If you purchase a History of Newington – premium edition, which comes with a sterling silver bookmark, hard case packaging, individually numbered and signed by the award winning author and former Newington parent, Dr Stephen Gapps for $150 – you will also receive a FREE Newington monopoly set (normal sale price is $65). Contact alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au
In 2001 when he was 19, Tom suffered a catastrophic attack of meningococcal disease resulting in the amputation of his limbs, multiple skin grafts and years of hospitalisation. In order to secure Tom’s financial future, the Newington College community and family members contributed generously to the Tom Nash Foundation which was jointly administered by the College and Tom’s family.
Thirteen years on from his life altering crisis, Tom has made a career as a DJ and a name for himself composing electronic dance music. A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald, profiles Tom’s career trajectory and reveals his edgy positivism and individuality as the key to his success.
Feature Picture of Tom Nash courtesy TimeOut Media
Set up in 2014, the ONU Facebook page provides a platform for news about Newington Old Boys. With the world wide reach of Facebook, it’s also a very important tool for Old Boys to stay connected to Newington College. Visit the ONU Facebook page and click Like to follow.
Help us reach 1,000 Likes on Facebook.
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The 70 Club hold two regional lunches each year, giving Old Boys over 70 (and partners) the chance to get together and celebrate Christmas. The Central Coast Christmas lunch was held on Wednesday 12 November at Davistown RSL and the Mid-North Coast lunch was on Thursday 20 November. Click here for more on the 70 Club.
Congratulations to Matthew (Matt) Bruce, violinist, and resident concert master for the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2015. Even with his hectic schedule, Matt has generously offered to lend his expertise to the Newington Symphonic Strings orchestra.
Matthew has been the Resident Concertmaster of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra since 2012. He joined the orchestra in 1992, and has toured with the Brandenburg both nationally and internationally. He has appeared as soloist on numerous occasions, and is featured on many of the Brandenburg’s recordings, including the ARIA award winning ‘Baroque Tapas’.
Matthew performed regularly for a number of years with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and has also performed with a number of contemporary artists including Jenny Morris, Daryl Braithwaite, and James Raine. He has been concertmaster for various groups including Les Alises, Orchestra of the Antipodes, and most recently with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.
Matthew started playing violin at the age of four with Suzuki exponent Hiroko Primrose. He was awarded a full music scholarship to Newington College in 1981, where he led the orchestra and gave solo performances on numerous occasions. He also appeared as the ‘fiddler’ in the Newington production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.
From 1991 Matthew studied under Janet Davies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he rediscovered a passion for early music and period playing in baroque ensemble studies with Paul Dyer in 1992. He was a winner of the Sydney Conservatorium concerto competition in 1993, graduating with top marks in his senior recital the following year.
A Big Brother Travelling Scholarship in 1995 allowed Matthew to travel to London where he studied with David Tocano and Lydia Mordkovich.
Between 1995 and 1999 he performed and competed as a member of the East Sydney Ensemble at the Townsville International chamber music, Canberra Chamber Music Festival, ANAM, Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, and Academie de Musique in Lausanne, Switzerland. He also toured chamber music programs with the group to Fribourg, Paris, across New Zealand and the Pacific, and locally throughout NSW.
In 2000 Matthew was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to pursue further studies in period performance practices on baroque violin in Europe under the tuition of Enrico Gatti and Ryo Terakado, and also toured internationally with the Australian Brandenburg orchestra in the same year.
Matthew’s musical interests encompass a wide range of styles and repertoire, from historically informed baroque playing, to chamber and solo works from baroque to contemporary periods, to jazz, free improvisation, and contemporary pop. He has performed and recorded with ensembles and groups including Sydney Philharmonia, The Song Company, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Pinchgut Opera, and with contemporary groups J’Adobe, Stories, Albert Ayler Project, Coda, and Four-play, as well as for ABC Classic FM, and various solo concerto performances with orchestra, including works from Vivaldi to Prokofiev.
Matthew is a committed educator, and currently teaches and takes masterclasses at the Australian Institute of Music.
Congratulations to Australian band sensation, The Preatures with Thomas Champion (ON 2007) on bass and Jack Moffitt (ON 2007) on guitar who supported The Rolling Stones on their Australian November tour.
