Scotch College

12 months to go ...

In the founder's name - the "James Forbes' Rose"

In this column in the September issue of Great Scot were details of the newly bred rose, which has been named in honour of the School's founder. The breeder is now progressing with the propagation of the rose, so that sufficient quantities will be available for the anticipated demand in 2001.

The breeders and propagators of this rose are Brundretts The Rose People, of Narre Warren North.

The Age Weekend Extra of October 10 1999 featured Brundretts in their Historic Victoria column. Sam Brundrett, the founder set up his nursery in 1893 at the age of 26. Bruce Brundrett with whom we are currently dealing, is Sam's grandson. Sam was one of the group of rose lovers who formed the Rose Society of Victoria in 1899. This society was only the third in the world - the other two being in England and the USA.

In 1925 Sam moved his nursery from Moonee Ponds to its current location because of the poor water pressure.

The way school was 150 years ago.

As part of the School's 150th anniversary celebrations, the boys in the Junior School will re-enact school life as it would have been back in the 1850s. This event will take place on March 22, 2001. No doubt this will provide much enjoyment for both the boys, their parents and their teachers. We look forward to reporting on this event and to capturing it on film.

The Melbourne Academy becomes Scotch College

More and more members of the Scotch Family are beginning to realise that the school is preparing for one of its biggest celebrations ever - even though it is over a year away.

On October 6, 2001 Scotch will celebrate its 150th anniversary making Scotch College the oldest surviving school in Victoria.

Scotch was founded by the first settled minister of the Presbyterian Church in the State, the Reverend James Forbes, under the rectorship of Mr Robert Lawson - it was initially known as the Melbourne Academy.

In 1951 when Scotch became the first school in Victoria to celebrate its centenary, Dr Gilray was only the fourth principal - a record probably unequalled by any major public school in the Commonwealth.

The school owes so much to the foresight of those who arranged the purchase of the present site at Hawthorn, and to those responsible for the transfer of the school from East Melbourne to this 'new and distant rural setting.'

The rest is history!

Today Scotch College has some 1800 boys - all on one campus on the banks of the Yarra - a far cry from the early days in Spring Street and a house of only a few rooms.

School history

Jim Mitchell's sesquicentennial history of Scotch, to be published in 2001, is well into a full first draft. It often draws on the memories of Old Boys and hopes to describe the experience of being at Scotch.

'Club 150' events - helping to build the spirit for the

Anniversary!

On 19 August well over a hundred members of Club 150 moved into top gear for a cocktail function at Melbourne-City Land Rover. It was a very successful evening and special thanks go to John and Louise Ayre for providing such a wonderful location for Club members. Those attending were able to experience the Ayres' special 'demo-track' in action.

The evening provided an excellent opportunity for members of the Club to catch up with friends and to hear of future plans for members for the start of the new millennium.

Club 150 plans

Celebration Ball

All existing Club 150 members will receive priority booking and special discounts for a Club 150 Celebration Ball on Friday, 16 June, 2000.

Details of the Ball are being worked on by your Club 150 Committee, but the ball is likely to form the central activity of the Club in 2000, as planning continues for the 150 Anniversary celebrations the following year.

Please note the evening of FRIDAY, 16 JUNE 2000 in your diaries now.

Thanks for joining!

Club 150 attracted a number of new members at the Scotch Family Sports Day and at the Junior School Sports Day the following Saturday. Thanks go to all those making the very easy decision to support the school in this way. Despite these efforts the membership target of 2001 members by 2001 still is some way off. Please tell your friends about Club 150 and the benefits of membership.

You can be part of 'Club 150'

We would welcome your participation in 'Club 150'. Already, over a quarter of our target of 2001 members has been met, with more than 500 people making an early commitment to assisting the 150th Anniversary, by providing support to the planning of events in 2001 and to the creation of a special 'Endowment 150' Fund. Joining the club is easy.

What else will I get by joining 'Club 150'?

Joining for a one-off, fully paid subscription of $150 also brings with it many benefits which include:

• Priority bookings for the 2001 Anniversary Dinner
• An invitation to exclusive 'Club 150' events
• A specially signed copy of the 150 Year History of Scotch College
• Your name in the 2001 time capsule to be buried by Year 12 boys in 2001
• An exclusive 'Club 150' folder and pen.