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The Otago Boys' High School Foundation
PO Box 11,
Dunedin, New Zealand
Tel +64 3 477 2546
Fax +64 3 477 5468
April newsletter –
Breakfast with Richie McCaw
* Old Boys and their connections (family, friends, work mates and the like) have the opportunity to attend a pre-test breakfast in Dunedin with the All Black captain Richie McCaw (1994-98, Head Boy 1998) on Tuesday 9th June.
The All Blacks meet the French for the first time in a test at Carisbrook on Saturday, 13th June.
Hosted in conjunction with the annual Otago Secondary School Sports Association sports leaders’ breakfast – with representatives from all 23 secondary schools in Otago in attendance – the function will run from 7.15a.m. until 9a.m. with Richie talking about leadership, answering questions from the floor and posing for photographs.
While the venue has yet to be finalised, indications of interest are now being taken. The cost is likely to be around $40. If you wish to attend, please contact the Foundation – 03/4778977 or info@obhsfoundation.co.nz with your name and the number of tickets required.
And, as noted later in the newsletter, tickets to the test remain available to Old Boys and their connections prior to them going on sale to the general public.
Old Boys’ tracking
* In the last 12 months, the Foundation – through the tireless work of Lawrie Currie (1957-62) in Nelson and a good many spontaneous ‘phone calls and emails with contact information – has tracked more than 5,000 previously ‘missing’ Old Boys.
These alumni were not on the Foundation’s newsletter database, so were not receiving the monthly email links or quarterly postal delivery of the newsletter. They were also missing the opportunity to attend reunions and various activities on the Foundation’s events’ calendar.
We are extremely grateful to Lawrie for the work he has undertaken over the past year and for the assistance of all Old Boys who have offered information with regard to the whereabouts of their former school and classmates.
However, time is now becoming a major issue as we look to assemble a complete and up-to-date register of each and every Old Boy when the 150th celebrations are held in August 2013. As was the case at the time of the centennial in 1963, this list will be published as part of the school’s history.
To help speed the process, the Foundation would appreciate any information with regard to the location of those still unaccounted for. Please check the Class Lists (top left side of the Foundation website’s Home Page – www.obhsfoundation.co.nz) where the names of those still missing are easily identifiable.
The Foundation (+64/34778977, info@obhsfoundation.co.nz) would welcome an email or postal address or even a telephone number. Thank you.
If every Old Boy helped ‘find’ one currently not on our database, the numbers would double overnight. Repeat that exercise with those newly found, and the job would be done.
5 Year Reunions
* Further to the above, the Foundation is keen to stage a series of Five Year Reunions as from this year – the ‘Five Years’ relating to the year of leaving.
This year the intention is to assemble Old Boys who left in 2004, 1999, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1974, 1969 and 1964. However, our knowledge of where Old Boys from these years (and all others) are is nowhere near as complete as it needs to be to make these events worthwhile for all concerned.
If anyone is keen to assist with the tracking of their old mates and organisation of the Reunion for their particular year of leaving, the Foundation would be pleased to hear from you.
I can be contacted at +64/34778977 or info@obhsfoundation.co.nz
Again, thank you.
Registrations for 2013 sesquicentennial
* A reminder that the school’s 150th celebrations will be hosted in just four and a half years.
The dates in question are Thursday 1st August to Sunday 4th August 2013. Several venues have been booked for the various events and details about travel and accommodation packages will be released by the end of the year.
If you wish to note your interest in being involved, please do so through an email to the Foundation (info@obhsfoundation.co.nz) or a telephone call (+64 3/4778977), the message to include your full name and years of attendance. So far, 120 have registered their intention to attend.
A refundable registration fee of $100 is being levied to assist with some of the costs associated in setting up what is officially known as a sesquicentennial.
1959 Reunion
* More than 70 registrations have so far been received by those keen to attend the Labour Weekend Reunion of the 1959 intake and the boys who subsequently joined that group.
