Branches

Alex was sworn in as Mayor of South Wairarapa in 2019 after a career in geotechnical engineering and research. A Wairarapa resident for 20 years, he and wife Julie and daughter India live rurally near Martinborough.

Although new to public office, Alex had previously served as a senior advisor at Wellington City Council. Away from work, he loves old cars, particularly Mercedes, and enjoys maintaining his too large property. He also enjoys keeping tabs on where College is heading, taking part in the activities of the CCOBA (he served on the committee until 2000), and catching up with College friends and Old Boys.

Secretary

Charlie Cresswell (9016) – cwmcresswell@gmail.com

Paul McDonald has lived and worked in Sydney since 2001. He is self-employed as a barrister and notary public. Away from work, Paul enjoys all the wonderful things that Sydney has to offer while still wearing a Crusaders jersey.

At College, Paul was in Condell’s House from 1991–1995. Paul’s only party trick is to recite all the major streets of Christchurch within the four avenues in order – something he claims to have learnt at College.

Secretary

Andrew Adams (12439) – ccoba.nsw@gmail.com

Tim Black is a business entrepreneur who lives in central Timaru with wife Brooke, teenage daughters Lucy and Alex and a Jack Russell terrier.

After five years in Condell’s House (1988-1992), Tim went farming in South Canterbury before heading to Lincoln University to study for a BComAg.

He worked for 13 years at Pyne Gould Guinness, where he was a wool auctioneer and fine wool representative, before moving to Elders Limited.

In recent years, he has established his own business, Black & Associates Limited, reclassing for NZ Merino and then diversifying into retail and hospitality with stores (Tuesday and Black & Co), and a bar (Hector Black’s) in central Timaru, and taxidermy (Animal Art and Taxidermy NZ).

Secretary

Jeremy Sutherland (9242) – jtgsutherland@xtra.co.nz

Michael entered Jacobs House in 1973 and is pleased to be part of both a very special year group and of Jacobs in its boarding heyday.

Hailing from Dunedin, as many from Jacobs were, Michael returned to the University of Otago to undertake study in networking before moving into a career of export trading, working for Dunedin publicly listed Otago Press & Produce. During this time, father Ken and uncle Bob were stalwarts of the Otago Branch of CCOBA and Michael was press-ganged into being permanent secretary for the next decade or two. Additional study, marriage, children, and a change of career led to 20 years in the public sector, 15 of them in trade commissioner roles in the Pacific, including five fascinating years in Fiji with his family before, during, and after the 2006 coup.

Now in Auckland, Michael is a self-employed consultant who – along with five other 1973 Old Boys and four family members – is seeking to breathe life into the Auckland Branch of CCOBA.

Following retirement from Canterbury Health Laboratories, Canterbury District Health Board, in 2017, Lance moved to Nelson with his wife, Christine.

He has previously served on the CCOBA committee, received the Christ’s College Leadership Medal in 2010 and is the father of two Old Boys, Angus and Nicholas. He remains professionally active; teaching at the University of Otago, Christchurch, on technical advisory groups of the Ministry of Health and Pharmac, and is a member of NISG and a member and past chair of two international charitable trusts.

His time is largely taken up with his four grandchildren in Nelson, mountain biking, skiing and enjoying the Nelson culture and environment and meeting new people in the region.

Secretary

Bill Unwin (5387) – judwin@xtra.co.nz

Born in Christchurch, Zac is the son and brother of Old Boys and was in Flower’s House from 1967-1970.

He has spent his life happily farming in Marlborough where the family acreage comprises a large vineyard, and sheep and cattle. Leisure time is spent on the ocean and Zac has enjoyed sailing many miles around New Zealand and throughout the Pacific. He enjoyed following the progress of his son, Tim who was at College from 2004-2008.

Now he’s a doting grandfather, who anticipates another generation may undertake their secondary years at College.

Secretary

Nigel Taylor (7235) – mill.stream@xtra.co.nz

Twenty years after Jono left College, he attended a CCOBA evening in Hawke’s Bay and was surprised how much he enjoyed catching up. It motivated him to become involved and help provide opportunities for Old Boys to keep in contact.

Boarding in School House from 1993-97, Jono played tennis and rugby, and was a member of the skiing club. He is now a Horticulture and Arable Nutrient Specialist for Ballance Agri-Nutrients in Hawke’s Bay where he lives with his wife and two daughters, Olivia, 9, and Pippa, 4. Jono enjoys family time and the outdoors, particularly fishing.

Secretary

Philip Pinckney (10494) – Philip.Pinckney@bakertillysr.nz

Fletcher Bowley (12003) was in Julius House from 1996–1999, and then joined Somes House – as Deputy Head of House – in its inaugural year in 2000.

Fletcher loved his time at College, building many life-long friendships with both fellow dayboys and boarders, while taking part in many areas of school life. He was a member of the Chapel Choir, captain of the 3rd XV, rowed at Maadi Cup, performed in school musicals, and also gave the 2000 Leavers’ Dinner speech.

On leaving College, Fletcher embarked on a GAP year, working at Bloxham School in Oxfordshire and travelling around Europe. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University in Wellington in 2005, and then moved to Melbourne, working in food and beverage sales with brands such as Charlie’s Juice.

After four years in Melbourne, Fletcher moved to London. He has lived there since 2009, along with his wife, Angela Harding, who is from Hawke’s Bay, and their daughter, Beatrix, 3, and miniature schnauzer, Alfred Greypaw. A proud Cantabrian, Fletcher also now considers himself a Londoner.

Fletcher is Head of Sales for Alliance, managing the export sales of New Zealand-farmed lamb, beef, and venison into the United Kingdom and Europe, and working with many of the top restaurants and chefs. Currently, he is also working on Foodie Kiwi, an online food guide and app for Kiwis to use overseas in order to find the best destinations for delicious and interesting dining experiences.

Fletcher is committed to connecting College Old Boys who live and work in the UK.