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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
New Naming Sponsor for the Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic
* We are pleased to announce that Dunedin Casino has signed on as Naming Rights Sponsor for the 2010 Otago Boys’ High School Foundation’s 5th Annual Ambrose Golf Classic to be played on Friday 19th March.
To have a sponsor of this calibre supporting not only the tournament but the Foundation is testament to the goodwill and support for the Foundation’s objectives of supporting Otago Boys’ High School in the years ahead.
The tournament has attracted incredibly strong interest this year with only one hole sponsor and two team entries left to fill. This will take the field to 120 players.
Hole sponsors include: Dunedin Casino, R D Petroleum, National Bank, Hope & Sons, WHK Taylors, Craigs Investment Partners, Konica Minolta, Otago High School Old Boys’ Society, Wilkinson Adams, Financial Planning Ltd, Remarkable Golf Tours Queenstown, Sharpies, Rhubarb Café, Harvie Green Wyatt, Larnach Castle, Stadium Bar, Independent Liquor.
There is an outstanding prize pool on offer this year with the winning team enjoying a $2,500.00 Weekend Golfing Getaway in Queenstown supplied by our Major Prize Sponsor – Remarkable Golf Tours Queenstown.
The winners will enjoy:
On top of this the generosity shown by the Old Boys’ business community in supplying the other prize packages has been nothing short of incredible. We are hugely in debt to Brett Cowles at The Stadium Bar, Ben Kidson at Independent Liquor, Alan Rose at Sharpies Golf, David Skeggs & Akarua Winery, Martin Dippie at Mitre 10 Mega, Jonathon Usher from Usher Holdings, Andrew Campbell from Wattyl NZ, Matt Scoles at Quest Apartments, Neil Metcalf at St Clair Golf Course, Rick Wellington at Preens Drycleaning, Sam Kerr at Rhubarb Café and - of course - Chris Ramsay from Dunedin Casino and Tim Kershaw from Remarkable Golf Tours Queenstown.
On top of these great prizes there are many others including a $25,000.00 Hole in One with the 4th hole at St Clair being allocated as the ‘lucky’ hole.
Not only is there a great prize pool but the tournament is played under Ambrose rules which allows for the odd slice or mis-putt. The day is shaping to be one of the best tournaments yet and coupled with Dunedin Casino and Remarkable Golf Tours Queenstown we are set for one corker of a day… we would love you to be a part.
If you wish to take up the last ‘Hole Sponsor’ or field a team to fill the last two team entries please contact Doug Kamo at info@obhsfoundation.co.nz ASAP to secure your place. Individual players are most welcome as are supporters!
Major Prize Sponsor proudly supplied by
Sesquicentennial – August 2013
* Registrations for the 2013 150th celebrations are being taken and the early numbers suggest the gathering will be the biggest Reunion Dunedin will have ever hosted with upwards of 3,000 people in attendance.
Already more than 250 Old Boys have registered for the four-day event (August 1st to 4th).
If you wish to note your interest, please do so through an email to the Foundation (info@obhsfoundation.co.nz).
Foundation members
* Since the February newsletter, the following Old Boys and connections with the school have made pledges or donations and have been registered as Members of the Foundation –
School news
* Otago Boys’ High School performed strongly in the 2009 NCEA examinations with its pass rate the sixth best – of boys only schools – in New Zealand.
Fellow Otago schools Waitaki Boys’ and King’s High were ranked 1st and 9th respectively.
Of the eligible boys at Otago Boys’ in NCEA level 1, 74.9% passed. At level 2, 72% passed and at level 3, 75.2% successfully passed.
* Brilliantly fine weather greeted this year’s athletics day on Littlebourne with some outstanding performances matching the conditions.
Under14 athletes to show out included Chris McNoe, who claimed the junior 800m, 1,500m and discus titles, and Sam Watson, who won the 100m, 200m, long jump and high jump.
Joel Stevens had a great day in the under 15 grade with wins in the 800m and 1500m, while Jesse Te Maiharoa was the under 15 sprint champion.
In the under 16 grade, Simone Tonga was the sprint champion, with others to shine being Michael Jolly and Brent Cheshire. Jared Hewitt was too strong in the 400m, 800m and 1,500m events, while Dean Rusbatch won both the shot and discus.
Toby Flett put on a display of sprinting that had the large crowd on its feet. He equalled the 200m record in a time of 22.9sec. This record was set in 1973 by Peter McLachlan and was equalled in 2004 by Craig Sneddon.
Toby then broke the 100m record by 0.4sec, holding off John Gilmour, Kane Russell and Liam Edwards in 10.5sec. John also broke the record in a time of 10.8sec.
William Scorgie dominated the middle distance events.
