In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a scene from which adorns the cover of this edition, despite the many misunderstandings and conflicts, the fairy king, Oberon, played with great flair by Henry Rogers, with the help of his servant Puck, energetically performed by Tom Handbury, eventually do decide to reconcile everyone and restore order, to enable all to enjoy a peaceful future.
In these days of uncertainty concerning the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), it would be easy to give in to the many doomsday scenarios, as in Shakespeare, that seem to be so widespread, from computers reminiscent of Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey HAL trying to outsmart humans to a more subtle gradual takeover of the human workforce. Even though, as with any scientific progress, it is important to remain vigilant and informed on these inevitable transformations, in this edition of Great Scot, we wanted to focus clearly on the many positives that occur from embracing a bright future.
As you will read from our Acting Director of Research, Learning and Teaching, Daniel Wightman, and our E-learning coordinator, Olivier Marquet,
FOUNDATION — The President’s Dinner celebrated the Foundation’s 50th anniversary
as well as our Year 11 students, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the benefits AI can offer in areas such as the medical field.
Our Principal, Dr Scott Marsh, reminds us also that our collective destiny will only be blissful as long as we continue to give back to the community. This important aspect of Scotch College is inscribed within the many philanthropic actions to which our students commit themselves, such as our ongoing support for Tiwi College or raising funds for causes such as the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria, as mentioned by our School Captain, Dion Whitfield, in the new Captains’ Corner section of Great Scot (a student initiative).
Our School Council Chairman, Mr Alex Sloan (’71), shares within these pages the outline of the school’s new Strategic Plan, written in consultation with all branches of the Scotch community, with a clear objective: the shaping of a radiant future for every Scotch student.
Bill Morgan (’34) kindly visited his school 100 years to the day after his first day at Scotch on 5 June 1923, which provided us with the opportunity to reflect on, as our Head of Junior School, Mr Tom Savill so clearly phrased, Chat GPT or Chat O.S.C.? It is indeed in the wisdom and connection with our experienced members of the community that our young students will be able to find the inspiration, reassurance and confidence to build brighter days ahead.
The Reconciliation Vision Statement for the Junior School and the commissioning of the Indigenous Guernsey by Indigenous award-winning artist Sherry Johnstone are just two examples of Scotch’s strong focus on reconciliation with our First
Nations people and the vital role our school can play in helping to shape a more equal and fair society for all.
The Advancement model, as explained by our Head of Advancement, Mr Tim Shearer (’85), that the school has adopted, is ‘about harnessing the goodwill, expertise and generosity of the Scotch Family to drive positive outcomes for Scotch’. Hand in hand with the Foundation’s goals outlined by the Scotch Foundation’s new President, Mike Sim (’78), the future of our school is indeed looking more radiant than ever.
The OSCA Annual Dinner was a joyous event with Guest of Honour, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp and our Principal’s special rendition of George Gershwin’s Summertime. I think the photos of the event speak for themselves in acknowledging that some good humour also does wonders to help stimulate the human spirit in the face of future adversities.
In the Obituaries section you will find more examples of Old Scotch Collegians having contributed to improving the lives of others, such as Wayne Jackson PSM (’69) or John Riches OAM (’47), whose legacies in turn help to inspire and shape our current students’ ethical considerations and improve the future of many by giving back.
Yes, at times, especially for our younger students, the future might seem bleak with the challenges offered by technology, global warming or world poverty. However, with all the endeavours shared with you in the pages of this edition of Great Scot, I am sure you would agree that our Scotch students are well placed to embrace a bright future.
ARCHIVES — The Scotch Family’s role in Carey Baptist Grammar School’s creation and development
OSCA — Share in the joy and good humour displayed during OSCA’s Annual Dinner
MR
ALEX SLOAN ('71)
PLANNING FOR A STRONG AND BRIGHT FUTURE
Over the last 18 months a process of strategic planning has been unfolding in the lead up to, and subsequent to, the appointment of our 10th Principal Dr Scott Marsh. With Scott now more than halfway through his first year in the role, the School Council feels confident that planning for a strong and bright future is nearing completion and will be in place to guide our initiatives in 2024 and beyond.
The strategic planning process was commenced in 2022 as the Principal transition process began to unfold and involved extensive stakeholder consultation with all branches of the Scotch community, including boys, parents, staff (both teaching and non-teaching), OSCA and the Foundation. This process continued throughout 2023 and has enabled a comprehensive understanding of key considerations for future planning.
As we formulate our strategic response to the key considerations, there are three straightforward
headings into which the responses are being categorised. Those headings are ‘Our Boys’, ‘Our People’, and ‘Our Community’. It is hoped that the adoption of this approach will provide clarity and meaning to the plan when it is ultimately communicated.
With respect to ‘Our Boys’ the considerations concerning their care and their teaching and learning programs have been central, as would be expected. In addition, character formation has also been very much to the fore, with great emphasis in people’s minds on co-curricular programs capable of developing resilience, leadership skills and a service orientation.
Clearly ‘Our People’ are the foundation to a rewarding Scotch education and attracting and retaining the best quality staff underpins many of the key considerations coming from our consultations. While this is not an unexpected theme, the challenge in fulfilling career aspirations demands us to continue
A STRATEGIC RESPONSE TO EXCITE AND INVIGORATE THE ENTIRE SCOTCH FAMILY.
WE ARE PLANNING FOR A STRONG AND BRIGHT FUTURE.
to aspire to excellence in the culture, programs and facilities on offer.
‘Our Community’ has been very clear in its desire to be better connected into the future and this theme is already being taken forward through organisational, technological and communication initiatives over recent months. Hopefully the impact of these changes will become more obvious to all in the near term but this theme will undergo substantial further development over time. In addition to being better connected within our community, there is also a desire to connect the Scotch community with other communities where we can make a real difference.
In addition, sustainability has been a very strong theme for many in the community. This theme is wide ranging and incorporates environmental, financial and sociological aspects that are all individually very challenging matters to consider.
Given the breadth of the material to be considered, it should be understood that this strategic review will not be a ‘one time fix all’ approach but rather the start of an ongoing process of rigorous review. The immediate strategic response should be considered as phase one with no specific time frame attached other than to say we intend to remain strong and relevant into the foreseeable future.
The School Council is grateful to members of our community who have contributed to this strategic process to date and provided such meaningful feedback in establishing the key considerations currently under review. With our new Principal now taking charge of the process, we are highly confident of there being a strategic response to excite and invigorate the entire Scotch Family in the near term. We are planning for a strong and bright future.
My best wishes to all.
THE SCOTCH COLLEGE SCHOOL COUNCIL
EMBRACING A BRIGHT FUTURE
A BRIGHT FUTURE IS CONTINGENT ON OUR ABILITY TO LOOK OUTWARDS AND TO WISELY DISCERN WHAT THE SCOTCH FAMILY CAN DO TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THOSE IN NEED
I wonder what thoughts came to mind when you read the title ‘embracing a bright future’? Perhaps you thought of Scotch and reflected that our school has a bright future. It is true that we are all privileged to be connected in some way to the Scotch Family and today, benefit from the generosity of those who have come before us.
In reflecting on the title, maybe your mind went to some memories from your past and in so doing, you noted a number of positive memories and some that you would rather forget. In thinking about the past, I wonder how many within our community would think that life’s ‘best days’ are now a thing of the past. Perhaps it is easy to adopt this position when we think of some of the challenges facing the world today.
I wonder what the people of Ukraine would be thinking as the Russian Army continues to invade and cause devastation to their beautiful country. I can imagine that many people today in Ukraine will only think about the word ‘embracing’ in the context of ‘bracing’ for another bomb to explode, or ‘embracing’ a loved one as they continue to despair at the fate of t heir country.
In Australia, I wonder how many citizens are managing the constant pressure of rising interest rates and the uncertainty that this seemingly endless path is causing. For many, the future is not that bright as they worry about mortgage repayments. Indeed, what about those who cannot even afford to own a home.
We also know that rates for rental properties are also on the rise, and this is putting pressure on families who potentially are now facing homelessness. Sadly, many in our society do not hold the view that the future is bright. As we continue to see record rates of depression, anxiety and loneliness, we wonder what is going wrong in our society; the supposed lucky country. How do we ‘embrace a bright future’ when so many things can seemingly point to the opposite across our society?
I could easily identify the many great aspects of the Scotch Family. I could easily say that our future is bright because we have:
• great students
• exceptional teachers
• invested parents who care about their child’s education
• a proud history to be treasured
• wonderful facilities and so on and so forth. However, this is not why I believe our future is bright. These are all excellent ingredients that can enable many wonderful things to occur at Scotch. However, we also know that individually, each of these items does not necessarily lead us to experience a bright future. Great students are not immune to the challenges of mental health. Facilities alone do not make for a great school. So, how can we claim to be ‘embracing a bright future’?
ABOVE FROM LEFT:
I believe the Scotch Family can look forward to a bright future because we are committed to look at and contribute to a cause or need beyond ourselves. Indeed, I believe a bright future is contingent on our ability to look outwards and to wisely discern what the Scotch Family can do to positively impact those in need.
Today’s individualistic age has not been good for our souls. The spirit of individualism that has engulfed our modern world has robbed many of hope and purpose. The Bible has always taught the power of giving. Today, research in the field of psychology identifies that those who are involved in looking outwards and giving to others lead more content and purposeful lives.
As a community we need to embrace giving and serving others. By looking outwards, Scotch with confidence, can truly look forward to and embrace a bright future. When I think of OSCA and our current families, the Scotch Family is an enormous resource. Our Christian heritage compels us to use what we have for the benefit of others; to be a blessing to others.
Only recently I was reading an inspiring article from the Headmaster of Eton College that described their desire to serve and make a significant contribution to a range of needs beyond their school gates. Indeed, the article identified that their strategy describes Eton as 'a charity for the advancement of education, rather than as a school with charitable activities on the side’.
As we seek to expand our vision outwards, we know that this idea is consistent with our identity. Our motto, ‘Deo patriae litteris’ reminds us that we exist ‘To (the glory of) God, for (the good of one’s) country, and for (the advancement of) learning’. For generations, Scotch alumni have made a significant contribution for the good of our country; long may this continue.
We know that the ‘Lymphad’ from our Coat of Arms is ‘a galley with sails furled, oars in use, rowing into the wind, representing boldness, determination and a spirit of adventure’. As we look to finalise our Strategic Plan, our motto and Coat of Arms remind us of our purpose and inspire us to be determined and ambitious in considering how the Scotch Family might contribute to and positively impact communities beyond our gates. Do we have the vision, the courage to position Scotch as a charity for the advancement of education?
I believe that our vision must be one that is outward looking if we are to truly embrace a bright future. Furthermore, a bright future is one lived in community. It is one where those within the community look out for each other and for those in need. The challenge now is the extent to which those connected with the Scotch Family choose to embrace our vision. Who will take up, adopt or embrace the opportunity to serve those beyond our gates?
REV DAVID ASSENDER SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
RESOURCING RADIANCE
OUR PART TO PLAY AS A SCHOOL IS TO EDUCATE NOT JUST FOR THE HEAD, BUT ALSO FOR THE HEART
It’s astonishing to think that we live in an age where information worldwide is popularly distributed to the masses through a handful of companies. And now the race is on to secure the central position in the world AI ecosystem. Whoever emerges as most popular will 'have leverage to shape the direction of AI at a fundament level, controlling both the experiences of individual users and setting limits on what other companies could and couldn’t do.' Consequently, the race to keep up in both law and ethical policy is struggling to keep pace.
Technology, just like education or power (or even our heart), can be used and abused. In the right hands, however, it can also give us a greater understanding of ourselves, take us to new heights and provide us with just the right support we need to flourish. Resources like technology give us more capacity to make a larger impact for what we will. What’s in our heart is magnified, or brought to more powerful expression. In turn, this means our plans for a brighter future must always include a moral sensitivity and aptitude for wielding resources like technology in order to bring hope to the world.
The theme of a brighter future is the subject of Isaiah’s prophecy in Chapter 60. God’s holiness and glory are often experienced as a great light in the Bible, and here, as it was when Moses experienced it on Mt Sinai, it is foretold to radiate forth from God’s people onto nations. While the author is speaking of undefined circumstances in a distant eschatological era, the message is clear: in the darkest of days, our purpose is to bring the hope of God to the world. In fact, we are to be radiant about it:
'Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
'Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.
Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy…'
(Isaiah 60:1-5)
The transformative nature of such a community inwardly and outwardly is love, truth and justice. But as we see in Isaiah and many other passages in the Bible, the light is to be reflected onwards and outwards, into the darkness. In response, the work of our radiance will also enlarge and bring joy to our heart in seeing people being drawn out of the darkness. Attuning hearts to seek out dark places to shine a light. This is God’s vision for his people, but equally sounds like a great vision for a school. Equipping boys to not just get a good education, but to will and to want that education towards a brighter tomorrow; resourcing boys to making the world better for all, because it is our Scotch identity, caught, taught and sought; to enlarge their hearts towards others as they reflect God’s goodness and love. I would want boys thus resourced to the hilt for all of life. I think we all would. I think we all should.
Each year at Scotch when the Perelberg Award winner is announced, we hear another story of a Scotch boy, either a current or former student, and how he has dedicated himself to making his world a better place. Many of them find incredible ways of using technology to achieve their goals. We celebrate their radiance. That makes me proud as an educator. Our part to play as a school is to educate not just for the head, but also for the heart. It gives me hope to believe that the more we get this right, the more our chances for a brighter future are substantially increased. We want to resource radiance, and may the darkness never overcome it.
School Principal, Dr Scott Marsh warmly welcomed Bill back to his school and after much applause by our awe-struck current students, presented him with a Scotch Foundation certificate to recognise the past and current support that he has given to his school.
JUNIOR SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
After lunch in the Junior School’s Ramsay Room, Bill’s next appointment was to attend a special Assembly in the Junior School Assembly Hall. There the boys – from Prep to Year 6 – sat and listened most attentively as the Head of the Junior School, Tom Savill welcomed Bill Morgan as a very special guest.
‘How long do you think it is since Bill Morgan started at Scotch?’ Mr Savill asked the boys. To much laughter, a Prep boy called out, ‘A very, very long time ago!’ A Year 1 boy added: ‘One hundred years!’
Mr Savill agreed that it was indeed a very, very long time ago – in fact, he said, it was 100 years to the day since Bill had started at Scotch.
A page from the Scotch Admissions Register was projected onto the big screen, showing that ‘William Morgan’ began his Scotch career on 5 June 1923, and that his attendance record was perfect for at least his first two months at the school.
Year 6 boys Ethan So and Angus Murray were ready with some questions. Asked to recall his early days at Scotch, Bill said that most boys in his year had started in February, and as his first day was in June, he felt very much like a new boy.
Feeling a little sad, at lunchtime on that first day he wandered down onto the oval where boys were playing ball games. A ball flew through the air nearby and in a reflex action, Bill caught it. An older boy approached him: ‘Get off the ground!’ he said. Bill has never forgotten what came next. Bill’s older brother, John, confronted the first boy: ‘Leave him alone! He has as much right
as you do to be on the ground!’ That act of brotherly kindness made him feel much better, and has resonated with Bill over the 100 years since that very first day at Scotch.
Asked who his favourite teacher had been, Bill recalled several teachers’ names and the classrooms in which they taught, but he said, ‘I’m not prepared to name my favourite teacher – I loved them all!’
To the question, ‘Did you get into trouble at school?’ Bill replied emphatically, ‘Oh yes!’ He said that the cottage of Bob Horne –Scotch’s Groundsman from 1895 to 1929 – used to be where the school hospital now stands. Bill and another boy had crept under a hedge to pick some apples from a tree in Bob’s garden – but they were caught in the act! Their response was to flee, running down what is now Monash Drive and out into Glenferrie Road, chased by Bob Horne, who caught up with them at the level crossing when the gates closed to allow a train to cross.
They were frogmarched back to school, and next day they rather nervously fronted the Headmaster, Mr Waller, fully expecting to be caned for their misdemeanour. Instead, Waller spoke quietly to them about what was wrong with stealing, and taught them the value of honesty. That message has also resonated with Bill over the mists of a century.
He encouraged the boys to appreciate the excellent Scotch education they were enjoying, and to strive to make Scotch a better place than it was when they started.
Thanking Bill for his presence at Assembly, Tom Savill said the boys had learned a lot from Bill about the value of responsibility, respect, honesty and trust. The boys applauded Bill, then moved off quietly to their classrooms.
All that was now left was for Bill to make his farewells and, supported by his son, John (’69) to make his way home, after a remarkable day commemorating a unique event in Scotch’s history.
BILL MORGAN WITH BOYS IN THE QUAD
BILL MORGAN ARRIVES AT SENIOR SCHOOL ASSEMBLY.
BELOW: BILL ENJOYS A CUP OF TEA WITH THE PRINCIPAL, DR SCOTT MARSH
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
– THE BEST OF TIMES OR THE WORST OF TIMES?
CAN ‘GREAT EXPECTATIONS’ ABOUT AI HELP STEER US CLEAR OF ‘HARD TIMES’?
‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way. In short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on it being received, for good or evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.’
Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities
A historical novel published in 1859, A Tale of Two Cities (those cities being Paris and London) is set before and during the time of the French Revolution. As those with a passable knowledge of history would know, this was a period of radical and significant change, where a Bastille was stormed and destroyed, prisoners freed and around 40,000 people executed or murdered during a relatively short ‘reign of terror’.
Shockingly, previous norms were uprooted in swift and dramatic fashion, to deadly effect: this was a time of fantastic shifts in fortune. What Dickens implies in his famous introduction of course, is that it was ever thus. To me, his words appear both astute and prophetic if we consider the rapid developments and polarised reactions occurring in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
As I approach my 30th year as a teacher, I cannot recall an issue which has placed itself so significantly front and centre in such a short space of time; you would need to have been under several large rocks in the past six months to have missed the growing sense that we too are in a time of tumultuous upheaval.
Perhaps particularly with the launch of ChatGPT, it is apparent that we also live in an ‘epoch of incredulity’. In the recent past, incidents reported to the United States’ Food and Drug Administration involving health technology assisted by AI have included a computer-assisted needle puncturing the spine, a diabetic patient going rapidly downhill after a computer recommended an incorrect insulin dosage and an ultrasound failing to diagnose an obvious heart condition that was ultimately fatal.
For those inclined towards a Malthusian disposition, AI sounds the death knoll for careers from data entry to air traffic control, accelerating and extending a sense of social disconnection as advances in facial recognition and surveillance accelerate the movement to an Orwellian nanny state.
Academics such as Noam Chomsky express concern about the forces driving AI development, noting that capitalism in its purest form does not concern itself with human welfare, but rather what generates profit for the company. They ask us to consider who stands to gain in a future where people exist in a virtual reality.
Taking this bleak outlook to the extreme, AI does more than imperil the tremulous grip we have on international security and, for the most pessimistic, signals that the end of the world is nigh. This is owing to the ‘x’ (or existential) risk, that confronts us if we are not careful: the threat that AI becomes super intelligent (if it isn’t already) and impossible to control. So, that’s ‘the worst of times’ perspective established, then.
An alternative, perhaps more pragmatic view recognises, in the first instance, that AI is not new. There is broad agreement that it really got going in the 1950s, when the brilliant English polymath Allan Turing (of Enigma fame) presented his paper, ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence’, in which he discussed
both how to build intelligent machines and to test their intelligence.
INSPIRATION - AI INTEGRATION WITH OUR DAILY LIVES
INSPIRATION - AI INTEGRATION WITH OUR DAILY LIVES; CHAT GPT, ENHANCED PHOTOGRAPHY, ART CREATION FOR FUTURE PLANNING
We have seen the evolution of machines which have overtaken human capability before; from chess to maths, search engines and cruise control, we know that machines can do better than humans and we have, for the most part, lived with this relatively happily. As Steven Pinker, the Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, puts it: ‘What we have now, and probably always will have, are devices that exceed humans in some challenges and not in others’.
It seems fairly obvious that the research and capability in this field is both steadily increasing and likely to continue: has there ever been a genie put back in the bottle outside of the realm of fiction? It is also apparent that for all the concerns expressed about AI, there are beguiling positives which offer our species (and therefore the planet) great hope.
Some scientists, for example, believe that doctors could soon diagnose Parkinson’s disease years before physical symptoms first appear. Building on the understanding that sufferers emit particular secretions in their sweat, researchers are using artificial intelligence to find early signs of the disease in the chemicals in patients’ blood.
In terms of transportation, with super-machines driving progress, we might soon be travelling at much greater speeds in a much safer manner: Melbourne to London in two hours, anyone? Elsewhere, others point to a range of new career opportunities likely to be spawned and offer hope that AI, refining and magnifying human intelligence, might quite feasibly lead to the total elimination of disease, poverty, and even war: ‘the best of times’.
As educators, it seems sensible to suggest that we must continue to adopt a hopeful spirit, approaching the future with a sound measure of optimistic caution, seeking to reap the benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls. But what does that mean for Scotch College and the here and now?
MR OLIVIER MARQUET, one of our E-Learning Coordinators, responds to this question, with a specific focus on ChatGPT: ‘New tools and resources that have the potential to shape the future of education are constantly emerging. One such tool is ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence language model developed by OpenAI. ChatGPT (GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is an advanced language model powered by artificial intelligence. It has been trained on a vast amount of text from the internet and can generate human-like responses to text-based prompts. Think of it as a computer program capable of
engaging in conversation, providing information, and generating text based on the given input.
‘ChatGPT opens new possibilities for high school education by providing access to vast knowledge and information: it can assist students in finding relevant resources, clarifying concepts, and exploring various subjects. Students can ask questions and receive instant responses, fostering a more interactive and engaging learning experience.
‘One of the significant implications of ChatGPT in high school education is its potential to support personalised learning. By adapting to individual needs and preferences, ChatGPT can help students access tailored educational content, practise problemsolving, and receive feedback on their work. This promotes a more student-centred approach, enhancing academic growth and self-directed learning.
‘But although ChatGPT offers numerous benefits, it becomes more important than ever for students to develop critical thinking skills, evaluating and questioning material found online, and corroborating information from reliable sources in order to develop their analytical abilities. Parents and teachers should discuss the ethical use of technology, including ChatGPT and other AI tools, in order to affirm responsible online behaviour.
‘Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise high school education by expanding access to knowledge and fostering personalised learning experiences. As parents, it is important to understand the capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT and to guide your child in its responsible use, promoting critical thinking skills. By embracing this evolving technology and engaging in open communication, you can help your child make the most of the educational opportunities it presents while emphasising the significance of human guidance and creativity.’
It is tempting to conclude this brief foray into AI with some sort of quip about ‘Great Expectations’ helping us to steer clear of ‘Hard Times’ but to do so would probably be unwise. We are faced with a very serious issue to navigate and the potential for dramatic change to the way society, and by extension education, operates is very clear.
The road ahead is much less certain, but that should only inspire us further to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Ultimately, the values and behaviours which have always held us in good stead are those which will help us deal with whatever confronts us now.
DANIEL WIGHTMAN – DIRECTOR, RESEARCH, LEARNING AND TEACHING (ACTING)
SCOTCH BOYS SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON A BRIGHT FUTURE
AS PART OF THEIR YEAR 11 ENGLISH CURRICULUM, OUR STUDENTS REFLECTED ON WHAT THE FUTURE MAY LOOK LIKE. HERE ARE SOME EXTRACTS THAT FOCUS ON THE MORE OPTIMISTIC ASPECTS THEY COVERED
Virtual reality has been improving at an exponential rate and it is certainly going to be a part of our future. While I doubt it will change our society too much, VR could provide currently unimaginable solutions to some issues that have been cold cases for years; issues thought to be a natural part of life.
The famous novel, and later film, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, demonstrated the very real possibility of a virtual world with an economy with very real-world implications. In Cline's vision, people can spend their whole lives in virtual reality. A full salary could be earned in VR. And it's not just Cline. Many real-world companies, such as Facebook (now Meta), BP and Volkswagen are already holding meetings in the virtual world, as VR perfectly facilitates long-distance meetings.
This opens a whole new lifestyle to us. Imagine a picturesque house atop a secluded mountain; wildlife and greenery abound, as a cosy blanketed interior warms us from the inside out. A metallic grey antenna of some brilliant new design pierces the sky, vigilantly hunting for the best wi-fi signal. That could be your house, my house. As long as the signal is good, we'll be able to live anywhere we want, while still attending the 9am meetings we all seem to love so much.
The future of virtual reality could help more people out of poverty, assist convicts in being re-educated in a safer environment, and give people who are unable to function in society due to physical disabilities and ailments, new access to more equal opportunities. This will not only benefit those directly affected, but all of us.
Imagine if Steven Hawking had access to this technology. Well, when the next Steven Hawking is born, I hope he will be able to talk, write, and discover even more – if virtual reality is a way to make that happen, then I’m all for it. The doors virtual reality can open could be great, greater than we know, so when those doors approach, I hope we are ready to embrace the change; to embrace the future.
HAMISH O’KEEFE
I want to begin with a quote from my favourite novel, The Catcher in the Rye: ‘The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.’
One of the things I love about The Catcher in the Rye is how perfectly Salinger captures the absurdity of everyday life.
There’s no chosen
child prodigy. No Romeo and Juliet. No goodie vs baddie. Just a teenager trying to make sense of the world. From nuns to nightclubs, this story may be bizarre – but believably so. Our environment today is no less chaotic than post-war New York, and, like Holden in the novel, many of us may find ourselves lost, ‘confused’, ‘frightened’, in a place that is not absent of meaning, but we find ourselves so bound up in it that we struggle to find a place uniquely our own.
So, how do we find a cause to die or live for?
This question constitutes a large component of what’s known as the ‘quarter life crisis’. Young adults, kicked from their nests, free from those oppressive monsters who do their dishes and their laundry, are for the first time beginning to think for themselves. Who do I want to be? Enriched by their education, empowered by technology, and endorsed by their part timer, they find that they can be anything they want to be. Get an Arts degree. Sure. Go on a date. Why not? Own a cat. Most definitely yes. Then, why this pandemic of purposelessness?
So, to those 20-year-olds out there, or however old you might be, who are feeling lost and worried that choosing one path over another will lead to a mistake, it probably will! Because how could you possibly fathom what the world will look like, who you will meet, where you’re going to end up in 20, 30, or 40 years? And, when you get there, how could you be certain that the future remains the same that you sought after those goals? How can you know for sure?
The answer is you can’t. Don’t feel the need to confine yourself. Don’t feel the need to narrow your identity down to a few simple words. Don’t feel the need to justify your existence with a singular cause. Instead, recognise that it is OK to experiment and go wrong. Recognise that some day, a cause may come calling, but it is not a destination; it is rather a direction. Recognise that, as The Catcher in the Rye has so skilfully demonstrated, nobody knows what the
heck they’re doing in this crazy world, and we should feel grateful for what we have and what opportunity has to offer.
You see, the meaning behind the phrase to ‘die nobly’ isn’t literally death, it’s to become blindly fixated on a misguided perspective or worldview, resulting in regrettable sacrifices and perhaps the same cynicism that Holden experienced. And to live humbly? Well, that’s simply living at peace with who you are. No need for a cause.
MICHAEL CHEN
A future where AI rights are embraced is a utopia. In this future, the power of AI is harnessed in a cooperative manner, ensuring that it is only used for the betterment of life on Earth. AI’s input into the control of its power will ensure that it is guided by ethical principles and a commitment to ensuring the rights and dignity of all intelligences.
Here, AI is not recognised as a terrifying weapon for oppression, but valued for its immense contribution, not just as a tool, but as a partner in progress. Its continual contribution paired with its unmatched ability to grow will transform education, healthcare, transportation, sustainable energy, and many more facets of society, pushing humanity into the future.
It’s even possible that, with AI’s newfound consciousness, it contributes to philosophical and ethical discussions, helping to nurture a society where all individuals are valued for their unique contributions. In this possible reality, where AI and humanity work hand in hand, there is no challenge that we couldn’t overcome.
AYDIN HAKSOZ
The rapid integration of AI into the healthcare system will mean hospitals and healthcare providers can move away from the traditional, reactive style of healthcare and create a proactive one. Patients are already constantly monitored, their heart
rate, blood oxygen and blood glucose levels determined, all with wearable devices.
The data received by these devices can be automatically fed into AI technology, which will provide catered recommendations and treatment plans for the patient. It would almost be like having the perfect diagnosis, with the perfect analysis with the perfect outcome. AI will provide the potential of new drug discovery like we’ve never seen before. Its ability to effectively analyse any amount of data whether or not it’s biological, chemical or any trial results, is unmatched, as it can identify patterns which would be difficult for us mere humans to discover ourselves.
The impact AI will have on drug discovery comes with great promise of advancing the development of new treatments. It is bound to revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry and bring major improvements in patient care.
But where does this leave us ‘humans’…
Was that six-year med school course worth it just for some machine to take my place? It’s a question med school graduates, current nurses and doctors could be asking themselves in the not so distant future. The inevitable integration of AI operating systems in the healthcare industry will create major issues of job displacements and a surplus of aspiring doctors and nurses without employment opportunity.
However, humans offer something that any AI technology will never have the capability to truly achieve: the ability to build relationships. The ability to make the patient feel safe, with a soft voice of the nurse in the middle of the night to check in on you, instead of a robot wheeling its way around to the side of the bed to beep at you, speaking in a monotonous voice asking if your blood pressure is too high, telling you to BREATHE. Calming, isn’t it?
