Old Boys’
OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTERS
December 2024
Honoured by the French with a Legion of Honour. Sounds heroic. Not really unless ‘surviving’ is heroic! My story unfolds. I joined the NZ Navy in October 1943 as a 19-year-old and was invited to go to the UK and undergo training for a commission. I accepted and so went to England which resulted in a year of preparatory work, learning the rudiments of navigation, seamanship, signalling… read more.
South Otago farmer and PNBHS Old Boy Hamish Bielski (1990-94) believes regenerative farming can provide answers to being more sustainable. After attending a seminar two years ago and hearing Australian ecologist Dr Christine Jones he realised the way he was farming was unsustainable… read more.
High-performance coach and Oldboy Mark Sutherland ((1975-79) is the only New Zealander to have coached at both the summer and winter Olympics. Mark has attended two summer Olympics as a coach to the New Zealand Canoe Team including Paul MacDonald & Ian Ferguson and the 1994 Winter Olympics as a trainer to the New Zealand World Record Ice Racing Team…. read more.
Nick Lampp (1994-98). Nick completed a Civil Engineering degree through Canterbury University followed by a Masters of Engineering Management which led him to a consulting role in Auckland. While working there over a number of years he transitioned from consulting to software management… read more.
Ray White stalwart and PNBHS Old Boy Gower Buchanan started his working life as a Real Estate Salesperson in Christchurch. In 2010 he moved to Auckland to join the Ray White Ponsonby team and has recently become one of the Directors of Ray White Commercial Auckland with grand plans for sustained growth beyond the immediate impacts of COVID-19
… read more.
A record-breaking 2019/20 season has seen Blackcaps batsman Ross Taylor take out the prestigious Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for the third time. The Hadlee Medal is NZ Cricket’s (NZC) supreme award for Cricketer of the Year… read more.
Congratulations to Old Boy and veteran cricket commentator Ian Smith (1974) who was honoured the prestigious Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding Services to Cricket at the 2020 ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards. Ian Smith was recently also inducted into the PNBHS Sports Hall of Fame… read more.
Old Boy Joseph Helu Makasini (2010-14) and his flatmates raised over $9000 for the Arohanui Hospice whilst in lockdown, with an event they created called ‘Driveway 1000’.
The group was recently interviewed by Hillary Barry and Jeremy Wells from Seven Sharp as part of their ‘ASB Good as Gold’ segment, announced they will top up their fundraising efforts by an additional $5000… read more.
Old Boy Luke Kemeys (2001-05) is a Chartered Accountant and the Director of a market-leading accounting and advisory firm, Next Advisory based in Auckland.
He is also one of the founding members leading a community of people called ‘Boys Get Paid’ within the horse racing industry… read more.
Old Boy Richard Calkin (1977-81) is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Web Genius, a company which help and support kiwi business heroes harness the power of the internet and generate more customers and more repeat business… read more.
Long term friend of the school Ron Eaton (1939-40), sadly passed away in early December last year. Ron will be remembered by many Old Boys for his attendance at the School’s Annual Anzac Service where he carried a wreath, along with the Old Boys’ Patron Alan Cull, which they laid at the base of the Gallipoli Oak… read more.
Old Boy Shamus Moffatt (2008-12) shares his story about life after school.
After leaving Palmerston North Boys High School in 2012, I went to the University of Otago where I completed a Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Neuroscience. Following the completion of my BSc, I applied for a place in Otago Medical School, and am now completing my final year of the medical degree…. read more.
IT WAS THE fend that made everyone sit up.
The flash of fast-twitch power, the left hand planted into Bourgoin fullback Florian Denos’ chest in the blink of an eye, leaving the Frenchman flapping at the red jersey for a split second before he was beaten.
Minutes after coming off the bench for his Thomond Park debut for Munster in October 2006, and having already delivered what would become a trademark rib-tickling hit, Lifeimi Mafi was showing he had something different, even in a squad that had reached its holy grail by winning the Heineken Cup the season before.
With those ferocious impacts, Mafi announced his arrival and barely looked back from there, going on to play for Munster 144 times in total and helping them to their second European title in 2008, as well as winning two Celtic League titles in his six years with the province. read more.
Bill was a Former Officer in the New Zealand SAS. A Kidnap and Ransom Negotiator Specialist and now an Emergency and Trauma Surgery Anaesthetist at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. Click on the link to go see his interview read more.
Kiwi-born Italian rugby international Dean Budd is coming to terms with his adopted home’s coronavirus crackdown, confined to the city of Treviso as the nation remains in lockdown. Having been in Italy since 2012, Budd qualifes for Italy through residency, representing the Azzuri on 23 occasions since his Test debut in 2017. However, to combat the spread of coronavirus, Italy is now in a state of lockdown, with Budd among them. read more.
NEXT CEO Bill Kermode has had to change his sabbatical plans due to the COVID-19 crisis. But before lockdown, he was privileged to travel to Antarctica and hear a story of resilience – with lessons we may be able to draw on in this period of adversity read more.
Old Boy Gavin Marriott JP, is a retired New Zealand music promoter and former London paramedic, born and now back in Christchurch NZ. He has an interest in war history and military music. He wrote the lyrics and arranged the NZ Army’s only original march –‘Hauraki’ read more.
Since finishing Lincoln University in 2014 studying Bachelor of Commerce in Agricultural Management. Matt has continued to pursue his dream of going farming where he has been in Culverden. Matt is loving the challenges that he faces every day and rewards that is attained to prove hard work pays off. Matt was privileged to win Dairy Manager of New Zealand last year which has opened up significant opportunities to grow his career and also to extend his networks. read more.
In our last newsletter, we asked our old boys to share their stories about their current situation or experiences dealing with this pandemic… read more.