Kane Russell (javelin, 47.76m; discus, 35.04m) and Blake Ponton (shot put, 11.41m) were too powerful in the field events while Isaac Gutschlag won the cricket ball throw, the oldest trophy in the sports cabinet, with a distance of 95.25m.
Yachting supremo - again
* Sir Russell Coutts (1975-79) confirmed his status as the world best match-racing yachtsman yesterday and king of the America’s Cup with the clean sweep for Oracle over his former syndicate Alinghi.
After being ousted by Alinghi in 2007, Russell took sweet revenge by winning his fourth America’s Cup.
Having already won the Auld Mug in 1995, 2000 and 2003, yesterday’s success matched the record set by United States skipper Dennis Conner, who won in 1974, 1980, 1987 and 1988.
But there is a small difference: this time around, Coutts acted as the winning team’s CEO with Oracle’s giant trimaran steered instead by Australian James Spithill, and the former Dunedin man is undefeated in the America’s Cup … with Black Magic in 1995, Team New Zealand in 2000 and Alinghi in 2003, he won the cup each time 5-0.
Yachting commentator Peter Lester said the 33rd America’s Cup would be remembered as a battle of technology, and, as CEO of BMW Oracle, Coutts deserved much of the credit for the historic win.
‘‘Coutts’ contribution to this programme has been huge. He oversaw and masterminded the entire project and made sure he brought together the best pos
sible team to pull it off,’’ he said.
Lester believes Russell has positioned himself as the most influential figure in the 159-year history of the America’s Cup.
And the latest chapter in Russell’s incredible yachting story won’t change him either. So says a long-time friend.
Allan Garbutt (1975-79), who teaches at Otago Boys’ High School, says Russell has enhanced his legacy with his latest achievement.
‘‘Obviously, this is quite phenomenal. It speaks volumes for the man’s intellect. But the thing with Russell is he is a very modest person. He lets his achievements speak for themselves. He doesn’t have a swollen head and, in fact, he’s very happy to be out of the public light,’’ Allen says.
Russell is a qualified engineer and Allen believes he is just as influential behind the scenes at Oracle as he would have been at the helm.
‘‘His real interest now is in design. He’s found the project management side of it and the engineering to be fascinating. He would have been involved in every major design decision. What makes Russell quite unique is he can understand everything about mathematics and engineering and materials. He also under
stands the implications for the actual sailing of the vessel. Very few people would have that breadth of knowledge.’’
After Alinghi won the America’s Cup in Auckland in 2003, Coutts wanted to see his responsibilities at the Swiss team increase. But his ambitions were thwarted by owner Ernesto Bertarelli and fellow New Zealand skipper Brad Butterworth, and Coutts left Alinghi in 2004.
Alinghi, which as the defending champion could set the rules for the next edition of the event, made convoluted changes to the rules for the 32nd edition of the trophy in Valencia, which prevented him from taking part.
Russell joined Oracle shortly after Alinghi defended its trophy at the last America’s Cup and was given full responsibility by the team’s owner, US software tycoon Larry Ellison. After a protracted court battle, Oracle won the right to be Alinghi’s challenger in the 33rd America’s Cup, giving Coutts the chance to face his former employer.
Congratulations
* Duncan Croudis (2005-09), Otago’s most promising golfer, recently teed off with the legend of the game in this country in the recent City of Dunedin Legends Pro-Am in the city.
Duncan is considered a rising star and he joined Sir Bob Charles in a guest team in late-February.
He played as a replacement for Sir Brian Lochore with the All Black great return to his home in Wairarapa mid-way through the tournament. Broadcaster and former Otago rugby player Murray Deaker and former All Black Andy Haden were the other members of the team.
The current New Zealand under-19 champion, Duncan says he was delighted to get the opportunity to play with Charles, especially on his home course - Balmacewen.
Three present-day pupils from Otago Boys’ also rubbed shoulders with the legends.
Thomas Facer (Year 13, Otago), Scott Mitchell (Year 13, St Clair) and Kayne Wardell (Year 12, Allan Grange) were invited to play in the tournament. The Pro-Am attracted nine more professionals than expected and they were divided into three teams, each to include a schoolboy.
Old Boys in the news
* Dr Simon Cox (1977-81) a geologist with the Dunedin form GNS Sciences, suggests when the long overdue major Southern Alps fault-line rupture occurs, Haast residents may experience an eight metre shift of the ground beneath their feet.
And if they survive, they will need to be prepared to wait for a long time for help to come.
Simon presented a frightening scenario to more than 50 people at a recent seminar in Haast, held as part of the Department of Conservation’s summer programme.
His seminar updated residents and visitors on earthquake research developments before going on to describe the rich and varied geology of the area caused by the alpine fault.
