You are here : Home : News & Events : Newsletters : Newsletter- June 2009
Update Your Profile
By Filling In This Form
Update Your Profile
By Filling In This Form
The Otago Boys' High School Foundation
PO Box 11,
Dunedin, New Zealand
Tel +64 3 477 2546
Fax +64 3 477 5468
June newsletter –
Old Boys’ tracking
* Thank you to those who continue to come forward with contacts for Old Boys we are not yet in contact with. This is greatly appreciated.
Our database continues to grow with more than 7,000 Old Boys now receiving the newsletter and being kept up to date with Foundation, Old Boys’ Society and school activities. With the school’s 150th celebrations now just over four years away – to be celebrated from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th August 2013 – it is vital ALL living Old Boys are tracked along with details confirmed about those who have passed on.
To help speed the process, the Foundation would appreciate any information with regard to the location of those still unaccounted for. Please check the My Class List (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, postal address or even a telephone number.
Thank you again.
Registrations for 2013 sesquicentennial
* As noted above the dates have been set for the 150th celebrations and registrations are now being taken. Already almost 200 Old Boys have so far indicated their attendance.
While the bulk of those registered so far live in New Zealand, there have also been indications in interest from Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany and Austria. Old Boys from as far back as the 1930s have noted their intention to be present with those who attended Otago Boys’ in the 1970s the best represented to date.
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.
Foundation members
* Since the May newsletter, the following Old Boys and connections with the school have made pledges or donations and have been registered as Members of the Foundation –
Queen’s Birthday Honours
* Well-known Otago businessman John Gilks (1955-59) was awarded the MNZM for services to business and the community in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, recognition the former Dunedin chartered accountant and Port Otago chairman says is humbling.
Now living in Wanaka, John says he was “taken aback by it really. It was a surprise. I felt very humbled by it and really privileged by it too, to have that honour bestowed."
After attending Otago Boys’ and the University of Otago, John became a partner in the firm of Gilks Low and Co. One of the first engagements he secured was secretary for the Motor Industry of Otago, leading to the formation of Motor Trade Finances in 1971. He eventually left his practice to become the full-time chief executive of Motor Trade Finances, leaving after a tenure which took him through to 1997.
Since leaving MTF, John has held at least 15 directorships, including of the National Bank, Electricity Corporation of New Zealand, Radio Otago and Dunedin City Holdings. He is deputy chairman of Fisher and Paykel Appliances and four other companies and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a distinguished fellow of the Institute of Directors.
He is also involved with the Dunedin Rhododendron Festival Trust, the Otago Air Ambulance Trust, the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation, the advisory board for Otago University, the Angels Upstart Advisory Board and New Zealand Business Mentors.
John says he enjoyed his work and had received great satisfaction out of everything with which he had been involved.
He has owned property in Wanaka for about 30 years and moved, with his wife Laurel, to the town full-time three years ago.
Congratulations
* Brian Smellie (1963-67) this year celebrates a significant business milestone.
Tekron International, the award winning developer of GPS timing technology for industry which he founded in 1999, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Brian made the company’s first clock in his bedroom and since its establishment Tekron has distinguished itself with its constant focus on producing superior products and providing exemplary service to its global customer base.
Tekron designs and manufactures clocks and time sync devices for use in industry - mainly the power industry - where time is needed to be measured in micro and nanoseconds. (A microsecond is one millionth of a second while a nanosecond is one billionth of a second).
With unwavering attention on innovation and perfection, it’s not surprising to read of the company’s achievements to date.
These include - selling products into 41 countries; Tekron being awarded the New Zealand Export Technology Commendation Award in 2004; Brian winning the New Zealand Engineering Innovator of the Year in 2005; Tekron being named the Deloitte Fast 50 Fastest Growing Manufacturing Business in Wellington in 2007; and Brian taking out the 2008 Manufacturing Innovator of the Year at the Bayer Innovator Awards.
Brian’s electronics and chip design mean his clocks are no bigger than a paperback book.
* The accolades keep coming for former Dunedin conductor Tecwyn Evans (1985-89) who has been appointed conductor of the prestigious Graz Symphony Orchestra and Opera House in Austria.
Tecwyn is the first New Zealander to be appointed to such a position since fellow Old Boy, the internationally acclaimed John Matheson (1941-45) was given charge of the Erster Kapellmeister in Mannheim, Germany, in 1977. John died in March this year, leaving a legacy of one of the very best through the latter half of the 20th century.