A Friday night get-together at the Mornington Tavern will be followed by lunch at the school on the Saturday along with photographs and a school tour. The formal Saturday night dinner will be hosted at the University Oval and a Taieri Gorge train trip has been organised for the Sunday.
Registrations are still being taken and declarations of interest can be forwarded to the Reunion’s secretary Ian Horrax at ihorrax@clear.net.nz
Foundation members
* Since the March newsletter, the following Old Boys and connections with the school have made pledges or donations and have been registered as Members of the Foundation –
Congratulations
* Award-winning architect Ted McCoy (1938-43) was one of three Dunedin men who were presented with inaugural Dunedin Heritage Trust Bluestone Awards last month.
Ted, along with publisher, journalist and historian George Griffiths and Chinese historian and retired general practitioner Dr James Ng, received the award at the Otago Anniversary Day Dinner in the Glenroy Auditorium.
The awards were established by the Dunedin Heritage Trust to recognise people who have made a significant contribution to the living heritage of Dunedin.
Bluestone Awards committee chairman Marshall Seifert said the calibre of the three inaugural recipients had established a strong foundation for the awards.
Ted’s career was marked by his concern with the retention and enhancement of Dunedin’s architectural heritage.
In 2002, he was honoured with the New Zealand Institute of Architects Gold Medal award and he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004.
He has designed some of Dunedin’s most notable buildings, including the completion of St Paul’s Cathedral, the University of Otago Hocken Building (now renamed the Richardson Building), University College in 1969, the Otago Boys’ High School redevelopment in 1982 and the 2000 redevelopment of Otago Museum.
Ted was both Dux and Head Boy in 1943.
* Chris Hood (Year 12) gave up swimming and rugby to play basketball and has no regrets.
The 1.98m tall 16-year-old cannot keep the smile from his face when he talks about his recent success.
Chris was selected for the New Zealand under-18 team which competed at the Australian Youth Olympics Festival earlier this year and there are bigger targets ahead.
The New Zealand side in Australia was well beaten by China and Australia but defeated Japan in the play-off for the bronze medal.
Chris, who hails from Timaru, had to be content with starting from the bench, but it was a huge thrill for the teenager.
‘‘There were people there from about 20 different countries and it was pretty awesome,’’ he said.
He was selected for the side last November after impressing at a training camp and has been invited to trial again along with three locals: Ollie Smith (Bayfield High School), Ben Mackay (Kings High School) and Damon Cleverly (Logan Park High School).
Chris had a growth spurt last year and hopes he is still growing. But despite towering over most of his classmates, in basketball terms he is a ‘‘tweener’’ — not quite tall enough to play in the forward line and too tall and ungainly to play as a guard. He is working on his speed and mobility, and practising his shooting from the outside to help smooth the transition from power forward to shooting guard.
Starting from the bench was fine, but Chris is determined to get more court time this season. Offering more on offence is one way he hopes to achieve that goal.
He gave up a promising career in swimming and cast off the rugby boots to pursue his basketball dream. Chris was also a handy swimmer.
‘‘Rugby had to go first. Then it was a choice between swimming or basketball because there was not enough time to do both.’’
* The good news keeps coming with regard to the 2009 New Year’s Honours list.
The Foundation’s newsletter has already made note of Colonel Brendon Fraher (1965-70, Head Boy 1970) who was awarded the MNZM for his operational service to the New Zealand Army and Defence Force; Steve (Stephen Ernest) Wilson (1968-71) who was awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services for business; and Glenn Cockburn (1969-73) who received the QSM for services to the New Zealand Fire Service … there’s more.
Gavin McFadyen (1962-66) was awarded a QSO with his citation reading - lately Assistant Commissioner, New Zealand Police. For services to the New Zealand Police.
Gavin is Brendon’s cousin and it would appear almost certain that this is not only the first time four Otago Boys’ alumni have been recognised in the same awards, but the first time first cousins have received honours at the same time. Congratulations.
