2019 Newington Medal
Congratulations to the 2019 recipients of the Newington Medal Australia and International.
Newington Medal (Australia) 2019
Lt. Col. (ret) John Moore (ON 1953) AM RFD CMC
For generations of Australians, John Moore was the voice of Anzac Day, providing engaging and knowledgeable commentary for the ABC broadcasts of Anzac Day marches, Dawn Services and Australian War Memorial commemorations over more than forty years. John has performed the same service at Newington’s Anzac Service and Parade for many years. He has also commentated many times for the Head of the River, rowing championships and other sporting events.
A student at Newington from 1949 to 1953, John served as a Sub-Prefect and as a Cadet Sergeant. A keen sportsman, he represented the College in Athletics, Rowing and Rugby. In his final year at school he rowed in the Bow position in the 1st VIII and played in the 2nd XV.
John’s long career in broadcasting, communications and public relations included working in the Rural Department of the ABC, in which he created material for and hosted such iconic radio programs as The Country Hour and To Market, To Market; serving in the Department of Defence, including as Chief of Army Communications (while still presenting the weather forecast at the end of the ABC TV News in Canberra): and becoming Newington’s first Director of Community and Alumni between 1996 and 1999. He served for many years in the Citizen Military Forces (now the Army Reserve), reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
John has remained a keen member of Newington’s alumni community through the Old Newingtonians’ Union, Lodge Wyvern and The 70 Club. In addition to his long voluntary service as commentator at the College’s annual Anzac Parade, he has been a keen contributor and donor, often behind to scenes, to a range of College initiatives and events, particularly for the Newington College Cadet Unit and Rifle Shooting.
In 1980 John was awarded the National Medal and in 2014 was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the commemoration of Australian military and sporting events as a radio broadcaster and television presenter.
John’s life of service to the nation, the enjoyment and learning that he has contributed to the national community, and his continuing love of Newington and service to our community all make it an honour to award John Moore the Newington Medal (Australia) for 2019.
Newington Medal (International) 2019
Mr Ric Wells (ON 1973)
Ric Wells has been one of Australia’s most outstanding diplomats of recent decades, holding key ambassadorial posts, heading major trade missions and serving at the highest levels of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Ric attended Newington College from 1968 to 1973. He had a stellar academic career, in which he was Dux of First Form [Year 7] and Fourth Form [Year 10] and runner-up to Dux in Fifth and Sixth Forms [Years 11 and 12], the latter with leading passes in English, Latin, Ancient History, Modern History and French. He was a keen debater, leading the Firsts team and winning the Richard Thompson Prize for best debater in 1973. He was also a keen stage performer, with major roles in College productions of Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound and Sheridan’s The Rivals.
Having joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) following university studies, Ric served in the embassies in Cairo and Jakarta and as Deputy Head of the Australian Mission to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva. In Australia between postings he served at the Assistant Secretary level in management and policy roles, focusing on trade policy, in DFAT and in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. The latter roles reflected his expertise in, and commitment to, a holistic and integrated approach to conducting Australia’s diplomatic, security and economic relationships.
From 2003 to 2005 Ric headed DFAT’s South Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division as First Assistant Secretary. He then concurrently headed the China Free Trade Agreement Task Force, laying the groundwork for the free trade agreement signed in 2015, and the equivalent FTA Task Forces for Japan and Korea. In 2009 he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Department, serving concurrently as Australia’s Ambassador to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group. His final diplomatic posting was as Ambassador to France from 2012 to 2014.
Ric’s lifetime of service to his country, much of it serving overseas in senior diplomatic and trade mission roles, and his crucial contributions to the building of Australia’s economic relationships with our major trading partners make it an honour to award Ric Wells the Newington Medal (International) for 2019.
Nominations for the 2020 Newington Medal are now open. To nominate an Old Boy for this prestigious award, please click here. Nominations will be received between now and 31 August, 2020.
