NEWSLETIER TO OLD GEELONG COLLEGIANS No. 19 Registered at the G.P.O. Melbourne for transmission by post as a periodical August, 1968 THE COLLEGE MY AN SWE R- BY THE EDITOR • Several Old Collegians have asked for details of the WHAT IS IT? finances of the Old Geelong Collegians' Association, and in particular of its money-raising activities. From time to time, Mr. Thwaites, as Principal, There are two distinct parts to the Association's finances. is asked to explain to parents why they should As regards the normal aclministrative section, the treasurer's report spend so much to send their sons to the College, to the last annual meeting was adopted unanimously and was summarized in the June Pegasus. when the State provides a cheaper alternative. Concerning the new Year Group Organisation and Annual "Ad Astra" is grateful to him for permission to present Giving Programme, which is at present directed particularly towards extracts from a statement which he has prepared on this subject. the Rolland Physical Education Centre, it must be stated that:- The College can only be iden­ masters, and they choose the 1. The Programme is only one of the sources of contributions to tified and understood by dis­ College; they are not sent here. the Geelong College Building Fund, which is an account of covering what it is that the the Geelong College Council. College community wants to do • The school community has 2. Many Old Collegians have directed their gifts specifically to the o be and to stand for. Above [ 'se, the College embodies a been adapted to make sure that Morrison Hall appeal, which will close in 1969. c ern for people as individual no individual boy can feel sub­ ~ merged in the mass. The Pre­ 3. The College Council, recognising the value of the new activity personalities, a concern for the amongst Old Collegians, and especially its significance 31' the quality of the relationships be­ paratory School is self-contained in every way. The Senior School future, has agreed to subsidize part of the expenses Jf the tween them, and a concern that O.G.C.A. office, since: each of them should grow to full is divided into six houses, three stature. boarding and three day, with an (a) highest expenses came in the opening years, when receipts experienced Housemaster in were low; charge of each. Classes are kept below a maximum size of about (b) a portion of office expenditure is incurred on behalf of the thirty. Morrison Hall project; (c) the work of the office has a public relations value to the • The variety of experience College. available to each boy as he passes The Council has now stabilized the position so that the through the school has steadily expenses of fund raising do not exceed 20% of receipts, usually increased. The range of games regarded as a reasonable level. has been extended to make sure that almost every boy finds his With the assistance of the Council's Finance Committee, we place to participate with enjoy­ present the following progress report:- ment. In the cultural area, the traditional activity in music and A. NETT BALANCE available for Rolland Centre craft work continues to expand; at 1st January, 1968 .......... $19,476 each year there is a concert or B. YEAR 196B dramatic production. There are Total contributions from Old Collegians, to 31st July, 1968 .......... .. 20,618 groups devoted to debating, chess, Less amounts earmarked by donors for .-- rifie shooting and the like. To Morrison Ha II Appea I .. .. .. .. .. 10,165 make time for such activities, 10,453 Estimated contributions, August to December, two afternoons per week are kept 1968 (excludes Morrison Hall Appeal) 4,500 free of games practices. Mr. P. N. THWAITES 14,953 e Less proportion of operating expenses • The provision of a wide var­ allocated against Old Collegians" Office iety of courses and standards in and Programme for 1968 .. '. 2,950 This is not surprising when one the academic field has been a Estimated Nett Intake for Rolland Centre considers the dominant forces in particular pre-occupation in re­ 1968 ............ .. 