All Blacks vs Tricolours
* Following the success of last year’s partnership between the Foundation and the Otago Rugby Union in promoting the staging of the All Blacks versus Springboks rugby international at Carisbrook, we’ve again joined forces.
Such was the interest from Old Boys and their connections last year, the ‘full house’ sign went up four weeks before kickoff.
The French will play their first-ever test match at Carisbrook on Saturday 13th June and Old Boys and their connections are again being offered the opportunity to purchase tickets
The Gallaher Trophy will be on the line – the trophy is named in honour of Dave Gallaher, the captain of the 1905 Originals, who lost his life on the battlefield at Passchendale in 1917.
Otago Rugby is delighted to offer Old Boys and their families, friends and colleagues the opportunity to buy tickets before they go on public sale. This limited opportunity will be available until the 24th April and it is recommended tickets are purchased quickly.
Should you wish to buy tickets, please go to www.ticketdirect.co.nz (password is BLACK), phone Michelle on + 64 03/4664263 or e-mail Otago Rugby at orfu@orfu,co.nz. Folk who purchase tickets can also nominate their favorite club from North Otago, Otago, Otago Country or Southland. The club with the most votes from each of the regions will get a chance to play Rippa Rugby as a curtain raiser to the test.
Annual Foundation golf tournament
* The fourth annual Otago Boys’ High School Foundation Golf Classic was staged in late March in association with our new naming rights’ sponsor Dunedin City Mazda.
A field of 23 teams contested the ambrose tournament on the St Clair course in Dunedin in windy but dry conditions.
This year’s champion team comprised Peter Young (1984-89), Barry Timmings (1983-87), Craig Ross and Richard Roberts … in shooting 8 under the card and playing off a handicap of 6.875, the team’s net score of 56.125 was 0.125 of a point better than Murray Galland’s Cableways Tavern and Liquorland quartet. Murray (1969-73) and his mates carded a seven under score off a 7.75 handicap.
Scott Ede (1998-2002) and his team finished third, shooting a nine under score off a team handicap of five, the Dunedin Casino foursome (four under off a 9.5 handicap) took fourth place and the school team of Travis Applegarth, Thomas Facer, Kayne Wardell and Sam Doran, playing off a joint handicap of 3, shot a 10 under 61 to round out the top five.
The results were –
Closest to the pin 4th – Sam Doran
Closest to the pin 7th – Neil Seaton
Closest to the pin 13th – Andrew Campbell
Closest to the pin 16th – Paddy Breen
Most golf – Clarke Craw Ltd, team handicap 10, net score 67 (Mazda polo shirts)
19th – National Bank (Business Banking), team handicap 9, net score 65 (Mazda branded ProStaff golf balls)
18th – Dunedin City Mazda # 2, team handicap 7.5, net score 63.5 (Mazda branded ProStaff golf balls)
17th – RD Petroleum, team handicap 5.875, net score 63.125 (Wattyl can radios)
16th – Otago Daily Times, team handicap 9.375, net score 61.625 (Mazda branded ProStaff golf balls)
15th – Jim’s Mowing, team handicap 11.125, net score 60.875 (Heineken branded Taylormade golf balls)
14th – ABN Amro Craigs, team handicap 5.625, net score 60.375 (Wattyl rugby balls)
13th – Tuesday arvo, team handicap 5.75, net score 60.25 (Mazda caps)
12th – Hope & Sons, team handicap 9.75, net score 60.25 (Wattyl carry bags)
11th – Gladstone Grand Hotel, team handicap 6.375, net score 59.625 (Mazda umbrellas)
10th – Sharpies Golf Otago, team handicap 4.625, net score 59.375 (1 dozen Heineken each)
9th – Venator, team handicap 6.75, net score 59.25 (Wattyl esky radios)
8th – HRV Otago, team handicap 8.3, net score 58.7 (Mazda polo shirts)
7th – Otago High School Old Boys’ Society, team handicap 7.375, net score 58.625 (Wattyl umbrellas)
6th – Harvie Green Wyatt, team handicap 9.5, net score 58.5 ($50 BP gift cards)
5th – Otago Boys’ High School, team handicap 3, net score 58 (Niblick golf shoes)
4th – Dunedin Casino, team handicap 9.5, net score 57.5 ($150 Brooker United Travel vouchers)
3rd – Scott Ede, team handicap 5, net score 57 (Nickent rescue woods)
2nd – Cableways Tavern & Liquorland, team handicap 7.75, net score 56.25 (Odyssey Crimson putters)
1st – Peter Young, team handicap 6.875, net score 56.125 (PGF Ultra Deluxe golf bags and the Otago Boys’ High School Foundation Trophy)
The Foundation is greatly appreciative of the support of Robert Bain and Fraser McGrouther at Dunedin City Mazda, to all of the hole and prize sponsors and to the players who ensured another highly successful Foundation Classic.