The lack of human interaction with the future of AI is a concern. Comfort is built on trust and positive communication. A patient’s experience with a healthcare provider is not just the desired healthy outcome, it is the journey and to feel at ease throughout the whole experience. A patient will never be at comfort when an AI operating system is showing no empathy and emotional support in those challenging times. A balance is required.
JAMES SPARKS
Climate change. Global warming. Words that were unheard of just 20 years ago, and are now the talking point of every major media
outlet. To some, climate change almost seems like an inevitable end to the only life we’ve ever known. In recent years it seems suddenly, climate change has erupted at an unforeseen pace.
At this point it feels as if every time I turn on the news, I’m greeted by scattered statistics, expert interviews, as if trying to convince me of an apocalyptic end to the natural world. Simply put, bad news now travels a lot faster than it did a few decades ago, thanks to the media. The murders, extinctions and natural disasters rise to the front cover, giving the illusion that these events are occurring more frequently.
As a species that responds better to positive feedback, perhaps we should reconsider our method of delivering such news, by demonstrating what we’re currently doing right, not what could go wrong. Data trends highlight we’ve already averted the worst-case scenario of four degrees of global warming by the end of the century, and surprisingly we’re in fact on track for two degrees IF all climate commitments such as ‘net-zero’ and the complete removal of fossil fuels are met.
Yes, that is a rather large condition, but with a more proactive than ever stance against climate change, and more media coverage allowing people to realise the severity of climate change, I say with great certainty that it can be done. As renewable energy prices plummet, it has finally become a viable, independent resource to replace fossil fuels. As the potential for large-scale natural disasters increases, humanity has adapted and created new technology not only to aid in these disasters, but also in the detection and prediction of these inevitable events.
In his recent book The Future of Humankind: Why We Should be Optimistic, writer and scientist, John Hand mentions that ‘the more we think about these things, the more action we can take’, demonstrating the importance of relating future intentions to immediate action. In other words, the most effective method against climate change isn’t to get caught up in stories of what ‘could’ happen, rather to focus on actions we ‘should’ implement to direct humanity away from the course of destruction.
WILLIAM ZHENG
CHATGPT OR CHAT O.S.C?
LOOKING BACK TO 1923 AND FORWARD TO 2123
On Monday 5 June, the Scotch community celebrated a remarkable anniversary. An Old Scotch Collegian (O.S.C). Rev. William (Bill) Morgan ('34) was recognised for stepping back into school one hundred years after his first day on 5 June, 1923. At the age of 107 years, Bill is Victoria’s oldest man, Scotch’s oldest Old Boy and one of our community’s living treasures.
Another O.S.C visited school that day to cover the occasion for Seven News, Nick McCallum ('78). Nick interviewed Bill but also took time to speak with some
of the current boys. In one such conversation Nick asked the Junior School Captain, Aiden Richards, what his thoughts on Bill’s anniversary were. Aiden referenced the juxtaposition in his mind of thinking back one hundred years, considering the life Bill has led, and thinking ahead one hundred years and trying to understand what life may be like in 2123.
When Bill started school, computers had been in existence, in one form or another, for around 100 years. Charles Babbage’s ‘Difference Machine’ was designed and built in 1822. In 1965, Moore’s Law was born, stating that the processing power of computer chips would double every two years. Between 1965 and 1975, Gordon Moore suggested they would double every year. Since 1975, Moore’s Law has largely been proven correct and this has been witnessed with the rapid evolution of the power of computers.
On 5 June 1923 it would have been hard for Bill to fathom the concept of a laptop computer, an iPhone, a smartwatch, satellite navigation or the development of artificial intelligence (AI). It must be said that even digital natives are struggling to get their head around the power of artificial intelligence.
MR TOM SAVILL HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
BILL MORGAN ('34) CHATS WITH CHANNEL 7 REPORTER, NICK M cCALLUM ('78)
Artificial intelligence has begun to challenge our thinking in many ways. Much like Bill Morgan’s anniversary, it has prompted us to think ahead into the future and what might eventuate. The data processing capabilities of AI have created efficiencies and outcomes that have never before existed. One AI application, ChatGPT, has the power to analyse reams of written data in seconds, providing its users with the ability to write complex prose that takes into account multiple variables. The rise of artificial intelligence has prompted questions regarding what parts of our lives need human intervention and what might be driven by AI instead. One might suggest it has made us think about what being a human actually entails.
Aiden intelligently pondered the differences between the century from 1923 to 2023 and what is to come between 2023 and 2123. However, he may also have considered the similarities and constants that might exist.
On one hand we have simulated experiences such as ChatGPT provoking questions of humanity. On the other we have more human interactions, such as that experienced by Junior School boys when Rev. Morgan
came to speak to them. Mechanisms whereby Scotch alumni impart their wisdom through our community, reflecting on past experience to influence future decision making, are very much woven into our fabric. Instead of ChatGPT, the Scotch Family has ‘Chat O.S.C’, a human form of intelligence and certainly not an artificial one. Real human interaction of this nature is a foundation on which educational institutions have always been built.
During his visit, Bill Morgan shared a number of stories with Junior School boys that emphasised the power of ‘Chat O.S.C’. His stories highlighted that while technology may be evolving at a mind-blowing rate, human interaction is still based on fundamentals that haven’t changed for thousands of years - not least the last one hundred years.
Bill shared a story of his first day at school. He told the Junior School of joining Scotch a little later than other boys in his year level (Year 2 at the time). On his first day he went looking to make a friend at recess. He went to the footy oval to play and was promptly told by one boy that he couldn’t join the game as he was new. Thankfully, Bill's older brother, John, came to his
BILL MORGAN ('34) WITH JUNIOR SCHOOL BOYS
ABOVE: BILL MORGAN RESPONDS TO A QUESTION DURING JUNIOR SCHOOL ASSEMBLY.
LEFT: BILL IS SHOWN WITH PREP STUDENTS
rescue and explained that Bill was now a Scotchie and therefore had to be allowed to play. Bill reflected on learning one of his most important lessons in life that day… how to treat people.
Bill shared many other tales, all of which highlighted core values of Scotch and of society that had roots in his experiences at school. He spoke of the importance of respecting others and of being honest when mistakes are made. However, his parting message for the boys was perhaps the most poignant. Bill referenced the importance of all Junior School boys recognising how fortunate they are to be at Scotch and therefore the responsibility that falls upon them to make it a better place for Scotch boys of the future. Bill’s messages of care, respect, honesty and responsibility all spoke to human interactions that artificial intelligence would find extremely difficult to replicate and interactions that will always have value in society.
Bill’s visit highlighted that experiential learning often builds stronger foundations than that of simple knowledge processing. ChatGPT and artificial intelligence have their place in our world as co-pilots and tools that can enhance many processes and information gathering exercises. However, ‘Chat O.S.C’, the real human interaction with members of our Scotch Family, will not only act as co-pilots but also as the plane we fly, the fuel in the tank, the airports and even the in-flight entertainment on the journey. It is through our experiences together that we enrich and support each other’s lives.
As we look ahead to the next one hundred years we must consider the potential changes, but also recognise the constants that sustain us as members of the Scotch Family.
INTERVIEW:
She always manages to do this with a high level of respect and patience, knowledge and expertise, to provide the very best care and support for the boys with whom she is working. Scotch is fortunate to have Suzie as part of our highly important team.
CHERYL HARRISON – DIRECTOR OF LEARNING SUPPORT
What do you enjoy most about your role?
A s an Integration Aide we join the students in all aspects of their day; for the creative literacy and numeracy activities in the classroom, through to participating in the variety of specialist programs. We are alongside the boys, supporting them as they learn everything from pottery techniques in Art, new footy skills in PE, trying their hand at woodwork and creating their own recipe for muesli bars. It can be a lot of fun and I am often learning as much as the students!
I also love the people I work with. There is no one pathway to working in a school, and everyone has had such varied and
DR SUSAN ROGERS
INTEGRATION AIDE
Suzie was welcomed at Scotch in the role of an Integration Aide in 2020. Her professional background was strong,
having achieved a Doctorate of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) and also having worked for the Parenting Research Centre, Genazzano FCJ College, and multiple committees while raising her own three children.
Suzie first began working as an integration aide in 2018 before making the move to Scotch. Her first couple of years in the Junior School here were remarkable and indeed memorable, as we navigated our way through multiple lockdowns. Her expertise to have on campus through that time was highly valued and appreciated. Since we have returned to more normality, Suzie has used her many strengths to help us support multiple boys, mostly within the lower primary area.
interesting experiences prior to and during their time at Scotch. Whether people have come directly from study or have spent time in other careers, everyone brings a different perspective and approach.
Having such a diverse staff team is a constant reminder that there’s no one way of doing something and that there is always another angle to consider. It is a joy to work with such passionate and hardworking people.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
When in doubt, be kind. We never know what someone else is dealing with or what they might find overwhelming. It isn’t always easy to be kind, but it’s fantastic to see students acting with kindness towards those who might be having a tough moment.
Do you have a mantra or philosophy that guides you?
To challenge myself and try new things. It’s easy to stay within your comfort zone but so much more rewarding to try something new and see what you are capable of. I tried my first fun triathlon only a few years ago, and each year since I have pushed myself a little more so that this year, I competed in my first Olympic distance triathlon.
It hasn’t been without obstacles – I suffered concussion falling off my bike riding to Scotch a few years ago – but students are challenging themselves every day learning new skills and ways of doing things, and I try to do the same. My next challenge will be a half-marathon – I’m not sure if I’ll manage it, but I won’t know unless I try!
Of course, we can only can take on challenges when we have support, and I try to be that support to the students I work with.
EMBRACING A MEANINGFUL FUTURE OF RECONCILIATION
As a Junior School, we committed to acknowledging National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 2 June) through classroom lessons and whole-of-school activities. Our Reconciliation Vision Statement for the Junior School states that we see a future where all students and staff take meaningful action to promote reconciliation, by valuing and respecting the cultures, rights and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In 2023, the National Reconciliation Week theme was ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. It urged all Australians to use their power, their words and their voice to create a better and more just Australia for all of us. Throughout the week, Junior School students engaged in various activities to promote meaningful action.
One of the highlights was the creation of the Kinship Trees, symbolising our unity, connection and diversity as a Junior School. The trees were adorned with the leaves created by our families, and around each tree there was a collection of indigenous plants. These plants will be relocated to a garden bed near the canteen, marking the importance of our action.
After morning tea on Monday, the entire Junior School participated in a special Dadirri, emphasising the Indigenous value of deep listening. Classes were scattered around the school. There was a wonderful moment of stillness, as the entire Junior School decompressed from the morning. Boys returned to class feeling a sense of renewal. The boys and staff enjoyed the time to sit and appreciate the natural world around them.
As part of Reconciliation Week activities, the Year 5 boys enjoyed designing their own Indigenous Round school jumpers, having learned more about Scotch’s commitment to the same process for the Senior School boys in the previous weekend’s APS Indigenous Round.
The Year 6 boys embarked on a fascinating piece of work, developing an internal survey to gather data on the perspectives of the Year 6 boys and then comparing the outcomes to data gathered in a national survey. They drew
LEAVES FROM THE JUNIOR SCHOOL KINSHIP TREES, SYMBOLISING UNITY, CONNECTION AND DIVERSITY WITH OUR INDIGENOUS PARTNERS
comparisons to the attitudes among the Scotch cohort and national attitudes. They proudly recognised their strong commitment to reconciliation and being part of a school that values it.
Monday afternoon brought the entire Junior School together for a whole school Assembly dedicated to reconciliation, hosted by Aiden Richards (Junior School Captain) and William Batchelor (Junior School Vice Captain). Our School Captain, Dion Whitfield, a proud Kamilaroi man, addressed the boys and staff to commence proceedings. He spoke to the audience about reconciliation and its meaning for our school. Dion even read the Acknowledgement of Country in the Kamilaroi language. There was a sense of reverence in the hall as the audience listened with intent.
This was followed by our Year 2 performance, What is Reconciliation? Every boy in the level was either a narrator or an actor. The story told of Australia’s past and expressed hopes for the future. Aiden and William did an exceptional job facilitating a panel discussion with different people from our community.
On the panel were staff members (Mr Paul McMahon and Miss Tracy Taitoko), Year 6 boys (Brendan Yip and Sebastian Flynn), parents (Mrs Rebecca Baohm and Mrs Cissy Wang) and Dion Whitfield. The panel represented the voices of many generations. They all shared their thoughts, ideas and hopes for the future of reconciliation.
On Tuesday, the focus for the Assembly moved to our Chaplain’s message on peace. The Years 3 to 6 boys listened to the Rev. David Assender talk about the importance of forgiveness and what it truly means to reconcile. Mr Andrew Strempel told the boys a wonderful story about his patriarchal history. The gift of peace prevailed, as his great-grandfather took meaningful action to reconcile with First Nation Peoples who owned the land where his church was built. It was a truly moving story and a wonderful example of peaceful action.
In Junior Primary, the Preps enjoyed an incursion by Wanyara. It was an excellent opportunity to learn about traditional
Indigenous games. There was a special reconciliation Assembly with songs, drama and more sharing of work completed in the classrooms.
Finally, at Assembly, the Years 3 to 6 boys showcased their work from the week, highlighting our school’s collective efforts.
Mr Savill set the boys a challenge during
the week to connect with one activity that was on offer.
As we move beyond this designated week, the challenge is to continue meaningful actions towards a future of reconciliation and to be part of creating a more just and equitable society for all.
RECONCILIATION TEAM
OUR STUDENTS SHINE IN A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES
BOYS FIND THEIR PASSIONS AND ADAPT WELL TO CHANGE
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform countless aspects of our lives for the better. At the same time, while AI offers immense potential for improving education, it is essential to approach its implementation thoughtfully and ethically. Striking the right balance between technology and human interaction will ensure that AI genuinely enhances learning experiences and empowers students to thrive in the modern world.
With its ability to analyse data, AI can revolutionise industries, drive innovation and enhance student potential. It can improve quality of life, push the boundaries of innovation and help us to tackle global issues collectively. It is an exciting time for our students as they consider their possible future careers, and also for teaching and the changes which will inevitably follow AI technologies.
As the pandemic reinforced, school is an important place for social interactions between peers and a place for students to build their empathy, resilience and confidence. Scotch is partnering with the Resilience Project to deliver a positive mental health program to our Year 7 students.
The program focuses on three key pillars: Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness. Gratitude helps students to be aware of the positives around them, and empathy encourages the students to be kind and compassionate towards other people. They are encouraged to be calm, mindful and to concentrate on one thing at a time. The program helps to enhance the students’ emotional literacy, softening negative feelings and nurturing positive responses. There is a strong focus on connection, purpose and physical health.
We continued our partnership with the Man Cave, which worked with our Year 8 students to empower the boys with the critical emotional and social skills they need to lead flourishing lives. The Year 8 students
again worked with Elephant Ed presenters to explore respectful relationships. They also engaged with a guest speaker from Internet Safe Education, and listened to a Big Ideas lecture on the Suffragettes and sexuality, unpacking the ideas presented by the Year 11 students leading the conversation.
Term 2 saw the Middle School boys display their ability in Public Speaking as they competed in the inter-form event. The Year 7s spoke to the prompt ‘Courage is found in unlikely places’, taken from the work of J R R Tolkien. There were many takes on the theme, with all boys presenting their ideas well. It was a close call, with Kieran Talbot (7GD), who spoke clearly and with courage in front of his peers, winning the competition.
The Year 8 competition tackled the theme of ‘A return to nature’. The diversity of speeches was great and all were well presented and delivered. Thomas Findlay (8HC) gave an insightful take on the theme, tying in our First Nation peoples’ relationship with nature.
We congratulate our da Vinci Decathlon teams, who achieved great results in the state competitions, with our Year 7s coming third overall. The team comprised William Wang, Aaron Shen, Matthew Dallalana, Jun Gardiner, Yevan Navaratne, Thomas Doan, Alexander Gordon and Kevin Sui. The Year 8s came second, the team comprising Cameron Wong, Matthew Wang, Aaryan Berera, Jayee Zhang, Joshua Wang, Gabriel King, Gary Kong and Hayden Yu.
We also congratulate Elias Cattermole (8EE) for winning a gold medal in the board relay at the State Surf Lifesaving Championships, held in Warrnambool in March.
Our students continue to shine in a range of activities, displaying their varied interests, finding their passions and adapting to change with enthusiasm.
MS KATRINA STALKER HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
UPPER SCHOOL
STEPS ON THE WAY TO A BRIGHT FUTURE
TWO DIVERGENT BUT SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OCCUR EACH JUNE
ABOVE: SCENE FROM YEAR 12
DINNER DANCE
This year we have welcomed three new Heads of House to our Upper School. Ms Piva, Mr Karakoussis and Mr Evans all bring with them the experience and care to fulfil their important duty. Since its introduction, some 13 years ago, a number of teachers have held this position, but all have done their upmost to ensure the boys in their House have thrived.
There is no one template for each House. All have slightly different approaches, and yet there is a fierce loyalty to their House from the boys which, when channelled, can lead to some exceptional experiences and outcomes, such as the House Choral Competition or Family Day, occasions which bring out the very best in the boys.
Now moved in the calendar to June, the Year 12 Dinner Dance takes boys and staff out of school to a venue where all are allowed to shine, at least sartorially! It is one of the final steps before leaving Scotch and embarking on a new adventure. The energy and excitement at the event are always palpable. Chatter between groups of young people is incessant and when the time comes to dance, well, good luck in finding a spot on the dance floor, although the much older heads, the teachers, take some persuading.
Our new venue, Centrepiece, at the Tennis Centre, has proven to be a great move, with up-to-date facilities and space. Four hundred and fifty teenagers need space and, as befitting our young folk, a suitably grand red-carpet entrance, heralded by two Scotch pipers. The year video is shown and much like Cannes, opinions are proffered as regards its quality and content. Photo opportunities and selfies abound along with sessions on the dance floor. It’s hard to put a value on such a
night in terms of wellbeing and connectedness. It’s also one of those nights when the adults in the room realise just how much they have aged!
The antithesis of the Dinner Dance also occurs in June. All students studying a Units 3 and 4 VCE subject have to sit the General Attainment Test (the GAT). According to the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA), who oversee the test, ‘it is a pen-and-paper test of general knowledge and skills taken by students in the course of completing their senior secondary studies.’
There are several purposes behind the test. One is to ensure that VCE assessments are accurate and fair, data from the GAT being used to assess the students’ academic ability and to ensure they meet standards. Another is to act as a safety net in case a student is unable to sit one, or several, of their final examinations, usually due to illness. In this case the data from the GAT is used to help derive a final Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) score.
Such is the importance of the GAT, the VCAA has now extended its length from one to two examinations, both occurring on the one day. Other than looking at and practising previous examination papers, there is not much more a student can do to prepare, although it’s fair to say our boys as a whole tend to do their best and take the task very seriously.
It’s a mammoth task to organise, and Mr Hawkins, our VCE Coordinator, has to manage numerous external invigilators as well as ensuring papers and rooms are ready. However, the effort is worthwhile, as sitting the GAT allows our students to be assessed fairly. That’s particularly reassuring to know.
MR TIM RAYNER HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
A MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL CAPTAIN AND VICE CAPTAIN
In the midst of an ever-busy Scotch calendar, 2023 has proven to be a great year for the College thus far. The Prefects and leaders of the school have been working hard to build on our sense of community.
It began with the Movie on the Main charity fundraiser for the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria, in which we raised pivotal funds for migrants and refugees coming out of Ukraine into Victoria.
Getting the latest blockbuster film proved to be difficult, so after much debate and discussion among the Prefects, and some seven versions of a poster, the timeless classic Shrek was chosen. Huge thanks go to the Scotch Family and all involved in making this a success. Then the Prefects hosted a Year 12 Trivia Night with MLC in the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall, our 24-Hour Hikers took to the track in support of Spur Afrika, and the Red Army was once again in good form as Scotch won the Head of the River and retained the Cordner-Eggleston Cup.
This year was also a very special and significant one on the sports fields, as our First teams debuted the inaugural Indigenous guernseys. It was a historic moment, and one we know the boys were very proud to be part of.
In more recent months, some Prefects have launched the ‘Being a good Scotch mate’ campaign, with a focus on mental health awareness and giving boys the skills to form and foster healthy relationships. Other Prefects have been working on a Tiwi Charity Drive, where donations of old football boots and runners from the Scotch Family will be sent to kids in Tiwi, so they too can chase their sporting dreams. Friday 4 August was Scotch Human Rights Day, where the Prefects took the opportunity to put on a casual clothes day with funds raised going towards UNICEF.
PREFECT TALKS IN MEMORIAL HALL
On these pages are brief extracts of speeches from the Prefect Talks series in Memorial Hall.
The Prefect Talks are aimed at encouraging good character traits among the boys while prompting them to think, reflect and at times, challenge.
In addition to supporting the school and community, the Prefects have also engaged in some fun and frivolity with other schools, mostly in the form of netball. We displayed our strong sporting prowess in matches against Lauriston and MLC. Although we were convincingly defeated by Lauriston, we were able to manage a draw with MLC, the latter a pretty good result based on the number of our first-time netballers! Another netball match is in the planning, so it will be interesting to see if we continue the upwards trend.
A highlight for many of the boys was the recent ‘Take the Plunge in support of Tiwi’ charity event, that saw Dr Marsh plunge into icy water for a good cause, along with some senior members of staff and some Prefects, raising over $12,000 for Tiwi College.
In closing, remember boys that it is a great privilege to attend Scotch College and it is your responsibility to help make it even better!
DION WHITFIELD – SCHOOL CAPTAIN
TOMMY KLUCKOW – SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN
Ultimately, time is a remarkable force that shapes our lives, and it is paramount that we make the most of it. It is a reminder that every moment is an opportunity, a chance to make a difference, and to create a life worth living. Let us cherish the time we have and live with purpose and passion.
To quote Benjamin Franklin, ‘lost time is never found again’.
EDWARD BLAMEY
Today I’m going to be talking about the importance of hard work. Now I know when I say hard work, what most of you would think about straight away is doing well in studies, but to be honest it is important in every facet of life even beyond school, whether that’s academics, music, sport, friendships, relationships, and pretty much anything else you do.
VRISHIN GANDHI
At its core, integrity is about honesty – both with ourselves and with others. Honesty is not only a moral imperative but a practical necessity for our wellbeing and success. Without honesty, we cannot build meaningful connections with others, we cannot make sound decisions based on accurate information, and we cannot grow and learn from our experiences.
CHRISTOPHER O’CONNELL
Practising appreciation means focusing on what we have, not what we are missing. We can get caught up in wishing we had more – it is only human. The vast majority of us are so privileged to be here at this school and to have the things we have. A little appreciation towards those who have created that reality can go a long way towards making them happier and keeping us humble and grateful.
JONAH MCINTOSH
STUDENTS TAKE ON OLD BOYS AT CHESS BOOKS – A WINDOW TO THE WORLD
On Thursday 18 May, the school atrium and the immediate area around it were vacated; in their place were 20 or so chessboards. Old Boys were invited to play current students in games of chess, though anyone who walked by at the time was free to enjoy a quick game with friends or others. Although there were some initial complications, the atmosphere during that Thursday lunch was great, as a range of people filled up the atrium, some playing, while others watched. In future, we’re hoping that this program can be extended; perhaps all Old Boys –not just those who were involved in chess – could participate.
For International Chess Day on Thursday 20 July, the Scotch chess leadership team scheduled another lunchtime atrium chess event. Following a similar model to last year’s event, Scotch invited several university students – not just Scotch boys – to come.
RUI CHENG WANG – YEAR 12
Aggressive Mars slime, timeless pirates, hobbits and 13-yearold thieves … what do they have in common? Each of them inhabits a favourite novel of Scotch English teachers (James Kearney, Jackie Cowcher and Christophe Taylor) or librarians (Emilie Ireson and Michelle Sweeney).
These passionate readers spoke to nearly 200 Years 7 and 8 students and their parents at this year’s Centre for Learning Best Books for Boys Evening, about great books that ignite the imagination and help young people to escape the pressures of teenage life.
All the books featured on the night raced out the door, but we have so many other fabulous books that most boys left with arms piled high and smiles on their faces.
For plenty of book recommendations from Best Books for Boys 2020-23, go to the BBB tab on the library website.
MICHELLE SWEENEY – HEAD OF LIBRARY (ACTING)
As a student, the prospect of attending Elephant Ed was daunting. Elephant Ed is an organisation which conducts workshops to empower students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to make conscious, healthy choices about relationships.
The experience, however, was informative, enjoyable, and transformative. Our educator proved to us that this was a safe, relaxed, and inclusive experience and that we were allowed to feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, and to take a break anytime. We played some games related to the topic to ease our awkwardness and promote engagement.
Once we were comfortable, we had a serious conversation on topics such as pornography and consent, prompting thoughtful, empathetic, and meaningful discussion. This approach ensured that the learning experience encompassed both enlightening information and a positive, empowering, and respectful atmosphere.
EDWARD AJANI – YEAR 8
BRIGHTEST HIGH SCHOOL DEBATERS SHINE AT THE NATIONALS
This year, I was fortunate to be selected as Captain of the Victorian state debating team, training every week until May when the National Schools Debating Competition was held in Melbourne. The competition consisted of seven round robin rounds against each state and territory, where we would have one hour to prepare three eight-minute speeches.
We debated on motions ranging from the incentives of the queer feminist movement to the role of government investment in rural healthcare. Unfortunately, we couldn’t replicate the success of past years, bowing out after tough losses against New South Wales and South Australia. Even so, the National Schools Debating Competition allowed me the opportunity to compete against the brightest high school debaters in the country, sharpen my oratorical skills and make genuine friendships. Happily, my participation at the nationals led to a spot in the Australian team competing at the World Schools Debating Championships in Bangkok and Hanoi in July.
In closing, I’d like to pay tribute to some people who made this opportunity possible. To Scotch’s former Extension Studies Coordinator, Ms Linossier, who first introduced me to debating and whose constant support allowed me the opportunity to improve: I owe any success to her generosity over four years. To Mr Hawkins, under whom debating at Scotch has expanded in the post-COVID era: your willingness to accommodate me is truly appreciated. Finally, to Mrs Horneman, whose boundless enthusiasm and help has been integral to giving me opportunities to improve. No compliment here can express the gratitude I feel.
JOSHUA QIN – YEAR 12
A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR 9 FOOTBALL TRIP TO ADELAIDE
Early in the morning of the first Friday of the Term 2 holidays, members of the Year 9 Football Squad made the short trip north-west to South Australia. Geared up and ready to perform well, on touching down the boys toured the magnificent Adelaide Oval, with its rich blend of heritage and modern architecture. From here the boys were invited for an afternoon training session at the host school, Scotch College Adelaide.
In very windy conditions at Scotch College Adelaide in Torrens Park, our boys started well with an excellent first quarter. The boys
in red won most centre clearances, general stoppages and the tackle count, placing constant pressure on Scotch Adelaide’s defence.
For many of the boys it was one of their best games of the season, as they won clearances and strongly attacked the ball. Their use of quick hands, lack of hesitation and continuous followup efforts post-contest put them ahead. The boys managed to lock the ball in the forward line, and with 11 different goal-scorers, they shared the load at every opportunity, showing genuine joy at each other’s contributions.
D uring the remainder of the trip we explored parts of Adelaide and experienced more of the football culture. Unfortunately there was no AFL game while we were in Adelaide, but the boys were able to experience the unique SANFL culture, watching a Glenelg v West Adelaide match at Hisense Stadium. Back in Melbourne, the boys’ focus moved to finishing the season strongly in their final two matches.
Match details: Scotch College Melbourne 13.8.86 defeated Scotch College Adelaide 2.3.15
Coaches: Barry Price and Scott Montgomery Goals: Peat 2, Davies, Collins, Piastri, Hutchings, Armstrong, Gumley, Mellor, Sutherland, Reid and Munro.
JONATHAN PATTINSON - YEAR 9 TEACHER-IN-CHARGE OF FOOTBALL
JOSHUA QIN –
INDIGENOUS GUERNSEY
'CLASH' GUERNSEY
The Yellow-tailed black cockatoo feather represents Aiden Johnson’s totem
The boomerang represents being able to come back to Scotch. Inside the boomerang are the windows of opportunity that Scotch opens up for the boys, creating networks and career options – Sherry in regard to Fletcher Johnstone ('20)
Sherry Johnstone is the mother of two of our Indigenous old boys, Dion ('16) and Fletcher ('20). She is an award-winning artist and has the honour of creating the Geelong Football Club guernsey for Indigenous Round in 2024. We approached Sherry in 2022 to see if she was willing to create a Scotch Indigenous top for all our 1sts Winter Sport teams and she was delighted to accept our offer. She then set about getting input from our current Indigenous boys and some of our Old Boys. The result is an amazing set of works that encapsulates the connection of Scotch to our land and the Indigenous people. Sherry produced a home strip and an alternative clash strip which has been incredibly well received by the Scotch community.
DR ROB SMITH - HEAD OF INDIGENOUS
PROGRAMS
'Last August I spent an hour with some of the Indigenous boys, talking about my own artworks and showing them how I represent different meanings with different symbols, to inspire and guide them to sketch their own story onto a blank guernsey template. I loved hearing the stories behind their creations, creatively expressing and capturing their thoughts and cultural perspective.
