Newsletter - January 2006

15/01/2006

Having negotiated its initial phase, the Otago Boys’ High School Foundation is now embarking on its next stage.

With the clear vision of providing the best education possible for all students – by way of assisting the school with the provision of facilities, personnel and direction – the Foundation’s sole aim is to protect a wonderful history by enhancing the school’s reputation now and into the future.

Progress to date has been pleasing but the generation of funding must continue at its present level of growth for the Foundation to reach a point where it will make a genuine difference to the livelihood of Otago Boys’ High School.

Our Old Boys have been a major contributor to Otago, New Zealand and international society through many fields of endeavour since its formation of the school in 1863. For such a presence and profile to prosper, the Foundation needs to be successful and, like the school for more than a century, it needs to lead the way.

There are many strands to bring together – the tracking of all Old Boys, the request for pledges and donations, the development of an enjoyable calendar of events, the generation of scholarships, business and mentoring opportunities for the current students, the strengthening of the link between the Old Boys’ Society and the school, and a number of others.

The tracing of the school’s alumni and the growth of the Foundation’s funds are seen as priority – and we would appreciate your assistance in both areas.

Foundation members:

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

Owen Davie (1958-62)

Alex Sime (1938-52)

Peter Shepherd (1964-68)

John Aspinall (1965-69)

We are grateful to all of our Foundation members who, in an early show of faith, have grasped the concept and have shown a willingness to back that belief in a tangible manner.

Calendar of events:

It’s a hectic start to the year with three events scheduled for February and March.

IN LATE-FEBRUARY we’ll be joined by highly entertaining Australian writer, broadcaster and raconteur Peter FitzSimons. Peter will speak at cocktail functions in Dunedin (in the Lion Foundation Arena, Edgar Centre) on Monday 20th February and in Wanaka (at the Lake Wanaka Centre) the following evening.

Early bookings are strong and there will be big crowds at both venues.

If you are keen to enjoy Peter’s entertainment, please send back the booking sheet (as sent last month) or contact me by ‘phone, fax, post or email. An advertising campaign, opening the way for the general public to be involved, will begin later this month. There will be no discounting of tickets for the public, but the group booking concession (for 10 or more tickets) will apply to Old Boys and their connections until Friday, 27th January.

These functions are for a mixed audience, not just a ‘blokes only’ gathering.

Please also be aware the Wanaka event is the night before the One Day International cricket match at Queenstown between New Zealand and the West Indies. We will have some tickets to the game to be won on the night, complements of New Zealand Cricket’s major sponsor - the National Bank.

THE INAUGURAL ANNUAL Foundation Golf Classic, hosted in association with Colin Strang Financial Services and to be played on Friday, 3rd March next year, has a small number of playing places available.

If you wish to play, please contact me.

AND TICKETS ARE also now being sold for the Not 1 But 2 Hypnosis Show to be hosted in the school’s auditorium on 20th and 21st March.

These shows will feature internationally renowned South African hypnotists, Dave and Wesley Upfold, and highly regarded magician Brent McLeod, a pupil at Otago Boys’ (1976-1979), the performances coming south with a reputation as one of the best ever to be seen.

Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $15 for students and pensioners. With only 460 able to be seated in the auditorium each night, these shows will sell quickly. Again, if you wish to purchase tickets please make contact with me.

HIGH QUALITY LUNCHES are planned for each of May and August, with the annual Foundation Dinner scheduled for early-October.

Old Boys’ branches:

We are also keen to regenerate or establish Old Boys’ branches all around New Zealand and, where possible, in other countries. As the Foundation and the Old Boys’ Society further strengthen an already powerful bond, these avenues will be explored.

School news:

Interschool dates for the first term of the 2006 year –

February 20 & 21, Christs’ College (away)

March 2 & 3, Waitaki Boys’ (home)

March 13 & 14, Timaru Boys (home)

March 23 & 24, Southland (away)

Annual Old Boys vs School Sport day:

The Annual Sports day will be held on Wednesday, 8th February.

To register your interest, please contact the relevant convenors:

Golf: Ian Hogg (work - 03/4677652, or home – 03/4790715) or Bill Trewern (home – 03/4737159)

Tennis: Andrew Swan (work – 03/4775527, or home – 03/4640269)

Cricket: Ken Rust (home – 03/4667219)

Players and non-participating Old Boys are invited to the Otago Golf Club from 4.30p.m. for liquid refreshments and a light snack prior to the presentation of the trophy. This will cost $10 for non-members of the Otago Golf Club.

For further details, contact Jonathan Usher (021/462442).

Congratulations:

Ian Blair (1947-50), awarded a MNZM in the New Year’s Honours list for services to ploughing. Ian has a 54-year involvement with the sport, that time including representation of New Zealand in 1967 and 1968, membership of the New Zealand Ploughing Association since 1968 and a place on the governing board of the World Ploughing Organisation since 1976. The 1994 world championships were held on his farm at Outram. Ian is the first New Zealander to chair the governing body and has been an integral member of the lobby team to secure the 2010 world championships in Methven.

