Scotch College

Andrew Simm wins Perelberg

At Speech Night held on 24 November, the Principal Dr Gordon Donaldson announced that the winner of the Perelberg Award for 1997 was Andrew Simm ('96).

The magnificent silver trophy was given to the School by the Perelberg Family, as a memorial to their son Ashley (Class of '92), a true Scotch Collegian, who tragically died only a few months after he left school to study at the University of Melbourne.

This prestigious award is made annually to the nominee who, in the opinion of the Award Committee, has best demonstrated exemplary Scotch spirit and who by his deeds, brings honour to the school, and service to the community.

Last year the award went to Mr Ian Stapleton from the Class of '68. The previous year Teruma Naito from the Class of '95 was the recipient, reflecting the fact that one year the award goes to a student currently attending Scotch or who left the previous year, and the next year it goes to an Old Scotch Collegian.

Andrew came to Scotch College Junior School in 1988 from Camberwell Grammar. His leadership potential was quickly recognised as he was appointed Form Captain in Years Seven and Eight. In his final years at Scotch he became a prefect, Vice-Captain of Rowing, Captain of both Cross Country and Athletics, and the Senior Cadet Under Officer of the Cadet Unit. He was awarded the 1995 Andrew Kelso Memorial Prize for his contribution to Scotch College. Andrew was subsequently invited to return to Scotch as School Captain for 1996.

Certificates of distinction

Academically Andrew made his mark by winning Certificates of Distinction in the Westpac Mathematics Competition in each of his seven years in the Senior School and Very High Distinctions in the Alliance Français Competition for five successive years. Andrew completed his VCE with six subjects plus University Physics and a Tertiary Entrance Ranking of 97.90. He gained a place to undertake studies in Medicine at Monash University during 1996. He deferred for twelve months to accept the position of School Captain and completed a further four VCE subjects on his return to Scotch.

His prominence and dominance on the sporting scene commenced back in 1988 when he set the current Scotch Junior School Under 13 800 metre record. The following year he was a dual gold medallist at the Victorian Junior Swimming Relay Championship, and with his brother won the Victorian Junior Sparrow Class Sailing Championship. As a cross country runner he won a total of eight gold medals in the Victorian Road and Cross Country Relays and was always ranked in the top fifteen runners in the State.

As Captain of Athletics, he won the APS 800 m event and was a member of the relay team which broke the longest-standing APS record - the 4 x 800 m relay. Andrew dominated the 24 Hour Hike in the period 1992 to 1995 by winning it four consecutive times and setting the current record of 147.7 km in 1993. He stroked the Fourth Eight when in Year 10 and rowed in the First Crew in 1995 and '96. He received School Colours in Rowing, Cross Country, Athletics, Orienteering and Official (being runner for last year's First Eighteen). In 1995 he was awarded the Ewen Davidson Sports Award.

Nothing but his best

Andrew's desire to give nothing but his best at whatever he turned his hand to, saw his time in the Scotch College Cadet Unit create a service record that is likely to remain unchallenged. He won the Recruit of the Year in 1992, was Dux of his Junior NCO Course and second on his Senior NCO Course. At the 1994 Cadet Under Officers' Course run for all Victorian units he took the Dux of the Course Prize. In 1995, he was appointed the Senior Cadet Under Officer in the Unit and last year was the Parade Commander at the Military Tattoo.

There is also a artistic side to Andrew. He commenced learning the violin in 1983 and then the viola in 1992. Music Craft on the viola was one of his VCE subjects. Andrew's superb performances in leading roles in three senior plays and one musical will remain in the memory of theatre-goers for a long time. He received School Colours in Music and Drama, and last year he was the recipient of the Scotch College Council Prize for Excellence in Drama.

But what of the personal qualities of Andrew Simm? These have been encapsulated by some of those who nominated him for the Perelberg Award:

"His personal charisma, genuine friendliness, unassuming manner and poise on the stage contributed to him being an outstanding role model for all who came into contact with him."

And from a current Year 9 student:

"A Perelberg Award winner needs to interact with his peers of all ages. While I was in Year 7, Andrew was Captain of my house. His support during all house activities was exceptional

- he knew me personally and always congratulated me on my efforts".

This young man has made an indelible mark on Scotch College. He has wholeheartedly embraced and exemplified the "Scotch Spirit".

Andrew Simm is a truly worthy recipient of the Perelberg Award for 1997.