Haast is home to 297 permanent residents, according to Census 2006 data, and can have up to 700 visitors a day. The population lives right on top of the fault-line in a 50 kilometre stretch of small coastal villages between the Haast River and Jackson Bay. The fault-line starts hundreds of kilometres up the coast and continues down to the Jackson River, through the Cascade Valley to Milford Sound.
An earthquake of magnitude 7 or 8 could devastate large parts of the South Island, Simon says. Haast residents could expect to lose at least their power supply and hydro scheme. They might also have to head for the hills to avoid coastal tsunamis. Large rock landslips would block the alpine highways providing access out of Haast. Rivers would also be dammed, creating the potential for dam burst floods of sediment down the river valleys — presenting another threat to residents as they fled the coast.
Intense shaking of the ground could also cause ‘‘sand volcanoes’’ — where sand liquefies — that would ‘‘burst out everywhere’’, Simon said.
Scientists from New Zealand and overseas have studied the alpine fault and collected data showing major ruptures occurred at Haast about 1430, 1620 and 1717. In 1717, the Haast River channel was offset by at least eight metres.
They have also discovered the rate of movement between the Australian and Pacific plates, which forms the fault line, is 35mm a year. Scientists thought the alpine fault was sliding along quietly but after analysing tests on soil age, they realised a grand shake was more likely.
Scientists have long been warning of the destructive impact a large rupture would have on the South Island population and environment.
‘‘The current thinking [is] that the eight metre shift will happen in one motion. That could be a reasonably small earthquake, believe it or not, to get eight metres. But the nasty piece of information is there’s an eight metre shift up here [at Maruia, in Canterbury] as well, at the same age [about 1717] . . . if it is the same earthquake, then that was one of the world’s greatest earthquakes,’’ Simon said.
After the seminar, Haast civil defence spokesman and Westland district councillor Kerry Eggeling said that while large loss of life may not occur because of the small population, the people who lived along the fault line would have to rely on their own resources for some time.
Most West Coasters kept well-stocked pantries because of the distance from markets. Many also grew vegetables and could hunt or fish.
‘‘We might be without power for a long time but I think we would cope with that,’’ he said.
The potential for tsunamis was a concern because the settlements were so close to the sea. People had few options other than head up the river valleys.
Ben pitching for Argentina
* Ben Watts (Year 12, 6th form) is a prodigy who is helping lift Otago softball to new heights.
He is the top pitcher in the province and has been in the Otago senior team for the past two years. He is also a member of the Junior Black Sox squad preparing for the world championships in Argentina in 2012.
Ben is said to be a natural and fitted easily into the sport at the age of 5 when he followed his sister, Genevieve, into the game.
‘‘I watched my sister play and I wanted to do what she did,’’ Ben said. His two younger brothers, Cameron (Year 11, 5th form) and Matthew (Year 9, 3rd form), are also playing softball.
This is Ben’s 11th year of softball and he is now turning the early promise into deeds on the diamond. His first big break came two years ago as a member of the New Zealand under 16 team in Australia.
‘‘My goal is go to a World Series with the Black Sox,’’ he said.
He realises that it is not possible to reach the top in the sport by himself and he has been helped by two of the stalwarts of Otago softball.
Peter Madison has given him a few tips on pitching and Otago men’s coach Scott Cartwright has helped his batting. The biggest influence in his career has been former New Zealand pitcher Marty Grant, once rated the best pitcher in the world.
‘‘I like softball because you can’t predict what will happen. The game is just so fast.’’
Ben’s progress didn’t come automatically. He has worked hard at his game and practises for one to three hours five or six days each week. He is also a skilled basketballer and has been a guard in the Otago Boys’ top team for three years.
Shorts
* Graeme Still (1974-76) is the Dunedin City Council’s principal rural fire offer and played a major role in the coordination of efforts to bring the recent Mt Allan fire under control. More than 800 acres of forest was destroyed in the fire, which took several days to contain and which may well burn for weeks. Graeme’s brother Craig (1983-86) was one of the hundred-plus volunteers who fought the fire which raged for several days before man and machinery (up to a dozen helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were involved in the initial fight with is being too dangerous for ground crews to be utilised) combined to wrest the upper hand.
* Chris Gaffaney (1991-93) had the best seat in the house as the New Zealand cricketers inflicted the first loss of the season on Australia in the spectacular 20/20 match in Christchurch on 28th February. Gaffaney, a well-performed player for Otago from 1995/96 to 2004/05 (4,711 runs at 33.41 with eight centuries and a highest score of 194) is a member of New Zealand Cricket’s 10-strong elite umpiring panel and earlier in the season made his international umpiring debut as New Zealand hosted Bangladesh. New Zealand beat Australia in a super over playoff in Christchurch after the teams initially tied the match with all sorts of run scoring records re-written. Chris is the son-in-law of Colin Cathro (1957-60).
