The practice of Architect Andrew Benn (ON 1993), Benn and Penna was awarded the 2014 NSW Architecture Award in the Residential Alterations category for their Balmain Houses. Their design transformed two Victorian workmen’s cottages into a striking duo of interconnected family homes. Read the full story here.
The end of the financial year will soon be upon us. Our Bursary, Building and Library Funds are all tax deductible and all donations, large or small, are gratefully received. Your support will ensure the ongoing development of the College for our boys today and for the generations to follow.
Newington College currently provides a diverse range of opportunities through our Academic, Boarding, Indigenous and Music Scholarships and Bursary Program. Many of these have been established by generous benefactors and are maintained through regular and annual giving by the Newington community.
Our aim is to build a fund by 2040 that will see 100 bursaries offered each year so that young men of promise, without the financial means, can receive a Newington education and ‘Discover what’s possible’.
Investing in the future of the College also means creating new spaces and care for existing ones that will enhance the learning experience and see our boys of promise become men of substance.
Looking to the future, we are continuing to evolve learning spaces for our Year 7 boys and also a new Drama Centre for our boys to develop their creative expression. These new buildings will further enrich the overall experience for our boys now and into the future.
Donations to the Bursary, Building and Library funds are 100% tax deductible. Donate via our online giving facility www.newington.nsw.edu.au/payments Choose FOUNDATION and GIVING
Old Boys of GPS Schools are invited to the GPS Annual Golf Day on 20 August 2015. at Manly Golf Club.
Entrance Fees
$139.00 Non MGC members
$ 70.00 MGC Members
$ 60.00 Lunch Only
Entrance fee includes green fees, breakfast and prizes followed by a luncheon with Guest Speakers.
18 Holes Individual Stableford Handicap “Tom Fitzsimmons Cup”
18 Holes Fourball Stableford Handicap
Teams Events: Aggregate of 4 best Individual Stableford scores from any one School.
The latest Newington NEWS edition is available in a digital flipbook here.
On Thursday 11th June, the College will hold its annual Careers Expo and ONU Careers Evening. We are seeking Old Boys who are keen to return to the College and provide careers advice and guidance to current Year 10, 11 and 12 students in an informal setting. It is a case of helping students to understand how you have reached your career destination and what they might want to consider, should they be interested in a similar field of work. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to give something of genuine benefit back to the current generation of students at the College. Drinks and nibbles will be provided afterwards, which will give you a chance to catch up with old friends. You would be required to attend from 6:30pm until 8:00pm, with drinks held from 8:00pm onwards. If you are keen to assist or would like further details then please contact the Head of Careers, Mr Simon Pennington
As a result of Michael’s Bridge team’s success in the playoff held in Coogee in February, Michael and his team are representing Australia this year at the Asia-Pacific Bridge Championships in Bangkok. At representative level Bridge teams almost always consist of six players (playing in three partnerships) and a non playing captain. Assuming they win against both New Zealand and New Caledonia at the Zone 7 playoff (also in Bangkok), they will play in the Bermuda Bowl (which is the oldest and most prestigious of the world bridge championships – format is similar to the FIFA World Cup where countries qualify through zonal playoffs) in Chennai later this year.
Michael and his Bridge partner also represented Australia, having played in the Asia Cup in China last year.
John Keene has been playing the double bass since the age of seven, when in a string program at Wyvern, he was given the instrument to learn simply because he was the tallest in his year! Awarded an organ scholarship at Newington in 2013, he has since played organ on a regular basis at two churches in Sydney. Over years 11 and 12 he studied Higher Level Music in the IB, and he was awarded a grade 7 in Music and an overall score of 44/45 in the IB. Earlier this year he was selected for and participated in the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp, and selected for the Australian Youth Orchestra seasons. He was also selected to play Mahler’s 9th Symphony with the Musician Project Orchestra, a newly formed orchestra performing stand-alone concerts.
