SATURDAY, 15 August 2026 – 12.30pm for 1.00pm
2026 ANNUAL LUNCH
South Newcastle Rugby League Club
Guest Speaker – Michael Blaxland OAM 
Biography / PDF & Menu / Dinner Registration Form /
Previous Speakers
WELCOME
Welcome to the 38th Annual Event since our inception in 1987. Quite an achievement I think although we are unfortunately a far smaller group than we were at our inception.
GUEST SPEAKER
The Guest Speaker this year is Michael Blaxland OAM from the Year of ’76. Michael is well known in the news and broadcasting sector and was awarded an OAM for Services to the Performing Arts in 2022.
FUTURE SPEAKERS
We will only have a maximum of 2 more year-aligned guest speakers left after this year. I’m sure we have a number of other “Old Boys” with interesting stories to tell and we would welcome your suggestions in this regard. Of course, with their permission.
MEMBERS’ EMAILS
We currently have email addresses for approximately 80% of our membership. As email expedites the process of forwarding information, we would like to have this as close as possible to 100%. Please advise any changes to your email addresses as soon as possible.
OLD BOYS of 1976 & BEYOND
As is our custom, we will be honouring those ex-students who are celebrating their 50th year since leaving the school at Waratah. So to the Old Boys of 1976, a special welcome. It is helpful to the Association if the next 50 year group, the Year of ’77, begin the process of rounding up their year in preparation for their 50th and let us know their choice of guest speaker, preferably with their agreement to do it!
LUNCH ADVICE SHEET
If you know of any ex-students and teachers who would like to attend the lunch, but did not receive our messages, please give them a photocopy of The Lunch Advice Sheet to send in, or download this information from www.nbhsoba.net.au. They can phone for details or send us an email with their subscription and lunch fee enclosed. The Lunch Advice Sheet can be used as a Membership Application Form.
ANNUAL LUNCH IS OPEN TO FINANCIAL MEMBERS ONLY
The cost of the lunch only package will stay at $75.00 this year. Beer, wine, spirits and juice/soft drink may be purchased from the bar. It might be easier to purchase wine before you enter the function room for lunch should you choose to do so. We will need to vacate the premises by 4.45pm as there is a booking following us. South’s Leagues Club is of course open till late should you wish to have an evening meal or drinks and watch the football after our event.
PAYMENTS
Please use the electronic payment option if possible. If you pay online you will still have to post in or email the completed Lunch Application form to both dgubbay@bigpond.net.au and gawilson@bigpond.com. In the identity box for online payments please put your name and last year at school so that we can identify it as your payment. Please also advise any dietary requirements on your form or by email.
We have to confirm numbers 2 weeks prior to the lunch and pay for that number. If you just turn up on the day, there is no guarantee of a meal. Also, if you indicate that you are attending and then do not turn up on the day, we still have to pay for your meal so refunds will only be made in exceptional circumstances.
DONATIONS
Donations towards the Scholarship Fund, either sent with an apology, added to the dinner payment or placed in an envelope that will be on each table at the event are always gratefully received. The money from this fund goes to worthy students from Newcastle High, Waratah Campus of Callaghan College and Newcastle East Primary School. The President’s Report contains the names of the recipients of prizes at the Schools.
MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
Membership has decreased slightly due largely to the passing of Old Boys and is now standing at 903 which is similar to last year due to an influx of members from ’75. We all need to encourage old boys that we know to join in order to help prolong the life and work of the association. An L after your membership number on your invitation indicates that you are a Life member and therefore fully paid up.
Please return the Lunch Advice sheet with corrections if any of your details have changed.
DECEASED MEMBERS
The Association regrets the passing of members during the year. Unfortunately the Committee does not always hear of members’ deaths. It will be greatly appreciated if members inform the Secretary or Membership Officer, Greg Wilson, if they hear of another member’s passing.
We look forward to seeing you at the dinner.
President – Norm Rodgers
Email: rodgers0@bigpond.com
Mobile: 0407101184
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PREVIOUS SPEAKERS Charlie was the guest speaker at the Association’s Inaugural Dinner. He was introduced by John McKenzie. The speech was transcribed from the sound track of a video recording made by one of the Old Boys, then edited a little by Charlie. “It was certainly a masterful plea for the defence for John McKenzie to create the mythical character he has just described in his talk, for which I thank him on behalf of myself and my family. How proud I would have been to stand before you as that paragon! But, of course, that is just an impossible dream. To come back to reality, I shall refer to two of the topics that John mentioned – Athletics and the French language …” 2025 2024 2023 2022 DAVID WILLIAMS from the Year of ’70 ROGER STANCLIFFE from the Year of ’71 ROBERT MONTEITH from the Year 0f ’72. 2021 2020 2019
2018 2017 
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 NBHS OBA INAUGURAL DINNER
Inaugural Dinner Programme and Ticket
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