THE FOUNDATION GROWS IN ASPIRATIONS AND PROFESSIONALISM
THIS IS THE SECOND OF FOUR ARTICLES TELLING THE STORY OF THE SCOTCH COLLEGE FOUNDATION . THIS INSTALMENT COVERS THE PERIOD FROM 1985 TO 1995 .
ABOVE : THE PREPS ARE PIPED INTO THE NEW JUNIOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN 1990 . RIGHT : SCOTCH FOUNDATION PRESIDENTS – BRIAN RANDALL OAM (’ 51 ), 1990-93 , AND MICHAEL ROBINSON AO (’ 55 ), 1993-96 AND 2007-2018 .
This decade in the history of the Foundation heralded a time of growth – both in aspirations and in professionalism . Under the guidance of three highly accomplished Presidents – Sandy Murdoch (’ 58 ) from 1982-90 , Brian Randall (’ 51 ) from 1990-93 , and Michael Robinson (’ 55 ) from 1993-96 – two major building projects were undertaken , and the Scotch College Development Office was created .
Peter Crook had already been appointed as the Development Officer in 1980 , but despite the successes during the first years of the decade , there simply was not enough support , or even strategic planning around development at that time . In 1988 , the important decision was made to create the Development Office , and Peter was appointed its first Director , as well as becoming the Executive Director of the Foundation . Soon after , Leigh McGregor (’ 55 ) was appointed Deputy Director of Development , as well as being the Executive Director of OSCA .
The importance of these two roles being so closely aligned cannot be overestimated . OSCA had always
been the backbone of the School , providing support in all kinds of ways , including financial . In fact , for most of Scotch ’ s history until that time , it was OSCA and its members who provided almost all the philanthropic support for the School .
With the creation of the Development Office , the approach to philanthropy was widened , through the establishment of programs that provided an opportunity for all members of the Scotch Family to support the School , regardless of their means . As a consequence , the Foundation began to look more seriously at seeking support from parents ( as more and more boys came to the School from non-OSCA families ) and friends of Scotch . The close relationship between OSCA and the Foundation in the Development Office allowed Peter Crook and his team to strengthen the School ’ s philanthropic outreach in a way that had never been managed before .
An innovation , based on experiences from the USA , was the introduction in 1986 of a gift to the School from the leaving class . Each year the Year 12s now work together as a group to raise funds and present to Scotch a gift which is meaningful to them , and which has significance and value to the School .
The first gifts ( which were given in tandem by the Classes of 1986 and 1987 ) were the sporting honour boards located in the Glenn Centre . In subsequent years , gifts have ranged from mosaic floors to stained glass windows ; and from drinking fountains to the seats surrounding ‘ Topsy ’, the weeping elm tree in the Quad . The class gift is a very fine and practical way to introduce
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 51