Highlights - Sydney High School Old Boys Union
Highlights - Sydney High School Old Boys Union
Highlights - Sydney High School Old Boys Union
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The <strong>High</strong> Bulletin<br />
The magazine of <strong>High</strong>’s <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong><br />
Volume 54 No 1<br />
March 2009<br />
Print Post Approved<br />
236697 - 00002<br />
Published by <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong> Inc<br />
Patrons: James Wolfensohn<br />
and Lord Robert May<br />
President: Joseph Waugh<br />
Secretary: Colin Sherwood<br />
Treasurer: Kenneth Clemens<br />
Editor: William Clegg<br />
(02) 9907 2856<br />
+612 9907 2856<br />
PO Box 1546<br />
DARLINGHURST NSW 1300<br />
AUSTRALIA<br />
www.shsobu.org.au<br />
In this issue:<br />
4 - Foundation day<br />
5 - Australia Day honours<br />
6 - Feedback<br />
9 - OBU prizes<br />
10 - Jottings<br />
13 - Annual general meeting<br />
15 - Post-1945 veterans<br />
16 - Queensland chapter<br />
18 - Reunions & other notices<br />
19 - Reminiscences<br />
20 - Obituaries<br />
23 - GPS Gold Challenge<br />
28 - Sport<br />
23-year-old CEO leads<br />
charity for the nation<br />
Clad in a singlet, a hoody and an earring, you wouldn’t<br />
pick Jack Manning Bancroft (2002) (pictured above)<br />
as a CEO. Speak to him for two minutes though, and a<br />
clearer picture emerges. Manning Bancroft leads a notfor-profit<br />
charity called AIME (Australian Indigenous<br />
Mentoring Experience) and has enjoyed rapid success in<br />
a short period of time.<br />
AIME is an Indigenous Corporation with Deductible Gift<br />
Recipient (DGR) status that uses a unique style of<br />
structured education mentoring to link university students<br />
in a one-on-one relationship with Indigenous high school<br />
students. AIME's objectives are to increase Year 10, Year<br />
12 and university admission rates for all Indigenous<br />
Australian students who participate in the program.<br />
The model was born in a café in between lectures and has<br />
grown exponentially ever since.<br />
In 2005, as a 19 year old university student, Jack piloted<br />
a program that saw 20 university students mentor 20 local<br />
Indigenous high school students. Fast forward to 2009,
23-year-old CEO leads charity for the nation ...<br />
and AIME is working with close to 1,000 Indigenous high school students throughout<br />
NSW.<br />
Jack is a straight-shooter. Speaking to him, it’s clear that his approach to an otherwise<br />
complex subject is unswerving. On the reasons he started AIME, he says “I was sick of<br />
the complaining about the problems facing Indigenous people and I didn’t want to be<br />
one that passed the buck so I decided to have a go and see what I could do.”<br />
They say you can judge a man by the company that he keeps. If so, AIME is looking the<br />
goods with NSW Governor Marie Bashir as the patron-in-chief; former 60 Minutes<br />
presenter Jeff McMullen sitting on AIME’s board; five university partners in NSW;<br />
four separate corporate partnerships; 2,000 University volunteers in the waiting; and<br />
1,000 Indigenous students involved this year. This program is succeeding dramatically.<br />
For Jack, the reasons aren’t complex: “It’s a simple, structured and comprehensive<br />
program that speaks to the kids in their own language and speaks to the uni students in<br />
their language.” Students experience sessions run by leaders in their field on art, hiphop,<br />
respect, sport, and drama. Indigenous high school kids are turning up to school<br />
more often and finishing school more often. The program works.<br />
Paul Sinclair, AIME’s Education Director, was the first staff member employed by Jack<br />
and continues to be taken aback by the demand for AIME within the community. “It’s<br />
Jack Manning Bancroft (2002) addresses a group of students at a local high school.<br />
2
quite mind boggling”, he says. “At times you forget how quickly we’ve grown and<br />
when you reflect on that you start to realise what an amazing achievement that’s been.”<br />
The effectiveness of AIME has earned Jack some personal plaudits also. In December<br />
2008, he was named by Fairfax’s <strong>Sydney</strong> Magazine as one of the “top 100 most influential<br />
people in <strong>Sydney</strong>”. For Jack, however, the accolades are irrelevant if they don’t further<br />
the AIME cause. On the Top 100 selection, he notes: “it’s good for the program’s profile<br />
but to be honest it doesn’t really affect me. What affects me is that I can go into any of<br />
the schools we’re working in and see kids that don’t have a chance to get through the<br />
schools that I had.”<br />
He is particularly appreciative of the education and opportunities he received through<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> <strong>High</strong>: “When I was at <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> I was lucky enough to be exposed to<br />
role models who were your typical all-rounders – they were good at sport, academics<br />
and had a social life. It was my sport that drew me to these people and then consequently<br />
into the academic realm. <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> showed me that, with a quality education and<br />
strong sense of self belief, you can do anything.”<br />
AIME is now poised to expand nationally in 2010 with sites in every major city in<br />
Australia. Twelve universities sit on a waiting list in anticipation of AIME in 2010.<br />
Involving as much high-quality support as possible is the key, and represents one of<br />
AIME’s primary challenges for 2009. On this subject, Jack again is characteristically<br />
to-the-point: “We need support, particularly financial support, to meet the demand for<br />
AIME across the nation. This support will allow us to get to as many kids as we can as<br />
quickly as possible. Without doubt, this program relies on good people and their<br />
generosity. The Uni of <strong>Sydney</strong>’s alumni have been fantastic in their support and it<br />
would be great to get the <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> behind this program as well.”<br />
As he strides away with his black AIME hoody<br />
on and earring intact, you would probably<br />
back him to get it done.<br />
For more information check out the website<br />
at www.aimementoring.com or email<br />
admin@aimementoring.com .<br />
OBU contact<br />
PO BOX 1546<br />
DARLINGHURST NSW 1300<br />
AUSTRALIA<br />
secretary@shsobu.org.au<br />
(02) 9907 2856<br />
+612 9907 2856<br />
3
<strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> honoured on Foundation Day<br />
On 14 October 2008, the <strong>School</strong> hosted a special 125th anniversary Foundation<br />
Day Assembly which included the unveiling of the first of a series of honour<br />
boards listing the names of eminent <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> who have been recognised with an<br />
Order of Australia for their service to the community.<br />
The OAM Honour Board is the first stage of the <strong>School</strong>’s dedicated efforts to<br />
celebrate the achievements of our <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> – those who not only went on to great<br />
success in their chosen fields but who also chose to commit themselves selflessly<br />
to the community. The OAM honour board, which recognises <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> who have<br />
received the Order of Australia Medal, has been mounted in the stairwell outside<br />
the junior library. It will be joined in future years by further boards to acknowledge<br />
<strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> who have attained the honours of AM, AO and AC.<br />
The <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> who gathered for the unveiling were a veritable who’s who of the<br />
professions, academia, the judiciary, sport and the arts. They included the Hon<br />
Peter Anderson AM (1964), Ralph Cashman OAM (1952), Noel Crellin OAM<br />
(1952), John Fraser OAM (1933), The Hon John Gallop AM (1947), Sir Arthur<br />
George AO (1937), James Hagan AM (1946), Bryce Hardman OAM (1951),<br />
Dr Michael Harris AM (1947), Professor Leslie Lazarus AO (1946), Colin Love<br />
AM (1961), Peter Mason AM (1963), Professor Stanley McCarthy AO (1956),<br />
Garry Nehl AM (1951), Rev Canon Alan Nichols AM (1953), Alfons<br />
Rosenstrauss OAM (1942), Hon Justice Peter Sams AM (1973),<br />
The honoured <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> at the unveiling of the OAM board in the Killip Wing.<br />
4
John Staveley AM (1947), Frederick Stephens AM (1944), Professor Barry<br />
Thornton AO (1946), Ross Tzannes AM (1955), Guy Warren OAM (1935) and<br />
Peter Wertheim AM (1971).<br />
Many others were unable to make it on the day.<br />
Professor David Griffiths (1962) from Wollongong University addressed the<br />
Foundation Day Assembly and presented badges to the newly-inducted prefects.<br />
David is one <strong>High</strong>'s ten Rhodes Scholars.<br />
Australia Day honours, 2009 ...<br />
Two more <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> were recognised for their contribution to Australia and the<br />
world in the recent Australia Day honours list:<br />
Norman Alfred May (1944) was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM)<br />