A highlight of the prize-giving was the sponsors draw for a round of golf with carts at Jack’s Point near Queenstown with Larnach Castle (Norcombe Barker, 1982-86) taking the honours.
Our tournament sponsors were –
Naming rights – Dunedin City Mazda
Holes – RD Petroleum, WHK Taylors, Gladstone Grand Hotel, National Bank (Business Banking), Otago High School Old Boys’ Society, Clarke Craw Ltd, Harvie Green Wyatt, ABN Amro Craigs, Sharpies Golf Otago, Cableways Tavern & Liquorland, Otago Daily Times, Dunedin Casino, Oakwood, Hope & Sons, HRV Otago, Brooker United Travel, Larnach Castle
Prizes – Sharpies Golf Otago, the Usher Group, the Customhouse, Neil Metcalf (St Clair Pro Shop), Wattyl New Zealand, Dunedin City Mazda, Brooker United Travel, Cableways Tavern & Liquorland, Dunedin Casino, Jack’s Point
School news
* Two summer interschools were contested late in Term One, with the results being:
versus Timaru Boys’:
1st XI cricket – Timaru Boys’ 105 (Blair Soper 6/40, Isaac Gutschlag 3/25) and 162/3 (Blair Soper 2/25); Otago Boys’ 258/9 declared (Ciaran McMeeken 81 not out, Tom Rutherford 54). Game drawn.
Colts cricket – Otago Boys’ 112 (Tom Kindley 26) and 154/5 declared (Liam Cotton 51, Reece Bailey 43); Timaru Boys’ 69 (good bowling by Jack Hunter and Hamish McMillan – no figures available) and 107. A win to Otago Boys by 90 runs.
Tennis –
Juniors: Otago Boys’ 10, Timaru Boys’ 2
Seniors: Timaru Boys’ 8, Otago Boys’ 4
versus Southland Boys’:
1st XI cricket – Southland Boys’ 112 (Isaac Gutschlag 3/15, Kane Russell 2/9, Tom Rutherford 2/36) and 218 (Tom Rutherford 3/29, Gregor Kroudis 3/52); Otago Boys’ 256/9 (Daniel Duke 74, Lance Taylor 40, Liam Edwards 35) and 75/4 (Ciaran McMeeken 30 not out). A win to Otago Boys’ by six wickets.
Year 9 – Otago Boys’ 35 and 113; Southland Boys’ 89 (Rhys Bayley 7/26) and 16 (Rhys Bayley 6/7, Trent Cairns 3/5). A win to Otago Boys’ by 43 runs.
Tennis:
Juniors: Otago Boys’ 17, Southland Boys’ 4
Seniors: Otago Boys’ 14, Southland Boys’ 7
New Zealand Year 9 & 10 national cricket finals
* The future of cricket at Otago Boys’ looks assured for a season or two, following a strong showing by the Colts team at the national finals in Taupo last month.
Otago Boys’, joint winners of the title with Hamilton Boys’ in 2007, finished third this year, dropping just one game in four outings.
