NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE MUSEUM, College Archivist, Pip Dinsenbacher

Richard Cartwright (OC 1947): An Album Opening a Window to the Past

Among the treasures in our College Museum is a special collection of photo albums created by students during their years at St Andrew’s. Each one is unique, offering a personal window into school life and the times in which they grew up.

We are in the process of scanning these albums to be shared on our forthcoming Recollect digital archive, allowing viewers to experience them as if turning the pages themselves.

One such album is small, with a textured green cover and a spine laced with brown cord. Inside, photographs are arranged across more than 20 brown card pages, each carefully labelled in white ink. Several pages at the back remain empty, likely waiting for the loose photographs tucked inside, snapshots from the student’s final year. It seems he left school before finishing it.

That student was Richard Cartwright (OC 1947), who attended St Andrew’s College from 1943 to 1947 as a boarder. The son of the Leeston primary school headmaster, Richard was a strong academic, placing at the top of his class in Chemistry and Physics in 1946 and earning the Scripture Prize. He studied alongside exceptional classmates, making competition for the top academic honours particularly fierce.

Beyond the classroom, Richard was a keen sportsman. He played rugby throughout his time at College, culminating in a grade-winning 3rd XV in his final year, and earned a bronze medallion for lifesaving in 1946, skills passed down through student-led instruction.

The album includes both formal photographs and informal snapshots of College life, but it is the candid images that stand out. They capture moments of quiet authenticity, a neatly dressed boy on his first day, staff strolling to class, dormitory groups, and students peering cautiously into the cold depths of the school pool.

Two pages are devoted to “The Big Snow of ’45.” After an oppressively hot nor’west day on 13 July, snow began falling in the early hours of the 14th. By morning, the College, and much of Christchurch, was blanketed in white. While state schools closed, Rector J.B. Mawson, a decorated military officer, decided otherwise. Classes continued, and students embraced the conditions with enthusiasm. Photographs taken by fellow boarder John Smellie (OC 1948) show familiar landmarks transformed, deep drifts across the grounds, fallen trees, frozen streams, and buildings weighed down with snow, offering a striking glimpse into an extraordinary winter.

After leaving St Andrew’s, Richard studied Chemistry at the University of Canterbury before training as a doctor at the University of Otago, which saw him graduate with a M.B. and a Ch.B. in 1955. He returned to Leeston as a rural GP and later helped establish the Linwood Avenue Medical Centre in Christchurch, where he served the community for many years. He was also a dedicated police surgeon, respected for his fairness, humour, and meticulous work. 

A committed member of St Paul’s Trinity Church, Richard gave generously of his time, particularly to the Samoan community. His service to medicine was widely recognised, including election as a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

After a prolonged illness, Richard passed away in April 2006. Six of his fellow elders from St Paul’s Trinity Church carried his casket into the St Andrew’s College Memorial Chapel for his funeral service. The chapel was full of his family, friends, patients and colleagues.

When I first opened his album and paused over those snow-covered scenes, I did not realise I was beginning the story of a young man who would go on to become such a respected doctor and valued member of the community. A lifesaver, indeed.

1. Richard Cartwright, House Prefect with some young boarders in 1947 2. 1946 Rugby Lightweight A, coached by G.A.M.Hilson 3 and 4. Snowy Scenes at the College in July 1945.

POWERING HER OWN PATH: Cornelia Robertson (OC 2016)

It was a pleasure to welcome Cornelia Robertson (OC 2016) back to St Andrew’s recently, 10 years on from her time at the College. Her visit was a timely reminder of the many and varied paths our Old Collegians take, and a chance to see firsthand the impact women are making in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Cornelia didn’t follow a conventional path after leaving school. While university initially seemed like the natural next step, it quickly became clear that it was not the right fit. Drawn to practical, hands-on work and time spent outdoors, she began exploring alternatives and soon discovered electrical trades.

After enrolling in a pre-trade course at Ara, almost missing out due to a mix-up with her contact details, Cornelia found her stride. What began as a leap of faith quickly turned into a genuine passion, setting her on a path that has since taken her far beyond Christchurch.

Following the completion of her apprenticeship, she moved to Western Australia and entered the mining industry. Her first role underground proved both challenging and formative, working in extreme conditions up to two kilometres beneath the surface, where heat, darkness and constant awareness are part of everyday life. The experience tested her resilience and confirmed her ability to thrive in demanding environments.

Today, Cornelia works as an electrician on FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) rotations at open-cut iron ore mines. Her work is varied, ranging from maintaining generators to troubleshooting complex electrical faults, often in high-pressure situations. She operates in an environment shaped by enormous autonomous trucks and advanced technology, making each day both technically demanding and unpredictable.

As one of only a small number of women in a largely male-dominated field, Cornelia has embraced the challenge. While there were early moments where assumptions were made about her role on site, her focus on working hard and doing the job well has shaped a positive and rewarding career.

The FIFO lifestyle offers strong earning potential and unique opportunities, but it comes with trade-offs. Time away from home is balanced by the ability to plan ahead, with Cornelia currently focused on saving for a house and building a future with her partner. Life on site is well equipped, with facilities that help create a sense of community even in remote locations.

Looking back, she credits her time at St Andrew’s with instilling values that continue to guide her today, including work ethic, self-presentation, and the small habits that carry into adult life.

Her journey is also a reminder that there are many pathways to success. Trades offer valuable, in-demand skills and long-term opportunities for those willing to give them a go. For young women in particular, stepping into these spaces can feel daunting, but Cornelia’s experience shows the value of backing yourself and being open to a different path.