Gone But Not Forgotten

June 2010

Professor Cliff Irvine (1933-36) passed away in Christchurch on 11th June 2010 aged 90 years.

He was honoured with such a long list of degrees and awards for outstanding work in several fields of equine medicine that it seems odd he should rate his proudest thrill as winning the 1986 Dominion Handicap at Addington with his mare - Tussle.

But it sums up the complexity of a rare personality - someone able to discuss the most involved aspects of equine reproduction at any university forum in the world, and yet just as happy chatting about training his horses with people who never went to secondary school.

Professor Irvine was Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Science at Lincoln University, a Doctor of Science (Otago) - the highest award in his field in New Zealand - and had honorary doctorates from Massey and Sydney universities among a host of other national and international awards, including the Bledisloe Medal from Lincoln University.

He had an insatiable appetite for research but he never lived in an ivory tower.

Born in Dunedin in 1920, Clifford Hugh Greenfield Irvine, never one to bow to authority, left Otago Boys' High School at 15 after a dispute over the justification for a punishment he received.

He later had similar problems in a brief Army stint.

He started several unlikely careers from journalist to night porter, before going to Otago University to qualify for a veterinary surgeon course then available only in Sydney. He played for the champion Otago senior rugby team, Southern, on the wing.

Irvine used proceeds from training horses both in Dunedin and Sydney to finance his university days and his first winner, Carnavon, in 1940. He set up a veterinary practice in Invercargill, catering for large and small animals at separate surgeries, a novelty then. The biggest challenges were operations on badly gored pig dogs.

He married Fay Curtis, whose father, Ross, was a racing trainer. The couple had a son, Guy and a daughter, Penny.

An illness he contracted from working with cows caused Irvine to be hospitalised for six months, during which he taught himself several new skills including knitting.

A highly competent practical "vet", Irvine nonetheless always had an affinity for research and he was appointed as a lecturer to the then Lincoln College in 1966. He had already made his mark as a trainer and driver.

Light Mood, for which he paid a substantial sum as a youngster won nine races, two of them at New Zealand Cup meetings, but he had as much satisfaction with his success with 1957 New Zealand Cup winner Lookaway, which had not won for 16 months when Irvine took him over.

At that time he was heavily involved in research into the effect of the thyroid gland on horses, research which was to lead to major advances in treating racehorses. Lookaway restored to form was one example.

Irvine's research into reproductive endocrinology was world class, though he liked to recall that his first boss at Lincoln, Dr Bob Burns, would not allow him to experiment with horses at Lincoln until after a visit by Queen Elizabeth in 1977.

She discussed the problems of getting some mares in foal with Irvine and later at lunch with Burns mentioned his obvious need for horses to work with. They were soon permitted and he ended up with 25, including two stallions. One of the mares was Kimmer, by his former star, Light Mood.

In 1977 he was invited to lecture at Texas A and M University and returned with his second wife Sue Alexander, a student at the college at the time and who was to prove a close professional associate and devoted nurse.

For many years Irvine was the consultant for both Harness Racing New Zealand and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. He defused the bicarbonate controversy which threatened to tear harness racing apart in the 1990s as large doses of "milkshakes" turned mice into lions on the track.

He was an international expert in several areas of drugs and their influence on racing horses. His research into reproduction, however, was a greater boon on the local industry front.

In the 1980s the Irvine name became famous in another arena.

The trotting mare, Tussle, which he had bred from Kimmer and which showed little early promise, blossomed into one of the best mares produced in New Zealand and became the first to win the Rowe Cup, Dominion Handicap and the Interdominion Trotting Final, the three biggest trotting races in Australasia - a feat subsequently equalled only by Lyell Creek.

Cliff Irvine was critically injured in a car accident in 2000, suffering a broken pelvis, serious head injuries and a fractured breast bone and knee. He was little more than semi-conscious for three months and in hospital for five.

He set himself the seemingly impossible goal of getting back in the sulky with one of his trotters and just managed to achieve it.

But the days of the highly competitive tennis matches at his Halswell home (opponents claimed cracks in the court surface were never repaired because the host knew exactly how to hit into them in tight situations) and some aspects of his work were ended.

The ONZM award in 2000 for services to veterinary science was a thrill which came close to equalling the Dominion Handicap and also served as a stimulus to recover sufficiently from his injuries to travel for the presentation.

Irvine never believed in wasting time and urged a similar attitude in family members and his many successful students, some of whom, notably Margaret Evans, have gained international prominence of their own in the veterinary research field.

"Television and some other things we like doing were wasting time. But he was never an angry person. I cannot remember ever seeing him lose his temper even in the most difficult situation," Penny Irvine recalled.

Sue Irvine remembers a man of great determination who "never gave up", even when recovering from his critical injuries, but accepted reverses with aplomb.

"He set very high standards in his research, as you would expect, and you worked hard with him.

"But he was never flustered when things went wrong or one of us did something wrong. He had the true scientific gifts of concentrating on the main focus."

Macolm (Mac) Geoffrey Maslemore (1944-45) died on 19th June 2010 at Ross Home aged 81 years.

George Colvulle Meneps Angus (1928-32) died on 17th June 2010 aged 94 years.

Kelvin Read (1950-53) passed away on 15th June 2010 peacefully at Lesli Groves Hospital in Dunedin aged 75 years.

George McKnight (1923-27) turned 100 on 1st June and celebrated his birthday at Mossbrae Hospital in Mosgiel on Saturday with family and friends. Sadly George passed away peacefully shortly after on 14th June 2010.

A World War 2 returned serviceman, Mr McKnight worked at the freezing works in Burnside for 32 years and was a keen sportsman - particularly in cricket, hockey and running.

He has three children, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Malcolm Alan McDougall (1940-43) died on 1st June 2010 at Leith House Rest Home in his 85th year.

Bill Chalmers (1930-33) who died on 31st May 2010 at Dunedin Hospital aged 94. Bill served in WW2 from 1939-45.

Karl Alan van Betuw (2001-05) died suddenly in Dunedin on 22nd May 2010 aged 22 years.

Alister John Robinson (1947) died Wanganui 14th May 2010 aged 80 years. Alister was a school teacher, headmaster and school inspector in his working life. A talented sportsman he represented North Otago in both Rugby and cricket He was a member of the first XV and first XI in 1947 and also excelled that year in athletics. After OBHS he played first division Rugby for Training College, as it was then called, in the Otago RFU competition.

May 2010

Sample image Pat Finnegan (1941-43) passed away on 7 April 2010, aged 83.

We can look back on Pats achievements through his writing career that includes co-authoring the magnificent ‘Tapestry of Turf’ which traces the history of New Zealand horse racing from its earliest days through to 1988, the writing of ‘Racing with Radio Pacific’ and ‘100 Years at Wingatui’.

In his earlier years, Pat was a sportsman of considerable talent – making the 1st cricket XI in his first year at Otago Boys’, representing Hawkes Bay as a 16 year old and going on to play for many years for the champion North Shore senior cricket side in Auckland through the 1950s.

His book ‘Tapestry of Turf’, a tome of more than half a million words and 250 illustrations, covers the period from the arrival of the first thoroughbred in 1840 through to the mighty deeds of Bonecrusher in the 1980s. All the great gallopers are included – Lurline and Carbine, Desert Gold, Gloaming, Phar lap, Kindergarten, Mainbrace, Rising Fast, Balmerino, Showgate, McGinty and Bonecrusher.

Both Pat’s father and uncle attended Otago Boys’ - Daniel Joseph Finnegan (1919) and Francis Winton Finnegan (1915-17) respectively.

Ron (Ronald) James Reid (1931- 1933) passed away at Redroofs Rest Home, Dunedin on May 7, 2010, aged 92. After leaving OBHS he qualified with a Diploma of Agriculture from Lincoln before becoming a farmer. He was father to James Reid (1964-67)

Bruce Andrew Cartwright (1975-1978) at Christchurch Hospital died suddenly after a short illness on 3 May 2010, aged 48.

Edwin (Eddie) Arthur Bray (1954-1956) passed away on 25 April 2010, aged 69.

Raymond John Watts (1934-35) passed away on 12 April in Wellington aged 88 years. He started work as a Customs Officer in Dunedin before becoming a well respected businessman in Wellington.

Hugh Charles Dickson(1931-33) passed away on 25 January in Dunedin aged 93 years.

John Robert Veitch (1952-54) passed away on 20 December 2009 aged 72 years. John played first class cricket for both Canterbury and Otago spanning the years of 1957 through to 1965.

Colin Dimmock (1946) passed away on 12 October 2004 aged 77. Colin was a retired school teacher in Invercargill.

April 2010

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.

March 2010

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).

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).

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.

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).

February 2010

George Alexander Andrew (1956-58), died in Balclutha on 25th February 2010, aged 67. George was a retired builder.

Dr Alec Jardine Sinclair (1947-51), died in Tauranga on 25th February 2010.

Mait (Maitland James Laurie) Pearce (1937), died in Dunedin on 19th February 2010, aged 86.

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).

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).

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 from 1955 to 1958.

Erik Herbert Wilson Laytham (1945-49), died in Clyde on 4th February 2010, aged 78. Erik was a retired secondary school deputy principal and was the brother of Olaf Laytham (1942-47).

Below is the obituary for Erik, as printed in the Otago Daily Times on 27th February 2010:

Right up until his death, Erik Laytham was thinking of others first.

He planned his own funeral and a statement from him was read at the service on February 9th by the Rev Denis Bartley. In the statement, Erik said he had developed an intolerance for long, protracted funeral services, so had written his own and asked that it be followed. If the mourners were still sitting in the same place after 45 minutes, they were to ‘‘get up and go to the nearest watering hole’’.

Erik Laytham

Erik died on February 4th at Clyde, aged 78, after being diagnosed with cancer six months earlier.

He was described by family and friends as a man of warm, practical humanity and this was reflected in everything he did, as a teacher for 41 years and in his retirement, which spanned almost 19 years.
Born at Wairio, in Western Southland, he was the second son of Harold and Dorothy Laytham. In 1935, the family moved to Mornington in Dunedin where Erik attended Mornington Primary School, Macandrew Intermediate and Otago Boys’ High School.

Following in his father’s and brother Olaf’s footsteps, he trained as a primary school teacher at Dunedin Training College and started studying for a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Otago.

His teaching career spanned 41 years, working at High Street School in Dunedin, at Cromwell and at Surrey Park School in Invercargill before embarking on country service as head teacher at Niagara, Thornbury and Waimatuku schools in Southland. He also spent 1961 on a teacher exchange in England. In 1963 he completed his degree at Otago University while his wife ran his school, Waimatuku, as acting head teacher — an unusual occurrence at the time.

Erik had met his wife to be, Pamela Norris, who was teaching at Southland College, while he was at Surrey Park. The couple were married in 1956 and shifted to Niagara in southern Southland a few months later. Their only child Jacque was born while they were at Niagara. Shortly afterwards, at the behest of the Southland inspectorate, the Laythams gave a home to a 12 year old boy, who apparently could not get on with any other teacher and had been refused entry to any other school.

The family moved to Invercargill in 1965 where Erik took up a role at James Hargest High School and where he remained for 26 years, finishing up as deputy rector.

Daughter Jacque Mandeno said that as a teacher, her father seemed to have a connection with the ‘‘naughty kids’’ through showing them respect.

The Laythams retired to Cromwell in 1991 where Erik devoted his retirement years to a wide range of community organisations. He was president of Cromwell Rotary in 1993/1994 and also served in several other roles within the club. As adult literacy coordinator, he tutored more than 200 Cromwell people from school
age to adult, from stroke and accident victims to anyone who called on his help with reading, writing or preparing for examinations. It was for that work he was awarded a Paul Harris fellowship in 1997.
He was well known for his administrative skills and was secretary of the Cromwell College Board of Trustees, Old Cromwell, the Cromwell Youth Trust, the Cromwell College Trust, the Combined Ministers Association, church committees and the organisation he helped found — the Cromwell Welfare Committee.

The latter group was very dear to his heart. One of its main focuses was Care and Friendship, an outreach programme for senior citizens, with fortnightly meetings for friendship, entertainment and a meal. He worked tirelessly for the food bank, which was the group’s other main focus.

For years he ran Meals on Wheels, coordinating a team of more than 50 volunteers. His other interests included the Cromwell and District Promotions Group, Tourism Cromwell, Total Mobility, debating, and the establishment of an early childhood education centre in the town. His volunteer work was recognised in 1996 with a Central Otago District Council community service award.

Erik took a key role in the Upper Clutha Anglican parish as Synodsperson and warden for several years and notably as organist of St Andrew’s Cromwell, from 1991 until two months before his death.

He was a natural musician who could play almost anything by ear, livening up the dreariest of hymn tunes with his signature swing.
Erik was also a ‘‘wordsmith’’ — a fluent speaker and a writer. He was often called upon to chair public meetings or events such as mayoral debates. With his wife Pamela he produced several publications including a year 13 English text book and several historical booklets and pamphlets.

Before he died he completed a major editing of the proposed sequel to Heart of the Desert, the history of Cromwell by J.C. Parcell.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela, daughter Jacque and three grandchildren.

Edgar (William Edgar) Gregory (1939-43), died in Dunedin on 1st February 2010, aged 83. Edgar, a retired engineer, was the father of Warren Gregory (1963-67) and Lindsay Gregory (1966-70). Edgar was part of last year’s happy band of men who attended the Reunion of Old Boys from the 1930s.

January 2010

Shane William Voak O’Neill (1997-98), died on 30th January 2010, aged 26.

Ian Robert Dickson (1956-58), died in Wellington Hospital on 25th January 2010, aged 67. Ian was a well-known radio and television broadcaster in Dunedin, spending many years with both 4ZB and DNTV2. In those days – the 1960s and ‘70s – duties between the two were shared with radio announcers also popping up on the television screen, presenting local news, sport and weather.

Guy Stanhope Kensington (1933-36), died in Wanaka on 22nd January 2010, aged 90. Guy, a retired farmer, was the grandfather of Tim Kensington (2000-04).

Len (Leonard George) Kitching (1940-42), died in Wellington on 18th January 2010, aged 82. Len owned and managed a transport business in the capital and was the brother of the late Elwyn Kitching (1943-45). Len’s eldest granddaughter Margot Gatland married Mark Pearce (1988-92) in 2006. Len was a valued Friend of the Foundation and a Life Member of the Old Boys’ Society.

John William Moodie (1969-73), died in Napier on 18th January 2010, aged 54.

Laurie (Laurence Gilbert) Young (1946-48), died in Kaikoura on 17th January 2010. Laurie forged a lifetime career in the defence forces, having joined the New Zealand Army after leaving school and then transferring to the Royal New Zealand Air Force where he quickly made an impression. Laurie was awarded the Merton Sword of Honour in 1957. Air Vice-Marshall W.H. Merton, CB, OBE, RAF, Chief of Air Staff for the RNZAF from 1954 to 1956, upon retirement, donated his ceremonial sword. It became the Sword of Honour awarded to the best all-round officer graduating from an ab-initio Pilot or Air Warfare Officer training course, with the emphasis on powers of leadership and officer qualities. The Merton Sword of Honour is only conferred on a graduate with exceptional results, and has been awarded only 34 times since 1955.

Herb (John Herbert) Black (1947-51), died in Brisbane on 15th January 2010, aged 76.

Vincent Thomas Bennett (1971-74), died in Dunedin on 11th January 2010, aged 52. Vincent was the brother of Martin Bennett (1967-71).

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’.

John Anthony Jamieson (1961-64), died in Auckland on 5th January 2010, aged 61.

December 2009

Jim (James Archibald) Valentine (1935), died in Dunedin on 30th December 2009, aged 87. Jim was a well-respected retired accountant who was the father of Iain Valentine (1961-65), Murray Valentine (1963-67), Ross Valentine (1966-71) and Derek Valentine (1968-72), the grandfather of Peter Valentine (1994-98), Andrew Valentine (1996-99) and Logan Valentine (1996-2000), and the brother-in-law of Neil Williamson (1942-46). Jim spent only his first year at Otago Boys’ before becoming a Foundation pupil at King’s High which was established in 1936. .

