DURGA KAMTE EDITOR, GREAT SCOT

As far back as 2014, the Wall Street Journal predicted that our century would become known as one in which disruption is the new normal. Oxford University economists Dr Carl Frey and Dr Michael Osborne more recently predicted that in the coming decades up to 40 per cent of current professional go beyond satisfaction in personal roles will be lost to automation.

In this grim prediction of an uncertain economic future, what does this mean for our boys? How can they channel their innate human potential and positive mindsets to compete with robot-driven automation? While economists and management consultants offer technological upskilling happy, to make others happy is and creating niche specialist domains in their mix of solutions, schools are responsible for developing the skills which will enable current students to face future challenges.

Scotch has created opportunities for areas of school life. our boys to build their entrepreneurial skills through strategic planning of custom-designed buildings. For example, the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science, which has established itself as a hub of innovation and experimentation; the new Design and Technology Cube, which will enhance STEM skills and foster their real-life application; and further plans for a Centre for Enterprise within the Student Centre will enable boys to cultivate their interests, so that they will intersect with that elusive sweet spot where work is not just an economic imperative but emotionally rewarding.

However, the rewards for many

achievement, to the knowledge that what they have accomplished brings happiness to others in their community. Aphorisms survive in collective memory precisely because their messages are still relevant. To paraphrase Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Muhammad Yunus: to make money makes you

‘ superhappiness’.

Recent events at Scotch reveal that this intersection between personal satisfaction and‘ superhappiness’ in effecting change is manifest in many

Professor Andrew Holmes, in his exuberant address at the recent Science Oration, shared his excitement at the possibility of plastic solar cells protecting our environment. There were impressive scientific presentations by boys during the evening.

Our boys’ desires to use their intellect and communication skills to benefit for the greater good goes well beyond the world of science. In this edition there is evidence of the wide range of interests among our boys, and their respect for social equity. Our Junior School boys share their heartfelt experiences in social service, and a Year 7 boy talks about doing his bit to‘ turn darkness into light’ in East Timor.

Year 8 boys feel enriched by their knowledge of the cultural traditions of our friends from Tiwi College, and boys in Years 11 and 12 reflect on their immersive experiences of building homes in Cambodia, and of their involvement in the Ballarat Special School.

Our musicians share their delight in entertaining residents in aged care facilities, some school leaders spearhead greater participation the

annual Walk for Women, and also plan meaningful engagement during diversity week, to encourage open discussion about potentially divisive current social issues.

In the Scotch Foundation pages of this edition, we pay tribute to the brilliant contribution of retiring Foundation President, Michael Robinson AO(‘ 55), to Scotch College and the wider community.

Social contribution is a paramount aim of the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association, and is engendered through the strong fellowship which is such a component of the activities of the association’ s clubs and branches, and is evident at its many events, such as the Annual Dinner. As OSCA President, Doug Lording(‘ 64), writes in this issue, providing opportunities for Old Boys to keep in contact is why OSCA exists, and the Association is continuing to explore various platforms to widen its reach. Congratulations are due to the 14 members of the Scotch Family who are known to have received Queen’ s Birthday honours, all of them rewarded for the enterprise they have shown in many spheres, and many of them for their exceptional social contribution.