Summer Legacy Project Update.
A few weeks ago, we had Hugh Brown contact us after he saw our post on our Player Legacy Numbering Project that we are undertaking. Naturally Hugh and Gary Nesdale know each other. Hugh told us that his Grandfather played in the 1926 side and did we have a photo of that side.
A bit of checking of the name Max H. Morrison against our records soon revealed that Hugh’s Grandfather played in the 1936 side and that matched the named FAHS Cap still in the family’s possession.
Max Morrison was a boarder at School and came from the well-known farming family based at Fern Flats just outside of Marton. Aside from Boarding at FAHS and a couple of years overseas with the NZ Army during the later stages of World War II Max spent his entire life farming on the family farm.
The Morrison family started farming there in 1864 and there continues to be Morrison’s – William and Richard - farming the area today. Grandson Richard Morrison attended Massey University and was a steady halfback for the Varsity K’s side that racked up 1024 points over a 16-game unbeaten season in 1997.
Whilst none of Max’s children attended FAHS one of his descendants was well known to recent FAHS 1st XV sides via our Traditional Fixture against Napier Boy’s High.
Hugh’s son - Gus Brown - propped for Napier Boy’s High and played in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 1st XV fixtures. Gus’ mother Nicola Halford is a sister to Simon Halford – the well-known Manawatu Rugby player from the late 1990s. Gus made his provincial debut for Canterbury and played in the NZ Under 20s with our former captain Vernon Bason in 2024.
Max Morrison passed away in 2007 and is buried not far from where he farmed at Fern Flats at the Upper Tutaenui Cemetery in the Rangitikei District.
The Numbering Project will be presented at the 2025 1st XV Team Naming in late March.
🟥🟦⬜ Kia Toa Kia Ngakaunui Have Courage, Desire Greatly
