Archive for the ‘Old Boys’ Category
We are organising next years Country Reunion early. We have decided that the Reunion will next year be in Rotorua, and we have plans afoot to make it the biggest Reunion yet. We have a target in mind of having 80 attend this Reunion. This year, we have just had 50 attend the Tauranga Reunion. Anyway, the first two items that need to be sorted are:
1. Locating Old Boys who live in Rotorua – who will work with us to organise the Reunion.
2. Selecting a date for the Reunion. We think it will need to be some time in August again, or perhaps in September. If it is too early in the year this impacts the AGM and Foundays Day Weekend at the School which always coiincides with the annual Auckland Reunion. We will also discuss this with the School and Trust Board to see what dates might fit in with their Event Calendar.
So please contact Mark Easton on mark@azurebell.co.nz or 07 5787883 if you live in Rotorua. We need to know who you are so that you can be involved, early, in the planning process.
There are some great activities at Rotorua – for example my partner, Marina, worked at Polynesian Spa for 5 years so we are well in there to get some great deals.
We will be looking at bringing a bus down from Auckland, leaving from Dilworth, on the Friday and returning back to Auckland on Sunday. As much as possible we want to expand the involvement of younger Old Boys in these Country Reunions and as such will take steps to ensure the weekend is affordable.
Any comments on this are welcomed.
To Old Boys attending the Country Reunion – we have Derek and Maxine Firth attending only on the Friday night. Errol and Lynette Lee, Donald MacLean and Peter Voss, Adam Hiron, and Doug StGeorge amongst many others will also be attending. We are, though, down on numbers for the Friday night event as many are coming up on Saturday.
So, if you can make it for the Friday night event then please do so – we would appreciate that. We have secured an excellent venue with the Mount Ocean Sports Club and are supplying Finger Food. We will have some cold platters out at 6pm and then some hot platters will come out later in the evening.
The night can go on to late – so even if you only arrive at 9pm we will still be going.
Although I will be there from 6pm, ready for the early arrivers (and if you do want to come down then and keep me company then that will be great), I believe many will start arriving from 7pm onwards.
Mt Maunganui - The Beach
The Country Reunion this year is at The Mount on Friday August 13 to Sunday August 15. Please contact Adam or Mark now (contact details below) if you would like to attend the reunion, so that we can finalise restaurant, accommodation and activity bookings. It promises to be an excellent weekend with a great array of activities and events to keep you all very happy. Full and current details of the Country Reunion are here.
See who is attending here.
There are plenty of accommodation options and with a Friday Meet & Greet at the Mount Ocean Sports Club (overlooking the water), a Saturday Night out at The Astrolabe and a Country Breakfast on a farm on Sunday Morning, along with an array of ativities organised on Saturday, it promises to be a special weekend.
We have finalised a set of activities for Saturday. For full details see here.
Event Contacts:
Dear Members of the Dilworth Community
I wish to take this opportunity to provide the first of an annual update.
The School
2009 was a very good year beginning with a roll of 520. The commencing roll this year was 540.
The academic results for the calendar year ending 2008 and 2009 were outstanding, with our students’ achievement continuing to be well above national averages in most subjects, and significantly above national averages for Maori and Pacific students.
A Metro article published during the year with the assistance of Professor John Hattie from the Education Department, University of Auckland, ranked Dilworth academically third out of 77 secondary schools in the Auckland Region.
In extra curricular activities (music, culture and sport), Dilworth continues to be a strong presence in the Auckland Region in all these areas.
A full review of boarding (conducted by an external expert) has resulted in a strengthening of the residential side to Dilworth.
A new Rural Campus has been acquired through the purchase of Hotel du Vin at Mangatawhiri just south of the Bombay Hills. It is currently hoped that the Rural Campus will be ready at the beginning of 2012 for up to 100 students (additional to the existing roll), and it is presently envisaged that the boys will spend the whole of an academic year at the Campus.
Earlier this year the Board acquired a substantial residence at 39 Market Road.
The Isabella Lodge (as it is now called) will be a special boarding facility that will be managed by house parents and designed to assist up to twelve students who require more individual attention.
That facility is expected to be up and running during the second term of this year.
Visitors to the School over the past decade will have noticed the changing and developing ethnic mix at Dilworth. This change has greatly enriched the social, cultural, sporting and academic life of the School, and further demonstrates the wisdom of James Dilworth in placing the emphasis in his will on “need” and specifically allowing for any “race or creed”. A far-sighted statement indeed.
88 scholarships have been awarded for 2010 from 494 applications received during 2009.
Last year we farewelled Mr Rex Hooton after 15 years of highly dedicated service as Head of the Junior Campus. He was replaced by Mr Peter Vos in August 2009.
