Scotch 82 (Scotch College Class of 1982) Wraps up 2015

Greater Sense of Equality and Inclusiveness...

2015 Executive Summary for Equal Chief Editors.

Currently, all Equal Chief Editors have the Social Media Right, under the Scotch 82 facebook Page (re)format, to take part in our Equal Opportunities.  This Right is entrusted to each Classmate as part of our Social Media experience together.  

The Equal Chief Editor Right (and all of our other Rights) is not guaranteed under the (Proposed) Scotch College Class of 1982 Social Media experience, but may be set as part of providing a Greater Sense of  Equality & Inclusiveness by our OSCA Representative, Mike Poynter, if the Old Scotch Collegians' Association decide to make it part of Mike's Role. 

What is Mike Poynter's current OSCA Representative Role & Responsibilities?  

Please contact Mike Poynter, or OSCA, directly for his Official Role Description, or if you prefer, join the Scotch College Class of 1982 (Secret) facebook Group by contacting the Temporary Volunteer facebook Group Manager, Michael Arnott, directly -> michaelarnott@y7mail.com.

According to the OSCAnet.com.au webiste: "(Social Media) will be at the heart of our next strategic plan...".  Please use the following link for a more detailed description ->  http://oscanet.com.au/vic/scotch/uploads/files/OSCA_Annual_Report_2015_lr.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/photos/a.895640663816026.1073741828.893724300674329/958752534171505/?type=3&theater

The need of a Page Manager Scotch 82 Blog this year, as a current necessary part of that Role, means that the Transition to a Scotch College Class of 1982 Blog is presently not a given.

I remain in your Service, which has been my great Honour and Privilege since 2012, as the Scotch 82 (Scotch College Class of 1982) Volunteer Page Manager.

Welcome.

Hello, welcome, and thanks for stopping by to check out the Scotch College Melbourne Class of 1982, and Scotch 82, Social Media Wrap-up for 2015. 

Equality as well as Inclusiveness have both been in focus this year, but they probably come a poor second to the Scotch Family's focus on the 100 year Anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli Landings, in Turkey, that attracted Tony Abbot, as Prime Minister, to this years OSCA Annual Dinner at Leonda by the Yarra.

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/

https://www.facebook.com/Old-Scotch-Collegians-Association-304452666279218/

A number of our Scotch 82 lads made it to Gallipoli to commemorate 100 years since the Anzac landings, in 2015, including Phil Vabre during April, and Andy Evans in July who posted this family photo of his Great Great Uncle, Private Edgar Hagan (2nd Bn AIF Reinforcements), to Scotch 82.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152870911442142&set=p.10152870911442142&type=3&theater

Since 2012.

From the outset, following our 30 year Reunion in 2012, Scotch 82 (Scotch College Melbourne, Class of 1982) Social Media has set out to address a sense of Inequality that many classmates felt crept into our HSC - Year 12 - experience.  

Regardless of the numbers of people who felt this way, or how we initiated our year's Social Media Adventure together towards addressing Mens Health issues, since 2012 other Scotch College Years, Clubs, and the Old Scotch Collegians Association have also been utilizing facebook Pages and Groups to achieve their Social Media goals, objectives, and Mens Health issues that concern us all.

The Old Scotch Football Club provided a fantastic example of how the Scotch Family is helping to raise the awareness of Mens Health, as well as how it relates to Mental Health issues, in the Australian Community at large, using Social Media.

We supported the Old Scotch FC facebook Page efforts on our Scotch 82 facebook page this year, with the "#thickandthin" Post on August 15.  There is still so much more the Scotch Family is able to contribute towards increasing understanding of the effects of Mental Health on Mens Health using Social Media, as so many of us have been touched by the devastation felt from loosing Family and Friends to Suicide, which is preventable!

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.229404723857570.55879.143768379087872/673937869404251/?type=3&theater

Since 2014.

Last year saw us achieving a greater sense of Equality with Scotch 82 Social Media when we reached Milestone One.  All those who took up the Equal Admin opportunities also generously provided their time and support through the Scotch 82 Active Admins Group.

