Scotch College

President’s report

The Old Scotch Collegians’ Association is continuing to work as it strives to support the School, its Old Boys and the Scotch Family.

We are ensuring that we maintain a strong financial base so that we are able to support the extensive range of programs and activities that we offer.

This year’s annual dinner was another successful night when 468 Old Boys and friends were able to put this year’s theme of ‘Inspiring Lasting Friendships’ to the test at Melbourne Park. The Principal talked about Scotch College and the ten-year friendship that has endured with the Tiwi Islands that has enabled two talented Aboriginal boys to attend our school up until their VCE year. Mr John Landy, Governor of Victoria, spoke with humility about the friendships he has made in life through athletics, business and school days, which he, to this day, values very dearly. Many of his friends were in the audience on the night. Both Mr John Landy and Dr Peter Hollingworth were busy throughout the evening greeting friends.

At the forefront of OSCA. are our valued Old Scotch Clubs, where some 6000 members of the Scotch Family are actively involved on a regular basis.

The Koomerang Ski Club (including support for the Scotch College Ski Club) is the biggest privately owned ski club in Australia, with four huts at Buller, Thredbo, Hotham and Falls Creek.

The Old Scotch Football Club (formed in 1921 and competing in the ‘A’ Grade of the Victorian Amateur Football Association) is the largest club in the competition with six teams. It also has been in A section for the most consecutive years of all the Clubs.

The Cardinal Club (including the support for the Scotch College Boat Club) continues to provide wonderful support for the School’s extensive and successful rowing program.

The other Clubs in operation include the Old Scotch Athletics Club, the Old Scotch Bowls Club, the Old Scotch Bushwalking Club, the Old Scotch Cricket Club, the Old Scotch Hockey Club, the Old Scotch Masonic Lodge No. 459, the Old Scotch Rover Crew, the Old Scotch Scuba Club, the Old Scotch Soccer Club, the Old Scotch Music Club, the Old Scotch Tennis Club and the Old Scotch Wine & Food Club.

OSCA provides office support and monetary support to our Clubs to ensure that they are strong and vibrant. These Clubs provide much support to the School and its activities. Support includes coaching, trophies for presentations and additional equipment. Andrew Wallace-Smith (Councilor in charge of Clubs), Graham Stanley (Secretary of the Old Scotch Clubs) or Tim Shearer (Executive Director) would be able to help anyone in the Scotch community who would like to make contact with any of our Clubs.

The OSCA representatives on the School Council have been wholeheartedly endorsed again by the council. Those being Michael Robinson (’55) David Crawford (’61 ) David Kemp (’59 ) Robert Prowse (’62) and John Simpson (’75 ).

BOB WELCH
President

Alan Gilchrist

Alan Gilchrist (’38) has been awarded the Australian Antarctic Medallion for his services to Australia in Antarctica. Besides his medical duties, he introduced the policy for ANAR Expedition doctors to run a biology research program. Gilchrist (no biologists available) maintained a detailed log on all biology species encountered by him at Heard Island in 1948–49 and published a research paper on the migration of the snow petrel in mid-winter, from the pack ice to Heard Island.

A rocky beach and a line of snow-covered hills at Heard Island have both been named after him.