Page 7 - Southwell_The Chronicle_December2020

IN MEMORIAM - SOUTHWELL OLD BOY 1935 – 1939
ANTHONY ERSKINE BEVERIDGE
‘My parents enrolled me in 1935 at the age of 9 as a Southwell boarder when the School roll was about 130 (100 boarders, 30 day boys). After the initial shock the experience was a happy one engendering a strong feeling of loyalty and is fondly remembered despite some austerity in financially and troubled times.
Southwell was quite a spartan place, with an awning separating an open dormitory from the swimming pool whence arose morning mists and a chorus of frogs. Squad work before breakfast included making the famous concrete bricks for the Chapel extension, sweeping classrooms and chopping firewood from the debris of the tall eucalyptus.’
(An excerpt from Tony’s memoires of Southwell).
Some thirty years later these fond memories were the basis of Tony and Mary’s decision to enrol their four sons James, William, John and Tim at Southwell School, also as boarders. Tony relished being part of the Southwell community again and as a family the Beveridge’s participated fully in School life, attending sporting and musical functions, chapel and operas.
On leaving Southwell, Tony went on to Nelson College, following this with five years at Auckland University, culminating in a Master of Science with Honours in Botany. A scholarship then enabled Tony to spend two years studying forestry at the University of Oxford. Seven years
followed in the Malayan Forest Service leading to a lifelong interest in tropical forests and forestry and on returning
to New Zealand Tony joined the Forest Research Institute where he held numerous posts until retirement in 1985.
Recognition of his professional achievements came with honorary membership of the Commonwealth Forestry Association and of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry. Tony continued to work part time with disadvantaged youth and his passion for native forest, particularly his beloved tall podocarps: rimu, miro, matai, kahikatea and totara never wavered.
Tony maintained a lifelong interest in Southwell, especially in its remnant stand of kahikatea forest, and in 1976 under- took an extensive report on the protected Southwell Bush that is still referred to today for guidance. Tony served as a Trust Board member, became a Fellow and visited when- ever the opportunity arose, with one of his last visits being to watch his grandson, Jack, play in St Kentirgen’s XI against Southwell – loyalties were divided that day!
Sadly, Tony passed away on 27 July 2020, two months after the passing of his wife Mary. Tony had an enduring love of Southwell, with an association spanning more than 85 years - a fine Southwell Fellow.
Per aspera ad Astrum