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Greetings from the Old Collegians office!
As we approach the end of the year, I find myself reflecting on the wonderful events and reunions we've had at the College. This year, we hosted five decade reunions, a golf tournament, a rugby reunion, the Presidents' Dinner, the Annual Dinner, the Gentlemen's Lunch, and regional gatherings in Wellington and Dunedin. Among these highlights was the grand opening of the stunning Gough Family Theatre and a Board of Governors' farewell for our retiring Rector, Christine Leighton. It’s been a truly busy and fulfilling year! We also warmly welcome the Class of 2024 as our newest Old Collegians! We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. Additionally, a special welcome to Mrs Donna Jones, our newest Honourary Old Collegian, who has dedicated 21 years of service to our English Department.
I was delighted to present Christine with her tribute book last week filled with messages and memories from over 100 Old Collegians. She was absolutely thrilled to receive this and I know she will treasure it forever, so a huge thank you to everyone who contributed.
We look forward to welcoming new Rector, Mark Wilson, and his wife Judi to the College in January, and I know many of you will be eager to meet them. I am pleased to announce that we’ll be hitting the road to visit some of our regions for the first time in a while, and we would love for you to join us! Mark is hoping to attend some of these gatherings as well. We’ll be hosting drinks for our Old Collegians in Blenheim, Waipara, and Ashburton in February, and in Wānaka in March. If you’re in those areas, please come out and support these events as we hope to make them annual traditions. Registration information is below in this newsletter.
On behalf of the Old Collegians Association, we extend our warmest wishes to our long-serving Patron, Christine, and her husband Gavin for a happy and well-deserved retirement. Thank you for your unwavering service and dedication to our Old Collegians community over the past 17 years. We will certainly miss you and your incredible memory for names!
Wishing you all a wonderful and relaxing summer break. I look forward to reconnecting with many of you in 2025!
Warm regards
Lisa Clark
Alumni and Community Relations Co-ordinator
After 17 years it is hard to believe this is the final comment I will share with the Old Collegians as Rector of St Andrew’s College. I am leaving feeling grateful for the privilege of leading this wonderful school and for the genuine, sincere and interesting people I have met along the way.
The many OCA events, be they 10 Years or 70 Years On, have always increased my sense of connection and belonging. Singing the College Song for the final time at this year’s Prizegiving was an emotional moment and when I hear the sound of the pipes in the future, I will close my eyes and envisage this beautiful Strowan campus.
Gavin and I extend our heartfelt thanks for your kind messages and best wishes. I know you will continue to enjoy the stories that unfold at St Andrew’s College as another chapter is about to be written.
Warm regards
Christine
I was honoured to be re-elected as President of the St Andrew’s Old Collegians Association at our AGM in August. It has been another busy year at the College, highlighted by the reintroduction of the 30 Years On Reunion, and the memorable events at which we honoured our long-serving Rector and Patron, Christine Leighton.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the events I attended this year. The stories and journeys of our alumni never cease to amaze me. We are currently planning an exciting new Old Collegian event scheduled for late next year. It promises to be an unforgettable occasion and is sure to sell out quickly so stay tuned to our correspondence and social media for information about this.
We will be hitting the road for the St Andrew’s College Roadshow in February and March, and visiting Blenheim, Waipara, Ashburton, and Wānaka. I encourage you to register for these events if you would like to attend. It will be great to connect with you, especially as we have not visited the regions for a number of years. Please spread the word to your Old Collegian network and register for the events and we look forward to seeing you there.
Lastly, as I write my final column for 2024, I want to express my deepest appreciation to Rector Christine Leighton for her incredible 17 years of service. Christine, your dedication and enthusiasm have profoundly impacted thousands of Old Collegians worldwide. Thank you, Gavin Leighton, for your support as the ‘First Gentleman’. Tom and Alex Leighton, we are grateful that you shared Christine with the College.
I wish everyone a safe and relaxing summer holiday.
Sam Crosbie (OC 2009)
President, Old Collegians Association
The President of the Old Collegians Association, Sam Crosbie, warmly invites you to our 2025 South Island Regional Events.
After several years, we are thrilled to be back on the road and eager to visit our Old Collegians in these regions. These gatherings will be a fantastic opportunity to meet and reconnect with fellow Old Collegians. We also hope that our new Rector, Mark Wilson, will be able to join us at some of these events.
Please register below for the relevant events. Partners are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!
