The Lampstand - Wellington College

Transcription

Lampstand
The
THE ANNUAL MAGAZINE OF THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION
NUMBER 22 • NOVEMBER, 2012
PO Box 16073, Wellington, New Zealand 6242 • Telephone 04 802 2537 • Fax: 04 802 2542
THE LAMPSTAND • 2012
Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz • Web: www.wellington-college.school.nz
1
WCOBA News
Wellington College Old Boys’ Association
PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242 • Telephone: 04 802 2537 • Facsimile: 04 802 2542
Stephanie Kane, WCOBA Executive Officer • Email: oldboys@wellington-college.school.nz
T
he Lampstand is the Registered Newsletter
of the Wellington College Old Boys'
Association. Mail can be sent to the WCOBA
Executive Officer, at the above address.
Back issues of The Lampstand can be found on
our website: www.wellington-college.school.
nz (Our Community/Old Boys/Lampstands).
Please support the Association by joining the
WCOBA today. Your support assists in producing
the magazine, funding Old Boys' activities and
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)
Keep in Touch
Visiting the Archives Calculating Your Cohort
A
year ago, we announced that the
Archives and Development Office
would be housed under the same
roof, by relocating to the Headmaster’s
former House. While the Archives are
firmly settled, it’s not the same for the
Development Office. Following a structural
engineers report, the House is deemed nonearthquake compliant for day-to-day use by
staff. The Archives, and Archivist Paddianne
Neely are able to remain as it is deemed in
that the use is occasional.
Visitors can still see first-hand, the
wonderful and historical collection of
Wellington College memorabilia and
Paddianne welcomes Old Boys to her new
location, undoubtedly the first visit for
many who have not actually been inside the
former Headmaster’s residence.
How we calculate your Cohort for
our Reunion programme:
Example 1
Started 1959 • Left 1962 • Cohort is still 1963
Form 3 Form 4 Form 5 Form 6 Form 7
Upper 5 Upper 6
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
3C1
4C1
5C1
5U2
6XX
Thus 1963 is your Cohort Year
(ie the five years from Form 3 to Form 7/Upper 6th)
Example 2
Started 1960 • Left 1962 • Cohort is still 1963
(because you began College at another school)
Form 3 Form 4 Form 5 Form 6 Form 7
Upper 5 Upper 6
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
3XX
4C1
5C1
5U2
6XX
Thus 1963 is your Cohort Year
(ie the five years from Form 3 to Form 7/Upper 6th)
If you wish to visit the Archives, please
email or telephone first so Paddianne can
‘pop the kettle on’. Paddianne officially
works on Mondays and Wednesdays only.
Paddianne Neely 04 382 9411 (Work)
oldboys@wellington-college.school.nz
04 386 2072 (Home)
1963 is the year from which your anniversary of
leaving school is calculated, by adding 10, 20, 40,, 50,
60 years etc. Your cohort leaving year may not be the
actual year you left Wellington College, but captures
all those fellow students who you were at school
with, irrespective of how many years you were at the
College, or the years you actually started or left.
Special thanks to Paddianne Neely, our Archivist for providing material for The Lampstand
and to Gil Roper (1959-61) who proof-read The Lampstand. Thank you also to staff and Old
Boys who took many of the more recent photos and provided news which all helps form The
Lampstand each year. Stephanie Kane, Editor
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EMAIL us • Help us to send you
news from the Association (including
forthcoming reunions and events) by
providing us with your email address, so
we can keep you up-to-date. Email us at
oldboys@wc.school.nz with your details
so it can be added to our database. It
saves us dollars if we can communicate
with you via email on forthcoming events
and news. Just remember to make the
Old Boys a ‘safe sender’ so our emails
don’t end up in your spam box.
STAY IN TOUCH • Please keep our
database up-to-date so you can receive
The Lampstand plus news of WCOBA and
College events and reunions taking place
in 2011 and 2012.
IF YOU CHANGE HOUSE AND/OR EMAIL
ADDRESS - PLEASE LET US KNOW.
If you are in contact with former College
friends and relatives but find they are
not receiving The Lampstand, it may
be because we no longer have their
address. If they would like to receive the
magazine, please ask them to contact us
to update their details.
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE • You can
visit our site at www.wellington-college.
school.nz (Our Community/Old Boys) or
read of current news from the College
at www.mycoll.school.nz or join us on
Facebook. Just search for Wellington
College Old Boys (NZ) and you will find us.
Welcome
A
Important Dates
• Class of 1963 Reunion
Friday, 23 March 2013
• ANZAC Service and Lunch
Friday, 19 April 2013
• Class of 1973 Reunion
Friday, 18 October 2013
EMAIL
ALERT
Next
Back
oldboys@wc.school.nz
My Email Address
Hi Stephanie
Here’s my email address:
anoldboy@email.co.nz
Regards
Please send us your email
address for future costefficient communication.
Remember also to let us know
if you move to another postal
address.
Around 300 Lampstands
are returned each year with
‘Gone, no Address’.
year ago, the WCOBA
and Development Office
were eagerly looking
forward to joining Archivist,
Paddianne Neely in the former
Headmaster’s House and
establishing ourselves in our
new, accessible and prominent
location. However, it wasn’t to
be, as the house was found to
be noncompliant to the new
earthquake safety standards.
While we are very disappointed,
we hope soon to confirm that
a new location has been found and that we will
eventually be located back amongst the main
school campus after residing up the hill, just
below the Gifford Observatory for the past five
years.
My colleague, Development Manager Tony
Robinson and myself, were fortunate to attend
the recent EducationPlus Conference in Sydney,
thanks to the generosity of the College, the
WCOBA and the Foundation. EducationPlus
(formally known as ADAPE) is the Association
of Development and Alumni Professionals in
Education Australasia. Around 650 delegates
were in attendance from both private and state
secondary and tertiary institutes throughout
Australasia and we both enjoyed the business
networking workshops and social occasions.
While many aspects of friend-raising and fundraising differ between the two countries, both
Tony and I welcomed the opportunity to learn
from others - and look forward to initiating some
of these ideas into reality within Wellington
College. What we did note, was that although
our office is a staff of 2.4, compared to many
schools whose Development and Alumni Offices
run to double figures - what we offer in the way
of reunions, events and communications to
our Alumni surpasses many of those larger and
wealthier schools. We justifiably feel proud of
what we have been able to achieve.
back into the swing of things
and look forward to a number
of forthcoming events on the
calendar.
We trust that you enjoyed
reading the mini Lampstand the Lamp Post, issued in June
this year. We hope to continue
to issue this smaller mid-year
edition and thus invite you to
send us your email address so
we can send it to you digitally
as well as send you invites to
your local WCOBA functions plus other news as it
comes to hand. The Lampstand and the College
Collegian can be emailed or posted to you, upon
your advice as to what best suits your reading
preference.
Visitors continue to call in to the College - some by
invitation from the Headmaster to celebrate their
achievements and others informally. Whether
you would like to visit the Archives, walk around
the College or carry out some family research please feel free to call in. We do recommend that
you telephone or email first to ensure that one
of us - Paddianne, Tony or myself is available to
greet you.
While communication is sporadic from our
Old Boys, we do appreciate those who tell us
that we are doing a good job of keeping past
students involved and informed. On the whole,
the majority agree that Wellington College has a
history to be proud of and provides an excellent
education. The College has a culture which
encourages high standards and continues to
promote active involvement across a well-rounded
base of activities. Your old school is in great heart,
with good leadership under current Headmaster,
Roger Moses. As you read through the pages
ahead, I am sure you will agree that your fellow
alumni continue to put Wellington College on the
map representing a plethora of activities.
I extend my thanks to colleague, Glenda Schmitt
who has joined our office two days a week. Glenda
is the one behind the scenes who updates our
database, stuffs envelopes, arranges name badges,
folds menus and a myriad of other tasks which all
help in running a reunion or event smoothly. She is
a god send to both Tony and myself!
Speaking of reunions - just last month we hosted
around 160 Old Boys who attended the College
from 1950-1957. These Old Boys have not
experienced a 50 Years On Reunion and were
too young to have attended the 60 Years Plus
Reunion in 2007. For once, Wellington turned on
a superb day which made the tour of the College
much more appealing. Headmaster, Roger Moses
conducted the morning Assembly. Following
the formal cohort photos, our Prefects escorted
our guests around the College before lunch
was served. The evening dinner was also wellattended and rounded out a successful occasion.
Similarly, the Class of 1962 returned in March and
the Class of 1972 have just assembled.
Last but not least, in 2013 we look forward to
launching the five year campaign leading up to
Wellington College’s 150th Anniversary over
Labour Weekend, 2017. We hope by then that
our new Assembly Hall will be completed and
ready to welcome a large number of Old Boys
back for what promises to be a most historic
occasion for the College and for Wellington City.
Our WCOBA dinners and lunches around the
country have been curtailed somewhat this year
due to heavy workloads. However we are getting
Stephanie Kane • WCOBA Executive Officer
Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz
DDI: 04 802 2537
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Who’s Who in the WCOBA
WCOBA Executive 2011-2012
POSITION
NAME
YEARS
CONTACT
PRESIDENT
Brian Smythe
1954-1958
smythelson@xtra.co.nz
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Bob Slade
1954-1958
bob@slade.co.nz
TREASURER
Bob Slade
1954-1958
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Stephanie Kane
CENTENNIAL TRUST CHAIR
-
Matthew Beattie
1970-1972
matthew.beattie@insteplimited.com
Robert Anderson
1969-1973
r.anderson@wc.school.nz
Roger Moses (Headmaster)
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
bob@slade.co.nz
-
r.moses@wc.school.nz
Matthew Reweti
1986-1990
matthew.reweti@gmail.com
Guy Randall
1999-2003
randall_guy@hotmail.com
Ernie Rosenthal
1957-1960
e.rosenthal@wc.school.nz
Scott Tingey
1974-1978
zl2tpd@gmail.com
WCOBA Branch Contacts
LOCATION
NAME
YEARS
EMAIL
TELEPHONE
AUCKLAND
Ross Crotty
1959-1963 crotty@lowndeslaw.com
WAIKATO
Alain Harper
1956-1960 apralain@wave.co.nz
(07) 848 4091
BAY OF PLENTY
Barry Ward
1948-1952 barry.ward@kinect.co.nz
(07) 576 6774
HAWKES BAY
Dave Halliday
1962-1966 dash-hb@slingshot.co.nz
(06) 844 7590
MANAWATU/WANGANUI
Robert Bruce
1954-1958 rabruce@inspire.net.nz
(06) 329 7858
HOROWHENUA
Barry Jobson
1953-1957 jobson@paradise.net.nz
(04) 904 3399
MARLBOROUGH
John Wedde
1961-1965 johnwedde@xtra.co.nz
(027) 484 3729
Ian McGuire
1960-1964 mcguires@slingshot.co.nz
(03) 547 4422
Murray Lauchlan
1967-1971 Murray@valuersnelson.co.nz
(03) 547 9876
John Grocott
1951-1955 grocottjw@xtra.co.nz
(03) 385 1449
NELSON
CANTERBURY
Peter Morrison
1970-1975 morrisonh@xtra.co.nz
OTAGO
Darryl Tong
1981-1985 darryl.tong@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
AUSTRALIA
(NSW & QLD)
Michael Rhodes
1962-1966 michael@mkarhodes.com
Bryan Gray
1977-1980 bryan.w.gray@jpmorgan.com
Peter Osvath
1966-1970 peter.osvath@csiro.au
Rob Owers
1951-1955 rowers@bigpond.net.au
UNITED KINGDOM
Martin Conway
1971-1974 martinsconway@yahoo.co.uk
THAILAND
Yuttachat Boonyarat
1967-1969 kmbgroup@ji-net.com
AUSTRALIA (VIC)
(027) 4507 548
(03) 377 7905 or (027) 434 0568
(03) 479 6530
(+614) 127 20922 (M)
(00612) 9440 8910 (W)
(03) 9545 2594 or (+610) 439 343 483 (M)
(03) 9807 0931 or (0419) 807 093 (M)
+44 (0)7720 052 051
+66 8181 28787
WCOBA Objectives
The WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION was founded to:
• Further the interests of the College and its past and present members and keep former students in touch with each other and with the school.
• Maintain a register of names of all who have passed through the College since 1867 and endeavour to record the addresses of all those alive.
• Arrange reunions and other functions for Old Boys.
• Where needed, support current students at the College.
These aims are met by the Association undertaking the following tasks:
• Produce The Lampstand and similar publications each year, covering activities of Old Boys and other relevant information.
• Maintain a computerised database giving details of all Old Boys of the College including teaching staff. This includes addresses where known. The
Executive Officer will release addresses to bona fide Old Boys but will not allow any access for commercial purposes.
• Provide financial support for College activities including sport and cultural activities, sponsorship and academic prizes as well as supporting the
Archives.
• Organise various reunions and other social functions either at the College, nationwide or internationally for Old Boys which the Association
wishes to encourage and extend.
• Administer charitable funds managed by the Association for current and past students including assistance with fundraising appeals.
4
WCOBA News
The Lampstand:
Paper versus Digital – making the
switch to e-magazines
T
here are countless arguments between
two camps - paper versus digital. Both
have features that are great for different
things.
Making the switch from print publishing to
digital publishing is a big step. But as costs
for everything from paper to printing to
postage increase to produce The Lampstand,
making the jump to digital is becoming
more appealing to our WCOBA Executive in
issuing both magazines and communications.
More and more Old Boys now ask us to
communicate by email as they become more
globally spread and digitally inclined. It’s
not necessarily a generational concept but
communicating by email and the web saves
time and money.
However, it’s a complicated process to
become fully digital – first and foremost is
the lack of actual email addresses of our
readers and secondly, there are readers who
still like to pick up and put down an actual
hard-copy of The Lampstand.
In the interim, we will still continue to
produce the hard-copy version of The
Lampstand to all of our subscribers.
HOWEVER, we ask you to complete the
enclosed form and advise us in which
format in future you wish to receive
communication from us - hardcopy or digital
or a combination of both. If you select The
Lampstand in hardcopy format, we would
welcome a donation to cover printing and
postage costs.
The mid-year inaugural Lamp Post could
become a regular and more frequent form of
keeping you up-to-date with news from the
College and the Association by emailing you
the link. Invitations to local branch functions
can also be emailed as well as registrations
for reunions and dinners.
Our monthly newsletter to parents and
students is now emailed with a link to the
inter-active publication and has been well
received saving the College around $22,000 pa.
Please complete the enclosed form to advise
of your preference and of course if you have
an email address, let us know. If we don’t
hear from you, we will presume you do not
wish to receive future news and invitations.
Stephanie Kane, WCOBA Executive Officer
E: oldboys@wc.school.nz or 04 802 2537
Below: How our international readers read the Lamp Post on line
- using the interactive full colour, page-tuner, zoom in-and-out format.
Reunions More or Less?
What are your thoughts?
W
hile we hold 40 and 50 Years On
Reunions and the occasional ‘one-off’
events including 60 and 55 Years Plus
and a Firth House Reunion, we wonder if
others feel ‘left out’?
Do you think we should include more
reunions in our calendar? At the Alumni
Conference I recently attended, I was
stunned to see that many other schools
start at One Year On, followed by five,
ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty
and seventy. That’s eight more than we
host, however many of these schools have
the manpower - totally committed to just
solely running reunions.
I recently contacted a small group of Old
Boys who will be approaching their 25 Years
On and asked them for their feedback.
Is 25 Years On, about right to return to
your old school, or on the whole, are
most just happy to wait until 40 Years On.
While feedback was positive, this was the
viewpoint from a small sample of Old Boys.
If you have an opinion, I would appreciate
your thoughts. Perhaps first talk to fellow
cohort members to garner their feelings
before you respond so I can see if there
is an actual demand or just a couple who
may think it’s a good idea or not a good
thing. You can send your thoughts to me
via email or on the enclosed form.
Other Old Boys may just be happy to come
to our 150th Celebrations in 2017 or just
wait until their own 40 and 50 Years On
Reunions approach.
Stephanie Kane
The Collegian
O
ld Boys may like to subscribe to The
Collegian (the College’s monthly
newsletter) to acquaint themselves with
current news of the College and forthcoming
events. Each issue includes news from the
Headmaster, the Head Prefect and the Board,
as well as coverage of our Arts and Sporting
activities and success stories achieved by our
students, plus academic news, international
students’ activities and the Old Boys’ Assoc.
The Collegian link can be emailed to you
or you can read each issue on our website.
Check out past issues of The Collegian
and The Lampstand: http://issuu.com/
wellingtoncollege We hope to also feature old
Wellingtonians on this site.
5
WCOBA President’s Report
Brian Smythe (1954 - 1958, Head Prefect)
I
am pleased to present the following report
covering my second year as President as at
30 June, 2012.
• Overview
Wellington College continues to perform at the
highest levels in academic, sporting and cultural
achievement. This is a constant source of pride
and satisfaction to all Old Boys, and a credit
to Headmaster Roger Moses, his staff, and the
students.
• General
While the WCOBA and the College are in
good heart and in excellent hands, there are a
number of issues of current concern:
1. Some of the older buildings, notably
Firth Hall and the Headmaster’s House, fall
below the minimum building earthquake code
standard of 34% compliance.
2. The world economic recession has clearly
and severely curtailed fundraising efforts.
3. Operating budgets for both the College
and the Association have consequently been
reduced and restricted.
4. The Archives, relocated last year into the
Headmaster’s House, are an earthquake risk
and may need to be moved again.
• 40 Years On Reunion for the
Class of 1971
• WCOBA Lunch in Tauranga in October 2011
• WCOBA Cocktails in Christchurch in
November 2011
• College Leaver’s Lunch in November 2011.
All of these events were thoroughly enjoyed
by those who attended, whether to reminisce,
network, or just chat.
• Communication
The Lampstand, a perennial Old Boy favourite
of exceptionally high quality, was issued in
October 2011 and included a strong plea
for financial support to ensure its on-going
publication. We received around $17,000
in donations which has helped to fund the
recent Lamp Post – a supplementary WCOBA
publication designed to reduce the size of The
Lampstand – and support the 2012 issue.
Unfortunately, however,
it has emerged that the
building is an earthquake
risk under current compliance rules. The
Property Committee of the College Board of
Trustees is undertaking structural reports that
will determine the Archive’s future.
In the meantime Old Boys can contact
Paddianne to make viewing arrangements.
In this regrettable situation the Development
Office, which was intended to relocate upstairs in
the Headmaster’s House, will have to remain in its
current remote location at the end of the old Firth
House driveway. However, plans are underway to
shift the office back amidst the main campus.
• All Weather Artificial Turf
A magnificent addition to the College sporting
amenities is the all-weather playing surface
constructed on the middle ground. This was
funded jointly by the College Foundation
using a most generous financial gesture
by Sir Ron Brierley, and the Wellington
City Council. I was privileged to attend the
formal opening ceremony earlier this year in
While so many Old Boys enjoy the 80-page
perfect weather - at which the entire student
publication, the reality is that the printing
population performed a thunderous Haka,
and posting costs are rising steadily. We are
and Headmaster, Roger Moses bravely and
reviewing a proposal to produce the magazine
• Improvements
electronically for emailing to Old Boys. However accurately kicked a soccer ball into the net and
Despite these financial constraints there have
a rugby ball neatly over the goal post.
it appears only one-third of Old Boys on the
been significant positive steps taken at the
database have provided email addresses, which
Development office, including:
• Memorial Hall
would mean many missing out. It is noted that
1. Installation of a new database of Old Boys the College will be adopting this approach with A decision has been made to enlarge the
and their contact details, which will be of great its monthly Collegian newsletter, emailing it to
existing hall for assembly and performance, in a
assistance in friend-raising and fund-raising.
manner capable of accommodating all students
parents and friends of the College, thus saving
2. Glenda Schmitt is employed two days a
and staff at one time. The design, selected
$22,000 pa.
from a number of interesting contenders, is
week as administration support to Stephanie
both attractive and financially prudent. It will
Kane and Tony Robinson.
Likewise, it would make economic sense if we
could email details of events to Old Boys, rather embody the Memorial Window as a key feature.
• Events
Fundraising will now be focussed on this exciting
than incurring the considerable expense of
Events have been few and far between over
sending out postal invitations. The digital age is project and Old Boys may be assured they will
have an opportunity to contribute.
the past twelve months, due to a number
inevitably upon us so to remain connected to
of reasons. To cut to the chase, the prime
the Association we ask that if you have an email
reason appears to be apathy among Old Boys.
address to please let us know.
• Acknowledgements
Granted there are so many claims nowadays on
The Development Office continues to be
one’s time, energy and money, but support of
• Archives
expertly run by Stephanie Kane [College
WCOBA should not be limited to a faithful few – Our Archivist, Paddianne Neely, has done a
Communications and Events Manager, and
there is so much pleasure and satisfaction to be superb job last year in relocating the extensive
WCOBA Executive Officer], and her worthy
had from making an effort to attend events. It is archive material from storage into the attractive associate, Tony Robinson. Stephanie and Tony,
uneconomic for the Association to run events if spaces provided by the Headmaster’s House,
with financial assistance from the Association,
insufficient numbers are willing to attend.
are attending a major fund and friend-raising
vacated by the Moses family. Memorabilia,
conference (ADAPE) in Sydney later this year,
documents, pictures, photographs, etc are
However, over the year there have been:
intending to return with state-of-the-art ideas
now on display or stored for easy access. A
• 50 Years On Reunion for the Class of 1962
to apply to our purposes.
dedicated archives fund accumulated from
Old Boy donations has made a substantial
• WCOBA BBQ in Horowhenua in February 2012 contribution to the cost of relocation and reBrian Smythe, President
smythelson@clear.net.nz • 04 977 3478
establishment.
• Nelson WCOBA social gathering in May
PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242
6
From the Headmaster
Roger Moses, ONZM
I
t is my very real pleasure to convey warm
greetings to Old Boys all over the world.
2012 has been another very positive year for
the College. Many former students will recall
the ground by the Old Boys’ Gymnasium which
was a perpetual bog in winter and a little like
the Sahara Desert in summer. Thanks to the
generosity of Sir Ron Brierley and a grant from
the Wellington City Council, we now have a
magnificent artificial pitch which hosts both
Football and Rugby. The field is in continuous
use from 7.00am in the morning until 9.30pm at
night and has been a real boon for sport at the
College. The former squash courts are being
developed into a Sports Academy and will be of
immense value in the years to come.
Our students performed with spectacular
success in the 2011 New Zealand Scholarship
Examinations. As readers may be aware, these
examinations are the pinnacle of academic
achievement in New Zealand
Secondary Schools. The one
hundred and twenty eight
scholarships won by our boys was the most
gained by any school since the qualification was
introduced in 2004. These scholarships were
won by seventy one students in twenty-three
different subjects, a wonderful testimony to
both students and staff alike.
The extracurricular dimension of the College
continues to thrive, both in Sport and in the
Arts. Many of our sports teams have done
well, in particular the Swimming Team which
are the national champions for the second year
in a row. In the cultural arena, the Wellington
College Chorale performed magnificently at the
national ‘Big Sing’, our debaters dominated the
Wellington scene and the musical Chess was
played to packed houses.
John Marshall, QC (1960-1964, Head Prefect)
T
In practice the Board of the
Foundation works closely
with the Headmaster and the College Board of
Trustees to identify those areas of College life
where support from the Foundation is most
needed.
In the last year we used the proceeds of sale of
1 million GPG shares, generously given to the
Foundation by Sir Ron Brierley, to enable the
College to pay for an artificial turf, all weather
sports field, which was opened in March this
year.
Each year we support the Sports and Cultural
Awards dinner which is a highlight of the
College year. This year the dinner was held
Tony Robinson, our Development Manager,
has also done a magnificent job in leading the
charge for the raising of funds for the new hall.
In this economic climate, that is no easy task,
but we continue to make good progress.
As your Headmaster, I continue to enjoy the
role as much today as when I first started in
1995. It is a challenging, but highly rewarding
position. As the years pass, I now look forward
with anticipation to the celebration of our
150th anniversary in 2017.
I must pay tribute to Stephanie Kane, our
From the Foundation Chair
he Wellington College
Foundation is a
Charitable Trust which
receives donations from
persons who wish to make a
contribution to the College,
and invests the money for
the benefit of the College.
Payments may be made
from the income and capital
of the Trust fund for a
wide variety of educational
purposes.
inspiring Executive Officer
of the Old Boys’ Association
who produces not only The
Lampstand, but also our monthly Collegian
and the Wellingtonian. Her immaculate
organisation of so many Old Boys reunions has
reignited many friendships throughout the
world.
THANK
YOU!
in the College Hall and
was attended by 500
parents, boys, staff and
invited guests. We hope
as a result of this occasion,
which showcases the huge
variety of sport and cultural
activities that the College
offers, that parents will
appreciate even more the
very high quality of the
education and experience
the boys receive, and
make a donation to the
Foundation.
On pages 59 - 61, we acknowledge
those who have to date, supported
our recent fund-raising initiatives
supporting both Wellington
College and the Wellington College
Old Boys’ Association.
Over the past several years, the College has
raised $3.3m towards the extension and
refurbishment of the College Hall, with the
objective of creating a modern multi-use facility
which can accommodate the whole school. The
current Hall is too small and only three out of
five year groups can attend assemblies. We
need a further $3.3m to undertake this work,
and while it is difficult raising money in the
current economic climate, we are very hopeful
that we can raise this sum in the next two
years. While some major donors are needed,
every little bit helps.
Your commitment to helping
the College and the Association
achieve its goals in rebuilding
the Memorial Hall, supporting
students in need, enhancing
our facilities and helping the
Association keep in touch, benefits
our past, current and future
students and for this we are most
appreciative of your support.
john.marshall@waterfront.org.nz
7
The Development Office
Tony Robinson (Development Manager)
A
year ago I wrote about my first impressions
and goals set out as I was just beginning
with the College at that time.
Time seems to have rushed by in the interim
and the blur of four busy terms has provided
the clearest insight into the seemingly endless
challenges and events undertaken by the
students at Wellington College. It is very easy to
be caught up in the infectiously positive spirit at
the College which is noticeably addictive.
Hall needs to be up in good
time to be the focal point of
the 150th year celebrations in
2017. So now we have a crucial time of two and
a half years to complete the task.
Further on in The Lampstand we have included
the names of all those people who have so
generously donated to the Hall Appeal and who
have financially supported Wellington College
in general in recent years. Such committed
and loyal support allows the College to move
• All Weather Artificial Turf
forward and provide facilities and opportunities
This new ground was opened at the end of
which springboard our students to perform at
March and has aptly been named after Sir Ron
the top level consistently in the country. Your
Brierley who has been an extremely generous
backing is hugely appreciated, and you will see
benefactor to the College. During the three
from looking at the list just how many names
previous winter seasons when the ground could there are.
accurately have been described as a bog, the
Number 2 ground averaged twelve hours a
• The Memorial Window Relocation Initiative
week practice and playing time combined. Now It was very good to be able to speak about
with the use of lights, College teams are seen
this for the first time at the Old Boys’ recent
practising as early as 7.00am and play often
55 Years Plus Reunion. What we are going to
continues until 10.00pm at night.
be doing is taking a pixelated enlargement of
the Memorial Window and dividing it into 392
A further highlight is to see the boys using the
squares. Depending where the square sits in
ground en masse at lunchtimes and breaks as
relation to the visual scene on the window, the
often over 500 students have fun relaxing doing squares can be purchased for one, three or five
the activities of their choice.
thousand dollars. The window is going to be
returned to its time-honoured position behind
A further point to emphasise is the partnership the stage and it really is the symbolic lynchpin
with the Council which has been a huge success of the Appeal. When the window is up in the
and we are very grateful for the leading support new building, there will be a display cabinet
of Cr John Morrison and others. The new facility nearby with the names of the donors on the
has brought many visitors into the College
pixelated image recorded for posterity. There
which is a good thing for everybody concerned. was a tremendous response during the day
with the first eight Old Boys putting their names
There are still some signage opportunities
to a square, and I recommend this initiative
available around the perimeter fence line of the strongly for people’s consideration. You will be
ground. This intensely busy sporting facility has hearing a lot more about it in the future.
provided a maximum exposure which has been
seen as a very worthwhile prospect,
so please contact me if you would
like to have this organised.
• The Memorial Hall and
Performing Arts Project
Everyone understands the very
strong rationale for this essential
facility, especially now as the
College does not have the space
to host major occasions whether
they be assemblies, concerts or a
celebration of the Performing Arts.
The College has now secured half
of the required funds but there are
still three million dollars needed
before building can start. There is
now a definite time frame as the
8
• Launch of Phase II of the
Memorial Hall Appeal
As a large percentage of the
original pledges have been worked through,
we are promoting a number of new fundraising
activities and approaches and will be having a
launch celebrating fresh perspectives for the
Appeal in late February of 2013.
• Leadership Teams
Five teams have or are being established to
work with me in the second half of the Appeal.
These fit into the designated areas of Finance,
Marketing, Y9 Parents, College Parents’
Association and a Board sub-committee and are
assisting me to promote a model for success,
communicate the challenges across the
Wellington College community, strengthening
our cause through further astute networking.
• New Fundraising Activities
Recently we had a successful Sunday afternoon
film fundraiser at the Paramount Theatre which
was supported by over 200 people and saw us
raise close to three thousand dollars on the day.
Susan Harding, who has just joined our team
of Stephanie Kane, Glenda Schmitt and me on
a part time voluntary basis, will be discussing
a range of possible fundraising activities with
the College Parents’ Association that we hope
might happen in the next two years. These
will include having an Art Auction, a Trade Me
Auction, guest speakers at the College, a Cook
Book, a Gala, a concert and a formal dinner.
• The Bequest Programme
This will always remain a most significant goal
for the Development Office as a practical but
strong way to ensure the Wellington College
legacy continues for many years to come. It is
an area where Old Boys can provide
a crucial bedrock of support and I
know that many have said they are
giving it most serious consideration.
Best wishes to you all.
Tony Robinson,
Development Manager
t.robinson@wc.school.nz
DDI: 04 802 7698
The Development Office
The 24-Hour Bikeath n
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?
Q When specifically is it?
A It starts at 9.00am on Tuesday, 30 October
in the Hall alongside the Memorial
Window and while there will be various
venues used around the College, it finishes
in that same spot 24 hours later.
Q The main question of course is why are
you doing this?
There are three reasons. The main reason
is to increase the awareness of the
Memorial Assembly Hall and Performing
Arts Centre Appeal, especially in the eyes
of the students.
There is such a need for this building and
presently we are half way to achieving
our financial target so we are launching a
phase two of the Appeal early in 2013 to
increase the momentum.
The second reason is to throw down the
gauntlet to next year’s leaders so they will
organise teams of students to compete in
the event in 2013 and also think of other
creative fundraising initiatives that will
boost the Appeal.
The final reason will be to raise a few
dollars for the cause which will certainly
alleviate the pain of having spent 24 hours
in the saddle! There will be Wellington
College buckets provided and people are
going to be encouraged to make a gold
coin donation. We will be advertising the
event to College families and Old Boys so
support from these quarters will make
the required statement that we all want
the improved Memorial Hall as soon as
possible! I will also be approaching some
of my own networks to enlist their support.
Q So Tony, how does the Bikeathon work?
A Well the 24 hours are going to be divided
into eight three-hour periods. Every
three hours I am allowed a 20-minute
rest period. The first and last three hour
period as mentioned will be alongside
the Memorial Window. Noon to 3.00pm
will have the cycle situated near the edge
of the drive by the Administration Block.
3.00pm to 6.00pm will be in front of the
Firth Hall entrance and then 6.00pm until
9.00pm down a bit further alongside the
Turf ground. The venue for the night hours
from 9.00pm until 6.00am will be in the
Staffroom.
Q Is anything being planned to accompany
this event?
A Yes indeed. The College Parents' Executive
team is planning a sausage sizzle alongside
the drive and other food will be sold. So
families - please ensure your sons don’t
bring lunch to College on this day. It will all
support the cause!
We will also have visual designs of the
proposed Hall on display and a graphic
montage of fundraising success to date
with the challenge still to be achieved.
We are also going to have a second
exercycle alongside so anyone with
minutes spare during the day is encouraged
to accompany me for a period.
Q Are you in training?
A I am pleased to say that this is not being
neglected. I cycle 30 kms a day on average
and have done so for several years since
I have had two new artificial knees and
become pain-free again. I do a two-hour
40m cycle on Saturdays as that will be the
length of each period on the bike before
the essential 20 minute respite!
Q Do you think some people may think it is
strange you doing this?
A If that is the response and it causes a
few giggles or smirks along the way, then
that is great. The whole thrust is to draw
attention to the Building Appeal and how
essential this facility is to the future of
Wellington College. If the event causes
people to look and ask questions, then the
intention will have been achieved.
Please support Tony and the Memorial Hall Appeal.
There will be collection buckets for
gold coin donations on the day.
Alternatively, you may like to post a donation to Tony
c/- the Wellington College Development Office
PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242
or through the
Wellington College Foundation internet banking account:
06 0501 0575822 02
(Please advise if you require a receipt).
9
The Archives
Paddianne Neely (College Archivist)
T
he Olympic Games in London captured the
imagination and held the public of New
Zealand entranced as our athletes strove
to reach the highest level. Wellington College
was delighted by Old Boy Peter Taylor’s success
and congratulations were extended to him for
winning a Bronze medal.
In 1902 at the Wellington College Athletic
Sports, Arthur Halligan (1901-1902) won the
Long Jump Open with a leap of 18 feet 5 ½
inches, the High Jump Open with 5 foot 1 ½
inches and the 120 yard Hurdles Championship
in the record time of 17.2 seconds. Six years
later in 1908, Halligan became the first New
Zealander to perform at an Olympics Games,
held in London, England. He represented
Scotland (where he was then living) for Great
Britain. New Zealand at that time did not
send representative teams. Later, back in New
Zealand in 1914, Halligan won the 120 yard
Hurdles Championship.
Harry Wilson (1911-1912) represented NZ
in the first official Olympic team in 1920 at
Antwerp, Belgium. Wilson came fourth in the
finals of the 110m hurdles.
Ted Morgan, the winner of New Zealand’s
first Olympic gold medal, attended Wellington
College from 1921 to 1922. Morgan,
a southpaw won four fights to claim
the Welterweight gold medal at the
1928 Amsterdam Olympics in Holland,
despite suffering a broken left hand
before the tournament. He had won
New Zealand Lightweight titles in 1925
and 1927. In 2008 he was inducted into
the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
At the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles,
USA, another Old Boy represented New
Zealand. George Cooke (1918-1921)
was stroke of the eights Rowing team.
New Zealand were second in the first
reclassification eights, 6 minutes 52.2s.
Reg Johansson (1940-1943) represented
New Zealand at Hockey at the Olympic
Games in Melbourne, Australia in
1956. The team finished sixth overall.
Several years ago, Reg donated his 1956
Olympic Games blazer to the College
at an Assembly. Since the Archives has
moved to the Headmaster’s House, his
blazer is now on display and shown in all
its splendour.
This year, Ian Kerr (1951-1953) returned
10
to the College for a 55 Plus
Years Old Boys’ Reunion in
September. Ian, a double New
Zealand Hockey Olympic Games representative
competed in Rome, Italy in 1960 where the
team finished fifth and in Tokyo, Japan 1964.
Also at a College Assembly some years ago, Ian
most generously donated his 1960 Olympic
hockey shirt and 1964 Olympic tracksuit top
and NZ banner. All are proudly on display in our
College Archives.
Prior to the Games, a large display was created
upstairs in the Headmaster’s House for these
and other Old Boy Olympic representatives to
illustrate the 104 years since our first Old Boy,
Arthur Halligan participated.
Hundreds of visitors have poured through the
new Archives venue in the Headmaster’s House
since it opened in August 2011. I am delighted
to see that so many Old Boys and their families,
staff and students have been keen to view the
history of the College.
Gifts have continued to arrive at a fast pace and
I am most grateful to the many people for their
wonderful donations. A few items received this
year are outlined: Old Boys may remember Maurice Browne
‘a goodly heritage,
proud traditions,
cherished
memories’
(1926-1929) from cricket
and hockey playing days.
His daughters, Alison
Holman and Mary Bennie have kindly donated
Maurice’s 1937 New Zealand Hockey blazer and
uniform.
Deborah Manning, granddaughter of C G Kirk
(1914-1916) donated an album containing
15 certificates awarded to him for academic
achievements and for Dux of the College 1916,
signed by Headmaster J P Firth.
At the Wellington College Sports in 1891,
H. Nahr was awarded a silver medal, this is
now part of the Archives Collection, gifted by
granddaughter, Noelene Swann.
Venus Flaws, visited the Archives and presented
her grandfather Eric M P Flaws’ amazing array
of medals won by him and a stunning collection
of College and staff photographs taken during
his years as a student and later as a member
of staff. These provide a visual history of
Wellington College during Eric’s years.
Lady Reeves and family attended a College
Assembly to donate items of Sir Paul Reeves
(1946-51) to the College Archives. One
magnificent gift was a ‘living’ feather cloak to
be used for ceremonial occasions. Lady
Reeves also presented a model gun
built to scale in brass and wood with
minute detail to all accompaniments
mounted on a mahogany plinth. This
beautiful piece was given to Sir Paul by
the Officers and Ratings of the Royal
NZ Navy in 1990. These are housed in
a marvellous display case given to the
Archives by Old Boy Neale Ames.
The Old Boys’ Library Collection
continues to grow. Books have been
received from Alan Gibbs, Richard
Robinson, CT McNulty, Mark Pirie,
Roger Moses (the student), Carl Rolf, Dr
J Moore Tweed, Gary Couchman, Don
Neely, David Simmers and Alan Bishell.
Book prizes have been added to the
Collection this year. These beautifully
bound books, some in cases leather
tooled with gold insets now range from
1869 to 1967 A fine array.