for service to the community through promotional and support roles with the<br />
Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games Team<br />
Appeals and through cultural and seniors'<br />
organisations.<br />
Malcolm James Lees Stening (1929) was awarded<br />
the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service<br />
to medicine as a gynaecological surgeon, and to the<br />
community through the recording of naval history.<br />
A late addition to the OAM honour roll is John Minson<br />
(1944) who received his OAM in 1998 for service to<br />
country music and to the entertainment industry, and<br />
in particular for his contribution in establishing<br />
Tamworth as the country music capital of Australia.<br />
John will be added to the OAM roll when the board is<br />
updated later in the year.<br />
The Medal of the<br />
Order of Australia.<br />
5
Feedback<br />
Drew Hoare (2004) has added his contribution to the comments on <strong>High</strong> Rugby<br />
from the last issue of The <strong>High</strong> Bulletin:<br />
As a former captain of the <strong>School</strong>’s 1st XV and extremely proud <strong>Old</strong> Boy I share<br />
a similar dismay to other <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> at what is currently occurring at the <strong>School</strong>.<br />
But also being in the privileged position of having coached at <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> the<br />
last two years, I feel I can offer some insight into what is occurring. Some of what<br />
has already been said does have a semblance of truth, the rest is essentially incorrect<br />
or, at least, ill-informed.<br />
First, I can assure you from the trainings I supervise and the games I watch, the<br />
boys are playing with as much conviction and pride as ever. Therefore I urge <strong>Old</strong><br />
<strong>Boys</strong> not to doubt or question the effort of the boys currently representing <strong>Sydney</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> on the football fields week in, week out. Unless of course they are willing to<br />
come down on a Saturday and make an objective decision for themselves.<br />
On to the issue at hand. The fact is that, regardless of what has happened over the<br />
last few years, systems and processes having been put in place to improve the<br />
quality of the program. Expert coaches have been sourced, the equipment used is<br />
second to none, training is actually structured for the juniors (compared to the ad<br />
hoc nature of training during the 1990s), and overall the so-called “administration”<br />
of the school has done a very good job in attempting to create an environment that<br />
will foster rugby.<br />
The problem, as some have already alluded to, is talent. I am not referring to your<br />
Craig Wings, Marc Schterbinas, Lawson Donalds, Mark Sweeneys, Steve Irwins,<br />
or Grant Houldsworths. I am simply alluding to players with an adequate level of<br />
basic rugby ability. It is generally agreed that, for a rugby team to be competitive,<br />
it ideally would have as minimum two or three extremely strong players, another<br />
eight or nine of decent ability, and a few more to fill in the numbers. The problem<br />
that I experienced at <strong>High</strong> by both playing and coaching is that there simply are<br />
not enough players coming into the <strong>School</strong> with rugby experience. Of my cohort<br />
in Year 7 only myself, my brother and three other boys had ever played rugby<br />
before. It is almost impossible to compete when this is the case because, as most<br />
of you would know, the boys in the A teams of other schools have been playing<br />
for 4-5 years already, and there is simply no chance that the training, regardless of<br />
how effective is, could ever improve players to a comparable level in the short<br />
period of high school. Luckily enough for myself and my team-mates, we managed<br />
to remain highly competitive at 1st grade level because we had the benefit of a<br />
few strong players, and a team that possessed a genuine desire to train and play<br />
6
eyond their ability (even though there were only roughly 25-30 boys in Year 12<br />
who played rugby).<br />
I do not mean to grandstand and relive the glories of years gone by (as many <strong>Old</strong><br />
<strong>Boys</strong> still do); I am merely trying to present the facts as objectively as possible.<br />
This brings us to the obvious question of what can we do to improve the situation?<br />
I would like to say first and foremost that Dr Jaggar is doing an admirable job in<br />
attempting to steer the <strong>School</strong>’s rugby program out of this difficult period. Clearly<br />
he is in a somewhat unenviable position, but I can assure any of the doubters (who<br />
have had no experience of the <strong>School</strong> in the last decade or so) that he shares<br />
exactly the same interests that we all do and would love nothing more than to see<br />
the <strong>School</strong>’s rugby program restored to its former glory (or at least, respectability).<br />
The obvious answer is “get better players into the <strong>School</strong>”, ideally in the formative<br />
years (pre-Year 10). Clearly, this is easier said than done. The problem is that, as<br />
already mentioned, this has only been an option for the last two years. Previously,<br />
<strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> who had sons who had missed out on selection into the <strong>School</strong> in Year<br />
7 essentially had to wait till Year 11 for the first real opportunity to apply again.<br />
This has been rectified by the <strong>School</strong>’s new extended enrolment process for years<br />
8-11, whereby students who have abilities in fields in addition to academia may<br />
now apply. This process includes a special consideration for relatives of <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>.<br />
The 2004 1st XV: Back Row: C Conway, A Tiedgen, T Mainprize, B Mitchell. Second Row: G Carroll, E<br />
Harkins, B Friis-O'Toole, T Polis, T Hoare, D Thomas, W Kwok, F Ly. Front Row: P McDonnell, Mr J Delaney<br />
(Assistant Coach), T Miller, S Bolen (Coach), D Hoare (Captain), Dr K A Jaggar (Principal), G Stein (Coach), I<br />
Kwok, R Girdler.<br />
7
Feedback ...<br />
This action is timely and should ultimately be of great benefit to the <strong>School</strong>’s<br />
rugby program; however an immediate problem exists.<br />
The <strong>School</strong>’s reputation (and especially its rugby program) has been denigrated<br />
to such an extent by the media and other sources that there are not many quality<br />
rugby players who would actually want to come to the <strong>School</strong>. I will pose a<br />
hypothetical situation for you: A player of some ability is playing for Waverley’s<br />
13As and lives in the <strong>School</strong>’s local area at Paddington. He has played<br />
representative club football before attending that school. What incentive does he<br />
have to come to <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> when a friend or family members tells him of the<br />
new selection arrangement? The image that he conjures in his mind is one of<br />
losing most games by large margins, playing with inexperienced team-mates and,<br />
potentially, not even being able to play in the 1st XV competition. Let it be clear<br />
that I am not in anyway attacking this <strong>School</strong>’s system, but rather representing a<br />
scenario that was described to me by a number of parents of GPS old boys I have<br />
discussed the current predicament with. The <strong>School</strong> is doing its part in its extensive<br />
marketing of the <strong>School</strong>’s qualities.<br />
OLD BOYS: This is where you must assume some responsibility. Everyone is<br />
happy to give their two cents on how the <strong>School</strong> could improve its program, but<br />
no one is actually willing to help in some way. I chose, and I understand there are<br />
certain feasibility constraints that affect others’ ability to do so, to coach at the<br />
<strong>School</strong>. While I agree this is not an option for most, there is something else <strong>Old</strong><br />
<strong>Boys</strong> can do.<br />
I know for a fact that there are very many <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> who will read this and other<br />
correspondence relating to the rugby matter who will have to make decisions,<br />
now or in the future, on where their children will attend high school (<strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong><br />
circa 1980, if I’m not mistaken). It is your responsibility to promote the <strong>School</strong>’s<br />
virtues actively and, if you all really do believe in the aforementioned commentary,<br />
make the decision to enrol your son/s in this fine educational institution. Many<br />
8<br />
Contributions<br />
Contributions to the Bulletin are welcome and may take any form. Items should<br />
be submitted to: editor@shsobu.org.au or Editor, <strong>High</strong> Bulletin, SHS OBU,<br />
PO Box 1546, DARLINGHURST NSW 1300.<br />
All contributions are submitted on the understanding that publication is at the<br />
editor’s discretion and may be edited for any reasonable ground including<br />
appropriateness, style and to meet space, layout and legal restrictions.
<strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> have previously<br />
complained that no realistic option<br />
was available to them to send their<br />
boys to <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> if they did not<br />
gain entry through the selective<br />
schools test in Year 7. Dr Jaggar and<br />
the Education Department have now<br />
made it possible to achieve entry in<br />
Year 9. In essence, if <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> are<br />
still truly passionate about the <strong>School</strong> and genuinely believe in its future, they<br />
will make the important decision to send their sons to <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong>. I urge you to<br />
do so as I can assure you that all the barriers against future <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> rugby<br />
success have been removed, the program has been structured to cultivate rugby<br />
development, so it simply needs that one last element vital to achieve its goals:<br />
talent.<br />
To those <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> not at the stage of their lives where they are required to make<br />
a decision on where to send their children to school, you too can still play a role<br />
by actively promoting the <strong>School</strong> and being vocal about how proud you are to<br />
have attended <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong>. I believe this is the only way to improve the <strong>School</strong>’s<br />
image, one that has been somewhat tarnished in recent years. This is the only way<br />
forward for <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> rugby.<br />
OBU prizes<br />
Congratulations to the following boys who received OBU-sponsored prizes at the<br />
125th speech night and annual prize giving on 17 February 2009:<br />
<strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ Prize - Ashwin Thomas; John Waterhouse Prize - David Vien; John<br />
Skyring Cross Memorial Prize - Michael Denny-Smith; JW Gibbes Junior Prize -<br />
William Stefanidis and Nelson Wang; JW Gibbes Senior Prize - Edwin Montoya<br />
Zorrilla; Arch Ferguson Prizes (Years 8-12) - Christopher Andrews, David Nam,<br />
Alex Koerber, Eric Ovadia; Keith C Cameron Memorial Prize (Year 11 dux) -<br />
Thomas Wilson; Sir Frederick Jordan Memorial Prize (Year 10 dux) - Adrian<br />
Zhang; Gordon Barr Memorial Prize (Year 7 dux) - Victor Chew; Dr Charles<br />
Winston Prize for Geography - Steven Luo; Norman Save Memorial Prize (History<br />
Performance in the HSC) - Alistair Taylor; SHOBs Rugby Prize for Chemistry -<br />
Brendon Martinez; G C Saxby Prize (Mathematics Extension 2) - Daniel Chim;<br />
A H Pelham Prize (Year 10 Classical Greek) - John Wormell; James Brunton<br />
Gibb Prize (public speaking) - Zid Mancenido; Colonel D J Duffy Sword of Honour<br />
- CUO Anthony Ho.<br />
9
Jottings<br />
Congratulations to Tom Miller<br />
(2004) who, at the recent National<br />
Short Course Swimming<br />
Championships, won the 100 metres<br />
freestyle in 47.86 and the 50 in 21.89.<br />
Tom is among the top ten fastest<br />
Australians ever in these two events.<br />
Jason Motbey (1987) has just taken<br />
up a new position as the Senior<br />
Teacher in charge of the Secondary <strong>School</strong> at Gunbalanya Community Education<br />
Centre. Gunbalanya is a remote Aboriginal community 20 km east of Kakadu<br />
National Park in the Northern Territory.<br />
Denis O’Neill (1957) has moved from Forster (NSW) to Maleny in Queensland.<br />
Thank you to Van Cooney (1964) for donating his blazer to the <strong>School</strong>. The<br />
Headmaster will be including it among the blazers to be framed and put on display<br />
around the <strong>School</strong> to inspire the current boys to sporting achievement.<br />
Alec Tzannes (1969) has been appointed the new Dean of the Faculty of the Built<br />
Environment at the University of New South Wales. Alec is the immediate past<br />
national President of the Australian Institute of Architects and has worked closely<br />
with industry, government and academia in a career spanning some 30 years. His<br />
high profile <strong>Sydney</strong> architectural practice, Tzannes Associates, which he founded<br />
in 1982, has received more than 30 major state and national awards.<br />
Daniel Wodak (2004) was awarded the University Medal by the University of<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> after completing a philosophy thesis regarding the debate between<br />
internalists and externalists on moral judgments.<br />
John McGrath (1981) has received the prestigious Woodrow Weight OBE Award<br />
at the NSW real estate industry's awards dinner in October. The Woodrow Weight<br />
OBE Award is a lifetime achievement award in recognition of outstanding<br />
contribution to the NSW real estate industry. John is now entering his 26th year in<br />
real estate having started as a letting clerk at age 19. He is the chief executive and<br />
founder of McGrath Estate Agents. John and his company have won many awards<br />
including the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Business Community<br />
Partnerships in the medium-business category for their philanthropic contribution<br />
to Father Chris Riley's Youth Off The Streets.<br />
10
<strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> has had<br />
three homes in its 125-year history.<br />
This new publication celebrates the<br />
125th anniversary of <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’<br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> by revisiting the years<br />
spent in the <strong>School</strong>’s original home in<br />
Castlereagh Street - the site of the<br />
foundation of State secondary<br />
education in New South Wales.<br />
This 58-page work relies on first-hand<br />
accounts and original documents and<br />
images to provide a fascinating<br />
account of the <strong>School</strong>’s earliest pupils<br />
and masters and their activities at<br />
<strong>School</strong> and beyond.<br />
ORDER FORM (tax invoice)<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong> Inc • ABN 22 652 291 509<br />
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..................................................................................................... postcode: .................<br />
Please supply one copy of <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>: The Foundation Years.<br />
Payment of $30 (including postage) by: i. Cheque [ ] ii. Visa/Mastercard/Amex [ ]<br />
Complete if paying by credit card:<br />
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Please return to: SHSOBU<br />
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DARLINGHURST NSW 1300
Jottings ...<br />
Graeme Mann (1959) has donated two copies of his 2006 publication, The Vietnam<br />
War on a Tourist Visa, to the <strong>School</strong> library. The book is a true story of the time<br />
when he was assigned to the US 7th Air Force headquarters in Tan Son Nhut. The<br />
book has received excellent reviews from the RSL, the Vietnam Veterans<br />
(Australia), the Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Australian War Memorial.<br />
Graeme reports “for some strange reason the book is seen more as a comedy than<br />
as a sarcastic look at the war”. Graeme now lives in seclusion in Sussex Inlet.<br />
Charles Qin (2003) recently received the University Medal in Pure Mathematics<br />
at the University of New South Wales. His thesis was: A Probabilistic Approach<br />
to Gradient Estimate.<br />
Geoff Reddish (1956) is Court and Prisons Chaplain for the Salvation Army's<br />
Southern Territory.<br />
Maurie Pears (1946) has been inducted into the Australian Poker Hall of Fame,<br />
inaugurated at the 2009 Aussie Millions event at the Crown Casino. His citation<br />
states: “Maurie is an early veteran of Poker in Australia who has been active in the<br />
promotion and development of the game since 1981 both as an owner of Casinoz<br />
and Pokernetwork as well as a player of note. He has taken a significant role in the<br />
growth of Casino Tournament Poker in Australasia before his retirement from<br />
play in 2007. He retains an active interest in Casino Poker activities and was<br />
responsible for the establishment of the Australian Poker Hall of Fame which was<br />
recently launched in association with Crown Casino.”<br />
A dinner was held for <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> stationed in London in early December, 2008.<br />
The event was held at The Beaujolais,<br />
in Litchfield Street, a private<br />
members’ restaurant club, located<br />
under a very popular wine bar. The<br />
