Scotch College

From the President's Desk

John Craven

From the President's Desk

A few weeks ago at Melbourne Park the continuing strength of Old Scotch was once again confirmed, when almost 700 Old Boys gathered for the "annual pilgrimage".

This year a theme of "Leadership" ran through the evening, and I was pleased to unveil the new vision for OSCA, developed by the OSCA Council in consultation with many Old Boys. Our vision simply says the following:

Purpose: OSCA is a professionally managed organisation, which exists to serve the needs and interests of Old Scotch boys, and more broadly to support and assist the Scotch Family.

Values: The values of OSCA are the values of Scotch College.

Activities: OSCA will serve Old Boys and the Scotch Family through the coordination of events to help maintain a connection with the School, by acting as a resource centre, and through a spirit of pastoral care.

Vision: That OSCA membership will be valued by all Old Boys, because of the worthwhile contribution OSCA makes to the School, the

Scotch Family and the broader community.

At first glance, this may be seen simply to confirm the direction in which OSCA has been heading for many years. I believe, however, hat the adoption of this vision will lead OSCA towards a very exciting future.

Class Reunions

5 Year Reunion	Sat. 14 Aug. TBA
40 Year Dinner	Fri. 10 Sept. Cardinal Pavilion
60/70 Year Luncheon	Fri. 8 Oct. Cardinal Pavilion
55 Year Reunion	Fri. 22 Oct. Cardinal Pavilion
10 Year Reunion	Mon. 1 Nov. TBA
50 Year Dinner	Fri.12 Nov. Cardinal Pavilion
YOB's Reunion	Thur. 18 Nov. TBA

Branch Functions

Jul.	Fri. 16	Darwin Branch Dinner Darwin - TBA
Aug.	Thur. 19	A.C.T. Branch Dinner Canberra - TBA
Aug.	Fri. 20	Queensland Branch Dinner Brisbane - Novotel Hotel
Aug.	Fri. 27	N. . . Branch Dinner Sydney - TBA
Oct.	Fri. 15	London Branch Dinner London - Caledonian Club
Oct.	Sun. 3	Bellarine Branch Dinner Bellarine - TBA

Luncheons

Sept.	Fri. 3	OSCA Cardinal Pavilion,	Speaker: Rod Griffith, (Peregrine Adventures)
Nov.	Fri. 5	Veterans' Reunion Cardinal Pavilion,	Speaker: Roland Perry on Monash

Much is written about changing demographics, the ageing population and the challenges young people face in the transition from study to work. Families behave differently, and most people are more mobile and more willing to branch out in new directions than past generations were. OSCA can be a valuable resource in both times of adventure and times of adversity, rekindling the spirit of the Old Boy network in its new guise.

The community is also hungry for leadership, and OSCA, as a group of over 12,000 people with impact, can take a lead on important issues (like education funding); and of course individual Old Boys can be encouraged to step up when the need appears.

Our new vision calls on OSCA collectively and Old Boys individually to "add value" to the School, the Scotch Family and the community.

Next month we will officially open Old Scotch Square - a new feature of the Scotch campus that will become a focus for remembering and celebrating former students, staff and parents. The demand for pavers to "leave your mark" is already strong, and the first section will soon be sold out.

A great by-product of the square will be the expansion of the OSCA corpus, o that we can establish the programs needed to achieve our vision. The first program will be aimed at today's students and their families, ho may be in special need of financial help to ensure they can continue to take full advantage of the opportunities Scotch offers. Over the past few years we have given about 20 per cent of our "income" to assist present students. By expanding our corpus, the impact of this will be increased. May I ask you to consider "leaving your mark" and "paving the way".

Once again this issue of Great Scot is packed with information about life within the Scotch Family today. I look forward to your feedback about further ways that OSCA may add value to the School, the Scotch Family and the community.

John Craven
President - OSCA