400 photographs have been added to
Lady Reeves (centre) with son-in-law Brian Tunui and daughter, Sarah the Collection this year. It’s amazing
Reeves in front of the pictorial display in the Archives of Sir Paul Reeves. how many images find their way back
to the Archives and the range of topics
Brian and Sarah’s son Ben is in Y11 at Wellington College.
The Archives
and years is never ending. There are still
hundreds of gaps in the form classes and
sports teams. Old Boys often say to me, Oh
but you’ll have those class photos, or You’ll
have all those team ones. No, I do not. The
majority of photographs in the Archives have
been donated by Old Boys and their families
over the last 22 years. So, if you no longer wish
to care for your collections, please consider
giving them to the Archives. The College did
not keep photographs in the past and much of
the history has been lost over the years. They
are needed for the proposed history book and
display for 150 years of College life.
It’s been a busy year with preparing
photographic displays for two Old Boys’
Reunions. I was pleased to attend the annual
School Archives’ Conference in Auckland in
March. Always a rewarding few days and good
to visit other schools and see their progress.
In October, I will be hosting delegates from
the Archives and Records of NZ (ARANZ)
Conference in Wellington. I hope the
Headmaster’s House will hold them all!
Finally thank you to all those wonderful people
who have supported me and helped in the
Archives throughout the year: - Headmaster,
Roger Moses provides encouragement and
support; Robert Anderson is always on hand
to help with information; Marilyn Maclennan
for her long and much appreciated hours of
photocopying; Kelwyn D’Souza and Roy Smith
for their building maintenance skills; Penny
Basile and Lynda Woods for typing; Stephanie
Kane and Tony Robinson for their constant
support along with Mac Gapes (now sadly
deceased), Doug Catley and Matthew Beattie;
former parent Jan Bunting for her volunteer
work in the Archives; Ted Clayton, my able
assistant and organiser of our huge newspaper
files and for researching the College timeline.
Don Neely for helping with the numerous
photographic displays for Old Boy Reunions.
These folk are great to have as back up. My
sincere thanks to you all.
I look forward to more Old Boys visiting the
Headmaster’s House. I am usually there most
Mondays and Wednesdays. Please telephone
first just to make sure it is convenient.
Best wishes to you all.
Paddianne W. Neely
College Archivist
Tel: 04 382 9411 (W)
04 386 2072 (H)
Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz
TOP : The korowai, worn by Sir Paul Reeves, on display
in the Archives.
LEFT: The Model Gun, a gift to Sir Paul and donated by
the Reeves family.
RIGHT: A DFC medal, donated by the Willis family,
awarded to MS (Murray) Roberts (1933-1936) in 1944.
ABOVE: A Wellington College Sports Silver Medal
from 1891, awarded to H. Nahr gifted by his
granddaughter, Noelene Swann.
BELOW LEFT: The 1971 Dux Medal gifted
by recipient Martin Button of Texas
when he returned for his Class of 1971
Reunion.
BELOW RIGHT: Just one of the photo
boards on display at the Class of
1971 Reunion.
11
Reunions
Class of 1962
50 Years On Reunion (26 March, 2012)
Back:
Third:
Second:
Front:
Absent:
Mark Binning, John Bell, Derek Smyth, Robert Beaglehole, John Wilkinson, Dougal Congalton, Hugh McLean, Bob McLellan, Tony Rush, John Gates
Dick Bramwell, Dave Jenks, Dave McNicoll, Bob Cooper, Peter Kingston, Stephen Freed, Garth Melville, Duncan Dempsey, Phil Dobbs
Tony Ansell, Rick Ronald, Burton Silver, Denys Watkins, Trevor Speight, Bruce Waddel, Jeremy Cooper, Steve Porter, Ray Poy
Ronald Mayes, John Benton, John Pohl, Peter Carroll, Roger Booth, John Bruce, Mike Quinn, Peter Schumacher, Bill Southworth, Clark Pollitt, Chris Saunders
Ian Burtt, Chris Dentice, Ant Hyman
Inserts: (T-B): Bevan de Berry, John Brown, Ian Fraser, Murray Higgs, Chris Roberts
Memories 50 years on
Roger Booth (Deputy Head Prefect)
D
o you remember those first few weeks at the
start of 1958 and the fear that someone was
going inevitably to grab your cap and bite off
the knob, hopefully without tearing the rest of it
too much?
Do you remember the mystique of ‘Horse’ Bradley
in the first classroom on the left inside the West
School front door and that Horsey and only Horsey
called it the stables and that he would say: Answer
me yay and neigh and we’ll canter through this
next section and tomorrow we will enter green
fields and pastures new.
Can you recall milk in the milk crates on the
ground beside the West School wet or fine, in the
chill of winter or alternatively directly in the sun?
Do you remember the boarders v day boys’ scrag
in the quadrangle at morning interval?
What about our happy hours in cadets?
• The long route march up to Buckle Street to get
issued with our sandpaper suits.
• The sight of boys running around the bottom
12
field with rifles above their heads.
• The route march up to the top of the hill and
the speech in which ‘Fish’ Heron pointed out how
suitable it would be if one of us when we got
older and richer bought the St Marks corner of the
bottom field and gifted it to the school.
• The ATC (Afternoon Tea Club) and the day they
all ran around on the third field with an inflated
parachute, the only thing they did all year. vaguely
related to flying.
• The Sea Cadets under the powerful control of
the Officer in Charge Lieutenant Close.
Remember those packets of raisins that you
used to bring to school in your lunch to have at
morning break. I remember the day when ‘Foxy’
lifted a painting out a bit so that we could all see it
properly and about a dozen empty raisin packets
fell on to the floor. He actually laughed. And you
might remember that when he laughed he had to
take his glasses off and wipe his eyes. And then
for some strange reason he blamed DAS King for
putting them there and made him, protesting
strenuously, to come and pick them up.
Some of you may remember Bob Lindop, who was
actually only at Wellington College for two years
before he shifted to Palmerston North. But Bob,
who is now in Brazil sent this list of Wellington
College memories:
• The Marble Staircase (and did you know that the
reason that only staff and prefects were allowed
to use it was that it was made of imitation marble
and was wearing badly).
• Haka practice in the quad.
• The one-tune only pipe band.
• Phys Ed cross-country up the back hill
(gutbuster). Remember PE teacher, Mr Pohe who
loved sending students over the hill and while he
sat around for the period.
• The stained glass window.
• Inky’s latest retirement (He retired in our third
form, again in our last year of school. But he
was back when I returned to teach at Wellington
College, and then retired again).
• Making those pencil cases with the very cool
plastic nameplate.
• Café nutrition 50s style: a potato pie, cream
donuts and a bottle of Lime Fruit and Soda.
Class of 1962
• The mysterious sandal wearing tribe called ‘The
Scabs’.
• The narrow wooden staircase up to the art
room.
• Non Omnis Moriarty (and I remember , when
playing cricket down below, having pointed out to
me that the Moriar had become ‘Moriarty’)
Did you ever see ‘Fanny’ Flaws rip a Wellington
phone book in half or bend a six inch nail? Or did
you only hear about it?
I do remember Johnny Northern in the first
week for third form maths, pulling out his strap,
slamming it down on his desk, and getting the
class to file past and have a look at the resulting
groove in the desk.
Do you remember Ian Uttley’s runaway try against
Silverstream, that caused such amazing crowd
scenes that it is rumoured that ‘Mousey’ Hughes
looked up from the book he was reading.
You may remember Fish’s speeches were the
essence of brevity – I imagined him at the Cricket…
Yesterday afternoon, as a season ticket holder of
Wellington Cricket, I took the opportunity to spend
a couple of hours at the test cricket match over the
road from the school at the Basin Reserve. I took
my place with the other paid ticket holders in the
stand.
Came 3.30pm and my students came down the
drive in orderly fashion. A good number of them
crossed the road and proceeded to climb over the
fence into the ground. And there I sat, Headmaster
of Wellington College... I thought to myself as I
watched them what would be in the minds of the
others in the stand.
I thought of the businessmen thinking ‘cunning
little devils’. The sports enthusiast recognising it
was at least perhaps a healthier way of getting
into the ground.
The Scots College parent thinking ‘Thank God I
made the sacrifice’
And there I was, Headmaster of our revered College,
knowing what the world was thinking…Work it out
for yourself how I felt.
I returned to the College as a teacher for two years
before I left Wellington. It was interesting to be on
the other side of the staff room door and get to
know many who I had known as a student.
I also taught alongside ‘Foxy’ Sutton. Firstly he was
on a real high because, he had the year before
been assisted to go on a trip to France, and to
actually see and be in his beloved France for the
first time.
Then, within a year… the sad sight of him
absolutely overcome in the staffroom because
he was trying to teach, in his tried and true way,
classes that just refused to listen. And the sadder
sight of his being carried out to an ambulance
after suffering a stroke, never to return to the
classroom… But the triumphant last call as he tried
to set the homework for that night as they carried
him out on a stretcher.
Great memories of a great College.
Memories of the Masters
Peter Carroll
I
wonder if you ever saw the movie If….. It was
set in the 1960s in an autocratic and hierarchical
boys’ school, similar in some ways to Wellington
College. The Malcolm McDowell character was
a rebellious teenage student who takes his
revenge for all his accumulated grievances and
resentments towards the teachers by getting up
on the roof with a machine gun and taking them
all hostage. For some reason, that movie crossed
my mind a few weeks ago when I was thinking
about being here tonight. You may be pleased to
know I have calmed down a little since then.
I am not very big on reunions of this kind, and in
fact this is the first one I have ever attended. You
know the reputation they have – everyone looks
around at the others who show up, curious to see
who has done well and how people have turned
out. It is no surprise I guess to see that many
of the boys from the A stream continued their
studies and ended up as teachers and academics
or working for the government. Many from the
other streams have gone straight into business
and set about getting themselves rich. There is the
story about the reunion where one of the boys –
we will call him Ron – has obviously done much
better than everyone else, much the surprise
of his classmates who remember him at school.
When asked about it, Ron says his success is due
to his maths teacher – we will call him Frank. Ron
explains,
It was those percentages that Frank taught me
that made all the difference. You know the way,
if you earn four percent and accumulate it long
enough, it compounds up to a large amount.
Ron’s classmates roll their eyes and glance at one
another in amusement, thinking that Ron would
have trouble figuring out a percentage if he was
married to one. Ron continues,
So, I would buy for one and sell for five in the
market and, just as Frank taught us, those four
percents really did add up.
Reunions of this kind also bring up the matter of
ageing. It seems to me that you do not notice the
process in yourself so much, because it is rather
gradual, but you do see that the people around
you just keep on getting younger.
I had a sense of alienation when I first arrived at
Wellington College. I wanted to discover things
that were outside our experiences at school and
even beyond the environment at that time in New
Zealand as a whole. There were social and political
revolutions happening out there. I guess you could
sum it up as sex and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. A little
later in life the whole human tragedy descends in
the form of marriage, mortgages and taxes, and
you realise that much of youthful extravagance is
shallow. And you have your own children and the
getting of wisdom starts in earnest.
I was very definite that my own children would go
to schools that were different from mine. Anything
other than co-educational was against my religion,
and there would be no thought of teachers
assaulting students. But even these beliefs ended
up being challenged by experience. My youngest
son attended a school where everyone hugged
one another all the time and classes were given in
multiple languages. He was bilingual by the age of
six or seven, but he was not learning much from
school in the way of grammar, maths, science, and
so on. On the matters of hard work and discipline,
I found myself saying to him things like: what you
need is an hour on the parade ground with Fanny
Flaws, doing drills with a 303. He would of course
respond: whatever, Dad.
By high school though, he and I were looking
around for other schools. Of the three of four
we visited, to my surprise he chose a single sex
boys school with conservative academic values
where he could do cadets, rowing and play rugby.
As soon as I walked into the corridors of Sydney
Grammar, I went straight back to Wellington
College.
With these experiences, you start to get another
view of school and the role teachers may have
played in your life. I have talked with many of you,
my classmates, and heard what mattered to you at
Wellington College and which teachers you believe
made a difference. We are not all the same and
the teachers had different impacts on some than
on others. I can speak only of my personal views,
although there are common themes. The truth is
that some of the teachers were good, some were
not so good and some were, frankly, way off the
weird end of the spectrum.
Seeing my own children and their friends - their
ingratitude, sense of entitlement, the disrespect
common in adolescents - I did begin to wonder
what our own generation must have looked like to
our teachers. Like our parents, many of them had
known real hardships – in the 1930s depression
and the two world wars. We baby boomers in
comparison must have looked very privileged and
spoiled. Our teachers had not just lived through
it - some were real war heroes.
Inky Dighton, who taught us Social Studies and
Latin, strutted around in his pompous manner
with the stentorian voice and snowy hair. He had
taught my father back in the 1920s, when his
hair was still jet black. But he had gone through
Passchendaele in Belgium in 1917. This was the
iconic battle we all remember for the images of
men struggling in the mud. On one single day
of that battle, New Zealand suffered its worst
casualty rate ever in war, when around 1,000 boys
were killed. Inky survived that. While we boys
mocked him and snickered at his war stories, he
was truly a hero.
Another such teacher was “Q” – Mr Quartermain
– who had been gassed in the trenches of WWI.
Then there were those from the Second World
War. Eric Flaws – Fanny - was the Head Prefect of
Wellington College when the war started in 1939.
He came out of the army six years later as a Major.
13
Class of 1962
This was the man who led our army cadets, when
we boys paraded around for a week every summer
with 303s and sandpaper suits. I did not personally
see Fanny tear telephone books, or bend four inch
nails, or fire a Bren gun from the hip, but most boys
believed he did these things. There was also the
story that his class had an unofficial arm wrestling
competition every year and the champion boy then
had the right to take on Fanny. And Fanny aced it bang, bang, bang – three nil every time. He was one
very tough guy who had seen action in the South
Pacific including, without going into the awful
details, killing men with his hands.
And there was Frank Crist. As we heard earlier
tonight, he was a fighter pilot. He flew bomber
escorts over Europe, each one a dangerous task. I
have trouble imagining a man as big as Frank – he
played lock for Wellington and the Barbarians –
fitting into those small planes. Yuri Gagarin, the first
man in space in 1961, was selected from the other
cosmonauts because he was only 5 foot 2 and could
just squeeze into that capsule. I once asked Frank
about his favourite plane, and he said Hurricanes
were good, but Spitfires were easily the best. This
was the man who led our air force cadets.
My most vivid memory is ANZAC day. We boys
were all sorted by size and, with our shiny shoes
and socks pulled up, our hair combed and shirts
sleeves all rolled the same way, we were seated
in that sacred Memorial Hall, surrounded by
hundreds of names of previous boys who had gone
off to the wars. We stared up at the bronze plaques
with the honour rolls of those who had been killed.
I was mesmerised by the name of my own great
uncle, Lincoln Bishop Murray, who had died of his
wounds in the Somme in April 1918. His death still
cast its long shadow of grief over my entire family.
And up on the stage sat our teachers, many of
them heroes too. Out of the silence, from the end
of the corridor at the back of the east wing, came
that bugle with the Last Post, played so beautifully
by one of our own classmates, Phil Salt. To this day
I cannot hear that without the hairs standing up
again on my head.
We had other good teachers too, among them our
English teachers by the name of Hart and Read.
Roger Moses mentioned some of the events of
the 1958-62 years. Massive shifts in politics and
popular culture were happening. The Cold War
was at its height – in 1959 Castro took over Cuba
and Soviets tested a 50 Megaton hydrogen bomb,
the largest ever exploded by humans. In 1958 the
US Supreme Court banned school segregation
and there were race riots across the southern
States of America. In 1960, the year started with
the massacre in Sharpeville and continued with
All Blacks touring South Africa with no Maoris
in the team. It was a time of some controversy. I
remember Mr Read encouraged us to debate and
write about apartheid and these other issues, and
that had a deep effect on me.
The matter of popular culture was a little different.
Rhubarb Radford took us for music and I have
heard some of you say good things about him.
I remember sitting in the music room listening
to stuff like Bach cantatas and chamber music. I
thought we 13-year-old boys might like something
a bit lighter than Beethoven’s fifth and one day
I asked Rhubarb if we could have something
modern. Like what? he asked. Well like Elvis
Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and Little
Richard, I ventured. Rhubarb was astonished at
this idea and said they were just flashes in the pan
14
and would soon be forgotten. Later when I was in
sixth form, on some trivial pretext, Rhubarb gave
me a public thrashing that I found degrading and
humiliating. I have never forgotten that.
For Art, we had Don Ramage, a lovely gentle man
with real creative talent. I believe Don’s own work
is widely known in New Zealand and has been
bought by some of you here tonight. Don was
particularly interested in the uses of washes and
dyes, but the skills he passed on to me were used
mainly to change the colour of my tram pass and
avoid having to buy a new one each month. I am
confident his teaching was put to more socially
positive uses by many others.
Many of you also remember Tom Coburn, who we
learned this morning is still alive. He put up with
all our adolescent mischief with Bunsen burners,
sulphuric acid and hydrogen sulphide. I remember
a couple of times seeing that ambulances had been
called after incidents with the fume cupboards.
It would not be allowed today. Despite this, Tom
managed to impart some useful knowledge of
the periodic table and organic chemistry and I
remember him with respect and affection.
And I thought Looney Mac was great too. He was a
tall elegant man, scholarly, beautifully dressed with
funny little John Lennon glasses. He taught French,
and I continued that subject mainly because of
him. We all sat around a long table in his room and
repeated sentences, one of which was Jeune, nous
avons parcouru le monde. It means, in our youth
we travelled the world. One morning he showed
us a postcard he had received from Paris, sent by
a former pupil, which said Jeune, j’ai parcouru le
monde. He was delighted, and I think that whetted
my own appetite for travel.
Then there were the other teachers. Many of you
have talked of Fish Heron. I was never sent to his
office for a caning, but enough have described
the experience. My memories are more positive.
One day, when we were in third form, Fishy
came clump, clump, clumping into assembly and
announced that we had lost the McEvedy Shield.
We had not lost it to a respectable school like St
Patrick’s (Town) but to Hutt Valley High School, the
implication being this was especially humiliating
because half of them were girls.
Fish stared up at the balcony where all the third
formers sat – I thought he was looking straight
at me – and said it was the duty of the younger
boys to train hard and get that shield back where
it belonged. I had never done athletics before, but
it was compulsory for every third former to enter
something on the school sports day. I had been in
a sprint and managed to come in third or fourth. I
realised I could run ok but not fast enough to win
directly. I thought, if I took up something technical
like hurdling, I might have a chance. So I got a
book on athletics and I spent the whole winter
practising hurdles with cartons in my backyard at
home. No-one really knew about my efforts and,
to everyone’s not least my amazement, I actually
won a race at the next sport days. Someone put
me in the intercollegiate athletics team, and I
also managed to get three points or something
towards the total of 80 or 90 the school needed to
win back the McEvedy Shield in 1960. It was the
first time I had been part of anything like this and I
thank Fishy for inspiring me to do it.
I have other memories of Fish too. He had strict
rules and smoking was a definite no no. Boys could
drink beer, avoid homework or chase girls but, if
someone found you having a quiet durry behind
the bike shed, you were out, expelled. One day,
Fishy put rules on the notice board about the school
dance, one saying that public amorous advances
were not permitted. That sounded to me like a very
serious offence, definitely something to be avoided,
like smoking. If only I knew what it meant.
Other people have mentioned Horse Bradley. To
me he was a rather stern man, with his mane of
hair parted down the middle and his ever present
strap. I was impressed by the relaxed manner in
which he handled his nickname - unlike many of
the others, he showed a good sense of humour,
and I do give him credit for that.
We had Bernie Paetz for Latin, and he had taught
my father too in the 1920s. My memory of Bernie
is him huddling over his heater at the front of the
class exploring inside his nostrils with his nicotinestained fingers, while we took turns translating
from a book of Caesar’s exploits in Briton and Gaul.
We boys kept peeking forward at the page about
the rape of the Sabine women, where there was a
picture of some ladies with bare tops, presumably
at the mercy of Romans. We waited patiently to
get to that but, when we finally did, Bernie found a
pretext to skip the page. That was disappointing.
Many of you have talked with affection of Mickey
Michael. I had mixed feelings about him as an
English teacher, but remember him as coach of
the 2A rugby team. I was in his team in 1962 and
we went through the season undefeated. The 2A
team had gone the previous season undefeated
too, with Mickey as coach, and some of those boys
had gone into the 1st XV in 1962. That was the
mighty Wellington College team that ended the
drought by winning the Quadrangular Tournament
in Wanganui, starting the school’s dominance of
schoolboy rugby which has continued to this day.
A story you may not have heard was told me
by Frank Crist who was the master in charge of
Firth House in 1947, soon after the War. All the
boarders were supposed to arrive the day before
school started, dressed in their school uniforms.
One young lad had turned up in mufti. Frank went
up to him and asked, Boy, what is your name
and what form are you in? He replied, I am Ray
Michael and I have come here to teach.
Foxy Sutton - I have often felt sorry for him. He
was fastidious, with all those funny personal
mannerisms, and so insecure. He hated his
nickname, although it was appropriate when
you saw him in profile. One day he almost had
a nervous breakdown when he heard some
distant voice calling out tallyho across a sports
field. A witch-hunt was set up to discover the boy
concerned, although I think it never succeeded.
I can still recite Foxy’s vowel triangle, which we all
chanted at the start of every lesson. Ooo, eee, air,
ahh, un bon vin blanc, and so on. However, my son
occasionally amuses his friends by asking me to
say crème caramel. They all learned their French
through immersion.
After exams were over, Foxy sometimes devoted a
lesson to other European languages, including some
that sound like they have no vowels and instead make
strangulated noises. Foxy could speak six or seven of
these, which I thought amazing. I realised from him
that people from other language groups hear English as
full of hissing noises, because of the sounds we favour.
Class of 1962
I was pleased when I learned Foxy finally made it
overseas to see his beloved France. The things I
liked most about his lessons were the Paris Match
magazines which, in those days, often had pictures
of Brigitte Bardot.
So, classmates, please charge your glasses. I give
you Fish, Fanny, Inky, Q, Rex, Flea, Chook, Horse,
Don, Noel, Nose, Foxy, Bernie, Mickey, Baldy,
Mole, Rhubarb, Tim, Looney Mac and all the other
people in the Animal Farm that was our school. In
toasting of these fantastic men, I will be thinking
above all Frank. Many of you have mentioned
him and I know he is held in great respect and
affection by almost everyone, and I want to give
my tribute to him.
Twenty years ago I met Frank Crist at my father’s
funeral, and I realised he and my Dad had become
friends through Wellington College. We exchanged
phone numbers and I asked him to contact me
next time he was in Sydney. Soon afterwards I
got a call, and that started my friendship with
him and Greta. He visits me in Australia and I visit
him in Hastings, and he has become a mentor to
my family and a wonderful grandparent figure
especially to my young son.
Frank was a war hero as I have mentioned. He was
a great sportsman, missing out on becoming an All
Black only because of injury. He probably missed
out on becoming Headmaster of Wellington College
simply because of an accident of timing - many
thought that was his destiny. Frank was tall and
charismatic – with that dimple in his chin like Cary
Grant. He was my form master in 1959, when I was
a troubled 13-year-old, and he showed me that
being masculine was not just about being strong
and handsome. I never saw him use the cane
although I have heard some say he did so on rare
occasions. If a boy mucked up in our class, Frank
would take his hand and very rapidly tap it twenty
or thirty times with a ruler while all the time talking
about what it meant to be a man. The message was
simple. Play the game. Fight well. And above all
manners maketh the man. He wrote these words
across the top of the blackboard in his classroom.
In my personal To Sir with Love movie, Frank Crist
is my Sidney Poitier character, and it is to him I will
be directing my toast. You will all have your own
personal feelings.
So, I ask you all now please to be upstanding and
to toast ‘The Masters’.
Class of 1963
50 Years On Reunion
15
Class of 1962
16
Reunions
Class of 1971
40 Years On Reunion (28 October, 2011)
Back:
Fourth:
Third:
Second:
Front:
Alan Meek, John Wierenga, Duncan Munro, Ash Fitchett, Stuart Cox, Martin Button, Don Young, David Evison
Peter Howman, Chris Taylor, John Lambert, Graham Paterson, Keith Brebner, Malcolm Davison, Keith Davidson, Graeme Lynch, Bruce Tie
Bill Armour, Michael Hayman, Bruce Wilson, Brian Harding, Doug Braddock, Rick Millane, Brian Blackman, Peter Conway, David Ramsden
Richard Allison, John Vokaty, Barry Davis, Andrew Gunn, Martin Douglass, William Young, Carl Hamlin, Fred Estell
Lawrence Goldsmith, Will Shirer, Ray Standidge, Brent Lindsay, Mark Bell-Booth, Roger Moses (Headmaster), Gray Thompson, Tony Capp, Mo Bhikha, Don Tilbrook
Martin Button (Dux)
I
t’s wonderful to see you all here tonight,
and especially good to see that everyone
is just coming into their prime Forty Years
On. Thanks to Bruce Tie for sorting out the
lemonade at lunch.
Our years here at Wellington College were
dominated by change.
Of course, there was the physical change
around us with the demolition of the old
Memorial Hall and the start of construction
on the Tower Block, an unfortunate addition
of Soviet era architecture to the campus. By
1971, this disruption changed the ambience
in the Prefects’ Room from merely grubby to
downright dungeon-like. The effect must have
been intimidating for cheeky third formers, who
sometimes hung helplessly by their belts from
coat hooks, while Wellington College’s finest
casually tossed darts at their legs.
But the physical changes were dwarfed by
the larger social and cultural changes going
on at the time. Caps disappeared; long pants
and jackets were added to the day uniform
for upper classmen; and women teachers
appeared as members of staff for the first time
since WWII.
In our third form year, music instruction
consisted of us suffering through the St Mark’s
church organist playing songs on the piano that
we didn’t care about, while we slaughtered
the lyrics and melody. By our fourth form year,
we listened to tracks from The White Album,
discussing their musical structure and lyrics,
with oblique references to sex and drugs and
a world almost beyond our comprehension.
Furthermore, the new music teacher, Mr
Smalley, had a hair style that would not have
been permitted on a student. I seem to
remember Mr Bradley’s incredibly long middle
finger often finding its way behind a boy’s ear,
extracting hidden and illegal locks.
Wellington College did not exactly embrace
change in our day. In fact, change was seen
as a threat to the fabric of the school. But
attitudes gradually softened, as you can see by
comparing hair in our 7th form and 3rd form
class photos, and the school got on with the
business of educating its students.
In recent years, I’ve started reflecting back on
my life, thinking about teachers and mentors
who’ve been instrumental in getting me where
I am today. I’ve been privileged to have studied
under the tutelage of great minds at the
University of Canterbury, and the University
17
Class of 1971
I entered Wellington College as a lanky,
clumsy third former, absolutely terrified when
facing Graeme Lynch’s bowling. Now I can
barely imagine a day without some form of
exercise. Wellington College played a small
part in that transformation. But again, success
in sports was measured by that of the few:
the 1st XV and the 1st Cricket XI. When the
Headmaster summed up the sporting year at
But not everyone shared these positive learning the 1971 prize-giving, those other XIs, Hockey
experiences. Academic success was narrowly
and Soccer, although both winning National
defined, and available to the few rather than
Championships, were mentioned only as
the many.
afterthoughts.
of California at Berkeley, both world class
institutions. But the groundwork for my success
was laid here at Wellington College, and I count
Messrs Clayton, Thomas, Bradley, McGillivray
and Holt as significant influences. The degree
of learning in Mr Thomas’s Thursday morning
geometry class after a loss by the 1st XV on
Wednesday afternoon was mind-boggling.
The College offered much opportunity in the
sporting arena, less so in the cultural one. The
notion that the body, as well as the mind, must
be nourished was clearly part of the message.
18
The Wellington College that served the class
of 1971 with mixed results, has evolved
beautifully, and is clearly thriving.
Thanks to Headmaster, Roger Moses and his
Prefects for today’s tour of the College, and
to Stephanie Kane for arranging this reunion.
Wellington College is in good hands. Its
programmes today reflect a more culturally
nuanced understanding of the school’s place in
the larger community than was the case in our
day. Success is obviously more broadly defined,
to everyone’s benefit.
So, Roger, when the Class of 2011 meets here in
2051, their Wellington College experiences will
be as important and formative to them as ours
are to us.
Please charge your glasses. It is my great
pleasure to propose a toast to Wellington
College.
Class of 1971
19
Reunions
Class of 1972
40 Years On Reunion (26 October, 2012)
Back:
Third:
Second:
Front:
Absent:
John Shimmins, Adrian Shine, Gordon Wilson, Malcolm Rands, David Archer, Simon Kember, John Saker, Peter Baumann, Matthew Birch, Chris Tietjens,
Phil Matsopoulos
David Galler, John Roberts, Russell Goulden, Peter Ramsden, Tim Frost, David Scott, Mike Milne, Wayne Johanson, Willy Bilton, Roland Yee, Graeme Carruthers,
David Peirse, Seth Le Leu, Max Tie
Doug Spoor, Jim Young, Tony Heywood, John Ayers, Peter Tait, Peter Baker, Peter Gaskin, Peter Gear, Martin Meyers, Dave Read, Nick Tramoundanas, Adrian Hill
Garry Mason
Demetrius Christoforou, John Waymouth, Bruce Holmes, Grant Fisher, Evan Cunliffe, Mike Ward, Roger Moses, Matthew Beattie, Kim Svensen, Peter Castle,
Mark Broadbent, David Pointon, David Lane
Rahim Khan, Andrew Hagen
Matthew Beattie (Head Prefect)
M
r Roger Moses, Mr Tony Robinson, Ms
Stephanie Kane, Former Master Alexander
Yule, and fellow classmates.
This is a special day and we have rekindled
old friendships – but we cannot forget those
who could not and would not make it today.
They were all part of the experience and the
experience had a huge part to play, in who we
are today.
If my maths is correct – we were the 101st year
in the life of this College. It is wonderful to see
you all here now. 40 years on – we look not so
different:
• Sure, the three Petes, Gear, Ramsden and
20
Baker all have more face to wash and less hair
to comb. But 40 years ago they were pretty
boys with flowing locks.
• Sure, some of us look very successful - true
testament to the real use of increased girth.
• Sure, quite a few of us cannot read a
smartphone or a newspaper without glasses.
• Sure, Matthew Birch, Spang – we didn’t
realise until now and a short haircut that he
wasn’t that tall.
• Sure, Dim Christoforou has only one good
leg… but he plays the piano beautifully and has
scientific talent to boot
• Sure, a few of us probably have a health
profile we would rather not have, but wait one of us actually is taller than when he was
at school – Simon Kember grew after he left
here – he now rivals John Saker for altitude and
saved substantially on razors as he only started
shaving in his third year at University.
• But generally, you are all very recognisable – all
good faces - as the Police profilers like to say.
Roger mentioned this morning that we were
one of those cohorts who were educated on a
demolition site and a building site. 1968-1972
Class of 1972
was an interesting time for New
Zealand - The Little Red Book
was around - and Wellington
College was no different –
society was undergoing massive
change – and it was effectively
counter cultural between our
father’s generation and ourselves.
Seddon Hill came back from
WWII, having been a prisoner
of war and many of his teachers
were that vintage also – they saw
hierarchy, structure and discipline
as fundamental to learning and development.
When you weren’t in the classroom, you
ought to have been on the sports field and
unfortunately if you did not fit that mould, you
risked being left behind – you may not have
been noticed. I am so delighted that education
and development here now is so different, so
inclusive – every young man finds a niche and is
recognised for that contribution.
What I would like to do now is to paint some
images that I and a few others recall of our
school life. Remember, I arrived here from
Auckland for the fifth form and missed the
delights of being one of those eleven who got
sent down at mid year from 3A to 3 Shell A –
to pass those on promotion going the other
direction in the hallway.
The great majority of you started as 13-yearolds here. Pete Gear and Dave Galler were
already shaving and successfully managed to
have impressive sideboards to pull Wellington
East girls.
I want you to think of being at the bottom of the
marble staircase or in Laurie Gardiner’s office
– bent almost double and hands grasping the
chair with thumbs to the outer. The canes were
arrayed in the cupboard to the flank.
Those war comics were so useful as
padding. They gave the term ‘going
Commando’ a whole new meaning.
the afternoon period, Sporting
prowess does not count – it is time
to use your brains, gentlemen. Ah,
bless him.
And our lovely Ted Clayton whether at French or supervising
a school trip – he just loved
to socialise and a drink was
always the order of the day or
night. Ted cracked the greatest
scientific discovery of his
generation by working out that if he drank
to excess on the overnight ship, Rangitira to
Lyttleton he would counter balance the rolling
effect of the ocean. The jury is still out on that
one.
Our cohort had extraordinary sporting success:
• Rankin Cup for hockey three years in a row.
Nothing got past Jack Waymouth and Percy
Holmes at the other end was poetry in motion.
• National Secondary School Soccer Champions
• Moascar Cup holders and U-19 champions
for rugby
• Basketball, waterpolo, tennis, cricket. We
were really good at all of them.
How many of us remember the cricket marvel
Burt Vance trying to hold his end up against
New Plymouth Boys’ High – our team pursuing
200. This tall skinny red-head just went through
our team – like the wind. Dave Galler, batting
at eight went in just wishing he was dead. He
recounts that he was saved by Willie Simpson’s
father, George. George Simpson, on the long
off boundary wore burnt orange socks that
could be seen from hundreds of metres away.
As the destroyer thundered in ready to bruise
another victim, Dave recalls that his eyes
were distracted focusing anew on those socks.
Galler never even saw the ball that skittled
him middle and leg. He was saved from painful
Mickey Michael stating that there was
nothing more satisfying as a good
hate and trash talking the opposition
fullback from the sanctity of the
deadball line.
We were experientialists – we tried our hands
at all sorts of things – Crown and Anchor, 500 we questioned authority. We loved it.
The Wellington College that served the class
of 1972 is thriving today – we have seen clear
evidence of a premier school continuing to set
the bar for academic excellence, development
of tomorrow’s leaders, investing in a career
in professional sport, assisting reveal the
cultural and musical stars of tomorrow but
moreover, graduating young men armed with
quiet confidence who have been given a great
start in life as a whole and not necessarily just
preparing them for those jobs identified as
crucial by the Ministry of Business Innovation
and Employment for the next five years.
Many thanks to my old friend, Roger Moses
who continues to lead this school with great
faith, dignity and challenge to everyone who
walks through or past his door. Thanks also to
the fabulous staff who want to work here and
to the Prefects who by their conversation and
example have reinforced for us today why this
is without doubt a great College – we may not
have all loved our experience here, we may
not all have been academic sporting, musical
or cultural successes here, but we do love the
association with this place. Superior
performance today gives us reflected
glory.
And what about the Chorale outstanding. John Saker and I wanted
to sing in the school production of
Oh, What a Lovely War. We saw a
side of Laurie Gardiner that was light
and whimsical but the show was
cancelled. We will be happy to show
you, perhaps later, that the tunes and
lyrics are still in here.
Jock McGillivray from Aberdeen
and his organic chemistry class – he
lobbing chalk into the mouths of
students, just because he could.
Horse Bradley – his love for
Basketball. He really fought inside
himself. We, having returned from
20 on 20 basketball in the Quad
at lunchtime, Horse would open
injury and thanked George afterwards.
Our generation was different. Onslow College
and Erskine College had revolutionary
reputations - albeit for different reasons. What
started at Onslow quickly spread to us. We
all grew our hair. We created the Wellington
College Racing Club and often convened at
Tauherenikau. We generally did not take
ourselves too seriously. Seddon Hill just loved
Willie Simpson’s long shorts - the Bombay
Bloomers. We were baptised in heavy metal –
Ron Hill’s stereo at Firth House belted out Uriah
Heep’s Very heavy, very humble.
Come to the 150th in 2017. It will be
a blast. Let’s do this again and next
time get many more along.
(L): Matt Beattie with 2012 Head Prefect, James Blackwell
Please charge your glasses. It is my
pleasure, a real pleasure, to propose
a toast to Wellington College.
21
Class of 1972
22
Reunions
55 Years Plus
The In-Between Years (1950-1957)
I
t was Warwick Bringans (Class of 1955) who questioned why there
hasn’t been a reunion for those Old Boys whose cohorts fall between
1950 and 1957. Since 1958, we have hosted reunions for Old Boys to
commemorate 50 Years On, similar to our 40 Years On Reunions and
in 2007, Old Boys who attended 60 Years Plus ago were invited back
to the College, but unfortunately the Old Boys who attended between
1950 and 1957 were either too young for the 60 Years Plus or because
the 50 Years On Reunions were not initiated until 2008 fell into the ‘In
Between Years. However, in September this year, Warwick’s wish was
realised and around 160 Old Boys returned for their reunion.
On a lovely spring day, the morning formalities began with an
Assembly, lead by Headmaster Roger Moses. Along with the
traditional hymn, and reading given by David Egley (Head Prefect,
1956), Roger spoke of the highlights of the College, which was then
followed by morning tea and cohort photos. Our 2012 Prefects then
escorted our Old Boys around the College, concluding their expedition
at the newly-established Archives.
The evening formalities began with welcome drinks before our
Chorale gave an outstanding 20-minute rendition of their awardwinning performance just two weeks earlier. Our most mature Old
Boy in attendance, Bill Percival (1950) was invited to ‘Light the Lamp’
to start the dinner, MC’d by Deputy Principal, Rob Anderson (19691973). Barry Jobson gave the Toast to the College, with Roger Moses
responding with a toast to our Old Boys. Throughout the evening,
three other toasts were given; Kahu Pattison (1957) toasted Firth
House, Barry Ward (1952) toasted the Staff and Warwick Bringans
toasted Absent Friends.
