OKG90: In their own words

 

Jon Buddee (OKG90) 

 

I think it’s fair to say that 2020 has not been the year that any of us were expecting. 
Normally a new decade brings with it a renewed sense of optimism. Unfortunately, this year that optimism was quickly replaced with the uncertainty of what COVID-19 meant for all of us. 
 As the year has gone on, we have witnessed the impacts of the virus along with the restrictions put in place to protect the community and the impacts on our personal and working lives. I’m sure that some of us may well be facing one of the toughest years we’ve ever encountered. 
In difficult times it’s recommended that we place more emphasis on connecting with our loved ones and friends. Meeting up with old friends or making new mates through the OKGA network is one way of doing just that. When the 30-year reunion for the Class of 1990 was looking unlikely, Adrian Tomlinson (OKG90) and Adam Callaghan (OKG90) stepped up and organised a mini reunion for the old boys living in Brisbane. What better way to forget about the stresses of 2020 than a sunny afternoon at the GPS Footy followed by dinner in Fortitude Valley? I really enjoyed catching Adrian and Adam along with Anthony Sellar (OKG90) and Rob Storrs (OKG90) for a few beers and to talk about our lives, past and present. 

Hopefully there have been other mini reunions going on back in Sydney and elsewhere this year, and that some of you have had the chance to check up on old friends. 

I’m still hopeful that when we get through this challenging period that we might all still be keen for a special edition 31-year reunion. In the meantime, please stay safe and keep making those connections where you can. 

 

Photo L-R:  Adrian Tomlinson, Anthony Sellar, Adam Callaghan, Jon Buddee and Rob Storrs

 

Hamish Thomson (OKG90) 

 

Since leaving school, I married my wife Jane in early 2000's – we have four children (Audrey 17, James 15, Winnie 12 and Vivienne 7).  I continue to love rural life on our farm South West of Deniliquin in the Southern Riverina of NSW.  I also love catching up with the folks at Forbes (Pam and Tony (OKG56)) and my brothers Jamie Thomson (OKG86), Ant Thomson (OKG88), and Brian Thomson (OKG94) and their respective families. My son James attends Knox as a boarder (currently year 10) as one of the few 4th generation Knox boys. 

In 1991, I loved my gap year at Fetties College, Edinburgh with fellow student Charlie Straw (OKG90). I also spent several years in Northern Queensland cattle operations in the Gulf of Carpentaria as a stockman. Following this and completing university, I worked with various agricultural businesses including the fertiliser industry, fund management and consulting in Southern NSW.  More recently my wife and I purchased and continue to run a Real Estate business in Deniliquin and thoroughly enjoy running our own business in conjunction with the farm.    

Some of my favourite memories of attending School include the final two senior years, sport, leadership and developing further the friendships with fellow students and teachers with whom I shared similar interests and passions. Although the OKGA network is limited where I live now, when I do run into Old Boys I have always found the bond to be strong. There is a unique culture amongst leavers that is inviting and non-judgmental. I look forward to the re-scheduled reunion, reminiscing and a great many laughs.  

In recent years family activities we enjoy include skiing (snow and water), trips to outback Australia, local picnics and BBQ’s with close friends and a real highlight for us is saddling up the horses and taking the whole crew to the Victorian High Country for camping/touring.

 

Anthony Herbert (OKG90) 

 

After leaving Knox 30 years ago, I spent 17 of those years working in the financial markets as a financial intermediary in Sydney, building a career and a network base that has also included many OKGA leavers. During that time I also enjoyed many years of playing and coaching alongside school mates with the Knox Old Boys Rugby Club. The stand out memory would have to be coaching and winning the inaugural Colts premiership for the Club with Dave Jolly (OKG81).    

After spending close to the last ten years living abroad in London and Hong Kong working in the financial markets, to be on a trading floor in the biggest markets and witness some of the largest economic disasters, Japan earthquake, Brexit and more recently Covid-19 are times I will never forget.    

I have recently returned to live in Sydney. During my time abroad, it has been quite fascinating how many Knox Old Boys of different eras I have met whilst conducting business; the network of OKGA leavers with expertise across numerous professional fields from my experience really has a global reach. Off the back of my business dealings, I have been extremely lucky to have become friends with many of them, we are all very fortunate to be a part of the OKGA network. Whilst living overseas with my family, we have had some unbelievable life experiences, visiting many countries throughout Europe and Asia and enjoying the different cultures that each country unveiled.  Two of these trips involved mates from Knox and the Wallabies; Adrian Tomlinson (OKG90) and myself setting off from London for a memorable trip in Turin, Italy in 2013; the other was the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, with Andrew Ericsson (OKG90), Christian Brook (OKG90), Scott Coughlin (OKG90) and Matt Ericsson (OKG95). Witnessing Japan beat Ireland in Shizuoka is certainly a day none of us will forget.    

After missing the last Class of 1990 reunion, I was really looking forward to catching up for the 30-year reunion, unfortunately Covid-19 struck cancelling the 2020 edition. Let's hope we can all get through these unprecedented times and hopefully get a date in the diary for a one off 31-year reunion in 2021. 

Photo L-R: Anthony Herbert, Scott Coughlin, Andrew Ericsson, Christian Brook, Scott Coughlin and Matt Ericsson (OKG95) 

 

Stewart Everitt (OKG90)

I started Knox in 1979 in 1st grade and am what we called a Lifey. In 1997, I married my wife, Caroline and years later, we christened 2 of our boys in the beautiful school chapel. I have one son, Riley in year 9 at the school and one son, Oscar (OKG18) in 2nd year university. The school has been a rock through these years. Some 20 years after leaving I embarked on a career change. Bumping into an old school mate who I had not seen or spoken to for over a decade, we picked up our friendship where we left it. Now we find ourselves both running a business together. The Knox friendship and common values is a big part of what keeps our partnership so strong. My wife and I have been involved in several medical research charities which are deeply personal for us. Through these we have seen some wonderful developments and importantly also made some life-long friends. 

Both my sons developed a love of music from the school, these are life skills that they will carry for the rest of their lives. Our extended family are always looking forward to the next musical performance to enjoy. 

 Through my years at the school I learnt integrity and honesty were key. Importantly to always own your mistakes and work though them – be resilient, we don’t always get the blue ribbon. Stay true to your goals and have a plan, while looking around and helping your mates along the way. Importantly celebrate your wins, big or small and learn from your mistakes – with this you won’t ever fail. 

Photo: Stewart with sons Oscar (left) and Riley (right).

 

This page was edited by Brett Young (OKG90) and Andrew Ericsson (OKG90) – September 2020