Boarder Lines - Newsletter - Term 3 1999
Boarders Closed Weekend
The concluding closed weekend activities for 1999 began with a special presentation to last year's Dux of the Hill - Paul Greening on Friday 6 August. Paul had a very distinguished career at Scotch involving himself in a wide variety of activities and ending up as Vice-Captain of the School, Captain of the Hill and senior C.U.O. Paul finished with a score of 99.55 and he is now studying Law/Engineering at Melbourne University and resides in Ormond College.
Paul gave a very inspiring talk to the boys about the importance of grasping all the opportunities the school has to offer, of getting involved and being self-disciplined with the management of time. Paul himself certainly set a great example in what could be achieved by participating in a variety of activities yet focusing on priorities and being well organized and self-disciplined.
In spite of School House comeback, McMeckan retains the Wedderburn Cup.
The final round of the Wedderburn Cup was conducted on the weekend of the 7th and 8th August. Competitions began with an interesting debate on Saturday night after tea in the annexe. Each team of 3 speakers had to argue the merits or otherwise of Lisa Simpson as a role model. The School House team of Marcus Doherty, John Ronan and Daniel Yeow impressed our guest judge, Mr Steven Kong with their arguments and duly won the debate convincingly.
After such a mild winter with lovely weekends Sunday's weather did not look promising. A lot of rain had fallen overnight and continued to fall during the morning. However it did not dampen the boys' spirits. A bike riding race for Year 9's around the Hill at 12.00 noon started off the sporting competitions. Each boy had to ride a boarder's bike with each house providing a relay team of 4 boys. The School House team of Tim Rowell, Guy Robertson, Michael Callender and Owain Critchley again proved successful.
After lunch the major sporting events took place starting off with football on the main oval. Our two umpires, Mr Tim Byrnes and Mr Chris Appel kept a tight rein on proceedings but School House again proved to be too strong. Arthur Rob chalked up their first win in the Wedderburn football competition with a fine win over McMeckan. The hockey was a very tight competition, with scores level between McMeckan and School. The final result hinged on a 'shoot-out' between the two houses where School again emerged victorious.
So in spite of the large lead opened up by McMeckan in rounds one and two School House was now closing the gap fast. McMeckan however steadied with an excellent win in the basketball.
The climax to the competitions was the Billy Kart race. The boys had put a lot of time and effort in the workshop building their karts, and some magnificent machines resulted. However due to the deteriorating weather only the Year 10's completed their runs. McMeckan though were judged to have had the best built kart by retired engineer, Keith Stevenson, our boarders' workshop supervisor on a Sunday. The result of the Billy Kart Race would not have affected the final placings so in spite of a strong comeback by School House, McMeckan retain the Wedderburn Trophy for the second year in a row and are to be congratulated in their efforts.
Winter Sport
There is a good variety of sports and well diversified involvement with football still the most popular. Tom Wallace, Jarrod May, Nick Reid (all of School House) and Alex Rowell and Lachie Freeman (MM) were all regulars in the 1st XVIII.
Rugby was well represented with Duncan Short (ARH) Adam Smith (MM) and Raf de Kievit (School). The Soccer team had an excellent season and a number of boys were great contributors. Herman Lam, Robin Tsui (MM), Tom Portet and Peter de Kretzer (ARH) and Lawrence Lee(School).
Calvin Ho, John Qui, David Lee and Matthew Walpole were fine runners for the Senior Cross Country team.
Finally we had 2 boys who were members of the 1st XI Hockey team in Tim Dean (School) and James Bowes (MM). The team had a tremendous season being joint winners with Xavier. As both boys are presently in Year 11 we look forward to further success next year. A special mention should be made of Tom McColl's fine achievement in winning the OSCA Sydney branch award for most valuable player in the rugby club outside the 1st XV.
School Plays
Term 3 was also a term for the thespians on the Hill to shine. A number of boys were involved in the senior play, both on stage and behind the scenes. Tim Grant Year 12 McMeckan played a leading role as the policeman and Adam Braithwaite, son of Chris and Isobel at ARH was an excellent vicar!
Behind the scenes a number of boys helped Mr Hunter McWhinney with his fabulous sets;
Matthew Walpole, Ross McAtamney, Tom Cullen, Calvin Ho and Michael Maxwell.
