Scotch College

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor

I wonder if I could add something to the superb article in the last Great Scot, "Old Boys visit Gallipoli" by Dick Briggs. During World War I, Old Boys 'in the trenches' would write back to their School telling of their experiences and often of their great love for their School and their fellow mates.

Two such Old Boys, Patrick Hamilton and Rowan Macneil, wrote of their time on Gallipoli, especially in connection with J.D. Burns and his burial. "At about 9 o'clock, I was relieved from duty to attend his funeral, which was of the saddest and most impressive character. The cemetery is about two miles from here, almost right down to the beach, and when I arrived there, I found that the battalion pioneers had the grave almost dug. A few minutes later, the Chaplain arrived and soon after that, the Red Cross men, bearing the body on a stretcher. The moon was very bright and the stars were shining bravely when all that remained of poor Jimmy was committed to the soil. The burial service was short and very simple - no 'last post' or volley, or anything of that kind (if there had been, I think the battalion pioneers would have been very busy the next morning). The Chaplain read the service with the aid of a pocket electric torch and he was buried as he had died - in his uniform - 'with his martial cloak around him', with only a blanket between his face and Mother earth. He lies snuggly entrenched among his peers, with his head toward the sea, whose surf can be distinctly heard, his face to the stars and his feet to the trenches, so that if he were to stand up straight, he would still be facing the enemy. This, I think, is as he'd long to be."

The writer would not have expected, I am sure, that these descriptive words would be re-read and respected eighty-seven years later, but such is the heritage of Scotch Collegians. Congratulations on your excellent March edition of Great Scot.

With warm regards,

Geoff Tolson ('39)

 

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Dear Editor

Congratulations on that fine publication 'Great Scot'. In retirement I always read it carefully and find lots of interest.

It is amazing the enormous involvement of Dr Donaldson! When does he sleep?

I attended Wagga Wagga High School for three years before attending Scotch 1936-1938 as a boarder. The teaching at Wagga Wagga was on a par with Scotch - both very good, but the Scotch School Library was far ahead and the extra curricular activities far more widespread. The Science Club visits to industry at nights and weekends made it easy for me to decide on my ambitions and career. The Ski Club - skiing for one week at Mt Hotham inspired a love of ski touring resulting in me being the M.O. to the earliest post World War II Australian National Antarctic Expedition to Heard Island. I stayed there 15/12 and am now the Senior M.O. of Phil Law's expeditions - all due to Scotch! Went down on 3 subsequent expeditions and held the Australian Antarctic Medallion

The other important effect of Scotch was that in academic fields, I was surrounded by capable, friendly students. I could bludge a bit at Wagga, but at Scotch I had to work very hard, just to hold my own!

I follow the Rugby 1st XV very closely.

For the last 3 years, the 1st XV have not lost a match! The Battle of Waterloo was a Sunday school picnic compared with our 3 wins against the Xavier 1st XV! In 2004, could the Rugby 1st XV schedule available be published in the March 2004 Great Scot please? Few fathers but lots of mums turn up at 1st XV matches.

Alan Gilchrist ('38)

Ed: Please see Senior School Sport

The Donaldson Pipes

Geoffrey Donaldson (AO), class of '30, was one of four brothers who attended Scotch as a boarder. Throughout his long association with the School, Mr Donaldson has been a strong supporter and benefactor. Very proud of his Scottish heritage, most recently he has commissioned a magnificent set of bagpipes, which were handcrafted in Scotland, to be awarded to the most deserving up-and-coming piper in the School, for the duration of his time at Scotch. This set of pipes, to be known as the Donaldson Pipes, is truly a very generous award and a most significant incentive to our pipers.

The inaugural recipient of the Donaldson Pipes (and the accompanying prize) is Hamish Tin, of Year 11.

The Pipes were presented to Hamish at a special ceremony in the Memorial Hall on 21 May. There to enjoy his short performance were Hamish' parents, Mr Donaldson and Ms Marjorie McFarlane.