Facebook have set out to make the Group experience different to facebook Pages, and therefore Page/Group Management can also be quite different in structure and focus.  Equal Admins ie. all of us Classmates, have the following summarized Rights, which are currently up for debate/discussion on our Pages, and in our Groups:

Scotch 82 Facebook Page/Groups

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.408770385921002.1073741831.143768379087872/710600315738006/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.408770385921002.1073741831.143768379087872/710231492441555/?type=3&theater

Scotch College Class of 1982 (Proposed) Facebook Page/Group

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/photos/a.895640663816026.1073741828.893724300674329/968528683193890/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/photos/a.895640663816026.1073741828.893724300674329/967781913268567/?type=3&theater

Please visit both our Scotch 82 facebook Page, and our (Proposed) Scotch College Class of 1982 facebook Page for more details about how you can Speak Up, Join In, and Take Part in the 2 Roles available, and how they function together under a possible two different sets of Policies and Procedures.

NB.  The reformatted Scotch 82 facebook Page Policies and Procedures Guidelines are scheduled to be more formally drafted by the end of 2016.

On behalf of our year, and as the Proposer for the Scotch College Class of 1982 facebook Page (aiming towards helping to provide us all with a Greater Sense of Inclusiveness, as well as Equality) I sent the following message to OSCA via their Old Scotch Collegians' Association facebook Page -> https://www.facebook.com/Old-Scotch-Collegians-Association-304452666279218/

June 2015 Message to OSCA

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/photos/a.895640663816026.1073741828.893724300674329/901237139923045/?type=3&theater

To keep up-to-date with how your Rights and Social Media experience is being nurtured, supported, and cared for by our very generous Scotch 82 Active Admins and OSCA Representative, Mike Poynter, please use the following links:

(Proposed) Scotch College Class of 1982 facebook Page ->  https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/

Scotch 82 facebook Page -> https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982

Since 30th October 2015.

To help the transition to a Greater Sense of Equality and Inclusiveness (Milestone Two), using Social Media as our currently preferred medium of ReConnecting, Reconciling, and Reuniting, the Equal Admin and Page/Group Manager Roles have been made clearer, and more distinct, in the following ways, also:

Scotch 82 facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.229404723857570.55879.143768379087872/707840019347369/?type=3&theater

Scotch College Class of 1982 (Proposed) facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/photos/a.895640663816026.1073741828.893724300674329/964561783590580/?type=3&theater

Put simply, we now have a greater equal opportunity for all classmates to participate their thoughts and ideas whilst enjoying the Open experience of connecting with our year, on our facebook Page(s), or a greater Private experience of connecting with our year (in the facebook Group format).

The Page Manager(s) role is to keep an eye on the Hashtag site, the Post to Page/Visitor's Posts section of our Page(s), to transfer your Posts to the Wall, and keep a Backup of our Wall, as well as ensure Data Security/Integrity for all Equal Admins so as to provide all Classmates with a secured and uninterrupted equal access to our facebook Social Media experience.  

This improvement to the Page Manager Role came about following our 2014 Audit, and will be more fully illustrated within the formally draft (reformatted) Scotch 82 (facebook/Social Media) Policies and Procedures Guidlelines, scheduled for draft completion towards the end of 2016.

Furthermore, we also await the Old Scotch Collegians' Association's Social Media Strategic Plan, as that also affects how our Social Media Adventure will unfold in years to come, as we head towards our next 10 year reunion, in 2022.

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/photos/a.895640663816026.1073741828.893724300674329/963609370352488/?type=3&theater

It is a very big undertaking to reach everyone in our year with the same Equal Admin opportunity, helping them to have an equal vote, say, and voluntary role opportunity!

THEREFORE, you must speak up and make yourself heard, either on the (Proposed) Scotch College Class of 1982 facebook page, or in the associated group (see link above), otherwise both will disappear if a Seconder does not come forward to help established it, and propose it's Policies and Procedures!