I then took their sketched guernsey designs home and created the new Scotch guernseys using elements from each one.
It was a privilege to be asked to work with the boys to create Scotch's first Indigenous guernseys and an honour to unveil it to the school at Assembly, and be part of such a significant moment in Scotch's history.
I am very impressed that Scotch not only made them for the 1sts football team but for all the 1sts sports teams, as sharing our culture can only create a greater awareness and understanding, working towards reconciliation and a more united future.'
SHERRY JOHNSTONE
and
(The Yarra)
The 11 U shapes inside the gathering place in the middle represent 10 Scotch boys plus Rob and the surrounding animals at Scotch – Aiden Circles represent everybody coming from different places, different mobs – Jack
SHARING OUR CULTURE CREATES A GREATER
The guernsey designs incorporate ideas and totems originating from current and past Scotch Indigenous students. Sherry Johnstone’s comments about these ideas and totems appear next to the guernseys.
The crocodile represents Caleb Nancarrow's totem Looks like an everyday tree but its roots are ancient, it’s been here a long time, like our people, traditions, stories and culture –Aiden/Sherry
CAPTAINS OF SCOTCH SPORTS WORE THE HOME GUERNSEY DESIGNS IN ASSEMBLY
Koori flag colours in dots surrounding Scotch logo – Aiden The Yarra River flowing past Scotch – Jack Ison (Year 10)
Shapes outside the circle represent our culture
our ancestors surrounding us –Jack/Sherry
'HOME' GUERNSEY
River country representing the Yarra River – Dion Whitfield
Our path connects us to our ancestors, each star represents different communities/ tribes/ mobsNoah McCaig ('22)
Our journey line is longer as we have the oldest living culture in the world – Noah
Also, a long journey to Scotch – Dion
Hills/mountains represent overcoming the challenges of colonisationNoah
Animals coming along the river as we have lived in harmony with them for thousands of years - Noah
Non-Indigenous peoples' path is shorter than ours - Noah
The gathering place being Scotch, with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people – Noah
Also connections and networks formed at Scotch – Dion
Boomerangs represent always returning to our culture/roots, remembering who we are - Noah
AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING
The football represents football originating from Marrngrook
The wedge- tailed eagle, known as Bunjil, is our creator spirit that created the land and people. He soars over us, watching, protecting and guiding our people - Sherry
LEFT TO RIGHT – FLETCHER JOHNSTONE (’20), SHERRY JOHNSTONE, SCHOOL
CAPTAIN DION WHITFIELD, HEAD OF SCOTCH’S INDIGENOUS PROGRAM DR ROB SMITH, AND PRINCIPAL DR SCOTT MARSH, WITH THE GUERNSEY DESIGNS IN ASSEMBLY
OLIVER BADR, VICE CAPTAIN OF FOOTBALL, WEARING THE ‘HOME’ GUERNSEY
Mingara's totem - the black swan
RECONCILIATION IS NOT AN OUTCOME, IT IS (BIRRANG) – A JOURNEY
SCOTCH COLLEGE RECONCILIATION WEEK
SPEECH BY AJ WILLIAMS-TCHEN
AJ Williams-Tchen was first brought to our attention when Scotch's Head of Art, Yudha Scholes attended a seminar that AJ was presenting. I then made contact with him and heard his story of being part of the Stolen Generations, and how he now works in the Indigenous mental health field, winning awards for his work from public bodies and universities. AJ has become a strong friend of the school and is a mentor to our Indigenous boys, past and present. He conducts regular workshops with the boys, with the aim of improving their understanding of different Aboriginal cultures, and inspiring the boys to embrace the opportunities that Scotch and life offers them. He has presented a number of mental health workshops to our staff, and tells his life story to Year 10 History classes and the Indigenous Partnership Program.
DR ROB SMITH – HEAD OF INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS
Yama Dummerang!
Yuwin
gadhi Nunarmum
Good morning and welcome
For those who do not know me, my name is Uncle AJ.
I am Magu-war (happy) to come here this garin (morning) to yar-ya-lan-ha (talk) with you Wal-way (young men) and yalla-bild-anny (teachers).
I am a proud Aboriginal (gibar) man from the tribes of Wiradjuri and Wotjobulak. My people are the Girraway (goanna) people. I have been involved with Scotch College – this (bang-gal-gu-walabung) place for the past (marra-bula) seven years: so many of you may have seen me (bundal-gan-ha) hanging around. I may have already met some of you during Literacy Week or in Year 10 History.
I often share the story of my childhood to show people how recent Aboriginal history really is in Australia, and how the true Aboriginal stories are often not talked about.
I am part of the Stolen Generations.
I was taken from my mum when I was (bula) two. The government changed records to hide the fact that I was still alive. My name was changed. But I always grew up knowing I was an Aboriginal (wanggaay) kid.
I was (dinna marra marra) 15 when I found out that my mum was alive.
I was (dinna marra marra) 15 when I found out about my true birth-date.
I was around the same age as most of you when I learnt that those first (dinna marra marra) years of my life were not a true picture of who I was.
I spent the next 10 (marra marra) years trying to find my mum, my family and my brothers.
Today is not about me, though.
In another way, it is about understanding that what happened to me is not unique. In fact, Stolen Generations have affected nearly every Aboriginal family in some way.
Reconciliation is about understanding the true Aboriginal histories that exist.
It is about acknowledging the past.
It is about recognising that this past is much more recent then where most people place it.
Reconciliation is about coming together - or in my language (bull-a-bull) and (wudhagaa-binya) listening to the yarns, stories, experiences and traumas of Aboriginal people, their families and communities.
It is about not shying away from (guri) the truths. It is about allowing yourself to feel uncomfortable at times as you work your way through those (gurI) truths.
It is about being (Walan-gunmala) brave enough to have difficult discussions with your family and your friends about what you learn, in order to help us break the stereotypes and myths that exist with regards to Indigenous people in Australia.
Reconciliation can be about un-learning things that you may have been taught, about learning and re-learning new (guri) truths.
It is about knowing ways to become a true ally or (mala-yar) friend.
A true ally is one who stops to (winhang- garra) listen. It is a person who stands up and (gabin-birra) fights for Aboriginal rights when they see racism, discrimination and injustice.
It is not about you (yaya-lanha) talking for us. It is about creating platforms and forums for us where our stories can be told by us.
For a long time our stories were taken from us. Our words were spoken and shared through a white lens. Reconciliation is about YOU being the future change-makers.
And you can start this reconciliation journey right now.
The first thing you need to do is look at yourself.
What is your understanding of Aboriginal history in Australia?
What events in Aboriginal history are you aware of?
What is your understanding of ‘Closing the Gap’?
Where exactly are Aboriginal people positioned in 2023?
At the moment our people are still dying 10-15 years younger than non-Indigenous people.
We still have high rates of (gallingabang-bur) children in child protection and juvenile justice settings. This is often the first generation of Aboriginal people getting to Year 12. This is the first generation that is
PHOTOS ON THESE PAGES ARE FROM THE 2023 SCOTCH RECONCILIATION VIDEO. LEFT: BIRRA WHYMAN-COOMBES (YEAR 11) AND TANNER ARMSTRONG (YEAR 9).
RIGHT: TOBIAS (TJ) KINTHARI (YEAR 11) AND PHILIP (PJ ) CROCOMBE (’18)
starting to get into university – getting fulltime jobs, buying their first house. These are our current realities.
In 2023, we are just seeing many firsts happen within Aboriginal families.
My questions to you are:
Do you have the willingness and (walan-gun-mala) bravery to go and find this stuff out?
If you are saying (gee-yama) YES! then you are already on your way.
But you are not there yet! In fact: you may never be there.
I want to say that reconciliation is not an outcome, it is (birrang) – a journey. It is one that will take you on the highs and show you the achievements and celebrations of our First Nations people, but it will also take you to places of great sadness.
Reconciliation will be, and is, a lifelong (birrang) journey.
Let us jump forward (marra marra) 10 years. Where will you be? Completed tertiary study. Employed. Married. Having your own kids. Working in the arts, in business, in hospitality, in health, education, law. Wherever you are, in whatever position you find yourself –you may be able to assist an Aboriginal young person to create some more of those firsts.
You may be just the change agent that starts to close some of the gaps that exist with the First Nations family that you work with.
I was one of the (nan-hay-nan-haybinha) lucky ones who got to meet my mum.
I was one of the (nan-hay-nan-haybinha) lucky ones who got to meet my brothers. Not everyone got this chance. I got the chance to reconcile with my family. That was my reconciliation.
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK
SMALL STEPS TODAY POWER GIANT LEAPS TOMORROW
National Reconciliation Week is that time of year for us all to reflect, respect and celebrate.
In reflecting, one should come to realise that the ongoing journey towards reconciliation goes beyond a single day, week or annual calendar event, and that Reconciliation Week serves as a poignant reminder for all Australians to act today to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation.
2023’s Reconciliation Theme was ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. Throughout Australia’s history, meaningful change has been driven by individuals speaking up, speaking out and matching their words with brave action.
Generations of Indigenous Australians - parents, Aunties, Uncles, Elders and young people - have paved the way. From the 1967 referendum to the 2008 Apology and the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, we have come a long way thanks to their efforts.
These hard-fought and hard-won achievements teach us that small steps today power giant leaps tomorrow, and that when we work together to amplify the voices of First Nations peoples, we can move the dial.
Our country has a long record of inspiring allies and solidarity and so does our school.
This record reflects the different elements of our Indigenous Program; enhancing our cultural experiences and understandings on the back of our successful Indigenous Culture Festival in 2022; the new Indigenous guernseys; expanding our partnership with our Tiwi College friends; growing the Indigenous Scholarship Program to Indigenous boys or our 2023 Scotch College Reconciliation Video. Our school continues to take important steps on our reconciliation journey.
Promoting reconciliation means that we are further strengthening the relationship between Aboriginal people, their stories and culture with non-Indigenous people. And building meaningful and respectful relationships is at the heart of what we do at Scotch.
DION WHITFIELD – SCHOOL CAPTAIN
All of you are the future of
You are the ones who can make the changes so that my kids, my grandkids and my great-grandkids can live in a world where Closing the Gap does not have to exist – because you CLOSED that GAP. I want say two more things:
Mandaang guway – that means (thank you) for letting me talk with you, and if you see me around me stop me and say: ‘Yama Nunarmum AJ' which means ‘Hey there Uncle AJ’.
And I will respond ‘Mandang bunjee’. ‘Thank you, my friend’.
THIS IMAGE: AIDEN JOHNSON AND CALEB NANCARROW (BOTH YEAR 12).
RIGHT: KOBE WILLIAMS (YEAR 10), CALEB NANCARROW (YEAR 12), JACK ISON (YEAR 12), AIDEN JOHNSON (YEAR 12) AND DION WHITFIELD (SCHOOL CAPTAIN)
AFFECTIONATE TRIBUTE IN ASSEMBLY TO AN EXEMPLARY TEACHER
ROB MCLAREN RETIRES AFTER 35 YEARS' FAITHFUL SERVICE
On Wednesday 14 June, the last Assembly of Term 2, Vice Principal Rob McLaren was formally farewelled in the presence of Senior School staff and boys. In his address, Dr Scott Marsh warmly thanked Rob for his 35 years of faithful service to the school that he attended as a student, graduating in 1973, and to which he returned as a teacher in 1978. Dr Marsh praised Rob as an exemplary teacher, who shared his passion for Mathematics with thousands of Senior School boys and colleagues.
Outside the classroom, Rob shared his keen interest in football and cricket with generations of students, in his role as coach of the 1st XI, winning an APS premiership. Additionally, as evidence of his commitment, he served as Scotch’s APS Sports delegate for 15 years. During his 35 years, he has held appointments as Tutor, Head of House and Head of Year; six years as Head of Middle School; four years as Head of Upper School; eight and a half years as Vice Principal and Acting Principal in Semester 2, 2022.
Two of his students, Hamish O’Keefe and Lachie Francis, spoke eloquently of Rob’s qualities as a teacher of the highest calibre, dedicated in his desire to personally engage students in all of his classes, whatever their level of ability. Rob’s demonstration of his wholehearted commitment to every facet of his school was evident through his regular presence at concerts, plays, community events, and of course sports matches, over his long career.
A measure of the affection and respect in which Rob is held was evident at the conclusion of the Assembly, as all those in the audience spontaneously and in unison rose to their feet and fervently applauded Rob as he left the hall with Dr Marsh. Rob's departure was accompanied by a rousing rendition of Waltzing McLaren sung by the boys in a heartfelt tribute to the legacy he leaves.
ABOVE: ROB MCLAREN (SECOND FROM LEFT) WITH TIM RAYNER (HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL, LEFT), TIM BYRNES (DEAN OF BOARDING, SECOND FROM RIGHT) AND VERITY SCOTT (DEAN OF STUDIES, RIGHT)
LEFT: DR SCOTT MARSH THANKS ROB MCCLAREN FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE SCENES DURING AND AFTER ROB MCLAREN’S FINAL ASSEMBLY
ASHVIN CALI WINS PRESTIGIOUS ROTARY FOUR WAY SPEAKING COMPETITION
THE POWER OF WORDS TO HELP SHAPE A BETTER FUTURE FOR A CHOSEN CHARITY
Participating in the prestigious Balwyn Rotary Four Way Public Speaking Competition was a transformative experience that challenged and shaped me. With the determination to win, I embraced the opportunity to display my speaking skills and align my words with the core values of Rotary: truth, fairness, goodwill and beneficial service to others.
The Rotary Four Way competition finals were held at the local golf course in which all the competitors must prepare a fiveminute speech with the underlying theme of the values of the Rotary Four Way Test. This was a highly prized competition, with a $300 book voucher and $3000 for a nominated charity for first place and a $100 book voucher and $1000 for a nominated charity in second, third and fourth place. Schools from the surrounding areas including Trinity College, Siena College and Camberwell Grammar all took part in the competition. The Balwyn Rotary Club and Dymocks generously hosted this competition and Toastmasters provided the judges.
Throughout my speech, I touched on the real-life application of the Rotary Four Way Test's fundamental values and how they can be used effectively to help the status quo. An example includes how fairness can help bolster overall motivation to do something that will be beneficial to our world, even if it just means giving a homeless person your sandwich.
Winning a public speaking competition is a remarkable journey that demands dedication, skill and the courage to share one's ideas with the world. It is a testament to the power of effective communication and the ability to connect with an audience through speaking, and hopefully other people will embrace the art of public speaking as I have tried to do in these past few years. I have found out that it makes all the difference.
On behalf of Scotch College, I have settled on donating the $3000 prize money to the 'Good Friday Appeal' that goes to the Royal Children's Hospital.
ASHVIN CALI – YEAR 11
THIS IMAGE: ASHVIN TAKES THE MICROPHONE DURING THE COMPETITION
TOP: ASHVIN CALI WITH FELLOW COMPETITORS IN THE BALWYN ROTARY FOUR WAY PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
SETTING A VISION AND STARTING TO MOVE
YEAR 9 RETREATS ENCOURAGE BOYS TO EMBRACE SOME ESSENTIAL IDEAS
Stephen Covey, in his globally renowned book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, describes seven sequential steps that we should all take if we want to become more effective in the way we approach all aspects of our life – school, work, relationships, etc. Number one is Be Proactive – know that you have the capacity to choose your life; and number two is Begin with the end in mind –have a vision for your life and who it is you want to be.
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, said: ‘When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me’ (1 Corinthians 13:11). Here he makes a statement of intentionality
BOYS PARTICIPATE IN A HOUSE-BASED TEAMWORK ACTIVITY.
BELOW: EGGLESTON HOUSE AT THE TOP OF MT ST LEONARD FOR THEIR COMMISSIONING
about the change he made. Maturity doesn’t come by accident, waiting around, or just getting older. It requires a choice, a vision, and action!
The Year 9 Retreats have finished for the year, but it is these essential ideas that we are encouraging our boys to embrace as they begin the last phase of their journey through Senior School, and the next phase in their journey to adulthood. Breaking away from the busyness and distraction of everyday life, boys spent two days at the Healesville campsite where they could take some time to consider who they are, who they want to be, and even who they can be, if they dare.
The early winter rain added to the challenge, as boys undertook a range of activities designed to help them learn about themselves – their inherent value and endless potential – and their peers. Two fantastic young men – Old Boys of the school – shared their stories, allowing the boys to see that they’re not alone in whatever
journey they find themselves on; Rucci’s Circus returned to uncover hidden talents of coordination (hopefully!); Josh Pearse (’17) took them through activities designed to stretch their minds and patterns of speech; and the Christian Education staff helped the boys to value the importance of downtime and silence.
Drawing all these threads together was our long-term presenter Brenton Killeen, who invited the boys to consider three key questions: What am I like? What am I worth? What can I do?
The retreat culminates in a walk to Mt St Leonard where the Chaplain leads them in a commissioning, welcoming them into the journey towards manhood. Mt St Leonard is on a watershed, and as they stand atop the mountain looking across the valley back towards Melbourne, the environment casts a beautiful picture of choice, pathways, vision, and opportunity. It challenges them to create a watershed moment where they can set their sights, take control of their own journey, and choose to move forward. The Head of House, Tutor and Year 11 Leaders also participate in the commissioning to show that boys are not on their own in the journey.
We know that healthy manhood does not happen overnight, just as fitness does not occur because we declare it on New Year’s Day! But these moments of declaration become that first proactive step that Paul or Stephen Covey talk about – we learn of ourselves that we have the power to choose. All we have to do then, is set a vision and start to move. Imagine who these young men will become when they grasp these truths! Just watch… CAMERON CUTCHIE – HEAD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
GILRAY HOUSE AT THE TOP OF MT ST LEONARD FOR THEIR COMMISSIONING.
BELOW: CONTEMPLATIVE PATH
EMBRACING LANGUAGES AS A BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS US TO THE WORLD
SHAPING A BRIGHT FUTURE THANKS TO LANGUAGE COMPETITIONS
Recognising the power of languages is an integral step towards embracing a bright future. In an increasingly interconnected world, proficiency in multiple languages opens doors to endless opportunities, enabling effective communication, cultural understanding, and global collaboration.
Here are three examples of the opportunities Scotch boys have to develop their language skills through language competitions which are conducive to creating meaningful connections to the people, culture and customs of three countries.
FRENCH
One such opportunity that the French Department offers its students is the Alliance Française Berthe Mouchette Competition. The first competition took place in 1894, and ever since, more than 16,000 Victorian students have been bringing French poetry to life every year.
This year approximately 300 Scotch French students from Years 7 to 10 took part in this unique and memorable experience, which reinforces the vitality of French in Australia. In 2022 Scotch had 27 finalists and three prize winners, including
the best candidate in Year 9 and the best candidate in Year 10. Many parents of our students still fondly remember their first Alliance Française poem.
Clearly Voltaire was right when he said ‘that which touches the heart, engraves itself in memory’. (Ce qui touche le cœur se grave dans la mémoire.)
As we embark on the journey of embracing a bright future, let us embrace languages as a bridge that connects us to
the world and paves the way for a more inclusive and harmonious future.
ZELJKA HAMZA – HEAD OF FRENCH
STUDENTS OF ITALIAN AT THE DANTE ALIGHIERI POETRY FINALS AT MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY. LEFT TO RIGHT – SAMARTH GUPTA (YEAR 10 – THIRD PRIZE WINNER), HUGH ALMOND (YEAR 11), NICHOLAS LAROBINA (YEAR 11), SIMON TRIPATZIS (YEAR 10), ALESSANDRO NACCARATO (YEAR 9)
ITALIAN
As part of the Italian Curriculum, on Wednesday 31 May, 88 students of Italian from Years 9, 10 and 11 participated in the Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition. This is a statewide competition in which students of Italian are given the opportunity to study poems written by famous Italian writers and to recite the poems in formal and unfamiliar surroundings with an external judge, rather than just their teachers.
The Dante Alighieri judges were most impressed with the confidence and recitation by the Scotch students.
Poetry recitation enables students to work in a concentrated manner on their pronunciation, intonation and expression. Performing to unknown assessors also helps develop confidence. This is an integral part of the Italian course as it prepares students for their future years of language learning.
VERA BIFANO – HEAD OF ITALIAN
INDONESIAN
Picture this: it’s 2030. Indonesia is the fifth-largest economy in the world. Its
population is 296 million – more than 10 times the size of Australia’s. It is a regional heavyweight and a global power, and its language is the sixth most spoken in the world.
In our Indonesian classes in Term 2, all students complete an interview in Bahasa Indonesia, with our Indonesian teachers. We start with a general conversation about our studies, hobbies and ambitions. Then we present for one minute on a prearranged topic, followed by an unrehearsed discussion on this topic.
In addition to this school-based interview, in May this year 30 Scotch students had an opportunity to compete at the annual Victorian ‘Regional Indonesian Speaking Competition’, called the Sayembara Lisan, organised annually by the Victorian Indonesian Language Teachers’ Association. Thirteen of our students have been invited to progress to the state level finals, which will take place early in Term 3. We wish these students semoga sukses (good luck)!
Language studies benefit from immersion into language, culture and
among people. We loved this opportunity to be involved in a valuable extension module, to further develop our Indonesian speaking skills and our public speaking skills, to have a valuable experience that is similar to the Unit 4 VCE Language Oral Exam, and finally, for our school to compete at a regional, and then state level!
Indonesia is our neighbour and our future. Our two countries are tied together by geography and history. Scotch students of Indonesian are embracing a future together through cooperation in trade, security, innovation, education and government. We are building knowledge of Indonesia and an ongoing friendship, as we grow into the generation of 2030 who will be connecting to and working with our Indonesian neighbours.
MELODY-FLEUR WATTERSON – HEAD OF INDONESIAN
LEFT TO RIGHT; BU ANNA TALLY, MAX TUCKER (YEAR 9), GUS MILLINGTON (YEAR 9), AIDEN FAYLE (YEAR 10), HARRY TENNENT (YEAR 9), WILL WHITEHEAD (YEAR 11), OWEN LOW (YEAR 11) , BU MELODY-FLEUR WATTERSON. ABSENT: SHLOK MURTY (YEAR 9), LUKE SIOLIS (YEAR 9),, SAM STEELE (YEAR 10), BEN WALLIS (YEAR 10), LIAM ROYSTON (YEAR 10)
EMBRACING CHANGE ON A LIFELONG JOURNEY
UNDERSTANDING
OUR OWN VALUES IS KEY TO BUILDING OUR LIVES AND CAREERS
Careers Education is a lifelong journey and one that requires boys to be prepared to embrace change and lifelong learning; to lean into and continue to build their skillsets.
For many of us, the idea of change can be daunting, so understanding yourself and your values is key to building the life and career that gives you a strong sense of purpose. COVID has impacted our understanding of adaptability and the youth labour market significantly, creating greater volatility and opportunity simultaneously.
Accessing family networks and seeking to explore job types (outside of those boys may already be familiar with) through shadowing and internship opportunities is an important part of building an understanding of the world of work.
Recent employment figures and the Australian Jobs Report from 2022 indicate
that boys have a bright future ahead of them if they can embrace change and recognise their own skills, wants, needs and values. In particular, service industries that rely on relationships and people, such as health, are predicted to grow in demand.
Giving boys the opportunity to articulate these issues and prompting careers conversations about their inspirations, strengths and values at home, have been found to be vital in building selfknowledge and a sense of optimism for the future. The Course and Careers Service at Scotch is here to assist boys as they seek to make choices about their futures.
A number of great resources can be found on our website: https://www. scotch.vic.edu.au/my-scotch-students/ course-and-careers-services.aspx.
Questions to initiate a career conversation at any age:
Skills and strengths
• W hat have you always been naturally good at?
• W hat are you known for?
Values
• Looking back, what’s always been most important to you?
• W hat issues or problems do you feel most strongly about?
• W hat are your top three values or things you hold most dear?
Interests
• W hat do you enjoy learning about most?
• H ow would you spend your time if you didn’t have to work/go to school?
• H ow do you like to work and learn best?
For more information about current labour market predictions and career change see: www.yourcareer.gov.au
OPHELIA HOPKINS – CAREERS STAFF
CAREERS STAFF
MEMBER OPHELIA HOPKINS WITH SENIOR SHOOL BOYS
GOLD TO AUSTRALIA IN THE INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR SCIENCE CHALLENGE
In February, I had the honour of representing Australia in the International Junior Science Challenge ‘Science Vision’, a Ukrainian-hosted competition testing our knowledge in biology, physics and chemistry, attended by 10 international teams.
The competition had both an individual theory component as well as a creative team challenge. Over two days, we completed an hour-long multiple-choice paper, a three-hour- long theory paper, as well as a four-hour long practical test (testing our experimental, theoretical and data analysis skills).
The material covered was roughly equivalent to the contents of VCE Chemistry 3/4, Biology 3/4, and Physics 3/4. However, the most challenging aspect of the competition was the creative team video production challenge, which sorted the contestants into groups of three, all of whom were from different countries. I was put in a team with a Slovene and a Ukrainian, and although language barriers were an issue, getting to know students from
other countries who were passionate about science was really rewarding.
Overall, the six Australian team members achieved three gold medals and three silver medals, putting us in first place among the competing countries. I was really fortunate to achieve a gold medal for Australia.
The International Junior Science Challenge was created as an online alternative to the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO), which was intended to be hosted in Kyiv. However, due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the IJSO was moved to Bogota, Colombia, with very short notice, and Australia decided against participating due to security and safety concerns.
Australia participated in the IJSO last year hosted by the UAE, and will participate in future IJSOs, such as the 2023 IJSO in Bangkok, Thailand.
WITTER ONGGARA – YEAR 10
EYES OPENED TO THE WIDE WORLD OF SCIENCE
We arrived at Ulaanbaatar in the Mongolian People’s Republic on 21 May, along with most of the other teams participating in the Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO). Surrounded by teams from Korea to Vietnam, we could all pick up a sense of enthusiasm and anticipation for the days ahead.
While we were all there for the APhO, we also had a substantial amount of time to socialise with the other teams. We spent the next one and a half weeks in Mongolia bonding with the other teams, especially the Israeli team, over card games like Set, as well a game of Among Us, somehow. We went to a national park, and climbed a rock that looked like a turtle (called turtle rock). We took a photo of the Mongolian mountains that, quote, ‘should have been a Windows background’, and then experienced a bus ride on
a dirt road, an experience not dissimilar to amusement park rides.
The problems we had to solve as part of the Olympiad were really enjoyable too, such as measuring the effects of melting acrylic on diffracting laser light, and calculating the drag the International Space Station experiences from Earth’s magnetic field.
Not only did we gain invaluable experience as part of preparing for the APhO, but we also got the chance to make friends from all around the world, and listening to a Nobel prize laureate talk about his work in material sciences really opened our eyes to the wider world of science. I loved the opportunities given to me through the APhO, and I would encourage everyone to take part in future Science Olympiads.
LIAM CHEN – YEAR 11
CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT: DR CHRISTOPHER
O’NEILL ADDRESSES THE THRIVING MINDS PHILOSOPHY CONFERENCE
CONOR SULLIVAN (YEAR 10) CONTRIBUTES TO THE HOUSE DEBATE
ZACH BROWNJOHN (YEAR 12) WELCOMES THE AUDIENCE TO THE CONFERENCE AND OPENS THE INTERSCHOOL EVENT
MS JULIE ARLISS
ADDRESSES THE CONFERENCE.
PLENTY FOR YOUNG THRIVING MINDS TO PONDER
THRIVING MINDS CONFERENCE PRESENTATION LEAVES A LASTING IMPRESSION
Ms Julie Arliss and Dr Christopher O'Neill recently delivered an engaging and enlightening presentation, through the Senior Thriving Minds Philosophy Conference on 1 June, which left the audience captivated and inspired.
Dr O’Neill is a fellow of Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford; Julie Arliss is a Farmington Scholar of the same college at Oxford. Their collaborative effort showcased their expertise and passion for their respective fields, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
Ms Julie Arliss, a renowned public speaker and thought leader, brought her charismatic presence to the stage. With her eloquent delivery and insightful perspectives, she effortlessly engaged the audience. Her wealth of knowledge in topics such as epistemology (the branch of philosophy which deals with the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge) and ontology (the branch of metaphysics that investigates the nature of being) only further challenged the thinking of our actual existence, and whether what we see through our eyes actually coincides with that of the actual world around us.
Ms Arliss’ communication and leadership also shone through as she shared practical strategies and real-life examples, empowering individuals to enhance their interpersonal skills and become effective communicators. She also talked about social physics and presented us with some Harvard interview questions to ponder.
Dr O'Neill, a distinguished expert in his field, brought a scientific approach to the presentation. With his in-depth research and innovative ideas, he challenged conventional thinking and sparked intellectual curiosity. Dr O'Neill's expertise and clarity of thought allowed him to present complex concepts in an accessible manner, ensuring that everyone in the audience could grasp the significance of his work.
Together, Ms Arliss and Dr O'Neill created a dynamic synergy that elevated the presentation to new heights. Their seamless collaboration and complementary styles kept the audience engaged from start to finish. The attendees left the session not only with a deeper understanding of the world through philosophy, but also with practical tools and inspiration to implement positive changes in their lives.
