Archive #19/65: Parents' and Friends' Association

Rewa McKenzie was an energetic and dedicated worker who instigated the establishment of the Parents’ Association in 1959. Together with Mr Menzies, who himself had been a loyal and dedicated parent right from the College’s very beginnings, they initiated the Parents' and Friends' Association’s first project, the laying of two new tennis courts.

On Wednesday 27th July 1960, trees were felled alongside the main driveway by the Girls’ High fence line, to make way for the proposed two new Tennis Courts. The manner in which the laying of the Courts was organised and begun, proved just what a huge asset that the Committee of the Parents’ Association was going to be for the College, in the years ahead.

In 1961 the Parents Association held an inaugural buffet dinner, a fitting culmination to a very satisfying year for the hard-working and committed parents.

Rewa’s buoyant personality and obvious love, passion and enthusiasm for the College won support for fundraising and Jubilee activities. She was responsible for the fundraising activities during the sixties, which culminated in the provision of the College’s Chapel-Assembly Hall in 1971 and she organised the Parents’ Association weekly sewing bees, annual gala days and the stall at the HB Show. She also helped with the research required to launch the College Endowment Trust Committee and was the Secretary for the 25th and 40th Jubilee Committees.

While she was Secretary for Lindisfarne College, Rewa donated her salary back to the College, which was in turn used to purchase sporting equipment including a set of hurdles for athletics.

Rewa was a tireless, generous and faithful supporter of the College and in 1971, she was presented with ‘A Testimonial Minute’ and a Lindisfarne College Plate for her services to the College. In 2005, Rewa was presented an Honours Scarf.

Lindisfarne College are forever grateful for the tireless effort that every parent and friend has put in since the beginning, to help make the College such an outstanding school for boys. Thank you to you all!