Q&A with Lockie Chisholm - Project Manager for School House Redevelopment
Lockie Chisholm has served as board member of the Otago Boys' High School Foundation for the past five years, bringing his property investment expertise to projects where he could see real need. Since getting involved, Lockie has been part of a team that delivered a state-of-the-art gymnasium resurface and a refurbished school swimming pool. His focus is now firmly on driving the School House Redevelopment forward. Lockie has generously volunteered his time to project manage this upgrade.
Lockie, you didn’t have to take this on, your son has now graduated and moved on to uni. Why did you decide to stick around and back the School House Redevelopment?
I didn’t have to - but I wanted to. As a day boy parent, this school and its culture has meant a lot to our family. One of the things I’ve always loved about the school is the spirit the country boys bring. They’re a huge part of what makes OBHS so unique.
School House sits right at the heart of that. I care about making sure it’s fit for the next generation.
How closely are you working with the school leadership on this project?
Very closely. The Foundation and I have been working with the Rector and Board of Trustees from day one, and the project has their full backing.
There’s strong governance around this redevelopment. We’re all clear on the outcome - delivering a project that will stand the test of time.
You come from a property investment background. How does that influence your approach?
It makes me pretty focused on value for money.
In property investment you learn quickly that costs can drift if you’re not watching them. I’m acutely aware that every dollar raised for this project has come from hard-working people who want to see it happen. That’s not lost on me. I don’t want to see a single dollar wasted.
There’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes - we’re engaging the right contractors for the job, people who will do it properly and in a cost-efficient, common-sense way.
You’ve personally invested a substantial sum towards the redevelopment. Why was that important to you?
Because I believe in it. I wouldn’t ask others to back something I wasn’t prepared to support myself. If we’re asking families and Old Boys to step up, they need to know we’re committed as well.
Tell us about the Future Oaks campaign and what happens next.
The Future Oaks campaign has had a strong start - we’re nearly at $100,000 thanks to generous donors pledging $2,000 or more each. That’s a great signal of belief in what we’re building.
This week Foundation board members will gather at my office in Dunedin and we’ll be on the phones to past and present Otago Boys’ families asking them to come on board. We’d love to at least double that figure.
This project won’t happen by itself. It needs the community to lean in. We hope people see the value in it - not just as a building project, but as an investment in the boys, the school culture, and the future of OBs.