The Reunion was a auspicious event for the College and our Old Boys
and no doubt there have been many friendships reacquainted.
Toast to Wellington College • Barry Jobson (1953-1957)
What an honour it is for me to be asked to propose the Toast to
Wellington College tonight.
You know, the 1950s has been a strong period as far as the Old
Boys’ Association is concerned. Five of our recent Presidents of the
Association left the College in 1956, 1957 and 1958. Here I refer to
Malcolm Perrett (who ran the Old Boys’ Association just about singlehandedly for many years), myself, Ross Macdonald, Bob Slade, and
the current President, Brian Smythe. None of these gentlemen would
have taken on the job unless they had a deep affection for their old
school - it indicates the strength of the school spirit in the 1950s.
It was a big move in recent decades to move the Old Boys’
administration and Secretariat to the College. We used to operate
independently outside of the College. This move added immense
strength to our Association. We have been very fortunate since that
move to have the utmost support from Harvey Rees-Thomas, and
currently Roger Moses, as Headmasters - and what a jewel we
have in Stephanie Kane, as our wonderful Executive Officer, and also
our new Development Manager, Tony Robinson. We have never had
greater support from the College in running our Old Boys’ affairs.
In proposing the Toast to Wellington College, and applying a bit of the
iambic pentameter taught to me in third form English by Mr E.M.P.
(Fanny) Flaws, I thought I would write a poem. I have entitled it ‘Ode
to Wellington College in the 1950’s’ - so here goes (with apologies
to Wordsworth, Tennyson, Yeats, Byron and others)!
ODE TO WELLINGTON COLLEGE IN THE 1950s
Barry Jobson (1953-1957)
‘Twas back in the old 1950s, some city boys, and some country hic,
We came to old Wellington College, ‘Neath the hills in the lee of Mt Vic.
Third-formers we were scrubbed and polished, with black cap with band of
gold trim,
Looking out for the risk of de-knobbing, at school or down by Basin’s rim.
We plunged into cadets with great gusto, red faced ‘neath the hot February sun,
We shouldered the 303 rifles, and tinkered with the odd black bren-gun.
Athletics was great for Brian Hastings, as he re-wrote the school record-book,
And later he plundered the bowling, with on-drive, back-cut, and leg-hook!
The athletics season concluded, with the fight for the Mc Evedy Shield,
Yea, that’s the time we sweated and yelled, “to the blue and whites we’ll not
yield!”
As each year ended we swatted, for School Cert, UE or the like,
Hoping that Dizzy or Flash or even Fish, would accredit us based on our
psyche!
Our Masters had nick-names like Lofty, and Fanny and Mickey and Hank,
With Horsey and Foxy and Mud-guts, not forgetting dear JC and Frank.
In time we came to respect them, looking back they moulded our life.
We apologise for giving them so much cheek, from teens so hell-bent on
strife.
As Masters they held all the cards though, by giving us ‘Room 9’ or the cane,
For one instant we pined for our mothers, to save us the anguish and pain!
Then in winter we turned out for rugby, or soccer or hockey or fives,
We jumped and kicked and shouted ‘my ball’, and ran for the lick of our lives!
In between times we did some desk-carving, and etched our initials in wood,
At lunch-time we watched old carbuncle-arse, Reg’s tractor had gears that
were good!
The West school and Tuck-Shop were favourites, but watch out for scab-alley
at One,
Those Boarders were tough, mainly boys from the farm, they’d scrag you with
a kick in the bum!
The music with Rort was so joyful, our voices unbroken, not yet crap,
Don’t forget your hymn-books, Radford would say, or he’d clip our rear-ends
with his strap!
Wellington College the school that we went to, fifty - plus years did since
pass,
From the days of the mighty quadrangle, or games of scrag on the grass.
We do now look back with great pleasure, on days played out in the sun,
Whether academic or culture or drama, we certainly enjoyed all the fun.
Tonight is the night of nostalgia, of stories of ‘do you remember’?
That halcyon period of carefree days, each year from Feb to December.
Let’s toast the College we care for, from the ‘gut-buster’, to old Room C.
Our proudest days as teenagers, yeah - Lumen accipe et imperti!
23
55 Years Plus Reunion
Class of 1950
Back
Bill Percival, Gavin Yates, Deane Davis,
Gerry Paris, Roy Burke, John Moffat
Front
Brian Foley, Barry Brooks, Graeme
MacFarlane (1951), Neil Kittow,
Manly Bowater, Dick McKenzie
Absent Peter Davenport, Don Hopkirk
Class of 1951
Back
Jim Atkins, Trevor Hudson, Pat Scrivens,
Dick Smith, Trevor Reynolds, Bill McKeich,
Kerry Ansell, Leo Gambitsis
Front
Peter Davenport (1950), Roland Sarten,
Kev Boyle, Bruce Robinson, Charles
O’Donnell, Bob James, Russell Feist
Class of 1952
Back
Wes Bowater, Ron Ebbett, Doug Thwaites,
Gael Ansell, Peter Sander, Vic Morgan,
David Daysh, Ramsay Newton
Front
Frank Blewitt, John Edgar, Bernard Hill,
Barry Ward, Ron Hill, Jock Ryder,
Bernie Harris
Absent Jim Atkins, Peter Conwell
24
Class of 1953
Back
Doug Strong, Tony Pengelly, Euan
McQueen, Graeme Taylor, Dave Grenfell,
Iain Hopkirk, Don Francis
Second John Aburn, Ian Kerr, Don McLeod,
Brian Bregmen, Graeme Hall, Gerry Pallo
Front
Ted Vercoe, Bill Kuegler, Richard Reynolds,
Murray Austin, Keith Watchman, Stan
George, Brian Coomber, Ted Woodfield
Absent Doug Brown, Michael Clements, George Janis
Class of 1954
Back
Graeme Joyce, Mike Pope, Russell Tether,
Richard Wallis, Barry Davis, John Cook,
Iain Hopkirk, Miles Deck
Second Jim Bruce, Keith Dreyer, Peter Burbidge,
Norm Mitchell, Les Howe, Bill Murdoch,
Robin Andrews
Front
Colin Butland, John Foster, Roger Phillips,
David Petersen, Barry Brice, Ralph Caulton,
Peter Thomas, Alan Bishell
Absent Hugh Bretton, Berwick Taylor
Class of 1955
Back
Ken Pledger, Lloyd Wills, John Grocott,
Warwick Bringans, John Harper
Front
Bruce Thomson, Leith Peddie, Don Forsyth,
John Childerhouse, Don Stewart, Trevor
Berry, Jim McPherson
Absent Allan Brown, Jim Cleland, Richard Owen,
Don Scott
25
Class of 1956
Back Murray Selig, Peter Dukes, Ian Taylor, Dennis Lahman, Bryan Shepherd, Warren Daniel, Alistair Hutchison, Alex McRae, Noel Evans, Graham Booth
Second Berwick Taylor (1954), Steve Phillips, Jeff Burgess, Barry McLaggan, Warwick Copeland, Pieter Smuts-Kennedy, Jim Meikle, John Falkner, Don Scott (1955),
David Bailey, John Stevens, Peter Jackson
Front Nelson Crisp, Dave Egley, Richard Owen (1955), Ross Macdonald, David Davis, Malcolm Perrett, Colin Beyer, Struan Munro, John Xanthopol, Hugh Bretton (1954)
Absent Bryan Atkins, Don Baird, Noel Todd
Class of 1957
Back
Second
Front
Absent
26
Nev Bevan, Peter George, Bob Falconer, David Harrison, Peter Browne, Staff Smith, Ivan Hill, Don Somerville, Chris Palamidas
Brian Shearer, Graeme Wilson, Bryon Foster, John Oliver, Murray Noble, Roger Lyon, Malcolm Brown, Jim Wilkinson
John Corder, Kahu Pattison, Bill Jackson, John Southworth, David Houston, Barry Jobson, John Smith, Kevin Gardner, Don Baker
Bill Boshier, Tony Muir, Geoff Thompson
27
Reunions
Class of 2002
10 Years On • TP Katene, Head Prefect 2002
A
s is customary, I must open my address with nothing is withheld from us
consideration of those who are no longer
what we have conceived to do.
with us.
Essentially, anything that we
The 2002 Head Prefect Team • (L-R): Andrew Gillespie, Te Puoho Katene,
believe can be achieved is ours
for the taking. As a side point, in
The passing of Sam Grubi was undoubtedly a
Edward Norman, Hamish Brown
periods between spouting quotable
shock to us all, and a colossal waste of life. Kua
loving every minute of it. The range of topics
quips, Russell Kirsch also invented the
topi te aka matua o te māhuri totara – moe
world’s first internally programmable computer that are broached on a daily bases require a
mai rā e hika. Huri noa ki ngāā mate katoa i
constant upskilling and self-challenging, and the
waenganui i a tātou, haere atu rā, e moe, okioki. and the digital image.
reward of positive outcomes strikes at a very
personal level.
Upon being contacted regarding the possibility It has also been made clear that we were
of writing this piece for The Lampstand, it took indeed very fortunate to go to a school which
Japan is never far from my mind though.
a great deal of effort to accept the fact that
opens as many doors into the future as our
In a year truly overborne with eye-opening
indeed we are ten years on from our times in
College does. While academia is not always
experiences, one thing from my time in Japan
black and yellow. Upon introspection, I found
for all, hindsight offers the clarity to see
rings more profoundly and prominently than
that my many memories from College times
that ours was and is a school for all seasons,
any other. In experiencing the great Tohoku
have gotten brighter in fondness, but inevitably indeed for all students. The qualities instilled,
earthquake, among the cacophony of emotions
have lost some of their detail in the haze of a
such as loyalty and camaraderie, passion and
one message resounded above the others;
bygone decade.
pride, acceptance and equality, armed us for
that of the transience of life, what māori refer
the challenges life would hold, and once the
to as matemateāone, or the Japanese refer to
I quickly took to contacting many of my old
mindset of indestructibility so prevalent in
as mono no aware. This concept encapsulates
schoolmates to see how the last decade has
youth cleared, the learnings from our time
that the awareness of the transient nature of all
played out for them, and was truly impressed
at College would play significant roles in the
things heightens appreciation of life’s beauty.
by the sheer diversity of achievements and
moulding of our futures.
journeys. We have journalists in Egypt and
Hemingway said the world is a beautiful place,
Climate Change advocates in the Pacific. We
Upon leaving College, I was no more sure of
and worth fighting for. I wholeheartedly
have professional sports players in the UK and
my intended direction than many a school
agree – so as we each continue to forge our
professional viola players in Germany. Writers,
leaver. Unfortunately having many passions
own paths into the future, I would offer you
historians, car salesmen, professors. We have
has resulted in a highly schizophrenic career
these sentiments. Take a moment from the
the likes of Gold Coast DJ Patariki Rei is rubbing pursuit. I ended up studying at Victoria
bustling clamour of progress to appreciate the
elbows with the GC cast members and hip hop
University, pursuing my duel loves for science
superstars alike. The likes of Arrun Soma, who
and māoritanga (not a classic pairing for tertiary beauty and wonder that surrounds us, be it in
breathtaking vistas, the memories you treasure,
went from gracing our screens as a TV news
study unfortunately), completing degrees
the joy taken in your work or the laughter in
reporter to exploring a new adventure as an
majoring in Māori Studies and Marine Biology
your home. For it is in the creation, appreciation,
international English teacher. Our very own
and Ecology & Biodiversity. This, too, was not
and sharing of these occasions that our lives and
Nick Gordon has reached the top 20 in the
without its moments of soul searching, with
efforts find their true meaning.
German version of the X-Factor recently! I was
various speed bumps along the way such
fascinated to learn of Aaron Packard’s work in
as sojourns into stage acting. Starting work
I leave you once more with the thoughts from
Pacific Nations affected by climate change, and
as a Fisheries Science Officer not one week
Max Ehrmann I once paraphrased (badly) at
his internationally televised throwing out of a
after my final exams, I stayed for four years,
our 7th form Prizegiving. As through the past
United Nations Climate Change conference due eschewing my previous plans for further study,
decade we have migrated fully into adulthood,
to peaceful protest. And also of Himesh Chima’s little motivated to trade my wages for the
this message remains as pertinent now as then,
less-travelled path, including overcoming a
well-established student diet of noodles and V
when a young man bursting with passionate
broken back and combining his love for writing
energy drinks.
naivety stood in the College Hall and addressed
and cooking in his close-to-complete cookbook.
his classmates for the last official time.
My comfort zone, however, was to be well and
I cannot, of course, do justice to all the stories
truly shattered, as in 2011 I was lucky enough to
shared with me in recounting them in their
receive a year-long scholarship to train in global Be at peace with your God, whatever you may
conceive him to be. And for all its faults and
entirety, but it was amazing to hear people
fisheries and aquaculture in Japan. This year
misgivings, remember that it is still a beautiful
relate such a vibrant and diverse range of
greatly influenced my outlook on the future,
world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.
experiences. Indeed I think the best part of this
and filled my kete to the brim with knowledge,
journey for me has been the opportunity to hear fond memories and friendships. Upon returning
Nā, Te Puoho Katene
of all the achievements and milestones that
to Aotearoa, I traded in my scientist role in
TePuoho.Katene@mpi.govt.nz
have marked people’s paths along the way, and I favour of my true passion – working with my
thank them all for sharing their stories with me. people. I am currently working for the Ministry
CLASS OF 2003 COHORT
for Primary Industries as a Māori Partnerships
Touch base with your Head Prefect, Matt Prosser
During my catch ups with my former classmates, Implementation Adviser. I work closely with iwi/
and update your news for the
one thing been made resoundingly clear,
Māori to increase productivity and sustainable
2013 Ten Years On Report.
Email Matt at: mattyprosser@gmail.com
summed up nicely by one Russell Kirsch;
utilisation of primary sector assets, and am
28
Branch Events
Bay of Plenty
O
ld Boys
functions are
for fellowship,
fun and an updating
on Wellington College
activities.
The annual luncheon of the BOP Old Boys
saw 31 from Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo,
Te Puke and further afield including Ian
Kaywood (1942- 44) and Neal Craighead
(1944 – 47) from the Waikato, certainly
found these goals realised.
Stephanie Kane had done her usual
superb job with the invitations and
had arranged for Headmaster, Roger
Moses and Development Manager, Tony
Robinson to be guest speakers.
Held once again at Daniels in the Park
on a lovely sunny day, the Old Boys met
to reminisce over a drink before sitting
down for the meal. It was started with all
Old Boys stating their names and years
at College and in some cases to recall
special memories of their time there.
A fine lunch of roast pork, bread
crumbed red cod, roast vegetables
accompanied by wines followed by
strawberries and pavlova was provided
by Daniels.
Manawatu & Horowhenua
O
ur one event of the year was the Magic Day Barbecue and Picnic
on 19 February 2012, when Past President, Bob and Janet Slade
opened the gates to their home and garden at Manakau,
just south of Otaki. The day was cool and calm for the 25
Old Boys and their wives and partners attending.
Relaxing, reminiscing and ruminating on the terrace, we steadied ourselves
for another astonishing display of ‘pure magic’ from master magician Andrew ‘Amputation’
Wilson (1960-1964). After bluffing us right, left and centre, it was Janet herself who
fronted up to put her head or rather her secateur – wielding hand onto the block of the
guillotine.
Chillingly, Andrew was happily unfazed as he gleefully chopped up celery, carrots
and rhubarb with his blades – ‘no worries at all’. Then, when it became Janet’s turn,
fortuitously, the guillotine gadget failed to function and sever her limb at the wrist.
This was just as well. For the sake of a hand, it would have been a staggering shame to
see the Slades’ fragrant garden wither from a lack of attention from secateurs and loppers.
Then, relieved, content and intact after yet another splendid Old Boys’ occasion, we took
another sniff of the roses and headed home happily.
Robbie Bruce (1954-58), Convenor • rabruce@inspire.net.nz
Lynn Morrison (1957 – 61) then
proposed the toast to the College which
was responded to with enthusiasm.
Tony Robinson spoke of his important
development role which seeks to ensure
the College is able to meet the future
needs of its students. Headmaster Roger
Moses then addressed the Old Boys in
his usual enthusiastic style. Old Boys
continue to be impressed by the various
strengths of the College and the amazing
achievements of its students. All present
hoped Roger would continue in his
important role for many more years.
The luncheon concluded with the rousing
singing of Forty Years On.
Over 40 apologies were received and it is
hoped that many of these Old Boys will
be able to attend in future years.
Barry Ward (1948 - 52)
barry.ward@kinect.co.nz
29
Branch Events
Canterbury
T
he Canterbury Branch managed to have two events in the past year, the first in late November 2011 when Headmaster,
Roger Moses, Development Manager, Tony Robinson and myself flew in for the evening. Hosted by Peter Morrison (1970-75)
at his delightful Classic Villa, around 30 Old Boys gathered for the evening in the CBD.
For Roger, Tony and myself, it was an eye-opening experience to see first-hand the devastation from the earthquakes, just from our drive
into the city from the Airport and the area surrounding Peter’s premises. However we could see that there is much positivity going on
as people begin to rebuild and restore their homes. We also heard from many in attendance of the personal tragedies faced, and we
particularly thank those Old Boys who were able to attend while still dealing with their own difficulties.
Roger and Tony addressed the group, with news from the College which was well received and our Old Boys were heartened to know that
Wellington College remains as one of the successful all-round educational institutes.
In July this year, Peter kindly hosted a second event, this time in conjunction with the Quadrangular Tournament at Christ’s College. Again
a good number turned out, despite the dismal weather with many attending both the rugby and the function. We were also pleased that
a number of out-of-towners could also come along, having made the journey to watch the College play at Tournament.
Despite Roger suffering a debilitating ailment, he still managed to briefly attend and greet everyone before he retired for the evening. We
were also joined by a number of our 1st XV and both young and old enjoyed talking about the final, scheduled for the following day and
about their extracurricular involvement at school.
I wish to extend my personal thanks to Peter and Jan for hosting these two events and for their warm hospitality in accommodating
Roger and myself. The Classic Villa is well and truly open for business and Peter will always offer a ‘special rate’ to Old Boys. Rated as a 5
Star boutique hotel, The Classic Villa can be found at 17 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch. Tel: 03 377 7905 or email him at frontdesk@
theclassicvilla.co.nz The Classic Villa’s website is: www.theclassicvilla.co.nz
Stephanie Kane, WCOBA Executive Officer
30
Forthcoming Events
WELLINGTON COLLEGE
ANZAC SERVICE 2013
Friday, 19 April
Former serving and current serving Old Boys are invited to join senior
students and staff at the College’s ANZAC Service in our Memorial
Assembly Hall on the morning of Friday, 19 April 2013 (the last day of
Term One).
Following the service, there will be lunch for those who wish to stay on.
Lunch is $25.00pp and includes both food and beverages.
If you wish to attend, please contact the WCOBA Office for a formal
invitation to be issued, and so we can accommodate you for the service
and lunch. No payment is required until the formal invitation is issued.
Please contact the WCOBA Office: 04 802 2537 or oldboys@wc.school.nz
Class of 1963
Class of 1973
50 Years On Reunion 40 Years On Reunion
Friday, 18 October 2013
We are trying to locate an number of Old Boys
from the Class of 1963 Cohort. (Form 3 1959
through to Form 7 1963 plus those from the 1962
Cohort who stayed on for a further year).
We are trying to locate an number of Old Boys
from the Class of 1973 Cohort. (Form 3 1969
through to Form 7 1973 plus those from the 1972
Cohort who stayed on for a further year).
If you know where one or many may reside,
please let us know so we can send them details of
their Reunion.
If you know where one or many may reside,
please let us know so we can send them details of
their Reunion.
Invitations will be issued shortly to those Old
Boys from the Class of 1963 for whom we have
addresses for.
Invitations will be issued early 2013 to those Old
Boys from the Class of 1973 for whom we have
addresses for.
31
Awards and Honours
Olympic Medalist receives the College’s Congratulations
I
t’s been a couple of busy months for Peter
Taylor (1997-2001) since he won his bronze
medal in London. But the Wellingtonian
- one half of the double lightweight sculls
along with Southlander Storm Uru - was
centre of attention as he showed off his prized
possession at his old school, Wellington College
when he returned to speak in Assembly and
receive the school’s congratulations.
Former world champions Peter and Storm had
spent six years working toward gold but Peter
said the result of bronze was still awesome.
Unfinished business meant he would probably
still be rowing come Rio in 2016. I feel like
there's still more to give in rowing and that
rowing hasn't seen the best of me yet. There's
more I want to achieve and I'm looking forward
towards Rio but we'll just see over the next few
months when I do get into the boat.
Peter reckoned the 2012 season was the best
he had ever rowed and felt there was still
room for improvement. It was likely Peter and
Storm would take some time out as a pairing
on the water and experiment with different
combinations during the next two years before
potentially reuniting ahead of Rio. Like the
Danish double who won gold in our event, they
took two years out of the boat together and
then came back for the last two years to achieve
that result. So it's achievable, we'll see what
Storm's up to and what the Rowing NZ selectors
feel is best use of my abilities.
Success was breeding success at Rowing NZ and
Peter said that competitive, healthy environment
was too attractive to walk away from.
Peter said sharing his bronze medal with his
brothers, sisters and parents in London was
special. It's nice to return home now and spend
some time with my family and just relax and
share what this has brought to us.
32
Awards and Honours
Doctor earns kudos for earthquake work
T
wo Townsville doctors have been presented with
an award for their work in Christchuch following
last year's devastating earthquake. Townsville
Hospital doctors Brett Hoggard (1985-1989) [right]
and Peter Aitken [left] were among 24 medical,
nursing and other health professionals who were
deployed to Christchurch following the earthquake
in February last year. Brett said: that it was three
months of interesting times for him, after just
returning from London. He was also involved in the
Brisbane flood response, Cyclone Yasi, coordinating
the evacuation of Cairns Base Hospital and on
the first helicopter into cyclone area to evacuate
critical patients. Then part of AusaMAT team into
Christchurch.
The team set up and managed a 75-bed medical
facility in the grounds at a stadium in east
Christchurch, an area which had been severely
Recognition for Cycling Contribution
I
n a timely celebration of Volunteer Awareness
Week, Alan Rice (1944-1947), was awarded the
Wellington Community Trust Lifetime Contribution
Award for services to cycling. Alan has been actively
involved with the sport of cycling since 1948, and
has been a stalwart of the Wellington Centre and
PNP Club for many years, as well as the NZ Amateur
Cycling Association.
During the late ‘60s and 70s, Alan spent time as
Secretary for the New Plymouth and Port Nicholson
clubs, was a delegate on their respective Centre
committees, and was on the organising committee
of the national track championships, and a team
official at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
Since his return from an overseas work assignment
in 1978 Alan has been the mainstay behind
the local Port Nicholson Poneke Cycling Club in
Wellington. Throughout the late 80’s and early 90’s
when cycling in Wellington suffered from a lack of volunteers and officials, Alan was not only
Treasurer, but also race manager. In 2008 Alan was made Life Member of Cycling NZ.
ONZM for Services to Maori
affected by the disaster. The team treated 642
patients in the seven days the clinic was open, as
aftershocks continued to shake the town.
They assisted the CDHB to ensure the city's health
services could meet demand, despite being
hampered by sewerage, water and electricity
problems. Surgeons, anaesthetists and intensive
care specialists provided support to colleagues
at the Christchurch Hospital, with emergency
physicians and nurses performing shifts to help
with the workload.
Queensland Health director general, Dr Tony
O'Connell said the work this team undertook in the
face of very confronting scenes was remarkable,
and the award showed how much their help meant
to their colleagues and Christchurch residents.
ONZM for Services to
Corporate Governance
C
ongratulations to Richard Waddel (19541958) for services to corporate governance.
Richard has held a number of governance
positions in infrastructure, health, the arts,
sport and education in both Canterbury and
Auckland.
Richard was also the Chair of the Aotea Centre
Board of Management, and served three terms
as the Chair of the Auckland Festival Trust. He
was a member of the Foundation for the School
of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of Auckland and the Director of the
Environmental Defence Society. He was the
Vice-President of the Wellington Rugby Football
Union, and is a life member of the Old Boys
University Rugby Club, Wellington.
Richard was Ernst & Young’s Chief Executive
from 1986 to 1995, and was a fellow of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants and the
Institute of Directors.
C
ongratulations to Russell Feist (1947-1951) who
received an ONZM for Services to Māori in the
New Year Honours.
A foundation partner at Tripe Matthews & Feist
since 1968, Russell has worked for many years with
Tuwharetoa and was instrumental in establishing the
Lake Taupo Forest Trust and in negotiations for the
return of the title of Lake Taupo to Tuwharetoa.
33
Feature
Frankly Good: Mr Frank Crist and
the Wellington College 1st XV: 1953-1962
Adam Julian, First XV Rugby, The Rugby Channel, SKY TV • adamjr@clear.net.nz
http://blog.skysport.co.nz/collegerugby/frankley-good-mr-crist-and-the-wellington-college-first-xv-1953-1962/
Keith Quinn: Wellington College: 1960-1964:
He is a wonderful bloke, once when the
Wellington Football Club bought out a new club
tie he bought a whole box of them. He liked
the fact that they put ‘WFC’ under the club’s
emblem. He is WFC too, William Frank Crist!
Wellington qualified for the final with an
unpolished 14-5 victory over Christ’s College.
The final, played in front of an estimated ten
thousand people and broadcast live on radio,
saw Wellington at their very best, scoring seven
tries in a crushing victory.
After WWII, rugby at Wellington College
entered a difficult phase. Despite the 1st XV
for some years being coached by Sam Meads,
cousin of the great Pinetree, success was hard
to come by. Obviously the consequences of
the war had an adverse effect, but so did the
departure of veteran coaches Tibby Brodie and
Tom Beard. Fortunately, in 1947 Frank Crist
arrived!
Captain, Ed Young once again scored the
first try, but it was future Junior All Black,
Bill Fleming who was the star. He scored two
tries, relishing the attacking approach that
Wellington embraced, encouraged by Frank,
and improved upon, after a training visit by All
Blacks’ legend Bob Scott.
Frank Crist – The Man
Originally from the Southern Hawke’s Bay,
Frank Crist was educated at Dannevirke
High School. After graduating from Auckland
University College he served with the RAF in
the European theatre of WWII. A Wellington
representative forward, Frank inherited the 1st
XV in 1953. Over the next ten seasons he would
help revive a struggling team.
Wellington would win the annual Quadrangular
three times and produced two fine All Blacks,
Ian Uttley and Mark Sayers. Crist was an
austere and firm coach. A run to the top of
Mount Victoria was not uncommon and the
need for ruthless rucking was drummed in
relentlessly too! In 1955, Frank even placed
a ball in a sack and requested the forwards
to ruck it out! More famously though he had
the apparent audacity to not select Ken Gray,
who later became one of the greatest All Black
props, for the 1st XV. The clamour just to be
selected for the 1st XV and the high standards
demanded by Frank were clearly big factors in
Wellington’s renewed success.
Frank Crist: The Player, Clive Akers
95
83
38
1943
1944
1948
1950
1952-56
1953
34
First Class Games
First Class Points (9 tries, 16 con,
17 pen and 1 dg)
Games for Wellington
New Zealand Services
Dominions XV, Britain
NZ Trials
Wellington XV and Barbarians Club
Centurions Club
Bohemians Club
Famous Frank Moments
1955: v St Patrick’s (Town) – Won: 48-6
The Evening Post: Wellington played like
juggernauts.
The 71st game between the schools was
transferred from a muddy Athletic Park and
played on May 30 on what the Wellingtonian
described as ‘a hockey field’. Ed Young scored
a try in the first five minutes to set the tone!
Wellington’s ‘heavier and faster forwards’ were
rampant! It was 21-0 at halftime and in total
Wellington finished with nine tries to score their
biggest victory against Town since 1917, the
scorers were: John Hunn (2), Bill Fleming (2),
John Grocott, Peter Seville, Geoff Walpole,
Trevor Bringans and Graham Roberts.
1955: v Wanganui Collegiate – Won: 25-3
The Wellingtonian: It was heartening to see
our XV once again playing as a unit…Wanganui
simply did not get going.
Wellington had failed to win the Quadrangular
outright since 1937, a shared victory in 1945
their best result in the past 17 seasons, which
included twelve appearances in the playoff for
third and fourth! The 1955 team was possibly
the strongest that Frank produced, losing
just one game to an unbeaten St Patrick’s
(Silverstream).
The Wellingtonian expands on Wellington’s
game plan: The playing method was simple
but effective. From the start of each game the
ball had to be passed along the backline to the
wing without any player taking more than two
or three strides, and with every player backing
up the ball carrier. No back was allowed an
inside break in the first twenty minutes of the
game. In addition the fullback was encouraged
to come into the backline outside the wing.
This meant the games were played in an open
manner that was enjoyed by players and
spectators alike.
The final was referred by New Zealand rugby
and cricket international Eric Tindall. For
Wellington it was their biggest win against
Wanganui Collegiate up to that point and would
remain so until 1999!
1957: v Nelson College – Won: 29-15
The Wellingtonian: Both forwards and backs
had done their part…Nelson failed to live up to
their reputation of being the strongest team.
The last Wellington team to win the
Quadrangular in the South Island prior to this
match was in 1897. The 1957 team had a strong
chance of breaking the drought though. They
were unbeaten in interschool fixtures having
accounted for Rongotai College, captained by
future All Black Mick Williment, 9-3, St Patrick’s
(Town), 21-0 and Wellington Technical College,
30-6. Additionally, they had drawn with Hutt
Valley High School 11-11 and St Patrick’s
(Silverstream), 9-9 – in the latter match scoring
three unconverted tries.
In the first match of the Quadrangular, played
in Nelson, Wellington thrashed Christ’s College
by 23-5, scoring five tries. In the final, they
Feature
Drawn
For
Against
The Numbers
Lost
1961: v Silverstream – Won: 6-5
suffered defeat in the Quadrangular since 1957.
In a tense but free-flowing game the teams
were scoreless at halftime. In the second spell,
Richard Ronald scored a try and David Heather
kicked a penalty as Wellington, through tough
defence and a superior lineout, at last beat
Nelson and won the Quadrangular again.
Won
The crowd of over 5,000 were given a bonus
25-minutes but with the speed of the game the
players were almost exhausted by the finish.
Wellington fullback Tubby Wright, also the fast
bowler of the College’s 1st XI Cricket team, was
overheard appealing against the light to the
referee, who finally got the message!
1957 1st XV
Played
Tournament rules stipulate 35 minute spells
and at the end of normal time the scoreboard
showed Wellington 23 - Nelson 12. However,
the Nelson College clock stopped at 4.20pm.
The referee was obviously going by the school
clock rather than his watch and the second spell
ran for a full 60-minutes.
XV’s. In 1983, Robertson returned to his
old college to officially open the Jubilee
Pavilion. Under Frank’s astute leadership,
Hastings Boys’ High School flourished
as some of the following achievements
show!
Year
met Nelson College who had won six of
the last eleven tournaments. Wellington,
with characteristic speed and flair, ran
out convincing winners, scoring seven
tries. Wingers Lance Lekis and Felix
Wendt scored two tries each and were
outstanding. Future High Court Judge,
Hugh Williams was Wellington’s captain
in this game, while Brian Hastings, who
later played 31 cricket tests for New Zealand,
was the vice-captain. Bruce Heather, a member
of the team, recalls however that they had
to work a lot longer than expected for their
victory:
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
Total
17
15
17
14
15
19
16
16
16
17
162
11
8
15
8
10
12
8
10
9
11
102
6
6
1
5
2
6
4
4
6
4
44
0
1
1
1
3
1
4
2
1
2
16
136
149
409
167
219
262
176
181
195
179
2073
79
125
65
94
91
168
130
123
123
114
1156
Since 1951, Wellington had failed to beat
Silverstream in nine games, with six of the
defeats suffered by less than five points! This
clash was extremely controversial! Though the
heavier Wellington forwards showed greater
mobility and quickness to the loose ball,
Silverstream appeared to have a legitimate goal
disallowed, denying them victory. The Evening
Post account of Kevin Miles said:
In 1965, Frank Crist was appointed the
Headmaster of Hastings Boys’ High School.
Though Frank had little direct association with
the Hastings 1st XV through coaching, he was
their most avid supporter and it is little surprise
that Hastings enjoyed some memorable
moments during his tenure as Headmaster.
Miles kicked what appeared to be a fine penalty
goal early in the first spell only to have it ruled
not over by the referee. The two linesmen, both
teams and almost every spectator considered
that the ball had travelled clearly between the
posts. Patrick Wikstrom (try) and Alistair Young
(penalty) scored points for Wellington.
In 1973, the 1st XV won the Hastings U23
competition. In 1977, the 1st XV won 14 of
their 17 games, including a first victory against
Gisborne Boys’ High School since 1962. The
school also produced one of the greatest
All Blacks of all time, Bruce Robertson, who
appeared 68 times for his country, including 34
tests was in the 1969 and 1970 Hastings’ 1st
In 1984, Frank retired as Headmaster
but remained active in the community.
His volunteer work included a spell educating
inmates at Hawkes Bay Prison, over 45 years of
service to the Hastings Rotary club, service for
the Hawkes Bay Community College, now the
EIT, and service for the Anakiwa Trust which
runs Outward Bound programmes. Frank is
now completely retired but still going strong at
92 years of age.
Postscript: I did invite Frank to participate in
an interview for this story, however owing to
ill heath at the time he was unable to speak.
However Frank has read the story and approves
of its content. I would like to thank Greta Crist
for her assistance. - Adam Julian
Acknowledgments: Keith Quinn, Dave
Henderson and Stephanie Kane.
Wellington College have been playing Hastings
Boys’ High School on an annual basis for a
number of years now just prior to the local
competition season with results favouring
Wellington over Hastings.
Frank Crist, at the 2009 Firth House Reunion (no
doubt recalling a momentous rugby moment).
1962: v Nelson College – Won: 6-3
The Wellingtonian: The 1st XV rose to the
occasion magnificently and dictated this game
in the forwards to an increasing degree. The
pack was tightly knit and the backs provided
spirited support. Nelson, with their fastpaced backline, at many times looked
like they could break through, but
the defence was too strong to
bridge.
Since 1958, Nelson had won an
impressive 71 of their 89 games and had not
35
Splendid book about the Brotherhood
A
fter many years of research writing
and editing, Wellington College
History teacher (and Irishman),
Colm McNulty’s book A Brotherhood
so Splendid has finally been
published.
The story of nine members of
Wellington College and their
experiences in the Great War
is the true story of a ‘splendid’
brotherhood - masters and boys
of Wellington College who go to the First World
War. Their story is told in a scintillating series of
vignettes which vividly portray their actions and
emotions in the different theatres of conflict.
Each vignette stems from a deep and grounded
knowledge of the characters involved, what
they did, who they were and where the action
took place. Colm’s extensive use of dialogue
that is crisp and real makes A Brotherhood So
Splendid much more than an ‘action packed’
recital of history.
Colm understands the internal dramas his
characters deal with as they face action in the
field and by a singular blend of imagination and
expertise he has enfolded history in the dialogue
of these young men. The quintessentially ‘Kiwi’
character of these young men’s actions is sewn
deep into the sinews of the narrative. The
interplay is real, tangible and pure.
This is a New Zealand story – authentically
told at that critical point in time when New
Zealanders stepped up, and stepped onto the
world stage – thereby discovering that which
made them different not only from their
forebears, but from all other nations. These
men discovered the essence of their identity becoming A Brotherhood So Splendid.
You can order a copy of Colm McNulty’s book A Brotherhood so Splendid through the WCOBA Office for $35.00 [incl NZ P&P).
Post Cheques (payable to Wellington College) and/or Email Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard) details with your order to:
WCOBA Office, PO Box 16073, Wellington 6242 or order via the enclosed feedback form.
Sales to date have been impressive and has quickly become a ‘Must Read’ by College staff, students and Old Boys.
A Soldier’s last letter from Gallipoli: Isaac Harold Plimmer
T
he Plimmer family were instrumental in the
establishment and expansion of Plimmerton.
John Plimmer as a Director of the Wellington
and Manawatu Railway was a driving force
in the establishment of this private railway
company connecting Wellington to Palmerston
North. The railway line opened the West Coast
of the lower North Island to expansion with
36
the area previously known as Taupo Pa being
renamed as Plimmerton in John Plimmer’s
honour.
When the railway reached Plimmerton in 1885,
the area was seen as an obvious ‘Brighton of
New Zealand,’ the beach resort area for people
from both Palmerston North and Wellington.
It was John Plimmer’s son Charles (Chas) who
built the first major accommodation Plimmerton
House, beside the Plimmerton railway station
that opened to the public in 1893.
Charles children; Isaac, Ella (Girlie) and Mary
(Mollie) would have spent time at Plimmerton
Continued on page 39
Accepting the Challenge
O
ld Boy, Sione Stanley (19982002), was one of 25 Cadets
who graduated from the
Waiouru-based Officer Cadet School
in December having successfully
completed 12 months of rigorous
training. Family and friends of the
graduating cadets, New Zealand
Defence Force staff and overseas
dignitaries attended the graduation
ceremony at Waiouru Army camp.
Prior to joining the Army, Second
Lieutenant Stanley (26) had a
diverse employment background, working
in various retail and banking roles, while
concurrently completing a Health Sciences
Degree from the University of Auckland. 2Lt
Stanley also worked with a number of charities,
including the Heart Foundation,
Child Obesity intervention and
TYLA (Turn Your Life Around).
2Lt Stanley's decision to join
the Defence Force was based
on a desire for a career with
variety and something that was
'outside the box of a normal
job'. Furthermore, 2Lt Stanley's
brother, 2Lt Joseph Stanley is also
an Officer in the NZ Army.
