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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
Now I see why we were fielding so many enquiries regarding the 1940’s Decade Reunion earlier this year.
It seems our Old Boys’ from this decade are just itching to get together and re-live their school days.
This week Mr Rennie and myself sent invitations to all those Old Boys’ from the 1940 decade that we have confirmed contacts for and the response to attend has been… well nothing short of incredible. 72 Old Boys’ and 29 partners have confirmed their attendance thus far and will travel back to reconnect with their school.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg… throughout the 1940 decade over 1,700 boys’ attended the school. We have confirmed contact details for some 971 and are working hard to find the remaining 821 – deceased or alive. This is no easy task but it seems our Old Boys’ from this decade are more than willing to help. We have had more assistance in the last week to find Old Boys’ than I can remember in my short time with the Foundation.
To all those who are helping, thank you, thank you, thank you… it means a great deal and keep hunting.
What I enjoy about organising and hosting these gatherings is watching the shear enjoyment as our Old Boys’ walk through that infamous archway, many for the first time since they left - tip their cap and stride forth towards the grand old lady. We will honour that tradition on 21 & 22 February 2011 when some of our most senior Old Boys’ return to the school.
As they re-enter the grounds the memories will flood back, how well they did academically or with sport and arts and culture, what teachers were good, what teachers were not so good, what Mr Kidson or Mr Aim would do if they put a foot out of line or what they would buy from Flo’s Tuck Shop at lunchtime. And from this the stories will follow, then the embellishments will start and then they will start embellishing the embellishment. And why shouldn’t they, there is a lot to catch up on…
But push past all of the above and what are we left with – one of the most important parts of a school-boys life – friendship. I can’t wait to see the faces of our Old Boys’ as they reconnect with class mates that they may not have seen for 60 or 70 years. I can’t fathom what that must feel like but I imagine it will be quite emotional and very exciting all at the same time.
If you are a 1940’s Old Boy who has registered to attend I know I speak on behalf of
Mr Rennie, the Old Boys’ Society and the Foundation when I say we can’t wait to welcome you back. I have spoken with many over the phone in the last week and the excitement and enthusiasim for this event is incredible – just incredible.
And if you are still contemplating joining us I leave you with this:
Forty years on, when far and asunder
Parted are those who are singing to-day,
When you look back and forgetfully wonder
What you were like in your work and your play;
Then it may be, there will often come o’er you
Glimpses of notes like the catch of a song;
Visions of boyhood shall float them before you,
Echoes of dreamland shall bear them along…
Doug Kamo
Chief Executive
OBHS Foundation
Peter Chin (1954-58) may have lost the election but he appears to have rediscovered his sense of humour - and perhaps his joie de vivre - following the recent election results.
As outgoing mayor of Dunedin he was clearly a happier man following the weight of office being lifted from his shoulders after six years in a job that involved "committing yourself completely to Dunedin".
Peter Wing Ho Chin (CNZM (born 1941) was a lawyer and the 56th Mayor of Dunedin where he served two terms as Mayor from 2004 to 2010.
He is a descendant of the earliest Chinese immigrants to New Zealand, and his family owned a take-away establishment in Stuart Street.
In the 1950s Peter was a student here at Otago Boys' High School and then the University of Otago, graduating LLB. He has worked in Dunedin as a lawyer since 1968, and is currently a consultant for the Otago law firm Webb Farry.
Married to Noleen since 1964 with 4 children, he lives in Roslyn and is a prominent operatic singer. In 2003, he was awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to local body and community affairs. He is also a member of the national Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust which was set up with government funding in 2004. The trust aims to raise awareness of the early Chinese community in New Zealand and its history, language and culture.
He is now looking forward to a future mostly disengaged from public life.
"Hell yeah. I'm a pensioner," he said as he cleared his office of a giant cheque that had been gathering dust in a corner for some time, a model of the Shanghai Expo building, and a cup and saucer, still in their box, with "very important person" inscribed on them.
"What I'm looking for is my own time, my own space," he said. He was known to rise at 4am to start his day.
"I enjoyed doing it," he said of the job. It's never been any trouble, [but] now I don't have to do that any more there's a feeling of relief”.
“There's a bit of disappointment I haven't got it [the mayoralty]. I'll always have the interests of Dunedin at heart, but I won't actually be there doing it. It frees me up to indulge myself in all manner of trivia."
