
The 31-year-old is giving up a
Joseph is a recent newcomer
job in Singapore with global
to comedy however, and was
financial services firm Morgan
nominated for the Billy T Comedy
47 | The Lampstand • 2014
Award in 2013. Critics said that he is part of
was both fundraising and working in his quest
a new wave of young comedians who are
to head to Kenya in an attempt to establish a
writing comedy relevant to people of the 80s
carpentry school.
and 90s. Upon his arrival he ended up building a Also appearing
class room, store room, kitchen and dining
on our screens
room for a local charity. The project proved
lately has been Nic
extremely difficult to run and for a number
Sampson (2000-
of reasons, the aim of the project is now
2004) in Prime’s new
focussing on not just buildings, but building lives.
local whodunit series, The Brokenwood Mysteries as DC Sam
Co-founded with his brother Jamie Grant ‘Building Lives’ seek
Breen. While this is a more serious role for
international charities that work with children who are in need of
Nic – the scriptwriters have encompassed his sense of humour
solid buildings for schooling, storage and dining . The two then
through some of his lines.
select ones that meet their criteria, a main point being their need and sustainability. Loki and Jamie then put together a team of
Nic is head writer for TV3s Jono and Ben at 10, as well as being
tradesmen, fundraise for materials and then go and build it for
one of New Zealand's most versatile young comics. He is a
them. This way they can use their funds for essentials such as
masterful improviser, appearing in the Basement's Snort improv
food and education.
show every Friday as well as impersonating Sam Neil and Ernest Rutherford in comedy improv show Kiwi Heroes. He won
This year we are going back to Kenya with a team of six
Best Newcomer in the 2014 comedy festival for his solo show
tradesmen and we are building two dormitories for KCC Slum
Replaced By A Dog. Nic is also a skilled actor, having appeared
project.
in numerous TV and movie roles including Power Rangers, Emperor, Step Dave, and Go Girls. He runs the movie review
Silver Scroll tops a top year
podcast Cheap Tuesday with fellow Old Boy, Joseph Moore.
Nine years ago a 16-year-old Louis Baker (2003-2007) wrote his first song in his Wellington home. More recently, it was
Appearing on a more serious note, is TV
announced he was among some of New Zealand's most well-
One’s Breakfast news reporter, Chris
established musicians in the running for the APRA Silver Scroll.
Chang (2000-2004). Chris is based in Auckland and covers the upper North Island. He graduated from Victoria University with Bachelor degrees in Law and Arts (English Literature) before completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism at AUT. Chris loves the exciting and varied nature of television journalism, whether it's covering sports, crime stories, or the inevitable reporter-in-torrential-weather live crosses. Outside of work, he's a keen football and tennis player.
A good, keen man still building Last year we featured Loki Grant (2002-2006) [below right], who
The 25-year-old finalist is up against Broods, Tiny Ruins, Tami Neilson and Wellington's Phoenix Foundation, after putting his single Back On My Feet forward for consideration. Louis says 2014 has been a year of personal victories. On top of releasing his debut EP, which debuted at No 1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart and No 3 on the New Zealand charts, he has travelled the globe to play live shows, including the Sonar Festival in Barcelona, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Glasgow Commonwealth Games and - perhaps most notably - Sziget
48 | The Lampstand • 2014
The album was recorded at Wellington
Festival, which attracted 415,000 people to
Cathedral of St Paul and mastered within
Hungary.
three days. It was a new experience for His nomination for the Silver Scroll has been
Thomas, who is used to playing live recitals.
the icing on the cake, and Louis says it is a
Accepted into Julliard, Yale and Eastman
huge honour to be up against such talented
two years ago, Thomas chose Eastman because of its extensive organ programme.
musicians.
It's quite a small music school by US standards, only about 1000 students, but there
It's decided by APRA members, so these are
are a lot of organists.
people coming together and voting for their fellow musicians. So to be in the top five is a bit of a surprise. It's a really deep feeling of honour, but it's quite surprising and
While completing his bachelor's degree at the New Zealand School of Music, Thomas was one of two people studying the
out of the blue.
organ. At Eastman, he is one of 35. The school boasts resources He has long been immersed in music, growing up in a home
unimaginable in New Zealand, including a practice wing with 14
where the stereo was always on. He picked up his mother's
small pipe organs. It's a really peculiar sound when you walk
guitar at age 11 and has never looked back. Adding his Motown-
down that hallway and everyone is practising.
reminiscent vocals was a natural progression, although there was His favourite organ music changes constantly - at the moment
a brief flirtation with rock and metal,.
it is French Romantic. He admits he is not into popular music, In November, he will be back on a plane to play at the Australia
though he listens to jazz to wind down.
World Music Expo, and there is the possibility of more European Playing the organ has taken him around the world, but his
tours later in the year, with the release of his EP there.
Musician catches the organ bug
success has not come without sacrifices, and living on the other side of the world can be difficult. I love it and I hate it . . . It's a
Grinding away on the organ for ten hours a day is not for
tough business but at the moment I'm getting a lot out of it and it
everyone. For gifted young organist Thomas Gaynor (2008-
seems there's a future for me in it.
2009), it's all in a day's work.
$280,000 US Study Scholarship An exceptional New Zealand student committed to creating a better world, with a focus on Asian development, has been awarded a scholarship to study at esteemed Duke University in the United States. Benjamin Ayto (2009-2013) , studying for a conjoint LLB/BA
What's a weekend? jokes the 22-year-old about his intense
degree at the University of Otago,
practice and study schedule.
has received a Robertson Scholarship worth $70,000 a year. It is funded by New York philanthropist Julian Robertson.
Thomas was drawn to the drama and beauty of the organ at age 13 when concerts included a rousing performance of the national
Benjamin, a former Wellington College student and recipient of
anthem at Wellington Town Hall. I nagged Mum for a while and
a University of Otago Law Faculty Scholarship, plans to focus on
she eventually found a teacher at St Paul's.
new and traditional ways of addressing development problems in Asia. At Duke he will take courses in philosophy, politics,
Nine years later, Thomas has completed his Masters in Organ
economics, Asian studies and art and looks forward to a world
Performance at Eastman School of Music, part of the University
class academic experience and an internationally oriented and
of Rochester, New York. He is about to head back to the United
involved campus culture.
States to complete his doctorate of musical arts. This month, he released his first album, produced by Richard Apperley for the
Benjamin says that Asia is facing 'myriad challenges' such as
church and chamber music label, Organism.
poverty and uneven development among its population, and he wants to explore how his passions for art, culture and technology
49 | The Lampstand • 2014
could be used to achieve meaningful change in
adding to NZ Cycling's 15-medal haul.
the region.
The former rower switched to cycling in 2008 and has earned the reputation of being a
His interest in Asia began with the deep
powerhouse rider among his teammates.
connections he has made with the Chinese
Matt's previous results include a first
culture through five years of travel,
in the team sprint at the 2013 Oceania
volunteering and studying the Chinese
Championships in Invercargill, second
language. He was the top student in Chinese
overall in the sprint events at the Oceania
throughout his high school years - winning the
Championship in Adelaide in 2013 and sixth in
National Chinese Bridge Speech Competition in
the sprint event at the 2014 World Cup in Mexico.
2010 - and was also placed first in English and History in his final year. In the 2013 national exams, Benjamin gained outstanding scholarships in History as well as scholarships in Physics, Calculus, Statistics, English and Geography. Benjamin, who has visited Beijing, has a long-term goal of working in Asia as a director of programmes at an organisation that offers public education, cultural and artistic conservation, and the promotion of sustainable design and technological innovation. Duke University has a rigorous liberal arts education and will challenge me to engage in learning across an incredibly broad
In 2004, Matt was rowing skiffs at Maadi Cup for Wellington
academic and extra-curricular spectrum, says Benjamin. I’m
College. Ten years on, Matt’s 100% plus efforts in training has
excited to spend the next four years expanding my ability to
paid off with his bronze success. There's a whole new focus
draw upon and empathise with different cultural, ideological and
for the world champs (next year) and the Olympics. It's pretty
disciplinary perspectives in pursuit of that goal.
positive, Matt said. The Olympics is the focal point for the group. As Matt put it, the Commonwealth Games were important but,
Talented in the performing arts, Benjamin took the helm of his
bottom line, a stepping stone.
school’s biennial Stage Challenge entry, an enterprise which involved the planning and integration of a dance production
Matt loves the ethos within the track sprint programme based
with over 120 students. Benjamin’s commitment as director and
at the Avantidrome in Cambridge. Head sprint coach Anthony
choreographer united diverse groups within the college and
Peden spoke with feeling that Matt is the only rider in the group
earned him both the Eddie Charles Cup and the Ministry of Youth
who had not missed a single training session since the world
Development Award for Outstanding Student Leadership.
championships in Colombia in February-March. His success in Glasgow was a rich reward. And so the challenge intensifies, with
A College Prefect and the Head of Student Welfare, Benjamin also served as the Vice-President of the International Students'
good spinoffs all round.
Association, was selected to attend the National Model United
English Club snaps up Old Boy
Nations, and represented New Zealand at the Global Positioning
Former OBU, Tonga and Wellington
Leaders’ Forum in China last year.
Lions half-back Tomasi Palu (20002004) made a winning debut this
The Robertson Programme was established by Julian Robertson
earlier this year for the Doncaster
and his late wife Josie in 2000 with a $US24 million gift. Up
Knights against Jersey in the English
to three Robertson Scholarships are offered in New Zealand
Championship [second tier] Division.
annually, covering free tuition, board and a living allowance for up to four years. Selection is focused on leadership ability, along
Down but not out
with academic achievement, commitment to community service,
Old Boy, former Northern United and Wellington Lions
collaborative spirit, courage and an ethical outlook.
excitement machine Buxton Popoalii
The Bronze Biker
(2003-2007) was forced to retire from
Glasgow was the first Commonwealth Games for Matt Archibald
to his ongoing heart condition, Now
(2000-2004) and a brilliant introduction. He earned Gold in the
he's turning his hand at coaching, and
Men's team sprint and Bronze in the 1km time trial in Glasgow,
will be co-coach of his Dunedin Club,
all rugby earlier this season owing
50 | The Lampstand • 2014
Green Island in 2015. He'll be hoping to turn their
rounded out an outstanding regatta for New
fortunes around, Green Island having finished
Zealand.
last this year. The duo, silver medallists at last year's
Scholarly Swimmer
world championships, won their opening
Ted Taylor (2009-2013) who was a
race for one of the two 49er fleets
Prefect at the College last year, has won a
competing at Santander. But finishing 23rd
swimming Scholarship to Drexel University
in the second race for the yellow fleet left
Philadelphia USA and has just enrolled,
them eight overall. Light winds played havoc
majoring in Geosciences. Fellow classmate, Oliver
across the seven race courses on the fourth day
Wyeth (2009-2013) is ‘just up the road, on a similar
of the world sailing championships with only two of the
scholarship at Massachusetts University.
35 races completed. The pair now have their sights set firmly on Gold in Rio de Janeiro, 2016. The talented 21-year-olds have been inducted to the NZL Sailing Team. From the opposite ends of the North Island, Marcus started sailing in Whangarei when he was seven, and Josh is a proud Wellingtonian. Originally representing the Parua Bay Sailing Club, and the Worser Bay Boating Club, they both now train out of Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland.
Kiwis driving American rugby boom
Look out All Blacks - the United States has fallen hard for our national sport, and is flying in Super rugby players to teach them
Sailing to success
how to be the best.
Wellington Youth Sailing Scheme graduate Josh Porebski (20062010) finished in second place overall with Marcus Hansen at
Rugby is the fastest growing team sport in the US and a
the 2013 49er World Championships in France. Josh and Marcus
Wellington entrepreneur has found a way to tap into rugby fever: by offering training camps run by New Zealand players. When they're not playing here, the likes of Hurricanes Brad Shields and Reggie Goodes (2006-2009), and Chiefs half-back Brad Weber, fly to the US to run training camps for players wanting to go professional. Former Wellington College student Harrison Stott (2004-2009), who is behind the idea, says there's at least one All Black being lined up too. Harrison has formed the New Zealand Elite Rugby Academy after becoming disillusioned with the standard of coaching while playing university rugby on a scholarship in St Louis, Missouri. The team practised five days out of seven, with a game on the
51 | The Lampstand • 2014
premiership over South Sydney. He relocated to
weekend, but he found there was a lot left to be
Queensland following the 2010 season, after
desired. The coaching staff was below par, to
joining the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the
tell you the truth, he said. Unfortunately, we won the nationals. So we
Queensland Cup. Charlie was once again
apparently had the most accredited coach in
part of a title-winning side, as he played in
the USA, but he was terrible.
their 2011 and 2012 grand final victories. He was lured back to Auckland in 2013 when
The problem? The coach was teaching
he was offered a pre-season contract. Hard
out-of-date methods learned playing in New
work saw this extend into a full-time contract
Zealand as a youngster. Back then it was hard
and Charlie performed well in NSW Cup play,
men, and the dumbest survived, but now it's all
eventually earning his first NRL start against South
technical, Harrison said.
Sydney in Perth in July. He wants the coaches he brings in to break their training down to the tiniest of details, the tricks of the trade. Take Reggie, for
Fulbright Recipients
example. I know he scrunches his toes before he's about to go in
Fulbright NZ honoured 84 grantees of Fulbright and associated
the scrum and then explodes out - how his grip's different, how
NZ-US exchange awards at its annual parliamentary awards
he holds his feet placement before a scrum.
ceremony in Wellington. The event was used to announce 26
And Brad Shields, he has a certain running style and when he's
recipients of various Fulbright NZ Graduate Awards to study or
about to offload the ball - it's all timed. No coach is ever going to
research in the United States of America 2013 academic year.
look at that, per player, and try to get that across to them.
Three of those recipients were Old Boys.
Harrison said Americans were surprisingly good at rugby, with
Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Awards
a high level of skill and athleticism. And what they lacked in
For promising New Zealand graduate students to undertake
technique, they made up for with passion. He said rugby fever
postgraduate study or research at US institutions in any field.
was spreading like wildfire in the US. Youth rugby had grown by
Michael Dobson (1999-2003) will complete a Master of Arts
more than 400 per cent since 2012.
degree in Politics, specialising in environmental political theory, at the New School in New York.
Kicking up a Storm Former Wellington College star 1st XV
Fulbright-Ministry of Science and Innovation Graduate Awards
player Nelson Asofa-Solomona (2009-
For promising New Zealand graduate students to undertake
2013) has been selected in the NRL's
postgraduate study or research at US institutions in fields
National Youth Competition's Team of
targeted to support growth and innovation in NZ. Sam Cormack
the Year. Nelson, who has been with the
(2002-2006) will complete a PhD in Physics, specialising in
Melbourne Storm all year, has made this
cosmology, at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
team as a second-rower after playing lock and loose forward for Wellington College.
Cameron Gunn (2001-2005) will complete a PhD centred
In October, Nelson is set to play for the
on applying decision and control systems currently used in engineering to medical decisions at the University of California,
Junior Kiwis against their Australian counterparts.
Los Angeles (UCLA).
Wellington Warrior Charlie Gubb (2003-2008) is another Vodafone Warrior who cut his teeth on rugby union before switching codes. A Wellington College graduate, Charlie played in the schools’ 1st XV but switched to Rugby League in 2008 and made his start in the Wellington club circuit with University Hunters.
University Blues Victoria University recently awarded Blues to 30 students and four of them were Old Boys. The Blues are the highest recognition the University can give to people who have, by their sporting achievements or contribution to sport, brought credit to the institution. They are awarded by the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association (VUWSA). Their ability to balance degree-level study with outstanding performance in sports is a truly impressive achievement.
He was scouted by the Sea Eagles and Tigers but chose to keep his talents on this side of the Tasman, turning down their offers and instead signing with the Vodafone Warriors’ NYC squad in 2010. Charlie featured in 23 matches for the side and came off the bench in the grand final to help the team to its first
Congratulations to Felix Boyce (2009-2013) Fencing, Daniel Clarke (2007=2011) Football, Tristan O'Neale (2007-2011) Underwater Hockey and Pratik Tailor (2007-2010) Shooting. We featured Pratik's shooting success in last year's Lampstand, achieved while also studying and working in the College's IT Department.
52 | The Lampstand • 2014
Bright Spark Rick Millane (1967-1971) [pictured
The Linac Coherent Light
far right], a Professor in the
Source (LCLS) in Stanford,
Department of Electrical and
California was one of the first
Computer Engineering at the
XFELs. It is 1 km in length
University of Canterbury, spent
and cost approximately 300
six months of the 2013/14
million US Dollars to construct.
northern winter in Hamburg,
The European XFEL under
Germany.
construction in Hamburg is due to begin operation in 2016,
He was working with colleagues
and will cost over one billion
at the Center for Free-electron
euros. Clearly, with these kinds
Laser Science, a relatively new
of investments, governments
research center established
are convinced of the social and
in Hamburg to advance
economic benefits that these
science with next generation
instruments will provide.
light sources. These are not conventional 'light sources',
Rick’s speciality is computational
however! He was working with
imaging: mathematical and
a group that is developing methods to use x-ray free-electron
computational methods for
lasers (XFELs) to study the structures and functions of biological
processing data from instruments such as XFELs to produce
molecules.
high-resolution images of the specimens under study.