Results were –
vs St Peter’s School (Cambridge) – St Peter’s 153 (Marcus Frost 5/21, Josh Renton 4/28), Otago Boys’ 157/7 (Tom Griffin 67, Sam Ellis 25). Win to Otago Boys’ by three wickets.
vs Francis Douglas Memorial College (New Plymouth) – Francis Douglas 106 (Jack Hunter 2/10, Hamish McMillan 2/14, Marcus Frost 2/16), Otago Boys’ 108/2 (Sam Ellis 31*, Josh Renton 28*, Tom Griffin 23). Win to Otago Boys’ by eight wickets.
vs King’s College (Auckland) – King’s 187/7, Otago Boys’ 92/9 (Sam Ellis 35). A win to King’s by 95 runs.
Play off for 3rd & 4th vs Lindisfarne College (Hastings) – Otago Boys’ 198 (Marcus Frost 46, Sam Ellis 44, Nic Rapley 38), Lindisfarne 172 (Alex Hodgson 5/32, Jack Hunter 3/14). Win to Otago Boys’ by 26 runs.
Sam Ellis was named Otago Boys’ ‘player of the tournament’.
Silent Auction – Friday 15th May 7p.m. in the Shand
* The Otago Boys’ Parents’ Association continues to work hard with its fundraising with the success of last month’s Hilarious Hypnotist shows being followed by the hosting of a Silent Auction on Friday 15th May in the Shand building.
Funds raised will be put towards the purchase of resources for the Mt Aspiring lodge and classroom data projectors.
Some items will be offered as a ‘Silent Auction’ while a number of others will also be offered for live bidding.
All Foundation Members and Old Boys of the school are cordially invited to:
If you wish to support this fundraising event, please contact the school office (03/4775527) to arrange pick-up or drop-off of your donated item. Alternatively, supporters can contact any one of the committee members listed:
Judy Toomer 489 4710 Max Gold Nicole Hesson
Secretary Chairperson Treasurer
(h) 03/489 4710 (h) 03/454 5773 (h) 03/479 0954
(mobile) 027/7271197
jtoomer@xtra.co.nz
Where Are They Now?
* It made sense for Grant Cochrane (1982-86) and his wife Andrea to work with the South Otago environment rather than against it.
The Glenomaru Valley deer farmers could have taken to the bush with chain saws, ignored the impact on water quality of their deer, and tried to make every square metre of the farm productive.
But they wanted to live in an environment of which they were proud and which was enjoyable, and that did not mean it had to be in conflict with production and the property’s viability.
Grant said 80% of the farm had a northerly aspect and had a mix of shelter and native bush, exotic tree plantations and steep gullies which lent itself to running deer. The Cochrane’s efforts and approach have been recognised with the couple being awarded the Elworthy Environmental Award, the premier prize at the 2008-09 Deer Industry Environmental Awards.
To read more about Grant and his endeavours click here
Old Boys in the news
* Hsi-Yu Ku (1999-2003) was one of three University of Otago Bachelor of Medical Science honours students based in Dunedin to recently receive a scholarship to support their studies this year.
Hsi-Yu, known as Manson while at school, received a faculty scholarship
while his colleagues were awarded various study grants.
The scholarships were presented at a function in Dunedin last month.
* Dunedin businessman Grant McLauchlan (1980-84) is shaking off economic recession fears with plans to renovate the former RSA building in central Dunedin into commercial office space.
Grant’s company Beach Road Ltd has bought the three-storey Moray Place building in which another of his companies, Crest Commercial Cleaning, would be an anchor tenant.
He said there would be 1350m square of lettable space in the building, which had a total floor area of 1760m square. Eight commercial tenants were already leasing space, along with a three-bedroom apartment.
Grant said he had outgrown his premises and needed extra space and said buying the former RSA building was an opportunity that seldom presented itself. The building would be retrofitted along ecological building and design lines and in keeping with the 90-year-old structure’s historic status.
That meant using natural light, natural heating and the careful use of water, sympathetic design and materials, something he said he had successfully done with the development of another historic building in Moray Place.
Grant was confident the central city location would attract tenants while the varying size of space available would also appeal to businesses of different sizes.
