THE QUADRANGLE Honours Ties for Sir Michael Fowler and Dr Vaughan Smith
A distinguished architect, artist and politician, and a technology and global impact specialist and former vice-president at Facebook were honoured in absentia with Senior Honours Ties at a recent College assembly.
Old Boys Sir Michael Fowler (5193) and Dr Vaughan Smith (10040) were both remarkable and worthy recipients of the ties, CCOBA Vice-President Angus Dysart-Paul told the school.
Sir Michael Fowler Sir Michael, now 91, was
represented by words from his son, Mark Fowler, himself an Old Boy. His dissertation was read by Deputy Head Boy Jamie Barr. Sir Michael loved gymnastics at College and won four boxing blues. He also had a passion for drama, art and design, which led him to architecture, graduating from Auckland University and later completing a Master of Architecture. He wrote and illustrated several books, spent many weekends painting in watercolours “to help fund us three kids through school” and won three three- year contiguous terms as Mayor of Wellington from 1974–1983. His impact on that city is widely regarded as being transformational and of great benefit to the livability of Wellington. He was knighted in June 1981 and recognised with the naming of the Sir Michael Fowler Centre. His championing of significant social and urban change courted political controversy, and his terms of office were frequently punctuated by opposition on various issues.
Mark Fowler said his father “demonstrated laser focus on making a difference and leading change for the better, be it in design, politics, or even just making sure every family holiday was a great new adventure”. He had seen Christ’s College as a fantastic opportunity, both for himself and, similarly, for his son. “When he farewelled me at the College gates for my first year of boarding in 1970, he knelt down,
held me by the shoulders, looked me in the eyes and said something like: ‘Now is your chance to really go for it. College is a fantastic opportunity. Not many people get such a chance. Grab the next few years hard. Learn everything you can. Join every club. Go on every adventure. Be the best you can. Life will reward you for the energy you put in now. It’s going to be fantastic.’ Wow, that was a pep talk.”
Christ’s College Canterbury
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