Newsletter - May 2006

11/05/2006

Recent contributions have allowed the Foundation to flag the first of its planned milestones – with pledges and donations having passed the $500,000 mark.

We are extremely grateful to all of our early members, these now numbering 60, for their show of faith in the aims and ideals of the Foundation. The impetus provided by their enthusiasm and support is the perfect catalyst as the Foundation reaches towards the next step on the ladder – the doubling of funds to date.

An initial threshold of $2 million has been set with investment being made into specific school projects at that point.

With our first 12 months almost now behind us, the support of our members to date and the verbal pledges of many, many others, we believe the Foundation has established the strongest possible platform from which to launch into the challenges of the years and decades ahead.

Our mission is simple – the make a significant point of difference for Otago Boys’ High School. With the aid of the ever-growing base of Old Boys, the work of the Foundation will protect the magnificent history of the School by way of ensuring its future as the best boys’ educational facility possible.

Foundation members:

Since the April newsletter, the following Old Boys have made pledges or donations and have been registered as Members of the Foundation –

Russell Coutts (1975-79), Senior Fellow

Ken Warburton (1959-63), Fellow

John Manning (1928-32), Friend

John McCafferty (1947-51), Friend

Peter Wilson (1966-68), Friend

School news:

Term two dates –

May 11th, 12th & 13th School Production – The Sound of Music (school auditorium)

May 18th Parents Association fundraiser - street day scratchie cards' appeal

May 24th Otago cross country championships

May 31st Southland Boys’ interschool (home)

June 14th Christ’s College interschool (home)

June 30th King’s High interschool (away)

Assistant principal Bill Trewern hit the headlines in late-April after playing a major role in a life-saving exercise. Walking to his car at his home in Opoho, Bill smelled and then spotted smoke coming from a converted sleep-out several houses up the road. After ringing the Fire Service, he woke the neighbours in a nearby property who then rescued their son from the burning building as the Willowbank Station engines arrived. Bill was commended by the Station Officer Stephen Clarke, who noted his persistence in identifying the source of the smoke contributed in preventing a tragedy.

The under 14 4 x 100 metre track relay team has reset the South Island record by running 47.75 seconds, the new standard almost three seconds faster than the previous mark of 50.55 seconds established by Shirley Boys in 2003. Sam Hinton, Kane Russell, Daniel Acklin and Todd Johnson combined to break the record and to continue a fine tradition of Otago Boys’ relay teams. In recent years, School relay teams have broken a number of New Zealand and South Island records – the 2000 combination of Jono Nosa, Tom Davie, Jerram Huston and Cory Innes were the first junior boys’ combination in the country to go under 45 seconds when they re-set the national record in Hamilton, scorching around the track in 44.73 seconds. That record still stands, as do a number of South Island records set in recent years – under 15, 2002 (Craig Sneddon, Fraser Miller, Tim Kensington, James Hindle – 45.96 seconds), under 16, 2001 (Cory Innes, Jono Nosa, Tom Davie, Jerram Huston – 44.67 seconds), and under 19, 2002 (Paul Innes, Tom Davie, Jerram Huston, Cory Innes – 43.65 seconds). (Also see 'From the Files of the Otago Daily Times' in News & Events)

Old Boys’ Society:

As noted in the April newsletter, the Old Boys’ Society will come under the administrative umbrella of the Foundation while very much retaining its own identity.

It is proposed the Society will become more visual within the School by way of introducing mentoring programmes, inviting top-class speakers into assemblies (for all year groups) and in generally lending their expertise to School life.

In combination with the Foundation, the Old Boys’ Society will continue to host lunches and will also play a part in other Foundation activities. However, the major role of the Society will be a re-energising of its ranks, and a lifting of its profile and presence within the School grounds.

New Foundation membership level:

All financial contributions to the Foundation, no matter the level, secure life membership for the donor.

After discussions in recent weeks, it has been decided to offer a new membership for those who wish to play a part in the Foundation’s continued development but at a slightly lower level than those currently listed.

To that end, the Old Boys’ membership is now available for subscription.