An XFEL used in this manner is in effect a super-powerful
This year he was awarded a three-year Marsden Grant to conduct
microscope, and the information so obtained is used to
research on applications of XFELs. He was elected Fellow of the
understand biological processes, and has applications in
International Society for Optics and Photonics (USA) in 2012 and
medicine and drug design. XFELs produce extremely intense and
of the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand in
extremely short pulses of x-rays. In fact, they produce x-rays with
2014 for his contributions to x-ray imaging.
a flux, or power density, that is a staggering billion-trillion times more than that of the first x-ray sources. Put another way, the
Of course during their stay in Hamburg, Rick and his wife also
peak power in one of these x-ray pulses is equivalent to passing
had the opportunity to do some travel in Europe, and to visit their
the whole of New Zealand’s electricity generation through a
son Alex who is studying at ETH (the Swiss Federal Institute of
pinhole! There are only a few such facilities sources in the world,
Technology) in Zurich.
although more are in the construction or development phase.
On fire with the Firebirds Playing for the 2014/15 Wellington Firebirds are four Old Boys; (1) Ili Tugaga (2003-2007), (2) James Franklin (1994-1998), (3) Josh Brodie (2001-2005) and (4) Michael Pollard (2003-2007). Former 1st XI and All Whites team member, Simon Elliott (19871991) made a visit to Wellington College and enjoyed a tour of the school with Headmaster, Roger Moses. Simon has played 66 internationals.
With domestic one-days and Twenty/20 matches scheduled throughout the country, make sure you
He is now with the LA Galaxy in a development and coaching position.
support our local boys on the field.
53 | The Lampstand • 2014
WE'VE GOT mail
Thanks for putting my letter and the picture of the cover of my book in the 2013 Lampstand which has just reached me. The reason for this is that I finished at the university in East New Britain and joined the University of Goroka as first Professor of Agriculture. Goroka is in the Eastern Highlands so this is my first time to live and work in the Papua New Guinea highlands, somewhat different from all my previous years here. Unfortunately now, all the contact information I gave you is wrong. My son Leslie is now four years-old and a good mix of Kiwi and PNG. My memoirs are still available through Amazon and I am assured by fellow Old Boy, John Rhodes that it is a good easy read. I will make an effort to come and see you all when I get my leave next year. Best wishes, Alan Quartermain (1949-1953) quartermainar@gmail.com The Lampstand has just arrived in the mail and I went through it quickly, as I always enjoy catching up on the news of my old school, to which I owe so much. I have lots of comments to make, but wanted to concentrate in this email on the Obituary for Richard Campion. While the Dominion Post obituary gives a wonderful overview of 'Dick's' (or 'Dicky's') life, I felt that I could add something of his influence on drama at Wellington College. In no way do I wish to downplay the contributions to drama made by other masters in 1956 and 1957, but Dick's arrival on the staff at Wellington College in 1958 had a quite inspirational effect on the College drama scene.
He may, indeed, have provided some impetus in 1956 with a visit to the school by members of the New Zealand Players, which he and his brilliant, actress wife, Edith, founded. Again in 1957, Members of the New Zealand Players Drama Quartet visited the school and several theatrical pieces were performed for a school audience. These were produced by Richard Campion, who at that stage was not yet on the school staff!
of Dick's impact on College drama, but I felt that it was necessary to add to the 'very worthy' public obituary you reprinted. I know, that many of those who took part in his dramatic productions, enjoyed the experience immensely, and in many it formed a deep love for and appreciation of the dramatic arts. In this Dick was most successful as a teacher, in spite of George Bernard Shaw's disdainful comment on teachers.
In 1958, the Junior Drama Club performed George Bernard Shaw's Androcles and the Lion, and the Senior Drama Club performed the Shakespeare history cycle dealing with the overthrow of Richard III by Henry Bolingbroke (Henry IV) and the final emergence of Henry V as hero of the United Kingdom. Dick Campion was the master in charge of the Drama Club and certainly directed Harry of England (in which I played Falstaff!). Also that year, the 6th Form Arts Club (master in charge, Dick Campion) invited Dame Sybil Thorndike to speak. She related her experiences of filming The Prince and the Showgirl with Laurence Oliver and Marilyn Monroe. For the theatrically-interested (star-struck?) audience, this was a fantastic experience.
Best regards. Barry Green (1955-1959) barryjohngreen@yahoo.com.au
In 1959, the College was visited again by the New Zealand Players Drama Quartet. There was a Third Form drama contest, and there were performances of The Beggars' Opera and Kiwi on Crete (in which I played a Cretan farmer). A New Zealander had written Kiwi on Crete and had offered it to the New Zealand Players, but they had not performed it. Dick had found the script, and adapted it for the production by the Wellington College Drama Club. Note: Our proof-reader, Gil Roper also perfomed in the Beggar's Opera, directed by John Dawick. Dick's influence on the drama life of the College was immense, and he was very generous with his time. I remember rehearsing with him for Harry of England at his home, out of school hours. He was encouraging me to give it 'full voice', but I obviously overdid it as I woke his young daughter, Jane (yes, the Oscarwinning Director), and Edith, his wife came in and asked us to 'tone it down'. There must be others who can add more
54 | The Lampstand • 2014
Each year in December I download a copy of The Lampstand and peruse it for news of my former class mates and teachers (1956-1961). This year, it was very sad to learn of the death of Frank Crist but it was very pleasing to read about the deeds of another ATC Squadron stalwart, Ken Bliss and to find that he is still very fit and well. I greatly enjoyed reading Ken’s lifeguard recollections which I don’t remember hearing previously. What I do remember though is that Ken fostered my perpetual interest in aviation although all I have achieved so far is about +4,000 hours as a geologist/navigator in a variety of helicopters on survey. I am also very grateful for his encouragement in rifle shooting with the ATC and allowing us to shoot off many, many boxes of 22 practice rounds at lunch time at the Mount Cook barracks and, also the opportunity to shoot at the National ATC championships at Ohakea. Please send Ken my best regards. Regards, Bill Fraser (1956-1961) wfr83002@bigpond.net.au As an ex-student from Wellington College, I was honoured to have such opportunity to visit my old school after so many years. After twelve years graduated from Wellington College, please allow me to introduce my footpath after graduation. I arrived Wellington from China and enrolled Wellington College in 2001. After passing Bursary at Wellington College, I spent another year to improve English and enrolled at Victoria University in 2003.
I have always had an interest in Japanese languages and decided to combine my thirst for knowledge in Science during my university study, and accomplished a BA with a double major in Computer Science and Japanese. During my university study, I was awarded the Tsubota Pearl Prize because I gained the top mark in the Japanese final class. After accomplishment of BA study, I decided to continue my study in both majors. Thus I spend another few years to accomplish a BA with First Class Honours in Japanese and a Graduate Diploma in Science with a major in Computer Science. During these postgraduate studies, I gained invaluable experience working on a number of projects, such as software developer at Victoria University. I completed my final study at the end of 2013, and now seeking for a job for my next step at New Zealand. I will be more than happy to visit Wellington College again for any purpose. Kind Regards Rui Wang (2001-2002) wangruidalian@hotmail.com The arrival of the latest, and best-ever, Lampstand, highlights a matter of family history that will be of some significance next year.
Kindest regards, Donald Phillipps (1946-1950) donaldphillipps@gmail.com Last Monday another combined Wellington College/Christ's College/ Wanganui Collegiate/Nelson College Old Boys Golf Day was held at the Hastings Golf Club. This was the eighth occasion that the event had been held = first started in 2010. 29 players participated in the recent event and an afternoons golf was enjoyed by all who played. I am pleased to report that Wellington College Old Boys won the team's competition, the best Stableford was won by John Buck (WCOB) with 40 points. The Best Nett was by Terry Peacock ((Wanganui) with 69. The Best Gross; Arthur Ormond (Christ’s) 87.
2nd XI Cricket), and Richard Wood (1st XI Cricket and 1st XI Football). To the right of me, again as you look at the photo, is: Ray Hollis, and then John Kelliher. The next three I am unable to identify. The man in the suit is Mr Halliday (affectionately known as ‘flea’). Let me say that this was very unusual race, and I wonder if there has been anything like it before or since. Now, why is this a very unusual race? To begin with the first two across the finish line (Warwick and I) were tied. It is unusual for a race of this length (440 yards) for the two leaders to cross the finish line at exactly the same time. It is more likely to occur in a shorter event like the 100 yards. This In fact did happen in the 1955 Senior 100 yards final: Eddie Young (1st XV Captain and Athletics Team Captain) and Bill Fleming (later to become a Junior All Black) tied for first place. However the race pictured in the
It has been decided to hold the event once a year now instead of twice and November the favoured month. The details are: Monday, 10 November at the Hastings Golf Club, Bridge Pa. Tee times have been reserved from 12.30pm to 1.00pm. Stableford Competition & Prizes for best Stableford & Best Nett. + others. The Cafe and Bar will be open. I do hope we can attract some extra WCOBA to participate - just email me.
Lampstand was a very unusual race because the next two across the line (Les and Richard) also tied. So the placings were Warwick and I finishing first equal, and Les and Richard finishing third equal. There was no second placing! One final point worth noting is that in addition to their achievements in Athletics and Cross-Country Running, these four runners reached the top level in four other sports: Rugby, Football, Cricket and Tennis.
It so happens that my (and, of course, John's) uncle was Francis John Herbert Fear who was, I believe, the first Old Boy to be awarded the DCM at Gallipoli. I found a newspaper record (in PapersPast) of a speech J.P. Firth made in 1915 in which he mentions Freyberg's DSO and Uncle Bert's DCM at the head of his list. Bert was, by the way, our mother's eldest brother. Though his life was brief - he was just over 30 when he was killed at Flers in 1916, in one of the Somme offensives - I am trying to put together a short life, for the sake of our family. I imagine he was a student at Wellington College from about 1897/8 to about 1900/01. If it were of interest I would happily supply you with a copy of the finished article.
Kind regards, Ian Kerr (1951-1952) jandikerr@slingshot.co.nz
If this photo were to be published along with this letter we might find someone able to identify those three people I don’t
I am responding to your request for identification of those appearing in ‘Photos from the Past’ on page 82 of the November 2013 issue of The Lampstand. I can help with the photo featuring the runners. The event pictured was the finish of the Senior 440 in 1960. The two runners in the foreground are from left to right as you look at the photo: Warwick Wyatt (Senior tennis champion and Team Captain, and 1st. XV), and myself (1st XV, and 1st XI Cricket). Behind these two, again from left to right as you look at the photo: Les Pascoe (1st XV and
55 | The Lampstand • 2014
recognise, and further, there maybe some stories about other unusual events in Athletics (or other sports) of historical interest. Kindest regards Haddon Speakman, PhD (1955-1960) hspeakman@xtra.co.nz
MORE LETTERS ON THE NEXT PAGE.
WE'VE GOT mail
My family arrived in NZ in mid December, 1948, settling in Karori and I started Wellington College in February 1949. Unexpectedly, I even got a hazing on the tram on the way to school - I hated it, but could not defend myself. I got on a special tram just for school kids. Once I was inside the tram, they beat me up pretty badly. I was so new in the country, I did not know what was happening to me and why are they doing it to me. I could not speak the language, and nobody came to my defence. After that, I began to hate school, I used to sit outside at lunchtimes and cry. I never told this to my parents. The first year was very tough for me at school. On several other occasions, boys would gang up against me and beat me up on the school grounds. That first year at school was very difficult for me socially, emotionally and academically. Everything was new to me. New culture, new environment, not knowing the language, having no friends. They put me in the lowest grade class, with all the dummies and roughnecks. One time, I met one of my attackers at lunchtime on the school grounds - oneon-one, and I beat him up. I was bigger than him. He was a ginger boy. No more problems for me after that. No more attacks. The second year at school was a consolidation year. No major problems. During the third year, I showed academic improvement, so they upgraded me to a higher level class. I still failed my School Certificate which was a big disappointment for me and my parents. In my fourth year, I passed my
School Certificate. No problem. Great excitement. I happened to be at Joe Beder's (1952) parent's place in Palmerston North, after a Habonim Camp. Joe gave me the The Dominion one morning, and told me that my name was there. I made it. It changed my life. My fifth year at school was the pinnacle. I came top in just about every subject, including English and I got my University Entrance. I was at the top. I felt great. My life was normal. At end of 1953, after finishing College, I went to Habonim Camp. There, four boys decided to take a hitch-hiking trip after the camp, since we had all finished high school and had extra time to spare, before University started. It was decided to see the southern half of the South Island. The group consisted of Eli Friedlander from Auckland [he is the younger brother of Ruth], Henry Zelas from Christchurch, Wally Hirsh from Dunedin and the fourth character was me from Wellington. Eli and I sailed to Christchurch and we met at Henry's place. Then the three of us hitch-hiked to Dunedin to meet Wally at his place. Then we spent almost the whole of January 1954, hitch-hiking all over the place, from east to west as far as Milford Sound, the road to the West Coast did not exist then, as it does now. Then we hitched south to Invercargill and back to Dunedin and Christchurch. We would normally split up into two groups of two, because four people would be too big a crowd to fit into one car plus packs, unless a truck came by. At the end of each day, we would somehow meet up with each other [considering those were the days prior to mobile phones]. We normally carried food for a couple days in our packs. So, at the end of the day, depending where we were, we would find a resting place, light a fire, cook our meal and hit the sack. Sometimes it was by the side of a road, sometimes in a park, sometimes by the side of a lake. On the way to Queenstown, I was hitchhiking with Wally. A big black car stopped to pick us up. It was somewhere near the Roxburgh township in the middle of nowhere. The man was going all the way to Queenstown. Of course we were
56 | The Lampstand • 2014
delighted to accept the lift. First it was a beautiful car [later we discovered it was a Bentley, which I had never seen before], and secondly it was going all the way to Queenstown. The rocks on the way were so beautiful that they left a deep impression on me [remember that at that time I did not know a thing about rocks]. I did not know what they were and why they were like that, and why they were so different from the rocks near Wellington. We slept a few nights by the lake [Wakatipu] and the rocks by the shoreline were like oval pancakes, light grey in colour and of all sizes, but never angular. We used to have competitions throwing them into the lake and try to bounce the most.…I could not understand why they were like that. I was completely baffled and mystified by them. Now, let’s go back to that Bentley car. The owner of the car was in his midthirties, a farmer from around the Timaru area. He was going to Queenstown to set up a new business, a Photo Shop, since he was expecting many visitors to come there in the future. He asked me to come and work for him. If not full-time, then part-time, or during the University holidays. I told him that I was planning to go to University. He also told me that I could always stay in his house which he owned, for free and that he would pay me very good salary. Sounded too good to be true. He only talked to me like this and not to Wally. Of course in those days I must have been quite handsome, although at that time I did not know that. [It is only now when I look at photos of that generation, that I realise that. Also my wife tells me the same. But at that time I was very modest]. When I think back now to that episode, the guy may have been gay and that he got a crush on me. I am just guessing, but my instinct tells me this. In any case, I did not pick up his offer, but I still kept his business card for a long time, since it was so tempting at that time, for a poor student to go and work for him during vacations, make good money and have fun at the same time, not knowing the consequences. Instead I took the harder option and worked on the docks and freezing works [warehouses], and at the same time I got a chance to develop my body muscles for free.
When I got back to Wellington, the thought of these flat stones by the lake, very much influenced me taking up the subject of Geology during my first year when I enrolled at Victoria University. During that year, I discovered that these rocks were called schists - a metamorphic rock - but how did they get to be so and how did they get to be just there and not some other place? That answer was not available in 1954. It was not known until about the late 1960s - some 15 years later. Until then nobody knew for sure the origin of these rocks, the schists of Central Otago. Now, let’s go back to about January 1955, when my cousin Ian Kaplan came to NZ from Sydney to attend the ANZAAS Conference in Dunedin, (Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science). He presented a paper there. Ian invited me to join him. What an honour! There I met some of the most famous scientists from the region, including many geologists. Among them, was a Bryce Wood - a senior geologist in his mid-thirties based in the Dunedin Branch of the NZ Geological Survey. He gave a paper on the Otago schists. In the late 1960s he had published a paper on the origin of the Otago Schists. The mystery to the origin of these rocks at last was solved. He was awarded a DSc degree by the University of NZ for his contribution to science. In 1965, I was invited to join the Conoco Oil Company based in Sydney. Conoco is a semi-major American Oil Co. In 1970, I bumped into Bryce Wood at a Geological Society meeting in Sydney. I was surprised to see him there and he was as well. He knew that I was working at the NZ Oceanographic Institute, DSIR for a while, because we used to see each other at annual NZ Conferences, but after that we did not see each other for about ten years. I left NZ in 1962. So when I met him in Sydney, he told me that he was divorced [nothing new, as my own marriage too was in bad shape at that time], and that he was looking for a job. He tried some mining companies, but without too much success. I then suggested how about a teaching job at a University. He said he never considered it.
