Scotch College

Dinner attendance - the big picture

The 2002 Old Scotch Annual Dinner was held at the Melbourne Town Hall, the venue where many of the past Old Scotch Dinners and the Foundation Day concerts were held. The historical building created an amazing atmosphere. This was enhanced by Tom Healey ('70), Captain of Music 1970, son of past principal Mr Colin Healey and Director in charge of Music at Geelong Grammar, playing the huge organ. The scene was set for an outstanding dinner.

The guests were greeted at the Swanston Street entrance by Lt Ross Campbell and Lt Adrian Pearse and their pipers. The main table and the Kindred Societies were piped into the hall.

The Head Table members are pictured above. Other special guests were Mr Graham Bradbeer (Chaplain) Mr Ian Savage (Vice Principal), Neil Roberts (Bursar), Mr Alan Watkinson (Foundation), Mr Cam Johnston ('29), Sir Eddie Cohen ('30), Ron Gillespie ('31), Sir Archibald Glenn ('29), Alan McDonald ('29) Frank Stuckey ('24), Pat Wood ('29), and some notable retired staff: Mr George Logie-Smith, Mr Ken Evans, Mr Norm Emmerson, Mr Keith Darling, Mr Don Cameron, Mr Peter Crook, Mr Laurie McLennan, Mr Geoff Walker, Mrs Pat McRae, Mr David Boykett ('52) and Mr Peter Chapman.

This year we had one of OSCA's tribal elders Mr Cam Johnston ('29) past chairman of the Glen Chapter, to propose the toast to the school. Cam spoke in distinguished tones of the journey of the school and its magnificence today.

Again this year we had the Captain of the School, Sam Webb ('02), to respond. Sam has also been the Captain of Swimming and he gave an excellent account of life at the college this year. Dr Gordon Donaldson then gave an extremely interesting speech on the importance of Old Boys at the school in ensuring its future. Dr Donaldson then covered a few challenges the school faced in the current political climate and its effects on the everyday decision making at the school. He is adamant that Scotch has access to the best teaching staff and is faced with some very competitive situations from other Australian private schools. He then cited a college in the US that he visited during his last visit and the effects that properly run endowments have made on the life at that school.

Proposing the toast to our Guest Speaker Mr Laurie Lawrence was Matt Welsh ('94), who is an Australian Olympian and the World Backstroke Champion and record holder.

Matt used his own personality to introduce Laurie and with obvious camaraderie and affection between the two men, it was extremely entertaining.

Mr Laurie Lawrence then took the floor and completely took over the evening. After an extremely strong speech on motivation he then had 500 Old Scotch Collegians and friends learning the Olympic Teams Song, and with everyone standing in their dinner suits and doing the motions as instructed by Laurie, it had to be seen to be believed. Lauries's repertoire of stories was immense and his chiding of the Prime Minister to join the team in the stands to watch Cathy Freeman's final was a story to behold. Laurie also works with many charities and his own community organisations.

Rob Logie-Smith then thanked the team that put the evening together, Dinner Convenor Bob Welch ('66), Speaker Liason Mr Campbell McComas ('69), Master of Ceremonies Stuart Faichney ('64), Executive Director OSCA Tim Shearer ('85), and his assistants Leanne Craven, Sue MacKay and Tania Castles, and the OSCAnet staff Rowan Crosbie Goold ('86) and Mark O'Connor.

Bob Welch - Dinner Convenor