2Lt Stanley was humbled when he
arrived at OCS at the beginning
of the year, 'realising he was not as good as
he thought he was'. The biggest learning that
2Lt Stanley will take away from OCS is 'striving
to be better and always setting high standards
- as that is what your soldiers expect of you'.
2Lt Stanley enjoyed his time at OCS. However,
one particularly difficult exercise challenged
him. We had an informal SAS brief prior to the
exercise. We learnt about two types of people.
Those who work hard when they are being
watched, and those who work hard consistently.
2Lt Stanley has been posted to the Intelligence
Corps. As part of his posting, he will spend time
training with the Signals Corps. He is looking
forward to a long career with the NZ Army, and
aspires to reach the senior ranks. Also on the
horizon are overseas postings.
2Lt Stanley wants to extend a challenge to other
Maori and Pacific Islanders who are considering
a career in the New Zealand Defence Force. If
you really want to test and challenge yourself. A
career in the NZDF will definitely deliver on that.
Escape to fight another day
S
ixty-five years after the end of World War
II, in 2010, I published For the Duration,
by Bruce Robertson, a book based on my
late father’s diaries and memoirs. He was a
Wellington College Old Boy (1923-25) and a
Prisoner of War.
It therefore seemed miraculous when Bob
Wood (1928-1930), aged 97, [pictured right]
rang to tell me that he knew my father. Bob has
lived and worked in Australia for over 50 years
and is now in Sawtell, on the NSW north coast.
We met there in February 2012.
Bob and Bruce joined up in October 1939 and
sailed for the Middle East with the 19th
Wellington Battalion in the First Echelon of
soldiers on 5 January, 1940.
Both were captured there; Bob at Ruweisat
Ridge on 15 July 1942 and Dad at the first Battle
of Alamein on 22 July. Bob had already had a
couple of lucky escapes, including just before
VE Day when a mortar struck a bag of shirts on
his back. The shirts were casualties. Bob and
Dad were flown at different times to Lecce,
Italy, then transferred north to Campo PG 47 in
Modena near Bologna.
options, including immediate
departure or staying put. Dad
backed what he called the wrong
horse and,was transported
with hundreds of others to a
prison camp at Weinsberg, near
Stuttgart, where he remained
until liberation at Moosburg.
Bob Wood was prepared to leave
with two others, but the plan
was postponed. The next day
he and a friend, Sandy Wilkinson, decided to
take to the roof. They climbed the downpipe at
the rear of their building and lifted tiles to find
a space above the rafters where they stored
some food and water. When the roll was called
they returned to the roof. Next morning it was
clear that a move to Germany was imminent.
On 13 September, when the final batch of
POWs went, Sandy pulled out. Bob and Hugh
Flower from Christchurch, (his father was the
notable Christ’s College Master), adjourned to
the roof. They lay low on the rafters for a day in
terrific heat with the Germans below.
They had many friends in common Bob (‘Splinter’ Wood as a POW) had an excellent
recollection of camp life, including the rough
red vino, sometimes on offer, was known as
‘roosters blood’ or ‘purple death’. He too
wrote and illustrated a diary.
Then, on the night of 15 September, they
spotted a cut wire atop the wall at the rear
of their hut. With a tin of bully beef, some
chocolate and cigarettes, they scrambled
over the high wall and with machine gunfire
uncomfortably close, detoured around
Modena, finding a maize patch some 10 kms
south in which to sleep.
When Italy capitulated in September 1943,
PG 47 was in an uproar. The POWs got three
Their route to freedom covered about 600 kms
over three months through Tuscany, Umbria
and the Appenine Mountains,
assisted by many Italians with
food, a few lira and shelter.
Unlike many escapees who were
recaptured, they avoided the
many small towns and villages.
They lived on quantities of
potatoes, bread, pasta, cheese,
grapes, soup, polenta and
chestnut flour mash (‘quite
good’) with meals occasionally
flavoured with bacon. Tomatoes
and grapes were often for the taking.
They spent many nights in barns, often
perilously close to the rears of livestock and
often even more perilously close to German
troops. They crossed many rivers and often
moved by night in the cold and mud. In the
mountains they often followed charcoal
burners’ tracks and sheltered in caves.
Sometimes they helped farmers with harvesting
or gathered acorns for pigs and chestnuts for
themselves.
On 19 September crossing the Appenines,
they met up with fellow escapees from
Modena, swapped notes and separated.
In early October they were sheltering near
Gubbio in the mountains when a high-smelling
object soaked to the skin and wearing sandals
appeared. It was Captain Hudson (2nd Seaforth
Highlanders), also from the Modena camp, who
travelled on alone.
At the end of October near the town of
San Spirito, they met up with five other NZ
Continued on next page
37
Sheltered by one Michele Ricci’s family, they
waited some weeks for better weather, then
met up with British Paratroopers on the
mountain before descending a steep gorge near
Palambaro to reach safety at British Airborne
Brigade HQ.
Finally they joined NZ troops near the Sangro
River for a thorough and welcome delousing by
the NZ Field Hygiene Unit.
Bob was reunited with his suede shoes, a
cigarette case ‘pinched’ from his kit 18 months
before; and many friends, including his former
Wellington flat mate, Tony Cleghorn. Old Boy
and General Bernard Freyberg had a long talk in
his caravan, and gave the pair 200 cigarettes and
a pat on the back. He advised them to return
to New Zealand.
By 15 December they were back at Bari, then
celebrated New Year’s Eve at their old camp at
Maadi, near Cairo, before leave in New Zealand.
Bob Wood, alive and well at age 97 in Australia
Bob returned to the 22nd Battalion in Italy as
a Major in 1944. He saw further action at Forli
Faenza, Lamone and many nasty river crossings,
one of a very few who rejoined the service after
escape.
September 1946. He and his wife Lyn visited
Italy in 1971 and the remains of Campo PG 47
and meet with the Ricci family who had, at great
personal risk, helped the escapees for so many
weeks just behind the lines.
In 1945 he joined the POW Repatriation Unit
near Margate, Kent and was discharged in
Rosanne Robertson, rosar@ihug.co.nz
Tel: (04) 472 4580
based Zeitoun where training and
reconditioning began. In March
1915, the NZ Field Artillery now
part of the ANZAC Corps moved
to Alexander for embarkation for
the landings at Gallipoli. The 2nd
Battery was landed at ANZAC Cove
26/27th April 1915 and continued
to support the infantry units
through the following months.
The contents of the letter would later on the
death of his father in 1931, be used in a court
case to determine Isaac Harold Plimmer’s last
will but only part of it (the first and last pages),
were reproduced in court records.
Continued from page 37
built the first major accommodation
Plimmerton House, beside the
Plimmerton railway station that
opened to the public in 1893.
Charles children; Isaac, Ella (Girlie)
and Mary (Mollie) would have
spent time at Plimmerton House
from 1893 possibly up to it being destroyed
by fire in April 1907. The Plimmer family may
not have lived permanently in Plimmerton
House as Isaac is listed as being schooled at the
Clyde Quay School before attending Wellington
College. Isaac is also listed as passing the
Junior Civil Servants exams in 1898 and trained
in engineering as he is listed as a mechanical
engineer in the 1905-06 electoral rolls.
In 1911 Isaac Harold Plimmer (1895-1897) is
listed as purchasing 99 Boulcott Street but it
is doubtful that Isaac lived at the house as he
moved to Gisborne soon after its purchase. The
property would later be owned by Isaac’s sister
Mollie up until her death in 1958. A later owner
renamed the house Plimmer House.
With the declaration of war on 4 August 1914,
the mobilisation of NZ’s forces began and
Isaac Harold Plimmer answered the call and
enlisted on 14 October 1914. Service records
noted that at the time of enlisting he was a
Marine Engineer in Poverty Bay. Following his
enlistment, Isaac was attached to the NZ Field
artillery as a gunner with the NZFA, 2nd battery.
The main body of the NZ Field Artillery Force
departed New Zealand on 16 October 1914, and
arrived in Egypt in December 1914 and were
38
In August 1915, preparations for a major
offensive, the Battle for Chunuk Bair had
been completed. At 4.30 pm, 6 August 1915,
the initial bombardment of Turkish positions
started. It was during the first phases after
fierce fighting that the Wellington Battalion
captured Chunuk Bair on 8 August 1915 and
it was on this day that Gunner Plimmer wrote
what would be his final letter home. The letter
contains references to the great fight that was
in progress, that he had seen the charge by
either the Sikhs or Gukkas which had resulted
in a great number of casualties to the Turks and
that his battery had been in action for some
time but he was proud to do his duty.
On 9 October 1915, two gunners, Isaac Harold
Plimmer and Albert Harold Griffiths were
reported to have been Killed in Action. It
is possible that both died as a result of a
premature explosion of a shell from their
battery as there were at least two reported
occasions of this happening with the 2nd
battery during the Gallipoli campaign. It was
after his death that the letter written in August
was sent, as requested, to his family with a note
next to the address stating ‘to be sent only if
sender is dead’.
The letter is addressed to ‘Dear Mother and
Father’ and the last page reads:
I am writing this in a hurry, things are a bit
dicky, and one doesn’t know when one is going
to get laid out; let’s hope when it comes it will
be only a temporary nature. In case it is more
permanent you must not grieve too much, for I’ll
be doing my duty and that is the main thing, its
one little chance one has, and one has to make
the most of it. We haven’t been asked to do
anything very serious up to date, but this time
it will be, remember me to all my friends. I’ll not
be writing any farewell letters other than this.
Give my love to Girlie and Mollie and to
yourselves, love and good-bye. I can’t thank you
sufficiently for all you have done for me, and this
is but the little I can give in return. Dad will fix
my affairs. I would like him, however, to arrange
what I possess to be divided equally between,
himself, mother, Girlie and Mollie.
Good Bye. Love to All, Your affectionate son
Isaac Harold Plimmer, 2nd Battery NZFA
PHOTO: Gunner Isaac Harold Plimmer, 2nd Battery, New
Zealand Field Artillery is remembered on the memorial
at Chunuk Bair, Gallipoli and on the Wellington College
War Memorial Tablets.
Alan Dodson, agcdodson@xtra.co.nz
Plimmerton Residents’ Association Historian
Academia
Keeping it in the family
D
W
avid McLellan (2000-2004), centre, is the
latest family member to be admitted to
the bar, following in the footsteps of his
grandfather Jeremy Cooper (1958-1962) and
mother Wendy Cooper.
orld renowned linguist Prof
Emeritus Bernard Spolsky
(1944-1948) and who now
lives in Israel, was a keynote
speaker at a symposium
Building a multilingual society:
creating habitats for language
survival, which focussed on
the survival of Māori and Pasifika languages,
held at Victoria University earlier this year.
The symposium considered how to ensure the
survival of Māori and Pasifika languages and
build a multilingual society.
As long as New Zealand has had courts,
David's family has provided the lawyers.
David, 24, was admitted to the bar in the
High Court at Wellington earlier this year,
after graduating from Victoria University –
the sixth generation in his family to join the
legal profession.
His mother, Wendy Cooper, acted as her
In 1844, George Cooper was appointed private
son's moving counsel during the ceremony to
secretary to Governor Robert Fitzroy, who
support his admission to the bar.
became the second governor after Mr Hobson
died in 1842.
David’s grandfather, Jeremy Cooper, a Levin
lawyer and another Victoria graduate,
On David's father's side of the family, William
attended the ceremony to act as moving
Reeve Haselden arrived in here in 1860 and
counsel for David's cousin, who was admitted
settled in Westport, where he was mayor for five
to the bar on the same day. Jeremy said
terms and a Crown prosecutor. He later moved
he was proud of his grandson, and not
to Wellington where he specialised in patent law
altogether surprised he had followed in the
and became a District Court judge in 1906.
family's well-trodden footsteps.
David said it had been helpful having
generations of legal knowledge on hand
when he needed help studying. He was even
able to borrow robes from his mum's work
for the ceremony.
Both of David's great-great-greatgrandfathers were lawyers – on his mother's
side, George Sisson Cooper arrived in New
Zealand from Ireland in 1840, the same year
the country's first governor, William Hobson,
was appointed.
George Cooper's son, Harold Riddiford
‘Chummy’ Cooper, was born in Wellington
in 1876. He was a colourful character, also
a Crown prosecutor, and president of the
Manawatu Law Society. His son Arthur
Riddiford Cooper was born in 1902 and
studied at Victoria University before practising
in Wellington. He was also President of the
Wellington Law Society.
David is not likely to be the last lawyer in the
family – his younger brother George (2004-07)
has just completed his LLB. The Dominion Post
Lecturer’s Dream Job
M
any teenage boys see
playing video games as a
great way to waste a few
hours, but for one university
lecturer it represents a serious
day's work.
Pippin Barr (1992-1996),
until recently spent his days
discussing video games, and
making them, at the University
of Copenhagen in Denmark,
where he lectured on videogame design and programming.
Despite the in-depth work he has conducted
on video games as part of his doctoral
Love of the Lingo
studies, Pippin never considered
himself much of a gamer.
I suppose I'd characterise myself
as a fairly ordinary game player
through childhood and my teens
playing at the arcade, renting
SEGA games from the video
stores and buying a PlayStation
when it first came out. It really
wasn't until I was starting my
PhD and trying to figure out what
I could do three years' research
on that video games took a front
seat in my life.
Continued on next page
Bernard was educated at Wellington College,
Victoria University and the University of
Montreal. He taught at secondary schools
in New Zealand, Australia and England, then
taught English for two years at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, and completed military
service in the Israel Defence Forces. He was
assistant professor of Education at McGill
University (1962-64), and assistant professor
of Linguistics at Indiana University (1964-68).
At the University of New Mexico from 1968-80,
he was Professor of Linguistics, Elementary
Education and Anthropology and for six years
Dean of the Graduate School.
Bernard was appointed Professor of English
at Bar-Ilan University in Israel in 1980, serving
as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities from
1992-94 and Chair of the Department of English
from 1995-96. On retirement in 2000, he was
appointed Professor Emeritus.
At Indiana University, Bernard was director of
the English as a Foreign Language Program and
associate chair of the Research Centre for the
Language Sciences. At the University of New
Mexico, he directed the Navajo Reading Study.
At Bar-Ilan University, he founded and directed
the Language Policy Research Centre.
Bernard has been a Senior Associate at
the National Foreign Language Centre and
Senior Research Scientist at the Centre for
the Advanced Study of Language, both at the
University of Maryland. He was Editor-in-Chief
of the international academic journal Language
Policy from 2002 until 2007 and is Publications
Director of Asian TEFL (the Asian Association of
Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) and
editor-in-chief of its academic journal.
Bernard’s extensive research over the last 40
years includes research on language policy,
sociolinguistics, educational linguistics,
language testing and its history, and language
attitudes and identity. He is currently writing a
book on language management.
39
Academia
An eye for optics and photonics
C
ongratulations to Rick Millane (1967-1971)
who has been elected SPIE (the international
society for optics and photonics) Fellow,
acknowledging Members for their outstanding
technical contributions and service to SPIE. Rick,
of University of Canterbury was recognised for
achievements in diffraction and reconstruction
algorithms for biophysical imaging.
Rick is the first and only SPIE Fellow named
from New Zealand. He has made important
contributions to imaging and image
reconstruction in biological and medical
imaging. His work in the area of phase
retrieval was especially pioneering when,
in 1990, he made fundamental connections
between classical phase retrieval techniques
in crystallography and those in optics. Rick’s
discoveries paved the way for high-resolution
diffraction imaging of atomic, molecular, and
cellular particles, and his subsequent research
has addressed uniqueness and reconstruction
algorithms in this area.
In addition, he has contributed to the theory
and algorithms for using x-ray diffraction
program committee for the OSA Topical
Meetings on Signal Recovery and Synthesis
since 1992, as an executive committee member
of the IEEE New Zealand South Section, and he
is currently associate editor of the journal IEEE
Transactions on Image Processing. Rick has also
served as co-editor of the International Union of
Crystallography’s journal Acta Crystallographica
Section A since 2001, and has served on the
programme committee for the Image and Vision
Computing New Zealand conference since 2001.
data from biological polymer fibres to image
molecular structures. His accomplishments
include establishing methods for image analysis
of diffraction patterns, derivation of rigorous
metrics for assessing the precision of results,
and developing Bayesian methods for optimal
reconstruction. Most recently, Rick extended his
work into image analysis of disordered biological
arrays in muscle and the retina and image
reconstruction for optical diffusion tomography.
Rick is a vital member of the greater optics
community, especially as a senior member
of IEEE and a fellow of the Optical Society
of America. He has served on the technical
He was, until recently, Head of the Department
of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the
University of Canterbury. He has contributed
greatly to SPIE, beginning in 1992, as a presenter,
session chair, and conference chair. In particular
he co-created the Image Reconstruction from
Incomplete Data conference in 2000 and has
chaired the bi-annual conference since then
at the SPIE Optics + Photonics symposium.
He has also served as co-chair for the Digital
Image Recovery and Synthesis conference and
has taught the SPIE courses Fourier-based
Image Recovery and Practical Digital Image
Reconstruction Algorithms.
Large presence at NZ Law Students’ Conference
from page 39: PIPPIN BARR
Pippin began his degree at Victoria University
on two somewhat disparate elements
philosophy and computer science. However,
the combination worked well for him,
eventually leading to computer game research
at the suggestion of a colleague. I was having
coffee with my academic mentor, and she just
happened to raise the idea that I could study
video games for my PhD. I was a little shocked
by it, but as I thought about it, it made more
and more sense and so away I went. Since
then, video games have been at the core of
most of what I've done.
(L-R): Phil Thomson, Almiro Clere, Matthew Dodd, Oscar Ward, George McLellan, Duncan McLachlan)
His research on the use of human values in
gameplay grabbed the attention of overseas
universities, landing him the masters-level
lecturing position in Copenhagen - a dream job,
despite the amount of marking.
A
t the NZ Law Students’ Association (or NZLSA) Conference in Auckland, winners of the legal
competitions across the six law schools in New Zealand competed for national glory and while the
NZLSA executive and council met to advocate on issues affecting law students across the country.
At the event, there was a strong contingent of Wellington College Old Boys that dominated the
NZLSA executive as well as competing at the conference including George McLellan (2004-2007)
as the Administrative Vice President of NZLSA, Almiro Clere (2003-2007) as the Competitions Vice
President of NZLSA, Phil Thomson (2000-2004) as the Council of Legal Education Representative
on the NZLSA and Oscar Ward (2003-2007) as the Editor of Lex Magazine (a guide to what’s
happening for NZ law students).
Competitors included Matthew Dodd (2003-2007) as the University of Otago’s competitor for the
Witness Examination Competition and Duncan McLachlan (2006-2010) as Victoria University’s
competitor, and the national winner of the Bell Gully Junior Mooting Competition.
Oscar Ward
40
Pippin and his wife have quite recently moved
from Copenhagen to Malta though he still
supervises a couple of students in Copenhagen.
He’s continuing to make games and is gearing
up to teach a course for the University of Malta.
Please remember to
send us your news.
Academia
What’s Your Prison?
By Dr Paul Wood
(1988-1992)
A
s someone who did more than their
fair share of gut-buster runs and
Friday detentions before dropping out
of Wellington College in Form Four, the
idea that I would one day graduate with
a PhD and spend my time helping others
was such an audacious concept. Especially
if you consider that when I was 18 I was
using drugs to cope with my life, and an
altercation with a drug dealer resulted in
his death; a death that I was responsible for,
and for which I would spend the next ten
years behind bars.
Today I work as a development and change
specialist, and help people identify their
purpose, overcome barriers, and play to their
strengths. It is ironic that this is something I
may not have achieved if I had not gone to
prison. It was there I realised that before I was
incarcerated, I was already living in a prison of
my own making – the prison in my mind. My
prison was my belief that my potential was fixed,
that the measure of a man was his capacity for
violence and aggression, and that men shouldn’t
feel scared, sad, vulnerable, or weak.
It took a meeting with one of New Zealand’s
most accomplished safe crackers to challenge
my idea of freedom. It was about two years
into my sentence when one day in the yard
he presented me with two objects of unequal
weight and asked which would hit the ground
first if they were dropped at the same time. The
result blew my mind. I had never questioned
my understanding of the world, and this
demonstration made me wonder what else in
my thinking I could be wrong about.
success. The road to freedom can be lonely, but
only you have the ability to make real change.
All of us begin life born free, but life kicks in
and we create self-defeating and distorted
beliefs to make sense of our worlds. It is only
through being mindful of the architecture of
our personal prisons, recognising and avoiding
seemingly innocent choices, and learning ways
to respond when obstacles are encountered,
that we can achieve the experience of
living free. While my story reflects my own
experience of change, living free is something
that we should all aspire to. So I ask, what’s
your prison?
www.whatsyourprison.com
INSERT: Dr Paul Wood received his PhD at Massey
University’s graduation ceremony, to add to his BA and
MA (completed in prison). My passion is in development
and people's capacity for change and positive growth.
Reunion on the High Seas
This simple catalyst started my journey
towards living free, but the path has not been
straightforward. I wrote my first assignment in
solitary confinement. I completed my exams in
a windowless room in a punishment block. I had
to stop doing drugs if I was going to be able to
start the process of changing my life. As a result,
I had to give up the ability to be emotionally
numb to my situation on the inside.
Time is a different commodity when you are
looking at a very long sentence. Part of breaking
free of the things that were holding me back
was my need to accept that I had to live in the
present and focus on what I could do today.
I had to fight for my freedom and face the
bureaucracy, assumptions and judgements that
stood in my way. I was very fortunate to have
people in my life that believed in my potential,
and having allies who will champion your cause
and fight beside you is a key component to
Recently, Old Boys Trevor Speight (1958-1962) and Bruce Waddel (1958-1963), together with their respective
wives undertook a three-week Mediterranean Cruise on the Holland America Line MS Noordam.
To their surprise, the ship was captained by an Old Boy, Captain John Scott (1968-1972). Many pleasantries
and stories of the College were related over the course of the cruise. (L-R): Trevor, John and Bruce.
41
An Anthology of Success
New Solicitor-General appointed Startup is Going Up
F
ormer Wellington College
Head Prefect, Michael Heron
(1980-1984) has taken up his
role as the new Solicitor-General.
of the Crown Law Office. AttorneyGeneral Christopher Finlayson [was
quoted in Stuff as saying] Michael's
experience covered a broad mix
litigation and advice, including
criminal, civil, commercial, human
rights, health and public law.
Michael was a partner at Russell
McVeagh and before that a
partner at Meredith Connell,
where he worked as a Crown
prosecutor. He also worked with
Allen and Overy in London and Tokyo in the
early 1990s.
His experience and skills are directly
relevant to the role of SolicitorGeneral and chief executive of the Crown Law
Office, Mr Finlayson said.
He was a counsel for the Serious Fraud Office
as well as chairman of Drug Free Sport New
Zealand.
He will oversee implementation of decisions
following a review of the Solicitor-General's
functions.
The Solicitor-General is principal counsel and Michael’s five-year term began on 3 September.
legal advisor to the Crown and chief executive
Winning Plans for Architect
O
ld Boy, Stuart Gardyne (1970-1974) has won the competition
to refurbish the school hall and his firm Architecture + will
carry out the project.
Stuart’s concept will provide a new space large enough for the
entire school to fit for assembly and will create a hall that’s also
a versatile venue for music and theatre productions, and formal
events such as dinners. He hopes to reuse elements of the existing
building in the new construction and better display heritage
elements such as the memorial window. It is hoped the hall will
provide a better link with the existing Firth Hall and Brierley Theatre buildings on the site.
Stuart will tread old ground when he visits Wellington College for the project. As a past
student, I have some understanding of the context and it doesn’t feel as if it’s a mystery,
says Stuart, I hope my solution reflects the history, character and culture of the school.
Of course schools change all the time, says Stuart - We used to wear caps and pretend we
didn’t have long hair, he laughs – and he notes the quadrangle of his day has gone but
the amphitheatre is still a big part of the school landscape. He’s amused that some of the
supposedly temporary ‘prefab’ buildings in which he took fourth form science lessons still
exist on the Wellington College site today.
A timetable for construction has not yet been established and fundraising for the project
will continue in 2012 and beyond.
D
avid Fellows (19921995) is the Chief
Technology Officer for a
Wellington startup company,
GreenButton (www.
greenbutton.com) and
was recently awarded by
Microsoft NZ as the Solutions Architect of the
Year. The company was named BizSpark partner
of the year and jointly won software exporter
of the year with Auckland cinema software firm
Vista Entertainment Solutions.
Dave was GreenButton’s second full-time staff
member and was bought in as Lead Architect to
design their cloud-agnostic High Performance
Computing architecture, suited to running
on commodity cloud infrastructure. Prior to
GreenButton, Dave spent many years working in
the UK designing massively scalable systems for
the Investment Banking industry. Before this,
Dave worked at both Datacom and Synergy
leading technical teams.
GreenButton's application can be built into
software products and lets computer users
access supercomputer power at the click of
a button as they need it and without having
to invest in their own systems. It has teamed
up with Microsoft to use its cloud computing
platform, Windows Azure, to provide the
processing power. In July, GreenButton was
named as the global winner of the Windows
Azure independent software vendor partner of
the year award. It said in August it was working
with Disney's animation giant Pixar to make its
movie rendering software available to anyone
over the web.
The man who will use his skill
and constructive imagination
to see how much he can give for
a dollar, instead of how little he
can give for a dollar, is bound to
succeed. - Henry Ford
A long road ahead
R
A highly experienced executive in the infrastructure
and toll road sector, Ray has spent 40 years working
in all aspects of international and local major project
development and operations, including 17 years’
involvement in the development, construction and startup
of toll road projects in Australia. His career includes
having worked on major projects across New Zealand,
Indonesia, South East Asia generally, the Middle East and
West Africa.
42
ay Wilson (1958-1962), Chief Executive Officer and
Managing Director of BrisConnections, leads the
current building contract for the new the Queensland
Airport Link toll road, under the largest transport PPP
contract in Australia to date, together with the delivery of
the Northern Busway extension (Windsor to Kedron) and
the Airport Roundabout Upgrade, for the Queensland
Government, at a total financed cost of $5.6 billion.
An Anthology of Success
A winning way with words
Kudos in the Kitchen
A
Wellington start-up that turns learning
vocabulary into an online game is
the winner of the BNZ Startup Alley
competition, revolutionising language
learning for the self-motivated.
GoVocab has almost 6000 users, including
about 250 secondary schools from New
Zealand, Australia, the United States,
Indonesia and Canada.
When I was at school I had to learn a
language, and we were just given a list of
words at the start of the week, says founder
Michael Dowse (2003-2007) [centre in
photo]. We’d take them home and memorise
them just by staring at this bit of paper,
basically. Then on Friday you would have
a test – you’d cram in the hallway for five
minutes and then forget it all straight away.
His creation, Go Vocab, is a tool for students
and teachers delivered via its website and
mobile apps. While classroom teaching
traditionally focuses on the conversational
aspect, Go Vocab handles vocabulary, word
matching, verb conjugations and all the other
‘boring parts’ of language learning.
Go Vocab originated from a vocabulary
revision iPad app Michael pitched for an
Apple Student Developer Scholarship while
studying computer science. He didn’t win,
but kept going and turned it into a website
that would have broader appeal. Around
this time, he befriended fellow student
Jeremy Geros. That was back in late 2010,
with Michael working on Go Vocab parttime. In January 2011, he and Jeremy quit
their software development jobs and went
full-time on the newly-incorporated business.
They had enough saved to last six months, and
in February, the first student began using Go
Vocab. For the first school term, the product
was trialled by Wellington schools, but before
long they rolled out to the rest of the country
and started bringing in revenue.
Go Vocab now has more than 7,000 registered
students, according to Michael, with 400-plus
teachers across 100-plus schools. Users are
primarily Australasian, although somehow
word has spread further afield to customers in
Canada and Singapore too.
Not surprisingly, the most popular languages
are French and Japanese, matching the
languages most commonly taught in schools.
German and Maori are also popular; Latin,
slightly less so. In Australia, Indonesian has also
proved a hit.
It’s still early days and the Go Vocab team
is heads-down, bums up, content to keep
building the company up. There’s scope for
expansion into more languages or even beyond
language learning entirely. With their recent
win at Webstock’s inaugural BNZ Startup Alley,
netting the guys $10,000 cash and flights for
two to that hotbed of tech entrepreneurship,
San Francisco, the future is bright. https://
govocab.com/
Three Old Boys Win NZU Blue
A
t the 92nd New Zealand
Universities’ Blues Awards held
in Wellington, three Old Boys
studying at Victoria University were
presented with prestigious New
Zealand Universities’ Blues Awards for
their achievements during the 2010
academic year.
The awards provide an opportunity for
University Sport New Zealand (USNZ)
and its membership of students’
associations to officially congratulate
those who can combine competing at
the highest level in their chosen sport,
while maintaining their commitment
to their academic study as a tertiary
student.
Victoria’s supreme athletes and
administrators recognised with
NZU Blues Awards included: Gareth
Kean (Swimming) [top]; Stephen
Whittington (Debating) [centre]; and
Sebastian Templeton (Debating).
The New Zealand Blues have been
awarded since 1919 and are based
on the traditional Blue of Oxford and
Cambridge Universities.
A
n Old Boy chef's philosophy of using every
part of a product in his dishes has helped
him to become recognised as one of the
capital's most outstanding cooks. Jamie Armour
(1998-2002), head chef at Duke Carvell's, was
named Outstanding Emerging Chef at the
Capital Awards. The awards are to recognise the
contribution of individuals to Wellington's food
and beverage industries.
Jamie cooked up success with his crispyskinned snapper with Jerusalem artichoke
veloute sauce, beetroot and snapper mousse
ravioli, and braised baby fennel. He said he did
not like to overcrowd the plate with too many
different flavours, but wanted to demonstrate
various cooking styles with his chosen produce.
When I understand the diversity of an ingredient,
it's easy to create a dish using its flavour
as a foundation and then looking at forms
and preparations to bring the dish together
aesthetically and texturally. But it's important
to come up with something tasty before doing
something that is pleasing to the eye.
In his winning recipe, the snapper was used as
the main part of the dish, as well as being made
into snapper stock and snapper mousse in the
ravioli.
Jamie said the award was very positive. It's a
kind of reassurance for me that I'm going in the
right direction.
Jamie began his career as a chef working in
Scotland. He later returned to New Zealand
to study cookery at Weltec. Since then, he
has worked in kitchens in Australia, France
and New Zealand and has worked for chef
Joel Robuchon, who holds the most Michelin
stars globally at his restaurant L'Atelier de Joel
Robuchon, in Paris.
43
Good Sorts
Safer Driving for our Students
Helicopter Hero
G
azley Motor Group prides itself on being a local,
family business committed to contributing to
the Wellington community. Myles (1985-1989)
and Oliver (1989-1993) Gazley, proud Wellington
College Old Boys, are very aware of the growing
number of youth fatalities and injuries in car
accidents in New Zealand.
In New Zealand the number of crashes per driver
increases substantially from the Learner to the
Restricted phase (when people start driving solo).
For 15-and-a-half to 16 and-a-half-year-olds,
the increase in crashes from the Learner to the
Restricted phase is about 30 percent greater than
the increase for 16 and-a-half to 17-and-a-halfyear-olds, and about 90 percent greater than for
17-and-a-half to 18-and-a-half-year-olds. (source:
Ministry of Youth Development).
As an active member of our local community, Gazley is eager to provide support for
our teenage children and help them improve their driving skills – directing them to be safe and
responsible drivers.
To celebrate the opening of our new showroom on Kent Terrace, Gazley is delighted to donate
10 x AA Defensive Driving Courses to Wellington College. And for every new vehicle purchased
from Gazley by a family member of a Wellington College student or a Wellington College Old
Boy, Gazley will donate one AA Defensive Driving Course to the College.
Gazley is the exclusive Central Wellington agency for Nissan, Volkswagen, Skoda, Alfa Romeo,
Fiat, Citroen and Renault and their new showroom is located on Kent Terrace, Wellington.
ABOVE: Myles Gazley presents Roger Moses with the Defensive Driving Vouchers.
Driving Force to help team-mate
W
ellington's sporting community came together to
raise more than $30,000 for a former Poneke rugby
player Seti Tafua who suffered a severe spinal injury
while playing rugby for his Sydney team, Northern
Suburbs.
To raise money for the Wellingtonian's treatment, former
Poneke teammate and family friend Evan Belford (19921996) organised a quiz and auction night at Wellington
College. More than 500 people packed the school's
Brierley Theatre for the event.
I wanted to do something to help Seti and his family,Evan
said. It was started as a Poneke event, but I think it has become more of a community event
with everyone from the local rugby clubs to schools to NZ rugby players getting in behind it.
Among the sporting stars attending was All Black Victor Vito, who went to Scots College with
Seti. He visited his friend in a Sydney hospital a few weeks ago. Seti was zipping around in a
motorised wheelchair, had regained some feeling in his arms and legs, and was doing rehab at
the gym. Hopefully it might not be as bleak as we thought, Victor said.
Included in the auction was a trip to Sydney for a Bledisloe Cup match, a cricket bat signed by
the Black Caps, a lunch date with Vito, and signed jerseys from the All Blacks and Hurricanes.
The evening's events raised $30,305 for the Fund.
A
Wellington helicopter pilot has become a
celebrated rescue hero in the Australian
outback. Ned Lee (1997-2001) was called
on to rescue terrified Queensland residents
from deadly floodwaters in January last year.
The young Helipro pilot's daring rescues of 45
people caught the world's attention.
A couple were winched to safety from the roof
of a home as it was swept away after breaking
free of its foundations. And a young boy
clinging to a hay baler was plucked to safety
moments after being swept from his family's
engulfed four-wheel-drive.
There were two days of intense activity, the
28-year-old told The Dominion Post. We
did a few winches and a lot of what's called
hover entries, over roof tops or over water,
and they climb in that way. I wouldn't call
them dangerous. They're a little bit harder to
perform.
Ned's actions during the Queensland floods last
January earned him official recognition from
the Queensland state government. He and
chief crewman Kris Larkin were honoured with
bravery medals from the Royal Humane Society
of Australasia for their work saving others.
Helipro chief executive Rick Lucas said Ned was
a skilled pilot and the award was recognition for
him and Kris risking their lives to save others.
Ned is now Helipro's central division operations
manager. He is also still called upon for search
and rescue work, as well as firefighting under
contract to the Australian Rural Fire Service.
ABOVE: Victor Vito, left, and fundraising organiser Evan Belford with a Hurricanes jersey and a Black Caps signed
bat at the Quiz and Auction night held at Wellington College
44
Good Sorts
Retirement Reflections
Reflections on
South Africa
N
athan Hoturoa Gray
(1988-1992), Ngāi Tahu,
Rangitāne, Waikato
[whangai] served as a lawyer
and foreign policy advisor
in California, Alaska and
Saipan before becoming
a freelance journalist
covering international
feature stories for National
Geographic, TNT UK and New Zealand's Tu
Mai Magazine. His first book: First Pass Under
Heaven - One Man's 4000km Trek along the
Great Wall of China is a Penguin Best-Seller
available worldwide and the journey was also
shown on the National Geographic Channel.
Nathan currently writes for Hollywood's P3
Update Magazine showcasing the best film
destinations in the world and sits on Te Waka
Toi - the Maori Arts Board of Creative New
Zealand as well as the Board of the New
Zealand Film Archive.
His second book: The Age of Fire - is a
travelogue looking at where the species is
heading over the next 50 years. However the
opening chapter shares in some of his most
memorable experiences while attending
Wellington College from 1988-1992. Later
chapters garner lessons from his time as a
Rotary exchange student in South Africa
during the build up of the country's first free
democratic elections in 1993-4, a time which
heralded the rise of Nelson Mandela. (Here he
had the opportunity of playing alongside future
rugby Springbok great - Stefan Tereblanche.)
The book also recounts his return to the
country when covering the Soccer World Cup
in 2010 writing about the changes to apartheid
over this
time, (An event which saw
former old boy Simon Elliot
perform sensationally on the
international stage.)
For more details the book
can be viewed at the
following link: http://
www.lulu.com/shop/
nathan-hoturoa-gray/theage-of-fire/paperback/
product-18926294.html
or just got to Nathan's website: www.
greatwalldvd.com which also showcases his
global photogallery.
Please remember to
send us your news.
L
ong-time Chaplin at the Huff Hospital, the Rev John McCaul (19631964), retired from that position at the end of February 2012. Here he
reflects on his ministry.
Many in the Diocese know me as Bishop's Chaplain, Clerical Secretary
of Synod, or Examining Chaplain, but my everyday work for the past
twenty years has been Chaplain at the Hutt Hospital, the last seven as
Ecumenical Chaplain. This entailed 24/7 availability of me or my locum, and
was demanding work. Many-a-time I made no commitments, just in case I
get a call. And I never knew what I was walking into: sickness, injury, a
tragic or joyful event, good or bad news...praying, listening, leading
worship, or supervising voluntary chaplaincy assistants.
My time at the Hutt was a time of immense change both in the
Health system and the way in which it is delivered. In 1992,
we didn’t know if Hutt would be closed or would become part
of the Wellington Hospital, and a huge rally of locals told the
powers-that-be in no uncertain terms, that Hutt valley people
did not want that to happen. Thus Hutt remained open and
independent, and it has gone from strength to strength, led by
some wonderful staff and culminating in the recent opening
of the new Operating Theatre and Emergency Department
complex. A highlight for me was the blessing of the last pour of
concrete at the topping-off ceremony.
Hospital Chaplaincy needs longer rather than shorter ministries, but
I would like to see more clergy experience life as a hospital chaplain during their ministry. I
turned 65 in June. It is time for me to move on. There is continuing work to do for God, the
Church and the Diocese, and I am looking forward to a change and new opportunities.
