FOUNDATION
The Foundation Board brings together the skills and expertise of individuals who are committed to securing the school’s future and providing a College education to aspirational students that could not otherwise afford the opportunity.
OUR FOUNDATION MISSION
The Foundation honours the past and secures the future of The Hamilton and Alexandra College, enhancing a culture of giving and raising funds by implementing strategic philanthropic initiatives to provide the best opportunities for students.
The Foundation actively fundraises to secure the school’s future by honouring three core pillars of philanthropy:
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Heritage and History
Ensuring our rich history is respected, maintained and celebrated.
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Facilities and Infrastructure
Providing modern and flexible learning environments for students and teachers to challenge and excel.
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Scholarships
Offering Tower Scholarships to students who aspire and prioritise a quality, independent education.
MEET OUR FOUNDATION BOARD
All members of the Foundation Board are keenly aware of the benefits that an independent school brings to the region and the service that College provides for local professionals. Members are passionate about the vital role that the College plays in supporting the growth and economic development of the region.
Penny Adamson
– President
Penny joined the Foundation Board as President in June 2022, and prior to this was on the College Board for four years. Penny is currently working as a Licensed Real Estate Agent, specialising in high end residential and lifestyle property sales and marketing strategy throughout Warrnambool, Port Fairy and South West Victoria.
Penny (Satchell 1988) and her husband Nick (1979) are both Old Collegians and live on a farm at Yambuk. They have four children, Jock graduated in 2020, Mitzi in 2021 and Tobe and Izzi currently attend College. Penny is passionate about contributing to this wonderful School, of which four generations of her family have enjoyed.
Hugh Macdonald
– Vice President
Hugh (1977) is an Old Collegian, past parent, Trustee of the Old Collegians and has been on the Foundation Board for over 20 years. Living locally at Bochara, Hugh is a primary producer and has a BBAcc. Hugh has been involved in managing and part owning companies, lending and investing in the local regions and has held as governance positions, including chair of Western District Health Service.
The Macdonald family has four generations of history at College and Hugh’s mother, Anita, was extensively involved in raising funds to extend the boarding facilities. The girls’ house is now aptly called Macdonald House.
Marcus Winter Cooke
Marcus (1978) has been on the Foundation Board since its inception in the early 1992. An Old Collegian, Marcus attended Hamilton College from Prep to Year 12 and his family has had an ongoing connection with the school since 1965. Marcus is a farmer at Tahara, his wife Julia taught at College for 35 years and their three children are alumni.
Marcus and his family are passionate about the vital role that the College plays in supporting the growth and economic development of the region.
Basil Brock
Basil is a past parent and his three children attended College. He has been a Foundation Board member since 2005. He is a Managing Partner and an Accounting and Taxation Principal at a financial firm in Warrnambool.
Basil is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Accounting. He specialises in professional practices such as medical clinics and legal practices, through to large commercial businesses and farming operations. Basil’s work across the region is motivated by his own experience as a dairy farmer and his vast skill set in the financial sector is an asset to the Foundation.
Dr Dale Ford
MBBS FRACGP FACRRM
Dale Ford is a past parent and currently has three grandchildren here at College. Dale has been a on the Foundation Board since 2005 and lives locally on a farm. He has been a GP at the Hamilton Medical Group since the mid-1980s and has had many other roles, and he is passionate influencing policy and advocating for the needs of rural patients and doctors.
Dale is Chief Medical Officer at Western District Health Service, a Principal Clinical Advisor for the Improvement Foundation Australia, on the Board of Great South Coast Medicare Local and is a designated Aviation Medical Examiner. Dale sees the benefits that an independent schools brings to the region and the service that College provides for local professionals.
Bill Crawford
Bill (1970) is an Old Collegian and past parent of College. Bill and his family are primary producers in the Victoria Valley, near Dunkeld. He has been on the Foundation Board since 2009 and is an active member of the local community.
Bill’s daughter and Old Collegian, Louise Patterson (Crawford 2000), is a teacher at the Junior School and wife Jenny is an active past parent who is a key organiser of the annual College Community Golf Day.
Alexander (Sandy) Johnson
Sandy (1955) is an Old Collegian and lives in Melbourne. He joined the Foundation Board in 2008 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences from his career in construction and engineering.
Alex Robinson
Alex joined the Foundation Board in 2022 and is a current parent of two boys at the Senior School, who reside at the Boarding House during the week. Alex lives in Warrnambool and is the owner/director of a building materials business in South West Victoria that produces bespoke architectural windows.
Graeme Linke
Graham is a past parent and joined the Foundation Board in 2022. Graeme owns a local real estate and property valuation business and has worked across South West Victoria for
over 30 years. He bring great local knowledge and contact with the College community.
Giving - The gift of education
Through a culture of giving, we will build upon the extraordinary 150-year history of The Hamilton and Alexandra College and honour the philanthropic support of our founders and connected community members.