Newingtonian Olympians

The news that two Old Newingtonians won medals at the Rio Olympics prompts the question: who else from Newington has competed at the Olympic Games during the modern Olympic era?

For the record, the two Old Newingtonians who have tasted success at Rio are both equestrians: Phillip Dutton OAM (ON 1981) and Shane Rose (ON 1991). Phillip now lives in the USA and competed in the American team, winning Bronze in the individual event. Shane won Bronze for Australia in the team eventing.

Fortunately, there is a very visible record: in the Taylor Sports Centre is an honour board listing Newington’s International Sporting Representatives. The board lists Olympic and Paralympic representatives, members of Test teams in relevant sports and representatives in other recognised international sporting competitions, dating back to 1878.

Newington’s first Olympian was Nigel Chase Barker, who attended the College from 1894–1901. A public subscription enabled him to compete at the 1906 Olympics in Athens. Representing ‘Australasia’ (New Zealand did not have a separate team at this period), he won Bronze medals in the 100 and 400 m races. The 1906 ‘Intercalated Games’ were considered to be Olympic Games at the time, but the medals presented there are not recognised by the IOC today.

Our first and only Paralympian is Stephen Wilson (ON 1989). He won two Gold Medals at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, in the T42–46 4 x 400 m and 4 x 100 m relays. In Athens in 2004 he won Silver and Bronze in the same events and, in Beijing in 2008, won Bronze again in the T42–46 4 x 100.

Mr David Roberts
College Archivist

Congratulations to two young Old Boys on National sports selections

Dane Rampe (ON 2008) – AFL

Sydney Swans and all Australian defender Dane Rampe (ON 2008) has highlighted his competitiveness as his key strength as he prepares to tackle the best forwards in the game during the 2016 AFL Finals Series.

Dane is Newington’s first All Australian AFL player.As a schoolboy he played football and in 2008 was the only GPS 1sts Footballer to be selected from our 2^nd XI. 

Dane has had his best AFL season to date since making his debut as a mature aged recruit in 2013.The dashing defender is one of the most versatile in the competition with his ability to play on opponents of all different sizes.Not only his ability to shut down an opponent but the way he can use the ball out of defence to set up the Swans’ attack has seen to be a shining light throughout 2016.

The 26-year-old said he was pleased to be able to maintain his consistency throughout the season.

Alan Alaalatoa (ON 2011) – Rugby

Tight-head prop Alan Alaalatoa (ON 2011), was first named in the Wallabies 39-man squad for the 2016 series against England however he did not make the final team. In August he was named in the squad for the Bledisloe Cup Test on 20th August 2016. Alan was then named on the bench for that Test and was called on to the field late in the second half, this was his Wallaby debut.

Alan now has two Test Caps to his name and we hope this will be the start of a long and successful career as a Wallaby.

Congratulations Dane and Alan.

Ray Rosbrook (ON 1930)

Ray Norman Rosbrook (ON 1930) was an Australian basketball coach who was instrumental in the establishment of the game in New South Wales. He was an administrator and leading coach from the mid 1930’s until 1950. In 2015 he was inducted into the NSW Basketball Hall of Fame.

Rosbrook was born in 1910 to parents Len and Maud. He attended Ipswich Grammar School before coming to Sydney to complete his high school education at Newington College (1924–1930) in the last years of the headship of Rev Dr Charles Prescott. Always known as “Golly”, he was a hurdler and rower. In 1929 and 1930 he stroked the eight and was Captain of Boats and a Prefect in his final year.  He attended Sydney University without graduating and then joined the Sydney City Council in 1936 as the Moore Parkplayground supervisor. Between 1932 and 1945 he stroked winning eights at Sydney Rowing Club. In 1963 he escorted Queen Elizabeth II on an informal tour of the facility. As a coach he influenced the sporting careers of sportsmen, such as Peter Mullins and Herb Barker, in a wide range of sports such as basketball, rugby league, rugby union and athletics. He was a successful basketball coach at state level from 1946 until 1950 and was a selector and manager for State representative teams. Rosbrook held administrative and development positions with the National Fitness Camp, Narrabeen, the YMCA Camp at Yarramundi, as a founder of the New South Wales Amateur Basketball Association, Amateur Athletics Association and the Drummoyne Rugby Union Club. He died in Sydney on 5 September 1979 and his ashes are at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens, North Ryde.