function was graciously arranged by<br />
Howard Needleman (1973) and<br />
attended by a Vice President of the<br />
OBU, William Clegg (2005).<br />
Major Ross Cable (1994) has been<br />
posted as the Officer Commanding 1<br />
Bravo Squadron at the Australian<br />
Defence Force Academy. He recently<br />
commanded his formation at the Chief<br />
of Defence Force Parade.<br />
E-Bulletin<br />
The OBU now issues<br />
a regular e-Bulletin,<br />
at least once a month.<br />
If you have not been receiving<br />
our e-Bulletin, please send your<br />
e-mail address, with name and<br />
leaving year to:<br />
secretary@shsobu.org.au<br />
12
Annual general meeting<br />
The Annual General Meeting of the <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong> Inc<br />
will be held at the <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, Moore Park, Surry Hills (enter by<br />
the front door of the Main Building on Cutler Drive) on Tuesday 28 April 2009 at<br />
6:30 pm. Parking is available on-site.<br />
Nominations for the positions of President (1 position), Vice President (up to 7<br />
positions) and non-executive members of the council (up to 15 positions) must be<br />
made in writing, signed by two members of the OBU and include the written<br />
consent of the candidate. They must be delivered by 27 April 2009 to the Secretary<br />
at PO Box 1546, Darlinghurst NSW 1300.<br />
(A nomination form is available on the back page of this issue of The <strong>High</strong> Bulletin.)<br />
The accounts for 2008, which will be put forward for approval at the meeting, will<br />
be available in advance from the OBU’s website http://www.shsobu.org.au/<br />
accounts or will be posted upon request by calling (02) 9907 2856.<br />
Members may appoint other members as proxies by notice given to the Secretary<br />
at PO Box 1546 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 by 27 April 2009.<br />
(The form for the appointment of a proxy is available on the back page of this<br />
issue of The <strong>High</strong> Bulletin.)<br />
Before attending, nominating or appointing a proxy, please take steps to confirm<br />
your membership by contacting the Secretary by e-mail: secretary@shsobu.org.au<br />
or by telphone: (02) 9907 2856.<br />
ORDER OF BUSINESS<br />
1. Minutes of the previous AGM (27 May 2008).<br />
2. President’s report.<br />
3. Treasurer’s report.<br />
Motion: That the accounts for 2008 be adopted.<br />
4. Election of office bearers and members of the Executive Council.<br />
(a) President.<br />
(b) Vice Presidents.<br />
(c) non-executive members of the Council.<br />
5. Any other business.<br />
13
GPS OBU TIE<br />
Woven exclusively for the GPS OBU Council of NSW, this tie features<br />
the embroidered crests of all nine AAGPS schools, on a tasteful blue<br />
background.<br />
Ideal for job interviews and formal dinners.<br />
Only $40 (includes postage and handling within Australia).<br />
ORDER FORM<br />
(tax invoice)<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong> Inc • ABN 22 652 291 509<br />
Name: .............................................................................<br />
Address: ..........................................................................<br />
................................................................ postcode: ........<br />
Please supply ....... ties at $40 each - total: $.............<br />
Payment by<br />
i. Cheque []<br />
ii. Visa/Mastercard/Amex []<br />
Complete if paying by credit card:<br />
_ _ _ _ | _ _ _ _ | _ _ _ _ | _ _ _ _<br />
Expiry Date: _ _ / _ _<br />
Name on card: ................................................................<br />
Signature: .......................................................................<br />
Please return to:<br />
SHSOBU<br />
PO Box 1546<br />
DARLINGHURST NSW 1300
Veterans of post-1945 conflicts<br />
The <strong>School</strong>’s Anzac Commemoration will be held on Thursday, 9 April, 2009 at<br />
11.00am.<br />
The Headmaster, Dr Jaggar, has announced that the <strong>School</strong> will this year be<br />
dedicating an honour board to commemorate <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>' service in Korea. A roll to<br />
commemorate <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ service in Vietnam will be dedicated in 2010.<br />
To register an interest in attending the ceremony, or to add a name to the roll, or to<br />
contribute to the cost of the boards, please contact Viv Littlewood (1952): 0414<br />
410 658; slwood@netspeed.com.au .<br />
Korean War honour roll<br />
Donald Roy Angus (1937)<br />
+ Donald Ernest Armit (1944)<br />
Ivan Rupert W Brumfield (1944)<br />
Peter Grahame Cole (1949)<br />
Brian John Falvey (1946)<br />
Allan Kennedy Frost (1939)<br />
Reginald John Gardner (1943)<br />
Philip Jamieson Greville (1941)<br />
Robert Harvey (Lucas) <strong>High</strong>am (1938)<br />
Harrie Austin Hind (1932)<br />
Donald Robert Jackson (1933)<br />
Oliver David Jackson (1935)<br />
+ Eric Olaf Larson (1945)<br />
Russell Noel Law (1946)<br />
+ Ronald Daniel Mitchell (1944)<br />
James William Norrie (1940)<br />
Maurice Bertram Pears (1946)<br />
Robert William Prior (1945)<br />
Athol Lloyd Rose (1933)<br />
Eric Harold Smith (1942)<br />
+ Harold Thomas Strange (1944)<br />
Edward Simmons Swinbourne (1943)<br />
Bruce Richmond Topfer (1946)<br />
Ronald Eric Wells (1945)<br />
John Whitelaw (1934)<br />
15
Queensland chapter<br />
The Queensland Chapter had a great lunch in Brisbane on Saturday, 1 November<br />
2008.<br />
The attendees were: Graham Denovan (1960), John Campbell (1960), Ray<br />
Johnson (1960), David Courtney (1958), Peter Phillips (1958), Colin Wolf<br />
(1964), Lee Godfrey (1967), Gary Foux (1968), Les Dunn (1969), Barry<br />
Jakeman (1969), Ernie Kritzler (1970), Ray Allsop (1970), Tony McDonald<br />
(1974), Michael Reid (1976) and Malcolm Aikman (1983).<br />
Others who would have come were away at either the Melbourne Cup or the<br />
Rugby in Hong Kong. Ben Whittaker (1992) and his wife were having their first<br />
child.<br />
Colin Wolf (1964), Malcolm Aikman (1983), Les Dunn (1969), Michael Reid (1976),<br />
David Courtney (1958).<br />
Ernie Kritzler (1970) and Gary Foux (1969).<br />
. 16
Thank you<br />
Donations for Archives in 2008 ...<br />
The <strong>School</strong> archives wishes to record its thanks to the following for donations<br />
received in 2008:<br />
Peter Crittle (1955) for a photograph of the 1918 1st XV and a $300 donation.<br />
James R Lumsdaine (1938) for his 1938 Leaving Certificate and 1936<br />
Intermediate Certificate.<br />
Yvonne Scales, widow of the late Derek Scales (1937) for a copy of the 52nd<br />
Annual Speech Day Program.<br />
Jenni and John Robinson for the blazer of K C Robinson (1925) and eight school<br />
badges. The Badges have been<br />
framed and hung in main foyer.<br />
Ian Stewart (1958) for a signed copy<br />
of the SHS class of 1958 50th year<br />
reunion program.<br />
Geoff Sheldon (1939) for copies of<br />
The Record 1934-1939.<br />
Rosemary Pye for 13 photos 1916-<br />
1919 (athletics, rowing, football and<br />
cricket) relating to Elmo Pye (1917).<br />
Van Cooney (1964) for his blazer.<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> Girls <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> for two<br />
photos: one of the final of the 1st IV<br />
race in 1929 and another of the final<br />
of the 1st IV race in 1931.<br />
Van Cooney (1964) in action.<br />
The John Henry Fraser Studies of Religion Prize ...<br />
This year’s Speech Night was also the occasion for the first award of the John<br />
Henry Fraser Studies of Religion Prize for the HSC 1 unit and 2 unit courses. It<br />
was presented by the donor, John Fraser (1933) whose father, the Rev A J A<br />
Fraser was one of the longest-lived Anglican clergyman in Australian history,<br />
having died in 1982 at the age of 102. The recipients of the prizes were Dominic<br />
Bowes (1 unit) and Nicholas Lochner (2 unit).<br />
17
Reunions and other notices<br />
World Masters Games 2009<br />
The World Masters Games will be held in <strong>Sydney</strong> in October 2009. Garry Jowett<br />
(1982) is interested in getting together some SHOBS teams for the two Rugby<br />
comp categories: Colts (35-44 age group, leaving years 1983-1992) and Gents<br />
(45+ age group, leaving years 1982 and before). To register an interest please<br />
contact: garryj@keepfresh.com.au<br />
GPS rowing<br />
The GPS is looking for <strong>Old</strong> Boy rowers to assist as officials at the GPS invitation<br />
regattas. For further details and to register interest, contact John Astley, (02) 9449<br />
3281.<br />
GPS golf day<br />
