FOUNDATION
ABOVE : DR ALAN WATKINSON AND ABOVE RIGHT ; ASTRIDA COOPER
of the highest quality to be part of the regular Scotch landscape .
The formal opening of the completed James Forbes Academy by the Chairman of the School Council , Michael Robinson AO (’ 55 ) took place on 16 February 2005 , with Professor Warren Bebbington , Dean of the Faculty of Music at the University of Melbourne , as the guest speaker .
The opening and celebrations were on par with the street party which heralded the opening of the Language and Culture Centre in 1995 . Hundreds of people crowded around the newly-named Old Scotch Square for the formalities , before joining guided tours around this amazing ‘ Academy ’, and to be treated to musical performances , dramatic interludes and plenty of food and drink .
The one truly sad note about the opening of the JFA was the absence of Campbell McComas himself . Having driven the project since its inception in 1998 , and having taken on the presidency of the Foundation in 2001 , Campbell became ill in 2004 , and was succeeded as President by Michael Stillwell (’ 68 ). Cam hosted the ‘ soft opening ’ of the Music School in 2002 and was delighted to host a very special preview of Stage Two of the JFA in December 2004 . To everyone ’ s shock , Campbell McComas died on 8 January 2005 , just one month before the JFA was officially opened .
In 2001 there had been major staff changes in the Foundation . Peter Crook and Margaret Long announced their retirements , bringing to a conclusion an incredibly effective and productive partnership which had helped move the Foundation from a group of enthusiastic and energetic volunteers , to a well resourced , centrally located and sleekly efficient professional development team .
Peter Joyce also retired as President of the Foundation , to be succeeded by Campbell McComas , whose infectious energy kept driving the JFA campaign . Leigh McGregor announced his forthcoming retirement as Executive Director of OSCA , and Tim Shearer (’ 85 ) was appointed to replace him in 2002 .
Dr Alan Watkinson , who had come to Scotch as Head of English in 1985 , was appointed the new Director of Development in 2001 , and was joined by Tania Castles as Operations Manager . In 2003 , Tania resigned and
Astrida Cooper ( at that time a Vice President of the Foundation ) became Operations Manager .
Further changes were on the horizon for Scotch as the entire family celebrated the enormous achievements of the building program which had taken place ; and internally the Foundation recognised the achievement of having created a further 14 named scholarships as well as even more prizes .
In early 2007 , Gordon Donaldson AM announced his forthcoming retirement , having alerted the Council to his intentions during 2006 . As the eighth Principal of Scotch College , Gordon served the School for 25 years , and his imminent retirement created a transition period in which no new major capital projects would be undertaken .
The boys and the whole community had been a little battered by eight years of non-stop building works , and so a small pause in capital works projects was welcomed in some quarters . This did not mean the cessation of fundraising activities , of course , and emphasis was switched in 2006 and 2007 to bolstering the School ’ s scholarships and general endowments . The Foundation also became much more intentional in seeking support for the future of the School through bequests .
In 2003 , Michael Robinson officially launched the Alexander Morrison Circle , the bequest society for the School , which would become the focal point for all those thinking of leaving a gift to Scotch in their wills . Michael and guest speaker David Copolov (‘ 68 ) made the first two public commitments to the Circle , and many more guests made similar pledges during the evening . Since then , more than 150 people have joined the Circle , an indication not only of the affection in which they hold the School , but also of their belief in the vision for the future of Scotch College .
In 2007 , after six years as Director of Development , and 23 years at Scotch College , Alan Watkinson resigned and moved to Trinity College at the University of Melbourne as the college ’ s Director of Advancement . Astrida Cooper was appointed as the Acting Director of Development and continued in that role until 2009 when she too moved to Trinity College to continue working with Alan .
The legacy of this decade is clear for all to see . The JFA stands proud and has continued to produce outstanding musicians , wonderful concerts and highly professional theatrical productions . The Lithgow Centre remains the beating academic heart of the Senior School . The administration of Scotch still operates from the Randall Building ( though OSCA has moved to the newly-completed OSCA House ), and the work of the Foundation and OSCA continues unabated , to ensure that Scotch remains at the forefront of education across Australia .
DR ALAN WATKINSON – FORMER DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
68 Great Scot Issue 161 – December 2020