Chronicle
Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association
Chronicle 2017
The Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association was formed in 1877, making it one of New Zealand’s oldest incorporated societies.
Its objectives are to support Christ’s College, facilitate contact between Old Boys and foster their continued interest in and support of the School and its purpose. The Association has over 5,900 members.
CCOBA Officers and Committee 2017
Jeremy Johnson Geoffrey Sullivan Andrew Springford
(12355, Corfe), President (9514, Julius), Vice President (13478, Condell’s), Treasurer
General Committee
Johnny Cochrane
(10406, Jacobs) (12018, Julius)
Sam Cowdy John Luxton
(8636, Julius) Alexander McKinnon (11465, Jacobs) WilliamMills (13450, Condell’s) Henry Wright (13493, Harper) Peter Davie
(8882, Condell’s), Board Representative (9959, School), Board Representative
Tom Elworthy
Catherine McMillan Board Representative Justine Nicholl Secretary
Physical Address Postal Address
The Tower, Level 2, Christ’s College, 33 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch
CCOBA, Private Bag 4900, Christchurch 8140
Email Phone
ccoba@ccoba.com
03 364 6862
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From the President
12355 Jeremy Johnson
The past year will be remembered as a successful one for both College and the
Engagement with College Our excellent working relationship with College and Executive Principal Garth Wynne continued throughout 2017, as can be seen by: • the Association working with an Old Boy to purchase a further significant art work for College as part of our 10-year commitment to purchase contemporary art; • the award of a further Old Boys’ Association Scholarship; • our participation in the assembly at which a Senior Honours Tie was awarded to Old Boy and former Supreme Court Judge Sir Terence Arnold; • the Association creating visual displays of interesting Old Boys to raise the profile of our Old Boys around College; and • the Association arranging for an Honours Board of the Association’s Past Presidents to be installed next to the Dining Hall, thus creating a further permanent reminder of the Association and its Old Boys at College. Perhaps the best example of one of the new ways we engage with College is the request from College for the Association to assist with career planning for current boys. The idea is for the Association to help by arranging for current boys to meet and talk with Old Boys about careers they might be interested in, and for us to assist in supplying Old Boys for themed “career breakfasts.”
Association.The Association generally achieved its three priorities for 2017 - a new approach to signing up members, more active branches and greater contact with our younger Old Boys. That success has primarily been driven by a closer working relationship between the school and the Association as well as some fresh thinking on the part of the General Committee. Success and innovation can be seen across both the Association’s engagement with College and in the Association’s own activities. The challenge from here is to ensure that recent success does not become complacency and that the Association and its Old Boys work to ensure their continued relevance to College and to support College through its capital campaign.
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This initiative highlights how our support for College can, and must, go beyond donations of money to also encompass the giving of time and sharing of experiences. It also highlights the ways in which Old Boys are relevant to the life of current boys. We are also grateful that our increased engagement with College has led to benefits for the Association. One of the priorities for 2017 was to work out a new approach to signing up members. That has now occurred. From 2018 on, College will purchase a life membership for every boy who is at College for more than one year. The effect of this will mean that from 2018 on, every boy will become a member of the Association. Although in recent years over 90% of leavers have joined, this will, in time, eliminate any distinction between members and non- members of the Association. Finally, as one of the two bodies that appoints members to the College Board, the Association is in a privileged position. With that privilege comes a responsibility to ensure the appointment process is transparent and robust and that we work with the Board to appoint the best person to match the skill set the Board needs at that particular point in time. In 2017, we worked closely with Board Chair Dr Ian Town on our appointment process. That involved identifying the skill set needed, advertising the position, shortlisting it and then conducting interviews. At the end of the process the Association appointed Catherine McMillan. Catherine is the first non-Old Boy appointed to the Board by the Association, and the first woman.
The Association is very grateful that Catherine is willing to lend her considerable skills and judgment to the Board and thank her for her work. We are also grateful to Peter Davie for his continued work as our other appointee. Association activities The Association has a broad range of activities – from the February Reunion Weekend, to branch events, to the 40 Years On. The Association is grateful to those who give their time to organise these activities. The 2017 Reunion Weekend was a great success. The 40 Years On saw a much higher turnout than normal. It is likely that from 2019 the 40 Years On will occur on Reunion Weekend as well, making that even more of a focal point for the Association. One of the priorities for 2017 was to connect more with our younger Old Boys. We had some success with this. First in November, an initial “Young Old Boys” reunion was held. Around 30 young men who were at College between 2007 and 2011 attended. This will hopefully become a fixture on the Association calendar. There have also been attempts to engage younger Old Boys at branch events. For example, the community event in Auckland saw a great turnout from Old Boys at university there. We are also working on joint events with St Margaret’s College to be held at Auckland, Victoria and Otago universities.
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Capital campaign As many of you will be aware, College is currently in the quiet phase of an ambitious capital campaign. Although perceived as wealthy, the reality is that College’s financial position is far from secure. The rebuilding after the earthquakes used significant amounts of capital. In addition, the approach of the College community over generations of relying on existing endowments to fund operations (through scholarships and direct grants) has seen College’s financial position move slowly backwards. College has pressing needs. A significant programme of earthquake strengthening is required. In addition, the gym, science block and music school are all in desperate need of replacement. It is time for the Old Boy community to acknowledge these facts and take up the challenge. We have all benefited from our education at the finest school in the southern hemisphere. We owe it to those who follow us, and to College, to be generous, so that it can continue to be the best.