Whilst at Newington he played bass in many of the ensembles, including orchestra, chamber strings, stage band and his own rock band, performed on the organ at many school functions, and was awarded Colours in 2013 and 2014 and the Derrick Bailey Memorial Prize for composition in 2014. He also won the senior concerto competition on piano in 2013. In late 2013 he was made Johnstone House Captain and says “It was a role which I feel developed my character immensely and provided me with incredibly useful skills for my post-school activities.”
John says “my biggest achievement by far is being awarded the Sydney Symphony Fellowship towards the end of last year. I was the youngest person since the program’s inception in 2001 to be given this accolade. As part of the fellowship, I receive tutelage from Sydney Symphony musicians, intensive chamber music training, and the opportunity to play on a regular basis with the Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Opera House, an incredibly advantageous opportunity to pursue my career goals. In ten years time I would like to be a principal double bassist with a high profile symphony orchestra, with some sort of conducting experience and education up my sleeve too. One of the best pieces of advice I have received is: pursue what you love – my passion for music and specifically orchestral playing has provided me with the motivation to become a better player every day, and it has been very rewarding so far.”
photo credit Keith Saunders 2015
Newington College has a wonderful saying: “Discover what’s possible.” Whilst it sounds simple enough, Alex Chiu said he never truly understood the meaning of the phrase until he finished school and began his studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as a violinist.
During his school years, Alex described himself as being quite shy and insecure about his abilities as a violinist and a musician. He says “the incredible support and mentorship I received from the Music Department , especially from Mr Mark Scott (Head of Music) and Mr Trevor Mee (Head of Strings), allowed me to gain confidence in myself. Mark Scott once sat me down and asked me what I saw myself doing after school. At that point in time I was uncertain if I was good enough to become a professional musician, however his faith in me inspired me to give it a go.”
Since leaving Newington, a whole new world has opened up for Alex. Some of his proudest achievements include being accepted into the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) in his first year at the Conservatorium and performing on ABC Radio National for the Sydney Conservatorium’s 1OOth Birthday. As a member of the AYO, he has had many opportunities to perform domestically as well as internationally enabling him to gain contacts with professional musicians from all over Australia. In 2013 as a member of the AYO International Tour to Europe, he performed with violin superstar Joshua Bell and renowned conductor, Christoph Eschenbach in many of the world’s greatest concert halls and festivals in Germany, Switzerland, Amsterdam and Vienna. In 2014, he became a member of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, performed with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Hobart and toured with the Australian Youth Camerata to Newcastle. He has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra during their Sydney tour and has been offered a position in the prestigious Melbourne Symphony Orchestra fellowship program. Alex says “All of these wonderful opportunities have allowed me to mingle with some of the biggest names in classical music today and from each of these people, I have been able to learn more about what it takes to become a professional musician.”
As part of the College’s Centenary of Anzac commemorations, we present a new exhibition, Newington and the Great War, in the Chaplain Peter Swain Archives Exhibition Room.
The largest section of the exhibition, titled ‘Newington Soldiers’, links the stories of 28 Newingtonians who served in the First World War, along with two staff members on Home Service, with items from the College’s archives collection and on loan. Also a mix of collection and loaned materials is the ‘Relics of War’ section, displaying items from military training, Gallipoli and the Western Front. ‘Making Young Soldiers’ examines Newington’s part in the Compulsory Military Training scheme in the years before the War. ‘Remembering’ looks at First World War memorials and other forms of remembrance at Newington and elsewhere, and features 49 war memorial ‘tree plaques’ on public view for the first time since the 1960s.
Accompanying Newington and the Great War is a slideshow of 92 photographs of Newington and Newingtonians from the War period, plus a range of computer-based resources.
The Chaplain Peter Swain Archives Exhibition Room is on 2nd Floor of Founders and is open from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM each week day and at other times by arrangement. Please contact Mr David Roberts, College Archivist, for more information.