‘‘I’ve wanted to have such a position for a long time, but never imagined I would get the opportunity at such a high level. I will conduct around 40 opera performances and concerts a year which gives time for my commitment to work at home in New Zealand,’’ Tecwyn said.
‘‘Graz is the number two opera house in Austria behind the Vienna State Opera.’’
Tecwyn studied composition and conducting at the University of Otago, obtaining a first-class honours degree and a masters degree with distinction. In 1997, he took up a Fulbright Scholarship to study conducting at the University of Kansas and was appointed chorus master for Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 1999.
Since then, he has conducted some of the best orchestras in the world, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Opera New Zealand, the BBC Philharmonic, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Auckland Philharmonia, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Southern Sinfonia.
He has now established himself as one of the most successful New Zealand musicians of his generation.
Later this year, he will conduct at the BBC Proms in London with the BBC Philharmonic and return to New Zealand for concerts with the Auckland Philharmonic and the NZSO.
NZSO chief executive Peter Walls said this week it was an outstanding appointment for Tecwyn and a real coup for New Zealand to be producing ‘‘stars of such exceptional quality’’.
Tecwyn will begin his tenure in Graz in August this year, where he will conduct productions of operas Die Meistersinger, Madame Butterfly, Tosca and The Marriage of Figaro.
* Hugo Inglis (2007-08) and Nick Ross (2004-2008) have been awarded Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarships at Waikato University.
The scholarship is awarded annually by the university to students who have excelled academically and in a sporting field or creative/performing arts.
Hugo, who is studying a law degree, is a member of the Junior Black Sticks hockey team which will travel to Singapore in June to compete in the Junior World Cup and who is also part of the extended senior Black Sticks squad.
Nick, will be undertaking studies towards a Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies, is already a member of the senior squad and has also won a Prime Minister’s Scholarship to assist with his tuition fees.
* Three of Otago's (and Otago Boys’) most talented basketball prospects in recent years will form the heart of the Junior Tall Blacks at the world under-19 championships to be played in New Zealand in July.
Morgan Nathan (2004-2008), Tom Rowe (2004-2008) and Sam King (2006-2008) have been confirmed in the 12-player squad. A fourth player with local links, Riki Buckrell, an ex-pupil of Waitaki Boys High School who now lives in the Hutt Valley, also made the cut.
While Morgan and Sam have been with the squad previously, Tom is a newcomer and earned his place after solid work at a three-day camp at the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua earlier this week.
The Otago trio are all 18 and all play on the forward line, with Tom standing 2m, Sam 1.99m and Morgan1.97m.
Dion Prewster will captain a team that includes fellow United States-based forward Richie Edwards, back-to-back New Zealand secondary schools most valuable player Brook Ruscoe and Tall Blacks triallist Rob Loe, the tallest player at 2.11m.
Prewster, a Junior Tall Black since 2005 and captain the past two years, returned from his freshman season at San Jacinto (Junior) College in Texas earlier this week, while Edwards, after a successful senior season at Lakeland High School in Florida, will join the group in a fortnight.
The Junior Tall Blacks will be coached by Kenny McFadden and will gather in Wellington next week for an intensive four-week residential programme, leading up to their departure for Auckland and their opening game of the tournament, against Argentina, on July 2.
Breakfast with Richie McCaw
* About 60 Old Boys and their connections – a number of them Foundation members – enjoyed the opportunity to see All Black captain Richie McCaw at this morning’s Otago Secondary School Sports’ Association Leaders’ breakfast in Dunedin.
Richie (1994-1998, Head Boy 1998) gave a fascinating insight into the All Black leading model and with 21 of Otago’s 23 high schools represented, the young (and not so young) in attendance took away some valuable advice.
The All Blacks work on the principles of ‘front up each time by setting and demanding standards of the highest order, strive for consistency and look to create an environment where they play well each week’. As Richie noted, that doesn’t always eventuate but the intention is there.
His own mantra is to lead by example and despite the weight of the commitments thrust upon a national sporting captain, he looks to enjoy the journey to each Saturday and never loses sight of the fun of sport. Richie also passed on a piece of wisdom given to him several years ago when he made his way into the All Blacks – be yourself rather than try to be someone else, because that spot is already taken.
Richie won’t be playing in this Saturday night’s test against the French at Carisbrook, due to injury, but will be involved in the buildup in a mentoring role.
After his address and a question and answer session, Richie was presented with a City of Dunedin scarf by Mayor Peter Chin (1954-58) before posing for photographs with each of the school groups and a large number of individuals. He then spent time at Otago Boys’ where he attended the sporting blues assembly.