N
ovelist and publisher, Martin Kerr
(1955-1959) travelled to New Guinea,
and joined the Australian Trusteeship
Administration as a cadet patrol officer and
then operated as a crocodile shooter along
the West Papua border.
After teaching at Sydney High School for
three years, he settled in Victoria then
moved north Queensland in 2002.
An author of seven previously published
books, Martin has recently released a trilogy,
whose protagonist, Amon Mortlake, is caught
up in the momentum of geological discoveries,
exploitation of mineral resources and the
machinations of the stock market.
Lost tribes, murder, and cultural confrontation;
the three novels are relevant to general
readers, field geologists, mine managers,
contractors, workers, investors; anyone
associated with resource development and
harvesting. The saga attracts book lovers
looking for historical realism, romance and
political intrigue.
Martin’s books can be previewed on his website
www.maskimedia.com.au or you can email him
at mkerrm@yahoo.com.au
45
Scene and Heard
Shortland Street to Hollywood
K
iwi actor Karl Urban (19861990) has now starred in
a number of films and is
set to return to New Zealand
cinema screens in Dredd.
Dredd sees crimefighter
Judge Dredd take centre stage
once again –in the second
big screen incarnation of the
futuristic comic book.
Playing Judge Dredd - the
dark, helmet-clad law enforcer
- is more than just Kiwi
Hollywood star Karl's biggest
role yet. Because what's more impressive
than being the leading man in the gritty and
brutal Dredd 3D is that Karl had a major part
in not only shaping his character but the film
itself. It helps that the 40-year-old is a fan of
the comic book hero created by British writer
John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra in the
late 70s.
Karl was 16, working in a Wellington pizza
parlour, when his boss introduced him to the
comics and the mythology behind them. Back
then, and you get the feeling even these days,
the tough law man and vigilante persona of
Dredd - who along with his fellow enforcers
has the power of the police, as well as being
judge, jury and executioner - was what
captivated him.
I just enjoy these stories, they are great
morality tales set in a totalitarian society that
is teetering on the brink of chaos and the only
thing that's holding the whole show together
are the judges who, as a desperate measure,
have been forced to get out from behind their
desks and courtrooms and get on the streets
and dispense justice. So Urban was well
qualified for the role and it was this knowledge
and passion for the character that helped him
score the part.
The actor, who divides his time between
Auckland, Los Angeles and wherever his work
takes him (for Dredd he was in South Africa
for three months), downplays it as his biggest
role to date. It's a big deal for me simply
because of the fact I'm taking on a character
that means a lot to me, he says, sounding very
much like the blunt and calculating lawman of
Mega-City One might do.
No matter what he thinks, after 20 years in
the business, which have seen him go from
TV shows such as Shortland Street, Hercules
and Xena, to prominent roles in Lord of the
46
Rings, Star Trek and as
assassin Kirill in The Bourne
Supremacy, Dredd is a
coup.
He revelled in the research
he did in the lead-up
to developing Dredd's
imposing on-screen
presence and his harsh
and raspy voice which he
modelled on a saw cutting
through bone. Part of my
research was to get hold
of every single Dredd
comic that I could, he says. So I got to go back
and have a look at all the really cool comics
I loved as a teenager and also discovered a
whole lot of new stories that had been written
subsequently that I wasn't privy too.- TimeOut
From the Oscars
to the Catlins
Sounds of Battle
linger for ever
T
he attack on Ruweisat
Ridge during the first
battle of El Alamein sits
firmly in the back of Jack
Kettlewell's (1936-1939)
[photo: below] mind. The
WWII veteran, who has
lived in New Plymouth
for more than 50 years,
was just 20 years old at the time, and said the
casualties had been heavy.
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.
Jack recently attended a commemoration for
the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein
in Wellington. 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.
I
n case you haven't heard, our Oscar Winner
Bret McKenzie (1990-1994) is currently
appearing in a new Kiwi film. The Robert
Sarkies-directed flick - Two Little Boys - which
tells the tale of two best friends who have
quite a conundrum on their hands; a dead
backpacker who needs to be disposed of,
filmed in the Southern Catlins.
Bret plays Nige, whose close encounter with a
Scandinavian backpacker has grievous results,
while also testing a longtime mateship.
Bret will also appear in Brit-shot romance
Austenland, which marks the directorial debut
of Napoleon Dynamite co-scriptwriter Jerusha
Hess.
ABOVE: Bret (left) with Robert Sarkies
Please remember to
send us your news.
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. 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.
Jack is 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.
He said he was looking forward to reflecting
on, and paying his respects to those he knew
and lost during the battles. You think of these
friends that didn't come back and you still see
them as they were as young men. [Laurence]
Binyon's lines are quite true; They shall grow
not old, as we that are left grow old.
That's how you remember them - as young
men.
Scene and Heard
Organist heads to New York
Accolade for Actor
F
orget your image of an older person plonking
wildly on the organ; this local organist is
young, talented, and headed for the USA.
Thomas Gaynor (2008-2009), has received a
Freemasons scholarship, and is preparing to
attend Eastman School of Music in New York.
Thomas was awarded his $6000 scholarship
in Parliament's legislative council chamber,
along with 32 other students from around New
Zealand. He has been studying for a Bachelor
of Music with honours at Victoria University,
the only one of his class majoring in organ
performance.
1500 and 2000.
After completing his honours, Thomas will
move to New York to study at the Eastman
School of Music for two years. He was accepted
into Julliard, Eastman and Yale schools of music,
and chose Eastman because it has the biggest
organ school.
Thomas comes from a musical family, with his
father playing in a band, and his mother singing
in the Orpheus Choir. He began playing the
piano at 10 to compete with his older sister. At
13, he took up the organ, after being impressed
with its ‘volume’ and became an organ scholar
at the Wellington Cathedral for eight years.
Thomas usually practises about three or four
hours a day, at St Mary of the Angels Church or
the Music School's Concert Hall, or at home on
his mini-organ. It has 250 pipes - considerably
fewer than a regular organ, which has between
Being an organist may look tricky, but Thomas
said it was easier than being a pianist, because
loud and soft were controlled by stops rather
than by the force of fingers.
Thomas’ favourite music is late 19th and early
20th century French romantic, which he said
was so visceral one could feel the vibrations.
Big loud, crazy pieces that are great fun to play,
and people appreciate them because it fits their
image of a crazy organist, bashing away.
Long term, Thomas wants to be an organ
teacher and professor at a university,
researching historical performance practice,
which he said was a relatively recent field.
Whatever he does, he wants to be involved
with the church and play at Sunday services.
The Wellingtonian
New Kid on the Block
Rich vocal tones of John Mayer, the soul-filled lyrical and melodic ability of Jamie Lidell and a
laid back, rasping style all of his own.
Jen Jaconelli, Hit The Floor Magazine, UK
W
ith an astute eye for lyrical detail,
a rich vocal tone that harks back to
classic Motown-era soul and a direct
and expressive guitar style, Wellingtonbased singer / songwriter Louis Baker
(2003-2007) is one of the most promising
new talents to emerge from New Zealand
in recent years.
Louis has recently been selected to attend
the Red Bull Music Academy – a roaming
international workshop that pairs some of
the greatest hits in the business with some
of the greatest potential. Louis is one of
60 international musicians plucked from a
pool of over 4000, to spend two weeks
(continued on page 48)
P
LAYMARKET announced that the winner
of the Bruce Mason Award for 2011
was actor and playwright Arthur Meek
(1995-1999). The award recognises Arthur’s
dedication as a playwright, the quality of
his work and grants a $10,000 cash prize to
encourage his continued exploration of the
theatre medium.
Arthur launched his playwriting career in
2006 with The Cottage set in the toilet stalls
of a scandalous local gay club.
On the conditions and possibilities of Helen
Clark taking me as her young lover took the
country by storm last election year (2008)
and was affectionately described as slightly
disturbing, but highly entertaining...sharp
political satire as Arthur performed to packed
houses, garnering best production of the
year nominations and picking up awards
throughout the country.
After some time away from playwriting,
working as an actor in shows such as The
Almighty Johnsons; Nothing Trivial and
Underbelly, he this year burst back onto the
theatre scene with Sheep, written for Long
Cloud Youth Theatre’s summer season and
the critically acclaimed On The Upside-Down
of the World commissioned, produced and
toured by Auckland Theatre Company and
based on the 1884 memoirs of Lady Anne
Martin - Our Māoris.
Arthur is currently shooting a guest-starring
role in the fourth season of TVNZ’s Go Girls.
The Award is named after the man
considered to be New Zealand’s first
most significant playwright, Bruce Mason
(1938), who died in 1982. His plays are still
produced widely today and many, such as
The Pohutakawa Tree and End of the Golden
Weather (produced by Auckland Theatre
Company this year), have come to be
considered New Zealand classics.
47
Scene and Heard
Sixty Plus Years tickling the Ivories
W
ellington musicians gathered to honour a
pianist and former music teacher whose
name became a byword among his peers
for his exacting professionalism.
There's no doubt though about his preferred
instruments. If people ask me what
instruments I play, I say the piano and the
organ, he said.
It was as a pianist that he became a fixture at
the Majestic Cabaret during the golden era in
the 1950s and 60s. His services were also in
demand for recording sessions and he toured
with artists as diverse as the British comedian
Jimmy Edwards and Welsh torch singer Shirley
Bassey. Bob simultaneously pursued a career as
a music teacher, tutoring an average 80 pupils a
week for 40 years.
Though he's an entertaining raconteur with a
dry sense of humour, he admits no one ever
hired him for his personality. He recalls as the
leader of the band at the Majestic, the late Don
Richardson, once told him the other musicians
didn't like his attitude. So I said How's my
playing? He said, It's always impeccable. So I
said, well, that's all you need to worry about.
He had a long and close professional
living, breathing and eating all things
music in the historic epicentre of creativity –
New York City. He’s the sole selection from
over 100 New Zealand applications.
Prizing the intimacy and immediacy of
performing solo with his guitar, Louis sings
openly and honestly about his life. For a young
man, he’s completely comfortable exploring the
big themes - love, loss and a life unfolding, - all
the while keeping the energy and interaction
front and centre for his audience.
Long-time Titahi Bay resident Bob Barcham,
(1942-1945), began playing professionally in the
late 1940s and was still doing regular gigs with
the X7s dance band as recently as late last year.
Name a musical instrument and chances are
Bob has played it: piano accordion, cello,
double bass, E-flat bass (a brass instrument)
and trumpet, to name a few. He even toured
with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as a
percussionist.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK (continued from page 47)
relationship with Richardson, but it was often
prickly. Bob tells of a time when they didn't
speak for months and a fellow member of the
band installed phones on the bandstand so
Richardson could bark instructions down the
line.
On one fabled occasion, a cabaret patron
lurched up to Bob and asked how he could call
a taxi. Bob cranked the handle on the phone
and handed it to the patron, who found himself
talking to an irascible and uncomprehending
Richardson.
Bob laments that most of his musical
contemporaries have passed on. He counts
himself lucky that he's not only still alive, having
survived a life-threatening cancer, but remains
married to Jean, his wife and they recently
celebrated 64 years of marriage, sharing the
occasion with their six great grandchildren.
That must be a world record in the music trade,
he says.
Alongside his live performance schedule, Louis
is busying himself in the studio; working on
collaborations, and preparing for a series of
anticipated festival performances over the
summer months. Notably, Louis is part of
Vanilau, Maxwell, Baker, a ‘Crosby, Stills and
Nash’ styled group with Mark Vanilau and
one of Baker’s heroes, Warren Maxwell, who
personally invited him to join the group.
My music is love, soul, beauty, peace, meaning.
- Louis Baker
I was truly floored when I first heard him sing.
His voice is a conduit for pure emotion and
the maturity of his songwriting completely
contradicts his age. There is a soulful path
written already for this gifted minstrel. –
Warren Maxwell
In the tribute, organised by the Wellington Jazz
Club, the X7s, original arrangements written by
Bob were played.
ABOVE: Bob, playing at the Wellington Town Hall, 1951. BELOW: Bob playing with the X7s at his tribute.
48
Sport News
86th Quadrangular Rugby Tournament
T
he numbers 86 and 2012 will unfortunately
signify the year and occasion where
Wellington College’s 1st XV nine successive
wins at Quadrangular Tournament came to an
end when the team ended up drawing the final
with Nelson College.
The Monday fixtures produced two very one
sided matches in wet and muddy conditions. In
a repeat of the previous few years, both Nelson
College and Wellington College prevailed to
move into the Major Final on Wednesday.
The second day of Quad produced not only nicer
weather, but two very close encounters where
both matches came down to last minute kicks at
goal to determine the results. In the first match,
the Minor Final was contested between Christ's
College and Wanganui Collegiate. Despite having
a number of chances, Christ's were unable to
convert these and only led narrowly for the
majority of the match until Wanganui scored
its third try to tie the match at 15 all. However,
the game was decided on fulltime when Damian
McKenzie kicked a penalty from wide out to give
Christ's an 18 - 15 victory.
In the Major Final, Nelson College opened
the scoring and lead 10 nil before Wellington
responded decisively with four quick tries
in order to lead 26 - 13 at the break. In a
remarkable turn around, Nelson College
responded with an outstanding half of rugby
which resulted in tries to each winger and a
50m runaway to their openside flanker, Steven
Soper, to have them lead by 5 with minutes
remaining. Wellington were not going to be
denied and scored a late try wide out but failed
to convert. Final score 31 all.
A thrilling end to another very good
Quadrangular tournament. Next year, 2013,
Nelson College will host the 87th and as per
previous Quads, the WCOBA will host a function
for both local and out-of town Old Boys.
And to end the season on a low note, the
1st XV, having led the 2012 local season
competition right through to the final fell,
at the last hurdle going down to St Patrick’s
(Silverstream) 3-6 in the most atrocious
conditions. The result was the reversal of
Silverstream’s season in 2011.
Four team members received national honours
with front rowers Eti Sului and Vincent Sakaria
being selected for the NZ Secondary Schools'
team while Zek Sopoaga and Nelson Asofa
Solomona being selected for the NZ Secondary
Schools’ Barbarians side.
Lima Sopoaga (2005-2009), current Highlanders and
Wellington Lions 1st Five, returned to the College to
present his younger brother Zek (left) and fellow front
row team mate Eti Sului (right) with their third 1st XV
Cap. Zek is the third Sopoaga to captain the 1st XV (and
there is still one more to go).
(L-R): Wellington College supporters, Brian Hastings, Hugh Perrett, 1st XV Coach Lincoln Rawles delivering his half-time talk, Malcolm Perrett and Mike Phillips
Bristol swoop for Willie Helu
C
hampionship English Club Bristol
have confirmed the capture of
Tonga international Willie Hulu
(1999-2004). The 25-year-old winger,
who can also play in midfield, is an
Old Boy of Wellington College but
has been plying his trade in Europe
for the past two seasons after joining
Grenoble in 2009 before moving
on to Rugby Roma in 2011. However, he is now
bound for the Memorial Ground and is expected
to link up with his team-mates shortly.
I'm really looking forward to joining up with
Bristol, he said. It's a club with a great history
and big ambitions. I hope that I can
contribute all that I can both on and
off the field.
Bristol head coach Liam Middleton
is in no doubt that Willie has what
it takes to make a big impact in the
English game. Will has experience
at international and European
club level, bringing with him some very good
attacking and defensive qualities, he said. The
values and characteristics he exhibits will suit
the Bristol culture and he will add real quality
and competition to our backline.
I
At last... #33
t's been a few years since Wellington College
last had an All Black on the field but when
Dane Coles (2004), the 25-year-old Wellington
hooker (and one of two new caps in the 32-man
end-of-year tour squad) gets his chance, he will
become the College's 33rd All Black.
His selection is a victory for
perseverance coming five years
after his provincial debut
and after three long seasons
in the shadow of All Black
incumbent Andrew Hore at
the Hurricanes.
Congratulations Dane!
49
Sport News
Waddle reaches 200 not out
E
ditor of the Wellington
newspaper, Joseph Romanos
talks to cricket broadcaster Bryan
Waddle (1962-1965) about working
in a bank, Richard Hadlee's world
record and the Basin Reserve.
still remember how wonderfully he
described Rodney Redmond hitting
Majid Khan for five successive
boundaries at Eden Park: He's
working him around the clock.
Iain Gallaway had a conservative
middle-of-the-road style, but was
masterful with his subtle humour
and powers of description.
Weren't you a Karori boy?
Yes, Karori West to be exact, and
then Wellington College.
Who were your contemporaries at
College?
Keith Quinn, Onny Parun and David
Howman were there with me.
Graeme Moody was a couple of
years behind.
Did you make the 1st XI?
I had some games for the firsts, trying to be a
batsman.
What about afterwards?
I played for Karori for four years, and got into
the seniors, then moved to Collegians.
Where did you work before you became a
broadcaster?
For the ANZ Bank. Enjoyed it, too, but it was the
start of the computer era and the job stopped
being about people.
What turned you to broadcasting?
A group of us used to drink at the Britt in Willis
St, and we'd mix with the guys from the Sports
Post and some broadcasters. Then there was
the broadcasting split, when everyone had to
decide whether to stay with radio or go with
television. It created some vacancies at radio,
so I applied and, after an audition, got a job.
Working where?
I worked for 2ZB sport. I loved it, covering
a range of sports, reading the sports news,
presenting sports shows.
How did you come to specialise in cricket?
It was gradual. When 21, it started when
Trevor Rigby and Noel Lawson were the local
commentators. Then I'd get the odd test, mainly
doing news reports and interviews. I became
a more full-time commentator in 1984, on
the New Zealand tour to Pakistan. But it was,
and still is, more than just commentating. I do
previews, interviews at the end of the day, news
reports.
Do you get sick of touring?
I don't like the hotels and being on planes.
That's very draining. But I still love cricket —
50
watching, talking to players and coaches and
others in the media.
Do you get on well with players, even if you're
critical of them?
Sometimes things get frosty for a week or two,
but I haven't really had too many problems.
Players are always welcome to have something
out with me. I'll defend my position if I can, or
I'll maybe see it from another perspective.
Some of our players have been rather
individualistic. Did you get on with Turner and
Hadlee, for example?
I always got on well with Hadlee. With Turner
it took a wee while, but I have really enjoyed,
talking cricket with him.
Some commentators plan certain lines when
they know a big moment is coming, like
winning a World Cup or the America's Cup. Do
you do that?
Not much. I like the spontaneity. I had a few
ideas about what I wanted to say
when Hadlee got his 374th
test wicket in India, the world
record. But at the time I was
watching the game through
the legs of a bloke holding two
wires together over my head,
and was talking into a tape
recorder. I didn't even know
if we'd fixed our technical
problems and I was on air, but
I wanted to record the moment.
Hence the tape recorder.
Who have been some of the good
commentators you've worked
with?
Alan Richards was the No
1 when I on the scene. He
was strong and forthright. I
You became associated with
Jeremy Coney and John Parker.
At that time, a team of specialist
commentators was sent to each
big game. We got on well. I really
enjoyed working with them.
Coney was very clever with words
and Parker was drier and very
observant.
You must have learnt a bit over years?
You start out and think you know a lot, but the
longer I've gone on, the more I’ve realised how
little I knew about cricket. I’m not so adamant
or black and white these days. Talking to
knowledgeable commentators in Australia and
England and to good players gives you much
more insight into the game.
What have been some memorable moments?
Winning the test in Hobart at the end of last
year was a big one. I wasn't at the Oval in 1999
when we won the series against England. I
came home after the World Cup that year, so
missed the test series. I was listening on the
radio in the middle of the night and was very
touched when Chris Cairns, in the euphoria of
victory, sent out a special greeting to Bryan
Waddle, who’d like to have been with us today.
The 1992 World Cup, when New Zealand played
so well, was another great time.
What's your favourite ground?
Do you need ask! The Basin Reserve, a true
cricket ground. I love the vibrancy and
intimacy, with every part of the game. My
father was the public address announcer
back in the 1970s, and my mother did the
catering — she once told off Jeremy Coney
for taking four potatoes one lunchtime. The
ground has great memories for me.
Milestones in cricket come and go and
some mean more than others, but when
New Zealand played South Africa in
March at the Basin Reserve, it was
Bryan’s 200th Test broadcast - a
magnificent effort from lifelong
devotee of the game.
Sport News
The Football Boys:
the story of Association Football at Wellington College
I
n the June 2012 Lamp Post, the Wellington
College Football Club (‘Soccer’) announced
that it was embarking on The Football Boys:
the story of association football at Wellington
College. The WCFC committee updates their
progress.
Thanks to the considerable assistance of the
many Old Boys interested in Football (soccer),
the ‘Football Boys’ project has got off to a great
start. We soon realised that the best initial
vehicle for this history is the internet. This
enables the maximum possible interaction with
Old Boys and other members of the Wellington
College Football community. It also ensures we
quickly accumulate information on key events
involving the ‘Football Boys’.
The possibility of a book type publication has
not been totally discounted but that does come
at great expense and the electronic approach
is a much more inclusive and relevant for
today. Therefore, armed with a copy of every
Wellingtonian since 1946 (the year Football
officially came to Wellington College), we have
commenced decade by decade tables of the
key Wellington College football events of every
year. These have been complemented by media
cuttings and from information sent in by Old
Boys and former coaches and officials.
In addition to these tables, we have added two
special sections: The New Plymouth Traditional
and a record of the twelve known Wellington
College ‘All Whites’.
We quickly discovered that 2012 is the
Diamond Jubilee (sixty years) of the first
Football traditional against New Plymouth Boys’
High School. This has been played every year
since 1952 and has survived teachers’ strikes,
flooded grounds and delayed train journeys.
Wellington College won this year’s Jubilee
match 1-0 in a very evenly contested encounter
on the Sir Ron Brierley Turf.
A brief account of every one of these matches
is on the History website. In the 61 Traditionals
of this series, Wellington College has won 38,
Boys’ High 13 with 10 drawn. The biggest margin
recorded was the 8 - 0 victory by NPBHS in 1963
at Kelburn Park although 1963 Wellington College
1st XI player, Hugh Webber is certain his team
scored from a Chris Jacobsen direct corner so
when sufficient evidence is unearthed it may be
1 - 8!
The section on the NPBHS Traditional
has created great interest. Michael
Clements proudly advises he still has a
copy of the programme for the 1953 encounter
in which he played. The 1957 encounter was
at Athletic Park and was the curtain raiser
for a ‘Test’between the All Whites and FC
Austria. Wally O’Donnell emailed in with fine
memories of the Wellington College 2-1 victory
that day. He was being modest as the match
report reveals his goal was a key moment in
Wellington College’s success.
1958 1st XI vice captain Robert (‘RAB’) Bruce
well remembers the trip and match at New
Plymouth and the fine hospitality of their hosts.
The New Plymouth Girls’ High School Boarding
House organised an after-match dance for
both teams with the Wellington College
coach (staff member KV Bliss) reporting in the
Wellingtonian, the boys soon forgot how tired
they were! Rab’s friend and fellow 1st’s team
mate, Stephen Turnovsky, emailed in from the
United States where he has resided for many
years. He vividly recalls both the New Plymouth
trip and the challenges of the training ground
‘up top on Mount Victoria’ that Wellington
College footballers had to endure.
The first three Wellington College Old Boys
to play in an official ‘A Football international’
(the matches recognised by FIFA) - James
Kershaw (1920-1924), Pat Harris (19311934) and Rex Boyes (1930-1934) were all at
College in the pre ‘Football Club’ days. The first
Wellington College ‘All White’ who actually
played for Wellington College was Alan Preston
(1946-1950) and he was followed, as an A
international, by Steve Bruce, (1963-67) Dave
Burgess (1976-1980) and Mark Clare (1984
-1988) who, like Alan, were all 1st XI captains.
for the 2006 Lampstand and this also was
very informative. Having based our approach
on Football formally commencing in 1946
we actually were given a fright. A number of
committee members were rather perplexed by
a photo in the Lifts’ of the lobby of the Tower
Block at the school.
Headed 1883 Wellington College Football
Team, it was of 16 boys (about the number
in a modern 1st XI squad) in sports gear with
what some reckoned was the ‘Keeper holding
a round ball’ A quick call to College archivist
Paddianne Neely uncovered that the Rugby XVs
of that era were known as the football teams
and while the ball was indeed quite round
– that was a consequence of a pigs bladder
being used! Paddianne checked the names on
the photo and they were indeed of the rugby
variety. So, at this stage, history has not had to
be reinvented.
Once the decade tables and the special
sections have been completed, we will focus
on providing links to informative articles
supporting the entries in the primary web
pages. Those wanting to view the story, so
far, simply need to Google Wellington College
Football Club History or link to: https://sites.
google.com/a/wellington-college.school.nz/
football-club/special-events
We welcome all comments, contributions and
corrections to robnrosie@xtra.co.nz
Rob Greenfield, Past Chair, WCFC
In the golden decade of the 1990s, five
Wellington College students who played for
various Wellington College 1st XIs coached by
Ross Durant (staff from 1981) were, collectively,
to later play nearly 200 A internationals for
the ‘All Whites’. The ‘famous five’: Mark
Burton, Simon Elliott, Duncan Oughton, Tim
Brown and Leo Bertos are amongst the most
significant footballers to represent our country.
Their names live on in Wellington College
Football as all have Wellington College Grade
14 teams named after them. The website has
links to profiles of all the Wellington College All
Whites and these will shortly be updated.
Old Boy, Colin Chin (1956) referred us to an
article he wrote for the tenth anniversary of
Football at the College and this has given
us some great information about the
pre 1946 years. John Taylor (1945-49)
had already written an excellent piece
Alan Preston (1946-1950),
Wellington College’s 1st All White (1954)
51
Old Boys in the News
At home on land and water
T
he world’s first high-speed sports amphibian
– the GIBBS Quadski - will go on sale in the
United States next month.
The dream of two visionary entrepreneurs,
years of development work in the United
States, New Zealand and the UK, and millions
of research dollars, the GIBBS high-speed
amphibian will be produced at a 5,016 sq m
assembly plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
An entirely new form of transportation for U.S.
consumers, the Quadski is capable of reaching
speeds of 72kmh on both land and water and
transitions between both in five seconds or
less.
Introduced at a Gibbs Sports Amphibian press
conference in Detroit by Alan Gibbs (19531956), the company’s founder, and Neil Jenkins,
its chairman, the Quadski is equipped with a
175-horsepower BMW Motorrad engine and
transmission. With the press of a button, its
wheels retract when entering the water and
deploy when approaching land.
Jenkins told reporters in Detroit that Quadski
will retail for about US$40,000 (NZ$49,151)
when introduced in November. The company
expects to have more than 20 dealership
locations in place within the next 12 months,
primarily in the Midwest, New York, Texas and
the southeastern United States.
The GIBBS amphibian weighs 580kg, is
equipped with a 57ltr fuel tank and will be
available in five colours – red, yellow, blue,
silver and black. Suggested retail pricing and
details about GIBBS’ dealer network will be
announced prior to public introduction in midNovember.
All our amphibious projects since 1997
represents an investment of more than
$200-million and two-million man hours of
work over a period of 15 years, said Alan Gibbs.
With the introduction of Quadski next month,
our dream of providing high-speed amphibian
transportation to consumers will become a
reality.
GIBBS has more than 300 patents and patents
pending on its High Speed Amphibian (HSA)
technology for consumer, commercial and firstresponder use.
It’s been a long, uphill battle, but clearly worth
the effort, said Alan. Quadski will pave the way
for a host of other HSAs for consumers, sports
enthusiasts, law enforcement agencies, first
52
responders and other
commercial enterprises.
Jenkins noted that Gibbs
Sports Amphibians
expects to add a total of
more than 200 jobs at
its Auburn Hills facilities
on Brown Road and its
new assembly plant at
50 Corporate Drive in
the next 12 months. At
maximum capacity, the
plant will be capable
of producing 20 units
per hour. The company
currently has 100
Michigan employees.
Although Quadski initially
will be available for sale
only in the US, we expect
to find a ready market for
it in Europe, Latin America
and elsewhere around the
world in 2014 and beyond,
Alan added.
The new HSA’s BMW
four-cylinder, water-cooled engine is
considered the lightest power plant in its
segment and features electronic fuel injection,
a double-overhead camshaft and dry-sump
lubrication. GIBBS spent more than 18 months
and 75,000 engineering man hours to pair
BMW’s Motorrad powertrain to its high-tech
amphibian system.
We’ve created an entirely new power-sports
category with our patented HSA technology.
Quadski is especially designed for families and
individuals who enjoy the outdoors, watersports,
off-road travel, hunting and fishing, said
Jenkins. It offers premium power-sports buyers
a combination of power, safety, comfort and
versatility that has never been
available before.
Designed to meet
applicable state
and federal safety
requirements, the
Quadski is 10.5 feet in
overall length; 1.5m in
width, and 1.3m in height
with a wheelbase of 1.7m.
It initially will be offered for
use by one person.
• About Gibbs Sports
Amphibians
Gibbs Sports Amphibians, Inc. (GIBBS) has
pioneered in the development of its High Speed
Amphibian Technology to create the world’s
first sports amphibian to operate at high
speeds on both land and water. The privately
held company, founded by Alan Gibbs with
Neil Jenkins in 1997, consists of two divisions
– Gibbs Sports Amphibians, Inc., which designs
and manufactures consumer sports amphibians
such as the Quadski, and Gibbs Amphitrucks
Inc., which builds commercial amphibians for
first responder and military applications. Based
in Auburn Hills, Mich., GIBBS currently has
more than 100 employees. More information
about GIBBS and its HSA technology can be
found at www.gibbssports.com.
A man who in his twenties dared to take on
the cosy club of import licence-holders who
controlled the New Zealand car industry by
building his own car for commercial production
was always going to be someone to watch.
Who could have picked, however, back in the
early 1970s, that this young engineer would
one day persuade Sir Richard Branson
to zip across the English channel in his
amphibious car, the Aquada. The life of
businessman, inventor, merchant banker,
philanthropist, art collector, adventurer
and inveterate traveller Alan Gibbs has
been far from ordinary.
Serious Fun - The Life and Times of Alan
Gibbs is out now and available in all
good book shops.
Old Boys in the News
First civil union at Parliament 'fitting'
have their relationship acknowledged legally,
Piri would prefer to be married. It's like we
don't deserve it, we're something lesser. It's
discriminating. There's no real reason to deny
us the same basic rights.
They walked down the aisle together in
matching tuxedos to Somewhere Over the
Rainbow with six ‘groomsmaids’, two best men
and a flower girl.
P
iri Norris (2001-2005) and Justin Elder made
history when they tied the knot in the first
civil ceremony at Parliament.
Sir Elton John politely turned down an
invitation, but there were a number of MPs
among the 180 guests watching the husbandsto-be share their vows.
The Wellington men's whirlwind romance
began a little over a year ago after they first laid
eyes on each other at the gym.
I was too shy to talk to him, then he finally
plucked up the courage to come up to me and
say something, said Piri, who now works for the
Victorian Premier. They began planning their
$20,000 ceremony four months ago before
their wedding after a casual proposal. We were
having a discussion about it and we thought
that's something that could be for us, Justin
said. [Justin is an Old Boy of Otago Boys’ High
School].
Justin, 28, who until recently, worked as an
executive assistant to National MP Sandra
Goudie, was granted permission by the Speaker
of the House to hold the civil union in the
Legislative Council Chamber. Only current MPs
or parliamentary staff can get married or hold a
civil union at Parliament.
Both men ‘came out’ when they were 19 after
knowing for years they were ‘different’.Their
families took a bit of time to get used to their
sexuality but were part of the ceremony.
The pair approached former Wellington mayor
Kerry Prendergast to be their celebrant for the
historic occasion as she officiated the first civil
union in the country six years ago.
Two wedding cakes – one chocolate, one fruit
and both gluten-free – were made by Justin's
mum and sister and took pride of place at their
reception.
Having the ceremony at the place people had
fought for gay rights was symbolic for the pair.
After their honeymoon spent travelling around
the South Island with six friends from Australia,
the pair will spend some time in Melbourne
before going to live in London.
The Dominion Post
While both were glad they could express
their love in front of family and friends and
Welcome Back to Wellington College
Old Boys are most welcome to visit the College
at any time and don’t necessarily need to wait
until a reunion or similar occasion.
We suggest you call or email first to set a date
and time so we can make sure you receive the
‘royal
treatment’ to coincide with an Assembly,
LEFT: Fellow class mates of Class of 1989 (L-R): John Roache, Tai Moananu and Lester Lualua spent the afternoon at
a
visit
to the Archives, a tour of the College and
Wellington College, meeting former staff and taking a trip down memory lane as they explored the their old school.
perhaps even a cup of tea with the Headmaster.
RIGHT: Proud grandad, Peter Davenport (1946-1950) paid a visit to the College and managed to gather his four
grandsons who are current students (L-R): Peter with Jack Hocking, Henry Hocking, Ted Taylor and Rufus DavenportThomas. Another grandson, Luca Davenport-Thomas is due to start at the College in 2014.
Telephone: 04 802 2537
or Email: oldboys@wc.school.nz
53
Your Letters
I
took my family to Auckland and
I transferred to the Auckland
Grammar School. Grammar
also had a Cadet Battalion so I
was able to continue my cadet
military career, eventually
becoming Instructor Sergeant
Major in the NCO Training Unit
and Battalion Quartermaster
Sergeant Major in the Battalion.
I made the 1st XI Hockey during
my last two years at Grammar.
I also became a School Prefect.
I have sometimes wondered if
any of the Grammar School third
formers regarded me with the
same awe with which I held Eric
Flaws - I think not !
have recently had time to read
and enjoy The Lampstand issue
No 21 of October 2011 and feel
impelled to write to you.
In February 1939, as a very
immature 13-year-old I made my
start at Wellington College in the
Mod 3B form. After having been
initiated in the customary manner
of the day, one of my earliest
memories is that of assembling
in the wonderful old Memorial
Hall. On to the platform strode
a ‘giant’ with very hairy legs - he
was of course none other than
Eric ‘Fanny’ Flaws, Head Prefect.
He was to me a ‘god like’ figure
and I am saddened to note
that he recently passed away.
I am sure they have ‘broken
the mould’ there will never be
another! I regret that I never had
the opportunity of meeting up
with Eric in post war days.
I also note with sadness the passing of the
internationally famous ballet dancer Alexander
Grant. Alec as we knew him, was my classmate in
each of his College years 1939 - 1941. I remember
him as being well liked in class and in our eyes
already a champion dancer. We watched with
wonder at what he could do on stage. Alec usually
rode his push bike to school and he was a sight
to behold as no one rode a bike quite like Alec - it
was truly an art form.
Another vivid memory was the arrival of the
ten wartime evacuees from Britain. I well
remember the faces of the ten boys pictured in
The Lampstand. By 1940 I had progressed to form
Mod 4A and I am pretty sure Bor, Mawson and
Stuart were with us in this class, if not in this class
certainly in Mod 5A in 1941. They were all well
ahead of us in the mastery of the French language.
Several of us would take one or two of these
boys down to the Cricket Pavilion at lunchtime
to assist us with our homework. French Master,
‘Loony Mac’ was stunned with our apparent rapid
and unexpected linguistic improvement - when
he discovered the real reason for our progress
he took appropriate action by doubling up our
homework exercises.
Barracks week also brings back memories - of
chaffed upper legs from those rough unlined khaki
shorts and blistered feet from the issue socks
which had no feet in them. In 1939, the Battalion
had an armoury stocked with 1914 -18 vintage 303
rifles. These soon disappeared when WWII broke
out as did the felt lemon squeezer hats with which
we had been issued. It appears as though these
hats never came back, as glengarry bonnets can
clearly be seen worn in the published photograph
of the 1955 ‘final’ parade. I was a keen cadet,
became a ‘Marksman’, won the Colonel Powell
trophy for rifle shooting (photo enclosed) and
was selected for NCO training. Toward the end of
1941 (my Mod 5A year), wartime considerations
54
Finally let me say that I greatly
value my years at each of two of
New Zealand's finest Secondary
Schools.
I belong to the Old Boy Associations of each.
I attend WCOB Auckland Branch functions
whenever I can. These functions are now held
in the Grammar Old Boys' Pavilion, located in
the grounds of the Grammar School so you will
understand that I feel ‘doubly at home’ when I
attend an OB function. I am quite well known to
Headmaster Roger Moses, who is himself an Old
Boy of Auckland Grammar and taught one of my
sons during his teaching years at Grammar.
I trust this wonderful Lampstand magazine will
continue in future years and enclose a small
donation in the hope that it will.
Lumen Accipe et Imperti • Per Angusta ad Augusta
John Kernohan (1939-1941), Auckland
W
ith regards to the item at the bottom of page
45 of the 2011 Lampstand, on Sam Meads
Way - Kuranui College opened in 1960 with
Sam Meads as its foundation Principal. He made
a huge impression on the school and community
and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a double
entendre in the street name - there would have
been only one way to do things at the college, ie
the Sam Meads way!
Stafford Smith, (1953-1957), Hamilton
Sam Meads’ daughter, Diana popped over to Greytown
to take the above photo of ‘Sam Meads Way’ for
inclusion in The Lampstand.
Please remember to send us your news.
Y
ou featured some photos I sent of one of two
buildings in an earlier Lampstand. The second
is a dormitory here where a number of new
dormitories were named after former Principals
when the Institution was Vudal College. I was
the last before it became Vudal University and
then the University of Natural Resources and
Environment. I am in the process of completing
a small book with some of the stories of my life.
I will of course send you a copy and perhaps you
might advertise it a little. More about that later.
I am still Dean of the School of Natural Resources
of the PNG University of Natural Resources and
Environment (Vudal). My work is interesting
and useful and, what is more, it seems to be
appreciated.