That included his role as chief commissioner of the Gambling Commission, and trustee of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
Peter is one of our respected Fellow Foundation Members and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
NZ vs AUSTRALIA SECONDARY SCHOOLS RUGBY MATCH
An outstanding day greeted the Old Boys’ Luncheon and test match between the New Zealand and Australian Secondary Schools Rugby teams at Littlebourne yesterday.
Over 80 Old Boys’ returned to Otago Boys’ (some for the first time since they left) to reconnect with the school and rekindle old friendships. The catalyst was Otago Boys’ being awarded the Trans-Tasman Secondary Schools test match and the luncheon proved a strong draw card to make the most of the event.
During the luncheon which was held in the quad outside the library - music played, the sun shone and the sweepstake competition was well patronised.
Following the luncheon guests moved through to Littlebourne where some 2,000 spectators were lining the sidelines ready for the ultimate clash.
Australia was first out of the changing rooms to strong support of approx 200 Australian supporters. Next was New Zealand and as they ran onto the field the locals showed their support ten fold.
After a passionate haka the ball hit the turf and play began.
In a game that ebbed and flowed, New Zealand Schools beat Australian Schools 30-21 to clinch its second win in a row over the side from across the Tasman.
But it was a game that could have gone either way and clear-cut chances were in short supply.
New Zealand led 10-3 at the break and then immediately pulled ahead through a slick backline try. But it then went into its shell and the Australians grabbed hold of the ball and got to within two points, 23-21 with just 10 minutes to play. New Zealand, though, did not panic, got hold of the ball and moved back on to attack.
It won a messy scrum and through a couple of nice skip passes, replacement Bryn Hall scampered over out wide to score. TJ Perenara added the tricky conversion to clinch the match.
All in all an incredible day and one that Otago Boys’ can be very proud to have hosted.
Since the September newsletter, the following Old Boys and connections with the school have made pledges or donations and have been registered as Members of the Foundation:
We are genuinely appreciative of their continued support and belief in the Foundations objectives. If you wish to find out more about how you can make a pledge or donation please click here or contact info@obhsfoundation.co.nz
Bill Trewern is taking a group of 10 boys to Stellenbosch in South Africa next April to compete in the World Schools’ Golf Challenge. This event has been held in Christchurch in 2007, Adelaide in 2009 and will be in South Africa next year.
As you can imagine this is a major venture and the cost per boy for air travel, accommodation, insurance and vehicle hire is in the vicinity of $6500. Therefore the team is undertaking a number of fundraising activities to alleviate the pressure on the boys and their families starting with the below Golf Challenge.
Here is a great opportunity to play in a team with Greg Turner, Mahal Pearce, Ben Gallie, Brent McEwan, Duncan Croudis and many more leading Otago professional and amateur golfers.
Teams are made up of three with the fourth player (Otago professional or amateur golf players) being assigned to your team
To download registration form click here
To download flyer click here
Contact: Michael Smith at Sport Otago on 03 474 6345 or 027 695 8003
Email: golf@sportotago.co.nz for bookings
The Otago Boys' High School Foundation is set to benefit from one of the hottest shows returning to Dunedin after its sell-out performance last year.
The RATPACK RETURNS LIVE is set to rock the foundations of the Glenroy Auditorium on 12 & 13 November with their SWING WITH THE RAT PACK return performance.
Last year tickets sold out in hours so this year they have added a performance and are ready to SWING with the St Kilda Brass - 30 piece big band conducted by Steve Miles and featuring Stuart Walker on piano.
Click Here To Download & Print The Offical Swing With The Rat Pack Donation Voucher!
For The Foundation To Receive The $5 Donation You Must Present The Official 'Swing With The Rat Pack' Voucher At The Box Office When Purchasing Your Tickets!
For more information contact the Foundation office on admin@obhsfoundation.co.nz or call +64 3 477 2546
OBHS Foundation and the Old Boys' society have joined forces again to finish the year off with a bang by presenting one of Dunedin's funniest dinner theatre shows - Faulty Towers!
This show is exclusive to all Otago Boys' Old Boys', staff, parents and their connections (in other words anyone you know!)
Pack your Sybil (Wife or Partner) and a few Manuel's (Friends) into the car and get along to what is being hailed as the best comedy act in Dunedin.
Basil and Sybil are off on holiday but find their restaurant in full of diners. Always keen to make a buck Basil launches head first into action, Sybil is screaming at Basil for booking all the guests and where is Manuel?
Show includes 3 course buffet dinner, 2 hours of hilarious entertainment and a guaranteed stomach workout!