Until everyone has the opportunity to vote as equals, we remain under Mike Poynter's authority as our OSCA Representative on all matters relating to currently Unwritten OSCA Social Media Policies and Procedures.

Finally, since the 30th of October 2015 transition to Scotch College Class of 1982, I will no longer be posting on behalf of other classmates (unless they have a very good reason).  

NB. In practice, this means that all Objections to Scotch College, OSCA, and the Scotch Family Worldview will need to be done so personally, utilizing your Australian Federal/State Constitutionally Guaranteed Freedom of Speech and Conscience Rights, or Rights provided by the Facebook Terms and Conditions, that the (current) Scotch 82 facebook Page has entrusted you.

Scotch 82 Social Class (Secret) Group.

We had previous need for a (Proposed) Group for those who had attended a Scotch 82 BBQ, provided feedback, and/or helped with the organizing of the Annual face to face events that took place in 2013 & 2014.  Thank-you so much to all those classmates who have been willing to share in achieving this group's primary Objective.

You guys know who you are, and many of you have also been making contributions to the success of our other Scotch 82 Groups, as well as on our Scotch 82 facebook Page. :-)

[What needed to happen for this (Proposed) Group to Merge with another Group?  With Scotch 82 Social Media, Group and Page Merges are always a possibility using facebook, and there exists very helpful and clear Guidelines for how these can take place successfully, or without difficulty, for those interested Pages and/or Groups Equal Admins, that's provided by facebook Inc].

Scotch 82 Friendship (Secret) Group.

The most important aspect of this Groups Settings, initially, was that it was Proposed and Seconded on our Scotch 82 Page, and after several name proposals, was given a name with the final name being agreed upon unanimously.  

Thanks Jim Glaspole for proposing the name: "Scotch 82 Friendship Group", as it is our shared Social Media experienced that will help with our facebook Page Policies and Procedures Guidelines to be formally drafted by the end of 2016, IF OSCA's Social Media Strategic Plan does not provide for such an alternative. 

The second (but not at all least) most important aspect of this Groups Settings, was that a: "What's said in the group, stays in this group" ethic! 

Unless anyone has any objections to these Group Settings, as Equal Admins, then this also becomes another shared Social Media experience that could be adopted as Guidelines. 

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.408770385921002.1073741831.143768379087872/408770445920996/?type=3&theater

Scotch 82 Active Admins (Secret) Group.

As with the Scotch 82 Friendship Group, the most important aspect of this Groups Settings, also, was that it was Proposed and Seconded on our Scotch 82 Page.  There was only the one name proposal for this Group, and it was agreed upon unanimously by the Group's members.

Please be aware that the Scotch 82 Friendship and Active Admins Groups could have different Guidelines to a Scotch 82 or Scotch College Class of 1982 facebook Page(s), so our Shared Social Media experiences, as Equal Admins, affects how these Groups are Managed.

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.408770385921002.1073741831.143768379087872/599466256851413/?type=3&theater

Scotch 82/Scotch College Class of 1982 Activities.

Thank-you to all our Scotch 82 Classmates, Friends and Supports for the awesome Posts you have contributed during 2015.

50th Birthdays continued to feature strongly on our Scotch 82 Wall this year!  Stephen Speirs is pictured here with Jan, in her lovely Red supporters dress, and Stephen in his complimenting Blue Jacket, both leading their team to make the Melbourne Football Club theme a huge success.

Check out the others photos from Stephen's 50th on our Scotch 82 Wall, and see if you can spot Andrew J Caldecott and Stephen Froelich who also had a hoot with the very photogenic Speirs clan.

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.608942429237129.1073741834.143768379087872/632887523509286/?type=3&theater

In other 50th Birthday News, Nick Glenning, David Klinger, and Bruce Craven, made it to the Kimberley Ranges for Nick's party for Amigos!

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.608942429237129.1073741834.143768379087872/611858062278899/?type=3&theater

Our Scotch 82 50th Birthday limited edition Cover photo was a handsome collective effort during 2015.  We're looking for suggestions for next year's Cover, so if you would like to nominate one of our classmate's piece of art, please get in touch with the Page Manager (Michael Arnott -> https://www.facebook.com/michael.arnott.98), or if you'd like to start learning the Page Manager Trade, then you can add your own piece!!

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.143803829084327.29721.143768379087872/634329963365042/?type=3&theater

Will Oxley, sailing in the Volvo Ocean Race with Team Alvimedica, rounded Cape Horn for the 3rd time in April; what an amazing feat!  Many of our year's Yachtsmen followed the Updates from Will on Scotch 82, including this interview of Will live from Alvimedica's deck! ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5LmKxGXjrY&feature=youtu.be

The most Liked Post of 2015, on our Scotch College Class of 1982 (Proposed) facebook Page Wall, is...

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/photos/a.908282385885187.1073741829.893724300674329/948971648482927/?type=3&theater

I am going to let everyone take a look at the Scotch 82 Wall and decide what you think the most Popular Posts have been this year!! :-)  -> https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/ 

The most viewed Post I can reveal (at the time of writing) was...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206610275649788&set=a.10204528046475360.1073742029.1659079748&type=3&theater

Col' puts a lot of work into his very successful representation of the industry that he loves and supports with all his heart!  This of course comes across in his level of professionalism, attitude with which his facebook Pages and Groups are managed, and helping towards Scotch 82's success as well!

Scotch 82's International year of the BBQ, very popular this year, was cooking (with gas?) in the UK! :-)  Chris Warren-Smith with Scotch 82's great friend Diana Brown, are enjoying the English fare whilst it seems it was still raining there in England?  Seems like one perfect day from back here is Oz guys!!  (cue Countdown 1982 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiA4SEmNzoc)

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.229404723857570.55879.143768379087872/682274121903959/?type=3&theater

The first ever Scotch 82 Campfire & BBQ Night was held this year, and it was a great success for a host of reasons...

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.229404723857570.55879.143768379087872/698887273575977/?type=3&theater

I'm afraid I can not reveal too much more than I have already let slipped in this post!  Well, everyone there would welcome more lads coming along in 2016, and I'll let them tell you the tales that may need to be told, next year, but only around the Campfire, as that's were they stay!! :D

2016 New Album for Scotch 82.

I propose just the one new album for 2016, at this stage, but if there is a need for more albums then everyone will be contacted, as Equal Admins, because if anyone of us has an objection to one of our specifically focused albums being created, then that is our current/interim Scotch 82 Equal Admin Right to do so, which forms part of our Shared Social Media experience, as a working Guideline.

With our duel themes of Inclusiveness and Equality, now in full swing, it becomes even more important we continue to reach as many of our Classmates as possible, perhaps with a descriptive album title like: "82 Connect"?, which will appear in the Albums section of our Scotch 82 facebook page -> https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums

This album will help us to firstly identify who we may have not yet reached using Social Media, and secondly help those interested in contacting Classmates on our behalf to do so more easily!

2016 New Group - Scotch 82 Businesses.

Preparations are currently underway for a new group Proposal, called Scotch 82 Businesses, which would most likely accompany a Scotch 82 Businesses facebook Page.  If you would like to be included in this groups Proposal process, then I am happy to receive facebook Page Like Requests relating to your Business's facebook Page(s).

Scotch 82 Page(s) and Group(s) 2014 - 2015 Financials.

Thank-you to all generous and loving Scotch 82 Classmates who have contributed their valuable time and personal resources to making our Scotch 82/Scotch College Class of 1982 Social Media Adventure debt free!

We don't ask anyone to dip into their personal or business finances, go into debt, mortgage their house, chop off and arm or a leg (just kidding), and nor can I see any reason too, at this time!  It's just not about that...

https://www.facebook.com/Scotch1982/photos/a.608942429237129.1073741834.143768379087872/652756281522410/?type=3&theater

.