The branches continued to show their strength. One of the priorities of 2017 was to have more active branches and, overall, there was some success in achieving that goal. There were events held in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Christchurch, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and London. Of particular note is the Melbourne branch, which organises regular events and is, by far, the most active of the branches we have. Also of note is that for the first time the Christchurch branch trialled a “long lunch” in early December, where over 90 Old Boys, of all ages, gathered at the Christchurch Club. The event was the initiative of Geoffrey Sullivan and Sam Cowdy and, as always with them, was a tremendous success. It is set to become a new tradition for Christchurch-based members. One area where work is still required is in Auckland. As more and more Old Boys live in Auckland, the Association needs to work to ensure there is more than one opportunity a year for Old Boys to get together. We also need to work with College to make the school relevant to those living in Auckland, so that it is seen not just as the place where they went to school but as a place where their sons will go as well.
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Conclusion This will be my last President’s report as my two-year term is coming to a close. It has been a privilege to lead the Association over the past two years and to work with Executive Principal Garth Wynne, who has been a tremendous support. I am also thankful for the hard work and support of the committee – Vice President (and incoming President) Geoffrey Sullivan, Treasurer Andrew Springford and committee members John Luxton, Johnny Cochrane, Angus Dysart-Paul, Sam Cowdy, William Mills, Alexander McKinnon and Richard Polson. Johnny Cochrane is retiring from the committee after a number of years service, including as President. Johnny’s sound judgment and good humour will be missed. Likewise, Alexander McKinnon will be retiring, having previously served as Treasurer and Vice President, as will William Mills. We are grateful for their considerable work for the Association. It has been a real delight to work with Justine Nicholl. Justine is a tireless – and tirelessly cheerful – Secretary and we should all be extremely grateful for her hard work. I will miss our regular get-togethers. On behalf of the committee, thank you Justine. The Association is in tremendous heart. I wish it continued success and I wish Geoffrey all the best for his term as President.
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Contents
From the President
2 8
Obituaries
The Queen’s Birthday Honours 2017
30 33 36 38 39
NewYear Honours 2018
Senior Honours Tie
Honorary Life Members
Branches
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Thomas Hugh Turnbull
4815 Aged 91
Hugh was born in Timaru on 5 July 1925, the son of Richard (2669) and Annette (nee Harrison), and brother of David (4531). He completed his primary education at Grantchester School,Timaru, then attended College from 1938 until 1942 in Flower’s House. Hugh’s working life revolved around the Timaru family firm, DC Turnbull & Co, established by his grandfather in 1894. After completing service in the New Zealand Navy, he began a long career in the firm, culminating as board chair.The varied nature of the business led to his involvement in shipping, stevedoring, farming, the wool industry, the Timaru Harbour Board and the Timaru City Council, forming enduring relationships with a very diverse range of people. Hugh’s active life included a long association with the mountains, he was introduced to skiing at the age of 11 on the Ball Glacier. He was a founding member and patron of the Tasman Ski Club at Fox Peak, and proud of his record of skiing over a period of almost 70 years. Water-skiing was another favourite activity.
Another passion was his involvement with Mt White Station. He loved going there, placed a high value on the close relationships developed over the years with all the staff, and enjoyed meeting all the other characters who passed through. Married to Valerie for 68 years, Hugh led an active life and provided the family with many opportunities, including through his own sporting interests. An avid gardener, he was very pleased to provide a bounty of healthy produce that contributed to his good health and longevity. Hugh died at Strathallan in Timaru on 15 April 2017. He is survived by Valerie, daughters Belinda and Susan, son Ben (8423), Andrew ((7763), deceased), grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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Kenneth Edgeworth Ussher
4816 Aged 91
Kenneth Edgeworth Ussher MBChB (Otago) DTM&H (London) FRCP (Edinburgh) was born in Timaru on 8 October 1925 to George and Esme Ussher, and was the older brother to Colin George Beauchamp Ussher (5158) who predeceased him. While at College he was in Flower’s House from 1938 to 1942. He was in the Chapel Choir for five years, the 1st XI in his last year, and was a successful gymnast and boxer. His time at College was best summarised in a testimonial given to him by the headmaster – RJ Richards – on leaving school:“He was a boy of excellent character. Not only was he industrious in school and zealous in all the usual school activities, but also by his uprightness and sincerity of purpose he won the respect of all and had a fine influence on his contemporaries. He was a prefect, represented the school in the 1st XI at cricket and was, as well, an outstanding gymnast and boxer.” On leaving school, Kenneth wished to become a vet but his father (a doctor in Timaru) agreed only on the basis that he did medicine first. He graduated from Otago Medical School in 1949 by which point six years of university had cooled his ardour for a further four years of vet school, so he entered general practice in Timaru. In 1955, he joined the New Zealand Army Medical Corps. He spent the next 10 years in the army. As well as various postings around New Zealand, he spent 18 months in London and Edinburgh doing postgraduate training, and then two years in Malaya during the Malayan emergency in the early 1960s.