Ronald Alexander Orange (1927), died in Timaru on 25th December 2009, aged 96. Ronald was the brother-in-law of the late John Dryden (1922-23).

Orm (Ormiston Herbert) Walker (1931-38), died in Christchurch on 23rd December 2009, aged 92. Orm, who left school and then returned to complete his secondary education, was a retired Christchurch College of Education science lecturer who had spent time as an advisor for UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), assisting with teacher training in Iran and science education in India.

Morris Hinkson Mee (1935), died in Mosgiel on 16th December 2009, aged 87. Morris was a retired farmer from the Maniototo and was the father of Graeme Mee (1966-68) and Tom Mee (1969-72). He was a Friend of the Foundation.

Steven Roger Steel (1986-90), died as the result of an accident at Murray Bridge, Australia on 13th December, aged 36. Steven was the brother of Richard Steel (1989-91).

David Clyde Smith (1960-63), died in Dunedin on 2nd December 2009.

November 2009

Shane Raymond Court (1998-2000), died in Blenheim on 28th November 2009 aged 25. Shane was the son of Kevin Court (1963-66) and the brother of Ryan Court (1992-95).

Robin John Moor (1954-57), died in Auckland on 16th November 2009, aged 69.

Ronald James Gilbert (1936-41), died in Auckland on 13th November 2009 aged 84. Ronald, a retired judge, was the brother of Murray Gilbert (1944-47).

Below is Ron’s obituary, as printed in the Otago Daily Times on 26th December 2009:

Ron Gilbert’s exit from this world was conducted in the same manner as his life and career — he kept it simple and he kept it short.

Ron Gilbert

The former Dunedin defence lawyer and Auckland District Court judge succumbed to lung cancer in Auckland last month, only a few months after diagnosis. He was 84.

Judge Gilbert has been described as a confident and clever lawyer, who left a lasting impression on many during a professional career that spanned more than 50 years.

Keen on hunting, fishing and boating, he has also been described as a ‘‘man’s man’’, who was clear about his values, and a loyal and supportive friend.

Former president of the Auckland District Law Society, former vice-president of the NZ Law Society and close personal friend Michael Harte said: ‘‘When you shook Ron’s hand you had the sense you were meeting a real man . . . He brought honour and friendship to our lives.’’

Ron Gilbert was born in Dunedin on January 6, 1925, to George and Violet May Gilbert. He developed his debating skills with his father, a technical assistant to a professor of chemistry at the University of Otago. It was his father who taught him to question things by impressing upon him that if you did not argue, you would not learn. His father was also a stickler for correct speech, which led to Judge Gilbert’s excellent diction.

After attending Otago Boys’ High School he spent a year at the University of Otago before his law studies were interrupted in 1942 by the war.

Under the age conscription at 17, he lied his way into the navy.

His three years as a radar mechanic in the North Atlantic, a job mainly requiring the mechanic to hit the machinery with a spanner in order to fix it, were an essential element in his growing interest in and ability to judge human nature.

In his personal memoirs Judge Gilbert said: ‘‘I remember being on the Liberty boat at Scapa Flow returning to our cruiser, the Mauritius, when I was attacked by a drunken three-badged marine sergeant-major, with my virginity at risk, to the cheers of 30-odd pommy sailors. I learnt more about self-defence and provocation than I ever learnt in the law student days from Garrows and Adams.’’
And so it was that upon his return he found he had changed from an arrogant law student into someone ready to take on the establishment and social injustice.

His leftist leanings stemmed from his contact with the labour movement in Dunedin, where his uncle, Walter Hudson, was the Labour member for North Dunedin for many years.

He joined Dunedin firm Clarry Stevens on his graduation in 1950. The firm quickly became Stevens & Gilbert, then Gilbert, Francis, Jackson and Knuckey. This firm later became Gilbert, Francis, Jackson & Co.
He lent himself to the cause of the emerging Trade Council and union movement of the 1950s and held the retainer for 25 unions, which involved mainly personal injury work during the time of developments such as the Bluff Harbour scheme, Roxburgh dam and Manapouri power scheme.

A Sid Scales caricature of Ron Gilbert

It was during this period that he developed his interest in the common man: people living simple lives, but strong of character.

While he worked hard during these years, he also played hard. He enjoyed Saturday night parties at fellow lawyer Kennedy Moore’s house in St Kilda, and had a wide circle of acquaintances and friends.

It was about this time he met his future wife, Vivienne Allan, whom he was to marry in Queenstown in January 1955.

In the 1970s when the Accident Compensation Act came in and his personal injury work dwindled, he increased his focus on criminal work.

Judge Gilbert was known as an economical barrister who did not waste words with either excessive questioning or long speeches to the jury.

Judge John Cadenhead, of Auckland, said Judge Gilbert got straight to the heart of a matter with a directness that gave him some dramatic results.

‘‘He had a quick brain and was extremely shrewd.’’

He had once counted the number of questions in cross-examination that Ron Gilbert asked during two manslaughter trials which ran one after the other.

‘‘They totalled 37. He addressed each jury for about seven minutes and obtained verdicts of not guilty in each case. The very economy of questions underlined their importance in stark relief. The questions were penetrating and decisive to the final outcome, yet in both cases the accused complained to me about Ron Gilbert’s lack of questioning. It took great courage and judgement to conduct these cases that way.’’
Dunedin lawyer Colin Withnall QC recalled him as the consummate jury advocate.

‘‘. . . I believe he was the best New Zealand has ever seen.’’

The judge had believed that the jury only paid attention for 20 minutes, and for those 20 minutes they would be enthralled with him.

As a senior lawyer, Judge Gilbert had instructed Mr Withnall to sound convincing, make sure the people at the back could hear him and above all be sincere.

‘‘Stage management and the art of persuasion, he called it, ’’ Mr Withnall said.

In 1981 Judge Gilbert moved to Auckland to become a district court judge, one of few defence lawyers at the time to get a judicial appointment.

Over his career a series of significant trials, both as a defence lawyer and a district court judge, established him as a highly respected member of the legal fraternity.

These included working as junior counsel with Alf Jeavons on the Senga Whittingham trial in 1955-56; presiding over the Rainbow Warrior depositions hearing and Hone Harawira’s trial for disorderly offences following the Springbok tour during which Harawira called Archbishop Desmond Tutu as his first witness.

Judge Gilbert recounted to a friend later how the entire courtroom had stood in silence as Archbishop Tutu himself swept in to the room in full bishop’s regalia and started talking about the oppression of apartheid.
‘‘It was nothing to do with the trial, but I wasn’t going to stop it,’’ Judge Gilbert had said.

He knew the importance of careful observation and disciplined research and, as a judge, sought fairness and simplicity while being very clear on where the onus of proof lay and the definition of beyond reasonable doubt.

It is widely recognised in the legal community that the arrival of Judge Gilbert in Auckland together with several other new appointments marked the start of significant changes in the efficiencies of the district court system.

Mr Harte described their arrival as a ‘‘breath of fresh air’’.

He retired in 1992, was appointed as a temporary judge and did trial work until about 2000. He was installed as the High Court judge to the Cook Islands in 1992 for a three-year term.

At home Judge Gilbert was as no-nonsense as he was at work. He was very social and enjoyed spending weekends with his family and/or friends in Wanaka when he lived in Dunedin, and the Bay of Islands while in Auckland.

Racing, boating, fishing and hunting were all beloved pastimes, and when not working he was often away from home pursuing one of these activities.

He was prominent in Otago horse racing with more than 20 years involvement including as a horse owner, past president of the Otago Racing Club and a government appointment on the TAB. He was also a past president of the St Kilda Rotary Club.

He was a past-president of the Otago District Law Society, a former council member of the NZ Law Society and lectured in law and evidence and courtroom practice at Otago University from 1965 to 1975. He was the first life member of the Criminal Bar Association.

In deference to Judge Gilbert, this obituary shall not go on any longer. Instead, it will finish with this note from him as recorded in his memoirs: ‘‘I think the greatest compliment I ever received came via a lovely old Irish cop named Conhickey, I believe. He was working in the cells in the Dunedin prison and went looking for an ex-client of mine whom I had had acquitted of killing his wife. I met him in the pub months later and he said, ‘Hey Ron. Remember your client, Johnny Xavier Rikki? He changed his name you know, Ron. I finally found him over at Methven’s. He’s changed his name to Johnny Xavier Gilbert!’’
Judge Gilbert if survived by his wife Vivienne, four daughters and two grandchildren.

Bill (William Alexander Desborough) Isaac (1925-29), died in Dunedin on 12th November 2009 aged 98. Bill was a retired accountant who joined the Foundation as one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ who attended last year’s 1920s Reunion in Dunedin.

Colin McKay Marsden (1942-46), died in Dunedin on 12th November 2009 aged 81. Colin was the brother of the late Bruce Marsden (1943-45).

October 2009

Don (Donald James) Crooks (1947), died in Blenheim on 30th October 2009, aged 75.

Emeritus Professor John Cuthbert Parr (1935-39), died in Dunedin on 30th October 2009 aged 87. John was a retired ophthalmologist and was a former head of the Ophthalmology Department at the Otago Medical School and Dunedin Hospital.

With the permission of the Otago Daily Times we reproduce the obituary printed in the edition of November 14 2009:

Emeritus Professor John Parr

Emeritus Professor John Parr, who has died aged 87, was a pioneering ophthalmologist, a skilled gardener and a true son of Otago. He was also active in community affairs, in particular through Rotary and the Otago Peninsula Trust.
Born in Roxburgh, where his father was headmaster of the local school, he grew up with a love of Central Otago. He tramped the hills and worked on farms during his student days. When the family moved to Dunedin, he attended Otago Boys’ High School and then the University of Otago.

He had hoped to be a farmer but family finances made this impossible. His love of the land was not diminished and when he began university studies he was still undecided whether he would become a doctor or an agricultural scientist. Medicine won.
John Parr had it in mind to return to Roxburgh and take over the practice of a family friend, but his academic results were so outstanding that specialisation beckoned. Again he faced a dilemma, unsure whether to embrace neurosurgery or ophthalmology. He decided on the latter discipline and in 1949, armed with the New Zealand Travelling Scholarship in Medicine, set off for London. He worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital and by 1952 had completed a Fellowship in Ophthalmology.
Back in New Zealand, he spent a short time in private practice but in 1961 was appointed senior ophthalmologist at Dunedin Hospital and a senior lecturer at the Medical School. In 1968 he was appointed Associate Professor (his family enjoyed referring to him as ‘‘Aspro’’) and in 1977 was elevated to a personal chair in ophthalmology.
The academic department he set up in the Medical School became renowned for its quality. Prof Parr revisited the undergraduate training programme and created a postgraduate programme. For his revolutionary efforts he needed a textbook. None was available, so he wrote his own. It has moved through several editions and is still in use at medical schools in many countries.

Nothing but the best would satisfy Prof Parr. He was a demanding teacher who expected students to perform to the highest standards of which they were capable. He was also active on various hospital and medical school committees where he was known for his precision and organising ability. He and his friend neurosurgeon Richard Robinson fought so hard for improvements to facilities and teaching standards that one medical dean christened them ‘‘the Terrible Twins’’.
For almost four decades John Parr was at the forefront of his chosen profession and the scientific foundation he had has inspired ophthalmology in this part of the world.
Last year, he was given a Distinguished Service Award by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmogists.

After retirement, he returned for a time to his beloved Central Otago, leaving behind a splendid garden in Macandrew Bay and moving to Ettrick. There he took over (and modified and improved) a distinctive garden designed by Graham Miller, who had worked at Glenfalloch. Prof Parr had a great love of alpine plants and became known to nurserymen throughout New Zealand as he sought rare plants.

He also imported seeds from overseas.

Before the move to Ettrick, Prof Parr spent years in the Rotary Club of Dunedin where he was responsible for setting up a committee which focused on city affairs. During his presidential year in 1966-67 the club produced a hardcover book called Dunedin : Friendly City of the South, much of it written by him. When it went on sale 12,000 copies were sold in short order. The Dunedin City Council later took over distribution and used the book for promotional purposes.

As a member of the Roxburgh Rotary Club, Prof Parr was again active in community projects. He was especially interested in the Roxburgh District Medical Trust, giving much time to the challenge of maintaining good health services in the area.
He helped and encouraged Dunedin Jaycees to set up the Otago Peninsula Trust and would have been its first chairman had he not been so heavily involved in Rotary. When eventually he did chair the trust, he brought his enthusiasm and innovative skills to the task. For several years he served as chairman of the Glenfalloch Garden Committee, introducing new species and developing previously neglected areas.

To the end of his life, Prof Parr was a reader, even though a cruel fate reduced the quality of his eyesight. He subscribed to scientific journals and balanced his diet with the Guardian Weekly, a publication which suited his liberal and questing mind.
He was married twice. Diana, his first wife, he met at Moorfields where she was a nursing sister in charge of the private patients’ ward. A devoted partner, she shared his enthusiasm for gardening and walking for more than 40 years until her death. For the last 14 years of his life he was married to Margaret Swann, a former deputy matron at Dunedin Hospital. She was a great companion, who made it possible for him to remain at home even though his health was failing.

Prof Parr was an outstanding doctor and scientist, a plants man and botanist of great ability, a citizen who contributed much, always without fuss, and a loyal friend.
He is survived by Margaret and his daughter Alison, a former broadcaster and now an oral historian.

Ted (Edward Preston) Lovett (1939-44), died in Dunedin on 24th October 2009 aged 84. Ted was a retired school teacher.

Rick (Ricky Andrew) Flockton (1981-83), died in Dunedin on 23rd October 2009 aged 42.

Ian Bell Blair (1947-50), died in Dunedin on 22nd October 2009 aged 75. Ian, a Life Member of the Old Boys’ Society, was a farmer on the Taieri and was the father of David Blair (1970-74) and brother of Alan Blair (1943-46).

Below is re-printed the obituary for Ian, as published in the Otago Daily Times:

The Taieri farming community lost more than a character with the recent death of Ian Blair (76). It lost one of its leaders.

