Scotch College

Fine Art Show and Auction

Sidney Nolan: Kelly and Drought

Excitement is growing as the date for the inaugural Fine Art Show and Auction approaches. More than one hundred people attended the information cocktail party on 1 September. Barry Pang and Anita Archer of Artpreciation, and more recently of the ABC TV program Reality Bites – Art House, talked about some of the paintings on display and more generally about investing in art and the sorts of returns which can occur. It was a most enjoyable evening and bodes well for the Art Show itself.

The official launch – and opportunity to get in early for purchases – will be on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 November, but numbers will be restricted. For your opportunity to attend one of these special previews, contact Astrida Cooper in the Development Office on 9810 4304. The Show will be open to the general public from 12 – 14 November, with the special auction on Sunday afternoon, 14 November from 2pm. We are hoping for a large amount of interest as there will be plenty of opportunity for excellent investment opportunities.

Among the artists on display will be Charles Blackman, Arthur Boyd, David Boyd, Ernest Buckmaster, Sir William Dobell, Sir Russell Drysdale, Pro Hart, Hans Heysen, Norman Lindsay, Fred McCubbin, Albert Namatjira, Sir Sidney Nolan, John Olsen, John Perceval, Jeffrey Smart, Sir Arthur Streeton, Brett Whitely, Fred Williams – and many more.

This promises to be a wonderful new undertaking by the School and we hope that everyone enjoys and benefits from the occasion. All proceeds from the sales and auction will go to the Ken Field Fund for the Performing Arts.

For further information and for updates on the works to be exhibited and sold, remember to log on to the OSCA-net website : www.oscanet.com.au

Alan Watkinson
Director of Development

Astrida Cooper – new Scotch Development Officer

Astrida Cooper

Scotch is delighted to welcome Astrida Cooper as the new Development Officer, working with Dr Alan Watkinson in the Foundation Office. Astrida’s career to date has been in the health industry, and she spent the past 20 years as a hospital scientist with Cabrini Health in Malvern. Her experience of Scotch, however, has been extensive.

Astrida is married to old boy Craig Cooper (’74), and has two children, with Peter in Year 9 this year.

Craig and Astrida are well known within the Scotch Family. Craig was on the OSCA Council for several years, and Astrida was President of the Junior School Parents’ Association, as well as being a class rep, and was involved in several auxiliaries.

Astrida was one of the key figures in organising the magnificent Dinner on the Main in 2001; and most recently, after joining the Board of the Scotch Foundation, served as Vice-President in 2003.

Astrida says she has mixed feelings in relinquishing this position to become Development Officer, but is thrilled at the prospect of working widely within the greater Scotch Family, to enhance the opportunities for current and future students.

Astrida’s warmth, charm and attention to detail will be enormous assets to the Development Office.

Campbell Johnston

In the December 2003 edition of Great Scot, we published a moving tribute to J. Campbell Johnston (‘Old Cam’) following his death earlier in the year. Cam had enjoyed a life-long association with Scotch College, having attended the School from 1926-1929, and watched with great pride his two sons and three grandsons make their mark on the School as well.

As part of his charitable intentions, Cam left a very generous bequest to the School through the Foundation, to be directed towards the endowment program. The Foundation Endowment provides funds to assist with scholarships, bursaries, prizes and other grants to those in financial need within the School family. Cam’s wonderful contribution will enable the Foundation to continue its important work in this area, and bears testament to his abiding interest in helping those in need.

As Chairman of the East Melbourne Glen Chapter – the group whose membership is bestowed on Old Boys when they turn 75! – Cam was a quiet but persuasive advocate for bequests to the School.

He pledged a significant amount early on, but later decided that so important is this aspect of Scotch’s mission, that he would increase his bequest.

The School can only be humbled by such foresight and generosity.

Cam recognised the value which a Scotch education can add to the life on an individual student and wished to contribute in his own way to that value. All bequests left to the Foundation or the School can be directed towards the endowment program, and it is that program which does make a genuine difference to individual lives. By leading through example, J. Campbell Johnston demonstrated his belief in the School which meant so much to him and his family for over seventy years. He would be quietly pleased to know that others will follow his example.

If you would like information about leaving a bequest to the School, please contact Alan Watkinson on 9810 4300 for a discussion in absolute confidence.

Academy opening set for 10 February 2005

As all parents and visitors to the School will have noticed, the progress of the James Forbes Academy has been remarkable this year. While it is not yet possible to see the splendour and sheer scale of the inside of stage two, casual observers can now see the completed outside – despite some scaffolding – and the magnificent cast-iron screen, designed by Jim Derham (’56). The lantern above the Music Auditorium foyer is already a landmark at Scotch, and other features are quickly becoming recognisable.

The date for the handover to the School is still on target for October, with the interior fit-out to be completed by the start of Term 1, 2005. This involves a huge amount of work, and already the various contractors and the School team, led by Bursar Neil Roberts and Property Manager Bill Sciarretta, are gearing up for the challenge.

Recently, members of the Drama Department took an on-site tour, and their excitement at the scale and variety of facilities was palpable. As that translates into teaching, projects and performances, the students will catch that infectious enthusiasm, as happened when the Music School was opened. We can expect magnificent events throughout 2005 and into the future!

We encourage you to take time to have a look at the building. Family Day will be a good opportunity to spend a few minutes walking around the outside to see what has been achieved.

None of it would have been possible without the magnificent support of the Friends and Family of Scotch College, and all should be justly proud of the extraordinary result. There are still further opportunities to be involved in supporting this magnificent Academy, especially through sponsoring seats in either the Ian Roach Auditorium (for Music) or the Geoffrey McComas Theatre.

Please contact Alan Watkinson for further details on 9810 4300, or by email at alan.watkinson@scotch.vic.edu.au