Scotch College

Scotch's Outreach Program

‘Junior’ Rioli (2nd from the right) and friends at the 2005 Year 10 dancing class formal

Many of us recall Greg Baum’s article in The Age last year, published on the eve of the Cordner-Eggleston Cup. Who can forget the photograph of Nathan Djerrkura, from Gove in Arnhem Land, and Tiwi Islander Cyril ‘Junior’ Rioli, dressed in their Scotch footy guernseys with the unmistakable chapel tower in the background? It was great publicity for the much-anticipated Cup clash, but more significantly Baum’s story raised awareness of the School’s Indigenous student outreach program, and the Tiwi Island program, which has been running since 1996 when director of football Dr Robert Smith first took a group of boys on a football tour to Darwin and Bathurst Island. These programs are about much, much more than football!

In recent months, the School has reflected upon its Indigenous program and considered how best to support and enhance its scope. The Principal, Dr Donaldson, who is deeply committed to the program, shares a dream to extend its links beyond football. Artists, musicians, boys involved in other sports, boys who wish to pursue university studies or develop leadership skills to take back to their own communities – the potential for Scotch, its families and friends, to make a difference in these boys’ lives is compelling.

But Dr Donaldson is quick to point out that Scotch boys also gain so much from this program. ‘It promotes tolerance, respect and friendship, and strengthens relationships between communities,’ he told Great Scot. ‘And for those boys who attend the “Top End” trip every two years, they gain a wonderful understanding of Indigenous culture and a lifetime of memories.’

Peter Rattray (’05) was one of the boys who visited the ‘Top End’ and remembers the impact his trip had one him. ‘The overall cultural experience was the biggest hit and we were privileged to visit Bathurst Island with our hosts being most gracious. We ate turtle and water-buffalo, and visited a museum of traditional Indigenous art. However, it was the human element which made it unforgettable – meeting, talking, playing and eating with the local people who are so open and genuine in their friendship.’

Peter also noticed that the boys attending Scotch as part of the outreach program ‘participate in academic programs and, more significantly, interact with the school community and the broader community’.

The exchange program with the Tiwi Islands and the Indigenous outreach program provide a direct educational benefit through the understanding and respect of difference between the Scotch community and the cultures of the Indigenous boys. As Peter Rattray writes, ‘Our differences are enormous, but when we accept these in a spirit of goodwill and concentrate on the great things that we have in common, then there is cause for hope that many of the problems that we know exist can be tackled and overcome.’

The Indigenous Outreach Program, the first of several now operating throughout Victoria, is a significant development in the overall educational philosophy of Scotch College. The benefits are enormous to both Scotch and the Indigenous boys we welcome to the School. Yes – the football teams do benefit, as they would with any skilful players, but this program goes far beyond football and encompasses a whole life experience.

Corrie Perkin
ISEF Committee