DR GORDON NICHOLSON, ONZM '45

Gordon (pictured with his son Rhoderick in 2011) has contributed to health, the refugee community and the environment for more than 60 years. In 2022, he was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours for his services to health and the community. Gordon began his tenure Auckland Grammar School as a Form 3 student in 1945, and maintained a place in the top class throughout his five years. He was a Prefect in both 1948 and 1949 and was named the School's Tennis Champion in 1949. Gordon was also the inaugural winner of the Torch of Tradition, awarded to a young man who has been most conspicuous for devotion to the School and its traditions, service and self-sacrifice, general conduct inside and outside the School, character, bearing and manner, and a sense of responsibility and school spirit. Gordon has been a Gastroenterologist Specialist with Auckland Hospital since 1965. He helped establish the first alcohol and drug ward in Auckland Hospital to provide medical treatment to those impacted. He has mentored and taught students and junior doctors through Auckland Hospital and the Medical School. He initiated and was a founding member of "Medical Aid Abroad" in 1968, which sends medication, equipment and medical aid to nations in need. He chaired the Auckland branch until 1990 and was made a Life Member in 1970. During his time as the Regional Coordinator of Doctors Health Advisory Service, Gordon established the mental health programme called Doctors for Doctors. Since 2000, he has volunteered with Bridgebuilders Trust, a charitable trust supporting refugees in association with Mangere Refugee Centre in Auckland. Gordon has contributed massively to New Settlers Family and Community Trust supplying information and advice, food supplies, household goods, driving lessons and other services. He has been involved in environmental organisations including the Ornithological Society and Royal Forest and Bird Society, as well as community gardens.

PROFESSOR BOYD SWINBURN '67

Boyd started at Auckland Grammar School in 1967 and was named a Prefect in his final year. Boyd then went on to receiving his MBChB from the University of Otago in 1978, a Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 1982 and his MD in 1995. Boyd is a renowned expert in the field of Population Nutrition and Global Health at the University of Auckland. Boyd's major research interests are centred on community and policy actions to prevent childhood and adolescent obesity. He established the World Health Organisation's first Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University in Melbourne where he has over 350 publications related to the topic. He has also contributed to over 30 WHO consultations and reports on obesity. Boyd is Chair of the Health Coalition Aotearoa, an alliance of over 60 health organisations working to reduce harm from tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food. He has co-authored over 500 peer-reviewed research papers, books and book chapters on obesity, nutrition and food policy. Boyd is currently leading an initiative to monitor and benchmark food environments internationally, INFORMAS, which is a global network of public-interest organisations and researchers that aim to monitor, benchmark and support public and private sector actions to increase healthy food environments and reduce obesity, non-communicable diseases and their related inequalities. When Boyd was told of his award, he was very humbled. "This really is an honour - there are so many high-achieving Old Boys in many fields of endeavour – I have spent a lifetime looking up to them, right from the times of looking up at all those honours boards. Many thanks to the awarding committee to place me amongst those achievers."

MATTHEW WHINERAY '82

Matt came to Auckland Grammar School in Form 6 in 1982 where he maintained a place in the top class, and was heavily involved in sport including Rugby, Cricket, Squash and Water Polo. He was a confident, cheerful and outgoing young man who was also very academic which is exhibited through his career. Matt obtained conjoint B.Com/LLB (hons) degrees in Law and Finance from the University of Auckland before becoming a barrister and solicitor with Russell McVeagh, one of New Zealand's largest law firms. Following four years practicing law, Matt spent 13 years in investment banking, starting at Credit Suisse First Boston in Auckland and then in New York. He returned to New Zealand in 2001 and was a Director at First NZ Capital from 2001-2007 before spending two years at Credit Suisse in Hong Kong as Head of Financial Sponsor Coverage for non-Japan Asia. Returning to New Zealand a second time, Matt then spent 15 years at the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, the last six years as CEO. Matt is currently the Chair of FirstCape Group, a wealth advice and asset management business, Chair of Netball New Zealand and the Chair of the Centre for Sustainable Finance. He was previously the inaugural Chair of the InZone Education Foundation. Matt was nominated by classmate Evan Maehl '82 who stated: "Matt has had an outstanding career in business, and he has been recognised internationally for excellence in fund management. He is an outstanding Kiwi, who the School can be very proud of."