Professor Atholl Anderson (1957-58), awarded a CNZM in the New Year’s Honours list for services to anthropology and archaeology. Formerly at the University of Otago, Professor Anderson is now professor of pre-history and head of archaeology and natural history at the Australian National University in Canberra. An author of numerous publications, Professor Anderson became a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1991, a year after being awarded the Percy Smith Medal for research. In 1994 he was awarded the Elsdon Best Memorial Medal for his research work. He is currently directing a major programme on initial colonisation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Dr Warwick Bowen (1990-94) has received a series of scientific awards after helping dramatically demonstrate the quantum teleportation of light. After being awarded the Australian Museum’s British Council Eureka Prize for Inspiring Science in 2003 (this for teleporting a laser beam), Dr Bowen was last month presented with the Australian Institute of Physics 2004 Bragg Medal for the best PhD thesis in physics completed in Australia that year. And he was also awarded the Australian National University’s Crawford Prize last month for academic excellence in producing the best science thesis at the university in 2005. After working in Australia, Dr Bowen was appointed as a lecturer in physics at the University of Otago last August.

Pelu Pavihi (1995-2000), who is back in Dunedin following the Manu Samoan rugby team’s tour of the United Kingdom. Pelu, a former New Zealand volleyball representative, is now in line to play in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France with his pathway to that tournament including the possibility of time on the northern hemisphere club circuit and aspirations to make the Otago NPC team later this year.

Andrew McMillan (1999-2002) has been named in the New Zealand swimming team for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Andrew will contest the 200 metres butterfly, having broken the qualifying standard of 2 min 00-79 seconds at last month’s national trials. Andrew chased Moss Burmester hard in the final trial, Burmester breaking Anthony Mosse’s long-standing record, set at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. Otago swimmers have a proud tradition in 200 metre butterfly racing with Dr Dave Gerrard winning the 1966 Kingston Commonwealth Games’ gold medal and Danyon Loader taking the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games’ gold, two years after securing the Barcelona Olympics’ silver medal.

Connections:

Susie Bates (2005 Otago Girls’ Head Girl) scores 183 not out, a New Zealand record in one-day provincial cricket (against Auckland earlier this month). Susie is the daughter of Robin (1968-70), currently Dunedin’s Crown Prosecutor, and sister of Tom (1996-2000, Head Boy 2000) and Henry (1998-2002, Head Boy 2002).

Where are they now?:

Geoff Stevenson (1956-60) emigrated to Canada in 1968 and now lives in retirement in Victoria, British Columbia. After working for the Otago Daily Times, Geoff went on to become managing editor of two of Canada’s largest daily newspapers. He is married to the former Anita Watson and they have one son, Brad, who is a manager with Microsoft in Seattle. Geoff is keen to organize a 50th reunion of his 1960 First XV, although he now thinks that may be easier during the World Cup of 2011. Geoff can be contacted through his email address – geoff-stevenson@shaw.ca

Do you know where these people are?

We’ve made contact with John Tisdall (1980-84) who works in Chicago. However, the email address John has supplied doesn’t connect. Any information on John’s whereabouts or addresses would be appreciated.

Recent deaths:

Ian Scott (1933-37, died 30th October 2005). Ian graduated with a BSc in 1942, served with the RNZAF during the remaining years of the war and then graduated with a BA in 1951. He taught at Otago Boys’ from 1947 to 1966.

Heather Spicer (died January 6th 2006). The front office can be an intimidating place for boys and parents alike. One was often there under duress, yet Heather made all visitors feel at ease. She had contact with thousands of boys and their parents over the years and while she was missed upon her retirement last year, her death has now left a huge void in the lives of those who knew her. We extend our sympathies to Heather’s husband John and children Jan, Dean (1980-84) and Linda.

Rector Clive Rennie writes the following in tribute to Heather –

Heather was first employed in the school library and she remained as part of that team for 16 years. In 1993 she moved to the receptionist position and set the standards for that all-important ‘first contact’ with parents and the public until ill health forced her retirement in May 2005. She completed 29 years of service to our school community.

Heather was always friendly, helpful and generous with her time. Job descriptions did not trouble her, she did what was necessary and needed doing, even anticipating what was needed. Her greatest strength was her consideration for students. A significant number of young men would have been thankful for the “loan” of money for lunches or bus fares.

Many of you will also recall that it was Heather who sewed your sports blues on to your blazer. This particular skill she took great pride in, proud of having carried out this task for the school’s latest All Blacks Richie McCaw and Byron Kelleher. When Heather retired, the Otago Boys’ Rugby Club gave her a “Most Valuable Player” award for her assistance to the club. Rugby was a passion for Heather.

Heather epitomised the pride of belonging to and being part of the school. She personified loyalty, caring, respect, helpfulness and latterly courage. These are all part of the values we believe the school stands for.

Heather and her husband John have been totally committed to Otago Boys’ and we will miss Heather hugely as both a friend and a colleague.

The Foundation has made solid progress in its short existence to date and there is an air of justified enthusiasm as we launch into the New Year.

Together we will make a difference.

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.

The tracking process continues to gather momentum but please don’t assume we know where all Old Boys are.