I have the two buildings named for me and in
2011, I was invested with the insignia of an Officer
of the Order of Logohu in the Papua New Guinea
New Year Honours. Logohu is the Motuan word
for the iconic Bird of Paradise and the Order of
Logohu is the principal of the Orders of Papua
New Guinea. The citation read: For public service
through his significant contribution to agricultural
research, development and extension, particularly
in livestock production, his teaching role at the
Vudal University and UPNG and as the Livestock
Adviser and Chief Scientist at the National
(Agricultural) Research Institute.
I have a Papua New Guinean partner Jane, and a
two-year-old son Leslie, named after you know
who. Longevity is a wonderful thing.
My sister Marion has given much of my and our
Dad’s memorabilia to Paddianne.
Dr Alan R. Quartermain OL (1949-1953), PNG
I
t was nice of the WCOBA to once again produce
(and post) The Lampstand, especially when I
found a small biography on another Old Boy,
Brian Sutton-Smith who was a University Blue in
1946.
Although I am probably the only one (to date)
who has written a History of Football at the
College (that was actually written and published in
the Wellingtonian for 1956) - the only year I was at
Dufferin Street, before I returned to Invercargill,
but not before I was elected 3SC Form Captain.
Unbeknown to me, Brian actually preceded the
introduction of Football (It was in 1947) at the
College (1939-41), so he must have played club
football all those years! In fact, Football had its
very beginnings in Wellington at the College for
the simple reason that there were no suitable
grounds back in 1890-91, and Wellington College
was the place of the very first soccer games! In
those days, there was Swifts, Diamonds and I
think, the Petone Clubs only!
I remember Brian well, as he was my first and
only football coach, passing on the first tactical
knowledge of playing the year before when
I was in the 1st XI for Kelburn Normal School
Your Letters
(who played in the midweek Primary Schools
competition). I do recall him turning up from the
Teachers’ Training College which situated then on
the opposite side of the street of Kelburn School.
Then, NZ clubs and players had no coaching as
such - and only enjoyment and the need to be
competitive taught us boys as players to try and
master much needed skills, so that Brian’s bio
showed that he understood what was meant as
‘play theory’. No wonder!
Football coaching finally arrived in New Zealand
in 1965 when the NZFA appointed Yugoslav, Lou
Brocic as a National coach. Soccer coaching finally
became more organised. I was very fortunate to
travel with him around the North Island, when
he was purely a part-time coach but he explained
to me the set-up in his country which under
the Communist Marshall Tito saw the centre of
Balkans survive the years of Hitler’s Nazism and
World War II. Players there either played for
the Army, Navy or Air Force until they reached
their early 30s, and then could move abroad
to join Western European clubs as professional
footballers.
The chairman of the NZFA was then Mr R S (Bob)
Smith, brother of G W (Gordon) Smith, one-time
national Selector and NZ international centreforward. His one and only son, Stuart Smith
graduated from Rongotai College but is one of
many badged NZFA coaches who emerged, but
told me that while at College, he injured his
knee but Brocic helped treat that injury, such
was his extensive knowledge of football medical
problems!
I first came across Brian Sutton-Smith gaining
his NZU Blue for football, as he was listed as a
recipient in the 60th Anniversary edition of NZFA
named ‘Association Football in New Zealand’ - a
bible for anyone studying the History of Soccer
here in NZ. Little did I know that I was to come
across him, later that year when attending Kelburn
Normal School!
Michael Groot, David Hurley, David Kelsey and
Justice Andrew McGechan, were all footballers
also at the College from Kelburn Normal School,
but we were all in different Form 3 classes! As
well as Brian Rosenburg, James McIntosh and
Peter Stokes (later Head Prefect) from the Kelburn
School cricket side. James and Andrew later both
sought the high echelons of Harvard University
College after Lower 6th, so Brian Sutton-Smith was
in good company.
Colin Chin (1956), Invercargill
W
hen my parson father was transferred from
Cambridge to Wellington in May 1935, my two
years and one term at Hamilton High School
ended and my two terms at Wellington College
began. The break in my education was disturbing
– new classmates, new textbooks and mid-city
travel. At HHS, I had been a train boy; every
morning we arrived on trains from north, south
and east to enjoy the status of Hamilton High, a
mixed-sex school where segregation was total.
Form 5B at Wellington College was my
destination. The boys were a bright lot, one of
whom was Dick Barrett.
Dick Barrett and I met again seven years later in
1942, in the flyers’ meeting-place of the Tartan
Dive of the Sussex Hotel, a short walk from the
New Zealand Services Club in Charing Cross Road,
London. I was a naval airman in training. He was
superbly outfitted in RAF blue, wearing the foreand-aft cap preferred by ‘the fighter boys’.
(dear old Bill), that I really shouldn’t be there as
it was a College for gentlemen. He might have
had something there, as baked beans on dry
bread and golden syrup on a crust as a daily lunch
didn’t make for a Richie McCaw or Dan Carter. I
spent my years in C and D forms, but got School
Certificate and moved on to a tyre repair outfit for
15/- (about $3) for a 44 hour week.
My dad got me an apprenticeship at William
Cable Ltd, a ship repair firm, where I was when
war broke out. The whole firm was manpowered
and never looked back. Everybody worked
huge amounts of overtime There’s a war on you
Naturally we talked about flying and he kept me in !@$%%&*& well know. Men and boys frequently
awe of his experiences in the Battle of Britain. Dick worked 36-48 and even 72 hours without sleep as
troopships could only stop two-three days. It was
was eventually killed in action after 151 sorties
not uncommon to work six – nine weeks without
on fighter patrols and ground attack missions.
a day off. To cut a long story short, I subsequently
151! The mind boggles – why had he not been
worked up to Foreman of the Machine Shop
permanently transferred to second-line duties?
and alternatively the Fitters Shop (80 men and
Dick must have had breaks from combat flying and boys) and left after the war for Shell Oil as a
superintendent. They moved us to Auckland and
I suspect that he insisted on returning to ground
a year later we would have been moved back,
attack operations, in which skilled German antiso I left and went to work for Masons, working
aircraft fire was notably effective.
with flexible abrasives, metal spray and grit blast
pumps but subsequently moved out on my own
Ironically, my final role in the Fleet Air Arm flying
in steam regulator work. I continued at this until
was ground attack against Japanese airfields, in
I was 84 when my son took over the business.
support of the US invasion of Okinawa, south of
I have enjoyed fairly good health till now and
the Japanese mainland. On my last flight, a lightbefore recent hospitalisation, did the shopping
calibre shell hit my cockpit, inches away from my
and helped around the house.
head. A block of armour-plated glass saved me.
Ray Richards (1935), Auckland
D
ear Brian (Smythe), [WCOBA President].
I enclose a few things which I believe the
Archivist for Wellington College may
be interested in. They belonged to my
father, William Ernest Fauquhar who
died in March this year at the age
of 97. He was very fond of his
Wellington College blazer
but as you will see it has
definitely seen better days.
It was often used as a dress up
item and matched with a dreadful
ginger wig to liven up family
parties.
I hope also to find some more photos as I go
through Dad’s huge supply of albums so if I find
anything relevant I will send them. Dad was an
avid self-taught photographer so it may take me a
while to go through them all.
Jane Bealing, Nelson
M
any thanks to whoever sent me the annual
Lampstand recently. As we have lived in
Auckland for about 48 years, I have not taken
a more than cursory interest in the old ‘Alma
Mater’ but pleased to hear it is doing well.
I attended Wellington College from 1933-1937
emerging slowly from the Great Depression
amid frequent borrowings from the local church
mouse and told not infrequently by WA Armour
I am now 92, my wife 88 and we both drive and
care for our semi-invalid daughter. Thanks again
for the magazine which brings back many pleasant
memories.
Cedric Willson, (1933-1937), Auckland
M
y wife died a few years ago and I have not
been so well - in and out of Hastings and
Waipukurau Hospitals over a long period. I
moved to Carterton Retirement Home to be near
my son and family. I have been here for about a
year and have only got around to writing now.
I was at Firth House 1937-1940, and a Prefect in
1940. My parents and I were long-time friends
of the Jones family who owned the large ‘Bon
Marche’ department store in Hastings and at the
time, Stuart Jones was sent down to Firth House
in 1938. As a 14-year-old, I was given the task of
keeping my eye on him – he was quite a character
at Mahora Primary in Hastings. He became the
family director of the Men’s and Boy's Clothing
department – I had opened my Men’s and Boy's
clothing shop in Waipukurau and we often met up
while on buying trips.
Friends in Hastings sent me several cuttings of
Stuart’s death and I thought the College may
be interested – Stuart would have been one of
Hawkes Bays most famous men.
A while ago, Stuart got in touch with me to say he
saw a story on TV and he thought he should know
this person. I did a bit of research of my 19381940 Wellingtonians and in the College Tennis
pages were photos of the title winners. Stuart
55
Your Letters
had won the Junior Doubles and his partner was
his TV enquiry. His name was Brian Boyes later to
become the famous NZ Heart Specialist Sir Brian
Barrett Boyes.
It is now interesting to think that two Wellington
College boys became famous in New Zealand at
the same time – one in medicine and one in sport.
On the cover of the 2010 Lampstand is a photo of
four of us with boater hats taken with my camera.
(L-R) is WA (Bill) Simpson who went on to
Duntroon Military College and eventually retired
after doing a lot of work for the retired nations
– he retired as a NZ Army Colonel. AB (Bruce)
Glengarry joined up with the Fleet Air Arm when
he tuned 18. Later Bruce, after some training in
the USA transferred to the NZ Army and served in
the Italian Campaign. He returned and became
an architect. HW (Bill) Strang was from Waipawa.
He worked in a bank and at 18 joined the Army,
later serving in Italy. On his return, he worked for
the CHB Press and Printing Co. A very fine pianist,
he had his own orchestra and played for many fine
events.
And me, Duncan Hyde - born in Wairoa and
schooled at Mahora in Hastings. I started work in
1941 at the Stock and Station firm Murray Roberts
and Co office. The Japanese came into the war at
the end of 1941 and at 18, I joined the Air Force.
I returned after four years in Canada then
joined the RNZAF as a Wireless/Air Gunner on
Sunderland Flying Boats with the RAF in Scotland,
the Indian Ocean and 209 Squadron near
Rangoon, Burma. Upon my return, I opened a
Menswear Shop in Waipukurau which I ran for 42
years and was a Life Member of the Hawkes Bay
Retailers Association. All four of us in the photo
were schooled in the Hawkes Bay for our primary
education and went through the 1931 earthquake.
I have just retired as a JP and had a nice letter
from the Ministry of Justice thanking me for 45
years’ service of Court work and general JP duties.
Duncan Hyde (1937-1940) OSJ, JP, Carterton
S
awasdee-khrab Khun Pallin (Mike Pallin, former
Deputy Principal).
I write to acknowledge the receipt of the
Lampstand No. 21. Thanks very much for
forwarding the said magazine to me, as you
promised.
It took me some time to write because we were
caught in the recent flood ordeal during the
course of which we had to move house to outside
of Bangkok twice during October and November
while I remained behind alone to mind the house
- during which time I had to monitor the flood
situation day-by-day and, at times, hour-by-hour.
All that had now come to pass and we, I and
my family, were very lucky to have escaped the
wrath of the flooding unscathed, both bodily and
property-wise.
56
As to the magazine, I was surprised to find the
story and photo of my visit so quickly. Even so
more surprising was the receipt about a week ago
of an e-mail from a long-lost school friend, from
Israel, from my 5th form Jewish friend, Michael
Kuttner, a Second World War refugee, who grew
up and lived in NZ until about 15 years ago when
he went to Israel. He received the magazine, saw
my photo and story, and received my address from
your office. So it was all very gratifying as I had
been wondering right through all these years as to
what had become of him. Thanks goodness I had
found him or, rather, he had found me, at last.
Nikhom Tantemsapya (1957-1959), Thailand
I
always read the annual issues of the Lampstand
with interest, but I was particularly interested
in the letter from Brian Sutton-Smith, and the
biographical notes on page 69 in the 2011 issue.
The controversy over the Our Street stories is
probably difficult to comprehend now with more
than 60 years hindsight, but it was clearly topical
in 1949/50. So much so that the publishers of
Our Street in 1950 (AH &AW Reed), considered it
necessary to precede the ten Our Street stories
by a ‘Publisher’s Note’ and four chapters entitled
The Background of Our Street; an Appraisement of
Our Street; For Parents and Teachers; and For Boys
and Girls, the latter two chapters written by the
author. In the For Parents and Teachers chapter,
the author states, As I finished each chapter, I read
it to some children I knew and we talked it over
together.
I was privileged to have Brian Sutton-Smith as my
teachers in Standard 3, 1948 at Brooklyn School,
and I remembered the stories being read to the
class. We enjoyed the stories and
were able to identify
with them. We were
of course, not aware
of the controversy
which followed their
publication in the NZ
School Journal in 1949.
I have copies of both Our
Street and Smitty does
a Bunk. At the time of
writing (January 2012), I
notice that a second-hand
bookshop in Wellington has
a copy of Our Street, original
marked price 8/6, for sale at
$125.00.
Tom Sydall (1952-1956), Western Australia
E
arlier this year, I had four of my cricket poems
and my cricket poetry anthology, A Tingling
Catch, included in the NZ Cricket Museum at
the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The poems are
part of a new touch screen interactive display
incorporating players, broadcasters, cricket music,
comedy and poetry.
I also came across the following poem by Ronald
B Castle while reading the 5,000 books he and
others have collected at the Poetry Archive of
New Zealand Aotearoa (PANZA) in Dr Niel Wright’s
weatherproof two-car garage in Northland,
Wellington. Mr Castle (1907-1984), a local
Wellington chemist, writer and musician, created
a pharmacy museum in the 1970s. He was an
Old Boy of Wellington College and attended after
WWI. Several of his teachers including Alfred
Caddick are in the poem. Caddick was a rugby and
cricket player and coached the Wellington College
1st XV, that was undefeated during his coaching
tenure, according to his Obituary in the Evening
Post.
Castle’s poem is an elegant evocation of school
days at Wellington College, where On summery
days on the green, white-flannelled cricketers
batted. As an Old Boy of the school, I very much
enjoyed Castle’s poem.
Man in the Faded Blazer
Weary, kindly old gentleman ambling slowly the
pavement,
That black blazer you wear speaks of collegiate
days;
Lamp that eternally burns, in orange embroidery
gleaming,
Still have you treasured from youth, braving the
fugitive years.
Know that I, too, at the back of some drawer filled
with odd trifles,
Found my tattered old cap, fronted by orange
lamp.
What are your memories, leaping the chasm of
the relentless
Onward-hastening days? Sit you again at the
desk
Watching the black board where geometric
angles and circles
Drawn with chalk-scratching sound,
kind ‘Garry’ Lomas defined?
Or under Welsh Mr Jones gowned in
immaculate neatness,
Drilled with phonetic symbols, could
we ‘assassinate’ spell?
Learnt we from sad Alexander the rich
Ovidian sweetness
Ere he, dying too soon, boarded
Charonian barge?
And what shall be said of the Master
declaiming passionate verses,
Still ignoring his wound, late from
the trenches returned?
Lover of beauty immortal, and England’s sonorous
language,
Fired he many a youth, taught him poetical craft.
Now unremembered be good Monsieur Balham,
tutor,
With Gallic accent pure, gesticulating hands,
Coaxing unlikely lads from that ‘plume de ma
tante’, still missing,
On to noble Racine, chansons of dark Baudelaire.
What nauseous fumes emitted the attic science
research room!
Your Letters
Bubbled the glass retorts, Bunsen burners upflared,
Dangerous phosphorous retrieved from water
exploded like fireworks;
Through the microscope tube we viewed the
structure of worlds.
Still stands the observatory dome on the hillock
behind the College,
Where Doctor Gifford grave, his counter-poised
telescope swung,
Sweeping the heavens antipodean, to pupils
revealing
Stars in endless space, galactic Milky Ways?
On summery days on the green, white-flannelled
cricketers batted,
Or on the tennis courts with resonant racquets
smote:
While in the blue-tiled baths naked forms were
swimming,
And from the music-room came brass and
cymbals sound.
This we knew and revered, O man in the faded
blazer
Black with the orange badge bearing the
deathless lamp
Over its Latin script, motto engraved in our
bosoms,
‘LUMEN ACCIPE ET IMPERTI’, from age to age.
From The Select Poetry of Ronald Castle,
Wellington, 1983).
Mark Pirie (1987-1991), Wellington
I
wish to thank you for your kindness in showing
Judy and I around Wellington College on our visit
in February this year. We were impressed with
your generous expenditure of your time and effort
that you gave in making our visit a memorable
experience.
We were also impressed to learn that Wellington
College was named as the top academic school for
the year based on your NZ Scholarship results. I
have written to our Australian Federal Member of
Parliament that our education experts should look
to Wellington College as a model of excellence in
regard to secondary education in Australia as this
is a much debated subject politically. Thus please
give my best regards to Roger Moses. I think he is
a very suitable person to give leadership to 1500+
boys and aptly named as leader.
I attended the funeral of my brother Christopher
Moller (1952) after we left Wellington. I think I
told you he had a motorcycle accident, aged 74
and doing what he loved. He was only a student
at Wellington College for nine months, but must
of had more brains than I as he was placed in 3A.
He had to leave as my parents moved to Auckland
because of my father’s work. He was enrolled in
the local High School which was only two years old
and he quickly lost interest in learning.
I persuaded him to work with me in the
meatworks at Westfield to earn money to enrol
as a boarder in Firth House and so to return to
Wellington College. I wrote to Headmaster, Mr
Heron for approval but Mr Heron rejected this
plan on the grounds that the work experience
Chris has acquired could be a bad influence
on other boarders. I understand that Messrs
MacAloon and Meads strongly and heatedly
disagreed with Mr Heron. I even travelled to
Wellington to have a face-to-face with Mr Heron
but was not given an interview to argue over the
matter.
Chris then joined the RNZAF becoming an aircraft
mechanic. He serviced the Canberra Bombers in
NZ and Singapore and then was sent to work at
Rolls Royce in England for a year. He left the Air
Force after 20 years and he raced motor cycles
fitted with side cards. He raced at Bathhurst
in Australia. I feel strongly that if he had had a
Wellington College education, he would have gone
to university and graduated as an outstanding
Mech Engineer, however it was not to be. He
grew up to be a fine man who was much loved
and respected by those who knew him. Chris left
two fine sons a daughter.
At his funeral, I spoke of his first day at Wellington
College. Chris set off from home in his new
uniform, new school case and books. If I had
been living at home I would have strongly advised
him not to catch the Karori Boys’ Special Tram
to school. However this is what he did and
he arrived at the Wellington College stop and
was thrown off the tram, naked and covered in
lipstick. His uniform was tossed out with his other
belongings in bits. He took it all in good humour,
cleaned himself up the best he could and went
to school. He could have gone home - many
would have. I said he had the guts to overcome
tribulation and on this occasion was evidence of
his guts.
On the card you gave me of my school record,
it states that I won the Christchurch Old Boys’
Prize for Literature in 1946. I also won it in 1947.
Perhaps I should have chosen Journalism instead
of Architecture as a career.
readers who wish to follow our travels and see
parts of Australia can click on videos and follow
us.
So far we have completed four trips around
Australia, and now just travel to various
destinations we have missed on previous trips or
to re-visit favourite places.
My contract is to write a minimum of one travel
feature each month, but I write much more than
that and cover special features as well. We use
only our own images, and the photography is a
very important part of each feature.
Lately I have also been given a page for ‘Tried and
Tested’ product reviews, where manufacturers
or wholesalers forward me products to test and
review. I also write a monthly blog for the CW
website, so you can see I am still pretty busy. I
have now been writing exclusively for CW for ten
years and was freelance prior to that, writing for
boating as well as RV magazines.
Our vehicle is a Ford Territory AWD and we tow a
17’ caravan that we designed ourselves to tackle
corrugated dirt roads, and had built by a leading
Australian manufacturer. We carry two laptops
and three cameras as well as lots of other gear.
Denyse and I live in Mackay, Qld. Any of my old
school friends may contact me on toododos@
bigpond.com
Donald Moller (1946-1950), New South Wales
Tony Allsop (1953- 1956)
t the ripe old age of 72 you would think that
I would be retired, but I probably have a job
many people would envy: being paid to travel
around Australia.
A
W
I am the senior travel writer for Australia’s
oldest and most respected RV magazine Caravan
World, which has recently celebrated its 42nd
birthday. This magazine has around 230 pages
and is printed monthly. The NZ sister magazine
Motorhomes Caravans & Destinations is also
published by the huge ACP organisation and
occasionally they reprint one of my articles.
On arriving at Firth House, one makes friends and
then can lose contact, therefore your magazine
provides some means of keeping abreast of what
is happening. When first starting at College, it
appears quite daunting but later one realises that
the system just keeps rolling and you are part
of it for a short period and leave with a greatly
enhanced outlook for yourself, the world and life.
My wife Denyse (a retired GP who also writes a
medical page for CW) and I travel for around six to
eight months each year in our caravan to various
parts of the country, writing travel articles and
shooting five minute videos to accompany them
for the www.caravanworld.com.au website. Any
Thanks to the Headmaster, staff and students for
the results they have produced.
e have great pleasure in supporting your
Association and we wish the staff and
students all the best as we enjoy reading your
magazine.
Alan & Shirene Bishell, Whangarei (1950-1953)
57
News from the College
Running for the lives of others
The Chorale
I
n August, the Wellington College Chorale
competed in the national finals of The Big Sing
competition. The standard of this event was
extremely high and it was a huge honour to sing
in the Wellington Town Hall as one of the top
18 choirs in the country.
The students in charge of the 2012 World Vision Runathon led the College to 40 hours of running around the
College circuit in March to raise funds for World Vision- in particular for the Ibwera Area Development Programme
in Tanzania - where the Wellington College donations support. (L-R): Matt Symonds, Fergus Scott, Billy Fitzgerald, Under the excellent leadership of Felix
Angus Beattie, Harry Smith and Felix Sampson. Since the inception of the Runathon in 1998, Wellington College has Sampson, Fletcher Mills and Fergus Scott, the
Chorale was awarded a Silver placing and they
raised more than $600,000.
NZSS Debating Champs
A
They received three standing ovations and were
described as breathtaking.... exciting......crowd
favourites!
ll four members of our Senior Premier
A Debating team took part in the most
significant of the Secondary Schools'
Debating events, the Russell McVeagh NZ
Schools' Debating Championships. The top
debaters from schools nation-wide were
selected to represent their regions and
Wellington, because it is a big region, had two
teams and four of the six team members were
from Wellington College. In Wellington Gold –
Tom Leggat and Jack Garden and in Wellington
Black - Ed Foley and Oscar Shaw.
Over the course of the weekend, all teams
took part in seven limited preparation debates.
Wellington Gold, with Tom and Jack, won
three of the seven debates, with a number of
unlucky calls, as is the nature of debating, and
with the ranking system, narrowly missed out
on a semifinals position.
Wellington Black, with Oscar and Ed, went
through the weekend undefeated – winning
seven from seven debates – the only team to
do so. This has happened only twice in the
last 20 years. They then met the Central North
Island team and affirmed a moot supporting
the privatisation of State Owned Assets, which
they won. This took them to the Grand Final
against Waikato, a team they had beaten twice
in the tournament. It was a very prestigious
event which took place in the historic
Legislative Chamber in Parliament with the
Governor General and a number of prominent
politicians present. With one hour to prepare,
the team put together a strong case and both
58
reinforced their reputation as performers of the
highest calibre.
The Chorale has also sung at many school
events including Old Boys’ Reunions and ANZAC
services this year, as well as contributing to
community events such as singing for the
Stroke Association Annual Meeting and the
SoTheyCan fundraiser to help raise money
for a village in Kenya. 2012 has been another
successful year for the Chorale.
Runners Up: Wellington Black. (L-R): Governor General
Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO,
Oscar Shaw, Ed Foley, Jemima Lomax, (St Mary's College).
Oscar and Ed spoke persuasively and brilliantly.
However, this final victory just escaped them
and Waikato won, for the second year in a row.
Obviously, after such a great tournament, this
was a great disappointment but to get runner
up – to be identified as the second best team in
the country, is a great achievement. Oscar, Ed,
Tom and Jack are great role models for our
young debaters coming through and in the
tournament continued the Wellington College
tradition of excellence in debating.
Old Boys are still able to order a copy of the
CD recorded by the Chorale [refer to the June
Lamp Post] or contact the College Bursary m.sampson@wc.school.nz The CD features
a number of the songs performed at school
events and reunions, plus music performed in
competitions such as The Big Sing.
Katie Macfarlane, HoD Music
Special congratulations to Ed who, for the
second year, has been named in the five-person
NZ team and will travel with them to Turkey for
the World Champs early next year. Oscar, who
was highly commended in the tournament,
narrowly missed out on a place in the team.
Kirsty Hazledine, Arts Director
A Tradition of Giving
W
ellington College acknowledges, with appreciation, the tremendous support of Old Boys, parents, staff and friends. These individuals, through
their collective philanthropy, ensure the vitality of school life at Wellington College through their commitment and generosity to Annual
Giving, the College’s Building and Endowment programme, made and left Bequests and the Old Boys’ Association since 2007 when the current
campaigns began. We thank all those whose gifts enable Wellington College to continue to provide and excellent, well-rounded education,
environment and support to its best. [D denotes deceased since donating]
1916
1941
Mr H C Hildreth (D)
Mr D F Barnes
Mr J Bown (D)
Mr P R Carpenter
Mr W T B Coulter
Mr J T Cruse
Mr A T Freeman
Mr D S Trevena
Mr R B Twaddle
1920
Mr A W Knight (D)
1924
Mr E L Howe (D)
1925
Mr A D Wilkinson (D)
1930
Mr S G Radford (D)
1931
Mr D L Bade
Mr W S Mitchell
1932
Mr A H Armour (D)
Mr A B Cooper
Mr J M Dale
Mr N D Dyett (D)
Dr N R Jefferson
Mr C T Smallbone (D)
Mr R M Wood
1942
Mr R T Barber
The Rev J R Battersby
Mr E A Cameron
Reverend R C Cattell (D)
Mr A F Ferguson
Mr I F Pinel
Mr R C Pope (D)
Prof. B S Sutton-Smith
Mr A Watson
1943
Mr F J Brooker
Mr R A W Curtis
Mr J W C McArthur
Mr R Richards, ONZM, DSC
Mr E C Tait
Anonymous (2)
Mr A H Bellamore
Mr W E Chegwidden
Mr W E Dasent (D)
Mr J V E Hipkins
Mr S G Jones MBE (D)
Mr J K Kernohan
Mr P C Lee (D)
Mr I D Mackersey
Mr R A McCarlie
Mr A H E Munden
Mr R D Richardson
Mr G R Streeter
Mr G C Weston
Mr D L Williamson
Mr T J Young (D)
1936
1944
Mr G W B Barrow
Mr K Chiu
Mr P Y Collins
Mr G H Cook
Mr J D Craig
Mr A J Crowther
Mr D J Exley (D)
In memory of AE Exley (1897)
Dr C R Fenton
Mr L R Franks
Hon G F Gair
Mr A H J Gaskin
Mr J D Gifford
Mr M K M Hansen
Mr M E Lambert
Mr W J P Macdonald
Mr W F Moody
Mr F M Moore
Mr D Salkeld (D)
Mr I K Sclater
Mr A E Scott (D)
Mr D B Silver (D)
Mr R D Sutherland
Mr K L Thomas
Mr E Waaka (D)
Professor P Whittle
1933
Mr K J Frazer
Mr A A Gawith DFC
1935
1937
Mr H F Hart (D)
Mr J O Haworth
Mr N C McLeod
Dr J M Tweed
1938
Mr C F Bryan
Mr A M Crocket
Mr P B Hindle
Mr J S Hopkirk
Mr K H Logie
Mr R B Pinel (D)
1939
Mr P E Bourne
Mr I K Lankshear
Mr K R Porter (D)
Mr R M Richardson
1940
Mr L W Edwards
Mr N M Gapes (D)
Mr D R C Gray
Dr R Hunt
Mr A T Pattle
Mr D M Thomas
1945
Anonymous (2)
Mr G S Aburn
Mr J August
Mr B H Bailey
Dr I Cher
Honouring Pupils and Teachers
of Form VI A, 1945
Dr R B Conyngham
Mr M D Danaher
Mr K T Dee
Mr G Q England
Mr E G Freeman
Mr A G Hansson (D)
Mr W C Hopper
Mr D N Lawson
Mr L J Parkinson
Mr C R Steele
Mr I R Sutherland
Mr E C G Williams
1946
Mr A Bay
Mr D J Bowers
Mr D Brooke-Taylor
Mr W S Fraser (D)
Dr J B Hutton (D)
Mr D C Isaacs (D)
Mr L J Johnsen
Mr I R Kaywood
Mr P N Keys
Dr F G Major
Mr B C Mexted
Mr R G O’Connor
Mr R H Pope
Mr E J Sherring
Mr C J Vining (D)
1947
Anonymous (1)
Mr J S A’Court
Mr G J Asbridge (D)
Mr B Blades
Mr P D Chatwin
Mr E N Clayton
Mr F W Coad (D)
Mr P B Collins
Mr S J Cumming
Mr I J Doyle
Mr P B Keesing
Mr R J McCully (D)
Mr P B Olsen
Mr D Patching
Mr J C F Phillipps
Mr P G Riddell
Mr R A B Ridding
Mr S Robertson
Dr C R Sheppard
Mr A L Solomons
Mr J R Tripp
Mr J B Williamson
1948
Anonymous (4)
Mr G J Alecock
Mr D S Arbuckle
Mr A S Barnaby
Mr A R Best
Mr C J Blake
Mr T P Broad
Rev J D Buchanan
Mr J C Burnett
Mr M O Conibear
Mr R B Donovan
Mr J B Ede OBE
Dr T Farrar
Mr M S Faulknor
Rev B M Hogan
Mr W A Hunt
Mr C J Isaacs
Mr F K Martin
Mr A J Nixon
Mr L A O’Donnell
Mr R O Partridge
Mr G A Patchett
Mr M J Prosser
Mr W Ross-Taylor
Mr A D Salkeld
Mr B E Smith
Professor B J Spolsky
Mr N K Thomas
Mr T C Valler
1949
Anonymous (1)
Dr F R Bernard
Archdeacon I G Bourne
Mr B J C Bradburn
Mr R W Burney
Mr A C Bycroft
The Rev G M Cleland
Mr J B Denton
Mr J B Ellings
Mr R V Kirby
Mr M J Limbrick
Mr G W McLauchlan
Mr M O Mexted
Mr N A Robinson
Mr R W Ross
Mr C P Simpson
Mr J C Taylor
Mr D G Tierney (D)
Mr T W Turner
Mr D H P Walpole
1950
Anonymous (1)
Mr R Archibald
Prof T H Beaglehole
Mr R G Bjorngaard
Mr R M H Bowater MNZM
Mr B H Brooks
Mr I W Burrell
Mr P B Davenport
Mr D R Davis
Mr B T Foley
Mr D C Jarvis
Dr P N Leslie
Mr M N Mayman
Mr J A Moffat
Mr T M Mowbray
Mr R I Murray
Mr J L Nelson
Mr W R Percival
Mr E P Percival (D)
Mr G D Preston-Thomas
Mr R W C Raleigh
The Very Rev G H Yates
1951
Anonymous (2)
Mr K G Ansell
Mr W A Bainbridge
Mr W F Barnard (D)
Judge I A Borrin
Mr K M R Boyle
Mr D E S Brooker
Mr V Darke
Mr M W Duncan
Mr B Farrell
Dr R M Fergusson
Mr R A Grainger
Mr J E H Haldane
Mr R G Hand
Mr K D Haycock
Mr M A Hornblow
Mr D I Lamason
Mr T B Martindale
Mr B K Newport
Mr T J Reynolds
Mr J C Ritchie
Mr G B Robinson
Mr R H Robinson
Mr R L Sarten
1952
Mr G B T Abel
Mr G L Ansell
Dr D S Campion
Mr P W Conwell
Mr E F L Davis
Mr R G Ebbett
Mr J V Edgar
Mr B Y Hill
Mr S G Lockhart QC
Mr A M Main (D)
Mr B C McCormick
Mr A A Turner (D)
Mr D L Vautier
Mr B E Ward
Mr I T Wilson
1953
Anonymous (1)
Mr M W Austin
Mr B S Coomber
Mr K G Douglas ONZ
Mr W J Flannery
Mr E P Groombridge
Mr A G Hall
Prof. B P M Hamilton
Mr G L Ingham
Mr W R Kingston-Smith
Mr A R Martin (D)
Mr R B McCorkindale
Mr A E McQueen
Dr T A Ord
Mr M K Phillips
Mr S W Pillar
Mr R A Reynolds
Mr B E Teehan
1954
Mr T J N Beyer
Mr A J F Bishell
Mr C M Davies
Mr M R Deck
Mr R K Dreyer
Mr E L Howe
Mr M W Hutchings
Mr K J Little (D)
Mr T G Twist
Mr G F Wardle
Mr T D W Williams
Mr G N Wyatt
Mr E E Young
1955
Anonymous (2)