School news
* The winter’s first inter-school has been contested – against Southland Boys’ in Invercargill.
The results were:
Badminton – Otago Boys’ 6, Southland Boys’ 0
Basketball – Southland Boys’ 108, Otago Boys’ 76
Hockey – Otago Boys’ 6, Southland Boys’ 0
Trapshooting – Otago Boys’ 274, Southland Boys’ 242
Squash – Otago Boys’ 4, Southland Boys’ 1
Football – Southland Boys’ 2, Otago Boys’ 0
Rugby – First XV: Otago Boys’ 14, Southland Boys’ 8
Second XV: Otago Boys’ 13, Southland Boys’ 7
The dates for the remaining winter inter-schools are:
Wednesday, 17th June vs Christ’s College (away)
Wednesday, 24th June vs Timaru Boys’ (home)
Thursday, 2nd July vs King’s High (home)
Wednesday, 22nd July vs Waitaki Boys’ (home)
Thursday, 4th August vs Christchurch Boys’ (home)
* Kamil Patel (Year 13, 7th form), and one of Otago’s most promising badminton players, will be one of the first to benefit from the sport’s new sponsorship deal.
The lanky 17-year-old will not have to shell out for expensive rackets and shoes with badminton product supplier Ashaway agreeing to cover his equipment costs. The company will also provide equipment for two local coaches.
Kamil has been selected from the Otago Badminton Academy’s intake this year with the aim being to provide players with the training skills to push for selection in the senior Otago team.
He has been the leading age-group player in the region and is the top-ranked under-19 player in Otago. Earlier this month, he won the singles, doubles and mixed events at the Otago under-19 championships, and has been selected to represent the South Island at the CP Maddern tournament in Melbourne in July.
It’s a big thrill for the relaxed teenager, who took up the sport six years ago after shifting to New Zealand from South Africa.
Described as an intelligent player who uses his 1.90m frame to cover the ground quickly, Kamil is also highly regarded for his willingness to graft. He is a patient player who waits for the right opportunity to hammer home any advantage.
* The school’s debating team has taken out the Russell McVeagh Otago/Southland regional competition for the first time in the trophy’s 21 year history.
On day one Borom Blakie, Hayden Robinson, Kurt Purdon and Sehan de Silva beat St Hilda’s but lost to Columba College affirming and then negating the moot ‘this house supports the changes made to New Zealand Aid’ before accounting for Otago Girls’, affirming the moot ‘that the sale of cigarettes should be banned.’
The second morning saw Otago Boys’ negating the motion ‘this house would make learning a second language in school compulsory’, the debate ending in a 2-1 split decision over James Hargest, a five times winner of the trophy.
Mt Aspiring College was beaten in the semi-final, with Otago Boys’ affirming ‘this house would make the denial of global warming a crime’ while Columba was beaten in the final in another split decision, this time the margin being 3/2..
Kurt Purdon was again named in the Otago debating team.
Flo’s tuck shop
* New school archivist Dave Goodman (1959-62) is on the prowl.
As well as his continuing search for a full set of the Campbell House crockery – he currently has a tea pot, sugar bowl and salad bowl – Dave is launching into an expose on Flo's Tuck Shop.
If anyone has a photo of the outside or the inside of the shop or Flo herself, Dave would appreciate contact being made (dave.goodman@xtra.co.nz). The Otago Daily Times covered the shop’s closure and it may be someone has retained those clippings or has their own photographs.
Robbie Burns – why our famous Octagon statue?
* Donald Gordon (1950-55), a retired chemist who has worked at Speights Brewery in Dunedin for almost half a century, asked that very question – and the result is a wonderful book.
Robbie: The Story of Dunedin’s Burns Statue was launched at the brewery last month and is a fascinating insight into the background of Burns himself along with the controversy surrounding the erection of the city’s most recognised monument.
Donald’s book, which sells for $25, is available at most Dunedin bookstores, the Otago Settlers’ Museum, Speights Brewery Tours shop and the Scottish Shop in Dunedin. It can also be ordered from Avon Publishers, P.O.Box 231, Dunedin.
Old Boys in the news
* Sixteen years ago when Jack (John Brady) Medder (1949-52) hung up his coaching boots, the last thing he would have believed was being back in charge of the Harbour premier rugby side this winter.
But when the Harbour premier coach Paddy Stewart pulled out just before the season began, Jack was thrust back into the ‘‘hands on’’ role of coach after last being involved in 1993.