A Royal Visit

Boys and staff adopted Royal protocol on the first day back of Term 3 as the College played host to His Majesty King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga. Accompanied by Her Majesty, the Queen Nanasipau’u and Tongan High Commissioner in Canberra Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka, our Royal visitors were special guests at the official opening of the Tupou College Centre, Drama Centre, Davidson Health Centre, Pearson Cadet Centre and Newington Challenge Headquarters.

“It is wonderful to have the King of Tonga at Newington” said Headmaster Dr David Mulford.

“Your father remains one of our famous Old Boys. We are so blessed with a long and exceptionally close bond with the Kingdom of Tonga and its people. We learn so much about humanity from our Tongan brothers and sisters. We are in awe of your love of family, love of community, your kindness and generosity and your love of your God.”

Also in attendance were Reverend Feleti Atiola, Principal of Tupou College our brother school in Tonga, Reverend Dr ‘Ahio, President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga and Reverend Park Moderator of the Uniting Church of Australia in NSW and the ACT.

During his address, Dr Mulford said while the investment of this new facility is bricks and mortar, the benefits are beyond the physical. This new facility provides Newington boys of the present and future a place to nurture aspirations and life-long friendships.

The Drama Centre consists of a new theatre with theatre seating for 200, industry standard sound, lighting and technical equipment, extensive back stage accommodation and a refurbished former Chapel for Drama teaching. The Tupou College Centre, consists of eight classrooms with interconnection to allow for configuration as large studios as well as various specialist teaching areas and a tiered lecture space. It was named as such in recognition of the long and close historical links between Newington and the Kingdom of Tonga.

Dr Mulford pubicly thanked the Architect Mr Ray Hudson, Project Managers from Cadence and Builders from Watpac on the delivery of this first-rate facility. 

After the Assembly, Dr Mulford accompanied His Majesty, King Tupou VI, the Queen and Princess on a tour of the new building.

Old Boy Profile – Dr Stewart Condon (ON 1992)

Stewart Condon (ON 1992)
President Medecins Sans Frontierers Australia

When Dr Stewart Condon joined Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) he travelled to Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where the need for medical aid was the greatest at the time.  MSF runs hospitals and clinics, performs surgeries, battles epidemics, carries out vaccination campaigns, operates feeding centres and offers mental healthcare for millions of people in over 70 countries who are caught up in the humanitarian crises of natural disasters, famines, epidemics, armed conflicts or refugee exodus.

After completing his medical studies, Stewart developed his practitioner skills in Sydney, quickly taking them to the remote aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory as a rural medical practitioner.

His first assignment as a field doctor with MSF led to subsequent missions as project coordinator and country medical coordinator, working for both the Paris and Amsterdam Operational Centres of MSF. Stewart continues to contribute to MSF by serving as a member of the MSF-Australia board of directors.

In recent years, Stewart has diversified his clinical experience in emergency departments, prisons and remote area clinics with non-clinical roles. He was with International SOS for four years, leading their medical case management and undertaking medical director responsibilities for the platform.

With experience in the public sector, the corporate environment and the non-government organisation (NGO) arena, Stewart has a unique perspective on medicine. He is currently President of Medecins Sans Frontieres Australia.

Hong Kong Reunion 2016

The annual Newington Hong Kong Old Boy and Parent reunion is on again this year on 20 September.

For the past two years, we have been blessed to be hosted by Tony and Linda Rogers in their magnificent home overlooking Happy Valley and Causeway Bay. However, this year their son Callum is in Year 12 and they will be in Sydney come September.

We are equally blessed that Old Boy Ron Lu (ON 1962) has very generously offered to host this year’s reunion in his office in Wanchai. Ron is an award winning architect and his firm, Ronald Lu and Partners, has commissioned work all over the world.