Ian Blair

Mr Blair was an organiser, a go-to person who got things done; and it was that ability, drive and commitment which caused him in 2003 to rise to the position of chairman of the World Ploughing Organisation, capping off involvement in a sport which occupied much of his life.
It was a sport in which he competed in two world finals, finishing 14th in 1967 at Lincoln in Canterbury, and sixth in 1968 in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
He also contested five New Zealand finals — 1963, ’64, ’65, ’66 and ’67 — before embarking on a career in administration at the highest level, with election to the New Zealand Ploughing executive in 1968 and the world body in 1976, on which he served until 2004.
His organisational and leadership skills became apparent when he helped to organise the 1994 world ploughing final on the family farm near Outram.
Such was his love of the sport that when, in later years, he took up lawn bowls, on a visit to Australia he went to a factory which made bowls and he asked it to engrave the New Zealand Ploughing Association logo on a set for him.
His more than 40-year service to ploughing was recognised in the 2006 New Year honours with the awarding of an MNZM, and at the time he said the honour was not to him, but to ploughing.
Also at the time he said the attraction of the sport was watching the skill of the driver, the challenge of setting the plough to match the soil and that it represented such an important part of New Zealand’s economy.
Mr Blair was born in 1933 and lived on the family’s Outram farm, Riverside, until 1947 when they moved to Abbotsford Farm, between Outram and Allanton, when his grandmother went into a rest-home.
He attended Outram and Wyllies Crossing Schools, biking between home and school on gravel roads in the early years.
In a 2002 interview with his grandson Robert Gregory, Mr Blair recalled catching the train from Outram to Mosgiel for piano lessons and cycling to The Taieri High School for woodwork lessons, after which he was allowed to buy a cornish pasty.
Secondary education was as a boarder at Otago Boys High School (OBHS), and he continued his love of music, learning to play brass instruments, and also athletics.
While boarding at OBHS he recalled taking turns with other boys sneaking out at night to get pies from the pie cart in Dowling St. To cover their absence they would use pillows and clothes to make it look as though someone was sleeping in the bed.
From an early age, Mr Blair had chores to do around the farm, including milking the house cow from age 10 and, during the holidays with older brother Alan, carting mangels for stock feed and scuffling turnips, for which they were paid one shilling an hour.
He saved it to buy his first wrist watch, paying six pounds, six shillings and sixpence.
After a stint in compulsory military training, during which he reached the rank of lieutenant in the Scottish Regiment, he turned to a career on the land.
He first ploughed competitively in 1951. The Blair family regularly hosted ploughing matches, with Mr Blair encouraging farm staff to enter.
It also marked the start of a lifetime’s interest in ploughing. He first travelled to compete then, in later years, to judge and as an administrator.
When he couldn’t attend a match he would seek a full report, and the length of his telephone calls became legendary.
His administrative career started in 1960 as secretary of the Taieri association, a position he held for 10 years.
In 1968, he was elected to the New Zealand executive, rising to association president in 1972 and New Zealand’s representative on the world body in 1976.
In 1983, the idea of Taieri hosting the world final was raised by a group of locals, an idea Mr Blair initially dismissed.
He was finally convinced and, along with the Blair family who hosted the event and an army of volunteers, went on to play a key role in what was a successful competition held in 1994.
Mr Blair was to remain active on the New Zealand executive and the world body until 2004. During that administrative career he attended every world final and officiated as head steward or judge at each New Zealand final.
In addition to ploughing, during his life Mr Blair was involved in the local young farmers club, school committees and A and P Associations, especially the Taieri association, and he also served on the St Hildas Collegiate Board of Governors.
He recently joined the Outram Bowling Club.
Mr Blair is survived by his second wife Anne, and his children David, Judy and Janet.

Peter John Grant Gow (1966-70), died in Dunedin on 12th October 2009 aged 57. Peter was best known for his many years of service with the Air New Zealand travel centre in the Octagon in Dunedin.

John Innes Smart (1953-55), died in Blenheim on 11th October 2009.

Bill (Cullen William) Thomson (1941-44), died in Dunedin on 3rd October 2009 aged 82. Bill was a retired industrial chemist.

September 2009

Allan Ross Bayly (1950-52), died in Dunedin on 9th September 2009, aged 73. Allan was the grandfather of Rhys Bayly (Year 9).

Jim (James Vivian) Dunckley (1935-39), died in Dunedin on 9th September 2009 aged 87. Jim, a retired biochemist, was the brother of Geoff Dunckley (1936-39).

Les (Leslie Thomas) Bradshaw (1935-38), died in Dunedin on 7th September 2009 aged 87. Les was a retired chartered accountant and company secretary and was a long-serving track and field administrator at both Otago and national level.

Below is the obituary for Les printed in the Otago Daily Times:

Being a stickler for rules made Les Bradshaw a natural fit with the sport of athletics, to which he devoted so much of his life.

Leslie Thomas Bradshaw died in Dunedin on September 7. He was 87.

Les Bradshaw

He was a long-serving athletics administrator at Otago, New Zealand and international levels, and was considered an authority on the rules and regulations of track and field.

In a sporting career laced with highlights, there was public recognition for Mr Bradshaw in 1990 when he was awarded the OBE for services to athletics, having been nominated by his Civil Service club.

Other honours had already piled up. Mr Bradshaw was made a life member of Athletics Otago in 1977, and was elected a life member of Athletics New Zealand — becoming the first from Otago to achieve that status — in 1982.

He served as president of the national body in 1966-67, managed the New Zealand team to the 1969 world crosscountry championships in Scotland, served as a national cross-country selector from 1957 to 1975, represented Otago on the council of Athletics New Zealand for 12 years, and was Athletics Otago secretary between 1974 and 1999.

Perhaps his most significant role in athletics was serving on the International Amateur Athletics Federation’s powerful cross-country and road running committee from 1981 to 1991.

In 1992, he became the first New Zealand official to represent the IAAF at the International cross-country in Japan.

Mr Bradshaw was an honourable, private man, stern on the athletics track but excellent company in social settings, fellow athletics stalwart and friend Ron Cain said.

‘‘He was very, very dedicated to athletics,’’ Mr Cain said.

‘‘There was nobody like him, really. He contributed so much.

‘‘Les was sort of a Jekyll and Hyde character. He was very strict on the field, but once you got him in a social setting, he was good value.

‘‘He was very strict on rules. That’s what probably made him so valued by the sport.

He knew his rulebook and he was a very good arbitrator. If he thought something was wrong, he would say it.’’

Mr Bradshaw joined the Civil Service club as a schoolboy in 1937. He was the Otago junior 880 yards champion in 1941, and he ran for Civil Service teams in the Lovelock Relay, the Edmond Cup and the senior cross-country in 1941, 1947, 1948 and 1950. The club made him a life member in 1957.

Mr Bradshaw spoke strongly against drugs in sport when he was a member of the IAAF. He was a prominent voice at the 1987 congress in Rome, when he proposed an amendment to ban any athlete testing positive for drugs for four years.

‘‘I personally think they should be banned for life, because they are cheats,’’ Mr Bradshaw later told Otago Daily Times athletics writer Alistair McMurran.

As much as athletics shaped the path of his life, World War 2 provided the biggest test.

Mr Bradshaw enlisted in the New Zealand Army on July 8, 1941. He was posted overseas in July 1943 with the 10th Reinforcements, where he joined the 4th Field Regiment as an observation position officer.

He rose to the rank of Captain, in charge of signallers and surveyors in support of New Zealand Division frontline units.

In March 1944, Mr Bradshaw was mentioned in dispatches at Cassino, for his actions in support of New Zealand attacks. Later in the Italian campaign, he received a second MID at Gaiana River and Villa Fontana.

Mr Bradshaw was educated at Otago Boys High School between 1935-38 and then gained a commerce degree from the University of Otago.

He worked as a chartered accountant and then manager at the D.W. Johnston bacon company, and then joined Tonkinson and Wood solicitors. In 2007, he was presented with a rare 60-year membership certificate by the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Mr Bradshaw’s wife, Kath (nee Burns), who was prominent in athletics and golf administration, died of cancer in 1980.

August 2009

Allan (John Allan Nash) Blakely (1946-48), died in Wanganui on 30th August 2009 aged 78. Allan was the father of Geoff Blakely (1973-77) and Steve Blakely (1974-78) and the grandfather of Sam Blakely (Year 11). He was an Associate Fellow of the Foundation.

Lindsay Todd Bruce (1940-42), died at Ohaka on 28th August 2009 aged 82. Lindsay was the father of Donald Bruce (1970-74), Gregor Bruce (1972-76), Andrew Bruce (1976-79) and Fraser Bruce (1978-81).

Max Walker Chapman (1937), died in Blenheim on 23rd August 2009. Jack was a retired farmer and was the brother of James Chapman (1930-35) and the uncle of Alasdair Chapman (1957-61) and Ian Chapman (1960-66).

Bob (Robert George) Dawson (1949-51), died in Dunedin on 20th August 2009 aged 73. Bob, a retired electrician, was the brother of Graham Dawson (1956-57).

Jack (John Gordon) Norman (1946), died in Ettrick on 19th August 2009 aged 80. Jack, a retired farmer, was the father of Nic Norman (1975-79) and grandfather of Ian Norman (1997-2001) and James Norman (2000-04).

Alistair Te Ariki Campbell (1940-43), died in Wellington on 16th August 2009 aged 84. Alistair was born in Rarotonga in 1925 but came to New Zealand as an orphan at the age of eight. He and his three siblings were sent to an orphanage in Dunedin where he stayed until he was 18. A world renowned poet, playwright and novelist, he admitted that much of the melancholy in his personality and poetry was due to the loss of his mother when he was so young. To read more about Alistair’s career, click here

Alistair Campbell

Born on 25th June 1925 as Alistair Campbell he later added 'Te Ariki' after going back to the Cook Islands and discovering his grandfather had ties to chiefdom. So in his honour he added Te Ariki or "the chief" to his name.

His father was a New Zealand Scot, while his mother was Cook Island Maori from the island of Penrhyn. He grew up in an orphanage in Dunedin with his brother following the death of his mother to TB and his father who literally drank himself to death (both in 1933). After four year at Otago Boys’ (where despite speaking little English, Penrhyn Maori being his first language, he rose to the top of his class) he studied at the University of Otago and Victoria University in Wellington.

As a young man in Wellington he began to write seriously and became part of what was to be known as the Wellington group, which included James K Baxter, Louis Johnson and W H Oliver. The group was just an affiliation of a number of writers who mostly shared a common opposition to Allen Curnow's, another notable New Zealand writer, ideas and writings.

After marrying Wellington student Fleur Adcock, who gave birth to his first two children, Campbell gained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria University in Wellington in 1953. He went on to Teachers' College, securing a Diploma of Teaching in 1954.

He had early success with his first book, Mine Eyes Dazzle, in 1950, and went on to work as an editor for School Publications from 1955 until 1972, and writing a novel for children, The Happy Summer, in 1961.

Meanwhile, his personal life changed in 1958, when he divorced Adcock and married Meg Anderson, who had three children with him.

He wrote a series of six plays for radio, the best-known being When the Bough Breaks (1970), which was later turned into a stage version was produced and published in Howard McNaughton's Contemporary New Zealand Plays in 1974. In 1979 he took part in the Four Poets tour of New Zealand with Sam Hunt, Hone Tuwhare and Jan Kemp.

He tutored creative writing nationally and internationally, and was president of the writers' organisation, PEN, for a year.

In 1997, Campbell was awarded the Pacific Islands Artist's Award and, in 1999, received an honorary doctorate in literature from Victoria University of Wellington. He received a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement for poetry in 2005 and was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the same year.

Meg Campbell died in November 2007, and a joint collection of poems written by the couple, It's Love Isn't It, was published the following year.

In all, Alistair completed four novels and 17 collections of poems - winning many awards along the way, including the New Zealand Book Award for Poetry in 1982, Pacific Islands Artist's Award 1999, Hon D Litt (Victoria, 1999). He was the guest poet at the Adelaide International Festival of the Arts 1978; won a gold medal for TV drama at the La Spezia International Film Festival 1973; President PEN International (NZ Centre) 1977-79; Arts Council Scholarship in Letters 1990; writer in residence, Victoria University 1992.

Jim (James Cardow) Brown (1945-48), died in Hamilton on 7th August 2009 aged 77. Upon leaving school Jim won a scholarship to the RAF College in Cranwell in England and served with the RAF for many years. Stationed in England and Germany, Jim mostly flew Hawker Hunter jet fighters and fought in the Egyptian campaign in 1956. He ended his long service as Squadron Leader and station Commanding Officer. Jim then joined the Abu Dhabi Defence Force, again flying Hunters, before working for Gulf Air, flying 737s and living in Bahrain. He retired to Hamilton and is the brother of Malcolm Brown (1943-47).

Reece Lindon Baker (1934-37), died on 5th August 2009. Reece was a retired dental surgeon.

July 2009

Bert (Albert Alexander) Reeves (1938-40), died in Dunedin on 21st July 2009, aged 84. Bert was the father of Craig Reeves (1965-69), was a retired school teacher having served with the RNZAF during WWII and had also been a gifted hockey player.

Les (Leslie) Ding (1954-57), died in Christchurch on 19th July 2009. Les, a medical practitioner, was the uncle of George Ding (1961-64) and Colin Ding (1965-69).

Below is the Otago Daily Times' obituary printed for Les:

Dr Les Ding

The first New Zealand medical graduate of Chinese descent to qualify in psychiatry, Dr Les Ding is remembered for his quiet compassion and his ability to achieve a fine balance between his professional life and public service.

Dr Ding (68) died recently in Christchurch, about six months after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Although most of his adult life was spent in Christchurch, Dr Ding was brought up in Otago. His father, Chew Cheong Ding, was a market gardener, first in Kaikorai Valley and later at Momona.

He was the family’s sixth child and the first of the eight children to be born in New Zealand.

His brother-in-law Dr Jim Ng said the family had a frugal existence, but valued education, and several of Dr Ding’s siblings went on to have distinguished careers.

Dr Ding attended Otago Boys High School before going to medical school at the University of Otago in 1958.

In 1963, the year of his graduation, he married Kim Ng, who was then a nurse.

They moved to Christchurch, where he worked at Christchurch Hospital for his house surgeon and registrar years, before deciding that he wanted to do psychiatry.

Dr Ng said ‘‘nobody in our community, in our fathers’ generation, knew what it was’’, but both families supported his decision and the couple left for Sydney, with two children, where Dr Ding completed his training.

The couple returned to Christchurch with four children in 1971, and Dr Ding became the consultant psychiatrist at Princess Margaret Hospital, where he established the eating disorders clinic.

He had a part-time private practice, lectured and supervised students at the University of Otago’s Christchurch clinical school, as well as working in forensic psychiatry.

Later, he was promoted to medical superintendent of Sunnyside Hospital, a position he held for four years before he became divisional manager of Canterbury’s psychiatric and geriatric services in 1988.

In these two roles, he was involved with the change from institutional care to community-based services.

However, he became annoyed with constant structural change in the public health sector, and returned to private practice in 1991.

Dr Ding was closely involved with setting up the Comcare Charitable Trust in 1987, an organisation which provides housing and support services for people with serious mental illness in Canterbury. It was an organisation with which he remained involved for more than 20 years, including 11 years as chairman.

His voluntary work also included roles with Lifeline, the Samaritans and the Life Education Trust.
He was also active in other roles associated with his profession, including working as an accredited supervisor in postgraduate training, serving on the Mental Health Review Tribunal and the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

In 2001, he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to medicine and the community.

Dr Ng said while Dr Ding was very highly regarded and had risen through the ranks of his profession, he was quiet about his achievements and never boasted about them.
A man who maintained strong links with his own cultural heritage, he was also sensitive to the needs of other cultures and drew praise at his large funeral for the work he had done for Maori while working at Sunnyside Hospital.

A quiet, decent man, he had a non-confrontational attitude and very good judgement, Dr Ng said.

He continued working full time until his diagnosis in January, including regular trips to Australia where he was in demand as a medico-legal consultant.

Dr Ng said it was a great pity Dr Ding had not lived longer, as he still had much leadership to offer the Chinese community, in which he was already a role model.

A fluent reader and writer of Cantonese, he had served on the committee of the Canterbury Chinese Association for many years.

He had a good balance between his New Zealand and Cantonese heritages.

He participated fully in New Zealand life and could get ‘‘het up’’ about politics, he said.

Despite his busy professional and public service commitments, he was devoted to his wife and immensely proud of his family, including his nine grandchildren.

All four of his children entered health-related careers — Steven as a gastroenterologist, Darren, a dentist, Lisa, an occupational therapist, and Johanna, a clinical psychologist.

They, and his wife Kim, survive him.

John Page Richardson (1948-51), died in Stirling on 19th July 2009.

Bill (William Robert Edward) Heenan (1923-24), died in Christchurch on 18th July 2009, aged 100. Bill died just six weeks short of his 101st birthday and, at the time, was our oldest known living Old Boy. An avid reader of the Foundation’s monthly newsletter, Bill was a retired Southland sheep farmer who was awarded a QSM for his services to the community having chaired the Southland Hospital Board for more than a decade. His two brothers – Archibald Heenan (1925) and Ralph Heenan (1929) also attended Otago Boys’ as did his son-in-law Don Goodall (1951-52).

