Otago Boys’ High School Foundation Winter /Spring 2013 OBHS Foundation eNewsletter

JULY 2013 – AUGUST 2013 EDITION

From the desk of Foundation Team Member Kimberley Fridd…

Otago Boys’ High was buzzing for weeks after the 150th celebrations. It was a fabulous weekend and great to see so many old boys catching up, engaging with one another, and The 150th is all wrapped up partaking in the many events that were on offer during the and what a successful weekend. weekend it was. The revamped museum was up and running during the Make sure you check out the website online for 150th and it was fantastic to see many old boys taking the photos from the weekend. time to have a good look over the exhibits and take a “walk down memory lane”. If you have any photos from the 150th weekend and would http://www.obhs.school.nz/ma like them added to the gallery, please email them into us at in-gallery/obhs-150th OBHS and we can get them onto the website. Until next time, enjoy this spring weather.

IF YOU WISH TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE FOUNDATION, PLEASE RING - 03 477-2546 EMAIL – [email protected] OR WRITE TO US AT – BOX 11, 9054 http://www.obhs.school.nz/foundation

http://www.obhs.school.nz/foundation Winter / Spring 2013

Recent OBHS old boy successes…

Massey University Graduates

Han Jian PhD(Sc) Hollow Brent PGDip Emergency Management Knight Oliver B Information Sciences Lemalu Kolose Stephven PG Dip in Ergonomics Mackay Anthony B Nursing (Student Nurses) Reed Shannon M Fine Arts with Merit Rendall Stephen BBS Tosh Evan Bachelor of Defence Studies

NEWZATS - Vocal Awards

On Sunday 4th August, three senior boys competed in the annual NEWZATS (NZ Assn of Teachers of Singing) Vocal Awards at Marama Hall, Otago University. The competition is open to junior singers Years 9 & 10 and to seniors Years 11-15 from Otago and Southland. Fifteen Years 11-13 singers competed yesterday and Tom Mottershead was placed 2nd, winning $300. Connor Blackie and Callum Fisher were placed 4th= (Commended).

The adjudicator was Christine Tresader-Hallet, a highly-regarded singer and teacher in Auckland and a former pupil of Dame Sister Mary Leo who taught Dames and Malvena Major. The competition is generously sponsored to the tune of $1500 in prize-money by the Cleveland Charitable Trust and was tinged with sadness this year as its benefactor, Les Cleveland, passed away a few months ago. His legacy lives on in this prestigious event in which a number of OBHS singers have achieved success in recent years.

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Below are examples of the prices for website advertising on the OBHS Foundation site. If you are interested in any of the spaces available, please contact the Foundation Office on 03 477-2546 or email: [email protected]

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Foundation Members

As has been mentioned in a number of newsletters now, part of your Board’s deliberations on the Foundation’s forward thinking centres around the fact that whilst we have confirmed contact details for 7,530 living Old Boys, only 438 have so far made a financial contribution and have thus become Foundation members. We would dearly love to at least double that number (or better) because new members are the future of the Foundation. We still need your support so please give this serious consideration! Remember, pledges do not need to be large lump sum payments – we are very grateful for all contributions, large or small, and in one payment or spread over a period of up to five years which often makes the donation much easier to handle from the Old Boys’ budgeting point of view. Since our last newsletter, we have received donations from:

Paul Twemlow (1991-1995) - Associate Fellow of the Foundation

Terry Leckie (1977-1981) – Friend of the Foundation

Bill Cullen (1946-1951) – Associate Fellow of the Foundation

Norman Geary (1953-1957) – Associate Fellow of the Foundation

Harry Jewiss (1951) – Friend of the Foundation

Ian Young (1974-1978) – Friend of the Foundation

Brian A Jackson (1961-1964) – Friend of the Foundation

Michael McMillian (Former Rector 1986-2000) – Friend of the Foundation

We are genuinely appreciative of the continued support and belief in the Foundation’s objectives shown by those Old Boys who have become Foundation Members. If you wish to find out more about how you can make a pledge or donation please contact the Foundation Office on 0-3-477 2546.

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Introducing Otaki Scholar…Craig William Brownhill

It is a huge honour for me to be selected as the 2013 Otaki Scholar to travel across to New Zealand this summer. The hospitality experienced by previous Otaki scholars is legendary and I would like to thank you in advance for all the work put into ensuring I have a fantastic trip!