David Roberts
College Archivist
In a stunning season of Basketball for the US College of Saint Rose team the Golden Knights in Albany, NY, Forward Jack Jones was named Northeast Conference-10 Rookie of the Year. Jack is also the second leading point producer for the Golden Knights and looks set for a promising career.
At Newington, Jack captained the 1sts team and his representative honours included Captain of AAGPS, NSWCIS, NSW All Schools, Australian Schoolboy Captain. Named the Most Valuable Player after leading New South Wales to a Gold Medal…Part of Division 1 National championship squad in both 2012 and 2013.
Do you have a story or do you know another Old Boy with news to share with the Newington community? There are Newington Old Boys in all 4 Corners of the globe involved in numerous and diverse occupations and pursuits.
Contact alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au and share your story !!
Established by Old Boys in 1995, The ONU Centennial Trust funds an annual award for outstanding Old Boys so they may undertake further study or research. This prestigious award recognises and rewards Old Newingtonians who have excelled in their chosen field and who contribute in a meaningful way to the community. The Trust awards funds in the order of $10,000 – $20,000 in any one year to up to four recipients so they may undertake study or research.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, applicants must have completed at least one year of Senior School at Newington College. There is no age restriction although preference is given to applicants under 40 years of age.
How do I Apply?
Applicants must complete and submit an application form by the end of June. Applicants are advised to consult the ONU Centennial Trust information which outlines the objectives of the Trust. Download ONU Centennial Trust application forms and Information at www.newington.nsw.edu.au/community/alumni or email alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au or contact (02) 9568 9544.
Pictured: 2014 ONU Centennial Trust recipient Edmond Cheng (ON 2013) second from left with L-R Mr Karl Watson (ON 1986), Headmaster Dr David Mulford and Mr Rod Bosman (ON 1978). Edmond was awarded $10,000 from the ONU Centennial Trust and is studying Economics at St John’s College, Cambridge University.
Jack Scott’s talent and enthusiasm for theatre, improv and acting have found the perfect home at the prestigious and internationally reknowned Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). This year, he commenced the three year Bachelor of Acting at WAAPA, via an extremely competitive audition process. WAAPA is recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of its graduates and provides the most comprehensive range of performing arts training in Australia. He will be joining the ranks of alumni Hugh Jackman, Marcus Graham, William McInness, Tim Minchin and Eddie Perfect.
According to Jack, the Bachelor of Acting is a challenging and difficult course, first year concentrating on skills and techniques but he is overjoyed to be studying it. Jack was drawn in by Drama in Year 7 at Newington and says by Year 12 Drama at Newington had developed considerably and grown from strength to strength. He loved improv theatre at Newington and says “There is nothing more thrilling than live comedy.” He was involved with State wide Theatresports competitions necessitating quick thinking, spontaneity and trust to create inspired and unrehearsed performances at just a moment’s notice.
After Newington, Jack spent two busy years building repertoire and skills in everything acting related. In his first year after Newington, Jack took part in over 60 improv shows including performing with his comedy troupe, The Bear Pack with school mate Reuben Ward (ON 2012) at the 2013 Sydney Comedy Festival and the UNSW Arts Revue. In 2014, he concentrated on theatre productions and plays including Attempts on Her Life, a play by Martin Krimp which was taken on tour to Brisbane. He says “I put my hand up and volunteered for every acting opportunity I could. There is always someone else to take your place, if you don’t.”
His dream in ten years’ time is to be working in the industry in either theatre, radio, comedy, radio or TV, or a residency with the Belvoir or STC.
At the superb and centrally located Concord Golf Course, Newington Golfers teed off after an instructive golfing clinic led by corporate golf organiser David Gillard (ON 1992). To add to the fun, golfers competed to outdrive Women’s Professional golfer Jody Fleming and had their ball speed gauged by a radar device.
