Scotch College

James Forbes Academy Campaign

The Campaign was officially launched in June. After a lot of hard work it all came together at two magnificent dinners in the Memorial Hall.

Highlights of the evenings included superb musical performances by a piano trio and a string octet, and a presentation of Tom Stoppard's '15 Minute-Hamlet' by senior drama students, on a specially constructed stage in the centre of the Hall. Immediately following an organ, trumpet and trombone fanfare, the Chairman of the School Council, Michael Robinson, welcomed guests and emphasised the importance of the project to the School's development. The Principal presented a very compelling case for the Academy. I was able to outline the major design elements of this extraordinary building and show a superbly produced virtual reality 'walk-through' the complex.

I am delighted to report that five-year gift pledges now exceed $4m (target $7m) and to acknowledge an extremely generous gift from the Old Scotch Collegians' Association. The Association has agreed to underwrite the Old Boy aspect of the Annual Fund to an amount equal to $1m over five years. Given that the Annual Fund raises $140,000 - $150,000 each year, the OSCA will be making a gift from its own investment income of about $250,000 over five years, a sum which has been included in the total pledge amount. This wonderful show of confidence and support is as inspiring as the previously reported benefaction of Richard and Jeanne Pratt.

The Foundation is thrilled that scores of members of the Scotch Family have agreed to support the project by naming one or more seats in the auditoria. Naming for a seat requires a gift of $2,000 to the tax-deductible Building Fund; this can be given over five years. Some have named seats for family members, and others for people whom they wish to have remembered. I was amazed and delighted when Peter Crook reported that a VCE student at Scotch had 'purchased' two seats, in his and his father's names. What an outstanding example of youthful philanthropy! I am hoping that rows of seats might be provided by special groups, and we are investigating this and many other opportunities for the whole Scotch Family to feel a sense of involvement.

A number of rooms have also been named as a result of five-year gift pledges ranging from $30,000 to $60,000, and I am especially pleased to announce that one will be called the 'Ian Harrison Room' in honour of the contribution made by Ian to the development of drama at the College. We anticipate that rooms will also be named after other past members of the teaching staff whose influence on the development of the arts at Scotch has been considerable. We are planning two special social events in 2000, and details will appear in your next issue of Great Scot.

Members of the Scotch Family interested in supporting this landmark project should contact Peter Crook or Margaret Long on 9810 4300 or complete the form included in this issue of Great Scot and return it to the Development Office.