BOARDING
SCHOOL CAPTAIN DION WHITFIELD ’ S THOUGHTS ON THE MANY FACETS OF SERVICE
MR TIM BYRNES DEAN OF BOARDING
SCHOOL CAPTAIN AND BOARDER
DION WHITFIELD
( LEFT ) WITH YEAR 8 BOARDER REUBEN WILTON AND DEAN
OF BOARDING MR TIM BYRNES
‘ SERVICE TO OTHERS IS A GIFT TO ONESELF ’
School Captain , Dion Whitfield , has a clear and determined view on leadership . ‘ Leadership is for the betterment of others , not the enrichment of the leader . It is all about service .’
Dion walks the talk and is a shining example of how powerful words and actions can be when delivered with authenticity and purpose . ‘ In my case it is service to my school , to each boy who wears the Scotch uniform , to my boarding brothers who share my home and life here , to the many groups and individuals who have trusted me to do this role , to my family and mentors who continue to support me and to the plethora of people in the Scotch Family .’
Dion came to Scotch through the Evonne Goolagong Foundation . The foundation uses tennis as a vehicle to promote better health and education outcomes for Indigenous children through access to high quality educational institutions . The foundation has a connection with Scotch : it recommended Dion for one of its educational scholarships and in 2021 Dion entered Scotch as a Year 11 boarding student , never imagining but quietly aspiring to the role he has now assumed as School Captain .
Scotch has a unique leadership process , where the Year 12 School Prefects are invited to apply for the position of School Captain for a Year 13 . This enables the appointed School Captain , on a reduced academic workload , to have bountiful
opportunity to influence the lives of the nearly 1900 boys who attend the college and the Scotch Family at large .
‘ I love the diversity of interactions my position allows ,’ Dion says . ‘ My role is to know the students at this school and while it ’ s time-consuming , I love getting to know them for who they are and hearing their stories . I attend various year camps and speak regularly to the student body . I work with the Old Scotch Collegians ’ Association to promote our alumni , and with the Scotch Foundation to ensure the educational experience and vision Scotch offers is both understood and supported .
‘ I meet with our Principal , Dr Scott Marsh , weekly as well as with other senior members of staff . The school is entering a new chapter in its history with his appointment as the 10th Principal of the school , and I sometimes feel like Dr Marsh and I have the opportunity to write the first few lines of this chapter together .’
Dion ’ s family resides in Armidale NSW and he is one of six children , having five sisters . He never really experienced homesickness when he came to Scotch , as COVID had isolated him from his family for two years . His parents and sisters were living in Western Australia throughout the COVID lockdown period and therefore they were unable to see Dion .
‘ While it was hard , it actually was helpful in my adjustment to boarding ,’ says Dion .
‘ I didn ’ t know anyone when I first came to Scotch , so it was important for me to get involved and meet others . Scotch was so welcoming and the staff so warm . Rachel , our House Manager , was like a second mum to me . I made myself go out and mingle , and use the amazing facilities rather than hibernate in my room .’
Dion is now a mentor to students still adjusting to life in a communal environment . Reuben Wilton ( Year 8 ) from Holbrook in NSW was one of those students who found the advice and guidance of Dion and his older housemates vital to his happy transition to living away from home . ‘ If I am having a bad day there are always mates I can have a chat with , kick a footy with or play a game of tennis ,’ he says . ‘ Life is good because I am at Scotch .’
Dean of Boarding , Mr Tim Byrnes , emphasises that leadership goes hand in hand with being a boarder . ‘ As a senior boarder it is incumbent on you to be accessible and approachable for the younger boys in your house .’
Dion sums up life as a Scotch boarder : ‘ The Hill is an open , inclusive and accepting community that brings people from different backgrounds , geography and circumstances together to make the Scotch experience the best it can be . Joining the Hill I didn ’ t really think about the people I would meet , but it has definitely been something that I appreciate more than I could have foreseen . I have made lifelong friends and connections I will value always .’
Dion has completed his VCE and has been accepted into the University of Melbourne next year to study Arts and Law where he has gained a Melbourne Chancellor ’ s Scholarship .
( MS JUDY DUFFY ( Boarding : Marketing and Communications ) interviewed Dion Whitfield and Reuben Wilton , and wrote this article for Great Scot .)
58 Great Scot Issue 168 – May 2023