Bill was born (11 September 1908) in the same decade as Richard Pearse and the Wright Brothers recorded man’s first powered flights and just a few years after the invention of radio. He was a teenager before television’s first broadcast and was a grown man before the first computer calculated its initial equation. He was in his late-40s before the Russians raced into orbit, about the same time computers first made an appearance and had already celebrated his 60th birthday before man walked on the moon.

Bob (Robert John) Chettleburgh (1958-61), died in Dunedin on 15th July 2009, aged 65. Bob was the brother of Peter Chettleburgh (1962-65).

Ron (Andrew Ronald Moore) Tyrrell (1941-44), died in Dunedin on 14th July 2009, aged 82. Ron was the son of the late Norman Tyrrell (1914-17) and the brother of Norman Tyrrell (1942-46), was a retired secondary teacher with many years of service at Waitaki Boys in Oamaru and, in later years, was an author and book reviewer, writing on Otago and Southland history.

Ivan Smith Nicolson (1937-38), died in Alexandra on 13th July 2009 aged 85. Ivan was the father of Ferg Nicolson (1965-69) and Stu Nicolson (1967-71), the grandfather of Cameron Nicolson (1992-96), Blake Nicolson (1996-99), Duncan Nicolson (1996-2000), Elliot Nicolson (1999-2003) and Christopher Nicolson (2001-05), and the brother-in-law of Matt McKnight (1935-37). Ivan was a retired farmer and was well known as the long-serving groundsman at Molyneux Park in Alexandra as the ground made its reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest cricketing venues.

Lloyd Herbert Gordon Fisher (1957-60), died in Dunedin on 11th July 2009, aged 66. Lloyd was the brother of Martin Fisher (1958-62).

Harvey Longhurst Gregory (1934-36), died in Dunedin on 10th July 2009, aged 89. Harvey was the brother of the late Keith Gregory (1932-36). A retired litho retoucher with Whitcoulls, Harvey served with the RAF for four and a half years during WWII, being based in Stornaway, Northern Scotland with the 58 Squadron and then in Devon with the 172 Squadron. He saw active service in Italy, the Middle East and Africa with 221 Squadron and flew 77 operations. Harvey’s wife Heather is the daughter of Dave Hanlin who was the caretaker at Otago Boys’ in the 1930's and 1940's.

Regan John McCormack (2002-06), died in Dunedin on 9th July 2009. Regan was the son of Reginald McCormack (1972-73) and the brother of Martin McCormack (1994-98) and Aidan McCormack (1996-2000).

June 2009

Wayne (Bernard Wayne) Hore (1960-62), died in Kurow on 29th June 2009. Wayne was the brother of John Hore (1951-54), father-in-law of Gary Nichol (1991-95) and the brother-in-law of Robin Griffiths (1958-60).

Bill (William Neil) Evans (1927-32), died in Dunedin on 26th June, aged 95. Bill was a retired pharmacist

Bill (William Evander) Mackay (1924), died in Timaru on 23rd June 2009, aged 98. Bill was a retired chiropractor and was one of our most senior Old Boys. Below we reproduce Bill's eulogy as prepared and read at his funeral by Wendy Dohig, wife of Ron Dohig (1943-46):

Bill was one of Timaru’s unique personalities and a real gentleman – kind, optimistic, generous, an attentive host, friendly and fun. He loved his Jean, his family (sister Dorothy and her children David, Mary and Ruth, and brother Alpin and his daughter Mayanne), he loved the countryside of the South Island and, in particular, South Canterbury, he loved life, but above all he loved his fellow man.

Bill was born in Dunedin in 1910, where his father had the grocery shop in Roslyn, grew up there in a strict but loving Scottish Presbyterian household, and in 1923 enrolled at Otago Boys’ High School, although after his first year he attended many classes at King Edward Technical College which often suited his practical nature more than the rather academic atmosphere of the time at Otago Boys’.

After leaving school Bill decided to become a chiropractor but to do this it was necessary to study in the United States and particularly at Dr. Palmer’s college of chiropractic. He was fortunate that his father was prepared to support him and at age 21 he left Dunedin and travelled to the United States to study with Dr. Palmer. Bill really enjoyed his time in the States and even in the midst of the Depression he managed to travel to a number of places in both the US and Canada. On completing his studies he decided to try and arrange his travel back to New Zealand at no cost to his father by signing on as a crewman on Admiral Byrd’s ship that was sailing to the Antarctic. Unfortunately this did not work out and after a disagreement with the Captain, Bill left the ship while still in American waters. He had no money so reluctantly he had to contact his father for the fare and eventually sailed back to New Zealand on a commercial vessel.

Back in Dunedin Bill met a friend of his sister Dorothy – a Jean Cousins – who he proceeded to court and marry and in 1936 as newly-weds, Bill and Jean came to Timaru. Bill established his chiropractic practice in rooms in the Tekapo Buildings in Stafford Street and he and Jean purchased one of the flats in the newly completed Caroline Court on the Bay Hill. This was their home for all their married life together and Bill continued living there after Jean died, until he shifted to The Croft to live a few months ago although he still owns the flat. Seventy-three years later Bill is the only one of the original purchasers to still own a flat in Caroline Court.

Bill loved living at Caroline Court and never wished to shift – its central location, he could walk everywhere, there was always something happening on Caroline Bay and there were always lots of other people around. It was handy to his rooms and he was a well-known figure in Stafford Street each morning walking to work – always smartly dressed with a colourful tie, always a handkerchief in his top pocket and greeting all the shopkeepers on his way. It took him a long time to get to work!

During the war Bill’s army service was carried out within New Zealand – part of which was in camp at Phar Lap Raceway, and then after the war, Bill and Jean established their pattern of living, a routine which was virtually unchanged throughout their married life. The purchase of their first motor car enabled them to be out and about every weekend – in the first years playing golf at Levels but later exploring the South Canterbury countryside – where they really came into their own. Bill fished the rivers and lakes while Jean painted. And, of course, they met all manner of people. Bill always stopped to talk to everyone, took a great interest in what they had to say and many became friends.

Bill was never an A to B traveller – he had to explore every road or track on the way so their journeys always took a long time. In fact it always took them three days to travel from Timaru to Nelson - Timaru to Cheviot, then on to Blenheim and finally Nelson. Coming home the stops were always Blenheim and Kaikoura.

Both Jean and Bill were interested in the visual arts, not only as patrons establishing a very interesting collection of paintings, pottery and sculpture, but also as practising artists themselves – Jean as a painter and Bill with his wood carving. They were both long-time members and supporters of the South Canterbury Arts Society and Aigantighe Art Gallery. There are many stories I could regale you with about the hilarious wood carving classes Bill attended at Timaru Technical College in the 60’s and 70’s, along with Jack Thompson, Ronald Dohig and tutor Ansley Manson. Surprisingly along with the fun and games, they all produced some wonderful works of art!

Bill loved to go on long walks around Timaru, often at night – something you could never do today unfortunately. He was not a great reader, he liked to be active, and his evening walks often lasted a couple of hours and he covered a great number of Timaru streets. He had his favourite routes but after the supermarkets were built he would often call in and purchase all the things that Jean would not buy, like chocolate, blackballs and other sweets. And, of course, he would talk to everyone he came across on his way.

One favourite was to walk down to Caroline Bay on a Sunday morning and along to the Timaru wharves. Many a time Bill would return to Caroline Court for morning tea with an officer off one of the ships in port. Many of these people became friends and Bill and Jean would take them by car around South Canterbury to show off their countryside.

An example of this was their friendship with Captain Fred Barton, a Port Line Captain on the ship Port Caroline, who Bill met during his Sunday morning walks. The ship would spend up to four weeks taking on a full load under the meat loaders, and over these weeks Fred would spend a lot of time ashore with Bill and Jean and their friends. Bill was a generous host, Jean a fabulous cook, and they would entertain at dinner parties at their flat. Some days Fred would invite us all to the ship for the evening, and other nights we would all meet at the Hydro Grand. Many a time Nonie Sullivan (the licensee) would sign us on her register into bedrooms for the night so that we could enjoy some time at the bar – this before the more liberal licensing laws we know today!! We all looked forward to the Port Caroline visiting Timaru. This continued for a number of years until Fred retired to live in Wellington with his family. But he always kept in touch.

Bill had many interests in addition to fishing, walking and talking to people. There was his interest in motor cars – he always owned a well cared-for motor (probably his favourite was his first Jaquar) and drove until aged 96. He was proud of his Rotary membership and fully participated in Rotary activities, including the fun side with Ladies Nights and other social occasions. He joined in 1968 and was actively attending meetings until two years before he died. At one time he had a 100 per cent attendance record for five years consecutively. He enjoyed his membership of the Timaru Study Group – a group of 12 gentlemen who met monthly in each other’s homes to discuss a wide variety of topics and try to set the world to rights.

And Bill loved the South Island. Despite his early travel to the United States for study, he never travelled outside the South Island again until a visit to Auckland when well into his 80’s – this was at the invitation of his chiropractic colleagues who wished to honour him at their conference. This was also the first time Bill flew on an aeroplane. And again a trip to the Gold Coast with Pam when in his 90’s. Otherwise holidays were local and very predictable – Christmas was three weeks in Nelson, Easter a visit to Alexandra, Queens Birthday to Mt. Cook or Omarama and Anniversary weekend to Akaroa and Christchurch. Year after year this was the pattern. After 38 continuous holidays at Christmas in Nelson, the pattern was broken when Bill was unable to drive to Nelson (due to a minor medical problem) and he had a miserable Christmas that year – I well know this as he and Jean came to us for Christmas dinner and nothing would cheer him up! It was not Nelson so it couldn’t be Christmas!

In 1986 Bill and Jean celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a surprise dinner party Ronald and I arranged for them. Despite growing older they both remained fit and life went on as usual, fishing and painting at the weekends, the usual holidays, and Bill continued treating patients until well into his 80’s. After Jean died in 1995 just a short time before their 60th wedding anniversary, Bill continued living alone at Caroline Court. He met Pam who became a good friend and companion. She has helped Bill considerably over the past few years and we thank her for that.

Ronald and I met the Mackays just a few months after coming to live in Timaru 49 years ago. We had been invited to an antique exhibition opening and went along not really knowing anyone – you know how it is when you have just shifted to a new town. This couple saw we were strangers and came and talked to us, introduced us to others present and we had a delightful evening. The next day Jean phoned and invited us to dinner at their flat. Ever since we have been great friends and in fact Jean and Bill were like a Mother and Father to me – and that is typical of Bill and Jean.

This is just a glimpse into Bill’s life – Bill the kind, generous, friendly host – a dapper dresser with a good sense of humour and a person who enjoyed playing pranks and dressing up. I am sure many here will remember Bill’s impressive fund of what used to be called “shaggy dog” stories. And his impersonations, particularly of Charlie Chaplin. But above all, Bill enjoyed meeting and talking to people. Bill was not a regular church-goer, but definitely lived by real Christian principles.

Don’t get me wrong – Bill was no saint. He could irritate you beyond belief, he could be very stubborn at times, he could be very conservative over unexpected things. He would get very upset if his well-ordered routine in life was changed, regardless of why. But you could never be cross with him for long – Bill was just too nice. He loved people and always saw the good side of everyone and everything, and never dwelt on the negative. I am quite sure it was these positive attitudes which enabled Bill to have such a long and happy life - a happy childhood, a long and very successful marriage to Jean, he followed the career he wanted and trained for, had the opportunity to pursue his varied interests and the enjoyment of good friends.

Goodbye Bill, it has been a privilege to know you and have you as a friend.

Christopher John Stewart AM (1942-45), died in Melbourne on 16th June 2009, aged 80. Below is reproduced Christopher’s obituary, as printed in the Melbourne Age:

Christopher Stewart, who was instrumental in forming one of Victoria’s biggest banks and became a respected figure in Australia’s banking industry, has died following a stroke at his Mornington Peninsula farm.

Born to Christopher and Jean Stewart, in the tradition of ambitious New Zealanders, at the age of 24 he left his homeland after studying at Otago University, and settled in Melbourne. Always interested in film, he joined and eventually became a part-owner of Pacific Films, a local production house making films for Australia’s new, voracious television industry.

Stewart soon became a notable executive producer of documentaries and children’s films. The company’s greatest success was The Terrible Ten series, in which a young David Morgan, later CEO of Westpac, had a feature role.

In one of the industry’s frequent down periods, Stewart, always skilled at figures, joined the accounting firm of Holmes & Stephenson. Many of the firm’s clients were co-operative building societies, then a popular Victorian source of housing finance. One such society was operated by RESI, forerunner of REIV. Under his direction the society flourished. He was made managing director, turned it into a stand-alone institution and opened branches in suburban shopping strips and shopping centres.

In 1986, after the Pyramid Building Society collapse, the state government approached RESI to take over the faltering Statewide Building Society. Stewart merged these disparate organisations seamlessly; branch offices were less grand, the lending policy more conservative and the profits greater.

Stewart had found his true metier. He combined his talents for broad-scale financial planning, imagination and thrift with a retailer’s interest in his customers’ needs and concerns. He eschewed chrome and marble and provided welcoming premises with well-attuned staff.

As he rose to the top of the banking industry, he served on boards as disparate as Milton Corporation, Wanaka Investments and the Gandel Group, and he was chairman of the Australian Film Commission, Melbourne Water and Families in Distress. He maintained an abiding interest in building societies and tried to reform the banking payments system.

To all his many involvements Stewart brought a calm objectivity, coupled with a strongly expressed intolerance of humbug and cant. He could quickly size up a situation and whether it involved a script, a building or a loan, he could provide a simple solution. He could always see a ridiculous side to many situations, a side invisible to his earnest peers.

In 1964, he married Judy Ann Ford. Both had had brief, previous marriages. The ceremony at the Independent Church (now St Michaels) was the scene of an early Melbourne "media scrum". The bridegroom may have been an unknown filmmaker but the bride was a television presenter who went on to produce the first "lifestyle" show, filling the Exhibition Building for the next 10 years.

The couple settled into an elegant townhouse in South Yarra, raised a family and at weekends, developed a working farm on the Mornington Peninsula. Meanwhile, back in Collins Street presiding over an extraordinarily successful building society and conscious of the political and money power of the big four banks, Stewart took the momentous step of converting the RESI-Statewide Building Society into a bank. As ever, using his extraordinary empathy with public sentiment, he called it Bank of Melbourne, and created it in every detail.

Extraordinary success started on day one. The Commonwealth Bank’s inept takeover of the State Savings Bank of Victoria gave Stewart’s bank, in the poetic words of a financial writer, "a million unhappy customers falling from the sky". The private banks also provided their dissatisfied customers.

Stewart’s bank was open on Saturday morning and provided free cheques, left-handed cheque books and debit, as opposed to credit cards. Its brief advertisements featured the immediately recognised and trusted Jack Thompson; he promised "to cut the cost of banking". And Stewart did just that.

Although the Bank of Melbourne was noted for the absence of women executives in its upper management, it was the first Victorian business to establish a child-minding centre. The bank flourished, it shares soared and it was soon a part of the Victorian economy and community.

In 1994 — the year Stewart was named Australian banker of the year — the inevitable happened. It amalgamated with Westpac, but after three years, the distinctive blue crests were replaced with three red amoeba and a great bank vanished.

Stewart spent more time at his farm, which he converted into a Blonde d’Quitane stud and he rekindled an interest in his homeland. The Stewarts built a log cabin at a spectacular site on the South Island and visited it every few months.

Stewart continued to be consulted by government and business. He had achieved fame, for which, in itself, he had little regard.

He probably would prefer to be remembered as an innovative and creative filmmaker, rather than a great Australian banker.

He is survived by his wife Judy Ann, their sons, Ashley and Duncan, and grandchildren, Sam and Lily.

Robert Athol Churchman (1945-47), died in Nelson on 8th June 2009, aged 78. Robert was a retired school teacher and was the brother of the late Gordon Churchman (1935-39).

