First XVIII jumpers night

More than 250 people attended the 1997 First XVIII jumper presentation in the Memorial Hall on the evening of 14 May.

Among those in its audience were the Chairman of School Council Michael Robinson, OSCA President Geoff McCracken, Old Scotch coach Wayne Harmes and captain Stuart Steele as well as many other members of OSCA and the OSC Football Club.

Director of Coaching Terry Wheeler hosted the evening, and North Melbourne Coach Denis Pagan was the Guest Speaker and presented the jumpers to the boys. Terry reminded us that Scotch had won 33 APS premierships - more than any other school. Denis addressed the qualities that a footballer needs to succeed, many of which are also those needed to succeed in life ie loyalty, concentration, determination and perseverance.

Captain of Football Tim Widmer thanked Denis Pagan on behalf of the school and presented him with a framed colour caricature of himself drawn by staff member Julian Collins.

Scotch Football Support Group formed

A coterie football support group consisting of a mix of current parents and staff has been formed.

The group's formation is the initiative of Dr Robert Smith, and aims to capture and harness the spirit of 1858, by promoting, developing and financially assisting Australian Rules Football within the broader Scotch College community. (Scotch and Melbourne Grammar are credited with playing the first ever game of Australian Rules Football on 7 August 1858.)

Foundation members of the group are Mal Brown (President), Donald Beaurepaire, Bruce Brown, Neil Cracknell, Ben Hosking (Secretary), Barry Josephs, Alan Joyce, Andrew Oliver, Barry Price, Sandy Robertson, Sophie Ross, Phil Walkom and Pauline Westmore.

The group will raise funds which will be used for projects such as the purchase of the First XVIII jumpers, trophies, funding U16 school tour to the NT, improving football facilities, funding new equipment, the development of a Hall of Fame for past Scotch footballers.

The main fund raising activity will be the Inaugural Scotch Football Dinner Dance to be held on Friday 1 August at the Camberwell Civic Centre, to celebrate the anniversary of the 1858 game. Well known Scotch football identities will be present, and media personality and former parent Ernie Sigley will compere the night. Tickets are $120 a double from Andrew Oliver.

Parents, Old Boys and Scotch Family members are also invited to support the fund raising by sponsoring a First XVIII jumper or jumper number. This sponsorship costs $50.

Other activities organised include a Presentation Night for open and under-age school teams on Thursday 21 August in the Cardinal Pavilion.