Scotch College

Nicholas Demiris wins Perelberg Award

This annual award for 'Exemplary Scotch Spirit', is alternately granted one year to a current student or to one who left the previous year and the next year to an Old Scotch Collegian.

This award is made in memory of a former student of Scotch, Ashley Perelberg, who died from a heart attack while training during his first year at university. Ashley had been very well known at Scotch for his full and enthusiastic involvement in many aspects of the school - he exemplified what we often refer to as the Scotch spirit.

His family wished to create a perpetual memorial to Ashley and presented a magnificent award - a silver sculpture depicting the penguin parade at Philip Island - inspired by Ashley's devotion to the annual Scotch-at-Cowes camps there. The Perelberg trophy is permanently displayed in the school library, and the winner each year receives a splendid silver replica.

This year nominations had been sought from current students and the class of 2000.

At speech night the Principal Dr Gordon Donaldson announced that the recipient of the 2001 Perelberg award was Nicholas Demiris.

Within Scotch

He has come to the attention of a number of people both within Scotch and the community at large.

'Nicholas is one of the group who entered prep in 1989, for thirteen years he has been thoroughly immersed in Scotch. In year 7, in addition to sport and music, he joined the Scotch scout troop, the Satura committee

(for a period of five years), and the Scotch communications unit. The following year Nicholas became a Peer Leader during the Year 8 alcohol awareness programme.

In Year 9

In Year 9 Nicholas's new interests became cadets, debating and drama. 1998 saw Nicholas become a student forum representative. He completed all leadership courses during his time with the cadet unit and currently holds the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two as Company Sergeant Major of Support Company where he has been one of the outstanding officers of recent years and last year Nicholas received the adventurers training award.

He has also served as an instructor on Scotch and Cadet Wing promotion courses.

Set construction and backstage work drew Nicholas to the drama side of Scotch during 1998 and 1999.

2000 saw Nicholas as a Peer Support Leader and a participant in the state model United Nations Assembly and he was invited to represent the USA at the National Assembly held at the Old Parliament House in Canberra.

Captain of Communications

Nicholas has made a remarkable contribution as the Captain of Communications for three consecutive years. When he took over leadership as a Year 10 student, the unit consisted of eight students. There are now thirty eight students with another seven interested in joining. The unit supplies communication services to a number of rowing regattas and APS functions such as the combined athletics sports.

The unit also provides the communications for Family Day, and this year, as well as co-ordinating the team, Nicholas carried out the task of chief announcer.

Through his enthusiasm and sustained work, Nicholas has built a very effective team and a co-curricular activity that involves students across all year levels. Nicholas was awarded full School Colours for Communications in 1999.

This year has seen Nicholas on the Collegian editorial committee. He has been a member of the A2 debating team and was awarded 2001 best 'A' Grade debater and full School Colours.

Actively involved beyond school

For a number of years Nicholas has been actively involved beyond the school. He took up karate in 1998 and in the same year he was presented with a certificate of appreciation for five years of volunteer service from the Royal Women's Hospital.

Nicholas has been a most active member of the South Melbourne Life Saving Club - working with the 'nipper' programme, fundraising, and competitions. He has received a certificate of thanks and appreciation from the Royal Life Saving Society for his water safety and lifeguard work.

Nicholas currently holds a training officers award and ran the bronze medallion course at the club in January this year. He has recently been recognized as the 'outstanding patrol person of the year 2000-2001' award, and in July 2001 was elected by club members to the committee of the South Melbourne Lifesaving Club.

Nicholas is the eldest of three children, and despite the incredibly impressive amount of time and energy he devotes to the service of others, he is still able to assist his sisters with their schoolwork and domestic obligations.

That he has achieved so much within and beyond Scotch is a great credit to him.

A truly worthy winner of the 2001 Perelberg Award.