MARLBOROUGH: Monday 17 February 2025, 5.30pm–7.30pm
Dodson Street Beer Garden, Blenheim
Click here to register for Marlborough Event.
NORTH CANTERBURY: Monday 24 February, 5.00pm–7.00pm
Waipara Springs Winery and Restaurant, Waipara
Click here to register for North Canterbury Event.
MID CANTERBURY: Tuesday 25 February, 5.00pm–7.00pm
The Lake House, Lake Hood, Ashburton
Click here to register for Mid Canterbury Event.
CENTRAL OTAGO Thursday 6 March 2025, 5.30pm–7.30pm
Urban Grind, Wanaka
Click here to register for Central Otago Event.
Complimentary canapés and refreshments provided.
We look forward to seeing the Class of 1965–1969 at their 60 Years On Reunion, on the weekend of Friday 14 March – Sunday 16 March 2025.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER >
10 Years On: Class of 2011–2015, Friday 7 November 2025
30 Years On: Class of 1995–1999, Friday 13 June 2025
40 Years On: Class of 1985–1989, Friday 25 July – Saturday 26 July 2025
50 Years On: Class of 1975–1979, Friday 23 May – Saturday 24 May 2025
60 Years On: Class of 1965–1969, Friday 14 March – Sunday 16 March 2025
1st XV Rugby Reunion: Teams of 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015 – Date TBC
The OCA also holds a number of other special events and regional functions throughout the year as listed below. These dates may be subject to change:
Marlborough Event: Monday 17 February 2025, Dodson St Brewery, Blenheim
North Canterbury Event: Monday 24 February 2025, Waipara Hills Winery, Waipara
Mid Canterbury Event: Tuesday 25 February 2025, The Lake House, Lake Hood
Central Otago Event: Thursday 6 March 2025, Urban Grind, Wanaka
OCA Annual Golf Tournament: Friday 4 April 2025
OCA Annual Dinner: Friday 8 August 2025
Gentlemen's Lunch: Friday 10 October 2025
The Old Collegians Association works closely with St Andrew’s College to facilitate an exciting programme of reunions and functions for Old Collegians.
The 10 Years On is taken from Year 13, and the others are from the year in which the Old Collegians started in third form (Year 9).
If you would like to assist in the organisation of your year group’s upcoming class reunion, please contact the Old Collegians Association by email at oldcols@stac.school.nz, or phone Lisa Clark on +64 3 940 2085.
Please visit our events page for all upcoming event dates.
Old Collegians Reunions and Events >
On August 16, we welcomed 160 guests for the Old Collegians Annual Dinner.
This event was particularly special as it marked Rector Christine Leighton’s 18th and final Annual Dinner, where she was honoured for her 17 years as Patron of the Old Collegians Association.
Several awards were presented, including:
Congratulations to this year’s deserving winners. We also extend our gratitude to all the Old Collegians who continue to support this fantastic event. We look forward to seeing you again next year.
VIEW PHOTOS >
The Gentlemen’s Lunch at St Andrew’s College on Friday 18 October was a truly memorable event, attended by 121 Old Boys. The atmosphere was filled with camaraderie and nostalgia as former classmates, ranging in age from 74 to 97, reconnected and shared stories from their school days, spanning from 1941 to 1968. We also welcomed the Classes of 1949, 1954 and 1959 celebrating their 65, 70 and 75 Year On reunions.
VIEW PHOTOS>On the eve of the Gentlemen's Lunch, around 50 Old Boys and their partners gathered at the Chateau On The Park to share stories and reminisce about their time at the College. The event was organised by Robin Hilson, Ian Satterthwaite, Brian Butterfield, Bruce Charles, Eddie Oakley, and Russell King. Attendees were invited to submit biographies detailing their lives since leaving the College, which were compiled into a booklet capturing the fascinating journeys of many Old Boys.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who traveled from across New Zealand and Australia to celebrate this wonderful milestone.
On Friday 8 November, we had the pleasure of welcoming back 51 Old Collegians and their partners from the Class of 2010–2014 for a memorable 10 Years On reunion.
The evening began with a tour of the College where the guests explored the impressive new buildings and facilities that have transformed the campus since they left. Following the tour, everyone gathered at the Centennial Chapel for a welcome from Rector Christine Leighton and 2014 Head Girl, Zoe Merrick, and we also took a moment to remember our absent friends from this year group.
