Scotch College

40 Year Reunion

The 1962 leavers enjoyed a great night at the Cardinal Pavilion on July 19, when the 1962 School Captain,

Rob Rome presided over one of the more memorable reunions in recent years with nearly 80 old boys and former masters.

The proceedings started with a tour of the new James Forbes Academy for those interested and thence to the Cardinal Pavilion.

Gavin Faichney, as a son of a former Moderator General of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria was eminently suited to commence proceedings with Grace.

Ian Rehfisch proposed the Toast to the School and Vice Principal Ian Savage in his response set the tone for the night, with stories of some of the more bizarre exploits of the lads in recent years and also an update on the School's progress.

James Pullar in proposing the Toast to the Teachers announced his 1st and 2nd eighteen XVIII football teams from the various members of 1962 staff to the delight of all. Ken Evans responded on behalf of Teachers in his inimical and methodical way.

Other speakers for the evening included reminisce from Jamie Aitken, David Crawford, Peter Cornish and Adrian Jones on the impact of School on their lives.

John MacFarlane led us in song, accompanied by Peter Chapman with lots of advice from George Logie-Smith from the sidelines.

Memories of the distant events of 1962 were severely tested by a trivia quiz conducted by Rob Rome. The hopeful and youthful 1962 stars were clearly shown up by the table comprising several very erudite former staff that certainly hadn't lost their touch.

Old boarders were strongly represented by Rob Hiddlestone, Charlie McGrath,

John Kelsall, Robert Mann, Rob Robertson, Alaistair Douglas and many others.

The School Council was well represented on the night by David Crawford and Rob Prowse; Tim Shearer, Executive Director, represented OSCA and by Jamie Aitken, Tim Jonas and Ian Rehfisch represented the Foundation.

The former staff able to join us included Stan Brown, Peter Chapman, Ken Evans, George Logie-Smith, plus Tiger Lyne aged 92 and Doc Mendel aged 89, who both finally called it quits at around midnight. However for some, this was only the beginning for those allegedly shorter in wind or feeble of foot and rheumatic of shoulder.

It is not possible to list everybody not already mentioned but who certainly made it all such a great night. However, it was wonderful to see Ag Christie (our Rhodes Scholar) who enjoyed an illustrious life in Canberra before retiring to grow grapes in Tasmania; Bryan Keon-Cohen who has enjoyed a most successful legal career, likewise Jim McMeckan in banking, Tony Scott in Geology and Marty Ralston in IT.

However, the story would not be complete without mentioning our sprinkling of doctors (John Piesse, Rick Cunningham, Andrew Harkness, David Petchell), lawyers (Colin Bridges, George Wisely, Andrew Joseph, Graeme Lunney, Ross McDonald), accountants (David Eva), engineers (Ron Verrier, Bruce Wilson), consultants (Ron Mack, John McKay), stockbrokers (Chris Newman) and teachers (Howard Brown, Phil Roberts), all a wonderful testimony to the dedication and success that 'Scotch' imbues in its students.

Finally, it was wonderful to see Don Werner whose untiring efforts and dedication contributed so much to the construction and success of the Cardinal Pavilion.

Ian Rehfisch

---

Australia's war horses

David Evans ('60) is a member of the Australian Light Horse Association and Chairman of the Waler Memorial Committee. In his role he is leading a project to honour all Australia's war horses.

Australia sent one hundred and sixty thousand horses to the First World War (more at the Boer War and earlier Indian conflicts), yet only one horse came home.

The one horse that did return, Sandy was the mount of Major General Sir William Bridges who founded Duntroon before heading off to WW1. Sandy returned to Melbourne in 1916 to see out his days.

In order to fittingly pay tribute to these horses David is collecting funds to create Australia's only full size, life like bronze to the Australian light horse (The Waler Horse). It will be located in Tamworth, the centre of breeding of the Waler, the horse of New South Wales.

It will cost $110,000 to build the bronze, which will be created by sculptor Tanya Bartlett, responsible for bronzes of Les Darcy at Maitland and Sir Donald Bradman at Bowral. So far $40,000 has been raised.

If you would like to make a donation to the Tamworth Waler Memorial appeal please send to Tamworth RSL Sub-Branch PO Box 245 Tamworth 2340.