LEFT TO RIGHT : YUP MENG QUEK ( YEAR 11 ) – SAGSE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT 2024 ; CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN (’ 18 ); ALEC USHER AND ED BLAMEY ( BOTH ’ 23 ) – ALL SAGSE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ; DR GERT REIFARTH ( HEAD OF GERMAN ).
UNITED IN A GERMAN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
sun gave a beautiful representation of Scottish golf , with warm weather and benign conditions . Despite its shorter length , the course has undulating greens , a key defence of the course . However , the weather would only go from strength to strength the next morning as we played the Fairmont Kittocks , a course with every blade of grass in the perfect place , and almost Australian firm and fast greens .
We then moved toward the East Lothian district , offering arguably Scotland ’ s best selection of golf courses . The next three days of golf were almost the strongest set of the trip : Dunbar , Killspindie and Gullane . Dunbar Golf Club was a jewel in the roster . It featured a sandstone wall dating back to before the course was created , enclosing the course ’ s opening holes , and separating those among the beachfront . With its undulating par fives and difficult par threes with the wind , Dunbar was an excellent display of Scottish links golf . Again , after the round we sat and enjoyed yet another early evening club dinner in the dining room .
After raiding the pro shop and hanging our candies in the over 150-year-old locker rooms , we set foot onto Killspindie .
Rounding off the East Lothian leg was Gullane , host of the 2018 Scottish Open . After a briefing with the starter , Steve , we were thrown onto a tough tack . The course was in mint condition with greens firm and fast . Waterfront views and rolling hills were the perfect scene for one of our final rounds of golf .
Returning to Edinburgh , the afternoon culminated in watching England win a penalty shootout in the Euros in the cosy clubhouse .
A huge thanks to the school , most notably Mr Smithers , Ms Morrison , and Mr Noble for making this trip a reality . The efforts of getting this trip to work has meant we can have lifelong memories and experiences with current and new mates . It was an unbelievable opportunity for us to go on a trip of this calibre , and that is all thanks to the school and the staff making it happen .
HARRY RITCHIE – YEAR 12
Each year since 1967 , Scholarships for Australian-German Student Exchange ( SAGSE ) has been awarding scholarships to Australian students in Years 11 and 12 to travel to Germany for 10 weeks during the summer . This program aims to give students an insight into a foreign culture and build friendships between young people in Australia and Germany .
Applicants from Scotch have a strong tradition of success in the rigorous selection process , spanning more than five decades . This success continued on 18 October during the presentation of Victoria ’ s scholarship winners for 2024 , which was held at the rooftop of 370 St Kilda Road , the address of Melbourne ’ s Honorary German Consulate . Yup Meng Quek ( Year 11 ) was chosen next to nine other applicants . Also present were no less than four previous scholarship holders from our school . One of them , Dr Richard Sicree , was awarded a scholarship in 1971 , the same year he finished his education at Scotch .
Scholarship winners often refer to their time in Germany as the best time of their lives , and stress the huge influence their experience had on how they plan their future . They also say how they feel united with fellow recipients , not only in a love for Germany and its language and culture , but also as young people versed in and sensitive to intercultural encounters .
Congratulations to Yup Meng , and may our school ’ s tradition of SAGSE scholarship success continue .
Hans Henkell , owner of the business which will act as a sponsor for Yup Meng , also has a connection to Scotch : his sons Otto (’ 01 ) and Karl (’ 04 ) attended our school two decades ago .
GERT REIFARTH – HEAD OF GERMAN
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 45