Scotch College

The Michael Achurch Trust

It’s hard to believe that 26 years have already passed since the tragic and untimely death of Michael Achurch back in 1979, and it’s sad to ponder on what his enlightened mind, his boundless energy and his infectious enthusiasm might have achieved by now, had he still been with us. Scotch lost an inspirational leader, a tireless contributor and a wonderful friend on that day, and many of us will still remember the influence he had on us as teenagers.

The workload he revelled in was quite phenomenal, and in a school that has always been blessed with a level of staff dedication that most others can only dream about, there could surely be few to rival Michael’s level of commitment. How he managed to juggle his responsibilities as a Senior Boarding Master, a rowing and hockey coach, the Group Scout Master and Senior Scout Master, a Senior Geography Teacher, the leader of numerous geography expeditions, the mastermind behind the annual 24 Hour Hike and numerous other adventure activities, together with his commitment to the church and the Geography Teachers’ Association and his own family life, was quite remarkable.

He was an outstanding leader of young people, who had perfected the happy knack of throwing enormous amounts of responsibility onto kids like us, who always felt we were really running the show, only to realise years later (when it didn’t matter anymore) that he had been quietly but firmly in the driver’s seat all along. We were lucky indeed to have come under his influence, and I wonder how many like me, are only now starting to realise what a great impact this unique man had on us as we prepared to head out into the world in all sorts of different directions.

Some may recall that shortly after his death, the Michael Achurch Trust was set up as a small but appropriate way in which to remember Michael and continue his work. It is not a huge trust making lots of noise about giving away vast amounts each year. Far from it. Michael would not have wanted that anyway. It disperses a total of about $4000 to $6000 each year, and the trustees decided right from the start that this Trust would be a low-key affair that quietly helped all sorts of young people to take on all sorts of challenges, just as Michael did in his daily work. Over the past 26 years, the Trust has helped an amazing array of young people to do all sorts of things.

It has helped them to attend courses with Outward Bound and at places like Mittagundi, Wollangarra and Typo Station, to rebuild huts on the Bogong High Plains, to sail on the Young Endeavour, to participate in all sorts of leadership programs and scientific study projects, and even to study theology at Oxford University. Small grants from the Trust have helped to build nature trails, weather stations, bird observation towers and walking tracks. Other grants have helped to buy camping equipment, inflatable rafts, surf rescue equipment, fire-fighting gear and rock-climbing ropes. The Trust has helped young people with Downs Syndrome with speech therapy, and sponsored young aborigines from Alice Springs on trips to Melbourne. And the list of outdoor education programs that it has supported include those at Boronia Technical School, Aquinas College, Cohuna High School, Parade College, Buckley Park High School, Richmond Girls’ High School, Maffra High School, Coomoora High School, Carwatha High School, Shelford, Numurkah High School, Lakeside High School, Glen Waverley High School, Peninsula Grammar, Wanganui Secondary College, Ovens College, Benalla College, Sandringham College, Western Heights College, Ballarat Grammar, Ferntree Gully College, St Joseph’s Mildura, Cathedral College and many more.

Naturally a small Trust like this slowly loses the battle with interest rates and inflation over time, and if the Trust is to be able to continue with its work, it will always need top-ups to keep it viable.

Hopefully, as we all start to realise how lucky we were to have a leader like Michael Achurch helping us as kids, some of us may start to think that the time is right to give a little bit back in his memory, and to help a few other kids along today. Any donation, no matter what size, would be appreciated enormously and will help the Michael Achurch Trust to stay alive.

Alternatively, you may know of some group or individual worthy of receiving a small grant from the Trust. All applications are welcome.

Applications and donations can be sent to Mr Hugh Wilson, the Secretary, Michael Achurch Trust, c/o Scotch College.

Graeme Blanch
The Michael Achurch Trust