New traditions established and old friends reconnected at the 2016 Newington Elders Lunch.

 On the 8^th November 2016, twenty eight ‘Newington Elders’ gathered in the Council Boardroom at Newington College for the inaugural Newington Elders Lunch.

Our most senior attendee was aged 95, and a few individuals travelled significant distances, from the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Lismore to be present on the day. It had been several decades since some of the Newington Elders had been on College grounds and they were in awe of the development of the College and the opportunities it offered the Boys today.

Despite some of the Elders having limited contact with each other over the years, it wasn’t long before a sense of unity and comradery returned with many old stories, tales and memories being shared once again. It is through initiatives such as the Elders Lunch and the 70 Club Lunch in May 2017, which we aim to nurture this sense of community amongst Newington Alumni.

After a warm welcome from the Headmaster, Chaplain Rev Geordie Barham introduced the breaking of the bread ceremony. This ceremony along with the passing of the port ceremony have been customized to a uniquely Newington style that will hopefully serve as an age old ceremony for years to come. The breaking of the bread ceremony signifies the shared bond between kindred relationships. It celebrates togetherness, shared experiences and treasured times as brother, classmates and teammates.

The origins of the passing of port ceremony are attributed to the armed forces and involve passing port around a table, always to the left. The port is passed to the left in a sign of peace as pouring with the right hand prevented the ability to draw a sword or weapon in historic times. Another important element of the ceremony, is the port decanters do not touch the table until all glasses have been filled. This symbolizes a toast and the chain of unbroken loyalty. As a mark of respect to the fallen, silence was observed during both ceremonies. An empty chair was also placed at the table to represent and remember absent friends. Rod Bosman (ON 1978), the College’s Director of Community and Development proposed the toast to ‘the College and Absent Friends’.

A further ceremonial component of the Elder’s Lunch included 70 Club Chairman Gilbert Morgan (ON 1958), at the invitation of the Newington College Headmaster Dr. David Mulford, presenting attendees with a certificate of membership and recognition of becoming a ‘Newington Elder’ that had been endorsed and signed by the Headmaster.

The 2016 Elders Lunch was the first of what we hope will become an annual institution.

Gilbert Morgan (ON 1958)

Dining President

70 Club Chairman