Ken left the army in 1964 and joined the University of Canterbury as the first director of the University’s Student Health and Counselling Service, where he remained until he retired in 1987. In the early 1970s, he became involved with the organisation for the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games. He was a member of the Organising Committee, and was the Chair of the Medical Committee for what is still regarded as one of the most successful Commonwealth Games held. In his retirement, he devoted a huge amount of time to College. Among other things, he chaired the Committee that organised the first ever College Fair in 1990 (for which he was delighted to receive a Senior Honours Tie from the Headmaster) and he was one of a number of Old Boys who assisted JD MacFarlane in researching and compiling “To Battle, 1939-1945: Old Boys of Christ’s College Who Lost Their Lives in the Second World War”, which was published in 2004. Throughout his life, he maintained his interests in sport and other outdoor activities and his love of animals. His greatest love though, was always for the people around him and especially his family. He is survived by his wife Christine, his daughter Philippa Innes, his sons Tony (8033),James (11044) and Christopher (11203), 11 grandchildren (including Richard Innes (11134), Mark Innes (12055), Alistair Ussher (11659) and John Ussher (12129)) and 14 great-grandchildren.
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James Balfour Will
4820 Aged 91
Jim was born in Christchurch on 30 December 1924, the only son of James Leslie Will (FRCS) and Alma Helen Will. He was educated at Medbury School before attending Christ’s College in Jacobs House from 1938 to 1942. Jim enjoyed lifelong friendships from his school days. He started to follow in his father’s footsteps, doing a medical intermediate year at the University of Canterbury. However, he then joined the New Zealand Navy and left for training in England in 1944, where he was commissioned in 1945. Upon his return to New Zealand, Jim resumed medical studies in Dunedin but decided not to continue with this as a career. He worked in a variety of roles during his mid- twenties. In 1952, Jim joined the 11 Coast Regiment Territorial Force (RNZA) with the rank of Lieutenant. In 1954, Jim applied for and was appointed as an Observer with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). He served for five years: firstly, as a Field Observer and then in New Delhi as a Liaison Officer in charge of the UNMOGIP office. During this time Jim was promoted to Major. This was an exciting and special time in his life, which he loved to talk about. A highlight that changed his life was meeting his future wife Katherine (Kym) d’Apice in India. They were married in New Delhi in 1959.
Jim brought his young English bride to live in Christchurch, where they settled into family life and had five children: Nicola, Fiona, Katrina, Christopher and Antony. Jim then joined the Prudential Assurance Company and worked as a Life Insurance Agent until he retired. Jim was an avid reader and had a wide general knowledge. He was also very skilled with his hands and was always busy with a new project. Jim enjoyed long and special friendships. He was also a competitive sportsman, particularly yachting, tennis and golf. He was an active member of the Christchurch Golf Club well into his 80s. At the age of 79 he was delighted to get 90% in the national “Rules of Golf” examination and subsequently was an active and well-known referee for the club. Jim was also a very active member of the Canterbury Officers’ Club and was president in the early 2000s. He enjoyed attending the club lunches until aged 90. In November 2011 Jim received the New Zealand Defence Service Medal. In his last few years Jim’s failing health limited his activities but he still enjoyed special times with family and friends. Jim died peacefully in Christchurch on 2 December 2016, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Kym, his five children, 10 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
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David Christopher Cordery
5023 Aged 89
David, the son of Ernest Cordery (2636), attended College from 1941 to 1945 in Harper House.
David’s main interests in his latter years were centred on Christian fellowship and Bible study. In 2007 he and Sharon established a meeting in their home where once a month Christian friends from around the area gathered for fellowship and encouragement. This gathering was to continue for nine years. A treasured possession of David’s was an antique Victorian oak desk chair given to him by his great uncle Tom Condell (123), the first Old Boy to become a member of the teaching staff at Christ’s College. The most memorable event at school for David was honouring the over 204 Old Boys who gave their lives during World War 2. David’s interests included tennis, music, water colour painting, gardening and serious Bible study (this being his main interest in the last 30-40 years of his life). David is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sharon; sons John (8065) and Michael (8466); daughter Sarah, and two step-daughters Kerensa and Ilana and 12 grandchildren.
Following his graduation from Medical School at Otago University in 1952, David worked for two years as a house surgeon at Palmerston North Hospital. He then practised in Opotiki for nine years as a GP before leaving for London to study radiotherapy at Middlesex Hospital, returning to Palmerston North in 1967 to take up a position as radiotherapist in the embryonic cancer treatment facilities being established at Palmerston North Hospital. In 1982, David was appointed Director of the Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, a position he retained until his retirement in February 1994. On retirement as a radiation oncologist, David and Sharon spent eight months overseas, including six months working as volunteers in a Christian guest house on Mount Carmel, Israel. On returning to New Zealand they settled in Howick, Auckland. After nine years they moved to Thames establishing a new home and together created a small arboretum and a lovely garden with expansive views overlooking the Firth of Thames, hills, bush and rivers and fabulous sunsets. In 1953 David married Shirley Adams. He remarried to Sharon Beer in 1982.
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Henry Donald Matson
5222 Aged 88
Don was the son of Allan Leicester Matson (2942) and, after attending Medbury School, was in Jacobs House from 1943 to 1946. In his last year at College he sat and passed three university accountancy papers but is better remembered by some for receiving eight strokes from the Headmaster Mr Richards after taking the blame on behalf of himself and two accomplices for shooting ducks in Hagley Park and cooking them over a Bunsen burner. His justification was that he and his friends were starving as a result of wartime food shortages. On leaving College, Don joined the family stock and station business H. Matson & Co in Christchurch. When in 1958 that business merged with National Mortgage & Agency, Don was appointed the New Zealand Stud Stock Manager. In 1961 he arranged for a plane load of stud stock to be sent to China, and so began a long association, with Don visiting many times on business and later as a tourist. Between 1949 and 1963 Don served in the Territorial Force of the Royal NZ Artillery retiring as a Major. In 1968 Don was appointed Waikato Branch Manager of National Mortgage. It was the company’s largest branch and included King Country, Bay of Plenty and Taupo. At the time of his appointment he was the youngest branch manager by 10 years.