* Chris Maunsell (Year 11, 5th form) performed strongly to win the Under 15 novice section at the inaugural Otago secondary schools waterskiing competition held at Perkins Pond, near Millers Flat, in late-February.
Recent deaths
We extend our condolences to the families of the following Old Boys –
Dick (Richard Gibson) Bishop (1944-48), died in Wanaka on 9th January 2010, aged 80. Dick was a retired chartered accountant who, at one time, owned two accounting practises in Timaru. He was also a former president of the South Canterbury branch of the Old Boys’ Society. Dick was the nephew of Gibson Bishop (1909-10) while his grandmother's brothers Henry Baron (1879-82), Frederick Baron (1886-89), Francis Baron (1890-93), Alfred Baron (1893-97) and Robert Baron (1897-1901) all attended Otago Boys’.
Bob (Robert Inder) Long (1945-49), died in Auckland on 11th February, aged 78. Bob was a retired accountant and grain manager and spent many years in the industry in Central Otago. A fine cricket player while at school, Bob played 15 matches for Otago between 1952-53 and 1963-64, scoring 567 runs at an average of 19.55 and with a highest score of 79. Described as a right-arm medium pace bowler, he also took seven wickets at 32.28. Bob was also a very good rugby player and was a sub-unions representative during the 1955 to 1958 seasons.
Geoff (Geoffrey David) Asher (1962-67), died in Melbourne on 13th February 2010, aged 61. Geoff was the father of Dean Asher (1984-85) and the brother of Peter Asher (1964-68) and Tim Asher (1968-71).
Graeme Peter Bloxham (1968-72), died in Brisbane on 16th February 2010, aged 55. Graeme was the brother of Ian Bloxham (1965-69), Stu Bloxham (1969-72) and David Bloxham (1973-76).
Mait (Maitland James Laurie) Pearce (1937), died in Dunedin on 19th February 2010, aged 86.
George Alexander Andrew (1956-58), died in Balclutha on 25th February 2010, aged 67. George was a returned builder.
Dr Alec Jardine Sinclair (1947-51), died in Tauranga on 25th February 2010.
Len (Leonard Francis) Creighton (1937-38), died in Alexandra on 7th March 2010, aged 87. Len, a retired station master with the New Zealand Railways, was the father of Murray Creighton (1965-67).
* We also extend our sympathies to –
John Judge (1967-71), Ross Judge (1968-71) and Alan Judge (1975-78) whose mother Olwyn died in Dunedin on 13th February 2010.
Tony Parata (1962-66) and Nick Parata (1967-71) whose mother Margaret died in Dunedin on 15th February 2010.
Hamish Dobson (1996-2000) whose grandmother Muriel Frew died in Dunedin on 15th February 2010.
Geoffrey Cray (1969) whose father Gerald died in Auckland on 15th February 2010.
Itagia Tupuivao (1978-82) whose mother Felauai died in Dunedin on 18th February 2010.
Scott Kennard (1982-86) whose daughter Millie died in Christchurch on 20th February 2010. Millie was granddaughter of the late Don Kennard (1961-63) and the niece of Wade Kennard (1985-89) and Glenn Kennard (1987-91).
Gerry Sawers (1948-52) whose brother Ian died in Timaru on 23rd February 2010, aged 80. Ian was a long-serving Master at Otago Boys’, teaching there from 1956 to 1958and again from 1962 to 1975. In the intervening years he completed his country service.(Assistant Principal Bill Trewern says in those days there was a bar on the salary scale … teachers either did country service or received no further salary increases.) Ian was an English teacher who latterly became Head of the English Department.He managed Campbell House for many years and was a successful coach of the 1st XV. In 1976 he was appointed Principal of Blue Mountain College in Tapanui, taking with him some of Otago Boys’ finest staff - Dick Wilton (Science), Kenny Carpenter (English) and Colin Read as a senior manager - to fill several of the Head of Department roles at Blue Mountain, a move which was said to have made him unpopular with the school’s Rector Don MacLachlan. Ian took up the Rector’s position at Timaru Boys’ High School in 1982 and filled that role until he retired in 1994. Current Otago Boys’ Deputy Rector John Middlemiss was his Deputy for the best part of a decade.
Bill Nichol (1961-63) whose brother-in-law Arthur Grant died in Dunedin on 28th February 2010. Arthur was the uncle of Craig Nichol (1989-93), Gary Nichol (1991-95), Daniel Nichol (1994-98) and Steven Nichol (1994-98).
Nick Parata (1967-71) whose father-in-law John Paterson died in Christchurch on 1st March 2010.
Sam Greenslade (1993-96) whose father David died in Queenstown on 3rd March 2010.
Mathew Woodhead (2002) and Jonathan Woodhead (Year 13) whose aunt Margaret Pearson died in early-March.
Newsletter researched and compiled by Steve Davie
