Leadership in thinking ahead: Chairman John HA Lang’s Toast to the Company, 16 June 1991.

Public remarks, John HA Lang OAM, 16 June 1991.

Accompanying note: Came across this during the week. It was the night of the medals introduction – hence my reference to the business company – won over by purpose, excitement and above all – Excitement and Effort. Hope it is of interest for there is no doubt SCECGS Redlands is both our business and our offered education leadership. Regards John. (27 August 2019).

__________________

1991.06.16.

Mr Cornish, Dr McArthur, our guests and fellow Directors:

I am privileged to offer the toast to our school Company in this its 15th year and possibly its most critical year. Fortunately current evidence points to an unqualified success – despite the fact that this is the year in which we turn the corner and head home for our goal year 1995 – and its anticipated results.

In some respects we are still a unit of small business, and so it fortunate that we have not had to battle the prevailing economic winds – which are predicted as gale force winds for other small business of the days. For this we are most grateful for the leadership of our Executive Headmaster and our Finance Committee members Directors.

During this past week Fay and I have visited Port Arthur and the aged penal institution which was located there some 200 years ago, and we took stock of our early Australian history as we mused over the life style of that time. Several issues reminded me that the life style of that time played a singular part in the development of Tasmania – and surely it has placed its mark on their cultural outlook at this time; and so in my business I was reminded of our own position in that the goals of our school – have as a basis being a wonderful period of historical establishment of almost one century, with a dramatic upswing during the past decade and a half.

As I listened to Fay playing the Commandant’s 160 year old ‘Broadwood Piano’ it was not difficult to conjure up – some of the culture of long ago – but, let me add, I later observed to her how marvellous it was that we were born into this time – with all of its communication capability – and with an ability to understand the broader global picture, which we can trace through the magic of travel.

Page 2.

We certainly are in a time of –

- Excitement and growth

- Excitement and expanded offerings

- Excitement and perceived maturity

- Excitement and increased resources

- Excitement in our internationalism.

And so we should be – if we are to continue being the most sought after school. We must not only continue in this “exciting mode” – we must also develop a promotional standard to enlighten our community, on the benefits of industry – the industry of independent education.

I also hope other schools will follow us – in this our mission – for above all else – we need to have increased enrolments in all independent schools – if we are to lift the educational levels of the children of Australia, and tomorrow’s leaders of our global communities.

I am convinced growth demand and involvement demand come only with a dynamic pro-active program of excitement – supported by expanded offerings – resources – maturity.

Redlands has pursued this course in recent times – but we must continuously find additional ways of providing involvement demand to achieve growth demand.

We cannot afford to allow the reactive programs of some of our peers – in which they observe – Let’s leave our school’s status quo here it is – for –

“It is all we have to offer” OR

“We already have a full book of registrations” OR

“There are very few new applications coming in”.

We are fortunate for our future path is based on –

- Past experiences

- P/Ls based on cost recoveries

- Increasing resource facilities

- Government subsidies

- Increasing tutorial skills

- International education standards

Page 3.

And certainly it must not be based on competitive restraints.

With such a basis of rationalisation we will expand, and keep on expanding.

We ought to have a path of expansion because the alternate system’s human resources activities – unintentionally promotes our type of operations and that of other schools in our independent system – hence the need for Redlands to be a leader.

Personally over many years I have subscribed to the philosophy of the ‘three P’s’ that please:

- Product quality leadership

- Pricing acceptability – not lower pricing

- Profit related activities.

SCECGS Redlands is no different to any other commercial institution – and this same formula applies. Maybe not everyone will share this philosophy – but let me remind you that the Three P’s that Please – if used as a guideline in our programme – will certainly ensure we have come out of the tunnel at each year’s end with fiscal security and effective stewardship.

As we continuously add investment funds – we are adding dedicated factors into our business’s building block model – and this in turn will secure our ‘parents’ involvement demand – and ‘growth demand. But also remember as we grow – it will encourage the alternative system to emulate us – and so put us on our toes, to run even faster.

It is on this note that today I wish to announce another school program. Which I hope will add a touch of colour – a little more tradition even esprit de corps – and in the long term provide a subtle historical item of tradition.

Many companies (and even some schools) have ‘recognizable symbols’ of service, and today I am pleased to announce the ‘Trustees’ Medal’ program.

The Trustees’ Medal will be awarded to Directors for terms of service given to the school (as well as complimentary recognition to their spouses), to Staff members who qualify similarly through service to the school, and annually to the ‘Dux of the School’.

Page 4.

Earlier I referred to the pleasure of reflection upon earlier lifestyle of the colony of Tasmania – and its impact on to-day’s culture of that place.

Hopefully a similar factor will develop and thus later members of the SCECGS Redlands community will be able to look back upon this time – observing the items of implementation of the eighties and nineties -recognising that the dedicated efforts of this Board of Directors is transforming the school out of its pioneering days (its first 90 years) and making it a leader of education in the ‘independent school system’ and a school which pursues its mission in the traditions of the Anglican Church, at an international level and so vitally needed in today’s society.

To-day’s presentation will be to the Directors of the Company and spouses, the presentation to Staff members will be made at the August Staff dinner, and the presentation to the Dux of the School will be made at the presentation of Prizes evening at the year end.

You will be asked to wear your ‘Trustees’ Medal’ with pride at future festivals of the school such as Speech Night, Foundation Day Thanksgiving Service and so on.

Let me conclude by saying – this school is well served by its stewards – it is long thinking in its outreach to the needs of today’s societal needs – and in its Christian witness.

Thank you members of the Board and special thanks to our spouses who allow us to serve.

Please join with me in a Toast to the Company it is 15th year – please be upstanding – Ladies and Gentlemen I give you “SCECGS Redlands Limited”.

Thank you. JHA Lang.

This document transcribed from original notes, with a small number of emendations. The original document is in Gallery, on this AEA Pty Ltd. Website.