Scotch College

OSCA President's report

Bob Welch, OSCA President

By way of introduction I would like to extend a warm welcome to the 253 students from the Class of 2005 to the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association. Each student will find that Old Scotch Collegians from all ages will be there as friends to support you throughout your life.

The Year 12 Valedictory Dinner was a huge success this year with 750 Scotch Family members attending the dinner at the Hyatt Ballroom. OSCA was proud to support the function financially in a small way. The night was a fitting occasion for boys to formally leave school and thank their parents, teachers and friends before entering their next stage in life.

As I reflect on the past year at OSCA , we have made continuing improvements in the way we operate to remain relevant to our constituents, the Scotch College Alumni. To achieve all you want to do in 12 months is difficult, but with the support of the Vice Presidents, Andrew Wallace-Smith and Alex Sloan, the work will be ongoing.

OSCA net continues to improve under the guidance of Peter Sim and Kathryn Cairney. A monthly OSCA email with all things pertaining to OSCA and links is sent to all Old Boys registered with OSCA net. The branches throughout Australia in many cases have a new look, with younger Old Boys taking over the helms. The older Old Boys are taking a well earned rest, and in future years they can sit back and enjoy the branch events without the hassle of organising them. Major events were a huge success, well planned and executed by John Jeffreys and Monika Matlik. The Annual Dinner with John Landy at the Melbourne Tennis Centre, the business luncheon at the Athenaeum Club with Alan Kohler from The Age, the OSCA Breakfast at the Sofitel with Andrew Bolt from The Herald Sun, the many reunions and other events were all very successful, and a chance for Old Boys to catch up with one another.

Our finances are in good shape thanks to David Tyrrell. Andrew Logie-Smith who looks after our process and governance, gives us confidence that the business of the Association is conducted in a proper and correct manner.

Our new Soccer Club run by Tim Ward and Richard O’Nians has been very successful in its first year and has been elevated to a higher grade next year. The Old Scotch Music Club has had its inaugural meeting and is under the guidance of Ed Tudor (’04 Captain).

Ed has elected to continue his association with the OSCA Council and has nominated for a position on it in 2006. He brings with him fresh, up to date ideas that we can use with the Young Old Boys.

The connection with students with an Asian background continues to gather strength under the leadership of Jeremy Chen with help from Asian Old Boys and their parents. This will gain momentum in years to come.

I see the school’s charter as looking after its students from Year 1 to Year 12 and being responsible for the students’ development in all aspects of their school life. OSCA takes over the responsibility immediately they leave school and is there if needed for all Old Boys of the school. Our mentoring program under the leadership of Dugald McWilliams (’91 Captain) and operated by Ross Johnston, Rick Aitchison and Roland Orchard has now matured after years of planning. As an extension to this program, the Old Boys need to be involved more in the careers day at the school. We are developing a system of Year Group Leaders to facilitate the communication with each Year Group level. This will take some time and is now in its formative stages. Annual Giving this year was refined by the expertise of Peter England and our net result was excellent. We now feel that we have consolidated this program. Our thanks to Richard Beveridge, who is a brilliant marketer and helps us immensely in seeing our objectives more clearly with many futuristic ideas.

Our older Old Boys through the East Melbourne chapter again had two successful luncheon functions, which were organised by the Foundation through Dr Alan Watkinson and Astrida Cooper. Many thanks to Alan and Astrida for their support This year we traced 3000 Old Boys who had dropped off our mailing lists for one reason or another, and when contacted many were delighted to be reconnected with OSCA . Our concentration on helping to bring the Archives up to an acceptable standard will continue in 2006.

Thanks to John Craven for the wise advice of an Immediate Past President who can now retire to greener pastures knowing that OSCA is in good shape. Our thanks also to Simon Hosking in the sponsorship area, who left us part way through the year to work overseas.

Our thanks go to the dedicated OSCA office staff Sue Mackay, Kathryn Cairney and Monika Matlik who put in many hours in their own time to ensure the OSCA machine operates at a high level.

Our thanks too to our team members in the Foundation – Dr Alan Watkinson and Astrida Cooper – and also to Kate Paterson who looks after the school events. I would like to say thank you to Tim Shearer on behalf of the entire Council and all OSCA members. OSCA has benefited immensely from his dedication and enthusiasm.

OSCA is continually evolving into more areas through which we can give more assistance to Old Boys. Keeping up with technology is a never ending task. OSCA has grown in strength in the past five years and will always be faced with exciting challenges. We have high calibre people across a range of age groups who give us a good balance within Council.

Bob Welch OSCA
President