Scotch College

Paul Greening wins Perelberg

The Perelberg Award is made annually for 'Exemplary Scotch Spirit', alternately granted one year to a current student or to one who left the previous year and the next year to an Old Scotch Collegian.

The Perelberg Trophy is permanently displayed in the school library, and each winner receives a splendid silver replica. Paul Greening is the seventh recipient of the Award since its inception in 1993.

Paul arrived at Scotch from Sale as a Year 9 boarder in Arthur Robinson House in '95 after completing his first two years of secondary schooling at St Anne's Grammar School, Sale. In his first year he quickly found the many facets of Scotch life to his liking. His academic results were excellent and he was awarded the Simon Desmond Shaw Award for general excellence and a distinction in the Australian Mathematics competition. In sport he was a member of the 9A football team and the Scotch Under 15 APS Athletics 4 x 100 metre relay team. He also commenced playing as lead alto saxophonist with the Symphonic Wind and Show Band, and became a member of the Cadet Unit.

In Year 10 Paul continued his extensive involvement in Scotch activities - touring Darwin with the football squad and going to England on the Cricket and Tennis Tour. During Year 11 Paul was a participant in the Peer Support Program and addressed a Rotary Club meeting on 'The Benefits of Peer Support'. By this time he had moved in the Seconds teams in tennis and football, become a Company Sergeant Major with C Company in the Cadet Unit and worked backstage in 'The Tale of Two Cities'. In his first three years at Scotch, Paul was always academically placed in the first ten of his year group.

1998 saw Paul appointed School Vice Captain, Captain of the Hill and Senior Cadet under Officer in the Cadet Unit. He continued his tennis with the Seconds, his football with the First and Second XVIIIs and was a member of the APS athletic team. He conducted the Fleming choir in the House Choral Competition and commanded the Cadet Unit at the Tattoo. He was awarded School Colours in Athletics and Choir and Half Colours in Tennis, Football and Drama.

Paul was nominated for the Perelberg Award by a number of individuals who had been most impressed by his total commitment to whatever he undertook whether it be academic, sporting or in the performing arts - 'giving his best to achieve an excellent standard, yet retaining a modest, self-effacing manner'. Students junior to him recognised and appreciated that he 'was concerned for the welfare of individuals and showed compassion and thoughtfulness'. Another nomination stated: 'Paul Greening personifies the ideals and aims that this school hopes that all it students can pursue. By his example, his behaviour and his achievements he influenced many students and staff to realise what it is possible for one student in a large and complex institution to do.'

The conclusion of Paul's schooling at Scotch saw him awarded the General Peter Gration Prize for Outstanding Leadership in the Cadet Unit and the Grace Dempster Memorial Prize for Physics. After achieving a TER score of 99.55 in 1998, he is currently in residence in Ormond College and is studying Law/Engineering at the University of Melbourne.