Brendon John Swan (1983-86), died in Dunedin on 7th June 2009, aged 39. Brendon was the brother of Richard Swan (1986-89), the step brother of Justin Swan (1988-90), the step brother of Shane Murphy (1982-85) and the nephew of Graham Dawson (1956-57).

Arthur Lawless Sherriff (1939-41), died in Dunedin on 3rd June 2009. Arthur was the father of Brent Sherriff (1978-81) and Andrew Sherriff (1981-85).

Alan James Gamble (1957-59), died in Dunedin on 1st June 2009 aged 65. Alan was the father of Hadden Gamble (1982-85) and Vaughan Gamble (1987-90).

May 2009

Ernie (James Ernest) Beaton (1948-52), died in Christchurch on 22nd May 2009.

Allan (William Allan) Hayward (1933-34), died in Nelson on 20th May 2009, aged 89, Allan was a retired cabinet maker and joiner, and served for five years in WWII with the RNZAF in the Pacific. He was a Friend of the Foundation.

Robin (Kleon Robin Alfred) Harris (1955-59), died in Auckland on 24th May 2009, aged 67.

Doug (Douglas Albert) Little (1948-52, Dux 1952), died in Dunedin on 13th May 2009, aged 74. Doug was a brilliant literary student who completed a half honours MA in Latin and Greek and then a Certificate of Proficiency (which amounts to a second MA degree) in Greek. He also graduated with a PhD in Classics from the University of Texas. Doug lectured in Classics at Otago University for many years.

Ham (Thomas Hamlin) Lusk (1936-39), died in Palmerston North on 7th May 2009, aged 86. Ham was a retired bank manager and served as the treasurer of the Palmerston North branch of the Old Boys’ Society for a number of years.

Toni Leamoni Ramsay (1987-89), died in Charters Towers, North Queensland on 3 May 2009, aged 35.

Murray (Charles Murray) Hercus (1944), died in Invercargill on 2nd May 2009, aged 78. Murray was a retired accountant.

Justin Rennie Robinson (1993-96), died in Auckland in early-May as the result of a brain haemorrhage, aged 29. Justin was the son of Rennie Robinson (1969-73) and the brother of Nick Robinson (1995-98) and Tim Robinson (1998).

April 2009

John Alexander Russell (1942-45), died in Christchurch on 16th April 2009 aged 80. John was a retired lawyer, a past President of the Otago University Law Students’ Association, served on the Otago University Students’ Association executive and was a Lieutenant (Reserve) with the Royal New Zealand Army. A Memorial Service was held in Queenstown conducted by the Rev Keith Robertson (1942-46), a fellow student with John. Keith, who later was a Master at the school, made reference to their time at Otago Boys' as students with the Watt brothers - Arthur 'Dreamy' and Michael 'Mick'. They were the first brothers to teach at Otago Boys' at the same time while Keith and his brother Gray ('Horse') Robertson (1940-44) were the second set of brothers to teach together at the school.

March 2009

Dick (Edward Richard) Callon (1935), died in Dunedin on 20th March 2009.

Brian Donal Wood (1955-58), died in Dunedin on 18th March 2009, aged 67. Brian worked mainly in the Public Service in Dunedin and Wellington.

John (Henry John Parke) Matheson (1941-45), died in Brisbane on 17th March 2009. John was born at Seacliff in May 1928. After leaving school he studied at Otago University and, after moving to London in 1950, at the Royal College of Music. He joined the Carl Rosa Opera in 1952 as chorus master, then the Sadler’s Wells Opera as a répétiteur, making his conducting début in 1953 with Le nozze di Figaro. That year he joined the staff at Covent Garden, first conducting The Bartered Bride in 1955; he remained there until 1960. He was a staff conductor with the Sadler’s Wells Opera (1961–71), and after that was a regular conductor with the company and at Covent Garden. He also appeared in 1967 at the Stratford (Ontario) Festival, where he conducted Così fan tutte and Britten’s Albert Herring. John’s conducting of a wide repertory in London showed consistent reliability and expressive character, and during the 1970s he was admired for well-paced and dramatically cogent performances of Verdi (notably Falstaff and Simon Boccanegra) and Berg’s Wozzeck. At Sadler’s Wells he added Verdi’s Attila and Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges to the English repertory. A special interest in French 19th-century opera was reflected in first British (concert) performances with the Chelsea Opera Group of the French originals of Rossini’s Guillaume Tell and Moïse, and Verdi’s Don Carlos, during 1970–72, and in 1981 the original version of La forza del destino at a Promenade concert. By this time John was increasingly active abroad; he conducted both Berg operas at Lisbon, and introduced Walton’s The Bear to Oslo. In 1983 he conducted Gluck’s La rencontre imprévue at the Piccola Scala, Milan, and worked with Ken Russell on controversial productions of Puccini operas at the Spoleto festivals in Italy and at Charleston, South Carolina. Later he returned to New Zealand and Australia, where he was music director for the Lyric Opera of Queensland (Brisbane) in 1989 and the following year was named principal guest conductor and music adviser with that company. (Details kindly supplied by Wilf Simenauer (1943-46).

Trevor (William Trevor) Simpson (1939-41), died in Waikanae on 15th March 2009, aged 83. Trevor was a retired farmer.

Peter (William Peter Holford) Parkinson (1932-33), died in Auckland on 6th March 2009, aged 89. Peter was an engineer who spent many years as the executive engineer for the Fijian Department of Works, based in Suva.

Ernie (Ernest William) Yeoman (1927-30), died at the Montecillo Veterans’ Home in Dunedin on 6th March 2009, aged 95.

Peter (Edward Peter) Anderson (1944-45), died in Dunedin on 6th March 2009, aged 84. Peter was a retired farmer.

February 2009

Alan Forrest Glenn (1938-41), died in Christchurch on 27th February 2009, aged 85. Alan was retired sheep farmer who spent much of his life on the land at Terako Downs, Waiau.

Ewan James Brass (1948-51), died in Dunedin on 25th February 2009, aged 75.

Ken (Kenneth Jackson) Smith (1943-47), died in Dunedin on 21st February, aged 79. Ken was an accomplished pianist and a long-time member of the Dunedin Music Society.

Donal Hawke Reilly (1924-25), died in Dunedin on 21st February 2009, aged 99.

Steven John Markham (1993-97), died in Dunedin on 11th February 2009, aged 29.

John William Cuthbertson (1931-33), died in Dunedin on 6th February 2009, aged 86

Geoff (Geoffrey Frederick) Love (1943-44), died in Alexandra on 6th February 2009, aged 80.

Roy William Watt (1948-49), died in Dunedin on 4th February 2009, aged 75. Roy was the brother of the late Phillip Watt (1944-45) and the brother-in-law of the late Peter Scorgie (1934-35).

Nigel Sinclair Bowden (1957-61), died north of Auckland on 3 February 2009, aged 64. Nigel was the brother of Tony Bowden (1954-58).

Grant (John Grant) Barrett (1963-67), died in Christchurch on 1st February 2009, aged 59.

Charles Hamilton (1953-57), died in Blenheim on 1st February 2009, aged 69. Charles, a retired school teacher and a hockey player of note, was the father of Peter Hamilton (1975-79) and Andrew Hamilton (1982-86).

January 2009

Derek John Haslemore (1941-42), died in Dunedin on 19th January 2009. Derek was the brother of Bernard Haslemore (1941-42) and ‘Mac’ (Malcolm Geoffrey) Haslemore (1944-45).

Peter Melvyn Munro (1966-70), died in Dunedin on 17th January 2009. Peter was the brother of Christopher Munro (1969-72), Robert Munro (1970-72) and Richard Munro (1973-74).

Ryan Douglas Osborne (1986-88), died in Dunedin on 10th January 2009, aged 36. Ryan was the brother of Elton Osborne (1988-92).

Alec (Henry Alexander) Sime (1938-42), died in Wanaka on 8th January 2009, aged 84. Alec was a Friend of the Foundation.

Bryan Leonard Swan (1966-69), died in Dunedin on 8th January 2009. Bryan was the father of Greg Swan (1999-2000) and Garth Swan (1999-2002) and the brother of David Swan (1963-67).

Arthur Henry Ashby (1947-48), died in Dunedin on 4th January 2009, aged 78. Arthur was the son of the late Harold Arthur Ashby (1918-19).

December 2008

Noel Ralph Glengarry (1937-42), died in Motueka on 24th December 2008, aged 84. Noel was a retired school teacher and was the father of the late John Glengarry (1960-65). He was a member of the Port Chalmers championship winning rowing four in 1945. The following obituary has been kindly supplied by Ian Church (1955-59).

People who attended the Port Chalmers School between 1951 and 1962 will be saddened to learn of the death of former popular teacher Noel Glengarry at Motueka on Christmas Eve, 2008. Noel was 84 and had been in poor health for the last few years.

He was the second son of Henry (‘Scotty’) and Ethel Glengarry of Blackman Avenue, Sawyers Bay. His older brother Owen, known as ‘Pete’, was killed in an aircraft accident in England in September 1941. Noel attended Otago Boys’ High School from 1937 to 1942 before entering Teachers’ College. He commenced training in the Air Force but did not get overseas before the war ended. He made a name for himself rowing for the Port Chalmers Rowing Club and in 1945 was a member of the Fours who won the New Zealand Championship at Wanganui.

At Port Chalmers School Noel did much to encourage participation in music and in sport.

He was secretary of the Swimming Baths Committee which raised the funds to allow the present pool to be opened in November 1961. During the School Centennial Celebrations in 1956 he organised a dance for teenagers which led on to the setting up of the Port Chalmers Teenage Club, which organised regular dances, concerts and other activities for the youth of the day. Noel and his first wife, Anne, gave freely of their time and energy to lead these activities for some five or six years.

After he left Port Chalmers he ran a T.A.B. and motor camp in Clive, Hawkes Bay, where he coached rowing, and then moved to Ngunguru on the Northland coast and ran the T.A.B. at Hikurangi. Bridge became his main interest and he organised several trips overseas for his club members. Some years ago he made a final move to Motueka.

Sadly Noel’s only son, John, died in Hawkes Bay on 9 November 2008, aged only 61. Noel is survived by his second wife, Bet, his daughter Joan in Perth, Western Australia, her children John, Geoff and Tracey, and John’s wife Moira and daughter Joanna, who is a doctor in Auckland.

Noel Douglas Fox (1957-60), died in Dunedin on 21st December 2008, aged 64. Noel was the father of Bryan Fox (1989-93) and David Fox (1991-95) and the son of the late Douglas James Fox (1933-34).

Bruce Alexander Gunn (1968-70), died in Brisbane on 21st December 2008.

Max (Maxwell Charles) Richdale (1944-46), died in Dunedin on 17th December 2008, aged 79. Kenneth, a retired Operations Director with the Auditor General and a keen tramper, was the son of the late Kenneth Richdale (1911-12) and the brother of the late Gordon Richdale (1935-37).

Trevor David Yeoman (1956-61), died in Dunedin on 13th December 2008, aged 65.

John Roger Hutchison (1959-60), died in Dunedin on 1st December 2008.

November 2008

Alan George Williams (1951-52), died in Dunedin on 30 November 2008 aged 71. Alan was a cost accountant with Horwath Hunter Brocklebank, now merged with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He was the brother of Warren Williams (1953-54), Ken Williams (1955-56) and Douglas Williams (1959) and the uncle of Kyle Williams (1985-89), Justin Williams (1989-93), David Williams (1991-95) and Logan Hinds (1985-87).

John Hunter Randle (1935-39), died at Dunstan Hospital in Clyde on 25th November 2008.

Irwin Wallace McGregor (1941-43), died in Dunedin on 25th November 2008, Irwin was a retired Otago Daily Times linotypist and was the father of Peter McGregor (1969-73).

David Chandos Billing (1945-49), died in Oamaru on 15th November 2008, aged 76. David was the brother of the late Graham Billing (1949-53) and was a retired secondary school teacher having taught at Waitaki Boys’, Napier Boys’, Burnside High and Christ’s College. He was a keen mountain climber and was the archivist at Otago Boys’ until retiring recently due to ill health.

Alan Graeme Logie (1951-55), died in Dunedin on 12th November 2008, aged 70. Alan was a retired commercial traveller and was the brother-in-law of Wayne Patterson (1958-62).

John Glengarry (1960-65), died on 9th November 2008, aged 61. John is the son of Noel Glengarry (1937-42).

Dave (David Alexander) Miller (1934-38), died in Dunedin on 7th November 2008, died 88. Dave was a retired teacher and Dunedin Teachers’ College lecturer. He was a Friend of the Foundation.

Grant Lester Montgomery (1968-72), died in Mosgiel on 7th November 2008, aged 54. Grant was the father of Hamish Montgomery (1987-90).

Murray Alexander Allan (1941-43), died in Christchurch on 2nd November 2008, aged 81. At various times during his working life Murray was a film projectionist, musterer and farmer.

October 2008

Harold Hyde Harris McMaster (1940-44), died in Dunedin on 28th October 2008, aged 82. Harold was a retired insurance company manager.

Barry Andrew Holt, died in October 2008. Barry was the brother of Lindsay Holt (1962-65).

John Robert William Strode (1944-45), died in Dunedin on 16th October 2008, aged 79.

Ken (Kenneth Hamilton) Munro (1933-36), died in Dunedin on 15th October 2008 aged 88. Ken was the grandfather of David Waddell (2002-2006).

Ashley Mountain Patterson (1936-37), died in Nelson on 11th October 2008, aged 87. Ashley, a retired builder, was the brother of Peter Patterson (1939-42) and Donald Patterson (1941-45).

Ross (Robert Ross) Manning (1942-46), died at Dunstan Hospital in Clyde on 3rd October 2008, aged 80. Ross, a retired medical practitioner, was the brother of the late Horace Manning (1926-29), John Manning (1928-32) and the late Graham Manning (1933-36).

September 2008

Ray (Raymond Bruce) Strang (1949-52), died in Dunedin on 29th September 2008, aged 72.

Neville Douglas Freeman (1932-34), died in Christchurch on 25th September 2008, aged 90. Neville was a retired commercial pilot and enjoyed a number of business interests. He was a long-time supporter of the North Canterbury (Christchurch) branch of the Old Boys’ Society. During the war years Neville served with the RNZAF as a bomber pilot, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and also Mentioned in Dispatches. The citation for the MID read "8th June 1944. In recognition of distinguished service and devotion to duty, while serving with 14 Squadron RAF”, while the citation for the DFO read “8th May 1945, 180 Squadron RAF. During his first tour of operational duty Flying Officer Freeman was engagedon sea reconnaissances in the Mediterranean theatre of war. He invariably showed great skill and tenacity in pressing home his attacks in the face of enemy opposition.During one engagement his skillful airmanship enabled his gunners to destroy two enemy fighters. On another occasion, he shadowed the Italian fleetfor over eight hours. Nowon his second tour this officer has attacked many strongly defended targets. As a leader of a formation he has displayed a high standard of leadership and courage. Several times his aircraft has been damaged by fire from enemy defences but coolness and skill have inspired the crew withconfidence”. During his first tour, Neville flew Blenheims and Marauderswith 14 Squadron RAF on reconnaissance, torpedo and bombing sorties in the Middle East. During one flight, while searching for a dinghy, he was jumped by two Me 109s and a Reggaine 2000. His crew shot down one Me109 and damaged the other two aircraft. After the war Neville joined National Airways and flew several aircraft - DC 3s, Friendships, Viscounts, and 737s. He retired after serving as a Senior Pilot.

Jack (William John) Thomson (1939-41), died in Dunedin on 24th September 2008, aged 83. Jack worked in the wool and skin industry before completing his accountancy examinations, rising to the positions of both a chartered accountant and chartered secretary. He served with Provident Life Assurance for 20 years, with WEC Reid & Co (now Deloitte) for 10 years and then with Tomkinson Wood Adams (now Wood Adams Lawyers) for a further decade before retiring in 1985. Jack was a keen sportsman – playing cricket, tennis, golf and bowls at various stages of his life and he was also an avid and successful fly fisherman. He was involved in a number of church and dancing groups and provided honorary accounting and auditing services for many clubs and societies throughout his lifetime. He also enjoyed photography and was a great traveler, returning from his latest excursion, three weeks in south east Asia, just days before his death. Jack was a Friend of the Foundation.