The celebration continued in Strowan House, filled with laughter and lively conversations, allowing alumni to reconnect and share stories from the past decade. Several staff members attended, enjoying updates on the diverse careers of our Old Cols. This reunion not only celebrated the past but also reinforced the strong community spirit of the College. Thank you to all who attended.
VIEW PHOTOS>On Monday 25 November, golfers Rod McKenzie (OC 1965), Chris Timbs (OC 1990), Jonathan Wells (OC 1987) and Damon Smith (OC 1992) proudly represented St Andrew's College Old Collegians in the 58th Annual Strowan Rose Bowl Tournament at Christchurch Golf Club. They secured an impressive second place, just behind Christ's College. Special shoutout to Damon for winning both the closest to the pin and longest drive!
This year, seven alumni teams competed, including Christchurch Boys' High School, Timaru Boys' High School, Otago Boys' High School, St Bede's College, and Darfield High School.
The Strowan Rose Bowl Tournament, established by St Andrew's College in 1967, has a rich history. The inaugural trophy was won by Xavier College. Here's to many more years of friendly competition and camaraderie!
Clive Nelson recently returned to Melbourne, Australia, to participate in the Royal Australian Air Force, Ground Defence/Security Force’s 95th Anniversary Ball. The prestigious event, held in Melbourne, brought together military personnel, dignitaries, and their families. Accompanying Clive was his daughter, Alexandra Browne-Hill, a poignant reminder of family ties forged through shared commitment. Clive’s military career spans continents and services. In 1954, he commenced his service with the New Zealand Scottish Regiment in the Territorial Army. Within four years, he earned a commission, demonstrating leadership and dedication. His path then led him to the Fiji Territorial Forces in 1961, followed by a return to the New Zealand Scottish Regiment in 1963.
In 1967 he joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a direct entry officer, Ground Defense Officer. His expertise and unwavering commitment made an indelible mark within the ranks. Clive’s service extended beyond borders. Between 1983–1984, he served in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula as part of the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) mission – an ongoing operation. The MFO, jointly undertaken by Australia, New Zealand, and other nations, aimed to enforce the security provisions outlined in the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace. His presence at the 95th Anniversary Ball serves as a testament to a lifetime devoted to service.
Graham Thorne Dowling OBE was born on March 4, 1937, and attended St Andrew’s College from 1950 to 1954. He was the son of Henry Dowling (OC 1922), a first-day pupil and former Head of English at the College. During his time here, Graham served as a prefect and developed a strong passion for cricket, captaining the First XI in 1954. He later captained Canterbury from 1962–63 to 1971–72, leading the team to victory in New Zealand’s inaugural one-day competition in 1971–72, where he earned the Man of the Match award in both the semi-final and final.
As a specialist right-handed batsman, Graham typically opened the innings and captained the New Zealand Test team in 19 consecutive matches from 1968 to 1972. Under his leadership, New Zealand achieved its first Test victories against both India and Pakistan. One of his most memorable performances came during the 1967–1968 season in Christchurch, where he scored an impressive 239 runs over nine hours, marking New Zealand’s first victory against India. This match was particularly significant as it was his debut as captain, making him the only player to score a double century in their first match as captain until this feat was matched in 2005. At that time, his score was the highest Test score for New Zealand, although the team ultimately lost the series 1–3. In 1969, Graham led New Zealand in 12 Tests, achieving three victories, including a notable win against the West Indies in Wellington. During a lengthy nine-Test tour from June to November, the team faced challenges, losing to England and sharing the series with India before securing a 1–0 victory against Pakistan, marking New Zealand’s first Test series win.
Graham faced significant challenges in his career, including losing the middle finger of his left hand due to an injury sustained during a brief tour to Australia in 1969–1970. He also suffered a back injury on the 1971–1972 tour to the West Indies, which led to his early return home and marked the end of his first-class career. In addition to his cricketing achievements, Graham was a partner in an accounting firm, allowing him to balance work with his cricket commitments. He later served as the CEO of New Zealand Cricket and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1987 New Year Honours for his contributions to cricket. Between 1995–2008, he also served as an ICC match referee, officiating in nine Tests and 16 one-day internationals.
Graham still regularly attends functions at the College and in November he was elected as a life member of New Zealand Cricket. Congratulations to Graham for his remarkable service to cricket in New Zealand and his stellar career!