‘‘People will pay for quality, centrally located buildings,’’ he said.
Work would start on developing office space for Crest this month with further redevelopment as tenants required. The building was opened as RSA club rooms in 1920 and was upgraded after a fire in 1962.
* Three Old Boys from the late 1960s will join forces in the New Zealand team for the World Senior Curling Championships to be staged in Dunedin in late-April.
John Sanders (1968-72), Alexandra, Nelson Ede (1968-72), Naseby, and Richard Morgan (1969-73), Omakau, will be joined by former John McGlashan pupils Peter Becker (Pateoroa) and David Green (Ranfurly) for the week-long championships at the Dunedin Ice Stadium.
New Zealand will compete in a round-robin series with Sweden, the United States, Finland, Switzerland, Italy and Poland with the top two sides then contesting the semi-finals with the best from the other group of Canada, Scotland, Germany, England, Japan, Australia and Hungary.
The championships begin with a day’s practice on Sunday 26th April and the first competition matches are scheduled for the next day. The semi-finals and grand final are set for Saturday 2nd May.
* The battle being waged by pilot Barry Cardno (1987-91) to beat the odds and fly again is now the subject of a book which was launched in Wanaka in late-March.
The former topdressing pilot was been the centre of media attention as national current affairs television crews and print media clamoured to tell his tale.
Barry is a familiar figure to Wanaka residents and aerial enthusiasts — many of who have said his exploits were worthy of a book. His autobiography Let Fly! details his courageous comeback after he crashed a top-dressing plane in a Taupo paddock in 1995.
The crash left him with a broken back and incomplete paraplegia. He has feeling in his legs and can stand with callipers, but cannot walk.
Let Fly! evolved from his bureaucratic battle with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission to regain his pilot’s licence. Much of his book deals with the systemic faults he believes are endemic at the two authorities and the personal frustrations he experienced when dealing with them.
Barry flew solo again in 2006 and a year later he regained a full unrestricted general aviation licence. Writing a book was a way of telling others about his ‘‘full circle’’ quest to fly again. Like many other strong-willed characters, Barry’s setbacks have made him more determined to succeed.
Let Fly! acknowledges the mentors and friends who have inspired Barry during his fight against adversity – the likes of Sir Tim Wallis and Burwood Hospital’s Spinal Unit head, the late Prof Alan Clarke. Both men were also left disabled after serious flying accidents and fought back to fly again.
Like Sir Tim and Prof Clarke, Barry has put himself forward as a role model to help others overcome their ‘‘perceived’’ disabilities. He helped found Kiwis Can Fly — a registered charity which encourages the disabled and disadvantaged to share the freedom, joy, and accomplishment of flying.
* Long-serving Otago rural delivery contractor Geoff Davis (1966-68), of Palmerston, retired on 31st March after a 19-year career on the road during which he clocked up more than 1.3 million kilometres.
Geoff, who was given an official farewell at Dunback at the end of March, ran the rural delivery service from Palmerston to Dunback, Morrisons and Macraes.
More than 60 people attended the farewell function, with one guest summing up his career best: ‘‘Nothing was too much trouble. If you needed something urgently for the farm or the house, Geoff Davis would bring it out.’’
Geoff said he had set out to give all the 125 box-holders on the route inland from Palmerston the ‘‘best possible service’’ when he took over in 1990.
Originally from Ranfurly, he and his wife Lois also operated a stationery and bookshop in Palmerston.
He said he had treated people ‘‘as he would like to be treated’’.
The rural delivery work expanded significantly with the opening of the Macraes gold mine in 1990, which had been great for his business. However, that expansion was offset by farm amalgamations and fewer staff working on farms with the number of box-holders in 2009 the same (125) as in 1990. Only 22 of the original box-holders from 1990 remained.
Made president of the Otago-Southland branch of the Rural Mail Contractors Association in 2001, he was then elected to the New Zealand executive. Geoff is also the Palmerston Volunteer Fire Brigade’s chief fire officer.
