The Augusta Awards

The annual Augusta Awards evolved from the Association's Old Boy of the Year Award. These awards are given to Old Boys who are at the top of their respective industries or specialties, or who have demonstrated a remarkable contribution to the fields of Arts, Business, Sport and/or Public Service. The awards recognise Old Boys who have made a significant contribution in their chosen field, who have made a positive impact in their field throughout their careers, and have used their talents to encourage and inspire others to follow their lead.

We are now accepting nominations for the annual Augusta Awards for 2021. Candidates will be considered for two types of award: the Augusta Award and an award introduced in 2018, the Lion Award. These awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held later this year.

If you know someone who you think is a suitable candidate for either award, please submit your nomination by Thursday 1 July 2020 by downloading the nomination form below and posting it to:

AGSOBA (attn: Paul Bunbury, President)
PO Box 37785
Parnell, Auckland

You can also email your nomination (with any attachments) to secretary@grammaroldboys.com. We look forward to announcing the results of the nominations later this year.

2020 Augusta Award recipients

The 2020 Augusta Award recipients were recognised at a ceremony held in the Old Boys' Pavilion on Thursday 12 November 2020. They were (L-R) Greg Cross '72, Ian Bissett '68 and Mark Burgess '58.

A student at Tibbs House during his time at Grammar, Greg is a serial entrepreneur, an original technology nomad and someone who has spent his career travelling and living in every major tech market in the world. Initially taken under the wing and inspired by Bill Foreman of Trigon Industries, Greg is the epitome of a ‘Flying Kiwi’. Greg currently works at Soul Machines, a company that was a fledgling University of Auckland project and one he co-founded. The company built a HumanOS for artificial intelligence and to explore the future of human-machine cooperation.

Ian was Head Prefect in 1972 and was Captain of the 1st XV and the Senior Athletics champion. He is renowned for his ongoing work amongst the underprivileged in Nepal, for his ‘breakthroughs’ in medical research and for his academic achievements. Ian is currently the Professor of Surgery at the University of Auckland's Medical School.

Mark captained both the 1st XI Cricket and Football teams in 1962, as well as a Prefect. Mark made his first-class debut for the New Zealand Under 23 XI against Auckland in 1963, at just 19 years old. Mark represented New Zealand in Cricket from 1967 to 1981 and captained the New Zealand team from 1978 to 1980.

2020 Lion Award recipient

The Lion Award seek to acknowledge younger Old Boys who, at an earlier stage of their career, are demonstrating leadership and/or a remarkable achievement for their age.

The award recognises Old Boys who are demonstrating outstanding achievement, leadership, integrity, excellence, respect, courage, pride, commitment and humility, and are in early or mid-career, and the 2020 recipient is Henry Wong Doe '90.

Music runs in Henry’s blood and it was his education at the School that allowed him to express himself in a creative outlet. He twice won the Minister's Plate competition, the Martin Stafford prize and the Ray Wilson prize for music. "Music is a very emotional, visceral art form, and piano is especially gratifying because the musical experience is so immediate."

Henry has a tenured position as a music lecturer at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and is an avid performer of contemporary music. He has played in some of the world’s greatest piano halls, including the Sydney Opera House, Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, and Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv, Israel. However, Carnegie Hall in New York holds a special place for him, where he featured works of New Zealand composer and percussionist Gareth Farr.

Previous recipients