Yesterday, University of Otago vice-chancellor and former finance minister Grant Robertson was inducted into his alma mater’s wall of fame.
The display at King’s High School recognises former students who have gone on to be recognised nationally and internationally for their achievements.
Yesterday, the school also added the names of Tony Brown — the former All Black, Highlander and current assistant Springboks coach — businessman and former Dunedin city councillor John Bezett, artist and art lecturer Adam Douglass and neurologist and neurosurgeon Dr Alan Wright.
King’s High School rector Nick McIvor said he was hopeful some of the current batch of students would take inspiration from the five new inductees.
‘‘We continue to be so impressed with what our boys move on to in later life.
‘‘It’s lovely to have an opportunity to celebrate it.’’
As a school, they wanted to encourage students to find their own path and aspirations, he said.
‘‘It’s just really cool to see the range of endeavours and achievements here.’’
Mr Robertson said it was a ‘‘great honour’’ to be put among some great names in New Zealand history.
‘‘The years I had here were really significant to me ... they helped me develop my interests.
‘‘The teachers I had and the friends and students I had around me just made for an incredible experience.’’
Even when things ‘‘weren’t great’’ in his life, school was always a place for him to be.
‘‘I think when you’re in politics, it’s always hard for everybody to kind of deal with that.
‘‘I’m certainly now at a different point in my life, so being back in Dunedin makes it also feel like a good time to be on the wall.’’
It was a massive honour to share the stage and be inducted into the wall with so many other fantastic and accomplished men.
‘‘I said to Tony before we went on how he really marked out a big part of my life living here, playing for the Highlanders and he’s such an extraordinary rugby talent,’’ Mr Robertson said.
There was no doubt in his mind some students attending the school today would someday follow in the footsteps of those on the wall of fame.
