Our thoughts are with all of our Old Boys and families who have been affected over the past few months with once-in-a-lifetime flooding – from the Mid-Canterbury, West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough and Wellington regions in particular.

Annual Golf Tournament
This year, Abraham Insurance has generously put up a Land Rover Defender for an Old Boy who gets a ‘Hole in One’ at our Annual Golf Tournament on Friday 15 October at the Shirley Golf Course. Last year, this event sold out. To avoid disappointment, please book now to secure your team a spot and tee up for a chance to drive away in a new Defender. At this stage, registrations are open to Old Boys only. If you would like to donate any prizes, please contact me.

Trio of new books by Old Boys
Three fabulous books have been kindly donated to the Harris Memorial Collection – The History of the Court Theatre, written by the talented Derek Hargreaves (6403) (you can read more about his story later in this publication); Kiwi Farmers’ Guide to Life by Tim Fulton (11109); and a moving tribute to Nick Wallis (11821), titled Nick, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in Wanaka, written by his mother, Prue.

Speaking of books, Jane Teal, our College Archivist, is looking for a copy of Oarsome Tuck, a cookbook that raised money for Christ’s College rowing. The Archives have a copy of its successor, More Oarsome Tuck, and Jane has been trying to get a copy of the original publication for years. Please contact me if you can help.

Upcoming events

YOBs
We are teaming up with the St Margaret's Margaritas for the Dunedin Young Old Boys (YOBs) event at the Lone Star from 6–8pm on Thursday 29 July. A couple of drinks and food will be provided, so please gather a group of your College friends together and come along. Click here to book.

Long Lunches
We hope you can make it along to one of our infamous Long Lunches. We are delighted to have Wellington and Queenstown/Wanaka/Arrowtown now, along with Auckland, Wairarapa and Christchurch later in the year. Please feel free to pass this onto anyone that you think may enjoy it. The CCOBA will shout you your first drink, so encourage your friends to join you. Click here to support these events.

Tuis
The Tuis event – planned for Thursday 26 August – will be held at Kong. Please click here if you would like to attend.

New website
College are excited to share that we have upgraded our website – a fresh look, new navigation and loads of new imagery. Take a look, and let us know what you think. Please check out the special CCOBA page where you can find out more about events and Old Boys’ stories. Click here to view.

Old Boys do all sorts of interesting things ...

There is plenty of activity ahead. Book now to secure your place.

UPCOMING DATES

SAVE THE DATE

Business Banter Series

Hosted by Christ’s College, Business Banter offers the opportunity for a wider audience to learn – and benefit from – stories of homegrown business success.

On 30 June, College friends Sandy McLachlan, Jim Hazlett and Hamish Murray caught up with Ali Grigg when the former Xero CEO – and fellow Old Boy – spoke at the popular Business Banter event in the Dining Hall last term. More than 60 sponsors and members of the College community enjoyed Alastair’s frank assessment of the world of start-ups and the importance of adaptability and resilience in an ever-changing online environment.

In the final talk in the Business Banter series for 2021, George Bostock (13355) will share the incredible journey of the Bostock Brothers, culminating in winning the sustainable business award last year. George will speak on 15 September. Click here to book your place.

Sandy McLachlan (9858), Jim Hazlett (10227), Ali Grigg (9834) and Hamish Murray (9868)

Rugby reunions bring back many memories

Fifty years on from captaining the 1st XV rugby team, Andy Nurse (7997) and 12 members of the 1971 team were back at College together on 3 June to reminisce and watch the 2021 College–Christchurch Boys’ High School game.

Watching this legendary annual battle brought back great memories for Andy, who has long hung up his boots.

“We were a team which combined well,” recalled the Harper House Old Boy. “And although we lost 13–12, we played a great game.”

A flanker, he subsequently played rugby for Lincoln University, and represented both Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay. He also co-coached the College 1st XV with Andrew McLennan from 1996–1998, and had the pleasure of seeing the side beat CBHS in 1996.

Andy, who these days cycles and walks to keep fit, also had three sons at College and was often on the sidelines watching them play.

Another of the original 1971 team at the reunion was Chris Dampier-Crossley (7938), who recalled there were seven Jacobs House boys in the 1st XV in 1971.

His son, Hugh Dampier-Crossley (11556), was also at the reunion – in the 25 years on group. Hugh, who played for two years in the 1st XV, remembers the annual fixture with CBHS clearly – he broke his collarbone in the first clash. Happily, College won both times he played against Boys’ High. These days the Cheviot farmer coaches his nine-year-old son’s team.

