Wow, what a start to the year.

Following the Government’s announcement regarding the Red Traffic Light setting, we have had to make the tough decision to postpone most of our upcoming events over the next few months. A special ‘thank you’ to your very hard-working Reunion organisers who have already put in a great deal of work to help celebrate this milestone. We will see you for Reunion Weekend next year, 17–19 February 2023, making it a double reunion – with twice the number of Old Boys and twice the fun. We are disappointed that many upcoming events have been cancelled or postponed but we look forward to reuniting later in the year.

Thank you to our outgoing CCOBA President

I personally want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Richard Polson for his hard work and commitment as CCOBA President for the past two years. Richard has done an outstanding job and helped make my job much easier. I have enjoyed working with Richard, who has left the association in very good heart.

10 Houses Gin

We are excited to release our own 10 Houses Gin. Many thanks to Old Boy Nick Harvey (11731) and the wonderful team at Strategy for the stunning design work and their support of this exciting project. Please read the full story on our website on 10 Houses or to buy your own bottle (or bottles). I look forward to sharing a drink of our new gin as soon as we can again host functions and catch up in person.

Survey results – demand for more Old Boys stories

Hundreds of Old Boys have responded to our recent survey of readers of The Quadrangle, with most calling for more stories about the lives of fellow alumni.

Well over 90% of respondents say they enjoy reading The Quadrangle and cite its length as ideal while adding that it is easy to navigate online. Most prefer to receive the Old Boys newsletter every two or three months, adding that it is a good reference for all College-related event information. However, hundreds of survey respondents want to read more stories about Old Boys and their careers. So please continue to share any interesting Old Boys’ stories from around the world with us. The obituaries section and the Upcoming Events page are also well read.

In response, we plan to act on the survey feedback from our next publication.

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our survey. Among our survey respondents, the winner of a bottle of our 10 Houses Gin is Martin Vincent.

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All sorts of interesting things ...

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Meet the latest College poster Old Boys

Ten more Old Boys’ posters will soon adorn the corridors of Christ’s College. From the arts and architecture to sports and medicine, each Old Boy offers a unique story.

Unfortunately, we have been unable to officially launch our latest posters following the postponement of our annual Cocktail Party. However, we are sharing these posters of our 10 outstanding Old Boys by giving our Quadrangle readers a special peek before they are placed around the school.

Michael Ardagh ONZM

Awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to emergency medicine, Professor Michael Ardagh was the first Kiwi to graduate from New Zealand’s inaugural emergency training programme and the country’s first full Emergency Professor.

Sam Bosworth

A gold medal-winning Olympian, Sam Bosworth coxed the New Zealand Men’s Eight to victory at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Austen Deans OBE

An eminent New Zealand painter known for his landscapes and as a war artist in World War II, Austen Deans OBE was an award-winning artist who revealed the beauty of New Zealand and, also, the harsh life of a prisoner of war.

Sir Michael Fowler KBE

A leading New Zealand architect, artist, author, and politician who served as Mayor of Wellington for a decade, Sir Michael Fowler was known for his progressive approach to urban living in the capital.

Yun Fu

An architect and a scholar, Yun Fu focuses on design thinking and the mechanisms of creativity and problem processing. He completed his graduate and doctoral degrees at Harvard University, focusing on post-disaster reconstructions, before joining the faculty to develop the Advanced Urban Design curriculum.

Iain Gallaway QSO MBE

A man of many talents, Iain Gallaway was most recognised as the voice of New Zealand cricket. Although a lawyer, Iain’s first love was sport, commentating for rugby and then cricket games for 40 years before becoming President of New Zealand Cricket.

Lance Jennings QSO

A man ahead of his time, internationally recognised virologist Clinical Associate Professor Lance Jennings QSO initiated the introduction of the world’s earliest influenza pandemic control strategies into New Zealand. These included free influenza vaccine for at-risk groups, influenza awareness education and a National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan.

Robert McDougall

Robert McDougall was one of Christchurch’s most generous benefactors. His ultimate gift was a public art gallery in the Botanic Gardens. Described as a man ahead of his time, his generosity was far-reaching, ensuring the welfare of many people and exemplifying the definition of a philanthropist and the core value of service to others.

Haydn Rawstron MNZM

As heritage campaigner, philanthropist, musician and opera manager, Haydn Rawstron has championed New Zealand heritage and music on an international stage. Awarded the Chevalier (knight) de l’ordre des Arts et Lettres by France for his services to opera and music, and membership of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his philanthropic, cultural and heritage achievements, he is renowned in both business and music.

