Scotch College

The mothers of Scotch celebrated in new sculpture

The generosity of two Old Scotch boys and the creativity of an artist have combined in a celebration of the role of mothers at Scotch.

WORDS: Mr DAVID ASHTON Photography: Mr Andrew Murdoch and Ms Kathryn Cairney

Amid the hustle, bustle and fun of Family Day on Saturday 11 October, a most significant event took place at Scotch College.

It was the unveiling of a brand new statue, Mother and Son, designed by Jim Derham (’56) and generously financed by Jim Beattie (’52).

Melbourne-born sculptor Julie Squires was chosen from a number of entrants from around Australia, and created Mother and Son to recognise the vital role the mothers of Scotch boys play in the upbringing of their sons – and the support wives and partners have given to Old Scotch boys over the decades.

The sculptor has depicted a young boy having just left the Junior School. He is striding with a degree of certainty towards the Senior School. He walks slightly in front of his mother to convey a sense of independence and confidence. A younger child is snuggled up to her mother.

Jim Derham’s concept with the statue was for current students to identify with the young boy, and for them to feel their own sense of gratitude for what their mothers have done for them.

Sculptor benefactor Jim Beattie believes gratitude is an important part of Scotch boys’ education, and should figure prominently throughout their lives: gratitude for their Scotch education, gratitude for living in Australia with all the benefits that conveys – and gratitude for the selfless contribution of their mothers to their upbringing. A plaque on the statue reads: With gratitude to the generations of Scotch College mothers who have selflessly contributed to the well-being of the school.

‘The glue that binds Scotch together’

Over the years, many mothers have indeed made a wonderful contribution to Scotch’s well-being.

Astrida Cooper, former Scotch parent, is Acting Director of Development at Scotch. Her son Peter completed Year 12 last year, bringing to an end Astrida’s direct involvement as a Scotch parent, but by no means her interest in and passion for Scotch.

Astrida says she has ‘embraced Scotch in every possible way’. She served on the committee of the Junior School Parents’ Association, and was president for one year. She helped organise Scotch’s sesquicentenary celebrations in 2001, including co-chairing the showpiece ‘Dinner on the Main’ event, and has had involvement with the Cardinal Club, Scrum Club, Music Auxiliary and the Wine and Food group over the years.

The Cooper family involvement with Scotch is extensive. Astrida’s husband, Craig (’74), is one of about 20 extended Cooper family members who have attended Scotch.

Mary McCoy is the life and soul of the OSCA Mornington Peninsula branch. Initially involved through her husband Jim (’43), Mary has been a tireless worker for the branch for more than 25 years, organising functions, arranging venues, taking bookings and greeting visitors. Mary describes it as a ‘wonderful journey’, and one she wouldn’t have missed, despite not having had a boy at Scotch.

Cynthia Richards, whose husband John (’50) died in 1998, helped to form the Christina Morrison Circle, a group which enables women whose husbands or partners are severely ill or who have died, to retain contact with the School. However, Cynthia says she hardly needs the CMC link for that purpose – she already keeps fully in touch with Scotch life through her children and her three grandchildren. Cynthia’s brother Robert Lodge (’54) and her three sons all attended Scotch, and her three grandchildren are current students.

She and John used to call Scotch ‘our place’, and they felt a strong sense of belonging. Cynthia was on the Cadet Auxiliary and she and John both supported Scotch at Cowes. John was a member of the OSCA and School Councils, and ultimately became president of the Law Council of Australia, but Cynthia says he was ‘always there for the boys’.

Her advice to a new Scotch mother is to ‘get involved as quickly as you can. Like everything else in life, the more you put in, the more you get out of it. And I think the boys like to see their mothers around the place.’

Sandra Dick, the mother of three Old Scotch Collegians and one current Year 11 student, agrees. ‘Embrace the whole of Scotch – don’t be apprehensive: get involved,’ she says. ‘After all, it’s what we tell the boys to do.’ Sandra believes that meeting other parents has helped to keep a finger on the School’s pulse, and to know how other parents are dealing with study and social issues. It has also enabled her to make great friends. Sandra has always been a member of Scotch committees and auxiliaries, and is currently a Year 11 class representative. She and her family have lived in Australia for 20 years, after moving from New Zealand.

Pam Marshall’s sons Andrew (’88) and Steven (’91) both started in Year 1 in the Junior School. Her late husband Bill (William T ’58) and her father-in-law (William D ’23) were Old Boys. Bill and Pam were married at Scotch in 1966 and her grandson James is scheduled to come to Scotch in 2016. Pam says her sons are grateful for the valuable contribution Scotch made to their lives.

Inscription on plaque: ‘With gratitude to the generations of Scotch College mothers who have selflessly contributed to the well-being of the School.’

A member of the School Council for 12 years, Pam chaired the Property Committee for nine years, in a time of major building activity. The Language Centre, the Lithgow Centre, the Randall Building, Old Scotch Square and the magnificent James Forbes Academy were all constructed during this period.

Pam is a lawyer, and during her sons’ School days she was able to balance the demands of her career with bringing up her sons. She was in partnership with Bill, who was very supportive, and she was able to choose work which roughly fitted in with School times. She also tried to be at home when the boys returned from School.

‘We didn’t want to just drop the boys at the School gate. We wanted to show that we were interested in their education and what they were doing at School. We also wanted to meet other parents, and to be involved in and contribute to the life of the School.

‘So I joined the committee of the Junior School Mothers’ Association (now JSPA) in about 1980, and enjoyed it so much I stayed on and was elected president in about 1982. The emphasis was always on “friend raising” rather than fund raising (although we did that too!)

‘When the boys were in the Senior School I joined the Scotch Family Association Committee, and was editor of the yellow newsletter for a while, and on the steering committee for the new format of Great Scot. I was elected president of the Scotch Family Association in 1991.’

Pam’s Scotch involvement has not wavered. She is now co-vice president of the Heritage Club, chairman of the Christina Morrison Circle and a member of the committee of the Alexander Morrison Circle.

‘I have always been impressed by the rich heritage of Scotch and the generosity of members of the Scotch Family. This has been passed on through each generation by not only its students, Old Boys, parents, teachers, Principals and Councils, but particularly by the mothers of each generation of Scotch boys.’

One of the women Great Scot interviewed said ‘women are the glue that binds Scotch together’, and it is difficult to dispute that statement. In almost every walk of Scotch life, a quietly achieving army of Scotch females are indeed a binding force. Their contribution has enriched Scotch life immeasurably. GS