ONU Update

The ONU AGM was held on Tuesday 19 November 2019.  The following Old Boys were elected onto the Executive and Council of the ONU.

Executive

President Alex Pagonis (ON 2010)

Immediate Past President Alex Baykitch AM (ON 1982)

Honorary Secretary Harry Jordan (ON 2011)

Honorary Treasurer Rodrigo Cerqueira (ON 2010)

Honorary Assistant Secretary Denver Don Paul (ON 2001)

Honorary Assistant Treasurer Graeme Martin (ON 1967)

Ex Officio Rod Bosman (ON 1978), Director of Community and Development

ONU Council

Matthew Ding (ON 2008)

Frederico Fraga-Matos (ON 2011)

Nick Grogin (ON 2009)

Deep Gujral (ON 1999)

Michael Kah (ON 1980)

Peter Kuburlis (ON 1990)

Adam Latham (ON 1990)

Grant Leonard (ON 1981)

Zac Miles (ON 2008)

Theo Tsavdaridis (ON 1993)

New President, Alex Pagonis (ON 2010) shared the following message: ‘I take the opportunity to thank our outgoing councilors for their service over the years and in particular Alex Baykitch AM (ON 1982) for his leadership as President over the last 3 years as well as David Doust (ON 1978) for his contributions on the executive as our Honorary Treasurer.’

The AGM was made special by the attendance of Mrs Sharon Mangion and Mrs Beatrice Standen. The ONU honoured both Sharon and Bea for service to the College and support of the ONU by inducting them as Honorary Life Members. Congratulations Bea and Sharon and welcome to the ONU.

ONU Performing Arts

In 2020, a group of recent Old Boys from the Class of 2018 are looking to start a community orchestra for members of the ONU to take part in. The ONU Symphony Orchestra will be a group open to all old boys with musical skill, past or present, and will provide a group for old boys who have followed a life in the arts past their schooling at Newington or those old boys who are looking to reconnect with their musical skills which were started at the College.

We are looking to present 3 programs throughout 2020 all performed in the College’s Centenary Hall. These programs will require a short term commitment in the lead up to each performance from all members of the orchestra with a number of rehearsals taking place at Newington in the weeks leading up to the concerts. Exact scheduling is still to come as it will depend on the final numbers received however members should expect around 2 or 3, 2 hour rehearsals and the 1-2 hour concert on top of some personal practice to learn the music so that rehearsals can be spent on ensemble work and crafting the music so it is ready for performance. The repertoire will be confirmed and communicated with the group once numbers have been finalised.

As stated above, the group is open to all old boys with past involvement in music or those who have pursued music post-school and are looking to reconnect with their music making at the college. In 2020, we will accept applications from old boys who graduated in or before the Class of 2019. So, if you are interested in performing masterworks by composers such as Mozart, Haydn, Sibelius and Strauss in an orchestral setting back at the college, please download and complete the expressions of interest form here and return by 4 December to ONUARTS@newington.nsw.edu.au At this stage, we are particularly looking for string and brass players to help fill out the orchestra. So if you think this is something you would like to be involved in or you know other old boys who would be keen to take part, please fill out the attached form and encourage them to do so as well, we can’t pull this off without your support!

REHEARSAL PROCESS AND EXPECTATIONS.

As this is a community orchestra, there are some expectations that you must abide by as part of your involvement:
•You will be expected to attend all rehearsals for the program you are taking part in. If you cannot make these rehearsals, you must give two weeks notice of the rehearsals you will miss. Of the program rehearsals, we expect that you will attend 80% of the rehearsals. If this is not possible for you, please email ??? and we will try to find an option that works for both yourself and the production team otherwise we will ask that you reconsider your involvement in that program. This will differ with each program. There are of course other programs to be involved in throughout the year so if one ends up not being possible, we would love for you to be involved in the other(s).

•You will be expected to have prepared your part so that rehearsal time is not wasted learning notes.Parts will be allocated and sent out 3 weeks before the first rehearsal. Program info will be available well before that so if you wish to get ahead on learning your part, please head to imslp.org to find your part! (links will be provided for each piece).

•Rehearsals will run for 2 hours (sometimes slightly longer depending on the repertoire). There will be a break at the halfway point. Sometimes you will not be required for the full duration of rehearsal depending on the repertoire we are playing. This information will be sent out in the rehearsal packet at the start of the rehearsal period however, it may be subject to change depending on how the rehearsals go.

•This project will be a collaborative process in which the orchestra will work through the repertoire with the conductor (for the respective program) and we are open to suggestions and opinions on the repertoire.

Make it a December to Remember

This year we are encouraging everyone to donate just $25 to the Endowment Fund or means tested Scholarship of your choice – a gift that will change lives and allow boys to “Discover what’s possible.”

WIN a gift for yourself this Christmas by giving to the Endowment Fund in November and December.  if you donate at least $500, we will give you a ticket into the prize draw for every $500 you donate. T&Cs apply.

We are excited to launch our new user-friendly online donor platform.  To make a donation or find out more please go to https://giving.newington.nsw.edu.au/

“Change the College.

