Mervyn Matthews (OSC 1946)

Tartan ran in the veins of the late Mervyn Matthews, who passed away on 4 December 2022.

Merv was known to hundreds of Old Scotch Collegians, and made exceptional contributions to the College, to our Scotch alumni, and to our school community.

Merv attended Scotch from 1942 to 1944, leaving after his Junior year (Year 10). He was a handy hockey player, and active in Cadets. One of his favourite memories was riding to school on his pushbike, with his rifle slung casually across his back. He also had fond memories of marching and building trenches on the memo grounds, getting ready for the war.

Whilst his time at school was relatively short, his contribution thereafter was immense. After leaving school at 16, Merv started at local engineering supplies business McPherson’s and worked his way up to senior roles over a distinguished 40-year career.

Merv sat on the College Council from 1978 to 1984, and served on the OSC committee for 20 years, from 1978 to 1998. He was the OSC Administrator for 12 years (1986 to 1998), and after stepping back from that role, he remained an active volunteer with Scotch archives and alumni research until 2012.

Due to all these roles, Merv became the face of OSC to year after year of our graduating students, as well as a stalwart to so many alumni and College staff and families.

His memory was prodigious and his knowledge of family connections amongst OSC’s was nothing short of magical.

Merv was always supported by his marvelous wife, Margaret, and was so proud of the generations of his family who have attended Scotch, including his sons John (OSC 1981) and David (OSC 1984) and his grandsons Rhys (OSC 2011), Bryn (OSC 2013) and Aidan (OSC 2020).

In later years, Merv attended OSC events, especially Seniors lunch and Founders Day, often accompanied by longtime Scotch staffer, Kate Quinn, and accompanied by long-time OSC Committee member John McNaught (OSC 1958), who remembers that Merv was absolutely meticulous in keeping track of Old Scotch boys, never failing to recognise their names in the newspaper and proudly recite their achievements.

In 1999, OSC awarded Merv its inaugural honorary life membership for his incredible contribution. Merv left a lasting legacy at the College, and he will be missed.

Michael Silbert (OSC 1979)

OSC Committee Member OSC President (2013 – 2021)