EDITORIAL
CHRISTOPHE TAYLOR EDITOR GREAT SCOT
As we celebrate the Memorial Hall ’ s centenary , I could not think of a better symbol that embodies ‘ a Scotch life ’. It is indeed within its sanctuary that we congregate three times a week for our school assemblies , to pray and listen to the important Christian addresses from our Chaplains , as well as to recognise the many achievements of our boys .
More importantly , as you will read within this edition of Great Scot , on the walls are the clear reminders of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country ; Memorial Hall acting as a solemn place of worship and respect to those heroic past students and staff . In addition , the paintings of past Principals and Vice Principals bring to mind the importance of the outstanding leadership that Scotch College has benefited from over its 171-year history . And on its stage students pass the torch on to each other , during a final ceremony that signals their departure from the School .
However , our boys never truly leave Scotch , and neither do the staff . Recently , I have been reflecting on all the variables , all
the pieces of the puzzle in other words , that constitute the life of a Scotch student , from when his name is put down , often a few days after his birth , to when he leaves the School in Year 12 having completed his VCE examinations . The number of people who have an impact on his upbringing is indeed quite staggering .
More so , I was deliberating on the profound attachment that Old Boys have to the School and the many opportunities to reconnect , notably with the support and initiatives of OSCA , the Scotch Foundation and beyond . It would not be unusual to cross paths with a former student now coaching a sports team or helping out on the Hill , such as Tom Whiting (’ 18 ) who you can read about in the Boarding section of this issue .
Old Scotch Collegians are married in the Littlejohn Memorial Chapel . Reunions take place within the School grounds , such as those presented within the pages of this edition . Many return to share their experiences as special guests of our assemblies , such as Mr Hugh Kingsley (’ 72 ), whose Human Rights gameboard was presented to our current students . And what better example of kinship than the boys singing Happy Birthday , during assembly , to our oldest known Old Boy and oldest known male Victorian , the Rev Bill Morgan (’ 34 ). In all humility , evidently Scotch College is very good at celebrating and hosting its own , acting as a reassuring presence in the life of so many .
There are numerous moments in this edition that testify to the Scotch Spirit : Director of Development , Tim Shearer ’ s (’ 85 ) reminder about how ‘ no-one got poorer
by giving ’; the bonding during lockdown between OSCA Chaplain Graham Bradbeer and the Rev Bill Morgan ; Scott Montgomery (’ 85 ) surviving cardiac arrest , supported by the community and now in turn , ensuring that we all learn from his ordeal ( see the article on defibrillators ); Donald Graham McDonald ’ s (’ 40 ) daughter , Sue , reminding us in his obituary of his donation of funds for pipe organ tuition throughout his life ; or Bruce Morey ' s OAM (' 52 ) 1950 recording of Bach ' s C Minor Fantasia at the School ' s Foundation Day Concert , being played 72 years later during his funeral .
So what does ‘ a Scotch life ’ mean to you ? For , as we all well know , it isn ’ t just former students who are attached to this institution ; in fact so many people play a vital part , help to build and also benefit from being part of the Scotch Family . Be it a mother helping at the Family Day stall , a teacher doing some late night marking , a young Old Boy coming to coach his rugby team , a Head of House on the Hill helping a boarder with his homework , a cadet coming home from camp , a father coming back to the School grounds for his 20 year reunion , a grandparent who makes a donation to the School , a School Council member giving precious hours to help shape a School policy or a parent dropping off her son before heading off to work ; our shared narratives inform us that we are blessed to have this extraordinary place , not only characterised by its history and Presbyterian ethos , but also by its extraordinary people who contribute to forging ‘ a Scotch life ’.
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FOUNDATION ART SHOW Exciting event rallying artists and the Scotch Family for a great cause
OSCA MEMORIAL HALL CENTENARY A celebration in style for the heart and soul of our campus
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ARCHIVES : SCOTCH BLAZER TURNS 90 Our school uniform has a unique history
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 1