THE SCOTCH FAMILY MAGAZINE ISSUE 167 DECEMBER 2022
A SCOTCH LIFE OUR SHARED NARRATIVES
CONTENTS 1 EDITOR
56 DRAMA
2 CHAIRMAN
60 MUSIC
4 PRINCIPAL
68 SPORT
6 CHAPLAIN
70 BOARDING
8 FEATURES
72 FOUNDATION
18 JUNIOR SCHOOL
78 OSCA
24 MIDDLE SCHOOL
94 WHAT THEY’RE DOING NOW
25 UPPER SCHOOL 26 SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
8 WEST SIDE STORY A scintillating and flamboyant production performed to full houses
97 SCHOOL HISTORY
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101 OBITUARIES
SCOTCH AND MLC RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS Building meaningful connections across junior schools
THE SCOTCH FAMILY MAGAZINE ISSUE 167 DECEMBER 2022
is the official publication of Scotch College, Melbourne. Publisher Scotch College 1 Morrison Street, Hawthorn 3122 Victoria, Australia Phone: (03) 9810 4321 Email: greatscot@scotch.vic.edu.au www.scotch.vic.edu.au ABN 86 852 826 445 Print Post Approved PP100008172
View Old Scotch Collegians' Association news and updates at: www.oscanet.com.au
Editorial contributors Christophe Taylor, David Ashton, Paul Mishura, Scott Montgomery, Tim Shearer. Editor Christophe Taylor (03) 9810 5140 email: christophe.taylor@scotch.vic.edu.au
48 FOCUS ON SCHOOL CAMPS A selection of the many experiences on offer to our boys
Assistant Editor David Ashton (03) 9810 4489 email: david.ashton@scotch.vic.edu.au Art Direction and Production Lisa Sheard (03) 9810 4443 email: lisa.sheard@scotch.vic.edu.au Photography James Grant, Kevin Juggins, Lisa Sheard, Scotch College students, staff, parents and community.
70 BOARDING: IS MATRON IN? Focus on a key person in the life of many boarders
FRONT COVER MONTAGE: 'OUR SHARED NARRATIVES'
EDITORIAL
As we celebrate the Memorial Hall’s centenary, I could not think of a better symbol that embodies ‘a Scotch life’. It is indeed within its sanctuary that we congregate three times a week for our school assemblies, to pray and listen to the important Christian addresses from our Chaplains, as well as to recognise the many achievements of our boys. More importantly, as you will read within this edition of Great Scot, on the walls are the clear reminders of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country; Memorial Hall acting as a solemn place of worship and respect to those heroic past students and staff. In addition, the paintings of past Principals and Vice Principals bring to mind the importance of the outstanding leadership that Scotch College has benefited from over its 171-year history. And on its stage students pass the torch on to each other, during a final ceremony that signals their departure from the School. However, our boys never truly leave Scotch, and neither do the staff. Recently, I have been reflecting on all the variables, all
the pieces of the puzzle in other words, that constitute the life of a Scotch student, from when his name is put down, often a few days after his birth, to when he leaves the School in Year 12 having completed his VCE examinations. The number of people who have an impact on his upbringing is indeed quite staggering. More so, I was deliberating on the profound attachment that Old Boys have to the School and the many opportunities to reconnect, notably with the support and initiatives of OSCA, the Scotch Foundation and beyond. It would not be unusual to cross paths with a former student now coaching a sports team or helping out on the Hill, such as Tom Whiting (’18) who you can read about in the Boarding section of this issue. Old Scotch Collegians are married in the Littlejohn Memorial Chapel. Reunions take place within the School grounds, such as those presented within the pages of this edition. Many return to share their experiences as special guests of our assemblies, such as Mr Hugh Kingsley (’72), whose Human Rights gameboard was presented to our current students. And what better example of kinship than the boys singing Happy Birthday, during assembly, to our oldest known Old Boy and oldest known male Victorian, the Rev Bill Morgan (’34). In all humility, evidently Scotch College is very good at celebrating and hosting its own, acting as a reassuring presence in the life of so many. There are numerous moments in this edition that testify to the Scotch Spirit: Director of Development, Tim Shearer’s (’85) reminder about how ‘no-one got poorer
by giving’; the bonding during lockdown between OSCA Chaplain Graham Bradbeer and the Rev Bill Morgan; Scott Montgomery (’85) surviving cardiac arrest, supported by the community and now in turn, ensuring that we all learn from his ordeal (see the article on defibrillators); Donald Graham McDonald’s (’40) daughter, Sue, reminding us in his obituary of his donation of funds for pipe organ tuition throughout his life; or Bruce Morey's OAM ('52) 1950 recording of Bach's C Minor Fantasia at the School's Foundation Day Concert, being played 72 years later during his funeral. So what does ‘a Scotch life’ mean to you? For, as we all well know, it isn’t just former students who are attached to this institution; in fact so many people play a vital part, help to build and also benefit from being part of the Scotch Family. Be it a mother helping at the Family Day stall, a teacher doing some late night marking, a young Old Boy coming to coach his rugby team, a Head of House on the Hill helping a boarder with his homework, a cadet coming home from camp, a father coming back to the School grounds for his 20 year reunion, a grandparent who makes a donation to the School, a School Council member giving precious hours to help shape a School policy or a parent dropping off her son before heading off to work; our shared narratives inform us that we are blessed to have this extraordinary place, not only characterised by its history and Presbyterian ethos, but also by its extraordinary people who contribute to forging ‘a Scotch life’.
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FOUNDATION ART SHOW Exciting event rallying artists and the Scotch Family for a great cause
OSCA MEMORIAL HALL CENTENARY A celebration in style for the heart and soul of our campus
ARCHIVES: SCOTCH BLAZER TURNS 90 Our school uniform has a unique history
CHRISTOPHE TAYLOR EDITOR GREAT SCOT
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 1
CHAIRMAN
MR ALEX SLOAN ('71) SCHOOL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
STANDING THE TEST OF TIME In a world of turbulence and change it is important for all of us to challenge ourselves on our attitudes and opinions concerning society and its values. We are living through a time of unprecedented rapid change on multiple fronts, sociological, geopolitical and technological, and these changes are confronting us on a daily basis. With some regularity these days we see organisations, in disparate sectors, being put to the test about what they stand for in our community and the values they hold. Certainly education is far from immune to this scrutiny and it is timely for the Scotch community to take stock. Through teaching based on a Christian ethos and principles, our school aspires to reflect a community 2 Great Scot Issue 167 – December 2022
that embraces boys from families of all faiths, backgrounds and countries. We encourage each boy to understand, respect and appreciate the needs and views of others, and to forge lasting friendships across social and cultural boundaries. In these changing times the School continues to reflect values of respect, tolerance and inclusion that have underpinned its culture for more than 170 years. Seeking contemporary ways to reinforce this ethos and set of values, while not losing sight of our many fine traditions, is the constant and invigorating goal of our talented teaching staff. At an individual level staff are encouraged and supported to seek new personal development opportunities, which can be incorporated back into our pedagogical approach. In the end it is
the daily example shown by our staff that ensures our Christian ethos and principles continue to thrive. I would not like this assessment of our situation to be perceived as complacent; we cannot rest on our laurels. What I would say, though, is that as the times potentially become more turbulent, the more important it is to assess that our responses are consistent with the ethos and values that have served us so well to date, while keeping pace with our evolving world. As the academic year draws to a close, I want to pay particular tribute to two men who have exemplified the Scotch culture, values and spirit in 2022, to which we all aspire. Our Acting Principal, Rob McLaren ('73) and Acting Vice Principal, Tim Byrnes have demonstrated a particular devotion to the cause and steered a steady course, as we have navigated through the second half of this year towards Dr Scott Marsh commencing his role as Principal in January 2023. The smooth transition we have experienced should not be taken for granted and is a result of many years of experience, many long hours and the ability to inspire and motivate others. In those moments of particular challenge, a cool head has prevailed and a calm demeanor has been shown. Rob and Tim: the Scotch community is indeed indebted to both of you, and we trust you can find some quieter time in January to recharge the battery before returning for the start of the 2023 school year. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the fine service of Alison Legge as she retires from School Council after seven years’ service. Alison has served with distinction on the Property, Risk and Museum and Heritage Committees. During that time her legal expertise has also been of great assistance. In addition, Alison has brought a parent’s perspective to the table, which has greatly assisted Council in its deliberations. The Scotch community is fortunate that we are able to reach out to other talented members of our community who are willing to give of their time to accept an appointment to the Council. After seven years on the Foundation Board, Dr Louise Murdoch has joined Council, and will take up the committee slots vacated by Alison. Louise’s medical expertise will be a welcome addition as will her insight as a current parent. For those of you in the Scotch Family who celebrate the Christian Christmas, I wish you a merry and meaningful celebration. For all the Scotch Family, I wish you a safe and happy summer break and a rewarding 2023. www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 3
PRINCIPAL
MR ROB MCLAREN ('73) ACTING SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
THE MANY STAKEHOLDERS OF THE SCOTCH COMMUNITY THE ELEMENTS MAKING UP A HEALTHY, VIBRANT SCHOOL At a recent morning tea attended by some of the 25 oldest known living Old Boys to celebrate the upcoming 107th birthday of the Rev Bill Morgan (’34), Scotch’s oldest known living Old Boy, one of those present, celebrating his 96th birthday on the day of the event, recalled that in 1935, when in Prep, the then School Captain, Bill Morgan, visited the Junior School to wish the boys all the best as they journeyed through school. The fact that this took place some 87 years ago, but was still remembered by both men, gives some indication of the impact those interactions that take place during one’s school years can have on an individual. Scotch is very much a community with many key stakeholders who have an impact on the lives of those at the heart of the community – the boys. There are many elements that come together to create a healthy and vibrant communally-organised school, including a system of shared values related to the School and to education in general; common activities that link school members to each other and to the School's traditions; an ‘ethos of caring’ in interpersonal relations; and an extended role for teachers that encompasses more than classroom instruction. Scotch College provides an education that is based on Christian faith and values that promote individual thought, self-responsibility, innovation and service. Our guiding star is the inherent dignity of each 4 Great Scot Issue 167 – December 2022
individual. The School provides opportunity for each boy to discover interests and talents. It also fosters a culture which improves outcomes, both in those things which are measured and those for which school years are the formative years. It provides a broad liberal curriculum and programs that educate the whole child. The traditions and rituals of the School, which have remained constant over many years, help strengthen the sense of belonging to a cause bigger than oneself. There are many opportunities that remind the present cohort of our past: time spent in Memorial Hall and the Littlejohn Chapel, where the honour boards remind us of ‘deeds of those grown hoary’, events such as Family Day, the Foundation Day Concert or the final Torch Ceremony, where the baton is passed from one generation to the next. Our Archivist, Paul Mishura, also plays a key role in developing a sense of belonging, ensuring our ‘noble record of the past’ is on display for all to see. Another key factor in the development of a sense of community is that Scotch is blessed that its operation occurs predominately on one campus, allowing boys of all ages to collide, compete, reflect, perform and debate at the one location, all of which strengthen the sense of the campus being a ‘home’ for all ‘Scotchies’. Equally important to the academic program are those co-curricular pursuits that occur in the morning, at lunch or after school. This includes sport, services
and activities, music rehearsals, debating and drama rehearsals. These play an important role in each boy’s intellectual, emotional, social, moral, creative, and physical growth, and supplement what is being learned in the classroom. Although teachers are involved in running these activities, which allows for interactions different to those forged in the class to occur, many Young Old Boys return to coach sport, assist our debaters, work with individuals or small groups of boys in the classroom, or tutor in the Centre for Learning or on ‘the Hill’. They often indicate their motivation for returning is to give something back to their School. Young Old Boys have also been involved in producing podcasts which current students can access, detailing their experiences of, and journeys through, Scotch. These involvements allow the Young Old Boys to pass on their recent experiences and provide opportunity for boys to make connections with those who have recently undergone the journey that they will soon experience. This reinforces to the boys that leaving Scotch does not necessarily mean that you leave the community, and that part of being a member of a community requires something to be given back at a later date. Year level reunions, the myriad of clubs and societies, and the Annual Dinner, all organised by the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association, provide opportunity
for Old Boys to reconnect, maintaining the thread that binds the Scotch community together. Parents also play an important role in their sons' education, for without their commitment and support, many of the School’s programs and activities could not occur. Through membership of the Junior School Parents’ Association and Scotch Parents’ Association and auxiliaries, assisting with stalls on Family Day, attending concerts, plays and other events involving boys, supporting building initiatives and special programs, parents are very much part of the fabric of Scotch. Their involvement strengthens the sense of community that exists, and plays an important part in the development of their sons. Research indicates that students whose parents are involved in school perform better academically, feel a stronger bond with the School, feel valued and important as a consequence of their parents taking an interest in their lives, and have better social, physical and emotional wellbeing. Central to all that occurs in each boy’s journey through the School are our magnificent teaching staff, for they not only deliver the curriculum, but also develop and foster the relationships between and among staff and boys to ensure the boy is known as a learner. Once this relationship is established, the student can be encouraged to find interests and passions that exist beyond the standard curriculum, and also to develop the skills, dispositions and knowledge needed to develop mastery. The intimacy that comes with knowing each boy, his interests, his foibles and his life story strengthens his connection to the School community, and provides him with the safety net that allows him to challenge himself and try new things. A teacher’s involvement in extracurricular activities provides opportunity for the boy and teacher to interact in a more relaxed, slightly less structured, shared experience. The teacher’s preparedness to commit to giving time to ensure these activities occur emphasises the importance of these activities in each boy’s educational journey, provides opportunity to model behaviours and develop the boy’s social skills, and reinforces a sense of belonging to a shared cause. It has often been said that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. It is most likely that each boy will face his own challenges, problems and difficulties at some stage of his journey through the School. It is the village – the staff, Old Boys and parents – which, in conjunction with the School’s values and traditions, has hopefully developed a sense of belonging in the student, to ensure he learns about himself, develops resilience, and grows as a person to such end that he can look at the world and make his own decisions.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 5
CHAPLAIN
WILL WE SEARCH HIM OUT? WILL JESUS BE A DISRUPTION TO OUR BUSY CHRISTMAS? REV DAVID ASSENDER SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
Matthew 2:1-2 (GNT) Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the time when Herod was king. Soon afterwards, some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed … Merry Christmas, everyone! When I was a kid, Christmas was my favourite time of the year. Time off school, Santa, presents, catching up with cousins, long summer evenings, holiday adventures. What’s not to like, right? In time, the pressures of adulthood seem to dial down the joyfulness of it all, especially because of how busy we get around Christmas. There is so much more to plan, organise, coordinate, meet deadlines before, clear the calendar for, and stress us out about. Christmas feels increasingly like something that we just have to get through, get it over with or perhaps even get out of the way. Hence the many Grinch or Scrooge-type Disney movies, reminding us how not to become ‘that guy’. In the Bible, King Herod was the original ‘that guy’. As the story goes, the sense of hope and anticipation that the astronomers from the East have is contrasted with Herod’s desire to eradicate baby Jesus. The astronomers’ search for Jesus represents something cosmically significant about his arrival. They recognise the special nature of something big going on and they want to be part of it.
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Later on in the story we read that Herod, on the other hand, wants to get rid of this potential usurper. Herod’s subjects are afraid of his paranoid genocidal tendencies every time there is a threat to his throne. So when someone arrives out of the blue and says, ‘Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews?’ they don’t hear, ‘The Messiah has come!’ They hear, ‘Oh no, Herod is going to kill us all!’ The astronomers, nonetheless, were on a mission. They wanted to see ‘The One’. Their hearts were filled with eager expectation, and they were not disappointed. They soon found Jesus and they worshipped him. To worship is to recognise and respond in reverence to something or someone of great worth. The prophesies explained that the Messiah’s worth would be his qualification and capacity to save us from our sin, permanently restoring our relationship with God. Perhaps this is the key difference between Herod and the wise men: Herod didn’t want a saviour. As such, he is entirely blindsided to the cosmic significance of the event on his doorstep. I must admit: Christmas gets pretty busy for me. In the lead-up, I find myself wishing it was all over so I can just enjoy my holiday. I have to repress my innerScrooge from time to time. Like the astronomers, I think the key to turning it around is to remind ourselves of the immeasurable worth of Jesus. As we approach another busy Christmas season, will Jesus be a disruption and frustration, or will we seek after and celebrate him? Will we attempt to remove him, or will we worship him?
SAVE THE DATE - 2023 SCOTCH FAMILY EASTER BREAKFAST Date: Friday 31 March 2023 Time: 6.45am (for 7.00am start) to 8.30am Place: Boykett Room, Cardinal Pavilion GUEST SPEAKER PROFESSOR ANDREW GLEADOW AO ('65) Professorial Fellow Thermochronology Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences University of Melbourne
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 7
FEATURES
WEST SIDE STORY PLAYED TO FULL HOUSES OF VERY SUPPORTIVE AUDIENCES
LEFT TO RIGHT: JACK ARMSTRONG, HENRY ROGERS, JACK HANDBURY, EDWARD MANDERSON, VAROON SHARMA, RUPERT SIMMONS, XAVIER TANG, JEREMY GRAY, THOMAS KLUCKOW.
‘AN EXTREMELY FUN, CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE’ WEST SIDE STORY LEAD, JACOB HOOKE
8 Great Scot Issue 162 – April 2021
OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: DRAMATIC SCENE FROM WEST SIDE STORY; HENRY ROGERS AND JACK ARMSTRONG; MILLER ARTZ AND LOUIS CAMERON; EDWARD MANDERSON; MILLER ARTZ ON CENTRE STAGE; MAX ORLOFF AND RUPERT SIMMONS
The curtain came down on the West Side Story journey on Saturday 30 July – and what a show! Fifty-five performers, 14 crew and 23 musicians played to full houses of supportive and mesmerised audiences over three nights in this year’s Senior Musical, demonstrating the depth of student talent that can be found over in the James Forbes Academy. For many, this was their first time taking to the Geoffrey McComas Theatre stage and for most, their first musical experience. The cast danced through memorable tunes such as Jet Song, America and Gee, Officer Krupke and tackled the notoriously difficult musical score, performing to such a high level that we had comments from the audience that they had to pinch themselves to remember it was a school show! The cast collaborated across years, with contemporaries from Lauriston Girls’ School, making memories and friendships that will last for many years to come. The company leant into challenges of a complicated musical score and narrative, to create a show that they should be proud of. We are so pleased that the boys continue to support the Performing Arts Program, both as spectators as well as those
involved in the performance. We are so grateful to all the company who chose to dedicate their time and effort to this production. Congratulations, Team West Side 2022. HAYLEY SANDPEARL – HEAD OF DRAMA
Here are some thoughts from cast members: It’s hard to find the words to convey my experience of this production, but what can be said is that I am truly grateful that I took the opportunity. What first started out as opting to offer an extra couple of hands, transpired into a desire to give everything I possibly could into this production. There was never a dull moment, nor one regret for being involved. The fulfilment in contributing to an extremely successful body of work was just the cherry on top. I implore anyone reading to remind themselves to take that extra leap outside their comfort zone and see how far they can reach, because the results can be revolutionary. I would like to extend my thanks and congratulations to both the staff and students who shared such an unforgettable experience with me.
West Side Story has been a fantastic final show to be a part of. With fast dances, big fights and moving music, it’s certainly been a worthwhile experience – a real credit to the cast, musicians and of course the Director. EDWARD MANDERSON – YEAR 12
West Side Story is the first production I have acted in, and it was absolutely a unique experience for me. The cast was composed of two schools, everyone was very friendly to each other and we all became friends almost by the third rehearsal. The crew and teachers helped us a lot to make sure the show ran as smoothly as possible. This definitely is the most memorable production I have ever done. TOM BAI – YEAR 11
West Side Story has been an extremely fun, challenging experience. This has been the first musical I've been a part of and there have been a lot of new aspects about the performance process such as singing, which is not a strong point for me, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, throughout this journey, through the guidance of directors, I have grown as an actor (as well as a singer and dancer). I enjoyed the collaboration with another school and meeting new people, as it is always exciting. I have loved being a part of this production as I always do, and I look forward to the next.
Coming into West Side I had a few doubts about whether I could hold my own alongside my experienced seniors. Of course, as rehearsals came and went, I gradually grew accustomed to the cast and started to enjoy my time with them during rehearsals. As the musical slowly came together, I felt proud of what we, as a team, had accomplished. I can say without a doubt that the hard work and determination that came from everyone truly brought this show together. Despite how short my time was with West Side, I enjoyed every moment of it. So, I encourage those looking to get into drama to do so, even if it is just a single play or part of the crew, you will not regret it. I would just like to thank all the teachers involved, for dedicating their time and energy to making this musical truly something special, even after we leave.
JACK ARMSTRONG – YEAR 11
THOMAS NGUYEN – YEAR 10
HAMISH DEVONSHIRE – YEAR 12
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 9
FEATURES THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, DR JOHN FERGUSON
WORDS OF AN OBSOLETE SONG RING TRUE AGAIN
FOUNDATION DAY THIS PHOTO: YEAR 12 BOYS SINGING DURING THE CONCERT BOTTOM, LEFT: MAX ORLOFF AND RUPERT SIMMONS (BOTH YEAR 12)
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'Hurrah! Hurrah!’ – I can almost hear some of the Old Boys sing, being the next line to the Foundation Day Song which opens with 'Foundation Day again is here,' and which was printed in the Scotch record book as late as 2004! The song, of somewhat questionable literary merit, and sung to the tune of When Johnny Comes Marching Home, has not been sung at the Foundation Day Concert since 1986 – but if there was ever a time to revive it, it would have been 2022. The last two Foundation Day Concerts were cancelled due to the pandemic, so, as the ‘school uniting in song’ only applies to boys in Years 10, 11 and 12, none of the boys participating had ever sung in a Foundation Day Concert at all. There was a great spirit to the concert this year and a feeling of much anticipation from the boys as they realised that this really is quite a major event! The concert opened with David Stanhope’s superb orchestration of Advance Australia Fair, written for the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and first performed by Scotch at the Foundation Day Concert at the Rod Laver Arena in 2001. The first verse was sung a capella by the Cardinals (Human Nature sang it at the Olympics) and the second verse was sung beautifully by voice teacher, Jo Blankfield, with the School and
THIS PAGE: CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: JACK MAXWELL-DAVIS (YEAR 12) ON THE DRUMS; THE COLLEGE CHOIR; HAMER HALL AUDIENCE SCENE; JO BLANKFIELD SINGING VERSE TWO OF ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR; LEON FEI (YEAR 12) PLAYING THE KORNGOLD VIOLIN CONCERTO
AGAIN IS HERE! audience joining the orchestra for the reprise of the first verse. A great way to open this celebratory concert. Performances followed; Leon Fei (Year 12) gave a brilliant performance of the Korngold Violin Concerto, ably accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra, which then performed Glinka’s dazzling showpiece of an overture, Russlan and Ludmilla. The School sang 40 Years On and Loch Lomond, and three numbers by Gilbert and Sullivan, concluding with Josh Munday (Year 12) reminding us that A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One! The Academy Strings, under the skilled direction of Ben Castle, Head of Strings, performed The Court of Berevew by Anton Koch, and Symphonic Wind, under the baton of David Musk, concluded the first half with selections from Princess Mononoke by Joe Hisaishi. Sam Murray (Year 12), Captain of Bands, opened the second half as clarinet soloist, giving a nostalgic and tranquil performance of Glenn Miller’s Moonlight Serenade with the Show Band under the direction of Megan Philip. Then followed the quirkily named Step on a Crack, featuring saxophonist Xavier Tang and trombonist Joshua Munday. Xavier Tang (Year 12) had a big night – the College Choir’s beautiful performance of Ola Gjeilo’s Evening Prayer featured a saxophone solo from Xavier.
Then followed an impressive performance of Christopher Tin’s Kia Hora Te Marino with an instrumental accompaniment, all directed by Andrew Hunter. The Chamber Choir – always a highlight – performed beautifully, concluding their bracket with the Jamaican Folk Song, Hol’ You Han’. Military Band took the stage with Summon the Heroes, and the Drumline reminded us that Life is a Dance – an outstanding piece written by percussion staff member Harry Potocnik, and directed by Campbell Philips. Then on came our Pipes and Drums, performing MacCrimmon’s Lament for the Children, featuring soloist Zach Hutchings (Year 12). It was time for the audience to join in again, with the College Song and Boating Song, before Xavier Tang sang Bui Doi from Miss Saigon in spectacular style, with the massed singers joining in at the end. The concert concluded with the united boys singing a selection from Les Miserables, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra. It was the perfect finish to an exceptional night, as we all rejoiced that 'Foundation Day again is here' – but, thankfully, without the song of the same name! DR JOHN FERGUSON – DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 11
FEATURES
CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE PREVAILS AS FAMILIES ENJOY THE FUN
THE FAMILY DAY TRADITION RETURNS
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FAMILY DAY RETURNED TO SCOTCH ON 10 SEPTEMBER AFTER A COVID-INDUCED TWO-YEAR BREAK
Not many events are able to encapsulate the theme of this edition of Great Scot: ‘A Scotch Life – Our Shared Narratives’ so well. Indeed, just by walking around the School grounds, you encounter the plethora of people who have an impact on a Scotch boy’s journey: teachers, non-teaching staff, Young Old Boys who are now coaches, mothers and fathers as part of the Parents’ Association helping out at various stalls, members of the School Council, OSCA staff and members, Scotch Foundation staff keeping in mind the continuous development of the School, cadet officers, Heads of Houses – and the list goes on! It is on such occasions, when the School opens its doors, that the Scotch Family spirit shows its true colours, unified behind one common goal: to see every single Scotch student thrive. After a COVID-induced two-year break, Family Day returned to Scotch on Saturday 10 September, greeted enthusiastically by the Scotch community. The weather was typical of Family Day – a bit patchy with the threat of rain – but the traditional carnival atmosphere shone through. Club, auxiliary and House marquees surrounded the Main Oval, there was a variety of food on offer, and plenty of activities and competitions were enjoyed.
The Senior School art exhibition in the Lithgow Atrium and the Design and Technology exhibition in the David Yu Foyer showcased the boys’ creative talents; and no Family Day would be complete without a virtuoso performance by the Pipes and Drums. Out on the Main Oval, the House and form athletics events proceeded energetically. Morrison won the House Sports from Field, Gilray and Lawson. In the form events, 8OM triumphed in the Year 8 category from 8BT, 8AH and 8TG; while in the Year 7 category, 7HC was first, ahead of 7JP, 7CP and 7MJ. Ben Cashin (Year 11) won the Scotch Quarter from Will Chambers (Year 12) and Lachlan Clark (Year 11). Jordan Chi (Year 11) won the Scotch Flyer, with Tom Sutherland (Year 12) second and Ned Maginness (Year 11) third. The success of Family Day was due to the hard work of Scotch staff, including Functions and Events, Grounds and Maintenance, and other staff involved with event preparation; and staff supervising and officiating in the House and form sports. Volunteers from the clubs and auxiliaries also did their bit to ensure the success of the long-awaited Family Day 2022.
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FEATURES
SCOTCH’S ‘GREAT HALL’ WAS FIRST USED ON ANZAC DAY 1922
BELOW: AUGUST 1918 PLANS SHOWING A FANCIER MEMORIAL HALL AND ITS QUADRANGLE WITH A MAJESTIC CLOCK TOWER. BOTTOM: SEPTEMBER 1919 MEMORIAL HALL SECTIONS SHOWING ITS LESS COSTLY REDESIGN.
MEMORIAL HALL TURNS 100
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ABOVE: KEITH MORRIS OLIPHANT (SC 1919-25) PHOTO IN 1921 SHOWING QUADRANGLE CONSTRUCTION, WITH MEMORIAL HALL ONLY A FOUNDATION IN THE MIDDLE. LEFT: PROBABLY LATER IN 1921, MEMORIAL HALL’S WALLS AND GABLES RISE.
In many ways Scotch’s commitment to service is best defined by the blood, sweat and tears of Old Boys who served their country in its hour of need. When World War I began on 28 July 1914, Scotch had 579 students crammed onto two acres (0.81ha) in East Melbourne. It was the only school every boy and teacher who served in the war had ever known. At Scotch’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1911, Old Boys asked to donate money for an assembly hall to alleviate overcrowding, overwhelmingly refused, but – with courage and foresight – said they would donate to move Scotch to a new, larger site. The School Council searched for appropriate land and in the December 1914 Scotch Collegian appealed to the Scotch Family (as it became known) to raise at least £5,000 by May 1915 to purchase ‘Hawthorn Glen’, a rundown farm property said to be 52 acres (21 hectares) of ‘Ample space here for all purposes, and for all time’. On this site – it was envisaged – would someday be ‘a great hall where the boys [would] meet to worship together and to sing the songs of their school and country.’ Old Boys at war regularly received The Scotch Collegian and wrote back with enthusiasm about Scotch’s bold move. The Scotch Family raised £4,921 and 13 shillings. Architect Henry Hardie Kemp (born 10.3.1859, died 22.4.1946) had already drawn initial plans for Scotch’s Senior School in December 1915, before Scotch tentatively began at Hawthorn with a Junior School in 1916. The hall was simply called ‘Central Hall’.
His March 1917 plan described it as ‘Great Hall’ and moved it out of the Quadrangle to stand apart. By August 1917, the Great Hall was designed with fancy stonework, but with Scotch having – by the end of August 1918 – spent over £16,000 acquiring the site and building the Junior School, and Kemp estimating a £108,000 cost to construct all remaining buildings, the plans of September 1919 were greatly simplified, reducing the stonework (and losing the grand tower proposed for the Quadrangle). In 1919, a campaign to raise £50,000 was launched by the Scotch College War Memorial Buildings Fund, chaired by Arthur Robinson (born 23.4.1872, SC 1884-87, died 17.5.1945), whose business contacts with the Baillieu family of real estate agents, had found ‘Hawthorn Glen’. The fund’s name shows that the entire Senior School was considered a memorial to Old Boys and staff who had died in the war. Sir John Monash (born 27.6.1865, SC 1877-81, died 8.10.1931) lent his name to the fund’s committee and laid the foundation stone of Memorial Hall on 5 March 1920. Memorial Hall was the last part of the main Senior School to be completed. Classrooms were in use by 1921 and the gym (now the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall) was used for assemblies. On Anzac Day 1922, Memorial Hall was dedicated and used for the first time. Principal Littlejohn read out 194 names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice (the current total is 223 Old Boys and five teachers). Arthur Robinson expressed the hope that the Hall would signify the ‘idea that duty is above everything’, that all must strive for ‘the common good of all’ and that the honour of the school was in the keeping of Scotchies and Old Boys alike. Sir John Monash hoped that ‘the traditions of the AIF become the traditions of this school … [in] their team work that the men of the AIF so greatly excelled … working together… comradeship … mutual sacrifice … mutual help … mutual trust ...’ Seventeen years later, the boys of Scotch were put to the ultimate test again. Thirty-six boys who were at Scotch when Memorial Hall was dedicated would give their lives in World War II out of 377 currently known to have done so, and in addition to one teacher. Memorial Hall stands both in their memory and for the example they set. PAUL MISHURA – ARCHIVIST
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 15
FEATURES
TIWI TRIP HIGHLIGHTS THE TIES THAT BIND TWO SCHOOLS A trip to the Tiwi Islands stays with you firstly because of the warmth of the people who greet you with open arms, sharing their stories around a campfire as the sun sets and the stars start to shine in the sky, or as you visit artists, galleries or eat food together, after fishing or hunting. The colours also remain within your recollections of these beautiful islands with the azure of the Timor Sea, or the intense red of the sandy soils. But what makes this trip very special are the authentic bonds that are formed between students from both Colleges: Tiwi and Scotch. The boys would spend hours mixing together, playing a lot of sports – footy in particular – hunting, fishing, joking around, hanging out listening to rap music, visiting places, and all done in an organic manner, wanting naturally to spend time together. It is in these authentic moments that as a nation, we can continue to hope and aspire for a fairer country in which Indigenous rights are at the forefront of our boys’ minds, now enriched by their natural interaction with their Aboriginal peers. A big thank you must go out to all the Tiwi College staff who looked after us, as well as the Scotch staff: Verity Scott, Charlene Pereira, Christophe Taylor and most importantly Tony Glover for the hours of work he put in, to ensure everyone had an enjoyable and safe trip.
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TIWI ISLANDS TRIP: A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY On 11 September, 16 students and four teachers began their journey up to the Tiwi Islands for a week as part of the Indigenous Partnership Program. The trip truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity, as all boys and staff immersed themselves into the Tiwi lifestyle. Over an open fire, the Tiwi College students and staff taught us about their heritage and traditions, which consisted of stories and traditional dancing, showing all of us the strong cultural spirit that is present while on the land. The trip consisted of possum hunting, fishing, visiting the local communities and plenty of footy along the way. The trip also involved both groups of boys teaching each other in the classrooms something about their culture. The Tiwi boys taught us about their clans, skin groups and their communities. Overall, the trip was one of the best moments of our time at Scotch and something that none of us will ever forget.
IMMERSED IN THE TIWI CULTURE Eye-opening, breathtaking, memorable – three words to briefly describe our recent trip to Tiwi. For us, experiencing and being immersed into a culture and way of living that is so different to back at home was a truly surreal experience. From going possum hunting, fishing with hand reels to surviving the 35-degree weather, everything was new, and we loved every bit of it. One key aspect, that Cooper and I both took away from the trip, was that the people we met and the bonds we created, are simply unforgettable, and a quick five-minute chat with a Tiwi Islands local was truly incredible. The moments we experienced at Tiwi created memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. OTTO SCHIFFER and COOPER LORD – YEAR 11
LACHLAN MACNEIL – YEAR 11 www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 17
JUNIOR SCHOOL
THE CROWS AND THE PITCHERS MR TOM SAVILL HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
HELPING BOYS TO BECOME ‘THE CROW’
RETIRING JUNIOR SCHOOL TEACHERS WITH THEIR BOYS. ABOVE: GRANT PHILLIPS; RIGHT, CORNELIA KOEHNEDRUBE; BELOW, BRIAN SAMPSON; OPPOSITE PAGE: KATE IKINGER
It is when stories are passed from generation to generation that children across the world learn of their context, history and place. Aesop’s Fables are such stories that many connect with wise messages beneath each tale. ‘The Crow and the Pitcher’ seeks to remind us of the benefit of using our wits to help us in moments of challenge. On a regular basis, the boys of the Junior School come across challenges akin to the crow trying to drink from the bottom of a long thin pitcher. The aim of the staff is to help them become ‘The Crow’ and develop the independence and wherewithal to add stones to a pitcher and overcome moments of difficulty. However, one might ask the question – ‘How did the crow know what to do?’ Perhaps trial and error, perhaps observation, or perhaps the skill was simply learned from an elder crow? Perhaps the strategy was passed down through story from a teacher, or their mother or father? The boys of the Junior School are fortunate to have many ‘crows’ in their lives who help role model the application of wit to challenge. Each ‘pitcher’ that comes their way can be met with support and, through story or narrative from wise elders, solutions can materialise. This year we farewell four members of the Junior School teaching team as retirement lures them from the Scotch community. For many years, Grant Phillips (Deputy Head), Brian Sampson (Director of Studies), Kate Ikinger (Director of Junior Primary) and Cornelia Koehne-Drube (Head of Junior School LOTE) have all had significant involvement in helping Junior School boys apply wit to educational challenges. In order to capture some of their wisdom, I asked a few questions to try and better understand what inspired them to work at Scotch and to learn of the stories that have had such wonderful impact for the boys. 1. What brought you to Scotch? Considering the attraction of Scotch invoked memories of a connection to the School’s values at their point of entry. Brian referenced the joy he felt playing cricket at Scotch as a young man and a connection he developed at that point. A noticeable common factor was also that of the opportunity to become better practitioners. Scotch was
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seen as a place to develop and continue the passion for lifelong learning, a trait that Grant, Kate, Brian and Cornelia all role modelled beautifully during their tenure. 2. What will be your lasting memory of the School? The people! Without hesitation the common theme was that of the people within our community. The boys being the lifeblood and the staff and parents being a wonderful support to the core business of learning. Working within the broader team sustained them, enabling them to help others and meet challenges head on. 3. How would you describe Scotch to someone who doesn’t know it? The School’s commitment to the future of every child, and the necessary innovation to continue to support their learning and interests, was at the core of all responses to this question.
