Newsletter - April 2010

6/4/2010

April newsletter –

John Middlemiss, Deputy Rector, retires

* Otago Boys’ lost a long-serving friend last week as the first term drew to an end.

Deputy Rector John Middlemiss retired after almost 15 years in the role and his absence will be keenly felt.

John grew up in Invercargill living at Otatara and attending Southland Boys’ High School before gaining a Mathematics degree and attending Dunedin Teachers’ College for his Division C year.

He taught mainly in Christchurch with a stint in Wellington before being appointed Deputy Rector at Timaru Boys’ High School in 1990. After five years there he was appointed Deputy Rector at Otago Boys’ in 1995, following the resignation of Des Smith, and joined the staff after Queen’s Birthday weekend that year.

Senior management note John’s reputation for ‘putting in the hours’ and always acting in the best interests of the school. They also applaud his achievement in ‘getting rid of our pencils and rubbers and introducing a very good computer system for timetables and administration’. Apparently this was not an easy task with many of ‘the oldies’ clinging to what they knew and being reluctant to progress.

John served for just a few weeks short of 15 years and during this time staff have described him as the “glue” which holds Otago Boys’ together. During some difficult times at the school he was certainly “the rock”, giving strong support to many of his colleagues.

The school management and staff wish John and Wendy a very long and happy retirement together travelling in their mobile home and during their upcoming foray to the home of Wendy’s ancestors, the Orkney Islands, alongside their visit to the United Kingdom where John was born.

Len’s marble falls

* Len Simpson (1939-40) will make a trip to Gallipoli later this month to honour those who served in the eight-month campaign that cost the lives of more than 2700 New Zealanders.

‘‘I deem it an honour to go to acknolwedge those who were killed and fought there.’’

Len, now 85 and who lives in Dunedin, is one of 22 veterans chosen by ballot to form part of the official New Zealand contingent attending the 95th Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli.

Veterans chosen from the ballot were servicemen and women who had served in past wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. To be eligible for the ballot, veterans had to have a direct family link to someone who served in the Gallipoli campaign, and they must have served as a member of the New Zealand Defence
Force.

Len served with both the Royal Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy in the Pacific, and his father-in-law, Corporal Thomas Nicol, served with the Otago Regiment in Gallipoli. Cpl Nicol survived the ordeal by the slimmest of margins: on Mr Simpson’s wall is a montage including a picture of a cut throat razor his father-in-law was carrying, and the bullet or shrapnel it stopped.

‘‘We’re very proud of his service. They went through some pretty grim times,’’ Len said.

Len leaves for Gallipoli on April 17th for a 14-day trip he applied for, but did not expect to get.

‘‘I got a shock when they told me I drew the marble.’’

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 –

Sam Newton (1934-36) – Friend. This is Sam’s second donation to the Foundation

School news

* Matt Aitken (Year 13, 7th form) has been selected in Special Olympics New Zealand’s first athlete leadership programme.

The programme, is designed to help athletes explore opportunities in new roles, such as serving on the board of directors or local organising committees. They could even be spokespersons, team captains, coaches or officials.

Ten athletes were selected for the global messenger programme, part of the athlete leadership programme, from the 25 applicants. The programme is in place in 67 countries.

‘‘I’m stoked to get the chance,’’ Matt said.

‘‘I’m excited about being given the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills as I travel around the country.’’

Matt faced a gruelling interview for 45 minutes from a knowledgeable panel before he was selected for the programme.

He impressed New Zealand Special Olympics chief executive Kathy Gibson.

‘‘We looked for a mix of skills in those we selected for the first year, and collectively we have an outstanding group of global messengers,’’ she said.

‘‘Matt is a dedicated athlete who has expanded his own range of interests and networks. He is already showing a maturity beyond his years.’’

The programme provides workshops and training for athletes to learn skills that allow them to speak for themselves and others with intellectual disability.

Matt is one of the best performed Special Olympic athletes in Otago and has won nine medals in national events. His best performance was at the national secondary schools athletics championships at Hamilton two years ago when he won five medals: three gold, a silver and a bronze.