Change Lives.

Change the World.”

ONU Events

October and November 2019 have been busy for Old Boys.

Saturday 19 October the Class of 1959 returned to the College for their 60 year reunion lunch.  The following weekend saw the Class of 1969 back at the College for their 50 year reunion lunch.

Thank you Trent Zimmerman MP (ON 1986) for presenting at the final ONU Business Breakfast of 2019. 

On Tuesday 12 November, the Headmaster welcomed Old Boys 85 years and over for the annual The 70 Club – Elders Lunch.

Achieving Alumni

Cameron Murray (ON 2015) introduced Australian Story on the ABC on 29 October. It also featured former Newington Headmaster, Dr David Mulford. Click on this link: https://www.abc.net.au/austory/eye-of-the-storm/11611600

Reed Nottage (ON 2018), playing for California Baptist University, Riverside recently took on Grant Anticevich (ON 2016), playing for University of California, Berkeley.

Both Old Boys are in Division I in the NCAA. Grant’s team won on the night and he top scored with 23 points. Grant now plays in the number one team.

CONGRATULATIONS – Dual 1st VIII rower Mark Whittaker (ON 1983) is the new national champion in the 50-54 years lightweight male 500m sprint at the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships.

Angus Beer (ON 2019) Multiple NSW and Australian junior athletics champion, has announced his commitment to the University of Missouri.

Nathan Roye (ON 2011) along with his inspirational girlfriend Meggie Draffin, climbed Africa’s biggest mountain this year for a great cause. Meggie suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and along with Nathan’s support became the first Australian with CF to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. To read more, click here.

Cricketer, Lawrence Neil-Smith (ON 2017) on debut for Tasmania, claimed three wickets on a closely-contested opening day against Western Australia at the WACA.

Congratulations to Max Solling (ON 1959), a long-time Royal Australian Historial Society member, who was awarded the 2019 Annual History Citation in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the study and practice of urban social history.

Joey Lussick (ON 2013) appeared in the UK Super League Grand Final on Saturday 12 October. Joey played for Salford who were up against St Helens.  This was Salford’s first appearance in a Grand Final.  Victory to St Helens 23 – 6.

Congratulations Dane Rampe (ON 2008) named Sydney Swans Best and Fairest for 2019.

Newington was recently gripped with Footy Finals Fever, congratulations to the following Old Boys and Parent:

Tepai Moeroa (ON 2013) – Parramatta Eels
Cameron Murray (ON 2015) – South Sydney
Bailey Simonsson (ON 2016) – Canberra Raiders
Leon Cameron – Head Coach – GWS Giants

Newington’s 2019 Rugby World Cup participants: Allan Alaalatoa (ON 2011) – Australia, Michael Alaalatoa (ON 2009) – Samoa, Vuni Fifita (ON 2014) – Tonga, and Ben Volavola (ON 2010) – Fiji

Congratulations to Nick Kay (ON 2010) a member of the Australian Basketball team (Boomers).  Australian Boomers defeat Czech Republic to advance to FIBA World Cup semi-final.

Congratulations Sam Hardy (ON 2013) for his Olympic qualification and Bronze medal at the Rowing World Championship in Austria in the Men’s Pair.

Hong Kong Reunion

The Hong Kong Reunion was held 17 October at the Hong Kong Club.  Old Boys, Current Parents and Prospective Parents were generously hosted by current Newington Medallist – International, Dr Ronald Lu (ON 1962) and his wife, Stella.

The reunion gave guests an opportunity to meet with Headmaster, Michael Parker, College Councillor, Tony Bosman (ON 1972) and Director of Community and Development Rod Bosman (ON 1978).

The College and the ONU thanks Dr Lu and Mrs Lu for their most generous hospitality and facilitating this wonderful opportunity for Old Boys living and travelling through Hong Kong to connect.

We look forward to seeing you all in Hong Kong on 22 September 2020.

Valete

Since our last edition of ONU E News (August 2019) we have been advised of the passing of the following Old Boys, Staff and Community Leaders:

Ian Abbott (ON 1948)

George Archbold (ON 1949)

Kath Brown 

Barry Collins (ON 1971)

Don Dwyer (ON 1949)

Ken Dyne (ON 1952)

Lindsay Essex (ON 1971)

Peter Farr-Jones (ON 1977)

Nicholas Kougious (ON 2004)

Philip Pearson (ON 1950)

Sean Pickwell (ON 1980)

Allan Poole (ON 1969)

Donald Richards (ON 1939)

Bruce Ward (ON 1949)

Raymond Warner (ON 1944)

Nigel West (ON 1973)

Good News

The stories and achievements of our Old Boys and Past Parents are a constant source of inspiration for our current students and to all our Newington community. Help us keep abreast of your achievements by sharing your stories 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

Here at ONU E News, we value your feedback and welcome your stories, suggested story ideas, or any comments.  Please send your feedback to: alumni@newington.nsw.edu.au

Reconnect with fellow Old Newingtonians via the ONU Online Community

You can also keep connected by following our ONU Facebook page