Mathew Collett's ('86) President's Address at the 2020 Old Boys' Union AGM

Dr Lambert, Vice Presidents, Committee members and all Old Boys of the College, I welcome you all to the 2020 Old Boys’ Union AGM. 

Before I begin my address, as most of you may know, 2020 began in the most challenging circumstances with the devastation of the fires that destroyed many communities, including our own Glengarry.

With the majority of staff on holiday, The Old Boys’ Union supported the principal in creating immediate solutions for the incoming Glengarry intake and also assisted with getting the messaging out to the Scots community to gain support where it was needed.

Also as some of you may know, along with the support of the Scots Foundation President Andrew Bullock and the Principal, we organised a fundraising and gift portal that allowed Old Boys, parents and the greater Scots community to donate in three different ways; donating funds, donating their time and donating in-kind gifts.

As you could imagine, we were overwhelmed with the generosity. To-date we have raised over $100k, almost 200 people have offered their time to help clean up through designated future working bees and in-kind gifts including tractors, dozers, and canoes were kindly donated to help rebuild the campus.

To this end, I thank Andrew and Dr Lambert for their commitment and support to help make this a successful community fundraising event to rebuild Glengarry.

Since being instated as the 40th President of the Scots Old Boys’ Union, I have taken great pride in the position. In my first year as President I have focused on creating a number of new initiatives, while working to improve some old ones, whilst always upholding the Scots traditions and ethos of the Old Boys’ Union.

With the support of the Committee, I have been able to take a fresh approach to shape the future of the Old Boys offering, and this could only be achieved by what previous Presidents have done before me. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my predecessor’s, in particular Ian Bonnette, Andrew Radcliffe & Warwick Pilcher for laying down the platform for the greatest alumni in the country.

As many of you will know, last year we said goodbye to our Old Boys’ Secretary Zachary August, who left to pursue his ambitions and dreams in Canberra. I would like to personally thank him for his services to the Old Boys’ Union and we wish him all the best in his endeavours.

I’d also like to welcome our latest addition to our team, Aaron Averay, who joined Scots as the Alumni Manager mid last year. For those who don’t know Aaron, I encourage you to make the time to meet him. He is an ex Alumni Manager from University of New South Wales, and he has brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to support our vision and implement our strategies. In short, he’s been invaluable in assisting me and the committee in delivering our vision.

At this point I would also like to pay my respects to those Old Boys and inspirational men we have lost in 2019.

In particular, I’d like to make mention of Old Boy and long serving staff members Ray Lee ‘68 and also Ken Hawthorne for their multiple decades of shaping young Scots boys. Both of these men influenced multiple generations of Scots boys with their fair and sometimes fierce, approach to shaping us through our years at the College. They will always be remembered.

When I took on the role of president of the Old Boys’ Union, I had a vision to build on a concept and make the Scots Old Boys’ Union the proudest and most active alumni group in the country. 

I didn’t just want to create a great offering of social and networking events. I also wanted to create an environment to support all Old Boys who were at emotional, relational or financial crossroads and in need of our support. 

As an Old Boy who enjoyed his time at the College, I also understand that not everyone share the fond memories many of us do. I also know that everyone experiences their ups and downs after leaving the College.

With this in mind, and with the development of the new John Cunningham Student Centre, I am delighted to report that there will be a focus on a new Scots Mental Wellness Centre. I am currently working closely with the Principal and the College, along with a number of patrons and experts, to create a mental health program that we will all be proud of. 

As President, I propose to extend this mental wellness program to the whole Old Boys community and I hope you join me in supporting this initiative over the coming years.

As previously mentioned another focus as President of the Union is to build on the Old Boys offering by creating more engaging events - social, educational, regional, formal and cultural. 

During 2019 we held an extremely successful and well attended business panel discussion. We invited Old Boys who are industry leaders across business, property and financial markets, along with our local federal member of Parliament, to discuss the unfolding global economic events of 2019 and how these will play out over the next 5 years. This was well attended and thoroughly appreciated by Old Boys and current year 11 and 12 students. 