I said let me help you. I had an academic job previously at the University of NSW, and I knew the Head of the Department of Geology pretty well, as I spent the 1963 year with him. To cut the story short, I called up Prof. Frankel and he invited Bryce Wood for an interview. As it turned out, Prof. Frankel had a vacancy for a structural geologist. Bryce Wood got the job on the spot and was soon promoted from Lecturer to Associate Professor, because he was so good. Bryce was always grateful to me for helping him to get started with his new career in Sydney. Once I left Sydney in 1972, I lost contact with him, but I was so happy in the end that I could be of some help to one in need. I could tell he appreciated what I had done for him. And as for me, I was very happy that I have done it for him, because I held him in very high esteem, even though he was at a very low point in his life. And he made it once again. This is the moral of the story of life: one day you are down, another day you are up, then down and then up again - it can happen to any of us. For the record, my own marriage fell apart in 1972, before I left for Taiwan. Leaving Sydney, when I did was the best thing that could have happened to me. I will always be grateful to John Strickland, International Chief Geologist for Conoco, based in Stamford, USA for arranging my new posting in Taipei. Towards the end of 1972, Conoco Australia sent me on an overseas assignment to Taiwan, to work as wellsite geologist on an off-shore rig, on loan to Amoco Taiwan, since Amoco and Conoco had joint concession to the exploration permit, but Amoco was the operator. The area was located off-shore west of Kahsiung. This was the start of my new career, which I grabbed with both hands, since I wanted to get all the experience possible, to become a petroleum geologist. It was a turning point in my life. I never returned to live in Sydney after that. And I never looked back. A new chapter had opened in my life. I left Sydney with one suitcase in my
57 | The Lampstand • 2014
hand, a good job, and $100 in my pocket, with a new and exciting life waiting ahead of me. Solomon Keston/Kustanowich (1949-1953) skeston@smile.net.il I was delighted to see a familiar photo of our 6th Form Geography trip accompanied by Ernie Barrington's letter. (The Lampstand Nov 2013). I have to say it was probably the highlight of my secondary school career. During the trip, I picked up on a few social skills. For example, back then when the pubs closed (by law) at 6.00 pm, you did not knock on the front door of West Coast pubs for service, you went around to the back. A tentative knock and a Yes, lad, what can we do for you? and from within the smoky confines of a crowded bar would emerge a couple of bottles of beer - and when the bus stops outside a Murchison pub, you don't join the rush to the bar, but wait, and deny any knowledge about some 'schoolboy bloody rugby team' that the barman mutters about. But apart form the social geography challenges, I also managed to pick up a bit of geology and geomorphology on the trip and it stood me in good stead as I enrolled in Geography at Victoria University the following year. I even picked up top marks for some geography terms exam during the year. While I never completed my degree at Victoria, the geography 'unit' that I gained counted as two papers towards a subsequent Massey University Degree in Business Studies, which saved a year or so of part-time study! A couple of great teachers, a good bunch of fellow students, (none of us appeared to be from the top academic stream) and the only problem was the May holidays being cut short by a week - the trip shoulda' been done in term time! Tim Kerr (1962-1966) tim.kerr@xtra.co.nz
YOUR LETTERS: We welcome your feedback, news and reminiscing for inclusion in the 2015 Lampstand care of oldboys@wc.school.nz
From a student at Wellington College to a grand architect Bernard Johns’ (1916-1918) legacy lives on
own house and attending all the ‘to do’
in the footprint of the 300 plus buildings
society parties. Perhaps this explains all
he designed. Today they still appear for
the traffic offences he occurred during this
all to see dotted over the landscape of
time as there just wasn’t enough time in a
Wellington.
day. Nevertheless, tenders began flowing in and out as frequently as his constant traffic offences.
Bernard (1902 -1982) was educated at Wellington College. He was a good student and it was noted that he received
References to some of Bernard’s work
his Proficiency Certificate with the
and slices of life can be found throughout
Royal Lifesaving Society. Less than a
the newspapers and magazines of the
decade later, his hidden creative talents
time and give us an interesting historical
expanded and he become known for his
slant of the development of New Zealand
fine architecture of large contemporary
architecture and social life during the
styles to state houses and commercial
famous Māori Captain and Rugby player
structures.
for the Māori Native Team back in the
1930s and 40s.
late 19th century. It was due to Tom's
His work included a number of Art Deco
In 1924, Bernard won first prize for his
suggestion that we now have the silver
apartments in Mount Victoria, the Terrace,
design of the WWI Memorial Gates in
fern, one of our most recognisable
Hataitai, plus two stately theatres in
Stratford, representing an everlasting
national emblems.
Palmerston North and Wellington.
to our country. He wisely used his prize
Bernard and Hinemura settled in Lowry
He continued to be busy with tenders for
money to go towards his ‘working’
Bay. This home [pictured below] won him
buildings and houses going up throughout
passage to London to continue with
the top prestigious NZIA award at the time
Wellington and the Hutt Valley. In 1937,
his architectural studies at the London
- the Bronze Award in 1942. The home was
the first of his many designs for State
University [ See, ‘OE’ was even happening
originally to be a summer house but with
Housing were approved. In 1938, Bernard
nearly a hundred years ago].
the threat of war coming, he felt his family
won second prize for his amazing Petone
would be safer living out at the Bay so
Pavilion design commemorating the
Bernard studied with the University of
transformed the house into a grand family
century since the landing of the first
London School of Architecture where he
home, complete with air raid bunker, just
settlers.
was influenced by the ‘Arts and Crafts’
in case.
testimony to those who gave their all
Bernard is described as an innovative and
movement and Georgian architecture. This period was also the height of the new Art
It was a busy time for Bernard, returning
visionary architect whose work was well
Deco movement and Bernard spent the
home to continue his father’s business,
ahead of his contemporaries.
late 20s working for several reputable
tendering for numerous designs, eloping
London architectural firms and returned to
to Hawke's Bay to get married, then having
Accordingly, later this year, a book will be
New Zealand with his RIBA. (Royal Institute
two children, designing and building his
published to celebrate 100 years from the
of British Architects], unexpectedly
time Bernard Johns started doodling
as his father passed away and he
sketches and designs on the backs
was expected to take the helm of
of envelopes and matchboxes.
his father’s practice. He was now equipped with his NZIA (New Zealand
Perhaps you may know a story
Institute of Architects), and RIBA
behind one of Bernard's houses - we
packaged together with London
would love to hear from you. Please
experience and influences.
email: bernard.winton.johns@gmail. com
In 1932, he married Hinemura Virginia Innes-Jones and Darin Dance
Gertrude Ellison, daughter of Tom (Thomas Rangiwahia) Ellison, the
58 | The Lampstand • 2014
Wellington's Carillon bells ring out for Old Boy Towering over 50 metres in height, the
Hemisphere. With a combined
National War Memorial Carillon in Buckle
weight of 70.5 tonnes, the
Street has been prominent in Wellington’s
Carillon is the third largest in the
skyline since the 1932 ANZAC Day
world and has a musical range of
dedication ceremony.
6.5 octaves.
The original 49 bells were private
The Carillon is played by a
donations in memory of WWI casualties.
keyboard (or clavier) consisting
A 1926 invitation by the Wellington War
of rows of wooden keys which
Memorial Carillon Society to purchase
the Carillonist plays with their
bells met with immediate success from
hands and feet. The bells
the public. Each bell has a name and
themselves do not move as they
dedication inscription. One is dedicated
are bolted to a frame. Under each bell is
Each bell in the carillon had two clappers.
to Leslie Beauchamp (1906-1907), brother
an iron clapper (or arm) which is attached
The western clappers were connected
of writer Katherine Mansfield. Another is
by a system of levers and wires to the
directly to the hand clavier. The eastern
in memory of Roland Ward (1905). Other
Carillonist’s clavier. The sound produced
clappers were driven by electro-pneumatic
bells bear the names of military units and
is controlled by the amount of energy
activators, which, in turn, could be driven
specific battles. A list of the inscriptions
used, so it is a pure mechanical action.
from either a piano-like keyboard, or by
found on the original 49 bells is taken from
The National War Memorial Carillon’s
a wide loop of punched paper similar to
a 1932 publication. British firm, Gillett &
clavier is one of the most modern in the
that used in a player piano. Recitals of the
Johnston cast the bells in Crydon, England.
world and was designed and built by the
time commonly used all three methods of
National Carillonist Timothy Hurd.
playing music. John spent many an evening and a weekend repairing the existing paper
Since 1984, the Carillon has been substantially rebuilt and enlarged. 20
One of the earlier carillonists included old
rolls and creating new ones. He carefully
mid range bells have been replaced and
Boy, John Randal, (1925-1928) who played
transcribed sheet music to new rolls by
21 smaller treble bells have been added.
between 1937-1950, then from 1954-1983.
punching the holes in the rolls on the good dining room table, which was appropriately
To mark the 50th anniversary of the ending of WWII in 1995, the Government
John Hylton Randal was born in 1912 in
protected by fibreboard otherwise used
donated four large bells - Grace (Aroha),
Wellington. He was educated at Lyall
as an air-raid blackout blind. He arranged
Hope (Tumanako), Remembrance
Bay Primary School, Wellington College,
traditional Māori music and popular songs
(Whakamaharatanga) and Peace
Victoria University and gained the
of the time for the clavier.
(Rangimarie). These bells were cast by the
Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music
Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London.. In
in Organ Playing. He had a distinguished
John became Carilloneur in 1953 and
addition, National Carillonist,Timothy Hurd
career in the Public Service but music was
continued extending the repertoire, this
donated five smaller bells.
his passion. He served as Organist and
time by arranging Soldiers of the Queen
Choir Master at St James Presbyterian
and writing for the clavier (In Memoriam - a
The Carillon has 74 bells ranging in size
Church 1934-44, St Peters Anglican Church
piece that sounded all of the 49 bells of the
from 10kg to 12.5 tonnes with the ‘Peace’
1944-48, and St Thomas's Anglican Church
time). He gave lessons to aspiring pupils.
bell being the largest in the Southern
1950-59. He gave frequent organ recitals in various Wellington churches and
John played in Carillon recitals in
in the Town Hall.
Australia, Canada, USA, England, Eire, Holland, Belgium, France and Germany;
He studied the Carillon under
represented New Zealand at International
Gladys Watkins and became Acting
Carillon Congresses at Douai, France
Carilloneur in 1943 until 1949. He
1974, Amersfoort, Holland 1978 and
was concerned with extending the
Logumkloster,Denmark 1982. He was a
repertoire that was light on music,
member of the Guild of Carilloneurs in
representing the local culture of the
North America. He served as Carilloneur
time.
until his death in 1983.
59 | The Lampstand • 2014
Outward Bound Scholarships benefit students Dear Wellington College Old Boys.
Dear Wellington College Old Boys.
I am writing to you to thank you so very much for your help in getting me
I would like to heartily thank you for
on one of the greatest adventures
giving me this wonderful opportunity
of my life. The Spirit of Adventure
by helping with funding for my Spirit of
was, undoubtedly, one of the most
Adventure voyage.
incredible things I have ever had the privilege of doing.
You have aided me in gaining an experience that I will never forget, with
Being so far out at sea that you can't see any land, with a group
so many memories, plus the new skills and friends I have learnt
of people you met only a day or two ago is something of an
and made - a once in a lifetime opportunity!
indescribable feeling. So far away from everything that you know, placed in this position in which you are forced to create
I will always remember the thrill of jumping overboard at 6,00am
relationships with boys and girls from all over the country.
as a chilling but unique experience. Climbing to the top of a 33 metre mast and witnessing an incredible view of the busy vessel
Climbing 32 metres above the roaring swells of the sea as
and the surrounding waters and scenery. These are just a few
the boat rocked, sitting on the bowsprit as the water flew by
highlights of a great journey that you helped me discover.
underneath us, walking to the highest point of Great Barrier Island, sailing with dolphins, and jumping off the ship in to the
Other activities I benefited from include leadership skills, gaining
crystal clear water of Great Barrier's inlets in the gorgeous late
confidence in public speaking and interacting with fellow crew
evening sun [pictured above].
members and staff. These new skills will be an advantage when I return to school and beyond.
Thank you ever so much for helping me go on this adventure. I made some life long friends, and countless incredibly funny,
Speaking of interaction, the new friends I have made have
beautiful, and crazy memories, many of which will stay with me
strengthened the bonds. We will all be able to reflect back on this
forever. Curtis Mills
time, sharing these experiences together. Mathieson Carlyle
The $800 Outward Bound Scholarship is awarded annually to a Y12 student, to assist them in funding their journey on the Spirit of Adventure Voyage. It is the hope that those who attend, bring new personal skills and enthusiasm back to the College and further develop as a student leader in their final year. The Scholarships are awarded in conjunction with funds raised by the Auckland Branch of the WCOBA and managed by the Executive of the Association.
Remember the Archives before you go to the tip! Are you an Old Boy or former staff member of Wellington College? Do you have any relatives or know friends who are? If so, you may be able to help the Archives obtain some of the following:
OBU is New Zealand’s largest senior rugby club. With
Memoirs
Please send your stories
first class facilities like our artificial training surface
Photographs
Scenery; Students, Staff, Old Boys, Trophies, Prizes, Form Classes
at Boyd-Wilson Park, expert coaching and the best
Uniforms
Caps, Ties, Blazers, Boaters
social spirit in Wellington rugby, there is something for
Sports Gear
Jerseys, Caps, Boots
everyone keen on enjoying their rugby. WCOBRFC was
Medals
Dux, Badges, Awards, War Medals
founded in 1897 and teamed up with VUWRFC, has
Book Prizes
Academic Awards
created a strong, vibrant, club rugby environment.
Art Work
Paintings, Sketches
Books
By Old Boy Authors
OBU is a ‘top four’ Premier Club and currently has
Music
Recordings by Old Boys
eleven Old Boys of Wellington College in its Premier
Reports
Academic, Certificates
Papers
Governing Boards, Headmasters, Parents’ Association
team with many more involved with the Club.
Correspondence Letters to and from Staff, Students and Old Boys
To find out more, email the Club Rugby Development Officer, Dave ‘Trapper’ Loveridge Captain, dave. loveridge@rugbyroad.co.nz and get your 2015 rugby in motion now.
Do you have form class photos (preferably named) from 1930-2000 that you could donate to the Archives or lend for us to scan and return? We only have a small number of photos and wish to increase our collection for Reunion displays and of course the 150th celebrations.
Please contact Paddianne W Neely • Wellington College Archivist Tel: 04 382 9411 (W) • 04 386 2072 (H) or Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz
60 | The Lampstand • 2014
Nelson College denied Quadrangular title by bold Wellington College defence It was a one try kind of a day. And
Wellington's committed defence.
that's all it took for Wellington
Four penalty concessions in strong
College to hold on for a desperate
attacking positions clearly didn't
5-0 win over a strong-finishing
help Nelson's cause.
Nelson College side in July's weather-ravaged Quadrangular
The points never came, Wellington
Tournament rugby final at
turning with confidence as they
Wanganui Collegiate.
quickly exploited the wind at their backs to snatch their early
A try to starting hooker Sitiveni
match-winning advantage and
Paongo five minutes into the
were relieved to hold on for a hard-
second half was enough to hand
The wind had a significant bearing on the
Wellington our 12th consecutive title, and
contest, with Wellington's win effectively
our 33rd of the Tournament's 125-year
centring on a magnificent first half
history.
defensive effort as they constantly denied
In the early game, two penalty goals by
phase after phase of Nelson forward Sitiveni began the game at hooker but
across for the only try following a period
spent virtually the entire half camped
of sustained forward pressure on Nelson's
inside Wellington territory but despite
line.
getting desperately close on a couple
were also enough to give Christ's College A penalty success right on half-time gave
moved to loose-head prop for the second With the wind at their backs, Nelson
second five-eighth Ngatungane Punivai a 6-0 win over hosts Wanganui Collegiate.
attacks inside their own quarter.
half of the rugged encounter, lunging
earned win.
Christ's a 3-0 lead heading into the break, Punivai adding his second 15 minutes into the second half to complete the scoring. Wellington College beat Wanganui Collegiate 31-10 on the first day.
of occasions, were unable to breach
2015 Quadrangular Tournament @ Wellington College 29 June - 1 July. WCOBA Function on Tuesday, 30 June. Details will be advertised in The Dominion (May/June 2015) but if you live out of town (or don’t read the newspaper) and plan on attending Quad and/or our WCOBA Function, please email us at oldboys@wc.school.nz for more details.
