Scotch College

USA Dinners

OSCA goes all the way...
... with dinners in the USA

Scotch College has set countless records and chalked up many firsts in the 148 years since its foundation, and new ground was broken again in April when two Scotch Family Dinners were held in the United States.

It took months of effort to organise the twin functions and galvanise those Old Boys who could be located throughout the USA and Canada, but all present agreed it was thoroughly worth it.

Attending both Dinners were the Principal Dr Gordon Donaldson and his wife Joyce, OSCA Executive Director Leigh McGregor ('56), Director of Development at Scotch Peter Crook and Vice President of the Foundation Roger Gillespie ('69) with his wife Lesley.

The DC Dinner was also attended by Bill Marshall ('58) and his wife Pam, who were in America on business. Pam has been a member of the School Council for many years.

The first dinner was held on Saturday, 10 April in the historic Presidents' Room of the Occidental Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington, just a block and a half from the White House.

Dr Donaldson, was the official host and was able to capitalise on the preparatory work done by Washington area by resident Mike Darby ('76) who, with his wife Susan, arranged the venue and the menu.

There was no haggis, no pipers - but probably enough noise and good spirits for Bill Clinton to know something was going on. One or two of the Old Boys had brought their blazers and, surprisingly, were still able to fit in them.

As Mike Darby said, this just might become an annual event.

Those attending included David Clinch ('78), Peter and Jenny Tingate ('78), Prof. Colin Norman ('65), Robert and Melissa Fraser ('87), Graeme and Harriott Whitelaw ('52), current parents Nick and Jeanette Cadwallender, Rev. Norman and Joan Pritchard, Andrew Pritchard ('94), Igor Lavrin ('88), David and Hilda Mathew ('46), Robert Muir ('79), Nick and Judy Rogers ('83), Michael and Susan Darby ('76), Prof. Brian and Carolyn Bromberger ('55), Trevor Bond ('67), Ken O'Connor ('61), Dr John and Jacqueline Blomfield, Peter and Jane Hayman ('73). Future parents Andrew and Amanda Mackintosh.

The second dinner took place on Friday 16 April in La Jolla, where there was more of the same.

Tom Crow, School Captain 1950, was able to extract himself from some of his Cobra duties, to organise a highly successful function at the University of California San Diego (UCSD).

As at the DC Dinner, all Old Boys introduced themselves and their partners and explained how they managed to be in the USA. The relaxed friendly atmosphere of the Club was conductive to the animated discussions, at every table. Tom had taken no risks on under-catering, providing enough Rosemount wine for five bottles per head!

The presentation by Peter, Leigh and Dr Donaldson was outstanding and revived memories of the old days at School and generated excitement at the plans for the James Forbes Academy.

The following thoroughly enjoyed themselves Tom and Cally Crow, Adam Howard and Kelly Granite, Tom Marvan and Colleen, Simon Evans, Derek Ekiss, Nick Jefferson, John Wark, Ross Donna Henderson McBean, Murray Purkiss, Malcolm Ekiss, Bill Austin, John Russell, David and Jacqueline Ashburner and Len Ashburner.

A night of nostalgia finished with a silent vow to do the same again in 2001, when the School will celebrate its 150th birthday.

David Mathew and Leigh McGregor