Book now by contacting the Foundation Office on admin@obhsfoundation.co.nz or calling 03 477 2546
Dates have been released for this wonderful occasion which will see our Old Boys’ from the decade of 1940 return to their school some 60 to 70 years on.
The reunion is scheduled for 21 & 22 February 2011 to coincide with the Christ College interschool & 125th anniversary cricket match between the two foes.
Interest in this reunion is fantastic with 72 Old Boys’ and 29 partner/companions registered to date.
To pre-register send an email to admin@obhsfoundation.co.nz with ‘Register 1940’s’ in the subject line or call the Foundation office on +64 3 477 2546. Please include your full name and the years you attended Otago Boys.
Contact the Foundation admin@obhsfoundation.co.nz with ‘Register 150th’ in the subject line or a call +64 3 477 2546, and leave a message. Include your full name and years of attendance.
If you find a story on an OB’s Old Boy share it with us all!
Send it to info@obhsfoundation.co.nz and we will do our best to include it in the next newsletter.
Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium has a date for its first major international conference - the 2013 Global Botanic Gardens Congress thanks to Old Boy Alan Matchett (1971-76)
Dunedin fended off a strong bid from Hawaii to secure the conference, which is expected to bring up to 500 people to the city during the Dunedin Botanic Garden's 150th anniversary year.
The conference is expected to pump almost $3 million into Dunedin's economy.
Alan (Dunedin City Council botanic garden team leader) attended the fourth Global Botanic Gardens Congress earlier this year in Dublin, Ireland, where he presented Dunedin's bid to host the fifth conference. He recently confirmed that bid had been successful.
The congress would place Dunedin "firmly on the world map" as a destination for international conferences and horticultural and botanical research, as well as for garden tourism.
While an exact date had not been set, it was expected to begin in late September, Mr Matchett said.
Mr Matchett said the stadium had helped attract the congress, as it could accommodate the large numbers of people involved.
The botanic gardens congresses cover everything from biodiversity conservation to climate change, sustainability, environmental education and collections management.
Attractions Dunedin people took for granted, such as the Orokonui Ecosanctuary and the royal albatross colony, and being able to travel to the top of Mt Cargill in minutes to view sub-alpine plants, would amaze those attending, he said.
The 2010 World Rowing Championships are being held at Lake Karapiro this year and New Zealand is a force in world rowing.
The New Zealand crew won four Gold’s last year in Poland and to the fore in achievement is ex Otago Boys student Hamish Bond (1999 – 2003) in the men’s pair with Eric Murray.
Hamish was a member of the gold medal-winning coxless fours at the 2007 World Rowing Championships. Prior to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Hamish was officially named as New Zealand's 1000th Olympian and he was a member of the Men's coxless four, which won the B final at Beijing. Hamish and Eric together won the team of the year award at the 2009 New Zealand Halberg sports awards
The world championships will run from October 31 to November 7th, with the finals held on the four days starting on Thursday 4th November. So keep an eye out for Hamish and Eric in the men’s pair.
Hamish Rutherford (2003-06) hit a record 184 as Green Island’s 373 proved too much for new-comer Otago Country recently, which struggled through to 175.
Hamish Rutherford was the star with bat and ball as Green Island recorded its first win of the season. Hamish’s 184 runs is the highest score by a Green Island senior player in a Dunedin club competition game.
Hamish started off relatively slowly, his 50 coming from 66 balls. He picked up the pace as he spent more time at the crease, bringing up his century off 102 balls and his 150 came 23 balls later.
He hit 14 fours and 14 sixes and was out with just under five overs to go.
Bill Trewern (Deputy Principal) gave a fitting tribute to the Aspinall family at a recent school assembly. Many of our Old Boys’ will remember with fondness the times spent at the Aspinall Lodge. Below is the speech Mr Trewern gave:
After so many years it gives me great pleasure to have this opportunity to thank the Aspinall family for their hospitality and support over the 38 years that we have operated in the Valley.
Before I talk about the Aspinalls’ contribution I would like to pay tribute to five former teachers, who without their contribution, our Mt Aspiring Lodge would not be there today.
First of all Mr Peter Foster for his early organisation and the countless hours he spent on the building of our Lodge. In 1975, the big year for the construction, Peter spent about 90 nights sleeping in the Lodge as a member of the many work parties of staff and boys.
