Old Boys' Newsletter

Anzac Service Wreath Laying

Mr. Alan Cull (PNBHS 1937 – 1939) and Mr. Jim Kelly (PNBHS 1938 – 1942) who attended our Anzac Service and laid a wreath on the Gallipoli Oak on behalf of the Old Boys of Palmerston North Boys’ High School.
by PNBHS


Thank you to Old Boys and ex-servicemen Mr. Alan Cull (PNBHS 1937 – 1939) and Mr. Jim Kelly (PNBHS 1938 – 1942) who attended our Anzac Service and laid a wreath on the Gallipoli Oak on behalf of the Old Boys of Palmerston North Boys’ High School. After the service Mr. Kelly described his emotions as the World War Two Roll of Honour – the names of the 132 Old Boys of the school who lost their lives – was read as he personally knew nearly all of them and had been at school with many of them. We sincerely thank Mr. Cull, Patron of the PNBHS Old Boys Association, and Mr. Kelly, who travelled from Auckland especially to attend, for joining us again this year for our Anzac Service.


Rugby Reunions in June

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by PNBHS

June has been busy with Rugby Reunions. On Queens Birthday Monday June 7th the traditional College House vs Niger House (New Plymouth) took place, Stu, Sally and I helped Maurice Gloyn and John Morrison organize a 1961 College House/Niger House Team reunion. Maurice was Head Boy of College House in 1961. We had about 25 people attend a morning tea before the game and then the after match in the College House dining room after the game. Sally put together a commemorative booklet for them. It was so good to watch friendships being renewed between PNBHS College House Old Boys after lengthy absences.

1961 College House Team vs Niger House Reunion — Image by: PNBHS

From left to right; John Morrison, Greame Cowley, Hamish McNeil, Ron Sisson, John Palairet, Don Harris, John Mayo, Trevor Prime, Maurice Gloyn, Neil Rae, Alastair Brown, Rodney Wilson, Murray Dalziel, Paul Stuckey.

The weekend of June 18th and 19th were busy days, but we thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with these reunion boys. We had two groups for reunions, in one the 1971/72/73 1st XV teams met and the other 1980/81 1st XVs. Various functions over the weekend were attended by the majority of these boys. An assembly with the current 1st and 2nd XV’s on Friday morning was addressed by Barry Wright from the 71-73 team and Bruce Lochore captain of the 1980 team. Many words of wisdom were passed on to the boys from these two, practical advice that we hope they listened to and remember. The teams then toured the school starting over in the newly renovated grandstand changing rooms that were blessed that morning in readiness for the 1st XV on Saturday, this project has been a dream of Bruce Hemara coming to fruition. Bruce was part of the PNBHS 1973 team. Friday night Stu, Rachel and Sally caught up with the 1980s boys at Speights Ale House then the 1970s boys at The Fat Farmer. Saturday morning saw us host Brunch in the College House Dining Hall for both teams, our White Jersey Club supporters that wished to attend, a handful of current 1st XV parents and school rugby sponsors, 70 in total. We braved the Hamilton game in the rain and wind. The warmth of the Northern Bowling Club for refreshments after the game was well received. Saturday night the 1970s boys met in the College House Function Room for their team dinner, this was thoroughly enjoyed by all and it was great to see so many wives attend the various functions as well and it was great to watch people get together who had not met up for 40 years or more. The 1980’s team had their dinner down at Aberdeen on Broadway. When we turned up there it was good to listen to the stories flowing and seeing so much laughter! We hope that both teams enjoyed reconnecting with PNBHS.

We have received many positive emails and notes from attendees of all three rugby reunions in June.

1971/71 and 73 1st XV Reunion group — Image by: PNBHS
1980/81 Reunion Dinner — Image by: PNBHS



  1. Anzac Service Wreath Laying
  2. Rugby Reunions in June
  3. Old Boys in Hastings, Lunch at Summerset in the Orchard.
  4. Tauranga Old Boys' Function July 2nd 2021
  5. Auckland Old Boys' Function
  6. Revamping the 1st XV Changing Rooms under the Grandstand
  7. Up coming Palmerston Old Boys' Events
  8. Old Boys Dinner and Day at The Races. It's time to buy your ticket.
  9. TO LOCATE OLD SCHOOL CRICKET PHOTOGRAPHS
  10. Obituaries
  11. Turbos squad for the 2021 season
  12. Old Boy Carson Taare to perform original songs at Globe Theatre
  13. Old Boy Bob Burgess - All Black looks back at Springboks tour, 40 years on
  14. Old Boy Graeme Elston
  15. (1984) - Palmerston North Boys' High School band
  16. Old Boys' News
  17. World Refugee Day
  18. Sports Hall of Fame recipient Stuart Jacobs
  19. Jim Stuckey with the McKegg Cup
  20. Ray ‘Butch’ Hewer with the Hewer Trophy
  21. Old Boy Brian Plimmer
  22. Loyal Old Boy Bill Pearson
  23. Old Boy Tasi Vaha'i performed in the staffroom
  24. Congratulations to Campbell McKay who has started at his 3rd school as Principal at Mount Waverley Primary School
  25. Bob Burgess is discussed in this recent documentary on Māori Television (the interview with Dr. Bob Burgess starts at 11.40).
  26. Congratulations to Adam Milne and Dane Cleaver, who have been added to the group of contracted players for Central Districts cricket
  27. Always great to hear from our Old Boys:
  28. Congratulations Nick Wilson
  29. Hurricanes Old Boys
  30. Shayne Harris has been appointed as Chief Executive of the Manawatū District Council.
  31. Nick Wilson is chasing the dream of competing in his third Olympic games
  32. Old Boy and professional musician David Shanhun (1997 – 2001)
  33. Old Boys News Letter August 2021
  34. 2001 Cricket Reunion February 2021
  35. Palmy Steel
  36. Sports Hall of Fame 2021
  37. Lunch date with a few loyal Old Boys.
  38. PNBHS Old Boys' Annual Golf Day April 2021
  39. PNBHS Anzac Service April 2021
  40. Palmerston North Boys' High School Anzac Service