Old Boys' Society President's Report - March

By Geoff Bates | Posted: Wednesday April 1, 2020

While writing this in the Covid-19 alert 4 lock down we can now all only reflect on what normal was, what the current normal is & what the normal will be going forward once we come out the other end.

Prior to 11.59pm on 26 March the school and Old Boys had been every active. 

Thank you to Gwyn Pratley for organising the traditional invitational Old Boys vs OBHS 1st XI 40 over fixture at the end of January. Robbie Lawson, a former Otago Cricket captain, again led our team to a 12-run victory but the real winner on the day was the opportunity for past and present OB’s boys to join together. A great way to kick off the new school year.

Thank you again to Gwyn for organising and managing an OBHS Old Boys Rugby Team in the local Spartan’s 10’s tournament on Saturday 15 February. The Old Boys team was captained by Ben Miller and also included fellow Otago Representatives Slade McDowell and Jonah Aoina. Our young Old Boys represented our school well making it to the final but losing narrowly to Taieri 12-0. If you would like to support the Old Boys team in the 2021 Spartans 10's Tournament, please contact Gwyn Pratley - [email protected]

The 2020 Crest Clean Old Boys' Society Golf Tournament teed off on Friday 28th February at the Balmacewen Golf Course. We were delighted to again have the support of Crest Clean as naming sponsor of the 2020 tournament and wish to thank Grant McLauchlan for his ongoing support. All proceeds from the event are going directly to the school to upgrade the high-performance centre within the school gym. A huge shout out to Old Boys Rob Pile and Ricky Stuart for making this happen.

The Rod Byers Memorial Football Game organised by Mike McGarry was held on March 16. This event was an old annual event that was rekindled in 2018 after a hiatus of several years. An Old Boys team from the Roslyn Wakari Club competed against the school 1st XI to celebrate the life of Rod, a teacher and coach of football for many years. This the school took the spoils this time winning 6 - 1.

Great friend of our school, the perennial Des Smith and Richard Hall, our Rector, were in the process of organising Old Boys’ events in Auckland, Palmerston North and Wellington from 4th – 7th May. This road trip has unfortunately had to be cancelled due to covid pandemic but keep a look out for this maybe for later in the year.

What’s coming up now requires a crystal ball, but hopefully once life and school returns to normal we will look to organise a luncheon to precede a 1st XV interschool if permitted.

In the interim, with some spare time on your hands, can I encourage you to while the time away by visiting the OBHS website to catch up on past happenings that can be found in the School, Foundation & Old Boys’ newsletters.

Thank you for your continued support. Stay safe and healthy.

Kind Regards

Geoff Bates
OBHS Old Boys President