Scotch College

Former staff meet the future

WORDS: BRUCE BROWN

When members of the fledgling Old Scotch Staff Club welcomed new Principal Tom Batty to Scotch over afternoon tea during August, it also provided a perfect opportunity to help launch Alec Lyne’s interesting and informative memoirs, What They Didn’t Know About Tiger.

Alec, who was Dux of Scotch in 1928, a staff member from 1942–74 and founding secretary of the Common Room Association, clearly enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce with former colleagues including David Scott (’44), Keith Darling and Ken Evans (’48). Recent retirees Neil Cracknell and David Paul – respectively president and vice-president of the new club – were also on hand to salute Alex’s contribution to Scotch.

‘My first two years at Scotch in 1973–4 actually coincided with Alex’s last two years, so together we had a cumulative 65 years in the Common Room,’ Neil reflected.

The Old Scotch Staff Club was formed earlier this year, and is designed to provide a link between all former staff, their families and the school. At its inaugural function in May the club installed Alec Lyne, Frank Stuckey (’24), Garth Tapp (’39) (now deceased), Nell Eggleston and Leigh McGregor (’55) as patrons to reflect this aim. ‘We hope to cater for the range of interests of our members in our activities,’ Neil added.

Prior to the afternoon tea, former archivist and Scotch stalwart Geoff Tolson (’39) hosted a screening of vintage film footage of Scotch, particularly the great flood of 1934. As David Paul observed: ‘It was a delightful afternoon, blending interesting reminiscences from the past with Tom Batty’s vision for the future’. GS