Many of you would have seen Dr Shaun Hendy (1984-88) commenting on various media platforms about our country’s current health challenge. Shaun after leaving school majored in Mathematics and Physics at Massey University before going to The University of Alberta in Canada to complete a PhD in Physics. read more.
Mr Paul Pottinger | 1987 – 1993 | 2016 – 2019 |
Retired Mr Paul “Potts” Pottinger brought his own unique style into the School Councillors role. His manner is welcoming and non-threatening. An ability to relate to young men and his peers has been appreciated. Mr Pottinger had an innovative coaching style that has produced many successful rugby teams. Numerous boys have had the opportunity to play on Saturday morning in the schools historical ‘cake league’ cricket, which is something Mr Pottinger established. His leadership of Albion and Year 10 Outdoor Education Camps was always entertaining. His cheeky humour and pranks are legendary amongst his peers, as is for his empathy for others. His willingness to be involved in all aspects of school life will be greatly missed. read more.
Mr Justin Doolan | 2002 -2019 | Auckland Grammar School
Mr Doolan joined the PNBHS teaching staff in the school’s centenary year back in 2002 and he immediately immersed himself in all aspects of school life. He taught (some would say entertained) in Social Studies, Business Studies, Economics, Physical Education and Health. He was the Year 9 Dean (2004-17) and provided a unique approach to this role where he proudly guided many Year 9s into the PNBHS environment. He was also the Master In charge of his beloved Gordon Club from 2009-2016 and fulfilled the role of Assistant Manager at College House 2006 -2007. Mr Doolan will be long remembered for his significant contribution to the role of Year 9 Dean. The “Oooop” call is famous, as was his way of getting 400 boys to sit up and listen. read more.
Barry Clevely looks back fondly at some of his family and schooling stories. The fellow sitting the front row on the left, looking at the photo is my dad Wallace Clevely. He was a remarkable man. Like Coke, a school teacher and an excellent coach of numerous sports. Dad was the head of Hutt Intermediate for 13 years where he coached rugby and netball. He represented both Hawkes Bay and Wellington at lawn bowls and I recall how he was down 17/3 against a commonwealth gold medallist in the champion of champions but ended up losing with a final score of 18/17. read more.
A photo was sent to the Old Boys Department of the 1947 PNBHS 1st XV by Marjorie Buckley, wife of Fred Buckley. Fred was in the 1st XV in 1947, 2nd XI Cricket in 1946/47 (Capt in 1947); a school prefect and in College House. read more.
Congratulations to Oldboy David Reid who has been awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning as part of the 2019 Australian Awards for University Teaching program (AAUT) program. read more.
Four Olympians. 28 medals at World Championships, or Olympic and Commonwealth Games. More than 650 appearances for New Zealand. A double international. A member of a team who achieved a historic first. Two New Zealand Sportsman of the Year winners, three members of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, a number of New Zealand titles… read more.
A great day yesterday. Old Boy teams took on the school boys in Rugby 7s, Football and Hockey. There was going to be a cricket match too, but weather led to its cancellation. (There is talk of re-scheduling this game.) Results will be posted as soon as I get them.
To view pictures of the day click this link Old Boys vs Schoolboys
Congratulations to the following Old Boys who graduated from Victoria University between June 2015 and May 2016…….. read more
Mr Ryan Orange joined us for assembly on Wednesday 7 September 2016.
Mr Orange is an Old Boy who attended the school from 1989-1993. In 1998 he became just the fourth Old Boy to have been a Rhodes Scholar…….. read more.
On Friday 2 September 2016 we had an Old Boys Dinner in Palmerston North. Guest speaker for this year’s dinner was Hamish McKay, well known TV sports commentator. He spoke well and enjoyed being able to catch up with some of his old mates……. read more.
Of New Zealand’s more than 2500 schools, only Palmerston North Boys’ High School can boast an Olympian who has won four gold medals. New Zealand’s most golden Olympian, kayaker Ian Ferguson was the first and only Kiwi to win two golds on a single day…… read more.
The annual Palmerston North Boys’ High School Anzac service was held on Tuesday, April 3. Our school Anzac service remembers all those who have served and sacrificed for their country, in particular our 202 Old Boys who lost their lives in World War One, World War Two and the Falklands Conflict….. read more.
Great day had by all. Over $4000 raised for the 2017 1st XV tour of UK and Ireland. Many thanks to Matene Love and his army of helpers who made the day possible…. read more.
For many years, an annual old collegians golf tournament has been staged in Auckland – this year around 26 teams of Auckland old boys representing schools from around the country took part. PNBHS has been a regular at the tournament …. read more.
In both codes, youthful energy and effort were no match for the wily experience of the old fellas which meant they did not have to run around as much! Great to have old boys travelling from afar as New Plymouth and Wellington to play…. read more.
PNBHS was delighted to host the 1975 1st XV teams 40th reunion over the weekend. Captain and 1985 All Black Bruce Hemara travelled from Spain, where he is coaching, to be there to lead his troops again… read more.
PNBHS was delighted to host the 1965 1st XV teams 50th reunion over the weekend. The team, ably lead by Jerry Rowberry won the Moascar Cup and went through the 1965 season unbeaten… read more.
Dear OK Chorale Old Boys, My name is Nick Dow. I was a member of Chorale from 2005-07. I have been asked by Graeme Young to act as something of a secretary for Chorale Old Boys… read more.
The school wishes to thank old boy and owner of All-Tree Services Simon Sidey (91-95) for “answering the call” and removing the trees and stumps at the end of the No1 rugby field (at no cost to the school) so that the school is able to extend the North Street carpark… read more.