Thank-you:

There has been many conversations that have taken place in the Scotch 82 Friendship Group, especially due to the willingness of Jim Glaspole and Andrew Evans, who have Supported us all faithfully as part of our Scotch 82 Support approach, since 2012...

Scotch College Class of 1982 just does not happen with out friends like Jim and Andy, and I also know that many of you offer your friendship and support to our classmates in need, but don't receive any thanks for it...

A big appreciative "THANK-YOU!" to all our classmates who have chosen to support each other again this year, using Social Media by firstly (re)connecting, keeping in touch, reconciling differences, and helping to make sure your mates are Okay!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.408770385921002.1073741831.143768379087872&type=3

Andrew and Jim's willingness to also support me in my Voluntary Role as Page(s) and Group(s) Manager has been unflinching, and Scotch 82 would not be a shared experience for us all to drink deeply from without their ability to provide honest, frank, and open communication on a variety of important issues that affect our year.

Andy has stepped up this year to Host our first ever Scotch 82 Campfire & BBQ Night at his home in Bittern (near Hastings) on the Mornington Peninsula, and it's this type of dedication to our year that I hope everyone will thank him for when you get the first chance.  

Jim has also been a great source of support when we've spoken to OSCA Life Transitions, and I hope you also take the first opportunity to warmly thank Jim for his support towards us all.

Jim (Glaspole) has sort a clarification within our Scotch 82 (Scotch College Class of 1982) 2015 Annual Wrap that would highlight any Agenda(s) I might be aware of, other than helping our year to reconnect using Social Media, between now and our next 10 year reunion, in 2022.

So, in response to Jim's request, I hope the following is helpful:

"Firstly, I have not seen an OSCA Social Media Strategic Plan, nor have I received any OSCA facebook Policies and Procedures for starting or running a facebook page/group, that may be currently available, which I requested, in June (2015).

I have read about an OSCA Social Media Strategic Plan, that may affect our year's Social Media experience, in OSCA's 2014-2015 Annual Report.  For more on this OSCA Agenda, please refer to -> http://oscanet.com.au/vic/scotch/uploads/files/OSCA_Annual_Report_2015_lr.pdf, contact Mike Poynter our OSCA Representative, or OSCA Directly.

Secondly, I'm aware that OSCA is Managing their OSCA facebook page and the Posts to it, and it would make sense to me this would be reflected in pre-existing Guidelines, but I have not sighted any, other than what can be concluded from our year's OSCA Social Media/Virtual Community experience, thus far.

It would be very helpful to all classmates, who are interested in Agendas, Committees, and Group Management, if we had a chance to look over these, as soon as possible, I think.

Thirdly, I formally request Classmates, that might have an Agenda, please make it plain and clear if you would like your Agenda formation process to be peer reviewed, in this current 2015 Wrap, however, that's only if you are interested in a (friendly) critique!

Otherwise, You might like to consider joining the Scotch 82 Active Admins (Secret) Group to discuss your Agenda privately, or the Scotch College Class of 1982 (Secret) Group, or as an Equal Admin present your thoughts in Posts to the (Proposed) Scotch College Class of 1982 facebook Page."

Our Active Admins have been listening to my many thoughts and deliberations through out the year, and although the Group setting is not always the perfect place for them to provide me Page Manager feedback, we have had many private messages going back and forth that make up for this perfectly well!

Mark Learner, Charles Su, Richard Gorringe, Chris Howlett, Cameron Cantley-Smith, Dean Crow, David Klinger, Hugh Wrigley, Andrew Negri, Robert Stock, and Andrew Evans have formed our Active Admin team throughout the year.  

Most of what is shared stays in this group, however, what anyone shares is for the benefit of our Scotch 82 facebook Page (re)format, and therefore it is always our Team of Equals who are supporting our year from behind the scenes.

Our Team's contribution and outcomes can never be underestimated, as they ensures our Social Media Adventure together is the most amazing opportunity for Equality and Inclusiveness possible, and imaginable, with our next 10 year reunion, in 2022, in mind.

