OBITUARIES
Lorna loved art and music . She was school pianist , and a violinist in the school orchestra . Although small in stature , she won athletics prizes as a sprinter , played hockey and tennis , and was pitcher and Captain of the UHS baseball team .
Although Lorna wanted to follow her interests in art and music , her father insisted she qualify for a practical career . She started work as assistant to pathologist Dr Hans Bettinger at the Royal Women ’ s Hospital . Lorna trained as a nurse at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and was awarded equal top marks in Victoria , then worked as a theatre nurse and midwife . During lunch breaks , she learned to play the pipe organ at the Melbourne Welsh Church .
Lorna married Maxwell George Lord at St Mary ’ s Anglican Church , Caulfield on 7 December 1949 , and together they raised four children : Jennifer , Susan , John and Heather . They had 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren . Max died on 2 June 2019 .
After a career-break for family , Lorna worked at Scotch from 1966 to 1973 as a Laboratory Assistant in the Biology Department , working with Head of Biology , Wesley Phillips Thomas . She assisted the Biology Club and after-hours activities included providing ‘ animal hospital homecare ’ for sick or injured wildlife rescued on Scotch ’ s grounds .
Lorna took private art tuition to become an accomplished artist , working mostly in watercolour and ceramic painting . In 1977 , the Scotch Music School Auxiliary commissioned her for a series of paintings of Scotch for its 1978 calendar . In 1982 Lorna graduated from Victoria College ’ s Burwood Campus , as a music teacher , specialising in the Suzuki Method . She taught piano and the harp at St Margaret ’ s School in Berwick .
Lorna died at Cabrini Residential Care , Ashwood , on 7 May 2020 . By an extraordinary coincidence , Wes Thomas died two days later .
SHUGG , Alan Neil ( Staff 1967-98 ) Alan ’ s wife , Susan , wrote : Alan Neil Shugg was born on 21 March 1933 at Llandyssil private hospital , Scott Street , Essendon . He was educated at Geelong Grammar School ( 1946-51 ) and Melbourne University , where his interest in languages was capped with a Master of Arts in Russian .
After eight years of teaching languages at Brighton Grammar School , Alan moved to Scotch in 1967 . Not the first Shugg to be associated with Scotch , his uncle Wilfred Batson Shugg ( born 11 June 1903 , SC 1920 , killed by the Japanese as a civilian on 27 March 1943 ) was among others to precede Alan . Alan ’ s son Nick ( SC 1976-81 ) and Fitzgerald stepsons Sean ( SC 1987-89 ) and Damian ( SC 1987-89 ) attended Scotch , as did his grandson Declan ( SC 2012-17 ).
He remarried on 8 May 1982 at home in Camberwell to Mrs Susan Deidre ( nee Crumlin ) Fitzgerald .
At Scotch Alan taught French and Russian . He was Head of Languages from 1982 to 1995 . Alan did considerable productive work as the leading adviser in planning for the Language Centre , and became its Director on its 1995 opening . He then established community language classes including up to seven languages , and developed computer software , resulting in a flexible multimedia ' shell '. Alan initiated popular cooking classes in the Language Centre kitchen , where distinguished multicultural chefs displayed their skills , and
staged colourful cultural events for special occasions .
Alan enjoyed and appreciated his colleagues , whom he felt enhanced his knowledge and experience . He continually reviewed the latest methods , always improving himself to create a better experience for his students .
An early advocate of computers for teaching languages – computer-assisted language learning ( CALL ) – Alan produced a software program to supplement popular CIS French text , Ça Bouge ! Elio Guarnuccio , Manager of CIS Education , described Alan as a ‘ visionary ’, well ahead of his time in the creation of software that led to what is used today . He was a leader in state standing committees , with Language Other Than English ( LOTE ) coordinators , and in the Modern Language Teachers ’ Association , subsequently being made a life member .
Old Boys have spoken highly of Alan ’ s encouragement of their interest in language and culture , leading some to careers using their language skills .
A highlight of teaching Russian was taking two Scotch groups to the USSR in 1978 and 1984 , leaving a lasting impression on them all .
His colleagues recalled Alan contributing enormously to Scotch in roles including as Gilray Housemaster , and as a committee member responsible for the present House system . Alan was Captain of C Company in Cadets , and coached cricket , football , gymnastics and table tennis .
In a tribute to Alan on his 1998 retirement , The Scotch Collegian noted : ‘ Alan enjoyed particularly his past three years as Director of the Language Centre , where he was able to combine his great loves – languages , food and wine – in a creative way ’. He combined these with his love of travel .
Alan died peacefully at home at Kew on 23 May 2020 , with his wife Susan by his side . He leaves behind his wife , son , two daughters , two stepsons , 11 grandchildren , and a wide circle of other family and friends .
In Alan , we have lost a loving parent and husband , a gifted linguist , an exceptional teacher and a true gentleman .
90 Great Scot Issue 160 – September 2020