I am a keen rugby player, playing tight-head prop for the school’s 1st XV. I also thoroughly enjoy music having achieved Grade 8 for both piano and trombone, with which I previously played in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland’s Access group. Academically I am predominantly a scientist, taking Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Astronomy in my final school year. When I leave school I intend to study Astrophysics in Scotland. Outside of school I enjoy skiing whenever I get the opportunity and enjoy most outdoor activities.

William meeting OBHS Old Boy and rugby superstar, Ritchie McCaw

I am the youngest of three siblings, having two older sisters. I live with my parents, one sister, a dog and two cats just outside of Aberdeen. I have attended Robert Gordon’s since I was 4, starting in the nursery. My uncle moved to New Zealand in the late 90’s living first in Keri-Keri and now Auckland and I have always been eager to see the country he chose to leave Scotland for! I am very excited for the opportunity to experience some Maori culture for myself whilst I am over in New Zealand and am eager to see as much of the country as possible.

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OBHS Founders Assembly

Here are some photos taken at the Founders Assembly before the 150th Celebrations. The men pictured with Rector Clive Rennie are Keith Scott (who wrote the production at the Globe Theatre) and Sir (Principal of Knox College 1962, Theological Professor Knox College 1960-62; School Dux 1935, Beverley Scholar Pure and Applied Maths, Shirtcliffe graduate Bursar, junior Univ. scholar [4th in N.Z.], Alex Milson Memorial Prize, nominated Rhodes Scholar, parish minister, Kurow, Opoho, Wellington; chair of O.T. Studies, Emmanuel College, Brisbane 1956-59, chair O.T. Studies Knox College 1960-62)

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In Memoriam

We acknowledge the recent passing of the following Old Boys of the school:

John Meldrum (1956-1957) died on 22nd July 2013 at Hospice Southland

Ian McNeur (1937-1938) died 3rd August 2013 in Wanganui, aged 92 years old

Ronald (Ron) Hollander (1949-1950) died 22nd July 2013 in Dunedin, aged 79 years old

Rex East (1968-1970) died 15th July 2013 in Dunedin

Lindsay Dempster (1955-1956) 12th August 2013 in Dunedin, aged 73 years old

James (Barry) Hellyer (1941-1942) died 7th August 2013 at St Andew’s Home and Hospital in Dunedin, aged 85 years old

Antony Ledgerwood (1985-1988) died 7th August 2013 in Dunedin, aged 42 years old

Keith Duncan (1949-1951) died 18th August in Dunedin hospital, aged 77 years old

Michael Lonsdale (1950-1951) died 19th August 2013 in , aged 79 years old

Arthur Chapman (1931-1935) died 2nd September 2013 in Waimate, aged 96 years old

Ashley Wilson (2003-2006) died 4th September 2013 in Wanaka, aged 23 years old

Justin Aitcheson (1084-1987) died 5th September 2013 in Christchurch, aged 42 years old

Rev John McKinlay (1950) died 7th September 2013 in Mosgiel, aged 80 years old

Arthur Stoddart (1951) died 6th September 2013 in the United States of America

Prof Brian Merrilees (1952-1956) died 6th September 2013 in Toronto, Canada

Ronald Strain (1948-1952) died 17th September 2013 in Wellington, aged 78 years old

Donald (Don) Hill (1959-1963) died 20th September 2013 in Dunedin

We will remember them

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th A few thoughts on the 150 from the Head Boy