Vaughan Smith

Self-described tech and adventure enthusiast Vaughan Smith thrives on new challenges. They came thick and fast during his decade at Facebook in Silicon Valley, California, where he was Vice President of Corporate Development, helping the company grow from start-up to one of the most influential companies in the world.

Shailer Weston OBE

Dr Shailer Weston OBE has spent a lifetime giving to others. He was appointed Chairman of the New Zealand branch of the then Royal Australasian College of Radiologists and subsequently President of the College. He also chaired the Christchurch City Mission, was a Life Member of Anglican Care, a Life Fellow of Selwyn College, a Foundation Canon Almoner of Christ Church Cathedral, and a Fellow of the New Zealand Medical Association.

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Event updates

UPCOMING DATES

27 February	Joe Studholme – Car Rally	Postponed
3 March	Blenheim Community Visit	Postponed
4 March	Nelson Community Visit	Postponed
5 March	CCOBA Yacht Race	Postponed
9 March	Timaru Community Visit	Postponed
10 March	Wanaka Community Visit	Postponed
18–20 February 2022	Reunion Weekend 2022 20 Years On (2002–2006), 30 Years On (1992–1996), 40 Years On (1982–1986), 50 Years On (1972–1976), 60 Years On (1962–1966), 70 Years On (1952–1956) and 80 Years On (1942–1946)	Postponed – new dates 17–19 February 2023

SAVE THE DATE

27 May	Christ’s College v Christchurch Boys’ High School game – curtain-raiser for Crusaders
17 – 19 February 2023	Reunion Weekend 2023 20 Years On (2003–2007), 30 Years On (1993–1997), 40 Years On (1983–1987), 50 Years On (1973–1977), 60 Years On (1963–1967), 70 Years On (1953–1957) and 80 Years On (1943–1947)	Also the Old Boys from 2022 Reunion: 20 Years On (2002–2006), 30 Years On (1992–1996), 40 Years On (1982–1986), 50 Years On (1972–1976), 60 Years On (1962–1966), 70 Years On (1952–1956) and 80 Years On (1942–1946)
Labour Weekend 2025	175th Anniversary – watch this space

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Past and present Jacobs boys

On a College cricket tour to Wellington hosted by Scots College, Matthew Archibald (10230) – one of the Scots College 1st XI parents and a former head of Jacobs House (1988) – introduced himself to the boys and shared happy memories of his time in the House. We thought a photo with the current Jacobs House boys at the cricket was in order.

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Obituaries

Joseph James Laffey Ward (7113)

A former star sportsman at College, Joseph Ward had a long career in the farming industry.

Read full article here

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Deaths

October 2021 – February 2022

We have learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathy is extended to their family and friends.

David Wells EASTERBROOK (5667)
29 October 2021

Ernest Vivian MURRAY (5045)
Christchurch, 19 November 2021

John Eldon COATES (5395)
Southland, 26 November 2021

Timothy Russell RITCHIE (7613)
Wairarapa, 5 December 2021

Anthony John (Joe) PICKERING (6065)
Christchurch, 7 December 2021

Anthony Raymond (Tony) KIRK (5768)
Nelson, 16 November 2021

Russell Heathcote GARLAND (7418)
Wairarapa, 30 November 2021

Christopher William MOLINEAUX (7594)
Nelson, 18 January 2022

John Poole GODFREY (4946)
Christchurch, 2 February 2022

Denys Ralph William HOLDEN (5589)
Wellington, 12 February 2022

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Contributions welcome

If you would like to contribute an obituary to The Chronicle, please email Lizzie Dyer at ccoba@ccoba.com.

As a guideline, we suggest a 500-word submission. However, we are happy to accept longer or shorter options.

*Please note that this office may edit obituaries.

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2022 Anniversaries

At the beginning of each year, I always look at the list of building anniversaries. This year, there are not as many in some years, but they are none the less significant and include some we have lost.

It is 170 years since College moved from Lyttelton and teaching continued at St Michael and All Angels.

It is 165 years since the foundation stone of the Sub Warden’s House was laid at Rolleston Avenue.

It is 155 years since the Chapel was opened.

It is 145 years since the Chaplain’s House was built. The first Chaplain to live there was Francis Augustus Hare when he was also the Principal of the Upper Department. About four students boarded with him.

It is 140 years since the Principal’s House was completed.

It is 60 years since the Chapman Block took its place on the southern edge of the Upham Quad.

It is 20 years since Fine Arts and Technology was completed and it is five years since the building that was initially known as the West Wing, and subsequently the Miles Warren Building, was first inhabited.

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