First light was just beginning to embrace the new day as fathers and sons eagerly filled the JC Chalmers Hall for a 7.00am start of the annual Father and Son Breakfasts. Held over two consecutive mornings in May, it was a very early and rewarding start for the volunteers from the Parents and Friends who had been busy laying up many rows of tables with fruit salad, cereal, muffins and apple juice for our hungry guests.

The hubbub of hall chatter between fathers and their sons taking time out to reconnect and nourish themselves was steady, while silver platters brimming with bacon rashers, hotcakes and bacon and egg pies followed out from the kitchen and were passed around. Fellow Fathers were reacquainted, and new introductions were made.

Our special guest for the morning was Sir Ray Avery, a successful Pharmaceutical Scientist whose humble beginnings saw him spend his childhood in English orphanages and foster homes. Sir Ray’s interest in science developed at the age of 14 while living rough on the streets of London and finding warmth and inspiration in public libraries. He went on to become an award winning scientist and successful businessman, and is now an accomplished conference speaker.

However, it is Sir Ray’s ground-breaking work in the developing world that has brought him respect and recognition internationally. A founding member of the Auckland University School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and former Technical Director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Sir Ray has over the past thirty years, made a major contribution in the development of New Zealand’s Pharmaceutical industry.

British born Sir Ray came to live in New Zealand in 1973, and settled into his newfound home, a villa in Mt Eden. He was quickly introduced to and adopted our Kiwi “can do” attitude after a DIY mishap that involved his neighbour, a tree and a rather large chainsaw! That memorable event was to help shape Sir Ray’s belief that we as New Zealanders have certain characteristics that separate us from the rest of the world. A dynamite, unwavering spirit with an innate essence that dares to dream big and consider anything is possible.

As Sir Ray held the stage his message was clear. If we fine tune our powers of observation, we all have the capacity to find something no one else has seen, for a single observation is all it takes for the making of change. Do not miss what is going on around you. Stay aware. His inspiring and uplifting message concluded that yes, there will be some boys in the audience that morning that will go on to have an impact not only on New Zealand, but on the world.

At the end of the breakfast fathers and sons alike were keen to wait their turn to have their new purchase of Sir Ray’s autobiography, Rebel with a Cause, personally autographed. From each book sold, a donation of $5.00 went to the Boys’ School, plus the proceeds that Sir Ray made went to charity. The Boys’ School library was fortunate enough to receive two of these books kindly donated by Sir Ray, and were gratefully received by the Boys’ School Principal Peter Cassie.

We would like to particularly thank the tireless army behind the scenes Erica Hussona, Jessica O'Rourke and Kirsten Falconer, who without their hard work, this event would not have been possible. This year we were able to pay homage to the environment by using biodegradable plates, bowls and cutlery – even though they were not the easiest to eat from!

Finally, our thanks to those who kindly donated food and services to this special breakfast: Venluree, Bell Tea Company, Gravity Coffee, Nestle, Tatua, Paper Plus and Export Meat Warehouse. 

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