During the first weekend of August the celebrations went ahead for our school’s 150th anniversary. As students we didn’t really know what to expect from the weekend as for many of us it would be the first major school reunion. It is fair to say that whether you were a student or an old boy, it was a very enjoyable weekend. The celebrations kicked off on the Friday with tours of the school during the day, followed by the roll call and the cocktail function in the evening. While many old boys were mixing and mingling at the cocktail function I was able to head up to the school concert in the auditorium where the school’s music talent was on show. Students and old boys left the auditorium amazed by the level at which Otago Boys’ music department has reached and I believe Mr Rennie summed it up perfectly when he described our music department as the best in Otago. Saturday morning started off with the breakfast which was held in the school’s gymnasium. There were also more opportunities for old boys to receive tours of the school. The old boys got a glimpse of what school life is like now, and the current students were treated to a variety of stories from the past to see the similarities and differences of school life at Otago Boys’ over the years. In the afternoon, the longest running rugby interschool took place between Otago Boys’ and Christ’s College. Even though the weather did not come to the party, there was a warm atmosphere with the grandstand and Littlebourne filled with proud old boys. The afternoon was topped off with a closely fought win by our school. Following the after match, the main event took place with a formal dinner at the town hall. This function was a fantastic event, with a personal highlight for me was meeting Richie McCaw. He is someone who I truly look up to. I felt privileged to have the chance to meet many other great old boys as well. The old boys were treated to more musical performances and took part in a live auction which raised invaluable funds for the school. Although an early start, the church service on Sunday morning was well attended. Sir Lloyd Geering, an old boy of the school spoke at the service. The weekend was completed with a farewell barbeque lunch. It was a great way to top off a fantastic weekend. I know I’ll definitely remember these celebrations for the rest of my life. I really appreciate all the hard work that the organising committee put into this weekend to ensure it was a success. No matter how many years we go back the pride in our school remains strong.

Rhys Bayly

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th A few thoughts on the 150 from an Old Boy

As the celebrations approached, after all the anticipation of the previous few years, I must admit that I was wondering just how successful the weekend was going to be. Would there be thousands of people there or just a few hundred? Would the events be headlined by famous Old Boys and full of glitz and glamour, or would they be lower key, there to celebrate the “ordinary” blokes who’ve passed through the gates of OBHS over the years?

Well, from the moment things began on Friday, through until the lunch on Sunday, it was clear that despite the undoubted teething problems every large-scale event undoubtedly has, it was most certainly "all right on the night".

I realised as the event progressed that it's not necessarily about the big things (like top keynote speakers and international headline concert acts) but that a reunion such as this is about old friends reconnecting, and the buzz of chatter as people get together and enjoy each other’s company. For example, yes, it would have been great to have a concert featuring some of our School’s internationally renowned performers, but then we wouldn't necessarily have had the outstanding talent on display at the School Concert that we enjoyed instead on Friday night. Who needs an international superstar when there's so much home-grown talent sitting at school all along??

And keeping it simple throughout worked – it was fantastic to hear the excitement in people’s voices as they shook hands with old classmates from decades ago, and to observe friendships being renewed as if the intervening years had never happened. And at the Gala Dinner, it was great to have not one but four guests light-heartedly interviewed on stage – doing it that way made the weekend somehow more about us all as Old Boys, rather than about a select few.

My wife Pauline and I both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we extend a huge thank you to all those people whose excellent efforts made the 150th a great success. Well done to everyone concerned - you did a fantastic job!!

Andrew Moffat (1974-1977)

Pictured at the Gala Dinner at the Dunedin Town Hall…

(L-R) Duncan Power, Andrew Moffat, Peter Gootjes, Ajith Polonowita, Ian Young (all class of 1974).

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Old Boys’ Society

Following is the address I gave to the 150th Assembly and Roll Call - Dunedin Town Hall, 4pm Friday 2nd August 2013.

Fellow old boys.

On behalf of OBHS Old Boys’ Society I am delighted to welcome everybody here this afternoon and I invite you to celebrate with us the success of the school over the last 150 years.

That you have come here, many having travelled some distance across the globe, demonstrates your enthusiasm for and, I would suggest, your acknowledgment and gratitude to the school for the part that it has played in your own personal and professional development. It’s great to see you and I thank you for making the effort to be here.

My name is Brent Alexander. I attended OBHS from 1977-1981. My father, Frank, is an old boy. My three brothers; Ross, Geoff & Tony, are old boys and my two sons, Nicholas and George are present day students. My family has had a long association with the school and I still have a very strong connection with it. I remain very enthusiastic about Otago Boys; it means a lot to me and it’s a privilege to be involved as President of the Old Boys’ Society.

Since the inception of the school in 1863 there have been 25,939 boys pass through the gates. And each of you is one of the 16,777 living old boys. At this point I ask that we stand & observe a few moments silence as we remember our fellow old boys who have passed away… Thank you.

This is a very important occasion in the history of Otago Boys’ High School. Five years of planning & hard work by the 150th committee have gone into organising this event which has, at times, been very challenging. There have been a few tears and a few laughs along the way and I thank the committee for their unwavering commitment to making this a successful weekend for all involved.

