Scotch College

Perelberg Award honours an Old Boy who changes lives

Ross Hooley (’78), an Old Boy devoted to the cause of caring for those less fortunate than himself, has taken out the 2008 Perelberg Award.

WORDS: Mr TOM BATTY • SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Old boy Ross Hooley (’78) is the worthy winner of the 2008 Perelberg Award, an annual award for ‘Exemplary Scotch Spirit’, alternately granted one year to a current student or to one who left the previous year, and the next year to an Old Scotch Collegian.

It is the 16th occasion the award has been made since it began in 1993.

The Perelberg Award is made in memory of a former student of Scotch, Ashley Perelberg, who, as an 18-year old, died from a heart attack while training during his first year at university. Ashley had been very well known at Scotch for his full and enthusiastic involvement in many aspects of the School – he certainly exemplified what we often refer to as the Scotch spirit.

The Perelberg family wished to create a perpetual memorial to Ashley and presented a magnificent award – a silver sculpture depicting the penguin parade at Philip Island – inspired by Ashley’s devotion to the annual Scotch-at-Cowes camps on Philip Island. The Perelberg Trophy is permanently displayed in the School library, and the winner each year receives a splendid silver replica.

This year nominations were received from former Scotch Collegians, and the selection of the winner was not easy, because of the outstanding calibre of those nominated.

Ross Hooley arrived at Scotch in 1966 and left as a member of the Class of 1978. His final years saw him fill the roles of House and School Prefect, Scout Troop Leader and Senior Scout, Vice-Captain and then Captain of the Cross-Country team, Vice-Captain of Athletics and organiser of the 1978 24-Hour Hike.

A Bachelor of Arts degree from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma of Recreation from the Philip Institute (now LaTrobe University) led Ross to be appointed as the first executive officer for the Victorian Institute of Recreation. During his tertiary studies he had worked as a volunteer at the Oakleigh Centre with those with intellectual difficulties.

A round-the-world trip in the mid-’80s has resulted in Ross working as a volunteer, then as an employee of the Nemasket Group in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, since 1986. This non-profit group provides career, family advocacy and community support to children and adults with significant developmental disabilities living in south-east Massachusetts. Ross has led and trained other support workers during his 22 years with the group, and in 1999 became the founder and director of Building Futures – an innovative project that supports adolescents as they make the transition from school to adult life.

Ross has won the hearts of those he works with, and has truly made a huge difference to their lives. He has empowered them to achieve far beyond their own expectations, and those of their families and carers. In January this year, Ross’s work was acknowledged by the Massachusetts Chapter of The Arc – the nation’s largest umbrella organisation for those with disabilities – by presenting Ross with one of its 2008 Distinguished Citizens Awards.

Ross is devoted to the cause of caring for those less fortunate than himself, a cause he has pursued with enormous energy and great effect. His career has truly exemplified the concept of the Scotch spirit. GS