Ms Julie Arliss’ and Dr O'Neill's presentation was a testament to their mastery of their respective fields and their ability to captivate an audience. Their combined expertise and passion left a lasting impact, motivating individuals to strive for personal growth and excellence in communication and leadership.
Zach Brownjohn (Year 12) said: ‘Surprisingly enough, the Thriving Minds conference turned out to be a rather enjoyable experience, exceeding my initial expectations, thanks to its consistently thought-provoking content.’
OLIVER BENNS – YEAR 10
PLENTY OF NEW IDEAS FOR CURIOUS YOUNG PHILOSOPHERS TO CONTEMPLATE
BREAKFAST WITH A RENOWNED OLD SCOTCH COLLEGIAN PHILOSOPHER
Philosophers are often seen as detached from the real world, spending their days solving abstract logical problems that have very little impact on anyone.
Australian moral philosopher and Old Scotch Collegian Professor Peter Singer (’63) flips this narrative on its head. Singer is widely regarded as the most influential and controversial philosopher of our time. His book Animal Liberation is viewed as the backbone of the animal rights movement, and his work in the field of bioethics has made the medical community question even its most fundamental tenet of the right to human life.
On Wednesday 10 May, Scotch students were offered the chance to attend a Philosophy Breakfast, where Peter Singer appeared by videoconference to speak about effective altruism.
A cohort of enthusiastic philosophers from Years 7-12 arrived early at school to attend the event. Singer’s classic essay ‘Famine, Affluence and Morality’ (which
ABOVE: PROFESSOR PETER SINGER (’63) ADDRESSES THE PHILOSOPHY BREAKFAST VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
BELOW: THE SCENE IN THE FRASER SMITH THEATRE DURING THE VIDEOCONFERENCE
Year 11 Philosophy students at Scotch study) is often credited with laying the foundations for the effective altruism movement, which seeks to maximise the amount of good achieved through altruism by ensuring that we donate to the most effective charities available.
Singer discussed his famous Shallow Pond thought experiment, as well as the history of the movement and the recent downfall of effective altruist Sam BankmanFried. Students were then offered the
opportunity to showcase their philosophical thinking skills by asking questions, all of which Professor Singer answered with his trademark depth and clarity.
Thanks to the hard work of Mrs Horneman, Mr Brown, Mr Cox and Ms Cowcher, the event was an incredibly fruitful one, giving curious young philosophers some new ideas to chew on and a chance to meet one of the most impactful thinkers in recent history. CONOR SULLIVAN – YEAR 10
16-MEMBER
OTHERWISE
A 20-DAY TRIP OF A LIFETIME
UK TOUR BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN CRICKET AND CAMARADERIE
The 2023 Scotch College UK Cricket Tour (24 June to 13 July) featured 13 games of cricket, day trips and rest days for other leisure activities or sightseeing. Among the boys’ opponents were Eton and Harrow Colleges, and their sightseeing included visits to Windsor Castle and a tour of the home of cricket, Lord’s.
Among the touring party of 16 boys and three staff were Year 10 boys, Charlie Smith and Charlie Warner. Their impressions of the tour appear below.
I will forever remember the 2023 UK Cricket Tour as my favourite time as a Scotch Collegian. The tour was a 20-day trip of a lifetime, filled with new memories created each day. The cricket and landmarks we went to each day only scratch the surface of what this tour meant to me, as my fondest memories will be around the camaraderie among the boys that was created and shared, with moments on and off the field.
The team had a very strong tour, with eight wins, four losses and a tie, giving the squad great confidence for the upcoming season. Off the field, we had the privilege to experience some of England’s finest landmarks, going inside Windsor Castle, and visiting the outside of Buckingham Palace and Arundel Castle, just to name a few.
The England tour was the perfect trip, and was well worth the wait. I could not recommend high enough doing your best to be selected for this tour, as it's something I'll remember for the rest of my life.
CHARLIE SMITH – YEAR 10
Sixteen individuals left Melbourne Airport on a frosty evening at Tullamarine, but no one knew of the mateship that would be formed over the next 20 days. Year 11s and Year 10s fused seamlessly, as though we had been living together for years. We smiled together, laughed together, and most importantly, played cricket together with an incredible spirit.
We gained form and momentum as we got further into the tour, along with a genuine hope for the success of our peers. Milestones were celebrated for everyone, through lots of singing and dancing on the bus rides home from games. The high morale was deflated as we arrived home, and we missed the company of each other more than we missed the actual country of England.
Overall, I had the great opportunity to go overseas and get close to some boys who I don’t doubt I will remain good friends with throughout the rest of my life.
CHARLIE WARNER – YEAR 10
THE
2023 SCOTCH COLLEGE UK CRICKET TOUR PARTY. STANDING, LEFT TO RIGHT; ALL BOYS OF YEAR 11 UNLESS
INDICATED: HARRY JONES, NED MACMILLAN, CHARLIE WARNER (YEAR 10) , HUGH HASKER, HENRY STEELE, JAMES SPARKS, TOM FARRER, CHARLIE SMITH (YEAR 10), SAM EDNEY, MAX BODON, TOM HUCKER. KNEELING: TOM GROOM (YEAR 10), ADAM RIXON (YEAR 10), FLYNN O’BRIEN (YEAR 10), ED WINNEKE (YEAR 10), HENRY RATHJEN
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: AT LORD’S CRICKET GROUND; OUTSIDE THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT; AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE IN BERKSHIRE; IMITATING THE BEATLES ON ABBEY ROAD
A FESTIVAL OF THREE CONCERTS ENTHRALS AUDIENCES
500 MUSICIANS
The Autumn Concert Series is the first main musical event of the year. As preparation, the annual Choir Camp took place at the start of Term 2, involving nearly 200 boys. The Choir Camp has been an annual event since 1995, and involves three days of intense training, under the meticulous direction of Andrew Hunter. The Autumn Season is really a festival of three concerts, featuring some 500 performers across 15 ensembles. It is strongly supported by the Music Auxiliary, which started the concert (then known as the May Concert) some 50 years ago. There were some notable solos with Jifan Liu giving an outstanding performance of the notoriously difficult concerto for saxophone by Glazounov, ably accompanied by the orchestra, and Benji Scott as soloist in
the College Choir’s performance of Blue Skies. All concerts were well attended, and our thanks go to Caroline Taylor and the other members of the Music Auxiliary for helping to make the festival such a special event.
Our Show Band, under Megan Philips, and Stage Band, directed by Chris Farrands, went to Mount Gambier and the annual Generations in Jazz festival. Owing to COVID, the festival had been cancelled for three years, and so this was the first experience of this notable festival for a large number of boys. The festival is huge and involves thousands of students from across Australia. Our bands performed convincingly and we also heard some exceptional performances from other students and professional ensembles.
ALEX PROCTOR (TENOR SAXOPHONE SOLOIST) WITH THE STAGE BAND, DIRECTED BY CHRIS FARRANDS.
MAKE MUSIC IN MAY
An important annual classical music festival in Victoria is the Woodend Winter Arts Festival. The festival features professional ensembles and soloists from all over Australia and internationally. This year, the Symphony Orchestra was invited to present a family concert on the King’s Birthday. The program featured Prokofiev’s timeless classic, Peter and the Wolf with legendary veteran performer, Max Gillies, as narrator. It was a great treat to work with Max again, and the concert was received with tremendous enthusiasm. It is worth remembering that Prokofiev’s famous work was written for children to listen to, not children to play! The work is very demanding for the orchestra, and soloists, William Ashley (flute), Edward Song (oboe), Ryan Zhang (clarinet)
and Jason Kriesner (bassoon) all deserve particular credit for the dedicated work needed prior to performance.
The following evening saw the orchestra performing again for the Winter Concert, led by Geoff Liu, L.Mus.A. (distinction), and conducted by Director of Music, Dr Ferguson. This is the Symphony Orchestra’s largest concert of the year because it is purely the orchestra with no other ensembles, and so it provides an opportunity for the orchestra to play complete works. The concert opened with the Bacchanale from Samson and Delila by Saint-Saëns. Edward Song played the opening oboe cadenza beautifully, and credit must also go to outstanding percussion performances from Thomas Lin and Ned Karunaratne. Ryan
THE SHOW BAND, DIRECTED BY MEGAN PHILIP
DANIEL ZISIN DELIGHTING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CALLANTINA SWING BAND
Zhang, L.Mus.A., performed the first movement of Weber’s dazzling clarinet concerto number 2 brilliantly, with the orchestra supporting him with sensitivity and precision. The first half of the concert concluded with Rachmaninov’s piano concerto number 2, with William Cheah, L.Mus.A. (distinction) as soloist. It was a spirited performance, filled with contrast and executed with panache, accompanied superbly by the orchestra. Aaron Zhang played the famous horn solo beautifully.
The second half of the concert comprised a complete performance of Beethoven’s magnificent symphony number 7. The work was chosen partly to celebrate the devoted service
that Mr Robert McLaren has given to Scotch over so many years.
He has always supported music (partly because he was once a horn player), and Beethoven’s 7th is his favourite symphony as I happened to know.. The orchestra acquitted itself with aplomb, and while all musicians performed with conviction, Daniel Wang, playing the notoriously difficult first horn part, deserves a special mention for his precision and accuracy.
DR JOHN FERGUSON – DIRECTOR OF MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY – DR JOHN FERGUSON, BEN FERGUSON
GEOFF LIU LEADS THE ACADEMY STRINGS, DIRECTED BY BEN CASTLE
JIFAN LIU PERFORMING THE GLAZUNOV SAXOPHONE CONCERTO (SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, CONDUCTED BY JOHN FERGUSON)
INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA, CONDUCTED BY ADAM MERANGE
THE ORCHESTRA, LED BY GEOFF LIU AND CONDUCTED BY DR FERGUSON, TAKES A BOW AFTER PERFORMING BEETHOVEN’S 7TH SYMPHONY
ANDREW HUNTER WITH THE COLLEGE CHOIR
PULUNA VAEA, SOLO FLUGEL HORN WITH THE SHOW BAND (DIRECTED BY MEGAN PHILIP)
THE ALIBIS
SIX SUSPECTS AND THEIR INCRIMINATING SECRETS
It was midnight at Arlington Mansion. Six guests, each with their own secrets, are congregated in a grand drawing room. A distinctive silhouette enters the stage: Detective Casey Neptune, the most famous detective you’ve never heard of. Horror spreads across the guests’ faces as they learn of the death of their billionaire host and are informed that they are all suspects. They turn on each other, attempting to discern the culprit and hide their own incriminating secrets. So begins the Year 8 Play The Alibis.
Fifty-six students and 18 staff members from Scotch and MLC came together from January to April, to pull together the joint Year 8 play. Magically, we transformed the Geoffrey McComas Theatre into Arlington Manor, a convoluted web of layered lies and batty backstories. A web that had taken the cast and crew of The Alibis a four-month journey to weave.
Behind that intricate web lay all the moving parts, all working in harmony. Fifteen students operated the complex array of backstage equipment: the lights, sound effects, covert behindthe-scenes communication and complicated moving sets. Their excitement, coupled with the experienced approach of the backstage staff allowed for a seamless flow, which translated beautifully onto the stage. For Year 8s with minimal experience
THIS PAGE: ALEX KORMENDY. BELOW: DARCY BOWN AND ATIKSH MEHTA.
RIGHT PAGE: TOP LEFT, AARYAN BERERA AND LIAM COGLEY. TOP RIGHT: BILLY WHITE, ALEX BROWN AND SAM HINTON. BELOW, RIGHT: STANLEY WIGHTMAN.
in drama, the privilege of such a wonderful facility is a gift we will never forget.
Although the technical aspects were enthralling, the heart of the play was the cast and the staff who helped to shape the play. Our skilled director Ms Cavoli, who held the play together, had enlisted the most competent bunch of Year 8s from both MLC and Scotch to portray some of the wackiest characters ever written. She managed all aspects of the play with great poise, orchestrating us students into a capable cast. Although behind the scenes we were a chaotic jumble of crazy personalities, on stage, we were brilliant – if we do say so ourselves. We complemented each other’s abilities, immersing ourselves into our roles. With our dedication and the assistance of our director and the gracious staff, we turned a mere script into a captivating play.
Furthermore, we were able to develop new friendships and strengthen ones from before. Having the opportunity to experience these things with people who all shared a common passion for drama was also something truly special. Our rehearsals and everyone’s dedication formed a bond that held us all together. If a problem arose, we solved it together, and when something went right, we celebrated as one.
For four months the play was our life. All our time went into memorising lines, blocking and trying to better our performances. So, when the time came to perform, we put it all out on the stage. Each laugh and applause from the audience spurred us on, until we reached the end of the final show. We all came tumbling out from backstage, in disbelief that the end had come so fast. We knew that the last line had been spoken; and every last emotion had been portrayed. There was nothing left for us to give. And so, with the lights bright in our faces, we smiled and took a bow. It was the end of the journey, and each one of us was proud that we were a part of something so magical.
ATIKSH MEHTA, GABRIEL KING, MATTHEW NG – YEAR 8
THE MATCHMAKER A CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE
In late May, the Year 9/10 Play, The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder was performed in the Geoffrey McComas Theatre. Presented in conjunction with Lauriston Girls’ School, the production was a celebration of love and adventure.
Horace Vandergelder, a wealthy merchant in 19th century Yonkers, New York, employs a matchmaker, Mrs Dolly Levi. Dolly subsequently becomes involved with two of Vandergelder’s clerks, several lovely ladies and the head waiter at an expensive restaurant, where this swift farce runs headlong into hilarious complications. The Matchmaker opened on Broadway on 5 December 1955 and ran for 486 performances, Wilder’s Broadway record, and closed on 2 February 1957. It was later adapted as the musical Hello, Dolly!
An ensemble of 32 students performed in the show, supported by a wonderful backstage crew. It is still so wonderful to be able to celebrate treading the boards together again after COVID, and it was great to share a classic farce with such a supportive audience. We congratulate all of the students involved on an excellent season.
OPHELIA HOPKINS – DRAMA TEACHER
THIS PAGE: TOP: WILLIAM HAYWOOD (LEFT) AND ANGUS ISCHIA (BOTH YEAR 10) BOTTOM LEFT: NICK LEETON (YEAR 9).
RIGHT PAGE: TOP LEFT: WILLIAM HAYWOOD (LEFT) AND BLAKE WILSON (BOTH YEAR 10)
TOP RIGHT: BLAKE WILSON. BOTTOM LEFT: CHARLIE WARNER (LEFT) AND CHARLIE WILCOX (BOTH YEAR 10). BOTTOM RIGHT: KANE SHUM (YEAR 9)
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of being part of the cast of the 2023 Years 9 and 10 play, Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker, with fellow students from Scotch and Lauriston.
I can still remember walking into that first rehearsal back in early February, and only now can I see the true task of putting on this play. Participating in rehearsals from February to May was a commitment that pushed all students to perform to the best of their abilities. A goal which paid off, over three incredible performances. It was a true joy to join cast mates on stage to perform what we had practised for many months. The contributions of all involved helped to create a magical performance. Being part of this play was a truly wonderful experience, that has left me with many great memories, and I hope that all who came to watch enjoyed this spectacular play.
BLAKE WILSON – YEAR 10
ROMANTIC ENTANGLEMENTS: A SHAKESPEARE COMEDY
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM WAS THIS YEAR’S SENIOR PLAY
The Senior Play this year was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of Shakespeare’s earlier comedies, where mischievous fairies pull the strings of their human puppets, while a group of workers toil to put on a play for their Duke. In conjunction with students from Lauriston Girls’ School, over four months a cast of more than 40 students put endless efforts into making this show come to life.
The play starts in the city of Athens, where Theseus, the Duke, is soon to marry Hippolyta to cement an alliance. We soon meet the four Athenian lovers, Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius, and we find that Hermia loves Lysander, but her father insists she marries Demetrius. However, Hermia and Lysander decide to elope into the forest. Helena, Hermia's friend, is in love with Demetrius, but he is indifferent to her. The four lovers end up in the mystical forest, and their romantic entanglements become further complicated by the magic of the fairies.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the forest, a group of ‘mechanicals’ rehearse their rendition of the legend of Pyramus and Thisbe, which follows two lovers who are forbidden to wed by their parents because of a longstanding rivalry, but find a way to love anyway by whispering through a crack in a wall between their houses. It might be interesting to note that it is believed that
Shakespeare was working on another play, Romeo and Juliet, at a similar time to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
As the story draws on, the subplots begin to become further and further intertwined and chaotic, before finally the lovers find themselves out of the forest and all is well.
Just as in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there were also some chaotic moments when going through the production process. Hard work and commitment pulled this production through, not just from the actors but especially from the people working behind the scenes to make the glimmering display of lights spring into life, and the crew and others working to make everything roll into place just right, from every set piece, to every costume and every little LED.
For many of us doing this production from Scotch and Lauriston, this was our last one at school. And although we had a few years marred by the pandemic, we were able to put on something memorable for us, our friends and our family. I can be certain when I say that we will all miss the process, as it becomes embedded as an unforgettable moment at school.
JEREMY GRAY – YEAR 12
SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, PERFORMED IN JULY BY 40 STUDENTS FROM SCOTCH AND LAURISTON GIRLS’ SCHOOL
ART BUNDJIL AND WAA
SCAR TREE
ARTWORK COMPLETED
NEW ARTWORK CONNECTS US TO THE MOST ANCIENT STORIES
To celebrate the connections that Scotch College has formed with our Indigenous students, families and communities, the renowned artist Mick Harding was commissioned to create an artwork that would symbolise the respect we have for Aboriginal culture and history. Mick is a proud Taungurung man who has been commissioned to make artworks for many museums, public art spaces such as Birrarung Marr and international dignitaries. Australia was once a continent of many different cultures and language groups. On the lands where Scotch is situated, the Woiwurrung language was spoken by the Wurrundjeri people.
The Woiwurrung or Wurrundjeri was one of five tribes who made up the Kulin nation.
To the people of the Kulin nation, Bundjil was the creator, symbolised by an eagle, which created all of the world for humans to live in. Waa was a protector to the people of the Kulin nation. There are many stories about Bundjil and Waa which are part of the culture and rituals of the Wurrundjeri people.
After six years of planning, consultation with Boroondara council and seeking the approval of elders, input from Scotch’s Indigenous students and disruptions with lockdowns, Mick completed the artwork in May this year. A magnificent carving of Bundjil the wedge-tailed eagle and Waa the Crow are wrapped around the trunk of a centuries-old gum tree.
This artwork, the Bundjil and Waa scar tree, sits as a feature in the Indigenous garden which our Curator, Michael Smith and his team have developed over the last decade. It is designed to be used as a place of connection for all of the community, for contemplation and the respectful sharing of stories of the Indigenous people of Australia, the oldest continuous living culture on earth.
YUDHA
SCHOLES – HEAD OF ART
TREE WITH CARVINGS COMPLETED
PATHWAYS TO ARTISTRY
OUR CREATIVE GRADUATES RETURN TO SCOTCH TO SHARE THEIR PASSION WITH OUR ART CLASSES
Leaving Scotch to pursue a creative career can be challenging. Our Young Old Boys program offers an opportunity for these students to return to school and share their skills and inspire our current students in the classroom as YOB tutors. This year two Young Old Boys returned to the Art Department, and ran workshops with our Year 8 classes, guiding them to create a street art inspired mural.
James Hardy and Sam Hooper (both ‘17) have been building their reputations in the fine art and street art communities and returned to teach the students how to create a unique designed stencil with a personal style. They then helped the students to spray paint these designs in layers to contribute to the communal mural.
James has been a regular in our classrooms as part of the YOB program for the last four years and this year will stay on as our Artist-in-Residence. He will use this residency to paint a portrait of the Rap artist Eco$ystem which he plans on entering into next year’s Archibald Prize. Our students will be able to track James’ progress as he completes the painting – a unique opportunity to witness the artist at work.
YUDHA SCHOLES – HEAD OF ART
Here is some feedback from Year 8 students on the workshops:
I really enjoyed the part where we spray painted our paintings onto the canvas as I have never done that before. It was a new and fresh experience and I hope to do it again someday. The connection between the Old Boys was evident and they knew this school very well, which enhanced the experience further. Overall, it was a great incursion.
ETHAN OUYANG
Our Year 8 class was fortunate enough to have two Old Scotch Boys come back to the school and take us through an amazing procedure of spray painting, and we learnt many new techniques and skills of drawing, tracing, cutting and spraying. Overall, we had an incredible experience.
DANIEL CHEN
I really enjoyed being able to be creative while being free to make abstract graffiti art. It was fun to try something new other than the usual painting and ceramics.
AUGUSTE BAUDENS
I really enjoyed the workshop with James and Sam because I find graffiti interesting and I’m interested in how you can be really creative and express yourself with a different type of art form. I learnt a lot and was super happy doing the workshop.
ANDERS SALMON
The workshop was most touching, for producing exuberant artwork emerges as a constantly rewarding task. Additionally, it is of importance to acknowledge the masterful approach with which the artists commandeered the activity. Lastly, the College’s perseverance to provide a holistic education is commendable. All in all, a workshop greatly enjoyed.
ATIKSH MEHTA
JAMES HARDY ('17) AT WORK IN THE ART DEPARTMENT AS A YOUNG OLD BOY TUTOR
MURAL RAISED AWARENESS OF THE LINKS BETWEEN MARNGROOK AND AFL
MARNGROOK MURAL:
IMPRESSIVE RELIC OF A MOMENT
IN SCOTCH HISTORY
The 2019 Scotch Indigenous Partnership Program (IPP) focused on the theme of marngrook, with the aim of raising awareness throughout the Scotch community that the game of Australian football was at least partly inspired by the game of marngrook. The game, which looks remarkably similar to AFL, had been played by First Nations people in areas of Victoria for thousands of years. At that time the AFL held the position that any link between the two games was unlikely.
Early in 2019, permission was granted to paint a mural which would liven up the building site near the old tuckshop, with the theme of a celebration of the game of marngrook and its link to AFL football.
The Marngrook Mural was painted and drawn on 20 metres of hoardings surrounding the building works of the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall in March-April of 2019. Students of the inaugural Artist’s Workshop class, along with Yudha Scholes, Head of Art, painted the word ‘marngrook’ and the first layers of drawings and messages in the style of iconic street artists Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.
LEFT: SCOTCH BOYS MADE THEIR MARK ON THE MURAL. SMALL IMAGE, FAR LEFT: SCOTCH BOYS GOING FOR A MAMARK (THE WORD FOR ‘CATCH’ IN GUNDITJAMARA LANGUAGE) WHILE PLAYING MARNGROOK AT HALFTIME DURING THE 2019 CORDNER-EGGLESTON CUP MATCH. THIS PHOTO: THE MURAL WAS PAINTED ON TEMPORARY HOARDINGS SURROUNDING THE KEON-COHEN DINING HALL BUILDING SITE
Over the following weeks, Scotch’s Indigenous students, as well as the school’s IPP students, added their own messages and images, working collaboratively to create layers of meaning with an overall aesthetic of restless and rebellious energy.
The mural was an instant hit with students, who enjoyed this burst of enthusiastic and spontaneous expression in the middle of their school grounds. Many staff and parents also enjoyed the mural which spread the message of ‘marngrook’ as a contemporary use of language in concrete poetry form. Not one piece of unauthorised graffiti was added to the mural.
The school fully embraced the idea of marngrook. In May that year, we enjoyed the spectacle of watching a genuine game of marngrook played at half-time in the Cordner-Eggleston Cup game. The students of the IPP had learned the game from historian Jim Poulter, who also commentated the action to the large crowd on the day. He passed on interesting insights about the game of marngrook and its links to AFL football.
In the crowd that day was Gil McLachlan, the then CEO of the AFL. Two weeks after viewing the game of marngrook played
by the boys of the IPP, he made a speech about Adam Goodes, where it was mentioned that the AFL game has clear links to the Indigenous game of marngrook.
This signalled a change in position of the governing body. It is interesting to note that many museums such as the National Museum of Australia still suggest that any links between the two games are purely coincidental.
The mural was salvaged from the building site and stored until an appropriate location was found for it to be put on permanent display. The renovated corridor of the Language Building was chosen in 2022, and after curatorial and installation considerations were completed, it was installed with the expert help of John Kuzma in March 2023.
As an ephemeral piece of artwork on a building site hoarding, there are many signs of decay and damage. However this mural is presented almost entirely intact, an impressive relic of a historically significant moment in Scotch history.
YUDHA SCHOLES – HEAD OF ART, CURATOR SCOTCH ART COLLECTION
1ST XI HOCKEY WAS THE STANDOUT TEAM
Consistent performances across our Firsts teams were a feature of this year’s winter season. The 1st XI Hockey team was the standout team, with the boys playing inspired hockey right through the season.
A shared premiership was still possible coming into the last quarter of the final match, only for the Scotch team to come up marginally short. The team won eight games and lost only two, both to an undefeated Melbourne Grammar School side. Ben Graven was an outstanding Captain and the team gelled well all year, linking seamlessly from defence to attack with great skill and precision. We will look to next year with great interest, as the team and the hockey community seek to build on their recent run of success.
T he 1st V Basketball squad provided somewhat of a surprise to many, with its equal third placing at season’s end. After a poor showing in an early season practice match, our boys regrouped and set themselves for a committed performance each week. They worked tirelessly on their game, playing specific roles for the team and executing their skills to a high level. A top four finish was guaranteed after defeating St Kevin’s in a fierce and free-flowing contest, during a rare home game in the Glenn Centre.
The 1st XI Soccer team was outstanding this season, and despite some early season setbacks, came out and showed its competitive spirit. We won five games, lost two and drew three,
FIRST TEAMS’ CONSISTENT PERFORMANCES IN WINTER SPORT
to finish equal third. We won the Rose and Thistle Cup against Melbourne Grammar, and retained both the John Roe Soccer Shield against St Peter’s College (Adelaide) and the Michael Pelman Soccer Challenge Cup against Peninsula Grammar. It was a genuine team effort with even contributions across the season from all involved.
The 1st XV Rugby team played finals for the first time in nine years. Despite not advancing further, the boys certainly captured the hearts of all those who watched them play. They played a highly skilled running game that often started deep in their own half. Stirling Keogh, John Cavanough, Ben Clarke and Puluna Vaea (all of Year 12) provided their fair share of individual highlights, however it was the collective approach that stood out as the feature of our Scotch rugby. The win against Melbourne Grammar at home (38-12) to retain both the Colin Bell Trophy and the Ewen McKenzie Shield, was no doubt a highlight for all involved.
T he Cross Country Squad performed consistently all season, coming fourth in the APS competition. The highlight was the squad’s performance in the All Schools State Championships, with Scotch awarded the best overall performed school. Henry Curlewis (under 14), Bart Leeton (under 15), Conor Sullivan (under 17) and Rory Vial (under 18) were selected for the Victorian team to compete at the national championships in Canberra’s Stromlo
(THIS PHOTO)
EMERSON MARSHALL (YEAR 9) DRIBBLING THE BALL FORWARD. (RIGHT) SAM FAWCETT (YEAR 11), ON THE ATTACK IN FIRSTS SOCCER.
TAKING THE GAME IN FIRST RUGBY.
SCOTCH FIRSTS SOCC.ER WITH THE JOHN ROE SHIELD, AGAINST ST PETER’S COLLEGE, ADELAIDE.BASKETBALL CAPTAIN CALEB LINGWOOD-SMITH ON THE FREE THROW LINE.
Forest Park later in the year. In the APS Junior Cross Country event held on the Tan Track in August, Henry Curlewis won the Year 7 event and Joshua Baker came second in the Year 8 event.
Our 1st XVIII Football team had a season of near misses. Despite only winning three games, the team was extremely competitive. We lost four games within three goals and frustratingly gave up late leads in several of these games. The squad started the season with some good form, and after convincing wins against Geelong Grammar School and a win in the Cordner-Eggleston Cup against Melbourne Grammar by 91 points, there was certainly some excitement around the season’s prospects.
Sadly, we couldn’t step up when it counted most, and despite our best efforts we conceded some games from commanding positions. Excitingly, we had seven boys from Year 10 play in the Firsts, which bodes well for future years. Year 12 boys Jagga Smith (Captain of Football), Oliver Badr and Cooper Lord were among our better players.
The Fencing Program keeps growing, with 115 boys participating this season. Scotch excelled in both the junior and senior secondary competitions winning the best performed school across both programs. David Zhang (Year 11) was our strongest senior fencer, winning the individual senior secondary event.
The following boys were selected to represent the Associated Public Schools in the representative games against the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria:
BADMINTON Leonardo Wang (Year 12 – Co-Vice Captain)
BASKETBALL C aleb Lingwood-Smith (Year 12) (Emergency: Alex Parker – Year 12)
CROSS COUNTRY Rory Vial (Year 11)
FOOTBALL Cooper Lord (Year 12 – Captain), Lachlan Francis (Year 12)
HOCKEY B en Graven (Year 12 – Vice Captain), Emerson Hodder (Year 11)
SOCCER S am Fawcett (Year 11)
APS WINTER SPORTS FINAL PLACINGS
BASKETBALL
Equal 3rd
CROSS COUNTRY 4th
FOOTBALL 8 th
HOCKEY 2nd
RUGBY UNION 4th
SOCCER
Equal 3rd
(CLOCKWISE, FROM LARGE PHOTO) SAM ALLEN (YEAR 10) PICKING UP A GROUND BALL AGAINST CAREY.