This year we have farewelled our official Visitor, the Rt Rev Bishop John Paterson, also after 15 years of dedicated commitment in that position. We have welcomed his successor, Bishop Ross Bay at a recent Board meeting.
I encourage members of our community to view the latest ERO Report from the school inspectors, published in January this year. This is yet another excellent report, and a further reason for all of us to be proud of our school (the link is www.ero.govt.nz – enter “Dilworth” in “Search”).
Around the world, every school is basically as good as its Principal and we are very fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Donald MacLean who would have to be one of the best educationalists in the country.
The Trust Fund
The Trust is in good shape with invested assets in the region of $400 million plus a further $100 million of School assets. The total return (capital gains and income) over the last 10 years has exceeded that of most superannuation and other managed funds.
We balance on 31 January each year. On 31 January 2000 our Trust equity (the value of the Trust’s investments) was $192 million. Our equity presently stands at $394 million. You will see that, averaged over 10 years, our equity has doubled (105%), compared with inflation which has increased by 31% during the same period.
However, during that period we have also spent a total of $115 million running the School and an additional $30 million in capital expenditure.
In other words, we have ensured that our capital fund has increased by three times the rate of inflation after allowing for all of the costs of running the School and all of our capital expenditure. I am sure you will agree that is a very gratifying result.
Also, it is a high note on which our General Manager, Martin Thomson, will retire around the middle of this year.
The average increase in equity since the Trust’s inception in 1894 has been 6.82% pa (compounding) That is effectively the earnings, after meeting all the School capital and operating expenses, over the past 116 years.
This is quite a tribute to the mere 44 Trustees (who include the present five) over the 116 year life of the Trust.
The Board
It is important to understand that the Trustees are responsible for two quite different endeavours.
One is to maintain the Trust in real terms (ie, level with or ahead of inflation) and the other is responsibility for the School.
Indeed, we are very privileged to have that dual responsibility and are very conscious of the importance of it.
Six Trustees is a very efficient number and the convention which we have introduced of having three Old Boys and three non-Old Boys has worked exceptionally well. Occasionally, that has been two and four, or four and two, but those short periods of imbalance are insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
The present non-Old Boys (David Hunter, Brian Maltby and Hugh Fletcher) add enormous strength to the Board as have the many former Trustees in the past. Jon Wain and I greatly respect their contribution.
Identifying a replacement Trustee (whether Old Boy or not) is always a very sensitive issue. We are very anxious to ensure that every new Trustee is of high quality and brings a strong commitment. Also, we have to take into account the importance of having a balanced Board – that is, balanced in respect of differing necessary skills.
The vacancy since John Potter’s departure has lasted much longer than we would have wished, but we are “on the case” and there has been a good reason for the delay.
Concluding Comments
When governing the School and managing the fund, we have to keep at the front of our minds the needs of present and future generations of students. That must always be our first point of focus.
The Trustees wish you all well and hope that you find this update of interest.
Yours sincerely
Chairman
Errol Lee just rang Bruce Owen to inform him that Old Boy Ross Cashmore has died.
Ross attended Dilworth from 1947-56.
He taught at the school in 1967-68 before he headed off to Canada for a while.
He has been living in Thames in recent times.
Ross was the President of the Thames Golf Club (http://www.thames.nzgolf.net/ownpage.htm), who are due to have their 100 years celebrations in early April.
He died in his sleep at home in Thames and was due to play a round of golf this morning.
I am sure all of our thoughts will be with Ross’s family at this sad time.
ex NZ Herald 23 March: Geoffrey Ross (Ross). Peacefully at home in Thames, on 22 March, 2010; aged 69 years. Cherished husband, best friend and soul mate of Estelle (Betty). Adored father of Shelley and Andy, and Stephen. Loved and respected Step-Father of Verian, Jake (Dean) and Karen, Andrew and Karoline. Loved Granddad Ross to all his grandchildren, and friend of James and Debbie. A Service for Ross will be held at The Thames Golf Club, State Highway 26, Thames, on Thursday 25 March at 11am. In lieu of flowers donations to the Thames Golf Club would be appreciated and may be left at the service or posted to PO Box 179, Thames. Communications to: 200 Reservoir Road, Thames.
Bill Barker: Ross (Soapy) Cashmore was one of those special old boys and Staff members, he was even coach of the first XV in my second to final year (1968). He would have turned 70 in June.
Barry Hill: I am very saddened to hear of Ross’ passing. We taught together at Dilworth in the mid-sixties before Ross left to go to Canada. He was a fine colleague, an excellent sportsman (particularly rugby; captained Otahuhu seniors as I recall), had a warm, friendly personality and a great smile. I remember he came into the staff room one Monday morning after a particularly hard club match with a ‘wild’ broken nose to match his rugged looks! Rarely heard him complain; he just get on with the job. I never saw Ross again after he left Dilworth but I remember him very well and was grateful for his supportive ways.