12,003 its history; its Christian founda­ cent years. The more able boys C. YEAR 1969 have achieved rising standards tion; the enduring influence of Required Nett Intake for Rolland Centre 18,521 great men like the Morrisons in the face of competition for and Frank Rolland; the long entry to universities; but we are Which will provide amount nominated by Council equally concerned to devise for commencement of first stage of the Rolland tradition of service by school­ Centre .. $50,000 masters and members of the courses for the academically less College Council; the practical gifted, many of whom must also support of Old Collegians; the proceed to further training after close-knit community life of the they leave school. • Some Old Boys have questioned the economics of College, arising from the high the mailing programme, which one of them calls an proportion of boarders and the Thus we are still a ttempting to "almost endless deluge." relatively small total enrolment. trea t every boy as a separate, unique person in a community There need be only one fund-raising mailing per year. When What evidence can we find that where Christian insight into per­ the recipient makes a contribution, whatever its magnitude, the these icleals and standards of the sonal relationships is the guid­ "deluge" immediately dries up. However, it is considered in the past are continuing into the ing principle. fund-raiSing world that up to three mailings are justified, and our present and future ? experience generally supports this. We resist the danger in our The Association is willing at any time to pay 20c for $1 to • The College Council has technological society of reducing persons to mere units. On the put towards the Rolland Centre. Sometimes, of course, the result affirmed that quality must come is a zero return, but on the other hand a cheque for $20 costing before quantity. Hence 0 u l' other hand, we must not be even $1 is very good business. efforts, now nearing success, to afraid to make changes. A build the Rolland Physical Edu­ school which does not change is The Association is economy-conscious and. now that the Pro­ cation Centre, a new boarding dead, but it is the nature of the gramme is "off the ground," has tl1is year reduced expenses on house to replace Warrinn, more change that is important. printing and clerical assistance, and hopes to make a substantial science laboratories and special cut in Pegasus costs (now about $1500 for Old Collegians' copies). subject rooms like our new Old Collegians and parents can The co-operation of Old Boys in flood prevention, by responding to matlls. and geography rooms and greatly assist the Coll ege to pre­ the first mailing, would certainly be beneficial to all concerned. the language laboratories. For­ serve its best traditions, and ward plalming also provides for grow to ever greater achieve­ The important things about the Association's activities are:- a new library, better day-boy ments, by making an effort to • We are carrying out our stated objectives, to promote the welfare facili ties, and so on. understand the significance of of the College and to foster good fellowship among Old Boys. the many changes which are • The selection of staff and always taking place, and by in­ • Council and Association are working in mutual confidence. conditions of service are receiv­ terpreting these changes to any­ • The Council has instructed its architect to prepare plans for ing close attention. It must be one interested in the future of the first stage of the Rolland Centre. and states that builclino­ remembered that we choose our education in Australia. will proceed in the second half of 1969 if $50,000 is in sight. " Page Two AD ASTRA August, 1968 W HAT'S IT LIKE TO BE BACK? FRIENDS­ ON NEWTOWN By A llin M I. Scott ('47) who joined the stllff this yeu NOT MISSING HILL Having been back at the Coll ege for only a few months, The parents are still at it. know that some of my impressions may change; so what I can Their follow-on committee h as now received a bout 75,000 for I n a close finish , decided on say now is only a report of my reactions on taking up threads matric. results, Ian Bish op was the l\Iorrison Hall work. Fur­ declared Dux of tlle College for I thought were cut forever. th er improvemen ts h a ve been 1967, with J on P aton as runner­ m ade to th e h all, but the re­ up . P hysically, the school has modelling of the ground floor changed greatly in some ways, mu t wait on the provision of but in other things is nostal­ n ew dre jng-rooms in the Rol­ chool prefects for 1968 are gically the same. The re-organ­ ENROLMENTS 1969 land Centre a year or two D. S. Barkley (Captain), A. G. isation of Morrison Hall, the h en ce. Davey (Vice- Captain), M. J . An­ acquisition of ''l\1:ossgiel,'' the A Note from th e Principa l der on, P . L. Betts, G. A. Chap­ alterations in the library area, T he installation of the sen ior man, H. R. R. Cook, R. G. the new science block and a Ea ch yellr, at obout this ti me. we sch ool language la bora tory. H epburn, G. A. David, T. R. Den­ whole new prep.