Sir R A Brierley
Mr WJ Bringans
Mr D H Catley
Mr J E Childerhouse
Mr P J Edmondson
Mr D E Forsyth
Emeritus Prof J F Harper
Mr J M Hunn
Hon J A Laurenson
Mr W A Melville
Mr J L North
Mr I H Paterson
Dr K E Pledger
Mr D B Scott
The Rev Dr H W Skeels (D)
Dr D C Stewart
Mr I R Tichbon
Dr R J Townsley
Rev G E Walpole
1956
Anonymous (1)
Mr R S Allen
Mr D R Bailey
Mr DA Egley
Mr B N Gillespie
Mr D T Grant
Mr A L Hutchison
Dr J H Lidgard
Mr K R Macdonald
Mr R W Mangin (D)
Mr J F Mills
Mr R W Mitchell
Mr H E Perrett in
Memory of HE Perrett (1931)
Mr M A Perrett
Dr J C Ross
Mr T C Sheehy
Mr T H Syddall
Mr I N Taylor
Mr D N J Todd
Mr A J S Turner
Mr M D Woods
1957
Anonymous (2)
Mr J R Barraclough
Mr K E Brierley
Mr P M R Browne
Mr J A Burgess
Mr P Chong (D)
Mr P B Clark
Mr E I Clissold
Mr T P Doherty
Mr G F Ellett
Mr R M Falconer
Professor G Fogelberg
Mr G K Froggatt
Mr R C Houston
Mr B D Jobson
Mr P J MacDonald
Mr J G McCulloch
Mr J W O’Brien
Captain J N Oliver
Mr D L Paetz
Mr C Palamidas
Mr J E Pattison
Mr R A J Roberts
Mr J Roberts OBE
59
Mr D B Roberts (D)
Mr B W Sexton
Mr B K Shearer
Mr S J Smith
Mr D A Tyson
Dr P C Wellings
Sir J H Williams QC
Mr D J Wilson
Dr G J Wilson
Mr P H Wilson
Mr H C Wong
Mr A B Wright
Mr I P Wylie
1958
Anonymous (1)
Mr T R C A’Court
Mr D S Allan
Dr R L Brathwaite
Mr D G P Brocklehurst (D)
Mr R A Bruce
Prof F P Cass
Mr R G Ellison
Mr M R Ewing
Mr A D Gordon
Mr J R C Graydon
Mr W J Greenwood
Mr B A C Heather
Mr T Hobson
Mr G R Kenny
Mr G C Key
Mr K G Martin
Mr R B J Nodwell
Mr J S Perkins
Mr P A Savage
Mr B F Scott
Mr R D Slade
Professor S J Turnovsky
Mr I N Uttley
Mr J W Welsh
Mr R A Wilton
Mr S P Sherring
Mr R D Sweetzer MVO
Mr L Tone
Mr R J Wood
Mr W S Wyatt
1961
Anonymous (1)
Mr A C Ansell
Mr A J Baldwin
Mr W S Chapman
Mr P T Lawton
Mr I R Letica
Mr H M Morison
Mr L G Morrison
Mr B S Mudge
Mr I R Murray
Mr D J Newcombe
Mr A W Oakey
Mr G H Roper
Mr E R Rosenthal
Mr B J Whitney
1962
Mr J G E Benton
Dr R L Cable
Mr P J Fehl
Mr I A N Fraser
Mr J Gates
Mr A L Greensmith
Mr I F Hastings QPM
Mr M J Higgs
Mr A J Kean
Mr J C Legge
Mr R N Macgregor (D)
Mr R G Mayes
Mr P E Salt
Mr C D Segal
Mr B A Swift
Mr P G Van Dongen
Mr P S Warren
1959
1963
Dr J R Bundle
Mr R W Burgess
Mr W D C Clark
Mr P J Dawson
Mr G T Gardiner
Mr A G W Gooch
Mr A F Hassed
Mr R B Jeffs
Mr M D Kerr
Mr I Kwok
Mr R E Lane
Mr K R Moses
Mr K P Pohl
Mr D V Rowe
Mr E T Sainsbury
Dr F T M Schroder
Mr F M Small
Mr G D Stevenson
Mr N Tantemsapya
Mr B E Thawley
Mr R C Turner
Mr D S Dalgliesh
Mr P J Farmer
Mr P N Glasson
Mr M G Hedstrom
Mr H Heitner
Mr J C Jaynes
Mr P A Oliver
Mr J E C Pether
Mr M D Small
Mr B S Taylor
Mr M G Turner
Dr R L Vasan
Mr J H Whitwell
1960
Anonymous (1)
Mr P Adams
Mr R S Bezar
Mr Q S H Collier
Mr G H Gower
Mr J A Harper
Mr I A Henderson
Professor A R Hornblow CNZM
Mr T G Huppert
Mr D E Hurley
Mr A F McKay
Mr W T McKeown
60
1964
Anonymous (1)
Rev J R Boyes
Mr R S Clarke
Mr H N Cooper
Mr D D Cox
Mr A J Gibson
Mr D M Golding
Mr J M Green
Mr R J Hay
Mr D A Jorgensen
Mr G Kirkcaldie
Mr O G Lane
Mr V A Langford
Dr D A Lingard
Mr J L Marshall
Mr L M Megget
Mr D J M Milne
Mr A J Morriss
Mr M Olsen
Mr A Parun
Mr R L Pattison
Mr S A M Perry
Mr D L Powell
Mr K Quinn
Dr S K Slater
Mr N B Trendle
Mr J H Veale
Mr H E Webber
1965
Anonymous (1)
Mr G N Cave
Prof J W Chapman
Mr R S Cheevers
Mr S Chhotu
Mr G J Clark
Mr H J S Cromie
Mr R J Earles
Mr M H Fyson
Mr H S Hancock
Mr I Horbun
Mr P L Jones
Mr D G Kember
Professor A G S King
Mr J D Lynch
Mr J P Martin
Mr M G Monaghan
Mr R J Morrison
Professor J K Raine
Mr R N Sadler
Mr W S Sommerville
Dr R A Speed
Mr C G Thorp
Mr JA Wedde
Mr J R Whitaker
Mr B E Windley
1966
Anonymous (3)
Mr A C Christie
Mr B J Drake
Mr G S Johnson
Mr R A Josephson
Mr W J P Keeling
Mr T D Kerr
Mr R C Laurenson
Dr S C MacDiarmid
Mr D J Martin
Mr J D Monaghan
Mr B A Morrison
Mr L K Powell
Mr C J Pulley
Mr G R Rowe
Mr H M Snowball
Mr P D Stevens
Mr R J R Thornley
Dr D V Weston
Mr B M Wilson
1967
Professor W R Atkin
Mr M Bruce-Smith
Mr T J Castle
Dr J W Drake
Mr L J East
Mr G J C Ferguson
Mr B Girdlestone
Mr N A Hill
Mr D J Lamb
Mr B E Marklew
Mr J P H Oldfield
Mr B R Pratt
Mr J C Rutherford
Mr T M Sheppard
Dr A B M Tie
Mr S L Waller
1968
Mr M R Burns
Mr R S Davey
Mr J P Fyson
Mr S P Harrey
Mr J A Langford
Mr G B Little
Mr B F Matchett
Mr J C G Rhodes
Mr I Wong
1969
Mr T G Benton
Mr G Bruce-Smith
Mr R W Burt
Mr G A H Craigie
Mr R W Hughes
Dr B L Krause
Dr T D Meech
Mr P D Oram
Mr G Osvath
Dr J P Petrie
Mr D S Pope
Dr A D Rutherford
Dr K A Simpson
Mr R A Smyth
Mr G A Tait
Mr P G Twigden
Mr P Wedde
Dr G H Weiss
Mr G W Whiteacre
1970
Prof S W Beasley
Mr G M Caradus
Mr B W Heir
Mr J H Jenkins
Mr S C Lambert
Mr P A McLean
Mr H Quinn
1971
Anonymous (1)
Mr J S Bishop
Mr M R Button
Mr P B Howman
Professor M Lazarevic
Mr D J McLeod
Mr A D Meek
Mr G R Paterson
Mr I K Talbot
Mr C J Taylor
Mr B L Tie
1972
Anonymous (1)
Mr C Anastassiou
Mr D J Archer
Professor M G Banwell
Mr M D Beattie
Mr T E Frost
Mr M E Kinsella
Mr D K Read
Mr J B Roberts
Mr A H Shine
Mr A S Varuhas
Mr J A K Waymouth
1973
Anonymous (2)
Mr R W Anderson
Mr J A F Bernau
Mr A Douglass
Mr A G Harcourt
Mr J W Little
Mr D G Major
Mr C A Mortland
Mr J R O’Brien
Mr D J H Phillipps
Mr D Reitsma
Mr S Robertson
Mr I W Tisch
Mr M Tuimalealiifano
1974
Mr P D Cenek
Mr D J Darwin
Mr P C Morrison
Dr J M Riseborough
Mr A J Stuart
1975
Mr T I Brown
Mr G E Coppersmith
Mr D I Hatfield
Dr J A Heyes
Mr D R A Ironside
Mr K B Johnston
Mr T D R Kirby
Mr D E Knott
Mr P B Marriott
Mr D P Shillson
Mr A N Slack
1976
Mr R J Broad
Dr I T Foster
Mr C J Hurrell
Mr P R Ittensohn
Mr P C Keall
Mr J Viatos
1977
Mr K D Binnie
Mr W D Brandon
Mr A J Brice
Mr B T Bush
Dr D Naik
Mr S M Town
1978
Mr P G Fuller
Mr J D Schwass
Mr R W Smith
1979
Anonymous (1)
Mr R L Borrell
Mr P K Emanuel
Mr P J McLeod
Mr K T Sixtus
Mr C W Stevenson
1980
Mr M K Hunn
Mr S A Hunter
Mr T R Preston
1981
Mr S J Cumming
Mr E Ete
Commander A M Millar
Mr R A Nimmo
Mr G W Nixey
Mr M B O’Grady
Dr N J Willis
Mr V F E Wong
1982
Mr G J Coldham
Mr C B Hunter
Mr M J Pillar
Mr P D F Rumpit
Mr D A Trow
1983
Mr A R Allan
Mr S B Gray
Mr C B Johnson
Mr A B Miller
Mr M F Quinn
Mr P A Sue
1984
Mr A M Buick-Constable
Mr M Parmar
Mr M W Prout
Mr B C Rollings
Mr B C Sutton
Mr P D Swallow
1985
Mr J R Clarke
Mr D R Ferrier
Mr R E Griffiths
Mr M R Halliday
Mr A B Heald
Mr J J Munz
Mr T E Simpson
1986
Mr A E Scott-Howman
1987
Mr R D Greenwood
Mr T K Pledger
Mr S M Robson
Mr N P Sercombe
Mr S R Waddel
1988
Dr G I G Christie
Mr A J Dome
Mr D J McEwen
Mr D M McGuigan
1989
Mr J C Baddiley
Mr N L Kerr
1990
Anonymous (1)
Mr A J Clarke
Mr G J Heather
Mr K V R Magan
Mr M T Reweti
Mr P D Shallard
1991
Mr M D Mistry
Mr M R Pirie
Mr F Shafiei
1992
Mr J J J Bailey
Mr J A M Cave
Mr J P Moore
Mr T R Robson
1993
Mr S Reed
Mr J Ward
1994
Mr E Ruvinski
1995
Mr G J Fraser
Mr R G Wallace
Mr J J R Whyte
1996
Mr S R Fraser
Mr O J Martin
Mr A Paliwal
Dr P C Robinson
Mr T P W Murdoch
Mr M V Stickley
Mr K G Yager
2000
Mr J J L Langford
Mr F S Shafiei
Mr M C Smith
Mr J P A Etheridge
Mr R A Kennedy
Mr N E Parkin
Mr A B Stace
Mr G D Sutherland
1998
2001
1997
Mr J E C Franklin
Mr J G Halstead
Mr C J B Lendrum
Mr W F Moore
Mr D A Prasad
Mr S R M Rajasekar
Mr T S Sciascia
Mr T J L Wheeler
2002
Mr P A Halstead
Mr W L Ho
Mr R P J Hosegood
Mr I A D Kennedy
Mr F J MacArthur
Mr P W McGimpsey
Mr J D McNamara
Mr K Selvamaheswaran
Mr J C Sygrove
Mr P H Sygrove
Mr E K Woods
2003
Mr J J B Dean
Mr D N Dickinson
Mr M P Gill
Mr G S A Randall
Mr B M Stephens
2004
Anonymous (1)
Mr D J Elliott
Mr E G A Smith
Mr J G Wylie
2005
Mr A J Eastwood
Mr T F Lawson
Mr D K Plowright
Mr H A Skinner
Mr E T Stace
Mr J N Morris
Mr A J Robinson
Mr D G Tubb
2006
Mr C G Barrett
Mr S C Cormack
Mr S S Fineman
Mr A Q N Miller
Mr D M O’Grady
Mr K A Roberts
Mr R J Steven
Mr M J Vegar
2007
Mr M C B Dickson
Mr J P W Leslie
Mr L B McKee
2008
Anonymous (1)
Mr E J Bowie
Mr R K Fagan
Mr V G Ward
Mr R B T Woonton
2009
Mr H R Hancock
Mr T A Hughson
Mr S J Lawson
Mr E A S Stevens
Parents, Staff and Friends of Wellington College
Anonymous (36)
Mr M and Mrs V Abernethy
Dr D Abernethy and Ms R Kelly
Mr M and Mrs V Aitken
Mr B Alderton & Ms M Lloyd
Mr C Alexander and Ms K Anderson
Mr M A Anderson
Mr R and Mrs G Allen
Mr J Armstrong and Ms A Riley
Mr R and Mrs C Bava
Mr G M and Mrs P G Bellam
Mr D Bennett and Ms L Baxter
Doctors B Betty and S Harichandran
Mr W F & Mrs G Crist
Mr R & Mrs E Bradley Estate
Mr A W & Mrs A M Beasley
Mrs M Dean in the Memory of Tom Dean
Miss V Dunn in the Memory of Thomas K Paul
Mr & Mrs T & B Blundell
Mr S & Mrs N Bomann
Dr B Bowkett and Dr I Carbonatto-Bowkett
Mr A Bradshaw & Ms H Bewley
Mr A and Mrs A Brodie
Mr R and Mrs D Budhia
Mr & Mrs D & T Butchers
Mr P Butchers & Ms M Bibby
Mr F and Mrs M Buttner
Mr J Cantin & Mrs B Buckley
Mr J Carroll and Ms S Hatfield
Mr & Mrs Chau
Mr S Cheah & Ms T Phee
Mr A Clarke & Ms M Pallot
Dr T R Cookson and Dr R Dodd
Mr P and Mrs A Coop
MrT & Mrs G Cripps
Dr T & Mrs L Crutchley
Mr D & Mrs L Dann
Mr & Mrs S & B Dawson
Mr C and Mrs R Day
Dr D and Mrs H Delany
Mr P Dickie and Ms A Munro
Mr R and Mrs D Dobson
Mr M and Dr A Donnell
Mrs A Doriguzzi
Mr M Dowse and Ms B Murray
Mr P and Mrs K Eady
Mr M Egan and Ms M Cockburn
Mr M & Mrs S English
Mr K and Mrs H Ferguson
Mr S and Mrs C Franks
Mr S and Mrs C Fyfe
Mr M and Mrs S Gallagher
Mr A Garden and Ms P Le Fevre
Mr B Gardner and Mrs M Gardner-Seglia
Mr T and Mrs D Garrett
Hon Justice W & Mrs C Gendall
Mr R and Mrs S Gibson
Mr G and Mrs A Girvan
Mr N J and Mrs A M Gluyas
Mr I Gordon and Ms J Manthel
Mr T and Ms C Cowie
Mr K & Mrs L Graham
Ms J Grant
Mr A and Mrs J Gray
Dr B Gray and Ms L Dovey
Mr P and Mrs S Green
Mr H Greive and Ms G McKone
Mr P and Mrs P Gush
Mr R A & Mrs E J Hampton
Dr P Herrick and Ms A Cottrell
Mr J & Mrs N Hobbs
Mr K Hollingsworth & Ms S Timmins
Mrs F Hornabrook
Mr M and Mrs J Horsley
Mr R and Mrs V Hughson
Mr & Mrs N & S Isaacs
Mr A and Mrs E Jacobson
Mr M and Mrs K James
Mr A Jenkins and Ms A Brinkman
Mr S & Mrs C Joblin
Mr B and Mrs J Johnson
Mr C & Mrs A Jones
Mrs C Judd
Mr E Kalafatelis and Ms C de Bonnaire
Mr D & Mrs S Kale
Mr R Kellahan and Ms M Smith
Mr P Kerr
Mr R L Kerr
Mr A Kibblewhite and Ms K Davies
Mr S and Mrs M Kladnitski
Mr S and Mrs J Kong
Mr S Kos and Ms J M Afford
Mr P A and Mrs L Kuhn
Dr F and Dr A Langdana
Mrs J Langridge
Dr L and Mrs E Lawler
Mr S and Mrs A Lee
Mr M Leggat and Mrs A Brennan
Mr P and Mrs R Leslie
Mr P A & Mrs M L Logan
Dr A Logan and Dr B Treuren
Mr C and Mrs M Lynskey
Mr A and Mrs G MacBain
Dr B and Mrs S Mahon
Dr A Malik & Mrs R Choudhry
Mr T and Mrs L Marks
Mr R and Mrs S Matthews
Mr G McIndoe and Ms M Schwass
Prof C McLachlan and Ms R Fraser
Mr D and Mrs J Melville
Mr P and Mrs C Milne
Mr T & Mrs T Moresi
Mr D Murray and Ms J Grady
Mrs P W Neely
Dr A and Mrs G Neill
Mr G and Mrs J Nelson
Mr R A Newberry and Ms E Alcock
Mr S Newman
Mr A Nicholls and Ms LTrevelyan
Mr R Niven and Dr C Dalli
Mr B O’Brien and Dr H Gibbons
Mr P O’Connell and Ms E Howe
Mr C and Mrs J O’Neale
Ms S Ottrey
Mr J and Mrs C Petris
Mr E and Mrs L Playle
Prof J Prebble and Ms N Riddiford
Mr E and Mrs R Purdie
Dr N Quigley and Ms N McBride
Mrs M Rabone
Mr M Reese and Ms J Hansen
Mr & Mrs N & K Reeve
Mr B G and Mrs S Ross
Dr B Russell and Ms S Harding
Mr I & Mrs N Russon
Dr P & Ms S Rutherford
Mr C and Ms S Ryan
Ms N Saker and Mr M O’Regan
Mr J and Mrs D Saunders
Mr S and Mrs S Sawrey
Mr M and Mrs M Scannell
Mr R and Mrs C Schroder
Mr P & Mrs T Schuyt
Dr P and Mrs A Scott
Mr A and Mrs J Scott
Mr M and Mrs L Shanahan
Mr G Sharp and Ms S Thomas
Mr G Simpson and Mrs Lloyd-Simpson
Mr M and Mrs A Skoog
Mr C R & Mrs V Smith
Mr J G Sproat
Ms V J Stanbridge
Mr P Steel & Ms M Beere
Mr B and Mrs A Stephen
Mr G and Mrs R Steven
Mr P and Mrs V Sullivan
Mr M & Mrs D Summerell
Mr C D and Mrs R E Sygrove
Mr L and Mrs J Taylor
Mr K Tearney and Ms C Perry
Mr P Tremewan & Ms T Hall
Mr M Trigg and Ms L Blake
Mr M Thornton
Mr M C & Mrs M I Turner
Mr C and Ms J Tyndall
Mr T and Mrs G van Zijl
Mr R and Ms R Vinijmoore
Mr P & Mrs L Wan
Mr G & Mrs S Watchman
Mr A & Mrs J Welch
Mr C and Mrs L Wellington
Mr A & Mrs C Wells
Mr R & Mrs A Whinam
Mr T G and Mrs R Wiffen
Mr J and Mrs C Wild
Mr M & Mrs B Williams
Mr S Wong
Mr D S and Mrs A Wood
Dr J Wyeth and Mrs McIntosh
Mr K Y Yeo & Ms K L Won
Mr L Yiavasis & Ms C B Matthews
Obituaries (continued from page 69)
Parliament. But in local politics Trevor helped
shape Lower Hutt and in Parliament became a
member of Norman Kirk's inner circle. He placed
constituents and his family before himself and had
to endure personal attacks from lobby groups. He
maintained his integrity and was respected across
party lines. Trevor had the gift of oratory and was
very persuasive because he so strongly believed
what he said.
Trevor was MP for the Hutt seat from 1968 till 1978
when a rearrangement of the valley's seats created
the Eastern Hutt seat which he held until retiring
from politics in 1990. He was Labour's deputy
chairman of committees from 1984 till 1990. He
received a QSO for public services.
The Hutt News
61
Obituaries
W
ellington College and the Old Boys’ Association extends its sincere condolences to the families and
friends of those listed below for whom the Association has received notification of death since the 2011
Lampstand. (•) An obituary (sourced from the media or from family) is included on the following pages
for some Old Boys. If you can assist us by adding to an obituary or providing one that we do not have, we
would be most appreciative. This year, the list is recorded in cohort years.
Class of 1930
RADFORD, Spencer George
1912-2011 of Wellington
Wellington College 1926-1929
Class of 1931
SMALLBONE, Cyril Trevor
1915-2012 of Lower Hutt
Class of 1932
FARQUHAR, William Ernest
1914-2012 of Nelson
Class of 1935
NEILL, William Roy (Bill)
1916-2012 of Palmerston North
Class of 1936
DUNCAN, Gordon James
• NAIRN, Donald James Henry
1920-2012 of Masterton
Lt Cdr (A) RNZNVR Fleet Air Arm
VIVIAN, Harold Franklin
Class of 1937
PEARCE, Clifford Clinton Martin
1918-2012 of Dunedin
Wellington College 1933
SIMS, Keith Balfour
1919-2012 of Christchurch
Wellington College 1933-1934, RNZAF
SLYFIELD, Eric Scarlett
1917-2012 of Upper Hutt
Class of 1938
BALL, John Douglas (Jack)
Lt 2NZEF WWII
HALFORD, Horace Ralph (Horrie)
1920-2012 of Auckland
• PINEL, Raymond Burton
1920-2011 of Gisborne
Wellington College 1934-1936, RNZAF
WILKINSON, Earl Gordon
1920-2012 of Waikanae
Class of 1939
ALLEN, Orril Vernon
1920-2011 of Levin
• GLEDHILL, Jeffrey Allan (Captain) DFC
1921-2011 of Sydney
KEMSLEY, Noel Ernest Gore
1921-2012 of Napier
SANGSTER, William James (Bill)
62
Class of 1940
DOWNES, Maxwell Wilson
GAPES, Noel MacDonald
Head Prefect 1941, 1st XV 1939-1941
1st XI Cricket 1941 (C)
ROOKE, John James (Jim)
Class of 1941
BOWN, Joseph (Joe)
1923-2011 of Tauranga
GOODHALL, Eric Houchen
HIGHET, Geoffrey Reid Burton
DFC, AFC & Bar, RNZAF, Captain, WWII,
14 Sqn J Force, CO of 75 Squadron
(Canberras), Air New Zealand DC8 pilot
• MORRIS, John Nelson (Jock) FNZEI, MBE
1924-2012 of Napier
ROSS, Robert Stuart (Robbie)
1923-2012 of Paraparaumu
• WAAKA, Edward Kereminita (Ted)
1925-2012 of Napier (MNZM)
Wellington College 1940-1942, 1st XV
2NZEF, Ngati Pahauwera, 28th Maori
Battalion, RNZAF, Div Cav, J Force
YARNELL, Charles Eric Hinson
1924-2011 of Invercargill
Class of 1942
CATTELL, Reverend Richard Charles
LAWSON, William Patrick (Pat)
1925-2011 of Sydney
1st XI Hockey, NZRAF
MASON, William John
Wellington College 1938-1941, 1st XV
STAUB, Noel Walton
1924-2012 of Levin
Class of 1943
HARRIS, Archibald Neal Frank (Archie)
1925-2011 of Hamilton
• JONES, Stuart MBE
1925-2012 of Hastings
QUIRK, John Samuel
1925-2012 of Wanganui
Firth House, RNZAF
Class of 1943
FERGUSON, Alexander Fergus
MB, CHB, FRACS, FRCS
HOWARD, Dalmain Wilbur
RNZN HMNZS Archilles
RICHARDSON, Reginald Durward
• YOUNG, Trevor James QSO
Class of 1944
McCARDLE, Vincent Gladstone
McGILL, Andrew Keith
PALMER, Colin Edward
SAXTON, John Shillito
SCOTT, Alan Ernest
NZRAF, Central Band
• SILVER, Donald Bentley
Class of 1945
GILKISON, Robert
1927-2012 of Whangarei
HEYWOOD, Bruce Peverill
1927-2012 of Marton
1st XV 1944
PATCHING, James (Jim)
1926-2012 of Levin
1st XV 1944-1945
Class of 1946
BISS, Alan John
1926-2012 of Palmerston North
• FRASER, William Smyth (Bill)
1st XV 1946
HUTTON, John Brasell (Dr)
Prefect, 1st XV 1945-1946, 1st XI 1946
ISAACS, David Cargill
1929-2012 of Wanganui
1st XV 1946
SMITH, Ross Alfred
Staff who passed away 2011-2012
BREE, Ted (1999-2011) Assistant Groundsman
DRAYTON, Joy (1942-1944), Teacher
HERRON, Jack (1947-1948), Teacher (RAF)
WILSON, William David
1928-2012 of Waipawa
Firth House
Class of 1947
ASBRIDGE, Gordon John
COAD, Frederick William
GARRATT, Edward Clarkson
HORAN, Brian Francis
1929-2012 of Whakatane
JORDAN, Baden Lewis
1930-2011 of Morrinsville
1st XV 1947-1948, FH Prefect 1948
Class of 1948
BALL, Eric John
1931-2012 of Napier
DARRACOTT, John Bruce
1931-2011 of Rangiora
• KINVIG, James Lorrimer
1930-2012 of Titahi Bay
MORTON, William Boyd
1929-2012 of Kapiti
VINING, Colin James
1929-2012 of Rototuna
Firth House
Class of 1949
MacANDREW, Hunter Alister de Latour
MASON, Edwin Augustus (Ted)
SEDDON, Thomas Derisley Stuary
(Derry) Dr (GP)
TIERNEY, David George
1932-2012 of NSW
1st XV 1949
Class of 1950
DRAPER, Norman
• PERCIVAL, Edwin Philip (Ted)
1933-2011 of Carterton
1st XI Hockey, Prefect
WELDON, William Henry Thomas (Bill)
Obituaries
Class of 1951
BARNARD, William Ferguson
1935-2011 of England
DUDFIELD, James Henry (Jim)
1934-2012 of Sydney
SMITH, Murray Graeme
1934-2011 of Rotorua
Class of 1952
HALDANE, James Ross
1st XV, 1st XI Cricket 1950
TURNER, Alan Arthur
Class of 1953
BOYD, James Terence (Terry)
FOLEY, Dennis John
Class of 1954
TURNER, David Gareth Owen
1st XV, 1954, Prefect
VERHOEVEN, William (Wim)
WATERHOUSE, Neil Stewart
1935-2011 of Otaki
Class of 1955
• CAMPBELL, Peter Frank
1937-2011 of London
LUFF, Vernon Alfred William
• SKEELS, Harry Wilbur (Wilbur) [Rev.]
1938-2011 of California
Class of 1956
EWING, Paul Gordon
MANGIN, Robert William (Bob)
1938-2012 of Matamata
Wellington College 1952-1954, NZRAF
• SIMONS, Malcolm James
1939-2012 of NSW
TUCKWELL, Clifton Keith (Cliff)
Class of 1957
COUNSELL, Brian James Elliott
1939-2012 of NSW
DICKSON, Robert John (Bob)
1939-2012 of Levin
• RARERE, Hamuera (Sam)
1937-2012 of Hastings
1st XV 1953-1955
TRAILL, Lindsay Francis
Class of 1958
BROCKLEHURST, David George Patrick
(Paddy)
1941-2012 of Malaga, Spain
BROWN, Malcolm Irving
CHUNG, Howard
1st XI Football 1958
COLLINS, David George
1941-2012 of Toronto, Canada
Class of 1959
GARDNER, John Knox Law
1942-2011 of Waikanae
HORNABROOK, Simon William John
1st XI Hockey, 1959
Peter Frank Campbell
Illustrator, writer, editor and book designer.
Peter Campbell, who died aged 74, was the
resident designer and art critic for the London
Review of Books (LRB). He worked for the
magazine from its first appearance
in
1979 and wrote more than 300
pieces, mainly about art but also,
eclectically, about such things as
escalators, weeds, bicycles, bridges
and hearts. He was the magazine's
most prolific contributor.
Each fortnight from 1996 onwards,
Peter did a cover illustration
for the LRB. He came up with
a seemingly infinite array of
RITCHIE (NOBLE), Derek Bredon
Class of 1961
GRIFFIN, Donald Hollis
1943-2012 of Sydney
Class of 1962
MacGREGOR, Robert Neil
Firth House
SMITH, Roger Edmund
Class of 1963
MABIN, Timothy Day
1946-2012 of Havelock North
READ, John Hilton
Class of 1964
ELMSLIE, Peter Lawson
1946-2012 of Feilding
Class of 1965
GILBERT, David John
SHEERIN, Bruce Ronald
1947-2012 of Upper Hutt
Class of 1966
AFENDULIS, George
1947-2012 of Queensland
HUGHES, Nigel Edward
TURNER, Geoffrey William Arnott
Class of 1968
TIETJENS, Wayne Theodore
unpredictable images: a yacht and a
starfish, a tram, two knickerbocker
glories, a game of dominoes, a man
walking past a lighted window at
night, umbrellas in the rain and a plug
in a wall socket (switched to on). The
immediate freshness, colour, playfulness
and surprise of these covers
belied their technical skill, erudition
and command of detail and artistic
reference.
Domestic images inspired him. He
described the LRB job as perfect for him
and his ‘absurd good fortune’. It allowed
his talent and years of expertise to come
together.
YOUNG, Peter Humfrey
Class of 1969
NICOLSON, Clive Latham
Class of 1971
GRANT, Angus Ewan
PAPATSOUMAS, Nicholas (Nick)
Class of 1972
BROOM, Kenneth Leslie
1954-2012 of Perth
TUNNICLIFFE, Ernest Richard
Class of 1974
WILEY, John Stephen
1956-2012 of Sydney
Firth House Prefect
Class of 1975
TOEBES, Quentin Johan
Class of 1978
WRATHALL, Joseph Clifford
Class of 1983
ETUATA, Tom Hardley (Junior)
Class of 1997
JAMES, Leighton John (LJ)
Class of 2006
• WAKELIN, Timothy David
1st XV 2006-2007
Peter’s father, Arnold, was director of
education for New Zealand, and his
mother, Nancy, was an early advocate
of family planning. Peter's early
apprenticeship as a printer and illustrator
was served with the poet and publisher
Denis Glover, who founded the Caxton
Press and then became typographic
adviser at the Wingfield Press, where Peter
trained. Paper, typography, binding and illustration
were as intrinsic to the published book as literary
quality, Glover taught.
Peter attended Victoria University and in 1960
married a fellow student, Win Doogue. He and
Win then boarded the MS Willem Ruys for the
month-long voyage to Britain. He lived for the rest
of his life in London, but kept a New Zealand ease
63
Obituaries
and way of seeing. Tramping trips at Christmas
settled the New Zealand landscape in my mind, he
wrote. Over the years, New Zealand mountains,
trees, building types and the occasional
antipodean bird turned up in his written and visual
work. In London he remained in the same terraced
house in Southfields. He wrote about it in 2011 in
a piece for the LRB entitled At Home.
Peter is survived by Win and their children,
– 1991, received an honorary doctorate from the
Jane and Ben; a granddaughter, Izzy; his stepUniversity, where flags flew at half-mast in her
granddaughters, Jess and Jazz; and his sisters, Jane honour following her passing.
and Margaret.
The Guardian
Long-time friend and historian Jinty Rorke, says
PETER LEONARD COOPER
Joy was a selfless, loving and passionate woman
who never held a grudge. She loved people, she
was very sociable, a great cook, and she loved
Peter completed his wartime service in the NZ
having dinner parties. Joy was a humble woman
Army. He and wife Betty moved to Calgary in
For 15 years, he worked for BBC Publications. In
who valued people for who they were. She was
1950 where Peter began his career as an aerial
the late 1960s, the BBC published books based on photographer at Imperial Oil. He was also very
always very thoughtful, not to say she wouldn’t
major television series. Peter designed and edited active in the early ski scene in Calgary and Banff
stand her ground if she thought you were wrong,
Kenneth Clark's Civilisation, Jacob Bronowski's The and for many years wrote ski columns and
but she never held grudges.
Ascent of Man, David Attenborough's Life On Earth supplements for The Albertan, later moving to the
and Alistair Cooke's America.
Tauranga Girls’ College Deputy Principal, Leonie
Calgary Herald. Peter also freelanced for many
Summerville said Joy was a dedicated woman
major North American ski publications. He was a
Peter went freelance in 1976. Authors he had
who maintained close contact with the College
founding member of the Canadian Ski Patrol and
met or worked with at the BBC sought him out
throughout her retirement. She donated a number
the Calgary Mountain Club, and for several years
to design and edit their books. He had the ability
was a member of the ski school at Sunshine Village. of pieces from her personal art collection that now
to conceptualise what each publishing project
serve as a reminder of her throughout the school.
needed and to get it right. He was hugely and
Following his retirement from Esso after 32 years
diversely productive, but seldom hit a wrong note. of service, Peter and Betty set out to see the
Joy was married to the late Ron Drayton, who died
world. They travelled extensively and intrepidly in in the 1980s. Joy lived in the couple’s home until
For the publisher John Murray, he worked on
she was in her early 90s, when her health began
every corner of the globe, including tackling four
Clark's post-Civilisation titles and Reynolds
to decline and she moved into a retirement home.
circumnavigations by freighter. These journeys
Stone's Engravings. He first met the art critic
are described in vivid detail in Peter’s remarkable The couple had no children but are survived by
David Sylvester at the BBC and later designed his
collection of diaries amounting to many hundreds her nieces and nephews.
book Looking at Giacometti and his catalogue for
of pages.
the Hayward Gallery's 1998 exhibition Francis
WILLIAM (BILL) FRASER
Bacon: The Human Body. Peter's other catalogues Peter was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62
Engineer.
included Goya: Drawings from His Private Albums, years, Betty Cooper, in February of this year.
Titian and Picasso: Painter and Sculptor in Clay.
After leaving Wellington College in 1946 (1st XV
member), Bill went to Victoria University to begin
Dame Mary Josephine (Joy) Drayton
He designed several of Diana Souhami’s books,
an Engineering Intermediate Degree. From 1948
Educator and councillor.
among them Selkirk's Island. He worked often
to 1950, he attended Canterbury University.
with Quentin Blake and wrote the introduction
Old Boys from the early 1940s
to Blake's The Life of Birds. He worked, too, on
Bill graduated in 1950 with a Graduate Bachelor
will be saddened to learn that
several books by his fellow LRB contributor Alan
of Engineering. While at Canterbury, he played
Joy Drayton, who was one
Bennett.
Rugby for University teams, including the Senior
of four lady teachers at the
B in 1950. From 1951 to April 1953, Bill travelled
College from 1942-1944 passed
The most far-reaching of his BBC connections
away in September.
to the UK to take up a Graduate Apprenticeship at
was with Karl Miller, who edited the Listener
British firm Thomson Houston and played rugby for
from 1967 to 1973. After working with Peter on
The former Principal of
their team.
a Listener anthology, Miller commissioned him to
Tauranga Girls’ College, Dame Mary Josephine
write gallery pieces for the magazine. When Miller Drayton, also known as Joy, died in Tauranga
He arrived back in NZ in 1954 and commenced
was invited by the New York Review of Books to
Hospital at the age of 96.
work at Acme Engineering in Petone (founded
edit a London Review of Books, he asked Peter to
by his father) and continuously worked there,
be its designer and to contribute reviews.
Joy was a big part of the Tauranga community
becoming Managing Director 1964 to 2001. Up to
since moving to the township in 1959 to begin
Bill’s passing, he was still working for the firm, and
In 1992 Mary-Kay Wilmers became editor of
her role as the Principal of Tauranga Girls’ College serving as a Director and major shareholder. Acme
the LRB. Among the changes she made was
where she remained until 1981. In her time as
is now one of the larger companies of its type in
commissioning illustrations from Peter for the
Principal, Joy introduced the nation’s first Māori
NZ, and is engaged in Heavy Engineering, Design,
covers. Until 1996 these used black and white
language studies class and saw the school’s role
and Construction.
photographs, many of them by Peter. In 2003,
more than double.
when the LRB opened its own bookshop in
Married since 1956 to Lee, they had three
Bloomsbury, Peter helped design it. The interior
Following her retirement, Joy was a Tauranga
daughters, one son and five grandchildren.
reflected his style. The shop's ethos of quality was City councillor from 1985 to 1992 and spent
They lived in Eastbourne for fifty years and Bill
opposed to books as just another product: threethree years as the city’s Deputy Mayor. She was
was active in local kindergarten and swimming
for-two discounts, ‘recommendations’ paid for by also a regional councillor and Deputy Chair for
committees.
publishers and window space bought by them.
Environment Bay of Plenty from 1992 to 1998.
He joined the Skyline Ski Club in 1953, and worked
Peter also wrote and illustrated children's books
In December, 2004, she became a distinguished
in spare time for over three years, building a Club
including Harry's Bee (1969) and The Koala
companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Lodge on Mt Ruapehu. Bill was an active skier,
Party (1972). He was a man of habit, at his desk
her services to education and local body affairs.
and served on club committees ever since. He was
at his untidy King's Cross studio by 8.00am,
She made the New Year Honours List in 2000 and
appointed a board member of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts
unextravagant lunch with friends at 12.30pm, on
2005 for her services to the local government and in 1984, and served till reaching their retirement
his way home on the District line by 5.00pm. He
the community.
age of sixty five in 1996. He was appointed a
continued to review and make covers for the LRB
Trustee of the company on retirement from the
until a month before his death.
Joy, a chancellor at Waikato University from 1988 board, and was still serving in this capacity.
64
Obituaries
Bill returned to the College in 2006, along with his Air Group were deployed to the Korean War.
1946 classmates for a reunion and had submitted
the above to enlighten fellow classmates of his life. In 1952, Jeff was promoted to lieutenantcommander and posted to the naval air base at
Jeffrey Allan Gledhill
Nowra. He was sent again to Britain, in 1954, this
Military Professional.
time to fly in a Gannet squadron in Ireland. The
following year he returned to Australia in the
A former Fleet Air Arm pilot,
newly commissioned carrier HMAS Melbourne,
Captain Jeffrey Gledhill DSC,
participated in SEATO exercises in south-east Asia,
died in Sydney in November
and in 1956, promoted to commander, headed air
2011 at the age of 90. A
operations at Nowra.
former New Zealander, Jeff
Gledhill won a DSC for landing a bomb on the
In 1958, Jeff was assigned to Australia House in
Tirpitz's A turrett when flying with the Royal
London. In 1960, he went to the RN Staff College
Navy in a Barracuda aircraft. Following WWII,
at Greenwich, then returned to Canberra as
he joined the RAN (Royal Australian Navy) and
director of air warfare, organisation and training.
became an pilot with a strong belief in the value
He took a stand against moves within the Defence
of naval aviation. Around 1963, he fought against
Department to scrap naval fixed-wing squadrons
Government decisions to cancel the Navy's
but helped in the introduction of new helicopters
fixed-wing capability and was instrumental in the
and re-equiping of the Fleet Air Arm. In 1964, Jeff
decisions which saw the life of the aircraft carrier
was promoted to captain and became the naval
Melbourne extended and the introduction of
officer-in-charge, Northern Australia. This was
Tracker and Skyhawk aircraft.
followed by assignments to the Defence Planning
Group, Canberra, the shore installation, HMAS
The German battleship Bismarck proved such a
Penguin, at Balmoral, and as aid-de-camp to the
menace to Allied shipping in World War II that
Governor-General Lord Casey.
Winston Churchill had to virtually put everything
else on hold to sink it. This might have been the
In 1968, Jeff was appointed to the High
end for the 19-year-old New Zealander Jeffrey
Commission in Wellington as Australian Defence
Gledhill, whose ship, the Tamaroa, almost
Representative and in 1972 returned to Canberra
blundered into the battle between the Bismarck
for his final appointment, Director of Naval
and HMS Hood.
Intelligence. He retired in 1975 but that was not
the end of his sailing career. He was a commodore
Hood was blown up. Tamaroa was undetected and in the RAN Sailing Association and was made a
Jeff went on to serve throughout the war as a naval Life Vice-Commodore of the Sydney RAN Sailing
Association. His last racing was done at Pittwater,
pilot. Jeff saw service on the aircraft carriers HMS
near Mona Vale, where he had his last home. He
Furious and HMS Victorious, in the North Atlantic
was still racing at 88. Jeffrey Gledhill is survived
and Antarctic, and in Norwegian waters. It was in
by Margaret and daughters Diana and Rosalind.
his blood, because after a brief spell at the end of
the war he served in the Korean War, and remained Sydney Morning Herald
with the RAN for the rest of his working life.
STUART JONES
Amateur Golfer.
Jeffrey was born in Wellington, on Armistice Day,
1921, the son of an engineer, William Gledhill,
and Daisy (nee McQuade). Schooled at Wellington New Zealand amateur golfing
legend Stuart Jones died just
College, he signed up for the Fleet Air Arm in
a day after his 87th birthday,
November, 1940. On loan to the Royal Navy, he
three weeks to the day after his
sailed on the Tamaroa in 1941. He did his naval
wife Shirley died.
and flying training in Britain. He was posted to
827 Squadron RN and, on leave at Lee-on-Solent
Stuart was inducted into the
in southern England, met English-born Margaret
New Zealand Golf Hall of Fame
Armstrong, who was serving with the Women's
in March this year for his incomparable record in
Royal Naval Service.
the national amateur game, with seven national
amateur titles to his name.
After two years on the front line, Jeff was
appointed a deck-landing instructor and promoted
New Zealand Golf chairman Philip Hassall said it
to lieutenant. He married Margaret in July 1944.
was a sad day for the national golfing community.