Kate’s response was succinct and hard-hitting – ‘Big, busy, big-hearted, brave and brotherly’. It was the last word that connected Grant, Kate, Brian and Cornelia. The sense of deep connection and relationship felt within the student body, a relationship akin to that of brothers. They reflected on the common sources that sustained them and the students they worked with over many years. At the core of this reflection was connection, relationship and belonging to something bigger than one’s self. While Grant, Kate, Brian and Cornelia all retire at the end of 2022, their stories will live on and continue to have influence. The stones they have helped children throw into respective pitchers will be stones that are part of the Junior School for years to come, and will be with the boys who they have positively influenced for the rest of their lives. Hopefully there may even be stones the boys choose to pass on in the future.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 19
JUNIOR SCHOOL As most of our boys and staff are aware I used to be a ballerina. An innovative dancer, Martha Graham, once said: 'Dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion'. I remember the sore feet, the aching body, the injuries and frustrations but if you embrace what you are doing you can find within you the strength, the patience and the motivation to keep at it and to push on even when things get tough. One of the most difficult things for a dancer is to daily look at themselves in the mirror. In training, the mirror acts as a necessary tool, providing feedback on line, placements, rotations and positions. This can either become an exercise for selfdestructive critiques or reflections that go beyond the two-dimensional external guide. You can learn to look through the mirror and see the beauty, the growth, the power, and the freedom of discovery. You can learn to express yourself and dance from the inside out. This is also the moment where you are able to delight your audience; you are in a position to inspire and to have impact and influence others.
Interview: CORNELIA KOEHNE-DRUBE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL LOTE Every now and again, a teacher comes along who enriches our lives, demonstrates relentless commitment to her craft and displays skills that make us green with envy. We wonder what life was like before we met and, more importantly, we wonder how we can possibly continue once they retire. Frau Cornelia is one of those rare gems; a once in a lifetime educator! She demonstrates a unique talent for acquiring the best from her students and reminds us all of the impact a truly great teacher can have on students. Over the past 18 years, she has transformed German into a very ‘cool’ subject at Scotch. Her influence spans way beyond the classroom. German Days, German dancing (even with the staff), German cooking, German poetry and ballet are just a few of the special occasions initiated by Frau Cornelia that the Scotch community has enjoyed over the years.
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Frau Cornelia is an icon in the German teaching community, which extends way beyond Scotch College. Her reputation as an outstanding educator permeates all boundaries and leaves us all with unforgettable memories. This opportunity for Frau Cornelia to share her thoughts as our Junior School teacher in the spotlight is so richly deserved and timely, as we farewell her into retirement. DEAN GREGORY If you could give one last piece of advice to our boys, what would it be? Follow your dream but be prepared that it is not always easy. When I was little, somebody told me that I was just a dreamer. At first, I felt hurt by that comment but since then, life has told me a great deal about following and working hard to achieve a dream.
So, what is it that you would most like to pass on to our boys through simple lessons learnt in dance, life and teaching? Look deep: look beyond the external, search your soul and find your strengths. Be patient: learning and working towards mastery takes time. Stay humble: it will continue to encourage a performance at your absolute best. Push yourself beyond your limits, be dedicated and persevere. The end result will be worth the strife. Embrace change and remember skills are transferable. I have tried to apply the same passion, growth, discovery and hard work I nurtured as a dancer to my role as a teacher. The dance has changed and the stage has definitely changed, but what I learned early has helped me thrive and adapt in a new environment. So, embrace every experience, because they all make you stronger and help prepare you for whatever comes next. So if anybody ever tells you that you are just a dreamer, accept it graciously and keep on working towards that dream. Alles Gute und Auf Wiedersehen!
AN EARLY INCURSION INTO DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
PREPS LEARNING BY DOING Junior School boys all participate in technology lessons as part of the curriculum. Prep boys recently commenced their technology program with a year level woodwork incursion. The wood was cut using saws under direct teacher supervision, and despite their observations, no chainsaws were used during this lesson! The woodworking workshop provides a unique opportunity for the Prep boys to learn, grow, discover and expand their design and technology knowledge. Here are some of the boys’ impressions of the incursion: I was a little bit nervous when I used a saw. But I was really good at it! HARRY CHOI It was fun when we used the saw because I have never used a saw before. JAMES CHILOV
The best part was making a boat. It was my first time using a saw. KRISH BANSAL I learnt how to cut the wood. It was very exciting! JULIAN ALATAKIS It was interesting that we used a chainsaw, because it was so big and I have never used one before. HAMISH KIMBERLEY I learnt about chopping wood. I never knew that before. TOM WILKINS I like that I got to use the saw all by myself, because it was fun and I was good at it. PAXTON RUSSELL I learned how to turn the saw. It was a little tricky but I could do it. JEREMY TING
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JUNIOR SCHOOL
DEVELOPING AN INTERSCHOOL RELATIONSHIP WITH MLC
RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE GROWTH OF SCOTCH BOYS As part of the ongoing Growth of Scotch Boys work in the development of respectful relationships, our Junior School has been working with MLC Junior School to develop an interschool relationship. The Year 4 students from both schools engaged in an online survey centred around a series of questions relating to hobbies and interests. The information was used to measure the effects of socially constructed notions relating to male and female stereotypes. The students from both schools used the data to reflect and draw conclusions relating to their own preconceived perceptions. The Year 3 students from both schools connected online and then face-to-face in an outdoor excursion to Healesville. To initiate this relationship and meaningful connection, students from both schools took a photograph of key items and personal belongings that represented who they were as a person (below).
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This photograph became known as their ‘Selfless Selfie’. An online connection then took place where all of the photos were added to a Google Slide document. Students from both schools were paired together and then had the task to comment, question and generally enquire further about the different details represented in the photograph supplied by their buddies. Conversations between students were detailed and genuine. There were discussions of family backgrounds, pets, novels, music, technology, sport, movies and so much more. Students from both schools also reflected on the nature of online communication and the importance of being a responsible digital citizen. They were fully aware that their conversations could be seen by other students and teachers at both schools. Following this online connection was the excursion to Healesville on 21 October.
Online buddies were now meeting face-to-face. After a short warm up dance and welcome, buddies connected with each other straight away as they walked and ran about the Healesville campus to complete a scavenger hunt. Here are some comments from boys regarding their experience at Healesville: • I hope that it becomes a tradition for Scotch and MLC so that others can experience this wonderful day like we did. • At Healesville we had a great time meeting up with MLC. They were very patient, quiet and sensible. All of the activities worked well. • One of the highlights of today was meeting our buddies from MLC and working together to complete the scavenger hunt at our beautiful Healesville site. • I really enjoyed playing with my buddy and making huts with my group. It was a very fun and enjoyable experience.
•
I really enjoyed getting to know new people at MLC and I loved the scavenger hunt. • We had a great time with MLC. It was really fun and the activities included teamwork, resilience and perseverance. The scavenger hunt was really fun. I am sure many of the students from both schools will reflect on these experiences and look forward to further connections and learning experiences that they can share together in the future. BRENDAN FROST – YEAR 3 TEACHER
JUNIOR SCHOOL BOYS SUPPORT INDIGENOUS SCHOLARSHIP Junior School Sports Captain Max Darcy (Year 6) is passionate about his football. He is also passionate about supporting worthy causes. Fuelled by these passions, Max approached the Head of Junior School, Tom Savill, with a novel way of raising funds to support the Rioli Family Indigenous Scholarship. He proposed that boys wishing to attend the Cordner-Eggleston Cup match between the Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar 1st XVIIIs on Thursday 11 August make a donation to the Rioli
Family Indigenous Scholarship. The initiative raised $311.95, which will be used to help ensure Scotch continues to be accessible to Indigenous students from across Australia. Max is pictured presenting the donations to Director of Development Tim Shearer with classmates Monty Peat, James Gregory, Lucas Lee and Monty Hotchin. TIM SHEARER (’85) – DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 23
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIP MS KATRINA STALKER HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS TAKE TO THE GRAMPIANS
YEAR 8 OUTDOOR LEARNING PROGRAM BOYS IN THE GRAMPIANS IN OCTOBER
The annual Year 8 Outdoor Learning Program (OLP) was held over a week in mid-October in perfect weather conditions. In the week prior, the flooding rains had missed this area of Victoria and the week of the camp remained dry. This was the first time the Year 8 OLP was held in the Grampians, its rugged rocky peaks playing host to some lovely walks which the boys undertook as day hikes. The boys stayed under canvas for the week, which proved a challenge for a few but most took the situation in their stride and indeed thrived. The most spectacular of the walks was to the Pinnacle, which afforded magnificent views of the Grampians range. As well as day hikes, the boys also kayaked on Lake Bellfield, rode mountain bikes to the lake and undertook initiative and conservation activities in Halls Gap, along with learning some aspects of the local Indigenous history while on their walks. We were lucky to have two Old Boys in attendance: Matt Davy (‘21) and Angus Bodon (‘20) were both excellent role models and of much help, by walking with some of the boys and camping with them. While there were some teething issues, as the first camp with a new provider, the experience of camping in the outdoors was invaluable in strengthening the boys’ friendships through sharing common experiences and developing their outdoor skills. The wet weather of Term 3 did not put a dampener on the Middle School Winter Sports Day. The Year 7s competed with gusto in soccer, football, basketball and table tennis while the Year 8s battled in soccer, basketball, table tennis and touch ball. So close was the competition that we had two Year 7 teams, 7HC and 7JE, finish first and both 7JP and 7MA finished only one point behind them. The Year 8s also only had one point between first (8OM) and second (8TT). The
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competition was played with great spirit and would not have been possible without the staff or the Old Boy coaches. Family Day was a welcome return this year. Although wet underfoot, the competition remained fierce between most forms: 8OM was again victorious with 8BT a close second and in Year 7, 7HC won the competition, with 7JP narrowly coming second. On the day we were able to enjoy the display of ceramics from the Middle School boys as well as some of the designs from their Design and Technology class. Many also enjoyed the Year 7 play ExaminAction. This was an original play written by Scotch Collegians Charlie Veitch (‘19) and Rex Cameron (‘19). The play was directed by Charlie Veitch, Rex Cameron, Con Coutis (‘17) and Ethan Wischer (‘20). The Year 7 boys recently had sessions with the Elephant Education organisation. These were introduction sessions to explore issues related to pornography, consent and respectful relationships. The conversations were held respectfully and in a safe environment. In particular, how to have a more critical understanding of media and materials that they would be regularly exposed to (sometimes inadvertently) was explored, such as advertising and social media imaging. The discussions were aimed at boys developing their understanding that most of the sexualised images they see in the media, advertising and online are often unrealistic, fictional and promoting unhealthy relationships. The boys were interested in seeking answers to some of the questions that concern them. The Old Boys, the Year 12 Prefects, and the Year 11 and Year 10 Peer Support Leaders and Ambassadors make the journey through Middle School richer with their contributions. They not only bring their energy but their stories to the lives of the younger boys.
UPPER SCHOOL
MR TIM RAYNER HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
STEPPING OFF INTO ADULTHOOD SPECIAL EVENTS MARK THE END OF ADOLESCENCE FOR OUR YEAR 12s . As I write this article, the rain is pouring, the sporting fields are sodden and the sky is a gloomy grey. I can’t say I have ever witnessed such a poor meteorological start to Term 4 – a term usually associated with clear days and warming weather. Yet, despite this irritation, or irrigation, the mood is positive and we are all looking forward to the coming term: a term renowned for examinations, VCE and farewells. For Year 12, this term signifies their final days at Scotch; a very special time. In a few days, 34 boys who started in Prep and attended every year will have the opportunity to visit their teachers in the Junior School to say farewell. Other boys who attended the Junior School will also join them. It’s the start of a number of events which recognise and cherish the time these boys have spent with us: a chapel service, Presentation Night and the Torch Ceremony, but also a lunch on the Main Oval for boys and their teachers to say farewell in a more informal setting. Farewells within each House take place, and the realisation dawns on Year 11 boys that they now have to step up to the plate. The final event, the Valedictory Dinner, held at the Tennis Centre, is organised through OSCA by Scott Montgomery (’85) and Caroline Taylor. It’s a grand night, full of fond memories, farewells and speeches, together with dancing and toasts – a fitting end to a milestone that marks the end of adolescence and the commencement of adulthood. I wonder how many of us would want to go back to that point in our lives? Yet, times have changed. The pressures and challenges we faced at 18 are different to those faced by the Class of 2022. We now live in a world where private information is not necessarily private, and invasive social media is embraced not shunned. In September, Brett Lee, not that Brett Lee – an ex-
police officer and internet safety guru – spoke to our Year 12 boys about digital life skills for school leavers. He covered relevant topics like identity theft, online dating, sexting and protecting your digital footprint: topics that 30 years ago, none of us would have even known. Mr Lee emphasised the importance of making the right choices and understanding the consequences of engaging in certain behaviours. It was a timely reminder and a valuable hour of information that made all of us recognise the responsibilities we have when using the internet; but for those born into this world of social media, who may be a little overconfident and at ease with using this technology, it was also a reality check. Our changing society is also reflected in people’s religious affiliations. Australia is a vibrant, diverse, society with devotees of many differing faiths. Young people at our School through their classmates, club sport, work or university will meet all sorts of people, some with faith and some without. In recognition of this fact, in Christian Education our Year 10 teachers are currently teaching Worldviews, a study of some of the different world religions. To that end, this term, Year 10 boys will each visit two places of worship, so they can learn about diverse cultures and the importance of understanding, tolerance and appreciating differing worldviews. Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Hindu and Jewish places of worship will all welcome our boys and share their knowledge and hospitality with them. It is an important activity for us to reach out and show we are willing to learn and understand. A previous school visit by a member of the Sikh community, who ran Sikh Volunteers Australia and was met with all sorts of questions from our boys, made us recognise that such exchanges have enormous value. www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 25
NEWS IN BRIEF
SUN, RAIN, SNOW, AND GREAT CAMARADERIE IN STAGE 3 HIKE The Year 10 Outdoor Leadership Program’s Stage 3 Hike in the Alpine National Park from 14 to 17 September started with wonderful weather and high spirits, as we hiked through shining sunlight into Nyimba camp, home for the first night. While there was some rain overnight,
B GRADE DEBATERS WIN THE GRAND FINAL LEFT TO RIGHT: EDWARD SONG, CHRISTOPHER O'CONNELL, MATTHEW CALLAGHAN, JOSHUA QIN, HENRY ROGERS, JAY LANDAU (ALL YEAR 11)
YOUTH AWARD GOES TO LEON FEI
Thursday brought more sunlight and some magnificent views down the Valley of Destruction from the Sentinels, followed by Friday’s hike down the Valley of Destruction, camping by the Wellington River. Saturday saw us return via Lake Tali Karng to Nyimba. The rain started pouring, and as we reached
Scotch’s B1 Debating team won the grand final of the Debaters’ Association of Victoria’s B grade (Year 11) competition, which was billed by a DAV official as the ‘largest English speaking debating competition in the southern hemisphere’, making this a very notable achievement.
camp, snow appeared. After a snowy night we returned to McFarlane Saddle, through a snow-carpeted landscape to finish an amazing hike, with amazing views, camaraderie and memories made. MATTHEW CALLAGHAN – YEAR 11, OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM LEADER
Matthew Callaghan, Christopher O’Connell and Joshua Qin spoke in the grand final, affirming the topic ‘That we regret the decline of the two party system.’ In an incredibly close and high quality debate, Scotch won 2-1 in a split decision (with the two adjudicators who awarded the debate to Scotch both doing so by only one point). Henry Rogers and Jay Landau (both Year 11) assisted in the preparation room. The sixth member of the team, Edward Song (Year 11) also attended in support. Congratulations to these boys on their hard work and this marvellous achievement. TOM HAWKINS – TEACHER-IN-CHARGE, DEBATING
On 14 October School Vice Captain Leon Fei received the 2022 Boroondara Youth Award for Young Creative, acknowledging his contribution to the arts sector as organiser of the Combined Schools Orchestra and his outstanding standard of musical performance. Leon planned the concert, recruited members of the orchestra from six schools, selected repertoire, managed relationships with key stakeholders and raised over $4000 for Amaze, a charity which supports Autistic Australians. DAVID BROWN – DEAN OF STUDENTS LEON FEI WITH HIS BOROONDARA YOUTH AWARD FOR YOUNG CREATIVE
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STUDENTS PLAY THE HUMAN RIGHTS BOARD GAME
HUMAN RIGHTS EXPLORED IN A SIMPLE BOARD GAME
SKIING MEMORIES MADE AT MOUNT BULLER This year’s Beginners’ Ski Camp had us learning to ski and snowboard on the slopes of Mount Buller. It seemed that skiing was very popular, encompassing around two-thirds of the group. The first day began in the early morning, with everyone ready for the snow. It was extremely exciting for me to gradually ski up and down harder and harder slopes. By the
On 19 October Scotch College had the privilege of a visit from Ms Lorraine Finlay, Australian Commissioner for Human Rights. During the day, two groups consisting of Years 7 and 10 students participated in the Human Rights Game. The session was supervised by Ms Finlay and Mr Hugh Kingsley ('72), the developer of the game. Throughout the session, we were able to explore the intricate concepts surrounding human rights through an engaging format. Rather than a heated debate, the setting of the game enabled us to rationally express both our opinions and beliefs on a myriad of controversial scenarios which we were given one minute each to discuss. We enjoyed how the learning process was
compressed into a simple board game, as it felt more accessible in contrast to processing chunks of information. After the games had concluded, Ms Finlay and Mr Kingsley engaged in postgame discussion and interviewed us on our experience with the game, as well as our personal views of realistic arguments and events. With the time we had left we had a great discussion both on Australia’s current human rights problems and the situation around the world. Overall, we had a really great time, and I would like to thank Ms Finlay and Mr Kingsley for giving us this amazing opportunity. JIANNI HERISTANIDIS – YEAR 10
end of the camp, I had successfully skied down my first blue run and had much fun with many of my long-term and newfound friends. By the end of the ski camp, I felt like a competent (usually!) skier. By travelling with a smaller cohort than usual camps, I felt that I had a better and more personalised experience, whether foodwise, with teacher help or hotel rooms. If you want to learn a fun skill for the future and make memories at Mount Buller, come to next year’s Beginners’ Ski Camp! JEREMY LI – YEAR 8 A PAUSE DURING THE BEGINNERS' SKI CAMP AT MOUNT BULLER
THE SCOTCH STAFF GROUP AT DOMAINE CHANDON WINERY
STAFF YARRA VALLEY WINERY TOUR
More of this, please! Good wine, good food, good weather, great company. A big thanks to John Prior for organising a sensational day out in the Yarra Valley on behalf of the School’s Common Room Association. Departing Morrison Street via coach on 28 August, we ventured out to Domaine Chandon for a taste of their sparkling wines. By the way, their sparkling pinot shiraz was delightful! Elegant, strong, yet not overpowering, with a deliciously smooth finish. We then enjoyed a tour and two-course lunch with perfectly paired wines at Dominique Portet Winery, who make a gorgeous creamy chardonnay. It was welcome relief in the middle of what turned out to be the busiest term in living memory for most of us. Just what the doctor ordered. DAVID ASSENDER – SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
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NEWS TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM LEFT: CASSIE LEATHAM CONDUCTING BUSH TUCKER WORKSHOPS TOP MIDDLE: KYLIE CAPTAIN, KRISTY IRWIN, TARINA FANNING TOP RIGHT: ROB SMITH, JDHARA JONES (’16), PJ CROCOMBE (’18), FLETCHER JOHNSTONE (’20) NICK CLARK – EXPERIENCES OF SCOTCH AS INDIGENOUS STIUDENTS WORKSHOP BOTTOM CENTRE: KYLIE CAPTAIN BOTTOM RIGHT: SHERRY JOHNSTONE CONDUCTING INDIGENOUS ART AND SYMBOLS WORKSHOP
DEEPENING AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES
LEARNING TOGETHER ABOUT ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURES At its core, cultural competency is a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, and building cultural competency is an ongoing journey of learning together as a community. On Monday 3 October, Scotch College staff came together to continue along this very path, with the goal of strengthening capacity to engage in culturally sensitive ways to the benefit of all. Prefect Dion Whitfield launched the day with an Acknowledgment of Country, and an inspiring speech in which he shared his own experiences and recognised the potential power that education has to shape the futures of Indigenous Australians. This was followed by a rousing keynote address from Kylie Captain, proud Gamilaroi woman, educational leader and author. With pride and vulnerability, Kylie recounted her heart-wrenching story of loss and circumstance, and explained how it was a teacher who helped her find the strength and inspiration to overcome the challenges she
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encountered, enabling her to enjoy a full and abundant life. She spoke of the significance of culture, kin and connection to Country and of the opportunity that schools have to make a difference. Staff then engaged in a variety of workshops: we heard from Old Boys Fletcher Johnstone (’20), PJ Crocombe (’18) and Jhdara Jones (’16) about their experiences of Scotch as Indigenous young people; and Aaron Clark shared his passion and insights in relation to working with and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in leadership programs, as well as his experiences in creating Reconciliation Action Plans. Louka Parry shared how he, as a non-Indigenous Australian, came to learn Pitjantjatjara, an Indigenous dialect from Central Australia while working as a teacher and Principal at Mimili in South Australia; Cassie Leatham explained the significance and value of traditional Indigenous botanical
knowledge through an interactive bush tucker tasting and weaving workshop; and Sherry Johnstone, passionate Aboriginal artist and educator, engaged staff in hands-on learning about Aboriginal art and symbols. Kylie Captain shared her extensive pedagogical knowledge and practices to both engage Aboriginal students while increasing everyone’s knowledge about Aboriginal Australia; and Tarina Fanning shared practical strategies and insights into creating culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As part of our continuing journey, a collaborative team is currently in the early stages of creating Scotch’s Reconciliation Action Plan, a tangible means by which as a community we can continue to learn and to embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures. KRISTY IRWIN – CHIEF OF STAFF AND CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER
SCOTCH EDUCATION–OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG INDIGENOUS BOYS
PREFECT DION WHITFIELD’S INSPIRING SPEECH Scotch’s staff joined together on 3 October for a professional development day focusing on building Indigenous cultural competency. The goal was to strengthen capacity to engage in culturally sensitive ways to the benefit of all. After his Acknowledgment of Country, Prefect Dion Whitfield gave an inspiring speech, sharing his own experiences and recognising the potential power that education has to shape the futures of Indigenous Australians. Here are some extracts of what he said: Scotch’s Indigenous Scholarship Program breaks down barriers, in that it makes a school like Scotch accessible to boys who would otherwise never get the opportunity. It is a life-changing opportunity, not just for the individual but also for our communities. This program recognises that ‘education is both the key to and hope for the future of Indigenous Australians’. I know first-hand the power of a Scotch education and the difference it has on the trajectory of young Indigenous kids' lives. It is an opportunity that both my family and I are eternally grateful for. Despite the importance of an education for all Australians, Indigenous Australians continue to be the most educationally disadvantaged group in Australia. That is just a statement of fact. It is often compounded by interrelated and complex intergenerational
trauma, social, health, and employment factors which affect us as Aboriginal people. I’ve lived in a remote community before, and I’ve seen the disparity that exists – and the Closing the Gap Reports year after year after year only confirm the inequality. If you're ever able to go out into these remote communities and see some of the problems that exist in communities – not all communities, I emphasise – and tell me that that doesn't impact upon our education?! The fact is, to varying degrees, all of the Indigenous students at Scotch now and in the past have had to deal with some of the systemic disadvantages Aboriginal people face – though I would hope to a lesser extent, and of course circumstances are varied. That is to say, it is not just as simple for us as black kids to turn up to class every day and learn, which is what some may expect. Just because we are all dressed the same in the Scotch uniform it does not mean that we automatically become this homogeneous group and conform to a particular way of learning or style. The fact is, all of the Indigenous students here right now come from a plethora of different cultural backgrounds, and we firstly need to be cognisant of that and then be able to say, ‘okay how do we best meet the needs of this student?’ The support that I need is probably different to Joe Bloggs and again it's different to Noah or Preston, or Malik or Mingara. Whether it be the socio-economic disadvantage many communities face, the low relative rates of early-childhood, the geographical difference in coming from regional and remote communities or cultural taboos (for want of a better word) – the fact is, we cannot view these factors in isolation when we are talking about Indigenous education. The relationships I have formed I have no doubt have been instrumental. Relationships are at the heart of who we are as Aboriginal people. Relationships are at the heart of who we are as Aboriginal learners. Our connection to country, culture and learning cannot be viewed in isolation. In the context of our connection to learning it is formed through the relationships we foster and build overtime, not overnight.
For Aboriginal people, ‘culture’ is about family networks, elders and ancestors. It’s about relationships, languages, dance, ceremony, tradition and heritage. Culture is about spiritual connection to our lands and waters. It is the way we pass on stories and knowledge through the generations; it is how we greet each other and look for connection. All these parts bind us together. And relationships are at the very core of it. Every Aboriginal person has the right to feel that their sense of self and their identity is ‘valued by the people and environments that surround them’. I remember my first interview with Mr Batty – he showed me the flagpoles with the four flags flying together, side by side. When I talk to the other boys about what having those flags on display means to them, they say it highlights the connection and understanding our School has for the unique position of Indigenous students. Those are comments made by Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. And I know from talking to the other Indigenous boys that they feel an enormous sense of pride in what may be seen as nothing of significance. It’s a sign of a culturally inclusive community because we’re acknowledged, heard and listened to. But it has to go beyond the symbolism and focus, too, on the practical. And I think it does, you know. The support mechanisms that are in place which focus on building relationships over time, not overnight, are I think evidence of the tangible and practical measures in place to improve our experience. I would also make the point that Indigenous-led perspectives have to go beyond the ‘classroom’, if you like, and include the wider spaces and environments Scotch encompasses. In a school with a positive climate, students are connected and engaged with their learning and their culture. Inclusive schools are where all students feel safe and valued, and their diverse backgrounds are respected. I know through my experiences here the great work that continues, and I remain confident that through your support we will grow stronger together. Thank you.
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TORCH CEREMONY: SYMBOLISING SCOTCH SPIRIT AND VALUES CLASS OF 2022 PASSES ON THE FLAME On Tuesday 18 October, the Class of 2022 gathered in Memorial Hall for the traditional Torch Ceremony during which boys passed on to each other a flame, symbolising the Scotch Spirit and values that remain within each student, beyond their departure from the school gates. James Gregory (Year 6) who had extinguished the torch during Mr Tom Batty’s farewell ceremony, was charged with reigniting the flame before it was passed on to departing staff Mr Brian Woolacott, Dr Peter Coutis, Mr Steve De Domenico and Mr David Skelt, followed by School Captain Tommy Livadaras (’21) and Vice Captain Leon Fei. Each individual student from the Year 12 cohort then held the torch on stage before passing it to one another seamlessly, before Neil Mahesh and Justin Warzala (the two youngest Year 7 boys) were charged with the heavy responsibility of extinguishing the flame.
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On Mr Steven Kong’s command and under Mr David Brown’s spirited organ playing, the boys rejoiced in singing a compilation of classic Scotch songs such as The College Anthem, The Boating Song and Loch Lomond. After the official party left the stage, Acting Vice Principal Tim Byrnes reflected on how the boys would be leaving Memorial Hall for the last time as students and returning as adults the next time around, in various functions as guests, coaches or parents. A clear reminder of how their connection to Scotch certainly does not end on that day. This important symbolic event is synonymous with the joy, camaraderie and important values inculcated to boys during their school years and hopefully resonates with them throughout their adult lives.
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SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN LEON FEI
ACTING PRINCIPAL ROB MCLAREN (’73)
SCHOOL ERA ENDS AND YOUNG OLD BOYS’ ERA BEGINS
VALEDICTORY DINNER 2022
When arriving at Centrepiece at Melbourne Park, if one was uncertain as to which direction to take among the many new buildings and facilities surrounding Rod Laver Arena, one just needed to follow the beguiling sound of the traditional bagpipes that characterise many of Scotch College’s major events. After an informal time for families to catch up in the main hall, proudly wearing the new Scotch Tartan, Scott Montgomery (‘85) welcomed everyone in attendance, from School staff, members of the School Council to Year 12 students and with his usual good humour, even the angels above! Prefect Dion Whitfield then delivered the Acknowledgment of Country.
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Teddy Webster (’17) took to the stage to share his message about how YOBs (Young Old Boys) helped him through some difficult times during his tertiary studies with a change of course and putting together his resume. Scotch Chaplain Doug Campbell delivered his blessings followed by Rupert Simmons, who after his remarkable performance in West Side Story this year, gave an outstanding rendition of the Robert Burns poem Address to a Haggis. While guests were enjoying their food, The Cardinals, with their usual class, performed a compilation of songs before the Pipes and Drums made their majestic entrance, filling the room with such uplifting
RUPERT SIMMONS PERFORMS ADDRESS TO A HAGGIS
SCHOOL CAPTAIN TOMMY LIVADARAS
– A SUMPTUOUS EVENING
energy, and bringing a lovely sense of harmony to the proceedings. School Vice Captain Leon Fei shared some personal anecdotes with humour about mistakes made during his schooling years, and toasted the teachers to express on behalf of the cohort, their gratitude for all their efforts. Acting Principal Rob McLaren (‘73) reinforced the message that Scotch College is a ‘land of opportunities’ while simultaneously joking that it is also the ‘land where shirts hang freely and where mullets reign supreme’. Mr McLaren also conveyed the reassuring message that ‘from now on, [their] dealing with the School will be on [their] terms’ and that due to the obvious challenges they had faced
with lockdowns that ‘what [they had] achieved in 2022 is a sign of what [they] can do in the future’. Head of Lawson House Michael Waugh then sang a tribute to his father, encouraging the boys to reflect on their own relationships with their dads, before the mums took centre stage for the traditional sons’ and mothers’ dancing. All in all, the Valedictory Dinner was a sumptuous evening, held in a gorgeous location, with the clear message to the boys that despite their imminent departure from the School, it will always represent a home for them to come back to, whenever it pleases them. One could say that their ‘Scotch Life’ is in fact just starting!
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SCENES FROM PRESENTATION NIGHT: MAIN IMAGE: ACTING PRINCIPAL, ROB MCLAREN ('73) PRESENTS. BELOW: SCHOOL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, ALEX SLOAN ('71) ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE.
SUCCESS CELEBRATED, ALONG WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES FAILURE CAN OFFER GUEST SPEAKER DEAN PARKIN
HEAD OF HISTORY, DR MARK JOHNSTON, WITH MEMBERS OF THE HISTORY RESEARCH GROUP
PRESENTATION NIGHT: A CELEBRATION OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Amid the numerous events that celebrate the end of a Scotch student’s schooling, Presentation Night is an opportunity for the community to celebrate academic success. On Monday 17 October, parents, staff, members of the School Council and guests joined together around the Class of 2022 to witness each individual student receive prizes in the form of books. High achievers were also acknowledged with the distribution of special awards given out throughout the night. The National Anthem was sung and Chairman of the School Council, Mr Alex Sloan (’71) addressed the Class of 2022 by reminding everyone in attendance about the set of hardships they faced in light of the two years of lockdowns, making some references to the Class of 1942 who faced different circumstances due to the war, but nonetheless, some similar challenges.
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The Bible reading, hymn and prayer were led by School Chaplain, Rev Doug Campbell, and Acting Principal Rob McLaren ('73) delivered his annual report, in which he highlighted the tremendous achievements of the Class of 2022. The presentations to the 12 Scotch Houses went along smoothly, with each student’s name echoing on the walls of Memorial Hall. The Perelberg Award went to Matthew David Clarke (’85), who in addition to being Head of Switched On Global Ltd United Kingdom, is the co-founding trustee of the Friends of Baale Mane, a home for girls with parents unable to care for them. After thanking his mother who was in attendance, Mr Clarke enlightened the boys with his motivations for delving into such a philanthropic enterprise.
After an introduction by Mr Alex Sloan, guest speaker Mr Dean Parkin, Director of From the Heart – which is a campaign for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament that is enshrined in the Constitution – took to the stand. Beyond a few words on advocating for the coming campaign, Mr Parkin shared with the boys his stories around the importance of failing, noting with humour and personal anecdotes, how his numerous failures ended up presenting him with new opportunities. Following thanks by Mr Rob McLaren, concluding remarks by Mr Alex Sloan and a rendition of The College Song, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, the Right Reverend Peter Phillips gave a prayer and benediction to all in attendance to conclude the ceremony.
LEFT TO RIGHT: ACTING PRINCIPAL, ROB MCLAREN ('73) PRESENTS THE PERELBERG AWARD TO MATT CLARKE ('85). CENTRE: STANDING - DR HARRY PERELBERG, ROB MCLAREN ('73), MRS RITA PERELBERG. SITTING: MRS ADELE CLARKE, MATT CLARKE.
DEVOTED WORK FOR DISADVANTAGED GIRLS IN INDIA PERELBERG AWARD TO MATT CLARKE ('85) FOR HIS CHARITY WORK The 2022 Perelberg Award has been presented to an Old Boy from the Class of 1985 who has undeniably fulfilled the award’s key criterion of ‘exemplary Scotch Spirit’ – Matt Clarke ('85) – whose charity work was the primary reason for his nomination for the award. Matt flew from the UK to attend Year 12 Presentation Night at Scotch on 17 October, at which Acting Principal Rob McLaren presented him with the award. After leaving Scotch in 1985, Matt completed a Diploma in Applied Science and worked in the health industry for a number of years, before deciding to move to the United Kingdom in 1997, where he has since lived. Matt is currently President of Switched On Global Limited, a UK company focused on innovation, leadership and evolution for global organisations. Before that, Matt was a director of the Now-Here Group, a business consulting service in London. Matt is a co-founding trustee of the Friends of Baale Mane, a UK registered
charity, that was established with the sole purpose of supporting the work of the Baale Mane charity, India. Founded in 2001, this charity has been engaged in supporting and empowering disadvantaged girls in rural India since its inception. The charity provides a home, education and holistic support for some of the most disadvantaged and disempowered young women in India. Matt’s work has helped provide muchneeded financial support, enabling land purchases, construction of a campus and ongoing management of the organisation. The Baale Mane charity currently has more than 50 girls living on site, with many graduates having moved on to university study and living successful lives, with families of their own. Presented annually since 1993, the Perelberg Award is granted in each alternate year to a current student or to one who left in the previous
year, or to an Old Scotch Collegian. This year the Perelberg Award went to an Old Boy. The award honours the memory of Ashley Perelberg from the Class of 1992, who tragically died of a heart attack at the age of 18 in his first year of university study. Ashley exemplified Scotch Spirit throughout his full and enthusiastic involvement while a student at Scotch. The Perelberg family presented a silver sculpture depicting the penguin parade at Phillip Island, which was inspired by Ashley’s devotion to the annual Scotch-at-Cowes summer camps on Phillip Island. The sculpture is a perpetual memorial to Ashley and is on permanent display in the Centre for Learning. The annual winner of the Perelberg Award receives a silver replica of this sculpture. Ashley’s parents, Dr Harry and Mrs Rita Perelberg attended the 2022 Year 12 Presentation Night.