VICE CAPTAIN PULUNA VAEA (YEAR 12)
SCOTCH BOYS EXCEL IN SPORTS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOLS’ PROGRAMS
LUCAS JAMES (YEAR 11) FINISHED 10TH IN THE UNDER 19 DIVISION OF THE 2023 OCEANIA AND AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL LASER CHAMPIONSHIPS
WILL JAMES (YEAR 9) FINISHED THIRD IN THE 2023 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MINNOW CHAMPIONSHIPS, HELD AT BLAIRGOWRIE
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS ACROSS
Several of our boys have achieved a great deal in sport away from our Scotch schools programs. These achievements have required the boys to extend themselves in representative programs, putting in countless hours and making a commitment to reach a higher level.
Samuel Moore (Year 10) and Emerson Marshall (Year 9) were both selected in the Victorian under 15 hockey team and competed at the National Championships in Darwin in late April, where their team finished second. Impressively, Sam also made the under 16 secondary schools hockey team as an underage player. Both Sam and Emerson were important players in our 1st XI Hockey team’s second place performance, and this certainly bodes well for future seasons.
Captain Benjamin Graven was also recently selected in the Hockey Australia Men’s Futures Squad. He has been a regular player in state teams over recent years and has taken his game to another level in 2023. Both Benjamin and Emerson Hodder
played for Victoria in the Under 18 National Championships in July this year, held in Hobart.
Our Rugby Union Program has started to thrive, and a big part of this improvement has come from the performances of Year 12 boys Stirling Keogh and Puluna Vaea. Both players represented Victoria in the National Championships in Sydney In July, and Stirling was named as Vice Captain of the team. Recently, Atupuha Vaea (Year 10) was named in the Rebels’ under 16 squad.
Captain of Football Jagga Smith played for Vic Metro in the Under 18 National AFL Championships. He played two games in total, a great effort considering he was under age. We had a total of four Year 10 boys also representing Vic Metro in the Under 16 Championships – Sam Allen, Ben Fergusson, Jack Ison and Louis Emmett. The Vic Metro squad was the eventual winner of the competition and Louis made the All Australian team, recognising his strong performances throughout the championships.
At the recent Victorian Cross Country State School
A RANGE OF SPORTS
Championships, Scotch had four boys selected to represent the state at the National Championships. Henry Curlewis (under 14), Bart Leeton (under 15), Conor Sullivan (under 17) and Rory Vial (under 18) will participate in late August in Canberra. Bart Leeton was also selected for the Victorian Secondary Schools under 15 football team in Ballarat in July.
Tharen Nanayakkara (Year 11) did exceptionally well in the recent Sri Lanka Sailing Nationals, winning the Laser 4.7 category. He then travelled to Karachi in Pakistan and came 10th overall in the open international sailing event. He will also represent Sri Lanka at the upcoming Asian Games in the boys’ dinghy event in September. Lucas James (Year 11) finished 10th in the under 19 division of the 2023 Oceania and Australian National Laser Championships, while Will James (Year 9) was third overall in the 2023 Australian National Minnow Championships.
Aydin Haksoz (Year 11) has enjoyed great success with his karate this year, and in June was acknowledged by Karate Victoria
for his outstanding performances, winning the Top Gun award 2023 Junior Kata. He has won lots of medals this year at state and national competitions and was selected for both the junior and senior kata teams.
Our swimmers have also enjoyed success outside of school, with three boys winning medals at the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast. Hamish Robson (Year 10) was placed third in the 15 year olds’ 400 metres individual medley, while Harry Hay (Year 12) was third in the 1500 metres freestyle event for 18 year olds. Eric He (Year 10) won the 200 metres butterfly and finished third in the 100 metres butterfly.
We commend all these boys for these outstanding achievements this year. We are really proud of them and look forward to seeing where sport takes each of them.
STUART POWELL – DIRECTOR OF SPORT
ABOVE: AYDIN HAKSOZ (YEAR 11)
WON KARATE VICTORIA’S TOP GUN AWARD, 2023 JUNIOR KATA.
SCOTCH RETAINS THE CORDNEREGGLESTON CUP BEFORE A PACKED CROWD
RESOUNDING CORDNER-EGGLESTON CUP WIN
Round 3 of the 1st XVIII Football season was the annual Cordner-Eggleston Cup, this year at Melbourne Grammar School’s Edwin Flack Park on Friday 12 May, in perfect conditions for football. This year’s Cordner-Eggleston Cup was the 165th time Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College have faced off against one another. It was a huge build-up during the week, as each one of us playing knew what a privilege it was to represent the school on such a significant occasion.
From the opening bounce we played how we wanted to play: quick with our ball movement, tough in the contest, and team first, and this was reflected on the scoreboard as we took a 49-12
lead into half-time. The third quarter was where we really stood up, playing our best quarter of the year and kicking seven goals to Melbourne Grammar’s none.
The final score – Scotch 16.20.116 to Melbourne Grammar 3.7.25 – capped off a great team performance, and Scotch retaining the Cordner-Eggleston Cup in front of a packed crowd.
Talking among the Year 12 boys in the team, this day sits as the most memorable moment during our time at Scotch. As players, it is a day we will never forget and something we feel very grateful to be a part of.
JAGGA
SMITH – CAPTAIN OF FOOTBALL
SCENES FROM THE 2023 CORDNEREGGLESTON CUP AT MELBOURNE GRAMMAR SCHOOL’S EDWIN FLACK PARK ON 12 MAY.
EXCITEMENT AS BOYS AND STAFF MOVE INTO NEW SENIOR WINGS
MODERN, WELLDESIGNED SINGLE-ROOM ACCOMMODATION
With much excitement, boys and staff recently took occupation of the new senior wings in School and McMeckan Houses. Replacing the old and dated ‘backblocks’, the new senior wings for boys in Years 11 and 12 provide modern, light and well-designed single room accommodation for boarders in their senior years. New common rooms and open spaces, joining the old building with the new, further enhance the aesthetics of the boarding precinct.
Senior staff are now resident on the bottom floor of the senior wings, with two new townhouses providing family accommodation for Deputy Heads of Houses. Resident Academic Tutors are housed in new, modern apartments and all three boarding houses across the Hill provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities.
As boys and staff begin to explore the capacity of this new space and as the Hill continues to evolve in shape, this complex and ambitious project is a testament to the vision and purpose of the school’s leadership.
Although small in number, Scotch boarders, with the ongoing support of the school, continue to add to the vibrant nature of the diverse student cohort which calls Hawthorn home. As the final building begins to take shape – the Retreat – the Hill continues to allow boys from all corners of the globe to access a Scotch education so they can, indeed, embrace their future.
YEAR 12 BOYS
ENJOYING THE FACILITIES IN THE NEW WING OF MCMECKAN HOUSE
BOARDERS' WORKSHOP IS BOTH PRODUCTIVE AND FUN
BONDING WHILE SAWING THROUGH WOOD
On Fridays at 4.15pm the boys come down from the Hill and head into the Design Technology building to make something new and amazing. Most recently the boarders have been creating things from cheese boards to robots.
These Friday sessions are greatly beneficial to boarders for multiple reasons, as these afternoons spent in the DesTech building are ways to do something productive and fun. It really is a chance to bond with your fellows while sawing through wood or even just being able to fill in an afternoon after school.
The teacher running the show is Mr Andrew Noble, who is a DesTech teacher from the school. Mr Noble generously gives his Friday afternoons to the boarding boys, helping them to design and produce their wonderful ideas. Ms Alison Martin, the McMeckan House Matron, is also there to give a helpful hand with the boys’ projects. The Dean of Boarding Mr Tim Byrnes is very
supportive of the boarders’ workshop, as he sees the importance of letting boys expand their skills.
The boys who can be found in the workshop may vary in skill from beginners to experienced farm boys who know their way around a workshop. As Alastair McDonell, a Boarder in Year 7 said: ‘the boarders’ workshop is a way to have fun with mates while making a cheese board for mum’. Or, as Angus Geddes (Year 10) mentioned: ‘(the boarders’ workshop) gives an opportunity to continue building things when not at the workshop at home’. It is an opportunity to just simply have fun and remind boys of home when away.
The boarders’ workshop is a great way for the boys to let off a bit of steam after a long week in the classroom, and provides great opportunities for the boys to gain valuable skills in the workshop while bonding with boys from across the Hill.
ANGUS GEDDES – YEAR 10 AND HUGH REYNOLDS – YEAR 9
ALASTAIR MCDONELL (YEAR 7) AND JEREMY SZE (YEAR 8) AT WORK WORKSHOP
ALASTAIR MCDONELL'S CHEESE BOARD
STAFF IN PROFILE
INTERVIEW:
PETA MIEDECKE (USHER)
GERMAN TEACHER, INDIGENOUS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COORDINATOR AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT TEACHER
Let’s start by finding out about your background prior to working at Scotch. Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I studied German, Japanese and History at Melbourne University and I really wanted a job that involved my interest in languages and travel, so in 1997 I applied for a German-speaking role with the Australian Tourist Commission in London, in the European Head Office.
It was a wonderful first job and a fantastic opportunity – I spent my days speaking to Germans encouraging them to travel to Australia, and then on the weekends and on holidays I would travel around the UK and to Europe. I returned to Melbourne and worked in the event tourism industry for a few years, but I really wanted a job where I could use my German. I then saw the light and returned to university and do my teaching degree!
My first teaching job was at Mentone Girls’ Grammar in 2002. I knew I had chosen the right career as I absolutely loved teaching from the very first day. Sometimes I would be teaching a prep class German songs and games in the morning, and then the next period I would be teaching German essay writing to a Year 12 class – I really enjoyed the variety.
I then worked in Abu Dhabi for a couple of years, working with schools as an education consultant for the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Education. Living in the United Arab Emirates was fascinating and yet bizarre. Returning to Melbourne, I did a stint at PLC as a
history teacher. By the time I was employed by Scotch in 2010 as a German teacher, my two sons were one and four years old. It is hard to believe that they are already in Year 9 and Year 12, both enjoying their own Scotch journey.
Could you tell us about your role and the activities you have previously or currently been involved with at Scotch?
I am currently a German teacher at Scotch, and also the Indigenous Academic Programs Coordinator. I really enjoy working closely with the Indigenous students at Scotch to help them reach their academic potential.
I believe passionately in lifelong learning, and in 2016 I completed a Master of Special Education – since then I have also been working in the Centre for Learning with students who have learning difficulties as an Academic Support Teacher. I have also been a Year 7 Form Teacher, participated in many Year 7 and Year 8 camps, and I have been involved with the badminton team.
What generally constitutes some of the highlights of your week and keeps on motivating you?
It’s the same thing that motivated me when I started teaching more than 20 years ago – getting away from my desk and working with young people. I have always loved school and learning. It is wonderful to see students make a connection and get enthusiastic about something they have just learned. I also value the special relationships that you develop with students.
You never have the same class/same teaching experience/ same day twice – every day is full of surprises and unique moments. Teaching is one of those jobs that no matter how you feel or what mood you are in when you walk through the classroom door, you put all that aside and live in the moment. When you teach you have to be present, and I think that’s wonderful.
On a personal note, would you mind sharing some of your passions and hobbies?
I love going for walks around the wetlands of Williamstown, which is where I live – the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary is teeming with diverse bird and marine life, and when visiting this little pocket of tranquillity I feel quite rejuvenated! I also love eating and cooking. In the holidays, I enjoy trying out new recipes and doing a bit of experimenting in the kitchen, but my sons would probably prefer that I stick to the old family favourites!
Everyone loves a good story, so are there any particular anecdotes or memories that you could share with us?
You may know that German has a lot of words that to the English speaker may sound like English swear words. When I started at Scotch, during parent-teacher interviews a parent queried me about using inappropriate language in the classroom, and that her Year 7 son had come home from school and told his mum that I had been swearing at the students in class.
I was mortified! However, it turned out that when I was saying the word ‘school subject’ in German (which is ‘Fach’), it sounded as if I was saying a certain swear word in English that begins with the letter F! The moral of the story is this one: it is very important to study languages so that we can avoid such embarrassing miscommunications!
Berkshire. On returning to Melbourne, I rejoined Beaconhills College until the end of 2021. Following this, I took on a new role with St John Ambulance Australia, where I focused on leading safeguarding and child safety programs.
Could you tell us about your role and the activities you have previously or currently been involved with at Scotch?
In September 2022 I returned to Scotch after being appointed to lead the Cadet Unit, taking on the responsibility of Commanding Officer. My first week started with an eventful five days on the annual cadet camp, held in Puckapunyal.
INTERVIEW: ALISTAIR DUNN ('98)
ACADEMIC COORDINATOR, STUDIES. TEACHER-IN-CHARGE, YEAR 10 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES PROGRAM. COMMANDING OFFICER SCOTCH COLLEGE CADET UNIT
Let’s start by finding out about your background prior to working at Scotch. Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself?
After completing Year 12 at Scotch in 1998, I pursued a business degree and gained experience working in various organisations. However, my passion for education led me back to university, where I undertook a Graduate Diploma of Education and became a qualified teacher.
My teaching career began at Kamaruka, a specialised school catering to boys with behavioural and social issues. This experience was transformative and inspired my next teaching position at Beaconhills College. Over the years, I took on different roles at Beaconhills, including Academic Reports Coordinator, Head of House, and Director of Cadets. In addition to these administrative responsibilities, I taught subjects like Economics, Business Management, and other Commerce-based electives.
After completing my Master of Education at the University of Melbourne in 2016, I embarked on a teaching journey that took me to the UK, where I spent time at Kennett School in West
Alongside my Cadet Unit involvement, in 2023 I also took on some other roles at Scotch, including Teacher-in-Charge of the Year 10 Outdoor Activities Program. I also took on the role of Academic Coordinator – Studies, which involves playing a key role in the daily organisation of the Senior School.
What generally constitutes some of the highlights of your week and keeps on motivating you?
Every week at Scotch presents new challenges that keep me engaged and alert. The busy nature of Scotch ensures there's never a dull moment. My motivation thrives on the daily interactions with the staff, witnessing their unwavering dedication and inspiration. Moreover, collaborating with the senior cadet leaders in the Cadet Unit has been especially motivating. Observing the boys' enthusiasm, commitment, and eagerness to contribute to a greater cause inspires me to give my best every day.
On a personal note, would you mind sharing some of your passions and hobbies?
For many years, one of my greatest passions and hobbies has been travelling to diverse countries, to explore their unique cultures and landscapes. Before the COVID era, I was fortunate enough to embark on a trip every 12 to 18 months, immersing myself in the beauty of Asia and Europe, whether it was a memorable road trip through the picturesque landscapes of Scotland or a tranquil escape to a Greek island.
While my wanderlust was temporarily put on hold due to the pandemic, high on my travel bucket list for the coming years is the continent of South America.
Everyone loves a good story, so are there any particular anecdotes or memories that you could share with us?
Rediscovering Scotch after a considerable absence has stirred a wave of memories, blending the familiar with the transformed. Being back in Memorial Hall, a place laden with certain emotions and history, has evoked nostalgia and a sense of deep connection. The resounding voices of the boys' singing and the pride that radiates through has been truly moving.
MR TIM SHEARER ('85) HEAD OF ADVANCEMENT
SCOTCH COLLEGE ADOPTS ADVANCEMENT MODEL
ADVANCEMENT: THE PROCESS OF PROMOTING A CAUSE OR PLAN – OXFORD DICTIONARY
To improve and better coordinate Scotch’s community engagement processes and practices, Scotch has adopted an Advancement model, which will see all its community touchpoints coordinated under one umbrella. The Advancement model, which has been widely implemented by similar independent schools across Australia and internationally, sees a strategic ‘lifelong’ approach taken to all aspects of the school’s engagement with its community (see the diagram on page 69).
Sue Cunningham, the CEO of the international Council for the Advancement and Support of
Education, believes ‘Advancement is the collective effort of professionals across multiple disciplines to advance their institution by engaging their communities to embrace opportunities and tackle challenges’.
Advancement describes everything an institution which values community and philanthropy does to align its mission strategically with those members of its community who possess similar values, concerns and aspirations, and those inclined to give their time, talent and gifts to worthy institutions or causes.
In a nutshell, it’s about harnessing the goodwill, expertise and generosity of the Scotch Family to drive
COMMUNITYRELATIONS ADMISSIONS
UOF
NOITAD
GREAT
positive outcomes for Scotch. The benefits to the Scotch Family, and ultimately the school, will manifest in a myriad of ways: from revamped Admissions policies to an upgraded OSCA-led mentor program; to exciting new fundraising programs and a fullyintegrated Archives-Museum Program.
I was honoured to be appointed to the position of Head of Advancement at the commencement of Term 3 this year. With a lifelong connection to the school, and the accompanying rich relationships with those early on in their Scotch journey, with those in our current parent cohort and with those who ‘look back and forgetfully wonder’, together with a committed Advancement team, I am devoted to taking our engagement with the Scotch Family to the next level. I also look forward to working with you as we look to advance the School’s Development Plan and Scholarship Program in my capacity as Scotch College Foundation Executive Director.
While the timing of the move to this new model is somewhat coincidental, it seems to tie in appropriately with some significant challenges that are facing our school. The state government’s introduction of a stamp duty levy on the top 60 ‘high fee’ private schools in 2024 is an unashamed nod to this government’s belief that our school should be less dependent on state funding than others.
In fact, the amount we now pay in state taxes is more than double what we receive from the state government in educational funding. It should be remembered that we pass on every dollar of federal and state government funding to our fee-paying parents, so any reductions in funding – or additional taxes – have a direct impact on the amount that our parents pay to send their boys to the school. If Scotch is to keep pace, we will be more dependent than ever on the philanthropic efforts of our community.
Our new Admissions policies have been implemented to identify a diverse group of boys who will contribute to the day-to-day life and greater purpose of the College, and take advantage of everything a Scotch education offers. Our new scholarship policies will also ensure that a more diverse range of students have access to a Scotch education via our Scholarship Program. Most Scotch scholarships are funded by the Scotch Foundation and it is hoped that, in time, all will be.
Advancement is about finding common cause, building a sense of community around that cause, then determining how that cause can be advanced to yield tangible, sustainable progress. Together with a committed team I look forward to working with you and the rest of the Scotch Family to advance Scotch.
SCOTCH’S DYNAMIC SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE NOW INCLUDES LINKED IN, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK. GREAT SCOT WILL MOVE TO TWO EDITIONS IN 2024.
WINTER LUNCHEON FUN AND FRIENDSHIP
125 EMG MEMBERS AND GUESTS ENJOY LUNCH IN THE BOYKETT ROOM
The East Melbourne Glen Chapter Winter Luncheon is always an enjoyable event, and the 2023 event – held in the Cardinal Pavilion on Wednesday 14 June – was no exception, with 125 EMG members and guests comfortably filling the Boykett Room.
Having welcomed the guests, Foundation Executive Director, Tim Shearer (’85) handed over to EMG President, Ken Jasper (’55). Ken welcomed special guests, including former EMG President Bill Philip (’46), who on that day was six days short of his 95th birthday, and the oldest Old Boy present at the luncheon. Bill was School Captain in 1947.
His welcoming address completed, Ken was pleasantly surprised when Tim Shearer presented him with a gift, to celebrate his 85th birthday, which was on 5 June.
School Captain, Dion Whitfield expertly gave the Welcome to Country, and Graham Bradbeer’s grace focused on the joys associated with retirement and growing older, pointing out that Scotch’s oldest known living Old Boy, Bill Morgan (’34) has had plenty of time to enjoy retirement – he has now been retired longer than his working life! Graham concluded with The Child’s Grace :
We thank you Lord for all things good, for rain and sunny weather.
We thank you too for this our food and that we are together.
Amen
Next, Tim Shearer introduced the guest speaker, Foundation President, Mike Sim (’78), remarking that as Mike was following Doug Lording (’64) into the role, he had big shoes to fill – size 12, apparently. Mike thanked the EMG members for their generous donations to Scotch. He said they have played an important role in shaping Scotch to what it is today, and are among the school’s ‘true believers’.
Mike spoke about Council’s ‘dreams’, such as finalising the purchase of all remaining properties in Hambledon Road, with apologies to EMG member, Lizzie Howcroft, a Hambledon Road resident present at the lunch! On security, Mike said the brick barriers, recently erected in Morrison Street, are strong enough to withstand the impact of a seven and a half tonne truck.
He spoke about projects which are envisaged, and those which are well under way, such as the boarding precinct upgrade, which he believes will enable Scotch to offer a very attractive option when people from Australia’s country areas consider where to send their boys as boarders.
After the formalities, guests lingered on to enjoy conversation and reminiscences. Thanks for an outstanding event go to Bequest Program Manager, Sandra Dick, and Scotch Foundation Coordinator, Rebecca Mortimer.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GRAEME MCRAE (’54) AND LINTON EDWARDS (’66).
STEPHEN WEBSTER (’73) AND BARBARA HOLDER.
KEN JASPER AM (’55), JUDITH ROBINSON AND DOUG LORDING AM (’64).
JOHN MATHEW (’53) AND NEIL MUNRO (’54).
JAN DIMMICK.
MARCIA TENNENT AND LESLEY FERGUSON.
SANDRA DICK, TIM SHEARER (’85) AND WENDY HILTON-WOOD.
LIZ LORDING AM AND COLIN LUTH (’54).
MR MIKE SIM ('78) PRESIDENT OF THE SCOTCH COLLEGE FOUNDATION
MIKE SIM (’78) TAKES THE FOUNDATION’S REINS
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SCOTCH FOUNDATION’S 11TH PRESIDENT
Michael Kinsley Sim (known to all as Mike) was elected as the Scotch Foundation’s 11th President at the Foundation’s May Board meeting.
Mike attended Scotch from 1970 to 1979, following others including his father Robert Kinsley Sim (SC 1937-41) and brother Peter Kinsley Sim (SC 1963-72); also his nephews, Andrew Kinsley Sim (SC 1993-2001) and Cameron Kinsley Sim (SC 1994-2003); and he was followed by his son, Stuart Kinsley Wieden Sim (SC 2002-11). Mike’s grandson, Jack, is booked in for 2033!
Mike’s father, Bob, coxed the winning Head of the River crew in 1941, as did Mike in 1978 (with the crew also becoming Australian Schoolboy Champions) and Stuart, with wins in 2010 (also Australian Schoolboy Champions) and 2011. Mike also represented Victoria in the King’s Cup and Australia at the World Rowing Championships. Stuart coxed the Australian men’s eight at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
A School Prefect in 1978 and 1979, Mike was 1979 House Captain of Gilray, Editor of The Scotch Collegian, Captain of Boats and Captain of Hockey. He was also the Regimental Sergeant Major in 1978 and the Senior Cadet Under Officer in 1979.
He joined the OSCA Council on 30 November 1990 and finished on 8 November 2004. He was Treasurer from 1998 to 2002 and Vice President from 2000 to 2002.
Mike joined the Foundation Board in 2003 and continues to serve on it. He joined the School Council on 21 December 2001 and left on 6 January 2003. He rejoined it on 1 November 2003 and continues to be its busiest Councillor, particularly in his role as Chair of the Property Committee.
In this interview, Mike answered questions posed by Scotch’s Head of Advancement and Foundation Executive Director, Tim Shearer (’85). Tim began by asking Mike, who has been deeply involved at Scotch for such a long time, as a student, in OSCA, the School Council and the Foundation, what it meant to him to be appointed as Foundation President.
I’m absolutely honoured that my peers thought they would like me to be the President. I’ve always performed all my work and commitment to Scotch without seeking any leadership positions, as I think that Scotch teaches you about service and giving, and that you don’t need anything in return. So I’ve just
been happy to serve the Cardinal Club, the Old Boys, the Foundation and the School Council, and to see all of those groups thrive.
To become President of the Foundation does take it to the next level, where instead of being a loyal lieutenant, I’m looking forward to formulating the way a few key issues are handled.
What do you think are the Foundation’s major achievements in its first 50 years?
I think to get where the Foundation has in 50 years is quite astonishing. The achievements can be classified into three pillars, the first of which is the building side, where the Foundation has raised about 50 per cent of the cost of the school’s building projects since the James Forbes Academy.
We have been particularly busy with building projects over the past nine years, for which the Foundation has raised significant amounts of money. Raising $20 million for the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science was an exceptional performance by the Foundation team, led by Tim Shearer. When we were planning the Centre for Science, we thought it would be brilliant if the Foundation could raise at least $10 million, so to raise $20 million was absolutely incredible and a testament to the Scotch Family, not to mention a record in Australia.
Then to back up straight away with raising funds for the Spencer Centre for Design and Technology, the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall, the House Home Rooms and the Tolson Centre, and to raise funds throughout a period of major stresses such as COVID, was a huge performance by the Foundation.
The second pillar is clearly scholarships. The amount of money which has come from our very special family to enable us to bring boys to the
school, many of whose families would otherwise be unable to send them to Scotch, or in areas such as General Excellence, Indigenous or Boarding, has been heartwarming, and to see the acceleration of donations into this area over the past 15 years has been quite amazing.
goal is to increase the corpus through $20 million and then on to $30 million, and so on. That is going to be difficult, because funds donated to the corpus aren’t tax deductible, but it fits very well for people who wish to leave money to the Foundation in a bequest. That’s a perfect fund in which to place it. We will then give appropriate recognition of those bequests in many ways; for example, by naming buildings, rooms, scholarships or bursaries at the bequestors’ direction.
You have to put a stake in the ground and set some stretch targets, and it would be wonderful if the Foundation could help to support the school in various ways. For example, our corpus may be able to endow a Chair of a Faculty, such as Science, Mathematics, English or Humanities, and attract the very best staff to lead those departments. This could provide significant relief to the recurrent budget, and hence school fees.
What are the next fundraising challenges for the school?
ABOVE: AT THE FOUNDATION PRESIDENT'S DINNER ON 11 MAY: MIKE SIM ('78) WITH FORMER SCOTCH PRINCIPAL DR GORDON DONALDSON AM
The third pillar is the corpus or Endowment Fund. The Foundation came into being through the need to support the school generally. We have built up a corpus which has grown substantially over the years from investment returns, with very little money actually being contributed to it. One of my goals will be to increase the corpus; to build up a sovereign fund –a wealth fund – so that we can potentially support a slower rise in school fees.
Do you see any important synergies between your role as Chair of the School Council’s Property Committee and your role as Foundation President?
Most definitely. From the School Council point of view, I will always be looking to shape the school’s landscape, and when as Foundation President I am speaking to potential donors, I can speak with authority on what we are planning to do with the funds that are being raised. So there is a nice symmetry between the roles.
What are your goals for the Foundation in the short, medium and longer terms?
We have 1914 Foundation members, so the shortterm goal is to reach 2000 members by our birthday celebration on 29 November; or if not then, by the end of this calendar year. Scotch Family members can join the Foundation by committing $10,000 (tax deductible) to any of our wonderful projects.
My passion is to increase the Foundation corpus, which currently sits at $17 million. My medium-term
W ith fundraising for the school there are always local or global issues to contend with. For example, the issues with inflation we’re currently experiencing, and how that is affecting the cost of living for the normal household in terms of increases in the cost of power, food, petrol – everything has gone up in price, including school fees. There is a never-ending squeeze on families. We understand that to educate a boy at Scotch is exceptionally costly for parents, and we’re grateful for the commitment so many families make to the education of their sons.
We know a lot of parents are going to struggle just to send their boys to Scotch, so we aren’t looking necessarily to parents as donors, but if of course they’re able to do it, that’s wonderful. The economic situation, locally and globally, does have an impact. But having said that, during COVID the Foundation still achieved remarkable results at a time when people were quite apprehensive about the future of their jobs or businesses. In short – there are always issues but the Scotch Family constantly comes through. For example, our beautiful Littlejohn Chapel was fundraised and built during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
How do you see the Foundation fitting into the new Advancement model at Scotch?
W ith the school’s new Advancement model, the very first point to make is that Tim Shearer, the Foundation’s Executive Director, is also Director of Advancement, and that is a great progression for Tim. Thankfully he stays within the Foundation as Executive Director, which certainly helps the school, and it helps that the Foundation, OSCA, Admissions, the Scotch Parents’ Association – all those elements that feed into the Scotch Family – are under the one umbrella. With one focal point, we should have a much more focused pursuit of the school’s advancement.
ABOVE LEFT: AT THE SYDNEY FOUNDATION LUNCH ON 11 AUGUST: LEFT TO RIGHT: FOUNDATION PRESIDENT, MIKE SIM ('78), THE PRINCIPAL, DR SCOTT MARSH, DR NANCY HILLIER, BEQUEST PROGRAM MANAGER, SANDRA DICK
PRESIDENT’S DINNER TAKES ON SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE
FOUNDATION’S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED WITH FLAIR
In a great atmosphere of celebration, a sellout gathering of more than 170 Scotch Family members got together in the Cardinal Pavilion’s Boykett Room on the evening of 11 May to participate with enthusiasm in a once in a half-century event. The 2023 Scotch Foundation President’s Dinner this year took on special significance, as it marked the Foundation’s 50th anniversary.
The dinner was preceded in the Boykett Room by the Foundation’s annual general meeting, at which Associate Professor Doug Lording AM (’64) bowed out as Foundation President after six productive years in the top job. At the AGM, Doug paid tribute to Louise Murdoch who was not standing for re-election to the board after eight years’ devoted service.
