Congratulations to the 2014 the Newington Medalists Dr Rod Thomas (ON 1960)  and Professor Graham Colditz  (ON 1972) – International on their prestigious awards announced at the December Annual Prize Giving.

Dr Rod Thomas (ON 1960)
NEWINGTON MEDAL (AUSTRALIA) 2014
Rod Thomas was a student at Newington from 1955 to 1960. Throughout his time at Newington,
his academic abilities were in evidence, culminating in the award of Dux of the College in
1960. His First Class Honours in Chemistry and Second Class Honours in both Physics and
Mathematics saw him gain a Commonwealth Scholarship and entry to study Medicine at the
University of Sydney.

As Dux of the College, Rod was awarded the Halse Rogers Prize and Schofield Scholarship whilst
his Leaving Certificate results earned him the Hardy Medal, awarded for the best pass in the
Leaving. Rod’s father Noel (ON 1930) and his son Peter (ON 1988) were also Dux and Hardy
Medallists, being the only instance of three generations of the one family so recognised in the
College’s 151 year history. Earlier this year, the Thomas family honoured the memory of Noel by
endowing the College and naming the Chemistry Superlab in his name.  Read the full citation for Rod Thomas.

Prof Graham Colditz (ON 1972)
NEWINGTON MEDAL (INTERNATIONAL) 2014
Graham Colditz was a student at Newington from 1967 to 1972. It is safe to say that whilst gifted
academically, he was also a leader and a student well respected by his peers and teachers alike.
The Newingtonian of 1972 records the Headmaster Tony Rae observe, “The school has been led
by two young men of distinction in Captain Tony Bosman and Vice-Captain Graham Colditz”. G
A Colditz also received the Old Boys’ Prize for Leadership, Scholarship and Sport and his Valete
notes he played 1st XI Cricket, 3rd XV Rugby, Athletics and was Cadet Senior Under Officer and
Vice Captain (now Deputy Senior Prefect).

Graham and his younger brother Ian (ON 1974), were also keen photographers, with Graham
achieving a first and a third in the 1972 NSW Secondary Schools Photographic Competition. As
a result of this interest, they have a rich photographic archive of life at Newington at this time. Graham graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Medicine and later Doctor of Medicine from the University of Queensland Medical School and his academic and medical research career since would rank him as one of Newington’s most distinguished Old Boys. He achieved his Masters and then Doctorate of Public Health at Harvard University and with his extensive research into the causes of cancer, particularly in women, he is now internationally recognised as a leader in cancer prevention. Read the full citation for Graham Colditz. 

 Call for 2015 Newington Medallists Nominations

The Newington Medal recognises outstanding contributions, actions and achievements of Old Boys who have gone beyond the normal expectations. This is the highest honour Newington can bestow on an Old Boy for meritorious and commendable achievement. The Medal acknowledges an Old Boy (both Australian and International residents) whose work, profession, skill, dedication, generosity and/or support has involved meritorious and commendable achievement in business, the professions, community service, industrial development, technology, human relations, education, cultural development, sport, international relations, the arts or philanthropy.  Click here to nominate an Old Boy for the Newington Medal and for information on other Newington Medalists.