OBU Report
It has been a very busy and satisfying year for the Old Boys’ Union (OBU). 2022 has been all about communication. We aimed to keep everyone up-to-date on Old Boy and School news, as well as events and reconnecting, and to this end the OBU welcomed Maria Black as the new Alumni Community Manager. Over 30 reunions and special events were held, with a number being rescheduled after COVID-19 restrictions. Old Boys around the country have held reunions and all post-reunion reports have been very positive, with everyone really enjoying the opportunity to meet up again and reconnect.
The OBU started the year on a high note, welcoming the new Year 7 students and handing them OBU-donated ‘Supporter Caps’ for them to give to their parents.
The OBU thanks the School Council for supporting our proposal to rename the Library Terrace, the ‘Old Boys’ Terrace’ in recognition of all Old Boys and their past and ongoing contribution to Shore.
As well as reunions, the OBU hosted Old Boys’ Day at our Northbridge campus, which saw a huge crowd of many loud and proud Old Boys starting their reunion events watching the final home games of the season. The inaugural Old Boys Cocktail Party was held in September, where many Old Boys finally had the opportunity to visit the R A I Grant Centre. The Year 12 Leavers Lunch was held again, with the OBU Committee members sharing lunch and presenting OBU ties to our newest Old Boys. We thank our guest speaker, Max Ohman (’16), for his inspiring speech about following your passions, mental health and the importance of caring for your mates.
The OBU would like to thank all the 2022 Old Boy reunion conveners:
| Regional/Interstate and International Reunions | Convener/s |
|---|---|
| Bowral | Reverend Nick Foord |
| Tasmania | Reverend Nick Foord |
| Brisbane | Tony Ritchie |
| Sunshine Coast | Stephen Marshall |
| Tamworth | Ian MacDermott |
| Central West | Richard Hattersley |
| Melbourne | Bill Reynolds |
| ACT and Southern Region | Hugh Cooke and Paul Cooke |
| Riverina | Bruce Allworth and David Stratton |
| UK/EU | Brian Humphris and John Lotz |
| Reunion Year Group | Convener/s |
|---|---|
| 1949/1950 | John Southwick |
| 1956/1957 | Robert Bucknell, Richard Gulley, Warren Nutt and John Segdwick |
| 1962 | Clive Austin, David Barling, Geoff Cohen and Geoff Sherington |
| 1967 | David Hutchinson |
| 1970 | David Alexander |
| 1971 | James Mathers |
| 1972 | Allister Lugsdin |
| 1977 | David Ward |
| 1981 | Scott Gray-Spencer and Robert Nugan |
| 1982 | Andrew Groth and Stephen Royds |
| 1987 | Stewart Gall |
| 1992 | Doug Ferguson and David Mason-Jones |
| 1997 | Scott Bradley |
| 2001 | Tom Arnott |
| 2002 | Adam Ross |
| 2007 | Jack Caspersonn and Jack Marples |
| 2010 | Daniel Wallage |
| 2012 | Hamish Birt |
| 2015 | Nick Healy and Will Hodge |
| 2016 | Tom Fullerton and Hugh Mactier |
| 2017 | Max Sinclair |
The Year 12 OBU Scholarship was awarded after a two-year gap. This award goes to a Year 12 student and recognises their service within the School and to charities or other organisations outside of School. This year it was awarded to Angus Fisher. The Golden Boots Public Speaking competition was also held again for Boarding House students. Sponsored by the Riverina Old Boys, it offers students the opportunity to engage in public speaking.
We would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of the Old Boys who give back to Shore and the students in any capacity, through coaching, refereeing, barbecue duties and sharing their experiences in the careers arena.
We wish the Shore Community a very happy Christmas season and all the best for 2023.
Mr S Woodhill (’79)
OBU President