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Hall on 21 October. Bill was a dedicated educator, teaching Accounting and Economics at the College from 1975 to 2002. Beyond the classroom, he was a passionate sports coach, achieving notable success with the College’s triathlon teams and completing seven Coast to Coast races himself. His sporting repertoire was extensive, including cricket, First XV rugby, squash, mountain biking, multisport, running, kayaking, fishing, scuba-diving, and yachting. Bill was a beloved character in the staffroom and will be fondly remembered by many of our Old Collegians.
Pictured right with Ross Payne-Harker.
Recently a pocket monogram was found by the Christ's College Archivist. When the thistles indicated a potential link to St Andrew's, our Archivist, Pip Dinsenbacher, was contacted. Pip instantly recognised it as we also had one in our own collection. Attached to it was a note that indicated it was for the Collegians Football Club. Even more useful was the date, 1937–1938. The Collegian explained that “owing to a lack of playing members and the difficulty of placing teams in the field, the [Football Club] amalgamated with the Old Boys of Christ’s College and formed a new club called the Collegians Football Club." The officers of the new club were shared between the Colleges. Keith Rutherford Wallace (OC 1923) and Charles Stewart Thomas (CC) were appointed patrons and William Alan Chapple McDonald (OC 1918), St Andrew’s first Head Prefect, took on the role of president and was the delegate to the Canterbury Rugby Union. Arthur Edward Flower (CC) and John Bibby Mawson, the Rector of St Andrew’s College, shared the vice presidency. The club captain was Herbert Radcliffe Black (CC).
The amalgamation of the Old Collegians Club and the St Andrew’s College Old Boys Club had to be approved by the Canterbury Rugby Union and this was confirmed on 6 October 1936. Clearly, membership was to be confined to Old Boys and masters of the schools, but there was some discussion about membership being extended to all old boys of secondary schools outside Christchurch. However, this question was referred to the annual meeting of the union, where it was opposed. Papers Past contains reports on the club. The first being an account of its “first social venture”, a dance at the Winter Gardens at which the club colours of pale blue and white were evident. These became an annual event. It appears that the club was reformed after a lapse of three years in 1946 and disbanded finally between 1952 and 1957.
Credits: St Andrew's College Archivist, Pip Dinsenbacher and 'The Quadrangle', Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association's newsletter.
On Saturday 19 October, we celebrated the portrait unveiling of retiring Rector, Christine Leighton. As it is tradition for all departing rectors to have their portrait hanging in Strowan House, Christine commissioned Central Otago realist artist, Neil Driver. Neil’s beautiful work has captured the real essence of Christine, posed in her study, and includes several special pieces alongside her, each one with a significant meaning to her time at the College.
The ceremony was a very moving event and included a personal and poignant poem written for Christine by the College Writer-in-Residence, Kerrin P. Sharpe.
After the amazing performance of Stairway to Heaven last year, the audience at the 2025 Prizegiving was once again wowed by the talented students who performed the Coldplay classic, Viva la Vida.
Click to watch >
There was also a fabulous rendition of Michael Bublé's Jingle Bells.
Click to watch >
You are warmly invited to join Rector Christine Leighton tomorrow for a special evening of music hosted by St Andrew's College in our Centennial Chapel.
Samuel Jeon (OC 2021), who has continued to shine since his last memorable performance at the College in 2021, will be joined by his sister Christine Jeon (OC 2024), for this special end-of-year chamber music concert on piano and cello. Ethan Waines (Year 8) will also perform, with his brother Caleb. In 2021, Samuel and Christine, with their trio 'Vich Perfect', captivated us with their breathtaking performance of Shostakovich's Piano Trio No.2 in E minor (Op. 67), winning the NZCT Chamber Music Contest. Christine Leighton is honoured that Samuel and Christine wish to recognise her time as Rector in this way, and will be delighted to introduce the performances.
EVENT DETAILS
Donations Welcome | Support 'So They Can'
Any donations received will support our charity partner, So They Can (supporting education in Tanzania). Choose the donation option when you register, or use our donation form by clicking here. Cash will also be accepted on entry.
If you know of any Old Collegians who deserve to be featured in our Class Notes section of Regulus, or if you’d like to share your own updates, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a small accomplishment or a major milestone, our community thrives on celebrating the achievements of our alumni. And yes, we’re always excited to see wedding photos and news of new additions!
Thank you for being part of our vibrant Old Collegian community!
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We look forward to connecting with you.
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Send us a photo of your baby or your special wedding day for our November Regulus magazine. We will also send all new babies a St Andrew's Bonny Bear!
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