Giving back a duty Shailer Weston lives by
27 Jul 2021
It might be more than 75 years since Shailer Weston (5163) left Christ’s College, but he still retains close links with us.
Shailer, nearly aged 93, and his wife, Jane, have been generous benefactors to the school for many decades and still show a keen interest in what we’re doing.
“I think we’re duty bound to leave the place a better place than we found it,” he says.
“I was here in 1942–1946 and it was war time most of that time. I was a new boy when the Japanese threat was at its greatest and we had black outs and air raid wardens who would demand that we put out any light.
“College was very feudal then and the food wasn’t very good, being war time. But I made some very good friendships. I think it’s more benign at College now and the youngsters are given more responsibility, which is a good thing.”
Shailer’s support for College follows in the steps of his father.
“He served for 38 years as a board member and the last seven was the equivalent of chairman of the board.”
On leaving College, Shailer pursued a career in medicine and spent most of his time as a radiologist.
“At one stage five of the consultants were all from School House.”
During his career, Shailer was appointed Chairman of the New Zealand branch of the then Royal Australasian College of Radiologists and subsequently President of the College, later becoming a lifetime member. Shailer was also a Naval Reserve Officer where he was appointed Honorary Physician to former Governor Generals Sir Arthur Porritt and to Sir Dennis Blundell.
After retiring in 1992, Shailer chaired the Christchurch City Mission for five years, was a Life Member of Anglican Care, a Life Fellow of Selwyn College, a Foundation Canon Almoner of Christchurch Cathedral, a Fellow of the New Zealand Medical Association and an Honorary Life Member of the Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association in 2000.
Shailer served 23 years in the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve and received an OBE in 1975.
Thank you, Shailer and Jane for your generosity to Christ’s College.
