WCOBA eNewsletter: September 2023

Page 1

EDGE-OF YOUR-SEAT-WIN FOR THE 1ST XV

Wellington College won the 97th annual Quadrangular Tournament for the first time since 2014 with a pulsating 32-31 victory over Whanganui Collegiate at Wellington College in late June.

In a gargantuan struggle of thrilling tries, jolting tackles, and feverish crowd support, the face of Wellington coach and Old Boy, Neemia Tialata said it all on full-time. The former All Black was reduced to tears of relief and joy – the emotion of an improbable victory too overwhelming to suppress. Turn to Page 4 for the full report.

The Coaching team:

Page

Obituaries

1 • WCOBA e NEWS
Top - Piri Weepu, Neemia Tialata.
SEPTEMBER, 2023 Wellington College Old Boys’ Association PO Box 16073 Wellington 6242 oldboys@wc.school.nz Facebook What’s inside?
2 Going Digital
Bottom: Jimmy Lawler, Otto Rasch
Page
e
3
Calling
5
& Bird Tribute
Page
London
Page
Forest
10
NEWS

We’re going digital

The 2023 issue of The Lampstand is turning a new page and it's paperless! Well, almost.

MOVING AWAY FROM A PRINTED VERSION WILL:

• Reduce the production of 576,000 pages of paper per issue which equates to approximately 1152 reams of A4 paper

• Do away with the need and use of noncompostable plastic flow wrapping

• Eliminate the turn-around and wait times for printing and shipping so that the digital magazine’s content is topical and recent

• Assist the WCOBA to become more budget conscious - the rising cost of paper, ink and particularly postage, has eaten into our finances. Funding from the school for the Lampstand has now ceased as has our income.

However, you can still receive a printed Lampstand via a subscription service - plus our digital eNewsletters ...

How to subscribe.

Print Subscription: Your Lampstand will be posted to you each year PLUS you will receive our eNewsletters.

Domestic Mail: $15.00

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Digital Subscription:

Prefer to read on your computer or tablet? Receive our complimentary eNewsletters and The Lampstand electronically by email. You will be emailed the link to the publications (which are compatible with all computers and tablets), and the option to save the magazine as a PDF file which you can print if you prefer to read it that way.

If we don’t hear from you, we will presume you wish us to communicate with you via email for all future events, invitations and news.

2 • WCOBA e NEWS

Greetings from the PRESIDENT

In this eNewsletter, I would like to reflect on the important role so many Old Boys play in the wider Wellington College community –especially the younger Old Boys who come back to coach a sports team, assist in the Arts/Music or Cultural activities.

Coaching and mentoring students while developing leadership and organisational skills is a fantastic opportunity that newer Old Boys should embrace. This an incredibly important resource for the School, imparting life skills and experiences, and provides a strong cultural link to the younger generations of students.

As an Old Boy community, the relationships we formed through School can be lifelong and often significant. We should continue to look for opportunities to reconnect with each other despite the challenges of our busy lives. Our role as the WCOBA Executive is to continue to facilitate opportunities both formally and informally for us to connect and maintain that bond, whether this is through the Reunion Programmes or at Meet ‘n’ Greet Functions throughout the year

I am extremely grateful to have been voted back in as the OBA President at the Annual General Meeting in June. I have taken great pride in the position of serving and supporting the Old Boys’ community, so to have the support of the community once again is very humbling. I will continue to work with the OBA Committee to reinvigorate our reunions and events programme. Our aim is to continue to create a calendar of events to reconnect you with classmates and the College that is affordable, accessible, and inclusive for all Old Boys. My full report will be in the Lampstand

In October and November this year, we will be hosting the Cohort Reunions for the Classes of ’63, ’73, ’83, ’93, and ’03. We are also hosting an event in London in late September for UK-based Old Boys to meet with the Headmaster, Glen Denham over drinks and dinner, and seeking to host a get-together, with the Headmaster in Auckland later this year and will announce the details when a date has been finalised.

If you are not sure what your class year is, consider what the calendar year was when your age group graduated in Year 13 (Form 7), even if you left beforehand. If you would like to assist in organising your 2024 reunion, please contact Steph Kane.

On a final note, hearty congratulations to the 1st XV for their triumphant win at this year’s Quadrangular. It was a nerve-racking time for supporters on the Terrace and along the sidelines right up to the final whistle. Wellington College shone brightly over the threeday festival with great organisation from the College community and the coaching staff - it was a great team effort.

Best wishes

If you have any news or memories to share with fellow Old Boys through our Lampstand and eNewsletters, please get in touch. Don’t be shy.

Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz

After a six-year hiatus, we are pleased to be able to host our first international get-together, taking place in London for our UK-based Old Boys.

Headmaster, Glen Denham and Deputy Headmaster, Darrell Harvey will be at:

The Clarence, 4 Dover Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4LB

on Thursday, 28 September

Drinks from 6.00pm (Cash Bar)

Dinner from 7.30pm (Optional)

Catch up with news from ‘home’ (maybe sing 'Forty Years' On') and hear from Glen on his vision for Wellington College followed by a Q&A.

RSVP: 21 September

For Drinks and/or Dinner (should you wish to stay and dine with the NZ team). Martin Conway (Class of 1975): martinsconway@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07720 052051

Please let Martin know if you will be staying for Dinner (set menu + NZ Wines)

The Clarence Close to Green Park Tube Station on Piccadilly.

We really hope you can get to the event and both reminisce and celebrate Wellington College along with fellow Old Boys.

3 • WCOBA e NEWS

2023 Quadrangular Tournament

The winning moment for Wellington occurred three minutes from full-time when Whanganui’s composure vanished. Ahead 31-29 a kick-off following a Wellington try failed to find the 10m mark, there was a nostril hair in it.