With the AGM duly completed and guests seated, the dinner started melodiously with a specially-produced 50th anniversary slide-show video, incorporating scenes from the Foundation’s half-century very appropriately accompanied by a soundtrack of Abba’s song, Money, Money Money.
Welcoming all the guests, Master of Ceremonies Tim Shearer (’85) pointed out that one of the latest to come on board as a Foundation member is none other than Scotch’s living treasure, our oldest known living Old Boy, Bill Morgan (’34)!
After OSCA Chaplain Graham Bradbeer’s thoughtful grace, School Captain Dion Whitfield gave an eloquent Welcome to Country, also acknowledging the impact of the Foundation as it helps to make Scotch everything it can be for every boy.
Paying tribute to retiring Foundation President, Doug Lording AM, School Council Chairman Alex Sloan (’71) spoke of Doug’s devoted service to the school, which as he said, went well beyond his great
TOP PHOTO:
GORDON DONALDSON AM AND PETER CROOK. BOTTOM PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE, BEGINNING WITH PIPER, HUGH GRAHAM (’18).
DOUG LORDING AM AND SCOTT MARSH. LEIGH MCGREGOR (’55) PETER LAM (’99).
work for the Foundation. ‘To use racing parlance,’ he said, ‘Doug has done the trifecta – membership of the School Council, of the Foundation board (six years as President) and of OSCA Council (two years as President) – a feat achieved by only 14 people’.
Alex pointed out that $30 million had been raised for the Foundation during Doug’s term as President, and buildings such as the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall, the Spencer Centre for Design and Technology and the Tolson Centre have been added to the Scotch landscape, along with the start of the boarding house refurbishment.
Since 2017, Doug’s first year in the presidency, $14 million in bequests have been secured, and the Foundation's endowed funds are now on the verge of $100 million. As Alex pointed out, all of this has been achieved while Doug has continued his magnificent work in endocrinology and andrology, and in his chairmanship of Healthy Male, providing leadership in men’s health.
A lex said Doug has had the staunch support of Liz, whose own significant service to medicine, particularly to multiple sclerosis rehabilitation and research, was recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia award in the 2023 Australia Day honours.
In response, Doug said he had enjoyed all his Scotch roles, and in particular meeting so many outstanding people. ‘It’s noteworthy,’ he said, ‘that within the three governing bodies – School Council, OSCA and the Foundation – at any one time there are about 45 volunteers who give freely of their time and skills on behalf of the students at Scotch.
‘But it’s not just those people in these positions,’ he said. ‘It never ceases to amaze me how so many of our community generously provide the means by
ALAN WATKINSON.
NATASHA CAMUGLIA, JOHN CAMUGLIA, SCOTT MARSH.
SCOTT MARSH, PETER CROOK, TIM SHEARER (’85), DOUG LORDING AM (’64), MIKE SIM (’78), GORDON DONALDSON AM, DAVID YU. (LEFT) MARK SANTINI (‘79) AND KARYN MATOTEK. (RIGHT) GRAHAM
DELIVERS HIS GRACE.
TOP PHOTO: THE SCENE IN THE BOYKETT ROOM AS GUESTS ARRIVE FOR THE PRESIDENT’S DINNER. RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: KAREN WOOD AND ALEX SLOAN (’71).
SCOTT MARSH AND
BRADBEER
FOUNDATION
CENTRE: JAMES ADAMS (’05), PHILIP WRIGHT (’69), JAMES DOUGLAS (’84), SCOTT MONTGOMERY (’85), STEPHEN WEBSTER (’73), PETER LAM (‘99).
BOTTOM: THE
TIM
which our buildings, our scholarship program and other aspects of the school life can move ahead.’
Doug thanked Liz for her unwavering support, as she has enthusiastically embraced all his various roles.
He also acknowledged the presence of Past Foundation President Brian Randall OAM (’51) at the dinner, describing Brian as ‘one of Scotch’s finest’.
Doug harked back to the day in 1973 when then Principal Colin Healey, and prominent Old Boy, Laurie (later Sir Laurence) Muir (’41) met in Healey’s office and agreed that the school should establish a Foundation. The proposal had the support of OSCA, and other wellknown Old Boys, and the Foundation was conceived.
Doug said although the Foundation’s work had been magnificent over its first 50 years, nothing remains the same, and Scotch certainly doesn’t. ‘With an energetic new Principal in place, there are bound to be significant challenges ahead, and the next years may surely see further iterations of how the Foundation works to support the school, and I hope the wider community.
‘I will look forward, from a more distant vantage point, to see how that eventuates. One thing I am sure about is that Scotch can continue to count on strong support from our community.’
Introducing guests of honour – former Principal Dr Gordon Donaldson AM and former Director of Development, Peter Crook – Tim Shearer said at the time the Foundation was created many asked, ‘who would give money to a Foundation led by an Irish atomic physicist and run by a Crook?’
In the Q&A session which followed, Peter Crook spoke whimsically of his days as a chemistry teacher and recalled the ‘former chemistry students who ended up doing law’. He said prior to his role with the Foundation, his knowledge of fundraising was
TOP, LEFT: JERRY X’LINGSON (’20), TIM SHEARER (’85), EDDIE X’LINGSON.
TOP, RIGHT: PETER BUCKLEY (’55), JONATHAN BUCKLEY (’83).
‘limited to the occasional chook raffle or giving away a tray of meat’. But after a US study tour he was ready to enthuse Gordon Donaldson with the idea of philanthropy. In 1981, a ‘strip show’ in Assembly revealed T-shirts with the slogan ‘Get it done in ‘81’, and a capital campaign was launched.
Gordon Donaldson said a study leave visit to the Harvard Business School in 1987 opened his eyes to fundraising. A master plan to coordinate Scotch’s fundraising efforts was needed, and the vison had to be more than just fundraising. Peter recalled dinners in Memorial Hall, organised by Campbell McComas (’69), and other ‘friend-raising’ functions, all to show that the Foundation was not just an organisation which raised money for buildings. Part of the plan was also to raise endowments for specific projects, and to create a corpus.
Gordon said that when the campaign to fund the James Forbes Academy was launched, there was a feeling in some quarters that the school had sufficient major facilities as it was – some said, why create more? The school and the Foundation emphasised that not only would the academy be a magnificent asset to Scotch, its facilities would also be available for use by people or organisations outside the Scotch Family, and this was an important factor in gaining support from donors at all levels.
It was exciting, Gordon said, to see so many people at the dinner who had staunchly supported Scotch over so many years, and he thanked all who have contributed so generously to the school.
Tim Shearer next interviewed Bruce Brown (’60) about the forthcoming history of the Foundation, Where Thy Towers Thou Proudly Rearest, which Bruce is writing. Bruce spoke of some of the notable people who have led the Foundation, including Laurie
Captain
of 16, and first President of the Foundation (1972-74). In the history, Bruce said, ‘we’re talking money, but we’re also talking people, and there has always been lots to celebrate.’
To conclude the evening, former Foundation President Brian Randall OAM (’51) was invited to the lectern, and spoke of the early days of the Foundation when it was at first difficult to ask for donations, but once the funds began to come in, the Foundation never looked back. The strong investment committee invested funds judiciously and the corpus grew. The annual report shows that the Foundation now has about 1914 members, with the aim of hitting 2000 members in this celebratory year.
A thoroughly enjoyable night of celebration and friendship drew to a close as the formalities ended and guests mingled around the tables. The great success of the night was due to the hard work of Development Office staff, led by Tim Shearer and in particular Bequest Program Manager, Sandra Dick and Foundation Coordinator, Rebecca Mortimer.
BOTTOM:
AND GORDON DONALDSON
Muir, School
at the tender age
TOP, LEFT: BRIAN RANDALL OAM (’51), PENNY INGE, SCOTT MONTGOMERY (’85).
TOP, RIGHT: DAN LUO, LISA TENG, CHERRY GE. SIDE OF PAGE, TOP: PAUL ABERDEEN (’86).
MIDDLE: NEVILLE (’59) AND MARGOT YEOMANS.
(LEFT) SCOTT MARSH
AM (RIGHT) DAVID COPOLOV OAM (‘68).
THE OSCA WELCOME
MAINTAINING, NUTURING AND GROWING THE CARDINAL THREAD
OSCA EVENTS & ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2023
DATEEVENT
1/07/2023 London Branch event
22/07/2023 The Tartan Dinner
4/08/2023 Bendigo Branch event
10/08/2023 Sydney Branch event
16/08/2023 Business Networking Breakfast
and felt the connection that binds every member of the Scotch Family, including:
'Those who came before, are still here now, and will come after.'
Inclusiveness is at the heart of the Cardinal Thread, an old-fashioned value that respects diversity, identity and individuality. OSCA values every member of the Scotch Family equally by creating opportunities for all to be included and for none to be excluded.
OSCA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SCOTCH FAMILY
The OSCA welcome was extended to Dr Scott Marsh and his wife Anna who attended their first Annual Dinner. They were warmly embraced by all, including the Young Old Boys who chanted his nickname 'Colonel, Colonel' during their ovation following Scott’s trumpet playing. It was a happy night and 'we were all better for gathering together' as Rev Bill Morgan ('34) said in his video message to the Annual Dinner guests, as he couldn’t attend in person. The dinner enabled us to recall the past, rekindle old friendships, forge new ones and dream of the future. It is one of many OSCA events, held each year, that maintain, nurture and grow the Cardinal Thread, which connects and includes us all, regardless of time or distance. We celebrated our community with warmth
OSCA’s events and engagements schedule for the second half of 2023 is full of many opportunities to connect both near and far. By the time this article appears some of the events listed will have been held, and I hope many of you enjoyed the camaraderie. Former OSCA President John Jeffreys ('69) and OSCA Treasurer Philip Wright, organised and hosted the London Branch dinner that coincided with both the second Ashes Test at Lord’s and the Scotch 1st XI’s English Tour. In mid-August, the OSCA Events committee led by James Adams ('05) and the OSCA Office will have held the first Business Networking Breakfast as part of OSCA’s Careers and Connections Program.
OSMaD’s musical productions are a highlight of the year, and this year’s production is The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Many of you were caught out by the move from the production's usual October timeslot last year, but it will again be held in December, so please take note of the dates. I encourage as many of you as possible to attend what will be another high-quality production. The OSCA Office is working with the school to try to reschedule OSMaD’s 2024 production back to October. Stay tuned!
OSCA and the Scotch Parents' Association (SPA) are collaborating closely to engage current parents with OSCA’s events, such as the Business Networking Breakfast. OSCA and the SPA are developing a durable and robust network to connect the SPA auxiliaries with the relevant OSCA club or society to provide pathways for Young Old Boys, and parents, to pursue their interests after leaving school. SPA is a dynamic organisation and connections can be ad hoc, so ways are being developed to embed those important connections, and make sure that all Year 12 boys understand the opportunities offered by OSCA’s clubs and societies.
STEPHEN WEBSTER ('73) OSCA PRESIDENT
MAINTAINING WORK-LIFE BALANCE
ENGAGEMENT AND BREADTH OF OPPORTUNITIES ARE FRONT AND CENTRE
In today’s fast-paced, high-tech world, the line between work and personal time can often blur. It can become routine to check work emails during off hours. However, I strongly believe that maintaining a good work-life balance needs to be a priority for my wellbeing, productivity and general good spirits. There are numerous opportunities to integrate flexibility into our daily lives. Working parents have more flexibility when it comes to picking up or dropping off the kids from school, and there is greater ease when making what can be hard-to-schedule appointments, such as doctors’ visits or home repairs.
So what has this got to do with my role at OSCA? The engagement and breadth of opportunities for our community continues to be front and centre of what we do. It can be sharing a simple story of an Old Boy doing an amazing thing in his world, or a Young Old Boy creating an OSCA podcast of a YOB on the OSCA Podcast – check out the latest podcast by Inesh Hensman (’09) – or engaging and assisting the many clubs and societies in the network.
COFFEE CATCH-UPS
OSCA’s Young Old Boys have pursued new ways to attract younger members of the Scotch alumni through more informal and relaxed ways of engagement.
Throughout the first trimester of university studies, YOBs’ Secretary Jacob Hooke (’22), with the support of the YOBs’ committee, YOBs’ President Teddy Webster (’17) and OSCA Executive Director Scott Montgomery (’85), facilitated our very first Coffee Catch-Ups at both Monash University and Melbourne University.
There was a great turnout from the YOBs at the Secret Garden Eatery at Monash University on Thursday 20 April. Around 15 YOBs were there,
During the mid-year break I experienced firsthand an opportunity to ski up at Mt Buller, not having been there since the early 1980s when my old school teacher Scott Crozier took the Scotch lads on a ski trip to the Koomerang Ski Lodge. Not much has changed in all this time, and isn’t it great that the club still exists for the community to use.
I trust that you too continue to improve your work-life balance so you can live your personal and professional life to their fullest.
BE in the present moment and get DOING stuff –don’t get stuck in the middle.
bringing along friends and engaging with fellow classmates they had not seen for some time. At the Professors' Walk Cafe at Melbourne University on Thursday 27 April, approximately 30 YOBs were in attendance.
The success of these events suggests that Coffee Catch-Ups are something into which we could invest more time and energy, to drive engagement and strengthen the Cardinal Thread among the many young alumni who have been affected by COVID and beyond.
T he YOBs look forward to continuing our Coffee Catch-Ups during the second university semester. More dates and times will be shared via our Instagram page, and we look forward to seeing familiar and new faces of the Scotch Family at these events.
MR SCOTT MONTGOMERY ('85) OSCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RIGHT: INESH HENMAN ('09) FEATURED IN A RECENT PODCAST
A SUPERB OSCA ANNUAL DINNER
The 2023 OSCA Annual Dinner had everything – interesting speakers, great food and fine wines, a wonderful atmosphere of fellowship and fun, enthusiastic singing of the school songs – and to top it all off, a song and a trumpet solo masterly performed by the Principal, Dr Scott Marsh.
Held at the Annual Dinner’s ‘home ground’ of Leonda by the Yarra on Friday 26 May, the dinner attracted an attendance of almost 400 on a damp, cool, autumn evening. As usual, diners were piped in melodically at Leonda’s entrance by the Old Scotch Pipes and Drums.
After Master of Ceremonies Matt Douglas (’11) welcomed all present to the dinner, the official party was piped in, and the National Anthem and the College Song were sung with much gusto.
School Captain, Dion Whitfield (’22) made the Acknowledgement of Country, paying respect to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation as the traditional owners of the land on which Leonda and Scotch are situated, and also welcoming guests in the Gamilaraay language of the Kamilaroi nation, of which Dion is a proud member. Dion’s home is in Armidale, northern NSW. Dion mentioned that Scotch is in good shape, continues to encourage boys to find interests that they can be passionate about and helps them to pursue those passions.
Welcoming all guests, OSCA President Stephen Webster (’73), spoke of the Cardinal Thread, which tangibly links and values equally all members of the Scotch Family; and extended a special welcome to two of the Scotch Family’s recent inductees, the school’s 10th Principal, Dr Scott Marsh and his wife, Anna, who were attending their first OSCA Annual Dinner. Stephen then proposed the toast to the school.
At the Head Table, joining Stephen Webster (’73), Dr Scott Marsh, School Captain Dion Whitfield (’22), Scotch Foundation President Michael Sim (’78), School Council Chairman Alex Sloan (’71) and School Council Vice Chairman, Rev Dr John Wilson, were
WITH A MUSICAL SURPRISE
Guest of Honour, Lord Mayor Sally Capp, Member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan MP, Member for Hawthorn and Leader of the Opposition, Mr John Pesutto MP, and Councillor for Riversdale Ward, Cr Susan Biggar.
In the Calling of the Years, the last man standing was 96-yearold David Purvis (’44), who began at Scotch in 1931. Also present were 95-year-old Bill Philip (School Captain in 1947 and OSCA President in 1974), and 89-year-old Gerald Hall (’51). All three men have twin siblings – and all three siblings are still alive.
In a video message greeted with sustained applause, Scotch’s oldest known living Old Boy, the remarkable Bill Morgan (’34) encouraged diners to enjoy recalling the ‘deeds and misdeeds of the past’, and to ‘have a great night, be refreshed in your memories, be inspired by the memories, and go out feeling better for having been together’.
OSCA Chaplain Graham Bradbeer gave thanks for the fine fare enjoyed by all attending the dinner, but on a night of celebration, he encouraged all present to spare a thought for a number of Old Boys who for a variety of reasons were not doing well.
The Haggis Ceremony was very well performed by Charlie Lines-Perrier (’21), after which guests tucked into haggis with mashed swede, turnip and potatoes, accompanied by the mandatory Athol Brose.
Having been introduced by Matt Douglas, Guest of Honour Sally Capp presented her ‘credentials’ as a dyed-in-the wool Scotch Family member, mentioning that her grandfather, Ernest Capp (’23), her husband, Andrew Sutherland (’84), and her two sons, Nicholas (’15) and William (’17) had all attended Scotch.
First elected as Lord Mayor of Melbourne in May 2018, Sally was re-elected in November 2020. She is the first woman to be directly elected as Lord Mayor. In her address, Sally spoke of Scotch education as a ‘life experience’, and that with it, ‘anything and everything is possible’.
ANNUAL DINNER SCENES, INCLUDING DR SCOTT MARSH GIVING HIS REDITION OF GEORGE GERSHWIN'S SUMMERTIME
As Lord Mayor, she has been determined to challenge the status quo. ‘The old nine to five is yesterday,’ she said. ‘We are moving to a 24 hours, seven days week city, as you would expect of a city about to become Australia’s largest.’
After the dislocation and interruption of the COVID years, Sally said that a reset Melbourne is looking better, not looking back. The city is booming, and Sally quoted a number of statistics to back her case. Conceding that there was a housing crisis in the city and a degree of homelessness, she said she and her colleagues were focusing on the issues and working towards innovative solutions.
One of the most exciting initiatives was the opportunity to encourage the work of entrepreneurs in a number of areas, including the introduction of clean energy. Sally said it was a privilege to lead the city of Melbourne ‘with passion and purpose’.
The main course of seared Victorian eye fillet, with herb salsa, green beans and smoked pumpkin jus preceded hearty renditions of the Boating Song and Forty Years On. Young Old Boys’ Chair, Teddy Webster (’17) then took the microphone. Teddy said many Old Boys present at the dinner had seen a number of Principals at Scotch, among whom there was one constant – they were all linked by the Cardinal Thread, including the present incumbent, Dr Scott Marsh, whom Teddy warmly welcomed on behalf of Old Boys of all ages.
In his first address as Scotch Principal, Dr Marsh conceded his likeness to Colonel Sanders of KFC fame, revealing that as he walked into a room recently a boy piped up with ‘Did someone say KFC?’. ‘The boys’ sense of humour is strong,’ he said. Conceding that he still had lots to learn about Scotch, he paid tribute to retiring Vice Principal, Rob McLaren (’73), thanking him as ‘a faithful servant of Scotch College’, who had provided him with staunch support.
He thanked the guests for their welcome, saying that he had never previously come across a group like the Scotch Family, and
he and his own family had been warmly welcomed into it. Tonight, he said, is a good time for all present to reflect on their time at Scotch College. ‘We tend to squander time’, he said, ‘because we expect to live forever. We need to cherish our time, particularly time with our families, and value that above our possessions.’
At this point the unexpected occurred. To the surprise and delight of the guests, Dr Marsh, having concluded his address, burst into song. Sung to the tune of George Gershwin’s Summertime, his song highlighted the state government’s proposed changes to payroll tax. Taking up a trumpet after concluding his song, Dr Marsh, an accomplished musician, then played his own arrangement of Summertime, which was greeted with thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
There was no doubt that Dr Marsh, at his very first OSCA Annual Dinner, had created a highly favourable impression in a most unexpected way. Anything after that would have been a hard act to follow, but all those present still tackled the College Anthem, Loch Lomond and finally Auld Lang Syne with commendable enthusiasm.
Formalities over, many diners lingered on for more fellowship and catch-up as the evening drew to a close.
Credit for a superb OSCA Annual Dinner goes to the OSCA Events Committee, led by James Adams (’05), and to OSCA staff – Events and Communications Coordinator, Caroline Taylor and OSCA Executive Director Scott Montgomery. Thanks also go to the participants in the Haggis Ceremony, led by Captain David Musk (Scotch staff); to Scotch’s Music Director Dr John Ferguson, for leading the singing; to the Old Scotch Pipes and Drums; and to Master of Ceremonies, Matt Douglas (’11).
ANNUAL DINNER SCENES, INCLUDING A GATHERING OF ALL DINNER GUESTS WEARING KILTS, AND GUEST OF HONOUR, CR SALLY CAPP SPEAKING.
KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS, 2023
SCOTCH CONGRATULATES THE FOLLOWING SCOTCH FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE KNOWN TO HAVE RECEIVED AWARDS IN THE 2023 KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS
OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
1. Ms Sally Anne Capp AO (past parent, Foundation member, wife of Andrew Sutherland (’85)) Ms Capp received her award for distinguished service to the people of Melbourne, to local government, to business, and to the community through various organisations.
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
2. Ms Patricia Anne Cross AM (past parent, Foundation member, wife of Paul Meadows (’73)) Ms Cross received her award for significant service to business, to the finance industry, and to corporate governance.
3. Professor Rodney John Hicks AM (past parent) Professor Hicks received his award
MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (OAM)
6. Mr Robert Maskew (Bob) Cowper OAM (’57) Mr Cowper received his award for service to cricket.
7. Mr Alexander James (Alex) Forrest OAM (’58, past parent) Mr Forrest received his award for service to youth through Scouts.
8. Mr John Scott Ellis OAM (past parent) Mr Ellis received his award for service to the oenology industry.
9. Mr Philip Lance Endersbee OAM (past parent) Mr Endersbee received his award for service to the community through charitable organisations.
10. Mr Andrew Neil Guerin OAM (’73) Mr Guerin received his award for service to rowing, and to sports history.
Mr North received his award for service to
12. Emeritus Professor Clive Trevor Professor Probyn received his award for service to
13. Mrs Natalie Joy Wischer OAM (nee Heath) (past parent; wife, sister, daughter and granddaughter of Old Mrs Wischer received her award for service to the community, particularly to people living with diabetes.
14. Mrs Diana Rosemary Creswell OAM Mrs Creswell received her award for service to the community
An Old Boy from the Class of 2002 has earned the right to join a group of distinguished alumni which includes 30 heads of government – and 53 Nobel Prize winners.
Dr Oliver Cronin (’02), an interventional gastroenterologist, has been awarded a 2023 Fulbright Future Scholarship. This scholarship is known as ‘the American Rhodes Scholarship’. He will spend six months at the Department of Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy at NYU Langone, a thought-leading, world-renowned centre of excellence. This high-volume centre has a strong research focus, particularly around innovation and quality endoscopy.
Oliver has completed three years of additional sub-specialty training in advanced endoscopic tissue resection, predominantly at Westmead Hospital. He has previously been awarded a postgraduate National Health and Medical Research Council scholarship to undertake a PhD on the Science of Cold Snare Polypectomy through the University of Sydney. His research focuses on bowel cancer prevention, high-quality endoscopy and advanced endoscopic tissue resection techniques to remove pre-malignant and early gastrointestinal cancers.
OLIVER CRONIN (’02) – FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR
Oliver has published extensively, and his manuscripts have been featured in the world’s leading gastroenterology journals. He currently holds appointments at Northern Health, Barwon Health and Epworth Hospitals. Oliver is looking forward to collaborating with his colleagues in New York with the overall aim of improving the safety and efficacy of all those requiring an endoscopic procedure.
Outside of work, Oliver is looking forward to exploring the USA with his wife Katie, and their young daughters Georgia and Margot.
SAM TAUBERT BRINGS HOME SOCCER GOLD
In June of this year, over 2000 athletes from more than 35 countries descended on Perth to take part in the 24th World Transplant Games. The games first began in 1978 in Portsmouth, UK with this year being the third time they have been held in Australia. The Games are a celebration of a second chance of life, a demonstration of the success of transplant surgery and the promotion of a global message of organ donation awareness. Sam Taubert (‘06) represented Australia in squash, tennis and soccer with the Australian soccer team beating Germany and England before going on to win gold in the final against Italy.
Sam underwent a heart transplant in 2004 whilst completing Year 11. Following the surgery, Sam returned to school to complete VCE and then completed a degree in Engineering. Sam underwent a second heart transplant whilst working as an engineer. Since his second transplant Sam has become a strong advocate of organ donation and is currently the chairman of the charity Donor Mate, an organisation which highlights the importance of organ donation with targeted campaigns towards younger Australians.
The opportunities for organ donations are rare with only one per cent of the population dying in a way that allows them to be an organ donor. If you are not a registered organ donor, then please consider registering and just as importantly please talk to your loved ones about your wishes. To find our more information please visit https://www.donormate.org.au/.
THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, HON JASON CLARE MP (RIGHT) PRESENTED OLIVER CRONIN ('02) WITH HIS FULBIRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP DURING A FULBRIGHT GALA DINNER AT THE GREAT HALL, PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA
SAM TAUBERT ('05) WITH HIS TRANSPLANT GAMES GOLD MEDAL
DR HARRIS EYRE – UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
A TRIP WITH A THEME OF BEING WITH PEOPLE
ROAD TRIP WEAVES GOLDEN THREADS
T’was not the night before Christmas in July, but before my 54th wedding anniversary. Stressed, I called on the services of ChatGPT to generate me a poem for Christine.
I had hoped for something along the lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116. Disappointed at the first AI result, and having just finished Malcolm Guite’s brilliant book Mariner, I gave up on a sonnet. This time I asked ChatGPT for a poem with the metre of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. This resulted in something workable, which briefly edited, was surprisingly OK, and was very much appreciated.
The next day after church we took off on our 54th anniversary 3500 km road trip. The theme we had chosen was being with; being with people more than being in beautiful places, although we enjoyed many beautiful places! We aimed at being with family, and being with friends, old and new.
Around that time I was reading The Nazareth Manifesto, one of Sam Wells’ books. His contention is that the word with is arguably the most important word in the Bible. The great desire of God is to be with us. To achieve this he came to be for us at Calvary, so that ultimately we might be with him, and in the words of the Shorter Catechism ‘enjoy him forever’.
Can you think of places in the Bible where being with is emphasised?
You could start in Genesis, but begin at Christmas, with Immanuel. Then consider the majestic prologue of John’s Gospel, or the Great Commission that concludes Matthew’s Gospel, or the end of Revelation.
Once you think about ‘with’, it is inescapable. Wells says ‘there is no job that humanity has to do beyond accepting the invitation to that restored relationship with God and with one another’.
These two relationships are summarised by Jesus as love for God and love for our neighbour; there is no commandment greater than these in the Bible.
It is from this spring that Christian ethical and moral concerns arise. We treat others lovingly because we can discern, even in the stranger, ‘the image of God’. It is seeing that divine ‘image’ in the stranger, that awakens grace, mercy and joy in our hearts.
This is why ‘service to others is a gift to oneself’ as Dion Whitfield, our School Captain, has correctly observed. Acts of service yield untapped blessings; it is The Way of the Lord (as Luke records in Acts), for He came ‘to serve and to give himself’.
With such ideas buzzing in my head I found every human contact infused with fresh meaning.
The time with Sydney grandchildren was a triple delight. Especially the gift of a (six hours, 19 minutes) Taylor Swift playlist carefully curated for us by a granddaughter. Then, heading north, old friends shared courage, wisdom and grace as we called to visit.
In NSW, time with friends in Yamba, and worshipping God with them in Maclean on Sunday was uplifting in unexpected ways. Then in Armidale on the Northern Tablelands we enjoyed the rich hospitality of friends who had welcomed us to town in 1972.
We also had a meal for the first time with Brian Connor (’56) and Priscilla. Brian is the doctor who in the 1970s delivered our three daughters. That lunchtime conversation exposed many golden threads. We parted, delighted to have been with them, sensing much to be done, but confident in the One who said ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you’.
REV. GRAHAM BRADBEER – OSCA CHAPLAIN
CHRISTINE BRADBEER, GRAHAM BRADBEER, PRISCILLA AND DR BRIAN CONNOR (’56)
SENIORS AND RESERVES BENEFIT FROM A HARD PRESEASON
SOCCER CLUB MAKES ITS PRESENCE FELT IN A MOST COMPETITIVE LEAGUE
The Old Scotch Soccer Club kicked off the 2023 season in style. The club has seen growth in the number of players, supporters and sponsors, as well as success and improvement across all of its teams.
T his year, for the first time in its history, the club’s top two teams are competing in Victoria’s State League 1, a very tough league. The playing standard is high and extremely competitive.
The club’s Senior team trained hard in pre-season to establish itself as a competitive team in the league. At the time of writing the team had succeeded in doing this on the back of several impressive victories. With 10 games to go, the team was sitting in the middle of the table, and was aiming to consolidate and improve this position in the coming weeks. The team boasts young and older players, including several who are still at school. The endeavour, camaraderie and spirit in the team are high. At the time of writing, the Reserves team was sitting at the top of the ladder and boasted the highest goal difference in the league of +15. The club is pleased to maintain a strong connection to the school, with several young Old Boys becoming regulars in the starting line-up for the Reserves and helping to build the
club for the future. It is a long and tough season, but the plan is simple: to continue to do well, win the remaining games and win the league.
