OKGA E-News 13 th June 2014 Vol.1 No. 19 Queen’s Birthday Honours We are proud to advise that two Knox Old Boys were made Members of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, announced last Saturday. Emeritus Professor Michael MacLaren BRYDEN AM (OKG ’55), St. Lucia Qld. For significant service to Veterinary science, and to education, particularly in the field of animal anatomy, as an academic and researcher. (Michael Bryden is the second son of Dr. William Bryden, a former Headmaster of Knox Grammar School.) Emeritus Professor Alan William Lindsay AM (OKG ’61), Malvern Vic. For significant service to higher education, to academic and business development, and to international education. We congratulate both these Old Boys on their lifetime achievements. Nathan Charles in Wallabies Test Debut Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles (OKG ’06) has “defied science and logic” to be named for his Test debut for Australia against France this weekend. Charles has cystic fibrosis – a genetic disease that significantly affects the lungs and pancreas – and is the only known professional athlete in the world with the condition playing a contact sport. On Tuesday, Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie (himself an Old Boy of Scotch College, Melbourne) named the 25 year-old Knox Grammar and Western Force product on his bench behind Tatafu Polota-Nau, after Stephen Moore suffered a season-ending injury. “If you look at the symptoms and classic outcomes of cystic fibrosis it’s not a great scenario from a sporting point of view, but he seems to have defied science and defied logic,” McKenzie said. “One of the issues for instance might be putting on weight but he seems to have no problem, he looks like a hooker and he’s got the right proportions and he carries and presents himself well. “I’m glad it’s out in the open and I think it’s one that we should acknowledge. The best we could do to acknowledge it from a team point of view is to give him an opportunity on the field.” Charles was one of three un-capped players named on the bench after injuries forced three changes to the Wallabies starting line-up. (Courtesy: Georgina Robinson –SMH) To read full article from SMH click HERE Nathan Charles. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Knox 90 th Anniversary Assembly Knox celebrated its 90 th Anniversary on Wednesday with a huge whole of school assembly with students and staff from Kindergarten to Year 12. The event, held in the Great Hall, included a parade of past sporting, cadet, scout and school uniforms, a performance of the original school song and the cutting of the cake by the Prep School Captain Nick Reynolds and Senior School Captain Oscar Alcock. When Knox first opened its doors in 1924, the School had 24 students and three staff members. The lessons were held in Gillespie House on the Pacific Highway in Wahroonga, where the boarders lived along with the Headmaster Neil MacNeil and his wife. The 90 th Anniversary Assembly was attended by recent past school captains and included a video message from 1986 School Captain Hugh Jackman. Original school photo 1924. Source – Knox Archives Celebrations commence. Photo courtesy of Harley Rossetto Chef Ardron. Photo courtesy of Harley Rossetto Birthday cake. Current School Captains. Photo courtesy of Harley Rossetto Year 12 lead Kindergarten from the assembly. Photo courtesy of Harley Rossetto Football (Soccer) Round-Up Having just reached the halfway stage of the season, Knox United is doing well in some divisions, but struggling with the step-up to Premier League. The Premier League Firsts and Reserve teams are both bottom of the table; however, the first grade side did achieve their first win of the season against North Sydney two weeks ago. There is still a long way to go, so hopefully the hard work on the training field will begin to pay-off over the last 9 rounds. The bottom two teams are relegated at the end of the season; however, Knox is just one of four teams on 9 points so better second round results might yet see them stave off relegation. On the other hand, The Division 3 First and Reserve Teams continue their strong run. The Reserves are clear on top of the table with the First grade team sitting comfortably in third place. The Firsts have recently had back to back wins of 7-0 and 4-0 and are starting to live up to their potential. They are a strong chance of being promoted next season if their current form continues. Division 7 is