Old boys should never forget, most especially the younger ones, that the Old Boy network is very large and is always willing to help.
As a case in point early this year an Old Boy member of the 60’s cohort committed suicide on his mid fiftyish birthday. A member of a network that Bill Barker (61-69) has put together for the purpose of updating like aged and minded Old Boys of such events was advised that the deceased Old Boy had died destitute due to his having invested unwisely, and that his family would have extreme difficulty in covering the costs of the funeral and cremation in Wellington, where he lived, and a memorial service in Auckland on the arrival “home” of his ashes. The costs of flying the body home meant that was not an option.
An appeal was launched amongst that network under the management of The Dilworth Old Boys Benevolent Trust and the outcome was that, as other parties in fact provided funding for both the funeral and the memorial services, the collective feeling was the funds raised should go to the surviving mature son and daughter. They duly received the donated funds of $4,000.00 just before Christmas.
They have indicated their deepest gratitude, and commented that even greater than the value of the monies received was the knowledge that their father was and remains deeply loved, and reminded them at a special time of year, that the man who left such hurt in their hearts had been a good and loyal friend of many and parent to them. They accept that knowledge was the single greatest Christmas present of their lives. They have undertaken to invest the funds in furthering their own educations.
If anyone would like to be added to Bill’s “news list” which currently numbers some 42, most especially those of the 60’s cohort, please contact him at wbarker4@xtra.co.nz; the age groups that list currently involves covers some 4 decades and includes most life members of the Association, many past councillors and past Presidents and other staunch and devoted Old Boys and it spans the globe.
Very saddened by this news, and would like to thank the association for helping out… this in mind im off to pay my subs to ensure we all help in the future! Matthew Percival
Greetings Dilworth Old Boys,
I run a Private Counselling & Mediation Practice in Greenlane, Auckland.
http://www.24-7.org.nz
I am happy to offer confidential and appropriate intervention assistance to any old boy who might find themselves in strife (and have done so in the past).
The DOBA currently hold 10 free sessions p/a from my Practice, which they may allocate as they see fit.
Short-term problems do not require long-term solutions – they simply require the right solution, at the right time.
Over to you.
Steve Taylor