At stake each year is the coveted historic HF Rofe Memorial Cup, awarded to the best two ball Stableford scores and the keenly contested Alumni Trophy, awarded to the best four Stableford scores from an alumni year. The HF Rofe Memorial Cup was won for the third year in a row by David Royal (ON 1993) and Chris Johnston (ON 1993) and it was the Class of 1992’s year for the Alumni Trophy awarded to Neale Bettman, Matt Lynn, Sean Limbrick and Stewart Smith.
With the outstanding support of the ONU Golf Day committee members: Ian Mayer (ON 1981), David Gillard (ON 1992) and Nigel Watson (ON 1993) and Auctioneer Niel Burling (ON 1958) over $25,000 was raised to be directed towards the ONU Depression Fund and the ONU Tongan Bursary Fund.
ONU Depression Initiative
The ONU Golf Day raises funds to help Old Boys with Depression. In recent times, the Fund has assisted several Old Boys seek early intervention and treatment. For confidential information on the ONU Depression Fund contact: Mr Stan Comino, Newington College Counsellor on scomino@newington.nsw.edu.au or (02) 9568 9352.
The Headmaster of Newington College, Dr David Mulford,
The Head of Boarding, Troy Stanley (ON 1995) and
The Director of Community and Development (including Alumni), Mr Rod Bosman (ON 1978)
| Hong Kong Wednesday 20 May 2015 at 7:00 PM Apartment 30A “Highcliff” 41D Stubbs Road, Midlevels East See Map |
Singapore Thursday 21 May 2015 at 7:00 PM PARKROYAL on Pickering 3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289 See Map |
If you would like to find out more about the possibility of your son attending Newington College in Sydney, Australia, living in the Boarding House and studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the NSW Higher School Certificate,
This evening is also an opportunity for Old Boys to gather and renew acquaintances or make new friends and be updated by the College Headmaster and Old Boys Rod Bosman (ON 1978) and Troy Stanley (ON 1995).
WHERE: Dedes on the Wharf, Pier 2, 13 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
COST: $150pp (Canapés plus 2 courses with beer/wine and soft drinks)
Old Boys 2009 – 2014 $100 pp
Corporate table of 10 $1,250 (payable in full)
Book and pay online here – under ‘Purpose/Event Name’ select ‘Football Season Launch’
DIETARY REQ: List in ‘comments’ section on the online payment form
or email: antonia.ottavio@sydney.edu.au
CONTACT: George Long 0429 998 528 and Toni Ottavio 0417 253 070
RSVP: Monday 25 May 2015
COST: $150 per head, book a table of 10 for $1250 (save $250) drinks and canapés on arrival with 2 courses, beer/wine and soft drinks included
MoC: Gordon Bray, the voice of Rugby
SPEAKERS: Simon Poidevin OAM – RWC 1987, 1991
Nick Farr-Jones AM (ON 1979) – RWC 1987, 1991
Phil Kearns (ON 1984) – RWC 1991, 1995, 1999
Bob Egerton – RWC 1991
For more information contact: Julie Gigg 0411 240 769, or
David Gigg (Rugby President) 0447 697 941
RSVP: Tuesday 19th May 2015. Book online or contact Julie – djgigg@gmail.com
NOTE: We have arranged a VIP area for drinks after the event at Café Del Mar above Dockside, from 4:30 PM
To make a booking CLICK HERE.
All Old Boys are invited to this year’s Dinner as well as three year groups for their reunions (Classes of 1975, 1980 and 1985). The ONU Dinner is held every two years so don’t miss out!