At the halfway scrum a Whanganui defender obstructed a Wellington attacker presenting first-five Archie Sims with a penalty shot, 15m in from touch 35m out from goal. Aided by ‘faith fingers,’ and confidence previously absent in 2023, Archie crunched the ball like a missile, and it gracefully sailed down the middle of the posts. Wellington 32, Whanganui 31.

Abandoning orthodox convention Wellington boldly attacked, dispatching Whanganui towards their goal line. A penalty left the door ajar for Whanganui. The last salvo traversed both sidelines, mouths wide open, as the desperate speed, muscle, handling, and bravery of Whanganui propelled them deep into the hosts’ 22. Fittingly the game ended in a pile-up of crumbled bodies right in front of the euphoric Wellington terraces.

Suggestions this would be a unique tussle were immediate. Wellington started the match like a freight train with two tries in 10 minutes to wing Jacob Kennedy. His first was opportunist tapping swiftly from a penalty and exposing slack markers. A second was scored by collecting a spillage from a Garry Owen kick and dashing 40m.

Sims punished a Whanganui transgression to make it 15-12 but soon Whanganui assumed complete control with fullback Pita Manamanaivalu elusive and Johnston a perpetual headache. Two

tries to blindside Jimmy Peacock had Whanganui ahead 26-15 at half-time.

Both teams appeared somewhat directionless in the opening 15 minutes of the second half but Whanganui enjoyed superior territory and might have sealed it had they not fumbled possession over the try line.

In the playoff for third Nelson College rallied from 21-5 behind to beat Christ’s College 38-31.

A flurry of 33 unanswered points early in the second half won Nelson the game. They committed greater numbers to avoid isolation and ill-discipline at the breakdown and found profit with a fierce line-out drive.

On the first day of the Tournament, Wellington College rallied from a 19-0 deficit to stun Christ’ College 32-26 and earned a place in the final.

Whanganui Collegiate School upset reigning champions Nelson College 35-28 in an equally thrilling encounter. Whanganui last won the Quad when they beat Wellington College 13-6 in the 1991 final.

The rivalry between Wellington and Christ’s pre-dates the beginning of the ‘Quad’ when Nelson College joined in 1925. Wellington’s win is their biggest comeback against Christ’s since they overturned an 18-0 disadvantage way back in 1916.

4 • WCOBA e NEWS

TŌTARA TRIBUTE

Wellington College organised a ceremony in memory of Forest & Bird founder Ernest ‘Val’ Sanderson and its legendary Headmaster JP Firth.

Val Sanderson was eight when he started as a paying pupil at Wellington College in 1874, the year the school opened at its current site next to Government House. For the next ten years, he would take the short walk from his family home in Brougham Street to attend classes

Sanderson, a keen cricketer, helped its longest-serving Headmaster, JP Firth develop a muddy swampy ground into a sports field.

The school and its grounds would have been a place of safety for Val and his brother Louis as their home life was unhappy, with a violent father.

Joseph Firth had a hugely formative influence on all his boys, including the Sanderson brothers. He cared for them as individuals and encouraged them to take an interest in their own education.

After retiring, Firth became a founder member of his former pupil’s Native Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, when it was established in 1923. He stressed the value of teaching children about nature, edited the fledgling magazine, and campaigned to restore Kapiti Island.

J P Firth died in 1931 and when his wife Janet passed away in 1939, she left £100 to the Society, the equivalent of $17,000 today. Sanderson paid tribute to the couple saying they were enthusiasts for the conservation of New Zealand’s forest and bird life

Wellington College Old Boys’ Association organised a commemorative tree-planting to mark Forest & Bird’s centennial.

Forest & Bird donated the totara, which was grown from seed in

⬅ From left: Alex Greenwood, Kate Littin, Glen Denham, Eddie Fraser, Tai Renner.

its Highbury Nursery. A plaque in memory of Sanderson and JP Firth was blessed and unveiled.

Old Boys’ Association President Ted Thomas said: We wanted to pay tribute to Val Sanderson, one of our early conservationists and founder of Forest & Bird, who has played an important role in the history of New Zealand. He is another of our 33,000 Old Boys to have made a significant contribution to the nation.

Val also made a significant contribution in helping our longest-serving Headmaster JP Firth (1892-1920) develop what was a muddy, swampy ground to the sports field the College has today. The link between the two continued long after Firth retired in 1920 as Sanderson battled with government departments to restore Kāpiti Island.

Wellington Branch Chair, Kate Littin, whose son Eddie Fraser is a student at the school, thanked the Old Boys’ Association, College Archivist, Mike Pallin, Headmaster, Glen Denham, and the Prefect team led by Tai Renner for a wonderful tribute.

The tree-planting took place 89 years to the day that national Arbor Day was reestablished by Elizabeth Gilmer, a Forest & Bird Vice President, as a way of engaging children in a love of New Zealand’s flora and fauna, and promoting responsible citizenship.

Gilmer, who was the daughter of Prime Minister, Richard Seddon, organised for a tree planting to take place at Wellington College, and used her contacts to invite the Governor General Lord Bledisloe, who popped over from Government House to attend. Kate Litten, CEO WLG F&B

Photo: Caroline Wood ⬆ Arbor Day at Wellington College, 1 August 1934 (on the Terraces adjacent to the Cricket Pavilion).

The WCOBA Executive extends a warm welcome to TOMASI PALU (Class of 2004) who has been co-opted onto the Executive Committee.

Tomasi, the current Director of Rugby at Old Boys’ University achieved a range of honours in rugby including his time in the Wellington College 1st XV, over 100 games for OBU Premiers, 35 games for the Wellington Lions and 14 Test Internationals and played at the 2011 World Cup for Tonga.