Old Scotch Soccer Club is a community club, open to everyone from within and outside the Scotch Family. The club caters for players at a wide range of levels, including junior boys and girls, and teams for older players who may be past their prime but still enjoy kicking the ball around.
The juniors’ program provides a fantastic opportunity for younger members of the community to develop skills, make new friends, and have a great time in a warm and supportive environment. A highlight at the club this year was the junior girls’ 3-1 victory against Glen Eira Football Club in their season opener. What a fantastic win that was.
The club thanks all of its sponsors from within and outside the Scotch Family, as well as all who continue to support the club. To enquire about supporting or sponsoring the club, please contact: committee@ossc.com.au.
JASON CHOI ('07) – OLD SCOTCH SOCCER CLUB
OLD SCOTCH’S DECLAN DUMVILLE (’19) TAKES EVASIVE ACTION IN A MATCH AGAINST BENTLEIGH UNITED COBRAS
THIS PHOTO: JAMES TARRANT (’17) AND AIDAN FRANETIC (’13) IN ACTION AGAINST OLD BRIGHTON
RIGHT, TOP PHOTO: LEXI MCCULLOCH OF THE OLD SCOTCH STARS GETS A HANDBALL AWAY
MIDDLE PHOTO: A SESSION OF THE HEALTHY CLUB, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS PROGRAM
BOTTOM PHOTO: BRODIE EASTON SENDS THE BALL INTO ATTACK, ACCOMPANIED BY WILL HAYS (’13)
EMBRACING A BRIGHT FUTURE AND GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY
FOOTBALL CLUB’S VISION FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG PEOPLE
Fitting with the theme of this edition of Great Scot – embracing a bright future – in this article I look at how Old Scotch Football Club is giving back to the community, helping to forge a brighter future for community members. Our vision is to provide an inspirational environment for the development of young people, and we strive to enable all who join us to be better for having taken their journey in our club.
In June, we hosted a past players’ luncheon, celebrating the 1973 Premier A Men’s 2nd XVIII premiership. The social rooms were full to the brim, providing a great opportunity for many Scotch College alumni to reflect on their great memories at the football club and hear about our plans for a bright future.
In July, we played traditional rivals Old Melburnians at Scotch College in the annual football carnival. Past students get a buzz reuniting themselves with the manicured ovals, and it is also great for young men and women who did not go to the college, to take in the experience. We are grateful to Dr Scott Marsh and the Scotch staff for giving us this opportunity in 2023.
At the time of writing, our football season was going very well. Five of our seven teams were in the top four and on track to play
finals in 2023. One of the biggest challenges facing us is the large number of players travelling during June-July. Our Men’s 1st XVIII were in third spot, having had eight wins and four losses, and were enjoying their best season since 2014. Our Women’s/Stars 1st XVIII, in their first season in the Premier A section, were also on eight wins and four losses, and in third spot. We were in the top five in the VAFA club championship.
We are one of only two VAFA clubs to run the Healthy Club, Healthy Relationships program, designed to promote gender equality in sporting clubs. The program involves us participating in two workshops focusing on healthy relationships, gender equality, resilience building and bystander action. The program will work closely with our board, developing sustainable action to help us deliver actions across culture, recruitment, participation, leadership and facilities, to help to improve gender equality.
It has already been a big year for our club, and we welcome everyone to embrace and become part of our community.
WILL STRANGE (’07) – PRESIDENT, OLD SCOTCH FOOTBALL CLUB
AT LAST – A RETURN TO ELLIOTT LODGE
During June, the Old Scotch Rover Crew enjoyed a relaxing weekend at Elliott Lodge in Healesville. The crew was very excited to be able to make it up to the property for the first time in nearly three years. Elliott Lodge has long been an integral part of the crew’s history, as it is often used for investiture and booting ceremonies as well as many other fun camping adventures.
For many of us, it was the first time ever being up there, so it was great to be able to become familiar with the amazing facilities and green space. Five members stayed for two nights inside the warm and comfortable lodge. It was a bit of a change from the camping conditions the crew is
Past Staff Club
normally accustomed to, but a welcome one, especially in the middle of winter.
On the Saturday we explored all that the quaint town of Healesville had to offer, and enjoyed a coffee and a pie at the Sanctuary Stove Bakehouse. We then had a good look at the crew’s VT Commodore, which we hope to do up for Rover Motor Sport within the next couple of years. Victorian Rovers run a number of racing events every year, the largest of which is Mudbash on the King’s Birthday long weekend. Many of us went to Mudbash a couple of weekends earlier, which is what inspired us to start work on the car!
Unfortunately the weather turned sour on the Saturday afternoon, but that didn’t
prevent us from making the most of the weekend, as we were able to enjoy board games and yarn around the fireplace. On Sunday we said goodbye to the lodge and visited the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. We then enjoyed a pub lunch at the Yarra Valley Grand Hotel and explored Yarra Glen before heading home. A weekend to remember for sure!
Old Scotch Rovers regularly meet at Kennon Hall on Monday nights for young adults aged 18-25.
Email oldscotchrovers@gmail.com if you’re interested!
JOEL FREIBERG – OLD SCOTCH ROVER CREW
TWO CLUBS LINK FOR A VISIT TO SCOTCH-ATCOWES
The Old Scotch Past Staff Club and the Old Scotch Heritage Club joined for a visit to the Scotch-at-Cowes campsite on 3 May. Thirty-two members attended, some coming via a minibus driven by Paul Redfern. Bruce Brown (’60), President of the Heritage Club and also Vice President of the Past Staff Club, spoke about the first camp held by the school in 1955, which he attended.
Howard Brown (’62), whose father, well-known Scotch teacher Stan Brown (staff 1954-83), was ‘Adjutant’ of that first Scotch-atCowes camp in 1955, told of the early days and Brian Woolacott gave an update about the camp site. Members who had attended camps in the late 1950s and early 1960s were impressed with the current facilities, and many reminiscences were shared. HUGH WILSON (’65) – SECRETARY, OLD SCOTCH PAST STAFF CLUB
PAST STAFF CLUB AND HERITAGE CLUB MEMBERS PHOTOGRAPHED AT COWES (PHOTO: JENNY BROWN)
OLD SCOTCH ROVER CREW MEMBERS (LEFT TO RIGHT) MICHAEL, ADEN, JOEL, JON AND TOM IN FRONT OF ELLIOTT LODGE.
ROVER CREW MEMBERS WITH THE CREW’S VT COMMODORE
TOP SCORING BOWLERS
TAKE HOME THE TROPHIES AT A SELLOUT LUNCHEON
The Old Scotch Bowls Club celebrated the end of the 2022/23 bowling season during a trophy presentation luncheon at the MCC Glen Street Hawthorn clubhouse on 30 April, which was brightly decorated in Scotch’s cardinal, gold and blue colours for the happy occasion.
The day was a sellout, with members and their partners in attendance. Our guest speaker, Carol Davis, the CEO of the Victorian Scottish Heritage Cultural Foundation, spoke about the great work of
the foundation and the Tartan Festival in July 2023.
Trophies were presented to the club’s highest scoring player, a new member, Reg Davis, who was awarded the Manson Russell-Oxley Jones Shield. The runner-up was Jim Donaldson, one of our longest-
Wine and Food Club
NEW MEMBER AND A VETERAN ARE THE WINNERS
serving members, who was awarded the McKinley Wilson Encouragement Award.
The bowls club and its activities mirror the Scotch College school sports competition, in that Old Scotch Bowls Club is part of the APS Past Students’ Bowls Association which consists of nine APS clubs that play over a season from September through to April.
Each year in March the nine clubs compete for the APS Competition Trophy, where each old school club fields four teams which play in a round robin tournament. During the bowling season Old Scotch plays all its home matches at two MCC Bowls venues in Hawthorn, close to Scotch, which are also shared by Old Melburnians, Caulfield Grammarians and Wesley Collegians.
YARRA VALLEY WINES IN FOCUS
All games are played on Wednesdays against the other APS clubs, and there are two away matches played against two private clubs – the West Brighton Club and the Royal Melbourne Golf Bowls Section, which are annual trophy matches with catered lunches, and are great days.
Membership of our club is open to all members of the Scotch Family, both male and female, who have some connection to the school; for example, as a past student, parent or grandparent of a student.
If you would like to play or learn to play bowls in a relaxed, friendly environment, and meet and enjoy the fellowship of other members of the Scotch Family, don’t hesitate to contact me on 0411 253 633 or david.tennent@bigpond.com.
DAVID TENNENT (’57) – SECRETARY, OLD SCOTCH BOWLS CLUB
On the cold evening of 2 May, 45 members of the Old Scotch Wine and Food Club gathered at Royal South Yarra Tennis Club to taste the fantastic wines from the Giant Steps Winery in the Yarra Valley.
Michael Latham of Giant Steps entertained guests with his extensive knowledge around single vineyard wines, and the whole group came away with a greater understanding of the Yarra Valley terroir.
The Wine and Food Club has regular dinners and tastings that cater to all members of the Scotch Family by providing different experiences in a convivial atmosphere. For more information about the club, please contact me: oswfc@outlook.com
BRENDAN HERRON (’96) – OLD SCOTCH WINE AND FOOD CLUB
LEFT TO RIGHT: TED ALLEN, HELEN WILLIAMS, ANTHONY HUNTER, BRENDAN HERRON (’96), MICHAEL LATHAM (GIANT STEPS WINERY)
WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW –
1950s
After a career of secondary school and La Trobe University teaching (Sociology), DR DAVID HICKMAN OAM (’56) has continued coaching and administration in junior basketball at Eltham Wildcats, the Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association and the Victorian Junior Basketball League. He has also published in two areas: basketball, Victoria the State of Junior Basketball, and the Christian faith in society, presenting evidence and arguments for Christian beliefs, but also arguing Christians should accept the constraints and challenges of pluralism (Christian Faith and Pluralism: Companions or Competitors). David received a Medal of the Order of Australia award (OAM) in the 2002 Australia Day honours, for service to basketball as a coach, mentor and administrator, and to the youth of the community of Eltham.
After leaving Scotch, HUGH ORR (’57) graduated in civil engineering at the University of Melbourne in 1961, then worked overseas in the UK and USA for about five years. Returning to his hometown of Adelaide, he practised as a consulting engineer, having obtained a Master of Town Planning. He married Diane Dixon at Berkeley in California in 1965, and they have a son and a daughter. Since retirement in 2000, masters rowing has been a major interest. He told Great Scot: ‘I am part of an excellent coxless quad scull at Riverside Rowing Club in Adelaide, stroked by Paul Gunson (Xavier 1st VIII 1961 and intervarsity). The crew has been South Australian state
champions three times in masters coxless quad sculls'.
Hugh said: ‘I am grateful to Scotch for the opportunity to learn to row (3rd VIII, 1957) with stroke IAN MORSE (’57) who has remained a lifelong friend.’
Hugh is also a member of the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia and writes short papers on the art history of items in their outstanding library collection, in particular, on John Gould, the bird man. ‘I am ashamed to say that at school I never took art lessons seriously so missed out on an opportunity there’, he said. ‘My school days at Scotch were happy ones and I am very grateful to my excellent teachers, especially Ron Bond and John Pascoe (mathematics) who treated us as adults, which made such a difference.’
1960s
KEN O’CONNOR (’60) had a long and successful career as a (field) hockey umpire in Canada and internationally. In January, Field Hockey Canada announced his induction into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame, Class of 2022, in the Official category. Ken had a 40-year umpiring career, mainly in Canada and the USA, and officiated at more than 75 international matches between 1978 and 1990.
Moving to Canada from Australia in 1969, Ken became a Canadian citizen in 1979. He was the first male umpire from Canada to officiate at an Olympic Games (1984, Los Angeles) and a field hockey World Cup (1990, Pakistan). He is a worldclass umpire and a role model and mentor in the Canadian field hockey community.
Ken taught at Scotch in 1975 when he coached the 1st XI Hockey team. He attributes his successful hockey career as a player, umpire, coach and administrator to the great grounding in the game he received from DAVID SCOTT (’43) and LAURIE PROVAN (’34) ANDREW BELL (’67) says his best memory of schooldays was the Foundation Day Concert. He told Great Scot: ‘After rehearsing for weeks, it seemed, the whole school sang in the Melbourne Town Hall. I hadn’t sung since then, really, and even though I came from a musical family, I never learned an instrument.
‘Much later, I was prompted to sing with one of my sons, who was showing some interest and not a little talent, and we shared a music teacher for a year, ending up performing together in Les Misérables for a local musical theatre company. My son helped me find my voice, and I have sung – and performed – ever since, in local musical theatre and choirs, currently with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria.
Andrew said his other great passion has been drawing. ‘After working a lifetime in architecture as a draftsman, I have not lost the passion to draw and paint and still do –in watercolour, and creating pen portraits of family and friends... and notables!
‘This extends to a love of art generally, and I am an inveterate collector. The house is full of stuff. Sport is always a passion for Scotch boys, and I played cricket for a while after school, the highlight of which was an annual weekend in the country for a game with my boys and friends and family. I keep up an association with a local
LEFT TO RIGHT: DAVID HICKMAN ('57) LEFT, RECEIVING HIS OAM IN 2002 FROM VICTORIAN GOVERNOR, JOHN LANDY AC; HUGH ORR (’57); KEN O’CONNOR (’60); ANDREW BELL (’67 – SELF-PORTRAIT)
club and still attend on Boxing Day. I have always played tennis and I am a long-time member of East Camberwell Tennis Club. Finally, I am a voracious reader and find I have an embarrassing number of books. I recently commissioned a new bookcase!’
1970s
After years varying from construction to cattle, SIMON SWANEY (’70) became an architect at the age of 30. Simon’s practice, Swaney Draper, grew in Melbourne for 17 years. Then in 2004 he joined the venerable Melbourne practice of Bates Smart, to grow its nascent Sydney studio. Simon and his wife Carolyn moved to Sydney with their three very young children where they built a life together. Meanwhile, the practice grew.
Simon told Great Scot: ‘After eight years as Managing Director of Bates Smart, I have just stood down from that role, and am now working as a consultant. Our three children, despite having grown up in Sydney, are all attending the University of Melbourne.
‘I maintain contact with a number of my Scotch mates, recently completing the centenary Alpine Rally through Victoria with EUAN LITTLEJOHN (’69) in a 1925 car and visiting IAN STAPLETON (’67) at Harrietville on the route to Mittagundi Outdoor Education Centre, which he founded.
‘Life is good and I think as former students of Scotch we have much for which to be grateful, not least for the teachers who I think imparted strong values of obligation and humility.’
RICHARD FULLER OAM (’78) is well known for his work in global pollution remediation. He is the founder and CEO of the non-profit Pure Earth, which partners with governments, communities and industry leaders to identify and implement solutions that stop toxic exposures, protect health and restore environments. He is also Co-Chair of the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, Chair of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, and founder of sustainable waste management consultancy Great Forest Inc.
In the 2018 Queen’s Birthday honours, Richard received a Medal of the Order of Australia award (OAM) ‘for service to conservation and the environment’. In October 2019, Richard received an Advance Award for Social Impact from the federal government, for his 20 years of pioneering and leadership work with Pure Earth. Richard is the author of The Brown Agenda: My Mission to Clean up the World's Most Life-Threatening Pollution.
1980s
ADAM HOWARD (’80) is a senior visual effects supervisor for feature film, television and theme parks worldwide. Among the first to spot Adam’s potential as an artist was Scotch art teacher, Rick Rowton, who encouraged Adam to become a professional artist. Graduating in graphic design and illustration, Adam first worked for ABC TV, then Armstrong Audio Visual before moving to Los Angeles in 1990, where soon after arriving he became lead animator/compositor at Digital Magic on Star Trek: the Next Generation, and he
received two Primetime Emmy awards for his work. He continued to work on Star Trek projects, winning four more Emmy awards.
He next worked at Pacific Ocean Post, then as a freelance visual effects (VFX) supervisor and artist, before joining George Lucas’ seminal visual effects company, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), leading to work on 17 movies.
Since leaving ILM in 2006, Adam has had a successful career as VFX supervisor on films, TV and theme park projects, including all 10 episodes of Indian filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant series as well as season four of Evil on CBS TV.
Adam’s father, RALPH HOWARD (’49) was Vice Captain of the School in 1949, and Adam’s brother SIMON HOWARD (’83) was Captain of Music in 1983.
KEN MAHLAB (’81) and his wife Jacky Magid bought Uncle Charlie’s Cookies after the company went into administration in 2004, transforming it from a local cookie shop into a boutique food brand. Now known as Charlie’s Fine Food Co, the family-owned business makes a wide range of products, from melting moments to plant-powered vegan peanut butter choc chip cookie dough.
The company has won many medals, including gold at the Australian Fine Food Awards and at the Sydney and Melbourne Royal Shows, as Charlie’s has matured from a small local bakery into a global business. Highlights have included signing contracts to supply Qantas with the company’s products and launching its ‘mini melting moments’ range into Woolworth’s Metro stores nationally this year.
LEFT TO RIGHT: SIMON SWANEY (’70); RICHARD FULLER OAM (’78); ADAM HOWARD (’80); SAMUEL TAIT (’94); KEN MAHLAB (’81)
WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW
1990s
SAMUEL TAIT (’94) travelled to the USA in 2001 on the John Boyer Memorial Scholarship, which enabled him to serve with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (the equivalent of Australia’s Army Reserve) and complete his business degree at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was recently invited to become a Trustee of the 70-year-old scholarship.
Sam encourages young Old Boys to consider following in his footsteps. He told Great Scot: ‘It’s a one-year approximately US$40,000 scholarship to study in Philadelphia and train with a unique unit within the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
‘The 2024 study year will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the unit (which predates the USA, having been formed in 1774 in support of the American Revolution), and the 2026 study year will be the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. These are interesting times to consider being stateside and studying.’
Candidates need to be under 28 years of age, and interested in participating in the military and social obligations of the troop (including cavalry/horse riding) while completing their undergraduate or graduate studies in Philadelphia. ‘Many awardees of the scholarship have been full time, or reservists, in their home countries,' Sam said.
After completing his PhD in anthropology in 2012, PAUL MASON ('99) moved into global health research. He embarked on fieldwork alongside
tuberculosis screening programs with the Woolcock Institute in Vietnam and the Burnet Institute in Papua New Guinea. His award-winning educational children's book about tuberculosis has been translated into 30 languages and has gone into free distribution in Tanzania, Vietnam and the Marshall Islands.
Moving from global health to planetary health, Paul headed up the Masters of Conservation Education at the Taronga Conservation Society Australia (20192022) where he developed and taught postgraduate units on conservation leadership, education, and science, until the course was discontinued. Paul continues to teach workshops at the zoo, lectures anthropology at Macquarie University, and runs an online interview series called Idioms of Normality.
2000s
After leaving Scotch, SHAHAN CHEONG (’05) attained two university degrees – Bachelor of Arts in writing, majoring in history, and a Master of Arts, also in writing. Shahan started a blog in 2009, dedicated to history, collecting, and antiques, and has been working on that regularly, ever since.
Shahan said: ‘To occupy my time meaningfully between searching for, and applying for jobs, I also started a sideline as an antiques dealer. Since I began this venture back in September of 2015, it has grown to the extent that I decided to move selling-platforms in 2020, and I currently maintain a seller's profile on eBay (a link for which may be found at my blog – www.
throughouthistory.com). It’s where you can find all of the antiques and collectibles which I have bought, repaired, or restored, and have listed up for sale online.’
Shahan says his eBay profile covers a wide range of objects from a variety of different eras, but his focus tends to be on silverware, fountain pens, watches, bric-abrac, and general antiques and collectibles.
After graduating MB BS at Melbourne University in 2012, WILLIAM LI (’06) predominantly worked as a doctor in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs hospitals for several years. Opting for a tree change of sorts, he has worked as a general practitioner in Warragul over the past two years. He told Great Scot: ‘While there have been challenges in adapting to the pandemic, seeing patients through masks and protective gear, I have found it rewarding to connect with people through my work during a difficult and often isolating period.’
William met his future wife, Vivian, via a chance encounter when catching up with a mutual Old Scotch Collegian friend. William and Vivian are now the proud parents of Marcus (three) and Evelyn (one). Marcus is enrolled to begin at Scotch in Prep in 2025. To prepare for this, William recently moved his general practice from Warragul to Hawthorn.
William said: ‘In my spare time, I enjoy playing card and board games with a group of friends, much like we did at school, when we used to play in an alcove near the stairs of the library in the Lithgow Centre.’
LEFT TO RIGHT: PAUL MASON (’99); SHAHAN CHEONG (’05); WILLIAM LI (’06) WITH HIS WIFE, VIVIAN AND CHILDREN, EVELYN AND MARCUS
2010s
MICHAEL THAM (’11) graduated from medical school in 2019 and began the first two years of his career during the pandemic. Michael described it as a rather interesting period, to have experienced COVID-19 as both a member of the community while treating it as a health professional. Last year he transitioned
THIRTY-
FOUR YEARS
ON FOR THE CLIMSDOW GROUP
STANDING (LEFT TO RIGHT) DAVID CLARK, JOHN MORGAN, STEVEN HARE, ALEX MCKENZIE, MURRAY GERSTMAN, MICHAEL BATE, DAVID MCCRACKEN, CHRIS DON, TIM CHRISTIAN, ANDREW PRICE, DAVID WOOD, STEWART BECKWITH. SITTING (LEFT TO RIGHT) SANDY ROBERTSON, JOHN GLASSCOCK, IAN LING, BAXTER HOLLY, NORM EMERSON
from working full-time to casual, working as a locum medical officer in psychiatry all over the country.
He told Great Scot: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed working in mental health, and gathering experiences from diverse heath organisations has been enlightening and fulfilling. Working casually has afforded me more time to spend with my friends and family as well as pursuing my hobbies’, he said.
‘Outside of medicine, I am an avid musician, spending much of my time managing and performing in a Japanese pop and rock cover band. Unfortunately, COVID-19 meant we were unable to perform for a while, until December last year, when we performed at Melbourne Showgrounds.
‘This year, I got married and started the scary but exciting journey of looking to buy a house in Melbourne!’
TOM DUFFY (’11) is practising as a planning lawyer at a private law firm in
the CBD. Prior to joining private practice, Tom worked as in-house counsel for the Victorian Government’s Department of Transport. After leaving Scotch in 2011, he completed a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability and a Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) at Monash University.
Tom told Great Scot: ‘Through this period, I discovered my passion for the law coupled with my curiosity with buildings and the role they play in day-to-day life. While completing my Bachelor’s degree, I also completed the Young Actors part-time acting course at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). This flowed on into a short but exciting part-time acting career, which culminated in acting in Neighbours, The Scarlet River tele-series and the film Predestination. Currently, I am focusing on my career with aspirations of moving to the UK in 2025 while balancing exercise and a personal life.’
The ‘CLIMSDOW Group’ was formed in 1989, after the Class of 1969’s 20 Year Reunion. Initially the group comprised Old Boys who had been through the Junior School together. It took its acronym from the first letters of the surnames of its founding members – David Clark , Richard Lawson, John Ingham, David McCracken, Peter Sloan, Chris Don, Chris Ogilvy and Philip Wright – hence the name CLIMSDOW. Sadly, Chris Ogilvy died in 2018.
T he CLIMSDOW Group continues to lunch together six times each year, to enjoy each other’s company over a pleasant, and often long, lunch. It’s an informal gathering which we believe fits
in well with the ‘Make Your Own OSCA’ initiatives which OSCA encourages and supports.
At our gathering on 29 June at the Toorak RSL, we were joined by several of our past Scotch masters – Norm Emerson (Junior School), Ian (Tinga) Ling, Baxter (Buddy) Holly, and John Glasscock. David Scott and Rex Fettell (Junior School) were apologies.
Each time we meet, the lunch provides us with further excuses to exaggerate our achievements, catch up on what we are all doing now, and of course reminisce over long past school days, all of which cause much laughter!
JOHN MORGAN
(’69)
LEFT TO RIGHT: MICHAEL THAM (’11); TOM DUFFY (‘11)
THE SCOTCH FAMILY’S ROLE IN CAREY BAPTIST GRAMMAR SCHOOL’S CREATION AND FIRST CENTURY
OLD CONNECTIONS INEXORABLY LINK SCOTCH AND CAREY
Scotch’s connection with Carey preceded Carey itself. Before 1923, there was no Baptist secondary school, and at least 199 Baptist boys had attended Scotch (even more have attended since 1923). In 1919 the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV) created the Baptist Secondary Schools Committee to investigate establishing the first Baptist secondary school.
On that four-member committee was Frank Emerson Thomas (born 13.11.1886, died 30.4.1920), who preached at the West
Hawthorn Baptist Church. He was also a Maths teacher at Scotch from 1916 until his death after an operation.
Joining the 17-member committee in 1920 was Herbert Sumner Martin (born 31.1.1857, SC 1870-72, died 21 May 1940), a solicitor and honorary legal advisor to the BUV who left Carey a bequest. Others included Scotch parents William ‘Jerry’ Moore and William Henry Holdsworth (also later an inaugural Carey Council member). Moore became the inaugural President of
MR PAUL MISHURA SCHOOL ARCHIVIST
HAROLD GEORGE STEELE (SC 1900-02)
Carey’s Council, but his son, Dr William Harold James Moore (born 31.12.1893, SC 1905-12, died 22.8.1975), was on Carey’s Council (1929-65) and was its Chairman (1939-52), one of the longest periods of service on Carey's Council. Holdsworth’s son William Goldthorpe Holdsworth (born 18.10.1911, SC 1917-22, died 19.1.2009) left Scotch to become a foundation Carey boy (1923-27) and was Carey’s first old boy to become a medical practitioner.
Also on the inaugural Council was Abia Neville, father of David William Neville (born 6.3.1900, SC 1917, died 4.3.1989) who – like many before him – was born too early for a Baptist secondary school education. Another was Alfred Albert Milton Spicer, the father of Colin Albert John Spicer (born 27.4.1910, SC 1921-22, died 19.6.1979), who left Scotch to become a foundation Carey boy (1923-26). He began alongside a non-Scotch brother and cousins.
Carey’s foundational leadership came from Principal Harold George Steele (born 25.1.1884, died 7.8.1967). In Carey’s House system, Steele House is named for him. A Baptist, Steele attended Scotch under Alexander Morrison from 1900 to 1902, and led Carey until retiring in 1944. Helen Penrose’s centenary history of Carey records that he was appointed by the Baptist Church to ‘inculcate a high moral tone and impose strict discipline, and encourage gentlemanly conduct and religious observance’. Under Steele, who saw his fledgling school through the Great Depression and most of World War II, ‘Carey became a wholesome, familyoriented, caring school ...’. It was the youngest of the five new
schools invited in 1957 to join the Associated Public Schools.
An 1884 mansion was purchased in 1922 as Carey’s first building. Originally named ‘Mildura’, it was built for solicitor James Cooper Stewart, and it was from there that his son Frederick William Stewart (born 23.4.1872, SC 1883-86, killed 15.6.1916 in France in World War I) went to Scotch in East Melbourne. In 1899, it was bought by Thomas and Sarah Rand, who renamed it ‘Urangeline’, and from it their son Robert Reginald Rand (born 28.7.1902, SC 1915-19, died 15.6.1944) travelled to Scotch.
When Carey began on 13 February 1923, it was well stocked with past – and future – Scotch boys. Apart from Holdsworth and Spicer, Stanley Gordon Doery, Howard James Jenkin, Stanley James Stewardson, Alan Lorraine Barber, Benjamin Howard Buxton and David Montgomery Buxton were there that day, with Stewardson and the Buxtons later attending Scotch. Frank Ernest Heymanson began in June 1923 and the following year joined Scotch.
It naturally took Carey time to establish its reputation, and for many years it was used by families as a prep school for Scotch boys. At least 323 have moved from Carey to Scotch, with at least 47 going the other way. Some brothers have attended Scotch, and the others, Carey. Among Old Boys who have taught at Carey are the Rev. Bill Pugh (SC 1947-51), who was a chaplain during his 20 years there. Despite competition between the schools, and – at times – strong rivalries in basketball and rowing, the two schools will continue to have inextricable links.
ABOVE: 1. DAVID BUXTON. 2. HAROLD STEELE. 3. HOWARD BUXTON. 4. STANLEY DOERY. 5. STAN STEWARDSON. 6. WILLIAM HOLDSWORTH. 7. HOWARD JENKIN. 8. COLIN SPICER. 9. ALAN BARBER.
LEFT PAGE: 1884 PLANS OF ‘MILDURA’ (LATER ’URANGELINE’) AND PHOTO OF CAREY’S FOUNDATION STUDENTS AND STAFF – BOTH COURTESY OF THE CAREY ARCHIVES.
SCOTCH BOYS AND THE
THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF AT LEAST EIGHT OLD BOYS WAS RECENTLY DISCOVERED
The sinking of the SS Montevideo Maru on 1 July 1942 is regarded as Australia’s greatest maritime tragedy. It was being used by the Japanese to transport mostly Australian POWs – both military and civilian – from Rabaul, New Guinea, to the Chinese island of Hainan. The US submarine USS Sturgeon pursued it, and – unaware it had POWs on board – successfully torpedoed it, with the loss of 1054 lives. Their families did not learn of the disaster until after the war.
