Scotch College

Ric Dillon finds 'Security'

Many of the 'baby boomer' generation who were at Scotch will remember Ric Dillon as the gifted mathematician who spent his final two years unsuccessfully chasing 'Ginner' Davidson's forty year old High Jump record. For the record, Ric missed out by one quarter of an inch although he did beat it several times in training!

Runner up to Peter Selby-Smith as Dux of the School in 1965, Ric went on to study Science at Melbourne University, where he graduated with first class honours, completed a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and won a Shell Post Graduate Scholarship to Cambridge University. (He also just missed following his friend and fellow Scotch boy and Ormond resident Colin Norman as a Rhodes Scholar). He remained active in university athletics but with the likes of Tony Sneazwell and Laurie Peckham dominating high jumping in Australia, the late Franz Stampfl said 'I theenks we make a 400 metre runner out of you, Reeck!'

A stalwart of the Old Scotch Athletics Club, Ric captained the club for several seasons before going to England in 1971. The last of the 'old boy' clubs able to hold down an 'A' Grade spot in its own right Old Scotch at that time boasted a strong all-round team.

Pembroke College, Cambridge

Ric thoroughly enjoyed his three years at Cambridge where he completed a PhD in Applied Mathematics and was a member of Pembroke College - which has had many former Scotch and Ormond College students through its historic courtyards.

Joining Shell on his return to Australia, he quickly progressed to Head Office where he occupied a key position in the Marketing Planning department, before accepting a three year expatriate posting to Shell International's head offices in London, where he was involved in international oil trading. Returning to Melbourne in 1982.

Meanwhile Ric was developing a strong interest in banking and finance. He joined the Elders Finance Group, where he became a senior manager in the Corporate Division of one of Australia's most dynamic merchant banks.

Over the next four years he was responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of complex corporate financing transactions. The early 1990s saw the demise of Elders Finance Group and its staff.

Ric then accepted a two year contract as a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Monash University's David Syme Faculty of Business. He then followed his passion and moved into a senior position in Victoria's thoroughbred racing industry, where he made a significant contribution to the industry through its far-reaching Business Plan initiative, 'Leadership 2000'.

By this time Richard and his wife Helen had a young family and they decided they would acquire or build their own business. They identified a wide range of business options.

Security Mart

A great deal of research was undertaken during 1997 and late in that year they decided to proceed with the purchase of the Victorian Master Franchise for Security Mart. Security Mart is a Sydney-based company establishing an Australia-wide network of the first 'one stop' shops for all security needs.

In addition to his family Ric has a wide range of interests. He has always been a keen sportsman and very committed to physical fitness. He still runs most days and particularly enjoys running 'The Tan' at the end of a hard day's work.

He is a keen follower of racing, football and cricket. He is an active member of the Melbourne Cricket Club, Victoria Racing Club and Victoria Amateur Turf Club. Ric's other interests include photography, gardening and music - and he particularly enjoys a glass of good red wine.