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FAITH WEEK LOOKED AT KEYNOTE SPEAKERS’ LIFE EXPERIENCES
BUILDING OUR LIVES ON IDEAS This year’s Faith Week theme was ‘A Lived Faith’. With the support of the team at Mustard, and through the stories and life experiences of three keynote speakers, students explored the meaning of Jesus’ words: ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’. For our Junior and Middle School boys, we invited Lego Master, Josh Taylor to run workshops. Josh is a school chaplain and children’s ministry assistant for a church in Adelaide, who is famous for being a finalist in the second season of Lego Masters on Channel 9. He led us through a set of exciting, interactive and competitive sessions of Lego-building, to help boys think deeply about how the teachings of Jesus can give us a solid foundation to build our life upon. The sessions culminated in the unveiling of a giant Lego mosaic of Jesus that everyone contributed to throughout the week.
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For the Upper School students, we heard from Ken Duncan and Karl Faase. Ken Duncan is recognised as one of the world’s most famous photographers. But Ken is quick to point out that he is simply ‘an average photographer with a great God’. He shared with us his work, life and faith journey, threading through key moments – at times life-and-death moments – where he identified a strong sense of calling from God, which today has led him to work with Indigenous communities in central Australia. As in photography, Ken encouraged the boys to open their eyes, hearts and minds to see the bigger picture, rather than what may just be directly in their line of sight. Karl Faase is an Australian Christian communicator, media presenter, social commentator and CEO of Olive Tree Media, the organisation through which he produces programs such as Jesus the Gamechanger. His life’s work is interviewing a wide range of intellectual and influential thinkers on the
MAIN PICTURE: KARL FAASE ADDRESSES UPPER SCHOOL BOYS. TOP PHOTO: BOYS PARTICIPATING IN THE LEGO WORKSHOP. BOTTOM RIGHT: KEN DUNCAN ADDRESSES UPPER SCHOOL BOYS
bearing of the Christian faith in our modern world. For our boys, he shared stories of great Australians who have helped shape our nation, and even our School, to be what it is today: ordinary people of faith, doing extraordinary things against all the odds. His challenge was that we too might dare to dream about amazing things we could accomplish to bring about change in our world. Figuring out how to creatively engage teenage boys on something as abstract as matters of faith, and how faith can be lived out, is no small task. The Chaplains would like to thank our Head of Christian Education, Mr Cameron Cutchie, for organising this year’s Faith Week. We’d also like to thank the team at Mustard and their many volunteers for designing and running the activities around Josh Taylor’s presentations. REV DAVID ASSENDER – SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
SCIENCE ORATION EXPLORES THE INVISIBLE AND THE INTANGIBLE
NO LONGER IN THE DARK, AS DARK MATTER IS EXPLAINED INSET AND MAIN PHOTO: PROFESSOR ALAN DUFFY DELIVERS THE 2022 SCIENCE ORATION. GROUP SHOT, LEFT TO RIGHT: ROB MCLAREN (’73 - ACTING PRINCIPAL), ALEX COLUSSA (SCIENCE DEPARTMENT), EMMA GATES (HEAD OF GILRAY HOUSE), KERRIE ARDLEY (HEAD OF SCIENCE), PROFESSOR ALAN DUFFY
The 10th annual Science Oration, on the subject ‘Into the Darkness – Understanding Dark Matter’, was delivered onsite at Scotch for the first time since 2019, on Thursday 18 August 2022, by Professor Alan Duffy. Professor Duffy is the Director of the Space Technology and Industry Institute, and is a Professor of Astrophysics at Swinburne University. He holds a Masters of Physics and a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Manchester. Professor Duffy is the CEO and founder of mDetect which uses subatomic particles to understand our universe. In his delivery of the 10th annual Science Oration, Professor Duffy explored the invisible and seemingly intangible dark matter, and his work using supercomputers to visualise the formation of galaxies. Professor Duffy’s research into dark matter takes place at Australia’s own dark matter research facility, the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory, located 1000 metres underground in an old gold mine in Stawell, Victoria. In the article (right), School Captain Tommy Livadaras provides his take on the Science Oration. KERRIE ARDLEY – HEAD OF SCIENCE
Having been involved in the last Science Oration in 2019 as a musician playing in the foyer, I was particularly excited to see what bright mind we would have the privilege of hosting at Scotch this year. Professor Alan Duffy has enough experience and credentials to make any person feel blown away. However, it wasn’t his degrees and qualifications that impressed me. Professor Duffy’s ability to interact with the audience and simplify such complex and high level parts of astrophysics was a real treat to watch. As someone who never really had a passion for science, Professors Duffy’s talk left me questioning my previous neglect of a subject I had taken for granted. My mind was truly opened to the topic of dark matter and its relationship within our universe. How much of the atoms and structure of our world consist of this unknown substance is something that will keep minds pondering for years to come, and I’m excited to know that people like Professor Duffy and his team both at the Swinburne University of Technology and the Royal Institution of Australia are working around the clock to find answers. I am thankful I was able to be a part of the Science Oration, and I know that all boys who attended took so much out of it. One only needs to remember the long line of students as young as seven years old who were running up to Professor Duffy asking questions after his talk, to see how much of an impact he had on the boys. It was a great night for the whole School and I hope it continues to grow in years to come. TOMMY LIVADARAS
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SCOTT MONTGOMERY WITH HIS FAMILY
‘SHOCKED’ BACK TO LIFE AFTER A CARDIAC ARREST
A DEFIBRILLATOR SAVED MY LIFE In January of this year, OSCA Executive Director Scott Montgomery (’85) suffered a cardiac arrest that nearly cost him his life – if it hadn’t been for a defibrillator. At Great Scot, with Scotty (as he is more casually known) and with the boys from the First Aid Service, we thought this was an opportunity to raise awareness and remind our community of the importance of knowing how to use defibrillators. You will first read about Scotty’s experience, followed by Cooper Stanley’s (Year 11) vital message on the role these devices play in providing life-saving first aid. Do you know where the defibrillator is at your school, local club, community or place of work? If not, may I suggest you find out? It just may help save a life. In my case, through the quick actions of my family and off-duty paramedics, a defibrillator saved my life. It was 14 January 2022 at 11am. The family had just finished holidays, two great weeks down at Port Fairy, Victoria, and I was enjoying a coffee while tackling a Sudoku puzzle in the back seat, heading back to Melbourne. Suddenly I let out a strange sound and slumped over, my heart in cardiac arrest. Sitting in the passenger seat, my wife instructed my daughter, on her L plates, to pull the car over safely to the side of the road
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just prior to Warrnambool. My wife and two daughters then dragged me out of the car and began CPR. In a twist of fate, the car had been pulled over in the right place at the right time, as two off-duty paramedics had seen what was happening by the side of the road and pulled over to assist. They had thought that I was just vomiting on the ground, but soon realised that my wife, in rotation with the girls, was doing CPR. I was dragged further away from the road to grass and flatter ground and the paramedics took over the compressions. It was here that the magic of local knowledge kicked in, as one of the paramedics despatched a bystander to a nearby car dealership to retrieve a defibrillator, which was finally used to ‘shock’ me back to life, 11 minutes after my arrest. I recall waking up, and my first thought was that we had all been in a car accident, that my gorgeous family were all dead, and that I had survived. I then realised it was actually something about me, as I recall my wife holding my hand and saying, ‘Love you Scotty, love you Scotty’. I also recall the sight of the ambulance paramedics with their PPE and face masks saying, ‘Hang in there, mate we’ve got you’. One of the strangest sensations I had was the arching of my neck and outreaching
hands. This was later explained to me as my body opening itself up to allow me to breathe more easily. It was frightening. An ambulance took me to the Warrnambool Hospital where I was stabilised before being flown by helicopter to the Geelong Hospital’s cardiac unit. In further complications I was COVID positive, revealed by a RAT test a few days prior to my cardiac arrest, hence I was in an isolation room for 14 days before surgery could take place, to have a defibrillator installed in my chest. I was diagnosed suffering from cardiomyopathy (inflamed heart muscles). I returned home, but further complications became apparent after two weeks and I was again back in hospital, this time in Epworth Richmond where I had a serious pericardial effusion, which needed to be treated. Post-hospital I was blessed to be offered rehabilitation, which allowed me to mentally and physically heal, and along with the support of family, friends and the Scotch community, I returned to work midyear. I hope you will now understand why I encourage you to locate the defibrillator nearest to you in your school, local club, community or place of work. SCOTT MONTGOMERY (’85) – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OSCA
SPORTS FIRST AIDERS LEARN LIFESAVING TECHNIQUES
DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING AT SCOTCH The defibrillator is one of the most critical pieces of equipment when it comes to saving lives. Survival rates from cardiac arrest out of hospital is very poor, at around seven to eight per cent. During our experience as sports first aid students, we were able to learn the fundamental techniques when it comes to using one of these machines, in order to prepare myself and other students for when a potential emergency could occur. During our time at Sports First Aid we learned lifelong skills that will carry on after Scotch. Our defibrillator instructor was able to put us through real life situations in order for us to apply our knowledge. We were given human mannequins to apply our just-learned skills of the ‘DRSABCD’ stages. Our instructor overall was very informative and engaging, helping us to remember a life-saving ability. The well-known ‘Doctors
ABCD’ (DRSABCD) covers the entire sequence of dealing with unconscious and conscious patients. The last letter refers to the defibrillator, being the last and most important stage. In order for the defibrillator to work, the first step is to switch it on. The machine also has two pads; the first pad needs to be placed on the upper right side below the collarbone. The second pad should be placed on the casualty’s left side, just below the armpit. While doing so, your partner is continuing on with cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, which is the ‘ABC’ stage of DRSABCD. When the pads are placed on the body, the defibrillator will verbally guide you through the steps and say ‘hands off the casualty’ in order for the first aiders to prevent themselves from injury. The defibrillator reads the casualty’s heart rhythm
SCOTT MONTGOMERY TALKING TO BOYS ABOUT THE DEVICE THAT SAVED HIS LIFE
quickly and sends an electrical pulse or shock to the heart with the aim of restoring it to a normal heart rhythm. The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine’s ‘Early access to defibrillation for cardiac arrest’ policy (July 2020) has implemented supply of automated external defibrillators or AEDs to public areas such as airports, train stations, shopping centres and sporting venues. Bystander public access defibrillation intervention has found the median survival at 53 per cent. See if you can find where the AEDs are at Scotch. COOPER STANLEY – YEAR 11
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STUDENTS SHINE LIGHT ON RECONCILIATION ABOVE: THE INDIGENOUS ALL-STARS AND FORBES-FLEMING TEAMS IN JERSEYS CREATED BY KATIE BUGDEN. BELOW: NATALKA KOSTRABY, HEAD OF FORBES HOUSE AND MARK RIVETT, HEAD OF FLEMING HOUSE WITH THE TROPHY.
STUDENTS SHINE LIGHT ON RECONCILIATION BASKETBALL GAME BRINGS THE SCHOOL TOGETHER AS ONE An exhibition basketball game between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Scotch boys surpassed all expectations. In preparation for the game, nonIndigenous students had numerous meetings with Indigenous students and community members to collaborate and share understandings and learnings from various cultures, traditions and histories. The collaboration is depicted in the artwork (created by Indigenous artist Katie Bugden) featured on the jerseys and trophy, representing strength in community. The game was testament to the power of sport in uniting people. It brought the whole School community together; boys from all year levels came together to celebrate, cheer on and marvel at the sporting prowess of the players. In doing so, the School community was able to
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strengthen the path of reconciliation. It is hoped that this game will become a regular feature on Scotch’s calendar, so that future generations of Scotch boys have the opportunity to foster a community, strengthened by respectful relationships, which collectively builds on the values of unity in diversity. The match ended with a final push from the Indigenous All-Stars team who came from 10 points behind to equal the ForbesFleming team, but in the end the team comprised of the two Houses managed to pull ahead, winning by one point in a thriller. The final score of the game was Indigenous All-Stars 28, Forbes-Fleming 29. NATALKA KOSTRABY – HEAD OF FORBES HOUSE
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY FOR YEAR 8 AT THE MELBOURNE LAW SCHOOL WITH PROFESSOR JOHN TOBIN, HUMAN RIGHTS PROFESSOR.
OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES TO EXTEND BOYS’ MINDS BEYOND THE TEXT BOOKS
YEAR 10 BRAINSTEM VISIT TO RMIT UNIVERSITY WITH MENTOR JOAO MENDES (MENTOR – PHD STUDENT IN SOLAR CELL TECHNOLOGY).
EXTENSION STUDIES: MAKING PROVISION FOR BRIGHT MINDS
TEACHER REFLECTION: AMY HORNEMAN, EXTENSION STUDIES COORDINATOR Scotch boys are known for their vivacious and voracious appetite for learning. Extension Studies makes provision for bright minds who need and want to engage with novel learning experiences at a depth, pace and complexity that suits their unique learning and personality profiles, and which may extend them beyond their regular studies. The program has key components which integrate to offer holistic provision for our highly able and motivated students, as they are on their learning and growth journeys through adolescence and into adulthood. One key component is the Extension Studies student activities program, which is popular and widely accessed by students across all year levels and disciplines. Seeking to capitalise on the interests and motivation of students, it offers a wide variety of co-curricular opportunities which are open-access to all boys. Teachers also often make recommendations based on their knowledge of the capabilities and interests of the students in their
STATE TOURNAMENT AT BRIGHTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL, 10 OCTOBER
classes. These activities cover a vast array of learning areas, from chess to specialised debating to innovations projects; linguistics to human rights conferences to mooting; philosophy to ethics and the student-led Extension Studies Committee. All opportunities are selected with the goal of curating spaces that feed student interest, meet learning needs and intentionally develop skills that are vital for successful engagement with and contribution to our world: curiosity, wisdom, leadership, collaboration, humility, growth mindset, resilience, integrity and problem-solving, to name a few. STUDENT REFLECTION: EUAN MACLEAN, EXTENSION STUDIES PREFECT, CAPTAIN OF DEBATING 2022 Extension Studies is a program unparalleled by many at Scotch, offering boys the opportunity to extend themselves beyond the text books of their subjects to the hands-on skills in areas like debating, Model United Nations, public speaking and chess. The program offers something for all students, from Humanities to Sciences and everything in between, with many students speaking of these programs as being the defining experiences of their time at Scotch. Such highlights include the International History Bee and Bowl, the Geography Bee, or British Parliamentary Debating, a unique experience seeking to extend students' experiences in debating beyond the traditional format. Speaking on a personal note, it is the activities offered to me through Extension Studies that will forever be in my memories of my time at Scotch, allowing me to share fantastic experiences with people who have become some of my closest friends, and allowing me to try out new things, some of which have succeeded, and some which have failed, yet all of which have taken me on a journey of self-discovery.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 41
NEWS
COLOURS TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
YEARS 9-12 IN ST ANDREW’S SQUARE ON R U OK DAY
SYMBOLISING THE BOYS’ INDIVIDUALITY Led by the Prefects, for R U OK Day (8 September) Scotch boys were encouraged to wear vibrant colours which symbolised their individuality – their traits and interests. The boys then all came together for a drone photograph and the Upper School boys sang Loch Lomond, joining together in song as they all celebrated being part of something bigger – promoting good mental health. A total of $2000 was raised for Movember. The text below was written by Charlie Green (Year 12) and spoken by Charlie and Louis Cameron (Year 12) at a Memorial Hall Assembly prior to R U OK Day: Boys, this coming Thursday the School is celebrating the range of traits, interests, passions and abilities each student has and the fact that we are all valued in the Scotch community. We tend to prioritise different accolades as being more valuable than others, but that shouldn’t be the case. This pecking order can bring others down, feeling like their achievements aren’t valued or prevent boys from signing up to extracurricular activities despite the opportunities they can lead on to. So this Thursday we are planning a casual clothes day, where we encourage you boys to wear as many vibrant colours as possible. We often use colours to describe race, gender, our mental health, what sports team we are in and our school. We are all different, but
42 Great Scot Issue 167 – December 2022
we all have attributes and passions that make us who we are. We know that getting involved in something is a good way to make new friends as well as keeping us interested and stimulated. As a school we want to embrace the different colours we have. So remember to wear something really colourful on Thursday and bring a gold coin donation that will go to the Movember charity. This day falls on R U OK DAY, and we value everyone in the Scotch community. Everyone possesses unique talents which support our own wellbeing; that is why it is so important to accept and acknowledge each other’s individuality. In the lead-up to the end of term we hope that you might take this opportunity to challenge both yourself and your mates to appreciate others more. As students often in pursuit of academic greatness we have an affinity to leaving our wellbeing behind, but we must now learn to break this habit. As a school and as a society it's our duty to look after ourselves and one another. No matter what your colours are – whether it be drama, debating, footy or something entirely outside of school – you matter and you should be proud to embrace it. DAVID BROWN – DEAN OF STUDENTS
HARRY PALATIANOS AND SUREN JAYASEKERA
MAX THOMPSON
FASCINATING STORIES FROM ACROSS THE GENERATIONS
SEBASTIAN POOLE
MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH MELBOURNE’S ITALIAN COMMUNITY On 19 October, Year 10 Italian students accompanied by Head of Languages, Michela Pellizon, and Italian teachers, Vera Bifano and Marika Varrà, spent the day engaging with the Italian community in Melbourne. The experience gave students a valuable opportunity to share their stories and to hear the stories of Italians from across the generations. The day started at Brunswick South Primary School (BSPS), Victoria’s first Italian bilingual school. Scotch boys and staff were warmly welcomed by the Principal, Trevor Strolla, teachers Nancy Cozzo, Ivana D’Aprano and Giselle Quinti, as well as the school’s Foundation students, who began by singing a song in Italian. BSPS shared their story of becoming a bilingual school and Scotch students gifted original storybooks they had created in Italian to the Foundation students. Next stop was Assisi Centre Aged Care, which has provided aged care services to the Italian community in Melbourne for almost 20 years. Sauro Antonelli explained to students the history of the Assisi Centre, and Maria Metelli from CO.AS.IT arranged for our students to meet with the Italian residents there, who opened their hearts to share their own migration stories. The boys listened intently as the senior citizens recounted beautiful memories, challenges encountered and shared photos of times gone by. It was a soul-stirring moment of younger and older generations coming together to learn more about each other, as well as an opportunity for students to use the language they have been learning to deepen their connection to and appreciation of Italians living in Melbourne. The final stop was at Italian Artisans, a pizzeria owned and run by Tony Nicolini, who also told his story and spoke of the many contributions made by Italians to Australia. Tony’s father emigrated from Abruzzo, Italy, to Australia in 1969 and opened his first pizzeria. Tony was inspired very much by his father, and followed in his footsteps to open a pizzeria together with his father in 1997. It is a testament to the power of family and how family shapes our stories.
Our Year 10 students gave the following reflections: I really enjoyed talking with Piero about his life story. Piero is 96 years old, and when he was very young he and his mother moved to Australia from a small island off mainland Italy. It gave me an interesting insight into another Australian story. ZACHARY PHILLIPS
At the Assisi Centre I spoke with Maria and Susanna, who shared their migration stories. They were both so cheerful and full of energy as they told me about their experiences. It brought a smile to my face and we shared many laughs. LUKA JEVTIC
It was incredible to hear first-hand accounts of Italian-Australian migration stories. In Italian, Maria shared the story of the journey she made to Australia over 60 years ago. We had been learning about experiences of Italian migrants in class, so it was captivating to meet and hear from those who had lived it. NICHOLAS LAROBINA
The Foundation students were so happy and engaged when we read them our stories. I loved the opportunity to spend time with both the younger and older generations of Italians here in Melbourne. CHARLIE THOMPSON
The day greatly enhanced our understanding and appreciation of the Italian community in Melbourne. Spending time with the little Preps helped us to cultivate further our Italian speaking, and reading through the self-made books was a great experience. SUREN JAYASEKERA MICHELA PELLIZON – HEAD OF LANGUAGES
Great Scot 43
NEWS
LEFT: KEYNOTE SPEAKER, ANDY SAUNDERS. MIDDLE: SHELLEY WARE WITH SOME OF SCOTCH’S INDIGENOUS STUDENTS. RIGHT: KEYNOTE SPEAKER, NOVA PERIS OAM
INDIGENOUS CULTURE FESTIVAL – AN EXPERIENCE FOR ALL SCOTCH BOYS The Senior School Library organised a literature festival with a difference in 2022. Held over due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021, on 1 August the Indigenous Culture Festival was launched. The theme was ‘Narlamba Ba Ngarna’ which means ‘to sit and listen’ in the language of the Woi Wurundjeri, who are the local Indigenous people of the Yarra region. During the preceding year the library staff worked closely with Dr Robert Smith and the 10 Indigenous boys who are part of the Scotch Indigenous Program. We worked on a shared objective which was to create an experience for all Scotch boys to learn how Indigenous culture is intrinsic to all aspects of Indigenous life. These are the importance of Country, how the experience of being on Country – the land – is infused with spiritual beliefs, the importance of community and kin, the presence of elders, the value of Indigenous art and the narratives therein that stretch back thousands of years. In selecting keynote speakers and workshops, we were mindful to ensure that there was a balance of these aspects to be represented in the overall festival program.
44 Great Scot Issue 167 – December 2022
The festival program catered for all boys from Year 7 to Year 12. The boys from Years 7 to 10 had choices of workshops for two periods and a keynote presentation in the Geoffrey McComas Theatre for the third period in the morning. The workshop presenters included artists, storytellers, poets and writers; among them Emma Bamblett, Dennis Fisher, and Thomas Mayer – Uluru Statement from the Heart Ambassador in 2022. Keynote speakers included Shelley Ware of Marngrook and ‘Colour of your Jumper’ fame, Andy Saunders, an Indigenous comedian, and Dhinawan, aka Mick Baker, artist and actor. Years 11 and 12 enjoyed a keynote by Nova Peris OAM, who inspired them with her stories of Olympic achievement, her time as a federal Member of Parliament and her work to improve the lives of Indigenous people through her foundation. Boys and teachers alike found the festival a key learning experience. Here are some of our boys’ comments: The session was highly entertaining and educational. Emma had shared her own story and experience, as well as her
‘A GREAT INTERACTIVE WAY TO LEARN ABOUT INDIGENOUS CULTURE’
information of her family, birthplace, culture and religion. She was also encouraging in terms of providing opportunities for us to create our own artwork. TIFF TSANG – YEAR 8
I think it was a great interactive way to learn about Indigenous culture. GARY KONG – YEAR 7
I thought Ron Murray (Country and story) was very engaging, and it was interesting learning so much about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ culture. OSCAR KING – YEAR 8
There were invaluable experiences which were engaging and helped Scotch boys broaden their perspectives. NED SUTHERLAND – YEAR 10
There’s no better way to understand the modern history of Indigenous Australians than to have first-hand accounts of their own experiences. THOMAS JOHNSTON (YEAR 10)
WILMA KURVINK – HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL LIBRARY
SCOTCH’S PIPERS AND DRUMMERS WITH SOME OF THE SILVERWARE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
A CLEAN SWEEP FOR OUR PIPES AND DRUMS AT THE NATIONALS At Scotch, the Pipes and Drums is the foremost opportunity for students to connect with the Scottish heritage and culture that underpin the School’s founding philosophy and history. Earlier in the year the Pipes and Drums returned to competitive action following the pandemic, and what a successful year it has been! Both Scotch bands, Number 1 and Number 2, won prizes in all competitions, and the Number 2 band won the Victorian Championships in the novice B grade in March. Scotch was off to a flying start. October saw the return of the biannual Australian National Pipe Band Championships. With the events of the last few years, this would be the first national championships since 2018. In preparation for the championships, 40 boys attended a four-day training camp in Daylesford. With camp under way, boys were split into their respective sections – pipes, snare drums and bass and tenor drums – to practise each performance element with their tutors and peers. With the support of their tutors, this also allowed boys to set up their instruments in preparation for the nationals. New reeds were put in the bagpipes, new skins on the drums, and by the end of camp both Scotch bands were eagerly anticipating the nationals. An excited group of 40 boys departed Melbourne Airport for Sydney with high hopes and excitement, tunes and drum scores running through their heads, and everyone wondering what was in store over the weekend. We arrived on a gloomy, wet Friday early afternoon. All drums and luggage arrived without a hitch, and the bands headed to the competition park for a final rehearsal. After a quick inspection of the arena, Pittwatter Rugby Club, both bands had their final rehearsal while avoiding the torrential downpours. ‘Quick – back to the bus’ was the call, and off to the hotel to dry the instruments, hang up the uniforms and unwind before day one of the National Championships. On day one, Scotch Number 1 band competed in grade 4A and Scotch Number 2 band competed in grade 4B. Both bands delivered strong performances throughout the day. As the bands assembled
on the competition field to hear the results, the rain started. With formalities and speeches finished, the downpour continued, and all bands left the field in haste, seeking shelter in the grandstand. After a bit of a wait, TIC Pipes and Drums Mark Saul came back to the band with the results: Scotch Number 2 band was first in grade 4B and Scotch Number 1 band was second in grade 4A. What amazing results on day one, as both bands were pitted against some of the best bands in the country, including adult bands. Day 2 of competition saw the Scotch Number 1 and Number 2 bands play in the novice juvenile A and novice juvenile B grades respectively. The juvenile grades comprise the best school bands in Australia. Both Scotch bands showed confidence, dexterity and musical maturity in all of their performances. Another highlight of day two was watching the grade 2 competition, currently the highest competitive grade of pipe band competition in Australia. It was a great opportunity for the boys to watch their tutors and Old Boys compete at the highest level. The local Hawthorn Pipe Band contains tutors and Old Boys. Results time was imminent, and first announced was Scotch No. 2 Band’s first place in novice B grade, including winning the best drums corps prize. Next announced was Scotch Number 1 band’s first place in novice A grade, also including the best drum corps prize. A clean sweep – Scotch College Pipe Band was Australian champion in all juvenile grades: a fantastic result. Scotch currently has the best group of pipers and drummers in Australia. Shortly after the results it was straight to the airport to fly back to Melbourne, trophies, banners and sashes proudly carried for all to see. To add more excitement to the weekend, our flight was cancelled and after about 30 minutes at the Virgin Australia desk, we discovered we would be staying in a five-star hotel and were rebooked on a flight the following afternoon. It was a highly successful weekend to round off a great year for our Pipes and Drums. STRUAN THORPE – PIPES AND DRUMS STAFF
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 45
NEWS LEFT TO RIGHT: TRISTAN CLIFF (’15), DR RICHARD SICREE (’71), CHRISTOPHER O’CONNELL, MR PRATT, NICHOLAS MARKS (’18), JOSH MCNEIL (’16) AND CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERLAIN (’18).
CHRISTOPHER O’CONNELL RECEIVES SAGSE SCHOLARSHIP
HERZLICHEN GLÜCKWUNSCH JUNGS!* OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE GERMAN STATE POETRY COMPETITION Seven Scotch boys from Years 5-9 recently qualified to compete in the annual State Poetry Competition at the Austrian Club in Heidelberg. Reciting a poem is an art in itself; you must be confident and make a direct connection with the audience, including the judges who in many cases are university academics.
Christopher O’Connell (Year 11) became the 46th Scotch Collegian to receive a scholarship from Scholarships for Australian-German Student Exchange (SAGSE), in the organisation’s 53rd year, and the first year the scholarship has been awarded since the COVID-induced travel bans. This year 12 scholarships were awarded to young Victorians studying German in either Year 11 or 12, who wish to broaden their horizons and contribute to cross-cultural understanding and a peaceful future. In late November Christopher travelled to Germany with the 11 other scholarship recipients from Victoria and others from Western Australia. They are spending approximately 11 weeks with German host families, attending a camp over winter and taking a trip to the capital city, Berlin, at the conclusion of the stay. Christopher’s scholarship was generously donated by Henkell Brothers, and the presentation was held at the Malvern Town Hall on 14 October, attended by Head of German, Mr Warren Pratt and Junior School Head of LOTE, Frau Cornelia Koehne-Drube. Cornelia has fond memories of Chris from when he was Junior School German Captain back in Year 6. Also in attendance were several of the 46 previous Scotch College scholarship recipients, including the very first one, Dr Richard Sicree (’71), who went on the exchange in its fourth year of existence. WARREN PRATT – TEACHER OF GERMAN
ABOVE LEFT: SCOTCH CONGRATULATES OUR STATE FINAL GERMAN POETRY SECONDARY COMPETITORS. LEFT TO RIGHT: JAMIE CHANG (YEAR 9), SECOND PLACE; MATTHEW BLAMEY (YEAR 8), SIXTH PLACE; LUCA PELOSI (YEAR 7), FIRST PLACE; AARYAN BERERA (YEAR 7), FOURTH PLACE. ABOVE: JOHN LIVITSANOS (YEAR 5), ALEXANDER GORDON (YEAR 6), NOAH STAMOULIS (YEAR 6)
To master this skill in an additional language is certainly an achievement. All words must be pronounced correctly. The projection, rhythm and intonation also enhance the recitation. Our boys had to understand the poem fully and be attentive to its message, meaning, often irony and other nuances in their poem. It is therefore with great pride that we announce the following prizes at the state final: s John Livitsanos: third place at the Year 5 level;
s Alexander Gordon: second place in the Year 6 open section, representing the German Saturday School; s Noah Stamoulis: first place at the Year 6 level; s Luca Pelosi: first place, and Aaryan Berera: fourth place at the Year 7 level; s Matthew Blamey: sixth place at the Year 8 level; and s Jamie Chang: second place at the Year 9 level. Noah is now the proud recipient of the Melbourne University Shield and Luca will receive the La Trobe University Shield. Their names will be engraved on the shields and the School will have the honour of not only displaying their accomplishments but holding the shields until next year’s competition. Danke boys and congratulations for an outstanding achievement. What a way to conclude the year and what an inspiration for boys to follow in your footsteps. Alle Gute und Herzlichen Glückwunsch!** Frau Cornelia und Herr Pratt * Congratulations boys! ** All the best and congrtulations
46 Great Scot Issue 167 – December 2022
WARREN PRATT – TEACHER OF GERMAN CORNELIA KOEHNE-DRUBE – HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL LOTE
LEFT TO RIGHT: THOMAS CHERK (YEAR 9) , MISS ALICE KEMP, TIMOTHY LEW (YEAR 9)
SCOTCH FEATURES PROMINENTLY IN LATIN READING COMPETITION This year Scotch hosted the statewide Latin Reading Competition, one of the rare opportunities for Victorian Latin students to meet and hear each other read Latin. The competition, conducted by the Classical Association of Victoria, was held in the Lithgow Centre’s Fraser Smith Theatre on Wednesday 3 August. While Scotch boys were participating in their services around the School, a range of different uniforms manifested itself in the Lithgow Centre. There was a decided buzz and nervous anticipation palpable
PLAYING SOCCER IN INDONESIAN! ROBBIE GASPAR’S VISIT FOCUSES MINDS ON ‘SPORTS DIPLOMACY’ Mr Robbie Gaspar, the first Australian footballer to play professionally in Indonesia, visited Scotch in August. For nearly a decade Robbie played throughout Indonesia, including for Indonesia’s most prestigious football club, Persib Bandung. As an advocate for language learning, Robbie lives and breathes ‘sports diplomacy’; the point being that the ability to speak languages and play sport unites countries and cultures. Robbie is fluent in Indonesian and is currently the President of the Indonesia Institute, the peak body for independent insight and engagement into IndonesianAustralian bilateral relations. In 2017 Robbie was the recipient of the Australia Indonesia Award for the sports category, and he is passionate about using the soft power
around the fountain, with the odd snippet of Latin audible, as competitors clustered for last-minute recitations. An afternoon tea of brownies and sausage rolls (definitely preferable to Roman delicacies like stuffed dormice) was served before the competitors and their audiences made their way to various rooms in the English Department. Two finalists per year level per school read out their prepared passages themed on The Hunt (stories involving hunting of prey in Greek mythology) to their respective rooms.
of sport to improve Australia’s relations throughout the region. During his visit, Robbie presented to all Year 9 students during Assembly on ‘sports diplomacy’. This Assembly was also attended by our special guest, the Indonesian Consul General to Victoria and Tasmania, the Honourable Mr Kuncoro Waseso, accompanied by two consular staff. During periods three and four, Robbie ran Indonesian language soccer workshops on the Montgomery Sports Field with all our students who study Indonesian. Drills and games were entirely called and played in Bahasa Indonesia: hebat! (great!) Robbie’s visit was completed with a lively lunchtime Q&A session. We were joined by Monash University’s Ms Sharyn Davies (Director of the Herb Feith Indonesia Engagement Centre and Associate Professor in the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics), and Dr Howard Manns (Senior Lecturer of Linguistics). As sports players and enthusiasts, all Scotch boys have a part to play in diplomacy on our sports fields; forging positive connections between teams, schools, suburbs, and possibly – hopefully – in
The judges noted that the standard was notably high this year, with impressive attention showed to consonant sounds and vowel lengths, with excellent voice modulation to convey the drama of each passage. Scotch was laudably represented at every year level, and the finalists (listed below) represented the School admirably. Particular congratulations go to Thomas Cherk and Christopher Lim who achieved second places at Years 9 and 10 respectively and Max Kaiser for achieving third place at Year 12. Jordan Chi, winner at Year 11, delivered his rendition of Ovid’s Calydonian Boar Hunt to the combined audience at the end, achieving a remarkable combination of narrative drama and metrical accuracy. The state finalists for Scotch were Thomas Cherk and Timothy Lew (Year 9); Edward Wang and Christopher Lim (Year 10); Jordan Chi and Christopher O’Connell (Year 11); and Max Kaiser (Year 12). ALICE KEMP – SENIOR SCHOOL LATIN TEACHER
CAPTION - TEAM TALK
some of our future sports careers, between countries and cultures. Here is yet another reason to continue studying your languages! Imagine playing your sport at a professional level overseas and being able to communicate confidently with your teammates and the locals! Perhaps you’ll be a multilingual sports diplomat like Robbie! Thanks to Mr Brown, Mr Coutis, Bu Watterson*, Bu Tally and Prof Pellizon for their support of this exciting visit, benefiting the Growth of Scotch Boys. MELODY-FLEUR WATTERSON – HEAD OF INDONESIAN
*Bu is Indonesian for Ms/Mrs
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 47
CAMPS
SEA KAYAKING IN THE WHITSUNDAYS With a brisk 5.50am start on Wednesday 14 September, 10 boys and three staff gathered at Morrison Street, and after eight hours in transit we arrived at Airlie Beach at 3pm. Following an evening at Airlie Beach, a pizza dinner at the park and some packing and repacking of our gear, we spent the night at the local Police Community Youth Centre. The next morning we left from Shute Harbour with our hired two-man kayaks and all of our food and water for the next five
GRADA (YOGA INSTRUCTOR), DR BRANDON TILLEY.
