MR TIM SHEARER (' 85 ) DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT , FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CYRIL (‘ JUNIOR ’) RIOLI (’ 07 )
SOMETHING SPECIAL IS HAPPENING AT SCOTCH … AGAIN
On Tuesday 8 June the Scotch Family is encouraged to rally together to raise $ 1.5M to create the Cyril Rioli Indigenous Scholarship , which will endow in perpetuity two full Indigenous scholarships at Scotch . The 24-hour campaign will be launched at a dinner at Leonda on Monday 7 June where Indigenous advocate Dean Parkin will be guest speaker , and we hope Cyril (’ 07 ) will attend as guest of honour .
Cyril was awarded the first Scotch College Indigenous
Scholarship in 2004 . Today , 26 Indigenous students have graduated from Scotch with their VCE , thanks to the generosity of the School and the Scotch community .
The Scotch College Indigenous Program aims to embed Indigenous and non-Indigenous students , staff and the broader school community in the foundational belief that education is both the key and hope for the future of Indigenous Australians .
Our Indigenous Scholarship Program ensures that , during the most influential years of their lives , some 1880 Scotch boys have opportunity to learn from , and develop friendships with , Indigenous students .
In the last 15 years , 26 Indigenous students have successfully completed Year 12 , and have enriched the School ’ s social , academic , sporting and other co-curricular activities and programs .
At Scotch these boys develop the skills and the confidence to walk in both worlds of contemporary Australia . Scotch takes an innovative approach to community partnerships , academic support and mentorship . Fundamental to this is the support , encouragement and mentoring the boys receive from Scotch staff .
We measure our success not only by completion rates , but also by the positive choices that our graduates have made in their lives beyond Scotch . By having access to a Scotch education , students taking part in the program can become role models in their own communities .
Cyril , or Junior as he is widely known , needs little introduction . Prior to beginning at Scotch in 2004 , he attended a primary school on Melville Island and St John ’ s College in Darwin . He was a Scotch student from 2004 until 2007 and made the most of his time here ,
Creating the Cyril Rioli Indigenous Scholarship in a 24-hour campaign
making many friends , and impressing all with his warmth and his humble nature .
Cyril said before arriving at Scotch he didn ’ t know what to expect . ‘ Mum told me I would be away for six months , but it turned out to be four years !’ he said . ‘ Before coming down to Melbourne I saw lots of photos of Scotch , and it reminded me of Harry Potter .’
After a difficult period settling in at Scotch , Cyril blossomed . ‘ It was massive ,’ he said . ‘ There were so many likeable people everywhere , particularly up on the Hill . Playing footy was really good for me : it gave me something to aim for each weekend . The people were really friendly and outgoing . I became close to many boys on the Hill who were in the same position as me , being away from their families . The day boys were also really welcoming to me , and I am still close friends with many of my school friends today .’
He confesses to being challenged in the classroom . ‘ I struggled in the classroom . It was a real shock , but the teachers were really helpful and supportive . The other boys were , too . It took me about a year to get comfortable , but I would strongly recommend the experience to anyone .’
Cyril went on to have a remarkable career at the Hawthorn Football Club , playing 189 games from 2008 to 2018 , including four AFL premierships , and winning the Norm Smith Medal for best afield in the 2015 AFL Grand Final against the West Coast Eagles . He now resides in the Tiwi Islands with his wife , Shannyn , and other members of the wider Rioli family .
On Tuesday 8 June we have just 24 hours to open the doors to Scotch for Indigenous students in perpetuity . All donations made on the day will be tax deductible , and will be quadrupled , thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our pool of matched givers .
If you would like to support this important initiative by joining our pool of matched givers and making a five-year tax deductible pledge at any of the Scotch College Foundation giving levels , Director of Development Tim Shearer would love to hear from you . If you are interested in attending the fundraising dinner on Monday 7 June at Leonda , please contact Penny Nicholls via email at penny @ thermovieweast . com . au . Otherwise , we look forward to your support on Tuesday 8 June .
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 49