When in 1972 National Mortgage merged with Wright Stephenson, Don spent two years as the merged company’s manager in London. He then returned to head office in Wellington and served as the New Zealand Livestock Manager and as a director of Wrightson NMA Ltd. He played a significant role in lifting the breeding standards of deer herds throughout the country, and he led the relocation of the world famous Wrightson Bloodstock horse auction centre from Trentham, Wellington to Karaka, Auckland. He retired from what had become Fletcher Challenge in 1987. After retirement Don operated his own property management company which he called H. Matson & Co. He taught himself winemaking and made his own Pinot Noir in the cellar of his house and gave it away to friends labelled as “Chateau Henri”. He was also the driving force behind the establishment of the Marsden Village in the Karori Shopping Centre. He loved to lead a good project.
Don was also a keen rose grower and an experienced yachtsman.
Don died in Wellington on 12 March 2018. His wife of 57 years, Patricia, predeceased him in 2015. He leaves two daughters Mary and Sara and a son Allan David Matson (9208).
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Timothy John Raphael
5240 Aged 87
The Ven.Timothy Raphael, who died in Cheltenham on 20 November 2016, exercised a notable ministry as Parish Priest, Cathedral Dean, and Archdeacon in England and New Zealand. Tim was born in New Zealand in 1929 and attended Christ’s College from 1943 to 1946 in Condell’s House. Following secondary school, he had a spell as a Preparatory School master when he read languages for an external degree at Wellington University and plunged into left- wing politics and amateur dramatics. He trained at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield while undertaking additional studies at Leeds University. Tim was a Curate at St Stephen’s, Rochester Row, Westminster from 1955 to 1960. In 1957 he married Anne Shepherd, a nurse at St Thomas Hospital, who needed the permission of her matron to marry. Anne proved the model of a Priest’s wife while maintaining her own personality. Her hospitality was legendary. In 1960, Tim was appointed Vicar of St Mary, Welling, in the Diocese of Southwark. Well suited to the radical and political religion of London’s South Bank, he was among the first tutors on the Southwark Ordination Course. In 1963 Tim accepted the post of Vicar of St Michael and All Angels in Christchurch where he had worshipped as a layman. It had always been his intention to return home, but it meant a major upheaval for his family. Two years later, he was invited to be Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, Dunedin. At 35 he was the youngest dean in the Anglican Communion.
He arrived with a reputation of being very high church but was quickly accepted by the less formal congregation. Having won the prize at university for public speaking and possessing an abiding sense of theatre, Tim had such a reputation for thoughtful and provocative preaching that the Otago Daily Times would send along a reporter so his sermons could be included on the front page the next day. He was a regular broadcaster and campaigner for church unity. In 1973, the Bishop of London persuaded the Raphaels to return to London to the parish of St John’s Wood. Close relationships were established with both synagogue and mosque – a rabbi threw his farewell party. Tim was Bishop Graham Leonard’s nominee to be Archdeacon of Middlesex in 1983 and he formed a strong partnership with the Area Bishop of Kensington, Mark Santer, who valued his loyalty and sound judgement. Tim was an avid reader and always had a poem or paragraph or joke to offer. In 1996 he retired to Cheltenham and he hated it at first. Invitations to preach soon came, and he was in his element. He was also used as a trouble shooter elsewhere in the Church of England. After a triple bypass operation and a stroke that affected his eyesight, dementia began to set in. Tim spent his final years in a nursing home visited by the indefatigable Anne. He is survived by Anne and their children Julian, Caroline and Bridget and six grandchildren.
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Robert Gifford Middleton
5507 Aged 83
Robert Gifford Middleton was born in Christchurch on 6 March 1933, the son of Nina and James (Jimmy) Middleton. He had a half- brother James (Jim) Middleton (3017) and a half-sister Fanny. He was known throughout his life as Pip, after an uncle of the same name. His grandfather, Herbert Gifford Moore (676) had a passion for Dickens and named several of his children after Dickens’ characters. Pip attended The Cathedral Grammar School and Christ’s College, where he was in Condell’s House from 1946 to 1950. On leaving school, he was articled to HJ Hudson as a survey cadet. He qualified as a registered surveyor after completing a correspondence course while working fulltime. On Mr Hudson’s death, he acquired the practice and was joined by Bruce Alexander (5464) practising under the name of Middleton and Alexander. They were joined by Jack Williams, and the firm became Middleton, Alexander and Williams. Later, when Bruce left, it was known as Middleton, Williams and Co. Pip was an active member of the Canterbury branch of the Institute of Surveyors. He had a prodigious knowledge of Canterbury properties and their history and he took a great interest in the land. He retired in 2001. Pip was a keen skier. He started skiing in Hagley Park in the big snow of 1945, and then joined the Canterbury Winter Sports Club where he was a member of the first junior ski party at Cheeseman in 1946.
