It is immensely exciting to be part of this new edition of The Thistle and to reflect on all that has happened. When we last compiled a Thistle the school was in the throes of great change. The introduction of coeducation, which had a mixed response at the time, the revival of the Preparatory School and the declining number of boarders and overseas students were all issues and development which were being confronted. In the intervening years, the School has grown, stabilised and re-established itself as a Pre-Prep to Year 12 coeducational school. What was "do" as a school has become our tradition of today. Former students coming back to the school now comment on the differences - female students, more day students, Prep and Pre-Prep students, increased technology opportunities, upgraded facilities - and usually do so with approval.

The six years that my family and I spent at TSS have been rewarding beyond our greatest expectations. So much of this is due to the people who have made up The Scots Family both now and in the past. The school now faces an exciting future and I look forward to hearing of its successes as it grows to become a Christian community characterised by "Trouthe and Honor, Fredom and Curtesie"

Adrian Lamrock
Principal 1998 - 2003

WE WELCOME OUR NEW PRINCIPAL

The Scots School was indeed fortunate to be able to welcome a former long serving Headmaster of Shore School in Sydney as Interim Principal for the first six months of 2004. Mr. Robert Grant has had a long career in educational leadership and brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the School during the time that the School Board organises the appointment of a new permanent Principal. Mr. Grant's teaching experience includes the Armidale School (1964-67), Scotch College Melbourne (1972-79), Canberra Grammar School (1980-84) and Headmaster of Shore School from 1984 to 2002. During his time at Shore Mr. Grant held a number of positions of leadership responsibility in the wider educational sphere. He was Chairman of Association of Heads of Independent Schools (AHISA) NSW from 1992 to 1993; and an elected member of AHISA (Australia) Standing Committee 1993-2002 (Treasurer 1995 to 2002). From 1997 to 2002 Mr Grant was also Chairman of the Greater Public Schools Headmaster's Standing Committee.

Mr. Grant's significant career and valuable contribution to education was formally recognised on Australia Day 2004 when he was awarded an A.M. for his service to education.

A TASTE OF WHAT WE'VE DONE

Official Opening of Dougan House at Scots

Sunny weather helped to generate a very warm welcome at The Scots School on Sunday for the official opening of the newly constructed Dougan House - a purpose built centre for day students.

Mr Lamrock welcomed special guests including Mr Peter Andren who officially opened Dougan House, together with Mr John Hunter, a former Headmaster of The Scots School and Mr. John Stitt and Mrs Hilary Stitt. Mrs Stitt represented a special link to our school's history as she is the daughter of Rev Alan Dougan, the person who advocated strongly the need for The Scots School to continue to service regional and rural New South Wales at the time Scots College at Bellevue Hill returned their students to Sydney at the end of World War II in 1945. Scots College in Bathurst then became known as The Scots School Bathurst and Rev Dougan was the first Chairman of the Board.

The student's day centre is named Dougan House in his honour. Dougan House is the first development of a building program planned to cater for the greater needs of students due to increased enrolments at Scots.

Dougan House A purpose built centre for day students, completed in May 2003. Opened Sunday the 10th August 2003

FEMALE CAPTAIN MAKES HISTORY

For the first time in The Scots School's 58 year history, the role of school captain has been entrusted to a male and a female for 2004. Senior student Sally Richards is the school's first female captain, sharing duties with fellow classmate Matthew Press.

2003 Principal Mr Lamrock announced the captains (pictured on this page) at the 2003 annual Speech Day. Mr Lamrock said, "The Year 12 of 2004 is the first year which has had girls attending since Year 7". He added, "Looking back on the development of coeducation in the school, we can certainly see that it has enriched the school community".

MAC'S LAST BLUE, BLACK & GOLD BALL

You would expect someone with a name like John Baillie Robertson Thomson Mackenzie to be a bit of a character, and with Mac, our retiring Pipe Band Instructor (2002), he lived up to expectations.

Born in Scotland seventy years ago, Mr. Mackenzie served for a time in the army then became a policeman. In time he served in both Canada and New Zealand. He was responsible for training police pipe bands as well as serving in the front line on normal police duties. As a policeman, Mr. Mackenzie specialised in preserving the scenes of crime and undertook initial investigation work. He was often the first on the scene of some quite unpleasant and violent crimes.

In 1978, The Scots School in Bathurst was looking for someone to take over its Pipes and Drums. Mr. Mackenzie was appointed to the position and moved to Bathurst with his family to begin his duties in 1979. He has led The Scots School Pipes and Drums to a number of Australian Juvenile championships, and to many other awards at Pipe Band competitions in Australia and New Zealand. Evidence of his talents and showmanship were seen many times in displays put on by the Pipe band for special occasions such as the Blue, Black and Gold Ball.

The Highland Jazz Nights showed Mr. Mackenzie's abilities on other instruments, especially the drums and bass. He remains very knowledgeable about jazz and jazz musicians. His method of unwinding after a pipe band competition was to play or listen to jazz for two weeks afterwards. When children were not around, he also liked to relax with a good whiskey and appreciated its finest qualities. His account of how a certain well-known cheap whiskey is produced is best not printed here! A session of Goon shows was also a way of unwinding for Mac!