* ‘‘It’s all right hair’’ might have been Errol Sharp’s motto when he began his hairdressing business 40 years ago in Dunedin’s Moray Place.
Earlier this month Errol (1960) celebrated 40 years of trade at his one-man St James Hairdressing, which has been run from the same shop, opposite the Rialto (once St James) picture theatre.
Among them was Danny Rae (1964-67), whose hair Errol began cutting 40 years ago when Danny was still at Otago Boys’. He still makes the journey to Dunedin for a regular haircut, even though he has lived at Bannockburn since he retired, and Millers Flat, where he was a farmer, before that.
Errol noted other clients travelled even further than Danny for a haircut, with some ringing from overseas to book appointments.
‘‘They know they are going to be in town, so they make an appointment.’’
During 40 years of cutting hair, Errol has heard many stories, including from one elderly client who flew Sopwith Camels during World War 1 and became a squadron leader during the Battle of Britain, in World War 2.
Being one-on-one with people, with no-one else in hearing, meant he often heard about the ‘‘triumphs and tragedies’’ in people’s lives, he said.
He first learned his trade from Archie McHoull. After his apprenticeship, he worked elsewhere for a year, completed compulsory military training and then bought the business from the late Mr McHoull in 1969. He caused a stir in the Otago-Southland Hairdressers and Tobacconists Association when he broke with tradition in 1975 and stopped selling tobacco from his premises. At that time, he also changed to an appointments based system for hair cutting rather than the traditional walk-in-off-the-street.
This allowed him to develop a loyal clientele of mainly men who called for a regular wash and cut.
Errol hasn’t noticed the recession yet, and said his client base had remained fairly steady over the years. As natural attrition occurred, he seemed to be gathering new clients at about the same rate as he lost them. It was a job he could not see an end to, and planned to complete a fifth decade at the same location.
‘‘It’s a great way of life. Social interaction between friends all day, all week. Why would you quit it? It’s stimulating.’’
Shorts
* John Christie (1982-87), Chief Executive of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, looks to be heading to the Environment Court in a challenge against the Dunedin City Council’s contentious harbourside development plan.
Joining the Chamber in taking the action are the Otago Regional Council, Farra Engineering, Crawford Glass, Arthur Barnett properties, Bradken Enterprises and Kaans Catering.
The lobby group is asking for debate on the development and for an explanation of the rezoning implications.
* Todd Johnston (2005-08) has been named in the 20-strong New Zealand team to contest the World Youth Track & Field championships in Italy in July.
Todd, who participated in last year’s Commonwealth Youth championships in New Delhi, will run in the medley relay.
Recent deaths
* We extend our condolences to the families of the following Old Boys –
Nigel Sinclair Bowden (1957-61), died north of Auckland on 3 February 2009, aged 64. Nigel was the brother of Tony Bowden (1954-58).
Ken (Kenneth Jackson) Smith (1943-47), died in Dunedin on 21st February, aged 79. Ken was an accomplished pianist and a long-time member of the Dunedin Music Society.
Trevor (William Trevor) Simpson (1939-41), died in Waikanae on 15th March 2009, aged 83. Trevor was a retired farmer.
Lawrence Evan Panting (1956-57), died in Dunedin on 17th March 2009, aged 67. Lawrence was the brother of Alan Panting (1957-61).
