Scotch College

Annual Giving turns 30, but the need is stronger than ever

The Scotch College Annual Giving program approaches its 30th year in 2007.

Words: Tim Shearer

Over the past 30 years, Old Boys have generously donated over $1.6 million to the various funds established within the program.

The School is indebted to the many Old Boys who have supported the program over this time. The buildings and facilities at Scotch are in large part the result of the efforts and generosity of parents and Old Boys of the School. At Scotch, school fees pay for the provision of education – not for buildings or facilities. The School endeavours to keep the base fees as affordable as possible for current parents, despite the fact that Federal Government support for Scotch parents has been reduced in relative terms to other APS schools in recent years. The Annual Giving program, and the activities of the Scotch College Foundation, are fundamental to the future welfare of the School.

In 1977 the seeds were sown by a number of generous Old Boys of the School who raised $3000. This figure has grown to $170,000 in 2006. Over the past 30 years the program has provided $316,000 for books and resources via the library fund, $70,000 for student assistance for parents in need, and $17,000 in staff salary enhancement. $1.2 million has been generously provided for the building fund, which has supported the refurbishment of the Memorial Hall, the construction of the James Forbes Academy for the Performing Arts, the extension to the current archives facility and, most recently, the restoration of the Chapel steps and walls.

This year we are focusing on some exciting projects. It is planned to reinstall replica gates at the entrance to the School on the corner of Callantina and Glenferrie roads, to replicate the original gates that were removed during the 1970s. This will have a twofold effect. It will significantly improve the security of the students and school property at this very exposed entry point, as well as continuing to preserve our heritage, illustrated by the recent restoration of the Lionel Robinson drinking fountain in the quadrangle and the reinstallation of the bell on the Memorial Hall. The East Melbourne Glen Chapter has kindly offered to support this wonderful project and, although donations to this project are not tax deductible, it is hoped that the project will evoke a generous response from our older Old Boys.

As reported elsewhere in this edition of Great Scot, the Federal Government has recently altered its policy relating to tax deductibility for registered scholarships for secondary schools in Australia. This is a wonderful development, for in the past donations for scholarships at tertiary institutions have attracted a tax deduction, while those to secondary schools have not. This is a very sensible development.

The School has recently created the Scotch College Foundation Scholarship Fund, which meets the required government criteria for designated gift recipients. The Old Scotch Collegians’ Association, the Scotch College Foundation and the School are endeavouring to create the Hugh Randall Syme Scholarship as part of the new tax deductible scholarship fund, recognising one of our most notable Old Boys, who gave outstanding service during World War II. A full scholarship today requires a supporting fund of $350,000. To date, through the generosity of many Old Boys, $100,000 has been committed to this scholarship.

Another development this year is that donations can be made online via a secure payment facility on the Scotch College website www.scotch.vic.edu.au.

I hope that you will help to provide for the educational needs of current and future students, and continue the wonderful tradition of giving created by those who have gone before.