Many of Mr. Mackenzie's former bandsmen attended the Blue, Black and Gold Ball this year to honour him. We expect to still see him from time to time: His son Gilleion has now taken over the Pipes and Drums Band. After twenty-four years, Mr. Mackenzie is retiring.

Ex-students who returned to play the pipes at Mac's last Blue, Black & Gold Ball (from left to right) Craig Fleming (not ex-student), James Deane-Butcher, Jock Gordon (front), Stuart Dear (back), Andrew Smythe, Douglas Falconer, Michael Hunter, Scott Hazlewood (back), Alex Stewart (kneeling), David Banham (back), David Tickell (front), Nick Cobb (back), Grant Westcott (front), Alex Baldock (back), Neil McDonnell (not ex-student), Peter Spillett (Drum Instructor).

Current student's father - in bold print Current student's sibling - in italics Back Row Robert Harris, Andrew Paul (Matthew Paul 1999), Abhay Sareen (Nanda Sareen 1989), Adrian Smith (Andrew Smith 2002), William Deane-Butcher (James Deane-Butcher 1998), Michael Harris, Edward Ellis (Oliver Ellis 2001), Jonathan Schafer (Jacob Schafer 2001), Robert McKibbin (Alister McKibbin 1996 & Hamish McKibbin 2001). Middle Row Jessica Lees (Jennifer Lees 2000), Lucy Folkard (Ian Folkard 1987), Amy Dutton (Charles Dutton 2001), Martin Todoroski (Marko Todoroski 2000), Cassandra Noble (Allan Noble 1972), Alex Robinson (Jordan Robinson 1999), Emily Hutchins (Josh Hutchins 2002), Jessica Fitzpatrick, Belinda Deane-Butcher (James Deane-Butcher 1998). Front Row Elisabeth Robertson (Christina Sky Robertson 2001), Tom Robertson (Christina Sky Robertson 2001), Taryn West (Adam West 1995 & Garry West 1997), Hugh Nott (Barry Nott 1968), Sam Hutchins (Josh Hutchins 2002), James Robertson (Christina Sky Robertson 2001), Vanessa McCann, Logan West (Adam West 1995 & Garry West 1997), Kate Austen (Peter Austen 1971).

Benjamin Ho (Kevin Ho 1979)

THE BLACK WATCH

Class of 1972 Celebrate 30 Year Reunion

The Family Hotel in Bathurst on Saturday 2nd November 2002 was the perfect time and place for the "Class of 1972" to gather. Some had not seen each other since their school days in 1972. In fact three who attended the reunion had left Scots after completing Year 10, and had not seen their old classmates for 32 years! Others had met at their last reunion in North Sydney back in 1992 to celebrate their 20 Year Reunion.

A rowdy group of approximately 35 enjoyed a wonderful night, which comprised of 25 "Old Boys" and their partners. Teachers including Don Wiburd (Commerce), Ian Pike (Science Master) and Grant Wood (English and Ancient History) joined in the celebrations. Mrs. Betty Ives was also invited but unfortunately was unable to attend.

The reunion was well organised by Peter Dawson who commented, "It was so great to see old school mates making such an effort to attend, with some travelling 6 to 8 hour distances from places like Coolabah and Gulargambone". He said, "The night proved to be such a success that two Old Boys suggested we have our reunions every five years".

Pictured left to right Ian Harrison, Malcolm Jolly, Larry Carey and Peter Dawson	Pictured left to right Larry Carey, David Pulsford, Stephen Pierce and Russell Day	Pictured left to right Michael Moores and Stuart Macalpine

Class of 1998 Celebrate 5 Year Reunion

On the night of the 23rd of August 2003, the Class of 1998 held their five-year reunion.

The Class of 1998 was comprised of forty-eight valedictorians. It was fantastic to see over thirty return to celebrate the five-year anniversary of their departure from the school. This goes to show the level of patriotism still evident in the "Old Boys".

The night was a spectacular success, with many of the students not having seen each other since they left in 1998. This of course meant that there was much catching up to be done over the course of the night. The highlight of the night was unquestionably, the speech given by Ian "Donut" Doney whereupon he reminisced upon the valedictorian roll and threw in a few cheap shots to boot! The speech was cause for much hilarity and set the tone for a night of jokes about past school misdemeanours and situation comedy.

After the superb dinner provided by the kitchen staff (and comments along the lines of "why the hell didn't we get this sort of grub while we were at school!), the night progressed into town and more catching up was done over the course of many more beers and the surety that there were going to be a few sore heads the next morning.

Many thanks must go to Pete Northcott and Adrian Lamrock, and many others who shall remain nameless, for the amazing success of the night!

David Banham

Pictured left to right Wesley Greig, Tim Richards and Belinda Deane-Butcher	Pictured left to right Ian Loudon, James Baker, James Deane-Butcher and Tom Norton-Knight	Pictured left to right Jonathan McAlister and Principal in 1998, Mr. Adrian Lamrock

Pictured above Peter Northcott, the main organiser of the 1998 Reunion.

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