FOUNDATION
ASSOC . PROF . DOUG LORDING AM (' 64 ) PRESIDENT OF THE SCOTCH COLLEGE FOUNDATION
REFLECTING ON OUR EXPERIENCES , THEN ONWARDS INTO 2022
MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO , DESPITE COVID ’ S DOMINATION OF THE AIRWAVES
Not surprisingly , Vax has been nominated as the Oxford Dictionary ’ s word of the year . Milestones have been measured in percentages of over 16 year olds who are double vaxxed , and the 12-16 year olds are now fast catching up . News has remained dominated by COVID statistics , and the main controversies have been around the rights of the non-vaxxed . You could be forgiven for thinking that nothing else was going on in the world .
One important anniversary that didn ’ t go unnoticed was ‘ time ’ s nicked its hundred and seventieth notch ’ – Scotch ’ s 170th birthday , 6 October . Unfortunately the Foundation Day Concert had to be abandoned again ,
much to the disappointment of boys , staff , parents and Old Boys . This is such a joyous celebration , showcasing the musical talents of so many at the School , and a reminder of our heritage .
However we didn ’ t let the anniversary pass without appropriate acknowledgement . Director of Development , Tim Shearer (’ 85 ) and I sent an email to all our Foundation members and others noting the challenges that the School has dealt with in the past , our resilience , and the fact that we have much to look forward to .
We also took the opportunity to thank all those whose generosity has made Scotch what it is today . We said : ‘ So much at Scotch has been achieved through the generosity of the Scotch Family . The facilities which current boys enjoy , and the majority of scholarships and prizes offered , are largely the result of the generosity of generations who have invested in our boys and their School .
‘ In essence , the Scotch of today is largely the result of a longstanding philanthropic commitment by many people . As a past supporter of Scotch College and the Scotch College Foundation , we write to you at this challenging time to thank you sincerely for your part in making Scotch what it is today .’
Since I last wrote , the Foundation has received a bequest from the estate of Keith Pralle (’ 28 ). A scholarship has been established in his name , and the balance of the $ 2.8 million bequest has been added to the Foundation Corpus . Our Corpus is a repository for monies that come directly to the Foundation without a specified purpose , as well as some retained earnings . Half of the annual income of the Corpus is passed on to the School for use at its discretion . Clearly the larger the Corpus grows , the more the School benefits .
As contributions to the Corpus are not tax deductible , a bequest is an ideal way of contributing to this important fund . The Alexander Morrison Circle was established in 2003 to recognise all those who have indicated that they are making a bequest to one of the College ’ s funds . It currently has 163 members . Bequest Manager , Sandra Dick is always happy to talk to anyone considering including Scotch College , or the Scotch College Foundation , in their will , and next year we will resume information luncheons for those interested in learning more .
We are now living ‘ COVID normal ’, and with Christmas and the school holidays before us I sincerely hope there are no further setbacks . On behalf of the Foundation I hope that all of our 1866 Foundation members and all the rest of the Scotch community are able to enjoy being with their families and friends over this time of celebration . Hopefully we can all reflect on our experiences of the last 18 months and carry forward some lessons learnt into 2022 .
58 Great Scot Issue 164 – December 2021