Elite school’s old boys in bunfight over who should be president

Lawyers have been called in over a bitter brawl between two alumni of the exclusive Cranbrook School, with both claiming to be the president of the prestigious Old Cranbrookians’ Association.

A bitter brawl has broken out within one of the country’s most powerful old boys’ clubs.

Two alumni of the exclusive Cranbrook School, in Sydney’s east, are both claiming to be the president of the prestigious Old Cranbrookians’ Association in a dispute now ­involving lawyers.

Baby-products businessman Jason Graham-Nye has declared himself the new ­leader, despite objections from the outgoing president, Wagga Wagga-based digital marketer Tom Kendall.

Mr Graham-Nye made a rare and controversial challenge for the top job at the annual general meeting on December 5.

Cranbrook headmaster Nicholas Sampson is caught in the middle of the old boys’ stoush.

His move came after the association made a reported $100,000 loss on a “super ­reunion” in October to mark the school’s 100th anniversary. The event was ruined by a storm.

But Mr Kendall claims the election of any new committee members at the AGM in December is invalid.

However, Mr Graham-Nye said: “I am the president and I have every intention to carry on as president.

“The relationship between the old boys and school is not positive or productive … and I plan to restore that relationship and rein in spending.”

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Mr Graham-Nye conceded it was rare to call for an election at an AGM.

Mr Kendall “rescheduled” the AGM for later this month, saying that was where a “fair, open and transparent” election would be held.

In a letter sent to alumni, Mr Kendall claimed the “meeting purporting to be the AGM” should have been cancelled ­because members weren’t given enough warning.

He claimed to have the backing of Cranbrook headmaster Nicholas Sampson.

Mr Sampson said if the two men could not resolve the issue he would have to support Mr Graham-Nye on the advice of lawyers.