Published on: 16 December 2015

David with Garth and Annie

As the recently elected President of the OBA, I welcome you to the final Old Boys’ Newsletter for 2015. This bimonthly e-newsletter provides the latest information from the association, the School and old boys from around the world. This wonderful publication is put together by Andrew Baird and Dianne Bain – I thank them for their excellent work in both publishing the newsletter and in everything else they do for us in running the Old Boys’ Office.

2015 has been another busy year for the association as we have been working towards continuing successful activities and providing innovation through the development of new ideas and programs. These activities support both our membership base of around 9000 and provide meaningful connection and interaction back to the School.

This year the OBA golf day featured a $10 000 cash prize for a hole-in-one at the third hole which unfortunately went begging. Our College Cup sailors came a nail-biting second place to Scotch with one point the margin. We continued our old boys versus school first teams in both basketball and water polo and introduced the ‘festival of the boot.’ The festival was a winter sports carnival between Christ Church and Scotch old boys in AFL, rugby, hockey and soccer. Although we did not win any codes, the event was well attended and developed great interest for 2016, hopefully with an improved result for us.

Now in its fifth year, the annual old boys’ assembly last November featured prefects from the last 15 years as invited guests with some asked to share their memories of their prefecture and its impact on their future lives. Guest speaker Dr James Marangou (2002) spoke to current boys about the journey of life after school and the joy of giving time and talent.

We continued with the old boys’ careers breakfasts with the senior students which continue to be popular with the boys.

I thank the 2015 OBA committee for their work during the year and in particular former OBA president Adam Collins (1987). I would like to acknowledge the following men who have stepped down from the committee after many years of service: treasurer Matt McNeilley (1983); past president and committee member Rob Crossing (1978); Bryn Hardcastle (1995); Chris Pass (2004) and Christian Landels (2006).

We now have seven new old boys on the committee his year with an average age of 35. I anticipate a reinvigoration of our association as we move towards our centenary year in 2017.

The forthcoming OBA calendar is packed full of events and activities, including year group reunions, businessmen’s lunch, OBA and PSA golf days, combined cocktail party with the Parents’ Association, the College Cup sailing regatta, the annual sundowner and a variety of other events.

Second longest serving Headmaster Garth Wynne (15 years) and wife Annie leave CCGS at the end of this year to take up a new position at Christ’s College in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was my pleasure to present Garth with honorary life membership of our association at the recent life members’ sundowner (as pictured above). Alan Jones will be the CCGS principal from the beginning of 2016, for more details about Alan please click here.

I encourage you to check out our website and to check the currency of your details in the OBA database as a way of staying connected and engaged with the activities of the association.

With the festive season upon us, I wish you and your families all the best. Have a safe and happy Christmas – I look forward to seeing you in 2016.

David Payne (1978)