He broke three records with his shot put (8.36m), discus (23.59m), and 100m (12.78sec). A year later, he set a record in the javelin (19.85m). At the New Zealand Special Olympics at Palmerston North last year, Matt was second in the 400m (1min 13.96sec) and third in the shot put (7.32m).

Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic – Winners All Round

* A beautifully calm day and crystal clear skies turned the St Clair Golf Course into a stunning backdrop for the fifth Otago Boys’ High School Foundation Annual Golf Classic which was contested in mid-March.

With the BBQ sizzling, music playing and competitors enjoying each others company - new naming sponsor Dunedin Casino turned on the magic with a ‘Chip & Win’ competition that proved a real attraction amongst the full field of 120 players (30 teams).

An incredible prize list had been assembled including a $2,500.00 first prize package of a Queenstown Golfing Getaway sponsored by Tim Kershaw (1996-2000) from Remarkable Golf Tours Queenstown.

The scores recorded reflected the perfect conditions. The results were:

Team Winners

17th Rhubarb Café – team handicap 7.375, Shot 66, Net 58.625

16th Pat Taita, Tom Brandon, Alan Smith, Matt Hicks – 7.625, Shot 66, Net 58.375

15th WHK Taylors – 5.125, Shot 63, Net 57.875

14th Financial Planning Ltd – 10.375, Shot 68, Net 57.625

13th Rookie Academy – 7.375, Shot 65, Net 57.625

12th OBHS – 4.75, Shot 61, Net 56.25

11th Wattyl NZ – 5.875, Shot 61, Net 55.125

10th Forsyth Barr – 5.875, Shot 61, Net 55.125

9th Peter Stechman, Peter Gillespie, Ross Hill, Merv Clearwater – 11.125, Shot 66, Net 54.875

8th Remarkable Golf Tours – 3.5, Shot 58, Net 54.5

7th RD Petroleum – 4.5, Shot 59, Net 54.5

6th Craigs Investment Partners – 8, Shot 62, Net 54

5th A Rose, J White, M Galland, S Hammer – 4.125, Shot 58, Net 53.875

4th Southern Realty – 10.5, Shot 64, Net 53.5

3rd Harvie Green Wyatt – 9.5, Shot 63, Net 53.5

2nd Larnach Castle – 3.125, Shot 56, Net 52.875

1st Alister Brockie, Brent McClenaghan, Roger Parson, Jim Todd – 8.375, Shot 61, Net 52.625

Alan Brockie and his team also received the Otago Boys’ High School Foundation golf trophy which was kindly donated by the tournament’s winner in 2006 and 2007 – Kiwi Mortgage Market Ltd

The day finished with Brent Cowles and Ben Kidson of The Stadium Bar and Independent Liquor (respectively) kindly providing refreshments on the 18th hole.

All 18 holes were sponsored and comments made around the clubhouse confirmed the tournament as one of the most enjoyable events to play in each year.

The Foundation is genuinely appreciative of the support it received from its naming rights, hole and prize sponsors, those who entered teams and who played as individuals, and from the St Clair Golf Club management team and pro shop.

On the catwalk

* The Otago Boys’ Parents’ Association raises tens of thousands of dollars every year for school projects with the first major drive in 2010 comprising a high-quality fashion show, scheduled for 7p.m. on Friday 23rd April.

Fashion on Shand will be staged in the school’s auditorium with those to display their wares including Rockbourne Jewellery, Christinz, Glassons, Hallensteins, Sutre, Max, 12 Commandments FW, Stax, Phizacklea and Wolfenden & Russell. The show will be compered by Nicky Hunt, from Dunedin’s More FM and there will be sales on the night.

Tickets cost $20 with the price including a complimentary drink and ticket draws. A cash bar will also operate along with some terrific raffles.

Tickets can be bought through the school office (03/4775527) or through Parents Association secretary Judy Toomer (03/4894710, 027/7271107, jtoomer@xtra.co.nz). For those out of town, tickets can be booked by contacting Alison Bain, Middlemarch (4643338), Susan Landels, Balclutha (03/4184243), Julie Umbers, Wanaka (03/443 8308) and Joanne Birtwistle, Queenstown (03/4425833).

Congratulations

* Greg Henderson (1990-94) secured one of the best victories of his road cycling career last month by taking the first stage in the annual Paris-Nice race.

Greg beat home some of the best names in the sport, including Tour de France champion Alberto Contador who struggled to tame the crosswinds, the crashes and splits in the bunch.

A former track world champion, Greg won his first major road laurels last year on the Tour of Spain. In Monday’s first stage (201.5-km) he outsprinted the leading group of 17 riders for victory, beating Slovenia's Grega Bole and France's Jeremy Galland on the line.

"When the Caisse d'Epargne went and the yellow jersey followed, I knew I had to go too," he said.

Greg gave his Team Sky its first professional victory in Australia in January.

"It was highly symbolic to win the team's first race, but to win here in Paris-Nice means even more.

"I won a sprint in slow motion because we were all so tired because of the cold and wind," he added.

Old Boys in the news

* Sir Russell Coutts (1975-79) is continuing to plan the first American defence of the America's Cup since 1995 but hasn't yet decided whether he will be a participant.

Sir Russell is currently in New Zealand to meet America's Cup teams competing over the next week in the Louis Vuitton Trophy series to gauge their views on how the 34th Cup regatta - likely to be held in San Francisco - should be conducted.

The 48-year-old was chief executive of the San Francisco-based Oracle syndicate which won the America's Cup from Swiss holders Alinghi off the Spanish port of Valencia last month to return the sport’s oldest trophy to the United States.

He had been responsible for taking the trophy from the US when he skippered Team New Zealand to victory over Dennis Conner's Young America team off San Diego in 1995.

Sir Russell told New Zealand media he was working to firm up Oracle's plans for its Cup defence but hadn't yet decided whether he would attempt to win the trophy for a fifth time.

"I'm still deciding what to do in the future. I don't want to rush things on that," he said.

"I've got a young family now and that's definitely a consideration.

"Right now I'm just doing the best job I can for Oracle and trying to speak to some of the other teams to create some good processes for the next America's Cup, but I haven't made a decision on my future yet."

Sir Russell confirmed the next America's Cup regatta would likely be held off San Francisco - home of Oracle's founding Golden Gate Yacht Club - and probably in 2013.

"We have to announce a timeline for some of the key decisions like the venue, format, type of boats and so forth at the end of March," he said.

"We've been meeting some of the teams to get their ideas on some of the big issues to be sorted out."

He said it would be for competing teams to decide whether the next Cup regatta involved multi-hulls, like the space-age trimaran Oracle sailed off Valencia, or more traditional mono-hull yachts.

"The multi-hulls were spectacular. I think it should be at least discussed if you came up with a sensible rule. But I think most people would probably favour mono-hulls, but I'm not making any presumptions," he said.

"If we end up in San Francisco, at an exciting venue with exciting wind conditions, there's a great opportunity to have some pretty spectacular boats.

"We've got to do a lot more work to figure out what budgets are acceptable, what the costs should be and fit that in with a consensus view of the teams."

* The Otago Chamber of Commerce says Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin (1954-58) has got it wrong on the question of whether or not the council can discuss with the chamber its proposed rezoning of the harbourside industrial area.

Chief executive John Christie (1982-87) has provided the Otago Daily Times with a legal opinion which says the council ‘‘is probably obliged’’ to discuss the matter.

The chamber is one of six organisations appealing the council’s ‘‘plan change 7:
harbourside’’ to the Environment Court, where the matter is in mediation.

John noted the chamber had attempted to arrange ‘‘an audience’’ with the council, but was turned down. In response, Mayor Chin said Cr Colin Weatherall was discussing the matter with the appellants and it was not appropriate for the council to discuss the matter with the chamber.

And in turn John responded that he couldn’t understand ‘‘why the mayor made those comments’. It just doesn’t seem to line up with the legal advice that we’ve got.’’

He said the council had the ability to ‘‘not only discuss this with us, but they also have an obligation under the [Resource Management Act 1991].’’