As Society president I have enjoyed working closely with Clive Rennie who is doing a wonderful job as rector of the school. It is not an easy position and he has demonstrated strong leadership to his staff and to his students over the last 13 years. The school is still achieving excellent results in all areas - academic, cultural and sporting. OBHS is in very good shape in 2013 and I commend Clive for his hard work and for his vision of what a great school should be in the 21st century.

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Despite the often negative reporting in the media about the state of the education system, I have nothing but high praise for the professionalism and commitment shown by the current teachers and leadership team at Otago Boys.

And I have also been very impressed with the present dayboys - all 930 of them. Teenagers are not to be feared (teachers are to be feared!). On the contrary they keep us young and they need to be nurtured and given opportunities to grow and learn. There have been many fine young men emerge from the classrooms of OBHS over the last 150 years and I promise you the school continues to turn out fine young men who will be our leaders of tomorrow. I truly believe the future of this country is in safe hands and our school is playing a big part in that future by providing a quality-teaching programme for our boys.

Over the coming weekend I encourage you to have a good look around the school. You will notice that the facilities are first class and that things may be somewhat different from when you were at school. For example, the old assembly hall has been magically transformed into a wonderful performing arts auditorium and you won’t see an old fashioned blackboard anywhere. But you will see classrooms full of smart boards, computers, projectors and other 21st century technology - things that used to be the stuff of science fiction; certainly when I was at school anyway.

In summary Otago Boys’ High School is doing well 150 years on. It remains one of the very best schools in New Zealand, and therefore one of the best schools in the world. As old boys who attended the school we can all be grateful for, and proud of, what it has done for us and for the life- long friends we made there.

Thank you once again for coming along and sharing with us in this significant celebration of 150 years of Otago Boys’ High School. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and are able to reconnect with a large number of your old school mates.

Brent Alexander President OBHS Old Boys’ Society

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From the Rector

First, congratulations to the 150th Committee, also the other groups and individuals who organised and ran a very successful series of events. The accolades continue to flow in. The focus has now turned to the future of the Foundation and the committee is putting into place a series of consultations in order to stimulate discussion on the future direction. What form should the Foundation take given that the first model has not worked. At the time the Foundation was established it made sense to incorporate the Old Boys Society administration into the Foundation. There is a feeling that the Old Boys’ Society should again be separate from the Foundation. It certainly is my opinion that the Old Boys’ organisation should not lose its identity. The OB Society and the Foundation have very different objectives. While this debate is being held the school will continue to administer the Foundation at minimal cost. This is enabling us to mark time but does not allow us to grow the fund. How this work is done appears to me to be the number one priority. You will be aware that the original committee drew a line at $2million being the trigger at which point the school could benefit from the income. $1.2m in cash and pledges was the highest level achieved in the eight years of the Foundation’s existence. One of the very clear messages the committee have been hearing is that money would only be donated if it went directly to capital projects identified as priorities by the school. We have such projects and with the success of the 150th as a catalyst now would be the time to put such a plan in place. We as a community have some weighty decisions to make, but I am sure with our combined discussion and belief in the future strength of our great old school we will put together a very positive plan.

Clive Rennie Rector

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Cheap fuel with OBHS Foundation’s fuel card As fuel prices remain high the OBHS Foundation has an exclusive Fuel Card offer available to all Old Boys, past Staff and their immediate family members. All Foundation card holders receive 5 cents per litre discount to the national pump price for petrol and diesel. Discounted petrol and diesel can be purchased at all BP, RD Petroleum and most Gasoline Alley retail sites along with Truck Stops.

HOW IT WORKS: If today the national price for a litre of 91 octane is $2.159 cents, the cost to you would be $2.109 cents. If on the West Coast 91 is priced at $2.389 cents per litre - those with Foundation fuel cards will still pay only $2.109 cents per litre. That’s a 28 cpl saving!

This offer is open to all Otago Boys' High School - Old Boys, staff, parents of a student and their immediate family members so please pass this on to anyone you think may well benefit from joining the programme.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE AND START SAVING ON ALL YOUR FUEL PURCHASES! Individual Application – Click here Limited Companies Application – Click here

Newsletter researched and compiled by Kimberley Fridd