Jan Morrison sharing a birthday cake with long-serving Newington teacher Sir Iven Giffard Mackay (ON 1901) held the highest armed services Allan Meadows in July 1986. Both were born in August, so this was an early rank of any Old Newingtonian so far. celebration ahead of the holidays. Edith Whitaker, Newington’s first female subject head, with King Tāufa’āhau Tupou IV (ON 1936) on a visit to Newington. a group of students in the 1940s. computer cataloguing, building up audio-visual resources and services, He gave distinguished service in the First World War, including acts and overseeing the Library’s refurbishment and extension, among a of incredible personal bravery in the trench fighting at Lone Pine, range of innovations. She also played a major role in performing arts, Gallipoli, and learning the general’s craft on the Western Front. including as stage manager for numerous productions. Known as A school teacher and university lecturer by profession, he served ‘Conan the Librarian’ to many of the students, she was a popular and as Cranbrook’s headmaster in the 1930s. In the Second World respected professional and department head. She was forced to retire War, he commanded the 6th Australian Division in the Middle East, mid-career due to ill-health in 1996. masterminding the textbook capture of Bardia, along with 40,000 prisoners, resulting in a huge boost to Allied morale worldwide. He Tupou subsequently commanded Australia’s Home Forces, then New Guinea The name Tupou recognises Newington’s deep connections with TupouForce, and, after the war, served as Australia’s first High Commissioner College, our brother school in Tonga, which extend back to the latter’s to India. foundation in 1866 by Rev James Egan Moulton (one of Newington’s Mackay attended Newington from 1897 to early 1901. ‘Distinguished founders) under the patronage of King George Tupou I. from the first for his hard and solid work, both in school and out’, as The name also recognises the College’s only Old Boy head of state, the The Newingtonian reported, he passed the Senior Examination ‘very late King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV (ON 1936). The then Prince attended creditably’, served as a Prefect and as a Sergeant in the Cadets and the College, where he was known as George Taufa’ or Taufa’ahau, was a prominent debater. He was a member of each of the three from 1933 to 1936. He was a fine student, The Newingtonian senior sporting teams — Cricket, Rugby and Rifle Shooting — for three noting his ‘quiet and studious nature’ and ‘his extraordinary powers years, winning Triple Colours and two rugby honour caps. of concentration [that] helped him to succeed in every sphere Clunies Ross of the scholastic side of his School life.’ He was also a keen and accomplished sportsman, notably in athletics. Sir (William) Ian Clunies Ross (ON 1916) is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Australian science and has been described After university studies in Sydney, the Prince embarked on his life of as the architect of its post-war boom through his chairmanship of the public service in Tonga, serving from 1943 as a minister in the Tongan CSIRO. While a good, though not great, research scientist in his chosen Government and, from 1949, as Premier. He ascended the throne at field of veterinary science, he was a superlative administrator and the end of 1965, following the death of Queen Salote Tupou III, and communicator. His leadership was visionary and strategic, directed to reigned until his death in 2006. the practical application of science to achieve benefits in agriculture and industry. A prominent public figure, he was relentless in his Bavin promotion of scientific research. For more than two decades, his face Sir Thomas Rainsford Bavin (ON 1890) held the highest political office graced the first version of the $50 note. of any Old Newingtonian so far, serving as Premier of New South Wales Clunies Ross attended Newington from 1912 to 1916. A fine scholar, from 1927 to 1930, among other things introducing a progressive he achieved a University Exhibition in Agricultural Science along with tax system and navigating the early challenges of the Depression, as his Leaving Certificate. In sport he captained the 3rd XI and played in part of a parliamentary career from 1917 to 1935. Also, a successful the 2nd XV. He played the part of Mr Box in the Newington Dramatic barrister, he subsequently served as a Supreme Court judge. Society’s 1916 production of ‘Cox and Box’. Born in New Zealand, Bavin had come to Newington in 1889 aged And what of the names of the ‘old’ Houses and those of the 15 and remained to the end of the following year. Unfortunately, we Preparatory Schools? You can read their stories on our website: otherwise know little of his time at school. newington.nsw.edu.au/blog/2021/10/28/the-history-of- newingtons-houses/ Mackay Sir Iven Giffard Mackay (ON 1901) held the highest armed services Mr David Roberts rank of any Old Newingtonian so far and, along with ‘Sandy’ Pearson College Archivist (ON 1936), may be regarded as Newington’s greatest soldier. Curiosity | News Autumn 2022 | 9