Martin Leslie Grindley (1936-37), died in Christchurch on 23 September 2008, aged 86.

Colin Kinvig Melville (1925-29), died in Dunedin on 20th September 2008, aged 96. Colin was a retired accountant and was the Factor for the Otago Foundation Trust Board from 1953 until he retired in 1977. He was also a Friend of the Foundation.

Ivan John Mahs (1944-45), died in Dunedin on 15th September 2008, aged 76.

Rhys Campbell Bonney (1987-91), died in Wellington on 14th September, aged 35. Rhys was the brother of Iain Bonney (1983-87) and the brother-in-law of Kurt Bowen (1989-93).

Peter Thomas John Allen (1948), died in Wellington on 14th September 2008, aged 73.

Arthur Eric Fulton (1942-44), died in Christchurch on 12th September 2008. Arthur played in the 1st cricket XI and 1st rugby XV in 1944, the rugby team known as the ‘Giants’ with the average weight of the team being 14 stone (90kg). At that time, schoolboys of that weight – and a team averaging those proportions – was a rarity.

Brian George Rodgers (1959-60), died in Dunedin on 10th September 2008, aged 63.

Merlin Frederick Jones (1944-45), died in Dunedin on 8th September 2008, aged 78. Merlin was a retired insurance executive and motel owner.

August 2008

Gordon Duncan Revie (1939), died in Christchurch on 12th August 2008, aged 85. Gordon was a retired farmer.

David Thomas Mason Luke (1935), died in Dunedin on 11th August 2008, aged 86.

Barry Charles Ellwood (1957-59), died in Dunedin on 3rd August 2008.

July 2008

Eion Robert Lockhart (1946-49), died in Motueka on 28th July 2008, aged 75. Eoin was a retired chartered accountant.

Alan Bruce Thomson (1951-55), died in Christchurch on 23rd July 2008.

Len (Leonard Harold) Carter (1934-36), died in Dunedin on 18th July 2008. Len, a retired salesman who spent much of his career with William Nees & Co, was the father-in-law of Steve McCracken (1965-69).

Duncan (Thomas Duncan) Coburn (1934-35), died in Dunedin on 16th July 2008, aged 87. Duncan was a retired investigating officer with New Zealand Post.

Jack (John) Knox (1927-28), died in Dunedin on 12th July 2008, aged 95.

Rex Francis Collie (1957-59), died in Queenstown on 9th July 2008, aged 64. Rex, a retired farmer, was the brother of Lyall Collie (1955-57) and Bryan Collie (1959-63), father of Matthew Collie (1991-95) and uncle of Brent Collie (1979-82), Grant Collie (1988-92) and Craig Collie (1990-94).

Iain Francis Thompson (1974-77), died in Sydney on 6th July 2008, aged 47.

Gary (Colin Gary) Ryan (1953-56), died in Christchurch on 6th July 2008. Gary was a retired RNZAF Squadron Leader.

Allan William Buchan (1930-32), died in Dunedin on 2nd July 2008, aged 92.

June 2008

Fergus (Walter Fergus) McCay (1931-32), died in Christchurch on 22nd June 2008, aged 90. In his younger years Fergus was a member of the Otago Hospital Board and a St Kilda Borough Councillor.

Robert Murray Botting (1952-56), died in Nelson on 17th June 2008.

James Henry Kilner (1929-32), died in Oamaru on 15th June 2008, aged 92. James was the brother of the late Bill Kilner (1923-25). He was one of the founding members of the Otago Sports Car Club and a founding member of the North Otago Vintage Farm Machinery Club.

Maurice Shaw Jones (1934-39), died in Dunedin on 11th June 2008, aged 86. Maurice was the father of Geoffrey Jones (1977-81) and was a Master at Otago Boys’ from 1962 to 1981 and coached rowing at the school for 34 years. Maurice was synonymous with the sport – being a Life member of the Otago Rowing Association and the New Zealand Secondary Schools' Rowing Association, receiving a service award blazer from New Zealand Rowing in 1978 and being awarded a QSM for services to rowing. He wrote the centennial history of the Otago Rowing Association in 1993 and the centennial and 125th histories of the Otago Rowing Club. As a competitor Maurice was a very fine coxswain and the Maurice Jones Cup is awarded to the winner of the under 18 boys’ double sculls at the annual secondary schools’ national championships.

Graham Keith McKenzie (1944-48), died in Auckland on 8th June 2008, aged 77.

Garry John Bradshaw (1956-59), died in Queenstown on 4th June 2008, aged 66. Garry was well known in the stock and station industry, working for much of his career with Dalgety New Zealand Ltd and, more latterly, was an enthusiastic member of the Wakatipu Trails Trust.

Ralph Pile (1935-39), died at the Montecillo War Veterans’ Home in Dunedin on 4th June 2008, aged 86. Ralph was a retired sheep farmer from Dunback who served as chairman of the Waihemo County Council for 20 years up to 1989. He was awarded the QSO in 1989 for services to local government and community. Ralph was the father of Steve Pile (1961-65) and Nigel Pile (1966-70) and the grandfather of Chris Pile (1985-89) and Mike Pile (1989-93). Ralph was the brother of the late Frank Pile (1939-41).

May 2008

Cliff (Clifford John) Foxton (1953-54), died in Picton on 10th May 2008, aged 68.

Tom (Thomas Neil) Aitken (1941-45), died in Ranfurly on 10th May 2008, aged 81. Tom was the father of Graeme Aitken (1977-81) and was a Friend of the Foundation.

Malcolm Davidson (1950), died in Invercargill on 7th May 2008, aged 71.

April 2008

Corrie (Cornelius Charles) Donovan (1934-35), died in Auckland on 23rd April 2008, aged 88.

Allan Govan Russell (1931-35), died in Timaru on 19th April 2008, aged 89. Allan, a retired secondary school teacher, was the father of Colin Russell (1958-61) and Iain Russell (1961-62).

Lindsay George Williams (1948), died in Christchurch on 18th April 2008. Lindsay was a former New Zealand Army officer assigned to the SAS. He was also a fine first-class cricketer, representing Wellington in the Plunket Shield competition from 1951 to 1953.

Royse Macrae Sise (1940-43), died in Dunedin on 13th April 2008, aged 81. Royse, an Otago representative skier from the late-1940s to the mid-1950s, was the father of Greg Sise (1973-77) and the grandfather of current Year 12 pupil Andrew Sise. Royse’s brother, the late Bill (Gage Derwent) Sise attended Otago Boys’ 1931-34 and was a decorated fighter pilot with the RAF during World War II and the family connection goes back even further with Reginald (1887-94), Albert (1896-97) and George Sise (1888) all Old Boys.

Peter (Alexander Peter) Allan (1942-44), died in Dunedin on 9th April 2008, aged 80. Peter was the father of Stuart Allan (1969-73).

Arthur Harold Barth (1930-34), died in Christchurch on 7th April 2008, aged 91. Arthur was a retired University of Canterbury lecturer.

John James Grimshaw (1944-45), died in Christchurch on 1st April 2008, aged 78. John was the brother of the late Thomas Grimshaw (1935-36).

March 2008

Doug (Douglas Richard) Leckie (1936-37), died in Dunedin Hospital on 25th March 2008, aged 85. Doug was the brother of the late Keith Leckie (1934-35).

Hugh Humbert Chisholm (1930-33), died at his home in Purakanui on 25th March 2008, aged 91. Hugh was the father of Laurie Chisholm (1957-61).

Murray Cecil Ramsay (1952-53), died in Geraldine on 14th March 2008, aged 69. Murray worked as a stock agent with Dalgety NZ Ltd, then as a lamb drafter with CFM and PPCS for 30 years in and around Geraldine. He then assisted with his wife’s real estate business. Murray was the brother of Ron Ramsay (1950-52).

Raymond Neale Jack Hanlon (1963-66), died in Dunedin on 12th March 2008.

Colin Alexander Clyne (1941-43), died in Oamaru on 12th March 2008.

Brendon Phillip Ross (1995-98) died as the result of an accident in Dunedin on 8th March 2008.

Jack Roberts Sparrow (1929-30), died in Nelson on March 5th 2008. Jack was the brother of Barry Sparrow (1934-36) and Richard Sparrow (1934-37) and the late Maurice Sparrow (1927-28) and the late Lloyd Sparrow (1931-32).

Kevin Brian Timothy Mannix (1986), died in Christchurch on 1st March 2008, aged 35.

February 2008

Rodney James Stewart (1968-71), died in Dunedin on 29th February 2008.

David Ernest Clayton (1961-65), died in Christchurch on 21st February 2008. David was the brother of Barry Clayton (1959-63) and Brian Clayton (1966-70).

Willis Mackley Robertson (1946), died in Alexandra on 21st February 2008, aged 76.

Rex (Francis Rex) Woodbury (1955-59), died at Ripponburn Hospital & Home in Cromwell on 20th February 2008. Rex was the brother of Trevor Woodbury (1961-63) and the brother-in-law of the late Ian Faulks (1952-53).

Bryan Logan Sherriff (1947-51), died at Ross Home in Dunedin on 10th February 2008, aged 74.

Kevin John Hastie (1948-49), died in Dunedin on 6th February 2008, aged 74. Kevin was the brother of the late Keith Hastie (1946-47) and Trevor Hastie (1954-56).

John Alfred McCausland (1936-38), died in Gore on 1st February 2008.

January 2008

Ces (Cecil George Bantry) Talbot (1929-30), died in Mosgiel on 26th January 2008, aged 92.

Inness (Normand Inness) Burgess (1949-51), died while mustering on his farm near Owaka on 26th January 2008, aged 72. Inness was the bother of John Burgess (1953-54) and Alan Burgess (1954-59).

Murray William Hamilton (1955), died in Dunedin on 19th January 2008, aged 67.

Bob (William Robert Aldrich) Paterson (1946-47), died in Dunedin on 18th January 2008, aged 77.

George Roger Chance (1931-32), died in Dunedin on 17th January 2008, aged 91. George served in Northern Africa and Italy with the 23 Battalion, 2NZEF during the Second World War, rising to the rank of Major and being recommended for the Military Cross. In civilian life he was an optometrist with the firm Fairmaid Chance and was a highly regarded photographer, especially of bird-life. George was the uncle of James Porteous (1964-68) and Grant Porteous (1969-73). His brother Alan Leonard Chance (1934-35), died in 1980.

William Adam Gunnyon (1930-31), died in Rangiora on 10th January 2008, aged 87.

Denis Oswald Johnson (1953-58), died in Dunedin on 10th January 2008, aged 68. Denis was Head Boy and best all-round boy in 1958, that year also winning an overseas league scholarship to Great Britain. Denis had a number of passions, all of which he served with tremendous enthusiasm and dedication over a number of decades. After a productive career as a runner, Denis committed an amazing 41 years to the Athletics Otago cross country committee, largely as secretary. His forte was organising cross country and road races and then collating and distributing the results. Denis was a former President of Athletics Otago and was a Life Member of both his Hill City Club and Athletics Otago along with being the Patron of Hill City. Denis was also heavily involved during the summer months with track and field and was instrumental in introducing photo finish equipment to the new Caledonian. He served in almost every position imaginable. Denis gave unstinting attention to his other ‘loves’ as well – being a founding member of the local Vauxhall Owners’ Club (at one point owning up to 20 Vauxhall cars and Bedford trucks) and also representing New Zealand offshore at various rallies and conventions; in his work with the Freemasons; and with the Boys’ Brigade. Denis was the brother of Dr Warwick Johnson (1955-59) and Roger Johnson (1957-62).

Graeme John Giddings (1946-48), died in Fairlie on 5th January 2008, aged 76.

December 2007

David Winnington Martin (1952), died in Melbourne on 25th December 2007. He was brother of the late George Martin (1943-47) and the Rev Michael Martin (1946-51). David was born in New Zealand in 1938 and after just one year at Otago Boys’ shifted back to Melbourne with his family. His father was a highly qualified Marine Engineer and Naval Architect and had taken a position in Dunedin during WWII to provide support to the American Navy with ship repairs. After completing his secondary education at Box Hill High Schoolin Melbourne David starting work at the Union Steamship Company, progressing to accountancy duties. In 1961 he suffered spinal injuries in a car accident which left him a paraplegic. After a lengthy period in hospital he took the bold step to establish himself as a giftware retailer in the outer eastern suburb ofCroydon, where he traded for two years. Following that venture he established a local newspaper, "The Croydon Mail",which ran for a short period of time. David also worked in the sphere of accounting with a number of local businesses as well as completing voluntary work for local churches and small business. His interests in public and community life were growing – being a founding member and later Life Member of the Croydon Hockey Club and he also time developed a strong interest in local government. He was elected Councillor for the City of Croydon in 1972 and served for many years through to 1987 holding the office of Mayor twice. David was a representative on the Committee of Management for the establishment and operation of the Croydon Leisure Centre and also served Council as a member of the Sister City Committee. He also served as a member of the Council's Half Way House Committee supporting the disadvantaged in the community. His political interests soon extended beyond the local sphere to support for the State and Federal branches of The Liberal Party of Australia and his involvement here included support with the Area Finance Committee, pre-selection committees and, in particular, support for the Casey electorate. During 30 years of involvement in this arena David earned high respect from many of Australia's senior politicians. Despite his paraplegia, David was determined to do what he could to support those around him and in the wider community generally. He also took up a role with the Australian Spinal Research Trust (now Spinalcure), which led to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, a position which he held for some years. As a result of his work with Spinalcure, which extended over 25 years,the organisation has gone on to raise much needed funds for research to improve the lives of those with such injury. David was also a Justice of the Peace for over 30 years, receiving recognition from the Department of Justice in Victoria. He was an activelocal Rotarian and received recognition from Rotary Internationalwith a "Shine On Award" along with being named as a Paul Harris Fellow in appreciation of his work.

James Charles Scoular (1932-35), died in Dunedin in mid-December 2007.

Scott (Stuart Scott) Holden (1935-38), died in Alexandra on 13th December 2007, aged 85. Scott served in the Second World War with the 26th Battalion, 2nd NZEF in Italy and upon returning to New Zealand worked for 39 years at Arthur Barnett Ltd. While studying for his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Otago, he began as assistant secretary before becoming company secretary and then serving as Managing Director before retiring in 1985. Scott was the President of the Otago Employers Association in 1981-82 and was a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for more than 60 years.

Allan Duncan Mackenzie (1940-44), died in Dunedin on 6th December 2007, aged 81. Allan was the father of Duncan Mackenzie (1973), Angus Mackenzie (1973-75) and Duguld Mackenzie (1974-77).

Bernard Charles Wanty (1940-44), died in Christchurch on 2nd December 2007.

November 2007

John (Harry John) Grimsey (1974-76), died in Dunedin on 27th November 2007.

Ivan James Alfred Stevenson (1941-41), died in Timaru on 20th November, aged 82.

Douglas Kirk (1975-78), died in Invercargill on 20th November, aged 46. Douglas was the twin brother of Ewan Kirk (1975-79).

Jim (James Alfred Alexander) Hood (1956-57) BSc, MDS, FRACDS, FADM, FNZDA, died in Dunedin on 18th November 2007, aged 69. Jim was an Emeritus Professor of the Otago University’s School of Dentistry. He was also holder of the ED (Efficiency Decoration) for his service to the New Zealand Territorial Army. Jim was the father of David Hood (1982-86) and Lyndon Hood (1989-93).

Evan Raymond Wilson Nesbit (1936), died at the Montecillo Veterans’ Home in Dunedin on 12th November 2007, aged 86.

