40 Years On
This set up things beautifully for our final event, a formal dinner with our wives and partners at the Christchurch Club. Mick Withers (9650) was an entertaining MC, who espoused the virtues of smoking at school; he felt the smokers were never fairly recognised for their prowess. Patrick Middleton (9611) gave a very entertaining speech and brought back memories of conduct at College that would probably be deemed unacceptable today. There was much hilarity and interjections during some of the speeches. Richard Raymond (9626), our Head Prefect, in his typical erudite and polished manner, gave a wonderful speech which was a re-rendition of the speech he gave in 1983. Andrew Vincent recognised the eight boys from our year group who had passed on, most due to accidents. The weekend was well supported and a fantastic success, with many old friendships rekindled and a new enthusiasm created for further reunions, possibly as soon as five years away. Thanks to the organising committee of Michael Withers, Jonny Izard (9593), Frank Dowle (9568), Mark Rutherford (9629), Mark Coates (9560), David Bain (9547) and Roger Black (9789). Thanks also to the great support provided by the CCOBA office, and in particular CCOBA Secretary Justine Nicholl.
The 1979 year group met for their 40 Years On reunion on the first weekend in August. Almost half our year group attended, including a number from Australia and Jack Krairiksh (9719) from Thailand. The opening evening was full of stories from our school days, peppered with much hilarity and, later in the evening, a fair dose of hyperbole. Many thanks to the CCOBA for the platters of food, which were gratefully received. For a number of us this was not quite enough, and a good group headed to Burger King in the small hours of the morning to satisfy their hunger. On Saturday morning we met up in the Chapman Room for a cooked breakfast and to listen to both Executive Principal Garth Wynne and CCOBA President Geoffrey Sullivan. A tour of the school followed, and many who had not had a recent association with the school were impressed with the improved facilities. There was an opportunity for many of the boarders to identify their old smoking spots and places where they hid contraband. We then progressed to the No. 4 bar in Merivale and soon afterwards to the annual 1st XV clash against St Andrew’s College. This was a fantastic opportunity for our group to see the new and improved College haka and see our 1st XV overpower and outclass the more fancied StAC 1st XV.
Andrew Vincent (9641)
Back row: Paddy Borthwick, Jack Krairiksh, Gordon Beadel, Mark Rutherford, Dan Batchelor, Jonny Izard, Henry Mulligan, Mark Coates, Richard Allison, Simon Scott Third row: Anton van der Wilt, Scott Dunster, David Parr, David Goodman, George Goodwin, Peter Checkley, Patrick Middleton, TimWood, Guy Crawford, John McKellar Second row: Graeme Grigg, Vernon Lu, Graham Eden, Shayne Jones, Mick Withers, Tim Allen, Andrew Vincent, Simon Kingsbury, David Bain, Utiku Potaka Front row: Frank Dowle, Martin Murray, Peter Grant, Seamus Sullivan, Hamish Hudson, Richard Raymond, Johnny Acland, Ben Lester, David Bush, Roger Black, AndrewMorrow
Christ’s College Canterbury
98
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker