Scotch College

Relay for Life

It was 2 in the morning and things were slowing down. The footy had stopped on the eastern side of the main oval. For the cricketers, at the other end, bad light was not a problem, the main oval was floodlit, but their number too had dwindled. Between the competing sports, tent city was claiming more and more boys as fatigue kicked in. I was tired too. Quietly I snuck off to the upstairs lounge and put my head down. Quick as a flash it was 6 am.

The new day was well under way, damp and grey, but the walkers were still circling the oval. Spirits were high as I sought out Sam Black to see what I could do to help. Not much really. It was all organized. 104.3 Gold FM had been there the night before for an after school sausage sizzle. The boarders came down to help with the dinner BBQ, now they were back to help with breakfast.

The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary year saw the Main Oval used for a wide variety of purposes. Perhaps none as unlikely as the December 4th 24 hour Relay for Life.

It all began early in 2000 when Catherine Macmillan, of the Anti-Cancer Council, talked to Mr Black about Scotch hosting an event that would raise money for cancer research.

We explored the possibility of the necessary resources being available, coordination, recruitment, facilities, especially the oval, the food, some entertainment, adult supervision. These checked out and the idea was agreed in principle and entered in the diary for 2001.

There is no doubt that Mr Sam Black, Director of Social Services, and his entire family, shared the burden of the organization and much of the implementation.
They deserve a huge vote of thanks.

A notable group of people made the first circuit. This was the ‘Survivor’s Walk’ introduced at the opening ceremony by the Rev Dr Norman Curry.

Survivors included former staff, Stan Brown and Lloyd Owen, current staff, Robyn Doherty and Norm Bain, students, James Bull and Sam Digby, parents, Ollie Martin and Peter Nicholls, and others intimately involved in the Scotch Family, Veida Paul and Bill Marshall, with other family members joining in support.

Everyone present was deeply moved by this commencement. Here was Scotch as never before assembled, courageous as always, but vulnerable as never before. In addition to GOLD FM our appreciation must go to Spotless Catering, Bakers Delight and McDonalds for their sponsorship.

What actually happened after the first lap? About 450 participants maintained teams in relay for 24 hours. The result of the sponsorship was that $27,000 was raised.

The boys of year 8 are especially to be congratulated for their huge involvement; 8B in particular raised $1374.60. Francis Leung achieved the highest individual amount $510.

This event could not have happened without enthusiastic contributions from a significant number of people. Many thanks. Well done to Mr Michael Robinson who entered a School council team. Let’s keep up the momentum with this year’s Relay. Why not plan to enter a team of parents. Let’s do it for a cancer free future!

Rev Graham Bradbeer
Chaplain