NPC well represented with Old Boys
Leni Apisai Wellington
Dane Coles Wellington Hurricanes All Blacks
Joe Latta Otago
Hayden Cripps Tasman
Jared Kahu Wellington
Ambrose Curtis Wellington All Black 7s
Buxton Popoalii Highlanders (Retired)
Tolu Fahamokioa Wellington
Lima Sopoaga Southland Highlanders
Reg Goodes Wellington Hurricanes
Solomona Sakalia Bay of Plenty
61 | The Lampstand • 2014
Wesley Goosen Wellington
Jeff Toomaga Allan Wellington Hurricanes
TJ Ioane Otago Highlanders Samoa
Andrew Wells Wellington
Obituaries Class of 1932 Dale, John Murray (Jack), BSc 1914-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1928-1932 Jefferson, Norris Roy (Norrie) (Dr) OBE, KStJ, MBChB, DMRD, FRACR 1914-2014 of Otago Wellington College 1928-1932 Firth House Class of 1935 Edwards, Charles Robert Nelson (Chas) 1921-2014 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1935 NZ Army WWII Hunt, Wyvern Basil 1918-2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1933-1935 Class of 1936 Barrow, Guy William Bryan (Dick) 1918-1934 of Wellington Wellington College 1932-1934 Sgt 6th NZ Field Reg 2NZEF Carton, Wilfred Ernest 1918-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1932-1936 Hogg, Norman John 1918-2013 of Manawatu Wellington College 1932-1936 Class of 1937 Rabey, Gordon Paige 1920-2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1933-1936 Life FNZIM, FIPMNZ A Life Fellow of Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ) Wilson, Cedric Edwin 1919-2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1933-1936 Class of 1938 Fitchett, Arthur Wilfred (Tony) 1920-2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1934-1937 Lt Colonel, WWII Matthews, Keith Taylor, LLB 1921-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1934-1938 Stilwell, Wilfred Basil 1921-2013 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1934-1938
It is with deep regret that we record the passing of the following Old Boys and Staff. The Wellington College community extends deep sympathy to their families. Kettlewell, Jack 1922-2014 of Taranaki Wellington College 1936-1939 Sergeant 18 Inf. Bn/Armed Reg. 2nd NZEF Class of 1941
Abel, Harry Kenneth QSM 1926-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1943 Paul Harris Fellow
Bellamore, Arthur Henry 1924-2014 of Canterbury Wellington College 1939-1941
Huffam, Eric Kenneth 1927-2014 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1941-1945
Cox, Kemal Lincoln, BDS 1922-2014 of Wairarapa Wellington College 1937-1941
Kwok, Frank William (Dr) BSc, MB ChB (NZ), DLO RCP, RCS, FRCS 1929-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1941-1945
Holmes, Peter Robert 1923-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1937-1938 Hyde, Duncan Campbell 1923-2014 of Wairarapa Wellington College 1937-1940 WO 209 Squad RAF Firth House Prefect Roberts, Leonard Bruce 1923-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1937-1938 Shallcrass, John James (Jack) 1922-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1937-1941 1st XV Class of 1942 Barnes, Jack Storer 1925-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1938-1939 Dowdall, Laurence Royden (Laurie) 1924-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1938-1942 Lempriere, Hugh William (Dick) 1924-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1938 RAF 72 Squadron Taylor, Raymond John (Jack) 1924-2014 of Wairarapa Wellington College 1938-1941 Class of 1943 Aked, Mervyn Sisson, BSc 1925-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1939-1942 Andrews, Maurice Nettleville 1926-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1939-1941
Class of 1939
Hipkins, John Vernon Ernest 1925-2014 of Marlborough Wellington College 1939-1941
McKay, Ian Alexander (Captain) 1921-2012 of Victoria, Australia Wellington College 1935-1936
Munden, Anthony Henry Edwin (Tony) 1925-2014 of Otago Wellington College 1939-1942
Class of 1940
Wilkinson, James Douglas 1926-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1939-1941
Cox, Mervyn Desmond 1923-2014 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1936-1940 WWII RNZAF F/O Hart, Cyril William 1922-2014 of Taranaki Wellington College 1936 Hodder, Eric Alfred 1921-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1936-1938
Class of 1945
Class of 1944 Balchin, Robert Edward (Bob) 1927-2014 of Queensland, Australia Wellington College 1943-1945
Mudgway, Stanley John 1927-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1941-1943 Neill, Graham Falconer 1928-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1941-1945 Class of 1946 Barrowman, John Nixon 1928-2014 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1943-1946 Close, Ross Alvin 1928-2014 of Otago Wellington College 1942-1946 Former Mayor of Alexandra Davis-Goff, Donald Charles 1928-2014 of Waikato Wellington College 1942-1945 Class of 1947 Harvie, Douglas Clark 1931-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1943-1947 Heginbotham, Peter Kelvin 1929-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1943-1947 Riddell, Peter Garth 1929-2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1943-1948 1st XV Class of 1948 Blow, Ian Robert 1930-2014 of Queensland, Australia Wellington College 1944-1947 Little, Robert Francis (Bob) 1930-2014 of Horowhenua Wellington College 1944-1945 Napier, Ian Donald 1930-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1944-1946 O’Grady, Ronald Michael, ONZM 1930-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1944-1947 Quayle, Thomas James (Tom) 1930-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1944 Petersen, Peter Olaf 1929-2014 of Wairarapa Wellington College 1944-1946
Olsen, Edward Derek 1926-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1940-1943
Raleigh, Robin William Campbell 1931-2014 of Waikato Wellington College 1947-1948 Firth House, 1st XV
Sinclair, Norman Stuart 1927-2014 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1940-1944
Simpson, Christopher Paul 1931-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1944-1949
62 | The Lampstand • 2014
Thomas, Neil Keith 1929-2014 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1944-1948
Beveridge, Ronald John 1936-2014 of United Kingdom Wellington College 1951-1954
Long, Stephen Walter 1944-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1958-1961
Treen, William Ivan 1930-2014 of Horowhenua Wellington College 1944-1947 Korean War Veteran
Fleming, William Samuel (Bill) 1937-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1951-1955 1st XV and Junior All Black: 1959
Class of 1965
Class of 1949
Hennessey, Donald Lindsay 1937-2014 of NSW, Australia Wellington College 1951-1952
Class of 1966
Campbell, John Allan 1932-2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1945-1950 Environmental Chief Officer Rankin, Travers Peter 1931-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1945-1948 Taylor, John Cecil 1931-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1945-1949 1st XI Football, RNZNVR
Hudson, Gerald Leslie 1937-2014 of Waikato Wellington College 1951-1954
North, John Lawrence (Reverend) 1938-2014 of Canterbury Wellington College 1951-1955
Class of 1972
Class of 1950
Class of 1957
Kittow, Neil Thomas 1933-2014 of Hawke's Bay Wellington College 1946-1949 Firth House
Hinsch, Gerd Rainer (Mike) 1939-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1953-1956
Clissold, Carne Maurice, BSc, MEngSc(NSW), FIPENZ 1934-2014 of Canterbury Wellington College 1947-1951 Lander, Ian Noel 1932-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1947-1949 Class of 1952 Ansell, Gael Lindsay 1934-2014 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1948-1951 Atkin, Baden Bemrose 1933-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1948-1951 Blewitt, Frank 1934-2014 of Horowhenua Wellington College 1948-1951 Conwell, Peter William 1934-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1948-1951 Class of 1953 Kinloch, Brian George 1936-2014 of Canterbury Wellington College 1949-1952
Boyd, John William MacDonald (Dr) MBChB, Dip Obst, FRNZCGP 1956-2014 of Canterbury Wellington College 1969-1973 Class of 1976
Oliver, John Nash (Captain, Ret.) 1940-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1953-1956 1st XV 1956
Phillips, Brian Anthony 1960-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1974-1978
Taylor, Rodney Stephen 1941-2014 of Horowhenua Wellington College 1953-1956 Class of 1958 MacIntosh, Douglas Anderson 1939-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1954-1955 Neal, Paul Edgar 1940-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1954-1959 1st XV, 1st XI Cricket, Prefect Prince, Donald Frank (Reverend) 1940-2014 of Canterbury Wellington College 1954-1956 Former Chaplain at The Princess Margaret Hospital and CPE trainer. Class of 1959 Cheung, Shiu Cheung 1939-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1957-1958 Class of 1960
Class of 1954
Hall, Alan James 1941-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1956-1957
Beaglehole, David (Professor) BSc MSc NZ PhD Cambridge FRSNZ 1938-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1951-1954
Class of 1973
Edwards, Thomas Stanley (Tom) 1958-2013 of United States Wellington College 1972-1973
Bull, David Edward 1942-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1956-1959
Class of 1955
Benfield, Gregory Robert 1955-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1968-1970
Iggulden, Anthony Robert (Tony) 1939-2014 of Wairarapa Wellington College 1953 Firth House
Ord, Thomas Anthony (Tom) (Dr) 1936-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1949-1952 Twist, Timothy George, ONZM 1936-2014 of Hawke's Bay Wellington College 1950-1954
Class of 1971 Dickens, Paul Michael 1954-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1967-1970
Power, Victor Stanley 1937-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1951-1954
Class of 1951
Cowdrey, John Neil 1948-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1963-1966
Melville, Warren Andrew (Chippie) 1938-2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1951-1956
Wakelin, Warren Ivan (Skip) 1931-2014 of Wairarapa Wellington College 1945-1948
Leitch, Peter Graham 1932-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1946-1948
Ward, David Anthony 1947-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1961-1965
Packer, Brent William 1943-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1956-1959 Class of 1962 Fleming, Bruce Edward 1945-2014 of Horowhenua Wellington College 1958-1959
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Class of 1978
Class of 1983 Holthausen, Tony Martinus 1965-2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1979-1984 1st XV Class of 1984 Chin, Jeffrey Douglas 1966-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1980-1984 Class of 1988 Bennett, David Te Hau 1970-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1987 Class of 1990 Newsome, Richard Spencer (Puddy) 1972-2014 of England Wellington College 1986-1990 Class of 1993 Naidanovici, Daniel John 1977-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1989-1993 Staff Haywood, Denise Lesley of Wellington Wellington College 1983-2007 MacGillivray, Ian 1929-2014 of Kapiti
If you become aware of the passing of a fellow Old Boy, please let the WCOBA Office know. If you can also provide or refer us to an obituary, we will be honoured to include it in the next Lampstand. Please email oldboys@wc.school.nz
Obituaries Ansell, Gael Lindsay 1934-2014 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1948-1951 Gael Ansell (known as Mr Mints) was surrounded by family and friends when he died from failing health on the morning of his 80th birthday. Gael received the moniker, Mr Mints, after taking over the organisation of selling mints on behalf of Lions New Zealand in 2000. He had been involved in mints since he was at Lions in Wellington, where he spent a lot of his working life, and where his family originated. He was also known for leading the Puppy Guide Dog appeal and had also been responsible for running an annual brunch for women, which brought in around $2000. Gael has been described as one of life's ‘true gentlemen', who loved to have fun. He was a member of the Lions for almost all of his working life - around 35 years. A skilled rower for the Star Boating Club in Wellington, Gael then rowed for Mercantile in Melbourne in the mid 1950s and was thought to be included in the squad for the Melbourne Olympics until they realised he was not one of ‘them’. Gael lived life to the full. Each day he seemed to head off on an adventure. One of those adventures was taking Bethlehem-Te Puna Lions members to the Cloud in Auckland for the Rugby World Cup in 2011. He drove up with three other Lions for a day out and he was 77-years-old at that stage. He, or his wife Judy, would also make sure there was freshly cooked scones and a thermos of coffee and tea for wherever they decided to stop. He also organised ‘truckloads’ of oranges to be sent to Christchurch after the earthquakes. Gael moved to the Tauranga area in the 1990s and owned a bakery on the main road in Bethlehem. He also had a high standing in the Lions and was awarded the Lions International Life Membership; International President Certificate; Lloyd Morgan Lions Club Charitable Trust Life Member and Melvin Jones Fellow Award.
In the last 18 months when Gael's health started to deteriorate, he still went to most of the Lions working bees. He was well-respected among Lions clubs. He had four children and eight grandchildren. Bay of Plenty Times Balchin, Robert Edward (Bob) 1927-2014 of Queensland Wellington College 1945-1945 While Bob expressed that no obituary was to be included in the Lampstand, I would like to add my personal comments in memory of a very supportive and loyal Old Boy. Bob, right up to his death was a wonderful letter writer (by email) and often wrote to me, bringing me up to date on news of fellow classmates - sadly in most recent cases to mention their passing but on other occasions, remarking on their achievements and past careers. Bob left Wellington in 1955 for Sydney, working for AMPs Superannuation Department and retired to the Gold Coast in later years. In his last email to me, he said; I never cease to marvel at the continuing life of Bob Wood (19281930). I think I have told you I was working in the AMP Society in 1953 (as it was known then) and Bob was a side-kick to Lesley Oxby (Chief Actuary and Secretary, another Old Boy of the College. Bob was married to Elizabeth and they had two sons; Robert (deceased) and David. Bob was one of life’s own true gentlemen - his friendship will be missed. Stephanie Kane, WCOBA Beaglehole, David (Professor) BSc MSc NZ PhD, FRSNZ 1938-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1951-1954 David was born in Wellington into a very talented and academically oriented family. There are twelve Beagleholes listed in the Victoria University of Wellington Library catalogue, with 137 titles of books and theses among them. His parents Pearl Malsin (linguist; known as Pam to family and friends, from Iron River, Michigan) and Ernest met at the London School of Economics,
where Ernest wrote Property, a study in social psychology in 1931. David’s parents went on to publish anthropological research together. David’s uncle was J C Beaglehole, the historian and father of Tim. Ernest later came home to a lectureship at Victoria University and David, the second of four children, was born here about a year later. David left Wellington College at the end of the 6th form year for Victoria University. He was top in physics and chemistry, and received the prize for best psychology undergraduate. He completed his BSc and Masters I and II, with a thesis on The longitudinal polarization of beta particles. In 1960, David was awarded a Trinity College Research Studentship, but almost missed this opportunity: as the notice of his appointment was blown out of the letterbox at David’s flat in Glen Road, to be found weeks later under the hedge, in time for David to accept. It was found because Tim Beaglehole, who was studying history at Cambridge, sent David congratulations, having seen it announced. In Cambridge, David lived on the princely stipend of £453. His PhD thesis was with Tom Faber (of the Faber and Faber publishing house), on the optical properties of copper and gold in the far ultraviolet (up to 40 eV). David had declined, after some consideration, to set up an X-ray system for the Nobel Laureateto-be Max Perutz. After graduating from Cambridge, David went to the University of Chicago on a post-doctoral in 1964, and then to the University of Maryland in 1966, as Assistant and later Associate Professor, where he continued his work on the optical properties of materials.
been established. Combining his optical techniques expertise with his entrepreneurial flair (and an added mix of Beaglehole self-confidence), David built a novel scanning monochromator incorporating a semi-circular wedge interference filter for obtaining low resolution spectra of stars. David’s research till he came to VUW was on the optical properties of materials. There were then no experiments measuring the interface thickness of liquids. David developed an improved polarization-modulation ellipsometry method, and soon had experimental results for argon to be followed by many papers probing the structure of liquid surfaces, surface premelting, and of adsorption on solid and liquid surfaces. David refined his ellipsometer to such an extent that it was the best in the world. In 1993 he set up Beaglehole Instruments, with electronics initially designed and implemented by Andy Edgar. The Beaglehole ellipsometers could be found at Oxford, Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and many other research institutions. Beaglehole Instruments operated first from VUW, but David had the idea of a high-tech business incubator, and in 1998 convinced VicLink to lease a building vacated by Geological and Nuclear Sciences in Kelburn. In 2000 the terms of the lease changed and VicLink ceased to be involved in the new centre. David and his partner Bhagee Ramanathan enlisted the support of other new businesses in the building to fully commercialise the idea into becoming the Innovation Greenhouse, with the premises shared by start-ups such as Paul Callaghan’s company Magritech. The above by no means covers the full extent of David’s interests, which included work on Antarctic snow, ice and skies in the nineties.
David was appointed Professor of Physical Electronics at Victoria University in 1968 (at the age of 30). The existing research interests in the Department included nuclear physics, geophysics and some radiophysics and electronics.
While his family and physics were his main passions, David’s considerable practical skills and physical resilience were demonstrated well in two of his other strong passions, boating and tramping. He was a past president of the student tramping club at Victoria University.
David was also responsible for starting astronomy research at VUW. It began as a hobby-like side interest for him, which is clear from the fact that he dropped out of the activity after a few years and once it had
David is survived by children Ben, Mira and Joe from his marriage to Ann Beaglehole, by Bhagee and Vidthia and his three siblings Professor Emeritus Jane Ritchie, Ruth
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Obituaries Beaglehole, and Professor Emeritus Robert Beaglehole. Victoria University of Wellington Boyd, John William MacDonald MBChB, Dip Obst, FRNZCGP 1956-2014 of Canterbury Wellington College 1969-1973 The family's favourite photo of John Boyd shows him taking the polar plunge from an upper deck of Russian cruise ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy in the Antarctic. The Linwood GP was an adventurer - a flying doctor, who also sailed, an alpine skier who also climbed mountains, a four-wheel-drive trekker and jet boater. The risks he took were meticulously calculated, enabling him to survive in extreme conditions. Tall, slim and fit, he died suddenly at home. He was 58. John was born to doctor parents in Blenheim but moved to Wellington with his family when he was six. He learned to sail on Wellington Harbour and developed a passion for setting and surpassing challenges. Leaving Wellington College, he studied medicine at Otago University and completed his clinical training at Christchurch Hospital. He graduated and served as an intern at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital. His registrar there was Dr Robynanne Milford. They fell in love and married. Their daughter, Zanny, is one of 13 doctors in the wider family. He and Robynanne established the Ponsonby Medical Centre in 1982. They remained a devoted couple and professional partners in Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch until his death. Adventure activities began in a mundane way - grubbing gorse from land they bought as investments, John had a love-hate relation with gorse, Robynanne says: He hated it and he loved to grub it out. He learned to fly and competed in the 1991 race around New Zealand. With Robynanne as navigator, John flew a Cessna 172 on 15legs of the circumnavigation. Bad weather caused the cancellation of the 16th (final) leg and the race was never finished.