Les Alpine (1943-44), died at Raumati Beach on 3rd November 2007, aged 80. Les was a retired secondary school teacher with most of his service with Wellington College and Kapiti College at Raumati. He finished his career with an eight year involvement at the New Zealand Correspondence School. Les was a Friend of the Foundation.

October 2007

Stuart (Thomas Kay Stuart) Sidey (1922-25), died in Wanaka on 28th October 2007, aged 99. Stuart served as the Mayor of Dunedin between 1959 and 1965 and was a Dunedin city councillor between 1947 and 1963. He was a prominent businessman, was active in many facets of the city’s life including 36 years with the University of Otago Council, serving as both pro-chancellor and chancellor, and also proved successful as a race horse owner and breeder. Stuart was also a Senior Fellow of the Foundation.

Jim (James Merrett) Wilkinson (1936-39), died in Timaru on 27th October 2007.

John Christopher Albert Vickers (1940-41), died at Karitane on 21st October 2007, aged 81. John is the brother of Graeme Vickers (1947-51).

Andrew Forrester McLay (1932-36), died in Waimate on 16th October 2007, aged 87. Andrew was prominent in local body politics and was a former Mayor of Waimate, being awarded the MBE in 1985 for services to local government.

Ross McLean Broadbent (1927-30), died in Christchurch on 12th October 2007, aged 93. Ross worked in the finance industry, spending many years with the Bank of New Zealand before an involvement with private business. He was the treasurer of the North Canterbury (Christchurch) branch of the Old Boys’ Society and was made a Life Member of that branch. Ross was the son of John Leslie Broadbent (1903-04), the brother of Lawrence Keith McLean Broadbent (1928-30) and the uncle of Lewis Keith Broadbent (1963-67).

Doric (Alfred Doric) Mabon (1946-51), died in Oamaru on 11th October 2007, aged 74. Doric was a retired secondary school principal and was the brother of John Mabon (1946-51) and Alexander Mabon (1948-53).

Lester Norman Cannon (1951), died in Dunedin on 10th October 2007, aged 71.

September 2007

Mike (Michael Frederick) Kinraid (1965-68), died in Dunedin on 24th September, aged 56.

Peter Murray Meldrum (1968-71), died in Sydney in mid-September, aged 53.

Duncan Robert Campbell (1944-46), died in Mt Maunganui on 18th September 2007, aged 76.

Dr Murray Lionel Benson (1930-33), died in Paraparaumu on 8th September 2007, aged 90.

August 2007

Dr Alan Herbert Caselberg (1940-42), died in Wellington on 29th August 2007, aged 81.

Archie (Archibald Charles) MacDonald (1930-31), died in Lawrence on 29th August 2007, aged 90. Archie was a retired farmer who has spent much of his time on the land at Bowlers Creek.

Dr Jim (James Frederick) Moodie (1929-34), died in Ashburton on 25th August 2007, aged 90. Jim was the brother of the late Alfred Whitling Moodie (1927-32).

Cas (Edward Casley) Iversen (1955), died in Mosgiel on 20th August 2007, aged 68. Cas was the brother of the late Gary Beaufort Iversen (1950-51) and the late Tony (Anthony) Carl Iversen (1960-61).

Russell John Hampton (1951-53), died in Tuatapere on 14th August 2007, aged 69. Russell was the brother of Ronald David Hampton (1950-51) and the late Colin George Hampton (1955).

Douglas Edward Gunn (1945-46), died in Nelson on 12th August 2007, aged 78.

Kenneth Warwick Thomson (1966-70), died in Sydney on 12th August 2007 from a brain tumour. Kenneth was the brother of Bryan Thomson (1970-74).

Mark Neil Cottle (1975-79), died in Dunedin on 11th August 2007. Mark was well known through his Auto Court car sales business. He was the brother of Nelson John Cottle (1983-87) and Philip Daniel Cottle (1988-92).

Harold William Barnes (1930-33), died in Mosgiel on 5th August 2007. Harold was the father of Graeme Laurence Barnes (1955-59) and the brother of the late Raymond Charles Barnes (1937-42).

Doug (Leonard Douglas) Napier (1933-34), died on 1st August 2007. Doug was the uncle of Neill John Napier (1965-68) and Paul James Napier (1971-73).

July 2007

Russell John Peddie (1962-64), died in Dunedin on 26th July 2007. Russell was a farmer near Hyde and was the father of John Piripi Peddie (1991-96), the brother of the late Graham Thomas Peddie (1967-68) and the uncle of James Thomas Peddie (1997-2001).

Bill (William Dudley) Ward (1935), died in Invercargill on 20th July 2007, aged 85. Bill was a retired barrister and solicitor.

Roy Hamilton Whiteside (1936), died in Christchurch on 19th July 2007, aged 88.

Alexander Brownlie (1931-33), died in Christchurch on 14th July 2007, aged 91.

Murray Errol Macdougall (1939-42), died in Timaru on 7th July 2007, aged 81.

June 2007

Bill (William Frederick) Hesson (1946-47), died in Dunedin on 29th June 2007, aged 78. Bill was Dunedin City’s architect for a good many years. He was the father of Paul Hesson (1965-70) and Mark Hesson (1972-76) and the grandfather of Mike Hesson (1988-92).

John Robert Wright (1941-45), died in Alexandra on 22nd June 2007, aged 79.

Gordon Miller Steel (1937-40), died in Dunedin on 12th June 2007, aged 83. Gordon was a retired wool and skin classer.

Roy William Phillips (1939-43), died in Dunedin on 11th June 2007, aged 81. Roy was a retired high school teacher, a past Executive Director of the International Association for the Evaluation of Education Achievement and assistant Director of the New Zealand Department of Education’s Curriculum Unit.

May 2007

Alex (Alexander) John Black (1928-32), died in Dunedin on 30th May 2007, aged 93.

Dudley Irwin Harris (1942-44), died in Dunedin on 24th May 2007.

Allan Edmund Burns (1932-35), died in Upper Hutt on 14th May 2007, aged 88. Allan spent much of his working life in the insurance industry and was the father of Christopher Burns (1955-59).

Neil Richmond Brown (1940-41), died at Ross Home in Dunedin on 14th May 2007, aged 81. Neil was the brother of James Brown (1942-45).

Raymond Roland Wood (1944-46), died in Dunedin on 6th May 2007, aged 76.

April 2007

Roland Chase Anderson (1936-38), died in Tauranga on 29th April 2007, aged 84. Roland served as a Flight Sergeant with the RNZAF during the Second World War and worked for much of his civilian life with the Inland Revenue Department.

Doug (Walter Douglas) Holt (1931-32), died in Dunedin on 27th April 2007, aged 88. Doug worked in the carrying industry. Doug’s son, Stuart Cole, attended Otago Boys 1965-66.

Noel Russell Ellison (1934-36), died in Dunedin on 27th April 2007, aged 86. Doug served in the Second World War with the RNZAF and was an accountant in civilian life.

Denis Alexander Potter (1929-32), died in Nelson on 21st April 2007, aged 92. Denis served with the 5th Field Regiment during the Second World War.

Donald John Sim (1935-40), died in the Montecillo Veterans’ Home in Dunedin on 12th April 2007.

Eric Edwin Hely (1932-34), died in Dunedin on 2nd April 2007, aged 87. Eric had practised as an accountant.

Howard Nelson Stott (1935-36), died in Oamaru on 2nd April 2007, aged 88. Howard was a retired accountant.

March 2007

John Nelson Baird (1929-30), died in Dunedin on 26th March 2007, aged 91. John was a carpenter for much of his life and served in the Second World War with the 8th Field Company 2NZEF.

Ian Mackay Faulks (1952-53), died in Queenstown on 23rd March 2007, aged 68. Ian was the director of Faulks Enterprises and is the brother of Jim Faulks (1945-47) and the late Thomas Faulks (1948-50). Ian was a valued Foundation Member through his Old Boys’ life membership donation.

Bob (Robert James) Cameron (1937-38), died in Wanaka on 21st March 2007, aged 84. Bob had not long shifted to Wanaka, having farmed all his life in the Waitahuna area.

Euan Gordon Grigor (1961-65), who died in Rakaia on 17th March 2007, aged 59. Euan was the brother of Dr John Grigor (1954-57), who now lives in Wellington, and Ross Grigor (1955-59), who died in 1999.

Ken (Kenneth George) Bertenshaw (1943-46), died in Welkington on 14th March 2007. Ken was a banker for most of his working life and retired from the role of regional manager for the National Bank in Wellignton.

Graham Stuart Botting (1928-31), died in Turangi on 8th March 2007, aged 91.

Benjamin Charles Woolsey (1932-36), died in Auckland on 4th March 2007, aged 88.

February 2007

Brian Michael Anthony Hey (1942), died at Dunstan Hospital on 27th February 2007, aged 78. For many years Brian was the New Zealand Cement Holdings quarry manager in Dunedin.

Martin Peter Rutherford (1965-68), died in Dunedin on 22nd February 2007.

Harold Joffre Tyrie (1929-32), died in Maude Hospital, Christchurch, on 22nd February 2007, aged 91. Harold represented New Zealand at the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney where he finished 6th in the 440 yards track final. He was a three-times national 440 yards champion (1935/36, 1938/39 and again in 1939/40) and also represented Otago in two representative rugby matches – the first in 1938 and the second in 1941, playing out of the Southern Club in Dunedin on both occasions.

David William Trainor (1949-54), died in Christchurch on 19th February 2007. David spent much of his working life in the insurance industry. He was a very fine swimmer and water polo player - swimming for Otago between 1949 and 1953, winning a number of championships, and as a water polo player he represented the province for a decade from 1952 and was selected to trial for the proposed New Zealand team for the 1960 Rome Olympics. David also played rugby to Otago under 21 level.

John Gregory Dew (1944-47), died in Waikato Hospital on 14th February 2007, aged 76. John worked for much of his life as an agent for farm machinery companies and had paid his Old Boys’ Society subscription less than a week before his death.

Stuart Masterton Buckley Boyd (1930), died in Wanaka on 14th February 2007, aged 91. Stuart lived for much of his life in Port Chalmers and Dunedin and was a keen skier, being a manager of several national teams.

Raymond Charles Barnes (1938), died in Alexandra on 3rd February 2007.

The Very Rev David Macgregor Steedman (1933-37), died in Wellington on 2nd February 2007, aged 87.

January 2007

Cam (Don Cameron) Sneddon (1946-48), died in Dunedin on 31 January 2007, aged 74. Cam was the grandfather of 2005 deputy Head Boy Craig Sneddon.

Gordon (Stanfield Gordon) Gapper (1939-42), died in Banning, California on 22nd January 2007. Gordon was a well respected retired journalist with his speciality being the arts.

Jack (John Graham) Taylor (1941-44), died in Tauranga on 20th January 2007, aged 79. Jack was a boarder at Campbell House and lived in Hamilton before retiring to Tauranga in 1997. He was a member of a jazz band for many years and was also a keen genealogist, writing the history of Samuel Biddle Taylor and descendants.

Ross Keith Gourley (1943-48), died in Christchurch on 20th January 2007, aged 78. Ross was a retired aircrew signaller having worked for the RNZAF at various New Zealand bases along with duty in Singapore and Fiji. Ross was also a valued Friend of the Foundation.

Dick (Richard Francis) Purvis (1924), died in Timaru on 18th January 2007, aged 97. At various stages of his life, Dick lived in Dunedin Oamaru, Windsor and Lauder.

Roger Lacy Dunnet (1950-55), died in New Plymouth on 3rd January 2007, aged 70. Roger was a retired veterinarian, having graduated with a BVSc (Sydney) and was a member of the Royal College of Veterinarian Surgeons.

December 2006

Keith Alfred Harbott (1948-51), died in Dunedin on 30th December 2006.

Pang (Lang Fook) Kaan (1946-48), died in Dunedin on 27th December 2006. Pang is the brother of the late Joe Kaan (1944-45) and Don Kaan (1950-53).

Charles Hislop (1937-45), died in Blenheim on 26th December 2006, aged 81.

Denis William Gourley (1945-50), died in Porirua on 21st December 2006, aged 75. Denis was a commercial artist for much of his working life, having graduated with a Fine Arts degree from Canterbury University.

Vaughan Maurice Howlett (1981-84), died in Dunedin on 18th December 2006, aged 39.

Robert James McKibbin (1931-32), died in Auckland on 15th December 2006.

Arthur Reginald Hanna (1931-33), died in Auckland on 13th December 2006, aged 89. Arthur was born in Oamaru in 1917, one of six children, four of whom became teachers. During his time at Otago Boys' he won prizes in French and Latin, being presented with these by the Governor General Lord Bledisloe. After time as an apprentice at Whitcombe and Tombs and the Southern Cross newspaper (New Zealand's first Labour daily newspaper), interspersed with war service in Guadacanal, Arthur took up teaching. He later became Principal of various schools in the Wanganui, Taranaki and Auckland regions, with his final position being at the Windy Ridge School on Auckland's North Shore. Arthur loved sport, being proficient in soccer, swimming, harriers, cricket and gymnastics. However, his lifelong passion was music and his fine tenor voice added quality to hundreds of concerts around the country. In retirement, Arthur took up winemaking, winning many awards and serving as President of the Auckland Guild of Winemakers and Brewers. He also served for many years in various Presbytarian churches. With so much energy, it was no surprise to learn Arthur was still singing and telling stories within a day of his death. (Details kindley supplied by Doug Davies) .

Sidney Nicol Fyfe (1944-46), died in Dunedin on 10th December 2006.

Alan Lees Hunter (1927-29), died at Ross Home in Dunedin on 6th December 2006, aged 97.

Ian Robert Pairman (1940-44), died in Dunedin on 2nd December 2006, aged 79. Ian is the father of Terry Pairman (1973-76).

November 2006

Edward Barry Keen (1961-62), died in Brisbane on 30th November, 2006. Edward is the father of Shane Keen (1983-84).

Alexander Gaskell Pickard (1926-27), died in Hamilton on 30th November 2006, aged 93.

Tony (Antony Forrest) Lampen (1932-34), died at the Montecillo War Veterans' Home in Dunedin on 28th November 2006.

Stewart John Mackay (1940-43), died at Karitane on 26th November 2006, aged 80. Stewart was a retired secondary school teacher.

Garth (Hunter Garth) Lonsdale (1946), died in Canberra on 20th November 2006, aged 74. Garth was the New Zealand ski champion for three successive years - 1947 to 1949 - having been the South Island champion in 1947. He was also a long-time member of national skiing teams.

Nick Lindsay Smith (2003-06), died in Dunedin on 12th November 2006, aged 16.

Murray (Albert Murray) Griffin (1947-50), died in Milton on 11th November 2006, aged 73.

Terrence Jeffrey Madigan (1952-53), died in Dunedin on 9th November 2006, aged 69.

Alan William Croot (1957-60), died in Auckland on 7th November 2006, aged 63.

October 2006

Ernest Oliver Ryalls (1932), died in Wanaka on 24th October 2006, aged 89.

Dr Brian Alexander Scobie (1944-45), died at home in Wellington on 20th October 2006, aged 78.

Raymond Errol Galland (1948-50), died in Masterton on 20th October 2006, aged 72.

Ray (Raymond Gordon) Eggers (1939-43), died in Dunedin on 19th October 2006.

Stuart (Murray Stuart) McGeorge (1959-63), died in Christchurch on 19th October 2006, aged 60, while riding his bike to work. Stuart took up farming when he left school, working on Rees Valley Station and other high country runs while completing a Diploma at Lincoln College. He owned his own property at Moa Flat for several years before taking up the position of Marketing Manager for Ravensdown Fertiliser in Christchurch and then moving to the Canterbury Development Society and on to Tradenz. There Stuart's role included an involvement with acquiring work for New Zealand firms on the ANZAC frigate project, and as an advisor and coordinator for the forestry industry. He served as the New Zealand Trade Commissioner for the Arab Gulf States for three years, based in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. On returning to New Zealand, Stuart joined Tradenz with much of his time there spent assisting the foresty industry develop overseas markets for its products. Stuart was the son of the late Dr Murray McGeorge (1921-24), who died in 1992, and the brother of Russell McGeorge (1956-60) who lives in Wanaka.