John (Henry John Parke) Matheson (1941-45), died in Brisbane on 17th March 2009. John was born at Seacliff in May 1928. After leaving school he studied at Otago University and, after moving to London in 1950, at the Royal College of Music. He joined the Carl Rosa Opera in 1952 as chorus master, then the Sadler’s Wells Opera as a répétiteur, making his conducting début in 1953 with Le nozze di Figaro. That year he joined the staff at Covent Garden, first conducting The Bartered Bride in 1955; he remained there until 1960. He was a staff conductor with the Sadler’s Wells Opera (1961–71), and after that was a regular conductor with the company and at Covent Garden. He also appeared in 1967 at the Stratford (Ontario) Festival, where he conducted Così fan tutte and Britten’s Albert Herring. John’s conducting of a wide repertory in London showed consistent reliability and expressive character, and during the 1970s he was admired for well-paced and dramatically cogent performances of Verdi (notably Falstaff and Simon Boccanegra) and Berg’s Wozzeck. At Sadler’s Wells he added Verdi’s Attila and Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges to the English repertory. A special interest in French 19th-century opera was reflected in first British (concert) performances with the Chelsea Opera Group of the French originals of Rossini’s Guillaume Tell and Moïse, and Verdi’s Don Carlos, during 1970–72, and in 1981 the original version of La forza del destino at a Promenade concert. By this time John was increasingly active abroad; he conducted both Berg operas at Lisbon, and introduced Walton’s The Bear to Oslo. In 1983 he conducted Gluck’s La rencontre imprévue at the Piccola Scala, Milan, and worked with Ken Russell on controversial productions of Puccini operas at the Spoleto festivals in Italy and at Charleston, South Carolina. Later he returned to New Zealand and Australia, where he was music director for the Lyric Opera of Queensland (Brisbane) in 1989 and the following year was named principal guest conductor and music adviser with that company. (Details kindly supplied by Wilf Simenauer (1943-46).
Brian Donal Wood (1955-58), died in Dunedin on 18th March 2009, aged 67. Brian worked mainly in the Public Service in Dunedin and Wellington.
Dick (Edward Richard) Callon (1935), died in Dunedin on 20th March 2009.
* We also extend our sympathies to –
Dave Morrison (1965-69) whose father Robert died on 25th December 2008.
Christopher Buchanan (1979-83) whose great uncle Morris Buchanan died in Christchurch on 3rd March 2009.
Murray Leadley (1945-49) whose wife Elsie died in Oamaru on 13th March 2009. Elsie was the great aunt of Joel Longmore (1997-2001) and Samuel Longmore (2006-08).
Noel Rayner (1968-72) whose mother Ailsa died in Dunedin on 14th March 2009. Ailsa was the mother-in-law of Gavin Craw (1961-65) and the grandmother of Jeremy Craw (1990-94).
Scott Anderson (1993-96) whose father Robert died in Balclutha on 14th March 2009.
Brent Edgerton (1996-2000) whose father Ewan died in Arrowtown on 16th March 2009.
Andrew Yip (1995-99) whose mother Pik Hung (Margaret) died in Dunedin on 18th March 2009. Andrew’s wife Anna also lost her grandfather Gil Ross on 12th April 2009.
Lawrie Currie (1957-62) whose mother Mona died in Dunedin on 19th March 2009. Mona was the sister-in-law of the late Ian Conder (1932-33) and the mother-in-law of Kevin Andersen (1957-58).
Jason Epere (1982) whose father Hira died in Auckland on 23rd March 2009. Hira was also the father of the late Raymond Epere (1978).
Michael Avery (1975-77) and Tony Avery (1976-78) whose mother Annette died in Christchurch on 29th March 2009.
Ian Barker (1958-61) whose brother-in-law Ray Pearson died in Dunedin on 29th March 2009.
Bruce Leffly (1963-67) whose mother Dorothy died in Dunedin on 30th March 2009. Dorothy was the widow of the late Donald Leffly (1933-35).
Keith Blanc (1944-45) whose brother Owen died in Dunedin on 31st March 2009.
Alan Gamble (1957-59) whose sister-in-law Jeannette Gamble died in Dunedin on 7th April 2009. Jeannette was the aunt of Hadden Gamble (1982-85) and Vaughan Gamble (1987-90).
Brian Ferrier (1977) whose father Ray died in Dunedin on 8th April 2009.
Alan Boyes (1966-69) whose mother-in-law Marjorie Appleton died in Invercargill on 11th April 2009.
Trevor Keen (1986-90) whose grandmother Molly Keen died in Dunedin on 12th April 2009.
Steve Davie
Chief Executive
