Scotch College

Scrum Club in touch

On Friday 6 July the Scrum Club held its inaugural dinner in the splendid surroundings of the Victorian Rugby Union Club in the Rialto. More than one hundred and sixty guests were present, representing a span of fifty years of Rugby players and their friends and relatives. A special highlight of the gathering was the strong representation of the 'young' Old Boys, including the 2000 Captain, Andrew Holdsworth, and a number of players from that special team. There was also a strong representation of former Captains of Rugby from down the years.

Under the careful guidance of the founding president, John Marshall, the Scrum Club has grown in membership as it seeks to fulfil its aim of providing support of all kinds to the Rugby players and staff of the Scotch College Rugby Union Club.

This support ranges from presenting the prestigious Scrum Club Award for the Best Team player in the club, to the more mundane but vital task of running the Saturday barbecues, and providing financial assistance for the needs of the club and its players. John is supported by a strong committee who give generously of their time to promote the game within the College.

This special dinner was timed to coincide with the excitement of the Lions Test at Colonial Stadium, as well as with the 150th celebrations of Scotch College. It was an organisational triumph under the directorship of Greg and Judy Hamilton (parents of 2000 star player, Rowan) who were well assisted by Gail Holdsworth and Jill Comport and a number of other hard-working committee members. Special guest of honour was former Wallaby and now Wallaby forwards coach, Ewan McKenzie who provided a number of insights into the triumphant resurgence of the Wallabies in the Second Test. The guest speaker, former Wallaby Coach and inspirational motivator Alan Jones, regaled the guests with a flawless display of witty anecdotes and lines of wisdom which both entertained and challenged all those present - especially the younger players. It was a generous speech in all senses, and it set the tone for the rest of the evening, stimulating as it did, intense discussion and rounds of strong applause! The whole evening was seamlessly guided by MC Gary Gray, yet one more person who gave so generously of his time and efforts for the enjoyment of all.

Rugby is a game which promotes the kinds of strong friendships and fierce sense of loyalty which were displayed throughout the evening. As the night drew on, new strategies for defeating the Red Plague which had descended on Melbourne were aired more and more loudly. One thing was clear, however; there was nothing but united determination that the Green and Gold would be supported well and loudly, and that it was time to demonstrate that support when OUR team was on the back foot. In the same way that the Scrum Club and its guests have been right behind the triumphant progress of the boys in the bumblebee jumpers this year, they were united behind the Wallabies. And we all saw the result! Both the dinner and the match were memorable for their success.

The Scrum Club is keen to attract more members to help with its various activities. For further details, contact John Marshall on 9288 5386.

Mr Alan Watkinson