days. Our first campsite was Cairn Beach, a ‘short’ walk away from an incredible lookout. That night, Mr Evans took our SIM cards – as we’d anticipated. The next morning, we set out for Tongue Point for lunch and then on to the famous Whitehaven Beach via Hills Inlet to set up camp, where we felt the withdrawal symptoms of our absent SIM cards. The next morning, though, once we got back on the water, our spirits were lifted. We had
lunch at my personal favourite beach ever and continued to Henning Island to camp under starlight. The next day we crossed the Whitsunday Passage and spent an afternoon relaxing at the next campsite on South Mole Island. We spent the last morning enjoying the sun in Airlie Beach. The trip was unforgettable – and probably because of the lack of SIM cards, everyone became good friends. HAMISH O'KEEFE – YEAR 10
YOGA – A GOOD, ‘UNUSUAL’ SCOTCH ACTIVITY With many professional athletes, including some leading AFL clubs, adding yoga and mindfulness to their training regimes these days, the benefits are evident. Yoga can improve flexibility, strength, balance and stamina. Many people who practise yoga say that it reduces anxiety and stress, and improves mental clarity. Yoga is offered as part of the Year 10 Activities Program at Scotch during Terms 1, 2 and 3, with a camp at the end of Term 3. Year 10 boys Jason Zhao and Aydin Haksoz attended the camp and provided their reflections. MELODY-FLEUR WATTERSON – HEAD OF INDONESIAN
YEAR 10 BOYS ATTENDED A ‘RELAXING AND CALM’ YOGA CAMP
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For many boys, yoga may seem an ‘unusual’ activity, especially for Scotchies, who are very energetic in their teenage years. I was lucky enough to experience this ‘unusual’ activity, as it turned out to be very rewarding and more fruitful than my initial expectations. Practising yoga every week helped me relax and to stop and breathe in the midst
of this bustling school. I also adopted some skills into my own lifestyle, such as meditating before sleep, which have undoubtedly improved my quality of sleep. JASON ZHAO
After a term of limbering up on Wednesday afternoons as part of the Year 10 Activities Program, 10 yogis meandered over to the Great Ocean Road coastline to retreat for three days. While the camp was jam-packed with classes offering experiences in many different kinds of yoga and mindfulness, students gratefully thought that the camp provided a good relaxing time at the end of the term. I really appreciated how soothing and calm the camp was, which made it very enjoyable. The vegetarian food exceeded my expectations, and the daily yoga sessions were a lot of fun. My favourite part of the camp was perhaps learning about mindfulness and learning more about ourselves. AYDIN HAKSOZ
COMPLETELY IMMERSED IN A SPECTACULAR NATURAL SETTING ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION IMMERSION TAKES TO THE BARRIER REEF The Environmental Action Immersion commenced in 2020 as a new addition to the School’s Immersion Program. While the 2020 and 2021 years led to the respective cohorts engaging in some deep conversations and passionate rallies about environmental action, the promise of the immersive experience at the Great Barrier Reef was lost in the pandemic. Fast forward to September 2022, where the culmination of three terms of action, discussions, preparation and knowledge acquisition manifested in 20 eager Year 11 boys awaiting their flight to Cairns. Arriving in Cairns, met by the warmth and humidity (a welcome relief after the virus-heavy Melbourne winter), it was such a pleasure to finally engage in the conservation work that the group had so long anticipated. Over the five-day program, the Environmental Action Immersion undertook research and conservation efforts with the volunteer group, Oceans 2 Earth. The group was based in Cairns and travelled to the Outer Reef, Fitzroy Island and Green Island on the various days. Over the week, we had remarkable discussions with the leaders of the program. Cassie, the Director of Oceans 2 Earth, shared anecdotes of her experiences working to conserve turtle populations on the shores of Peru and reintroducing elephants into the wild in the jungles of Thailand. Helen shared some of her knowledge around genealogy as well as her incredible photographs of jaguars. Timmy captivated the group with his deep knowledge of Torres Strait and Aboriginal culture. The jam-packed days included coral health checks and monitoring, species identification, hiking, cultural education and a beach clean-up. The research efforts of
1. 1. FITZROY ISLAND. 2. STUDENTS COMMENCING THEIR REEF MONITORING RESEARCH. 3. THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION IMMERSION GROUP DEPARTING FOR THE OUTER REEF. 4. TIMMY FROM OCEANS2EARTH PROVIDING IN SIGHTS INTO THE LOCAL ABORIGINAL HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE REGION
the group were verified and will contribute to local, state, national and global research efforts regarding reef health. The data collected by one group directly resulted in the identification of a new green turtle that had not been seen in the region before. Aptly, the turtle has been named ‘Speedy’ (due to its fast underwater pace and also after one of our own students). While undertaking research, the group interacted with the natural world on a whole other level. The group saw ecosystems teeming with activity, from reef sharks to anemone fish, playful octopi to giant blue spotted rays, and of course, swimming alongside green turtles. Everyone on the trip walked away with a new-found appreciation of the significance of such ecosystems. Equally, there was a strong sense of gratitude towards being able to undertake such an incredible experience among friends. On Fitzroy and Green Islands, boys learned the significance of each location to the First Nations people of the region, the Yirrganydji people. Timmy performed a welcome ceremony at each site and guided us through our learning of his deep-rooted culture. He took the time to share the traditional crafts, dance, music, Dreamtime stories and spiritual significance of the land and animals in the region. The cultural immersion throughout the trip was clearly a highlight among the group. In the inaugural year of the immersion camp, all walked away calmed by the sea and sun, mind-blown by the underwater spectacular and in a state of awe from the reminder of how truly special the natural world is. NICK MILLER – COORDINATOR OF UPPER SCHOOL OPERATIONS
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www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 49
CAMPS
COBRAM BAROOGA GOLF CAMP: ‘ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES’ GOLF SKILLS HONED, CAMARADERIE QUICKLY BUILT This is the inaugural year of golf as a running outdoor activity on Wednesday afternoons, headed by the formidable Mr Smithers and Mr Noble. Throughout the term, the boys were given the opportunity to head to Yarra Bend to work on our game in preparation for the trip to Barooga in September. At Yarra Bend we practised predominantly at the driving range, being able to use multiple clubs, as well as heading out to the putting green to work on our short game, getting tips from the club pro, Ryan. On the last Wednesday of Term 3 we piled into the minibus for the journey up the
Hume. With the boys in safe hands, with Mr Smithers’ driving and Mr Noble’s not so perfect navigating, we got to Cobram in time for a quick stop at the bakery before heading to the golf club. On that day, multiple boys got the chance to play 18 holes on the ‘Old Course’ while the remaining boys in the group had a golf clinic with the young golf pro from Cobram, Steffi, and played some minigolf. It was a great first day and everyone was looking forward to day two. On the Thursday morning, we had a great preparation for the day with a large breakfast which everyone tucked into. All the boys had a lesson with Steffi in the morning, helping
us with our short game skills. We were then split up into groups of four and played the first nine holes of the West Course, playing the ‘Ambrose’ format. Although it was grey and dull, it didn’t stop us, and we had a great time improving our game and getting to know some of our peers. After a small stop at Sporties Barooga for lunch, many of the boys continued in their own groups, playing the remaining nine on the course in what turned out to be a pearler of a day. We ended up having quite an eventful night, as Barooga experienced an electrical storm and some of the biggest rainfall you will ever see: the boys were piling out of the rooms to have a look at the gigantic hailstones. On Friday morning, we all got moving quickly, Four of us (Tommy and me included) got out early to play 18 holes on the Old Course, while the rest of the boys (including Mr Smithers and Mr Noble) followed behind us, playing nine. Considering what the weather had brought the previous night, the weather gods were nice to us, giving the group a perfect send-off in what was a camp loved by everyone. The camaraderie between the boys was built very quickly, and the group could all agree that it was one of the best experiences they have ever had at Scotch. We would like to say a big thank you to Mr Smithers, Mr Noble and the School for granting us the opportunity and would recommend the activity to all future Year 10s. HARRY JONES AND THOMAS MEGGITT – BOTH YEAR 10
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REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY
2022 – 100 YEARS ON
TOP TWO PHOTOS: MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS HOLDING CROSSES HONOURING THEIR RELATIVES WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR I OR II. SCHOOL CAPTAIN TOMMY LIVADARAS AT TOP LEFT (TOP PHOTO)
This year’s Remembrance Day Assembly was made even more special since it was also the occasion to celebrate the centenary of the Memorial Hall. On Friday 11 November, students, staff and special guests gathered to pay their respects to those fallen during the two World Wars. After singing the National Anthem and opening remarks by Acting Principal Mr Rob McLaren (’73), Chairman of Council, Mr Alex Sloan (’71) read the poem For the Fallen. The assembly then stood for The Last Post, a minute’s silence and Reveille. Thomas Kluckow (Year 11) read a passage from the Bible, followed by the singing of the hymn O God our Help in Ages Past and the Chaplain’s homily and prayer by the Reverend David Assender. To celebrate the centenary of the Memorial Hall, Jay Landau and Christopher O’Connell (both of Year 11) talked us through key moments of its history, from the vision that constituted its foundation as ‘a great hall where the boys will meet to worship together and to sing the songs of their school and country’ to the ceremonial wooden crosses placed in the Quadrangle lawns by the Year 7 boys before the Remembrance Day Assembly takes place. To conclude, the hymn Abide with me was sung, followed by the Chaplain’s benediction. The Piper’s music accompanied everyone as they exited the Memorial Hall, where 100 years after its first concept, Scotch staff and students still worshipped and sang together in unison.
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STAFF FAREWELLS
2022 DEPARTING STAFF, LEFT TO RIGHT: DR PETER COUTIS, DAVID SKELT, STEVE DE DOMENICO, BRIAN WOOLACOTT
a member of the Senior School Committee and Teaching Learning Executive, Brian applied the weight of his intellect and intimate knowledge of the workings of our School to test, refine, implement and just occasionally dismiss those charged with the vision. The Scotch of 2022 is a product of Brian’s belief in, and fluency with, the relational tenets of our great profession, his joy at being in the engine room, his capacity for hard work and problem solving, and his delight in sifting good ideas from bad.
STAFF RESIGNATIONS KARL BAKKER
STAFF FAREWELLS SCOTCH SAYS FAREWELL AND BEST WISHES TO STAFF WHO ARE LEAVING THE SCHOOL STAFF RETIREMENT BRIAN WOOLACOTT
After 44 years of exceptional, dedicated service, Brian Woolacott retired this year. Brian was appointed as a Mathematics teacher in 1979, and he nurtured love of pattern and form amid the structures and intricacies of the most beautiful of disciplines. For 13 years, Brian coordinated Years 9 and 10 Mathematics, ensuring courses delivered the rigour and challenge necessary to build an algebra for further success. In this role Brian was charged with mentoring new teachers on how they might improve their practice. Brian’s commitment to the mathematical cause, and understanding of how boys best learn, have been integral to the School gaining a reputation as a centre of mathematical excellence. Few have committed so much to the Scotch experience and those we serve: a 29-year involvement in volleyball, including stints as Teacher-in-Charge and coach of the first team; five years as football coach and
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six honing skills in basketball; Year 7 Form Teacher; Tutor in Morrison House; five years as a member of the School’s Venture unit; 24 years embedded in the Year 10 Activities Program, including six years as the inaugural Teacher-in-Charge; six years on the Hill as a Resident Academic Tutor in Arthur Robinson House; and attendance at eight 24 Hour Hikes, three of which as Teacher-in-Charge. For more than 20 years, 12 of which as Teacher-in-Charge, Brian attended the annual Scotch-at-Cowes summer camp. He also accompanied several trips into Central Australia assisting with Year 10 Geography trips. In 2008, Brian was appointed Dean of Studies, where, with hard work, good humour, attention to detail and great knowledge of the School’s operations, he oversaw the development of the School’s Student Information System, organised annual examination timetables, coordinated the School’s reporting processes, produced the School’s timetable, and ensured boys’ preferred subject selections were met. Gifted with a mind to see order amid chaos, Brian not only maintained the daily, termly and annual rhythms of the School; he was integral to planning for improvement. As
Karl joined the Scotch community as a learning assistant in the Junior School in July 2018 and transferred to the Senior School in 2019, working within the Centre for Learning Academic Support team. Karl initially worked as a 1-1 learning assistant for two years, and after some time supporting a range of boys across several year levels, he took up the role of Indigenous Academic Support assistant in 2021, working with boys in Years 8-12. Karl had a passion for helping all boys to reach their full potential. He enjoyed getting to know each student, gaining a sense of their strengths and goals, and finding a way to help facilitate their aspirations. He made himself available to meet boys at their point of need, and could often be found chatting with them at recess, at lunchtime or on the basketball courts, playing and refereeing impromptu matches. Karl’s cheerful attitude and willingness to step in and help boys in classrooms, on camps or at sporting events made him a valued member of the Centre for Learning and Indigenous Program. ELLI COUTIS
A member of the VCE team since 2019, right from the start Elli proved to be a great asset. Full of enthusiasm and always willing to help, learn and engage, Elli
was the epitome of an ideal team member. Beyond her enthusiastic engagement, Elli brought with her the ability to understand complex tasks, a very keen eye for detail, and the capacity to absorb and implement new ideas and processes. Elli assisted with the day-to-day operations of the VCE Office, providing information and care to students, staff and parents. Elli’s presence always afforded the VCE Coordinator great peace of mind; when he was in the classroom or elsewhere at the School, he always felt very secure in the knowledge that Elli was holding fort, dealing confidently and competently with the many facets of the VCE Office. DR PETER COUTIS
Appointed as Director of Research Teaching and Learning in 2012, Peter had an enduring impact on the way teaching and learning was conducted at Scotch. Through appropriate use of authentic data, a strong understanding of the educational process, and a deep commitment to ensuring all boys received the appropriate level of academic care, Peter’s significant impact on Scotch was evidenced by the many initiatives in which he was involved, either as initiator or facilitator. The School’s Relational Learning success can largely be attributed to Peter’s drive and influence. He broadened the Academic Challenge Program beyond mathematics to include the sciences and humanities; he established the staff Educational Reading Group; he introduced the accreditation processes for electives at Years 9 and 10; and launched the School’s Teacher Action Research and Career Development Program in 2019. He drove new initiatives across the School while challenging existing practices and finding new ways to interpret and apply meaningful data in relation to VCE results. Joining the International Boys’ Schools Coalition Research Committee in 2018, Peter was lead facilitator of the very successful Regional Conference, held at Scotch in 2019. He is currently on the IBSC’s Board of Trustees. He played a key role in establishing
the Centre for Learning and conducted many department reviews. Peter’s input was also found in the Principal’s presentations at every Council Strategy Day. The underlying thread was improving the educational outcomes for each Scotch boy. Peter is an outstanding teacher with an impressive command of his subject. With great ability to anticipate the troubles boys faced in mastering the subject while forging strong relationships with those in his charge, Peter ensured those boys fortunate to have him as teacher achieved results of the highest order. For each of his 10 years Peter enthusiastically coached the Year 7A ‘Coutis Cricket Academy’, achieving three undefeated seasons and four Teams of the Season awards. His passion for cricket was evident in each call for agenda, which was accompanied with a historical snapshot referencing some obscure cricket event. Peter’s musical talents were on display with some memorable performances on the bouzouki. A wonderful colleague, with a good sense of humour, powerful intellect and strong moral compass, Peter will be dearly missed. A telling tribute to his character is that Peter considered his most profound Scotch experience was his involvement in the Sony camp, a weekend respite care program for families with seriously disabled children. STEVE DE DOMENICO
Appointed in 2008 to a Mathematics position, Steve’s interest and curiosity in programming and the mechanisms and workings of machines saw him expand his repertoire to include Systems Engineering, Robotics and Programming, in addition to establishing and running the Scotch Enterprise Project. Whether explaining the intricacies of differential calculus, pointing out how the calculator can be used to solve the most complex of mathematical problems, or producing an Arduino switch to move a robot from point A to point B, Steve approached every aspect of his teaching in an enthusiastic, caring manner. High standards were set alongside the individual
support and encouragement that made them attainable for each boy. Soon after his arrival, Steve joined the boarding community as a Resident Academic Tutor, a position he held for six and a half years. He was soon appointed Head of Fleming House, leading the boys in aqua for 12 years, where his calm demeanour, organised approach and genuinely kind nature saw him provide wonderful support and guidance to the boys in his care, earning the gratitude of boys and parents. Beyond classroom and design laboratory, Steve oversaw hockey teams, on the pitch as coach and behind the scenes as Teacher-inCharge. In winter he was on the sidelines of soccer pitches as manager of the 1st Soccer team. Steve also accompanied hockey tours to Argentina and soccer tours to Germany. Steve coached tennis and was Manager of the 1st Lawn Bowls team. During services afternoons Steve was, most recently, an integral member of the Food Immersion Program. Prior to this he was involved in mountain biking as part of the Year 10 Activities Program. Becoming Academic Coordinator – Studies at the beginning of this year, Steve’s high level of organisation and ability to find more efficient ways to complete complex tasks saw him manage the many staff absences, a role he performed with great empathy, humour and generosity of spirit. With good grace, a strong commitment to work, and humility, Steve brought meaningful change to the lives of Scotch boys. LEANDRA FLORES
Leandra came to Scotch in 2014 as a Science Administration Assistant on a temporary placement. The School soon learned of her great work ethic, strong administrative skillset along with her years of experience in biology and laboratories. She was soon offered a permanent role as Laboratory Technician. Leandra’s skillset and professionalism cannot be easily replaced. We will miss working with a much respected colleague, who always went above and beyond in all of the roles she held in the Science
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STAFF FAREWELLS Department. Her collegiality and the scientific knowledge she shared were very much appreciated. JULIE-ANNE MAYER
Julie-Anne began at Scotch in May 2017 in the key role of Events Manager. She successfully navigated the challenges involved in managing functions and events around the School, handling them with a professional, positive approach and setting high standards. Developing relationships and friendships with staff, school auxiliaries, contractors and outside user groups was characteristic of Julie-Anne, and was appreciated by many people in the Scotch community. Initiatives developed and implemented as a result of her knowledge and depth of experience have led to improvements in the organisation and operation of functions and events, such as the staff end of year Christmas lunch moving from the traditional lunch in the Boarding precinct to a festive long lunch on Monash drive, as well as changes and financial savings in the operation of Family Day. She also implemented significant initiatives ranging from dietary guidelines for camps at Healesville and Cowes and development of emergency evacuation procedures; front of house supervision for events; warden training; and improvements in food handling practices; public liability issues; business registration and RSA certification. During COVID, in the absence of functions and events, Julie-Anne assisted Finance with the collection of debts. JulieAnne was instrumental in guiding families through payment plans and fee assistance options, while at the same time ensuring that fees were collected to support the School’s operations. Julie-Anne’s formidable contributions have left a valuable legacy. She will be missed for her vibrant character and strong connections with many in the wider Scotch community, and particularly with her colleagues in the Maintenance and catering teams at Scotch.
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JUANITA MCCREERY
Juanita came to Scotch in 2017 as Boarding Marketing and Communications Coordinator. During her five years in this role, Juanita developed a very successful marketing strategy for the Hill, focusing on promoting the School’s boarding facilities to rural and regional families. One of the many successful initiatives Juanita implemented was a week-long promotional tour of boarding, incorporating regional towns throughout southern NSW and north-western Victoria. She also attended field days, conducted boarding tours and worked closely with Admissions, ensuring boarding enquiries were handled with due consideration. Her positive and engaging disposition, excellent organisational skills and marketing acumen all combined to ensure she was a very successful advocate for Scotch College boarding. Juanita left Scotch to focus on her own marketing business, having played a significant role in establishing Scotch boarding as a pre-eminent destination for rural and regional families. LOUISE MILES
Louise joined the Scotch staff in May 2014, having previously worked at Ivanhoe Grammar School. Over the last eight years Louise has worked with and supported four Directors of Admissions and has embraced the changes within Scotch’s Admissions Department. Louise came with a wealth of admissions knowledge, which assisted her to manage complex projects from end to end, such as the Scholarship Day right through to dayto-day dealings with prospective families. Louise has effectively communicated her knowledge to the wider community over the years. Many families have benefited and have been grateful for her extensive knowledge and understanding of the admissions application to enrolment process. Louise has been willing to put in extra work when the
need arose for those extra busy times, and has proficiently undertaken a wide range of challenges and responsibilities. In doing so, she has introduced a number of improved processes and leaves the office in a stronger place for future enrolments. Louise has a cheerful laugh and a good sense of humour, and has made a number of friends during her time at Scotch. MATT MONAGHAN
Matt Monaghan resigned at the end of 2021. Appointed to a full-time position at the start of 2008, Matt taught all levels of Years 7 to 12 Health and Physical Education and VCE Physical Education. Matt also spent time in the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science as Teacher of Junior Science. Matt’s teaching was characterised by strong subject knowledge, the setting of high standards, an innovative approach to the structure of the Physical Education curriculum and the ability to form strong relationships with the boys in his care. All such traits were to the fore during Matt’s tenure as Head of Physical Education, a role he undertook in an acting capacity during Mr Chris Hayes’ period of leave and during a permanent year-long stint in 2021. During his time at Scotch, Matt was a caring, well organised and diligent tutor in Field House. Matt’s love of the outdoors and strong organisational skills were apparent during his tenure as coordinator of the Year 9 Outdoor Expedition Program, when he led numerous camps throughout Victoria and South Australia, and during the School’s Overseas Exchange Program. A talented sportsman himself, over the journey Matt coached football, athletics and was Teacherin-Charge of Hockey. LACHLAN PALAMARA
Lachlan Palamara began at Scotch as a full-time Librarian in November 2019. Lachlan was instrumental in the development of the Senior Library’s online
homepages. In doing so he engaged with many teachers and departments to create subject and topic-specific guides of library resources. He also played a significant role in upgrading the Library’s catalogue and collections. Lachlan supported the Indigenous Culture Festival by creating the website and the promotional materials for the festival. Lachlan engaged with the boys at all levels, and encouraged reading in the Library student LitClub. He provided sessions for English classes and was an enthusiastic advocate for reading with boys at the Library desk. Lachlan was a member of the NonTeaching Consultation Committee and was an active representative for non-teaching staff. He will be missed by boys and staff alike. PETER REARDON
When Major Peter Reardon arrived at Scotch in 2009 in a part-time capacity as a Training Adviser to the Scotch College Cadet Army Unit, his considerable knowledge and skills, and his service with the Army Reserve and at Victorian Cadet Headquarters, were immediately apparent. In 2012, Peter was appointed the unit’s Officer Commanding, as he moved to manage the whole cadet training program. He has since made sure all our cadets have had challenging and engaging experiences safely each Wednesday afternoon, on bivouacs, annual field exercises and leadership courses. Peter also organised many annual Cadet Tattoos at Scotch, including the ‘Centenary of Anzac’ Tattoo in April 2015. He has also organised attendance of our senior boys at many Sir John Monash commemorative services, and has ensured boys are ready to march with 9th Division banners each Anzac Day. As Officer Commanding our unit, Peter also hosted groups of cadets from the UK to Sydney and Canberra on behalf of the Victorian AAC. A highlight was when he was invited to join a trip to the UK, France and Belgium to commemorate the Centenary of Armistice at the end of 2018. But most of all, Peter has enjoyed the daily chance to collaborate with many outstanding senior
boys to deliver the best experience they could for junior cadets. He will continue to be involved with our Cadet Unit in his new role as Commanding Officer of the Melbourne Schools Battalion. The Scotch College Army Cadet Unit recognises that we are all in Major Reardon’s debt for the great service he has rendered to our unit over the last 15 years, 10 of them as OC. His attention to detail, and astute consideration of possible problems have made him an unrivalled forward-planner, and his extensive knowledge and connections have made him peerless when boots have hit the ground. DAVID SKELT
David was appointed in 2010 as a teacher of General Science and senior Biology, and he taught across all year levels. Using his past skills as a veterinarian, he soon established a wonderful rapport with his students, incorporating practical skills into his teachings. His skills with scalpel and retractor led to the establishment of the inaugural holiday program: ‘An introduction to surgical techniques for Years 6 & 7 students’. Although much enjoyed it was relatively short lived, as David soon appreciated the challenges of managing enthusiastic young boys wielding razor-sharp scalpels. David’s empathetic nature, considered approach, and commitment to the cause were very much in evidence in his role as Head of Bond House, a position to which he was appointed in 2014. Throughout his time as a Head of House, David consistently put the needs of his students first. A calming presence, with a genuine interest in their lives, he guided many young men in magenta through the challenges of adolescence. If one were to look for an example of how best to conduct relational teaching, in its truest form, you would do well to look to Mr Skelt as a fine example. Outside of the Biology Laboratory David’s contribution was broad and significant. In his early years he was Teacherin-Charge of Badminton and Tutor of Year 10
Davidson. He was a driving force behind the establishment of the Nepabunna Immersion, in which boys worked with an Indigenous community in South Australia. In each of his 13 winters he inspired boys as coach of the 2nd Hockey team. As coach he won, in his words ‘too many teams of the seasons to count’. Sharing his love of, and appreciation for, the outdoors with Year 10 boys, he guided them through the wilderness as leader of the Year 10 Outdoor Leadership Program. Whether it be snow hikes across the Bluff or steep descents into the mystical Lake Tali Karng, his leadership ensured boys were safe, yet challenged. His love of the outdoors inspired many Scotch boys to continue with their outdoor pursuits after leaving school. A true gentleman with an adventurous spirit, David has fired up his favourite motorbike (he has several), the Sprint ST, in the Scotch car park for the last time. He left Scotch with the knowledge of a job well done; of boys taught with passion and skill, of boys with an enduring love of hockey and the outdoors, and of colleagues with fond memories of their clever and considerate friend. David’s contribution to Scotch was significant and far reaching, and he will be sorely missed. MARTIN WIDAYAT
Martin has been a Scotch employee since April 2022. Before that he was employed by Chartwells from February 2012 in a supervisory role for catering, functions and events. In 2014 Martin was promoted to Functions Manager, continuing with Chartwells until the move to the position of Events Administrator with Scotch in April this year. Martin seamlessly established many contacts at Scotch with School Council, staff and the wider Scotch community. He always displayed an enviable work ethic, ready to help, with an attitude of ‘nothing is ever too hard or impossible to achieve’. Martin’s cheery and helpful disposition, along with his knowledge of event operations and catering at Scotch, will be dearly missed.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 55
DRAMA
EXODUS – AN EXPLORATION OF REFUGEE STORIES IN AUSTRALIA Since 2008, through the Services Immersion Program, Scotch boys have been working with community organisations to gain a greater understanding of key social justice issues, by connecting with people’s lived experiences and then creating a performance based on these stories. This year we performed Exodus, exploring refugee stories in Australia and the experience of off-shore detention. We partnered with Jesuit Social Services and their ‘Just Voices’ program so that boys could meet with and share the lived experiences of current
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BUILDING BOYS’ EMPATHY, ADVOCACY, PERFORMANCE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS
asylum seekers and refugees living in Melbourne. We hope that through this process of listening and interpreting, boys are able to build empathy, advocacy, performance and leadership skills. In Terms 1 and 2, Drama Immersion boys researched, interviewed and developed the play. In the final week of Term 3, the show was rehearsed, performed and stage managed by seven Year 11 boys, who recreated refugee stories with great empathy, respect and talent. Performed in the intimate setting of the James Forbes Academy’s Cramond Studio, the show was designed to build awareness
AN ENGAGING, CHALLENGING PERFORMANCE EXODUS RESPECTFULLY RE-ENACTED REFUGEES’ STORIES EXODUS WAS DESIGNED TO BUILD AWARENESS OF REFUGEE EXPERIENCES THROUGH CONNECTION TO PERSONAL STORIES. THIS PHOTO: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT; THOMAS GALLACHER, XAVIER SMITH, BAILEY COLE, JACK ARMSTRONG, TOM HANDBURY ABOVE RIGHT: FROM LEFT; TOM HANBURY, JACK ARMSTRONG, XAVIER SMITH
through connection to personal stories and it had a real impact on everyone involved. We wish to congratulate all of the boys who participated and thank the refugees and detention staff who so generously shared their stories with us. There’s something about this project which is unique in the way it captures the Scotch Spirit, and an immersion such as this only works with the dedication, passion and creativity of all involved. OPHELIA HOPKINS – DRAMA TEACHER
Performed in the Cramond Studio, Exodus was an engaging performance which challenged audiences. During Terms 1 and 2, for the Social Justice Drama Immersion we were fortunate enough to have refugees from Jesuit Social Services and their Just Voices program come to Scotch and tell us their stories of the extreme reasons why they left their country, their difficulties in offshore detention, as well as the hardships they have since faced in this country. The play’s purpose was to respectfully re-enact these stories in a way that would have the greatest impact on audiences, and hopefully start a conversation of how we, as a country, treat refugees. For me – and I’m sure all the other boys will agree – the experience was not only confronting but one of deeper understanding of what we as a country need to do to protect and support refugees. It was through acting out their stories that I was able to personally connect with their hardships and gain greater insight into the harsh truth of their past. With an incredible set and backstage crew, we were able to perform a truly moving performance and I would like to thank the Drama Department staff for their help and support in creating the play, and the refugees who shared their stories with us and allowed us to create the play. XAVIER SMITH – YEAR 11
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DRAMA
EXAMINACTION OPENS A GATEWAY OF OPPORTUNITIES YEAR 7 DRAMA PROJECT WAS A FIRST FOR SCOTCH Little did we know that staying back on one cold and gloomy Friday would open up a gateway of opportunities. One by one we nervously auditioned for the Year 7 play in front of Ms Sandpearl, Charlie Veitch and Rex Cameron (two Old Scotch boys from the Class of 2019, who wrote the play). When I found out I had a role, I was so excited and couldn’t wait to find out more about the intriguingly titled ExaminAction. This was the first time that Scotch had offered a Year 7 project, and in order to fit it into the jam-packed co-curricular timetable, rehearsals needed to be short, over just two weekends. Each of us had a different director in a different scene. On the morning of Saturday 27 August, I arrived at the Drama Department to face the first rehearsal: a seven-hour-long marathon. All of the cast agreed that the rehearsals were gruelling, yet also
really fun, and they were just what we needed to get ready to perform. Under the common theme of ‘The Test’, the play ‘started with adventure, romance, then spying’, as one key character tells it. We all played multiple roles. I played a henchman, a knight and best of all, a spy! When Family Day came around, we were not nervous as we had been prepared by our amazing directors and Head of Drama. The lights dimmed, the curtain rose, and ExaminAction began. We couldn’t have done it without the amazing backstage crew, and I would like to thank our directors, Charlie, Rex, Con and Ethan and the Head of Drama, Ms Sandpearl for all of the long hours spent making our play such a masterpiece. SAM HINTON – YEAR 7
YEAR 7 BOYS IN SCENES FROM EXAMINACTION. TOP LEFT PHOTO: ALEXANDER ANG AND JESSE MCINERNEY. TOP RIGHT (FRONT), LEFT TO RIGHT: ETHAN BATES, ALEX KORMENDY, GABRIEL KING, JACKSON MCLEOD. BELOW LEFT, LEFT TO RIGHT: LIAM COGLEY, ALEXANDER BROWN, JACKSON MCLEOD. THIS PHOTO: DARCY BOWN
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TOP PHOTO, LEFT TO RIGHT: WILLIAM TELFER, AARYAN BERERA, ALEXANDER ANG, SAM HINTON, JESSE MCINERNEY BOTTOM LEFT: WILLIM TELFER AND SAM HINTON
EXAMINACTION – SOMETHING ESCAPIST, PERFORMED LIVE After countless weeks hunkered down in isolation, Rex Cameron (’19 – Old Boy, my long-time mate and co-writer) and I started to feel the creative itch. With Zoom calls fast becoming our main form of connection with the outside world, immediately we knew we wanted to write something escapist, performed live, and above all, a story that we would’ve loved to tell when we were in Year 7. And thus, the play ExaminAction was born! The general gist: thrust into a surprise English Test, Year 7 students Terry, Frank and Luke must learn to work together when they are transported into the crazy worlds of the English texts they studied: a thrilling adventure novel, a Shakespearean play and a high stakes spy film! After a fantastic digital theatre iteration in 2021, this year we were finally able to realise ExaminAction in all its live performance glory. And although we did several different productions while at Scotch, this will truly go down as one of the most surreal and rewarding. Although Rex and I would crack ourselves up reading the script to ourselves during lockdown, it was an infinitely better experience to collaborate with our talented and enthusiastic cast and crew who so brilliantly embraced our silly words and jokes. Throughout the crazy three weekend rehearsal period, Rex and I, as well as our stellar co-directors Con Coutis (’17) and Ethan Wischer (’20), were constantly blown away by the curiosity and play
with which the boys approached the process. It might not seem like it, but there’s genuinely nothing as encouraging as one of the boys coming up to Rex and me, telling us that there was the odd story or character inconsistency in our script. Guilty as charged! There certainly were a few, but seeing that level of attention and engagement is the reason we were so excited to come back and work with a new generation of Scotch Drama students. We cannot wait to see the incredible productions to come as we know they are in safe hands! CHARLIE VEITCH (’19)
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MUSIC
RETURNING TO LIVE MUSIC! If there has been a theme to music at Scotch this year, it has been a return to live music, and to extol the virtue of keeping music live! ‘Keep Music Live’ was the slogan that the Musicians’ Union in the UK used, and like many of my fellow musicians in the UK, I drove around with the big round yellow sticker prominently displayed on my car, urging this sentiment! Obviously, the MU had the vested interests of its members in mind, but the slogan was borrowed by the UK’s National Festival of Music for Youth, adapting it to ‘Keep Music Live in Our Schools’. A number of performances happened in Term 4 this year to remind me of the importance of live performances, and Term 4 commenced with the Jazz Cabaret. This event features the two senior jazz ensembles, the Show Band, directed by Megan Philip, Head of Bands, and the Stage Band, directed by Chris Farrands, Head of Brass. The Cardinals, the close harmony vocal ensemble, directed by Andrew Hunter, is also featured, and sang
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superbly. By tradition, there is always a guest act. This year, the guest artist was Kate K-S, a songwriter, performer and producer. Born in Adelaide, and the recipient of many awards, she moved to New York at the age of 25 where she has enjoyed a successful career with performances that included The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Graham Norton Show and the 2018 Grammy Awards. She was a delight to work with, and Xavier Tang joined her and her band on stage to present an improvised performance of pure jazz where Xavier acquitted himself with aplomb! She also joined the Show Band, bringing joy to all. The Jazz Cabaret is the highlight of the year for the jazz ensembles, and both bands played superbly. The Show Band players were all in Year 12, so this was their final performance. However, the Stage Band, effectively the 2023 Show Band, demonstrated that there is nothing to be concerned about – they were great! One special moment of the evening is the presentation of the Howard Belling Award for
JO BLANKFIELD WITH CAMBIATA CHOIR. TOP RIGHT: ANNE BRISK WITH DREYFUS BAND. RIGHT: LEON FEI (CONCERTMASTER, AND CAPTAIN OF MUSIC) SHAKES HANDS WITH CONDUCTOR YUKI GOH (’19).