George VI awarded him the DSC. In 1946, Jeff
returned to New Zealand with his bride. He
He was a New Zealand golf legend in every
worked for a period in an architect's office and
sense. His record of winning the New Zealand
for recreation went sailing. But the lure of the
services was too great and in 1947 he moved with Amateur Championship on seven occasions and
representing New Zealand at the Eisenhower
Margaret to Australia to join the newly founded
Trophy seven times is phenomenal and unlikely to
RAN Fleet Air Arm.
be ever be repeated in our game.
Jeff trained in Australia then returned to Britain
Not only that, but Stuart was a great person.
for more training. He served in 817 Squadron RN,
flying Fireflies, and in 1950 returned to Australia on He had a lifelong passion for the game and that
showed in how much he gave back to the game
HMAS Sydney. A year later, Sydney and the Carrier
over the years.
It's a sad day for New Zealand Golf but when
anyone looks back on the career and life of Stuart
Jones they will remember a true legend.
Stuart Jones is unquestionably one of the finest
golfers produced by New Zealand, a name to stand
alongside the greats of the game.
He first played for New Zealand in 1953 and for two
decades, he dominated the New Zealand amateur
championship, winning it seven times, and added
Canadian and Australian amateur titles as well.
Stuart teamed up with Bob Charles, John Durry and
Ted McDougall for the first world amateur teams
event at St Andrews in 1958 and also played in the
tournament six more times, including 1964 and
1970 when New Zealand were second and third.
He twice won professional tournaments in New
Zealand though never joined the pro tour, played
a record 32 Freyberg Rosebowl tournaments
and achieved a string of other notable national
successes.
Stuart’s career represents a lasting legacy in
amateur golf. He was dubbed ‘The Emperor’ by
the doyen of New Zealand Golf journalists, Sir
Terry McLean, who acknowledged his outstanding
record which occurred during a period when
competition was fierce with the talents of Bob
Charles, Ross Murray, John Durry, Ted McDougall,
Ross Newdick and Walter Godfrey, all champions
in their own right.
Stuart represented New Zealand from 1953 to
1975, playing in seven Eisenhower Trophy events.
His most notable achievements came when
he won two professional events and the 1967
Canadian Amateur Championship. Together with
seven New Zealand Amateur titles, Stuart’s record
is unlikely to be matched in this modern era.
With such an outstanding record it was little
surprise Stuart was named the first-ever Hawke's
Bay Sportsman of the Year in 1966, invested as
a Member of the Order of the British Empire in
1977 and elected to the New Zealand Sports Hall
of Fame and awarded life membership of the
Hastings Golf Club.
Stuart Jones has not just been a standout – he
has been a legend. His record is unmatched and
includes:
• New Zealand representative from 1953 to 1975
• Seven appearances at the World Teams
Championship, known as the Eisenhower Trophy
• Winner of two professional events
• Winner of the Canadian Amateur title in 1967
• Winner of the New Zealand Amateur title in
1955, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1971
• Winner of the North Island Amateur in 1953,
1966, 1970, 1972 and the South Island Amateur
1964
• Winner of the New Zealand Foursomes title in
1960, 1963, 1965 and 1972.
65
Obituaries
James (Jim) Lorimer Kinvig
Retailer.
Jim Kinvig attended Wellington College from 1944
- 45 and became a very well-known sportsman
in Wellington. He was a premier rugby player
for the Onslow Rugby Club during the 1950s and
early 1960s. In the 1952 season ‘Big Jim’ as he
was known, was named in the NZ Rugby Almanac
as one of the Five Promising Players of the Year.
He had represented Wellington as a lock forward
during the season and over the next decade was
in and out of Wellington Representative teams.
Invariably, he had to compete for Wellington Rep.
honours with some outstanding players of the
day such as All Blacks Nev MacEwan, Ron Horsley,
Dave Harker and even his own Onslow club mates,
Cardy Williams and Trevor Reynolds.
Jim's best rugby came as he was approaching 30
years of age when he cemented a place in the
Wellington front row and finally was presented
with his Wellington Blazer. He was best known for
his long distance goal kicking which rivalled the
famous All Black Don Clarke for distance. In those
days he usually had to contend with a leather ball
and heavy ground conditions. It was a common
sight to see Jim at Athletic Park kicking goals from
well inside his own half often to the amazement
and dismay of the opposition supporters.
When Jim hung up his boots at the age of 35, he
turned to bowls where he became a successful
bowler with the Titahi Bay Club where he won
several Club titles and one Wellington Centre title.
Jim was also successful in business in the
grocery trade and in later years he owned two
Supermarkets in Wellington's Northern suburbs.
Bruce Heather (1954-1958)
JOHN Macdonald MILLEN
Environmentalist.
John Millen always lived ‘close
to the earth’. Born in Hokitika,
New Zealand, he spent early
years on family picnics in the
‘bush’, where his dad would
start a fire to brew up a billy for
tea - a habit John continued to
maintain.
While attending engineering school in his early
twenties, he spent many weekends and holidays
‘tramping’ and mountaineering and organised an
expedition to survey a portion of Antarctica.
Upon his arrival in Canada in the early 1960s, John
worked with the government's departments of
Fisheries and Oceans, and later Environment, from
the east coast (Halifax) to the west (Vancouver), and
places in between (Ottawa, Winnipeg). His work
included improving fisheries habitat, and reviewing
proposed projects to limit their environmental
impact.With help from his family, he designed
and built an isolated island cabin, using primarily
66
beachcombed materials. Since the early 1990s,
remarried and retired from paid work, John was
actively involved in Denman Island community
affairs. He contributed much time and expertise to
the Denman Conservancy Association, which has
succeeded in securing substantial portions of the
island for conservation.
Survived by wife and fellow teacher Daphne, his
life was commemorated by hundreds of family,
former work colleagues, ex-pupils and others at a
service held at the Napier Sailing Club.
John and his wife Donna enjoyed weaving and
travelling together, and merged the two by
volunteering with a mission in Mongolia to help
locals develop sustainable employment through
weaving. They were kept young by the company of
their children and grandchildren, going on beach
walks and picking raspberries. John continued to
enjoy the outdoors, hiking the West Coast Trail
numerous times and the Stein Valley traverse,
among other trips.
Don Nairn grew up on his parents’ farm in Takapu
Valley, north of Wellington. On leaving Wellington
College, he became an engineering apprentice
with the intention of getting into the aviation
industry.
Together at home, John and Donna's rainwater
collection system, productive garden, and
locally-obtained firewood made them admirably
self-sufficient.
John's life and work demonstrated a long-term
interest in the planet and humans' effects on
it. He was realistic about our impact upon
the environment, but optimistic that proper
management could ensure that we continue
to live within our environmental means. Most
importantly, he willingly contributed his time and
efforts to this vital objective, so that succeeding
generations will be able to appreciate the
environment in which we live.
John (Jock) Nelson MORRIS
Educationalist.
Well-known retired Hawke's
Bay school teacher Jock
Morris, was awarded the MBE
for his service to education.
Still described by many in
his profession as a teaching
‘legend’, despite retiring more
than 27 years ago, Jock was the
founding principal of Taradale Intermediate when
it opened in 1967.
He was in the position over 19 years up to his
retirement in August 1986, soon after his service
was acknowledged in that year's Queen's Birthday
Honours.
Jock was also the last chairman of the Hawke's
Bay Education Board before it was swept out of
existence in wide-reaching educational reform. A
teachers’ representative for about six years before
his retirement from teaching, he continued to
serve post-retirement as a parents' representative
for the urban Napier ward. His contribution in
the Taradale area was recognised with a Paul
Harris Fellowship from the Taradale Rotary Club,
of which he was President in 1971-72, and for
several decades was involved with sport that
included chairing junior rugby boards in Napier,
and helping establish the Bay View Bowling Club,
of which he was patron.
DONALD JAMES HENRY NAIRN
Aviation entrepreneur.
At the beginning of WWII, he got a flying
commission with the Royal Navy and travelled
to England to begin training as a naval pilot in
the Fleet Air Arm (FAA). He graduated top of his
course and spent the next two years on active
service in the Middle East, and flying from aircraft
carriers in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.
In 1942, he was one of three pilots posted to
Washington DC to work as test pilots for the
British Air Commission. One of the many aircraft
he test-flew was the production model of the
F4U Corsair, and recommendations he made for
improving visibility and increasing safety were
eventually implemented on all Corsairs.
In July 1943, Don was the first British pilot allowed
to fly a Japanese Zero captured by the Americans.
His subsequent report on the aircraft, which
identified several aspects of its vulnerability,
raised the morale of allied pilots by de-mystifying
the much-feared Zero and exposed some of its
shortcomings.
Don then remained in the USA for a period as the
Chief Flying Instructor for the Royal Navy's 'Corsair
Operational Training Unit', but he declined the
offer of a permanent commission in the Royal
Navy Test Unit established at the end of hostilities.
Returning to New Zealand after the war, Don
began flying as a topdressing pilot for James
Aviation in Hamilton. He also put his test pilot
skills to good use developing production Fletcher
aircraft for the Department of Civil Aviation. The
specialist Fletcher subsequently put New Zealand
at the forefront of aerial topdressing techniques
in the world.
In the late 1950s, Don began operating a Cessna
180 floatplane in a tourist and charter business
from Lake Taupo. Later, under charter to the Fijian
Government, he took this Cessna to Fiji, where
much of his work comprised emergency police
and ambulance missions in the Fijian Islands.
In 1961, Don joined Southern Scenic Air Services
in Queenstown when the company began its own
floatplane operations. He spent several years with
Southern Scenic, initiating the use of floatplanes
for tourism, hunting and fishing trips from
Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound, and
throughout Fiordland.
Later, Don was hired as the company pilot to fly a
Obituaries
Grumman Mallard for the consortium that won the
contract to build the Manapouri power project.
Don operated the Mallard in and around Fiordland
between Invercargill, Te Anau, the West Arm of Lake
Manapouri and Deep Cove for the next six years,
transporting company personnel, government
officials, accident and emergency cases, machinery
and essential supplies. He also flew the Mallard
on various search and rescue operations around
Fiordland at the request of the authorities.
At around the time of the power project work,
Don produced a manual for pilots transitioning
from land-based to water-based flying. During
more than eight years of water-based flying
experience, Don flew (and trained other pilots
to handle) five different types of water-based
aircraft: the Cessna 180 floatplane; the Grumman
Widgeon, Goose and Mallard; and the Catalina.
After the Manapouri project was finished, Don
went to Darwin to support a six-month geological
survey in West Irian, New Guinea. He flew the
company's 'executive' Catalina on daily four-hour
trips between Darwin and New Guinea, where he
landed the aircraft in the sea, taxied down a river
and deposited geologists into dugout canoes to be
paddled to the company camp.
At the end of the survey work, he became Branch
Manager/Chief Pilot for Trans West Aviation in
Western Australia. Under Don's management, this
small charter company expanded throughout the
nickel boom of the early 1970s into a fleet of 42
aircraft operating throughout Western Australia.
In 1974, Don retired from flying and returned
home to New Zealand.
Don Nairn's flying career, which spanned 34 years,
remained totally accident free; something Don
modestly attributed to total concentration during
the important aspects of flying - notably take-off
and landing-and to never taking unnecessary risks.
He flew more than 70 different types of pistonengine aircraft, and safely carried an estimated
30,000 passengers in single- or twin-engine
planes.
Don remained physically and mentally active in
the latter years of his life, during which time,
thankfully, he recorded his wartime exploits and
his flying career in a book titled Gold Wings and
Webbed Feet, a legacy that now forms a unique,
interesting and valuable record of part of New
Zealand's aviation history.
Pacific Wings (August, 2012)
Edward (Ted) Philip Percival
Architect.
Ted was a person who was easy
to like and to maintain a sound
friendship with over many
years. I first met him in our
third form year – 1946 - 3 Shell
A. Our paths separated, but I
was well aware of his Hockey
skills as he was in the 1st XI
for three years and later in the NZ Universities
team which toured Australia. We came together
again in our final Wellington College year (1950),
as School Prefects. Among other things, Ted was
chosen to accompany the Governor General, later
Lord Freyberg, at a tree planting on Arbor day.
Occasionally, with the late Alan Preston, we did
some light tramping in Orongorongo range.
At University, our paths separated once again,
Ted doing Architecture in Auckland, while I
took Medicine at Otago. In 1960, Alan Preston,
Ted and I were going to the UK. Ted and Alan
travelled earlier than me and did some of their
movements together. An extraordinary meeting
occurred. On my first day in London, I decided
to look around and took the tube from Russell
Square to Piccadilly Circus. Arriving at the surface,
who should I meet but Ted and Alan, coming up
another flight of stairs. All three of us met again
on at least two occasions when we were invited to
the home of Mr and Mrs E.N. Hogben, our former
Headmaster and his wife at their home in Walton
on Thames. Again, a few years later, with Ted in
Hawkes Bay and me in Wellington, we saw little of
each other until Ted retired to Carterton and we
met at successive WCOBA functions. I said retired,
but among other things Ted drew architectural
plans for a building to house the College Archives.
As it turned out, these were not required with the
Archives now housed in the former Headmasters'
house on the Drive.
Wairoa Hospital Board. A new position created for
the replacement of the existing cottage hospital.
In 1965, Ray obtained the position of Chief
Engineer to the Cook Hospital Board. This included
the overseeing of the engineering services in the
three stage development of a new hospital on a
separate site. He became a registered REA in 1964.
Retired in 1985 after being associated with the
equipping and change over to the new Gisborne
Hospital, Ray joined the NZHEA in 1952, attending
his first conference in Christchurch in November
1953. At the AGM in 1954, he was appointed
Secretary/Treasurer and held this position until
1963. On stepping down from this role, he was
appointed an Executive member and later Vice
President in 1966. Ray was elected President in
1967 and held this position until 1972.
In the early 1980s Ray was appointed as the
Association’s representative to the Health
Department Salaries Advisory Committee
(Engineers). Late in November 1985, he attended
his last Annual Conference and was made a Life
Member.
Since retirement, he observed the major changes
in the role of hospital engineers along with the
inclusion of new variations of membership in
the Institute. Such changes are reflected in the
Institute’s new title the NZIHE.
Hamuera (Sam) RARERE
Ted's true grit showed in his final illness. He made
a point of getting a message to me that he was in
Wellington Hospital. When visiting him on more
than one occasion, he stated without fear that
he was terminal and there may not be any useful
.treatment. He showed no fear of dying. When
it was clear that there was indeed no practical
treatment to offer, he and his family agreed that he
should go home to Carterton, where he died the
next day. Needless to say the church was crowded
at his funeral for which he had designed the order
of Service.
Sam passed away following a deterioration in his
health. Sam suffered a stroke back in 2005, and
although he was able to get through that OK, he
never really regained full health. The funeral was
well attended by Wellington College Old Boys
including Bob Mitchell, John Buck, Dave Bone,
Merv Ewing, Bob Morrison, Tubby Wright and
John Norris. It was a sad occasion to farewell a
popular husband, father and friend to so many.
Sam's wife Anne, Sam's son Nathan, and Sam's
two daughters all spoke. It was a moving occasion.
Peter Leslie (1946-1950)
Warwick Bringans, 1st XV Teammate, (1957)
Raymond Burton PINEL
Engineer.
Sam was Māori and a boarder in Firth House at a
time in the mid 1950s when Māori boarders were
rare.
Following secondary education
at Wellington College, Ray
commenced a fitting and
turning apprenticeship with
Swifts (NZ) Ltd Freezing Co.,
Wairoa in 1939.
He joined the forces in
1940, spending six years in the army and air
force, serving two years in Aircrew and Bomber
Command, RAF.
He was a big and affable bloke who played for
the 1st XV most probably as a fourth former. I
remember one game on the Middle Ground (now
known as The Sir Ron Brierley Field). It was a cool
Saturday afternoon when the 1st XV, under headgeared captain Hugh Williams, played one of the
blue and white teams.
Ray resumed his apprenticeship in 1947,
completing this in 1950, at the same time studying
with McKenzie’s Engineering Academy and passing
the Extra 1st Class Stationery Engineers Exams.
The opposing scrums went down with Hugh
barking away at the back. Breath rose as steam
off the misty field. All of a sudden the opposition
scrum folded and there was the ultra-powerful
Sam with the ball in hand galloping away and
fending off the opposition to score beneath Firth
House – a sight well worth remembering.
In 1951, he was appointed Chief Engineer to the
Rob Bruce (1954-1958)
67
Obituaries
Donald Bentley Silver
Librarian.
Don Silver grew up in Hataitai
and, apart from a short period
overseas in the 1950s, spent
his whole life living in the city
that he loved, living for many
years in Karori. Don was the
second of three generations
to attend Wellington College,
and the grandson of a soldier who arrived in
Wellington from Great Britain in the late 19th
century to construct forts during the ‘Russian
Scare’. Don studied English at Victoria University
before joining the Wellington Public Library in
1946.
Don was a Wellington identity in two fields. He is
fondly remembered by the library profession and
by the many people from all walks of life that he
encountered in his long and dedicated career as
a stalwart of the Wellington Public Library. Don
held a number of senior positions and retired
as Assistant City Librarian in 1986 and, more
importantly, met Margery, his wife of 50 years,
through the library.
Don was also a long-standing member of Scottish
Harriers, and enjoyed many successful years as
a cross-country runner, long before the ‘jogging
boom’ of the 1970s, although he was able to run
with and enjoy his two sons’ stints as schoolboy
long distance runners, and achieved one of his
personal milestones by finally running a marathon
in the 1980s.
Don had a long and full retirement, and combined
travel and enjoying time with friends and family
with a very generous commitment to voluntary
work. The latter included Meals on Wheels, the
Karori Historical Society (where his guided walks
are affectionately remembered), the Friends of the
National Library, the local church and much else.
The many attendees at Don’s service remembered
Don’s great sense of humour, his wide range of
interests, and his kindness.
Julian Silver (1977-1981)
Malcolm James Simons
Immunologist.
Dr Malcolm Simons, pioneer
of so-called ‘junk’ DNA, has
passed away, succumbing to
multiple myeloma.
Malcolm was one of the first
to assert that non-coding, or
so-called ‘junk,’ DNA played a
significant role in biology. He went on to acquire
a controversial patent in the 1990s over the utility
of the non-coding sequences of DNA as they could
be applied to diagnostic and gene mapping.
With Mervyn Jacobson, he co-founded Genetic
Technologies in 1989, although he resigned from
68
the company in 2000. More recently, he also cofounded Haplomic Technologies, with an aim to
study the haplotype, yielding a greater insight into
how genes are related to disease.
Wellington Aero Club.
In 1968, Wilbur accepted the call to pastor the First
Baptist Church of Twentynine Palms, CA. While
there, he organised the first drug abuse hotline in
Before his death in January this year, Malcolm
the Mojave Desert to help many of the returning
spoke to Australian Life Scientist about why he
Vietnam War servicemen stationed at the Marine
believed his invention of a controversial ‘junk DNA’ Corps base. He organised a government grant
technique for identifying haplotypes associated
for the region’s first professional mental health
with inherited disorders was misunderstood – and services at a time when few knew how to deal
misapplied.
with the harsh realities and emotional scarring
of a war being fought during a time of violent
Malcolm trained as an immunologist. He was
cultural upheaval. It was for this work that he
a member of both the New Zealand Davis Cup
received his Doctor of Ministry. In every sense of
squad, and the New Zealand national squash
the word, Wilbur was a renaissance man. He was a
team in the 1970s before emigrating to Australia.
full decade ahead of the proliferation of Christian
He founded Australia’s first DNA paternitycounsellors and also played a significant role in
testing laboratory in Melbourne, and was the
the development of the ground-breaking book on
inventor of patents that employ highly conserved spiritual, Christian mental health and counseling,
sequences in non-coding DNA as proxy markers
CounselAid Manual.
for haplotypes associated with inherited genetic
disorders.
A resident of the Conejo Valley since 1974,
Wilbur’s gifts fully matured as he pursued his life’s
Harry Wilbur SKEELS
work and passion in Ventura County. He helped
Pastor.
establish and then led Hospice of the Conejo. This
was also the nexus for other community efforts to
Born in Dunedin, Wilbur
help the needy, including Many Mansions and the
attended Wellington College
Manna Food Bank. He also served in various roles
and later received a Master’s
on the boards of Conejo Valley Little League and
Degree in English Literature
the Rotary Club.
& Language from Victoria
University, graduating with
Wilbur spent the last 14 years of ministry joyfully
First Class Honours. He also
serving as pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai.
received the Diploma in
During this time he also served as the Religion
Pianoforte from Trinity College of Music, London.
Editor for the Ojai Valley News. He authored
Wilbur went to the United States in 1960 as a
and published two books, Attitude Checks for
Fulbright Scholar and attended Asbury Theological Believers and Skeptics and Faith. He was also the
Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. There he met his
founding Director and first board President of the
future wife, Delia. They married in 1962.
first homeless shelter in Ojai. This organisation
would become the model for Ventura County.
In 1963, Wilbur received his Master of Divinity
He remained as governing Director until his
degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in
retirement in 2004. In 1994-1995, the city of
Pasadena. The couple then sailed back to New
Ojai established the honor of ‘Living Treasure’ to
Zealand, where Wilbur was ordained. He served
recognise the invaluable contributions of special
as pastor of Raumati Baptist Church until 1967.
persons and to honour them for their community
They returned to California for good when Wilbur leadership and their ability to mentor others.
attended Fuller Theological Seminary and the
Wilbur was the first recipient.
American Baptist Seminary of the West in West
Covina, receiving his Doctor of Ministry degree
Wilbur’s gifts and passion were fully realised in
in 1972. Wilbur continued to pastor American
his music. He was associated with the Los Robles
Baptist Churches until his retirement in 2004, after Master Chorale from 1980 – 2006, serving as
40 plus years of parish ministry.
a singer, rehearsal and concert accompanist
(organ, piano, harpsichord), assistant director,
He lived in Cairo, Egypt, with his missionary parents and resident composer. He conducted a variety of
church, community and boys choirs, and handbell
until age 7, when World War II forced them to
ensembles. Wilbur was a member of the National
return to New Zealand. There, he quickly began
Assoc. of Church Musicians, the American Choral
to nurture his prodigious intellect, his early sense
Directors Assoc., the Music Publishers Assoc. of
of the world, and his life-long passion for music.
America, and ASCAP, and he served as President
Wilbur became a church organist at the age of 12.
from 1984-1989 of the Ventura County Choral
Conductors Guild.
Prior to leaving for the States, he worked for
the New Zealand Forest Service, where he was
responsible for preparing the annual report to
Wilbur was renowned for his scholarly and
be reviewed by Parliament. This experience
encyclopedic knowledge of music – its history,
proved valuable because it gave him insight into
complexity of styles, composer intentions, and
governmental affairs and allowed for interaction
appropriate interpretations and pronunciations.
with the Prime Minister. Later that year, he
As a composer, he had more than 50 of his works
received his aviation certification and pilot’s
published and performed, both internationally and
licence, and he was granted admission into the
in the United States. Many were premiered by the
Obituaries
Los Robles Master Chorale, including Ubi Caritas,
Songs of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Fantasia and Fugue
for Christmas, Songs of Inscape, and his Missa Brevis
Terrae Novae. Some were also taken on European
tours. He was the founder, editor, and publisher of
Cantus Quercus Press. He translated and published
more than 100 choral works from Latin, German,
Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Croatian, Estonian,
Gaelic, French, and Middle-English languages.
His internet site included the most extensive
information available anywhere about his friend
and well known German composer, Franz Biebl.
He was also the editor of the Sacred Choral Octavo
series, by the renowned Brazilian composer Heitor
Villa-Lobos, and of the oratorio Via Crucis by Martin
Sawa. He considered it an honor to have played
the organ at Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Patrick’s
Cathedral in NYC, Strasbourg, Chartres, and Saint
Martin’s of the Field, among others. Every year
during the past decade, Wilbur would compose an
original Christmas carol to include in his Christmas
newsletter.
Wilbur’s greatest joy in life was his family. His
constant source of joy and the one person who
would always make his blue eyes twinkle was
his wife, Dee. They raised a family together and
traveled the world, from Paris to St Petersburg
to New York City and to a lot of baseball games
in between. He was proud of his three sons
and enjoyed watching them pursue careers
in professional baseball and law. ‘Opa’ was
exceedingly proud of, and loved spending time
with, his five grandchildren.
Edward (Ted) WAAKA
Educationalist.
Māori Battalion veteran,
former school principal
and noted Hawke's Bay
educationalist Ted Waaka died
at his Napier home.
In the 2008 NY Honours, Ted
was made a Member of the
New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services
to Māori, education and the community. His wife
Awhina had received the same honour less than
two years earlier.
Born in Napier and an Old Boy of Wellington
College, he spent more than 40 years in teaching,
after studying at Victoria University and training at
Wellington Teachers' College. It included 25 years
as Principal of Taradale Primary School, and he
was also a Principal at Pakipaki, Waipiro Bay, on
the East Coast, and at Tawhiuau in the eastern Bay
of Plenty.
A great legacy of his teaching years was the
founding of the Hawke's Bay Primary Schools
Māori Culture Festival, now Ngati Kahungunu
Primary Schools’ Kapa Haka Festival. He was
Chairman of its organising committee for 17 years,
and it has been a passion of the couple since the
first festival in the mid-1970s.
He served terms with the National Council of
Māori Education and the Hawke's Bay Education
Board.
A World War II veteran, he was the third Hawke's
Bay-based member of 28 Māori Battalion to die in
the last two months, leaving just three surviving
members in Ngati Kahungunu's rohe, including
Wairarapa.
Ted was also a long-standing member of the
Taradale Rotary Club, of which he was President
in 1975-76.
Timothy David WAKELIN
Tim passed away suddenly in
July this year aged 23. From a
very early age, Tim developed
a passion for sport, especially
rugby. At primary school he
played for Wests and made the
Wellington Region age-grade
teams moving from fullback to
hooker and finally settling into his natural position,
open-side flanker. He was also a keen cricketer,
ran cross-country and threw the javelin until his
mid teens - also making representative teams in
these sports.
But Tim's ultimate love was rugby, and this was
where he excelled. Tim was one of the real
characters of Wellington College Rugby. As a
Junior, he played for two great years in the U15
A team. One of the highlights of his Wellington
College rugby career was winning the Most
Valuable Player (Junior) award in 2005.
He then went on play for 2nd XV before being
selected for the 1st XV in 2006. Tim had such
a fantastic time in his first year in the team he
decided to return in 2007 for a little extra game
time in the sport he loved at the school he loved.
Tim played a key role in the this undefeated
side as a leader with a great sense of humour
and bruising uncompromising play on the field.
Tim was always considered as a player with
real potential and was selected in the all the
Wellington age grade teams while at school. His
easy going nature and competitive spirit will live in
the memories of all those that have shared time
with him on and off the field.
After leaving school, Tim played rugby for Old
Boys' University juggling his rapidly growing career
with practice and games. A serious shoulder injury
had curtailed his game time in the 2011 season, so
Tim focused on passing on his love of the game by
supporting the growth of the OBU Junior Club. He
was a much loved coach by players and parents.
Tim's funeral service was attended by a large
contingent of the Wellington College and
Wellington Rugby community. The rousing
Haka, performed by his former team mates and
friends, was a tribute not only to Tim but also
demonstrated the strong bonds of friendship and
camaraderie built on the rugby field and in the
Wellington College corridors.
Lincoln Rawles and Nathan Frew
(1st XV Coaches, 2006-07)
Meredith Atkinson, (Tim's Mother)
TREVOR JAMES YOUNG
Politician
Former MP Trevor Young was
devoted to his community,
country and God, as mourners
at his funeral were reminded.
Trevor was an honourable
and decent man and a man
of integrity, Paul Swain, who
succeeded him in the Eastern Hutt seat after his
retirement, said Trevor was an inspiration to him
and a true servant of the people in every sense of
the word.
Former Western Hutt MP John Terris said Trevor
was never afraid to speak his mind and his
forthright and Christian values probably cost him
political advancement. Politics was often about
compromise but Trevor was not a compromiser.
Trevor was born in Turua (near Thames) in 1925
and grew up in Cambridge and Blenheim. He did
his secondary schooling at Wellington College. His
family settled in Naenae and his first job was with
the Public Trust.
He joined the Labour Party and at 22 as was
asked three times to stand on its ticket for Lower
Hutt City Council elections in 1947. Eventually
someone took him aside to say he was unlikely to
be elected but the experience would make him
better known in the community. The reluctant
candidate avoided campaigning but was elected.
He was mentored in his new role by Mayor Hay.
He combined work and unpaid local politics with
law studies at Victoria University from which he
graduated in 1958.
In 1952, he married Ailsa, whom he met through
the church, and they spent their whole married
life in Lower Hutt. They celebrated 60 years of
marriage in February.
Trevor was a city councillor until 1968 when
he was elected to Parliament in a by-election
following the death of Hutt MP and former Prime
Minister Sir Walter Nash. The morning after
the election, a solo mother was on the Youngs'
doorstep asking for help to find a house. It was
the beginning of a more intensive level of service
to the Hutt Valley public.
Paul Swain, who succeeded Trevor as MP for
Eastern Hutt, spoke on behalf of several former
and current Labour MPs. He met Trevor in 1985
and later thought about standing for Parliament.
Trevor told him he was planning to retire and
gave Paul his blessing to seek selection. Paul won
selection and was publicly endorsed by Trevor.
Trevor had a special understanding of the process
of law-making which he put to good use in
continued on page 61
69
Mastering Who’s Who at Wellington College
A
group of Old Boys, led by Robt Mann (1954-1958) have been running a competition to see if they could name all the Masters in the above photo
(taken in 1950). While some struggled, others have been rather good at remembering names and faces from 60 years ago. Answers are at the
bottom of the page. Sixty years on, the photo below was taken at the end of 2011, of the current College staff. My how things have changed - an
increase in staffing numbers and around 40% of the staff are female.
70
Hamid Abu Shanab, Kim Tattersall, Sean Hann, Robert Everett, Philip Bergin, Robert Anderson, David Ashby, Roger Moses, Darrell Harvey, Ian Clark, Greg Sharland, Craig Blacklock, Zsu Sinclair, Andrew Savage, Katie Macfarlane
Charmaine Izaz, Elizabeth Tanner, Stuart Slater, Lucinda Lendrum, Patrick Smith, Peter Maitland, Mark Bradley, David Grant, Colin Green, Charlotte Pascal, Mirsha O’Donnell, Arina Tulitua, Jane Armstrong,
Diane Smithson, Ernie Rosenthal
Marilyn MacLennan, Pushpa Patel, Helen Jones, Tim Costeloe, Andrea Shaw, Chris Wells, Karl White, Guy Mance, Michael Ellett, Lincoln Rawles, Steve Lyster, Edwina Cormack, Nikki Maetzig, Brenda Van der Meulen, Kathy Burn
Lan Nguyen, Feng Yu, Madeleine Hannah, Cleo Lassaube, Jane Sun, Rebecca Edmunds, Boris Kipnis, Mark Callagher, James Edgecombe, Philip Kendon, Robin Corliss, Kevin Moriarty, Tara Webley, Stephanie Glover, Petra Spearman, Kirin Cherry, Elizabeth Pa’u
Stephanie Kozyniak, Eli Bar Shalom, Gil Roper, Bevan Jones, Tim Thatcher, Bernice Jutson, Rachael Rushworth, Gillian Thomas, Nic Gorman, Colm McNulty, David Langrish, Neville Paul, Joseph Koshy, James Smith, Martyn Reynolds, Jenny Mather, Martin Vaughan, Jane George
Madeleine Sampson, Pratik Tailor, Dawn Hall, Andrea Buxton, Shinichi Muroya, Jonothan Mahoney, Tom Martin, Edwin West, Kirsty Hazledine, Bevan Holloway, Ian Johnson-Lee, Debbie House, Stephanie Kane, Lynda Woods, Penny Basile, Heather Benfield, James Wilcox
Christine Tait, Fran Forrest, Chris Drabble, Tony Robinson, Marc van der Poest Clement, David Calder, Mark Wallace, Matt Jarry, Nathan Frew, Thorsten Harms, Michael Pallin, James Nicholson, Juliette Manning, Sue Mackay
Tara Bell, Mark Collard, Katrina Cowie, Kelwyn D’Souza, Ross Durant, Penny Dustin, Gregor Fountain, Dave Keat, Mary Maddren, Saskia Manktelow, Jan McLean, Stephanie Meronek, Paddianne Neely, Victor Paulson, Tomas Renna, Glenda Schmitt, Jim Sharp, Roy Smith, Murray Sutcliffe, Corin Takitimu, Bruce Tie, Margie Turner, Allan Wain, Jim Woodland, Ezref Zajko
THE STAFF: 1950 • Back Row: Messrs Henderson, Rowe, Michael, Flaws, Bradley, Meads, Crist, Welch, Sutton, Radford
Centre: Messrs Ramage, Watson, Haigh, Halliday, Gordon, Paetz, Meakin, Holt, Williams, Read, Swain
Front: Messrs Holmes, Dighton, AW Griffin, Quartermain, Cuddie, Hogben, Joplin, JR Griffin, Thomson, Hislop. Absent on Overseas Leave: Mr McAloon
Front Row:
Second Row:
Third Row:
Fourth Row:
Fifth Row:
Sixth Row:
Back Row:
Absent:
WCOBA Ties and
Badges
D
on’t forget about the Wellington
College Old Boys’ Ties and Lapel
Pins - available for purchase
from the WCOBA Office or via the
feedback form.
The Ties retail for $30.00 each
and the Lapel Pins are $5.00
each.
ssociation
'A
ld Boys
O
Boy
. N. Old
that A n College
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ti
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e
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ingto
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This is ended Well
Memb
tt
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As
Wellington
College
du
Dated
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lington
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Novem
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You can also subscribe to a Life Membership
to the Association for $150.00 which gives you
your certificate and Lapel Badge, and will help
support the Association in its endeavours with
the College.
T
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:
Memoirs
Please send your stories
Photographs
College Life; Students, Staff, Old Boys, Trophies, Prizes, Form Classes
Uniforms
Caps, Ties, Blazers, Boaters
Sports Gear
Jerseys, Caps, Boots
Medals
Dux, Badges, Awards, War Medals
Book Prizes
Academic Awards
Art Work
Paintings, Sketches
Books
By Old Boy Authors
Music
Recordings by Old Boys
Reports
Academic, Certificates
Papers
Governing Boards, Headmasters, Parents’ Association
Correspondence
Letters to and from Staff, Students and Old Boys
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@wellington-college.school.nz
WCOBA Sponsorship enables
student to set sail
hank you very much for the funding you
provided for my voyage on the Spirit
of Adventure. It was an unforgettable
experience and I have gained both new skills
and many friendships.
and the Runathon by supporting the junior
students.
Voyage 615 left Auckland’s Princes Wharf on 6
January as we headed for the Bay of Islands.
To start with, we didn’t know each other and
were all nervous but after the first evening, we
were all getting along well. We were put into
watches of ten people and did most activities
with them.
William Morrow, Class of 2012
Each morning we woke at 6.30am for a full-on
day starting with a morning swim. Most days
we would have a session sailing and others
would go to shore for an activity and maybe a
short run or swim. The scenery was amazing
and it was a unique experience to spend ten
days on a sailing ship.
Once again, thank you very much for your
support.
Calling all Wellesley
Old Boys
Your old school is turning the ripe old
age of 100 in 2014 and we want to keep
you in the loop with events leading up to
and during these celebrations.
STAY IN TOUCH - Although we have your
parents’ emails, we’d like to have more
direct contact with you especially if you
are leaving school for university or work
at the end of the year. So drop us a line
(alumni@wellesley.school.nz), or fill in
form on website www.wellesley.school.
nz and tell us what’s current.
COME AND VISIT - see your old
teachers, take a tour round the cool new
Library or come and support your old
teams at a Sports Traditional.
Overall the voyage was a huge step outside
my comfort zone but it has helped improve my
confidence that I lacked before. It was hugely
motivational and had helped me with my
sports and academic work. I plan to return to
Wellington College with confidence in activities
such as Football coaching and Peer Support
71
The Wellingtonian, 1912
• Good progress is being made with the Observatory. A fine
telescope and the accompanying fittings have been ordered from England
and should arrive shortly.
• The school numbers are 427 this year, which is the largest
number that has ever been on the roll.
• MUMPS have been rather prevalent this term. Several of the boarders
and not a few day boys and staff have been a victim to its attacks.
• The school felt very proud when it became known that David
Collins had won his rowing blue for Cambridge. His performance in
getting both cricket and rowing blues is a very fine one and we believe
has seldom been equalled.
• Our readers will be glad to learn that we have a ‘handcuff expert’
among us. He recently caused some embarrassment by handcuffing a
boy to a desk during lunch hour. When the first bell began to ring, the
owner of the handcuffs was sought and the key asked for. It was found
he had left it in his other coat pocket at home, and a messenger had to be
dispatched for it.
• The boxing contest took place, with Mr Morris of the ‘Times’
acting as Judge. He paid us the highest compliment of saying that the
boxing was some of the best he had ever seen.
• Sixth Form Notes: This year there are several boys of last year’s
VIA back to carry on the honour of this form. Most of our classes are
very small, with our Mathematics, Latin and Science forms containing
only nine boys each. This has naturally brought more questions, and
more translations for each member - unhappy thought.
• On 2nd and 3rd April, our cadets carried out their Annual Class
Firing at Trentham and the weather was perfect on both days. We left
Te Aro at 7 o’clock and returned home at 6 o’clock weary but happy.
Altogether, 240 boys went out.
Above: Sports Day, 1912
The Half-Mile Open Handicap
1912 Prefects
AF Tucker H Neilson HH Smith JH Williamson GB Dall E Luke O Borer
NB Gadsby JN Stainton F Joplin (Head) HE Greig NS Johnson
72

The Lampstand - Wellington College

Transcription

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