suffering from what can only be termed an injury crisis. They are down to just seven fully fit players and are obviously finding the season very tough. They are yet to win a match, but are still turning up every week hopeful that the elusive first win is just around the corner! The Over 35 Division has recently had an influx of ‘new’ talent and currently sits atop the table, one point clear with a game in hand over their nearest rivals Berowra/Brooklyn. The Over 35 Reserves are made up of several players who qualify for Over 45’s, but they continue to compete gallantly week in and week out and sit comfortably mid table. Altogether a pretty commendable result for an Old Boys Club that fields 8 teams in the very strong KDSA competition. This Saturday, 14 th June, the Premier League teams are playing Mt. Colah at Parklands Oval, Mt. Colah at 1pm & 3pm. Division 3 are playing Asquith at Asquith Oval (Mills Rd) at 1pm & 3pm. Division 7 play Kissing Point at Montview Oval, Hornsby Heights at 3pm, whilst the Over 35’s play Berowra at Kent Oval, Turramurra (off Bobbin Head Rd) at 1pm & 3pm. If you can, get along to support the boys. Old Boys Rugby Club After last weekend’s bye round, the Bravehearts are back at Lofberg Oval, West Pymble tomorrow in games against Petersham. The Petersham Club is one place above Knox on the Club Championship ladder so all games should be very competitive. The Colts play at 1pm, with Burke Cup at 2pm and Kentwell Cup at 3.15pm. Get along to support the boys at home. Winter Holiday Rugby Camp – Mike Cross, coach of the Old Boys Rugby Kentwell Cup side is running a Fun and intuitive Rugby Camp for Boys aged 12-16yrs of all standards. For more information click HERE Old Boy Memories The OKGA office regularly receives emails from Old Boys in all parts of Australia and indeed from around the world. This week Hamish Riches (OKG ’44) sent an email from Perth saying he had only visited Knox once since leaving school, and that was in 1948 after serving in the British Army in England, India and Malaya before being de-mobbed in Singapore that same year. On that occasion Dr. Bryden and I were sitting on a bench in front of the Main School above the Oval. He asked what I thought of the Old School and I remarked that I thought the windows needed cleaning. He, quick as a flash, replied “Well now, perhaps you could attend to the matter.” Touché! As Hamish, now 88 said, “so many stories, so little time left to tell them,” Another email was received from John Southam (OKG ’51) . John was reminiscing about the Knox 1 st XI of 1951 who won the unofficial CAS Championship that year. John was Captain of a team that included a not so secret weapon in David Walker, who was School Captain and a great all-rounder, and John (Sparrow) Dowse as wicket-keeper. Their wonderful coach was A.C. ‘Possum’ Brown. John Southam was chosen in the 1949 1st XI in 3 rd year (Year 9) and was appointed Captain in both 1950 & 1951. He was selected to captain the CAS 1 st XI in 1951, apparently the first Knox boy to be so recognized. Obituaries Alan Raymond Catford (OKG ‘40) 25/1/1924 – 5/6/2014 Attended Knox 1936 (Y7) – 1939 (Y10) Original School Number: 707 Listed on Chapel War Service Roll Tireless worker in the field of conservation Charles E .Lloyd-Jones OAM (OKG ‘43) 4/10/1925 – 8/3/2014 Attended Knox 1940 (Y7) - 1941(Y8) South House Late of Port Macquarie 2014 Reunions The 2014 Reunions are shaping up to be great nights for all. Year Contact Venue Date Ian MacPherson Warrawee Bowling Club Thurs 20 th Nov 1954 Craig Miller Adrian Stark Knox 1 st XV, School Tour, Blue Gum Sat 9 th Aug 1959 Hotel RSVP HERE Knox 1 st XV, School Tour, Warrawee Sat 9 th Aug 1964 Bowling Club 1969 John Cottee Knox KG1 Function Centre Sat 25 th Oct 1974 RSVP HERE Rag & Famish – note venue change Sat 9 th Aug RSVP HERE Knox 1 st XV, School Tour, Warrawee Sat 19 th July 1979 Bowling Club 1984 RSVP HERE Knox 1 st XV, School Tour, Grace Hotel Sat 9 th Aug 1989 Simon Officer Greengate Hotel Fri 14 th Nov RSVP HERE Knox 1 st XV, School Tour, Willoughby Sat 9 th Aug 1994 Hotel 1999 Mark Cairns OKG Rugby, The Morrison Sat 23 rd Aug 2004 Jason or James Hotel CBD Sat 13 th Sept 2009 Zac Gelder TBA TBA Have you missed an edition of the OKGA E-News? Download it from here. Don’t forget to find us online. KGS LinkedIn Group OKGA Facebook Page OKGA Twitter Feed Knox OKGA Bruce Kennedy OKGA Manager | Knox Grammar School P: +612 9487 0449 | 7 Woodville Ave, Wahroonga NSW 2076 www.okga.org.au .