In the legal opinion, Phil Page, of Gallaway Cook Allan, noted there was a view the council was not free to discuss or reconsider its position.

‘‘Our examination of the Act demonstrates that the concern is unfounded.’’

Mr Page pointed out that in clause 8D of the first schedule of the Act, there was ‘‘explicit provision’’ for proposed plans to be withdrawn or changed. Clause 8D says, in part, ‘‘the local authority may withdraw its proposals to prepare, change or vary the policy statement or plan at any time’’ prior to the commencement of a hearing.

However, Dunedin lawyer Steve Rodgers (1969-73) of Rodgers Law, sided with the chamber.

‘‘It is amazing that [Mr Chin’s] refusal to discuss this is on the basis that it is sub judice. This is unacceptable. As a senior and experienced lawyer in our city, our mayor should know better.’’

Mayor Chin said he had not seen the legal opinion and therefore had no comment.

Council chief executive Jim Harland accused the chamber of politicising the issue.

‘‘New Zealand is the second least corrupt country in the world and one of the reasons, in my personal view, is because generally speaking our planning processes do not become politicised.’’

The actions of the chamber ‘‘brought into question the credibility of the processes and the confidence people can have in them,’’ Mr Harland said.

* Evan’s Antiques has been an institution in Oamaru for nearly half a century.

But after 45 years, retirement is beckoning for owner Evan Blair (1951-55) and, befitting the man himself, the Thames St shop quietly closed in late March, with little fuss or fanfare.

Evan is now preparing for an auction of his stock of antique furniture, china, jewellery, art and collectables, along with shop fittings and furniture parts and fittings. It will be held at the Scottish Hall on April 11th.

Auctioneer Ron Proctor, who described Evan as one of New Zealand’s foremost antique dealers, said it was a privilege to conduct the auction and he expected there would be ‘‘an awful lot of interest’’ in it’’.

‘‘It’s going to be a huge auction,’’ Mr Proctor said.

Evan’s interest in antiques stemmed from his days at Otago Boys’. Even at that young age he used to ‘‘haunt’’ the auction rooms and a lot of his knowledge was gleaned from those early experiences.

He started his business in Oamaru, firstly in the building on the corner of Eden and Thames Streets, and then in Tees Street, before moving to his current premises in 1969.

‘‘I thought I’d done well when I had been 25 years in business. Suddenly, it’s 45 years,’’ Evan said.

While he had mixed feelings about closing, Evan said he might as well enjoy retirement while he was in good health. He has a holiday home in the Maniototo and was looking forward to having more freedom.

He says he will miss the contact with people — he has had repeat customers from throughout New Zealand — but said he might still ‘‘carry on dabbling just a wee bit’’ as he had a ‘‘fairly good idea’’ of what some of his clients wanted.

To be a successful antique dealer, knowledge and passion were needed.

‘‘A lot of it is a feel for things,’’ he said.

He likened the forthcoming auction to shifting house and having a garage sale.

‘‘The stuff’s got to go.’’

Recollections and reminiscences

* Wilf Simenaur (1943-46) is quite envious of present-day boys at Otago Boys’, considering them to be “very lucky they are to be born in an era where so many activities are available to them”.

What brought on this rush of blood to my head, he asks? So he writes to explain:

Well, a few weeks ago afew of us tramped past the OBHS huts up onthe Matukituki River, onour way to Pearl flat at the foot of Mt. Aspiring. Nothing likethose OBHS hutswere availablewhen I was at school. (At 81 years of age Idid not contemplate dragging myself up to Cascade Saddleagain, but my wife and I recently did walk across England, from Arnside, to Salt-burn-by-the-Sea.)

On our recent trip to Wanaka,I dragged myself and Gloria up to Mt Roy above Wanaka. I wasmad enough to'do' Mt Royfor a fifth time. Now-a-days there is a 4-wheel-drive trackupto the top (to reach a TV mast), but when I was a kid, there was no track there whatsoever, and my brother Frank (1941-42) and I, after bashing through masses of bracken, finally made it to the top.