This is set at $350 with the bulk of the funds raised to be invested in the Foundation’s endowment portfolio. A small percentage will be used for the administration of Old Boys’ Society matters.

Taking up the Old Boys’ membership opens the way for Old Boys to play a role in the Foundation’s growth without an over-commitment while retaining the opportunity for a greater contribution in the future.

Old Boys’ tracking:

A call to action!

One of the major tasks confronting the Otago Boys’ High School Foundation is the tracking of Old Boys.

More than 24,000 boys have attended the school since 1863 and each and every one of their names has been loaded on to the Foundation’s database. However, we have accurate contact details for less than 3,000 of the 16,000 estimated to be alive – and we need your help to speed the tracking process.

Please DON’T assume we know where every Old Boy is. In fact, please DO assume we have NO information at all. It is better for the Foundation to receive contact details for Old Boys (and former Masters) it already has and to be able to tick them off against our own list, than to not have any advice at all.

We all know boys who went to the school and we would appreciate information about them, no matter their vintage or whereabouts. Think of grandfathers, fathers, uncles, brothers, nephews, sons, friends and so on. And detail about those who have passed on is also important to the Foundation as it builds the most comprehensive database the School has ever developed.

Congratulations:

John Aspinall (1965-69) and wife Sue

(photo compliments Otago Daily Times)

John Aspinall (1965-69) – who, along with wife Sue, has been awarded the 2006 Otago Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award and the Otago Regional Council’s Leadership in Sustainable Land Management Award for their work at Mt Aspiring Station. Long associated with Otago Boys’ through the Mt Aspiring lodge, the Aspinall name has been a part of the region’s history for almost a century now and John sees 70,000 to 80,000 visitors a year as tourists and locals alike make their way up the Matukituki Valley. As well as maintaining high conservation values, Mt Aspiring Station had also reached impressive levels of stock performance, making the judges’ job relatively easy. John and Sue will join other Supreme Award Winners at a sustainability showcase in Rotorua in late-June. John is also an early Friend of the Foundation.

Mike Hesson (1988-92) – after an impressive first year in charge of the Otago cricket team, Mike has been named as an assistant coach with one of the two New Zealand sides to contest a series of matches against other international ‘A’ sides and academy combinations in Australia in June/July. Games will be played in Cairns, Darwin and Brisbane with teams from India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Australia joining the two New Zealand combinations.

Thomas Campbell (1999-2003)

(photo compliments Otago Daily Times)

Thomas Campbell (1999-2003) – who has been accepted for a four-year scholarship at the University of Minnesota, beginning in August. As well as studying for a degree in kinesiology sports and leisure, Thomas will be a part of the university’s Golden Gopher golfing programme. Following in the footsteps of Greg Turner (1976-80), who took up a golf scholarship at Oklahoma in the early-1980s, Thomas will be part of the 11-strong Minnesota team which will contest a full programme prior to the playing of the 2007 NCAA Big Ten championship in June next year. Thomas leaves New Zealand with an impressive playing record – being a four-time New Zealand junior representative – along with the academic abilities required to match the 65,000 students Minnesota has spread over four campuses.

Website:

The Foundation’s website continues to develop with new features added monthly. If you have access, please take a look at the new site – www.obhsfoundation.co.nz

Business news:

Ben Naylor (1937-41) is set to step down as a Board member of Naylor Love Construction. After war service and study at the New Zealand Mining School Pre and post-war), Ben joined his father Hugh in the family firm of W.H. Naylor in the early-1950s. Before heading to active duty in Egypt and Italy in 1943 he remembers spending time at the old Otago Daily Times building (corner of Burlington Street and the Queens Gardens) putting up blinds for use at night to ensure the building wasn’t targeted by enemy air force raids. Ben merged the building companies Naylor and Love in 1969 and will step down from the Naylor Love board later this month after more than 50 years as a director.

Where are they now?

