WCOBSERVER Eulogy: gil roper

OLD BOY, STAFF MEMBER AND ONE OF LIFE'S TRUE GENTLEMEN

It is my very real privilege this morning to speak about Gil’s significant association with Wellington College, both as a student in the 1960s and more recently, as a deeply respected and much loved member of staff.

Gil was my friend and colleague from his appointment in 2007 until my retirement. Both my predecessor, Harvey Rees-Thomas and my successor, Gregor Fountain have paid tribute to Gil who was equally their friend and colleague.

Gil was humility personified but many here today will be unaware of his stellar record as a student. He had the distinct honour of being chosen as a Prefect in Y12, and subsequently being selected the following year as the College’s Head Prefect in 1961. He was a fine sportsman and was in the 1st XV for three years. Gil was equally passionate about music. Had a fine baritone voice and gave a solo performance at his final assembly.

As many of his friends here today will attest, this talent foreshadowed a lifetime love of and involvement in music. Those sporting and cultural interests, complemented by his academic ability and deep concern for others, made him a great role model for the other young men of the College. The qualities Gil exhibited so demonstrably at school, underpinned by his deep Christian faith, laid the firm foundation for his subsequent success in his professional life as a teacher.

Now it’s not within my strict brief to speak beyond the Wellington College years, but I am going to bend the rules just a bit. You see, Gil’s first teaching position was at Tawa College. The Principal was Eric Flaws, former legendary teacher of Wellington College and Gil’s Head of Science was none other than my esteemed predecessor, Harvey Rees-Thomas, who greatly regrets he could not come down from Taupo today to honour Gil. Not only did they become great mates – Harvey organised Gil’s stag party in the basement of the Rees-Thomas family home and was then groomsman at Gil and Helen’s wedding.

Fast forward about 45 years to 2007. Gil had just retired from a very successful career at NZQA. I knew him by reputation and had met him through the Wellington College Old Boys’ Association. He made an appointment to see me and, in his self-effacing manner said Roger, now that I’m retired, I’d love to give back to my old school. Is there any way in which I could be of help? Truly, it was like manna from Heaven!

There were all sorts of administrative tasks which Headmaster, Senior Management, Heads of Department, support staff and teachers were neither particularly keen to do or not adept at completing – irksome, bureaucratic returns for the Ministry of Education, ERO, NZQA and the Teacher’s Council.

▲ Gil, on one of his visits to the Archives.

◀ With 2021 Head Prefect, Will Chandler and

▶ With 2022 Head Prefect, Harry Zangouropoulos

The writing, or at least proof reading of annual reports for Heads of Department, the writing of testimonials for an ever increasing number of school leavers, the editing of the Wellingtonian, The Lampstand and The Collegian. Thus the unique position of 'Systems Advisor' was born, a position which Gil fulfilled with complete professional aplomb.

The title may bear some resemblance to the Minister of Administrative Affairs, a position occupied so memorably by the bumbling, Honourable James Hacker in the timeless satirical comedy, Yes Minister. However, while Hacker was often shambolic and easily duped by the wonderfully Machiavellian Sir Humphrey, Gil was the epitome of wisdom and common-sense. The advice he gave was always sincere, intelligent, affirming and gracious. In short, Gil’s appointment was one of the smartest I have ever made.

He was loved and respected universally by teaching staff, support staff and students alike. Many are here today to celebrate his life and to mourn his loss. Numerous Head Prefects, successors to the Head Prefect of 1961, were deeply grateful to Gil, for helping them prepare their valedictory speeches at Prizegiving. Others simply valued a wise word of personal advice. There are many glowing comments made about Gil on the Old Boys’ Facebook Page, but one stands out for me from a former student:

I’d like to honour this man. Without him, I would not have made it through NCEA during a difficult time in my life, and he was one of the first men I trusted for some time and it breaks my heart to hear he has passed on. What an accolade!

Gil tackled every task he was given with enthusiasm and grace, and always went beyond the call of duty.

It was he who instigated the planting of the foliage around the Alan Gibbs

Continues on the next page.

Centre and in Steph Kane’s words, coordinated the delivery and layout of each and every plant that now flourish so verdantly around the building. It was also Gil who filled in so efficiently as Gregor Fountain’s temporary EA and continued to write references and other documents after he had officially finished in 2020.

But friends, it was not so much Gil’s ability to complete so many tasks that was impressive but rather his character, who he was. Gil walked the talk. His Christian faith and love for others was demonstrated not just in what he said, but rather in what he did. The Wellington College motto says Lumen Accipe et imperti, receive the light and pass it on. His great school friend and subsequent colleague at both Tawa College and Wellington College, Ernie Rosenthal said this: A wonderful colleague, a lifelong friend and someone