The play was a magnificent production and was much enjoyed by the audience. It was a great credit to its producer, Mr Stephen Ritchie and all his support staff.
Later in the term Scotch combined with PLC to produce "Pirates of Penzeance". Again a number of our boys were involved in what was a first rate production held at PLC. Chris Cory, Sam Stringer, Geoff Irwin and Simon Wark all played starring roles in the production.
Scotch Boarders V Melbourne Grammar Boarders
Annual Football Match
Last year a challenge was issued by Hill Captain, Paul Greening to his Melbourne Grammar equivalent, Peter Osment to play a friendly match between the boarders of the two schools. This followed the demise of the annual game against Caulfield for the "Silver Boot" which now unfortunately is gathering dust.
The inaugural game was won by Scotch and was played at Melbourne Grammar. This year it was our turn to host the game. We had to venture to St. James Park due to our grounds' unavailability, however this did not deter the spirit and enthusiasm of the boys and a good crowd turned up to watch the match. It was played in magnificent conditions and in an excellent atmosphere with some top class football on display. Simon Dart did a fine job in umpiring the game and Scotch again emerged victorious by 4 goals thus retaining the Cup. Mr Peckham was an excellent coach and captain, Tom Wallace played a great game.
After the match a special presentation was made by Hugh Cameron and the MGS Captain Mark Hawkins followed by some afternoon tea. The game was played in true sporting spirit and helped generate and nurture the goodwill between the two schools.
Formal Dinner
On Tuesday 24 August, it was our pleasure to welcome back to the Hill, Mr Mark Patterson as our special guest for the Hill Formal Dinner. Waited on by the year 9 boys dressed in their kilts, the dining hall staff provided a fine 3 course meal to the Hill Staff and guests including Mark and Dr and Mrs Donaldson. Mark later gave an excellent address to the boys reminiscing about his time on the Hill. (He was Littlejohn House Captain in 1979). He talked about his career since leaving the school and how he progressed from collecting the mail for the VFL as an 18 year old cadet to being promoted to a senior position with the AFL then being lured to the Western Bulldogs as their General Manager three years ago.
While obviously the boys were fascinated about the changes in football during Mark's time there was an underlying message in what Mark had to say. He emphasized the disciplines that were ingrained in him during his boarding house years. Ken Field, the late Bursar and Scotch luminary of the 60's, 70's and early 80's first recommended him to the then VFL. He would certainly be very proud of his achievements.
Year 10 Dinner Dance 26 August
The climax to Dancing Classes with MLC was a special formal Dinner Dance held at Tudor Court. It was an excellent evening and much enjoyed by the Year 10 boys who attended.
Max and Fiona Cooper and John and Kathy Flynn also attended as parents and thought the evening was a great success. The boys looked resplendent in their dinner suits and the girls were superb. The dancing was also first rate.
Dancing class has been a great success this year for the Year 10 boys.
A number of boys have expressed an interest in continuing their dancing lessons at a higher level next year.
Boarders' Dance
Friday, 27 August was the date of the traditional Boarders' Dance. This year it was held in the Annexe with a section of the Dining Hall partitioned off for supper. Hugh Cameron and his committee did a great job in setting up the venue. Ed Clark and Simon Bade accompanied Mr Kane in organizing and setting up the decorations and Ms Stalker provided wise counsel in what was required. The Dining Hall staff also provided an excellent supper.
However the evening was poorly patronized especially by the Year 11's and 12's and throws into doubt the worth of such an event.
Scotch Vs MLC
Battle Of The Sexes
After last year's narrow loss the current Year 12's were out for revenge so the challenge was issued to MLC Year 12's for a return match. Hosted by Hugh Cameron as MC each side had 3 rounds asking a panel of 3, ten questions each. Such intellectually challenging questions as what is ''Come in spinner" and "Dead Horse" tested the girls. While what is the product "Cutex" used for and which is the longest lasting lipstick sorted out the boys. In a thrilling finish the boys just got up, avenging the loss of last year.
It was a terrific evening enjoyed by all which included a lovely meal. Special thanks go to Rob McPherson for his posters and to Hugh Cameron and Rianin Ingram for their organisation.
Swinburne Welding Classes
A group of 14 boys completed their welding classes at Swinburne at the end of term. The boys enjoyed their classes very much and they learned a great deal. They ended up making an anvil and their teacher, Mr Fred McLucas was very pleased with their progress and participation.
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