Jack, now 72, is the oldest coach of a premier rugby team in Dunedin, and probably the oldest in the country.
‘‘If I’m not the oldest I feel sorry for the coach who is older than me,’’ Jack told the Otago Daily Times.
He retired as a player in 1964 and then became a referee for nine years before beginning his coaching career with Port Chalmers in 1974. The club regained premier status when it beat Alhambra 7-3 in the promotion-relegation game in 1983. Jack coached Port Chalmers until 1986 and then took three years off when Russell Hawker filled the role.
He was back in the harness in 1990-91, being a prime mover in the amalgamation of Port Chalmers and Ravensbourne to form Harbour, before ending – or so he thought – his coaching days at the end of the 1993 season. During the last 16 years Jack has been both a supporter and administrator, and was president of the Otago Rugby Football Union in 2006.
Some would say he has mellowed with age and his approach to coaching is different. Certainly those who played against Jack’s teams well remember his fire from the touchline.
‘‘In the old days I would rant, rave and bellow and motivate the team by thumping on the table,’’ he said. ‘‘These days it’s different and I just have a quiet chat with the players.’’
He has found players today’s better educated in the basics of the game through the various coaching schools along with having a greater input into tactics.
‘‘There is a lot more consensus now,’’ he said. ‘‘I consult the senior players on tactics and training sessions. The old bull at the gate style has gone. In the old days I dominated the team but now I try to deliver what they want.’’
In his Port Chalmers days, Jack concentrated on the forwards and played a 10-man style of rugby. But he loosened up with Harbour and gave the backs a free rein, adopting the same approach this season.
‘‘My input is just to make the odd comment on what the backs should and should not be doing. I have minimal input into any of their attacking moves. The game has changed so much and I am reliant on the senior players to give me a lot of help.’’
But his approach up front hasn’t changed, where he remains insistent on the forwards doing the hard work.
‘‘If you don’t insist on the basics being done by the pack, you don’t get the results. You still need the correct techniques at the lineout, scrum and clean out.’’
In his earlier coaching days Jack would run around with the team at training.
‘‘I was a lot more active then. I can’t do that off a mobility scooter,’’ he joked.
Jack’s sons, Aaron (1978-80) and Dean (1979-81), both played premier rugby for Port Chalmers. At the time of writing, Harbour sat second on the Gallaway Trophy points table, having won seven of the 10 matches contested to date.
* The dumping of domestic cats in remote places on Otago Peninsula is threatening the area’s ‘‘very precious’’ wildlife and Cape Saunders farmer Dave McKay (1975-77) is on the prowl.
Dave is one of a number of people who look after endangered species on the Otago Peninsula who are worried about their safety as the wild cat population increases greatly.
Yellow eyed penguins are a particular and vital tourism attraction on the peninsula and in 2007 were estimated to add $100 million or more to the Dunedin economy on an annual basis.
The Department of Conservation programme manager for biodiversity assets, David Agnew, said feral cats could also impact on wildlife such as small burrowing sea birds, like sooty shearwaters, as well as skinks and geckos and he urged people to think twice before dumping their cats with the likelihood they – the cats – could end up shot or trapped.
Dave has been looking after a yellow-eyed penguin colony on Little Papanui beach, on his farm, for 30 years. This season, about 100 of the penguins made his beach home, as well as some blue penguins. In the past 15 months he had trapped or shot 23 cats, of which half were domestic cats. He had others in his sights.
The penguin breeding season on his property this year had been quite successful, with only one nest lost to predation, which he believes cats had destroyed.
He believed the domestic cats had been dumped on the property by ‘‘irresponsible’’ owners because it was ‘‘out of the way’’ and noted he has no hesitation in protecting the wildlife.
A case of the penguins first, the cats a distant second.
Shorts
* Greg Henderson (1990-94), New Zealand’s premier all-round cyclist – is in line to race in this year’s Tour de France with his Columba High Road team. Greg, the only Kiwi rider ranked inside the world’s 100, has enjoyed a spectacular last few weeks with several podium finishes culminating in his victory in the final stage of the Tour of Catalunya where he outsprinted multiple Tour de France stage winner Thor Hushovd. He is currently in Boulder, Colarado preparing for the 280 kilometre Philadelphia International Championship street race, which he won in 2006. It is the longest running and highest-ranked International Cycling Union single-day cycling road race in the United States.
