Page 9 - Southwell School_The Chronicle July 2022

25 JULY 1931-18 MARCH 2022
MURR A Y CH ARLES DA Y OBE.
MOLD BOY. FELLOW. ASSOCIATE OF HONOUR.
urray Day’s association with Southwell School Year Honours and in 2009, was inducted into the New was inevitable... beginning with a family Zealand Squash Hall of Fame.
friendship formed with HG Sergel (Southwell’s second Headmaster) and cemented in 1939 when Murray aged 8, started as a day boy.
Murrays favourite recollections of his time at Southwell include brickmaking, playing tennis on the oval, war trenches on the northern boundary and in something you would not see these days... the exact shade of green the school pool would reach by the end of the week! All this alongside some outstanding student achievements during his years; parts in 4 consecutive operas, quite a lot of cricket, and becoming a prefect in 1944.
After leaving Southwell at the end of 1944. Murray attended Wanganui Collegiate and later studied at Auckland University qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1959. Murray also served in the New Zealand Territorial Force and retired with the rank of captain.
Murray met Ann Johnston and they married in 1957 later producing two sons, Rob and Peter, both of whom attended Southwell. Their 65 year union is inspirational in itself, Murray declaring “ I could not have achieved anything without Ann, she has been a rock throughout my life.”
Murray also had a heavy hand in the sports administration arena on the domestic and world stage; as president of New Zealand Squash Rackets Association from 1968-
1971 (coordinating and hosting the 1971 world men’s championships in Hamilton, a New Zealand first) becoming a key figure behind the explosion of squash in New Zealand in the early 1970s.
Murray became involved with the International Squash Rackets Federation and was appointed President
from 1975-81. His popularity, innovative style and organisational ability helped to transform the federation into an efficiently-run, global body and paved the way for turning squash into a game for the masses. In a fitting tribute, Murray was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to squash in the 1981 New
Outside of raising a family with Ann, a successful accounting career and squash, Murray was chair of multiple organisations including the New Zealand Sports Assembly and The Hamilton Golf Club, the first amateur golfer to serve on the board of the New Zealand Professional Golfers’ Association (from 1998 to 2009). Murray further served
as president of the Hamilton Rotary Club from 1986 to 1987 and was a member of the Southwell Trust Board for 27 years.
On the connection with Southwell as Alumni, parents and lifelong supporters its a simple summary for Murray and Ann, “It’s a world class school and if we can help it produce fine people - what a positive feeling it generates within us.”
Parent, SSA, Board Member, Chairman of the Board, Fellow, Warden of the Fellows (1991-2011), Associate of Honour (2015) The Day Building was opened in 2018 by Southwell Old Boy Te Arikinui Kingi Tuheitia and was designed by another, Mr Mark de Lisle, of de Lisle Jenkins Architects.
When the time came to decide who this centre for junior learning excellence should be dedicated to, it was a no-brainer. Murray and Ann, alongside their significant contributions to the school formally recognised and firmly cemented in Southwell history. The building is a lasting reminder to the younger Southwell generation that a life of service always pays forward. One of Southwell’s largest campus installations in company with one of Southwell’s brightest stars.
Ann, Robert & Angela, Peter & Ruth, Lewis, Hugo, Fraser and Monty we honour Murray and we will miss him.
Per aspera ad Astrum
“He’s a man of action, he’s lived life with purpose and dedication and always thought of establishing opportunities for others” Ann Day on husband Murray.
FELLOWS UPDATE
Glenn Holmes has been appointed to the role of Warden of the Fellows. Southwell thanks Dr Peter Sergel for his 12 years of service in this position.
Est. 1911