2022 Gentlemen's Luncheon and 70 Years On (1952–1956)

On Friday 14 October, 90 Old Collegians attended the Gentlemen's Luncheon. We decided to do things a bit differently this year, so instead of the usual College Tour after morning tea, we had arranged a performance in Centennial Chapel for our Gent's. So, after the obligatory shortbread and cups of tea, the Old Boys meandered over the Turley Bridge and down to the Centennial Chapel where they were in for a treat!

Bryan Botting, a current music teacher and Honorary Old Collegian, played ‘Danny Boy’ on the grand piano for our guests. He then accompanied Cindy Xiong (Year 13), who sang an incredibly moving rendition of Judy Garland’s version of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. Richard Hawke (OC 1980 and Pipe Band Director) led us on the pipes with a hearty rendition of ‘The College Song’ and we finished with Bryan and Richard playing us out with ‘Highland Cathedral’. There were a few damp eyes as we left to head back to the dining room for lunch after such a special show.

We were treated to another delicious meal from Russell and his team in the kitchen, while the memories and laughter could be heard all around the room. Sam Crosbie (OCA President, OC 2009) welcomed the group, ranging in age from 74 to 99. We were also celebrating the Class of 1952’s 70 Years On reunion and we received Toasts from two class members, John McCaskey and Don Davison (OC’s 1956).

The Rector, Christine Leighton, then shared a special gift with us that had been given to her at morning tea. It was a pristine College Cap, from 1925, owned by Gerald Oliphant Morrison (OC 1927). Gerald was a College Prefect in 1925, served on the Board of Governors and was also the President of the Old Collegians Association for several years in the early 1940’s. He left New Zealand mid-1943 to serve as a Lieutenant in Italy for the New Zealand Army and was tragically killed on 9 December of that year. We remember Gerald in our Memorial Enclave in the Centennial Chapel. Thank you to William Southgate (OC 1958) for gifting this to St Andrew’s College in your uncle’s memory. In her reply to the Toast to the College, Christine also gave an update on the recent successes at the College, including some outstanding results in sport, culture and academia at a national and international level.

Thank you again to all our Old Boys who came from across New Zealand to attend this very special, annual reunion. Your stories are so precious to us, and we appreciate you sharing your time and your memories. It is certainly one of our favourite events in the OCA calendar!