families who shared times , wits and laughter , thinking differently to most and mostly about different things .
The people you meet .
To Scotch courtesy of two outstanding leaders who have served school , families and country with distinction , and from whom I have had the privilege to continue to learn . Love and lasting friendship through sadness and loss with a dear family and a wonderful chaplain . Dreams for school being made real by minds and resolve forged at the Wimbledon high ball , the fitness regimes of Sydney ’ s West , the hostelries of downtown Harrogate , the far reaches of Whittlesea and the perspicacity born of flight by boat as a child .
Wonderful boys and young men doing wonderful things . Strong people speaking openly of their loves and fears . Plotting with a determined coach and Jolly Boating Weather at Henley . Boys winning competitions , helping those in need , hiking through the night and leading orchestras . Tiwi elders and a passionate Tiwi woman and Melbourne man who set about saving their community with a school : ‘ there is no Plan B ’. Men too many bearing the pain of abuse . A boy and his mum who loved each other but didn ’ t know it . The first female prime minister of Australia . A wonderful 106-year-old Old Boy with a love of rugby and his heart with God . A former Lancaster pilot who bombed Germany as my mum was bombed out in Liverpool . A British Consul who introduced me to a friend in a Richmond pub , who turned out to be the son of a German soldier who had fought at Stalingrad and had bounced my new born daughter on his knee at a dinner at Eton . An outstanding history teacher with a love of football and World War II , who makes educational games for his students , but would never sell them for fear they lose advantage . Decent people . Quietly , skilfully , slowly , biding time and , piece by piece , like a bird at its nest , putting together a programme to change the lives of Indigenous people . Young teachers still crossing the seas , experiencing loss and love and driving the journey on . A new friend on a tractor with a love of the beautiful game and a belief in humanity . A talented young teacher who chose to direct her skill and passion to the students of Tiwi College . A physicist with an imaginative mind , sense of fun and a love of volleyball . Big hearted colleagues needing care for their big hearts . A boy with an oboe holding a Dulwich audience in the palm of his hand . An exchange to Washington finding first love and one to South Africa finding relatives . Boys with learning difficulties pushing through challenges and claiming reward . A celebrated conductor , an Olympic great 800m runner and scientists who have changed lives . Parent generosity by the Yarra , Thames , Huangpu , Hudson and Harbour . A young lad with a truck , sharp mind and self-belief who built a logistics dynasty . A leader of tennis and an airline always generous with her time and advocacy for women ’ s rights . Boarding families , who understand education , share its joy and rally around when the cold wind blows . Elders and dancers from Wadeye at Presentation Night . People who live their faith quietly and for others . Children off away finding their classical and scientific paths meeting those , who in turn , will shape their lives .
Young people and dear friends taken too soon . The people you meet .
This Scotch of 2022 brought together boys with journeys set in Mildura , Hong Kong , Camberwell , Armadale and Armidale , Gol Gol , Axe Creek and Colbinabbin , Thailand , Malaysia , China , Singapore and Vietnam , Hawthorn , Kew and Cairns , Holbrook and Bendigo , and Waratah and Sandy Bays . The stories of parents and staff span the corners and the cultures of the world . They will collide , entwine , inspire , occasionally tread on each other ’ s toes and frustrate , and they will flourish , forging opportunity , love and hope .
In my final Scotch scholarship interview , I met a quirky , shy Year 8 boy , hoping with his mother for that twist of fate that changes a life ’ s course . His face seemed all glasses and mask as he fidgeted on the couch .
I asked him whether he thought it more important to do the right thing or the kind thing .
He paused , looked about the room wistfully and replied , ‘ The kind thing ’. ‘ Why ?’ I enquired . And he told me : ‘ Because , when you do the kind thing , you know in your heart it ’ s the right thing .’
The people you meet . Thank you . www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 7