Jazz Studies. The late Howard Belling was something of a legend at Scotch. He was from South Africa, and a personal friend of Nelson Mandela. He was a lawyer, as well as a jazz pianist, and was involved in some important cases regarding apartheid. He features in the literature about South African jazz, and he was greatly treasured by staff and students alike. This year, the award went to the outstanding saxophonist and singer, Xavier Tang. Indeed, it was fitting that Xavier featured on the saxophone, and also closed the evening singing It’s Not Unusual, backed by the Show Band, and while the song suggested it's not unusual, Xavier demonstrated that he certainly is! A concert that deserves special mention actually happened in Term 3 on 11 August. The Combined Schools Orchestra Concert was run exclusively by the boys, and featured students from Scotch, PLC, MLC, Camberwell Boys’ and Girls’ Grammar Schools, Melbourne Grammar and Melbourne Girls’ Grammar. There was
MORRISON STREET BIG BAND LEON DUNCAN WITH THE YEAR 8 CONCERT BAND
also a guest act from the St Leonard’s Show Band. The concert was organised principally by Captain of Music, Leon Fei, with help from Brandon Pai, Shane Gan and Joshua Munday. Head of Strings, Ben Castle also deserves great credit for supervising the rehearsals, and David Brown was also most helpful. The conductor was my former conducting student, Yuki Goh (Class of 2019), and he did a superb job! The orchestra was excellent. I had the privilege of conducting one rehearsal when Yuki was unavailable, and I was delighted with the quality of this 80-piece symphony orchestra, assembled by Leon. The concert itself was fabulous, and included great classics such as Shostakovich’s Festive Overture as well as show tunes. Two brilliant flautists performed as soloists; Minwu Hu (Captain of Music at PLC) and Freddy Branson from Camberwell Grammar. The concert raised several thousand dollars for the charity AMAZE that supports people with autism. But back to Term 4. The Spring Concert,
featured all the intermediate ensembles, and opened with Chris Farrands conducting the Intermediate Orchestra. The concert was highly polished, and, in the spirit that all of us in the Music School are students of music, I was delighted that the brilliant staff violinist, Emma Martin, a conducting student of mine, gave her debut as a conductor of the Touzeau Strings! The music never really stops. The Music in Miniature concert that featured the small ensembles was superbly organised by Sarah Ellison. There were several recitals for students from Junior School through to the senior boys, on all instruments. At the time of writing, the Junior School Concert, the Summer Prom and the Carol Service are still to come, and in January our Symphony Orchestra is due to fly to Europe, with a range of performances in cities that include Paris, Ghent, Brussels, Manchester and London. There has been some exceptional music this year, performed at genuinely high levels. While I am privileged to conduct some of
the main performances, I must pay tribute to our parents who encourage and cajole the boys to practice, to the remarkable staff at Scotch (and musicians from outside Scotch) who teach individual lessons, and to the staff who direct the younger ensembles and take sectional rehearsals. A particular strength stems from the fact that virtually all music staff perform professionally, and although some have retired from the concert stage, all have been there. It is this level of musicianship and musical insight from the staff that, I hope, infects our young musicians, and underpins the notion that in the music school we are all musicians, striving for artistic excellence, at our various levels of development, be we eight years old, or 80! Thank you for coming to our concerts, and for helping to keep music live in our school! DR JOHN FERGUSON – DIRECTOR OF MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY: DR JOHN FERGUSON
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ART
Senior School Art students engage with the art and design industries through a series of rich and varied excursions and incursions. Visiting museums and galleries as well as design studios, art precincts and other places of interest gives our students a valuable insight into the importance that is placed on art and design in the modern world. This exposure to the creative industries has contributed to a steady increase in the number of our graduates choosing to pursue careers in art and design. Below are three boys’ impressions of their excursions. YUDHA SCHOLES – HEAD OF ART
BUILDING A CREATIVE VOCABULARY
We started our day off at the Picasso exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. Many of the boys enjoyed the experience very much with the very simple, yet creative artworks made by Picasso. After that we went to Blender Studio for a tour led by the director, Adrian Doyle, who showed us his office and alleyway. Mr Doyle was a very strong believer in graffiti and letting people share their artwork with the world. We then made our own stencil and graffiti designs and sprayed them on a canvas. KIP SCARBOROUGH – YEAR 10
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The Visual Arts Excursion this year included a guided tour of some of Melbourne’s iconic buildings, looking at architecture and design. This provided me with insight into the meaning and development of these structures, inspiring my new-found interest in architecture. Our class also attended the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and we were exposed to a wide variety of TV, film, video games and art exhibitions. I enjoyed the film exhibits and being exposed to a range of techniques and styles which has further ignited my interest in film-making. COOPER PHILLPOT – YEAR 10 Our brief was to create a surf/skate logo and brand. Going on this excursion helped us create ideas and photos to showcase our brands We gathered inspiration from the designers at Homelessness of Melbourne Incorporated Enterprise and learned about their design process. They used recycled materials to create unique products. We then visited the Preston DIY skatepark to take photos in the urban environment. We used the skatepark to immerse ourselves in the skate culture and as a background for our brand advertising photos. SEB TROY – YEAR 9
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ART
MORE THAN 500 STUDENT ARTWORKS WERE DISPLAYED IN THE LITHGOW CENTRE ON FAMILY DAY
FAMILY DAY ART SHOW: BOYS Sharing their artworks with an audience is an important part of our students’ Visual Art program, so it was wonderful to be able to present our Family Day Senior Art display again in 2022. With over 500 artworks on display in the atrium of the Lithgow Centre, the Scotch community was able to enjoy our students’ vibrant creativity and specialised skills in a broad range of contemporary and traditional art forms. The boys were thrilled to have so many people stop by and engage with their artworks. It is one of the great Family Day traditions. YUDHA SCHOLES – HEAD OF ART PHOTOGRAPHY – YUDHA SCHOLES
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DISPLAY THEIR CREATIVITY
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STAFF IN PROFILE
Could you tell us about your role and the activities you have previously or currently been involved with at Scotch? I am currently a Chemistry and Science Teacher at Scotch. I have in the past taken on roles including Teacher-in-Charge of Skiing and Head of Years 7 to 9 Science. Over the years I have enjoyed being involved in many activities: coaching hockey, tennis and water polo, kayaking, the Year 8 hike and of course many Years 7 and 8 camps. I have been fortunate also to have had the opportunity to attend several ski camps, a hockey tour, hiking in Nepal, and I experienced a Year 10 outback trip, all with fabulous groups of boys and staff. What generally constitutes some of the highlights of your week and keeps on motivating you? My motivation continues to come from the relationships you develop working with boys of all abilities, encouraging them to be their best and achieve more than they may ever have thought they had in them.
Interview: JULIA SCARFF CHEMISTRY AND SCIENCE TEACHER Let’s start by finding out about your background prior to working at Scotch. Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself? I grew up in north-east Victoria and moved to Melbourne to attend Melbourne University, where I completed my Science Degree. At the end of my degree I completed a studentship at Uncle Ben’s, where I worked in the pilot plant of the research and development department creating a new refrigerated dog food. Although it was an amazing experience I returned to study to complete my Dip Ed. During my high school years I had often found myself teaching my friends, particularly mathematics. This probably kindled the beginnings of my interest in becoming a teacher. My first teaching job was at Geelong Grammar School before teaching at Scotch from 1994. I left for eight years, first to teach in Adelaide, then at Caulfield Grammar School, during which time I had my three boys. I returned to Scotch in 2008.
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On a personal note, would you mind sharing some of your passions and hobbies? I am still managing to play both senior and masters hockey. I play with a great bunch of women of all ages. I love the team aspect of hockey and the commitment that comes with being part of a team. I am more a social tennis player these days and walking has become one of my favourite ways to catch up with friends. The youngest member of our family, our two-year-old COVID cavoodle, also loves our walks. I am a regular reader when I can find a quiet moment and I love to travel both domestically and internationally. Everyone loves a good story, so are there any particular anecdotes or memories that you could share with us? Nepal was an amazing experience with so many fabulous memories; our small plane landing in a sloping paddock between hilltops, boys painting a local school, meeting beautiful Nepalese people along the way, walking with the goat that later became dinner, washing my hair with Ms Fay Leong on day 10 standing on top of a cliff looking down Everest Valley, a boy who went quietly to play marbles with a local kid soon to be surrounded by a group, overcoming the language barrier, the boys playing cricket with our Sherpas and locals whenever we could find flat ground, and the boys encouraging each other in those tough moments of hiking.
I am also part of the hard surface cleaning team that helps keep our paths, roadways and stormwater drains clean by collecting the abundance of leaf litter that is produced from our many deciduous trees. Other school activities that I have been involved in include the fly-fishing camp that I was involved in for 13 years and the many team-building activities I experienced at Cowes with our team.
Interview: DAVE BRENNAN GROUNDS LABOURER Let’s start by finding out about your background prior to working at Scotch. Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself? My early years in the workforce were quite hectic, as I went from job to job quite often as I was trying to find my feet. I worked in several different sectors. Firstly, I worked for several years as an orderly at the Alfred and Cabrini Hospitals with short stints at the Royal Melbourne and Austin Hospitals. After some years working as an orderly at the Alfred Hospital, a position became available to work in the gardens at the hospital. I applied successfully, winning the position, as I already had many years’ experience as a very enthusiastic hobby gardener, and doing much of my own study and research into all things horticulture. Could you tell us about your role and the activities you have previously or currently been involved with at Scotch? I began at Scotch in 2002 and at the beginning I wasn’t confident that I would fulfil my probation time. But sure enough, I must have impressed and was soon offered the position on a permanent full-time basis, and here I am some 20 years later. My role as Grounds Labourer at Scotch involves the upkeep and maintenance of gardens and outdoor areas of the School. Regular duties include planting, pruning, weeding, mulching of garden beds around the Senior School campus, and when conditions are dry – mainly throughout the summer months – I ensure the gardens are adequately watered and fertilised as required.
What generally constitutes some of the highlights of your week and keeps on motivating you? I’d say that I have been looked after, because every day I am surrounded by what I absolutely love: nature at its finest. When you look around at the magnificent river red gums near the Montgomery hockey courts that provide a sanctuary for the many beautiful birds such as rainbow lorikeets, red-rumped parrots and eastern rosellas flying about, I am grateful that I can help maintain the beautiful gardens for everyone to enjoy. There are many people at Scotch who have been a real motivating force for me due to their caring and positive nature. My manager, Mick Smith, my 2I/C, Dallas Lyons, the Property Manager, Bill Sciarretta and the Risk Manager, Annemaree Jones are among others who have all provided guidance and reassurance. On a personal note, would you mind sharing some of your passions and hobbies? My two lifelong passions are recreational fishing and gardening. In the world of fishing I love ultra-light fly fishing for trout in small mountain streams around Australia. In gardening I love to specialise in Australian native gardens. I also enjoy bushwalking, the study of and observing native flora, bird-watching and camping. These activities give me huge satisfaction and a sense of relaxation. Everyone loves a good story, so are there any particular anecdotes or memories that you could share with us? I would have to say the best memories I have that are most prominent for me are the fly fishing camps that I’ve had the pleasure to be on. It was a pleasure to attempt to pass on my experience and knowledge of fly fishing so I could inspire some to become lifelong fly fishers like me and gain a true appreciation for the natural world.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 67
SPORT
ATHLETICS AND WATER POLO PERFORMED WELL IN THE SPRING MOST SUCCESSFUL ATHLETICS SEASON SINCE 2006
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MAIN PICTURE: BART LEETON (YEAR 8). SMALLER PICTURE: FRED LEETON (YEAR 12). OPPOSITE PAGE: SAM ALLEN (YEAR 9)
The spring sport season brought great success for both the Scotch Athletics and Water Polo Programs. Both sports involve significant participation, with more than 300 boys in athletics and a further 160 boys in water polo. Both sports finished third in their respective programs at senior level; but most importantly, this season provided the first opportunity in three years for boys to engage in these sports across all age groups. The Scotch APS Athletics Sports Finals team enjoyed its most successful season since 2006. The team performed extremely well on the day, although the success can certainly be attributed to the significant engagement that took place throughout the entire season. The sea of red singlets was a regular sight at lead-up meets and training. Our boys were willing to give of themselves and try all events. Within the season, there were countless stories of boys finding out they were actually quite talented at an event. The lead-up meets saw some steady progress from within the
squad, with a clear improvement shown by boys who trained and competed regularly. The first serious event took place at Lakeside Stadium in the last week of Term 3. Lachlan Gumley (Year 8) and Thomas Simpson (Year 7) won the under 14 field events relay, and we had some exceptional runs on the track, with the under 16 4 x 400m relay team winning the gold medal. The team consisted of Sam Allen (Year 9), Bart Leeton, Hugo Stubbs and Jarred Munro (all Year 8). A large and committed group of boys attended training and a meet at Box Hill athletics track during holiday training. This was a critical time in our season, and the boys gained a great deal from the technical coaching and fitness gains over this period. A final lead-up meet at Lakeside Stadium acted as a dress rehearsal for finals day and allowed boys to conduct final run-offs to select our senior team. On heats day, the boys set out to qualify for as many A finals as possible, with a target of 14 put to the squad by the coaching group. The sprinters smashed this goal, making 16 out of a possible 21 A finals, including 11 of the 12 relay events. The hurdles heats were cancelled due to the wet weather, making this number an even more impressive accomplishment. Finals day was a day to remember, as it was the first time the boys’ and girls’ events were held concurrently in an elongated program. The Scotch boys found a little bit extra to perform to their best, with an excellent start to the day enabling the boys to make an early play for a top three position. Lewis Lamont (Year 7) recorded a huge personal best in the under 14 shot put to win the event and our 800m events were consistently strong. Bart Leeton won the under 15 800m, while Sam Allen finished second. Eleven school records were broken on the day, with two new APS records also set by Scotch boys. Bart Leeton set a new APS record in the under 15 1500m with a run of 4.06, while Lachlan Gumley set an APS record with a throw of 37.06m in the discus. Multi-class athlete Tom Roach (Year 8) participated in the first-ever scheduled events, and set four new records in the 100m, 200m, shot put and long jump. We also broke school records in the under 14 4 x 100m (Jock McWilliams (Year 8)), Joshua Kurtz, Ethan Lefkos, Ethan
Herbert (all Year 7) and 4 x 400m relays (Jock McWilliams, William Gregory (both Year 8), Albert Elsom, Carl Gerstman (both Year 7), the under 16 (Atupuha Vaea – Year 9) and under 17 discus (Hugh Bailey – Year 11) and the under 16 high jump (Sam Allen). The relays were consistent, with the 11 A final qualifications holding us in great stead. The final event of the open 4 x 100m relays was a highlight, with Cooper Stanley, Harley Robinson (both Year 11), Henry Meggitt and Will Hucker (both Year 12) delivering an inspirational run to finish a few centimetres behind St Kevin’s. Scotch ultimately finished third in the APS Finals with 447 points, behind Wesley College (552.5) and Melbourne Grammar School (493.5). A result such as this does not occur without the commitment of many people, and I would like to acknowledge the boys involved in the broader program for their involvement and engagement. They committed all season, and this was evident in the level of improvement shown by all boys, not just those who represented at senior level. Our Captain, Fred Leeton and Vice Captains, Nathan Munro and Robert Barber established some high standards and expectations for the squad. They also acted as brilliant role models for their peers and were extremely supportive of the younger and older boys within the team. Finally, a huge thanks to the coaches and teaching staff who allowed such a large program to work so effectively. Head Athletics Coach, Leana Joyce led this group with distinction and established a clear plan of attack from the first session. We look forward to seeing what future years hold for this sport and strongly encourage all those boys returning to the program to continue to aim high. The Wickens Award, for best performed athletes in the APS Athletics Sports Finals in each age group, went to Jock McWilliams (under 14), Bart Leeton (under 15), Sam Allen (under 16), Rory Vial (under 17) and Will Hucker (open). The Chris Commons Award for best performed field athlete on APS Finals day went to Lachlan Gumley (Year 8). The Don Davenport Award, for a boy who has made an outstanding contribution to Scotch athletics in his time, went to Fred Leeton (Year 12).
In water polo, Scotch finished in equal third position. An outstanding 10-7 win against St Kevin’s was the highlight of the season. The team started with a challenging loss to Wesley in the opening round, but grew in confidence after a 16-2 win against Carey in round two. A hard-earned 10-8 victory against Melbourne Grammar put the team in a strong position to contend for a top three finish. Despite a loss to Brighton, the team lifted and played a good system that balanced attack and defence. A 10-7 win against St Kevin’s allowed the squad to finish on the podium. The team was well led by Captain Toby McOmish and Vice Captain Will Roberts, and Jimmy Suttle (Year 11) was the standout player across the season. Jimmy was Scotch’s only student selected in the APS water polo representative squad and was our leading goal scorer. Amazingly, he was also selected in both the under 18 and under 19 state water polo teams, and the Victorian men’s National League squad. The future looks promising for water polo at Scotch, with many of the boys playing in the Firsts team returning next year. The junior program involved 61 Year 7 and 50 Year 8 boys. While most boys participated in our internal programs, we also had some good success with competitive results in the APS competition, where we won a significant number of games. The internal program is aimed at teaching the basics of the games, and both year level groups certainly enjoyed the opportunity to develop their skills and game awareness. The standout team across all age groups was the Year 9A team. The boys played with great skill, flare and a good balance of attack and defence. They won all their games, which certainly gives great encouragement for future success. STUART POWELL – DIRECTOR OF SPORT
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 69
BOARDING
UNIQUE STYLE OF PASTORAL CARE HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT TOP RIGHT: DENISE RUSSELL IN A 1995 SCHOOL HOUSE PHOTO. BELOW: DENISE WITH SCHOOL HOUSE BOYS IN 2022
‘IS MATRON IN?’
One of the more rewarding aspects of boarding is when the doorbell of the residence rings, and you open the door to one of your past boarders who has dropped in to show his new girlfriend where he went to school, or his fiancé the Chapel, or just to say g’day before heading off on an overseas odyssey. After a brief catchup, they invariably all finish with the same question – ‘Is Matron in?’ Denise Russell is into her third decade as Matron of School House. Over the course of this journey, Denise has impacted the lives of hundreds of boarders as she has tirelessly fulfilled her role. Along with the day-to-day routines of managing clothing, supervising cleaning or reminding boys to make their beds, each evening she welcomes boys into her apartment and provides her legendary suppers. If there is a birthday to celebrate, these become an extra special occasion! It is over a party pie or piece of fairy bread that Denise is able to apply her unique style of pastoral care. A question about a boy’s favourite piece of farm machinery, beloved dog or local footy team allows her to run a quick check on his emotional wellbeing. When introducing new boys to Denise for the first time, I warn them that she knows what they are thinking long before they have thought it! Such is the level of experience and empathy that she brings. If her antenna detects some homesickness or potential conflict with dorm-mates, a few wise words will usually see the boys involved returned to happiness, or well on the way to a resolution with harmony restored. Denise has always made sure that she is available to the students under her care. Her mottos include ‘you’ve got to love them all’ and ‘even if the door is closed – it’s open’. It is due to this level of care and commitment that our visiting Old Boys want to catch up to say thanks, or just reminisce about old times as they look back on a Scotch life. ANDREW ARGENT – ACTING DEAN OF BOARDING
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TOM WHITING (’18) TUTORING SCHOOL HOUSE BOARDERS
‘THERE ARE SIMPLY TOO MANY GREAT MEMORIES’ Tom Whiting (’18) first set his sights on Scotch when reading a rural newspaper in his home town of Wagga Wagga, NSW, in 2014. His mum, Deanne, a former boarder at Firbank, was well aware of the experience and lifestyle boarding offered and encouraged him to consider this for his final years of secondary school, but emphasised the decision was his. Tom didn’t need any persuasion after visiting the School, seeing the facilities and the seemingly endless space the School site provided. ‘I had the best backyard in Melbourne, and as boarders we used it well’ with memories of evenings after dinner racing out on to one of the ovals, having a kick or playing cricket, being on the city’s doorstep, having easy access to Hawthorn; ‘the location made everything accessible’. Boarding life can often be a huge adjustment, but for Tom the transition was quick and seamless. ‘Scotch is such a big boarding school. We have three Houses and within each is a family of boys. We would mix between Houses – a little like families mixing. Because of the size and the proximity to each other you find common ground pretty quickly.’ Tom fully immersed himself in his school and boarding life, and was elected to the role of Hill Captain for his final year at Scotch. He particularly enjoyed being part of the transition program for new boarders and being a point of contact for all boarders. ‘There is a strong mateship which develops between guys who live together – I loved that, and wanted to ensure all boys felt this common bond and always had someone to do things with. It was a whole new world to me. You are as busy as. I was surprised at how quickly you are doing so much extra stuff. You don’t have time to be homesick
TOM WHITING’S POSITIVE EXPERIENCES AS A SCOTCH BOARDER
or to ponder about home. You are part of something, the Red Army (supporting Scotch sports teams), everywhere there are mates.’ Tom graduated from Scotch at the end of 2018 and immediately commenced a Civil Engineering degree at RMIT University. He returned to Scotch in 2020 to take up a position as Resident Tutor in School House. For Tom this role provided him with the opportunity to care about and influence the lives of the current boarders just as the boarding staff assisted him throughout his time living on campus. ‘The younger Resident Tutors were especially helpful and great to be around. They were very relatable. You could speak freely; open up if you had issues’. He believes his role is critical to making the boarding house feel like a home more than a school. Tom has been a Resident Tutor for three years and is not looking to leave. As he sits and reflects on his years from 2016-2018 as a student at Scotch College, a boarder and ultimately the Hill Captain, Tom is convinced his decision was a particularly good one. His transition was a steep learning curve academically, coming from a much smaller school in Wagga, but Tom is quick to emphasise what he tells the boys in his charge: ‘Scotch is so much more than an academic education. It is a school which abounds with opportunity – you are not just here for the academia, so embrace it all’. Coming into boarding at Year 10, Tom believes he was mature enough and had seen enough to appreciate the opportunity boarding provided. He reflects: ‘You have to adapt and that requires resilience’. Tom emphasises that he will always try to maintain a connection with Scotch. ‘There are simply too many great memories.’
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 71
FOUNDATION
ACTIVITIES BACK TO NORMAL IN 2022 ROBUST ATTENDANCES AT FOUNDATION FUNCTIONS ASSOC. PROF. DOUG LORDING AM ('64) PRESIDENT OF THE SCOTCH COLLEGE FOUNDATION
PICTURED AT THE ALEXANDER MORRISON CIRCLE COCKTAIL PARTY ON 15 SEPTEMBER ARE JOHN CHRISTENSEN (’58), NEIL HART-SMITH (’60) AND PETER TURNLEY (’58)
As we approach the festive season, there is certainly much on which we can reflect. It’s just over a year since our last lockdown and life has got pretty much back to normal. It’s not that COVID has left us, but the lesser severity of the Omicron strain has meant we can adopt a lower-key approach. For most of the year, activities have been back to normal, and it’s been gratifying that the 2022 school leavers have had a largely uninterrupted year. The Scotch community values their opportunities to get together, catching up with old friends and hearing about what is happening around the School. Although there are still many who are cautious about public gatherings, we have seen robust attendances at our Foundation functions.
Following on from the fundraising campaign for the Rioli Family Indigenous Scholarship earlier this year, the Scotch Foundation Australian Art Show was launched on Thursday 1 September. About 175 guests attended, to view more than 250 works contributed by over 50 generous and talented artists. This led to about $75,000 being raised to support our Indigenous Program Support
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Fund, which sponsors our exchange program with Tiwi College on Melville Island and covers additional expenses for our Indigenous scholarship students. We then had an opportunity to consider the legacy of Scotch’s second Principal, Alexander Morrison, at a cocktail party in the Peter Henderson Foyer of the Science Centre on 15 September. Principal for 46 years, Morrison laid the foundation of much that remains important in the ethos of the School. The Alexander Morrison Circle members are those in our community who have indicated they have considered the School in their wills. There are 176 living members. Bequests have been an important part of our fundraising, and Bequest Program Manager Sandra Dick is always happy to hear from anyone who may be considering leaving money to the School. For those interested, Sandra hosts about eight luncheons each year, at which information about bequests is discussed. We will be hosting the East Melbourne Glen Chapter for our Christmas luncheon on 16 December, and we look forward to seeing our committed elders led enthusiastically by Ken Jasper AM ('55) at another enjoyable event. Between the Foundation and OSCA, we touch the lives of many Old Boys and their families. It’s been good to catch up with things again. I know from personal observations that Foundation and OSCA staff have been run off their feet conducting events but they have enjoyed meeting up again, and we all hope that situation continues into 2023 and beyond. Their efforts are to be applauded and I thank them all for their commitment. The Foundation was launched in 1973, so next year we will be celebrating our 50th anniversary, and we will be able to reflect on the contribution that has been made to Scotch College over that time. We will develop a program to mark this important occasion, and we look forward to sharing that in due course. In the meantime, I give my personal thanks to all those who have contributed to the Foundation this year. I’m grateful to our Executive Director Tim Shearer ('85) and all our loyal staff, but most importantly I thank the Foundation members who have given their time to serve on our committees, and to all our generous benefactors.
NO-ONE GOT POORER BY GIVING MR TIM SHEARER ('85) DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
THE JOY OF GIVING ALWAYS TRUMPS THE REALITY OF RECEIVING Behind my desk, staring at everyone who is brave enough to enter my office, sits the following warning: ‘No-one Got Poorer by Giving’. The Scotch College Foundation, through the work of the Development Office, has made solid progress this year, as it has built on the legacy of 49 years of commitment by many generous members of the Scotch Family. The vision of our Foundation’s founders should not be underestimated. One only has to look around our magnificent campus to see the impact that generations of donors have made in a physical sense. While those attending Scotch on scholarships are less visible, they too are an important ingredient in the Scotch mix and make their own impact, as have the donors supporting them. Through the School’s scholarship program, both our donors’ and scholarship recipients’ lives have been enriched. When asked about the Scotch College Foundation I usually refer to it as Scotch’s value add. I have no doubt the School would be a strong entity today if it were to rely solely on the income provided by school fees, but it is the institution it is today thanks to the ‘value add’ provided by those who have so generously invested in it through the array of programs and projects over the past 50 years. From the first Australian all-in-one sports complex, the Glenn Centre, in 1983 to the transformational performing arts centre, the James Forbes Academy, in 2002; from the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science to the Spencer Centre for Design and Technology; and from the hundreds of boys who have attended Scotch on academic scholarships to the 26 Indigenous students who have graduated with their VCE, thanks to the Indigenous Scholarship Program, Scotch unquestionably would not be what it is today without the generosity of Foundation members and the committed works of the Development Office. In my decade in the role of Director of Development and Scotch College Foundation Executive Director I have been blown away by the willingness of our community to support inspirational projects that fuel the School’s Vision and Educational Strategy. From the Year 6 boys who banded together to raise $311.95 to support the Rioli Family Indigenous Scholarship, to the Old Boy based in New York who was the beneficiary of a scholarship to Scotch, and who has paid it forward by committing $3M
to endow four perpetual scholarships, to the current parents who to date have committed $2.7M, to an array of Scotch projects, I have pretty much seen it all. I am constantly in awe of the spirit and generosity of our people, who give at whatever level they are capable of and understand the concept that the joy of giving always trumps the reality of receiving. Recently I stumbled upon the following: ‘7 Reasons Why You May Want to Reignite the Desire to Give’. 1. Giving helps others. When you give to the less fortunate, you add to their lives – and by adding to theirs, you add to yours, too. 2. Giving inspires giving. People who have been on the receiving end of kindness pay it forward, and give to others even when they have hardly anything to give. 3. Giving teaches responsibility. When you give, you may have to make sacrifices. 4. Giving cultivates self-worth. Giving makes you glow inside. 5. Giving makes you happy. You may be giving for a selfish reason – you'll feel good about yourself. 6. Giving does make a difference. No matter how much or how little you can give, you have the power to touch the life of another person, and you can affect them in ways you may never completely be aware of. 7. Giving is easy. There's so much that you can give: • You can give your time. • You can give your warmth and friendship. • You can give a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on. • And, of course, you can give materially. Whatever you decide to give, know that a pure spirit and a generous heart can be your own path to real happiness. We live in a world where not everyone is as fortunate as their neighbour. If you're able, give to others: • You'll contribute to making the world a nicer place. • You’ll make the lives of the less fortunate better. • And you’ll brighten your own soul, too. To those of you who have already invested so generously in Scotch, I sincerely thank you and hope that you have been enriched by what you have helped achieve. If you are yet to invest in Scotch, give it a try. No-one got poorer by giving.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 73
FOUNDATION
TOP LEFT: FOUNDATION PRESIDENT DOUG LORDING AM ('64) SPEAKS AT THE AMC EVENT. OTHER PHOTOS: GUESTS AND SPEAKERS AT THE EVENT.
ENJOYABLE AMC EVENT IN THE CENTRE FOR SCIENCE
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The Peter Henderson Foyer of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science was an ideal venue for an Alexander Morrison Circle (AMC) and friends’ cocktail party on the wintry evening of Thursday 15 September. Established in 2003, the AMC recognises the generosity of those who have indicated their intention to remember Scotch College in a bequest as part of their charitable intention. Fifty-five AMC members and friends enjoyed drinks, nibbles and conversation, before being warmly welcomed by Scotch Foundation Executive Director Tim Shearer (’85). Next to take the microphone was Foundation President, Associate Professor Doug Lording AM (’64), who spoke about the man in whose honour the AMC is named: Alexander Morrison, who was Principal of Scotch for 46 years, from 1857 to 1903, taking Scotch from the frenetic gold rush days into the 20th century and under whose guidance the School grew and prospered. Doug said Morrison died in office in 1903, having set the School on an enduring course. ‘It’s appropriate that we recognise his contribution to the School, and the AMC is one of the ways we do that.’ Doug thanked AMC members for having the foresight to make a bequest to Scotch. ‘May many years pass by before we need to acknowledge your contribution,’ he said. Doug introduced School Captain Tommy Livadaras. Tommy said the boys were glad and relieved that the 2022 school year had been uninterrupted by COVID lockdowns, unlike the previous two years. He said the boys were learning about philanthropy and were gaining a full appreciation of the benefits it brought to schools such as Scotch. After the speeches, guests continued to mingle and enjoy each other’s company. Thanks go to Bequest Manager, Sandra Dick and Foundation Coordinator, Rebecca Mortimer, for organising a most enjoyable event.
LEFT: BILL MORGAN (’34) AT HIS 107TH BIRTHDAY MORNING TEA. ALSO AT BILL’S MORNING TEA: RIGHT, TOP PHOTO, STANDING: DR TERRY MCLAREN (’43), KEITH WEYMOUTH ('44), TOMMY LIVADARAS (’21), BRUCE CROWL (’42); SITTING: BILL MORGAN (’34), DONALD HOWARTH (’42), JOHN MOSMAN (’43). BOTTOM, RIGHT: SCOTT MONTGOMERY (’85), TOMMY LIVADARAS (’21), BILL MORGAN (’34) BOTTOM LEFT: SANDRA DICK WITH BILL MORGAN (’34)
BILL MORGAN’S 107 TH BIRTHDAY WELL CELEBRATED ASSEMBLY VISIT THEN MORNING TEA MARKS SIGNIFICANT BIRTHDAY Joining the boys, as a very special guest, in School Assembly on 10 October was Scotch’s oldest known living Old Boy of all time, the remarkable Rev. Bill Morgan (’34), who accompanied by his son, John (’69) and OSCA Executive Director, Scott Montgomery ('85), celebrated his 107th birthday. Boys listened in respectful silence as Bill read a blessing, and then warmly applauded him. The Assembly concluded with the boys singing Happy birthday in Bill’s honour, before he joined them in an enthusiastic rendition of The College Song. Bill, who is Victoria’s oldest known living male, then joined a select group of Old Boys and their families for a delicious morning tea in the Randall Building’s Longmore Room. The 25 oldest known living Old Boys had all been invited, and Donald Howarth (’42), Maurie Smith (’41),
Bruce Crowl (’42) and John Mosman (’43) from the top 25 were there. Also present were special Scotch Family members, Mrs Gwen Head, who had celebrated her 97th birthday during the previous week, Keith Weymouth (’44) and Dr Terry McLaren (’43), who that day turned 96. As a Junior School boy, Terry recalled Bill Morgan coming to speak to the Junior School boys as 1935 School Captain about the privileges of being a Scotch boy, and Terry has never forgotten what Bill said that day. At the other end of the age spectrum, also present at the celebration were 2020 School Captain, Will Dixon ('19), and 2022 School Captain, Tommy Livadaras ('21). Archivist Paul Mishura recited a mock ‘roll call’, reading out the school numbers and names of the Old Boys present in the room, and those of many who were not
present, warning in jest that parents would receive a ‘please explain’ for those who were absent without permission. Bill effortlessly blew out the candles and cut his birthday cake. He spoke glowingly about the building developments which had occurred at Scotch since his schooldays in the 1920s and ‘30s and mentioned how grateful he was to God for granting him so many years to appreciate all that is wonderful in the world. Guests enjoyed birthday cake and the opportunity to mingle and reminisce about schooldays long past. They departed with chocolates and good wishes from the Development Office staff. Bequest Program Manager, Sandra Dick and Foundation Coordinator, Rebecca Mortimer organised this very happy and successful event.
