Scotch College

Monthly Luncheons

June Luncheon 2001

We were indeed fortunate to have Peter Isaacson expand on both his wartime experiences, and also his fascinating career in business when he addressed our June Luncheon in the Boykett Room, Cardinal Pavilion.

Taking us back to the Briefing Room of an RAF Station prior to a bomber raid over Germany in the frantic war years of the early 1940s. He set the atmosphere of the feelings, emotions, concerns and dangers that lay ahead for the crews involved. From the engine start up in the Lancasters, to the puffs of anti aircraft fire, to the relief of the call 'bombs away' to the debriefing and the agony of the 'Not Landed' listing of fellow crews.

Despite the terrible loss of life among the bomber crews, the great value the raids made in advancing the war effort was readily recognised both at the time, this was even more evident at the conclusion of the European war.

Posted to return to Australia he piloted the pioneering flight from east to west by a bomber and was welcomed home to liase with the US Air Force.

At the conclusion of the war he founded a publishing company which grew to publishing over sixty journals and papers.

His many other interests in business and the community have given him great satisfaction, particularly his involvement with the Shrine Trust.

He answered a wide range of questions on the media, ethical standards, intolerance and prejudice, with very frank and positive statements. 'People are people are people are people' he said. His address was a rallying call for participation and involvement in community and service affairs.

July Luncheon

The Australian Club provided the venue for Mr Mark Allan, General Manager, Planning and Urban Design of the Melbourne Docklands Authority to outline the enormity of their brief. Planning for the future formulation and utilisation of the two hundred hectare site with its unique location adjoining the CBD together with concurrent strictures provides many challenges.

Having studied many comparable international projects, much has been learned in melding the waterways to the best advantage of commercial and lifestyle development. Combining this with the park like style of Melbourne living.

The need for retaining many areas of heritage value have had to be integrated into the overall scheme of linking the project of the waterways and the CBD. This has also been of prime consideration in the Authority's planning.

The take up of development has been very satisfactory. Anchored by the Colonial Stadium, Channel 7, The National Australia Bank and many Residential Developmental schemes along both sides of the Yarra, the progress has been considerable.

The potential of many other developmental projects are to hand and the extension of the Collins Street link will further enhance prospects to the site.

It was a well presented address to a smaller number than usual but one much appreciated by those present who provided many questions of the speaker.