Welcome to 2015, where the  ONU Executive and Councillors are looking forward to a busy ONU Calendar year. 

The talent in the Newington Old Boys’ community came to the fore early in 2015 with Australia Day Awards honours going to  David Forbes (ON 1951) OAM for Services to Sailing.  The College announced that acclaimed chef and Rockpool restauranteur, Neil Perry AM ( ON 1975) will open the new Founders Hospitality Centre. Neil  and other Old Boy leaders in the hospitality industry inspire us all with their passionate dedication to quality food and service.

Newington Golf Day
You are all invited to the Newington Golf Day on Thursday 5 March 2015, which promises to be an excellent day of golfing, networking and great fun. Affordably priced at $150 per person, and held at the superb Concord Golf Course, all funds raised from our annual Golf Day support the ONU Tongan Bursary Program and the ONU Depression fund.  For more information and to make a booking click here.

Centenary Anzac Service and Parade
Old Boys are invited to join the Newington community on Wednesday 29 April 2015 at 8.45am on Johnson Oval as the College marks the Centenary of Anzac in a very special morning of events.  Allow plenty of time as parking is limited on site due to construction works – see below.

Reunions and ONU Annual Dinner
Reunions for Year Groups are held every five years throughout 2015.  On 18 July, the ONU Annual Dinner, held in Centenary Hall and incorporating a few year group reunions will be a great get together for Old Boys. I hope to see you there.  For more information on reunions and the ONU Annual Dinner click here.

Mentor Programs for Younger Old Boys
Our mentor program for young old boys continues to be very worthwhile, with young old boys able to leverage off the knowledge of Old Boys with more experience to share. This is critical in times where young unemployed figures are alarming and we need to support our young school and university leavers get into the workforce. 

Newington College Centre for Ethics
This month, Professor Ian Hickie AM, Executive Director of the Brain and Mind Institute will talk on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the 21st Century: A Community Challenge. For more information click here.

Newington College Current Building Works
Works at the Secondary Campus over the holiday break included preventative maintenance operations, landscaping and upgraded external seating; upgrade of Level 1 of the Music Centre; upgrade of classrooms in War Memorial Wing; the creation of a hospitality kitchen within Founders; upgrade of PRS classrooms; upgrade of Mathematics staff room; the upgrade of the ONU Oval; and new furniture and ICT facilities throughout the College.

In exciting news, work will begin on three major projects early in Term 1. Firstly, a new Year 7 Centre will be built behind the Le Couteur building. As part of the works, we will be building a new Health Centre and upgrading the Cadet base. Secondly, a new Drama Centre will be built to replace the demountable next to the Old Chapel. Thirdly, a new pedestrian access will be built near the base of the Stanmore Rd overhead bridge to move pedestrians away from the driveway entry and exit including landscaped gardens. This last project will not start until after the Year 7 Centre is finished and the current Sevington buildings removed. Completion date for the first two projects is likely to be during Term 1 2016.

As the first two major projects are away from current teaching areas there will be little disruption to the workings of the College. We will lose use of the Chapel car park for 12 months. The temporary Health Centre for 2015 will be in the Le Couteur building (entrance at northern end).

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