As well as DOR at OBU, Tomasi is the Rugby Academy Director for both OBU and Victoria University, developing the skill sets of both male and female teams.

WCOBA Executive

The WCOBA Executive is a dedicated team of Old Boys from various backgrounds, who volunteer their time to give back to Wellington College and their fellow OBs, enriching their alumni experience.

Our Executive’s extensive experience equips them to provide expert support and guidance to the WCOBA.

The Executive is responsible for:

• organising and encouraging interest in WCOBA events and news

• managing and distributing OB scholarship funding

• planning and implementing innovative and relevant WCOBA initiatives

• reviewing and improving WCOBA activities and the database

• managing the Archives

The Executive consists of office bearers and elected individuals to the positions of President, Treasurer and general committee members across a number of portfolios.

The Executive meet monthly, either in the CBD or via Teams/Zoom. Executive members do not need to be based in Wellington, hence if you live locally or out of town and would like to join the Executive, please get in touch with President, Ted Thomas. ted.thomas@hampton.co.nz

MISSING TEAM PHOTOS

CAN YOU HELP US?

In order to build up our on-line collection of team photos, we need help in sourcing a copy or scanned image of the following teams. In some cases, we only have a photocopy taken from old Wellingtonians so if you have stored away your old school photos and have time to carry out a search, can you help us out?

PREFECTS: 1980, 1976, 1957, 1944

1ST XI CRICKET: 1969, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003

1ST XI FOOTBALL: 1974, 1979, 1986, 2000, 2001, 2002

1ST XI HOCKEY: 1936, 1937, 1938, 1941, 1969, 1974, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001

1ST XI RUGBY: 1941, 1988, 1990

Once these files are completed and uploaded, we will start on other codes and activities in order to showcase our library.

(L-R): The first official 1st XI Football (Soccer) team photo [ 1946], first official 1st XI Hockey [1939], Athletic Team of 1953

6 • WCOBA e NEWS
Reunion Dates 1963 1973 1983 1993 2003 Friday, 4 November Friday, 27 October Friday, 20 October TBA Friday, 20 October REGISTRATION FORMS WILL BE ISSUED LATER THIS WEEK TO EACH COHORT.

1923 Snapshot

Laying the Foundation Stone

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new College Buildings was performed on 25 June by His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe. Mr W F Ward, Board of Governors Chairman said that the occasion represented the epoch in the history of Wellington College. The new buildings will consist of a new observatory, the kitchen block, the boarding house block and a residence for the Headmaster. The result would be to give increased classroom accommodation and in due course, the present wooden buildings would be demolished. The Old Boys’ Association have funds set aside to warrant a start being made with the erection of a new cricket pavilion and they also alluded to the desire of having an assembly hall which at some time in the future should be erected. The contract to erect these new buildings was for £45,630 (around $2.2mNZ today).

1923 Prefects

Back Row: D W McKenzie F H Mullins J D McFarlane R F Meadows C D George G A Peddie

Front Row: K G Twiss H J Freeman F M Hanan (Head Prefect) G M Renner C H Jenkins Inset: H C Bailey

Absent: C E Bennett

Extracurricular activities in 1923 included: the Camera Club, Tramping Club, Philatelic Society, Tennis Club, Football (Rugby) Club, Cricket, Natural Science Society, Radio Club, Debating Society, Swimming, Athletics, Cross-Country, Shooting, Life Saving, Boxing, Choir, Orchestra, Cadets and the Library Club.

The School Choir

In the second term of 1923, the Headmaster announced that it had been decided to form a School Choir. Mr McCaw has kindly consented to devote his time and energy to its production. A school Choir is certainly desirable in a College of this size, as this side of the School activities should not be neglected. At the first meeting there was a large attendance of prospective members. It was decided to hold practices every Tuesday and Thursday after morning school, and so far they have been well attended. The number of the boys in the Choir has been reduced to about fifty. It is intended to give two items at the College Concert, where it is hoped the Choir will be a credit to the School.

Tournament

The 1923 Tournament at Christ’s College was won by Collegiate. Results: Christ’s College 9 v Wellington College 14

Wanganui Collegiate 17 v Wellington College 11

Wanganui Collegiate 23 v Christ’s College 16

7 • WCOBA e NEWS
⬆ Panoramic view of Wellington College, 1923
SCHOOL ROLL 806 TEACHING STAFF 36
3A Form Class, 1923 (Year 9)

Archives Report

We welcomed Stuart Cox, (Class of 1971) in May. His family had moved to Australia at the end of his seventh form year. Though he had attended a previous reunion some time ago, this time he was able to bring a number of interesting College items to donate to our Archives with him.

Stuart was a student here when our first War Memorial Hall was being demolished in 1968. Amongst other items, he gave us pieces of polished stone that came from the stairs at the back of the Hall. From a recently colourised photo of these grand stairs it can be seen how the pieces of the stairs match the stairs in the photo. Stuart reminded us that no student was allowed to use these stairs unless he was being taken there to receive his corporal punishment.

Stuart was a keen member of the school printing club and asked if the school still had its Arab printing press. Unfortunately, there appears to be no record of what happened to it. The Club printed many of the school’s items of which Stuart provided samples.

Stuart’s father, Mervyn was also an Old Boy (Class of 1940).

⬆ Members of the 1963 1st XV assembled in Wellington for a catch-up in conjunction with this year’s Tournament. (L-R): David Heather, Richard Cheyne, Peter Gully, Evan, Purdie, Bruce Waddel, Derek de Lisle and Michael Monaghan. Absent was Ross Crotty as he did not arrive until the afternoon.