Karl Henry Johnson (1950-53), died in Waikeire, South Australia, on 18th October 2006.

Scott Cameron Collins (1977-79), died in Perth on 18th October 2006.

Brian Eric Jamieson (1948), died in Christchurch on 15th October 2006.

Lew (James Lewis) Bathgate (1932-34), died in Nelson on 13th October 2006. Lew served with the RNZAF in the Second World War, rising to Pilot Command of the 630 Squadron based at Easy Kirkby. He was a long-time secondary teacher and principal.

Gordon (Ian Gordon Scott) Sharpe (1948-52), died in Dunedin on 13th October 2006, aged 71. Gordon was a design draughtsman by trade and worked for many years for the Otago Catchment Board. Gordon was also prominent in the Territorial Army. His son, Ian Scott Douglas Sharpe, began his time at Otago Boys' in 1985.

Alan James Hellyer (1958), died in Dunedin on 2nd October 2006.

September 2006

Peter James Scott (1944-46), died in Christchurch on 29th September 2006, aged 76. Peter served for many years as the company secretary for the Alliance Freezing Company in Invercargill.

Geoff (Charles Geoffrey) Lindley (1956-60), died in Dunedin on 28th September 2006, aged 63. Geoff was a retired primary school principal and a successful rugby coach at premier club level.

Ken (Kenneth Allan) Campbell (1949-53), died at Ross Home in Dunedin on 27th September 2006, aged 70. Ken was a retired pharmacist and a long-standing member of the Old Boys' Society.

Graham William Whyte (1943-45), died in Auckland on 26th September 2006, aged 77. Graham worked for National Mortgage in Otago and Canterbury, then with the Wintest/Great Outdoor manufacturing side of the business in Otago, Canterbury and Auckland. He then owned and operated Max Packs (a home hardware company) before retiring. Graham was President of the Takapuna Bowling Club for three years (no other presideet had served more than a one-year term).

William George Coleman (1933-36), died in Christchurch on 23rd September 2006, aged 86. George served in the Fleet Air Arm in the Second World War and was a retired school teacher.

Russell Blair Read (1951-54), died in Sydney in mid-September.

Bill (George William Turner) Christie (1950-53), died in Assisi, Italy while on holiday on 20th September 2006, aged 69. Bill was a highly respected businessman and a long-serving deputy mayor of Dunedin City.

Fred (Frederick John) Robinson (1934-36), died in Dunedin Hospital on 18th September 2006, aged 85. Fred was a design engineer during his working life with much of that time spent at Farra Brothers in Dunedin. He was the first Patron of the Balmacewen Bowling Club.

Bob (William Robert) McIlroy (1947), died in Dunedin on 5th September 2006, aged 73. Bob was a registered and chartered structural engineer who worked at JRG Hanlon in Dunedin.

William Isbister Laing (1937-1941), died in Auckland on 3rd September 2006, aged 82. William was a retired agricultural officer who spent many years working in the Solomon Islands.

August 2006

Leslie Oxley (Bill) Beck (1933-35), died at St Andrews Home and Hospital in Dunedin on 28th August 2006, aged 86.

Charles Noel Bannerman French (1925-28), died in the Peacehaven Retirement Village in Invercargill on 26th August 2006, aged 93. Served with the 5th and 6th Field Regiment, 2NZEF, during the Second World War, rising to the rank of Captain.

Raymond (Ray) Trevor Newall (1964-67), died in the Otago Community Hospice in Dunedin on 24th August 2006, aged 55. Brother of Paul (1967-70) and Murray (1969-73).

Archibald Arthur Heenan (1925), died at the Rowena Jackson Retirement Home in Invercargill on 23rd August 2006, aged 94. Formerly of Woodlands.

Tom (Thomas John) McCutcheon (1954-55), died at Ross Home in Dunedin on 15th August, 2006, aged 66. Tom had been ill since suffering a massive stroke in 2004 and also battling Alzheimer’s disease. He worked at the Otago Hunt Club and then farmed for 22 years at Berwick before moving to a property in the Matakanui Valley.

Wilson (James Wilson Stirling) Smaill (1939-43), died in Auckland on 4th August 2006, aged 81. Wilson was a retired radiographer who spent much of his working life at Auckland Hospital. He was a former President of the New Zealand Society of Radiographers.

Rymall Stuart Roxburgh (1928-32), died in Timaru Hospital on 2nd August 2006, aged 90. Rymall was well-educated Presbytarian Minister, graduating with a Master of Commerce from Otago in 1941, taking Honours in Economics and Economic History, and then, a decade later, completing a BA and BD in Melbourne. He served in mission work overseas including a lengthy spell in India.

July 2006

Bill (William David) McGhee (1934-35), died at Ross Home in Dunedin on 25th July 2006, aged 85.

Gordon Wilson Dalziel (1943-45), died at Fulton Home & Hospital in Dunedin on 21st July 2006, aged 76.

Dr Dawson Albert Cotton (1937-42), died in Christchurch on 20th July 2006, aged 82. Dawson was one of six brothers who attended Otago Boys’ – Herbert (1935-38), Keith (1941-43), Cliff (1942-45) and Trevor (1947-51) have all died while John (1945-50) lives in retirement in Ranfurly.

Peter Wilson Boag (1943-47) ONZM, died in Wellington on 18th July 2006, aged 76. Peter trained as a school teacher having always been active in student life. He was a President of the Auckland University Students’ Association, was co-editor of the association’s weekly magazine Craccum in 1953, acted as the New Zealand representative to International Students’ conferences in Ceylon in 1956 and to Nigeria a year later, and was made a Life Member of the New Zealand University Students’ Association. After retiring as a teacher Peter took up various roles in public service, working with the State Services Commission and Internal Affairs, where he was responsible for that department’s community development. He served on various Advisory Committees, was interested in the arts (being a founding subscriber to the St James Theatre and Opera House in Wellington, and editing the Wellington Civic Trust’s newsletter) and was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for public and community services. Peter was Dux in 1947 and a long-time member of the Old Boys’ Society.

Win (Winston Jeffrey) Miller (1955-57), died in Dunedin on 18th July 2006. Win was a third generation owner of the firm now known as Miller Studios. Established by his grandfather Oswell, whose own father Henry was renowned for his award-winning hansom cabs in Melbourne and Dunedin, O.G Miller began life as a high quality sign writing firm. When Win’s father Roy and his uncle Ralph (1931-32) joined the firm, the name changed to O.G. Miller & Sons with Roy building a reputation as a fine craftsman with stained glass. Win joined the firm in 1958 and his flair saw a change in direction towards shop design, construction and fittings with innovation the keyword, Miller Studios’ portfolio of awards testament to Win’s drive and vision. Win was a long-standing member of the Old Boys’ Society.

Laurie (Peter Lawrence) Bell (1933-36), died in Alexandra on 8th July 2006, aged 87.

David Watson Anderson (1934-38), died in Dunedin on 7th July 2006, aged 84. David worked for the Dunedin City Council in a series of administrative and clerical roles over a 43-year career and, apart from his service during World War II, lived his entire lifetime within a mile radius in North East Valley and Opoho. David was a long-standing and loyal member of the Old Boys’ Society.

Jason Lee Percy (1985-87), died on 4th July 2006, as the result of an accident in Carterton, aged 34.

John Robert George Anderson (1933-37), (known as Jack) died at the age of 86 in the Montecillo War Veterans’ Home in Dunedin on 1st July 2006. Jack served with the RNZAF in the Second World War and worked for much of his life with the New Zealand Post Office.

June 2006

George Henry Longworth (1931), died on 26th June 2006 aged 89 in Thames. George served in the Second World War and much of his working life was spent as a plasterer.

James Owen Corbett (1944-48), died suddenly on 14th June 2006 at the age of 75 in Middlemore Hospital in Auckland. Owen was a long-serving secondary school teacher.

Blake Stuart Stott (2000-2004), died on 11th June 2006 at the age of 19 in his car near his home in South Otago.

May 2006

Gerald Charles Ditchfield (1946-47), died in Bonogin, Queensland, Australia 31 May 2006. A printer by trade, Gerald was 75 when he passed away peacefully.

Thomas Morton Robb (1940-41), died in Dunedin 25 May 2006. Tom was one of three Robb brothers at Otago Boys’ in the 1930s and early-40s, his brothers Andrew (1931-33) and Jim (1937-41) preceding him through the archway. Tom worked as a linotype operator at the Evening Star newspaper and, when the Star shut down in 1979, then moved to the Otago Daily Times, spending 45 years in the industry. Andrew died in Dunedin shortly after the World War II while Jim, a Friend of the Foundation, remains hale and hearty and living in Roslyn. Tom’s son Neil attended Otago Boys’ (1976-80) and two grandsons, twins Julian and Fraser Prendergast, his daughter Jeannie’s children, are currently Year 10 pupils (fourth form) at the school.

April 2006

Duncan Leishman Garvan (1941-42), died in Dunedin, aged 78. Duncan, one of six children born in Oamaru and raised on a farm at Ngapara, worked in the stock and station industry all his life. After leaving school at 15, he began work as an office boy at Dalgety New Zealand Ltd in Oamaru before transferring to Heriot with Donald Reid & Company. He moved back to Oamaru to work for Stringer & Co and became manager in 1962. That same year, Stringers was bought by Donald Reid & Co and Duncan rose to Managing Director of that company in 1979, a position he held until 1992. At that time he became Chairman of the Board and remained in that post for five years until retiring. Upon retirement, he took up several directorships and was also involved in mentoring. During his time in the industry, Duncan oversaw several mergers while fending off takeovers of his own company. He was noted for his loyalty to farmers and his staff, and loved nothing better than to mix with both.

March 2006

Stu Buttar (1968-71), died in Christchurch on 2 March 2006. Stu was a terrific rugby and cricket player while at school and went on to fashion a successful international bowls career as firstly a player and then as national coach. He died aged just 51. Upon winning their bowls bronze medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games just days after Stu's funeral, Jan and Marina Khan paid tribute to him and his contribution to the sport.

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

Raymond Mahony (1932-34), died at Hutt Hospital, 14 March 2006. Raymond was Head Prefect in 1934 and captain of both the First Rugby XV and First Cricket XI that year, having been the Senior Athletic Champion in 1933. He went on to play first-class rugby for Otago (1936), Southland (1938-40, captain in 1940) and Canterbury (1941, while at Burnham Military Camp) with South Island honours in 1938 and an All Black trial in 1939. Raymond served in the Second World War.

February 2006

Arnold Thornicroft (1933-36), died at Ross Home, Dunedin, on 21 February 2006. Arnold was well known as an accountant, political enthusiast, poet, reader and student. After leaving school he worked as an insurance clerk and studied book-keeping and mercantile law at night classes. After serving in the Second World War, Arnold graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Canterbury), set up as a public accountant and also ventured into wholesaling and retailing. He also spent many years as a lay preacher, secondary school teacher and polytechnic lecturer. After his wife’s death in 1997, Arnold returned to university study, taking papers in economic issues, macroeconomics and the economic history of New Zealand. Thoughtful and socially conscientious throughout his life, his family put in an apology for him at his own funeral, Arnold having donated his body to the University of Otago’s medical school for research into Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his four children, 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The Foundation passes its condolences to John Macdonald (1967-68) and his family with news of the passing of John’s father, Enoka. A marvellous sportsman in his prime, perhaps best known for his rugby and rugby league exploits, Enoka Macdonald was one of nature’s gentlemen and his ready smile and interest in others will be sorely missed. One senses he enjoyed every day of his 80 years.

January 2006

Heather Spicer (died January 6 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. Heather's career at Otago Boys' spanned 29 years and she had contact with thousands of boys and their parents over that time. While she was missed upon her retirement in 2005, 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.

December 2005

Konrad Kahuroa (1997-1999) died in Auckland on 3 December 2005. Konrad was a young man, full of energy and enthusiasm, who was starting to make his way in the fashion industry, having organised successful shows in Dunedin in recent years.

November 2005

David Aubrey (1970-1973) died in Dunedin on 30 November 2005. David suffered from Alpha1, a disease which attacks the liver and lungs, with his death a double blow for his family. David died on the same day as his sister Claire, who also suffered from Alpha1, Claire passing away in Auckland after an operation and David dying in Dunedin . He leaves behind his wife Karla and son Mackay.

Peter McIntosh (1971-1975) died in Christchurch on 9 November 2005. Peter's fiancee Melissa Brussov has passed on the news Peter often spoke fondly of his time at Otago Boys', along with news he remained a passionate Highlanders' and Otago rugby supporter despite living in red and black country. Peter was a prison officer at Paparua Prison for the last 20 years and had three children - Brad 23, Kate 22 and Ben 20.

October 2005

Douglas Park (1931-34) died in Christchurch on 31 October 2005. Douglas served in the Second World War, 1939-45, was Lieutenant Commander RNZNVR and Pilot Fleet Air Arm, and in civilian life worked in the insurance industry.

Ian Scott (1933-37), died 30 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.

Gordon Edwards (1923 – 1925), died in Wanaka in mid-October 2005. Gordon, the first to scale 18 peaks in Otago between 1931 and 1939, formed a terrific climbing partnership with his brother Russell (1925 – 1926). Two other brothers – George (1929 – 1934), killed in an accident on Mt Trent in 1937 and Alan (1933 – 1937), killed over the English Channel on his 49th Spitfire mission in 1942 – joined their elder siblings from time to time. Russell died in 1995.

September 2005

Colin Macdonald (1925 – 1927), died in Oamaru in mid-September 2005. Colin graduated MA from Otago University in 1934 and was a teacher of note, at both primary and secondary level, most notably at Waitaki Boys’ High School from 1947 to 1964 where he became head of the English and French departments. He served also Oamaru’s St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, was involved in tennis, indoor bowls and swimming, and enjoyed a lifetime enthusiasm for gardening and photography.

August 2005

Ian Leslie Weatherall (1953-57), died at Holloways Beach in Queensland on 20th August 2005, aged 65. Ian was a scientist, teacher, inventor, astronomer, philatelist, writer and fisherman. A list of Ian's study and work highlights reads - MSc (1st class Hons, Chemistry, 1962); Smeaton Research Scholarship in experimental science; Wool Research Organisation fellowhsip, 1962; Research Fellow, CSIRO, Melbourne; PhD (Chemistry) Cambridge University, UK, 1965; Research Fellow, Harvard University, USA, 1965-67; senior scientist Wool Research Organisation 1966-77; faculty member, University of Otago, 1977-96; NZ Wool Board award 1981. Ian also worked in various research positions in the United States, China, with the Asia 2000 Foundation and in Hong Kong. He was also the Founder and funder of the Textile Education Trust that financially supports many students in the pursuit of their study at Otago University.

June 2005

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

April 2005

Arthur Penny (1928-29) died in Christchurch, 10 April 2005. Arthur’s widow, Bunty, has written telling the Foundation a little of his history. Arthur left school after two years, aged 14, having obtained a job as office boy for the Dunedin branch of the Atlas Assurance Company. His wages were 7/6d with 5/- of that, those being the Depression Years, going to his mother for board. He continued his education at night school until he was 18, passing all of his insurance exams. In 1939, Arthur was sent to Hamilton as the branch manager where he stayed for more than 20 years before, after several mergers, he moved to Christchurch as the assistant manager of the Royal Exchange Atlas. A further merger occurred with Guardian, at which time Arthur was appointed manager of the Royal Guardian Exchange, Christchurch branch. His is a story typical of the time – an office boy who rose to the top.

March 2005

Russell Atwood Algie (1934), died in Auckland aged 84.