So whether you are an Old Boy or a current or future parent, we invite you and your partner to come along on Tuesday 20 September from 6.30pm for drinks and canapés and to meet Newington’s Director of Alumni, Community and Development Rod Bosman (ON 1978). Rod will update you on what is happening at Newington and give you an overview of the recent exciting developments in both buildings and culture.

It is also a great opportunity to meet other Newington Old Boys and parents you didn’t know were living in Hong Kong.

RSVP: There is no cost for the night but we ask you to please RSVP HERE for catering purposes.

Date: Tuesday 20 September

Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Dress: Smart Casual

Address: Ronald Lu and Partners
33/F, Wu Chung House
213 Queen’s Road East
Wanchai,  Hong Kong

Telephone: 3189-9388

Enquiries: alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au

USA Reunions 2016

Newington is visiting the USA and will be hosting two reunions for Old Boys and parents. These biennial reunions have been a great way to reconnect with our US and Canadian based Old Boys and this year we would like to invite you and your fellow future Newington parents to also join us and be updated on the Newington story. Newington has progressed remarkably over recent years under the leadership of Headmaster Dr David Mulford and Council Chairman Tony McDonald (ON 1976) and past Chairman Angus Talbot (ON 1953). In terms of investment in both the physical campus and the educational opportunities for current and future generations of our Boys, it is truly an inspiring story.

The San Francisco Reunion will be a lunch on Sunday 25 September and we will be joined by the Chairman of the Board of the AIS USA Foundation (and future Newington Grandparent), Mr Doug Elix AO and Mrs Robyn Elix as well as other AIS USA affiliate schools – Abbotsleigh, Brisbane Grammar and Brisbane Girls Grammar. It will be a great occasion to meet fellow future parents and Old Boys as well as networking with fellow US and Canadian based Australians.

Our New York Reunion will be a Newington only evening cocktail function and is being held on Saturday 1 October in the Manhattan home of Old Boy and AIS USA Director Dr Peter Green (ON 1964) and his partner Marise. They live in the Chelsea area of New York in a converted auto garage and have been resident there for over 30 years. It is very generous of them to make their home available for our reunion and I for one, cannot wait to see what a converted auto garage looks like!  

Full details of both reunions follow and we would love to see you at one or both. There is no cost to attend but we ask you to RSVP at the links below.

SAN FRANCISCO REUNION
Sunday 25 September from 12:30PM
Waterbar – Terrace Bar, 399 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
There is no cost but please book here for catering purposes.

NEW YORK REUNION
Saturday 1 October 2016 from 7:00PM
Hosted by Dr Peter Green (ON 1964) and his partner Marise West 17th Street, New York
There is no cost but please book here for catering purposes.

Newington College values highly the opportunity to reach out to our international Newington Community and I hope to be able to meet with you at one of our two reunions and bring you up to date on the Newington story. It is a story worth hearing.

Kind regards,
Rod Bosman (ON 1978)
Director of Community and Development

2016 Newington P&F Ball – Saturday 17 September

You are warmly invited to the Newington Ball. The evening will be a celebration of our wonderful school community and a major fundraiser for the Newington College Endowment Fund.

When: Saturday 17 September 2016

Venue: Four Points by Sheraton, 161 Sussex Street, Sydney.

For more information, download the Invitation here.

To purchase tickets click here.

.September 2016 eNews – Welcome from the ONU President, Bruce Mellor (ON 1982)

Looking at how we are engaging with ONU Alumni, I am pleased to say that in the last three years we are averaging over 1,000 Old Boys attending organised functions such as the ONU Golf Day (supporting the ONU Mental Health Fund), five and ten reunions across all years and the 70 Club lunches.  In addition, at various sporting events, particularly Back to Newington Day, several hundred more Old Boys attend and are engaged with the school.  

This goes to show how the ONU working with a dedicated and co-ordinated Alumni Department can have a significant impact on our engagement with ONU members.  Unfortunately for us,ONU Alumni Officer Mylee Angelo has moved on to new endeavours and I thank her for all her terrific effort over the past three years and wish her every success .

To the Alumni I report the ONU is in good shape and well governed, financially stable and has a very good relationship with the school.

