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Christ Church remembers Bruce Haigh ('62)
Tuesday, 18 April 2023
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Bruce Douglas Haigh 1945 – 2023
Bruce passed away on 7th April 2023 in Woolongong and will be remembered as a game changer and enduring friend. Upon graduating from Christ Church Grammar School in 1962, Bruce left Perth to pursue a diplomatic career.His work to improve the reach and impact of Australia’s public policy, saw him travel around the world. Bruce was an accomplished writer, sailor, farmer, jackeroo, national serviceman in the armoured corps to name a few. He used his diplomatic immunity to assist in the escape of outspoken newspaper editor Donald Woods during apartheid in South Africa in 1977. This incredible feat was portrayed in the 1987 film Cry Freedom directed by Richard Attenborough. Artist Tony Jones (’62) shared this of his close friend Bruce, Our shared values for social justice and human rights never wavered despite being at odds with our peers at times. Our love of music, art and sailing was also common thread. As contributor to the national conversation, his voice was highly regarded and heard across the media spectrum. Most of all he was an enduring friend who was able to express his affection in direct and appreciated terms. When I worked on the sculpture commission for the Centenary of the Old Boys I had few things in mind and the memory of Bruce, Tim Burkett, Jim Wall and another Jim from school were key ingredients as was the line from the Steven King movie & book Stand by Me "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12”. The 1961 song by Ben E King also captures an era that in retrospect I associate with knowing Bruce and the other boys. ‘Stand by me’ was commissioned to celebrate the centenary of the CCGS Old Boys’ Association. The sculptures are subtitled Bruce, Tim and Jim inspired by his mates at school. The 3 boys are an attempt to capture different characters – The Alpha Boy The Naughty Boy The Cultured Boy The colours reference the schools colours. The location is significant for its visibility from the highway whilst looking into the school. A memorial service will be held for Bruce at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club on Friday 26 May. |