2014 08 22 E-News Vol 1 No 29
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OKGA E-News 22 nd August 2014 Vol.1 No. 29 Advertising in “The Clan” You will have recently received a copy of the first Old Boys magazine that was greeted with great enthusiasm. I’m sure you’ll agree the layout, design and quality of the publication is of the highest standard. An opportunity is available for your company to advertise in future editions of ‘The Clan.’ With a guaranteed distribution of over 7,000 copies and a readership of more than 21,000 people there is a great opportunity for your company to promote a brand , product or service. Those Old Boys working for larger corporations might like to discuss this opportunity with the advertising or marketing manager. Likewise, it is chance for smaller businesses or family companies to increase their exposure. And by incorporating a special offer or service you will be able to accurately track the sales the advertising creates. If you would like more information on rates & specifications etc. please contact Bruce Kennedy at [email protected] or phone 9487-0449. Old Boy Mentors for Australian Business Week The School is urgently seeking around ten more volunteers for the ABW being held from Tuesday 16 th to Friday 19 th September. We are looking for Old Boys with business experience to guide and facilitate a group of around 8 students (a mixture of boys & girls) over the 4 days. As a Mentor you will be provided with morning tea and lunch and a quiet room for Mentors to complete their own work (when the groups are working independently on their projects) If you are an Old Boy with some time to spare and have business experience, you will find the experience incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. Please contact Elyse Tyler at [email protected] if you can assist. News from Deepest Africa It never ceases to amaze just where in the world you will come across Knox Old Boys. Just a couple of weeks ago Knox Business Manager, Byron Cullen, was talking to a fellow passenger on a river cruise in France. When Byron casually mentioned where he worked his companion said “Isn’t that amazing, I went to school at Knox.” It turned out to be Malcolm Richmond (OKG ’61) who is a Professor at the University of WA. A few days ago we received an email from Roger Staley (OKG ’76) who wrote: “Having lived in Perth from 1984 to 2007 and the Congo and Zambia since then, it has been difficult to feel part of the OKG community. However, since the weekly email updates started this has all changed.” If any Old Boys are considering a trip of a lifetime to sub-Saharan Africa, then Roger is the man to contact. [email protected]. Or if you are attending the Wallabies v Springboks game in Capetown on 27 th September, email Roger and he will organize an impromptu get-together before or after the match. Dr. Bruce Carter AM Many Old Boys either went to school with Bruce Carter or was taught by him. Two weeks ago Bruce had a hip operation and is currently recuperating at home. It unfortunately interrupted his plans to be the Guest Speaker at the 1964 Reunion Dinner. However, his brother Derek, 1964 School Vice-Captain, filled-in very ably with a very entertaining and interactive speech. Bruce obtained a Master of Education from Harvard University and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Toronto. He was appointed Deputy-Headmaster of Knox in 1971 and in 1978 became Headmaster of Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston. In 1985 he was appointed Headmaster of Cranbrook School, a position he held for 16 years. The 1984 Thirty Year Reunion (A Report) The reunion of the 1984 Alumni was a ‘Night of Nights.’ Held at the art deco Grace Hotel in the City, we were well looked after by the General Manager, Philip Pratley (OKG ’72) whose personal attention added to the success of the night. The inspired decision to commence our celebrations at the Knox-Barker 1 st XV match where Knox won and 74 points were scored was a great way to get started. We then enjoyed an awe inspiring tour of all the new facilities at the School, before embarking on a City Rail journey to Wynyard. A number of our group travelled from around the world and interstate to partake in a sumptuous three course meal with a bottomless glass of wine. Delightful anecdotes were presented by John Proctor via an MP3 player, and Malcolm Knox spoke in his usual forthright manner. The gathering was kept in check by the stewardship of Campbell Reade who acted as MC for the evening, and recorded for posterity by our photographer Dr. Steevie Chan. The open microphone in the second