LARKINS Warwick Norwood [Fox]

Sports Co-Ordinator 2001 –

Received NZOM in 2000 for services to sport.

From the 2015 School Magazine

Warwick was an integral part of King’s High School since he came to the school as a timid 3rd former in the early 1960s. He loved school. Although there was nothing special about his classroom performances, he got by and went on to a career of various jobs. However, sport was a different matter. He loved all sports but he became obsessed with cricket. In his life he played senior cricket and took on the running of the Albion Cricket Club. The highlight was being part of the New Zealand team that played The Netherlands.
He became the Sports Coordintor at King’s and remained in that role until he retired in 2011. He made many friends and could always be relied to have an entertaining story during staff briefing.
The Old Boys’ Society was another area oflife that Warwick was passionate about. He was a life member and had been its President on several occasions. He was serving in that role when ae died. His establishment of the Old Boys’ archive is a fitting legacy. If this was not enough, Warwick loved musical theatre. He had an encyclopaedlc knowledge of musicals from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s; a true follower of the arts.
Above all else he was a wonderful colleague. A storyteller, often , of tall tales. He will remain in the memory of all who knew him and especially those whose lives were entangled with his.

Obituary

It is with deep regret we have seen the passing of our Old Boys Association President, Warwick Larkins. The Old Boys Association was an area of life that Warwick was passionate about. Warwick has been an enthusiastic, loyal, hard working member of the Old Boys “team’ for a long time. He was a life member and had been its President on three occasions, 1981-82, 2004 – 06 and 2014-15. He was Secretary from 1967-71. He was serving in the role of President when he died. His establishment of the Old Boys archive is a fitting legacy. Warwick was an integral part of King’s High School since he came to the school as a timid 3rd former in the early 1960s. He loved school. Although there was nothing special about his classroom performances, he got by and went on to a career of various jobs ending up as the Sports Co-ordinator for the School. He loved all sports, but he became obsessed with cricket. In his life he played senior cricket and took on the running of the Albion club. The highlight of his cricketing career was being scorer for the 1978 New Zealand team that toured the UK and that played a 55 over match against the Netherlands at Amstelveen 9th September 1978. A number of the New Zealand team were sick on the 9th of September and Warwick was called on to make his New Zealand debut and play. He faced a number of overs and scored 2 runs before being dismissed by a Dutch bowler who played County cricket in England. Warwick loved musical theatre. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of musicals from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s; a true follower of the arts. His love of flags was legendary. He had hundreds of flags which he flew in rotation from his home flagpole. Once when he was flying the Israeli flag an Israeli couple knocked on his door thinking they had reached the local Israeli representative. Warwick welcomed them in and they shared a cup of tea and a chat together. Above all else he was a wonderful friend. A storyteller, often of tall tales. He will remain in the memory of all who knew him and especially those whose lives were entangled with his. (by John Barr with some help from Bryan Frost’s Kingsweek article)