Tupou College Visit

On behalf of the ONU, I attended the Tupou College 150^th Anniversary Celebrations.  Much has been written about the events and suffice to say that the relationship with our Tongan brothers is stronger than ever.

Tupou College  – Self Sufficiency

The Newington Boarding house has raised money to purchase a new Ram for the Tupou flock of sheep to provide much needed improvement to the genetics of the herd and provide for the college’s self-sufficiency program. The ONU has been asked to see how we could possibly help out in getting a Dorper Ram (a hardy and fast growing meat breed) and also the logistics of getting the sheep from Sydney to Tupou. So to all our country old boys and those involved with freight, let me know if you can help.

Back to Newington Day

It was a pleasure seeing so many Old Boys respond to the call to attend the Back to Newington Day celebrations. The day was a wonderful success with a significant amount of money being raised for all the P&F Support Groups. 

Opening of the Tupou College Centre – Pictured

On behalf of the ONU, I attended the opening of the Tupou College Centre by His Majesty, The King of Tonga as well as the opening of the Pearson Cadet and Davidson Medical Centres. The college is to be wholeheartedly congratulated on a great day and on the significant new buildings as additions to the campus.

New Old Boys – Year 12 2016

ONU Secretary Karl Watson will again attend the Year 12 Valedictory day celebrations and formally hand out ONU Ties and welcome the boys to the ONU.

Biennial Dinner 2017

A Friday night Biennial ONU Dinner in the city will be held in late August/September 2017 (date tbc). More details to follow later in the year.

Finally, with the success of the ONU Careers evening, I continue to urge all Old Boys to make the most of mentoring our younger Old Boys through the ONU mentoring program.

Bruce Mellor (ON 1982)
ONU President

ONU Obituaries 2016

Sadly, we have lost a number of Newington Alumni during the year and in their honour, this Obituaries page of the ONU eNews has been established. Please email alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au if you have an obituary for a Newington Alumni. It is noted that all Old Boys who have passed away are recognised in the Valete in each edition of News Magazine.

Bob Darke (ON 1943) Past Staff

Robert Bowring (Bob) Darke, late of Moss Vale was a much liked and admired teach at Newington from the 1950’s. Read the fond recollections of Peter Richardson (ON 1958) here.

Hal Holman OAM (ON 1939)

This obituary for Hal Holman was published in the Sydney Morning Herald in July.

Geoff Honey (ON 1970)

Geoff’s good friend John Treloar (ON 1970) gave this eulogy at Geoff’s funeral in June 2016. 

David Johnson (ON 1950)

The Sydney Morning Herald published David Johnson’s obituary on 4 July, fittingly perhaps as David lived for many years in the United States and worked as CEO of Campbells.

Jim McMillan (ON 1956)

The Community and Development Office received this obituary from Jim’s good friend Peter Richardson (ON 1958).

Richard Stokes (ON 1952)

We also note the passing of past ONU President Richard Stokes on 27 June 2016.

Strength & Conditioning Offer to Old Boys

Newington College Strength and Conditioning Department plans to establish a weekly lifting group for young Old Boys ON 2006 – 2015. The sessions will involve plenty of mobility, flexibility, conditioning, combined with some Olympic style weightlifting techniques. 

Location: Newington College Gym

Proposed Days: Tuesday or Thursday

Time: 7:00PM

Cost: $20 per session

Session size: Numbers will be limited to 20 participants so be quick

Coaching Staff: Nathan Parnham (BExSc., Dip. Ed., MExSc.), Glen Pilcher (BPhysEd., BEd.), Sam Martin (Cert III/IV, BExSc in Progress). 

INTERESTED ??
If you’re interested in catching up with some mates while taking control of your fitness and health contact Nathan Parnham, Manager, Newington Strength and Conditioning.

Your News – Keep in Contact

The stories of our Old Boys achievements are a constant source of inspiration for our current students and to all our Newington community. Help us keep abreast of our Old Boys achievements by sharing your news with us and also make sure you keep your contact details up to date with Newington.

To share your news with us email: alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au