Annual Dinner 2022

On Friday 12 August 2022, the Old Collegians Association hosted their Annual Dinner. 110 guests, with Old Collegians ranging in peer years from 1949–2017, were treated to a fabulous night where we celebrated and honoured three special Old Collegians, presenting them with our annual awards. 

The Maginness Cup Sports Award was won by Charlotte Elley (OC 2014) who is heading to the Splice Construction Magic to play netball in the 2023 ANZ Premiership after seven seasons with the Canterbury's Mainland Tactix.

The Cockram Cultural Award this year went to Sandy McCutcheon (OC 1964). Sandy was brought up in New Zealand and moved to Australia in the 1970s. Most of his working life has been spent in either radio or theatre, as an actor and director. He has written 22 plays that have been professionally produced and is also a best-selling novelist, now based in Fez, Morocco. Marianne Hargreaves kindly accepted this award on Sandy’s behalf.

The Alister Newton Service award was won by Professor Ronald W. Jones CNZM (OC 1957). Ron was honoured for the contribution he has made to women’s health services both here in Aotearoa and around the world. He, alongside two colleagues, uncovered New Zealand’s worst medical tragedy – the ‘unfortunate experiment’ in 1987 where women who had carcinoma-in situ, a lesion of the cervix, were being observed rather than treated. Many subsequently developed cancer and died. In 1984, Ron and his colleagues published a scientific paper that exposed the truth of this experiment. Earlier this year, Ron was the first New Zealander to receive a prestigious award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Meg Black (OC 2010) expertly emceed the evening and handed over her mantle to our new OCA President, Sam Crosbie (OC 2009). The Rector, Christine Leighton, spoke about the parallels around the College in the sports, arts, and cultural areas that our current students are excelling in. Thank you to Jonathan Wells (OC 1987) for another wonderful Address to the Haggis, and to our Catering Manager, Russell Gray, and his team, for another superb meal. A great night was had by all!

Lastly, thank you to all our Old Collegians who gather each year for this special evening. It is the one event each year, where any of our Old Cols can bring a partner, gather some friends, and come and celebrate with their peers. We hope you can join us next year!