helm as Chairman, the appeal attained its target of an extraordinary $ 20 million, generously donated, in the true Scotch tradition, by 1400 members of the Scotch Family. There is no finer example of Michael’ s capacity to galvanise and inspire a community than this: no other school has ever managed to raise such a total for a project of this kind in Australia. The building stands as a testament to his resolute determination to ensure its completion.
To every role assigned him, Michael has brought his distinctive no-nonsense flair, wit and indomitable personality. His quips, and the droll delivery of them, are always worth waiting for:
‘ Feel free to approach me – if it all gets too much, I will sneak out the side door to the safety of my home!’( Junior School Speech Night, 2001)
On being asked to speak at a Past Parents’ Dinner:‘ I was somewhat dismayed when asked to give a 15 or 20 minute entertaining speech. For a lawyer such a short speech is no more than an hors d’ oeuvre, and we are not known for being entertaining.’( Past Parents’ Dinner, 2003)
‘ Remember always that the world belongs to optimists; the only consolation or satisfaction in life for pessimists is that they are occasionally right.’( Junior School Speech Night, 2006)
Michael’ s devotion to Scotch has been both timeless and time consuming. One can only imagine the number of Scotch functions his wife, Judith, has also attended through the journey, and always with her customary grace and sparkle. Clearly, she has influence:‘ My wife has told me this year I have to say something totally different, as she would be bored to hear the same thing again,’ or,‘ After all these years of marriage, she thinks it’ s too much trouble to trade me in.’ It would indeed be remiss to acknowledge Michael’ s contribution without recognising that Judith has very much shared in every challenge and phase, and has shared Michael with us.
Michael once said of Sir James Balderstone, on the occasion of Sir James’ retirement from Council( 1995):‘ Think of what a man should be – he was that.’ The same, of course, might well be said of Michael Robinson.
To honour and commemorate Michael’ s truly exceptional, lifelong commitment to Scotch, the Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Michael Robinson Boarding Scholarship, in acknowledgement of this aspect of Michael’ s strongest, formative relationship with the school. An article about the scholarship appears on page 61 of this edition of Great Scot.
MICHAEL ROBINSON AO(' 55) ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE IN FRONT OF THE LIONEL ROBINSON DRINKING FOUNTAIN AT THE LAUNCH OF THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SIR ZELMAN COWEN CENTRE FOR SCIENCE IN 2014.
BELOW: MICHAEL ROBINSON AO(' 55)( PICTURED RIGHT) WITH PRINCIPAL, TOM BATTY; OSCA PRESIDENT, DOUG LORDING(' 64); AND CHAIRMAN, DAVID KEMP AC(' 59). www. scotch. vic. edu. au Great Scot 27