8 • WCOBA e NEWS
Stuart Cox, with Gary Girvan in the Archives. ⬆ Pieces of polished stone that came from the stairs at the back of the Hall. From a recently colourised photo of these grand stairs, ➡ it can be seen how the pieces of the stairs match the stairs in the photo. ⬆ A similar printing press used at the College would have printed amongst many items, the 1971 programme for the school production. Mike Pallin, Archivist

Prior to 1986, competition across a range of activities took place on a Form Class basis. The Form Class obtaining the highest aggregate points at the annual athletics sports were presented with Oscar and Victor Gallie Shield.

1986 saw the introduction of a House Competition for the first time with four Houses named after former Wellington College Headmasters and colour-coded accordingly. Hill (blue,) Heron (yellow), Hogben (green), Cresswell (red) and initially involving Year 9 and Y13 students. House flags were made and the PE uniform colour coded as well.

1986 HOUSE CAPTAINS AND DEPUTIES

Back Row: Anthony Green, Simon Ellis, Samuel Taulelei, Jason FaamalepeJones, David Allan, Brian Steele, Mark Gibson, Peter Tulloch.

Second Row: Staff: Martin Vaughan, Ian Morrison, Steve Tamihere, Chris Mulcahy.

Front Row: Matthew Reweti, Manaia Garrick, Glenn Kirker, Philip Smith, Andrew Downes, Stuart Kilmister, Simon Harker, Matthew Hardy.

➡ PE House Colours Uniform and Cresswell House Flag. (L-R): Hogben, Cresswell, Hill, Heron.

This year a new House system has been launched. The old cup was located in the Archives, cleaned, and given to the student House leadership group to reuse.

Shield. Can anyone tell us what the other shield on the left might be for?

the O & V

➡ A Trophy Cup for Inter-House Competition was presented by the then Deputy Headmaster, Laurie Gardiner, and was won by Cresswell House that year.

House Competition 1986

9 • WCOBA e NEWS
⬅ LEFT: 6S3 in 1963 with Gallie

Obituaries

Since the 20May 2023 eNewsletter was issued, we are sad to report that the following Old Boys and Staff Members have passed away. The 2023 Lampstand will include an obituary for those for whom family and friends have provided one. If you wish to contribute an obituary, please get in touch with us at oldboys@ wc.school.nz The WCOBA Community extends their condolences to family and friends of those listed below.

* CLASS OF 1946

HUNT, John

1928 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1942 - 1946

Head Prefect, 1st XV 1945 - 1946

KEYS, Peter

1923 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1942 - 1945

* CLASS OF 1947

PATCHING, Desmond

1928 - 2023 late of Auckland

Wellington College: 1943 - 1946

* CLASS OF 1948

McMORRAN, Frank

1929 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1944 - 1945

* CLASS OF 1949

HURLEY, Reginald

1931 - 2023 late of Kapiti

Wellington College: 1945 - 1948

* CLASS OF 1950

BISHOP, Malcolm

1932 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1946 - 1951

DOBSON, Ian

1932 - 2023 late of Manawatu

Wellington College: 1946 - 1950

FOLEY, Brian

1933 - 2022 late of Whanganui

Wellington College: 1946 - 1950

LESLIE, Peter OBE, (Dr, Colonel Ret.)

1932 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1946 - 1950

Firth House

NELSON, John

1932 - 2023 late of Horowhenua

Wellington College: 1946 - 1950

* CLASS OF 1951

WILSON, Stephen

1933 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1947 - 1948

* CLASS OF 1952

WOODALL, Lindsay

1934 - 2023 late of Nelson

Wellington College 1948 - 1950

* CLASS OF 1954

EBBETT, Gavin

1936 - 2023 late of Hawkes Bay

Wellington College: 1950 - 1953

Firth House

FRASER, Donald

1934 - 2023 late of Horowhenua

Wellington College: 1950

* CLASS OF 1955

HAND, Warren

1938 - 2023 late of Auckland

Wellington College: 1951 - 1955

* CLASS OF 1956

MAYER, David

1938 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1952 - 1955

* CLASS OF 1957

BRIERLEY, Ken MBE

1940 - 2023 late of Auckland

Wellington College: 1953 - 1956

Lt. Commander Ret., RNZN

* CLASS OF 1958

CHARTRES, Robert (Bob)

1941 - 2023 late of Kapiti

Wellington College: 1854 - 1957

GOODMAN, Vic

1941 - 2023 late of Auckland

Wellington College: 1954 - 1958

HEATHER, Bruce

1940 - 2023 late of Horowhenua

Wellington College: 1954 - 1958

1st XV 1956 - 1958

TOMKIES, John

1940 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1954 - 1957

* CLASS OF 1961

SEAMER, Barry

1944 - 2023 late of Wairarapa

Wellington College: 1957 - 1961

* CLASS OF 1962

SCHUMACHER, Peter

1944 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 1958 - 1961

* CLASS OF 1964

SOTEROS, John

1947 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College - 1960 - 1965

* CLASS OF 1966

STUDT, Chris

1947 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College 1962 - 1966

* CLASS OF 1972

CUNLIFFE, Evan

1954 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College 1968 - 1972

PARUN, Melvin

1955 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College : 1968 - 1971

* CLASS OF 1976

HEGARTY, Grant

1958 - 2023 late of Canterbury

Wellington College: 1972 - 1976

Firth House

MISIRLAKIS, Michael

1958 - 2023 late of Horowhenua

Wellington College: 1972 - 1974

* CLASS OF 2015

BRADSHAW, Andre (Ondi)

1998 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 2011 - 2015

* CLASS OF 2018

MURRAY, Tom

2001 - 2023 late of Wellington

Wellington College: 2014 - 2018

1st XV 2018

* STAFF

PAULSON, Vic

1948 - 2023 late of Horowhenua

Wellington College: 1974 - 2012

10 • WCOBA e NEWS

Vic Paulson

VIC PAULSON, 75 of Kapiti, formerly Portland, ND, passed away peacefully August 21, 2023 at his home. He was born April 8, 1948 in Mayville, ND. He graduated from Portland High School, 1966; graduated Concordia College Moorhead, MN, 1971. He served in the Peace Corps in Malaysia 1971-1973, moved to Wellington, to teach maths, physics, and computers at Wellington College. He also coached basketball at Wellington College from the time when the score was kept on a black board until his retirement.