I would appreciate it if you could pass on my condolences to his family. My thoughts are also with the Old Boys particularly of Ross’ era. As you said Bill, Ross was a special guy.
Bruce Owen : I endorse Barry’s remarks. Ross was a great guy and came to Dilworth at a time when its was great to be part of a team of young teachers who were making a change to the very traditional and narrow way that Dilworth had been run. He was a fine colleague. Ross just quietly got on with the job, with his thorough professionalism. As Barry says he loved his sport. Unfortunately the attraction of the big OE took him to Toronto and beyond. His short time at Dilworth as a teacher was a good time.
Retiring Bishop of Auckland - Bishop John
At the AGM on Saturday March 13th we unanimously voted for Right Reverend John Paterson to be added to our Honorary Old Boys list.
Rt Rev’d John Paterson, the Bishop of Auckland, has served as Episcopal Visitor to Dilworth School from 1995-2010.
In that time in this very unique role he has become a lot more than that – he has become a friend to the School and a personal friend to many.
It was in James Dilworth’s will that it was required there be an Episcopal Visitor to the School each year to look over things and if all was not right then to take some action.
This role includes filling in the Episcopal Visitor’s Book and making comments on the visit.
Looking at the two words -
Episcopal means that the Visitor must be a Bishop.
Visitor (with a capital V) is the interesting word – it means a lot more than it would appear at face value, but following is my concise interpretation of the word.
The Visitor (sorry these are my words – I hope they are correct) is charged with ensuring that the ‘powers that be’ are kept in check, and if they need checking then has the power to take some action to do so.
Thanks to Principle Donald MacLean for explaining all of this at the Thanksgiving Service last night (Sunday March 14th).
We were honoured ourselves to be able to bestow the honour of Honorary Old Boy on Rt Rev’d John Paterson and at the Founders Thanksgiving Service he assured us that although he was now retiring as Bishop of Auckland he will make certain to continue his yearly visits to the School.
As an Old Boys Association we will welcome him into our family gladly.
The first step will be to get Bishop John on to our Old Boys Mailing List!
Dr George Barker - Guest Speaker
Saturday March 13th 7pm – the Reunion Dinner.
What a great night it was.
It was incredible to see Old Boys from all eras in attendance including a table of the youngest Old Boys – and as Dilworth Old Boys tend to do – we all got on incredibly well.
After a rousing introduction by brother, Bill Barker, Guest Speaker Dr George Barker talked eloquently and with great passion about the clauses in James Dilworth’s will and how they modeled his and our lives as “good and useful citizens”.
George was clearly greatly honored to be our first Guest Speaker at what we hope to be an annual event moving forward and at times had trouble containing his emotion which left us all with lumps in our throats.
Dilworth means so much to George and to all of us!
We will be producing a full transcript of George’s talk – so when that comes to hand it will be posted on the Website.
DOBA Vice President Peter Tate, as master of ceremonies, was in great form and kept things well organized as well as keeping us laughing.
We did not know you had this talent Mr Tate!
The food and wine, supplied by Robert MacDonald was exemplary – plentiful and better than restaurant quality – just amazing.
Many thanks Robert!
The waiting staff also were really great – thanks Elena and others for looking after us so well!
Some of the names there on the night (in no particular order) are listed here. We will endeavor to provide a complete list of names soon.
Principle and Vice Patron Donald MacLean, Trustee John Wain, Past Chairman John Potter and wife Alison, Murray Wilton (former Principle, Old Boy and Patron) and wife Christine, Chairman of the Trust Board Derek Firth and wife Maxine, Vice Patron Bruce Owen, Past President Peter Thompson, Dr George Barker (Guest Speaker) and wife Jo, Maurice Hood, Ian West, Kerry Pascoe, Roger Pym, David Bennett, Peter Hargraves, Frank Bull, Dave Winter, Trevor McCauley, Emerson Coe, Tana Faamausili, Ethan Hindman, Matt Saunderson, Damon Scmidt, Daniel Priest, Greg Tothill, Tapu Vea, Jonathan Whittingham, Ricky Mossman
Life Members; John Simpson, Stan West, Roger Pye and wife Annette, Bill Barker
Council Members; Adam Hiron (President), Grant Steel (Treasurer), Jacob De Berry, Theo Davy and daughter, Callum McGibbon, Mark Easton (Web Master), Peter Tate (Vice President and M.C for the night), Julian Annear, Chris Hodder (Secretary)
Congratulations to all of you that attended – you made it a night to remember.