A message from the band on their website “Yesterday was a gig we won’t be forgetting anytime soon. We met the men and shook their gnarled, fragile hands. Charlie watched us side of stage, Mick gave me two air kisses. And then Keith said… ‘Yourderleadsingerinthetngkng?maaaaahthatsgoosgeeeeerr.’ Life complete!”
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I am an old boy from 2009 and I’m seeking corporate sponsorship to help me pursue my goal of competing at the World Championships in Beijing next year and at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. I am currently the Australian Champion for 800m, and have competed in the World Championships in 2013 and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year. My travels around the world for races, as well as medical and training costs are high, and due to the 2008 financial crisis, it is incredibly difficult to receive financial contracts from any major sporting brand. Many athletes now turn their attention to large companies and corporations who they could potentially represent at social events, training sessions and conventions.
I understand how vast the ONU community is, and also that there are many Old Boys with good connections in companies, or are actually CEOs themselves. If you are able to help with sponsorship please get in touch with me.
Old Boys Lecture Theatre
The Old Boys Lecture Theatre, so named in recognition of the ONU being the major donor to the Sesquicentenary Capital Campaign, is one of the most intensively used spaces at Newington. The Theatre has 246 seats and it is very pleasing to report that over half of these have been individually sponsored by Old Boys and parents to recognise their own contribution to the College or that of past staff and/or Old Boys, some no longer with us. To see the number of plaques on the backs of seats and the names that have been recognised on the Honour Board is truly inspiring. All Old Boys are encouraged to make a point of viewing this magnificent facility next time they visit Newington.
If you would like to join those who have honoured others by sponsoring a seat, please click on this link Your tax deductible donation of minimum $4,000 can be payable over a number of years. If you wish to discuss, please contact Mona De Araujo at community@newington.nsw.edu.au
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Guests at the Class of 1964 Reunion were treated to a rendition of If You Knew Susie by the inimitable former Newington Master Mr Phil Davis OAM accompanied by Rob (Oscar) Wild (ON 1965) on the harmonica.
View the footage here.
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Old Boys from the Classes of 1964 as well as 1963 and 1965, partners and former Masters were welcomed back to Newington on Saturday 1 November, 2014. The day started with a tour of new facilities including the refurbished Le Couteur centre and drinks in the Phil Davis OAM Year 12 Common Room followed by a lunch in Prescott Hall. How fitting that Phil Davis was invited as a special guest to the lunch and he rewarded all with a superb rendition of If You Knew Susie.
Saturday 6 December, 2014 7:30PM Johnson Oval
Gather your friends and family to herald in the festive season on the banks or field of Newington’s beautiful Johnson Oval.
Bring a cushion or rug to enjoy the mild evening amidst the sounds of the College and Wyvern choirs, bands and other surprise performances. The barbecue will be on, hosted by the P&F Association, to share Newington’s hospitality with our local community—while remembering the significance of this special time of the year.
Newly appointed Boarding House Master Troy Stanley (ON 1995) seeks your assistance…
Congratulations to Old Boy Troy Stanley (ON 1995) who was recently announced as the new Boarding House Master to replace Mark Oliphant who is returning to Brisbane with his family. Troy, pictured above with Newington student Vincent Blackwell at the 2014 City to Surf, is keen to hit the ground running in his new role and is seeking the support of Old Boys and in particular, Old Boy Boarders and their families, for a new initiative for the Boarding House.
The Boarding House is a wonderful asset of Newington and there is a great spirit of collegiality amongst our Boarders. To further develop this, Troy would like to introduce a number of Boarding House Annual (and one Weekly) Awards and he is asking if Old Boy Boarders and their families or Old Boys generally would be keen to sponsor one or a number.
Both the Headmaster and ONU President have approved this proposal and the ONU has already committed to sponsor the Weekly Award – Man of the House.
The following Annual Awards are proposed to be introduced and, depending on your response, will be first presented at the end of this current Term.
Sponsorship per Award is a one off payment of $500.00 to cover the cost of the trophy. Please note, due to the nature of this payment it is not eligible for tax deductibility.
In addition to the above, Troy is looking for a sponsor for a Trophy Cabinet, and for a tax deductible donation of $2,500, your name would adorn such cabinet.
If you would like to support this wonderful initiative, please email alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au We look forward to your support.