He also played and coached a national New Zealand team. He mentored many players, and coaches during his teaching career, and one of associates said Vic coached with morals, honesty, and integrity.

Bruce Heather

BRUCE HEATHER was a gifted all round sportsman at Wellington College in the 1950s and subsequently a loyal Old Boy who regularly attended Quadrangular Rugby tournaments in which he himself had earlier played as a midfield back (1st XV 1956 -1958).

Bruce's loyalty was also demonstrated by his long career with a Wellington travel and shipping agency. His interest in shipping remained unabated because of his close ties with and knowledge of the industry. He remained active in service and community clubs in retirement while retaining a keen interest in sport.

Bruce showed unusual ability as an athlete at primary school and made early impact in his chosen sports, cricket and rugby. Living in Khandallah, he had a strong association with the Onslow clubs in summer and winter.

At Wellington College, he wore an Onslow jersey in a 1st XV trial and was duly chosen for the school's top side by the legendary coach Frank Crist, whom Bruce respected as a rugby mentor, a teacher and a fighter pilot.

Bruce progressed to senior level at rugby, playing for both the Onslow and Wellington clubs, but excelled in cricket. The ultimate team man, he was a long serving player and administrator for the Club. He was a worthy patron of the Club at the time of his passing, having established an extraordinary record as a bowler into the Wellington wind. He took 1,500 wickets for the club, having played for it in school holidays through to years after people usually retired.

Bruce, it seemed, could never get enough cricket. He played for the Wellington Wanderers during the week, with that team promoting the game in schools, played for Rotarian sides and played for Onslow sides at home and overseas.

His games overseas included matches in England, Australia and Asia, mixing in Golden Oldies cricket with some celebrated players, including the West Indian fast bowler Charlie Griffith.

He married Chloe Kasoulides in 1983. They had three daughters Larissa, Areti, and Stella and a granddaughter, Sophia who was the highlight of the past two years.

He regularly returned to his ND roots living with his young family for a year in 1989 at his home farm in Portland.

Vic instilled a clever outlook for his players’ goal setting with the following phrase: It’s not how you start but how you finish.

If you have memories of beingcoached by Vic, and wish to share them with the Old Boy community (2023 Lampstand), please email oldboys@wc.school.nz before 1 November.

While his cricket interests took him to Lords for a memorable New Zealand Test win, Bruce's primary interest centred on his Onslow Club.

He wrote a history of the Onslow Club, For Onslow at Nairnville, and provided a similar record of the Onslow Rugby Club's victory in 1955 in the Jubilee Cup competition.

His interest in sport was such that at Wellington College he left the grounds during the day because he had heard the Australian cricket team was in the capital briefly and he knew which hotel they were in. Bruce and a colleague went into a bar, found the Australians, and happily gathered players' autographs.

Interest in sport extended into Bruce's latter years to the extent that, on a visit to Japan, he was presented with a rugby club uniform and asked to play for the team. He thought he was too old, but the Japanese advised him that there were players in the team who were much older than him. So he turned out.

Bruce will be remembered as a gentle fellow with a keen sense of humour. He used to say that he got wickets because others wanted to bowl with the wind behind them. The truth is that Bruce took wickets with skill and the ability to use the conditions. A keen cricketer from Australia insisted that he looked forward to facing Bruce, having been warned that Bruce was notably accurate. Beaten and bowled early by Bruce, the wide - eyed Aussie said he might have coped if the ball had just swung in the air or just moved off the pitch. It did both.

Bruce died on June 26 - he had planned on attending this year’s Quad the following day, along with his brother Dave (Class of 1963). Bruce was the much loved husband of Margaret. He was the father of Grant (Class of 1990), Gail and Jane and he and Margaret have six grandchildren. A large crowd attended a memorial service for him at Otaki on July 4. He was aged 83.

Trevor Mackay (Class of 1958)

11 • WCOBA e NEWS

School Sport

Congratulations to our Senior A team Underwater Hockey team, who won the CSW Senior Open Premier title, against Wellington High School.

Winter Tournament Week Summary

Congratulations to everyone who competed. Special thanks to our Coaches, Managers, Staff, Parents and Supporters who work so hard in the background to make this all happen.

BASKETBALL

Senior A Basketball: 2nd, Senior Premier Grade, Zone 3 Regional Tournament. This result qualifies the team for Nationals.

Junior A Basketball: 3rd, Junior Premier Grade, Zone 3 Regional Tournament.

Junior B Basketball: 1st, Junior A Grade, Zone 3 Regional Tournament

HOCKEY

1st XI Hockey: 6th, Rankin Cup

2nd XI Hockey: 3rd, Galletly Cup

RUGBY

U15 Rugby: 2nd, U15 Invitational Tournament

U14 Rugby: Competed in the Hurricanes U14 Rugby Festival, winning two of their four games.