Cost is $100 (Discounted Cost for post ON 2010 and pre ON 1965 is $85) Make a booking and pay online here
For more information contact: alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au or (02) 9568 9544
Over the past month, the Anzac legend has been revived in vivid documentaries on TV, colourful posters on billboards and moving spreads in magazines and newspapers. As the nation stopped to commemorate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on Saturday 25 April, and watched the live broadcast from Anzac Cove, the promise was fulfilled that 100 years on, we did remember them. At 8:45 AM Wednesday 29 April, it was Newington’s turn to commemorate The Fallen. With 111 former staff and students who did not return from the War, this year’s parade was going to be a special one. Beautifully crafted banners featuring Newington’s Fallen bordered the driveway and Johnson Oval, and rows of white wooden crosses with names of the 111 brave soldiers line the lawn under the Lone Pine near Sevington. Old Boys, parents and family members of Newington’s Fallen arrived at the College just as Year 7 boys began handing out sprigs of rosemary and the Newington College Cadet Corps (NCCU) took their position on Johnson Oval. The full College including Wyvern’s older boys sat on the banks of the oval as the NCCU marched on and the Parade began. This year, we welcomed a reformed Cadet Band that has not performed in nearly 40 years, and musicians from the Pipe and Drum band from PLC Sydney at Croydon. After the Last Post sounded and the crowd took a minutes silence to pay respect to the dead, representatives from the College Council, Old Newingtonians’ Union, each Campus, and descendants of The Fallen laid wreaths at the Memorial to the Dead. Guests and boys were then guided towards Centenary Hall for a Commemorative Service.
During the service, Rev Williams delivered a homily that drew on the mixed emotions of madness, unexpected triumph and unifying power of the Gallipoli campaign. Year 9 student Lachlan McIntyre read “To our beloved dead”, a reverie written by Leslie Holdsworth Allen in 1921 about the Memorial to the Dead in the College gardens. Year 8 student Euan McKenzie, recently returned from attending the Anzac Day Ceremony in Gallipoli, also spoke about Gallipoli. He recounted the extraordinary pilgrimage that thousands make each year, but also the decency of the Turks who enable so many Australian and New Zealanders to visit and pay their respects after they too, had suffered enormous casualties on the same battlefield. The stage lights then dimmed for the Roll of the Fallen, before a rousing rendition of Dear Newingtonia was sung from all in the Hall.
At the conclusion of the Service, while boys and teachers resumed class, a poppy ceremony took place for descendants of The Fallen in the vestibule of the Founders Building. There resides the College’s Roll of Honour for the First World War, listing Old Newingtonians who served and those who fell. The College’s Roll of Honour acts as a memorial like so many others that exist in schools and towns across Australia to honour their service and in remembrance of their sacrifice. Time dims not their sacrifice. Lest we forget.
Welcome to the May 2015 edition of the ONU Alumni ENews. This edition focusses, appropriately, on the College’s Centenary of Anzac but also on our younger Old Boys including those carving a name for themselves in the Arts world and leading the way in their fields.
Thank you to the College for the moving commemoration of the Centenary of Anzac on 29 April, 2015. From the 111 white crosses to the Poppy ceremony for the relatives of The Fallen, all commemorative events staged on the day were a poignant reminder of the loss and sacrifice sustained by the College. Newington remembered and will continue to honour the lives of those young men who fell in the Great War. A special thank you to the 70 Club for their support of the day itself and for their generous contribution to the refurbishment of the Roll of Honour and the cabinet for the Roll of the Fallen.
Newington’s reunion season is upon us with the start of the Rugby and Football seasons at the College. Seize this opportunity to catch up with your school mates, find out what they’ve been up to and reconnect with them. Check the GPS Fixtures page for a list of Home and Away games. Get a group together and come along and watch. It’s fast and open play at the senior levels and entertaining to watch in both codes.
There are many events that the Alumni can attend to see old mates and watch the current boys continue with the sporting traditions, starting with the Launches of the Rugby and Football Seasons on Friday 22 May and Friday 29 May respectively. Below is a list of upcoming reunions with the BIG EVENT – the ONU Dinner on Saturday 18 July 2015. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!!
The ONU Golf Day raises funds to help Old Boys with Depression (as well as the ONU Tongan Bursary Fund). In recent times, the fund has assisted several Old Boys seek early intervention and treatment. For confidential information on the ONU Depression Fund contact: Mr Stan Comino, Newington College Counsellor on scomino@newington.nsw.edu.au or (02) 9568 9352.
Bruce Mellor (ON 1982)
ONU President