Working with his family as a farm hand on a Victorian sheep station, Oliver Martin didn’t expect that he would one day move to Melbourne to further his education. “I’m the eldest of a family of three and my mum is a single mother,” Oliver says. “It’s incredible that this is my reality now. I couldn’t have come here without the support of the Winter-Irving-Crawford Trust.”
As a recipient of this Trust, Oliver has been able to take up a Year 9 boarding place in Perry House this year. The Trust was created through the Will of Gavin Crawford (OM 1956), whose generous bequest provides a scholarship for a new or current boarder each year, in perpetuity.
By making a place at Melbourne Grammar possible for a student who would not otherwise be able to attend, scholarships such as these not only create new opportunities for recipients, but also bring new, diverse perspectives to our student population.
“If I could speak to Mr Crawford today, I’d tell him this is something I couldn’t have dreamed of,” Oliver says. “It’s made a huge difference to my future. I know my experience as a boarder will give me the independence I’ll need to draw on when I go to university, which is definitely part of my plan.”
Oliver’s decision to pursue a place at Melbourne Grammar came after a current student recommended the School. “A friend of mine who was already here got in touch and told me how much he was enjoying it – he suggested I apply for a scholarship,” Oliver explains. “So far I’ve loved being here. The staff and students have all been so welcoming.”
Oliver has a strong passion for sport along with the performing arts, both of which he plans to pursue during his time at Melbourne Grammar. But Head of Perry House, Tim Morris, says Oliver’s academic progress has also been impressive. “We don’t take academic success in Year 9 for granted,” Mr Morris says. “For many boys who join us from country schools, Melbourne Grammar is quite a big step up. The fact that Oliver is doing so well is a real feather in his cap.”
“Oliver’s enthusiasm for being here shows in everything he does,” Mr Morris adds. “He’s become part of a group that binds Perry House together. Oliver and the captain of our Junior House cricket team have also been working together and we’ve even managed to win two games, which is two more than we’ve ever won before.”
