In Memoriam
Gavin Thomson (OC 1957)
24 January 1941 – 31 August 2022
Hamish Thomson accepted an honour cap on Gavin’s behalf at the OCA Presidents’ Dinner and relayed the following words about his father on the night:
“Thank you, OCA presidents, for giving me the opportunity to accept this cap on behalf of Gavin… the latest presidential soldier to be carried from the field. No one can ever take away the fact that Dad is the first to be farewelled in the beautiful chapel above us. And for this generosity from the school, his family is forever grateful.
To say that I am proud about standing here tonight would be the greatest of understatements.
Cranbrook meant the world to dad… and it was a huge part of his life from all the way back to the early 1950’s.
He and the school were a bit like a match made in heaven. He loved this place, the history, the location (I mean who wouldn’t), the education principles, the mix of academia, sport, drama, music… but most importantly the type of man (and soon to be woman) that this amazing school has the potential to produce.
He was one of the great products of this school… but unlike most… and very much like all of you here… he gave back in a way that our family will be eternally proud of.
Esse Quam Videri…
To be rather than to seem to be.
Dad lived by exactly the same values that this motto prescribes.
What you saw was what you got.
He was always true to his word… If he said he’d do something he would do it.
He wouldn’t pretend to agree with you just because it made you feel good.
He didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t.
He could blend into any situation.
He valued other people’s opinions. Especially when they were different from his own.
He was humble.
And I’ve got little doubt that he lived his life in this way because of his time at Cranbrook and the way it forged his life.
I have a great example of how important Cranbrook and the OCA in particular was to dad.
There was a period in the not so distant past when there was a black tie annual OCA dinner held in October. And every year this dinner manages to fall on the weekend close to mum’s birthday. For a very very long time, whenever dad would be asked what he had planned for mum’s birthday, it was the same answer… Candy would be treated to an exclusive black tie dinner with some of her (his) closest friends and those with whom he shares a very special bond.
Tonight is that night, and even though he can’t be here in person he’s here in spirit… inside the two of us… but also a part of the fabric of this very school. It’s a special place, he was a special man. And all of you in this room are special because of the sacrifices you make to continue on with the tradition.
Schola Nostra!”
William Howell Blakemore (OC 1958)
13 September 1941 – 30 April 2022
Bill passed away peacefully on 30 April 2022, aged 80 years. Late of Edgecliff Road Woollahra. Bill was the brother of Ann (dec). Stepbrother of Michael and a close friend of many who were able to attend.
Alexander “Sandy” Dawson SC (OC 1989)
27 May 1972 – 28 November 2022
Alexander (Sandy) Tamerlane Sinclair Dawson arrived at Cranbrook in Year 1 in 1978 as a well-dressed, neatly groomed high-achieving student, and left Year 12 pretty much the same way in 1989. His wonderful mind was nurtured well at Cranbrook, and he found his passion in the humanities subjects, studying English, French, Latin and Modern History for his HSC. He was Dux of his year in year 11 and was Captain of Chelmsford House and Captain of Debating in his final year in 1989. He was a brilliant debater, and great fun to be on a team with, whether debating for Chelmsford or for Cranbrook. He was active in school drama and made a memorable surprise cameo as a punk rocker in the 1989 School review (people still debate whether that was actually Sandy!).
Sandy made friends throughout all walks of his life, and Cranbrook was no exception. His school gang, self-nicknamed “The Vikings” stayed close over the more-than-three-decades of life’s ups and downs since school. One of the highlights was an annual weekend of bad golf and good company which Sandy always managed to find time for. The closeness of their friendship was exemplified in how they rallied around him over the last two years.
Sandy went to the University of Sydney in 1990, becoming a resident of St Paul’s College. He was fully involved in college life, acting, student politics, styling his room at college, and occasionally attending some lectures. He finished in 1995 with degrees in Arts and Law, and after serving as an Associate for Justice Graham Hill in the Federal Court, he then worked at Minter Ellison, followed by Freehills before joining the NSW Bar in 2003 and being one of the founding barristers at Banco Chambers (taking Silk in 2016). He loved having our younger sister, Katrina, as a fellow barrister.
His area of specialty was defamation – which probably suited someone who could weaponise
the English language, albeit mostly wrapped with an incredible warmth and wit. His death saw an
outpouring of affection from the legal community and many in media, grateful for how he fought for their right to tell their stories (and accepting of him holding them to account when they overstepped!).