After winning a national sailing title, he competed in the Kenwood Cup off Hawaii as a member of Bevan Woolley's crew. Years later, he bought a 42-foot yacht with the intention of sailing solo to Tonga and back. Sons Oliver and Sebastian insisted he take them as crew and he relented. Two boats were lost in a storm on the way but the Boyds’ made it unharmed. They returned home within the three months they had allowed. John sailed the inland waterways of North America - a huge 'circle' from Miami to Montreal, New Orleans and back to Miami. He climbed almost to the summit of Aoraki-Mt Cook. Bad weather forced John and others of his party to turn back at the summit rocks. A Canadian and an American climber continued upwards. Conditions deteriorated and they fell to their deaths. John enjoyed alpine skiing and acted as ski doctor at Queenstown. He served also as a police medical officer. His maritime adventures included three Antarctic cruises as ship's doctor and an Arctic Circle venture from Norway to Greenland. These trips were tough going as he was sole doctor on board and was on-call 24 hours a day with no nursing support. He also drove Zodiac crafts to ferry passengers between ship and shore. In the Arctic expedition, he put his shooting experience to good purpose, carrying a rifle in case of polar bear attack. He was to have done the North West Passage but the expedition was cancelled. He was booked on a cruise of Scotland's Outer Hebrides but his unexpected death intervened. He and Robynanne bought land in Queenstown during their four years there. John designed a grand home in Queenstown. A draughtsman finished the drawings but John did much of the work, including building, plastering, painting, electrics and plumbing. The finished house made the house-of-the-year finals of magazine House and Garden. It was an early example of the modern use of corrugated steel wall cladding. Moving to Christchurch, he renovated a stately house on Mt Pleasant. He and Robynanne bought an 50-hectare section, steep, mostly
unfenced and covered in gorse and weeds, near Oxford. Camping in a tractor shed, John got rid of the gorse and turned the land into a productive farm. Apart from hiring contractors for a few jobs, he did the work himself. It was all for the challenge, his family says. Zanny says her father was a 'brilliant' GP and obstetrician. He kept up to date with new advances, was attentive to details, was fast and efficient and made good decisions. She and many other doctors valued his professional advice. He was involved in medical politics through the NZ Medical Association and helped design strategy for sexual abuse care. Robynanne says this quiet man loved intellectual debate and testing people's opinions as a 'devil's advocate'. He had a broad general knowledge and a photographic memory. He was past NZMA Auckland president and board member and a founding member of Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care (DSAC). John is survived by wife Robynanne, daughter Alexandra (Zanny) and sons Oliver and Sebastian. The Christchurch Press Campbell, John Allan 1932-2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1945-1950 John was born in Wellington and was the only child of Joyce and Colin Campbell. Colin died WWII in Alexandra when John was only young. John dedicated his working life to the Environmental Health profession. He started his career as a young health inspector in Taumaurunui and then went on to become the youngest Head of a Department of Health in New Zealand, based in Rotorua and then the Chief Environmental Health Officer for Auckland City in the last
20 years of his career. John was a Fellow, Past President, National Secretary and Auckland Centre Secretary of the NZ Institute of Environmental Health. The Honourable Nikki Kaye from Parliament, said many considered John to be the Patriarch of the NZ Institute of Environmental Health. His particular interest in food safety saw him heavily involved in the review and amendment of the Food Act 1981 and in the subsequent development of the Food Bill last year, moving through the Parliamentary process. The research he undertook and the comments he has made over the years to officials and select committees have helped to ensure real world legislative amendments. John always attended the National Environmental Health Conferences in New Zealand and many in Australia, where he was often asked to speak. He continued his interest in Public Health after his retirement, presenting submissions to Parliament and right up until his death answering questions on 'Health Protect' every day on his computer. John had over 40 years continuous service to Rotary International, serving again in various positions including Club Secretary, Director of Community Services, Bulletin Editor, Attendance Officer and serving on District committees. He was recognised for his dedication to Rotary by being awarded twice as a 'Paul Harris Fellow'. He was an executive member of the Auckland Branch of the WCOBA and always attended the annual dinners. He and his wife June were given an award from the Laura Fergusson Trust for exceptional service over many years. Of the many messages from the NZIEH after John's passing, many of them included descriptions of
John and June Campbell with Frank and Nanette Kwok
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Obituaries him being an orator, a statesman, scholar and technical whiz in regards to Health topics, a jewel of humanity who has left us all with some diamonds in our pockets. John is survived by his wife June, daughters Sheryl and Nichola and grandchildren Christie, Flynn, Chantel and Joel. June Campbell Fleming, William Samuel (Bill) 1937-2014 of Kapiti Wellington College 1951-1955 Bill Fleming recently passed away at the Charles Fleming Retirement Village, Waikanae due to a second stroke, the first of which he suffered 13 months prior. Bill was born in Wellington to Samuel and May Fleming. He grew up in Eastbourne with older siblings Maurice and Vera also younger sister Sandra. Bill attended Eastbourne Primary School followed by Wellington College. He married Moya Toomey in 1966 at Opunake and had three children together. Some of Bill’s sporting achievements included winning the Form 3 Featherweight Boxing title, playing for the Eastbourne 1st XI Cricket team, the College's 1st XV and he then went on to represent Wellington, Wairarapa, North Island and Junior All Blacks in rugby. Bill’s work career started as a Caltex representative before purchasing the Trentham Service Station in 1967 where he remained for 23 years before on selling and moved into Emergency Management until his retirement. Bill was a member of the WCOBA, Past President of the Upper Hutt Rugby Club and selector for the North Island U18 and U21 rugby teams. Bill is survived by his wife of 48 years, Moya Fleming of Paraparaumu, son Hamish of Otaki, daughters Prue Cowan of Auckland and Kate Fleming (UK), and three grandchildren and his sister Sandra Jackson of Wellington.
Haywood, Denise Wellington College 1983-2007 It is with sadness I record the death on Mother’s Day, 2014 of Denise Haywood who finally lost her four year battle with cancer. When I joined the Administration Staff of Wellington College in 1984, Denise was working in the printing and photocopying department but later she became the College Receptionist and Attendance Secretary, a position she held for many years. It was in her capacity of Attendance Secretary that Denise’s detective skills were most evident and there were not many students who could pull the wool over Denise’s eyes! She was also a very adept proof reader, a skill she learned from her previous employment in the printing industry. Denise was immensely helpful at proof reading exam papers, documents, etc. and I really valued her assistance. Denise had a compassionate side to her personality and there were many young third formers who found the immensity of Wellington College daunting but Denise was always there with a kind word for them. I worked with Denise for eleven years, had a break for two years and then returned to the College for two years at the request of the Headmaster to become his Secretary. It was in this capacity that I most valued Denise’s friendship. Denise was always welcoming, trustworthy, generous, kind and compassionate and of all of the attributes she possessed the one I admired most was her loyalty. I am sure that most of the wider Wellington College family will join me in extending condolences to her husband Gary, son Grant (Old Boy), daughter Katherine (KJ), her children’s partners and her much loved grandchildren. Denise will be dearly missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her. Elsie Ewing (Former Secretary WCOBA and Headmaster’s Secretary) Hunt, Wyvern Basil 1918-2013 of Wellington Wellington College 1933-1935 Wyvern was born in Lower Hutt, the
youngest of three children of Ethel and Ernest Hunt who was a prominent Wellington Public Accountant, Patron of the Arts and also a Vice President of the Wellington Cricket Association, as it was known at that time. The family lived across the road from the Hutt Rec and Wyvern was educated at Hutt Valley High School and then Wellington College, where his love of cricket was enhanced by later joining the Hutt Cricket Club when he left school. Although, by his own admission, he was of average ability on the cricket field, he instilled a lifelong love of the game in his own family by investing in an annual family pass to the Basin Reserve, where as a family man, he was never happier. Being a somewhat private and reserved man, he never talked of his on field efforts but transferred that passionate love of cricket into a lifetime of cricket watching whether it be the efforts of his two sons, club cricket at Karori Park (he was a vice-president of the Karori Cricket Club), or Plunket Shield and Test matches at the Basin. After service to his country in WWII, Wyvern succeeded his late father as senior partner in the family firm, Ernest Hunt Turner & Co (which later became immersed in the accounting world of Ernst & Young), and latterly loved nothing better than exercising his keen mind in the share market though his conservative nature rarely allowed him to speculate wildly. Like many of his vintage, he was a great admirer of Sir Ron Brierley (a fellow Wellington College Old Boy) and was one of many who filled the Michael Fowler Centre to hear Ron speak at the AGM of BIL. He retired somewhat prematurely but always kept in touch with his fellow partners in 'the firm' and channelled his family interests into his adult children, grandchildren and latterly his great grandchildren. In fact, Wyvern's love of cricket and his grandchildren was severely compromised when, in 2005, one of his grandsons 'inadvertently' scheduled his wedding in Canberra on Day Two of a Basin Reserve Test. As he had seen every Test at the Basin since its first in 1930 when his father took him aged 11, he was determined that this unbroken record was not going to be spoilt by a wedding, even his own grandson's. So he and his faithful and loving wife Jan, attended the wedding and
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then flew back to Wellington to witness Days Four and Five of the Test match! When he attended the Basin and his 50th Test in 2009, he was interviewed by the Dominion Post and spoke of that wedding by chuckling I was keen to get back from Canberra otherwise I wouldn't maintain my record of attending at least one day of every Test played at the Basin Reserve. On the occasion of the 50th Test at the Basin, the Black Caps honoured Wyvern by asking him to present their Test caps the night before the Test commenced. He told the NZ Captain, Daniel Vettori, that in 1930 he had sat with his father on wooden seats in front of the stand (no Vance stand in those days!), enjoyed Richard Hadlee's 10-100 when NZ beat England for the first time, John Wright's 120 against Australia in 1990 and, of course, Martin Crowe's 299 against Sri Lanka when in a typically understated manner, Wyvern mused I was a bit disappointed that he didn`t make 300! But it was the Wanderers Cricket Club to which he gave so much of his early years being a founding member of the Club in 1946 along with his brother Ron and great mates Dutchy du Chateau (both also Old Boys) and local architect, John Standish. The Club's beginnings were hatched in the public bar of Barrett's Hotel and around Sunday parties at Dutchy and Ote's Lucknow Crescent home in Khandallah. St Patrick's (Silverstream), a college 1st XI which Sir Patrick Goodman captained, was an early host of Wanderers games as the Club was true to its ideals of fostering college cricket with the Club featuring such prominent Wellington cricketers as Bob Vance, Mick Randall, John Oakley and John Beck. And, of course, after the game it was down to the river to attack the keg and eventually find homes to go to as darkness approached! Wyvern willingly took on the task of Honorary Auditor, a role he maintained for in excess of 20 years with only John Rose and Denis Lander holding that office since. He was extremely proud and humbled to be honoured with Life Membership of the WWCC and until age and ill health overtook him in recent years, he was always at the Club AGM's. In the late 1940's, the same Patrick
Obituaries Goodman arrived at Wyvern's office in Featherston Street having won the Silverstream Accountancy Prize. Pat studied at Victoria University and Wyvern closely looked after the young student who recalled that Wyvern would sometimes say Goodman, you're working with me today, which invariably meant they were off either to the Basin for Cricket, Central Park for Tennis or Athletic Park for Rugby! Pat gave away his studies but continued working full time at Ernest Hunt Turner & Co recalling that he sat at a desk alongside a young Tom Williams who later became Cardinal Tom Williams. Pat eventually returned to Motueka to manage the family bakery business which later still evolved into Goodman Fielder. Sir Patrick Goodman had huge admiration for Wyvern's abilities in those early days in 'the firm' and the friendship between the young accountancy student and his employer endured, recently resulting in Sir Pat presenting a magnificent antique sterling silver trophy named the 'Hunt Family Trophy' for the winner of the Wellington Colleges’ T20 Tournament, the final of which is played at the Basin Reserve. In the last few years, Wyvern had suffered a couple of falls, his health declined and he died at the Rita Angus Retirement Village on Christmas Day 2013, six years after his lifetime companion and wife Jan died at the same Village. He was 95 and is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. AW (Tony) Hunt Hyde, Duncan Campbell 1923-2014 of Wairarapa Wellington College 1937-1940 WO 209 Squad RAF Duncan Hyde was a Firth House Prefect in 1940. He served with the RNZAF and RAF from 1942-46 as a Wireless Air Gunner. Duncan was a Menswear Retailer and was elected to the Waipukurau Borough Council from 1956-1974. He was appointed as Deputy Mayor of Waipukurau from 1965-1974. Duncan was a Justice of the Peace from 1965 and a member of the Order of St John. He retired to Carterton in the past few years to be closer to his family.
Jefferson, Norris Roy (Norrie) (Dr) OBE, KStJ, MBChB, DMRD, FRACR 1914-2014 of Otago Wellington College 1928-1932 Firth House Dr Norris (Norrie) Jefferson was born in Palmerston North, 25 May 1914. His father was Alfred, a Methodist Minister and his mother, Karoline was of Danish decent. He had two brothers (one whom died in infancy) and two sisters. Norris graduated in 1942 from Otago University and moved to Balclutha to take up the post of Resident Medical Officer until 1946. He was also a Radiologist with the J Force Japan in 1946. He continued with Post Graduate studies in Diagnostic Radiology in Christchurch from 1946 - 48, then at St Mary's Hospital, London from 1948 - 50. He returned to New Zealand as Assistant Radiologist (Diagnosis) from 1950-56 then as a Radiologist in private practice. He was appointed as Director of Southland Hospital’s Department of Radiology until he retired in 1980. Norris then returned to Dunedin in a part-time capacity as radiologist at Dunedin Hospital for another two years. While at Otago University, Norris was involved with their Critic Magazine, Capping Concerts and their Blues Committee 1960 (Athletics). Norris made a huge impact on athletics in Otago and throughout the country over the last 60 years. His most notable achievement was to be the founding President of the New Zealand Sports Medicine Federation, formed in Dunedin in 1963. Elite sports men and women and joggers are now reaping the benefits of the foresight of Norris and his team. His pioneering work was recognised in 1996 when he was presented with the New Zealand Sports Medicine Federation Fellowship Award. In 1979, he was awarded the OBE for his services to disabled sports and sports medicine. He was also the recipient of a 1990 Commemorative Medal. Norris was for many years the medical adviser to Athletics Otago. He joined the Leith Harrier Club in 1936 and was an active runner for three years before leaving Dunedin for overseas service.
He returned to Dunedin in 1950 and was elected president of the Otago Athletics Centre in 1955-56 and made a Life Member in 2010. Norris was President of the then NZ Amateur Athletic Assoc. 1960-61. He slipped through the cracks for 50 years, but finally, in 2009, he was recognised by the province's athletics administrators and was made a Life Member of Athletics Otago. Aged 95 at the time, he was the oldest Life Member to be elected to a NZ centre and is possibly the oldest involved in any sport in New Zealand. He also served as an official at track and field and cross-country races organised by Athletics Otago. He was Patron of Athletics Otago for 19 years. Norris was Manager of the Athletics team to the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth and was influential in getting master coach, Arthur Lydiard added to the team to look after his athletes Peter Snell, Murray Halberg and Bill Baillie. He recalled what happened when Halberg won the gold medal in the three-mile race. A group of New Zealand sailors hopped over the fence, cheered him and patted him on the back, Norris said. It was a moving sight to witness. Norris also played a key role in the paraplegic movement, which saw him travel to Jamaica (1966) as a Medical Officer, to Israel (1970) as team leader, and to Germany (1972) as Medical Officer with the New Zealand Paraplegic teams. In 1974, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the organising committee for the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games held in Dunedin. Norris sent us a letter some years ago, reminiscing about a schoolboy prank, which I have reproduced. I am not very proud of the incident which I am about to record, but do so as it may bring a smile to the face of some old boy who may remember it. The prank occurred on the last day of the school year (probably early December) 1931, the year of the Napier earthquake. During that year, I was a student in room 4B, situated in a block of rooms, arranged end-to-end sitting on trestles. The reason for this was a temporary measure to allow for
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reconstruction of teaching space later in the same area. The day was quiet with no definite school work organised, so the situation was such as to be ideal for schoolboy mischief, so together with a mate from the same form 4B, we climbed up into the ceiling of the block of rooms and crawled along to the manholes in each room, armed with the rubber reservoir from a fountain pen, which was popular at the time, and squirted ink over the books of boys who were sitting underneath. During this activity the ‘Master on Duty' for the day happened to be 'Toothbrush' Jones, and he caught us in the act and reported the prank to the Headmaster, who at the time was the late WA Armour. We were sent to his waiting room and kept there without lunch while the rest of the school was closed and the students were sent home. If my memory serves me right, we were later called into the Headmaster's study, after a period of languishing in the waiting room for about two hours, and after being admonished as only 'Bill' could do and receiving six of his best on our bottoms, Toothbrush Jones spent most of the waiting time in the vicinity of the Headmaster's study with a funny smirk on his face. The interesting test for me was that I was to attend the annual prize-giving in Firth Hall on the same evening, to receive the A.B.Withers Science Prize for top marks for Science during the year, and who should present me with the prize but the Headmaster. He had a twinkle in his eye when he handed me the prize of three books. Norris was married to Janet until her death in 2002. He is survived by one sister, two sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren and two great grandsons. Otago Daily Times Kettlewell, Jack 1922-2014 of Taranaki Wellington College 1936-1939 Sgt 18 Inf. Bn/Armed Reg. 2nd NZEF The 2012 Lampstand reproduced a feature from the Dominion Post on Jack Kettlewell following his attendance at a commemoration for
Obituaries the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein in Wellington.
to those he knew and lost during the battles.
