FOUNDATION
ANOTHER MOST ENJOYABLE EMG CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
THE BOYKETT ROOM WAS THE VENUE FOR THIS TRADITIONAL GET-TOGETHER
East Melbourne Glen Chapter members from near and far gathered in the Boykett Room at Scotch on 15 December for the 2023 EMG Christmas Luncheon , with the muster totalling 165 . Among the diners , Kim Kirsner (’ 58 ) and his partner , Kathryn Hird , had made the longest journey – from Perth – while Will Mactier (’ 53 ) had come from Tatura , Peter Colclough (’ 67 ) had travelled from Albury , and Wendy Pullar came all the way from Cobram .
Among the Old Boys present , David Smith (’ 47 ) at 95 , was the most senior , with Bill Philip (’ 46 ), also aged 95 , but a ‘ junior ’ to David by five months .
The lunch began on a sombre note , with the announcement that revered Old Boy Brian Randall (’ 51 ) had died that very morning after a long illness . Brian ’ s nephew , OSCA Executive Director , Scott Montgomery (’ 85 ) paid a heartfelt tribute to Brian , a major contributor to so many areas of Scotch life for decades .
Master of ceremonies , Scotch ’ s Head of Advancement and Foundation Executive Director , Tim Shearer (’ 85 ) welcomed everyone , pointing out that the Principal , Dr Scott Marsh and his wife Anna , who were present at the lunch , had recently received their Scotch Foundation membership certificates .
EMG Chairman Ken Jasper AM (’ 55 ) reiterated Tim ’ s welcome , and handed over to OSCA Chaplain , Graham Bradbeer for an eloquent grace .
With the main course finished , Tim welcomed Dr Scott Marsh to the lectern . Dr Marsh told of the warm welcome he and his family had received , and how much a part of the Scotch Family they had become . He showed a video of Scotch ’ s new Mallacoota property .
LEFT : INVITATION TO THE EMG CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON . ABOVE : SUNSET AT SCOTCH ' S MALLACOOTA PROPERTY .
Dr Marsh , an accomplished musician , next took to the grand piano to play what he described as a ‘ jazzed-up version of an old hymn ’, Surrender All , which was greeted with sustained applause .
Dr Marsh said a primary focus during the year had been to build relationships , which he had strived to do by attending as many school , Foundation and OSCA events as possible , and visiting older Old Boys , such as Bill Morgan (’ 34 ). He has an open door policy with boys and staff , and he has participated in several ‘ ask me anything ’ sessions with staff .
He spoke amusingly of his resemblance to Colonel Sanders of KFC fame , and how he had first been alerted to it some years ago when a schoolboy said he had seen Dr Marsh on television ( which turned out to be a KFC commercial ). Over the year he had become very much aware of the school ’ s Scottish heritage and the vision of its founder , James Forbes , who was a product of the Scottish enlightenment .
One of the challenges of Dr Marsh ’ s first year had been to try to remember the names of 1800 Scotch boys , not to mention 600 staff and thousands of parents and Old Boys . Dr Marsh paid tribute to outgoing School Council Chair , Alex Sloan (’ 71 ), whom he said had been great to work with throughout the year , and he also valued the work of his strong school executive team and excellent teaching and operational and support staff .
‘ I love being part of the Scotch Family ’, he said , ‘ and it brings me great joy .’ He wished all present a merry Christmas and a happy new year .
Having enjoyed a delicious meal of traditional Christmas fare – roast turkey followed by plum pudding – EMG members gathered in conversation before heading off into the pre-Christmas milieu .
The EMG Christmas Luncheon was well organised by Foundation Coordinator , Rebecca Mortimer , supported by Bequest Program Manager , Sandra Dick .
66 Great Scot Issue 171 – Edition 1 2024