U85 Rugby: 6th, National College Rugby Cup

FOOTBALL

1st XI Football: 27th, National Tournament

2nd XI Football: 4th. 2nd XI Tournament

Junior A Football: 12th, Hillsdene Junior Tournament

UNDERWATER HOCKEY

Senior A: 4th, National Championships

Junior A: 5th National Championships

BADMINTON

Senior A: 12th, National Championships

⬆ The U15 team at the National Tournament. They lost the final to Rotorua Boys’ High School 24 - 34. They won the local competition.

⬇ The 1st XI Hockey team came 6th in the National Tournament. The team won the CSW Premier Competition.

12 • WCOBA e NEWS
Congratulations to the Senior A BASKETBALL team who bet St Patrick’s (Silverstream) in the CSW Premier Final, winning 109-104.

FENCING: Joel Ball Lahood (Y12) continued his great season, winning the NZSS Men’s Epee and came third in the NZSS Sabre.

Headlines

Matt Crawford is one of 32 players selected for the future Black Sticks Men’s Hockey team. Selection was based on his performance at the U18 National tournament

Troy Plumtree has made the NZ Basketball team for the FIBA U16 Men’s Asia Championships which will be held in Doha, Qatar from 17-24 September 2023. Dov Silberstein, is one of the six non-travelling reserves team on standby in case of injury

Seb Hopkins recently took part in the Oceania Wrestling Championships, competing in the U17 80kg weight grade. After a tough battle in the final (it came down to just 7 seconds!) Seb took home the silver medal.

Alex Galt won the Men’s Senior Open Title at the CSW Badminton Champs in August.

Congratulations to Sam Elkin and Aston Ash for being selected for the NZ Men’s Floorball team to compete at the 2023 AOFC Cup in Singapore, October 8-14.

Maxim Ericson, who on the back of a stellar season has been selected for the NZ U19 team to the World Rowing Championships in Paris from 2-6 August 2023.

Cox, Lachie Wall was selected for the NI U18 team to row against the South Island.

The Senior FLOORBALL team retained its national title going though undefeated and beating Rongotai College 5 - 3 in the final of a fast high-scoring game.

⬇ Congratulations to our Junior A Team, who won the Regional Final against Hutt Valley High School, 6-0.

Well done to Jared Ball, Aryan Manan Doshi, Shaun Binu, Neev Panchal and Ethan Luo. An outstanding effort!

NZ SECONDARY SCHOOL SWIM CHAMPS

Eighteen swimmers represented Wellington College at the NZ Secondary School Swimming Championships at the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre in July. They featured competitively in all age groups and provided a keen challenge to the strong Westlake Boys’ High School, Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Auckland Grammar teams. The senior relays in particularly were fiercely contested events where we were denied gold by the closest of margins on four separate occasions. Wellington College placed third in the Male competition and won a total of 22 medals (six Gold, twelve Silver and four Bronze).

Finn Harland – Swimming Legend

Year 13 student, Finn Harland is a swimmer on the rise. He has made big strides in the pool over the last two years, excelling in both age group and open national competition. At the time of writing, Finn was in transit to Israel in preparation for the World Junior Swimming Championships which runs from 4 - 9 September. He qualified for this elite U19 competition on the back of outstanding performances at the NZ Open Swimming Championships earlier this year.

As well as qualifying for the World Junior Swimming Championships, Finn’s successes this year include:

• Two Bronze Medals at the NZ Open Swim Champs in the 50m and 100m Backstroke.

• a NZ 17-Year Record in the 50m Backstroke

• Four Gold Medals at the NZ Age Group Swim Champs in the 17-18 Year age group (50m & 100m Backstroke; 100m & 200m Freestyle).

All four of these events were won by significant margins.

The national 50m Backstroke record (17 Years) he set this year, belonged to former Olympian Daniel Bell. Several of the Wellington 16 Year and 17 Year age group records Finn has broken in the last two years were times set by Old Boy and former Olympian Gareth Kean (Class of 2009) (in Backstroke) and current Olympian Lewis Clareburt (in Freestyle). This all provides a really encouraging measure of how well Finn is currently tracking with his swimming. He is a genuine swimming prospect and one to watch for the future. Martin Vaughan, Swimming Convenor

13 • WCOBA e NEWS

Old Boys in the News

Students benefit from ICMS Scholarship

On a flying visit to Wellington, Darryl Courtney-O’Connor AM (Class of 1966) called in to the College to meet Headmaster, Glen Denham. Darryl and his wife Ann are the generous benefactors of the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) Scholarship, awarded annually to a Y13 student to study at the University, in Manly, Sydney.

Darryl is the Chairman of Touraust Corporation and founded Constellation Hotels (CH) in 1986 with just twelve country motels. In 1996, he established the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS). 27 years since Touraust’s inception, the company had grown to employ more than 1,000 people with an annual turnover of more than $80 million.

The Wellington College ICMS Scholarship was first awarded in 2005 and thereafter every year. We would love to profile past recipients - so if you are one of those successful students, please get in touch with us as we’d love to share your story with both the Old Boy community and current students who might be considering applying.

Rise and Grind, it’s Coffee Time!

Congratulations to Tait Burge (Class of 2012), just crowned as Wellington’s ‘Barista of the Year’.

A popular Wellington cafe has collected a double win in the regional Love Your Local Awards regional competition.

Swimsuit Cafe in central Wellington was chosen by popular vote as the best food truck or takeaway and its owner, Tait Burge was the winner for best barista in the Wellington, Kāpiti and Wairarapa region

A big passion of mine is providing and experience for people and coffee is just an avenue to do that.

Tait credited his passionate and enthusiastic staff for injecting good energy in the cafe.We have a great team and do the simple really well and consistently.

Swimsuit now has three outlets around the region: the original in Dixon Street, and cafés in Miramar and Lombard Street, Te Aro.