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MORE THAN 175 GUESTS ATTENDED THE ART SHOW'S GALA COCKTAIL PARTY ON 1 SEPTEMBER
SCOTCH FOUNDATION AUSTRALIAN ART SHOW REVIVED AFTER COVID DELAYS
NEW AND EXCITING ART DISPLAYED
The Scotch Foundation hosted its third biennial Australian Art Show from 1 to 4 September, once again bringing new and exciting art to the Scotch community as well as raising funds in support of Indigenous education at Scotch and at Tiwi College in the Northern Territory. Originally scheduled to be held in early 2020 but delayed by COVID lockdowns, the 2022 Art Show was worth the wait. With more than 50 artists participating and over 250 artworks on display, the David Yu Foyer of the James Forbes Academy was transformed into an art gallery for four days in September. The show opened with a gala cocktail party on 1 September, at which more than 175 guests – including artists and event sponsors – enjoyed the first viewing of the show. They were welcomed by Foundation President Doug Lording AM (’64) and Executive Director Tim Shearer (’85). All attendees enjoyed the opportunity to socialise and inspect the variety of art on display. Opening night guests were entertained by a Scotch jazz ensemble featuring Year 12 boys Max Orloff, Jack Maxwell-Davis and Seba Negri. A particular highlight was an address by another Year 12 student, Dion Whitfield, who welcomed guests and spoke eloquently of the transformative and inspiring power of art, and the importance of the Indigenous Scholarship Program at the School. The light-filled David Yu Foyer was the perfect venue to display a wide variety of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, prints, ceramics, glass and even a mounted (taxidermied) fox. Greeting visitors on the opening night was a large illuminated and inflatable globe painted by artist (and Scotch parent) Sherry Johnstone. A huge thank you goes to the talented artists who donated a percentage of sales to the Scotch Foundation. The Art Show continued over the next three days, and as all students had been provided with a printed catalogue in the lead-up to the event, it was pleasing to see many visitors from the Scotch community dropping in to see the show over the weekend. Overall, it was an outstanding success with very healthy sales (almost 50 per cent of works on offer – an amazing result) raising valuable funds and the outstanding exhibits providing much pleasure for visitors and purchasers alike. We are grateful for the support of the artists, donors and sponsors, as well as many other members of the Scotch Family (staff and volunteers) who contributed to the organisation and running of the show, and helped to make it such a success. After a difficult period of COVID restrictions, it was wonderful to see the Scotch community coming together in large numbers. Thanks go to the Art Show committee members, who worked tirelessly to ensure the show’s success: Sandra Dick, Julie Douglas, Georgie Gall, Abigail Hand, Kristine Lempriere, Kirsten MacLeod, Louise Murdoch, Kate O’Brien, Susie Shears and Sally Upjohn SALLY UPJOHN – ART SHOW COMMITTEE MEMBER
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ENRICHING THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO CALL THE HILL HOME
TRANSFORMATION OF SCOTCH’S BOARDING FACILITIES Works are progressing on the much-needed enhancements to the School’s boarding facilities. The Boarding Project will transform boarding facilities on the Hill for boys, staff and boarding families. Improved accommodation for boys and staff associated with McMeckan and School Houses, and a new Boarding Centre will significantly enhance the lives of all who call the Hill home. The project demonstrates the School’s commitment to boarding’s place at the heart of a Scotch education. Throughout its history, Scotch has been enriched by the presence of boarders and their families. Generations of boys who would otherwise have been unable to attend the School, have embraced the Scotch experience, made their mark and contributed much to the School’s story. In so doing, they have kept Scotch’s name and voice alive throughout rural and regional Australia. Today the Scotch name has a global reach. Boarding brings people together, demands care and adaptability and nurtures the tenets that underpin the very best traditions of liberal independent schooling. Boys share in each other’s joys, successes and disappointments. They learn to appreciate each other’s strengths and foibles, as they establish values and aspirations for a life beyond school. Some areas of the project are well advanced, but supply chain delays, labour shortages and inclement weather have hampered
MAIN PHOTO: THE BOARDERS’ RETREAT TAKING SHAPE. INSET: MCMECKAN HOUSE YEAR 12 ACCOMMODATION WORKS IN PROGRESS
progress. It is anticipated that the majority of works on the Hill will be completed by the end of Term 1 next year. Recently we were pleased to welcome a long-awaited delivery of steel, which will enable the building exteriors to be completed behind McMeckan and School Houses, allowing the internal works to progress. Works on the new Retreat facility are also well under way, with demolition works and in-ground services complete. Foundations for external works have been poured in readiness for topping slabs to be installed. The underpinning of the existing building is complete, allowing for internal excavations to occur for the sub-terrain plant room. Further steel deliveries are scheduled to arrive by the end of November. A fundraising target of $7.5M has been established for this project, and thanks to the generosity of our community, I can report that $3.6M in commitments has been secured at the time of writing. To learn more about the Boarding Project, and how you can help bring it to fruition, contact me on +61 418 107541 or tim.shearer@scotch.vic.edu.au. TIM SHEARER (’85) – DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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MR STEPHEN WEBSTER ('73) OSCA PRESIDENT
TWO CONCEPTS CONTINUE TO DRIVE OSCA Further pursuing The Cardinal Thread and Make Your Own OSCA
ABOVE RIGHT, LEFT TO RIGHT: TEDDY WEBSTER (’17); ALVIE (STEPHEN WEBSTER’S WIFE); STEPHEN WEBSTER (’73); STEPHEN AND ALVIE’S DAUGHTER, CHARLOTTE; STEPHEN’S MOTHER, BARBARA WEBSTER; LACHLAN WEBSTER (’13). PHOTO TAKEN IN 2015
During the pandemic OSCA promoted two interconnected concepts: The Cardinal Thread (the invisible connection that binds the Scotch family together) and Make Your Own OSCA (the idea that we don’t need formal events to connect with one another). The value of these concepts is infinite and was useful when we couldn’t gather in person. We found new ways and reasons to connect, such as through the OSCA Podcast (Young Old Boys), Master Classes (OSMaD), and Zoom discussions of the latest film (Old Scotch Film Society). Emerging from restrictions, it has been wonderful to hear of the many informal gatherings taking place under Make Your Own OSCA initiatives, such as the latest Ian Dungey (’73) lunch – an informal gathering of Old Boys of that era that takes place a couple of times a year. These events are the lifeblood of our community, and the OSCA Council thanks you for staying connected. As the incoming OSCA President I am committed to further pursue those themes in collaboration with a talented and experienced Council, including OSCA office-bearers Matt Guthridge (’92 – Senior Vice President), Alistair Macrae (’94 – Junior Vice President) and Philip Wright (’69 – Treasurer), and an OSCA office led so ably by our Executive Director, Scott Montgomery (‘85), with great support from OSCA Events and Communications Coordinator, Caroline Taylor. We are all both thrilled and thankful that Scott is back at OSCA. A significant focus of the OSCA Council over the past couple of years has been its support of the Young Old Boys’ (YOBs) Committee. That committee has initiated events to assist school leavers and also their parents with the transition to life beyond the Monash Gates. It has continued the OSCA Podcast, helped drive a replacement for the cancelled Year 12 Formal, is looking to reinvigorate the OSCA Thrive program that was interrupted by the pandemic restrictions, and participate in a new careers engagement program. There is great energy among young Old Boys that OSCA Council applauds. The purposeful employment of young Old Boys as coaches and tutors in the life of the School is one of
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Tom Batty’s valuable legacies. In a similar vein, OSCA has employed Will Dixon (’19) and Jack Manning (‘20) part-time in the OSCA office to support many of the activities directed at young Old Boys, and to provide the OSCA office with clear insight into young Old Boys daily. With the financial support of the OSCA Collegians, OSCA intends to increase these opportunities in 2023. To regain the lost years of the pandemic, the OSCA Council is focused on establishing measurable outcomes in 2023 and beyond. At our December Council meeting we will settle three key priorities for 2023: 3 for 23. The priorities will support OSCA’s strategy to find reasons and places to connect and opportunities to give back. We welcome input from the alumni community, and as appropriate will pass relevant feedback on to School Council, especially via OSCA’s nominees on that Council. OSCA looks forward to welcoming Dr Scott Marsh and his family in January 2023, and supporting them in enhancing their connections to the Scotch Family. The relationship between OSCA and the Principal is important for mutual feedback, to aid the transition of school leavers, and for engagement with the activities and ambitions of OSCA. We will seek to establish a strong and enduring relationship with Dr Marsh as we have done with his predecessors. Of particular interest to OSCA is to find ways to connect to Scotch parents. In the meantime, OSCA thrives on the stories of its alumni, and a simple and effective way to help that connection is by telling your own stories of how you Make Your Own OSCA or how The Cardinal Thread connects you. I look forward to hearing them! Finally, I wish to acknowledge and thank our outgoing President for the last two years, Andrew Wilson (’78) who has led the OSCA Council with great care, thought and a unique depth of knowledge. He has been tireless in his efforts and his energy and enthusiasm have not waned. I thank Andrew sincerely for his commitment to OSCA and for his generosity of both time and spirit. Andrew will continue to support and help OSCA prosper in other ways.
A WELCOME RETURN TO ENGAGING EVENTS Vibrant events at home and on the road MR SCOTT MONTGOMERY ('85) OSCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LEFT TO RIGHT: JAMES CROXFORD (‘11), ANDREW EMMETT (‘10), JAMES STANLEY (‘17), EDDIE MONTGOMERY (‘90), CARTER DICKINSON (‘14), WES CRONIN (‘04), ALEXANDER MAYCOCK (‘15), DAVID SALTER (‘00)
LEFT TO RIGHT: FRED (YEAR 12), BART (YEAR 8) AND DAVID LEETON (’85)
LADS FROM THE CLASS OF 1985. SEATED: SIMON MCGREGOR, DAVID ANSTEE, MATTHEW CLARKE (2022 PERELBERG AWARD WINNER), GEORGE MALLIAROS. STANDING: TIM SHEARER, SCOTT MONTGOMERY
It never ceases to amaze me how our alumni – both the younger and older generations – continue to invest in and engage with their old school. At this year’s Father and Son Breakfast at Kooyong Tennis Club, I shared my own son’s journey with those present. His journey resonated with many young ones in the room, with opportunities to travel, work overseas and just explore the world taking on a format that proves very popular as the lads depart beyond the Monash Gates. The invitation to attend a School Assembly was accepted by none other than Bill Morgan (’34), who at 107 years of age was our special guest. Bill read a blessing during Assembly in his inimitable style. What a privilege it was to hear the boys sing Happy Birthday in Memorial Hall to Bill. I can’t recall that having been done in all my time at Scotch. At one of Australia’s finest wineries – Brown Brothers – stories were shared and fine wine was consumed. On 9 October we were hosted by John Brown (‘58)
and welcomed by branch President Ken Jasper (’55) to his fine annual lunch. Visiting the regions and experiencing the kind hospitality is something special, and I recommend a visit to anyone. The team at Brown Brothers will be happy to accommodate you.
Closer to home, I spent a day at this year’s APS Athletics Sports Finals, something I hadn’t done in years. I was keen to support my good friend and Old Boy David Leeton (’85) who that day had three sons competing for Scotch. The highlight came when Bart Leeton (Year 8) competed in the under 15 1500m and broke a 41-year APS record by nine seconds (run time 4.06min) – amazing!
This year’s Perelberg Award for exemplary Scotch Spirit went to Matthew Clarke (’85), whose community support for underprivileged women in India and other charities made him a worthy recipient. He was so humble in his address at the Class of 2022 Presentation Night, and very appreciative of being recognised for his work by his old school. That evening we were joined by Tim Shearer, Simon McGregor, David Anstee and George Malliaros – all from the Class of ‘85. To round off a return to events and engagement, it was a privilege to play a role at the Class of 2022 Valedictory Dinner as master of ceremonies. It was wonderful to see the joy on the boys’ and parents’ faces as the School’s various music performers and show bands put on a quality show which was simply world class. Great Scot 79
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ABOVE: ROB RECEIVING THE SILVER KANGAROO – THE HIGHEST AWARD A VOLUNTEER LEADER CAN RECEIVE IN SCOUTING (2019). RIGHT: ROB WITH THE UNIT – CIRCA 1994 (FAR LEFT). BELOW: FIJI SERVICE PROJECT WITH THE UNIT (2008).
FORTY YEARS OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE ROB EVANS’ IMPRESSIVE RECORD OF SERVICE TO SCOUTING We congratulate and thank Rob Evans (‘77), who is this year celebrating 40 years of volunteer service to the 1st Hawthorn Scout Group. Beginning as a Leader in July 1982, Rob has since seen more than 600 Venturers pass through the unit. Nearly 60 of these have received their Queen’s Scout and
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in many cases Rob has subsequently led the second generation, when sons of his former Queen’s Scouts have joined the unit. When Rob began his service, Scouts and Venturers met in a hall which stood where the Science Centre now stands. Boys wore ties and berets and 1st Hawthorn had six
scout troops consisting of over 300 Scouts and two Senior Scout (Venturer) units. While the Scout award scheme has changed six times and many other things have changed in the interim, Rob’s passion for seeing young people develop into adults making a positive contribution to society has not. He loves making a difference for young people, establishing lifelong mentorship with youths and seeing them develop from fully led to fully independent. Highlights of Rob’s time include the Fiji service project – building the first adventure playground in Fiji to assist with transition into education – and working with disadvantaged youths to achieve positive outcomes. He is a trustee of the Elliott Lodge property, and has attended jamborees and ventures as a member of the 1st Australian Venturer Unit, facilitating interactions between Scouts and Venturers. Rob has attended ventures around the country every four years for a couple of decades, leading Venturers on expeditions and activities. Including his time as a Scout while a Scotch boy, Rob’s period of involvement spans some 50 years! On behalf of generations of Scotch boys whom Rob, accompanied by his wife Michelle, has guided through Venturers, we would like to extend our recognition and gratitude for this impressive record of service to the Scouting, Scotch and broader communities. WARREN PRATT – TEACHER-IN-CHARGE SCOUTS AND VENTURERS
GEELONG FOOTBALL CLUB PRESIDENT CRAIG DRUMMOND (’78) WITH PREMIERSHIP-WINNING GEELONG CAPTAIN, JOEL SELWOOD
PRESIDENT OF GEELONG CATS IN A PREMIERSHIP YEAR
AN OLD SCOTCH COLLEGIAN IS THE TOP CAT When Geelong stormed home to defeat the Sydney Swans in the 2022 AFL Grand Final, the man at the top of the club was an Old Scotch Collegian. Craig Drummond (’78) is the President of the Geelong Football Club, having been a club director at Geelong from 2011-20 before becoming President in 2021. Craig was at Scotch from 1975 to 1978. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne in 1981 and completed the Advanced Management Program at Wharton University in 2001. He is a Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and is a Chartered Accountant. In business life, Craig was Chief Executive Officer of Medibank Private Limited from 2016 to 2021, and he has had more than 30 years’ experience in the finance sector, which has included senior executive positions at NAB, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs JB Were. Craig is a non-executive director of Transurban Limited, Australian Foundation Company Limited and is a Governor of the Ian Potter Foundation Limited. He is also a member of the federal government’s Financial Regulator Assessment Authority. There was at least one other (indirect) Scotch link with Geelong’s triumphant 2022 team. Two grandsons of Benjamin Ogle (’44) – Cameron and Zac Guthrie – became premiership players when Geelong won the flag.
Cameron, a midfielder, and Zac, a defender, both performed well for the Cats in the season decider. In a quirk of fate, in 2011, Cameron Guthrie was an emergency for Geelong in the grand final against Collingwood and played in the 2020 grand final against Richmond; while in 2020, younger brother Zac was an emergency for the Cats in the grand final against Richmond and played in the 2022 grand final. Cameron and Zac became the 24th set of brothers to win a VFL/AFL premiership. Ben Ogle attended Scotch from 1943 to 1945. He was a Form Captain and a member of the premiership-winning 1st XI cricket team in his final year.
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‘IN THAT RICH EARTH THERE IS A RICHER DUST CONCEALED’
SCHOOL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN ALEX SLOAN (’71) SPEAKS AT THE OSCA MEMORIAL HALL CENTENARY AND REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY
THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF SCOTCH FAMILY MEMBERS MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO STILL RESONATES STRONGLY TODAY. This is a transcript of an address by School Council Chairman, Alex Sloan (’71) at the OSCA Memorial Hall Centenary and Remembrance Day Assembly in the hall on 11 November. This Memorial Hall has stood on this site for just over 100 years, having been opened on Anzac Day 1922 and is without doubt the physical and spiritual heart of our School. This place embodies so much of what the School is about:
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Our Christian ethos and values The spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment and
Strong themes relating to service and responsibility
Personal sacrifice Respect and reverence In my experience, this place can be truly awe-inspiring, whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been coming here for decades. Just a few weeks ago I came to this Memorial
Hall with my two grandsons, aged seven and five, on Family Day. The seven year old looked through the window from the Quad into the Hall and his mouth literally dropped open. He was awe-struck! I will leave it to Jay Landau, Chris O’Connell and indeed Gordon Donaldson a little later in the proceedings to give you the historical background to the building, affording me the opportunity to share with you a personal reflection. When we think of this Memorial Hall, the name Monash is inextricably woven into its history. Sir John Monash laid the foundation stone here on 5 March 1920 to honour those who had died serving in the Great War, and he was vitally influential in sourcing funding to enable its construction, as he did also with respect to Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. As I contemplated the Monash name I found myself drawn, for a number of reasons both historic and contemporary, to a small village in France, Villers-Bretonneux. Villers-Bretonneux is situated approximately 140km north of Paris and 5km from the Somme valley, scene of some of the most horrific trench warfare of World War I. On Anzac Day 2018 the Sir John Monash Centre – Australian National Memorial was opened at Villers-Bretonneux, by then Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull. Remarkably, exactly 100 years earlier on Anzac Day 1918, Australian troops had liberated Villers-Bretonneux from German forces, forging an unbroken relationship with its citizens and Australia. The local school at Villers-Bretonneux carries a sign over its front entrance to this day – ‘Never forget Australia’ – and every Anzac Day the local population gathers to reflect on and give thanks to our nation. But beyond the Monash name is a much deeper connection between VillersBretonneux, Australia and indeed Scotch.
Three Old Scotch Collegians lie in the cemeteries just outside Villers-Bretonneux, and their names appear on the Honour Roll behind me: Percival Nicholson, Robert Nelson and Alan Davies. I take a line from the Rupert Brooke poem, The Soldier: ‘There shall be – In that rich earth a richer dust concealed’. Their examples of service and sacrifice are part of what makes this place so awe-inspiring to those who gather here. But before I proceed on the Scotch connection theme, I want to provide some additional context around the significance of the liberation of Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day 1918. A month earlier on 21 March 1918, Germany launched its Spring Offensive on the Western Front – Die Kaiserschlacht (The Kaiser’s Battle). This was a last desperate attempt by Germany to change the course of the war and break the stalemate on the Western Front. Germany’s Eastern Front had earlier been neutralised following a treaty with the Russians, more particularly the Bolsheviks. This meant large troop numbers – hundreds of thousands – were released to the Western Front, giving Germany significant numerical superiority for the first time. But this advantage would be short lived, as untrained US troops had begun arriving in France and would be in action within a few months. The trench stalemate on the Somme was indeed shattered by the German offensive, and the area around Villers-Bretonneux was of critical strategic significance. From the start of the Spring Offensive, Amiens, 18km west of Villers-Bretonneux, was their primary objective, being the critical logistical hub for British forces on the Somme. If Amiens fell, then British forces may well have been pushed back to the Channel coast. From Hill 104 immediately outside Villers-
Bretonneux (site of the Sir John Monash Centre) Amiens could be observed, and more concerningly, shelled. The Australian action at Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day 1918 was inspired and led by BrigadierGeneral Harold Edward (Pompey) Elliott, and was significant in changing the outcome of the German offensive on the Somme. The action was brilliantly conceived by Elliott and executed in total darkness. Afterwards Monash described the achievement as ‘the finest thing yet done in the war, by Australians or any other troops’. The victory came at the cost of 1,200 Australian lives. Also, the Villers-Bretonneux success was an essential precursor to a pivotal action on 4 July 1918, only 6km away at Le Hamel. Monash, as the newly-appointed commander of the Australian Corps, orchestrated the victory at Le Hamel utilising tanks, artillery and aircraft in combination that became a model for many subsequent offensive manoeuvres. Interestingly, Monash had command of four companies of US troops at Le Hamel in their first action in the war. The less well recognised Scotch connection with Villers-Bretonneux is that ‘Pompey’ Elliott later became a Scotch parent. Pompey’s son, Neil, attended Scotch between 1925-30 and during that time he joined Scotch’s 1st Hawthorn Scout Group, formed in 1926. So impressed was Pompey with the positive impact of the Scouting experience on his son, that in 1928 he donated five acres of land in Healesville for its use. A lodge was first constructed on the site in 1929 and named ‘Elliott Lodge’. Generations of Scotch boys have benefited from that generosity. Clearly Monash and Elliott had the greatest respect for each other, and one can only surmise that it was perhaps Monash, being an Old Scotch boy, who encouraged Pompey to send his son to the School after the war.
LEFT TO RIGHT: 250 SCOTCH FAMILY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE ASSEMBLY; CHRISTOPHER O’CONNELL (YEAR 11) TELLS THE STORY OF THE MEMORIAL HALL; PREFECT DION WHITFIELD DELIVERS THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY; PICTURED OUTSIDE THE HALL: PHILIP WRIGHT (’69), STEPHEN KONG (’68), FORMER VICE PRINCIPAL, IAN SAVAGE
Finally, I want to return to a more contemporary matter. It is perhaps little wonder that on 1 September this year our Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, chose Hill 104, at the Sir John Monash Centre at Villers-Bretonneux, to meet with his French counterpart Defence Minister, Sébastien Lecornu. The purpose of that meeting was to help restore relations between Australia and France, following ‘misunderstandings’ over submarines! The service and sacrifice of Scotch Family members more than 100 years ago still resonates strongly today, not only in this Memorial Hall, but on the other side of the globe. In that rich earth there is a richer dust concealed.
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CENTENARY OF THE HALL’S FIRST USE
MEMORIAL HALL’S CENTENARY WELL CELEBRATED
MAIN PHOTO: 250 SCOTCH FAMILY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE MEMORIAL HALL CENTENARY AND REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY ON 11 NOVEMBER. BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: CHRISTOPHER O’CONNELL (YEAR 11),TELLS THE STORY OF THE MEMORIAL HALL; JOHN MALLINSON (’52) PLAYS THE ORGAN; FORMER PRINCIPAL DR GORDON DONALDSON AM DESCRIBES THE AURA OF THE MEMORIAL HALL; JIM MURRELL (’64) READS THE ODE TO THE FALLEN
When Scotch’s Memorial Hall was completed in 1922, it must have been an impressive edifice, standing out as by far the largest building in the surrounding leafy suburb of Hawthorn. One hundred years have passed, but the Memorial Hall is still a most impressive building, and over the century it has established itself as the heart of Scotch College. On the afternoon of Remembrance Day 2022, 11 November, the centenary of the first use of the hall (25 April 1922) was celebrated, and the 223 Old Boys and staff who are known to have given their lives in World War I, and the 377 Old Boys and one staff member who are known to have died in World War II, were honoured. The Memorial Hall Centenary and Remembrance Day Assembly, an OSCA initiative, was attended by more than 250 Scotch Family members. Master of
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Ceremonies, OSCA Executive Director, Scott Montgomery (’85), welcomed guests. After the National Anthem and an excellent Acknowledgment of Country by School Prefect Dion Whitfield, the Chairman of the School Council, Alex Sloan (’71) spoke of the physical and spiritual significance of the hall to Scotch College. (A full transcript of Alex’s speech appears on pages 82 and 83). Year 11 boys Jay Landau and Christopher O’Connell succinctly told the story of the Memorial Hall and the College Anthem was sung. Taking the stage, former Principal Dr Gordon Donaldson AM recalled the day back in 1983 when he nervously first spoke in the hall as the newly-installed Principal. Dr Donaldson said when Prefects read from the Bible in Assembly they were most likely speaking to the largest group of people they would ever address, and so they were
entitled to the feelings of nerves that he himself had felt – such is the aura of the Memorial Hall. Dr Donaldson spoke of the emotional significance of the Torch Ceremony to departing boys and staff; but that above all it should never be forgotten that the purpose of the Memorial Hall was to honour those who had made the ultimate sacrifice in their countries’ service. Jim Murrell (’64), Vietnam War veteran, read the Ode to the Fallen, then Harry Taylor (’18) played The Last Post and Reveille, interspersed with a minute’s silence. School Chaplain, Rev Doug Campbell’s benediction brought the assembly to a close. Guests exited to the Quadrangle for a reflection, followed by refreshments in the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall.
OSCA Chaplain
IT’S A CHAPLAIN’S LIFE SHARING THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD
DEAD SEA SCROLLS, 130 BC–75 AD
Like most staff, from time to time I am greeted by Old Boys of the School. Recently I was hailed by a young man of the class of 2019. 'Hello Reverend Bradbeer, how good to see you’ he politely said. He recognised me, although I retired before he started Year 7. ‘How come?’ I asked. ‘I came through the Junior School’ he replied. Ah yes! As Chaplain I spoke at a weekly Junior School Assembly. I loved the challenge of speaking to those bright eyed, bushy-tailed boys sitting (as they did then) cross-legged on the floor. My challenge was to communicate to youngsters the message of the Bible; a message I shared in the Memorial Hall, with the older boys, and pretty well every place else that Scotch wanted to involve a chaplain. What privilege and opportunity there was, on and off the campus! At Presentation Night, a great Scotch friend said we need to continue our conversation about Isaiah. Yes; Isaiah the Hebrew prophet. He reminded me the lion and the lamb are still not at one. The peaceful kingdom of Isaiah 11 is elusive. From Isaiah we get the word Immanuel
- God is with us. Isaiah chapters 7-12 are known as The Immanuel Book. Handel’s Messiah begins with the words of Isaiah 40, ‘Comfort ye, comfort ye my people’. This is good news! The English word gospel comes from the opening of Isaiah’s great poem; chapters 40-55. The good news is that Israel’s God, YHWH, will return to be with his people. The message is embedded in Isaiah’s epic poem. Last week I had coffee with a young man who had ‘watched a few of your talks’ online. I was surprised. In the talks I had referenced the Dead Sea Scrolls, and this highly literate doctoral candidate with a couple of non Indo-European languages under his belt, had bathed in the salty waters of the Dead Sea and was curious. He was taken by the idea that a 2000-year-old edition of Isaiah was online. It is, and is perhaps the greatest trophy among the Dead Sea Scrolls. I explained this as I directed him to the astonishing searchable, online documents at the Israel Museum. I also shared what I have been learning from the Rev Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. Wells
has rendered the Bible’s 660,000 words as a 20,000 word ebook, The Heart of it All. He makes very clear that the heart of it all is God’s desire to be with us. The Bible begins in a garden where God is with us and ends in a Garden City where God is again with us. But in between, it is Immanuel which is the narrative key; Easter is the cost, the accounting. Each of the Gospels is rooted in the Hebrew scriptures, with Isaiah in the forefront. The Christmas story, the Incarnation of the Son of God, took place because God desires to be with us. According to Tom Holland, the English historian, this is the story that shaped the western world. It is the theme of his book, Dominion. Despite the bad behaviour of Christians, Australian authors Greg Sheridan (God is Good for You, Christians, an urgent case) and John Dickson (Bullies and Saints) have also written to this effect. It is also the founding narrative of James Forbes’ Scotch College. Today, during my personal COVID lockdown, I give thanks for the regular calls from the Reverend Bill Morgan over these COVID years. As I write, Bill will be 107 years old tomorrow. Bill personally takes the narrative back to 1935 when he was Scotch Captain, and, thanks to his amazing clarity of mind, even earlier, to his personal commitment to Christ as a Scotch schoolboy. Bill always ends our calls ‘The Lord be with you, Graham’, to which, as you might expect, I respond ‘and also with you, Bill’. What a blessed message to share, whether with youngsters or oldsters! GRAHAM BRADBEER – OSCA CHAPLAIN
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CLASS of 2022
OLD BOY FATHERS and SONS 86 Great Scot Issue 167 – December 2022
CLASS of 2022 6 SEPTEMBER – A CELEBRATORY MORNING
FATHER SON BREAKFAST www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 87
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NORTHEAST BRANCH
1.
MILAWA SCOTCH FAMILY LUNCH
2.
3.
9 OCTOBER 2022
5. 5.
4.
6.
1. SCOTCH FAMILY GATHERS AT BROWN BROTHERS WINERY, MILAWA 2. CHARLIE BLANCH (’07), SHARON ASHWORTH , LEF LAZAROU, RICHARD STANISTREET (’70), NORM LAZAROU (‘70), GRAEME BLANCH (‘68) 3. MARJIE HYSLOP, ROS TURNLEY, HELEN PETERS, JOHN VROLAND (‘58) 4. KEN AND MARGIE PEAT, ALISTAIR CLAY, HAYLEY BROCKOFF 5. ANDREW WILSON (’78), KEN JASPER (’55), DOUG LORDING (‘64) 6. JOHN BROWN (‘58), DAVID KEMP (‘59), ANDREW WILSON (‘78), KEN JASPER (’55), DOUG LORDING (‘64), TIM SHEARER (‘85), SCOTT MONTGOMERY (‘85)
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Cricket
THE OLD SCOTCH CRICKET CLUB 2ND XI. STANDING, LEFT TO RIGHT: RYAN HIGGINS, OLLIE MCLEISH (’17), JOHN STAVRIS (’12), HUGH LONGBOTTOM (’17), GARY BENNETT (’88), ANDREW CALLAGHAN (’22), EDDIE SHEARER (’22). KNEELING: JAMES HALSE (’16), CHARLIE SCHILLING (’17), NIC BENNETT (’20), MARK GRIFFITHS (’80), CHARLIE HOCKING (’18)
YOUNGSTERS SHOW THE WAY
For the Old Scotch Cricket Club, the 2022/23 season kicked off with just one game played in October, but that one game was a thriller that came down to a last ball loss to Melbourne High School Old Boys. The enthusiasm of young blood has again been in evidence, with Hamish Francis (’21) and Mitch Sennitt (’15) showing the way with the bat, and Will Clark (’12) and Harrison Goad (’13) with the ball.
The club is fielding two teams again, and encourages recent school leavers to enjoy a high standard of cricket in a welcoming and fun environment, on some of the best pitches in the country, courtesy of Mick Smith (Scotch Curator) and his wonderful team of groundspeople. We wish to sincerely thank our sponsors – the Elgin Inn, AANDI Lawyers, Pinnacle Road and OSCA – all of whom have helped
BUSHWALKING CLUB PRESIDENT NEIL HART-SMITH (’60) FINDS SOME SNOW IN THE MOUNT ST GWINEAR CAR PARK
Bushwalking
BUSHWALKING CLUB’S BEAUTIFUL WALKS AT RAWSON
to maintain the club’s strength during challenging times. Weekly updates of team performances, fixtures and social memberships are available on www.oldscotchcc.com.au, or through our regular e-newsletters. Surround yourself in the excitement. MARK GRIFFITHS (’80) – PRESIDENT, OLD SCOTCH CRICKET CLUB
Old Scotch Bushwalking Club members travelled to Rawson, 171km east of Melbourne, in early November for a weekend of walks. The weather was sunny and mild – quite a contrast to the heavy rain and flooding of previous weeks. Rawson, in the Shire of Baw Baw and with a population of just 296, was established for workers involved in the construction of the Thomson Dam, completed in 1983. Rawson Village, a camp facility set on six hectares of attractive bushland, was the club’s comfortable home for the weekend. For the 23 walkers, on Saturday there was a choice of three walks, the longest of which (about 8.8km) began at the Mount St Gwinear carpark, at 1290m, and took walkers along the ski trail to the top of Mount St Gwinear (1514m). There was still plenty of snow along the trail and in the bush, although summer was just weeks away. Walkers enjoyed great views across the ranges as the sun shone brightly. They continued to the junction with the Australian Alps Walking Track, then returned to the car park. Walkers not participating in the long walk could choose from a walk along the Erica-Thomson Rail Trail, or a visit to Walhalla to board the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. Sunday’s walks were shorter, before members headed for home. The walks had been invigorating, the weather beautiful, the mountain air bracing, and a great sense of friendship was very much in evidence on the walks and during the dinners on Friday and Saturday nights at the village. For information about the Old Scotch Bushwalking Club: contact Norrie McLeod – pn.mcleod@bigpond.com / 0418 325 271.
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HERITAGE CLUB PRESIDENT BRUCE BROWN (‘60), NEIL LUCAS (‘64) AND CLUB SECRETARY IAN KERR (‘60), IN THE PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY.
Heritage
HERITAGE CLUB VISITS PARLIAMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT DAY Bowls
SCENES FROM THE BOWLS CLUB’S FATHERS’ AND SONS’ EVENT AT THE MCC/ OLD SCOTCH BOWLS CLUB RINKS
OLD SCOTCH BOWLERS HOST YEAR 7 FATHERS AND SONS The Old Scotch Bowls Club joined with Scotch Year 7 fathers and sons on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon in October at the MCC/ Old Scotch Bowls Club rinks in Hawthorn for a fun day of bowling.
