Scotch College
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Hospitable London dinnerThe London branch dinner for 1998 was held on Friday 9 October, in the now familiar and hospitable private rooms of the Hyatt Carlton hotel in Knightsbridge. The rescheduled date coincided with a visit to the UK by the Principal, Dr Gordon Donaldson and his wife Joyce. It was with great pleasure that we welcomed them to our dinner, the Principal's first visit for seven years. Also making the trip from 'Down Under' to represent the School was Rob Logie-Smith ('60) and wife Sue. Numbers this year were swelled to a total of 51 members of the Scotch Family. An excellent tour-de-force from the class of 1990 saw eight of the former classmates in attendance, most of whom have recently decamped to England to set up shop at the London headquarters of a large Swiss bank. Master of ceremonies Ken Gifford ('39) welcomed guests and started proceedings with his usual reading of grace in English and Gaelic. First guest speaker was Rob Logie-Smith, who gave an update on recent successes of the cricket, football and hockey teams, and the latest ideas and plans for our anniversary celebrations in 2001.
The main address for the evening was presented by Dr Donaldson, who spoke of the continuing academic excellence of Scotch students at both State and National levels. A reminder of Scotch's win in the Head of the River brought an agreeable rumble from the audience. His main theme, however, was that of the brief opening of life's 'door of opportunity' and how many Old Boys would look back upon their time at Scotch as the place where such opportunities had occurred. Old Boys and partners had gone to much trouble this year to attend the dinner, many come from afar. Gustaf Lilliehook ('86) travelled all the way from Edinburgh, the Australian distance equivalent of a journey to Melbourne from Darwin! Regular attendee Craig Bligh ('76) and newcomer Andrew Glass ('90) both away on business trips, flew back specially for the event. From West Sussex came earliest class representative Ian Gordon ('38). There was an abundance of camaraderie all evening. Former school captain Dugald McWilliams ('91) was overheard brushing up on his Dutch language skills with a Belgian guest, while hearty debate on the virtues of single sex schools was lead by part-time racing driver Simon Duerden ('79). The evening concluded on a very enthusiastic note, with echoes of the Boating Song fading in the distance. We all look forward to re-convening next year. Rod Scott
Scotch College: ABN 86 852 826 445 ACN 005 650 395 CRIOCS 00624A (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students)  Updated: Tuesday 12 August 2008 © Scotch College 2008 |
