Hall of Fame 2015

At yesterday's Senior Assembly three Old Boys were inducted into the HBHS Hall of Fame, in acknowledgement of all that they have accomplished in their various fields.  From left, Colin Carruthers QC, Professor John Butcher and Ian McCrae join an illustrious list of former Hamilton High School and HBHS students who have made significant contributions, not only in New Zealand but on the world stage, and who have been invited back to HBHS so that we can celebrate all that they have achieved.  Professor John Butcher ONZM and his contribution to Mathematics and Education was celebrated first, a former Dux and HHS student from 1949 - 1951, who has lectured internationally in the Numerical Analysis field of Mathematics and who is now an Emeritus Professor at the University of Auckland.  He is still involved in research, and spoke of his love for Mathematics as being akin to an appreciation of fine art.  Colin Carruthers QC was next to be recognised, and was honoured for his contribution to Law and Service to the Justice System.  Mr Carruthers knew at primary school that he wanted to be a lawyer, and by the time he was 26 he was the youngest person to have been made a law partner in his Wellington firm.  He has appeared at the Privy Council in England, advised governments and been involved in many of New Zealand's most prominent criminal cases.  He remains very proud of HBHS and happily claims bragging rights when HBHS win in sporting contests.  Finally we acknowledged Ian McCrae for his achievements in Business and Health Software, and these have been remarkable with the company he founded, Orion Health, growing from a staff of four to 1250 spread across 27 international offices.  He is a recipient of a World Class New Zealander award, and a double-winner of the Supreme Hi-tech Company of the Year.  His advice to the senior students regarding potential careers in I.T. was very well-received, as was the confession that he wasn't exactly a model student!  We congratulate each one of these worthy recipients and look forward to profiling them in more detail in the Term 2 High Achiever.