* University of Otago chemistry Associate Professor Allan Blackman (1977-81) has received a teaching excellence award. Prof Blackman, who writes a column titled ‘‘Chemistry Matters’’ in the Otago Daily Times, said the award was a ‘‘fantastic acknowledgement’’ of the teaching work he had done over the years. He had not been a top undergraduate student himself and could empathise with the problems students had. ‘‘The fact that things didn’t necessarily come easily to me when I was an undergrad makes me better able to see where students might be having trouble,’’ he said.
* Former poet laureate Brian Turner (1957-61) is one of five Otago authors named as finalists in this year’s 13th Montana New Zealand Book of the Year Awards. Brian’s entry Into the Wider World: A Back Country Miscellany is included in the environment category with the winner to be announced in late-July.
* Matthew Caradus (2001-05) is creating a real impression with his musical talents – and his choice of instruments. Matthew plays both the didgeridoo and the mandolin but suggest mixing the two isn’t difficult. ‘‘It’s kind of like singing and playing the guitar. You’re just making noises with your mouth instead.’’ Recently Matthew and his group Native were guest artists at the 16th Whitestone Winter Folk Festival at Camp Iona, near Herbert. He has played the violin since he was five and the mandolin for many years. Several years ago he found a didgeridoo in his basement several years ago, bought another one and after some lessons in cyclic breathing he decided to have a go at playing it. Matthew is studying for an honours degree in music and is keen to get into film music composition.
Recent deaths
* We extend our condolences to the families of the following Old Boys –
Murray (Charles Murray) Hercus (1944), died in Invercargill on 2nd May 2009, aged 78. Murray was a retired accountant.
Doug (Douglas Albert) Little (1948-52, Dux 1952), died in Dunedin on 13th May 2009, aged 74. Doug was a brilliant literary student who completed a half honours MA in Latin and Greek and then a Certificate of Proficiency (which amounts to a second MA degree) in Greek. He also graduated with a PhD in Classics from the University of Texas. Doug lectured in Classics at Otago University for many years.
Ernie (James Ernest) Beaton (1948-52), died in Christchurch on 22nd May 2009.
Alan James Gamble (1957-59), died in Dunedin on 1st June 2009 aged 65. Alan was the father of Hadden Gamble (1982-85) and Vaughan Gamble (1987-90).
Arthur Lawless Sherriff (1939-41), died in Dunedin on 3rd June 2009. Arthur was the father of Brent Sherriff (1978-81) and Andrew Sherriff (1981-85).
Brendon John Swan (1983-86), died in Dunedin on 7th June 2009, aged 39. Brendon was the brother of Richard Swan (1986-89), the step brother of Justin Swan (1988-90), the step brother of Shane Murphy (1982-85) and the nephew of Graham Dawson (1956-57).
* We also extend our sympathies to –
Ben Quarrie (2003-05) whose uncle Duncan Quarrie died in London on 15th April 2009.
Graeme McCrostie (1953-55) whose wife Di died in Dunedin on 11th May 2009. Di was the daughter of the late Graham Rivers (1920-21).
Stephen Walker (1965-67) and David Walker (1968-70) whose father Dr Norman Walker died in Christchurch on 14th May 2009. Dr Walker was the father-in-law of Rod McLeod (1960-64) and the grandfather of Peter Macleod (1994-96).
Colin Day (1972-75) and Ian Day (1975-77) whose brother Neil Day died in Dunedin on 16th May 2009.
Graeme Parker (1954-55) whose mother Daisy died in Dunedin on 16th May 2009.
Allister Napier (1973-76) whose mother-in-law Connie Gilchrist died in Dunedin on 17th May 2009.
Max Garden (1963-67) whose mother-in-law Shirley Dawson died in Invercargill on 18th May 2009.
Ian Tagg (1986-89) and Stewart Tagg (1987-91) whose mother Jean died in Dunedin on 20th May 2009.
George Carson (1954-58) whose mother Barbara died in Invercargill on 29th May 2009.
William Farquhar (1967-68) and Bryan Farquhar (1968-69) whose father Ronald died in Balclutha on 30th May 2009.
John Grindley (1965-69), Alan Grindley (1968-70) and Bob Grindley (1971-73) whose mother Dorothy died in Dunedin on 2nd June 2009.
Nigel Bullamore (1989-93) whose grandmother Pat Bullamore died at Dunstan Hospital in Clyde on 4th June 2009.
John Duxbury (1977-81) whose father Norman died in Mosgiel on 4th June 2009
Barry Gibb (1986-89) and Jeff Gibb (1990-94) whose father Ian died in Christchurch on 6th June 2009.
Steve Davie
Chief Executive