Furthermore, at Christmas of 1945,the late John Matheson (1941-45 – a quite brilliant musician and conductor. Ed), and I, on metal roads, cycledwith single-geared bikes, from Dunedin to Lake Wakatipu, thenacross the Crown Range (where we slept in the rain!) to Wanaka,up the Lindis Pass, then past Lake Ohau andacross the McKenzie Country (pushing our bikes all day, against a 'norwester'), past Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, down Burkes Pass (in that samenorwesterly gale) , slept rough again, at Fairlie, and finally, travelled back to Dunedin.

While at Wanaka, we met our OBHS Headmaster Percy Kidson, who wasliving in a tent on the shores of the lake, hefting rocks (with the help of his daughter) up onto the then, totally empty road. Those rocks he intendedfor his Wanaka house (which was built by a stone-mason from Cromwell). This wonderful house still stands there, today. Kidson was a wonderful, expert naturalist who kept his Wanaka garden 'as is' - ie, totally natural -with all the native flaura undisturbed.

When at Coal-creek(now Benmore), we got a lift on a NZR Bus, 'driven'- more like 'flown' -by an ex-fighter pilot from the war. He threw that bus up and down those hairy ridges and gullies (above the Clutha), all the way to Alexandra. We got a real adrenalin 'buzz' out of it,but at the same time, feared for our lives.

On that trip, the metal roads were so rough, thatmy bike lost 7 of its spokes, (replaced in Cromwell) - a sprocket-axlebroke near Wanaka, (a wrong-sizedsprocket-axlewas sent up from Dunedin, but as we were short of time, was 'sledge-hammered in' (never to be un-screwed again) by a giant-of-a-man at the Wanaka garage - and finally, the back-break's cable'snapped'at Omarama, and was soldered-together by a farmer.Butnow, the shortened-cable had to be manually un-done for ridingon the flat - and then re-joined, for going down-hill! Oh for a 20-gear bike!!

So there you have it. Every age has its advantages,but those boys who go up the Matukituki, they have it made!

(Having fled from Nazi Germany to New Zealand, school days weren’t always the happiest for Wilf and his brother Frank with many boys of the era more than a little insensitive. However, he says his own classmates eventually came to understand the difference between a Nazi and a refugee.

Wilf made the First XV and was also a very fine musician, which led to his father withdrawing him from the team to ‘protect his hands’. And it was music which became Wilf’s greatest love.

Having traveled to Britiain, Wilf joined the London Philharmonic Orchestra where he was sub-Principal cellist from 1950 to 1953. He played as Principal cellist for Sadler’s Wells Opera & Ballet Orchestra from 1953 to ’55, while also deputising for the BBC’s Symphony Orchestra, the BBC’s Concert Orchestra and with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Wilf then went on to play for the Philharmonia Orchestra (1955-57); the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1957-60); the St. Martin-in-the-Fields Ensemble, where he was a Founder member and co-Principal cellist in 1959; and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (Principal cellist) from 1960 to ’64. Upon returning to New Zealand, he was the Principal cellist for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra from 1965 to ’70; and the co-Principal cellist (1971-93). He also played as Principal cellist for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 1970.

He has also been a regular soloist with the BBC, ABC and Radio NZ, and the New Zealand Chamber Music Federation, along with playing concertos in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Wilf was the solo cellist on the NZSO’s tour of Australia in 1974 with Kiri te Kanawa and Michael Houston.

In recent years Wilf has visited England to see his newly born first grandchild, Tara, and was invited by his Kiwi tramping friends to join them on the "Alternative Coast-to-CoastWalk", from Arnside in the West (just below the Lake District) to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, just north of Whitby. The group covered the 184 kilometre trek in nine days.

During the visit Wilf celebrated his 79th birthday with what he describes as the best fish and chips on the planet - Haddock, at Whitby.

After returning home Wilf completed the Tongoriro Crossing, starting at Mangatepopo, reporting that he survived - just!)

An eye on the road

* Haydn Bowbyes (1987) has been in the news recently in his role as project manager for in-vehicle camera systems for Lumley General Insurance.