The 2009 GPS <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> Annual Golf Day will be held at Manly Golf Club -<br />
Thursday 13 August 2009. To register your interest, or to volunteer to organise a<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> group, please contact president@shsobu.org.au<br />
Class of 1959<br />
The Class of 1959 re-union will take place over the weekend of 26 and 27<br />
September 2009. The <strong>School</strong> will be the centre of the celebrations with a Dinner<br />
in the Great Hall on the Saturday evening. Sunday will be recovery and a BBQ in<br />
the <strong>School</strong> grounds with tours conducted by <strong>School</strong> Prefects. Wives/partners are<br />
most welcome. To confirm your attendance contact: Ian Toll -<br />
iantoll@optusnet.com.au or 0407 402 721.<br />
Class of 1969<br />
The Class of 1969 will hold their 40 year reunion Dinner on Friday 20 November<br />
2009 in the Great Hall at the <strong>School</strong>. Further details, contact Mark Fischer (1969)<br />
by telephone: 0422 236 666; or e-mail: mark.fischer@y7mail.com<br />
Class of 1970<br />
Philip Chang (1970), now in Sarawak, Malaysia, is looking to get in touch with<br />
fellow <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> and teachers from 1970. Contact can be made with Philip through<br />
the Secretary: secretary@shsobu.org.au<br />
18
Reminiscences<br />
Max Lake (1940) recalls an incident from his school days:<br />
I received a superb, lower case ‘e’ education from a group of truly dedicated and<br />
able teachers and mentors. Although the garden was late bearing, it was well tilled<br />
and planted. Four Bs in the Leaving Certificate, topped the year in Clinical Surgery<br />
at the Medical Finals and I can still swear in French.<br />
Three friends and I, well away from the prefects, had a prominent part in the<br />
running of many non scholastic aspects of the <strong>School</strong>. We used Rudyard Kipling’s<br />
Stalky and Co as a training manual. We had the keys to the tennis court and in the<br />
afternoon after school always had first crack at it. We were all rankers in the<br />
cadets, had the keys to the storeroom on the girls’ school side of the gym, where<br />
we reflectively puffed the occasional pipe, Temple Bar granulated tobacco, for<br />
elevenses. I think the masters let us run because they were amused, no real harm<br />
came of it and we saved them some bother, as they must have pondered our exploits<br />
at their own bar at the “Bat and Ball”.<br />
World War II had started and there were lunch-time concerts and films, admission<br />
one penny, proceeds to the <strong>School</strong> soldiers’ comforts fund. Geoff Lunsdaine and<br />
I planned a diversion. Over some weeks we accumulated a large bag of torn paper<br />
fragments in the loft above the stage. The plan was to shower the performers with<br />
confetti and make our escape across the tiled roof to the science lab where we<br />
were due first period after lunch. Should be a piece of cake inserting ourselves<br />
into the general melee the science class usually generated.<br />
The best-laid plans. It all went swimmingly. We dropped the confetti on to Ian<br />
Thomas, solo clarinet raised skyward in an impassioned moment in Traumerei.<br />
He was not pleased, in fact it was some years before we were forgiven. Observers<br />
told us later the Boss was convulsed with laughter. Geoff and I had our<br />
handkerchiefs tucked in our gobs to try and make less racket ourselves. Now to<br />
escape. The damn window on to the outside roof was jammed!<br />
We weren’t too upset. Keep mum for half an hour and we could get down to the<br />
quadrangle and creep into the science experiment class. Terrific. We could scarcely<br />
believe our eyes. Seated at a desk parked at the foot of the stairs, detention book<br />
open, was the Boss, Jas H Killip, formally attired in executioner’s garb complete<br />
with mortar board. He rolled our surnames over his tongue repeatedly, savouring<br />
them like lollies. We were summarily sentenced to a month’s afternoon detention.<br />
This was suspended the second afternoon when we were bid to go and sin no<br />
more.<br />
19
Obituaries<br />
Alan Waddell (1931) died on 2<br />
September 2008. On leaving <strong>School</strong><br />
during the Great Depression, Alan<br />
became an office boy in an<br />
accounting firm and qualified as a<br />
chartered accountant in 1939,<br />
topping the state in the final exams.<br />
He served in World War II as an<br />
ordnance sergeant in <strong>Sydney</strong>. After<br />
his wife's death in 2002, when Alan<br />
was 88, he began walking up to two<br />
hours every day on medical advice.<br />
His obituary in the <strong>Sydney</strong> Morning<br />
Herald reports:<br />
He did not set out to walk every<br />
street in every suburb, but the more<br />
he walked, the more strange streets<br />
he sought.<br />
A picture from Alan Waddell’s website: “While<br />
walking Anzac Parade, Moore Park, Alan<br />
detoured into <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, the<br />
first time he had been in their grounds since<br />
he was a student there 73 years ago.”<br />
20<br />
A relative would drive him to his starting point and pick him up afterwards. He<br />
would cross every street name off a list as he went.<br />
If the walking became obsessive, it was a magnificent obsession. He did it because<br />
of his health and because he so enjoyed meeting people.<br />
As news of his endeavours spread, he set up a website,<br />
www.walksydneystreets.net, and received thousands of emails, including many<br />
from people saying he had inspired them to take up walking.<br />
He overcame his fear of public speaking to appear on TV, radio and in schools, and<br />
helped launch the Heart Foundation's Walk for Life campaign.<br />
Neville Gardner (1934) died on 31 October 2008 at Waverley.<br />
Douglas Haig Freeman (1934) died on 4 April 2008.<br />
William (Bill) Ronald Thompson (1937) died on 6 November 2005. Born in<br />
1920 and a <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> Boy from 1936-1937, his years at <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> were to<br />
lay the foundations for a very fortunate life. He joined the Faculty of Dentistry at<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> University after matriculating and continued to engage in and enjoy his<br />
love of sport which was fostered at SBHS – in particular cricket and tennis. During
the war he was stationed for a time in Darwin, and later in New Guinea serving as<br />
a dentist in the Navy. Not shying away from his love of music and sport, he found<br />
time to entertain his comrades by playing the piano in the bar at the Darwin Hotel<br />
of an evening and Captained the Naval inter-services cricket and tennis teams.<br />
After a stint of private practice following the war and finding himself married<br />
with children, the call of adventure beckoned in 1957 and he took up post as a<br />
Dental Officer under a scheme of the British Government in Nigeria, West Africa<br />
where he and his family lived perhaps the most interesting and enjoyable decade<br />
of his life. There, he was challenged with medical and dental disease and disorders<br />
never seen in Australia and, in collaboration with the doctors, he pioneered some<br />
dental construction work on unusual cases. He was based mainly in Jos and Kano<br />
but at times toured villages in a mobile dental clinic, often with family of four,<br />
later five, in tow. A rather quiet man with underlying strength, determination and<br />
a very engaging personality, Bill travelled a great deal and made many friends all<br />
over the globe. His love of sport led him throughout the world, even into his<br />
eighties when he represented Australia and reached the finals in the world veterans<br />
tennis tournament in Johannesburg in 2000.<br />
He will be remembered with sincere admiration and great affection.<br />
Helen Norrie died on 26 October 2008 after a long battle with cancer. Helen was<br />
the widow of Major General James Norrie (1940) a former president and patron<br />
of the OBU. She is survived by her daughter Susan and son John Norrie (1962).<br />
Robert Thomas Milbourne Clark (1953) died 25 October 2008. He was a member<br />
of the GPS Head of the River crew in 1953 and a member of the SHS 1st XV and<br />
GPS 3rd XV.<br />
Peter Cornwell (1957) died recently in Melbourne after a long illness. He left a<br />
wife, Margaret, daughter Julia and son Peter.<br />
Sheldon Leighton Young (1962) died in Melbourne in September 2008. He<br />