This year we are planning to launch up to three more of these panel discussions around business in sport, entrepreneurship and possibly women in business in collaboration with the local girl’s schools. I encourage you all to get involved and join us at these panels as I’m sure you will get something out of it.

I have also initiated a business page on the Old Boys site for Old Boys to offer employment opportunities to other Old Boys through job ads and business opportunities. The initial launch included jobs in banking, hotels, labouring and farming. Already leading to the employment of over ten recent graduates since its launch late last year.

If you are an employer or business owner, I encourage you to add your name or business to the page, as we all know that employing a Scots boy far outweighs the alternative.

On the social and regional side, we also held a very successful debut event at the Young Picnic races with over sixty Old Boys and partners present. A marquee, horse racing, old friends and fine southern wine made this a great hit with the country community. 

Along with a Western Districts event at Dubbo in May, we are looking to repeat the Young Picnic Races later in 2020, so please look out for the invites to save the dates soon.

This year we also held our first Young Old Boys event at Easts Rugby Club with alumni from 2010 to 2018 welcoming the current 2019 cohort into the Old Boys’ Union. This was extremely well received by the young Old Boys and this is another initiative to grow in 2020 and beyond.

And of course, our annual Old Boys lunch, last year held at Bar M in Rushcutters Bay, which saw over 180 Old Boys of all ages come together for another great day of reminiscing and storytelling, and in some cases the storytelling went well into the evening.

I was also honoured to continue the tradition of addressing the year 12 boys at their final assembly. I focused on how the Old Boys’ Union, with over 13,000 members, has the ability to support, mentor and help them at any time. I focused on the fact that no matter what path the boys take, no matter what industry they choose or what country they decide to settle in, there is always a Scots Old Boy of influence that is ready and willing to help. Something that sets our Old Boys’ Union apart from all others.

Recently, myself, Richard Sands and Andrew Muston have been hitting the pavement meeting with some of Australia’ finest financial institutions regarding managing the Old Boys’ funds. After almost 12 months, and numerous meetings, we settled on a new manager, Wilsons Advisory. They have created a portfolio based on the family office model of preserving cash, maximising returns and protection the downside. something we all agreed we have overachieved with this portfolio.

Last year I outlined my goals for the Old Boys’ Union which I am committed to deliver.

These include:

• Building a much-improved social media and digital presence

• Improving Old Boy communications and increasing engagement

• Connecting young Old Boys

• Engaging our rural and regional communities

• Expanding on our business and networking events

• Creating a mental wellness, mentoring & support program that is admired by all

To achieve these ambitious goals, we have a committee of active, driven members who are willing to donate their time for the greater good of the Old Boys’ Union. 

We have created five new Sub-committees to help drive and support our ambitious targets of which, every Committee member will be part of. 

With the increased involvement and change of direction, we have seen a changing of the guard in terms of the make-up of the Committee. In 2020 we say farewell to five Committee members, however I am very pleased and somewhat proud, to announce the appointment of ten new members to the Committee who are keen to be involved and deliver our ambitious goals. 

My thanks and gratitude go to outgoing members Andrew Bullock, Ian Bonnette, Simon Scarf and Mark Soulos and I welcome incoming members Spencer White, Ben Cobcroft, Col Scotts, Richard Horton, Max Agapitos, Sam Rush, Rob Tuck, Aaron Mbakwe, Clayton Larcombe and Andrew McKillop.

I would like to thank the whole Committee, old and new, for your time, commitment and dedication. Without this Committee, my vision would just be that, a vision.

My aim is to build an offering for old boys and current senior students to not only connect and learn, but also provide an environment of support and guidance to the Old Boys’ Community.

In closing I implore all Old Boys, young and old, to stay connected, get involved, and experience what the Old Boys’ Union has to offer. 

Thank you and Scots to the fore!