The attack on Ruweisat Ridge during the first battle of El Alamein sits firmly in the back of Jack Kettlewell's mind. The WWII veteran, who lived in New Plymouth for more than 50 years, was just 20 years old at the time, and said the casualties had been heavy.
You think of these friends who didn't come back and you still see them as they were as young men.
That was quite significant. We were left high and dry by the British; they didn't give us any tank support, Jack said. So the next morning the enemy counter-attacked and we had nothing to stop them. We just had nothing. The battles were a decisive point in the Allied war effort in Africa and the first great offensive against the Germans in which the Western Allies were victorious. Some of his comrades travelled to Egypt for a service, but 90-year-old Jack decided against it. I thought about it for about 15 seconds and then decided I wasn't really up to it. He did, however, attend the 50th anniversary in El Alamein, returning to the old battlefield and a memorial at the cemetery where 1100 New Zealanders are buried. Jack said that trip had been stimulating, but he had been slightly apprehensive about going back. I didn't like the idea of driving around there because I didn't know that they'd cleaned up all the mines.
[Laurence] Binyon's lines are quite true; They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. That's how you remember them - as young men. Kittow, Neil Thomas 1933-2014 of Hawke's Bay Wellington College 1946-1949 Firth House Michael Mayman who was a close friend of Neil's from College days has the following comments to make about Neil. Neil was the second of the three Kittow brothers to attend Wellington College as boarders. His older brother David and younger brother Graham predeceased him - as did his sister Margaret. In late January 1946, as twelveyear-olds, Neil and I arrived at Firth House, an establishment so bleak and austere we might well have been termed inmates rather than boarders. That was the beginning of a friendship which lasted until Neil's death. Neil was a House Prefect in his last year. Apart from this high office, our school careers were very similar.
Wellington-born Jack ran over three land mines during his time in the war, the first of which killed two of his crew members, and the third ending his time in the war.
We both achieved University Entrance, but little else of distinction - either scholastically or on the sporting field, although Neil was a better than average tennis player.
I ran over one in Libya, then ran over two in Italy. I didn't like the idea of going back and running over another bugger 50 years later, because they go off with an enormous wallop. You don't hear them because your hearing can't cope. You don't get scared, because you don't get time.
He told me on several occasions that his mother wanted him to become a Vet but family circumstances, and the call of the land saw him join his father and older brother David (and later Graham), on the home property at Omakere, towards the coast from Waipawa.
Jack was a former New Plymouth City Council engineer; he designed and worked on projects such as the New Plymouth one-way system and the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Like me, Neil was a proud Wellington College Old Boy, and he participated fully In the activities of the Hawke's Bay Branch.
He said he was looking forward to reflecting on, and paying his respects
Neil was a highly successful farmer in Central Hawke's Bay. His approach to farming was that of a person who
cared for the land, and the animals in a way which brought success, but it was achieved in a responsible manner. In 1981, Neil was voted ‘Hawke's Bay Farmer of the Year’, and in 1982 was given the significant honour of being named ‘Hawke's Bay Farmer of the Decade’. He was a passionate conservationist and planted thousands of trees on his farm ‘Tainui’. In the early 1950s, Hawke's Bay, and particularly the Central Hawke's Bay region, was hit by massive rain storms, which destroyed fences and trees and caused considerable erosion. As a result of the damage caused to farms in the area, Neil made two trips to Australia with Landcare, a New Zealand research organisation, which drives innovation in New Zealand's management of terrestrial biodiversity, and land resources in order to protect and enhance the terrestrial environment and grow New Zealand's prosperity. After the first trip, he came back to Omakere, and formed the first Landcare group in Hawke's Bay, (and possibly the first in New Zealand) with the support of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Under Neil’s leadership, this group encouraged farmers in the region to plant trees for erosion control, which had a huge impact in stabilising the land. Probably Neil’s greatest impact was as co-ordinator of the Hawke's Bay Rural Support Trust from 2000 to 2006. He worked tirelessly to advise and support farmers in Hawke's Bay who were in trouble due to mainly climatic events, such as drought and floods which hit the region around the year 2000. While he always protected his clients privacy, he sometimes alluded to horrendous situations in which some farmers found themselves. These had a profound effect on him personally. There are a number of farmers who owe him a great deal. In recognition of that work he was awarded the Laurie Dowling Memorial Trophy, for services to farming. He was also the Ministry of Agriculture’s recovery facilitator from 2007-2009. During the 1990s, Neil was for several
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years, a member of the Hawke's Bay Business Development Board. This board received requests from small start-up businesses for financial help. Each business was independently assessed and where approval was given, this proved to be of great benefit. Neil had a lifelong interest in tennis in Hawke's Bay, particularly in the Waipawa Seniors Tournament which he helped organise and run for many years. He was later made a life member of the Club. He also represented New Zealand in the Australasian Seniors Teams events. He was always interested in politics, and was chairman of the Pahiatua Electorate for some time in the 1980s and 1990s. Neil was the Campaign Manager for John Falloon (National Party candidate) for several elections, and at the time of his death was on the campaign committee of the Napier Electorate. He was Chairman of the Central Hawke's Bay Trust, and under his leadership achieved the completion of a large swimming pool and gymnasium for the district. It has been of immense value, and as a result of this, Neil was made a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary’s highest honour. He was a dedicated Rotarian in Central Hawke's Bay and Napier. His interest in forestry was put to good use in his Rotary Club’s initiative in native planting of reserves in the Taradale area. He and Joy enjoyed travelling, with other Rotarians on three exchanges to Sweden and Canada, which also included, a visit to the Redwood Native Park in California. In later years, Neil thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Community Patrol, in conjunction with the local Police, working shifts of all hours. Neil is survived by his wife, Joy of 26 years, his sister Judy Lyons, his children, grandchildren and extended family – including Joy’s children and grandchildren, and will be greatly missed by them and his wide circle of friends. Contributed by: Gerard Sainsbury, Michael Mayman (1946-1950), Joy Kittow, Donald J McLeod (1949-1954).
Obituaries Kwok, Frank William (Dr) BSc, MB ChB (NZ), DLO RCP, RCS, FRCS 1929-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1941-1945 When Frank Kwok was nine yearsold, his father gave him a handwritten piece of paper outlining the traditional Chinese family philosophy upon which he should base his life. The son was told to respect your elders, obey your parents and love your sisters. The youngster, who went on to become one of Wellington's pre-eminent ear, nose and throat surgeons in a 50-year career in medicine, lived his life by this simple philosophy. Frank was the son of William and Joon-Foon Kwok, who owned and operated a fruit and vegetable shop in Napier before moving to Wellington after the 1931 earthquake. After William Kwok moved to Wellington his business - Kwok Brothers' Fruit Company - flourished. The staunch supporter of Chiang Kai-Shek specialised in providing fresh fruit and vegetables to ships on the Wellington waterfront. He was a patriotic community leader, looked up to by many of his Chinese nationalist compatriots. During WWII, the family worked round the clock preparing, washing and selling fruit and vegetables to Wellingtonians. William Kwok also operated a stevedore operation, supplying warships from many nations in Wellington Harbour, from where thousands of troops were ferried to Pacific, Middle East and European battlefields. During his formative years as a student at Mt Cook School and Wellington College, Frank lived a busy, sheltered, frugal existence in the back of the family's Webb St fruit and vegetable shop. In Manying Ip's book, Dragons on the Long White Cloud, he recalled growing up in that busy shop with his extended family. We used to live in the shop and that is why we could work from morning till night, he recalled. Being the one boy in a family surrounded by nine sisters, he keenly
felt the expectation to take over the substantial family fruit and vegetable business. But from an early age he single-mindedly decided upon a career in medicine. His parents did not entirely approve of this career choice, however.
in a New Zealand hospital In the late 1950s, Frank travelled to Britain, where he completed his studies to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. His future wife, Nanette Wallis, was also in London, where she was completing her nursing studies.
When I told them [my parents] that I wanted to do medicine I could sense that they were not so keen. There was a fear there. You must remember that in those days very few Chinese went so far. At that time graduating from high school was quite enough. It [his choice of medicine as a career] must have been quite a fright for them.
The couple finally married after returning to Wellington in 1966, when Frank was 37 and Nanette 32, in Molesworth Street’s Wellington Cathedral. His funeral service was held at the same venue.
These were days, too, when Frank proved himself a loyal brother to his older sister Nancy Goddard, who was a foundress of the New Zealand China Friendship Society. Suffice to say, Nancy's 1944 marriage to George Goddard, a trade union leader and a communist, was not universally approved by William and Joon-Foon Kwok at the time. Throughout this difficult period for Chinese New Zealanders, when New Zealand backed the Americans in the Korean war, Frank quietly supported his sister and brother-in law on a personal level. The Goddards proved themselves to be people ahead of their time. This was officially acknowledged when the government of the day recognised the People's Republic of China in December 1972. Recalling his own crucial formative years as an undergraduate student in Dunedin in the late 1940s, Frank readily admitted feeling the tension of living in two worlds. He attended Otago University, from where he first graduated with a BSc degree before applying to attend medical school in 1948. The initial application for a highly sought-after medical school placement was declined. He was told the medical school was not open to foreigners – and medical education was meant to be for 'British subjects only'. Frank quietly broke through the glass ceiling of racism many times in his life. His medical school application was eventually accepted. When, after successfully completing his medical studies, he was finally appointed as a registrar in 1955, he was one of the first New Zealand Chinese practitioners to work as a registrar
Back home in Wellington, he rose to become head of the ENT unit at Wellington Hospital and went on to establish a thriving private practice in the city at his Mayfair Chambers and, later, Roxburgh Street rooms. Throughout his life, Frank, a Rotarian, had always wanted to work within a Chinese environment. When an opportunity arose for him to work for the Hong Kong Government as an ENT consultant from 1982-89, he jumped at it. The posting enabled him to visit his family's ancestral village, Bak Shek, on the outskirts of the large southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on several occasions. Returning to Wellington in 1989 with Nanette and their two sons, he re-established his successful private ENT practice in Roxburgh Street and lived out the rest of his life. He never really recovered from the death of his wife Nanette in September last year. At her funeral he paid tribute to her and acknowledged, as the only son with nine sisters, he had been the head of the Kwok family 'for some time now'. But Nanette was the rock who anchored everyone together, he observed. All of my nine sisters would tell me that Nanette was a real sister to them and all agreed that she truly was their head sister. After a five month separation, the surgeon was reunited with the '10th sister' - the woman he married 48 years ago. The Dominion Post Matthews, Keith Taylor LLB 1921-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1934-1938
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Keith Matthews was one of the law profession’s finest examples of an extremely competent, dedicated and compassionate lawyer, with a true love of the law, serving his clients assiduously and actively upholding the principles of the rule of law. He was highly respected among the legal profession and was dearly loved by family and friends. Keith was admitted as a lawyer in June 1945. He became a partner of Duncan Matthews and Taylor in 1948 and from 1968, was a partner of Tripe Matthews and Feist until 1997, where he continued to work until 2002. Born in Wellington on 14 July 1921, Keith’s life was shaped by the exigencies and aftermath of the two World Wars. His solicitor father, Nelson, contracted tuberculosis in WWI, having fought in the battle of Passchendaele, and was an invalid throughout Keith’s childhood, able to practice law only spasmodically. His mother had cared for people during the 1918 influenza epidemic and brought up the three children of the family in difficult circumstances. Speaking of that time in a recent eulogy for one of his lifelong friends from the 1930s at Wellington College, Keith recalled: As a group we questioned in depth all those wicked things that were happening in the world between the two wars. We felt we were compelled to stand by and watch the apparently ineluctable measures that politicians were inflicting on our generation in what seemed to be a conscious endeavour to rekindle the drive towards war. We gobbled up all the literature that we could lay our hands on and talked our heads off deep into the night… It was a good life and then came the war with consequences I would rather not dwell on. Keith’s father died in 1938 and when Keith started university the following year, he chose to study law as well as continuing to study language and languages, a love which was to last his whole life. While studying, he also worked as a Judges Associate in Wellington, first to Sir Hubert Ostler and then to Justice Arthur Fair in Auckland. He applied himself willingly to the law, satisfied in the knowledge that he had helped resolve a human conflict or problem. After his marriage to Jackie in 1946,
Obituaries and some years working as an office solicitor in Leicester, Rainey & McCarthy and Phillips, Hollings and Shayle-George, Keith joined forces with his long-time school friend, Nigel Taylor to start their own law practice, which shortly thereafter became Duncan, Matthews and Taylor. In 1950, Keith took leave, during which he and Jackie worked for the World Peace Council in Paris. Years later, Keith wrote of the fear that gripped Europe in 1950-51, when he had travelled to places such as London, Coventry, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Berlin, Dresden and Warsaw, and said: Arriving from distant New Zealand the shock of all this was a source of unutterable despair, something that could be comprehended only by seeing the damage and speaking to the people. The written word was and is totally inadequate to describe the scale of such monstrosities. It was almost impossible to believe the world could do this to itself. It was unthinkable that some of the great powers were able to contemplate and prepare for a renewal of world war as a political instrument. In 1951, when Keith returned to New Zealand, it was to a country in the throes of a bitter waterfront dispute. During that time, the government had declared a state of emergency. The law firm of Duncan, Matthews and Taylor became engaged in defending union workers and their funds from new draconian regulations. They provided defences for strikers charged under the regulations, at a time when lawyers themselves were at risk of imprisonment for their role. Keith continued his work for peace by promoting the Stockholm Appeal [a call for the absolute ban on nuclear weapons], addressing public meetings and chairing the Wellington Peace Council for the next four years. He was also involved in legal action to prevent continued discrimination. In the long battle to prevent the All Black team leaving New Zealand to play against the segregated South African Springbok team in 1970, Roy Parsons initiated a legal action with Dr George Barton as barrister and Keith as solicitor. They invoked the writ ‘Ne exeat regno’ in its ancient form, to prevent a subject leaving the realm to engage in activity that would bring the Queen and her subjects into disrepute. The writ was refused on the ground that in a matter of
State, the writ cannot issue on the application of a private citizen. Along with his wife Jackie, Ailsa Barton and Margaret Lee, Keith was among the ranks who confronted the Red Squad on Rintoul Street in the 1981 Springbok tour demonstrations. Keith was batoned. Later Keith and Margaret Lee made submissions to a subsequent inquiry into incidents during the Springbok tour, pressing for the creation of an independent authority to monitor police conduct. Keith was always alive to the needs of others and led by example. He was a volunteer solicitor at the Aro Valley Citizens Advice Bureau, and was on the roster of the Wellington Central Library senior law centre for many years. On a sabbatical break with Jackie in Europe in 1977, Keith worked for days on end, in a campervan in the Ardêche, drafting a report on community law centres, many of which he had visited in England and Holland to ascertain their viability and work. He returned to Wellington, a strong advocate for the establishment of community law centres here, and of course, became a volunteer practitioner on their roster, once they became established. In so many ways, Keith Matthews was ahead of his time. He encouraged and mentored women to practice law and helped in advancing their careers. Tripe Matthews and Feist was the first law firm in Wellington, if not in New Zealand, to have equal numbers of men and women partners, a fact of which he was rightly proud. Those of us who were partners with him are in his debt. With his experience of the aftermath of war, Keith eschewed labels to describe people or their beliefs. Unbeknown to him, he was the very target of such classification. In the 1950s, Keith was a member of 'the Vegetable Club', which comprised a group of friends whose bonds were forged by their various experiences of war and their desire to change the world. They gathered on Friday nights after work at Duncan Matthews and Taylor to partake of a drink, talk politics and distribute vegetables bought wholesale from the market, to take home to their long suffering families.
