29 Nov 2018

Achieving Alumni

Congratulations Ben Volavola (ON 2009).  Ben represented Fiji against France. Fiji toppled France for the first time in a Rugby international at the Stade de France on Saturday 24 November 2018.  Ben kicked the crucial match winning penalty to secure the victory for Fiji.

Morgan McDonald (ON 2013) named USTFCCCA 2018 Cross Country Athlete of The Year.  In front of a great crowd, Morgan McDonald shined and brought home an NCAA title for University of Wisconsin Badgers.

Morgan McDonald (ON 2013)

Click here to read the tale of three Old Boys, Ed Psaltis (ON 1978), Arthur Psaltis (ON 1982) and Michael Bencsik (ON 1982) surviving the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Congratulations Brian Ferguson (ON 1961) for reaching a fantastic milestone standing as a Cricket Umpire in his 350th SCA Grade appointment.  Brian becomes the 24th member in the history of SCA to standing in 350 matches.  An outstanding achievement. 

Brian has become one of the most respected and recognisable umpires throughout Sydney. He carries himself with a great attitude, a wonderful sense of humour, and all who have worked with him have benefited from the experience, including countless new and less experienced umpires who Brian has volunteered to mentor in an unofficial capacity.

Congratulations Angus Bell (ON 2018) and Nathan Lawson (ON 2016), they were included in the Junior Wallabies Training Squad.  Angus has subsequently been named as Captain, the first Newington player in the College’s history to be named Captain of the Junior Wallabies.

The launch of the 2018/19 College Rowing season was a special occasion for Howard Goodall (ON 1977). One of the new Quads was named in his honour for his many years contribution to Newington Rowing, both as a coach and an active member of Newington Masters Rowing. Congratulations Howard.

THANK YOU, CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK
After 15 years’ service at Newington, 20 November was Brad Gill’s (ON 1992) last day at the College as a teacher and 1st XV Coach.
Brad was coach of the 1st XV that won the College’s inaugural GPS Rugby Championship in 2010 and followed that up with a Championship again in 2012. These, combined with GPS Premierships in 2013 and 2015 (joint Premiers with TSC) mark the most successful period in the College’s Rugby history. In 2019 we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Newington Rugby and Brad features heavily in the History of Newington Rugby book to be published next year.
The ONU thanks Brad for his service to Newington. We wish him all the very best as the Assistant Coach for the Australian School Boys 2018 Rugby Tour of Scotland and Ireland, and good luck in your role as Boarding Master (Rawson House) at Cranbrook School.