Sandy met Alexandra Hunter, a fellow aspiring actress at university, performing together in Michael Gow’s “Away”. They were married in 2000 and have four wonderful kids together. Sandy was delighted that his two sons followed in his footsteps by going to Cranbrook and being upstanding members of Chelmsford. He was also delighted that they took a different path to him by excelling athletically.
Sandy spent many years running the Red Shield Appeal in the Eastern Suburbs, which involved a typically entertaining speech at school assembly to enrol the Cranbrook students as door-to-door collectors. Many Cranbrook old boys remember these speeches fondly and loved the experience of being part of his collecting crew.
Sandy was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer in early 2021, and died in November 2022, aged 50. He approached his battle with cancer with incredible composure, his trademark humour, and without an ounce of self-pity. He is survived by his wife, Alexandra, his children, Jack, Holly, Freya and Henry, his parents Sandy and Jane, and me, his younger brother. We miss him terribly.
Words by Angus Dawson (OC 1990).
Peter Carr-Boyd (OC 1953)
21 October 1937 – 22 December 2022
Information from David Castle (OC 1953).
As one of Peter’s oldest friends, David remembers him as a great friend who was both creative and clever. Peter introduced David to the world of Peter Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Peter was a sympathetic listener and enthusiastic supporter for Hall. For a period, both Carr-Boyd and Hall worked for MacLachlan Consulting and apparently had many conversations about the Sydney Opera House.
Peter and David decided to publicise and promote Hall as a famous Old Cranbrookian. “We realised the strength of the Cranbrook connection when we visited the home and grounds of Willie Hall in March 2019. Peter and I worked on three illustrated articles in the Old Cranbrookian magazine. Peter was responsible for any technical descriptions of work on the Opera House”.
“There is not yet a fitting memorial to Peter Hall in the Opera House and Peter Carr-Boyd would love the fact that we will never give up until recognition is achieved.”
Following words by Rex Morgan AM MBE (OC 1953).
“In our Final Year, our housemaster had brilliantly placed me in Grey’s Study, the former vice-regal broom and brush cupboard, with lifelong friend Peter Carr- Boyd. During that era of capacity records in such things as mini- minors and telephone booths, we managed one evening during prep to put no less than 78 boarders into Grey’s Study which measured no more than 4 m x 2 m x 3 m high. We dragged juniors from their beds and just about every member of the house into the effort. Our house master agreed to attest to the final count and fell about laughing when the 78 boys had finally emerged and filled the entire anteroom to the ballroom. I believe we hold that record to this day”.
Chris Blundell (OC 1960)
10 June 1943 – 27 December 2021
Dr Cliff Hing (OC 1972)
27 April 1955 – 12 August 2022
It is with great sadness that we learnt of the recent passing of Dr Cliff Hing (1972).
Cliff’s time at Cranbrook was littered with prizes for academic achievement. He embraced life at Cranbrook, being a member of a number of diverse clubs and societies including the photography club, sailing club, astronomy society and film society. He was a school prefect and head of Davidson house.
He left school well rounded, humble, curious, wise and with a desire to help others.
Upon leaving school, Cliff commenced medical studies at the University of New South Wales graduating in the late 1970s. After a short time training overseas, he settled into a general medical practice at Mosman with his wife Lin. It was a flourishing practice where he became a significant member of the community serving patients for 40 years. He found time to lecture at the School of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame. He also was passionate about his family, travel, his dogs, photography, the Sydney Roosters and wine, only recently retiring to spend more time at his small vineyard in the Hunter Valley which he approached with his customary enthusiasm.
Cliff collapsed at home from an aneurysm. His passing was sudden, premature and shocking. We who knew him shall miss his infectious smile and good-natured disposition very much. Throughout his life he demonstrated a gentle strength and willingness to participate in life in a meaningful way.
He gave so much more than he took.
Words by David Hing (OC 1978).
Ross Johnstone (OC 1946)
1 November 1929 – 1 January 2022
The School received the following communication from Ross’ daughters, Jenny Michael and Heather Johnstone:
“It is my sad duty to report the passing of our beloved father, Ross Johnstone, born in 1929. Ross was educated at Cranbrook in the early 1940’s, and always remembered his time there with fondness. One of his pleasures late in his life was the reading of The Cranbrookian Magazine you sent him.”