The King of Wellington

TV Programme The Crowd Goes Wild caught up with Charlie Gubb (Class of 2006/07) in his post-career business venture, Porta King. The former NZ Warriors cult-hero forward has moved home to Wellington and now gives the work sites of Wellington a convenient place to unload and unwind.

Charlie grew up in Hataitai and played for the 1st XV before a career in the NRL playing for the Warriors and Canberra Raiders. He now spends his time helping out his local club, Marist St Pats and the St Patrick’s Town 1st XV, snagging in blue cod and raising his two young children. He is known for his good nature, large frame and quality banter one-liners.

If you’re a tradie, running a large gathering, church fundraiser, iwi footy flag tournament or anything that requires quality sanitation toilet services get in touch with Charlie - Call 0800 777 069 or email info@portaking.co.nz

The Crowd Goes Wild interview: https://www.facebook.com/ CrowdGoesWild/videos/732946687815087

Tait said the name Swimsuit has reflections of his home on the city’s south coast and he wanted to convey some of that atmosphere. I wanted to bring a bit of the coast vibe to the city.

He first entered the industry through a Gateway programme at school that got him a barista job at Mojo, and then he branched out into his own businesses four years ago.

https://wellington.live/we-talk-to-wellingtons-barista-of-the-yeartait-burge/

14 • WCOBA e NEWS

Athletics NZ focus on Para Athletics World Championships Time Tunnel: Tim Prendergast

In their series focusing on New Zealand’s Para Athletics legends, Athletics NZ shone a light on the career of middle-distance runner Tim Prendergast (Class of 1996).

The visually impaired athlete claimed an epic victory by just 0.03 sec. in the 800m on his debut appearance in the event 21 years ago – a performance which unquestionably acted as a major springboard to his gold medal-winning success at the Athens Paralympics.

A triumph in the northern French city of Lille which remains one of the highlights of a lengthy international career which spanned almost 15 years. Raised in Wellington, Tim started running as a Y9 student at running alongside the likes of former NZ Cross-Country champion Ben Ruthe (Class of 1997).

It was an amazing time to be a middle-distance runner in Wellington and we had a young lad called Nick Willis emerging at the time, explains Tim. Having these fully sighted guys pushing me hard to be the best I could possibly be was a real factor in my success.

At the age of 21, he made his Paralympics debut in Sydney and claimed double silver in the 800m T13 and 1500m T13 behind the Tunisian Maher Bouallegue. It was an outstanding achievement – particularly as the Kiwi – found out two days before his 1500m final he had a navicular stress fracture and post-Sydney he spent eight weeks in a cast. Post injury I had to be really careful but the winter before the 2002 World Para champs I build a really strong base and by the summer of 2002 I felt really strong, he adds. In Hastings in January, he showed his potential by clocking 1:53.23 – a time below the official 800m T13 world record.

Granted two months’ leave from his then employers – the Royal Foundation for the Blind (now Blind Low Vision NZ) – he then spent six weeks training and competing in the UK. It was not easy back then. I spent time in the UK dossing on people’s couches but I was lucky to get in some good races and I spent time training with the likes of Rees Buck (Class of 1993) and Ben Ruthe, so by the time I got to France I was in tip top shape, explains Tim who was coached by Wellington College teacher, Neville Paul, during this phase of his career.

The third edition of the Para Athletics World Champions was described by Tim as a lot more ‘low key’ than the event we see today. However, boasting a team with a nice blend of youth and experience, Tim looks back on the event with fondness and with the 800m first up, he was hopeful of reversing the finishing position with Bouallegue from their Paralympic showdown in Sydney. There was a little bit of rivalry there. He had also beaten me in Madrid (at the 1998 IBSA World Championship and Games), so I had never previously beaten him.

As it turned out a pedestrian first lap of 63 seconds fell perfectly into the hands of the Kiwi – ten years the junior of his Tunisian rival – as he came home in a blistering final lap of 53 seconds. I knew I had that top end speed, so I was able to sit and kick and I ended up beating him by three one hundredths of a second, recalls Tim. Even if I had been fully sighted I would have struggled to see if had won the race, but with just five per cent vision it was so much harder. It was a long wait to hear the announcement in French that I had won.

Tim returned later in the championship to compete in the 1500m but engaged in another titanic tussle with Bouallegue this time missed out on gold by an agonising 0.04. Reflecting on his efforts in Northern France it was a meet he can look back on with a huge amount of pride. Winning that gold medal in Lille gave me the belief that anything was possible and it acted as the catalyst which allowed me to bring home the spoils in Athens two years later (when he won 800m T13 gold at the Paralympic Games).

Tim returned for his second Para Athletics World Championships in Assen, Holland, a more experienced athlete but in the previous four years the strength in depth of his events had significantly improved.His Tunisian rival from the past had been replaced by a Moroccan and 800m and 1500m gold was secured by Abdelillah Mame with Tim settling for silver in both events. I was beaten by the better guy but I was proud of the two silver medals, he says.

A disappointing showing at the Beijing Paralympics followed in 2008 – when Tim claimed fourth in the 5000m, fifth in the 1500m and sixth in the 800m. The Kiwi continued competing and made his final appearance at the 2011 Para Athletics World Championships – where he had the honour of reading the Athletes’ Pledge – at QE II Stadium in Christchurch. Elated to compete at a home championship, that joy was however coloured by the fact he had a troubled build up grappling with on ongoing calf injury.

I fooled myself into thinking I could get to the start line in shape and I pulled my calf around 800m into the 1500m. He limped home in 11th his competitive quest over in Christchurch. Sustaining the injury on the opening day of the championships he could have walked away from the competition in a sulk but he chose to support the event and the other Kiwi competitors. It was a really special event with many youngsters getting their first exposure to Para sport.

