Scotch College

From the President's Desk

John Craven

Reflecting recently on the new political battleground in Australia, 'Work and Family', I was led to reflect on the changing demands that all of us face and on the need for Scotch and its family to adapt to changing times. We have a proud tradition of leadership and now is the time to continue to advance.

Over the past few years OSCA has been making a quiet journey from a largely social and sporting organisation to an organisation that, whilst continuing to fulfil its mission of reunion and fellowship amongst Old Boys, has a more significant base of services for the broader Scotch Family. Last year with the introduction of OSCAnet came the Mentoring Service, designed to assist young and not-so-young Old Boys with the career transition challenges that they will inevitably face. This year we are expanding that concept of service to include a 'pastoral care' element to assist Old Boys and their families who from time to time find themselves in need. And, of course, we continue to build the opportunities for reunion in Australia and around the world with over 40 Reunion Dinners held annually.

As the scope and relevance of Old Scotch grows we will inevitably call upon Old Boys to participate in some way. For some that will be to simply attend a function while others will become more closely involved with one of the 17 Clubs or Service Groups. We are also endeavouring to ensure that we maintain the financial capacity to support this broad range of activities. You will recently receive the invitation to contribute to the Annual Giving Program (this year will complete our million dollar pledge to the James Forbes Academy) and we have also begun to lay out the first stage of the Old Scotch Square where you will be able to secure a paver for yourself or your family while helping us to build our corpus for the future. We have also introduced an innovative sponsorship program that delivers benefits directly to OSCA and to participating Old Boys this year, we welcome Jellis Craig Real Estate, Peregrine Travel, New Oak Ford and Donohue Financial Planners as our inaugural sponsors.

While change is always with us, some things remain the same. The Annual Dinner in May, with General Cosgrove as our chief guest, will be bigger and better this year and the many Branch reunions will continue. The Old Scotch Clubs are stronger than ever.

Your Council works hard to ensure that Old Scotch adds value to the School, to Old Boys and to the wider Scotch Family. We look forward to your suggestions and feedback as we continue the change journey and hope to see you at an OSCA event in the near future.

John Craven
President - OSCA