Lumley introduced DriveCam in-vehicle cameras four years ago and last month footage captured by a camera mounted inside the cab of a Canterbury Waste Services Ltd truck captured a number of errant driving acts – one of which brought about a police complaint.

The cameras have recorded cars running red lights and stop signs, running other cars off the road through dangerous overtaking, pulling out in front of oncoming traffic, driving three abreast on two-lane roundabouts and skidding around corners in wet conditions.

Haydn said in a newspaper interview following the release of the footage the cameras could be tailored for other vehicles, including buses and taxis, he said.

There were also $995 units for private-vehicle use. They could also be used by parents to monitor their children’s driving habits.

Canterbury Waste Services (CWS) general manager Gareth James said as well as helping with driver training and monitoring, the cameras provided protection for the company if its drivers were blamed for causing accidents.

“Whenever there’s an incident and someone suggests our driver was in the wrong, we say `let’s have a look at the video’.

“It gives us strong protection to prove what actually happened,” he said.

In the two years since Drivecam was introduced at CWS, the system had not recorded any incidents caused by company drivers.

* Dunedin tourist train operator Taieri Gorge Railway would consider buying one of the Kingston Flyer steam locomotives if the Kingston operation cannot be salvaged.

Operations manager Grant Craig (1975-78) said yesterday Taieri Gorge would only be interested if the receiver of the Kingston business, Lindsay McClean, of Malloch and McClean, Queenstown, decided to split up the company’s assets and sell them off.

Kingston Acquisitions Ltd, which owns the Kingston Flyer, went into receivership in November owing almost $5 million and the train has not run since.

Grant said Taieri Gorge tourist numbers had been affected by the demise of the Flyer service, as some tourists interested in travelling by rail decided not to venture south of Christchurch.

He considered the best outcome for Taieri Gorge, and tourism generally in the South, would be for the Kingston Flyer business to resume operations at Kingston. He said if Taieri Gorge was to buy one of the two coal burning Ab locomotives for use on the Dunedin to Middlemarch line it would have to be converted to run on oil because of the risk sparks from a coal fired locomotive would start fires.

He estimated the cost of the conversion to be about $500,000. However, Grant also suggested a coal fired locomotive could be used on the coastal route from Dunedin to Palmerston, although the lack of a turntable at Palmerston was an issue.

Grant denied a British magazine’s claim it had already bought one of the Kingston Flyer locomotives. The April edition of The Railway Magazine claims the purchase was ‘‘a new venture’’ for the Dunedin operator.

* ‘‘It was quoted at theatre conferences as being the ugliest, most dangerous piece of theatre equipment in New Zealand.’’

But now, the Mayfair Theatre’s front-of-house lighting truss has been replaced, theatre manager Bruce Collier (1963-68) says.

‘‘The front-of-house lighting truss is suspended above the audience in the auditorium, and with up to half a tonne of lighting equipment attached to it, the risk of failure is unacceptable.’’

Bruce said the theatre’s former lighting truss was ‘‘home built’’ and had been shining light on the stage since about 1970. However, it no longer met modern safety standards in the entertainment industry.

The new truss cost $17,000 and would greatly improve the safety of patrons attending shows in the theatre. The theatre had been increasingly busy during the past two years, which meant it could fund the new truss with theatre reserves which had built up from ‘‘modest’’ operating surpluses.

‘‘Safety issues are the first priority for available funds, before new carpets, paint work or other cosmetic improvements which we would nevertheless like to make in due course,” Bruce said.

To the fore

* Rising golfer Duncan Croudis (2005-09) has added another trophy to a bulging cabinet with victory on the Greg Turner junior tour.

Duncan, who plays out of the Otago Club, claimed both the overall title, based on scoring average, and the two round final played at Jack’s Point and Millbrook last weekend.

He played 13 rounds on the tour and finished with a scoring average of 1.25, ahead of Thomas Facer (Year 13, Otago), on 1.13, and Thomas Forbes (North Otago), on 2.88.

The tour included 10 events, with the best eight rounds counting for the order of merit.