commenced at <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> in 3rd year in 1959 being the same year that his<br />
brother Wayne was <strong>School</strong> Captain and also stroked the winning Head of the<br />
River VIII. Sheldon had, as a boy, serious lung surgery which left him effectively<br />
with the use of only one lung. In order to build himself up, he did weight training<br />
and other activities which meant that he was very well developed physically as a<br />
teenager. Sheldon played rugby and represented the <strong>School</strong> in the 1st XV for two<br />
years. He also rowed in the 2nd IV and had two years in the 1st VIII. His main<br />
21
Obituaries ...<br />
sporting prowess was his ability as a field athlete. During<br />
his time at the <strong>School</strong>, Sheldon would almost invariably<br />
win the shot-put, discus and javelin throws at the <strong>School</strong><br />
carnival. His expertise in these events was such that he<br />
won the zone championships in these events and also a<br />
number of school boy carnivals. He held and broke the<br />
<strong>School</strong> records in all three events and was the CHS discus<br />
throw champion. His athletic career culminated in his last<br />
year at school when he won the GPS open shot-put and<br />
assisted the senior athletics team in winning the GPS Senior<br />
Point Score in that year. Michael Bray (1961) reports:<br />
“[Sheldon] was very determined in his application to all<br />
school activities but on the other hand, was a very humble<br />
and gregarious person. He will be dearly missed by all<br />
those who had the good fortune to meet him.”<br />
Amy Ringham died 9 August 2008. Amy, who was mother<br />
of Doug Ringham (1964), was a keen supporter of the<br />
school for nearly fifty years. She remained a member of<br />
the OBU Ladies Auxiliary and came to <strong>Sydney</strong> from the<br />
Gold Coast many times for the Christmas lunches at the<br />
Castlereagh Inn.<br />
Sheldon Young<br />
(1962) as captain of<br />
the senior athletics<br />
team in 1962.<br />
Advertise in the <strong>High</strong> Bulletin<br />
Want to support the continued operation of the OBU and expose your<br />
business to 3,000 <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> and the current parents of <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong>?<br />
Then advertise in the next <strong>High</strong> Bulletin.<br />
Contact: editor@shsobu.org.au<br />
Various sizes of advertisement are available.<br />
Even if you only gained one new client from the ad,<br />
it would be worth it!<br />
22
GPS Gold Challenge<br />
The GPS Gold Challenge brings together <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> from the nine GPS <strong>School</strong>s<br />
who have just, or are about to, reach the milestone of 50 years of age to compete<br />
against one another across eight disciplines - golf, rowing, tennis, touch rugby,<br />
cricket, athletics, swimming and, during the closing dinner, debating.<br />
The year 2008 marked the ninth and tenth GPS Gold Challenges with both Alumni<br />
1975 and Alumni 1976 competing for the Aub Thomas Memorial Trophy at<br />
Newington College on Saturday 27 September 2008.<br />
The rowing competition was held first thing in the morning at Leichhardt Rowing<br />
Club, and the golf was conducted at the Ryde Parramatta Golf Club the day before,<br />
Friday 26 September.<br />
The very capable <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> organisers for each year were Paul Veltman (1975)<br />
and Richard Luxford (1976).<br />
Over 400 participants from all<br />
<strong>School</strong>s competed.<br />
1975 results<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> from 1975<br />
well and truly turned the tables on<br />
their GPS rivals. Despite fierce<br />
competition, <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong>'s 1975<br />
touch rugby and cricket teams were<br />
both undefeated. <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> 1975<br />
won the touch rugby outright,<br />
including defeating Joeys in the<br />
semi-final and Riverview in the final.<br />
<strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> 1975 won the cricket<br />
in equal first place with <strong>Sydney</strong><br />
Grammar. <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> 1975 came<br />
third in tennis and achieved very<br />
creditable results in the other events.<br />
Across all the events of golf, rowing,<br />
tennis, cricket, touch rugby, athletics,<br />
swimming and debating, Shore was<br />
23
GPS gold challenge ...<br />
first overall, Riverview second and <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> a very creditable third for the<br />
1975 alumni.<br />
Our touch rugby and cricket teams were noted as part of the “Team of the Week”<br />
in “The Fitz Files” of The <strong>Sydney</strong> Morning Herald.<br />
Touch rugby (1st)<br />
Team: John Della Marta, Simon Della Marta, Terry Fitzpatrick (c), Neil Green,<br />
Garry Grimm, Rob Gillies, Richard Halliday, Yves Lahey, Phil McRitchie, John<br />
Sutton, Len Tesoriero, Paul Veltman and Cyrus Yuen.<br />
<strong><strong>High</strong>lights</strong>: Great communication and teamwork in attack, defence and<br />
interchanges, resulting in us scoring eight tries and having only one try scored<br />
against. Beating an aggressive, large and fast Joeys 2-0 in the semi-final and then<br />
beating Riverview 4-1 in the final. Terry Fitzpatrick’s direction of play. Rob<br />
Gillies running into the gaps resulting in Rob being our highest try scorer. Cyrus<br />
Yuen swivelling through the Riverview defence to be caught on the try line (if<br />
Cyrus had dived, he would have scored and been one of the best solo tries of the<br />
day). The reading of the defence and positioning that led to Yves Lahey try on the<br />
wing in the final. Simon Della Marta bottling up the Shore speedster on the wing.<br />
Indoor cricket (1st, with Grammar)<br />
Team: Ross Bolden (c), John Della Marta, Simon Della Marta, Rob Gillies, Richard<br />
Halliday, John Sutton, Stuart Tabrett and Paul Veltman.<br />
<strong><strong>High</strong>lights</strong>: In the final game against Riverview, <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> scored 55 runs<br />
while Riverview scored about minus 20 runs. <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> 1975 played so well,<br />
that Riverview claimed that we must be still playing comp together – in fact, most<br />
of us hadn’t played cricket for 20 to 30 years. The team’s well placed shots, running<br />
between wickets and amazingly accurate bowling. Ross Bolden was on fire as<br />
our wicket keeper, making at least three stumpings and a number of run outs.<br />
Simon Della Marta’s catch at silly point (he had to to save his face).<br />
Tennis (3rd)<br />
Team: Garry Grimm, Yves Lahey, Kym Mangos, Stephen Nordon (c), Jeff Silberbach<br />
and Graham Taylor.<br />
<strong><strong>High</strong>lights</strong>: Graham Taylor’s racquet work. Garry Grimm’s and Yves Lahey’s court<br />
24
coverage. Jeff Silberbach, Kym Mangos and Stephen Nordon for never laying<br />
down to die.<br />
Golf (4th)<br />
Team: Warwick Berrett (c), John Giardina, Tom Parker and John Sutton.<br />
<strong><strong>High</strong>lights</strong>: We had only four guys in the golf team, whereas the other teams<br />
averaged about eight guys per team. Warwick Berrett for getting closest to the pin<br />
in teeing off.<br />
Athletics (5th)<br />
Team: John Della Marta (c), Terry Fitzpatrick, Rob Gillies, Neil Green, Richard<br />
Halliday, Yves Lahey, Phil McRitchie, Kym Mangos, Paul Veltman and Cyrus<br />
Yuen.<br />
<strong><strong>High</strong>lights</strong>: Terry Fitzpatrick came fourth in the 60 metre sprint, Rob Gillies came<br />
fourth in the 2 km run and we came fourth in the 3 km relay - given that these were<br />
the only three events, then its interesting that we came fifth in the athletics (may<br />
be explained by the fact that Joeys were co-ordinating the athletics and doing the<br />
calculations for that event). The whole relay team – many of whom were carrying<br />
injuries or were completely stuffed by the time of that race.<br />
Rowing (6th)<br />
Team: Leon Flicker, Neil Green, Michael Hyatt, Phil McRitchie, Matthew Reid<br />
Members of the 1975 and 1976 <strong>High</strong> teams.<br />
25
(c), Doug Richards (1974), Cyrus Yuen and Bill Russo (1969)<br />
<strong><strong>High</strong>lights</strong>: The whole crew for a creditable 6th place, especially given that they<br />
hadn’t practised together before the day. Michael Hyatt for his drive and rowing<br />
in four races (two for 1975 alumni and two for 1976 alumni - Michael recently<br />
