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UPCOMING EVENTS

CCOBA Golf Tournament

We all teed up for another action-packed day at the annual CCOBA Golf Tournament at the Christchurch Golf Club, attracting a great crowd of Old Boys from around the South Island on Friday 30 September.

For the third year in a row, the tournament was a sell-out as golfers of all ages lined up their putts and drove down the fairways – many in pursuit of the Abraham Insurance-sponsored ‘Hole in One’ prize, a Land Rover Defender.

While the day was fresh, the forecast rain stayed away and we all played on. Once again, thank you to our marvellous sponsors and congratulations to all our winners. Back in the clubhouse, we warmed up with a few drinks and topped off the day with a wonderful dinner.

Remember to save our golfing date for next year – Friday 29 September 2023.

Auckland Long Lunch

On Friday 14 October 2022, about 24 members of the CCOBA Auckland branch attended our AGM at a Long Lunch at The Corner in Remuera – a venue that is fast becoming our clubrooms.

We were lucky to be addressed by CCOBA President – and soon-to-be Aucklander – Angus Dysart-Paul, who was very gracious in taking a range of questions from the floor.

Lizzie Dyer, who was unable to attend, was missed by all but generously sent up a bottle of 10 Houses Gin to be given to a lucky punter. However, this wish was overruled and the gin was auctioned to provide funds for a refreshment fund to encourage attendance at committee meetings. Auctioneer Kim Campbell was suitably amusing and did a great job achieving an exorbitant price.

It was a fun event, with members agreeing to the format. The committee was re-elected, 15 apologies were received and many members were looking forward to attending the Old Boys Reunion Weekend in February and the events planned for May 2023 in Auckland.

Mike Greenslade – CCOBA Auckland branch

Gentlemen’s Lunch and 65, 66 and 75, 76 Years On Reunion

About 60 Old Boys gathered at College on Wednesday 19 October for our combined Gentlemen’s Lunch and 65 and 66 and 75 and 76 Years On Reunion.

Two of the reunion group gatherings – 66 and 76 Years On – were delayed because of Covid-19. However, everyone was ready to make the most of their day back at school.

On a warm, sunny day, it was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and take in the changes around the campus.

CCOBA Hawke’s Bay Quadrangular Tournament

CCOBA Hawke’s Bay hosted its annual golf day for Old Boys from Christ’s College, Wellington College, Whanganui Collegiate and Nelson College on Wednesday 19 October at the Hastings Golf Club at Bridge Pā.

In excellent conditions, College fielded a very strong team. While a great day was had by all, College unfortunately went down by just three points to Collegiate, after having won the title for the past three years. However, we are already looking forward to next year.

Community Visits

We have had a wonderful time meeting so many of you at our recent Community Visits in Nelson, Blenheim, Ashburton, and Wanaka. Thank you to everyone who has found the time to join us, and we look forward to welcoming even more Old Boys and members of our wider community next year.

Obituaries

Timothy Damon Ruddenklau (9884)

A successful grain specialist in South Australia, Timothy Ruddenkalu also established his own award-winning wine label, The Lone Kiwi.

Read full obituaries here

Deaths

September–November 2022

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

Robin Vaughan Francis SMITH (5152)
New South Wales, 3 September 2022

Boyd Napier ROBERTS (8010)
Canterbury, 21 September 2022

Wilson Antony Charles MURRAY (14727)
Christchurch, 27 September 2022

Robert Joseph Ross FAIRBAIRN (6392)
Christchurch, 29 September 2022

Arthur Thomas Ormond (Tim) HOPE (5322)
Hawke’s Bay, 3 October 2022

David Arthur GOODWIN (6157)
Christchurch, 6 October 2022

Anthony Douglas SUTTON (6959)
Canterbury, 20 October 2022

Anthony John TURNER (7638)
Thailand, 28 October 2022

Graham Henry WARDELL (5452)
South Canterbury, 30 October 2022

Miles Michael KNUBLEY (5769)
South Canterbury, 8 November 2022

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.

Boundaries

Boundaries have a single purpose. They mark the division between “our” land and “their” land. They can also create separate areas within “our” land.

The earliest view we have of the eastern boundary is of the post and rail fences that separated Raven’s Paddock from Antigua Street (Rolleston Avenue) and the street from the College grounds in 1869.

There are times when this boundary has been guarded.

On the north, there has always been the boundary of the river.

The north side of Upper was, for many years, the prime spot for spectators, as the start and finish line for the Athletic Sports was there. They were kept in check by a sturdier version of the post and rail fence.

The southern boundary, between the Museum and the Botanic Gardens, has always been a little “difficult”. In the 1870s, there was much discussion about a six-foot, galvanised iron fence between College and the Museum. However, much of the difficulty stemmed from boys taking short cuts over what appeared to be a low fence and trampling on the plantings, to the frustration of the gardeners.

The decision to build a brick wall that would, theoretically, put an end to the short cuts was first mooted in 1915 but – because of delays in concrete supply and a desire not to fundraise in competition with the Dining Hall – it was not finally completed until 1923.

The cost of the wall was partially offset by donations from Old Boys and their families, which enabled a plaque to be included in the wall. The order of the plaques in the wall was decided by ballot.

Then, with the demolition of the Synod Hall, there was a spare door. So, it became the lychgate that enabled access to the Gardens.ⁱ

To the west, internal boundaries have enabled College to have its own baths on-site.

Now, there is a new boundary fence as work continues on Upper West, the new sports facility.

ⁱ It is not strictly speaking a lychgate. A lychgate usually has seats under the canopy and it is the space where a coffin rests while waiting for the clergy to arrive to take the burial service. Lych come from the Old English or Saxon work lic meaning corpse.