OSCA
A TARTAN FOR THE SCOTCH FAMILY
The Scotch Family now has a tartan ! It ’ s a colourful symbol of Scotch ’ s Scottish heritage and values , and of how Scotch ’ s many threads weave together .
Many from the Scotch Family have wanted to wear a tartan but have felt that this may not be appropriate . Sometimes the difficulty is about choosing between multiple strands of Scottish ancestry , but more often it ’ s about not having Scottish ancestry and believing , correctly , that one should not wear a tartan that belongs to another clan .
The new tartan , however , may be freely worn by anyone from the Scotch Family – which is metaphorically the clan associated with Scotch College , Melbourne .
The School itself will continue to use the Gordon tartan . The Cadet Unit and Pipes and Drums Band use that tartan because of the School ' s special link with the 5 / 6th Battalion , Royal Victoria Regiment , which maintains the traditions of the former Victorian Scottish Regiment , in which numerous Old Scotch Collegians enlisted .
As the Principal , Tom Batty , says : ‘ The many strands of the Scotch Family ' s tartan draw tight the rich tapestry of our community – our past , our traditions and our aspirations . Illuminating the shimmering hue of the complex weave is not least a Cardinal Thread , as uniquely entwined as each Scotch boy .’
The new tartan was professionally designed in Scotland , with several members of the Scotch Family giving keen advice . Of an initial six options three were readily disregarded and the remaining three were improved . Opinions differed , but the final option received overwhelming support .
The chosen design strongly represents the School ’ s colours of cardinal , gold and blue . It excels in a variety of lighting , and it suits any age of wearer .
The main thrust of the project has been to determine a tartan design – but that quickly leads to the question of how the design will be used . To that effect the manufacture in Scotland of two bolts of cloth has been commissioned – and a block of time has been reserved for an initial batch of kilts , or trews , to be made to order by a specialist kilt-maker in Queensland . Pre-orders have already been received for most of the first bolt , and further orders are now being accepted . Other types of item and other fabrics may also be envisioned .
As Scotch Foundation Executive Director , Tim Shearer (’ 85 ), notes : ‘ Our own tartan has been needed for many years , so it is terrific to see one finally designed .’
A kilt of the Scotch Family would make an excellent personal present – and , if cared for , can last a lifetime . It may add life to a wedding , special occasion , or event such as OSCA ’ s Annual Dinner or the Melbourne Tartan Festival ’ s Gala Dinner .
The tartan has been developed by OSCA in a project led collaboratively by John Jeffreys (’ 69 ). A protocol will govern how the tartan may be used .
If you would like to order a kit or trews , please contact the OSCA office for an order form .
70 Great Scot