Great Scot September 2019 Great Scot 157_September 2019_ONLINE | Page 33

SCOT GARDNER
AWARD WINNING
WRITER FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE.
RIGHT:
BERNARD CALEO,
PERFORMER AND
COMIC BOOK
CREATOR
The theme for the biennial Scotch College
Literature Festival this year was ‘The truth is
in the telling’. Our aim was to present to our
boys a range of creative and outstanding
people. It was important that these presenters
also had published books, including
biographies and fiction, and the list also
included creators of podcasts, investigative
journalists, columnists and book illustrators.
The line-up from which boys could choose
sessions featured writers of fiction, and also
forensic scientists, artists, mathematicians,
sportsmen, authors, lawyers, screen writers,
scriptwriters, and people from a variety of
cultural backgrounds.
Each year level from 7 to 10 had a
designated half day, and boys were able
to choose two sessions to attend in the
morning, which was followed later by a
well-known keynote speaker. Boys responded
enthusiastically to the presenters: ‘I thought
that the artists that came in were very
insightful, and I have taken away some of
the information and I’m sure I will use it in
my own creative writing’; and ‘the literature
festival gave me insight into the lives of many
inspirational people that have been able to
move past problems and turn them into their
strengths’.
The keynote speaker at Year 7 level was
Danny Katz, a well-known comedian, author
of teenage fiction and contributor to Good
Weekend in The Age. Speaking to Year 8
was Bob Murphy, former Captain of the
Western Bulldogs in the AFL, who has written
autobiographical books, and who writes on
topical issues for The Age sports pages. Year
9 boys were enthralled by Adam Spencer
– author, comedian and Mathematics and
Science Ambassador for the University of
Sydney – who gave a sensational talk on
the magic of numbers and AI learning. Boys
DOCHY’S AUSTRALIAN
SCOUT MEDALLION
Congratulations to Dochy Creek (Year 9) who has received the
Australian Scout Medallion at a Scouting ceremony this month.
The Australian Scout Medallion is the highest award in the Scout
section, and is considered the pinnacle of Scouting at this stage.
Dochy has completed several years’ work to qualify for the
medallion, first achieving his Pioneer Badge, then his Explorer
Badge and finally his Adventurer Badge. To earn the medallion,
Scouts must also run a leadership course and conduct an
activity in their district.
commented: ‘Amazing. Interesting. Fun.
Funny. Good experience’; and ‘his was by far
my favourite. I have some of his books, and he
is very engaging and interesting to listen to’.
Year 10 boys enjoyed the visit by
Indigenous former Sydney Swans star,
Michael O’Loughlin, who told his story of
becoming a professional sportsman and
remaining true to his Indigenous roots.
Our goal was for boys to take memorable
experiences from this event. We also wanted
to engage them in stories and issues they
may not have encountered before, and to
widen their horizons. Last but certainly not
least, we were keen for boys to read the
many books that had been produced by
the presenters, and all indications are that
our boys have done just that. It was a most
successful event!
WILMA KURVINK – HEAD OF LIBRARY