half of the evening led to the unearthing of some astounding facts and reflections of our charmed school life together. Many contributors could easily find a gig at the Comedy Festival. The night ended with a rousing rendition of The Leavers Song. The 35 Year reunion will have a lot to live up to. For those interested, more information and photos can be found on the OKGA web page. 1974 Reunion On the same evening (9 th August) the 1974 Alumni held their 40 Year Reunion at the Rag & Famish Hotel in North Sydney. They too attended the 1 st XV game. However, someone with an obvious interest in numerology (or a lot of time on their hands) came up with this eerie equation. The Knox- Barker score was 56-18 56 was the year most of us were born 18 was our age when we left school 56 + 18 = 74 74 was the year we left! The Knox Da Vinci Decathlon Knox Grammar School instigated the Da Vinci Decathlon some years ago. From humble beginnings it has grown every year and now has many chapters across Australia. Hundreds of schools around Australia (private & public) and thousands of students (boys & girls) compete in 10 events. They are problem solving activities that cover topics not covered in the classroom. The children take-on theories that apply to everyday events and compete in groups. You need to be a logical thinker and a team player. If you would like to view a video of this year’s event held in the Knox Great Hall, click on the following: https://vimeo.com/103878139 Brothers 4 Brothers Charity Rugby Game – Tomorrow at 1.00pm Brothers 4 Brothers invite you to the first annual clash between Knox Old Boys Legends and the Old Ignatians Rugby Club tomorrow , Saturday 23 rd August, from 1.00pm at Lofberg Oval, West Pymble . We are raising funds for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Centre in memory of Lachlan Robertson, one of four Knox brothers. There will be a BBQ and beverage service operating along with face painting and jumping castle for the kids. If there is only one game you attend this season, please make tomorrow that day. A sold-out Sportsman’s Lunch is being held today at the Blue Gum Hotel with Wallabies legend Phil Kearns as the Guest Speaker. This is just the start of the fundraising activities which will continue tomorrow. To date over $200,000 has been raised for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and with your support this will grow. Trailwalker 100 kms – 550 teams – 48 hours – 1 Mighty Trail This morning 550 teams set off from Parsley Bay on the Hawkesbury River to trek to George’s Heights in Mosman. They will have 48 hours to reach the destination via some of Sydney’s most scenic bush trails. A team consisting of Nick Bangs (OKG ’98) Charlie & Tom Bangs (OKG ’07) and Rowan Trouncer (OKG ’07) have been training for months for this ultimate challenge. Calling themselves the ‘GNS Trailblazers’ the boys are hopeful of a good performance. Oxfam Trailwalker began as a training exercise in 1981 for the Queen’s Ghurkha Signal Regiment in Hong Kong. It has since grown into one of the world’s ultimate team events. Please show your support for the team, and visit their team site: https://trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/team/home/17913 Obituaries David Ross Flockhart OBE (OKG 1944) (known as Ross) 20/03/27 – 17/08/14 Original School No: 646 Attended Knox: 1935 (Y2) – 1944 (Y11) House: North Ross was an OKGA Life Member & Senior Knoxonian Life Member. He is listed on the Knox Chapel War Service Roll. Those Old Boys from the 1930’s to the 1960’s will remember the Flockhart family. Ross’s father was the Rev. D. J. Flockhart who was Minister at St. Johns Wahroonga, which was the School Church before the Chapel was built. He became the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Australia. Boarders will remember well the Sunday Church Services. D. J. Flockhart was also on the School Council. Ross studied Engineering after leaving school and became a sapper in the Royal Australian Engineers. At Sydney University he switched from Engineering to study Theology He saw War Service and later moved to Scotland, and following his father, eventually finished his studies and became a Minister of the Church of Scotland. Except for brief visits back to Australia, Ross spent all of the rest of his life in Scotland. But Ross had a strong Knox connection. His late wife, Pamela, was the sister of a Knox boy, (Chic Macartney ’42) and his sister, Joan, married Bill Leventhal and had a son and grandson who attended Knox. His Death Notice read: Ross (David) Flockhart on 17 August 2014 in Edinburgh, originally of Sydney, Australia.