Changes amaze OBHS old boy

Former Otago Boys' High School pupil Graham Robertson (99) with one of the youngest present-day...
Former Otago Boys' High School pupil Graham Robertson (99) with one of the youngest present-day pupils, Boyd Macpherson (13), outside Otago Boys' High School yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
School reunions are traditionally an opportunity to catch up with old school cobbers.

But when you are the oldest and only pupil from the 1920s registered at the Otago Boys' High School 150th reunion, one could imagine it would be a little lonely.

Not for 99-year-old Graham Robertson.

He was a pupil at Otago Boys' High School between 1927 and 1929, and while he was a little surprised there were no other pupils from his generation at the reunion, he was not bothered.

''We've all got at least one thing in common to talk about,'' he said.

''Most people are here to catch up with old friends.

''I'm here to look around the school - I haven't been in it for over 80 years.

''I want to see the changes and so on. It's curiosity more than anything.''

He was amazed by the changes to the school, namely that the old cricket pitch had been replaced with a green courtyard.

He also failed to recall the steep driveway up to the school being so tiring to walk up and he was pleased he still had his licence so he could drive instead.

Mr Robertson said he enjoyed school - mainly the sport - but like many his age at the time, he was keen to get out and start working.

The problem was, it was 1929, the start of the Depression, and jobs were not easy to find.

''My father said if I couldn't get a job, I'd have to go back for a fourth year.

''I fluked a job at the Bing Harris wholesale warehouse as an office boy.''

He worked there for 30 years before becoming the local manager of AL Bezett Ltd, another wholesale company, for another 30 years.

In 1989, Mr Robertson retired to Alexandra, where he still lives, playing bowls three times a week.

Looking back, he said his short time at Otago Boys' High School had taught him lessons which had served him well.

''School taught me a lot about teamwork, being loyal and determined.

''They have been lifelong traits.''

- john.lewis@odt.co.nz

 

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