In his later years he continued skiing and had much pleasure in skiing with his grandsons at Round Hill. Pip and his wife Barbie enjoyed gardening at their property in Yaldhurst Road where they lived for 32 years and bought up their four children. For many years they also enjoyed tramping and camping with family and friends. On his retirement, Pip enjoyed playing golf at Hanmer Springs where the family had built a holiday home. He had much pleasure travelling, especially with friends on golfing holidays to Australia. Pip was a founding member of a men’s walking group known as ‘The Ambulators’ which included many of his school contemporaries. He was involved with the Christ’s College Guides for several years, taking pleasure showing interested people around College and meeting people from other countries. Pip’s health deteriorated in his last year, but he continued to be involved with his golf and his family. He always enjoyed the company of friends as he stoically and courageously endured a debilitating illness. His sense of humour was always with him. Pip is survived by his wife Barbie, four children, Andrew (8927), Julia, Patrick (9611) and Alistair (10321) and seven grandchildren.
He is sadly missed by all who knew him.
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Michael Edwin Averill Cartridge
5740 Aged 81
Mike was born in Auckland on 24 June 1936, and was the elder son of the Rev. LE (George) Cartridge and his wife Winifred. After early schooling at King’s School in Auckland, Mike and his family moved to South Canterbury in 1946, when his father was appointed Vicar of St Augustine’s Church in Waimate. Mike was at College from 1949 to 1953 as a boarder in Jacobs House. He was a member of the Chapel Choir and developed a keen interest and ability in science. During his school holidays, he relished the rural way of life in Waimate and his love of animals and country life generally developed during his teenage years. Unsurprisingly, he chose to follow a career in Veterinary Science, and gained entry to Sydney University, graduating BVSc in 1959. Following initial experience in veterinary clinics in the Waimate area, he and David Wood (5545) joined forces in 1964 to form the veterinary practice of Cartridge and Wood, which covered the whole of the North Canterbury area from Amberley to Kaikoura. Mike was based at Waikari, and became well known and respected by clients in both rural and urban areas in North Canterbury between Amberley and Hanmer Springs. He finally retired from the practice in 1996, moving first to Christchurch and then to Nelson in 2006. In both places, he continued to work part time as an inspector for Animal Welfare at export freezing works and ports. He finally retired in 2016, as he approached his 80th birthday.
Mike gave generously of his time to his professional body, the New Zealand Veterinary Association, of which he was national president in 1977, as well as participating in many community projects in Waikari. He also served for several years on the board of St Margaret’s College, and was a Justice of the Peace. He was particularly interested in stud sheep and in new breeds of cattle, and engaged with friends in pursuing this interest, both on his small holding ‘Jedburgh‘, near Waikari, and elsewhere. He also took more than a passing interest in the trotting world, both professionally and as a part owner. Mike is survived by his wife Valda, whom he married in 1961, their son Douglas (9558) and their three daughters Sally, Wendy, and Jane, as well their 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. His younger brother Selwyn (6128) predeceased him. Mike died in Nelson on 16 August 2017, after a very short illness. His funeral in Nelson Cathedral was very well attended by family, former clients and friends, many of whom had travelled far to be present.
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Roger Howard Wait
5900 Aged 80
Roger was born in Christchurch on 9 June 1937, son of Francis Edric Wait (2748) and great- grandson of the Venerable Archdeacon Harris, Headmaster of Christ’s College from 1866 to 1873. He was the brother of Peter (5258) and Diana. He attended Medbury School from 1946 to 1949 before attending Christ’s College in Julius House from 1950 to 1954. While at school, Roger enjoyed playing Fives and developed a love of cricket which he followed all his life. A highlight was playing at Lord Cobham’s property Hagley Hall. Later, he became a very keen golfer. On leaving school, Roger went to university and obtained an ACA qualification. During this period, he did his compulsory military training in the New Zealand Naval Reserve, rising to the rank of Sub Lieutenant and was awarded a New Zealand Defence Service medal. He then travelled to England and lived abroad for many years. In England, he worked for the crown agents and subsequently had several overseas postings, including an administrative position in Nigeria during the civil war, where his ingenuity allowed him to move round quite freely.
Roger’s last overseas posting was working for the government in Sabah, Malaysia – a country he grew to love and visited every year after his retirement. With his love of England there were also many family visits and the opportunity to follow up on his interest in genealogy. He was very caring of his mother, and she accompanied him on several of his trips. Roger died unexpectedly in Christchurch on 23 July 2016 following surgery. He will forever be fondly remembered by his family.
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Forbes Gifford Moore
5958 Aged 78
Forbes was born in Wellington on 28 July 1937, the eldest of three children. He was the grandson of Herbert Gifford Moore (676), and the son of Hardy Eyre Gifford Moore (3748) and Dorothy Orr Mortland. Forbes was brother to Bryan (6428) and Alister (6658). Forbes travelled to College on the inter island ferry and boarded in Flower’s House from 1951 to 1954. He enjoyed his years at College, especially the cricket, where he gained the nickname Fred which was handed down to the other Moore brothers. On leaving College, Forbes entered the tyre industry. He received a Diploma in Business Administration and became manager of equipment and aviation tyre sales for South Pacific Tyres Auckland (Dunlop), working mainly with Air New Zealand in his later years. Forbes was well-regarded in his field.
Forbes’ other passion was golf and he was part of a group, including other Old Boys, who played weekly for over 30 years. Forbes had a strong heart but struggled for 10 years with Alzheimers before passing on 29 June 2016. Forbes possessed a great enthusiasm for work and family, and will be greatly missed by his wife Geraldine, and children Andrew and family, and Belinda.
