Ashley Vines – a most apt Perelberg Award winner - Scotch College

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Ashley Vines – a most apt Perelberg Award winner

A student who truly encapsulates the ethos which the Perelberg Award seeks to honour is this year’s winner.
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Ashley Vines, Vice-Captain of the School in 2011, is a highly appropriate winner of this year’s Perelberg Award, which recognises ‘exemplary Scotch spirit’. Ashley has displayed precisely that quality during his six years at Scotch.

This annual award, presented at the Class of 2011 Presentation Night on 25 October, is awarded in alternate years to either an Old Scotch Collegian or to a student who is currently completing his VCE, or did so last year. This year the award was open to a member of the Class of 2010 or the Class of 2011. The award is made in memory of Ashley Perelberg, who was a member of the Class of 1992 and died suddenly in 1993 in his first year of university studies.

Ashley Perelberg had a full and enthusiastic life at Scotch – he exemplified what we refer to as the ‘Scotch Spirit’: striving for excellence while serving the needs of others, and applying high standards while showing compassion for those not able to reach those same standards.

Ashley’s family created a perpetual memorial and presented a magnificent trophy – a silver sculpture depicting the penguin parade at Phillip Island – inspired by Ashley’s devotion to the annual Scotch at Cowes summer camps. The Perelberg Trophy is permanently displayed in the Senior Library, and the winner each year receives a splendid silver replica.

Presenting the 2011 Perelberg Award to Ashley Vines, the Principal, Mr Tom Batty, said Ashley had displayed outstanding leadership in such formal positions as School Vice-Captain and Captain of Gilray House.

‘However, it is the style of leadership of such a natural, happy and willing young man that has made an enormous impact at Scotch, beyond his formal positions,’ Mr Batty said. ‘Many have tried to describe and define “Scotch Spirit” – it is not an easy task. It is perhaps easier to describe the characteristics of those who have it.

‘I will attempt to summarise the comments made by all those who nominated Ashley and supported his nomination. All boys, staff and parents who know Ash will appreciate and validate these words.

‘Ash Vines is an outstanding young man. He shows extraordinary maturity. He is well grounded, and this, combined with his compassion for others, makes him a wonderful friend and role model. He has been a pivotal part of the Indigenous Partnership Programme since its inception three years ago: he is passionate about raising the profile of aboriginal issues within the school community, and has worked hard to educate his peers about indigenous culture and the particular challenges they face. Wherever he can, he has used his leadership positions to bring indigenous perspectives into the mainstream.

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‘He brings to all his activities a selfless humility. He is quick to listen and slow to speak. He always seeks to empower those around him. He is distinguished by his uncommon grace and lavish generosity of spirit.

‘Ash has the gift for making others feel valued and welcome. People never feel inadequate around this young man.

‘I cannot think of another student who has more honestly encapsulated the ethos which the Perelberg Award seeks to honour, and I cannot recommend him highly enough for it.’