TREASURE
Meet bequestor Peter Margoliouth
P eter Margoliouth (7724) believes he is the last person on the planet to carry that surname. “When I go, it does too,” he says with a grin during his visit to Christ’s College at the end of 2021. And it is partly for that reason that he is making a substantial bequest to College – both to ensure that his name lives on, and that the school flourishes in perpetuity. “Our family name has its origins in Poland, but many of them ended up in England where we once had a lot of relations – now, sadly, all gone. As far as I know there are no other Margoliouths on the planet. So, I’d really like the name to remain, and what better place than at College.” He is still to finalise with the College Board exactly how his name and story will be preserved but is thrilled that his bequest will make a profound difference to New Zealand’s unique educational institution. His father, Lindsay Margoliouth (3831), attended in the 1920s and years later brought his only son down on the train from Gisborne to begin his own College career. “I always felt very fortunate to
come to College, and I’ve always been very passionate about it,” Peter says. “My association with College has extended throughout my life – particularly, since 1969 through the Hawke’s Bay branch of the CCOBA, serving on the committee and being secretary.” He remembers being “terribly homesick” in his early College days and writing letters home every week – “toll calls were far too expensive”. “I didn’t know a soul, and in those days the older guys didn’t speak to you. “Richards House held an amnesty at the beginning where all new boys were exempt from being caned in their first two weeks. Except me. I was so naughty I got caned in the first week.” As time went by, he settled in, settled down, and started making friends. Some of those friends are still in touch today. Peter spent his four years in Richards House. Initially not an academic, he made up for it in his later years, grasping every opportunity that came his way, and applying himself studiously in the classroom. However, it was History that really inspired Peter. He credits History teacher Don
Hamilton for giving him a love of history books – particularly autobiographies. “I love reading about the life and times of people, and while I’ve been down in Christchurch on this visit, I bought my latest on George Washington.” Peter says he “got what I did out of College by putting my best foot forward”, and the experience has proved a blueprint for his life. “The friends you make here are friends for life. “The unique part of being at College is that it teaches you how to mix and get on with people, and how to stick up for yourself.” Until he returned for the College 150th reunion in 2000, Peter had not walked through the gates since graduating in 1968. “I walked through the gates on that occasion after 50 years away, and it was an amazing experience. I felt at home, comfortable. It just felt marvellous to be back.” Peter is President of the 160-year- old Hawke’s Bay Club and its 350 members. He also served for 45 years on the executive of the Hawke’s Bay A and P Society before retiring this year. He has always worked in agriculture.
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PHILANTHROPY
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