Old Boys at the AGM
The AGM started at 5:30pm after Old Boys shared a few drinks and caught up.
DOBA President, Adam Hiron, called the meeting to order and we listed apologies.
We discussed the minutes of the previous meeting.
There was some discussion to clarify the minutes and to determine that the motions passed for action had been carried out.
They were accepted as true and correct.
Grant Steel presented the Financial Reports.
The unaudited 2006, 2007 and 2008 accounts were accepted as a best effort and so that closed that matter.
The audited 2009 accounts were clarified and there was some discussion around some missing Fixed Assets (some Totara purchases prior to 2006 along with badges and ribbons).
Grant assured the AGM that he would look into the Totara but did make note that they had not been listed on any previous accounts as Fixed Assets.
The badges and ribbons probably are not Fixed Assets.
Grant was congratulated by those at the AGM for his efforts and the audited 2009 accounts were accepted by all at the AGM.
Adam Hiron and Grant Steel
We then received reports from Murray Wilton regarding the Benevolent Trust and from John Simpson regarding the Centennial Foundation Trust.
Both trusts are travelling well and you will be able to see full details of these on this website in the near future.
The Patron, Murray Wilton, and Vice Patrons, Bruce Owen and Donald MacLean were unanimously retained.
The same occurred for the current Council and President Adam Hiron – who were retained as a group for a second term.
Those at the AGM spoke up in support of the current council and the promising progress that had been made over the last year.
The President, Adam Hiron, then presented his report, making special note of the DOBA Website and the importance of that in Council efforts to reach out to the Old Boy community with current news and events.
His Presidents report was accepted as read.
Old Boys at the AGM
The Principal, Donald MacLean, presented his report.
Donald started out by expressing his thanks to the Council making mention of the interest the Council has shown in the School, the good mix of Old Boys in the Council (including three School Head Prefects) and the exceptional activities of the Council.
Many thanks Donald for your continued support!
Donald also talked about the Academic success of the School which has far outstripped anything in Dilworth’s past history.
The new initiatives were discussed with special mention of the latest – 39 Market Rd – which was settled on Founders Day (12 March).
Donald also reminded the AGM of the generous donations of the Centennial trust for the magnificent organ, the Maori Gateway and the subsidy for the Spirit of New Zealand training voyages.
Finally Donald talked on the ethnic breakdown of the School with 42% being NZ European and 48% being of other ethnicities.
This invoked some discussion in the Council - that we would like to see these other ethnicities represented on the Council.
Honorary Old Boys were listed and the Right Reverend John Paterson and Sue Garner was added to that list this year. Rt Rev’d John Paterson, the Bishop of Auckland, has served as Episcopal Visitor to Dilworth School from 1995-2010. In that time in this unique role he has become a lot more than that – he has become a friend to the School and a personal friend to many. We were honoured ourselves to be able to bestow this honour on Rt Rev’d John Paterson and at the Founders Thanksgiving Service he assured us that although he was now retiring as Bishop of Auckland he will make certain to continue his yearly visits to the School. As an Old Boys Association we will welcome him into our family gladly. The first step will be to get him on to our Old Boys Mailing List! Sue Garner thank-you for the all of the work you have been doing for the Old Boys Association in the office – for your support of our community we welcome you as an Old Boy.
Derek Firth was re-appointed as Legal Council and Donald Findlay of Goldsbury and Associates was appointed as Auditor.
After some General Business was discussed the meeting was called to a close and we all headed over to the School Hall for the Reunion Dinner.
NOW ON FRIDAY MARCH 12TH
Due to a late scheduled pre-match game for the 1st XV, we need to move Summer Sports forward from Saturday 13th March to Friday 12th March.
20/20 Cricket will start at 3.45pm
Tennis and Touch will start at 5.30pm
Volley Ball will start at 6.15pm
After Match Function 7pm
Sorry , no Lawn Bowls this year !
As always, if you are keen to participate , please contact either Jake 021 1111652 or Callum 021 187 0666.
The AGM and Reunion Dinner on Saturday March 13th remain as scheduled.
As a reminder …
The AGM will be at 5:30pm and this will be followed by the Reunion Dinner (a 3 course smorgasbord) at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.
Here is the official Founders Weekend Invitation from the School to Dilworth Old Boys, starting on Friday 12th March at 9:00am with the Founders Day Service with Guest Speaker Rt Hon John Key.
The invitation includes a request to RSVP to Principal’s PA Mrs Jenny Reeves.
Please download the invitation to get full details.
Please also note that the Founders Day Chapel service is on Sunday 14th March at 8pm.
There has been some conflicting info sent out on this, but it does start at 8pm!