In 2007, nearly 55 years later, Keith requested his SIS declassified file, to discover he was the subject of security interest, because of his association with 'communist' or 'subversive' persons or organisations. Reports had been received from a 'mole' inside the Vegetable Club. Keith was clearly aghast and entered into a carefully considered correspondence with the Director, asking that it be lodged with his file. Of note is the following paragraph: One should beware of broad political descriptions like communist, leftist, subversive, right wing, fascist, Islamist, terrorist, unionist, wharfie, Catholic, Jew, masonic, Muslim etc. It is necessary to remember how such words have often been used politically in the past to impute evil and to arouse suspicion and hatred. Such descriptions can creep into the unconscious mind of a person who is called upon to make judgements about another citizen and great harm and injustice can ensue. Keith practised law the way he lived: principled, compassionate, and with the utmost integrity. For him, social justice was not an empty term in the life of the law. In addition to his work life, Keith was a wonderful family man. He was gifted in his interactions with young children and was a wonderful father and grandfather to his four children and grandchildren. He was patient and enthusiastic, reading aloud to them and instilling in them a love of the bush, the outdoors and the mountains, with family walks and camping trips. Keith Matthews was a kind and gentle person, who led by example and was generous to a fault. He was a friend beyond measure to many; a mentor to a lucky few: and an example to all. For those of us who had the privilege to know and work with him, we are richer for that experience and his influence. This obituary is drawn from eulogies by Tina Matthews and family, Judge Margaret Lee, Clare Taylor, and the writings of Keith Matthews. It was first published in Council Brief, May 2014, page 3, the newsletter of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Law Society. by Helen Cull QC.
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Neal, Paul Edgar 1940-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1954-1959 1st XV, 1st XI Cricket, Prefect Paul Neal’s reputation as a highly promising sportsman preceded him when he started at Wellington College in 1954. He was a leading figure in the 1st XI cricket team from 1957 to 1959 and was Captain in his final year. He was also in the 1st XV in 1958 and 1959. He missed the Quadrangular Tournament in 1958 with a leg injury but was a leading figure in the 1959 Tournament held in Wellington. As a result, he was selected in the 1959 Centurion Colts team which was in effect a representative team selected from all the College 1st XV’s in the lower North Island. Paul was also a Prefect in his final year at the College. After College he joined the Onslow Rugby and Cricket Clubs playing at senior level through most of the 1960s . At representative level, he played for several Wellington age-grade teams at cricket. Altogether he scored 12500 runs in club cricket. Paul had a busy schedule in those early days with the seasons overlapping , literally he went from sport to another in successive Saturdays. His rugby developed and he represented Wellington as a fullback on a few occasions. Unfortunately his rugby career coincided with the outstanding All Black fullback Mick Williment and Paul’s opportunities only came when Williment was away on All Black duty. Career wise, Paul joined the Caltex Oil Company after leaving school and later joined the family firm of Dunbar Sloane who were the leading auctioneering firm in Wellington. His charismatic character that he is well remembered for, really came to the fore as an auctioneer. He was also highly respected as a valuer. During his time with Dunbar Sloane, the company expanded into antiques, artwork and vintage wine. The largest item that Paul ever auctioned was a fishing trawler. The auction was held on the bridge of the trawler and the auction price reached $9.2 million which was $4 million above the price expected. Paul retired at the age of 67 to spend
Obituaries more time with the family and his new love of golf. Paul’s funeral was held at Old St. Paul’s in Wellington. It was a full church with many Old Boys as well as some current students and Masters in attendance. Bruce Heather (1954-1958) Newsome, Richard Spencer (Puddy) 1972-2014 of England Wellington College 1986-1990 Richard Newsome, a father of three young children was closing in on his dream of managing the All Blacks when he fell down a flight of stairs and died in Tokyo. A Rugby World Cup organiser and Wellington rugby stalwart, was remembered by friends at his funeral as a loyal, likeable man who was dedicated to his family, friends and rugby. His widow, Rachael, said they would have been married for ten years next January and had planned to celebrate with a trip to New York. He was the most amazing father . . . he passed on to them a real passion for life and a positive outlook. I only hope that I can carry that on for him. Richard was employed by the International Rugby Board and worked for Rugby World Cup 2015, to be hosted in England. He was in Tokyo working on the 2019 event. He fell down some stairs, hit his head and was knocked unconscious, dying shortly after - just a terrible freak accident. Richard had previously worked on the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand and was destined for big things. Rugby World Cup 2011 Chief Executive Martin Snedden said Richard, who overcame any work issues by being 'likeable and professional'. "How well liked he was is obvious by the number of people that turned up at short notice to remember him. Richard had successfully managed at club and provincial level in New Zealand, and held several management roles at Old Boys University in Wellington. Old Boy, Life member and former OBU Premier Coach Hamish Vance said the Club was devastated by the news. A lot of the guys were close to
him and Rachael, they were both very popular. The IRB said in a statement: Richard was a hugely popular and greatly admired member of the IRB and Rugby World Cup teams and he will be deeply missed. The Dominion Post Close friend, Nick Green (1986-1990) gave a eulogy at Richard’s funeral, remembering special times growing up together. I first meet Rich in 1985, in the third form at Wellington College. We both shared a love of Superstars of Wrestling, ACDC and of course Rugby so we hit it off right from the start and never looked back.
as spectacularly as possible. My Dad loved to take Rich as he was always up for it and was determined to hold on whatever the cost! At the time, Rich had a bung shoulder from a rugby injury. He would be constantly popping his shoulder out and would have to knock it back into place similar to Mel Gibson in the Lethal Weapon series. I’ll always remember Rich’s determination as he’d fly 10 feet in the air after hitting a wave, pop his shoulder out, wriggle around in pain while he popped it back into place and then with a big smile yell out for more!
top and make sure he was displaying his guns and chest! While living with Rich I learnt of his secret passion, his love of rugby gear. He’d often raid my drawers sniffing out my newest rugby jersey, or jacket, even my socks. Then I’d notice them neatly folded away in his drawers or I’d catch him wearing something ‘familiar of mine’ out on the town. By the time we moved out I had 'lost' practically everything accept for my mum’s knitted jerseys. He loved collecting any rugby jerseys, Grant Fox y-fronts and other kit, picking up an impressive closet of gear through his many years.
Rich has been a huge part of my life and of my brothers, so the gap he’s left is unbelievably wide and at times overwhelming. Over the last week my brothers, Richards’ old mate Gavin Blair and many other old friends have all been exchanging emails of stories about Rich trying to somehow fill that gap and ease the pain of his sudden passing.
I remember Rich’s passion for his beat up old 1960s Anglia. It was his first car, and his absolute pride and joy. Rich spent a lot of school lunch times under the hood tinkering, stroking and reattaching the fuel line or fiddling with the starting knob. Often we’d fill the car to the brim to get to get to get somewhere, I think the record was 15 burly guys all squeezed in. I can remember racing him in my own Suzuki Jeep thinking we were total rock-stars even though both of our cars could only muster a mere 90km on the motorway with the wind behind us.
All of the stories are filled with hilarious, happy times, some from the old days are bit R18 but the essence of how Rich lived his life is always there. He was so fun loving, vibrant, passionate, and a really, really good mate. The stories bring Rich to life and that’s where we’ve been finding our solace.
I also have fond memories of flatting with Rich in Upland Road. We shared a room as two blokes do. And while I had to make do with a single bed in the corner, Rich brought in his throne-like King Bed that had been in his family for generations. He would proudly tell people that two of his siblings had even been born on it.
Being from a big family himself. Rich slotted into my family of five boys easily. Rich made himself at home at our place and I speak on behalf of all my brothers to say he was like a fifth brother to us all. Rich was always great with my younger brothers and was a big influence on their lives, whether it was teaching them responsible binge drinking with his classic game of Skulls & Bottles, organising midget wrestling with Sam and Simon or just hanging out with them. He was always a great role model and friend.
It was during that time at Upland Road, Rich decided it was time he bulked up, he was sick of being a medium-sized guy and he wanted to get bigger, be more like his hero Hulk Hogan. So he purchased a carb-loading recipe book along with tubs of body bulk and developed the hall-mark dish for the flat 'potato, pasta and rice pastry pie' much to the annoyance of the females in the flat, whose last thing on their mind was to beef up!
When Jason asked him if he played rugby, Rich was quick to give him the run down on his stand-out season with the Cromwell senior firsts that year. It must have impressed the hell out of Leonard as he knew the standard of rugby in NZ first hand and soon he had invited Rich to come along to Harlequins and train with the first team as a centre. At the time, Harlequins had Will Carling playing for them and Jason Leonard must have hoped that this burly Kiwi would come along and show him up at centre.
So with all this carb loading, Rich hit the gym and focused on his favourite two body parts. A weekly work out schedule for Rich would be: Monday: Chest and Guns, Tuesday: Guns and Chest, Wednesday: Guns and Guns, Thursday: Chest and Chest, Friday: rest day, and Saturday would be rugby where he would put on his tank
Of course Rich never got past the first training session - and sadly he was not offered a playing contract. Obviously Cromwell were not the standard that Rich had been making out. But it didn't stop Rich from making a few more friends and having some more great times around various rugby clubs through
A lot of our summer holidays were spent together at Lake Rotoiti. One of our favourite past times was seeing who could last the longest on the biscuit, a rubber tube towed behind a boat where the driver would aim to get the person off the biscuit
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His old mate Gavin Blair can recall working with Rich as bar tenders in the UK back in the early 90s. There were a few rugby players who came in to their pub once in a while and one night the English prop, Jason Leonard came up to the very busy bar to be served. Having been in New Zealand with the 1993 British Lions only a couple of months before he was wearing a Canterbury of New Zealand t- shirt. So up goes Rich and says Oh - are you a kiwi mate? I'll serve you first! Leonard's reply - No mate, I'm not a kiwi. Puds answer- Oh well stuff you then, I'll serve someone else! And he did just that. Later on, after being told who he'd told to stuff off, Rich went and had a yarn with Leonard and in typical fashion had made a new pal pretty quickly.
Obituaries the guys he met at Quins. People have been asking me how his name Puddy came about, I’m afraid all of us Greens have had so many concussions none of us can really remember. But our Dad thinks it was just a flyaway comment someone made looking at a photo of Rich during his muscle bound stage. Someone said he looked like a pudding or a Puddy and then just like that it stuck. Puddy or Pud, it suited him. There are so many more stories to share so we will continue to share them amongst our family and friends to help us fill that massive gap, we’ll laugh and remember Rich the way he would like us too, with a smile. We will send stories through to Rachael for the kids so his zest for life and his matesmenship can be captured forever. So now I have to farewell my friend, a best mate to me, my brothers, to so many. It’s been so awesome knowing you Rich, I’m going to miss you so much. You were taken far too early, you were in your prime of life and I’m so sorry. My brothers and I promise to look out for Rach and the kids for the rest of our time down here. Rest in peace, my friend. O’Grady, Ronald Michael, ONZM 1930-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1944-1947 Founder of what is now known as ECPAT (a global network of child protection agencies in over 75 countries around the world), Ron was a fearless and determined advocate who managed to galvanise world leaders and groups of activists to take a stand against the sexual exploitation of children. Through his work in Asia, Ron was confronted in 1990 by the staggering number of children being abused through commercial sexual exploitation in Thailand and surrounding countries. With a small band of helpers he set out to focus world attention on the plight of vulnerable children. Initially addressing children being sexually abused by tourists the global organisation now works to prevent all forms of child sex abuse including child prostitution, child pornography and child trafficking.
Sandy Thompson, Chair of ECPAT in New Zealand said The world owes Ron O’Grady a huge vote of thanks. Through his passion and vision countless children around the world have been saved from abuse. Although this criminal activity continues there is no doubt that Ron has made a very significant contribution towards protecting children everywhere. A scholar and diplomat he was able to influence those in the corridors of power as well as those in communities across the globe. Ron took a lead in organising three World Congresses in Copenhagen, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro over a span of 20 years drawing attention of governments to form action plans and strengthen legislation to prevent the sexual exploitation of children. In latter years he was the Honorary President of ECPAT International based in Bangkok and Patron of ECPAT Child ALERT here in New Zealand. Ron has been a tremendous driving force with a determination to seek justice and to defend the rights of children. says the Director of ECPAT Child ALERT He has been an inspiration to this organisation and helped to make it a well-respected child protection agency that will now ensure that his vision lives on. Ron received a bronze medal from Save the Children Canada and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Children in 1998. His efforts also landed him among top senior nominees in the 2010 Senior New Zealander of the Year awards. Oliver, John Nash (Captain) 1940-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1953-1956 1st XV 1956 John Oliver was born in Wellington and was brought up in Eastbourne where his family lived for many years. His earlier life was spent following much of the local community activities such as sailing, hiking and scouting. He attended Wellington College from 1953 to 1956 with a year as a boarder at Firth House and represented the school in athletics and rugby, being in the College 1st XV in 1956 . Following his family’s long
association with the sea, John embarked on a seafaring career with Shaw Savill & Albion Co. as a deck cadet in 1957 on merchant ships engaged in world-wide trading between the UK, Australia and New Zealand. John obtained his Masters Foreign Going certificate in 1965 and joined Union Steamship Co. where he rose to Chief Officer on the Wellington-Lyttelton Ferries. In 1966, John joined the Wellington Harbour Board as a harbour pilot and was involved in the Wahine rescue in 1968. In 1979 he returned to sea on the Cook Strait Rail Ferries where he was appointed Master and he continued with this company until his retirement in 2009 . John had long held a love and understanding for the land, an affinity he shared with his family. They spent twelve years farming in the Wairarapa where John’s strong conservation and environmental awareness was exemplified by his being one of the early covenanters with the QEll National Trust to protect an area of native bush. John was also interested in the welfare and professional development of Shipmasters, pilots and officers and was an experienced and trusted adviser to those in the maritime profession. After retiring John continued living in his favourite place of Eastbourne, and was always interested in the community and people of the 'bay'. John died in April 2014 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife Christine and their three sons and five grandchildren. Bill Oliver (1956-1960) Ord, Thomas Anthony (Tom) (Dr) 1936-2014 of Auckland Wellington College 1949-1952 Thomas Ord, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, mate. He was also a doctor, philosopher, sailor, socialist, pragmatist, realist, agnostic and bon vivant who died, over lunch surrounded by people who loved him. As best represents his egalitarian tastes, he had a beer and a glass of champagne in front of him, he had dined on fine food recreated from the humble recipes of the Italian countryside. He was talking to his grandson about the World Cup, it
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was a typical Ord occasion which he always enjoyed describing the best events as; Everybody talking and nobody listening. Except that day, he was quieter than usual, that day he was listening. Tom was born the fourth child of William and Laura Ord of Wellington. He may well have been the last child had not his twin brother Tim unexpectedly emerged into the world some 30 minutes later. They were all close in age, his brother Michael a mere 18 months older than the twins and his two older siblings Bill and Peggy not far in front. They grew up in Eastbourne close to the sea. Tom was the cautious, gentle brother, hard to rile, not prone to his brothers more rambunctious behaviour. He was a good student at school, diligent and did well. He was not a great athlete on account of a serious ankle injury as a youth. However he did play school and club rugby and he enjoyed sailing small boats and throughout his teenage years, involved himself at the local yacht club. He grew up happily as a loyal brother and good son to his parents. He left school after the 6th form and at 16, began his BA at Wellington before being old enough to enter Teachers Training College, achieving his Diploma in Teaching and his BA at the same time. After graduating he had some teaching experience but realised that this career was not for him. Sometime during that year he bumped into an old school friend who was off to Otago to study medicine. Oh I could do that, said Tom, and the next year he did. Tom graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Science in 1964. At this stage he was married to Jill and had two very young children, myself and my brother Tim. To repay the government grant that he was offered to get through Medical School, the young House Surgeon took up the offer to do his post degree training in the warm and sunny climes of Gisborne where the young family spent twelve months and Mark was born. Directed again by a government contract, for the next twelve months, the family chose to relocate to the other side of the country, to the West Coast where they lived in Whataroa, and the last son Anthony was born in the small settlement of Rununga. And even though the weather was cold and damp, and I remember
Obituaries floods and earthquakes, Dad enjoyed his role here and told us great stories of those communities of hardy individuals where he was called upon to be Doctor, Undertaker and Midwife and gratitude was shown in deliveries of coal. The six of us then travelled up to Auckland and took residency in Claude Road next to National Women’s’ Hospital so that Dad could complete his Diploma in Obstetrics. After this we made our final move and came to live in Torbay; so that Tom could give us a childhood like his, by the sea and in the late 70s we welcomed Wendy into our family. Many happy years have been spent in Torbay - it was the New Zealand Dream, the Quarter Acre Paradise, and Tom did everything he could to extend our experiences whether it be sailing small boats, camping holidays, going on great sailing trips around the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Islands on his ketch The Gloaming. He got his referee qualifications so he could ref my hockey games. He supported the boys in rugby and cricket and Mark in horse riding. He took us to squash and tennis lessons and paid for ballet and piano lessons. He instilled in us the value of physical fitness and even himself jogged on Long Bay for most of his adult life. Tom’s first practice was up at Northcross, near the Intermediate School that we all attended. He then moved to Browns Bay and established his long held practice, Browns Bay Family Doctors. His last role as a registered doctor was at Te Puna Haora, where he worked for many years in the Maori Health Clinic at AUT University. He enjoyed his time there and truly felt he was making a contribution to the lives of others. He was honoured by Te Puna and given the title Matua and presented with the carved tribute upon his casket which thanks him for his dedication and loyalty. And on behalf of his family I thank Te Puna again for this honour. Tom’s general knowledge was extraordinary and he seemed to have a photographic memory and a quote for every occasion. He was a Polymath, an intellectual, a Renaissance Man - he loved to read, to learn, to study. With all his degrees and Diplomas, I once counted 26 letters after his name. He was
interested in the classics, history, philosophy, politics and religion. He was passionate about opera and music. A week before his death, Tom was still attending University of the Third Age,…and even though his eyesight was beginning to fail him, I found these three books by his bedside on the day he died: In our Image – Americas Empire in the Philippines: An Existentialist Theology and The Ant and The Ferrari – Lifting the Hood on Truth, Society and the Universe. All his life Tom was a hard-working General Practitioner who was well respected by his community who established good working relationships with his colleagues. He valued his patients and was proud of the babies he delivered into the world. Tom was a good and caring friend, a loyal brother, husband and outstanding father. I can’t recall a time when I heard him say a bad word about anyone. He had a huge capacity for forgiveness. He was tolerant, a liberal but with a strong moral code. He was just, he was sincere, he always said that the definition of family was someone who knocked and you let them in but that seemed to apply to everyone. Tom always welcomed his friends, our friends, boyfriends and girlfriends, all the kids, the husbands and wives, ex-husbands and wives. There was no limit to his hospitality. As long as you were good company and did not cross the lines he drew in the sand, you were always welcome. He will always be cherished for his kindness and generosity, his fortitude and dedication. And we will never forget his friendship and love. Hilary Ord Prince, Donald Frank (Reverend) 1940-2014 of Canterbury Wellington College 1954-1956 Don was born in Wellington and attended Khandallah Primary School before progressing on to Wellington College. In 1957, he started farming in Ashurst and later also farmed in Te Kopua, near Dargaville. In 1963 along with his former schoolmate Alistair Pain, Don answered the call to enter the church and the pair enrolled at Trinity College in Auckland to study and also
reunited on the rugby field for the College. As a Methodist Minister, Don was posted to Te Kuiti in the King Country. Being a keen rugby player, he joined the famous Waitete Club and played alongside Stan and Colin Meads as hooker in the Senior team. On one occasion Don noticed a huddle of Waitete forwards during a stoppage in play. A burly front prop was addressing the rest of the team pleading with them to moderate their language in the presence of a Minister of the Church. The experience of playing in a scrum locked by the Meads brothers was to remain with him for the rest of his days. There was always an abundance of fun with Don for he had a great sense of humour. In 1988, he went to the U.S.A. studying clinical psychotherapy and specialising in person to person trading. He was at various times Minister of the Parish of Roxburgh, Chaplain of Rolleston Prison for eight years, Chaplain of Paparoa Prison for six years and later Chaplain of St. Margaret’s hospital. In later years, Don commuted from Christchurch to Knox College in Dunedin , training others in 'People working with People' .