Long serving and greatly admired Master, Reverend Edward (Ted ) Archer died on Friday 14 November, 2014 at the age of 98. Ted Archer came to Newington in 1956 (as Senior Master of Wyvern House), moved to the senior school in 1964 and retired from full-time teaching at the end of 1980, staying on as part-time Registrar during 1981. His main teaching areas were English and French, with a passion for cricket and organ and piano playing. His Thanksgiving Service was held at the Allan Drew Funeral Chapel, corner Francis Street and Old Northern Road, Castle Hill on Friday 21 November 2014.
Newington received many messages from Old Boys and former College staff, expressing great admiration for Ted Archer as a teacher and mentor. A few are listed below.
He was a very nice man. He was my form master in Year 6, 1958. A great teacher and organist, a gentleman of the first order.
Dr Tom Ruut (ON 1963)
Mr Archer, or “Archie”, was my English teacher and cricket coach at Wyvern, and then later in English, at the main school. I remember him well and am sorry to hear that he has passed away. If possible, please pass on to the family my condolences.
Steve Finau (ON 1966)
I have very fond memories of Ted Archer from my earliest time at Newington, when I was wide-eyed and apprehensive about the big new environment I’d found myself in. He was a very reassuring and supportive Master and one couldn’t have hoped for a better mentor.
Wayne Hinton (ON 1984)
I remember Ted with the greatest affection. He was my first master at Newington in 1975, in Year 7. He was always kind, humorous and patient. He introduced me to high school from day one, and I will forever be grateful for his guidance. Very much a father figure for me.
Dr John Ypsilantis (ON 1980)
I have very fond memories of Ted – he was a mentor to me in my first years at Newington. A gracious, humble man who I am sure influenced many students for the good.
Andrew Thornley (Staff 1979-93)
Concord Golf Club is an historic venue for the Newington Golf Day. The above picture was taken at the Newington Golf Day in 1929 at Concord Golf Club. The 2015 Golf Day will be held at Concord and very reasonably priced at $150 which includes green fees, lunch, buffet dinner, post round drinks and great prizes. Funds raised at this year’s Golf Day will go towards the ONU Depression Fund and the ONU Tongan Bursary Fund.
download the registration form here
click here to make a secure online payment for the 2015 Golf Day
The ONU AGM on Tuesday 18 November, showcased our successful events and activities for 2014 and highlighted our core values of giving back to the Newington College community. I was pleased to report on the over twenty reunions and events in 2014 attended by over 700 Old Boys. Our signature golfing event, the Newington Golf Day raised $15,000 for the ONU Depression Fund which provides support for Old Boys living with depression. This year, I’m also pleased to welcome all Year 12 students as ON 2014 and to congratulate the College Premiership teams: the Cricket 1st XI and the Football 1st XI.
Tony McDonald (ON 1976), Chair of College Council thanked the ONU and the 70 Club for instilling the core College values into their framework. On behalf of the ONU, I presented Tony with a cheque for $70,000 (Tony McDonald is pictured on right). The Headmaster’s report presented by Bob Meakin, Deputy Head of Stanmore (Students) emphasised the resoundingly successful position Newington is currently in, with capacity enrolments. The Headmaster’s 2014 Annual Report and Strategic Plan 2015-2018 will be posted on the College website by 6 December, 2014. Download the Minutes of the 2014 ONU AGM here.
The ONU is again proud to support a team of Old Newingtonians from 2011 led by Jordan Townsend, Captain of the 2011 1st XI Football, who are raising funds for Prostate Cancer Research during Movember. The ONU has donated $1000 towards this worthy men’s health cause and encourages all Old Boys to support research efforts into all men’s health issues. Check out their efforts or make a donation to Team JT Senior here.
This is the last ONU enews for 2014. I urge all to put the following events in your diary for 2015:
As 2014 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has participated in Old Boy events and service related activities throughout the year. wish all Newington Old Boys and their families a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year. Have a great summer break.
Bruce Mellor (ON 1982)
ONU President
Thanks to the generosity of two Old Boys in particular, Tony Bosman (ON 1972) and Ronald Lu (ON 1962), together with donations from the ONU and the 70 Club, the College Chapel has been recently fitted out with 70 magnificent timber pews. The previous seating has, in large part, been donated to our Brother School, Tupou College in Tonga.
To date, over half of these pews have been dedicated to Old Boys, families and past and present staff to recognise their support of the College over the years. There are still some pews available for sponsorship and dedication for a payment of $1,950. With Christmas approaching, we ask that your family consider this as a gift to the College.
For more information, download the brochure.