Duncan won the 36 hole final with a polished 71 at Jack’s Point and a 75 at Millbrook. His two round total of 146 was nine shots clear of Daniel O’Connor (Southland), with Forbes seven shots further back.

The tour, run by the Southern Golf Academy and established with funds from former professional Greg Turner (1976-80), featured 14 boys from 10 Otago clubs and four from Southland clubs, as well as two Otago girls.

Duncan has enjoyed a remarkable season. He won the New Zealand under 19 title at the North Shore club in September, then finished second in his age group at the Aaron Baddeley international event in China. He missed out on a playoff at the New Zealand Open qualifying tournament by one shot, having to settle for an Open appearance as a caddy for Dunedin professional Mahal Pearce (1989-93).

Duncan was awarded the Sir Bob Charles Scholarship to assist with both his golf development and studies at the University of Otago.

Shorts

* Bob Houliston (1962-64) recently celebrated 45 years of service at Dunedin engineering firm DC Ross Ltd. Bob, now the Chief Executive, began as an apprentice fresh from secondary school in 1965 and is especially, and justifiably, proud of the fact that while a number of other small engineering firms had gone out of business, DC Ross Ltd was still providing high-quality workmanship.

* Port Chalmers Fishermen’s Co-operative Society president Steve Little (1970-74) says plans to deepen Port Otago’s shipping channel and dumping the dredged material offshore has the potential to create a ‘‘dead zone’’, which would threaten the income of local fishermen. Steve says the area would no longer sustain flat fish such as tarakihi, elephant fish and New Zealand sole, forcing the local industry to look further afield, or tie boats up at some times of the year. And he says other marine life, such as lobster larvae, could also be smothered by the dumping.

* Lester Harvey (1946-47) formally received his New Year’s QSM (Queen’s Service Medal) for services to the community at an official ceremony hosted in Christchurch by the Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand in late-March.

* The inaugural chairman of the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) will be Errol Millar (1959-64). Errol chaired the Otago Health Board at the time it was made of its dissolution and previously served on the Southland Board as a government appointee from 2002-07. The SDHB sees the Otago Health Board and the Southland Health Board joining forces. Errol says the major role will be integrating the services of the two boards, the transition to one single primary health organisation, due to be completed by July 1st and planning for rural hospital services.

* Stu Ellwood (1969-72) is the managing director of Willing Workers in Dunedin, a social group formed out of the Dunedin Work Opportunities Trust in 2001. Many of the group’s employees experience difficulty in securing and maintaining work because of disability, ageism, health or nationalism issues. Willing Workers currently provides employment for five full-time and 10 part-time staff with another 20 in casual or on-call contracts. Willing Workers has contracts with the Dunedin City Council, Methodist Mission and Waikouaiti Beach Motor Camp among others.

Recent deaths

We extend our condolences to the families of the following Old Boys –

Bob (Robert Munro) Robertson (1940-43), died in Christchurch on 10th March 2010, aged 84. Bob was a retired farmer from North Otago who was also a Friend of the Foundation.

Keith Ernest Wing (1936-39), died in Timaru on 22nd March 2010, aged 87. Keith was a retired school teacher and was the uncle of Dave Wing (1964-66).

Wynter John Tyson (1956-60), died in Napier on 22nd March 2010. Wynter, a retired policeman, was the brother of Geoff Tyson (1957-61) and stepbrother of Neville Tyson (1971-75).

Matt (Matthew Gemmell) McKnight (1935-37), died in Ranfurly on 2nd April 2010, aged 87. Matt, a retired famer, was the father-in-law of Hugh Speight (1980-84), brother-in-law of the late Ivan Nicolson (1937-38), and cousin of the late Irv McKnight (1934) and Stewart McKnight (1947-42).

James Alexander Murray Brydon (1962-64), died in Dunedin on 4th April 2010, aged 61. James was the brother of Gavin Brydon (1965-69).

Gregory Alexander Panagiotidis (1960-63), died in Christchurch on 4th April 2010, aged 64.