Next, Mr Henry Stoddart, preceded me as the Aspiring Co-ordinator and he spent almost 60 nights in the Lodge in 1975. Until his retirement Henry continued on work parties upgrading the bunk rooms giving more room for students and shelving for their gear.
Next comes Mr Bill Duncan and Magnus Sinclair who went on countless work parties, most of which were in their own time. Mr Sinclair continues to run work parties at the Lodge re-planking the bridge, staining the Lodge, adding to the electrical capacity and many other things.
Alan West has a great love of Aspiring and despite being retired assists our Year 10 programme and continues to run the Year 12 Leadership trip at the end of each year.
All of these men have made a significant contribution and I call on the School to show their appreciation.
Our involvement in the Matukituki Valley began when John’s father, Jerry and mother Phyllis, built a new house on the Wanaka side of the Matukituki River. Not wanting to see the old Homestead lay vacant they allowed Dunstan High School and us to share use of their old home.
Otago Boys' High was a large school of nearly 1200 pupils and we needed more use of the facility than was available in fine weather. A group from our staff along with Jerry Aspinall decided on the current site as there was always access to water.
Materials had to be carted in and when our tractor turned belly-up in the Matuki Jerry helped cart 400 bags of cement and 22 sheets of steel mesh to the site where the foundations were laid.
This was close to the time when John took over the Station and in the first weekend in August Jerry and John unloaded 4 truck loads of materials and transported them in his blue tractor across the Matuki. Without the Aspinalls’ support at this juncture the building of the Lodge could not have proceeded.
During our years of running the programme John and Sue have helped out many times. Sue you must have got tired of the countless interruptions to your daily life as staff members requested access to your phone. It speaks volumes for you that you hold the record as the woman who has spent the most time living in the Matukituki Valley.
John has always helped in overseeing tasks like the emptying of our sewerage tanks and kept an eye on the Lodge when we were not there.
But there are two incidents which stick in my mind:
In 1977, before the completion of the bridge, another teacher and I were trapped with 36 boys on the wrong side of the Matuki River. We were unable to return to the Lodge. John came out with his truck in the middle of the night and ferried many of the boys down to the new Homestead. The boys slept in the Woolshed but Sue insisted that two boys who were suffering from mild exposure slept in their house.
More recently our RH Bedford truck tipped up on the West Matuki Road and once again it was John, his tractor and his skill which got us out of a serious bind.
But for me, during my time as Aspiring co-ordinator, it has been the neighbourly hospitality and friendship that John and Sue have shown us. It has been comforting to know that they are always there and would always assist if required.
Mr Trewern then presented the Aspinall family with a John Toomer painting of the Matukituki Valley and Mount Aspiring.
What do mining, the Tibetan flag, Bill English and the Fortune Theatre have in common?
They were all part of the Otago Daily Times ‘Extra’ Otago current events quiz. More than 60 year 9 and 10 pupils from all over the region pit their newsknowledge against each other.
It was a hotly-contested battle, and included a "scavenger hunt" through a copy of the ODT, and questions on a wide range of events from across the globe.
Well done to Otago Boys High School team 1 made up of Andrew Hopkins, Bryce Grellet-Deaker and David Moratti (pictured) for coming in at second place.
The ODT Extra! quizzes are part of the newspaper's Class Act project, which celebrates the excellence of young people.
If you wish to let us know what you are up to now drop us a line!
Send it to info@obhsfoundation.co.nz and we will do our best to include it in the next newsletter.
Nick Thomson (1950-1954) will release 4 novels (all part of a series based on his father’s whakapapa) at a launch on 30 October at the Tautuku Fishing Club. He shares a little of his background since leaving Otago Boys’:
Following what was perceived as a call, when Paul White (The Jungle Doctor) addressed the school assembly one morning in 1951 I entered the University of Otago Medical School intending to qualify in Medicine to enable me to return to Africa in the capacity of a medical missionary.
I was one of the last batch of graduates of the University of New Zealand in 1961. By then married to Janice Patchett from Blenheim, and working in Auckland hospitals I approached the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand (as it was then) who asked me to go to work in Indonesia. After months of vainly trying to get a visa the PCNZ decided to send us to Papua (as it was then).
In 1964, after spending almost a year in Sydney where our second of two sons was born, my wife Jan and I went to Papua, working at a hospital at Iruna, Central District, training nurses, and giving health care to the people of the area under the umbrella of the United Church of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It was here where our two daughters were born.