rowed in the State Masters). Leon Flicker for rowing after a hip replacement.<br />
Swimming (6th)<br />
Team: Ross Bolden, Terry Fitzpatrick, Rob Gillies (c), Richard Halliday, Phil<br />
McRitchie, Kym Mangos, Stephen Nordon, Len Tesoriero and Paul Veltman.<br />
<strong><strong>High</strong>lights</strong>: Rob Gillies for swimming in nearly every race. The whole team for<br />
backing up, despite having injuries and/or being completely stuffed from the day’s<br />
previous events.<br />
Paul Veltman (1975), Yves Lahey (1975) and Terry Fitzpatrick (1975) put the touch<br />
football trophy in the <strong>School</strong>’s trophy cabinet.<br />
26
Debating (joint with 1976) (5th, equal)<br />
<strong><strong>High</strong>lights</strong>: Leon Flicker for comparing us to his patients (Leon is a Professor of<br />
Geriatrics).<br />
1976 Results<br />
Golf 8th aeq, Rowing 5th, Tennis 9th, Indoor Cricket 2nd, Touch Rugby 5th,<br />
Athletics 5th, Swimming 4th, Overall 6th.<br />
Bruce Hampson (a very proud '76 cricket captain) writes: The '76 cricket team<br />
was undefeated due to some tenacious play and assistance of the'75 boys (and one<br />
from '74), who filled in due to a disappointing roll up from our year. We came<br />
second on aggregate totals and even though it was a great result I really wanted to<br />
end up on top. It wasn't to be, however, as the '75 team swept all before them and<br />
finished first. We then moved on to compete in the rugby, athletics and swimming.<br />
I think given a better roll up on the day and some entrants in the golf and tennis we<br />
would have given this thing a good shake. The effort and enthusiasm shown by<br />
these guys was something I will remember forever. Nothing funnier than to see<br />
and experience once proud athletes summoning everything they have left to<br />
dominate other living fossils. (Sorry, boys, that's reality, but it was great.)<br />
Surprisingly there were several very fit men competing, however they were far<br />
outnumbered by the not so fit but seriously determined. The twang of tendons<br />
became a common sound as the day progressed and there were a fair number of<br />
walking wounded when the hostilities ceased. The dinner at the end of proceedings<br />
topped off a fantastic day. I could go on but would run a serious risk of boring<br />
those who have not experienced the event. If you get the opportunity to participate<br />
in one of these then go for it.<br />
Special thanks<br />
To the BBQ team of Christina Lahey, Jackie Halliday, Soizic Veltman, Rob Hegedus<br />
(captain), Sammy and Michael Taylor and Rachel and Anna Nordon. We had by<br />
far the largest, best looking and therefore most popular BBQ team. This team<br />
went above and beyond the call of duty by doing two shifts in the midday sun.<br />
To Steve Clarke and Doug Richards of <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> 1974. At late notice, Doug<br />
rowed for the 1975 and 1976 crews and Steve played for the 1976 cricket and<br />
touch rugby teams. Also thanks to the <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> 1975 guys who backed up to<br />
27
help the <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> 1976 teams<br />
(under the Challenge rules, the 1976<br />
alumni were not allowed to back up<br />
for the 1975 alumni).<br />
To Stephen Nordon who did so many<br />
things and with modesty. As many<br />
may recall, although Stephen was our<br />
most enthusiastic in the classroom,<br />
he was not on the sporting field. This<br />
year, Stephen agreed to be the non-playing tennis captain. However, when we<br />
thought we weren’t going to have enough tennis players, Stephen decided he had<br />
better play, even though Stephen had never played competition tennis. As an<br />
example of a true captain, last week, Stephen took time off work to go down to the<br />
tennis court to give Yves Lahey a hit of tennis because Yves had not played for<br />
years. Nordon Jago Architects was also the first sponsor for this year’s GPS Gold<br />
Challenge – without the sponsors, the Gold Challenge probably would not have<br />
taken place.<br />
To Leon Flicker (Perth), Rob Gillies (South Coast) and Kym Mangos (Hunter<br />
Vallyey) who travelled so far to participate.<br />
To Ross Bolden and Stuart Tabrett for being the time keepers and siren operators<br />
during the touch footie.<br />
To Simon Della Marta for wise counsel on issues that arose while preparing for<br />
the Gold Challenge.<br />
<strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ basketball<br />
A large turn out of <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>, parents, players and supporters of <strong>High</strong> basketball<br />
attended the annual <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ game held on Sunday 31 August 2008. The <strong>Old</strong><br />
<strong>Boys</strong> were defeated by the <strong>School</strong>’s 2nd grade team 34-44. First Grade, despite<br />
what Mr Hayman described as a “rusty performance” defeated the <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> by a<br />
similar margin, 43-33.<br />
This meant that the <strong>School</strong> won the trophy back from the <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>! Justin Chow<br />
was delighted to announce that “while the <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> were bigger, we were more<br />
athletic”.<br />
With some weeks left before the season, if 1st and 2nd grade train hard enough in<br />
the following weeks, they will definitely be difficult to beat in the GPS.<br />
28
125 years of rifle shooting<br />
Rifle Shooting celebrated its 125th<br />
anniversary on 13th December 2008<br />
with a dinner held in The Great Hall. It<br />
was very well attended by <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>,<br />
Teachers, Students and their families.<br />
Master of Ceremonies and parent Mr<br />
Steven Leo welcomed distinguished<br />
guests, including The Hon Robert Brown<br />
MLC, Member of the Legislative<br />
Council and the Headmaster, Dr Kim<br />
Jaggar who is a keen supporter of target<br />
rifle shooting at the <strong>School</strong>.<br />
John Fraser (1933) in 2009 with the Hon<br />
Robert Brown MLC.<br />
John Fraser, left and Roden Cutler, right,<br />
in the 1933 rifle shooting team.<br />
Many photographs from times gone by<br />
were displayed in a loop on a projector<br />
and Club memorabilia was also on<br />
display. John Fraser (1933) made the<br />
toast to the <strong>School</strong> and spoke about his<br />
time at <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong>. He shot under the<br />
captaincy of Arthur Roden Cutler<br />
(1934), later Governor of NSW. Mr<br />
Douglas Fergusson, former MIC Target<br />
Shooting, who retired as Head Teacher<br />
of Classics at <strong>High</strong> in 1999, also gave a<br />
speech recounting some of his<br />
experiences in rifle shooting.<br />
A great night was enjoyed by all those attending and special thanks goes to all<br />
involved with the organisation of the event.<br />
29
Back to the sheds<br />
Saturday 25 October 2008 was “Back-to-the-Sheds” for<br />
the <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> and their families with the inaugural “<strong>Old</strong><br />
<strong>Boys</strong> VIII Challenge” being held. Eight <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> bought<br />
seats in an <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ VIII at the rowing reunion dinner<br />
in April 2008, as a donation to <strong>High</strong> rowing, and they<br />
raced the current student 1st and 2nd VIIIs.<br />
The <strong>Old</strong> Boy crew were:<br />
Bow: Simon McNamara (1990) 107kg<br />
2: Craig Avery (1984) 105kg<br />
3: Lawson Donald (1991) 110kg<br />
4: Justin Ingram (1989) 88kg<br />
5: John Croll (1981) 105kg<br />
6: Jack Singleton (1990) 105kg<br />
7: Sebastian Pearce (1989) 86kg<br />
Stroke: Brett Jowett (1981) 85kg (Seat bought by Grant Palmer (1984))<br />
Cox: Viv Paul (1999)<br />
The <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> enjoyed the lead up program of five early Saturday morning rows<br />
and the result of this was an impressive performance in the three races against the<br />
<strong>High</strong> crews. The first race saw the <strong>High</strong> 1st VIII disqualified for attempting to<br />
row the <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> off the river. The second race was a convincing win to the <strong>High</strong><br />
1st VIII, and the final row was a lesson in how to get a good start for the school<br />
The victorious <strong>Old</strong> Boy crew.<br />
30