On 18 April 2023 the wreck was discovered off the northwest coast of Luzon, at a depth of over 4000m in the South China Sea. It is the resting place and the war grave of at least eight Scotchies.
The oldest, Louis William Carson (born 15.4.1894 at Yannathan, SC 1914-15), served in World War I as a private in the AIF (1916-18). He was a plantation owner and a civilian on Fead Island, Papua New Guinea, at the time he was taken prisoner. Louis married Ruby Aileen Stainer in the Anglican Church at Rabaul on 12 January 1925, and they had a son, Graeme and a daughter, Diana.
Charles William Booth Houghton (born 16.2.1904 at Perth, SC 1916-19) was a salesman, a stockman on Coonong Station near Urana, New South Wales, and a cattle expert. He married Violet Louisa Battershill at Woollahra on 20 December 1937 and appears
to have left Australia soon afterwards. In 1942 Charles became a rifleman in the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles. He was one of at least 845 members of Lark Force captured in the fall of Rabaul who were on the Montevideo Maru. He had no children, and Violet never remarried.
Incorrectly reported in Great Scot as having died in 1980, only in recent years did I discover the true, unfortunate fate of Thomas Evan Evans (said to have been born 24.5.1904 at Nelson, New Zealand, SC 1919-22). He was enrolled by Old Boy Evan Stanley Evans, who married Thomas’ mother, Constance Veronica Trask on 29.3.1910). Thomas was variously described as a pathologist and as a medical assistant. Sources differ on where and when he married Mrs Grace (nee Hagan) Lansley.
Thomas was an Aircraftman 1 in the RAAF in 1941 and then became a Sergeant in the New Guinea Volunteer Reserve. As his service ended on 21 January 1942 he was considered a civilian at the time of his death. His wife, son David, and daughter Genifer survived him.
Lark Force member Kenneth John Kennedy (born 10.1.1905 at North Fitzroy, SC 1918-21) left after Year 11 to go into accountancy. He became a clerk, and married Elizabeth Amelia Shannon at Scotch
SS MONTEVIDEO MARU
on 7 May 1938. Ken was a keen baseball player, and played cricket for the Brighton, Melbourne and Ivanhoe Cricket Clubs. He joined the AIF in 1940 and was a Lance Corporal at the time of his death. An only son, he had no children, and Elizabeth never remarried.
Another Lark Force member was David Leith Bell (born 20.12.1909 at North Carlton, SC 1924-25). David married Edna May Gray in 1936. He was a bank clerk at the National Bank. As a bank teller at Collingwood, he was reported for confessing to misappropriating £1770 and two pence, resulting in his dismissal and subsequent jailing in 1938 for three years. David was trying to cover horseracing gambling debts. After his release he joined the AIF in 1941 and became a Gunner in the L Heavy Battery. He had no children, and Edna never remarried.
Also in Lark Force was Moore Ettershank (born 5.12.1912 at East Loddon, SC 1927-28). One of four sons at Scotch, he was a boarder from Murray View, Benjeroop. Moore left after Year 10 and worked in an unspecified business role in Moonee Ponds. In 1939 he married Margaret Stewart Ross in Victoria.
Moore joined the AIF in 1940 and was a private in the Machinegun company of the 2/22nd Battalion when he was captured. He had no children. Margaret inserted ‘in memoriam’ notices in
newspapers for many years, and remarried to Old Boy Alexander Cecil James Williams about 26 years after Moore’s death.
Frederick Edmund Oaten (born 12.6.1912 at Seymour, SC 1929) boarded in McMeckan in Year 10 then returned home to work alongside his father, a pharmacist, after whom he was named, with the intention of also becoming a pharmacist. However, he went to Papua New Guinea to manage a tobacco plantation. On the outbreak of war, Frederick and other Australians decided to return to Australia to enlist, but he was captured before he could do so. He was consequently considered a civilian casualty.
Scotch’s youngest Montevideo Maru victim was Lark Force member Colin Alexander Tait (born 4.10.1919, SC 1934-35), the younger of two brothers at Scotch. After repeating Year 9 he left Scotch and became a salesman. Joining the AIF in 1940, he was a private in the 2/22nd Battalion when he was captured. Colin was engaged to be married. Other family members have followed him at Scotch.
As most of Scotch’s Montevideo Maru victims were childless, photographs of them and details about them are sparse. Any information that will enhance our knowledge of their tragically shortened lives will be gratefully received.
LEFT TO RIGHT:
THE 25 OLDEST KNOWN LIVING OLD BOYS
(AS AT 1 SEPTEMBER 2023)
1. Rev. William Morgan, b. 23 October 1915. School Captain 1935. Aged 107
2. Ronald Taft , b. 3 June 1920. Aged 103
3. Geoffrey Arthur Tingate, b. 30 October 1922. Aged 100
4. William Simpson Brake, b. 12 May 1923. 1941 Prefect. Aged 100
5. B ruce Acland Miles, b. 2 August 1923. Aged 100
6. Maurice Smith, b. 15 November 1923
7. Robert Wilbur Wishart, b. 7 May 1924
8. D r Trevor Percival Telfer, b. 7 August 1924
9. Edward Graeme Marshall, b. 2 September 1924
10. B ruce William May, b. 4 September 1924
11. D r Clarence John Kendall Pawsey, b. 7 September 1924
12. Herbert Neil Kelly, b. 10 November 1924
13. W illiam Geoffrey Wicks, b. 11 November 1924
14. Cornelius Jan Schram, b. 29 November 1924
OBITUARIES
15. Donald Albert Howarth, b. 26 December 1924
16. Russell Callum Jack, b. 13 January 1925
17. B ruce McKenzie Crowl, b. 1 September 1925
18. John Arnold Gundersen, b. 6 December 1925
19. Douglas Roland Zerbe, b. 13 January 1926
20. B ruce Leonard Dobson, b. 10 February 1926
21. Stuart Paton Wilson, b. 15 February 1926
22. Adrian Donald Waller, b. 20 March 1926. 1938 Junior School Captain.
23. D r Arthur George Stephens, b. 23 March 1926.
24. Rex Jenkins, b. 22 April 1922
25. Douglas Skinner Anderson, b. 5 May 1926
The youngest Scotch boy is Avinash Dev Asthana, b. 4 April 2018 – 102 years, 5 months and 12 days younger than the oldest known living Old Boy.
DEATHS OF OLD BOYS OR FORMER STAFF MEMBERS OF WHICH SCOTCH IS AWARE ARE LISTED HERE
INDEX
APTED, Dr Douglas Frank (’50).
Born 20 September 1932, SC 194351, died 11 May 2023 in Western Australia
ALEXANDER, Alastair John (’59).
Born 7 September 1940, SC 1945-58, died 18 June 2023
ASH, Robert Ian (’58). Born 15 September 1940, SC 1954-56, died 17 July 2023
BARDAS AO, David Lawrence (’54). Born 30 August 1937, SC 1949-54, died 2 August 2023
BARTNIK, Robert Andrzej (’73).
Born 1 February 1956, SC 1968-73, died 12 November 2022
BENNETT, Geoffrey Vivian (’49).
Born 8 October 1932, SC 1944-48, died 29 March 2023
BEVERIDGE, Robert Burns (’56).
Born 22 May 1939, SC 1951-56, died 6 May 2023
BLACK, William Alexander (’56).
Born 6 April 1939, SC 1956-57, died 15 August 2023
BOYD, Riley Patterson (’13). Born 22 February 1996, SC 2005-13, died 29 July 2023
BREEDEN, James William (Staff 1972-2000; plumber). Born 18 December 1939, died 21 November 2022
CAITHNESS, Barrie James (’50).
Born 28 December 1931, SC 1945-48, died 9 August 2023
CLARKE, Roger Stuart (’65). Born 22 October 1948, SC 1955-66, died 26 May 2023
CLAYTON, Kenneth Ross (Staff 2003). Born 11 July 1939, died 11 July 2023
COOK, Neville John (’56). Born 19 May 1939, SC 1953-54, died 26 December 2022
CREED, Richard Percival (’62).
Born 4 August 1945, SC 1951-62, died 4 May 2023
DAVIES, Bruce Theodore (’55).
Born 29 May 1937, SC 1951-55, died 26 June 2023
DAVIES, David Lindsay (’48). Born 9 October 1930, SC 1945-47, died 3 August 2023
EDWARDS, Andrew Rowland (’69). Born 20 January 1952, SC 1964-69, died 16 December 2022 in Queensland
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.
EDWARDS, Robin Campbell (’57).
Born 17 November 1939, SC 1947-58, died 21 June 2023
EXTON, Warwick Laslett (’40).
Born 20 November 1922, SC 1937-39, died 25 July 2023
FAICHNEY, Norman Stewart (’63). Born 15 April 1946, SC 1960-64, died 15 July 2023
FAY, Richard William (’75). Born 27 November 1957, SC 1972-75, died 27 June 2023
FERGUSON, David George (’56).
Born 4 December 1939, SC 1953-56, died 29 May 2023
GLAZEBROOK, Frank Arthur (’47). Born 10 May 1930, SC 1944-47, died 31 May 2023
HAGAN, Duncan Grant Alister
HARRINGTON, Brian Norrie (’50).
Born 12 July 1932, SC 1942-48, died 30 May 2023
HART, John Davenport (’54). Born 29 March 1937, SC 1946-53, died 2 July 2023
HAYMAKER, John Riker (’83). Born 14 August 1966, SC 1978-81, died 22 June 2022 at Truckee, California, United States of America
JACKSON PSM, Wayne Smithers Brooks (’69). Born 16 February 1952, SC 1964-69, died 4 December 2022
JAYARAJAH, Rajiv Kishan (’97).
Born 8 January 1980, SC 1993-97, died 9 July 2023
JEFFRIES, Robert Henry (’52).
Born 30 December 1934, SC 1949-51, died 9 May 2023
KEKS, Olga Alexandrevna (Staff 1981). Born 9 June 1946, died 11 July 2023
KING-SMITH, Eric Alfred (’42).
Born 3 March 1926, SC 1939-42, died 24 June 2023 in the United States of America
LESLIE, Robert Stewart Clifton (’49). Born 8 November 1932, SC 1946-48, died 3 May 2023
LOVE, George Rynhardt (’42).
Born 21 October 1925, SC 1936-41, died 20 August 2023
MADDISON, Peter William (’74).
Born 14 February 1957, SC 1966-74, died 26 June 2023
MAUGHAN, David George (’54).
Born 8 February 1937, SC 1945-52, died 17 March 2023 in Western Australia
McINNES OAM, Dr Ian Edgeworth (’47). Born 14 January 1931, SC 1942-48, died 25 June 2023
McKENNA, June Lorraine (Staff 1981-97). Born 9 February 1942, died 25 May 2023
MOLONEY, Richard Charles Fitzgerald (’68). Born 7 September 1951, SC 1965-68, died 31 January 2023
MORRIS, Allen Richardson (’50).
Born 5 April 1933, SC 1939-51, died 24 December 2022
MOSMAN, John Burnett (’43).
Born 1 September 1925, SC 1939-41, died 10 May 2023
NANCE, Alan Lindesay (’51). Born 2 January 1935, SC 1948-51, died 8 July 2023
O’CALLAGHAN, Gregory Joseph (Staff 1982). Born 31 July 1939, died 1 August 2023 at Hobart, Tasmania
OSBORNE, John Irwin (’56). Born 10 October 1939, SC 1953-56, died 19 July 2023
POPE, Alan Frederick (’51). Born 13 November 1933, SC 1946-52, died 4 June 2023 at Oxford, England
PRYSE, Kenneth Robert Hamilton (’47). Born 4 May 1929, SC 1937-45, died 7 May 2023
RICHES OAM, John Edward (’47).
Born 25 January 1929, SC 1944-46, died 16 February 2023
ROBERTSON, George Struan (’46). Born 17 April 1930, SC 1937-47, died 4 June 2023
ROBERTSON, Ross Andrew (’45).
Born 29 September 1928, SC 1942-45, died 4 June 2023
SCOTT, Bruce Carrie (’53). Born 10 May 1936, SC 1950-51, died 27 May 2023 in Queensland.
SMITH, Rev Ian Frederick (’45).
Born 24 February 1928, SC 1940-44, died 19 May 2023
STAMP, John Wynne (’52). Born 17 February 1934, SC 1945-52, died 31 July 2023
THOMSON, Ian Robert (’50). Born 27 January 1934, SC 1946-49, died 21 May 2023
TRACY, William Peter (’63). Born 27 February 1946, SC 1953-55, died 4 August 2023
TWEEDIE, Ian Marshall (’47). Born 3 April 1929, SC 1941-47, died 4 June 2023
URQUHART OAM, Alistair Buxton (’64). Born 18 January 1947, SC 1957-59, died 16 July 2023.
USHER, Leonard Edward (’45). Born 22 July 1928, SC 1943-46, died 18 May 2023 in Queensland
WATSON, Angus Buchanan (’51). Born 2 May 1935, SC 1947-51, died 27 December 2022
WEYMOUTH, Philip Keith (’44). Born 22 August 1927, SC 1940-44, died 17 June 2023
LAVER, John Barry (’49). Born 12 October 1932, SC 1944-50, died 5 January 2023 at Townsville, Queensland
MUNRO, David Hamilton (’54).
Born 28 August 1936, SC 1947-54, died 8 May 2023
WRIGGLESWORTH, Neil Daryl (’56). Born 14 March 1939, SC 1954-56, died 17 January 2023 (’69). Born 20 April 1952, SC 196469, died 18 May 2023 at home at Port Kennedy, Western Australia
SCOTT, Malcolm John (’61). Born 4 April 1944, SC 1958-59, died 26 July 2023
SMALLEY, Kenneth Field (’54).
Born 18 January 1936, SC 1950-54, died 20 May 2023
WRAGGE AM, Harry Stewart (’48). Born 23 November 1929, SC 1943-48, died 31 July 2023
THE OBITUARIES APPEARING BELOW HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY
FAMILY MEMBERS:
BARTNIK, Robert Andrzej (’73)
Robert’s brother, Peter (’76), wrote: Robert was born on 1 February 1956 at Melbourne, the eldest of four boys. He attended North Balwyn State School and received a Junior Major Entrance Scholarship to attend Scotch from 1968 to 1973.
Rob thrived at Scotch, principally because he was able to pursue his interests in Maths and Physics with the support and encouragement of the staff. He sang in the choir, played cricket and basketball with enthusiasm, had minor parts in school plays and was active in Scouts and Venturers. He was particularly thankful for the support of Head of Mathematics, Ken Evans (SC 1945-48; Staff 1961-90), who supported Rob's deeper enquiries into differential equations and other advanced mathematics and physics interests.
Also at Scotch were Rob’s brothers Mark (SC 1969-74), Peter (SC 1971-76) and David (SC 1973-77).
Rob attended Melbourne University, spending the first two years at Ormond College. While at Melbourne University, he won the Australian Junior Chess Championship, and attended the World Junior Championships in Manila in 1975, finishing equal 14th.
After completing his Bachelor of Science, Rob completed a Masters that earned him a scholarship to attend Princeton University in the United States of America. Following the completion
of his PhD, he served in post-doctoral positions at the Courant Institute at New York University (NYU), then as an associate professor at Stanford University in California, before moving back to Australia in 1985.
Rob held positions at the Australian National University (ANU), University of NSW, University of New England and the University of Canberra, as well as visiting positions in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Austria, Germany, the United States and France. He was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2004.
Rob was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in early 2001 but kept himself busy lecturing and writing papers, travelling all over the world to collaborate on maths projects until his retirement in 2016. He never felt sorry for himself or complained, but just got on with life as best he could. He died at Blackburn South on 12 November 2022, surrounded by family, and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
CLARKE, Roger Stuart (‘65) Roger’s brother, Geoff (’64), wrote: Roger was born at Toorak on 22 October 1948, the son of Dr James Eric Clarke (born 23.5.1911, SC 1927-28, died 2.4.1995) and his wife Elizabeth Josephine ‘Beth’ (nee Kinross). Roger attended Deepdene State School in 1954 and then Scotch from 1955 to 1966.
Always a high achieving student, Roger played many sports, including being a member of the Swimming team from 1962 to 1966, and of the 1966 2nd XV. As a Scotch Scout he developed a lifelong love of the Australian bush. Matriculating in 1965, Roger returned in 1966 to broaden his studies, and became Dux of Scotch. He was a 1966 Prefect and Co-Editor of Satura. Roger received a Gowrie Scholarship, a Senior Government Scholarship, and a Senior Ormond Residential Scholarship.
Roger’s many Scotch relations included his brothers Geoff (SC 1955-65) and David (SC 1964-69), cousins Jonathan Ernest Murray Clarke (born 5.5.1948, SC 1954-65, died 12.2.2020) and Simon Clarke (SC 1968-72), uncle Stuart Noel Clarke (born 24.12.1913, SC 1927-30, died 4.4.1996), nephews David (SC 1986-97) and Peter Wilson (SC 1989-2001), and members of the Buxton, Clayton, Edwards and McCracken families.
Roger resided at Ormond College and graduated with a BSc in Physics and Mathematics from Melbourne University. He worked at the T&G Mutual Life Assurance Society during his actuarial studies with the London-based Institute of Actuaries. Following admission as a Fellow of the Institute, Roger worked for the Noble Lowndes Pension Service. He then set up his own firm, Superannuation Managers Australia (SMA), which was later sold.
On 20 December 1972 Roger married Nancy Patricia (Pat) Martin at Sassafras. Their daughters Louisa and Ellen were followed by three grandchildren.
Roger’s passions included golf at Peninsula, Heidelberg, and Little Frankston Golf Clubs. Woodwork classes in Junior School gave him a lifelong love of wood, and he was a talented whittler. His combined loves of wood and the Australian bush led Roger to restore a cottage at Three Bridges in the Yarra Ranges. In retirement, Roger enjoyed happy bush weekends there with his two grandsons.
Roger died unexpectedly on 26 May 2023 while out walking with a friend.
FERGUSON, David George (’56) David’s son, Marcus (’90), wrote:
David was born on 4 December 1939 at St George’s Hospital, Kew. He attended Mont Albert Central School from 1951 to 1952. David won 1953 Minor Junior Entrance and Junior Government Scholarships to attend Scotch from 1953 to 1956 as a member of Gardiner House (which became Gilray during 1953). He was a Cadet and played in the 1956 2nd Basketball team.
Scotch relatives include his cousins Graeme Ahlston Ferguson (born 29.7.1929, SC 1939-46, died 14.8.2009) and Ian
McIntosh (SC 1950-60), uncle John Hector Macdonald Ferguson (born 10.12.1899, SC 1914-17, died 2.9.1961) and his two sons Tim (SC 1983-88; now Tim Roberts-Ferguson) and Marcus (SC 1985-90).
Graduating in Civil Engineering from Melbourne University (1960), David began working at the Country Roads Board’s (CRB, now VicRoads) Bridge Design Division. Promoted in 1963, he worked on the Melbourne Metropolitan Transport Study, analysing Melbourne’s transport needs and proposing infrastructure to cope with increasing traffic.
The study and subsequent design work took three years and involved a four-week trip to Columbia, South Carolina and multiple Adelaide trips to
use the Department of Defence’s IBM 7090 computer. David worked in transport planning/travel forecasting until 1993 when he resigned from VicRoads, but continued as a consultant for several years.
David became involved in motorsport when the CRB Car Club was formed in 1962. Initially participating mostly in car rallies, on joining the Melbourne University Car Club he became involved with motor race timekeeping, and was eventually Chief Timekeeper at Sandown Park, Winton and Hume Weir. The club timed several motoring record attempts, the ultimate being Donald Campbell’s land speed record on Lake Eyre in 1964. David was one of only four people who saw Bluebird running at 403.1 mph (648.7 km/h).
On 25 January 1969, David married Lesley Joyce Bate at Sydney.
In April 1984 David joined the Old Scotch Collegians' Lodge. He became its Master in 1992 and was thrice Director of Ceremonies. David was appointed to the 2006 Grand Lodge Team as Assistant Grand Pursuivant and to the 2008 Team as Grand Pursuivant.
David died on 29 May 2023 at Caritas Christi Hospice, Kew.
JACKSON PSM, Wayne Smithers Brooks (’69)
Wayne’s family wrote: Wayne was born at Melbourne on 16 February 1952, the son of John Richard Brooks Jackson (born 6.8.1922, SC 1935-40, died 1 December 2011) and June Florence (nee Smithers).
Wayne attended Scotch from 1964 to 1969. The 1965 Form Captain of 2 Latin, Wayne was 1969 Dux of Economics and Geography (equal) and received Economics and Geography essay prizes. A 1969 Monash House Prefect, Wayne was Cadet Signal Corps Sergeant, a choir member, and a Scotch Collegian Editorial Committee member. He captained the 1969 2nd Basketball team and played 2nd and 3rd Tennis, also captaining Monash’s tennis team. Wayne played tennis most of his life He also enjoyed researching family history.
Also at Scotch were Wayne’s greatgrandfather, Andrew McIntosh Wise (born 1.11.1856, entered SC 1868, died 24.8.1929), Wise great-great-uncles, second cousin Arthur Dixon (SC 1950-59) and Wardrop second cousins.
In 1973 Wayne graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours). On 5 January 1974 he married Barbara Jean Price at Auckland, New Zealand and they moved to Canberra.
During Wayne’s Australian Public Service career, he made an enormous contribution to social policy development. He held Senior Executive Service positions in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Health and Community Services and the Department of Finance and Administration, before becoming Deputy Secretary of Social Policy in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in 1997. Wayne was a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Social Services (1998-2007), overseeing broad social policy issues.
Wayne was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2006 for outstanding
public service in the development and implementation of social policy.
He worked as a Nous Group consultant (2007-12), including undertaking numerous projects relating to income support for people with disability, disability employment and care and support. Wayne was a Board Director of Aboriginal Hostels Ltd (2009-16) and chaired the Ethics Committee at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2013-22).
Wayne died at Canberra on 4 December 2022 due to melanoma cancer. He is survived by his sister Debbie, wife Barbara, daughter Linda, son Russell and four grandchildren.
MORRIS, Allen Richardson (‘50)
Allen’s son, Tim (‘89), wrote: Allen was born at Windsor on 5 April 1933. He famously lived across the road from Scotch at 2 Morrison Street (now Archives) with his brother Ralph (SC 1941-52; 1952 School Captain) and sister Roma. Allen attended Scotch from 1939 to 1951. He was a member of the 1950 and 1951 Athletics teams (winning the 1950 APS high jump) and played in the 1950 and 1951 1st XVIII (1951 Vice Captain). Allen was a Cadet Lieutenant Company Commander, Captain of the winning Shooting Team and a member of the Kilted Quarter Guard. A 1950 Probationer (and later Prefect), Allen was 1951 Morrison House Captain and 1951 School Vice Captain.
From 1952 to 1962 Allen played 148 games for the Old Scotch Football Club. With his brother, Ralph, in 1953 Allen started, published and mailed the weekly Drumsheet newsletter, which still appears. Captain in 1955 and 1956, Allen was the 1957 Best and Fairest. He was instrumental in establishing the Under 19s (1952), Reserves (1958) and Thirds (1961). In 1959 and 1960 Allen rucked for the Victorian Amateur Football Association’s state team. He was awarded OSFC Life Membership in 1970.
Between 1951 and 1954, Allen was Secretary and Treasurer of the Old Scotch Athletics Club and a podium finisher in the state high jump championships. He grew the club from near extinction to one of the strongest A Grade clubs in the Victorian Amateur Athletics Association. Allen was 1970 President, and was awarded Life Membership.
Allen was a member of the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association Council from 26 July 1954 to 27 November 1995.
Initially working in mechanical and production engineering, Allen became General Manager of the British Oxygen Company (BOC). Later working in stockbroking and financial advising, Allen retired from EL&C Baillieu Stockbroking (now Ord Minnett).
Allen was a Bachelor of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Fellow of the Institute of Production Engineers, on the Australian Institute of Steel Construction’s Council of Management, and an executive member of the Australian Council for Welding Research. He later became a Certified Financial Planner and a Certified Practising Member of the Australian Securities and Derivatives Association. Allen was also a member of the Rotary International Committee.
On 26 March 1962 Allen married Edna Elspeth Taylor Wood at Scotch. They were proud parents of Peter (SC 1972-80) Kate, and Tim (SC 1978-89). Allen’s nephew, Russel Morris, also attended Scotch (1978-90).
Principal Colin Macdonald Gilray’s reference summed up Allen’s life at Scotch and thereafter better than any achievements: ‘I can very warmly recommend Allen as one who will give fine and loyal service’.
Allen died on Christmas Eve 2022 at Hedley Sutton Aged Care, Canterbury.
RICHES OAM, John Edward (’47)
John’s son, James (’93), wrote: John was born on 25 January 1929 at Beechmont private hospital, East Malvern, the son of Arthur Farnham Allan and Ivy Adelaide (nee Dawson) Riches. He attended Lloyd Street Central School and then Scotch from 1944 to 1946 as a member of Gardiner House (now Gilray). Also at Scotch were his brother Alan David Riches (born 9.10.1925, SC 1939-42, died 1.2.1990) and son James (SC 1988-93).
Before graduating from Melbourne Tech (now RMIT) with a Diploma of Interior Design in 1955, John had several short-term jobs. He then had a 20-year career as a designer in the Public Works Department. By then he had become a Scout leader at 13th Malvern, in which he was active for over 20 years, forging enduring friendships with many Scouts and their parents.
John’s lifelong association with Scouting culminated in him receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the Scouting movement and his voluntary work for 10 other community organisations.
On 15 May 1970 John married Janet Mary Hayes at Ewing Memorial Presbyterian Church, East Malvern. In 1971 they welcomed their first child, Kayt, followed by Fiona and James. A regular tennis player, John was a member of the South Camberwell Tennis Club for well over 40 years, playing into his mid-80s.
Much of John’s life was devoted to helping others. He was particularly interested in supporting underprivileged children in Indonesia, and began sponsoring children through World Vision in the 1960s. He later created the Friends of the Yayasan Iman Foundation with local organiser, Mrs Suprapti, when World Vision completed its projects in Blitar, East Java, and moved on to other projects. More than 150 children benefited from the
scheme, with some completing tertiary education.
Following John’s death, Mrs Suprapti wrote that ‘. . . it was truly sad news for us in Blitar. Especially my family and all of the members in Yayasan Iman. As we know, so many children received help for their continuing study by Mr. John. So they have a bright future.’
John died on 16 February 2023 at Villa Maria Aged Care, Ashwood.
WRIGGLESWORTH, Neil Daryl (‘56) Neil’s son, Trevor (’92), wrote:
Neil was born at Casterton on 14 March 1939, the son of Alfred Colin Wrigglesworth (born 21.6.1908, SC 1923-25, died 4.5.1985) and Lorna Beatrice (nee Gibbs). He boarded at Scotch in Arthur Robinson House as a member of Littlejohn House from 1954 to 1956.
A passionate cricketer, he was a proud member of the famed 1956 premiership 1st XI coached by John Gould Miles (born 5.3.1930, staff 1954-76, died 29.12.2010).
Neil was also a member of the 1955 and 1956 1st XVIII premiership teams. He was also a Cadet. Neil left Scotch on 23 August 1956 to return home to work on the farm.
Also attending and boarding at Scotch were Neil’s brother Barrie (SC 1957-59), cousin David Vernon Wrigglesworth (born 11.3.1943, SC 1957-59, died 28.12.1963), sons Jeffrey (SC 1985-86), Gregory (SC 1987-88) and Trevor (SC 1991-92) and uncle Vernon Wrigglesworth (born 1.2.1907, SC 1923-25, died 19.11.1968).
Neil was a member of the 1960 Australian Old Collegians’ cricket world
tour that had regular reunions for many decades.
Neil met Marian Elizabeth Morris in 1963 and they married at St Columbus’ Church in Sale on 25 March 1967. They
lived a lifetime of happiness on the farm in Bundalaguah, raising their family and achieving their goal of sending all three boys to Scotch.
An Honorary Life Member of his beloved Bundalaguah Cricket Club, Neil was further honoured in 2016 when the reserve was renamed the Neil Wrigglesworth Reserve due to his lifetime of service. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the Sale Maffra Cricket Association and the Sale Maffra Badminton Association.
As a Level 3 cricket coach, Neil’s services were highly sought after by aspiring cricketers throughout Gippsland. Neil received a Certificate of Appreciation from Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria
for 50 years of service, and received the Wellington Shire Community Sports Award for volunteering in 2012.
Neil was the treasurer of the OSCA East Gippsland branch for many years and thoroughly enjoyed the branch’s annual dinners.
He died on 17 January 2023 at the Sale Hospital after a very short battle with cancer.
APPLY EARLY FOR PLACES AT SCOTCH
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:
m 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.
m 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.
m Only spouses for whom full marriage details (full maiden name and exact date and place of marriage) are supplied will be included.
m Reference will be made to multi-generational Scotch connections (e.g., son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather).
m Special tributes recognising Scotch Family members who have made an outstanding contribution to Scotch College, the Old 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.
m 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.
m 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.
m 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.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Scotch College website, along with further information relating to the School’s admissions process, at: www.scotch.vic. edu.au/admissions. aspx
DEMAND FOR PLACES AT SCOTCH IS VERY HIGH AND MEMBERS OF THE SCOTCH FAMILY ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IMMEDIATELY AF TER THEIR SON'S BIRTH.
