FEATURES
1.1 MILLION REASONS TO CELEBRATE A SUCCESSFUL SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCH
THE SCOTCH COLLEGE FOUNDATION RAISES MORE THAN $ 1.1M IN 24 HOURS TO FUND THE GOOLAGONG-CAWLEY SCHOLARSHIP
◍
Kooyong Tennis Club was the venue for the spectacular launch of the Goolagong-Cawley First Nations Scholarship Fundraising Dinner on the evening of Thursday 9 May . As the venue of four Evonne Goolagong Australian Open singles victories , Kooyong was a most appropriate place to stage the fundraising dinner .
There was a wonderful atmosphere of fellowship and celebration , and a real community feeling , with 250 Scotch Family members gathering to launch this innovative scholarship .
The dinner was graced with the presence of guests of honour , Evonne Goolagong and her husband Roger Cawley , together with Evonne and Roger ’ s daughter Kelly , Kelly ’ s husband , David Loats , and Dr Janet Young , Evonne ’ s former doubles partner , who is a director of the Evonne Goolagong Foundation .
On a night which resonated with fun and laughter , there was a serious undertone of something very special being created . It was an event packed with a host of highlights , including :
◍ Welcome to Country , delivered by current Scotch First Nations students , Birra Whyman-Coombes ( Year 12 ) and Tanner Armstrong ( Year 10 ), two young Wurundjeri men .
◍ Bruce Woodley ’ s I am Australian performed in a way audience members would undoubtedly never have heard before , with
vocals and violin by Sarah James and didgeridoo by Ron Murray ( current Scotch parents ).
◍ A passionate address by Foundation President , Mike Sim (’ 78 ), during which he welcomed ‘ Áustralia ’ s living treasure ’, Evonne , and her husband Roger , revealing that back in 1974 , Mike had been a ballboy at Kooyong when Evonne won the first of four Australian Open titles .
He expressed his profound gratitude for the support of Scotch Foundation members , and paid tribute to retiring board member Rob Hand , and to David Yu ( who was standing down as Vice President but continuing as a board member ); also recognising the fine work of Sam Hunt (’ 92 ) and Abigail Hand .
◍ A stimulating panel discussion chaired by Scotch ’ s Head of Indigenous Education , Dr Rob Smith , featuring current students Kobe Williams and Max Phelps ( both of Year 11 ) and past students Jy Simpkin (’ 16 ) and Joel Garner (’ 17 ). Max caused amusement among the many teachers present by revealing that he had originally planned to be a teacher , but was now ‘ keeping [ his ] options open ’. All panel members expressed their gratitude for the opportunities their Scotch education had opened for them .
◍ At 8pm , the launch of the 24-hour fundraising campaign by Principal Dr Scott Marsh , School Captain Matt Callaghan , and Lewis Murray ( Year 9 ). The giant screen immediately began to
12 Great Scot Issue 171 – Edition 1 2024