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Donal Jack Greenslade
6032 Aged 77
Donal was born in Dunedin on 14 February 1939, the third son of Bob and Nan, brother to Bob (5675), Ken (5851) and Rick (6523). Donal attended John McGlashan College for his primary education from 1944 to 1951, then Christ’s College from 1952 to 1956. At College he was a school prefect, head of Jacobs House, captain of a very successful 1956 1st XV rugby team, captain of the 2nd XI cricket team and light heavyweight boxing champion. On leaving school Donal’s interest was towards farming. After military training, he spent a year as a farm cadet near Heriot (West Otago), and then helped manage a property owned by his father ‘Thornicroft Station’ amongst hill country north of Lawrence. Donal was there until the property was sold. Following that, he spent a year at Lincoln College where he gained a Diploma of Agriculture. From Lincoln College, Donal worked at McDonald Downs, then owned by the New Zealand Australian Land Company near Hawarden. While there he met his future wife, Sandie Denham. After their marriage, Donal became part owner, along with Sandie’s father Jack Denham (3581). The farm was a neighbouring farm to McDonald Downs.
During his time in Hawarden, Donal was president of the A & P Association and a member of the Hurunui Rabbit Board. He was also very involved with the Hawarden/Waikari rugby and cricket clubs and the local dog trial club. He was also part of a strong Young Farmers Club debating team. He had a wonderful knowledge of thoroughbred horse racing, especially the breeding side, and showed this interest by being on the committee of the Amberley Racing Club. Donal was well known for his sense of humour, his musical talents and always enjoyed life when out socially. Unfortunately for Donal, an ongoing illness took over the later part of his life. He was forced to sell the farm and spent the rest of his time in Christchurch where very sadly his life ended on 14 June 2016. Donal is survived by his two sons, Jim (9179) and Ben (9833), daughter Bridget and six grandchildren.
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Richard Colin Speight
6082 Aged 79
Richard was born in Invercargill on 29 January 1938. He attended Christ’s College from 1952 to 1955 and was in Flower’s House. He then studied at Lincoln College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture degree. During part of his time at Lincoln, he was the secretary of the Students’ Council. In 1965, Richard married Jenny Hall and continued farming at Wether Hill, Ohai, in Southland. He served for several years on the Southland Hospital Board and was also on the council of the Southland Acclimatisation Society. Richard had a wide range of interests and created a beautiful homestead garden with many rhododendrons.
In 2004, Richard and Jenny retired to Marlborough where Richard planted a very small vineyard and enjoyed learning about the growing of Pinot Noir grapes. He had a love of adventure, sailing and travel. Richard died on 12 March 2017, and is survived by Jenny, son Mark (9892), daughters Emma and Caroline, and seven grandchildren.
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Allan Terras Bishop
6251 Aged 79
Terry was born in Taumarunui on 19 June 1938. He attended Christ’s College for four years from 1954 to 1957. Terry played in the 1st XI in 1956 and 1957. From College Terry went straight into the Old Collegians’ Senior Cricket team where he enjoyed some years of considerable success, including three centuries. He was selected in the Canterbury Plunket Shield training squad in the 1959-60 season. Terry completed compulsory military training at Burnham for 12 weeks in early 1958 where he was a marksman and crack shot, a skill previously unknown to him. He started his working life as a trainee bookseller at Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd in May 1958. He was later promoted to the Timaru branch book department manager/book buyer - the youngest person to have achieved this position in the history of the company.
After a trip to the United Kingdom, Terry resumed studies at Canterbury University and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Economics in 1971. That same year he married Karen Grimwood and they had three children, Alan, Alana and Brent. Six grandchildren followed. Terry worked for JWK Lawrence & Co, chartered accountants, then Trans Holdings Ltd, a travel company. He then went on to Command Services, parent company of Crothalls, Securitas etc. Along with these positions, he ran the family property company in conjunction with the trustee company. Terry always put family and their wellbeing first. He is survived by Karen and the family. He shall be sadly missed by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Chronicle 2017
20
Christopher Francis Brownie
6259 Aged 76
Chris was born in Christchurch on 7 September 1940. He was one of eight children of Francis Mitchell (Frank) and Annie Brownie (nee Buckton). Chris attended Christ’s College and was in Harper House from 1954 to 1958. Chris married Jaan Ashworth and had five children, Tim (9005), Lisa, Dean (9292), Hamish (9801) and Sara. On leaving school, Chris was employed as a carpentry and joinery apprentice and attended carpentry classes at Technical College. Chris then started an apprenticeship at his father’s business, Brownies Mattress Service. Later on, he left for Melbourne where he met Jaan. They married in the Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne, and after a couple of years returned to Christchurch where Chris joined the New Zealand Police in 1962. During his time in the police force, Chris’s local body appointments included that of chairman of the Prebbleton Hall Society and Domain Board, raising funds for the district in order to improve the sports fields. At the same time, for 17 years he held various offices in the Lincoln Rotary Club. He was also appointed Justice of the Peace at Prebbleton in 1976, attending to various ministerial duties in the district. After leaving the Police in 1972, Chris developed building sections in the Paparua (now Selwyn) and Rangiora districts after many requests from various councils to clean up different blocks. Chris completed subdivisions with his own plant, including roading in the extensive number of building sections he developed.