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On Thursday 6 October – the 171st anniversary of Scotch’s founding – Old Scotch Heritage Club President, Bruce Brown ('60) and Neil Lucas PSM JP (’64) arranged for the Heritage Club to tour State Parliament. Neil is one of 65 Old Scotch Collegians who have served in the Victorian State Parliament. He was the Member for Eumemmering Province in the Legislative Council from 1996-2002. Neil led the group into both Chambers, the Parliamentary Library, Queen’s Hall and a number of areas not always part of the public tours. Neil, who has a keen interest in history, described the significance of many of the architectural features of the building, including pointing out the differences in the architecture of both Chambers and the history and reasons for the decorations. After the tour, the group walked to the Old Treasury Building to visit the permanent exhibitions which cover the foundation of Melbourne as a city, the gold rush days and the path to democracy, with a final detour to the gold vaults, before enjoying lunch nearby. BRUCE BROWN ('60) – PRESIDENT, OLD SCOTCH HERITAGE CLUB
The Old Scotch players passed on many tips and some of the finer points of the sport to the boys and their dads, and everyone enjoyed the day. It was an eventful afternoon in many ways, particularly in size, with a very large group of 180 fathers and sons arriving at the club for the day’s bowling. It filled the club’s rinks almost to capacity. The other part which came through strongly was the enjoyment everyone had and the fraternising and fellowship of the boys and parents as a year group. The Old Scotch bowlers were very impressed with the bowling skills shown by the boys – obvious testament to some excellent coaching they are receiving at school. Competition was very keen between fathers and sons, making it a great family challenge and a lot of spirited fun and banter was shared between the boys and their dads. The day concluded with a huge barbecue, and everyone left in good spirits, looking forward to the next event. The Old Scotch Bowls Club looks forward to future opportunities to host and support the School’s bowls players. Our club still has vacancies for members of the Scotch Family, male and female, to join the club. It’s a great way to stay active and enjoy the friendship and fellowship of members of the Scotch Family. No experience is necessary – we provide beginners’ training classes. To obtain more information or to meet a committee member and view our excellent facilities, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0411 253 633 or at david.tennent@bigpond.com DAVID TENNENT – OLD SCOTCH BOWLS CLUB
Soccer
DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR BURGEONING SOCCER CLUB FORTIETH BIRTHDAY AND PRESENTATION NIGHT WELL CELEBRATED On Saturday 22 October the Old Scotch Soccer Club celebrated its 40th anniversary and its Presentation Night in the Cardinal Pavilion’s Boykett Room. It was a fantastic night attended by over 130 current and former players, their families, their partners and club sponsors. The club’s recent promotion to State Division 1 made the night particularly special. We wish to thank OSCA, the Scotch Events team and the catering team for their help with organising and hosting the event. To mark the 40th anniversary, James Keep (‘77) gave a splendid speech on the club’s remarkable journey through its 40 years, beginning with a small group of players competing in the old Victorian Amateur Soccer Association at Stanley Grose Reserve in Malvern East. Over time the club achieved much success and gained promotion through the Provisional Leagues and State Leagues. Today, it fields 10 teams (including juniors), and plays at H A Smith Reserve opposite Scotch College. The club continues to succeed and flourish, and will compete in State Division 1 for the first time in 2023. We welcome all current and past students. For Old Boys wishing
Wine & Food
SCENES FROM THE SOCCER CLUB’S 40TH YEAR CELEBRATIONS AND PRESENTATION NIGHT IN THE BOYKETT ROOM, CARDINAL PAVILION
to join the club, OSCA will subsidise their registration fees by 50 per cent for their first year at the club – a really great offer. The club is looking to field a women’s team in 2023, and we are collecting expressions of interest in regard to that team. We will also field teams for juniors (boys and girls). For the men’s seniors and reserves teams, pre-season training for 2023 is anticipated to start later this year. For any details regarding joining our club and any of our teams, please email us at committee@ossc.com.au. JASON CHOI ('07) - OLD SCOTCH SOCCER CLUB
LEFT TO RIGHT: BEN PORTET (’98), BRENDAN HERRON (’96) AND MATT FOWLES ('98)
MATCHED DINNER AND WINE EXPERIENCE
Over 100 members of the Scotch Family returned to the Cardinal Pavilion on 8 September, entering to the sound of bagpipes for a matched dinner and wine experience with Matt Fowles and Ben Portet (both of the Class of ’98) from Fowles Winery and Dominique Portet Wines. Guests were entranced by the forward thinking and entrepreneurial nature of Matt Fowles and the old world history of the Portet family – there are not many opportunities to meet a tenth generation winemaker! Both Old Boys generously shared their experiences and knowledge with the group while sharing their fantastic wines. The Old Scotch Wine and Food Club holds regular wine tastings and dinners, with the aim of exposing members to new experiences in a fun and lively atmosphere. BRENDAN HERRON (’96) – OLD SCOTCH WINE AND FOOD CLUB www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 91
OSCA TOP: 2022 OLD SCOTCH FOOTBALL CLUB AWARD WINNERS BOTTOM, LEFT: CHARLIE MILLAR (’14), BRODIE EASTON, NICK ALLEN (’03), ANDREW QUAIL (’00) BOTTOM, CENTRE: GEORGE DICK (‘05), SANDRA DICK, HENRY DICK (’09) BOTTOM, RIGHT: BEN HAYS (’14), DAVID HAYS (’78)
PRESENTATION NIGHT SHOWCASES THE 2022 SEASON
Football
FOOTBALL CLUB HONOURS ITS PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS AND AWARD WINNERS
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The Old Scotch Football Club Gala Presentation Night, held on Friday 7 October at The Park in Albert Park, brilliantly showcased the season that was, from the reception that the premiershipwinning Stars women’s team received, to the awarding of our first female Life Membership to Sandra Dick. I was honoured to formally present two Life Memberships. Campbell Neal (’79), who was unable to be present at the Centenary Dinner in March, flew to Melbourne to
receive his honour. Campbell has been a longstanding and most generous supporter of the club since he started his playing career in 1980. Campbell has been an outstanding behind the scenes driver of the club, and his wise counsel and support over the journey has been greatly appreciated. It was another special moment when we awarded the club’s first female Life Membership. Since 2003, Sandra Dick had been helping stage the club’s major functions. Sandra is the mother of OSFC
players Simon (’02), Hamish (’03), George (’05) and Henry (’09) Dick. Sandra’s contribution to the Old Scotch Football Club cannot be underestimated, including hours and hours of voluntary service running quality events and functions and supporting the club in any way she could over a sustained period. Her passion and commitment to the club is unquestioned and she has set the bar very high for those who follow. Ian Hill (’81) won the Bryan Gibbs Award for outstanding contribution/service to the club by an off-field person. Ian has driven our women’s football program with commitment and dedication of the highest order since its inception. He has been a passionate participant and champion for our women’s program. In accepting this award Ian made the following comments: ‘I’d like to make the whole OSFC community aware that I’m an MLC parent and a Scotch parent. I’m third generation Scotch, and the Stars represent my third involvement with OSFC, albeit the former two were fairly short-lived on-field contributions. I love footy and I love everything the OSFC represents for young men and women. I feel extremely honoured to have been recognised as a contributor to the operation of the OSFC. The club is blessed to contain so many wonderful people. Thank you.’ Club Captain Andrew Jelbart (’11) won the inaugural John Anderson Award. This new award, instigated by the 1978 premiership team in honour of former club captain John Anderson (’65), recognises the player who makes the greatest contribution to the club. It was most appropriate that the award was won by our current Club Captain, who leads the club with great distinction both on and off the field. Other award winners are listed in the accompanying table. After 16 years of presidency, I passed the baton to President-elect Will Strange (’07) at the club’s Annual General Meeting on 24 November. Will and his team will do an amazing job and will look to take the club to the next level in the years to come. TIM SHEARER – OLD SCOTCH FOOTBALL CLUB
KEY DATES: 17 January 2023 Pre-season training at Scotch College recommences 15 April 2023 VAFA Round 1
CLUB AWARDS BRYAN GIBBS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (OFF-FIELD) Ian Hill ('81) BILL PEARSON HIGHEST CLUB GOALKICKER AWARD Angus Jones ('16) JOHN ANDERSON MEDAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (ON-FIELD) Andrew Jelbart ('11) MEN’S 1ST XVIII MCGREGOR 1ST BEST & FAIREST AWARD Tyler Sellers ('20) 2ND BEST & FAIREST Arion Richter-Salter 3RD BEST & FAIREST Ben Hays ('14) COACHES’ AWARD Andrew Jelbart ('11) IAN MCKINLEY WILSON ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD Cooper Harvey ('17) MANSON RUSSEL MOST SACRIFICIAL ACTS AWARD Brodie Easton EWEN DAVIDSON TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD Andrew Jelbart ('11) MEN’S 2ND XVIII 1ST BEST & FAIREST Henry Dick ('09) 2ND BEST & FAIREST Cameron Melville ('13) 3RD BEST & FAIREST Matthew Hucul COACHES’ AWARD Rhys Haslam BEST FINALS PLAYER AWARD Sam Dawborn ('15), James Tarrant ('17) WOMEN’S 1ST XVIII 1ST BEST & FAIREST Amy Arundel EQUAL 2ND BEST & FAIREST Mia Caffry EQUAL 2ND BEST & FAIREST Lucy Morley COACHES’ AWARD Katie Hunter-Scott BEST FINALS PLAYER AWARD Mia Caffry WOMEN’S 2ND XVIII 1ST BEST & FAIREST Brooklyn Giacometti 2ND BEST & FAIREST Adelaide Wong 3RD BEST & FAIREST Stephanie Hayes COACHES’ AWARD Erin Arundel MEN’S 3RD XVIII 1ST BEST & FAIREST Alex Townsend ('14) 2ND BEST & FAIREST John Stavris ('12) 3RD BEST & FAIREST Nick Stockdale COACHES’ AWARD Will Michael ('12) BEST FINALS PLAYER AWARD James Broderick MEN’S UNDER 23 1ST BEST & FAIREST Lachlan McAndrew ('19) 2ND BEST & FAIREST Angus Manson ('17) 3RD BEST & FAIREST Justin Baumgarten ('19) COACHES’ AWARD Austin Nguyen ('18) UNDER 19 PREMIER PERPETUAL TROPHY – 1ST BEST & FAIREST Hamish Wild 2ND BEST & FAIREST Hugo Boreham ('20) 3RD BEST & FAIREST Rye Spark COACHES’ AWARD James Braddy ('20) GUS TAYLOR - MOST PROMISING PLAYER AWARD Angus Jones ('20) BEST FINALS PLAYER AWARD Charlie Phillips ('20) UNDER 19 (2) PERPETUAL TROPHY – 1ST BEST & FAIREST Sam Meyrick ('21) 2ND BEST & FAIREST Toby Kanat 3RD BEST & FAIREST Will McCredie COACHES’ AWARD Nick Flower www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 93
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WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW – compiled by David Ashton ('65)
LEFT TO RIGHT: CRAIG DRUMMOND (’78), DUNCAN HARRIS (’58), RANALD MACDONALD (’58), HON DR DAVID KEMP AC (’59), ADRIAN JONES (’62)
1940s Cameron and Zac Guthrie, grandsons of BENJAMIN OGLE (’44), were members of Geelong Football Club’s 2022 premiership team. Cameron is a midfielder and Zac is a defender. Ben Ogle was at Scotch from 1943 to 1945, and was a Form Captain and a member of the premiership-winning 1st XI cricket team in his final year. CRAIG DRUMMOND (’78) is President of the Geelong Cats. (See ‘An Old Scotch Collegian is the top Cat’ in the OSCA section of this edition.)
1950s DUNCAN HARRIS ('58), is married to Judy (nee Picken), and is still very actively involved in the working world. Duncan is the President of the Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce (www.australiaafrica.com), the peak body for trade and investment with Africa. He is the founder and Executive Chairman of the Mossgiel Group, notable for its corporate advisory work, and is a Director of the family private investment company Kilmour Investments. Duncan is the Vice President of Melbourne Probus and is a member of Men of Malvern, a group led by Scotch Foundation President, Associate Professor DOUG LORDING AM (’64), which supports men’s health and welfare. Duncan is also a longstanding member of the Australian Club and a 50 year member of the MCC. He retains a keen interest in all forms of sport, travel, reading – biographies – and the daily challenge of crosswords. He is the proud father of three and grandfather
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to four, each of whom brings both joy and puzzlement. RANALD MACDONALD (’58) attended Scotch from 1951 to 1958, after which he studied at the Victorian College of Pharmacy, graduating in 1962. He worked as a pharmacist in London for a couple of years before returning to Australia. Ranald married Rosemary Morley in 1969 and purchased a pharmacy in Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Ranald and Rosemary moved to the Byron Bay area in 1995, where they still reside. Ranald has been a keen golfer for many years and plays several times a week at the Byron Bay Golf Club. The latest book to be written by the former Chairman of the School Council, the HON DR DAVID KEMP AC (’59) – Consent of the People: Human Dignity through Freedom and Equality 1966-2022 – is the final book in Dr Kemp’s landmark five-volume Australian Liberalism series. The book examines the place of liberal ideas in governments from Harold Holt to Scott Morrison. It shows how reform urgency led to the nation’s greatest political crisis in 1975, how Prime Ministers Fraser and Hawke struggled to manage an economy dominated by powerful union, business and global interests; how during 24 crucial years Hawke, Keating and Howard led one of the nation’s greatest reform eras, and how social reform continued despite the leadership instability of the post-Howard era.
1960s Post school, ADRIAN JONES (’62) had a gap year working on a racehorse stud at Kilmore, and jackerooing on a merino stud
in central NSW. Subsequently he became a rent collector for an established city real estate agency and ultimately qualified as a licensed estate agent and valuer. He then joined R G Woodard estate agents and opened their Malvern and Glen Iris offices. Adrian became a director of the company and eventually Managing Director until he resigned in 1995 to establish a bed and breakfast at Macarthur in the Western District. By 2000, Adrian returned to Melbourne, where he took up a position as CEO of the Noel Jones (no relation) real estate group, became a director of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, serving as President in 2006 and 2008, and he was also a director of the Real Estate Institute of Australia. Now retired, Adrian lives with his wife at Mount Martha, enjoying gardening, and travel where possible. Indefatigable author ROLAND PERRY OAM (’65) has launched his 38th book, Great Achievers & Characters in Australian Cricket. The book takes a comprehensive look at Australian cricket’s most notable players and dramas over the years, from the wit, wisdom and genius of Sir Donald Bradman through to the memorable performances of Indigenous bowler Scott Boland in the 2021/22 Ashes series. The book gives readers insights into the career highs and lows of many of the game’s biggest names and includes Roland’s take on what went on behind the scenes in some of the biggest-ever Australian cricket stories. For more information: www.rolandperry.com. The genres of Roland’s books have included biography, politics, espionage, history, sport and fiction, and he has won numerous awards for his writing. In 2011
LEFT TO RIGHT: ROLAND PERRY OAM (’65), ROGER ADAMS (’78), BILL SHATTOCK (’79), LYNDEN ROBERTS (’87), ALLISTER SCOTT (‘89)
Roland was made a Fellow of Monash University, and he was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) ‘for service to literature as an author’. Monash University bestowed a Professorship on Roland in 2012.
1970s For the past 40 years, ROGER ADAMS (’78) has lived and worked on the far south coast of NSW. Roger and his wife Yvonne raised their two children there, and both children live close by. Baby grandson Ozzie William is a recent arrival. Roger still works full time as a public servant at Services Australia. Roger retired from local football after 380 senior games. He is a life member of the Narooma Lions and Sapphire Coast AFL League and the Narooma Surf Club, and he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. He continues as an emergency patrol member of his local surf club, and enjoys fishing, gardening, listening to music and collecting vinyl records. Roger has kept in touch with a number of close friends from Scotch school days, a core group of whom meet annually for a two-week fishing trip on the Victoria/NSW border. Roger told Great Scot: ‘I’m looking forward to catching many whiting, further perfecting the art of beach worming, and generally enjoying more of what life on the beautiful South Coast has to offer once I retire. Travel and golf are also on the agenda.’ After leaving school, WILLIAM (BILL) SHATTOCK (’79) completed a Bachelor of Economics with an Accounting major at Monash University. At Monash he had the good fortune to meet his future wife, Jane Morgan, whom he married in 1987.
Bill and Jane have two children: Henry (29), who is an irrigation specialist with the City of Greater Shepparton; and Polly (28), a secondary school teacher in Shepparton. After working as a public accountant for about 30 years, initially in Melbourne, then in Alexandra for seven years and from 1995 in Shepparton, Bill had a career change in December 2017, and he is now a financial counsellor at Primary Care Connect in Shepparton. His work involves assisting vulnerable clients in financial difficulty with options and advocacy. Jane is a primary school teacher. Bill’s interests include bike riding, tennis, eating out and following Essendon in the AFL
1980s While at Scotch for an Alexander Morrison Circle function on 15 September, Dr LYNDEN ROBERTS (’87) and his mother, Helen, took the opportunity to visit the Neil Roberts Meeting Room in the Randall Building. The meeting room is named in honour of Lynden’s father, former Scotch Bursar, Neil Roberts, who held that position from 1985 until retiring in 2005. Neil died in 2014. Lynden was Captain of the School in 1988. Lynden is a Consultant Rheumatologist, in an interesting role at Monash Health as the Clinical Director of Strategy, Transformation and Projects – trying to improve the health system. Outside of work he enjoys a weekly parkrun, sailing with his wife at Somers Yacht Club and playing golf at Royal Melbourne where he recently achieved a long-term goal of a single figure handicap.
Helen continues to keep very busy with her golf, tennis, water colour painting and with her new cavoodle puppy. ALLISTER SCOTT (’89) was drafted at number 13 in 1989 by Richmond Football Club shortly after leaving school and played there until the end of 1994. He worked in hotels and studied commerce at Deakin University, then returned to the family farm in 1995. Allister and his brother DOUGAL SCOTT (’87) purchased a dairy farm in Kongwak, 130km south-east of Melbourne. Allister married Belinda Smith in 1999 in the Scotch Chapel. They have four children – Lily (aged 21), Bethany (aged 20), and two current Scotch boys: Harry who is in Year 12 and Max, who is in Year 9. Allister continued farming until 2010 when he purchased a small power equipment and motor bike shop in Wonthaggi. He ran the business until 2015 when he sold it and began insurance broking studies, before moving into the family business, BJS Insurance Brokers, owned by Belinda and her family. Still living on the family farm in Inverloch, he is now a director of BJS Insurance Brokers, and works as a broker in that business. For the past 18 years, ANTHONY WARNER (’89) has run his own promotional marketing business, Primary Edge Promotions. He and his wife Amy have three children: Sam, who is in Year 7 and Charlie, who is in Year 9 at Scotch, and Maggie, who is in Year 5 at MLC. Earlier, Anthony played 165 games with Old Scotch Football Club, beginning in the under 19s in 1990. In 1993 he played in the club’s Reserves premiership and received the Reserves' Coach’s Trophy. He debuted in the Seniors on 1 April 1995 and was
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LEFT TO RIGHT: ANTHONY WARNER (’89), SOUHAIL IMAM (’97), ED MOFFATT (‘97), JOSH TRAM ('12), CODY YUEN (’13)
Captain of the Reserves in 2001 before retiring. These days he plays the odd round of golf, and enjoys four-wheel driving and camping.
1990s After spending many years working around the north and north-west of Australia, then returning to Melbourne, SOUHAIL IMAM (’97) decided on the quiet life once again, so he and his family moved to the high country of north-east Victoria. Souhail works in the building industry, however he has taken part of this year off to renovate his home. Souhail told Great Scot: ‘I enjoy spending time in the mountains, whether it be summer or winter, hiking, camping, mountain bike riding or snowboarding.’ Souhail and his wife Chrystal have two daughters – Marlie (two) and Amina (four weeks at the time of writing). The girls and life in general are keeping Souhail and Chrystal well occupied at the moment, and they look forward to the children enjoying mountain life in the years to come. After Scotch, ED MOFFATT (’97) studied briefly at Swinburne University, and played several seasons with Old Scotch football, and one season for Old Scotch water polo. Ed’s first business was a cafe in Armadale, which he operated for nine years. He met Julia, whom he married in Perth in 2012. Developing a passion for the coffee industry, Ed worked for Lavazza for three years, managing all Lavazza's top tier customers and coordinating its spring racing carnival activations Julia was transferred to the US for her job in advertising, and in the USA, Ed
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started a boutique specialty coffee roastery in Newport Beach, California. The wholesale side of the business has continued to grow steadily, supplying coffee and auxiliary products to high profile LA restaurants and cafes, and numerous awards have been won, including second place in ‘America’s best espresso’ (2017). Ed recently opened a new roasting and barista training facility in Long Beach, California. Ed and Julia have a daughter, Stella (four) and a son, Oliver, who is enrolled to start at Scotch in 2028. Ed’s passion for football (the Bombers and OSFC) remains strong. Although the family loves the Californian beach life, they will likely return to Australia in the future.
2000s Research and development engineer ED VISKA (’04) is developing zero carbon combustion systems at Perth-based Fortescue Future Industries. Ed spent the last decade working in Europe in high-level motorsport, including seven years at McLaren Racing. His work at McLaren included development of aerodynamic sensing systems, and he was responsible for the aerodynamic performance of the Formula 1 car. Returning to Australia has given him more time to focus on family and to have a positive impact on local engineering and environmental issues. After leaving Victoria in 2020, JOSHUA TRAM (’12) has been living and working in Central Australia as a junior doctor. This followed a strong interest throughout medical school in both First Nation health
and in rural medicine. Joshua is continuing his training in rural generalism through the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, with a focus on anaesthetics and critical care. Outside of work, Joshua has immersed himself in the local music scene. Building on a musical foundation that began during his time in Scotch’s James Forbes Academy, Joshua is regularly performing with both local and visiting musicians in jazz, folk and reggae groups. Additionally, as an avid rock climber, Joshua has been working with Aboriginal traditional owners as well as Parks and Wildlife NT to clarify culturally safe climbing access and practices, and has established several first ascents in the region. CODY YUEN ('13) graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Biomedical Science double degree at Monash University in 2017. During his studies, he discovered a passion for public health and improving health outcomes for people in the community. After graduating, Cody worked for Cerner Corporation, implementing electronic medical records across the Asia-Pacific, and then moved to EY, a global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation. He now provides advisory services for many complex healthcare IT implementations and has also developed digital health strategies for health services, states and jurisdictions. In his spare time, Cody is renovating his house and enjoys playing and coaching tennis or playing with his spoodle puppy, Remi.
ARCHIVES
The 25 oldest known Old Scotch Collegians of all time * There are two living Old Boy centenarians who rank in this list. The two names are in italics, below.
As at 4 November 2022
SURNAME
GIVEN NAMES
DATE OF BIRTH
SC YEARS
YRS
MNTHS DAYS
1. Morgan
William*
23 Oct 1915
DATE OF DEATH
1923 - 1935
107
0
16
2. Stuckey
Francis Campbell
14 Apr 1906
22 Aug 2011
1918 - 1924
105
4
8
3. Chandler
Alfred William Herbert
1 Jun 1905
1 Sep 2010
1918 - 1922
105
3
0
4. Atkins
Arthur Henry Chesterman
5 Aug 1917
26 Oct 2022
1929 - 1935
105
2
21
5. Howden
William Balleny
14 Mar 1906
2 Jul 2009
1920 - 1923
103
3
18
6. Oxley
Harold Knights
22 Nov 1916
8 Mar 2020
1926 - 1933
103
3
15
7. Parker
John Morton
24 Jul 1918
4 Nov 2021
1935 - 1936
103
9
8
8. Durston
Raymond George
26 Jul 1899
19 May 2002
1913 - 1917
102
9
23
9. Hewitt
Cyrus Lenox Simson
7 May 1917
28 Feb 2020
1926 - 1933
102
9
21
10. Lyne
John Alexander
23 Oct 1909
20 May 2012
1924 - 1928
102
6
27
11. Taft
Ronald
3 Jun 1920
1929 - 1936
102
5
1
12. Taweel
Victor George
16 Jun 1912
18 Oct 2014
1924 - 1929
102
4
2
13. Pitt
Joshua John
31 May 1919
13 Aug 2021
1927 - 1934
102
2
13
14. Purton
Herbert Culvenor
21 Nov 1917
26 Dec 2019
1935 - 1935
102
1
5
15. Baker
Frederick Harry Uther
16 Sep 1900
25 Sep 2002
1907 - 1917
102
0
9
16. Duncan
William Alan
10 Nov 1910
13 Oct 2012
1922 - 1926
101
11
3
17. McLeod
Donald Hamilton
19 Aug 1915
25 Jun 2017
1930 - 1932
101
10
6
18. Glasser
Daniel (Neil)
28 Sep 1918
24 Jul 2020
1930 - 1932
101
9
26
19. Dumbrell
Kenneth George
17 Jan 1921
16 Oct 2022
1936 - 1937
101
8
29
20. Geer
Charles Keith
4 Feb 1915
6 Oct 2016
1929 - 1932
101
8
2
21. Black
Alan George
23 Dec 1916
12 Aug 2018
1931 - 1932
101
7
20
22. Riddle
Malcolm Robertson
18 Dec 1919
4 Aug 2021
1935 - 1937
101
7
17
23. Ponsford
Robert Leslie
12 Dec 1894
23 Jul 1996
1911 - 1912
101
7
11
24. Marshall
Alexander
18 Sep 1919
24 Mar 2021
1933 - 1937
101
6
6
25. Carrick
Graham James
5 Mar 1921
10 Apr 2022
1929 - 1935
101
1
5
The 25 oldest known living Old Boys
As at 4 November 2022
1.
Rev. William Morgan, b. 23 October 1915. Captain 1935. Aged 107
14. James Crichton Murray Johnstone, b. 9 November 1924
2.
Ronald Taft, b. 3 June 1920. Aged 102
15. Herbert Neil Kelly, b. 10 November 1924
3. Geoffrey Arthur Tingate, b. 30 October 1922. Aged 100
16. William Geoffrey Wicks, b. 11 November 1924
4.
17. Cornelius Jan Schram, b. 29 November 1924
Warwick Laslett Exton, b. 20 November 1922
5. William Simpson Brake, b. 12 May 1923
18. Donald Albert Howarth, b. 26 December 1924
6. Ross Franklin Smith, b. 24 July 1923
19. Russell Callum Jack, b. 13 January 1925
7.
Bruce Acland Miles, b. 2 August 1923
20. Charles Richard Boston, b. 19 January 1925
8. Maurice Smith, b. 15 November 1923
21. Bruce McKenzie Crowl, b. 1 September 1925
9. Robert Wilbur Wishart, b. 7 May 1924
22. John Burnett Mosman, b. 1 September 1925
10. Dr Trevor Percival Telfer, b. 7 August 1924
23. Dr Howard William Searle Farrow, b. 13 September 1925
11. Edward Graeme Marshall, b. 2 September 1924
24. George Rynhart Love, b. 21 October 1925
12. Bruce William May, b. 4 September 1924
25. Laurits Alexander Hansen, b. 23 October 1925
13. Dr Clarence John Kendall Pawsey, b. 7 September 1924
The youngest boy is Guagua (Lewis) Ding, born 7 March 2017 www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 97
ARCHIVES
MR PAUL MISHURA SCHOOL ARCHIVIST
THE (CURRENT) SCOTCH SCOTCH’S BLAZER FAMOUS BLAZER IS THE TURNS 90 DESIGN THAT ENDURED
1.
3.
4. 1 AND 2: BLAZER AND POCKET DETAIL OF FRANCIS WILLIAM WARD SCOTT (SC 1928-33) 3 AND 4: BLAZER AND POCKET DETAIL OF JAMES OCHILTREE ROBERTSON (SC 1902-07)
2.
98 Great Scot
Most people incorrectly believe that Scotch had colours and a uniform from the day it opened or that they were soon introduced. Instead, Scotch lagged behind its competitors in developing colours and having a uniform – especially a blazer. An article in the December 2020 Great Scot explains how Scotch’s colours were originally royal blue and white before changing to cardinal and blue in 1886. Except for sports uniforms – rowers wearing blue and white in 1886 before the footballers that year appeared in cardinal socks and caps – there was effectively no school uniform. An almost complete lack of 19th century sports photographs in Scotch’s archives (and no Scotch magazine with photographs until 1904) hinders tracing how the uniform developed. The advent of the Scotch blazer seems to have followed the arrival of Principal William Still Littlejohn in 1904. He gave Scotch many of the Public School institutions it lacked but its competitors had: the Prefect system, Houses and an enduring school magazine (The Scotch Collegian – the short-lived Young Victoria had appeared from 1877-81 and 1884-85). Under Littlejohn, a Scotch uniform gradually evolved. The earliest-known blazer is that of James Ochiltree Robertson (born 23.5.1888, SC 1902-07, died 5.11.1955), whose pocket’s crossed
7.
8.
8. BLUE CORD FOR A 1ST VIII CREW MEMBER AND CURRENT MOTTO DATE THIS POCKET FROM 1915-24. 9. BLAZER POCKET OF LESLIE ALFRED WASON MACTIER (SC 1923-24), IN WHITE (PROBATIONER), BLACK AND WHITE SCHOOL HOUSE COLOURS, AND ATH AND XVIII AS ATHLETICS AND 1ST XVIII MEMBER. 10. ROBERT OSWALD LAURIE (SC 1924-
33) AS THE ONLY 1932 1ST XI MEMBER IN THE NEW BLAZER. 11. UNUSUAL POCKET ON 1925-32 BLAZER MATERIAL WITH 1915-24 SCOTCH BADGE. 12. 1925-32 BLAZER POCKET WITH 1ST VIII COLOURS AND LAWSON HOUSE COLOURS FOR HOUSE ROWING. 13. BLAZER OF 1929 PREFECT ERIC RUSSELL LOVE (SC 1923-29).
6.
5.
9.
5 AND 6: BASIC BLAZER AND POCKET DETAIL OF COLIN MCKELLAR SKENE (SC 1917-22). 7. CROSS RIFLES OF A SCOTCH SHOOTING TEAM MEMBER OF THE 1908-14 PERIOD.
oars date it back to at least 1907, when he rowed in the 1st VIII. The blazer is cardinal with white piping, with an ‘S’ and a ‘C’ intertwined, as it also was on the school cap. By 1908, with the belated arrival of gold as Scotch’s third colour (decided and announced by Littlejohn in 1906) the revised blazer was striped with fine blue and gold stripes over cardinal. The basic blazer used the letters ‘SC’ overlaid with an ‘M’ for Melbourne, to differentiate Scotch from other Scotch Colleges – including one at St Kilda. School Prefects, Probationers and members of teams awarded full or half colours received variations of the-then Scotch badge (the ‘seated scholar’) on their pockets. This detailed badge was often very crudely reproduced, as seen in some of the photographs. In 1925 a plain cardinal blazer replaced the striped blazer, with a gold and blue braid. The new Scotch coat of arms, introduced at the end of 1924, appeared on the pocket. However, the basic blazer design became widely used elsewhere, and the dark cardinal tended to turn brown as it aged. In 1932 Littlejohn revised the striped Scotch blazer to the design the school knows and loves. The main change was of the colour, from a deep cardinal to a deep red, making it brighter and less likely to fade or turn brown. He modelled it himself at the 1932 Junior School Sports. The 1932 1st XI photograph shows how new it was, as only the Captain, Robert Oswald Laurie (born 30.6.1914, SC 1924-33, died 20 May 1997) wears it in the team photo. Only Prefects could wear it in 1932; since then, any member of the school can wear it with pride.
10.
11.
13.
12.
99
ARCHIVES
DID YOU KNOW THAT A SCOTCH BOY DESIGNED THE ICONIC REDHEADS’ MATCHBOX COVER?
1. A RARE PHOTO OF ELIZABETH HING (RIGHT). 2. THE ORIGINAL REDHEADS DESIGN BY RUPERT HING. 3. ONE OF MANY SUBSEQUENT VARIATIONS ON RUPERT’S DESIGN 4. RUPERT HING.
1.
Rupert Clarence Kwan Hing, known as Rupert Hing, was a Scotch boy of Chinese descent, the son of William and Matilda (nee Ah-Ket) Kwan Hing. Born at Northcote on 12 December 1908, he attended Scotch in 1923. In the month before he started at Scotch, Rupert beat 99 competitors to win the £10 first prize for the best black and white drawing of HMS Renown, on which the Prince of Wales had arrived in Australia in 1920. The Prince was visiting during the competition, and Rupert’s winning drawing was framed and given to him. Rupert received the prize money, and immediately handed it to the consulgeneral of China to help alleviate the plight of famine victims in China. At Scotch, his best subject was drawing, for which he received an end-of-year mark of 94. Rupert became a commercial artist and in 1955 was noted as being the President of the Australian Commercial and Industrial Artists’ Association. In 1946, Bryant & May introduced new safety matches and needed a new matchbox cover. The matches were safer for their use of red phosphorus, which was non-poisonous, and could only be ignited on the special strip on the edge of the matchbox. Their red heads inspired Rupert – then art director of Bryant & May’s advertising agency J. Walter Thompson – to give them a human personification. The love of Rupert’s life was the striking redheaded Elizabeth Anne Gilmour. Born on 19 November 1917, she had married Rupert on 9 October 1943. The Redhead matchbox logo inspired by her and designed by Rupert was first used in 1947, and unchanged until a 1958 redesign, with further changes since then. Despite the changes, the concept remains the same. The redheaded love of Rupert’s life was extinguished on 14 June 1988. Rupert died on 19 April 2001. They had no children. She, however, lives on as the iconic, much-copied, and parodied Redheads’ girl, and as the best-known of Rupert’s artistic work.
100 Great Scot Issue 167 – December 2022
2. 4.
3.
OBITUARIES Deaths of Old Boys or former staff members of which Scotch is aware are listed here. Obituaries for the names in italics below appear on the following pages of this edition.
