Robert Buntine

Bob Buntine
Born (1929-02-18)18 February 1929
Melbourne, Australia
Died March 8, 2014(2014-03-08) (aged 85)
Sydney, Australia
Nationality Australian
Education
Occupation
Spouse(s) Ivy Buntine (née Marles)
Children 3
Parent(s)
  • Dr Martyn Buntine (1898–1975)
  • Gladys Buntine OBE (1901–1992)

Robert (Bob) Walter Buntine (18 February 1929 – 8 March 2014) was a third generation Australian-born educationalist best known as a teacher and rowing coach of two Sydney GPS Schools‍—‌The King's School and Newington College. He was headmaster of Wollaroi College before becoming deputy headmaster at Newington where after two decades of service he retired in 1996. His career included international experience having taught terms at The Leys School, Cambridge and Tabor Academy, Boston. As a coach of schoolboys he was influential in the early rowing careers of numerous international rowers.[1]

Early life

Bob Buntine was born at Melbourne on 18 February 1929. His father was Dr Martyn Arnold Buntine (1898–1975) of Camberwell Grammar School, Hale School and Geelong College and his grandfather was Walter Murray Buntine (1866–1953)[2] of Caulfield Grammar School. His mother was the Australian Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides, Gladys Selby Buntine OBE (1901–1992).[3] Buntine was educated in his father's schools, first at Hale School and then at Geelong College. He spent his final two years of schooling at Geelong where he rowed in the 1st VIII in 1947 and was a member of the Music Committee. Rowing and music, and the family commitment to education, became the enduring passions of his life. After school he became a resident of Ormond College whilst completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Melbourne. He rowed both for his college and university and was awarded a University Blue in the sport. After graduating in 1951 Buntine pursued careers in the merchant navy, airlines and industry before turning to teaching in 1960. He gained a Diploma of Education at the University of New England and a Masters Degree from The University of Sydney. He married Ivy Marles in 1958.[4]

Teaching career

Buntine commenced teaching at The Kings School in 1960 and took classes in Ancient History, English, Geography and Asian Studies. He became a housemaster and master in charge of rowing. In rowing he coached crews of all ages up to the 1st VIIIs who won the AAGPS Head of the River in four consecutive years after a drought dating from 1920.[5][6][7] In October 1973 Buntine was appointed Headmaster of Wolaroi College[8] at Orange, New South Wales, but after church union the Methodist boys school Wollaroi amalgamated with the Presbyterian girls school Kinross School (formerly PLC Orange) and he returned to Sydney.[9] He commenced at Newington College as Senior Master (later titled Deputy Headmaster) in the second term of 1975. Buntine had charge of the day-to-day management of the school during the headship of Tony Rae AM. He first acted as headmaster during 1977–1978 whilst Rae was overseas and then again during other sabbaticals. When Rae retired Buntine again lead the school until the appointment of his former King's School pupil Micheal Smee OAM[10] as headmaster in 1993. As a rowing coach Buntine formed a partnership with Newington old boy and former Olympian Michael Morgan OAM during the college's most successful period in its rowing history. As an accomplished singer and tuba and clarinet player he brought his passion for music to Newington’s cultural life. After his retirement in 1996, Buntine assisted as a rowing coach and compiled a register of Newington’s alumni.[11]

Rowing legacy

At Newington College from 1975 and beyond his retirement as deputy headmaster in 199, Buntine was a rowing coach for the following oarsmen who went on to become international medalists.[4]

Retirement and death

In recognition of his service and commitment to education he was made an Honorary Life Member of both The King’s School Old Boys’ Union and of the Old Newingtonians’ Union. He lived in retirement at Mosman until he died and his memorial service was held in the Newington College Chapel. Buntine was survived by his wife Ivy, and children Sarah, Victoria and Barnaby. His son is the fourth generation of the Buntine family to be a leader in independent school education as a housemaster at The Armidale School.[12]

See also

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, May 04, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.