Other Old Boys and rugby enthusiasts catching up at the reunions before the 3 June game included former New Zealand cricketer John Wright (8043), former staff member Peter Hewson (7962), Black Caps coach Peter Fulton (11423), Ben Dormer (11410) and CCOBA Vice President Angus Dysart-Paul (14434).

25 Years On

The year 1996 was a memorable one for the 1st XV. The team won both the Canterbury Rugby Union Under-18 competition and the Canterbury Secondary Schools Trust Bank Cup, beating St Andrew’s College in the final game of the season on Upper. The side also beat Christchurch Boys’ High School, 20–7, at Straven Road.

The team was well coached and exceptionally fit, with its strength ultimately being its ability to work tightly together. Fifth former (Year 11) Sam Harding had a breakthrough season playing on the side of the scrum, and went on to play for the All Blacks while fullback Peter Fulton played cricket for New Zealand.

It was great to have nearly the full band back together, even if we were, this time around – 25 years on – starting to slip down amnesia cul-de-sac.

Ben Dormer (11410)

50 Years On

The 1971 1st XV 50 Years On reunion was a great occasion, enjoyed immensely by all in attendance. Thirteen team members managed to line up, with two overseas-based members unable to travel. Three others could not be contacted.

We gathered at Misceo on Wednesday night for an initial catch-up over a ‘few’ drinks and a meal, paving the way well for the next events on game day. The photo session was followed by lunch in the Dining Hall with the other reunion groups – a great session, with smiles all round.

Unlike the game in 1971, the fixture was at Christchurch Boys’ High School on a superbly fine day, with an outstanding game between two talented sides. It was gratifying to see College get home by a point – a counter to the one-point loss in 1971.

The whole occasion, organisation and welcome provided by the College crew was outstanding. Thank you to those who made it happen and organised it to run so smoothly. We look forward to regrouping in five years, if not sooner.

Andy Nurse (7997)

60 Years On

Once we were 15, and lost 9–3. Now we are nine and witnessed a great win – although the score was always in doubt as the Christchurch Boys’ High School scoreboard was hidden and wiped clean minutes after the final whistle.

Pre-game, and with Lizzie snapping at our heels, we took coffee, were photographed and dined (team photo placemats a great idea) before watching our ‘XV’ head off to Boys’ High, smartly dressed in sponsor’s gear in two comfortable coaches. In our 60-years-on fading memory, we think we had to bike to the game.

A brilliant Christchurch day and seated comfortably, we watched an entertaining and exciting game, openly admiring the athleticism of today’s superbly coached players. Faced with afternoon tea or Fat Eddie’s, the consensus was for the latter – and thanks again to the Old Boys’ Association for our drinks.

Numerous lies and exaggerations followed at No. 4 as we relived our tenure at College and our role in ‘the XV’. It was a fun group, made more special by the effort of our stalwart, Rick Lowe, who, with son Tom, overcame enormous challenges to join us. Well done Rick and special thanks to Tom. We look forward to seeing you both in five years at our 65 Years On reunion.

Our thanks to Warwick and Lizzie for their planning and organisation and thanks to the Old Boys’ Association and our College for giving us the opportunity to enjoy a very special occasion. Bring on the next reunion.

Richard Lewis (6646)

65 Years On

Ten members of the 1956 team – joined by partners, and widows of deceased team members – celebrated 65 years since they played together. It was the eighth time the team had enjoyed meeting together since College days, and this reunion was no exception. School-day bonds are very strong.

The group was delighted to attend the annual College–CBHS game, and even more so with a win to College. We reminisced that the 3–3 draw we had with CBHS in 1956 was the only interschool game we did not win that year.

As is customary at our reunions, on the day of the game we started with morning coffee before the men lunched in the Dining Hall and the partners at a nearby restaurant. In the evening, a dinner was held at the Canterbury Club.

It is obvious these reunions are important to the group who travel from all over New Zealand to attend. Unfortunately, three members were unable to travel from overseas because of Covid-19 restrictions, and two were unable to attend because of illness. Hopefully, all will be able to attend next year when our year group celebrates its 70 Years On reunion.

Murray Depree (6022)

Obituaries

Dr Peter William Richmond (4896), aged 94

Distinguished consultant psychiatrist and respected College Old Boy Dr Peter Richmond has died in England aged 94.

Read full article here

Deaths

May–July 2021

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

Michael Gilbert GRACE (6626)
Auckland, 15 May 2021

Mark Thomas BUTTERICK (6373)
Canterbury, 19 May 2021

Lanktree John Humphrey DAVIES (5659)
Christchurch, 20 May 2021

Peter John Douglas JOHNSTON (8768)
Canterbury, 24 May 2021

Richard Steward LISSAMAN (5596)
Marlborough, 27 May 2021

Nicholas George CLARK (6375)
Christchurch, 29 May 2021

John Humphry BAYLY (5826)
Hawke's Bay, 22 June 2021

James Gordon Ivon WILSON (5541)
Southland, 28 June 2021

Peter James ADAMS (5273)
Christchurch, 29 June 2021

Philip Raymond Washbourn RYDER (8659)
Christchurch, 3 July 2021

Contributions welcome

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

As a guideline, we suggest each obituary be approximately 500 words. However, we are happy to accept longer or shorter options.