recent years. He played solid, rugged football and rendered solid Yeoman service in the line-outs. Later, playing for Wellington College Old Boys against the Wellington Club, he was described as one of the best loose forwards in the competition. A Johnsonville 'train boy' throughout his six years at school, Peter went to Australia in December 1950 aboard the Wanganella and during his three years there kept an illuminating and amusing diary, and wrote memorable letters in verse to some of his friends. He played rugby league in Australia and on his return in 1953 was formally reinstated to rugby union, which was unusual at that time. He met Jenny Corbett at a party in Feilding and after they were married they moved to Hastings where he made contact with local Old Boys and coached the Hastings' High School Old Boys Colts team. Peter and Jenny later lived in Whakatane for a few years before moving to Auckland. After Jenny died suddenly in her forties, he devoted himself to the raising of their five children. Peter was an easy-mannered, goodhumoured man who will be missed by his many friends in West Auckland. He is survived by his five children.
Don made many friends along the way and turned around many lives. He was also a great family man. He passed away in March 2014 aged 73 and the church was packed with over 400 people for his funeral.
Gordon McLauchlan (1945-1949)
Compiled by Bruce Heather (19541958) and Alistair Pain (1954-1957).
Jack Shallcrass was one of New Zealand’s great teachers who spent his life nudging people to seek and learn as they travelled the road of life.
Riddell, Peter Garth 1929-2013 of Auckland Wellington College 1943-1948 1st XV Peter Riddell), a well-liked and widely respected Old Boy, died in Auckland in November. Peter was a fine all-round sportsman, a member of the 1st XV in 1947 and Captain in 1948. He was regarded as one of the best secondary school rugby players of his time. A newspaper report of the annual match between Wellington College and St Patrick’s College in 1947 said: Riddell is one of the best forwards produced by Wellington College in
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Shallcrass, John James (Jack) 1922-2014 of Wellington Wellington College 1937-1941 1st XV
He was a man, while being a vigorous and passionate advocate for civil liberties, who also inspired many in the teaching profession in their endeavours to create better lives for young people. His start in life was one of being very much on the wrong side of the tracks, growing up in Khandallah as the son of a man who had trouble holding down a job. In 1939, the family was evicted from their house because they were £70 in arrears with the rent. The Shallcrasses moved to Plimmerton and from there Jack went
Obituaries to take on the world at Wellington College. There was no money for a school blazer or overcoat and he turned up on a regular basis wearing his father’s old leather jacket. The absence of a proper uniform clearly identified him as being from a hard-up family, but the stigma never worried him. He failed School Certificate first time round, but began turning things around academically by later passing it in the same year he gained University Entrance. Recalling those times when the family was down on its luck there was no hint of Jack being prone to unhappiness. He was a talented athlete and was in both the 1st XV Rugby, 1st XI Cricket and Boxing teams as well as being a keen sprint runner. On the home front, Jack helped overcome a difficult financial situation by getting out and doing paper rounds, delivering milk and cutting lawns. He left school in the 6th form at the age of 18 and took up a teaching position in Marlborough. After war broke out, Jack joined the navy (in 1941) and saw active service with the Royal Navy on North Atlantic runs and in the Mediterranean. A visit to Cape Town, South Africa left him shocked at the way black men had been forced to kowtow to him when he spoke to them. This experience was the catalyst for his lifetime commitment to the anti-apartheid movement. Jack was an irreverent, funny, and universally respected man ahead of the times in the early days of his teaching career. He opposed the 1960 All Black tour of South Africa. In 1981 he also proudly took his place among protesters in Wellington who vigorously opposed the Springbok tour. In 1961, Jack became the President of the Defence & Aid Anti-Apartheid Group which raised money to assist the legal expenses of political prisoners and their families in South Africa, including Nelson Mandela. From 1961 to 1993, Jack was also a member of the Physicians against Nuclear War, the Peace Foundation
and the Pacific Institute of Resource Management
pupils to humorously send him on his way.
years earlier, with the retirement of his predecessor, Lindsay Fooks (snr).
Earlier, on a personal front, when he returned to Wellington life in 1945 after wartime naval experience, Jack discovered his parents had split up. At this time he also learned the personal savings he had sent home during the war years had all gone on his own family’s household expenses.
At Victoria, Jack became something of a notable. In 1985 the Jack Shallcrass Room was dedicated and a trust in his name was also established. In 1980 he was awarded the Mobil award for broadcasting. In 1990 this honour was followed up with him being made a commander of the British Empire and in 1994 he was also honoured with the title ‘humanist of the year’.
That period was a quiet time for geothermal development in New Zealand with stage 2 of Wairakei having been completed in 1963 and the power station in a stable operational phase. Further geothermal investigations were generally in abeyance, but with some wells being drilled at Kawerau and in investigation fields such as Orakei Korako, Rotokawa, Reporoa and Tauhara. Activity picked up after the first oil shock of 1973, which increased interest in New Zealand’s geothermal development. Further wells were then drilled in these investigation fields and at Kawerau. These were done under Basil’s watch.
Education became the route which saw Jack work his way out of his own impoverished state. As a returned serviceman he attended Wellington Teachers College and Victoria University. In 1948, Jack married Kate Cato, who was then a lecturer in physical education at training college. After living in Bill Sutch’s (1920-1923) flat at the end of The Terrace for four years, the young couple moved into their new home in Pembroke Road in Northland. From there, Jack continued his 50-year-career as a writer, broadcaster and ‘humanist’ while teaching at schools (including Rongotai College) and lecturing. While he boxed during his wartime years overseas, Jack had no interest in his secondary school charges becoming pugilists themselves. He wanted his students to use their brains, rather than their fists, in getting ahead in life. As a teacher at all levels, he encouraged his students to read widely, think and question. That attitude, coupled with his civil libertarian political views which saw him labelled a ‘pinko’ in some circles, may have resulted in him being unceremoniously passed over when the time came to appoint a new Principal of the teachers college in the 1960s. When Jack left his lecturing position in 1968 and headed off to Victoria University, one of the students at the time Lesleigh Salinger, remembered the lively, teachers college final farewell assembly. Jack was never one to take himself too seriously. He dressed himself in sackcloth at the farewell function, was doused with ashes and, with some humour and just a little regret, allowed his fellow staff members and
The coming to power of David Lange’s Labour government in the 1980s saw Jack given a number of prominent educational appointments. In 1987, he was a member of the Review Committee of Advisory Services, School Development. In the same year, he also edited a report which looked into non-formal education entitled He Aha Te Mea Nui I Te Ao? He Tangata. In 1988, Lange, in his role as education minister, appointed Jack to a Tomorrow’s Schools panel which was given the task of overseeing the reform of education administration. At 67 years of age, Jack opened up a whole new world when, in the company of the woman who would be his partner for the last 26 years of his life, Barbara Scelly, he learned how to ski at Bear Valley Mountain in California. In 1996, he suffered a head injury after falling from the roof of his Karori home. In his personal battle to regain full use of his faculties, Jack never lost his goodwill for everyone with whom he came into contact. The Dominion Post Stilwell, Wilfred Basil 1921-2013 of Bay of Plenty Wellington College 1934-1938 Basil graduated BE from Canterbury University in 1945. After working in various civil engineering roles, including restoring infrastructure in Malaya after WWII and hydro investigations on the Whanganui River, he arrived at the Ministry of Works’ Wairakei Geothermal Project in December 1963 and was initially a senior engineer in charge of drilling operations. He was promoted to Geothermal Projects Engineer in 1972, having moved into the role some
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Although geothermal activity was quiet in New Zealand, the country has become known for its practical expertise in geothermal development. Overseas interest was increasing with many people visiting Wairakei. Basil was adept at hosting such people. Later the New Zealand government took this up by contributing geothermal expertise to the United Nations Development Programme in developing countries. One of these was El Salvador in Central America. Basil spent a year in El Salvador, from Dec 1969 to Dec 1970, as the drilling project manager. Basil had developed a deep knowledge of geothermal development, a knowledge that he was happy to pass on, both to staff, to New Zealand consultants and to overseas countries. The stint in El Salvador was part of that. Basil put considerable effort into the Foreign Aid Programme in the late 1970s. In 1980, Basil went to Costa Rica to advise on geothermal development there. He had previously advised the Nicaraguan government. He has had two papers published in international journals, on geothermal drilling and on subsidence in geothermal fields. Basil was also involved in the Geothermal Institute in Auckland from its inception in 1979. The Institute had been set up to train science and engineering graduates from developing countries, using New Zealand’s expertise in geothermal development. Initially the lecturers were from the MWD and
Obituaries the DSIR, as they were known at the time. Basil was one of those lecturers. He held the liaison role between the MWD and the Institute until his retirement in 1982. Basil was always very enthusiastic about things geothermal and promoted its development in a number of ways, including fronting an informational film in the early 1970s. Basil was a Life Member of the NZGA, having been a pioneer of geothermal development and a supporter of our internationally acclaimed Geothermal Institute. He was always a gentleman and one of geothermal’s pioneers, the work of which we rely on today. He is survived by his wife Cath, son Gordon and daughter Shona. Twist, Timothy George, ONZM 1936-2014 of Hawke's Bay Wellington College 1950-1954 Respected Hawke’s Bay lawyer and tertiary education leader Timothy George Twist (Tim) died in Napier aged 77 years in March 2014 . Born in Wellington in 1936 to Albert and Irene Twist, Tim lived in Elizabeth Street, Mount Victoria with his parents, grandparents and younger brother Derek. In 1954 at the age of 17, he met Joan,
(Wellington East Girls’ College) and they married six years later in 1960. Their daughters Joanne and Juliet were born in 1961 and 1962.
Chapman Tripp before moving to Napier in 1966 to take up employment with Willis Toomey Robinson where he became a partner in 1968.
At both Clyde Quay Primary School and then Wellington College, Tim was to distinguish himself both academically and on the sports field, before going on to complete a law degree at Victoria University.
In the early years of his career, he covered virtually all aspects of law including court work relating to criminal and divorce matters. He was eventually to concentrate on the areas of property and commercial law, and in latter years was regularly appointed by the court to protect the personal property rights of people deemed vulnerable.
Tim played rugby, as well as other sports, and in 1953 and 1954 was a member of the College 1A Rugby XV, playing a few games for the 1st XV, but also travelling to Whanganui for the Quadrangular Tournament that year, as reserve. In 1954, Tim was appointed a Prefect, at a time when only twelve prefects were appointed. In 1980, it was coincidental that six prefects from that group of twelve, lived in Hawke’s Bay. Needless to say we were able to enjoy many great times together, as well as attending the yearly gathering of Wellington College Old Boys. Former staff often attended those gatherings, and many will remember Frank Crist, who at the time was Headmaster of Hastings Boy’s High School. Tim worked firstly for O’Regan and Arndt while completing his law studies and then for six years with
He served on the Hawke’s Bay District Law Society for a number of years, including President in 1983-84. He celebrated 50 years in practice and a bar dinner was held in his honour. He retired from practice in 2012. Parallel with his legal career, Tim spent 25 years on the council of what is now known as the Eastern Institute of Technology. It is notable that he served as Chairman of the Council for 17 years. When he stepped down, he was the longest serving chairperson in the New Zealand tertiary sector. It is widely accepted that no one played a greater part in the creation of a credible tertiary education institution for Hawke’s Bay. It was fitting that the EIT library was named the Twist Library in 1993 and that Tim was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for Service to
Education and the Community. Acknowledging the dramatic changes over those years, the then Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Martin said, Tim left with a huge sense of satisfaction over the developments that occurred during his term. His collegial and inclusive style was a significant factor in the consistently harmonious relationships within council and with staff. At different times, Tim was also a member of the Rotary Club of Ahuriri where he spent a term as President, and was later made a Paul Harris Fellow. Tim was also involved with Marriage Guidance and Friends of the Napier Library. Tim had a love of books and music and his personal library contained more than 1800 titles, with a particular focus on biographies, world history, cultures, and religions. He had the skill of recalling details of books read with impressive detail. Those who knew Tim well would readily agree he demonstrated strong values, and a rare ability to build relationships and to empathise. He was highly respected and trusted by colleagues, clients, and staff. Tim is survived by his wife Joan and his two daughters Joanne and Juliet. As a husband and father, Tim adored and loved them totally and unequivocally. This script was originally written by Russell Robinson (a partner of Willis Toomey Robinson) and Bruce Martin former CEO of the EIT. It has been added to by Don McLeod (College friend and Prefect with Tim).
Gael Ansell
Bob Balchin
David Beaglehole
John Boyd
John Campbell
Bill Fleming
Denise Haywood
Wyvern Hunt
Duncan Hyde
Norris Jefferson
Jack Kettlewell
Neil Kittow
Frank Kwok
Paul Neal
Richard Newsome
Ron O'Grady
Tom Ord
Jack Shallcrass
Tim Twist
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The Wellington College
Old Boys’ Association Wellington College’s Old Boys’ Association is here to keep you informed and involved. We will keep you up-to-date with what’s happening at the College and invite you to WCOBA reunions, events and activities we think you might like.
The WCOBA provides: •
Regular news and updates on Facebook and through email alerts.
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Issues the annual Lampstand magazine free of charge to around 10,000 Old Boys.
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Invites Old Boys to events around the Country and when possible, international occasions.
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Coordinates reunions.
Take part! We love hearing about what former students are up to.
Stay in Contact Don’t miss out on the latest news and invitations. Update your contact details with us at any time at: oldboys@wc.school. nz - especially if you move house or change your email address.
Contact us: 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/wcoba
Perhaps you’ve written a book, performed on TV, on stage, on air, started your own business, worked for a charity, been honoured, represented New Zealand in a plethora of past-times or anything else you can think of. Whatever you’ve been doing, we’d like to know about it. And if you know someone else who has - let us know as well! The Lampstand goes out by post to around 10,000 Old Boys plus features on-line and can be a great opportunity for you to promote what you do by being featured in our 2015 issue.
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