crews. The mature crew grabbed an early lead from a jump start and held this to<br />
the line with impressive rhythm, power and plenty of weight added to the argument.<br />
The highlight of the post race festivities was the unveiling of the “Commander<br />
Callaway” nameplate. John Croll (1981) and James Ritchie (1960) donated the<br />
plate and John explained the history of the boat it came from.<br />
Alan Callaway (1935) rowed in the first VIII in 1935 and coached winning SHS<br />
Head of the River crews in the late 1950s. He then went on to coach the Australian<br />
VIII at the 1968 Mexico Olympics winning a silver medal.<br />
The “green boat”, named in honour of Alan Callaway, was commissioned in 1978<br />
for the World Championships and then used by the <strong>Sydney</strong> Rowing Club. It enjoyed<br />
a reputation of being undefeated, until it met a barn door on the Parramatta River.<br />
It was damaged beyond repair and John Croll souvenired the nameplate in 1983.<br />
It has now been lovingly mounted with photo and story by David Daish and hangs<br />
at the Outterside Centre.<br />
It was a festive morning and the <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> enjoyed the barbeque and a “Bondi<br />
Blonde” or two. Hopefully a tradition has been started for the future with a possible<br />
second <strong>Old</strong> Boy VIII being added to the challenge for next year.<br />
John Croll (1981) and James Ritchie (1960) with the Commander Callaway nameplate.<br />
31
Back to the Head of the River<br />
The AAGPS has agreed that members of <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong>’s 1959 Head of the River<br />
crew should all present the Head of the River trophy to the winning 1st VIII at the<br />
GPS Regatta at the <strong>Sydney</strong> International Rowing Centre on Saturday 28 March<br />
2009. Five 1959 crew members will be gathered together for this splendid occasion:<br />
Stuart McGill (1959), Peter Shenstone (1959), Ian Stewart (1959), Alan<br />
Skinner (1959), Ian Toll (1959). The tyranny of distance prevents other crew<br />
members from being present. This is a great honour for us, our old <strong>School</strong>, and<br />
SHS rowers generally!<br />
1959 1st VIII: Bow, P W Shenstone; 2, I J Stewart; 3, I D Toll; 4, A J Skinner; 5,<br />
J A Campbell; 6, G F Cohen; 7, S R McGill; Stroke, W L Young; Cox, R G Caddy;<br />
Coach, A R Callaway, Esq.<br />
GPS lawn bowls<br />
SHS <strong>Old</strong> Boy lawn bowlers have enjoyed outstanding success in The Harold J<br />
Lewarne Memorial Trophy lawn bowls competition over the past 55 years. It is<br />
possibly the longest standing GPS <strong>Old</strong> Boy competition. During that time, SHS<br />
has either won or been runner-up on no fewer than 23 occasions, a record only<br />
surpassed by Joeys with 25 wins to its credit.<br />
SHS <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> are looking for new recruits from the younger brigade for selection<br />
in what is a younger and increasingly competitive competition. <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>, staff<br />
(present or past) and parents of current and past students are all eligible to play.<br />
Players who took part in 2008 included Ian Callaway (1953), Graeme Edwards<br />
(1954), Ian Hart (1957), Roy Lawrence (1945), Barry May (1953), Bernard<br />
Maybloom (1943), John Montgomery (1948) and Denis Schultz (1959).<br />
For further details contact: Phil Lewis (1973), pl@electionsaust.com.au (02) 9416<br />
9627; or Ern Berge Phillips (1945), ebp@activ8.net.au, (02) 6558 0914.<br />
32
Rifle shooting<br />
GPS results 2008 ...<br />
1st Grade<br />
Rawson Cup NRA Buchanan Shield<br />
HIGH 514 27 (4th) HIGH 376 20 (3rd) HIGH 575 16 (2nd)<br />
Shore 537 44 TAS 386 31 TAS 585 19<br />
TAS 537 34 Shore 380 25 Shore 559 14<br />
Grammar 528 33 Kings 373 23 Grammar 552 17<br />
Kings 512 27 Grammar 372 20 Kings 551 14<br />
Scots 502 17 Scots 348 18 Scots 503 8<br />
NEGS 489 19 NEGS 342 14<br />
2nd Grade Premiership<br />
HIGH 246 12 236 9 482 21 (2nd)<br />
TAS 485 17<br />
NEGS 481 13<br />
Kings 479 14<br />
Grammar 473 17<br />
Shore 469 14<br />
The 1955 rifle shooting team: Back row: R Spence, D Wallis, A Cunningham, G Croucher, W Agnew;<br />
Second row: G Reddish, D Coote, D Soothill, R Stuart, W Eagleson; Front row: E Clay, W Thornhill, G<br />
Face (Coach), M Aston (Capt), Capt I Cracknell (Master-in-charge), R Aberneathy, J Face<br />
33
SYDNEY HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS’ UNION INC<br />
NOMINATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL<br />
We ......................................................................................................... (full name)<br />
and........................................................................................................ (full name)<br />
being members of the <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong> Inc<br />
hereby nominate ................................................................................... (full name)<br />
for the position of:<br />
(please indicate)<br />
President [ ]<br />
Vice-President [ ]<br />
Non-executive member of the Council [ ]<br />
............................................................................................................... (signed)<br />
.............................................................................................................. (signed)<br />
I accept the nomination,<br />
.................................................................................................. (Signature of nominee)
FORM OF APPOINTMENT OF PROXY<br />
I,............................................................................................................. (full name)<br />
of ..............................................................................................................................<br />
.................................................................................................................. (address)<br />
being a member of the <strong>Sydney</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Old</strong> <strong>Boys</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong> Inc<br />
hereby appoint ....................................................................... (full name of proxy)<br />
of ..............................................................................................................................<br />
.....................................................................................................................(address)<br />
being a member of that incorporated association, as my proxy to vote for me on<br />
my behalf at the annual general meeting of the <strong>Union</strong> to be held on 28 April 2009<br />
and at any adjournment of that meeting.<br />
In addition to voting at any elections held at the AGM (at which he or she may<br />
exercise his or her discretion), my proxy is directed to vote in the following manner:<br />
Resolution 1:<br />
That the accounts for 2008 be adopted<br />
[ ] yes [ ] no (specify as appropriate)<br />
...............................................................................<br />
(Signature of member appointing proxy)<br />
....................................<br />
(Date)<br />
Note: A proxy vote may not be given to a person who is not a member of the<br />
<strong>Union</strong> and an appointment will not be valid unless it directs the proxy how to vote<br />
on each resolution for which notice has been given.
Change of address details<br />
Surname: ............................................. Year of Leaving: ...............<br />
Given Name: ...................................................................................<br />
Address: ..........................................................................................<br />
..........................................................................................................<br />
Town/ Suburb: .................................................................................<br />
State: ................ Postcode: .................<br />
Telephone: ...........................................<br />
Email: ..............................................................................................<br />
Occupation: .....................................................................................<br />
[ ] I would prefer to receive the <strong>High</strong> Bulletin in an electronic<br />
format only.<br />
Jottings for <strong>High</strong> Bulletin (about yourself or a school mate):<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
Please fill out, detach and return to:<br />
SHS OBU<br />
PO Box 1546<br />
Darlinghurst NSW 1300 or email secretary@shsobu.org.au