INDEX ATKINS DFC, Arthur Henry Chesterman (’34). Born 5 August 1917, SC 1929-35, died 26 October 2022 BAILEY, Roger (’43). Born 14 August 1926, SC 1935-39, died 4 March 2022 BAINBRIDGE, Ian Keith (’47). Born 20 June 1930, SC 1938-47, died 26 October 2022 BAITZ, Peter (’61). Born 20 October 1942, SC 1957-61, died 18 June 2022 BAKER, Geoffrey William (’47). Born 6 September 1930, SC 1945-48, died 12 November 2022 BALLANTYNE, Andrew Douglas (’55). Born 19 November 1935, SC 1945-52, died 13 November 2022 BANNISTER, Dr Michael John (’53). Born 27 July 1936, SC 1952-53, died 10 September 2022 BLAIR, Graeme Ross (’60). Born 2 June 1942, SC 1951-60, died 3 August 2022 BRIGGS, Richard Rankin (’57). Born 30 August 1940, SC 1954-58, died 9 October 2022 BUCHANAN AM, Dr Robert Alexander (’50). Born 12 April 1934, SC 1947-51, died 25 October 2022 BURSLEM, Kenneth Gordon (’53). Born 23 October 1936, SC 1948-53, died 8 January 2022 at Perth, Western Australia COLLIE, Rev Robert William Strickland (’44). Born 17 October 1927, SC 1941-45, died 13 November 2022 DAY, Arthur Charles (’50). Born 8 August 1933, SC 1947-50, died 15 July 2022 DENHOLM, John Victor (’51). Born 16 May 1933, SC 1948-51, died 16 September 2022 DONALDSON, Rev. Dr Robert Euan (’45). Born 27 January 1928, SC 1939-46, died 27 July 2022 at Lobethal, South Australia
DUMBRELL, Kenneth George (’39). Born 17 January 1921, SC 1936-37, died 16 October 2022 FOWLER, Brian Ennis (’53). Born 22 October 1935, SC 1949-53, died 5 November 2022 FRASER, Graeme Stuart (’50). Born 20 April 1933, SC 1941-51, died 7 October 2022 FRASER SMITH, Duncan Grant (’56). Born 2 August 1939, SC 1947-57, died 10 September 2022 FREEMAN, Warrick Anderson (’72). Born 2 October 1954, SC 1967-71, died 28 April 2022 GOLDER, William Thomas (’46). Born 17 July 1927, SC 1937-43, died 28 September 2021 GRACE, Anthony Gerald (Staff 1989-2013). Born 7 October 1947, died 11 October 2022 GRIFFIN, Vaughan Garry (’52). Born 20 August 1934, SC 1947-51, died 5 September 2022 GRIFFITH, Dr Max Adderly (’42). Born 30 September 1924, SC 1939-41, died 9 September 2022 HALES, Dr John Michael (’50). Born 24 February 1933, SC 1943-51, died 21 September 2022 HOBBS, Ian Robert (Staff 2004-17). Born 29 January 1947, died 14 September 2022 HORSBURGH, Ronald Gordon (’43). Born 30 November 1925, SC 1937-39, died 3 January 2021 HUNT, Geoffrey Robert (’47). Born 10 August 1931, SC 1944-48, died 8 November 2022 LAMBORN, Donald Arthur (’45). Born 20 April 1929, SC 1942-44, died 1 October 2021 MARKS, Bruce David (’46). Born 10 March 1929, SC 1943-45, died 4 September 2022 MARSHALL, Campbell Alexander (’19). Born 12 August 2001, SC 2007-19, died 16 October 2022
McDONALD, Donald Graham (’40). Born 23 November 1921, SC 193438, died 27 May 2022 at Narrabeen, New South Wales McDONALD, William Henry (’44). Born 30 September 1926, SC 1935-44, died 27 April 2022 McMILLAN, Walter Kelvin (’47). Born 24 June 1930, SC 1944-45, died 27 August 2022 McPHERSON, Colin Winston (’58). Born 15 October 1940, SC 1955-58, died 12 November 2022 MINCHINTON, Vivian Walter (’49). Born 28 November 1931, SC 1942-49, died 11 August 2022 MOORE, Robert Gerald (’54). Born 25 January 1937, SC 1949-53, died 20 April 2021 MOREY OAM, Bruce Robin (’52). Born 11 May 1935, SC 1947-52, died 9 May 2022 MOREY, Edward Robert (’52). Born 11 May 1935, SC 1947-50, died 22 July 2022 at Ballina District Hospital, Ballina, New South Wales MUNRO, Brian Keith (’47). Born 23 July 1930, SC 1944-46, died 3 August 2022 NICHOLLS, Alan James (’61). Born 11 October 1944, SC 1958-62, died 25 October 2022 NOACK, Robert Brian Alexander (’47). Born 12 August 1930, SC 1944-47, died 27 September 2022 OLDING, Reginald Anthony (’49). Born 28 June 1931, SC 1938-49, died 30 December 2021 RAMSAY, John Edwin (’59). Born 5 December 1941, SC 1949-58, died 22 September 2022 RAMSAY, Phillip John (’48). Born 16 March 1932, SC 1940-48, died 8 June 2022 REES, Delwyn Garland (’44). Born 2 January 1926, SC 1939-43, died 5 November 2022 RIACH, Neill Alexander (’45). Born 5
December 1926, SC 1941-43, died 16 June 2022 ROBINSON, Dr Robert Carter (’49). Born 7 September 1932, SC 1946-50, died 27 October 2022 RODDICK, John Ewen (’70). Born 2 April 1952, SC 1958-69, died 31 July 2022 RODITIS, Derek Gordon Frederick (’95). Born 23 February 1977, SC 1989-95, died 7 November 2022 ROSS, Bruce Lindsay (’46). Born 20 February 1930, SC 1941-47, died 20 August 2022 SHARP, Donald McPhee (’50). Born 12 April 1933, SC 1947-51, died 10 November 2022 SMITH KCVO CVO AO KStJ CStJ, Sir David Iser (’51). Born 9 August 1933, SC 1944-51, died 15 August 2022 at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory SPEEDIE, Ian Burns (’58). Born 5 July 1941, SC 1955-58, died 12 September 2022 STERLING, Professor John Adrian Lawrence (’43). Born 17 April 1927, SC 1933-35, died 29 November 2020 at London, England SYME, Robert Duncan (’48). Born 14 December 1931, SC 1940-47, died 7 November 2022 TYAS, Richard Edwin Holmes (’67). Born 12 January 1950, SC 1962-64, died 24 October 2022 WARD, Michael Robert (’73). Born 13 October 1954, SC 1967-73, died 7 October 2022 WARK, Edgar Keith (’51). Born 27 February 1934, SC 1940-50, died 11 July 2022 WEETMAN, Peter Robert (’60). Born 20 July 1943, SC 1957-60, died 26 October 2022 WILLERSDORF, Robert Graeme (’59). Born 23 March 1942, SC 1956-60, died 16 October 2022.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 101
OBITUARIES The following obituaries have been written by family or friends; except the obituaries for Richard Rankin Briggs, Sir David BAINBRIDGE, Ian Keith (’47) Ian’s daughters, Robyn and Helen, wrote: Ian Keith Bainbridge was born at Hawthorn on 20 June 1930, the son of Keith Christopher and Marjorie (nee Ennis) Bainbridge. He left Little Ruyton to attend Scotch from 1938 to 1947. A member of Monash House, Ian also spent some time boarding in McMeckan. He was a member of the 1945 and 1947 Athletics teams, winning the under 16 hurdles in 1945. Also at Scotch were Ian’s cousins Egbert Procter Bainbridge (born 6.8.1905, SC 1915, died 30.3.1993), Joseph Ronald Bainbridge (born 18.3.1907, SC 1915-16, died 10.3.1992) and Francis Connell Bainbridge (born 16.7.1910, SC 1916-19, died 26.1.1992) and great-uncles Francis Fiddey Bainbridge (born 28.12.1846, SC 1859, died 20.3.1933), Edward Procter Bainbridge (born 20.4.1849, SC 1858-60, died 2.7.1930), Harry Boorman Bainbridge (born 12.2.1851, SC 1858-60, died 27.1.1923) and John William Bainbridge (born 15.8.1870, SC 1885-86, died 7.8.1940). Graduating in Mechanical Engineering from Melbourne University in 1952, Ian travelled to London for a graduate engineering apprenticeship with British General Electric, before returning to Melbourne to work for ICI Engineering. He married Wendy Margaret Sharpe at Scotch on 5 March 1965. They were married for nearly 58 years. Ian was diligent and had a long and rewarding career at ICI from 1953 to 1992. He was a trusted project manager, which led him to working and living in Sydney, where his daughter, Robyn, was born, Newcastle, where his second daughter, Helen, was born, and also in Adelaide, America and England, with numerous side trips to ensure his projects were meticulously managed. In his leisure time, Ian loved snow skiing, sailing, hiking, camping, swimming and his beloved family. They would regularly divide
102 Great Scot Issue 167 – December 2022
their time in the winter holidays between Mount Hotham and Mount Buller, with summer holidays at Point Lonsdale. Ian died on 26 October 2022 in his childhood home at Balwyn, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, daughters Robyn and Helen and two grandsons, Ben and Sam. Ian lived an amazingly selfless life and was a great role model for his family. We will miss him terribly and love him to the moon and back. BLAIR, Graeme Ross (Ross) (’60) Ross’ brother, Andrew (’58), wrote: Ross was born at Melbourne on 2 June 1942, the son of Graeme Norman Blair (born 27.9.1909, SC 1917-27, died 26.11.1963) and Marjorie (nee Gillam) (born 3.12.1912, died 28.3.1992). Among many other relatives at Scotch were his brothers Andrew (SC 1949-58) and Robert (SC 1954-63), and their grandfather David Blair (born 1.6.1866, SC 1875-83, died 6.10.1942). Ross attended Scotch from 1951 to 1960. While in the Junior School he won various academic prizes, which he attributed to his incredible memory. At Scotch, Ross was known by the nickname ‘Yock’. He completed his Leaving Certificate before obtaining a Diploma of Art (Industrial Design) at RMIT. An artistic person, Ross worked as a graphic designer and artist. He was involved in the design of retail advertising, where his skills in English spelling and grammar came to the fore. He worked on furniture and subsequently packaging, where his design skills enabled the creation of some innovative packaging. Ross was delighted when his design of the Scotch College 150 year celebration logo was adopted. Ross was kind, generous and gentle by nature. In his quiet and unassuming way, he endeared himself to many people over his 80 years. He had a love of animals, and is pictured as a Scotch boy with his dog Mick.
Ross died on 3 August 2022 at Plenty Valley Retirement Village, Epping. He is survived by his son, Matthew, who attended Trinity Grammar School, and by his brothers Andrew and Robert. BRIGGS, Richard Rankin (Dick) (’57) As a future Archivist of Scotch, Dick Briggs was appropriately born on its former East Melbourne site in St Andrew’s Hospital on 30 August 1940, the son of Richard Alfred and Tui Moreen (nee Rankin) Briggs. He attended Toorak College and Geelong Grammar School (1949-53), entering Scotch in 1954. Scotch gave Dick lifelong friends. Several weeks after beginning to repeat Matriculation in 1958, Dick left to commence Medicine at Melbourne University. He discontinued Medicine, realising that teaching was his true calling. After three years at Mornington High School, he returned to Scotch in 1964 as a Mathematics and Science teacher and resident master in McMeckan and School Houses. He was a Cadet Unit Captain, active in Scotch-at-Cowes and in the Ski Club, coached under 13 cricket, under 15 and 16 football, and football umpiring. Dick also played rugby for Old Scotch. He resigned in 1968 and went to Monash University for further studies. While chaperoning Scotchies at a 1968 dance with Toorak College girls, Dick met Toorak College chaperone Susan Ruth (Sue) Maxwell. Wasting little time, they married at Scotch on 21 December 1968. Their daughters are Bridie and Myf. Cancer tragically claimed Susan on 24 July 1989, leaving Dick to raise two teenage girls. Dick was an inaugural staff member at (the now) Wellington Secondary College (1973-80). Subsequently involved with computer company Integer until its closure in the mid-1980s, he then worked at the Victorian Medical Postgraduate Foundation (now Health Education Australia Limited
Iser Smith and Professor John Adrian Lawrence Sterling, which were written by the Scotch Archivist, Paul Mishura. ‘HEAL’), heading up education on HIV until 1992. In 1993 Dick returned to Scotch as its second Archivist. He oversaw the packing and moving of the Archives several times, including into its current location on Morrison Street. His greatest task was liaising with Sir Thomas Meek Ramsay (born 24.11.1907, SC 1917-24, died 27.1.1995) and transferring Tom’s donation of his massive collection of Australasian and Pacific rim antiquarian books, ephemera and artefacts to Scotch. Dick made it all fit into the Special Collections Room, and began cataloguing it with assistance from the current Archivist, Paul Mishura, whose nascent interest in Scotch, Dick actively encouraged. Scotch mothers also assisted. Dick aided the future third Archivist, Dr Jim Mitchell (SC 1957-64) in his writing of Scotch’s sesquicentenary history. After frequent ill-health, Dick retired in 2006. Dick enjoyed playing bridge and was on the Peninsula Country Golf Club committee. He flourished as an orator, becoming a District Governor of Toastmasters. Dick died on 9 October 2022 on the Mornington Peninsula, survived by his daughters and grandchildren Clara, twins William and Alanna, Julia, Harry and Emma. He loved his family, friends, Scotch and history. BURSLEM, Kenneth Gordon (‘53) Ken’s children wrote: Kenneth Gordon Burslem was born at Broadford on 23 October 1936, the son of Ronald Henry and Constance Annie Louise (nee Carver) Burslem. He left Hryncaster Prep School, Canterbury, to attend Scotch from 1948 to 1953. Also at Scotch were his brother Bruce Jeffrey Burslem (born 18.11.1928, SC 1942-45, died 16.2.2017) and son Guy (SC 1973). Inspired by a neighbour – a former war correspondent – Ken secured a cadetship
with The Herald. With the arrival of television – a more visual medium – Ken joined GTV9’s evening news. Eager to report on ‘big’ stories overseas, in 1960 he travelled to South Africa to cover the aftermath of the Sharpeville massacre, and then to Europe, where he was among the last Western journalists to leave East Germany as the Berlin Wall was erected. Ken worked for many of Australia’s top news programs, including This Day Tonight, A Current Affair with Mike Willesee, and Four Corners. He ran Channel 10’s Los Angeles bureau for 10 years. Ken covered some of the most significant events of the last 60 years, including the Melbourne Olympics, the NASA space program, the rise of Gough Whitlam, and the wars in the Balkans and Afghanistan. Along the way he found himself in a few tight spots: roughed up by drug boss Robert Trimbole’s bodyguards during a ‘doorstop’ interview, bashed during the 1992 Los Angeles race riots, and dressed down by Bob Hawke, the-then head of the ACTU, at a 1970s press conference. Through it all, Ken never lost his cheerful optimism for life or a willingness to see the best in people – an attribute that allowed him to make friends everywhere. Even in his 80s, he received emails from Scotch friends looking to reconnect. Ken spent his last years working on a book about his father’s World War I experiences. Ken married Christine Mary Stevenson at London, England on 22 March 1963. Together they continued to cross borders, to visit their children Guy, Christopher, Heath and Ivana, and their grandchildren Mieke, Rhys, Charlie and Amelia. Ken died in his sleep at Perth, Western Australia, on 8 January 2022. DAY, Arthur Charles (’50) Arthur’s great friend, Don Moyes (’50), wrote: Arthur was born at the Sunshine Community Hospital,
Sunshine, on 8 August 1933, the son of Charles Roy and Edna (nee Kellow) Day. He attended Sunshine State School and Williamstown High School (1945-46) before attending Scotch from 1947 to 1950. A member of the 1949 and 1950 1st XI, he was its opening left-arm fast bowler in partnership with future Collingwood and Victorian cricketer Thomas Leslie Crow (born 23.8.1931, SC 1942-50, died 18.1.2020). Arthur was selected for Footscray's 1st XI at the age of 17, and – after 192 games in 17 years – he still holds its record of 513 wickets. In 1955, Arthur was selected for Victoria, replacing Bill Johnston, who was ill with chickenpox. On debut he was delighted to bowl Test cricketers Keith Miller for a first ball duck, and Jim Burke for 22. He played a further three games for Victoria. During his last game in March 1957, Arthur and Test cricketer Sam Loxton dismissed Western Australia's first seven batsmen. Arthur’s Victorian career ended with 11 wickets at the miserly rate of two runs per over. For Footscray, Arthur was very proud of his four 50s with a top score of 65 in the 1963/64 season against Hawthorn-East Melbourne. His best bowling performances were 8/45 against Richmond and 8/27 against Carlton. Arthur became a Footscray committee member, an honorary life member and a Hall of Fame inductee. Despite being a fast bowler, Arthur was regarded by teammates and opponents alike as a decent and ethical bloke. On 20 December 1958, he married Maria Ann Mottin at Scotch. They had a daughter, Sue, and sons Peter, Anthony and David. Initially an industrial chemist with APM, he later had a senior management position at Olex Cables, as well as a small private practice analysing metals with his father, who had played football for North Melbourne and Footscray. Arthur died on 15 July 2022 at St John of God Hospital, Geelong. A thanksgiving service was held at St Andrew's Uniting Church, Queenscliff, on 22 July 2022.
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DONALDSON, Rev. Dr Robert Euan (’45) Robert’s son, Matthew, wrote: The Rev. Dr Robert Euan Donaldson was born at Ivanhoe on 27 January 1928. He attended Scotch from 1939 to 1946. Robert was a 1945 and 1946 1st Tennis team member and a 1946 Prefect. He was Dux of the Junior School in 1940 and Dux of the School in 1946, having received a 1942 Council Scholarship. At Matriculation in 1946 he received General and Economics Exhibitions. Robert’s many Scotch relatives included brothers John Geoffrey Donaldson (born 16.9.1913, SC 1927-30, died 28.6.2013), Lloyd Bruce Donaldson (born 10.11.1917, SC 1932-35, died 6.1.2002) and David Owen Donaldson (born 20.3.1921, SC 1935-39, died 18.6.1987). Studying philosophy on a scholarship at Melbourne University, in 1952 Robert was called to the ministry after coming to know the Lord and entered Ormond College. Amazed to find it attacking the authority of the Bible, Robert stood up for God's word and was dismissed from the seminary. The Lord enabled him to finish his training in the United States of America, and, after ministering in Canada and teaching in Australia, he was received back in 1964, and endorsed for the ministry. Robert ministered in New Zealand (defending, with his session, the bodily resurrection in the 1966 Assembly), and in Canada, spending over 30 years as a minister in what became the Presbyterian Church in America, and preaching the Gospel and teaching God's word in Australia and the USA. He gained Bachelors of Arts and Divinity, Master of Arts (Hons), Diploma of Education and Doctor of Theology, using an original approach to Christian Apologetics. For 30 years, Robert pastored an independent Presbyterian church in Adelaide, while writing books for publication and the Web. From about age 60, he
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published a 243-volume set on Biblical Christian Apologetics, demonstrating the truth of the Bible. On 23 January 1969, Robert married Margaret Florence Cameron at Houlton, Maine, USA. They had two children, Matthew and Christy. His gracious wife, Margaret, died on 2 April 2018. Robert died on 27 July 2022 at the Restvale Nursing Home, Lobethal, South Australia, looking forward to the great day of Christ's return and the resurrection of the body. McDONALD, Donald Graham (’40) Donald’s only daughter, Sue Woodman, wrote: Donald Graham McDonald was born at Kew on 23 November 1921, the youngest son of Alfred Henry and May Florence (nee Rashleigh) McDonald. He attended Glenferrie State School and then Scotch College as a day boy from 1934 to 1938. Also at Scotch were his brothers Alan Alfred McDonald (born 5.8.1913, SC 1926-29, died 29.6.2005) and Kenneth Neal McDonald (born 20.6.1918, SC 1929-33, died 6.8.2009), nephews David (SC 195862), Christopher (SC 1963-65) and Andrew McDonald (SC 1964-69) and great-nephew Lachlan McDonald (SC 1980-82). After leaving Scotch, Donald worked at his father’s engineering works until he enlisted in the RAAF in 1943. He trained as a gunner at Laverton and was demobilised as a Flight Sergeant in 1946. Donald then joined the Royal Insurance Company in Melbourne. On 22 April 1949, Donald married Norma Mary Cundy at Scotch. Their daughter Susan was born in 1950. Norma died on 30 January 2016. Donald remained an employee of the Royal Insurance Company until his retirement at the age of 60, having been posted to Warrnambool and finally as area manager in Lismore. He then fulfilled
his dream of becoming a farmer, with his purchase of a dairy farm near Byron Bay in New South Wales. Donald enjoyed a number of years of farming and became involved in local politics through his opposition to sand mining in the area. Eventually he and Norma moved to Coolangatta in Queensland, where he embraced the local community with memberships at both the Tweed Heads Bowling Club and Probus. Living his final years in Sydney enabled Donald to regularly visit his daughter, grandsons and great-granddaughters. Donald retained his sense of humour and interest in the world to the end. He was immensely proud to reach his century, and treasured the congratulations received from the Queen, the Governor-General and other state office bearers. Before his death on 27 May 2022 at Long Tan, RSL LifeCare, Narrabeen, New South Wales, Donald was Scotch’s sixth oldest known living Old Boy. His fond memories of Scotch were recognised by his donation of funds for pipe organ tuition. McDONALD, William Henry (’44) Bill’s son, Anders (’75), wrote: Bill McDonald was born on 30 September 1926 at 43 Barrington Avenue, Kew, the son of Archibald and Edna Lillian (nee Spry) McDonald. He attended Scotch from 1935 to 1944. Until 1941 he travelled daily from Ferny Creek – a 12-hour day! His final three years as an Arthur Robinson House boarder were some of the happiest and most fulfilling of his life. He was a 1944 ARH Prefect. Communal living prepared Bill for Royal Australian Navy service from 1945 to 1946. On a minesweeper in the South China Sea, he participated in the first-known game of Australian Rules football in mainland China, using lifeboat oars as goal posts. As ship’s barber he made a few shillings a week, which he saved for his post-war future. Bill was demobilised as a Stores Assistant.
Briefly a viticulturalist in Mildura, Bill returned to Melbourne and worked hard in sales, to eventually own his own successful business importing steel and other metals from Europe and Japan. Touring Europe on his beloved Lambretta motor scooter, Bill met Swedish girl Signe Elvbrit (Bibi) Blondell, whom he married at Scotch on 13 April 1957. Their son, Anders, attended Scotch (SC 1970-75) and they had three daughters. Bill was immensely proud of them all. Following his divorce, on 7 April 1984 Bill married Mrs Jacqueline Charlotte (Jacqui) (nee Virtue) Fletcher at home at North Balwyn. He spent the rest of his life as her devoted husband. Bill enjoyed golf and squash, and fishing at Gipsy Point or in Western Port Bay from his cosy holiday house at Cowes. A mad Tigers’ fan, he regularly shouted ‘Eat ‘em alive’ at the television when they won. Jacqui and Bill spent much of their retirement in their Queensland unit. There was more fishing and golf, as well as the peace and quiet of time on the beach and at the barbecue preparing dinner. Bill helped raise Jacqui’s grandson, Rohmi, in tricky circumstances until he was into his 90s. Bill suffered a fall at his nursing home, and was taken to Cabrini Hospital, Malvern, where he died on 27 April 2022. McMILLAN, Walter Kelvin (Kel) (’47) Kel’s son, Greg (’76), wrote: Walter Kelvin McMillan was born on 24 June 1930 at home in Brunswick, the son of Walter Frederick and Pearl Edna Emily (nee Callaway) McMillan. Known as Kel, he attended South Brunswick State School and Northcote High School before attending Scotch from 1944 to 1945. Also at Scotch were his son Greg (SC 1971-76) and nephew Paul Russell (SC 1977-81).
Kel had a passion for music and hockey. He was a foundation member of the Melbourne Junior Symphony Orchestra as a clarinettist. However, in Foundation Day Concerts and House events, Scotch’s Musical Director, Lionel Albert Jack (John) Bishop (born 26.10.1903, staff 1937-47, died 14.12.1964), asked Kel to play the bassoon parts on the saxophone, leading to a career no-one envisaged. Kel was also member of the 1944 and 1945 Athletics teams. Unfortunately, Kel’s time at Scotch was cut short, as his father insisted he work full-time in the family transport business. In 1955, Kel sailed to London to audition for the BBC, leading to a solo engagement on the BBC television program In Town Tonight. The relationships then formed enabled Kel – years later – to realise a boyhood dream of forming his own privately-managed symphony orchestra, the Australian Pops/Philharmonic Orchestra (APO). On New Year’s Eve, 1980, Kel’s dream came to fruition, when the APO began its first performance in the-then Melbourne Concert Hall. Apart from presenting subscription series concerts, the APO was booked to accompany world-class performers, including Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, Olivia Newton-John and leading Australian artists, including Barry Humphries and Marina Prior. While playing for the Brunswick Hockey Club, Kel was selected to play in the Australian hockey team at 17 years of age, but his father said he was ‘too young’ to do so. Twelve months later, Kel was struck by polio, which ended his hockey career. Despite a ‘never walk again’ prognosis, Kel walked – unaided – from the Austin Hospital 12 months later, to commence his ‘dream’ life. Kel died peacefully at BUPA Aged Care, Portland on 27 August 2022. He is survived by his son, Greg, and daughters Deborah and Vivienne.
MINCHINTON, Vivian Walter (’49) Viv’s son-in-law, John MacKinnon (’87), wrote: Viv Minchinton was born at Melbourne on 28 November 1931, the son of Old Boy Walter George Minchinton (born 22.1.1898, SC 1912-16, died 1.11.1976) and his wife Audrey (nee Cole). Viv attended Scotch from 1942 until 1949. A member of Morrison House, Viv matriculated with three Second Class Honours. Also at Scotch were his grandsons James MacKinnon (SC 2010-15) and Lachlan MacKinnon (SC 2016-21). Initially following his father by studying Dentistry at Melbourne University, Viv switched to Economics just before completing Dentistry and subsequently had a long career with the public service. In 1966 Viv was relocated to Canberra to be part of the early introduction of computers into government service. Once back in Melbourne, he attained a Masters’ degree in economics and a Master of Business Administration. He later undertook an academic secondment as a lecturer in economics. Viv finished his career in 1992 at Telecom (now Telstra) as Chief Statistician. It was only after the appropriate time that Viv’s earlier side role involving high level government clearance was revealed to his family. Viv was a Fellow of CPA Australia, a registered tax agent and a keen investor. Together with his brother-in-law, he commenced a commercial scale forestry operation in Gippsland in 1980. He was a member of the Australian Forest Growers’ professional association for 25 years. On 11 February 1963, Vic married Joan Wilma Kelso at Scotch and they had three daughters – Caroline, Fiona and Allison – who all attended PLC. Viv and Joan frequently travelled overseas, including to visit daughters then living in Los Angeles and Glasgow. They were married for 52 years until Joan’s death on 22 August 2015.
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Golf was Viv’s personal passion. Having joined Riversdale Golf Club in 1952 in the rare ‘under 21’ category, he recently achieved the unusual milestone of 70 years as a member, and over 50 years playing in A grade. Viv won many board events, some repeated decades apart, played Pennant for Riversdale, and scored three holes-in-one. Viv died peacefully at Shenley Regis Manor, Camberwell on 11 August 2022. MOREY OAM, Bruce Robin (’52) Bruce’s son, Stephen, wrote: Bruce was born on 11 May 1935 at Devon private hospital, Glenhuntly, the son of Ernest Newton and Janet Thelma Daisy (nee Robins) Morey. He attended Scotch from 1947 to 1952 with his twin brother Edward Robert Morey (SC 1947-50, died 22 July 2022). Also at Scotch was their brother John Newton Morey (born 19.5.1928, SC 1938-44, died 17.1.2016) and John’s son Jim (SC 1965-76). Scotch developed Bruce’s vision, organisational and artistic skills, particularly his piano playing and organisation of revues and Scout Gang Shows in the 1950s. A recording of his stunning 1950 Foundation Day Concert performance of Bach’s C Minor Fantasia was played at his funeral. Bruce and Alan Douglas (Doug) Callister (born 15.12.1931, SC 1937-49, died 7.12.1993) worked on innovative music compositions and produced many performances. In 1952, Bruce helped direct Scotch and Sober, a revue involving sketches like ‘Pardon my Incision’ with Bruce and Doug playing surgeons in an operating theatre. Bruce also played a model in ‘Fastidious Fashion Frivolities.’ On 24 January 1959, Bruce married Rosemary Caroline Watson at Scotch. After National Service (1957-58), Bruce became a primary school teacher at the one-teacher Blakeville Primary (north of Ballan) then Elwood Central, Moorabbin
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West, the Curriculum and Research Branch, and Richmond West Primary School in Lennox Street (1972-82). A very multicultural school with mostly Greek and Turkish students, it soon became the school for many children from Vietnam and Cambodia who were welcomed to Australia as boat people. Joining the Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra in 1973, Bruce quickly became involved in organising concerts, tours and music camps. In 1980, he and Rosemary visited Europe and were inspired by the music and arts, and thought ‘Why couldn’t we have an arts centre, concerts and exhibitions in Sandringham?’ The founding, setting up, running and inspiring of the Sandy Beach Centre was his work for many years, and for which he was awarded the OAM on the Queen’s Birthday in 2003. He retired in the late 2000s. Bruce died on 9 May 2022 at the Sandringham Hospital, Sandringham, survived by his wife Rosemary, children Stephen and Jo, and their families. NICHOLLS, Alan James (’61) Alan’s friend, Euan Campbell (‘63), wrote: Alan James Nicholls was born at Jessie McPherson Hospital, Melbourne, on 11 October 1944, the son of Old Boy James Henry Nicholls (born 24.2.1918, SC 1929-34, died 26.6.1980) and his wife Mabel Winifred (nee Yates). Alan left Elwood High School to attend Scotch from 1958 to 1962. His brother Peter attended from 1961 to 1963. Alan’s Scotch years were a source of great fun, experience and learning, providing him with unequalled opportunities to showcase his sporting ability as a member of the 1961 and 1962 2nd XVIIIs (the latter a premiership). He was also involved in athletics. Between 1963 and 1978 Alan played a then-record 269 games for the Old Scotch Football Club. He played in the 1964
Reserves’ premiership and in 1974 was awarded Life Membership after playing 200 games. Extremely versatile, he played in every position in the Seniors. Alan later played 30-odd games for Langwarrin, also winning that league’s Sprint Gift at the age of 36. Alan joined the St Kilda Council as a cadet engineering assistant in March 1963, working there for 31 years. He graduated with a Diploma in Civil Engineering. He then spent three years in operations at Maroochy Shire Council, Queensland. Alan joined the Baw Baw Shire Council in 1996, where he was Director of Operations for 12 years. On 1 June 1968, Alan married Dianne Margaret Angus at Scotch. Their only child, Glen, inherited his dad’s love of sport, giving Alan much joy when he played non-Senior football for the Hawthorn Football Club. He balanced business with a great love of horses and racing. He also researched and wrote life stories of famous jockeys and leading trainers. A keen cyclist, Alan was a member of the Carnegie Amateur Bike Club, winning races at Olympic Park. Alan’s friendships from Scotch and council days continued throughout his life. Until recently, he was playing golf, walking and enjoying early morning sea swims with mates at Mornington. After a fulfilling life, Alan lost his battle with prostate cancer on 25 October 2022 at Beleura Private Hospital, Mornington. He will be dearly missed by many. OLDING, Reginald Anthony (’49) Reg’s son, Adam, wrote: Reg was born at Melbourne on 28 June 1931, the youngest of three children. He attended Scotch from 1938 to 1949 as a member of Morrison House. Also at Scotch were his brother Cecil Bruce Olding (born 4.6.1929, SC 1938-46, killed 15.6.1972 in a plane crash at New Delhi, India), nephew Mark Olding (SC 1968-74) and great-nephews William (SC 2011-14) and James Coombs (SC 2011-16).
Reg studied Law part-time at Melbourne University while working as an articled clerk for Selwyn Gerity and Robinson. Graduating in 1954, he spent a year in London with his lifelong best friend from school, Geoffrey Robert Parker (born 16.3.1932, SC 1939-48, died 3.7.2015) where he worked as a share clerk for L. Powell and Sons, sharebrokers. Returning to Melbourne, Reg spent two years as a solicitor before joining the pharmaceutical company Nicholas Pty Ltd as assistant legal officer, where he eventually led the legal department and became Company Secretary. After a 26-year career at Nicholas, and after the business changed hands, Reg served as Company Secretary of Gordon and Gotch, a magazine and book distribution business. On 19 April 1963, Reg married Myrna Arlene McKenzie at Scotch. They had a daughter, Alexandra, and a son, Adam, who attended Camberwell Grammar School. Reg’s great passions in life were his family, friends and career. He had extensive opportunities to travel internationally with work and family, and these trips produced some of his happiest moments. Reg was a humble and reliable man of great integrity. He had an enduring love for Scotch, and was eternally grateful his parents overcame the struggles of the Great Depression to subsequently send him to Scotch. After a full and rewarding life, Reg died on 30 December 2021 at the Alfred Hospital, Prahran, from COVID-19 complications. SMITH KCVO CVO AO KStJ CStJ, Sir David Iser (’51) Born at Melbourne on 9 August 1933 as David Iser Szmitkowski, the son of Polish Jewish immigrants Woolf Morris and Pauline (‘Pola’) (nee Stern) Szmitkowski, David attended Princess Hill State School then Scotch from 1944 to 1951 as a member of Gardiner House. David was a Scout, and as a Cadet
was a member of the winning Guard Mounting Group in 1950. Scotch relatives included cousins Anthony (SC 1962-67), Steve (SC 1962-73), Richard (SC 1966-77) and Timothy Alan Stern (born 29.10.1957, entered SC 1963, died 29.8.1982), and uncle Samuel Bennie Stern (born 14.9.1924, SC 1935-42, died 11.10.1974). In 1953, David joined the Australian Public Service. He worked in the Department of Customs and Excise (Melbourne, 1954-57), the Department of the Interior (Canberra, 1957-58), as Private Secretary to the Minster for the Interior and the Minister for Works (1958-63), Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior (1962-66), Executive Officer of the Department of the Interior (1966-69), Senior Adviser (1969-71) and Assistant Secretary (1972-73) to the Government Branch of the Prime Minister’s Department (1969-71) and Secretary of the Federal Executive Council (1971-73). David was Official Secretary to five Governors-General of Australia (including two Old Boys) from 1973 to 1990. He spent June and July 1975 attached to the Queen’s Household at Buckingham Palace. With Prime Minister (Edward) Gough Whitlam looming over him, it fell to David to deliver Governor-General Sir John Robert Kerr’s proclamation of the dissolution of the Senate and House of Representatives on the steps of Parliament House on 11 November 1975. For delivering another’s message, David received vile hate mail. He wrote the book Head of State: The Governor-General, the Monarchy, the Republic and the Dismissal (2005) to explain how the role of Governor-General works. From 1975 to 1990, David was Secretary of the Order of Australia committee and helped establish the Australian honours system. He was made a Companion of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO, 1977) and knighted as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO, 1990) by the Queen at Balmoral Castle. David was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO, 1986). He was made a Commander (1974) and Knight (1991) of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. David received the Centenary Medal in 2001. In 2007 the Sir David
Smith Meeting Room was named in a new Government House building containing the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat. A stalwart of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy, Sir David was a delegate at the 1998 convention preceding the 1999 referendum on the republic. In retirement, he was a guide at Old Parliament House and in 2014 became a member of its Advisory Council. Sir David’s other offices included being a board member (1975-96) and Chairman (1991-92) of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Vice President of the Scout Association of Australia (1991-99), and a Director of the National Heart Foundation of Australia (1991-97). On 4 April 1955 at Balwyn David married Fintona girl June Francis Forestier. They had sons Michael, Richard and Phillip. The couple had seven grandsons, two step-grandsons, three great-grandsons, a great-granddaughter and a step-greatgranddaughter. Sir David died at Canberra on 15 August 2022. His father captured why he and David loved Australia: ‘I’ve come here penniless and my son has become the Official Secretary to the Governor-General. What an incredible country’. STERLING, Professor John Adrian Lawrence (Adrian) (’43) John Adrian Lawrence Sterling was born at Melbourne on 17 April 1927, the son of Francis Thomas and Millicent Lloyd (nee Pitt) Sterling. He attended Scotch from 1933 to 1935 before being moved to Sydney after his parents’ divorce. Adrian graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Sydney University in 1949 and was admitted to the New South Wales Bar, followed by admission in 1953 to the English Bar (Middle Temple). Beginning as an assistant to the Director-General of the International
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Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Adrian became its Deputy DirectorGeneral before leaving in 1973. In that role he made representations to global governments and non-government organisations. He was present for some of the world’s greatest moments in copyright law, including the 1961 Rome Convention and the 1996 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) International Treaties. After leaving the IFPI, Adrian returned to practising intellectual property law in Sydney and London, focusing on national and international copyright law and publishing, including early considerations of performing rights and sound recordings. On
turning 65, he began teaching copyright at Queen Mary University of London, followed by King’s College, London. Of his six books, Adrian is best known for multiple editions of his Sterling on World Copyright, which analysed national and international copyright law and case law. Adrian’s proficiency in French, German and Italian aided his understanding of laws in foreign jurisdictions, as well as enhancing his love of music and literature. He also wrote articles and studies, and gave over 100 lectures and conference addresses. Adrian was Vice President and Emeritus Vice President of the British Copyright Council, and Honorary Member to the
British Literary and Artistic Copyright Association. His enduring legacy is represented by the students, practitioners and academics imbued with his influence, expertise and enthusiasm for copyright. Adrian helped many former students become recognised in their own areas of copyright. Adrian died on 29 November 2020 at London, England, prompting a cavalcade of glowing and grateful tributes from former students, academics and other associates. The In Memoriam by the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute is the source of most of the information in this obituary.
Great Scot Obituaries The Great Scot obituaries column is a significant section of the magazine, recording the dates of birth, death and (where applicable) the Scotch attendance years of all current and past students, staff, School Council members, and others who have made a significant contribution to Scotch College, the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association or to the wider community. THE SCHOOL’S POLICIES FOR GREAT SCOT OBITUARIES ARE: • The names, Scotch attendance years (where applicable) and dates of birth and death of current and past students, staff, and School Council members will be listed in the Great Scot obituaries column. • Family members or friends are invited to submit obituaries for editing by the Archivist and the Great Scot editorial team. All edited obituaries will be sent to originators for approval, to help ensure that obituaries are an accurate, relevant and interesting record of Scotch Family members’ lives. • Only spouses for whom full marriage details (full maiden name and exact date and place of marriage) are supplied will be included. • Reference will be made to multi-generational Scotch connections (e.g., son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather). • Special tributes recognising Scotch Family members who have made an outstanding contribution to Scotch College, the Old
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Scotch Collegians’ Association, or to the wider community will be initiated by the Great Scot editorial team. In these tributes, the School will seek to include material, including reflections, quotes and photographs, from family or friends, and from other sources. • Scotch College takes no responsibility for the accuracy of information supplied by family members or friends, other than information which can be confirmed by Scotch College records. • Obituaries are limited to 350 words, with the exception of those for very noteworthy people as determined at the discretion of the Great Scot editorial committee. • Photographs of Old Boys should ideally be from their time at Scotch, and should be sent as TIF files with a resolution of 300 dpi for photographs 6 inches x 4 inches, or 600 dpi for a smaller photograph. Alternatively, original photos can be donated, delivered or mailed to the Archivist for scanning (and return, if not donated to the School). Enquiries are welcome about Great Scot obituaries. Please contact the Scotch Archivist, Paul Mishura, on 9810 4470, or paul.mishura@scotch.vic.edu.au. Tributes and photographs should be emailed to Paul Mishura, or mailed to Great Scot Obituaries, Scotch College, 1 Morrison Street, Hawthorn Vic 3122.
OUR SHARED NARRATIVES