FOUNDATION
ASSOC . PROF . DOUG LORDING AM (' 64 ) PRESIDENT OF THE SCOTCH COLLEGE FOUNDATION
DON MOYES
(' 50 ) AND MAX ERRINGTON (' 56 ) AT THE FORBES
SOCIETY LUNCH ON 28
FEBRUARY
A YEAR TO CELEBRATE
SPECIAL EVENTS MARK FOUNDATION ’ S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Back in 1973 , our sixth Principal , Colin Healey OBE , with the support of some influential Old Boys led by Sir Laurence Muir (’ 41 ) set up the Scotch College Foundation . It was an ambitious move to secure financial support for the school , come what may , but I doubt they would have envisaged the impact that decision has had on generations of our students .
This year we rightly celebrate our 50th anniversary . Our President ’ s Dinner on 11 May will have this as its focus , and later in the year we ’ ll have another celebratory event . The Foundation currently has 1885 members , and during the year each will receive a book containing the history of the Foundation .
I ’ m not going to expand on the history here , but for those wanting a heads-up , I recommend reading ( re-reading ) the series of four articles written by Dr Alan Watkinson , Director of Development 2001-2007 and published in Great Scot editions 159 ( May 2020 ) to 162 ( April 2021 ).
As I see it , there are two principal reasons for the success of our Foundation . Alexander ( Sandy ) Murdoch (’ 58 ), who was Foundation President from 1982-1990 , said : ‘ All Old Boys have an obligation to support the school in whatever way they can , to ensure that those who come afterwards have the same opportunity they had ’.
That has been the way , but one must ask : why did they support the school ? Their own lived experience of Scotch must be a major factor in addition to the opportunities for connecting through OSCA and the overarching Scotch Family . And it ’ s not just past students who have embraced this philosophy ; non-Old Boy parents of current students are increasingly supporting the Foundation .
Of course , people need to see merit in contributing . Scottish author Compton Mackenzie , in his 1919 book Poor Relations , when discussing the selection of gifts said : ‘ It is necessary to find something that excites the donor as much as it is likely to excite the recipient ’.
The projects that have received so much generous support over the last decade have undoubtedly excited the donors . Transformational buildings , such as the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science and the Spencer Centre for Design and Technology , securing our Archives and a home for OSCA in the Tolson
Centre , a proper dining facility for our boys in the Keon-Cohen Dining Hall , and endowing scholarships for 10 Indigenous students to strengthen and broaden our school community , have certainly been exciting projects . There is already much anticipation around a Main Oval Pavilion and the Michael Robinson Mathematics Centre , named in honour of Michael Robinson AO (’ 55 ), one of Scotch ’ s foremost contributors .
Add the fact that we have a dedicated and experienced staff , all of whom embrace a philosophy of caring , not just asking , and it ’ s not surprising we were top of the school fundraising table recently published in the Herald Sun . Scotch is a fortunate school , and we are the envy of others . As an aside , I felt the downside of that table of donations received was how far the major girls ’ schools lag behind .
It has been business as usual in the first part of this year . After our Endowed Funds Committee had viewed the financial outcome for 2022 , we were able to commit to the school funding for 10.75 EFT equivalent new scholarships for 2024 . In addition , nearly half a million dollars will be available from funds supporting the library , music , staff and prizes , and a further $ 350,000 will be given across to be used at the school ’ s discretion .
On 15 February there was an enjoyable East Melbourne Glen Chapter cocktail party , hosted by Ken Jasper AM (’ 55 ), and on 28 February our 10th Principal , Dr Scott Marsh was introduced to the Forbes Society members over lunch in the Cardinal Pavilion . These events are an integral part of the Foundation ’ s work .
The Foundation will elect its next President when the committee meets after our 11 May AGM . I ’ ll be stepping aside at that point . I ’ ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as President . It ’ s been a privilege to work with so many talented people on the Foundation Board , and with our Foundation team led by Tim Shearer (’ 85 ). The work of Sandra Dick , Rebecca Mortimer , Lisa Sheard , Hugh Wilson (’ 65 ) and David Ashton (’ 65 ) underpins our activities .
In my time , the Foundation has enjoyed great support from the former Principal , Tom Batty and the School Executive , and the Council chairs Hon Dr David Kemp AC (’ 59 ) and Alex Sloan (’ 71 ). I ’ m grateful for their support and also for the support I ’ ve received from the Foundation membership generally . There is more excitement ahead .
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 59