Scotch College

Rob is OSCA No 1

'A Goodly Heritage'

Little did Rob Logie-Smith know that his future school, and direction in life, was being determined whilst he was playing for Geelong College, under Coach George Logie-Smith, in the annual Under 16A football match against Scotch College on the main oval at Scotch.

George was meeting with Dick Selby-Smith to discuss the possibility of George becoming the Music Director of Scotch College in 1959.

The Scotch Under 16A football team of the era, with stars like Ian Graham, Peter Gordon, Rod Olsson, Tony Anderson, Brian Steele and Andy Sinclair, went on to win the match while Rob suffered the indignity of receiving a dislocated jaw. So it came to pass that Rob's fate was sealed, and he duly arrived at Scotch College in the first year Matriculation in 1959.

His initial apprehension was quickly put to rest, with great friends in rowing and Don Macmillan as Coach of the Second Eight. The staff were also extraordinarily welcoming with David Scott, 'Faf' Fleming, Gordon Owen and other teachers of the era.

Rob soon became quickly involved in rowing, football, athletics and, of course, music. Scotch also saw major initiatives with George in the Music School. He established his presence very quickly through the involvement in music at Scotch by key members of the football, rowing, cricket and athletic teams ensuring that music was seen as an essential activity for all the school leaders.

Rob soon found that Scotch was a wonderful school, emphasising team work and focussing on the old adage of 'the more you put in, the more you get out'. He was speechless in the first assembly of 1960 to be appointed a school prefect and subsequently captain of Morrison, vice captain of Boats and vice captain of Music. That year Morrison went on to win the Cock House competition.

Sport saw Rob involved in the second year in a successful Second Eight coached by Don Macmillan, the victorious First Fifteen rugby team and the First athletics team representing the school in the 4 x 880.

The excellent teaching of Frank Nankervis, Gordon Owen, Alec Fraser, Ocker Ferres, Michael Aikman, resulted in Rob matriculating and going on to study engineering. He subsequently completed Diploma of Engineering at Caulfield Institute of Technology, the Bachelor of Engineering degree and MBA at Melbourne University.

His career commenced at Repco, on the drawing board, designing components for motor car engines including components for Jack Brabham's successful engine, and he subsequently joined General Motors.

His experience at the University in doing the MBA broadened his business skills and resulted in him joining PA Consulting Group in 1970, where he is now a Director and a senior member of the international management team of this international management consultancy. He frequently travels throughout Australia in his capacity as the leader of the resource and industrial market sector for PA.

The other key aspect of Rob's life, which is very important to him, is that of his family. Amanda, Rob's 25 year old daughter, is a very capable nurse, working at Cabrini Hospital. James ('91) is working in Sydney with Arthur Andersen. James was a School Officer and enthusiastically participated in music, basketball, rowing and other school activities. Rob's brothers, Geoffrey ('66) and Andrew ('72), were also heavily involved, as one would expect, in music and sport, where Geoffrey represented Scotch in the hurdles at the combined sports and Andrew was in the First cricket and football teams.

Rob's wife Sue is also one who follows the old adage of 'the more you put in, the more you get out.' Following a successful teaching career, Sue is now the Chairman of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Yarra Branch, in Melbourne; a teacher of upper primary students in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry; and a student of Botanical Art. Rob & Sue's interests encompass skiing with Koomerang Ski Club, music, wine, antiques, fine arts and travel.

Over and above the important values that one learns at Scotch from teamwork and from the committed and dedicated staff, Rob finds that Old Scotch Collegians in the business community distinguish themselves with egalitarian and pragmatic values.

Rob told Great Scot that his focus during 1998 would be to continue the traditions from his outstanding predecessors and focus attention on strengthening the activities of the Old Boys and their involvement with the Scotch family. In particular, the development of a strong Old Boys Council, support of the School Council and commitment to supporting the Scotch Foundation in the future development of the school, for the education of young Scotch Collegians, are important factors for him in the 1998 year. And 'PROUD TRADITIONS'.