Scotch College

Dr Donaldson awarded an AM in Queen's Birthday Honours List

At morning assembly immediately following the announcement of the award of Dr Donaldson's AM, the Chairman of the School Council delivered the following address to the boys and members of Staff.

As many of you will be aware, the Australian Honours announced by the Governor General on Monday included an award to Dr Donaldson.

I believe him to be the only presently serving School Principal in Australia to have received such an award.

These awards, which are made twice per year, are for the purpose of recording recognition of Australian citizens for achievements or meritorious service.

The awards are made by the Governor General on the advice of a specially created council. This council is a broadly based group of nineteen people representative of the Australian people. The council considers nominations made to it and then makes its recommendations to the Governor General.

Dr Donaldson was nominated for an award - without his consent or knowledge - for his services to Scotch College and to education generally.

Dr Donaldson became the eighth Principal of Scotch College in January 1983 - before most of you were born. His appointment was the culmination of a worldwide search for an outstanding educator with the personal qualities needed to provide leadership to this school.

Initially educated in Ireland, Dr Donaldson had undertaken post graduate studies in Canada after which he had the opportunity to pursue an academic career as an atomic scientist. Instead he chose to follow a vocation as a teacher and educator.

In his school days, Dr Donaldson played rugby for Ireland at a junior level and his ongoing enthusiasm for this and other sports is most evident.

He took up his position as Principal of Scotch College shortly after his thirty-eighth birthday - a very young age for anybody to hold such an important position. Whilst thirty-eight may not appear to be young to you, it certainly seems young to me!

Dr Donaldson's strong Christian commitment and his high moral and ethical standards have been translated through the education system in a way of practical relevance to students in this modern world.

In 1997 he was appointed National Chairman of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia - a great honour and a recognition of his standing amongst the independent schools throughout the nation.

Dr Donaldson has taken a leading role in drug education and was a Founding Patron of the Centre for Youth Drug Studies. His work was recognised by his appointment as a Life Governor of the Australian Drug Foundation.

Over the last seventeen years, Dr Donaldson has initiated the substantial Junior School extension, the Cardinal Pavilion, the Language Centre, the Lithgow Centre, the remodelled Randall Building and the major renovation of facilities now being undertaken on the Hill.

But the hallmark of Dr Donaldson's term as Principal has been in the School's fundamental purpose - to encourage each boy to achieve the highest standard of which he is capable in all his activities and the full development of the personality and sense of responsibility of each student.

He has developed an outstanding teaching staff - people of professionalism, excellence and character. He has overseen the continuous evolution of the curriculum and of the vast range of co-curricular activities which are undertaken at Scotch.

The programme of pastoral care and of encouraging individual responsibility is being strengthened continually.

Scotch College is very proud of Dr Gordon Donaldson and the School Council is delighted that his contribution to Australian life has been recognised in this way. It has come at a time when our great School is about to embark on its 150th birthday celebrations and this is a cause of additional pleasure.

I now invite you to join with me in showing our appreciation and delight with this high honour bestowed upon our Principal.