The success of Southern Cross Campus and its Foundation Trust, are in no small measure due to the vision and strength of DJ.
Distinguishing where Sir John Graham’s greatest contribution lay presents a dilemma, such was his input across a vast array of endeavours. For the former headmaster of Auckland Grammar – school teaching was what he chose and he never wanted to do anything else.
He became the foremost boys’ educator of his time, at the helm of Auckland Grammar from 1973 to 1993 – leading with a belief that boys were best shaped by male teachers directed by a headmaster with the expectation that the pursuit of excellence for boys, masters and staff would be the key to their success. It was.
To all he became ‘DJ’ but, of course for the boys, never to his face.
If he was flinty and authoritarian he also had a deep sense of fairness and compassion.
If he was direct and to the point he was also kind and considerate. John Graham was a man’s man who was shaped by three exceptional women: his mother Cicely, an early teacher Adeline McCarroll, and wife Shiela, who gave him 58 years of unstinting love and support.
His farming background gave Graham a strong physical frame and a powerful pair of legs – leading to an eventual All Black career as a loose forward with tours to South Africa in 1960 and Britain under Wilson Whineray in 1963/64. He was the All Black captain in 1964 against Australia.
He wanted people to do their best, believing it was not unhealthy to aim high -if he could help them along the way he would. Twenty-five teachers under his leadership became headmasters themselves, wanting to emulate his charismatic, intelligent and collaborative style.
Most New Zealanders love their country as John Graham did but few have actively touched and moved so many to make a difference.