Scots College – Learning. For Life.

Memories have flooded back to many Old Boys with the sad news of the death of former staff member Harry Gee. A few weeks short of his 90th birthday, Harry was still running an hour each day on his beloved Waiheke Island.

David Murie remembers: ‘60 years ago having enjoyed many years of rather pedestrian PT at Scots – war years meant that staff overall were generally under-achievers athletically, through age or medical factors – our lives were turned upside down with the arrival at the College of an ex-Naval Physical Instructor called Harry Gee…

‘The first period with him had us reeling with shock of a totally different regime of physical training. Our comfortable lives were behind us as we attempted activities that were totally foreign to us…

‘Gone were the days of the leisurely stroll to the Gym… Harry was always there waiting to (hurry us along) to ensure we received the full allotted period of PT.’

Keith Peterson: ‘Harry was admired as a nuggety and competitive hard driver by most pupils, feared by those who like me often counldn’t meet his demanding standards. My contemporaries will surely remember his compulsory dreaded character-building runs from Scots through Strathmore and around the coast back to the College. Harry took great pleasure in providing gymnastic training to (and beyond) his own high level of capability… and successfully coached ‘thirds’ rugby teams.’

Tony Wilson: (‘The Quad’ December 2003) ‘Athletics was Tony’s first love and he was fortunate that Harry Gee was in charge. Even if he did “make us run around the waterfront to rid us of smoke and loosen up the muscles.” It was Harry who persuaded Tony to concentrate on athletics, which he did with success.’

Colonel Glasgow 1946: ‘He took boys below standard in all-round physical activities and under his capable energetic leadership made outstanding progress in the school.’

In Harry’s first year, 1946, at Scots College 76 boys learned to swim and were awarded certificates. Scots won the Maxwell Trophy for competition against Wellington schools for swimming (x 2 years) as well as the Duthie Cup. He took classes throughout the College and taught the rudiments of boxing. Gymnastics reached new heights. Lifesaving, cross country, athletics and intercollegiate athletes soared to giddy heights. Even the ATC Unit ran to 50 boys under Squadron Commander P/O Harry Gee, all keen to fly, shoot and play basketball. Sctos became a force to be reckoned with in Wellington school sports competitions during his five year tenure.

In 1952 Harry was asked to return to the RNZN and take position of Office Responsible for all physical training and sporting activities. His departure from Scots was a matter of keen regret.

David Murie: ‘Some years later when visiting Auckland my phone call resulted in an invitation to take the naval launch across to the depot to meet Harry. Stepping ashore at the Base I became aware of a steady beat which I realised was the sound of a squad moving in double time. As the sound came closer there came the well remembered voice calling ‘Pick up those feet’ and I nearly turned and fled. Luckily, I remained and as the ratings staggered away, the familiar figure moved towards me, fresh as a daisy, to give me a warm welcome.’

Harry died in November 2005 as he had lived involved in a sporting activity, scuba diving while on holiday in Hawaii, with his family, at 89 years 11 months.

Keith Peterson: “You might well say Bloody typical.’

(Reprinted from the Dec 2005, Issue 10 of The Quad Magazine. Written by Paddianne W Neely, College Archivist)