OSCA
TOP : ENG HWA TAN WITH OLD SCOTCH BADMINTON CLUB MEMBERS ABOVE : MARK PURVIS (’ 75 ) WITH OLD SCOTCH ATHLETICS CLUB MEMBERS
While Eng was unable to continue playing badminton regularly when he arrived in Melbourne as a student in 1970 due to the sport ’ s lack of popularity locally , he returned to the sport in 2001 when his son , Danny (’ 04 ), began playing for Scotch College .
This coincided with a successful period for Scotch College badminton , during which the school won 10 APS badminton championships over 12 years . Eng played an integral role in this success , as his outstanding commitment and contribution to the Old Scotch Badminton Club stretches further back than the club ’ s founding . Not only does Eng volunteer his time in helping to coach the boys , but he is also their ‘ superfan ’: he has not missed attending an APS badminton fixture since 2005 !
Since the founding of the club in 2013 , Eng has not only been a member , but also faithfully served as its Treasurer . A Chartered Accountant by trade , the club ’ s records are kept in meticulous order , which has ensured the smooth operation of its activities , ranging from its weekly competitive socials to social gatherings celebrating various festivals and occasions . Through his sustained efforts over the years , Eng has promoted badminton within the Old Scotch community and also among the wider Scotch Family , helping many boys to find their passion for badminton and to continue this beyond the Scotch gates .
MARK PURVIS (‘ 75 ) first came to prominence as a distance runner in the 1970s . Here he learned the joys of duelling with other APS competitors , a commitment which would continue through the next six decades . After being a general athlete during the ’ 70s , he was bitten by the marathon bug and upped his training , becoming a very good marathon runner through the ’ 80s . His best time was two hours 24 minutes in Tokyo in 1992 as an Australian team representative .
A strong competitor over the years , Mark ’ s enthusiasm has been a driving force steering the club : he has made sure the Old Scotch Athletics Club has stayed alive and well . His great consistency during the ‘ 80s , ‘ 90s and ‘ 00s assisted the club to win numerous Associated Public Schools Old Collegians team victories . He has served on the committee since 1987 and was President for six years from 1990 . He continues to produce the club ’ s Facebook page and was the instigator and producer of the club ’ s history publication , Red Singlets on the Line .
Mark has been the organiser and director of APS United , which has had a large input of Old Scotch athletes .
He has always enthusiastically developed new talent : many athletes have
72 Great Scot Issue 168 – May 2023