FEATURES
THE TOLSON CENTRE IS OPENED AND NAMED
‘ OUR HISTORY IS SECURE ,
TOP PICTURES : THREE OF THE SPEAKERS AT THE TOLSON CENTRE OPENING : LEFT : SCHOOL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN , ALEX SLOAN (’ 71 ); RIGHT , TOP : MARK TOLSON (’ 73 ); RIGHT , BOTTOM : SCOTCH FOUNDATION PRESIDENT , ASSOC PROF DOUG LORDING AM (’ 64 ). BOTTOM PICTURE , LEFT TO RIGHT : SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TOM BATTY , SCHOOL CAPTAIN NIK TSOURVAKAS (’ 20 ), BILL MORGAN (’ 34 ), ALEX SLOAN (’ 71 ), MARK TOLSON (’ 73 ), ANDREW TOLSON (’ 69 ), OSCA CHAPLAIN GRAHAM BRADBEER .
In scenes reminiscent of the opening of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science in October 2016 , the Tolson Centre at Scotch was opened and named on the cool , clear evening of 6 May 2021 , in front of an enthusiastic Scotch Family gathering in Morrison Street .
Incorporating the Scotch Archives and Museum , OSCA House and the Scotch Shop , the Tolson Centre is named in honour of the pioneering Scotch Archivist , Geoffrey Samuel Tolson (’ 41 ).
An electrical engineer , Geoff became the Managing Director of his family company , W Tolson Pty Ltd . He was a member of the OSCA Council from 1972 to 1985 , and OSCA President in 1983 . Geoff was elected an OSCA Honorary Life Member in 1992 .
As inaugural Archivist , from 1985 Geoff searched every nook and cranny , advertised in newspapers , and called on the Scotch Family to donate items that form the basis of today ’ s Archives and Museum . He retired as Archivist in 1992 . Geoff ’ s links with , interest in , and devotion to Scotch continued until his death on 15 June 2019 .
Guests at the official opening and naming ceremony on 6 May included Tolson family members , former OSCA Executive Director , Leigh McGregor (’ 55 ) and McGregor family members ; and
16 Great Scot Issue 163 – September 2021