Old Boys' Day 2024

Old Boys' Day at Hale School is always a special day on the School’s calendar, but this year was particularly remarkable. On Friday 22 March over 320 Old Haleians returned to the campus to reminisce and celebrate their connection to the School and each other.  The assembly took place in the newly renovated Memorial Hall, which was no doubt a major draw card for the event and added an extra layer of significance to the nostalgic gathering.

Among the highlights of the day was the annual presentation of the prestigious Bishop Hale Medal. To be nominated for the Bishop Hale Medal, one must be an Old Haleian who displays unselfish, voluntary devotion to duty. The medal acknowledges a lifetime of personal commitment, recognising Bishop Hale’s philosophy of selfless service to one’s community, be it locally, nationally, or internationally.

This year Greg Paramor AO (1966-67) received this distinguished honour. Greg's achievements in the realms of real estate and finance are commendable, but it is his embodiment of the school motto, 'Duty,' that truly sets him apart. Through his leadership roles in various not-for-profit organisations, including The Nature Conservancy, BackTrack and the Sydney Swans Foundation, Greg consistently demonstrates a steadfast commitment to serving others and making a positive impact in his community.

It was wonderful to welcome Greg back to Hale School and celebrate his many achievements and contributions over the decades since he was last on campus. 

Paying homage to the signficance of Memorial Hall, the bronze-cast medal presented to Greg is encased in a beautiful handmade wooden box.  Crafted by Hale’s very own teacher Mr Henry Bradley, the box is made from the recycled blackbutt floorboards of the original Memorial Hall. 















With hundreds of Old Haleians in attendance, from our newest graduates to our Havelock street alumni, it was a poignant reminder of the enduring connection that our community experiences, to the School and to each other.

Special mention must go to Geoff Morris (1937-42), who was the oldest old boy in attendance. Geoff, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday this year, was presented with a special gift from our Captain of School Charlie Cotter.















Old Boys' Day provided a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and wish our rowing crews the best of luck in the lead up to the Head of the River race the following day. The 1st VIII were tipped as slight favourites so all fingers were crossed. The excitement was electric during the presentation of the zootsuits at the assembly, which was also no doubt spurred on by the commanding presence of the 'Spirit of Hale' rowing boat on display on the senior quad.  An array of rowing memorabilia including oars and photos dating back to 1905 were also on display in the Administration foyer providing a nice trip back down memory lane for many Old Boys. 

We are happy to report the 1st VIII did our Hale community proud as they led us to victory at the 2024 Head of the River. 
















Following the assembly, the old boys’ congregated in the Tom Hoar Dining Hall to enjoy lunch and an afternoon of reminicing.  A heartfelt thanks to all who attended and made the day such a roaring success, we look forward to welcoming even more Old Haleians back to campus for future celebrations, ensuring that our unique spirit of camaraderie and fellowship continues to thrive.

CLICK HERE to view our photo gallery from the event.
 

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