Following the 1980 economic downturn, Chris and Jaan bought and expanded Brownies Mattress Service. In 1994, Chris’s son Dean took the business over as a retail/wholesale and contract business with provincial stores. From 1994, Chris carried on running a wool mill company. In 2011, he was appointed a loss adjustor for the Earthquake Commission. wriggle out of school to learn to sail P-class yachts at Brighton. Throughout his life he had all sorts of boats and sailed and fished a lot. He spent hundreds of hours at sea around Akaroa and the Marlborough Sounds. Akaroa was like a second home to him and during the years there, he helped the community by post driving piles into the seabed for the jetty at the Akaroa Sailing Club, of which he was a lifetime member. Chris was an avid reader throughout his life and especially enjoyed political debate and current affairs. Chris always had interesting stories about boats and machinery. He had a love of people and was always cheerfully optimistic. Chris enjoyed a day out at the races and he was a regular visitor to the Melbourne Cup, attending since 1960. Chris had fond memories of his Christ’s College days, and regularly attended Old Boys events and functions over the years. Sadly, Chris died suddenly on 10 April 2017. He suffered a heart attack while in the Marlborough Sounds. He is now laid to rest in the Lincoln Cemetery. Chris’s love of boats and the sea continued throughout his life. From an early age, Chris would
Chronicle 2017
21
David Anthony Robert Haslam
6289 Aged 74
David was born in Christchurch on 27 August 1940, the elder son of Dr AL Haslam (later Mr Justice, later Sir Alec Haslam) and brother of Alastair (6898). He grew up in Christchurch, attending Fendalton School and then College, first in Julius House from 1954 to 1957, and then boarding in Flower’s House in 1958. He represented the school in debating. He attended Lincoln, graduating Master of Agricultural Science in 1965, with a thesis involving a management study of irrigation farming. After graduation he went to Wellington and worked for the Wool & Meat Board’s Economic Service, and then for the Wool Board. On a travelling scholarship, he went to the northern hemisphere in 1969, attaining an International Marketing Institute Diploma from Harvard. He left the Wool Board in 1976 to be involved in full-time farming, but by 1980 he returned to economic and financial consulting. Later in that decade, he was involved in the restructuring and asset sales programmes with a number of government agencies, including Coal, Land and Forestry Corporations, the National Provident Fund and Crown Research Institutes.
He held a number of directorships including the Crop Research Institute, Canterbury Forestry Foundation, Timberlands West Coast and Crop and Food Research Australia. He was on the Council of Lincoln University from 2000 until 2008, and was a director of Lincoln University Holdings Ltd. His university interest in irrigation continued, with his involvement in the Opuha dam project. From its inception, until just before his death, he was a Trustee of the Central Plains Water Trust with its plans to divert and reticulate water between the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers. He was a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. He lived near Norwood, where he was a renowned host. In his earlier years he was a keen sailor, and also pursued horse racing with admittedly limited success. He died at home on 11 April 2015. He is survived by his wife Marcia, and stepdaughter Jeanette, as well as his sisters Judy Robertson and Gill Marris, brother Alastair (6898), and four nieces and six nephews.
Chronicle 2017
22
Roderick Grahame Gunn
6299 Aged 72
Rod was born in Gisborne to Alan and Constance Eileen (nee Rogers) Gunn. After attending primary school in Gisborne, Rod went to Christ’s College, like his father before him. The standard method of travel in those days was to board a train to Wellington, take the overnight ferry to Lyttelton and then the train to Christchurch – quite the journey for young boys! Rod was in Jacobs House from 1957 to 1961. He loved rugby and was the hooker in the 1st XV in 1961. He also excelled in academics and was a very decent artist. After College, Rod crossed the street and attended the University of Canterbury for four years. He graduated with a first class honours degree in English and won a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue a PhD in English Literature at the University of Cambridge. Using again the standard mode of transportation, he caught a ship in 1966 for the UK via the Suez Canal – travel then had its perks! Although he returned many times to visit, he never lived in New Zealand again. Rod was in Cambridge for a number of years before deciding that academia was not where he wanted to be. Computers seemed to be a sign of the future, so he moved to London to study programming. During this time, Rod reconnected with Linda Terpenning, an American studying at Canterbury when he was there, and they married in London in 1973.
Some years later, after the birth of their daughter, Rod was made an offer he couldn’t refuse at a company in the Philadelphia area. They pulled up stakes in London and moved to the US where they lived for the next 36 years. Rod first worked for a company involved in collecting data for the healthcare industry and then for one of the first e-commerce companies in the world. He became an expert in data warehousing. After retiring in 2010 Rod’s final years were difficult. Nevertheless, he continued to travel, read, garden and enjoy the company of friends and family. He died in January 2017, a week shy of his 73rd birthday. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, two children – Imogen (Ely, UK) and Hamish (Boston, USA), three sisters – Fran, Sally and Brigit (New Zealand) and many nephews and nieces on both sides of the Pacific. Rod was a good friend to those who knew him. He had friends from all times and parts of his life, including many from College. He is sorely missed by those who loved him.
Chronicle 2017
23
Edward John Tapper
6346 Aged 76
Ted Tapper was the only son of Walter T. Tapper (3680) of Invercargill, and was in Jacobs House.
On retirement, he was elected as a councillor for three terms on the Southland Regional Council. Ted was an avid fisherman and hunter and served on the Southland Acclimatisation Society for approximately 32 years. He died in Invercargill on 19 August 2017 and is survived by his wife Nancy and two sons Nick (10205) and Humphrey (10787).