Tim continued competing for one more year, signing off from the sport by competing at his fourth Paralympic Games in London. There he competed with pride, placing fifth in the 800m in 1:55.85 and sixth in the 1500m in 3:53.60. I was out of the medals, yes, but I could still hold my head up high. I produced some solid performances at the age of 33.

Tim who today lives in London – with his ten and seven-year-old boys –and works in learning and development with the Santander Bank, looks back with immense pride on his running career and record at the Para Athletics World Championships.

His four medals in the event undoubtedly contributed to the growth and buoyancy of Para sport in New Zealand and he has been blown away by the development of Para athletics.

The level of performances we are seeing today is incredible. Para sport is treated as elite sport – as it should be – and it is fantastic that 21 years after my gold medal success in Lille, the event is returning to France in the capital of Paris, which is a symbol of how far the event has come.

15 • WCOBA e NEWS

Game Developer Pippin Barr on Playful Creations

Pippin Barr (Class of 1996) might just be the most prolific solo game developer in the world. Since 2011, he has released a baffling 81 of them – and while many are just snapshots or thought experiments, what they lack in length and pixel count they more than make up for in provocation and wit, Chris Allnutt writes for the Financial Times.

Pippin Barr is a comedian (he’s also, at 44, Associate Professor in the Department of Design and Computation Arts at Montreal’s Concordia University), but his stage is virtual, his jokes are puzzles and his audience anonymous. Take Sisyphus, first released in 2011. Players, like the doomed king of Ephyra, must roll a large boulder up a hill until it inevitably tumbles back down, whereupon they start again. It’s a joke about games and doing these pointless things over and over again that are not actually that difficult to do, Pippin says. But you do it anyway because the game told you to

Challenging both human and hardware is at the centre of Pippin’s new book, The Stuff Games Are Made Of, an entertaining unpacking of the systems and quirks behind game design, illustrated by the oddities of his own works and a smattering of video game history. His background in computer science, the subject in which he completed his PhD at Victoria University of Wellington, informs his expertise, but this is no dusty academic slog, Allnutt writes. And nor are his creations

Kiwi Taine Plumtree draws 'short straw' from Wales coach Warren Gatland

Taine Plumtree’s (Class of 2017) dream of Rugby World Cup selection has been dashed by a shoulder injury with Wales coach Warren Gatland admitting his Kiwi recruit had drawn the short straw

Taine, a Wellington and Blues backrower, left NZ in July for Welsh club Scarlets. The Swansea-born son of former All Blacks forward coach John Plumtree was instantly eligible for Wales.

Gatland was keen on fast-tracking Plumtree, saying Wales don’t have many 6 foot 5’’ back rowers.

Taine made an impression in his test debut off the bench in Wales’ 20-9 win over England in Cardiff on 5 August. He got his first test start in the rematch at Twickenham a week later, but had to leave the field with a shoulder injury. That knock has ultimately led to him missing the cut for Gatland’s World Cup squad. Taine is really unlucky having picked up a shoulder injury, Gatland said at the squad announcement. I spoke to him last week about where he was at with his injury. It was always going to be a tight call whether we were going to take him.

Reds’ Signing

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) announced that former All Black, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Class of 2008) has signed a two-year deal with the Queensland Reds through to 2025.

Jeff said: I can’t wait to join the club. “I’m excited to be coming back to Super Rugby after being away for a few years and getting to know everyone at the Reds.

I’m feeling really blessed to be able to be closer to family which is a big part of why I joined the organisation. When speaking to Les and Sam, we talked about the importance of family and how we as a team can keep growing as a unit on-and-off the field which was a big drawcard for me. I’m also keen to get amongst the community in Queensland and looking forward to connecting with all the supporters around the state.

Born in Wellington, the 192cm-tall tighthead debuted for the Hurricanes in 2012 after impressing at U20s level for New Zealand and in the NPC for his home city. He made his All Blacks debut the following season, featuring in his sole Test against Japan in 2013.

Cemented in the Hurricanes line-up, Jeff came off the bench in his side’s losing 2015 Super Rugby Grand Final, before injury ruled him out of their title win against the Lions the next year. He returned to the All Blacks squad in 2017, featuring against the Barbarians on the Spring Tour, and was again selected in the national squad once again the following season.

He notched his 100th Super Rugby cap for the Hurricanes in 2018, becoming just the 15th player to do so for the Wellington-based club. In 2019, Jeff took his talents to the Northern Hemisphere where he played 61 matches for Wasps in the English Premiership. A move to Ulster followed in 2022, while the prop also made his debut for Samoa, playing three matches on their end of year tour.

Two Old Boys at the World Cup

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will see two Old Boys running out for their respective Country. The ever-popular Dane Coles (Class of 2004) earned All Blacks selection again.

Dane made his national debut for the NZ U19s in 2005, played for the NZ U21s and made his provincial debut for Wellington in 2007, and in 2010 joined the Māori All Blacks for all three matches in the team’s Centenary Series. A Test debut came in 2012 against Scotland at Edinburgh.

Former New Zealand fly-half Lima Sopoaga (Class of 2008) will made his Samoa Test debut in the Rugby World Cup warm-up with Ireland.

Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Class of 2017) was selected for the 30-strong All Blacks XV for their brief tour to Japan. Naitoa, who plays lock for the Chiefs and Bay of Plenty, had a powerful and productive presence which saw the XV complete an unbeaten tour of Japan.

Lima, 32, made his last All Blacks appearance in 2017 and benefits from a World Rugby rule change to play for the Pacific Islanders through family links.

16 • WCOBA e NEWS

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WCOBA eNewsletter: September 2023 by Wellington College OBA - Issuu