FEATURES
AWARD GOES TO A LEADER OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Dr Andrew Catford (’ 89 ) has received the 2020 Perelberg Award
DR ANDREW CATFORD (’ 89 ) MEETING THE PRESIDENT OF SENEGAL ( HIS EXCELLENCY MACKY SALL ) TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN FROM WORLD VISION PROJECTS , TO ADVOCATE FOR ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE IN SENEGAL .
The Perelberg Award has been presented annually since 1993 . It is granted in each alternate year to a current student or to one who left in the previous year , or to an Old Scotch Collegian . This year the Perelberg Award is presented to an Old Boy . The key criterion is that the recipient has shown ‘ exemplary Scotch Spirit ’.
The award honours the memory of Ashley Perelberg from the Class of 1992 , who tragically died of a heart attack at the age of 18 in his first year of university study . Ashley exemplified Scotch Spirit throughout his full and enthusiastic involvement while a student at Scotch . Ashley ’ s family presented a silver sculpture depicting the penguin parade at Phillip Island , which was inspired by Ashley ’ s devotion to the annual Scotch-at- Cowes summer camps on Phillip Island . The sculpture is a perpetual memorial to
Ashley and is on permanent display in the Library at Scotch , but for the Presentation Afternoon it was displayed on the Memorial Hall stage .
The annual winner of the Perelberg Award receives a silver replica of this sculpture .
In considering this year ’ s nominations , it became apparent that there was a particular Old Boy who would be a most deserving recipient of the Perelberg Award , as this Old Boy had , since leaving Scotch , acted in ways that had influenced for the greater good , without thought of reward or recognition , and had put the needs and interests of others before his own .
This year ’ s recipient of the Perelberg Award is Dr Andrew Catford .
Andrew is a member of the Class of ’ 89 . Post VCE , Andrew undertook tertiary study in the areas of building engineering and project management . After working for a number of years delivering various construction projects in Australia , Andrew took the deliberate step of moving into the international development sector to use his skills and experience to help children , families and communities live a better life .
This led Andrew to move overseas , during which time he led international development programs , including emergency responses to tsunamis in the Pacific , interventions to eradicate malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa , and innovative approaches to combat genderbased violence in Asia .
Andrew also spent time as National Director of World Vision in Senegal and Board Chair of VisionFund Senegal . During his time in Senegal , Andrew was pivotal in advocating for the establishment of the first Ministry of Child Protection , and to raising the legal age of marriage to better protect vulnerable girls .
In 2019 , Andrew was appointed CEO of Hagar International , a not-for-profit organisation working to free and heal communities from the trauma of human trafficking , modern slavery and abuse across Asia .
Andrew holds a PhD focused on effective community development approaches in Vietnam . He has also been a Master ’ s degree lecturer at RMIT University in Melbourne on project design , monitoring , evaluation and gender , all subjects for which he has a strong passion .
As can be seen from this resumé , Andrew has , over his career , sought to make a difference , both nationally and internationally , through his endeavours and actions , supporting those things that need supporting and challenging those things that need challenging .
Andrew fully exemplifies Scotch Spirit and is indeed a worthy recipient of this year ’ s Perelberg Award .
16 Great Scot Issue 161 – December 2020