On 31 March 2019, our community lost a great mate with the passing of Rob Wild (ON 1965). We also lost the strongest advocate for the Chris Wild (ON 1991) Indigenous Bursary.

Rob was inspired by his son Chris (ON 1991) and his passion for supporting young Indigenous people in gaining a great education. And Rob was inspired by Newington. Like his late father Owen (ON 1934) before him and his late son, Rob was greatly enriched by both the education received and the ongoing positive association throughout his life.

Rob was so inspired that only weeks before his passing, as the 2018 Newington Medallist, with both delight and determination he stood and spoke to the boys as part of the Newington Medallist Assembly and gave his inspiration clear voice. He spoke passionately about the Wild Indigenous Bursary…

“This bursary is not charity. Far from it. It is much more an opportunity – one that cuts two ways – an educational opportunity for indigenous boys but also and importantly, an educational opportunity for non-indigenous boys and families to learn and understand more about the oldest living community on this planet and to show them the respect that they so fully deserve. Changing lives!”  

You can read Rob’s full speech HERE

And now, with Rob’s passing, we have been pledged up to $1 million in matching funding, matching dollar for dollar up to $1 million every donation received between April and 30 June. So every dollar you donate will be worth $2; $100 becomes $200; $500 becomes $1,000; $10,000 becomes $20,000 and so on. With an additional $2 million added to the Bursary and with earnings on top, we can reach our goal of $5 million by year’s end. And the vision of funding for an Indigenous boy to start a Newington College education, every year, year after year, forever, will be made reality.

I invite you now to consider the part that you could play in turning this important vision into reality. All donations large or small play a significant part and are gratefully received.

You can donate by clicking HERE which will take you to the Newington website. Click the ‘Donate’ button under Annual Giving and then follow the prompts on the secure payments page. All donations to the Wild Indigenous Bursary are fully tax deductible. If you have donated since 1 April, your donation has already been doubled. Thank you.

Join us, now is the time. Let’s turn Rob Wild’s vision on behalf of his son, into reality.