Fred Henderson (1944-47) is set to retire as President of New Zealand Golf after six years in the role, the presidency capping a marvelous contribution to the game in New Zealand and globally. After almost two decades as a senior rugby referee in Auckland, Fred took up golf and decided a better understanding of the rules would assist his game. Chief handicapping duties at the Remuera Club led to a similar position with the Auckland Golf Association and a role with a trial of modified course rating and handicap systems which were implemented nationally in 1984. Six years ago Fred piloted into general use the New Zealand version of the American Slope course rating and handicapping. But it’s perhaps hands-on where Fred has gained his greatest enjoyment. He has refereed at one World Cup, one World Matchplay, 10 British Opens, five Irish Opens, several European professional tournaments and two Eisenhower Trophy world amateur events. At the 1996 British Open at Royal Lytham, Fred was assigned to the group comprising Tiger Woods, Darren Clark and Retief Goosen and a couple of years later walked Royal Birkdale with Jack Nicklaus and Payne Stewart. Fred remains an advisory member of the rules of golf and amateur status committees of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and intends to play a little more once his presidency ends.

Richard Dryden (1971-75) has just ended a long and successful stint as New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games weightlifting coach. During his time in the role, New Zealand lifters secured two gold, one silver and two bronze Commonwealth Games’ medals (1998 and 2002), three top 10 placings at World Championships from 1997 to 2005, more than 300 New Zealand, Oceania and Commonwealth records, and more than 75 New Zealand, Oceania and Commonwealth titles. Richard has also spent time as a strength coach with various rugby teams, both in New Zealand and offshore including the All Blacks, and has been involved with many other sports as a strength and conditioning trainer – the likes of the Warriors, Team New Zealand Yachting, New Zealand boxing, athletics, cycling, softball, kayaking, basketball and Paralympics all benefiting from his expertise. He is a former New Zealand shot put and discus representative, has national weightlifting titles and records to his credit, and has played basketball, rugby and volleyball to representative level. (Also see 'Headlines' in News & Events)

Recent deaths (and not so recent):

Lawrence Grundy (1951–56) - Lawrence, who achieved wide respect as a radiologist in the United States, died in June 2005 at his home in Tampa, Florida, United States. He was a high achiever with an incredible work ethic and had an avid interest in history, world affairs, reading, and philosophy. His working discipline was evident even during his days at Otago Boys’ when he had an Otago Daily Times’ run, along with jobs at an inner-city fish and chip shop and the St George jam factory. After leaving school he began training to become a pharmacist but soon switched to medicine and graduated with a MBChB from the University of Otago. After a year’s teaching and farming near Milton, he accepted an internship at the Orange Memorial hospital in Orlando, Florida. He then went on to a residency in radiology at Duke University. He returned to Tampa in 1970 where he had a very respectable career for 32 years. Both his children have followed in his footsteps. Lawrence and his wife Anne never forgot their roots and while they travelled widely, they made many visits home to Dunedin and had numerous adventures in the South Island. He maintained regular contact with his many friends who now miss his energy and love of life. (Details kindly supplied by Fraser Boddy)

Alan Kwok (1926) – died in Dunedin 12 March 2006. Alan was one of the last of a generation of children of Chinese immigrants who came to Dunedin early last century. His grandfather came from Canton during the 1890s and started up a general supplies wholesale store with Alan’s parents Wai Soi (George) and Mary also involved in the business. Because of financial difficulties within the firm, Alan left Otago Boys’ after just one year and took up work in the fruit and vegetable trade. He and his mother operated a shop near the Botanic Gardens and, after a spell in Christchurch, he ran a store in George Street before employment with the Ministry of Works. Alan excelled at table tennis, winning the Otago singles in 1952 and the doubles titles in 1950 and ’53 with his nephew Albert, and again in 1954 and ’55 with Bill Scott. He represented the South Island against the North in 1953.

Please continue to pass on our website address – www.obhsfoundation.co.nz - or my telephone numbers to all Old Boys you know. If you haven’t updated your own details, please also use this site.

As noted earlier in the newsletter, any contacts you are able to pass on – email or postal addresses, or telephone numbers – will be gratefully received.

And any news about Old Boys and their connections for publication in the monthly newsletter would also be welcome.

Steve Davie

Chief Executive