* We also extend our sympathies to –

Charles Lee (1971-73), Steven Lee (1972-73) and Peter Lee (1978-79) whose brother Basil was presumed drowned in Hobart, Australia on 11th January 2010. Basil was the son of the late Basil Lee (1941-43).

Andrew Rapson (Year 12) whose grandfather Gordon Rapson died in Dunedin on 6th March 2010.

Warren Murcott (1979-82) whose mother Sylvie died in Dunedin on 7th March 2010. Mrs Murcott was the widow of Stanley Murcott (1941-42).

Nathan Howden (1995-99) whose grandfather Thomas Howden died in Gore on 8th March 2010.

Greg Mirams (1979-83) and Philip Mirams (1982-86) whose grandmother Helen Helem died in Mt Maunganui on 8th March 2010.

Greg King (1981-84) whose father Bill died in Dunstan Hospital in Clyde on 9th March 2010.

Nelson Cullen (1945) whose brother-in-law McLeod Stewart died in Frankton on 10th March 2010.

Dion McCall (2002-05) whose father Stephen died in Waikoikoi on 10th March 2010.

David Hancox (1975-77) whose mother Shirley died in Dunedin on 12th March 2010.

Paul Grave (1979-83), Chris Grave (1982-86) and Adam Grave (1987-91) whose aunt Joan Bennet died in Bundaberg, Queensland on 12th March 2010.

Terry Stride (1960-61) whose mother Minnie died on Balclutha on 12th March 2010.

Bruce Buxton (1974-77) whose mother Joan died in Invercargill on 14th March 2010.

Ben Kerr (1999-2003) whose grandfather Mike Kerr died in Timaru on 14th March 2010.

Justin Griffith (1985-86) whose father Douglas died on Stewart Island on 16th March 2010.

Matt Tipa (1966-68), Rob Tipa (1968-72) and Chris Tipa (1970-74) whose mother Kathleen died in Timaru on 16th March 2010.

Dr Rob Dykes (1939-42) and Dr Peter Dykes (1942-45) whose sister-in-law Yvonne Dykes died in Wellington on 20th March 2010. Yvonne was the widow of the late Harold Dykes (1934-36).

Alastair Gilchrist (1968-72) whose mother Beatrice died in Wellington on 22nd March 2010. Beatrice was the widow of the late Dr Alastair Gilchrist (1927-29).

Kayne Duerden (1995-99) whose great-uncle Neville Kinraid died in Dunedin on 23rd March 2010.

David Lichter (1967-71), Jonathan Lichter (1967-71) and Barry Lichter (1968-72) whose mother Lily died in Auckland on 24th March 2010.

Blair Harcus (1982-86), Glenn Harcus (1984-88) and Warren Harcus (1989-93) whose uncle Ian Harcus died in Whanganui on 25th March 2010.

Trevor Seal (1966-69) whose mother Lorna died in Dunedin on 27th March 2010.

Michael Bird (1963-66) and Chris Bird (1967-69) whose mother Isabel died in Dunedin on 28th March 2010. Mrs Bird was the grandmother of Cameron Bird (1999).

Laurie McCormack (1977-79) and Bryan McCormack (1982-86) whose father Bryan died in Christchurch on 29th March 2010.

Russell Nevill (1984-87) whose father Geoffrey died in Dunstan Hospital, Clyde on 30th March 2010.

Trevor Grey (1959-62) and Ross Garner (1976-81) whose brother-in-law Des Cutler died in Dunedin on 1st April 2010.

Simon Pihama (1982-84) and Matthew Pihama (1985-87) whose cousin Dave Brownlie died in Dunedin on 1st April 2010. Dave was the son of the late Robert Brownlie (1969-72).

Michael Lonsdale (1950-51) whose wife Marie died in Christchurch on 1st April 2010. Marie was the sister-in-law of Athol Lonsdale (1946-47) and the late Garth Lonsdale (1946).

Adrian Duncan (1975-79) whose mother Audrey died in Dunedin on 3rd April 2010. Audrey was the widow of the late Ron Duncan (1947-50).

Newsletter researched and compiled for the final time by Steve Davie