HONOURING SCOTCH ’ S FORMER TEACHER-IN- CHARGE OF ROWING
RACING EIGHT TOM BOWEN NAMED IN SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
Members of the family of former Scotch teacher , Tom Bowen came to School Assembly on Friday 17 February for the naming of a racing eight , the Tom Bowen , in Tom ’ s honour . Tom , who died in 2022 , was a member of Scotch ’ s teaching staff from 1991 , and Teacher-in-Charge of Rowing from 2001 until his retirement in 2019 .
The ceremony first took place in Memorial Hall and later in the Quadrangle , where the boat had been set up . Tom ’ s wife Sandra , daughter Claire , son Edward (’ 04 ), daughter-in-law , Caroline and other members of the Bowen family attended the Assembly and the official naming in the Quadrangle .
Speaking on behalf of the Bowen family in Assembly , Edward spoke of his father ’ s passion for education , and the pride that he and his family have in Tom ’ s achievements .
In the Quadrangle , Caroline Bowen named the Tom Bowen , with Bowen family members , Scotch ’ s 1st VIII Coach and Director of Rowing , Tom Woodruff , and Scotch staff and boys watching .
At Scotch , Tom Bowen taught Commerce and Information Technology , and he was a form teacher , tutor and football coach , but his real passion was rowing . He coached many junior rowers . As Teacher-in-Charge of Rowing , Tom ’ s strong organisational skills , dedicated hard work and countless hours of toil in our very large Boat Club was a significant reason why Scotch Rowing enjoyed such outstanding success over the past 20 years .
In Tom ’ s time as Teacher-in-Charge , the Scotch 1st Crew won the Head of the River 14 times . It is no coincidence that Tom Bowen ’ s work behind the scenes coincided with such sustained sporting excellence .
The Scotch 1st VIII rowed in the Tom Bowen in all regattas this season , including the Head of the River at Nagambie on 25 March . ( See the Head of the River article in the Senior School sport section of this edition .)
ABOVE : CAROLINE BOWEN NAMES THE
TOM BOWEN
RIGHT : BOWEN FAMILY MEMBERS
WITH MEMBERS OF SCOTCH ' S
1ST CREW
FAR RIGHT : BOWEN FAMILY MEMBERS www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 39