OSCA
MR ANDREW WILSON (' 78 ) OSCA PRESIDENT
A CHALLENGING YEAR , BUT OSCA THRIVES
OSCA looks to retaining the insights and benefits of its 2020 experience
OUTGOING OSCA PRESIDENT JAMES DOUGLAS (’ 84 , RIGHT ) HANDS THE TRADITIONAL BOTTLE OF ALEX FRASER ATHOLL BROSE OVER TO INCOMING PRESIDENT ANDREW WILSON (’ 78 ) AT THE OSCA VIRTUAL AGM
The year 2020 has been ( and still is ) challenging for nearly everyone – but OSCA adapted quickly and is positioned to thrive .
OSCA suddenly found itself deprived of its heartbeat – the rhythm of dinners , reunions and club routines – and even of access to the School site . As everyone knows , the horizon initially seemed like a few weeks but soon became prolonged and indefinite .
Few had even heard of Zoom technology , but overnight OSCA Council and its committees were meeting that way , and in many ways they became better connected . We could see each other at a much wider range of times , and with easier scheduling . In February we wondered whether we could realistically coopt Ed Meggitt (’ 86 ) from Alexandra , but within weeks such questions of geographic separation disappeared . Overall outputs increased .
The prevailing community view is that we just want the pandemic to end so we can return to ‘ life as normal ’. OSCA is considering , however , what is practical and desirable so that we retain the insights and benefits of our 2020 experience .
In that light , OSCA Council has used the hiatus in routines as an opportunity to embrace a digital future faster . This includes bedding down the OSCAconnect platform , becoming agile in running niche events online , and developing metrics about connectivity .
The strategy that OSCA Council approved in 2019 included an element called ‘ provide world-class digital engagement ’. More recently we added a ( now surprisingly ) overlooked detail ‘ video conferencing ’, and we introduced explicit reference to cultivating a worthy sense of Scotch identity , belonging and pride . We named
the latter The Cardinal Thread , which is the subject of a separate article in this issue .
OSCA ’ s series of live interviews , called OSCA Live , continued throughout 2020 and allowed OSCA to reach beyond the limitations of geographic distance . The recordings are available at OSCAconnect . com . au .
A highlight of 2020 has been the initiative of the Young Old Boys ( YOBs ) in reaching into the Year 12 group and running sessions on what those boys might expect next year . Their work fits well with OSCA ’ s broader initiative , that of OSCA Thrive , where OSCA has mapped out a series of targeted events to address key needs within each of those first few years of leaving school . The needs have been identified by interviewing YOBs with fresh experience of those years .
OSCA Council exists to support and stimulate the initiative of OSCA itself . OSCA is not its Council – it ’ s the myriad of informal connections and the labours of countless Old Boys . Much of Council ’ s work is now done by the coopted members of committees – whether it be governance , communications , events , clubs or alumni relations . The activity is both rewarding and beneficial , so if you ’ d like to contribute then please let us know .
At our AGM in November Marty Barr (‘ 96 ) and James Douglas (‘ 84 ) retired from Council . Their service has been tremendous , and we look forward to their continued informal involvement . Marty is not least a legend in the fine art of sourcing high-profile guest speakers then ( and this is the hard part ) making sure that space in their busy schedules stays free until their speech is delivered .
James has been an outstanding OSCA President , and his terrific blend of stability , initiative and drive has enabled OSCA to thrive throughout 2019 and 2020 . In 2020 the cancelled events program meant that he was never seen in person , which is a great shame , but he was widely present the previous year and will no doubt be available for a chat at many future events . We look forward to seeing him and wish him and his family the very best .
I hope we can all celebrate Christmas and the New Year in ways that acknowledge the challenges of 2020 and reset ourselves for the year ahead .
5 . www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 69