Scotch College

Crowds flock to the JFA Grand Opening

Some five years after the turning of the sod for the beginning of the James Forbes Academy project, everything came together for a colourful and happy opening on 10 February. Many people remember back to the opening of the Music School on a fresh but dry August night in 2002 when some five hundred people helped celebrate that milestone. With weather designed to make even the bravest and most optimistic hearts quail – following the flooding of the Yarra and flooding of the boatsheds a week earlier – the planning committee nevertheless backed their weather sense and organised another outside event. And just as well! Despite the wonderful size of the Academy, it would not have been possible to host the opening ceremony inside with the 1100 guests who attended.

The weather, while cool, was kind and the guests were able to enjoy a series of informative and entertaining speeches, MC’d by Director of Development, Alan Watkinson. Mr Stephen Ritchie, Director of Drama, spoke on behalf of himself and Mr John Ferguson, Director of Music, and highlighted the history of Drama at Scotch and the significance of the new drama centre as well as the magnificent Geoffrey McComas Theatre and Ian Roach Hall. The Principal expounded on the educational imperatives and benefits associated with the development of the Academy and expressed the thanks of all Collegians, present and future, to the donors who had enabled the project to reach its magnificent completion. The Chairman of Council, Mr Michael Robinson, AO, provided an entertaining historical perspective of the Academy and linked it to the history of James Forbes himself, before turning his vision to the future of Scotch College and the place of the James Forbes Academy in that future. After a vote of thanks by the School Captain, Chris Anderson, he joined Mr Robinson and the Captains of Junior School (Stuart Sim) and Music (Oliver Blake) in the ceremonial cutting of the ribbons across the wrought iron screen outside the Main Foyer. This act was accompanied by a new fanfare specially composed by Old Boy Nick Buc (’99).

Bronwyn and David Cramond	Architect Garry Martin and wife Arda at the official opening

Light refreshments kept hunger at bay before and after the speeches, but the main excitement focused on the self-guided tours of the whole Academy after the cutting ceremony. All 1100 people were absorbed into the various performance and teaching spaces – with room to spare. While the opening was tinged by sadness following the untimely death of the Academy’s most vocal advocate, Campbell McComas, AM, there is no doubt that he would have enjoyed every moment of the night, and especially what he used to term the ‘WOW’ factor. It was, perhaps, the most commonly heard sound or word throughout the entire night and encompassed the reaction of every guest who enjoyed this very special and historic moment in the life of Scotch College.

DR ALAN WATKINSON
Director of Development

These Junior School boys will make music and drama a reality in the new James Forbes Academy	Music Captain Oliver Blake (Yr 12), Junior School Captain Stuart Sim (Yr 6) and School Captain Chris Anderson cut the ribbion to open the JFA
Front: Sheila Kimpton and Fred Launder Yr 6; Rear: Zara Kimpton and Tamara Launder – all descendants of James Forbes	Jim Shaw (’41), Melinda Sansom, June Shaw, Wendy McComas and Amanda Russell at the opening
Junior School boys in front of the new James Forbes Academy	The Ian Roach Hall