*Please note that this office may edit obituaries submitted.

The Wooden Spoon

Before the Quadrangular Tournament, there was a Triangular Tournament, with intermittent games played between Whanganui Collegiate School and Wellington College.

However, as the Christ’s College Register for April 1903 records, there was an outbreak of scarlet fever at Wellington College “and it was thought unadvisable to play the football match against them”.i So, with a couple of days’ notice, it was decided to still go north, but to play Whanganui Collegiate School.

After football practice, the team set off in the train to catch the 7.45pm sailing of the SS Rotomahana to Wellington.ii Lost luggage caused an anxious moment or two, but after a calm crossing, most of the team were up for breakfast. They were met by the Honourable Charles Edward Hill-Trevor, private secretary to the Governor, Lord Ranfurly.iii While some of the team set off for their accommodation at the Club Hotel in Lambton Quay,iv 10 of them stayed at Government House.v

Lord Ranfurly had been in Christchurch when he heard of the change of plans and issued an invitation to stay at Government House. After afternoon tea with Lady Constance Knox, the daughter of the Governor, they went off to play ping-pong (table tennis) and billiards. Dinner with Lord Ranfurly, and other unnamed guests, was followed by ping-pong and billiards tournaments. The billiards tournament was won by John Horne Aitken (1728) and the table tennis by Louis Bruce Stringer (1901). The prizes were “two splendid silver-mounted walking sticks”. The booby prize for billiards was concealed by the Governor in his pocket and awarded to George Augustus King (1884). The loser at table tennis did not come forward to claim his spoon.

What happened next?

The railways provided the team with their own carriage for the journey to Whanganui, where they were met by Mr Marshall^vi and some of the boys of the school, and hosted to afternoon tea by Mrs Empson.^vii The Whanganui Orchestral Society provided entertainment on Saturday evening and on Sunday, the team attended services in the College Chapel.

Whanganui Collegiate School, 1912, CCPAL30/53/1 Richards Album.

On Monday 25 August, “College were never dangerous” and the details of the game and the score, 0–25, indicate that Whanganui was clearly the superior team, even in the wet.^viii Dinner and more entertainment on Monday evening was a delight, especially the three-act drama, The Boer War. Another train journey on Tuesday, and a tennis tournament on Wednesday – with more ping-pong and billiards at Government House – followed, before catching the SS Rotomahana for an overnight sailing to Lyttelton.^ix The article in the Register concludes with “no one may venture to say that, leaving the beating out, no team from College has ever enjoyed itself more on a trip than did that of August, 1902”.

ⁱ Christ’s College Register April 1903 pp181–184
ⁱⁱ Lyttelton Times 22 August 1902
ⁱⁱⁱ Sir Uchter John Mark Knox Ranfurly was the 5th Earl Ranfurly and 15th Governor of New Zealand 1897–1904 https://gg.govt.nz/biographies/earl-ranfurly-gcmg
^iv Drummond Holderness (1648), Frederick Andrew Anderson (1695), Charles Waring Somes Saxton (2064), Thomas Overbury Fox (1936), John Alexander Huntley Holmes (1965) and AE Flower (1301).
^v Alfred Wedderburn Bishop (1872) (captain), Louis Bruce Stringer (1901), Roger Ingram Dansey (1975), Guy Stanley Overton (1662), John Horne Aitken (1728), George Augustus King (1884), Charles Godfrey Cracroft Harper (1751), Frank Cunningham Fryer (1744), Noel Mackenzie Phillips Gibson (1706), Alfred Stewart Lindsay (1818) and Mr JU Collins.
^vi Rev. Joy Marriott Marshall had previously been an Assistant Master at Christ’s College, January 1892–April 1894 and, in 1892, was a tutor and Chaplain at Whanganui.
^vii Walter Empson was appointed to the staff of Whanganui Collegiate School in 1884 and married Agnes Dyke Acland, the granddaughter of Bishop Harper, in 1885. He was appointed headmaster in 1888, and remained there for another 21 years. https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2e9/empson-walter
^viii See also the Press 26 August 1902
^ix Lyttelton Times 29 August 1902

Register 2020

Discover all that has happened at College in Register 2020. We hope you enjoy.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW