Robert Buntine

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 (for whom the Australian College of Educators' Buntine Oration is named).^[3] His mother was the Australian Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides, Gladys Selby (Jim) Buntine OBE (1901–1992).^[4] 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.^[5]

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.^[6][7][8] In October 1973 Buntine was appointed Headmaster of Wolaroi College^[9] 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. 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 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.^[10]

References