On leaving school, Ted set up Anglers Guidance Company specialising in overseas fishermen. He then joined the family business in Invercargill, Tappers Limited, that was first established in the early 1920s. He ran the business successfully and employed approximately 40 people. Ted took over the business from his father and uncle in the late 1970s becoming managing director. During this time he also became president of the New Zealand Master Cycle Traders Federation from 1986-1987. He eventually sold the family business in 1993.
Chronicle 2017
24
Philip Humphrey Garland
6394 Aged 75
Phil was born in Christchurch on 9 February 1942, the eldest son of Humphrey (2681) and Ruth Garland (nee Tully). He received his primary school education firstly at Opawa School and then The Cathedral Grammar School, before entering College as a day pupil in Julius House from 1955 to 1959. He played rugby as a prop forward eventually captaining the 3rd XV and also played a couple of games in that position for the 1st XV. Phil also played cricket for 3rd XI as a left hand opening batsman and right arm medium pace bowler going on to represent Canterbury schoolboys in their grade. He was a member of the College Sea Cadet Corps and would have liked to join the RNZN. Sadly, this was not to be as his colour vision let him down. Undeterred, after leaving school, Phil first joined the Union Steam Shipping Company in Christchurch and then Shaw, Savill & Albion Line with the intention of becoming a purser, but music got in the way. Whilst still at College, he and a schoolmate saw the film ‘Rock around The Clock’ and, as a consequence, began playing rock music with the local church youth club band, plus, with mates from College, formed a group who played at school dances. After leaving College Phil continued singing, playing at popular dance halls and then formed his own group – ‘The Playboys’ – with a co- vocalist who was to become well known as Dinah Lee. In 1962, he resigned from Shaw Savill & Albion because the rock group was invited to Auckland. Phil recorded a number 1 hit and soon after returned to Christchurch continuing to work in the local rock scene.
At this time folk music claimed his interest and became the field to dominate his future career. In 1968 he was the founding president of the Christchurch Folk Club, filling that position for a number of years. From 1978-1985 Phil also became the organiser of the Canterbury Folk Festival. He wrote a number of songs and set others to music, gaining international attention. His albums made the finals of the New Zealand Music Awards no less than six times, winning three Tuis for Best Folk Album. Also, a radio documentary he produced for NZ Radio won an international accolade in 1977. In the mid 1980s he lived in Australia where he cemented his reputation as a performing artist before returning to New Zealand in 1996. Phil had published two books by this time, detailing his work in New Zealand folk music. After residing in North Canterbury, he and his partner Jan, relocated to Te Aroha in the Waikato. Whilst there, he was recognised for his 50 years of work in the New Zealand folk music industry being awarded the QSM in 2014. Sadly, Jan died in December 2016, and Phil’s health, not the best over the previous two years, began to decline forcing him to stop touring. Phil suddenly and unexpectedly died on 15 March 2017. His funeral was held in Christchurch, attended by hundreds of friends and fellow musicians. He is survived by four daughters, one step-daughter and two step-sons, an older sister and brother Mike (7294), and six grandchildren. From 1967 to 2015, he recorded some 19 albums, both solo and as a member of different groups.
Chronicle 2017
25
Anthony Hood Clay
7005 Aged 70
Anthony (Tony) Hood Clay was born in Christchurch on 16 July 1946 to Edna and Gerald Clay, and was brother to Henry (6730) and the late Rosemary. Tony attended Redcliffs Primary School and then Christ’s College from 1960 to 1964. On finishing school, Tony attended Canterbury University and gained an MA(Hons) in geography. He initially planned on studying history but found better field trips were to be had in the geography department. He attended Teachers College in Christchurch and gained his first teaching job at Burnside High School, where he met his wife Ann, also a first-year teacher at Burnside. In 1973, after two years at Burnside, Tony was granted a leave of absence allowing them both to travel to the UK, via southern Africa, and to work in the United Kingdom for a couple of years. They lived in Shoreham by Sea, on the south coast, and Tony worked as a teacher at Shoreham Grammar School, where he surprised the locals with his short trousers and modern and antipodean methods of teaching. Tony and Ann made the most of their time in the UK and Europe, and took school trips to nearby France. Tony also taught sailing in Shoreham Harbour. Tony and Ann returned to Christchurch in late 1975, via South America - they loved a more adventurous style of travel.
With their new Volkswagen Beetle, they settled in Christchurch, and Tony resumed his teaching position at Burnside High School. They had two daughters in 1979 and 1981 and expanded the house and garden. Tony enjoyed working in his large vegetable garden from these early years until his death. In 1991 Tony undertook a teacher exchange, and exchanged houses, jobs and cars with a teacher from Loughborough in the UK. Tony and the family lived for a year in Quorndon, Leicestershire and taught Geography and Humanities at Burleigh College in Loughborough. It was a fantastic family experience, and every spare second was spent sightseeing and travelling. In 2006, Tony was awarded a Royal Society of New Zealand Teacher Fellowship, and enjoyed a very positive year in the Geography Department at Canterbury University. He carried out research on the Christchurch Estuary, and assisted where he could in research, labs and field trips. Tony taught at Burnside High School for 38 years, mostly as the Head of Department for Geography and Tourism, and in that time was the main proponent of many Geography and Tourism field trips to the Gold Coast. He also enjoyed taking students to Oaro, Kaikoura and Cass. He wrote two geography textbooks about natural hazards. The omission of earthquakes from his teaching of hazards pertaining to Christchurch, caused him some mirth after his retirement – one month before the quake of 2010.
Chronicle 2017
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