Robin Reece Jones (OC 1950)
17 April 1933 – 8 July 2022
Robin Reece Jones (1950-1951) passed away on Friday 8 July 2022. He was a member of Rawson House and Captain of Boats 1951. Robin played in the First XV in 1950 and 1951. He served as President of the OCA from 1980 to 1983. He had two sons attend Cranbrook, Michael Richard Reece Jones (1970-1977) and Toby William Reece Jones (1971-1979) His two grandsons also attended the School, Andrew Richard Reece Jones (2001- 2007), Head Prefect 2007 and Harry Alexander Reece Jones (2003-2009).
Dr George Frank Hugh Stening (OC 1953)
20 October 1936 – 10 May 2022
The following is an excerpt from Frank’s obituary on the University of Sydney Cricket Club’s website, written by Max Bonnell. It is Frank’s recollection of his first season in First Grade for the club:
“It was daunting to be playing with and against names you had only heard of and not met. Grade cricket in those days was strong and you played regularly against the state players and internationals. Remember too, that NSW was virtually the Test side. And there were many grade cricketers as good as the internationals playing in the competition. In 1955 Peter Hall was our captain, a debonair and slightly eccentric architectural student/graduate. He would arrive at the cricket dressed in a Uni Blues blazer driving a vintage car or Bentley that stood out amongst the opposition, and us, especially at places like Bankstown.
He was unfailingly polite and a handy, but not brilliant, cricketer. My second game in First Grade was on the Monday of the long weekend against Manly at Manly and Keith Miller was captaining Manly. There was a decent crowd there to see Miller, who had been controversially dropped from the Test side. I can remember he strolled into our dressing room before the start not knowing any of us except Saxon and wanted to know our captain. Peter timidly, but very presentably, indicated he was, and Miller immediately demanded ‘do you want to bat or bowl?’ Peter responded that he thought we should toss to which Miller responded, ‘you bat’, which we did. They beat us by an innings in the day and Miller did virtually nothing other than to run me out. That was really how we were accepted in grade, and we ended the season not winning a game and having,
I think, one draw.”
To read more about Frank Stening, click here.
Tony Still (OC 1961)
25 January 1945 – 1 December 2022
We were informed of the passing of Tony Still (OC 1961) by classmate and lifelong friend, Anthony Du Vernet (OC 1961). Tony was a member of Street House. His Valete entry mentions that Tony was a member of the Second XI Cricket Team for the 1961/62 season and that he was the President of the Agricultural Society.
John Spender (OC 1952)
2 December 1935 – 13 October 2022
Below excerpt from The Weekend Australian on 15 October 2022, sent to the School by Malcolm Dan (OC 1953).
“Former politician John Spender, the father of teal independent Allegra Spender and ex-husband of fashion designer Carla Zampatti, has died aged 86. His daughter, Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, announced the death on social media on Friday, saying he died on Thursday night.
A distinguished politician in his own right, Mr Spender was elected as member for North Sydney with the Liberal Party in 1980, a post he held for 10 years.
“He crossed the floor in his first term,” Ms Spender wrote on Friday. “There was an amendment that would stop witnesses in the National Crimes Commission being reimbursed for their legal costs. He felt reimbursement was needed for equal access to justice, so he voted with his feet. He was proud of it.”
Mr Spender served as a shadow cabinet minister in the 1980s. Appointed ambassador to France under John Howard, he was awarded a Legion D’Honneur for his mark on Australia-French relations.
“He is someone who reflected on the world, always questioned it, loved a good conversation, and was
gracious to the end,” Ms Spender wrote. “He was warm and generous, amusing and a good friend.”
Mr Spender is survived by his wife Catherine, and daughters Bianca and Allegra Spender.
Credit: Chloe Whelan.
Philip Wall (OC 1966)
29 September 1949 – 15 June 2022
Philip Wall of ‘Athelstone’ Wee Waa was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident at Wee Waa on the 15th June 2022. Philip attended Cranbrook as a boarder from 1957 to 1964.
In 1965 Philip attended Yanco Agricultural College and upon graduation returned to the family property at Wee Waa where he operated and developed the family farming operation until his death. Philip is survived by his wife Trish, his daughter Georgia and son Jim and 5 grandchildren.
Please forward all community news to Rebecca Curran in the Cranbrook Development Office
on email alumni@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.