Scotch College

A fitting farewell for Michael

All speakers thanked Michael for his strength, determination and vision, which have guided the School over the past 11 years.

Words: Dr Alan Watkinson• Director of Development Photography: Andrew Murdoch

On 8 March, 170 members of the Scotch Family and special guests gathered at the Cardinal Pavilion to farewell Michael and Judith Robinson, following Michael’s retirement as Chairman of the School Council at the end of last year.

In an elegant but restrained setting, the guests enjoyed a specially designed menu and were entertained by the gifted Year 10 pianist Max Foster and by the dulcet tones of the Cardinals. Interspersed were tributes by the new Chairman of the Council, David Crawford, and the Principal, Dr Gordon Donaldson, and a presentation by Andrew Wallace-Smith, the OSCA President of 2006, of a splendid portrait of Michael.

All speakers thanked Michael for his strength, determination and vision, which have guided the School over the past 11 years. They also recognised his contributions to the School as President of OSCA and as President of the Scotch College Foundation, as well as his general service as a member of the School Council over the last 20 years. The dinner also acknowledged the exceptional support Michael had received from Judith, and the model of commitment she has become within the Scotch Family.

This was an evening of great celebration as well as timely reflection, and Michael’s positive view for the future of Scotch is one that resonated with Old Boys, their families and the chairmen of other School Councils who enjoyed the occasion as special guests.

Seventy-five years ago, Sir Arthur Robinson, Michael’s illustrious grandfather, said in an address to the School: ‘Good times tend to make us all soft, but the hard times all are having now should brace Scotch Collegians to special efforts, in which determination, coolness, a clear head, a stout heart and clean tactics, for all of which the School stands, will be the distinguishing features.’

These are the very qualities which have marked Michael Robinson’s association with the School, and for which we all recognise him as a true Scotch Collegian. Sir Arthur would without a doubt concur!