In 1970, after handing over that position to Dr Peter Strang, I headed a small team translating the New Testament into the Magi language. In 1973 we returned to NZ and after nine months at Wairau Hospital in Blenheim I took over a solo general medical practice in Hunterville. During this time I was awarded M Phil (Massey, 1979) in anthropology/lingistics. We shifted to Whanganui in 1993 which served as a base to do locums in the North Island and one in the Solomons.
It was in 2003 that changes in direction came when I published a book, A World Awakens: Te Puawai o te Ao – a version of the Maori myths of creation in blank verse.
We retired in 2006 to Feilding, where I concentrated on writing a series of historical novels based on my father’s whakapapa over the last 250 years.
These begin with the family of Allan and Flora MacDonald of Kingsburgh on the Isle of Skye, notable for their involvement in the escape of Prince Charles Edward Stuart after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Books 3 & 4 deal with families who immigrated to Dunedin in 1858 (Smaill), 1874 (Woods and Thomson) and1878 (Archie).
If you are interested in learning more about Nick’s books contact the Foundation on admin@obhsfoundation.co.nz and we will forward this information onto Nick.
Recently it seemed two Otago regional councilors both wanted to become chairman and a voting battle was looming.
But at the first meeting of the new council recently, Stephen Woodhead (1975-78) faced no challenge and was elected unopposed.
The South Otago sheep farmer, first elected in 2004, was deputy chairman of the council in 2007-10.
Cr Woodhead said he took on the chairman's position with "a little excitement, a little nervousness and a little of 'how did this happen?"
The council was in for a busy time with major projects such as the Leith-Lindsay flood protection scheme, water management issues, the Queenstown flood protection plan, a rating review and planning for a new council headquarters building.
It was up to all councilors to abide by the declaration each had made recently and faithfully and impartially work in the best interests of Otago, he said.
Allan Dippie (1978-81) of Dunedin and Grant Aitken of Queenstown took victory in an exciting race when the long awaited opening round of the 2010 ASKO Appliances South Island Endurance Series took place at Timaru International Raceway at Levels near Timaru recently.
Dippie and Aitken took the lead with seven laps to go in the three-hour event, as Dunedin pairing Black and Good's BMW slowed with an engine problem.
The Porsche duo ran out the winners by 18 seconds.
All Foundation card holders receive 5 cents per litre discount to the national pump price for
petrol and diesel. Discounted petrol and diesel can be purchased at all BP,RD Petroleum and most Gasoline Alley retail sites along with Truck Stops.
If today the national price for a litre of 91 octane is $1.729 cents. The cost to you would be $1.679 cents. If on the West Coast 91 is currently priced at $1.909 cents per litre and on the Coromandel Peninsula it’s sitting at $1.959 cents per litre – those with Foundation fuel cards will still pay $1.679 cents per litre. That’s a 28 cpl saving!
This offer is open to all Otago Boys' High School - Old Boys', staff, parents of a student and their immediate family members so please pass this on to a New Zealand based family member you think may well benefit from joining the program.
There is an annual fee of $20.00 + GST per card of which $10.00 comes directly back to the Foundation in the form of a donation from RD Petroleum. On top of this RD Petroleum gifts 0.05 cents for every litre poured. There are no additional transaction fees.
Cards are linked to a bank account with all payments being made by direct debit. Fuel bought one month will be billed for the 20th of the following month. Card holders will receive an invoice giving ample notification of the amount to be debited against their account.
If interested in joining please download the appropriate forms below and return directly to RD Petroleum, PO Box 1487, Christchurch 8140 or if you have any queries call them
on 0800 44 00 14.
Individual Application – Click here
Limited Companies Application – Click here
Stephen Walker (1965-1967) - peacefully died at Timaru Hospital on the 6th October 2010 aged 58yrs
Robert Muirhead (1951-54) – passed away on Thursday the 21st October, Invercargill. Robert was a Friend of the Foundation
Brendan Dean (1981 -1985) - On 25th October died suddenly at the age 42. Our sympathies to his parents John Dean (1965 -1967) and Ilona.
Robin Pitcher (1955 -1957) - died peacefully at home on the 24th October 2010 aged 62.
Frederick Atchley (1944 – 1946) - Died peacefully on the 21st October 2010
John Chirnside (1954-1957) - who’s wife passed away on the 3rd October 2010 at Wiltshire Hospital Rangiora
Newsletter researched by Darlene Williams and compiled Douglas Kamo
The Otago Boys’ High School Foundation acknowledges the assistance it receives from
Konica Minolta with all of its office printing requirements