Thank-you to all our Classmates who have participated this year in reviewing our Posts, reading them as a source of Reconnecting, and passing on the good cheer that comes about from an awesome group of Men supporting each other towards Old Boys better Mens Health outcomes, on all levels.

Thank-you to OSCA's Life Transitions Team, who have provided some hope to people suffering from Mental Health symptoms, as described in a Case Study they have published on our Old Boys Virtual Community website -> http://oscanet.com.au/#lifetransitionscasestudy

https://www.facebook.com/scotch.college.melbourne.class.1982/photos/a.941633985883360.1073741830.893724300674329/973217119391713/?type=3&theater

Scotch 82/Scotch College Class of 1982 also supports open communication about Support within the Scotch Family, especially concerning the effects of Mental Health on Mens Health, and view this is a possible indication of their OSCA Social Media Strategic Plan direction, as well as a great step towards OSCA Social Media Policies and Procedures that would further support Old Boys Social Media experiences.

OSCA also deserve a thank-you for their willingness to give the Principal, Tom Batty, the opportunity to apologize to Old Boys who have come forward with the abuse that happened to them, during our time at Scotch.  

There is never enough real compensation for what is stolen from those who suffered for so long in fear of breaking their silence, or fearing some how becoming ostracized from the Scotch College Old Boy Alumni, which so many claim great benefit from belonging to.

I know of no one in our year who does not deserve for their personal truth to be told, in their own way, in their good time, as they see fit, with the rest of their classmates support (as Equality and Inclusiveness is their Right).

Scotch College Melbourne, The Students, their Principal, and Staff Members, can only benefit from a Scotch Family that does not leave anyone behind, is prepared to apologize and seek forgiveness, and consequently engender in us Old Boys the willingness to give our very best for the sake of what the Scotch Family Old School motto still stands:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_College,_Melbourne#/media/File:ScotchCollegeMelbourneCrest.jpg

I personally am the least worthy of Old Boys to have received the forgiveness of my classmates, and for the many difficult years of learning that they all have helped me through.  Yet perhaps that's why I am all the more grateful for their ongoing immeasurable gift to me of calling me one of their own!

At this time of year, I also especially try not to forget to be grateful for what God has done for me.

Australia is an awesome place to call home, and we are all very fortunate to live here, especially if all Australians can believe we are all Equal, but maybe that's only going to happen if we believe we have the Right to think that way first, and doing something Inclusive about it?

Is Jesus the Prophesied one?  "For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given;" (see Isaiah 9: 6-7 -> https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A6-7&version=AMP)

As Jesus' Friend, a Citizen of Heaven, Co-heir in the Kingdom to come, and Equal in-Christ (not to Christ), I sometimes get caught up in my thoughts about the blessed gift from God of His Child, and this year I'm marveling at why Father God would include us in his Plan with a vulnerable baby, at a time in History that seems similar to own!!

If this is about our Heavenly Father putting a lot of faith and trust in humanity, then perhaps this is also one indication illustrating the depth of the love of God that we can relate to?  I don't deserve to have a Savior like Jesus Christ, and I get amazed that we were given a gift of Salvation, that we didn't earn, but I accept. That's Amazing Grace!  :-)

I'm also thankful as a Christian for the gift of a sound mind, as well as for the ability for my beliefs to be transforming to my perception, and my mind renewed, by the power of God's Holy Spirit.  I'm also grateful that gifts like these have something to also do with the unquestioning love God has for His Children, and Creation!

If there is anything miraculous at all in any of our gifts, then to God belongs the Glory!

Seeking my leave, I'll take this opportunity to share this very funny Christmas card from Richard Gorringe, that I found on my facebook Page recently! https://www.facebook.com/951SHINEFM/photos/a.122989890737.112055.114926510737/10152451517590738/?type=3&theater

God bless, take care, with love,

Michael Arnott
Equal Admin
Equal Chief Editor
Equal Page/Group Manager