Michael Hilditch (OM 1953) concedes he was something of an outlier during his time at Melbourne Grammar. In days when sporting prowess was highly regarded, he was a student who gravitated instead towards pursuits such as music and other performing arts.
“I tried to be involved in everything I possibly could, but I wasn’t a sporting hero, even though I was part of the rowing team,” Mr Hilditch explains. “I would go with my classmates to youth concerts for students who were more interested in classical music than football. The School has changed tremendously since then. Things are very much different now.”
A supporter of Melbourne Grammar’s Annual Giving Appeal since 1979, Mr Hilditch has also contributed to the Alan Froomes Bursary since its inception. He explains that his motivation for this sustained support of the School is informed by his lifelong friendships with classmates, as well as his belief in the evolution of the School.
“I went to Oxford with Alan Froomes (OM 1953) and a number of other graduates of Melbourne Grammar,” Mr Hilditch says. “My support of the Alan Froomes Bursary is a way to honour the memory of the people I went to school with and the relationships I had with them. It’s that sense of a family I felt I belonged to, with people who motivated and inspired me.”
Mr Hilditch adds that his ongoing contribution is also a reflection of his belief in our students’ capacity to have a positive impact on the world around them. “The School is an educational force – a centre of educational excellence that’s worth supporting,” he says. “The things Melbourne Grammar can offer students now, particularly the opportunities they have to contribute to communities that are less fortunate than their own – that’s a force for good in the world.”
Mr Hilditch has seen one son and four grandsons attend Melbourne Grammar. He still spends time in the office each day, working with his son Patrick Hilditch (OM 1978) at Hilditch Group Ltd, where he has held the role of Managing Director for 29 years. “The decision to start my own business was like deciding to jump out of a plane without a parachute,” he remembers. “It was seen as a very foolhardy thing to do.”
“The first thing you notice when becoming an entrepreneur is you don’t get paid as you’re getting established,” Mr Hilditch adds. “It was at that time that I worried about the school fees I might need to pay. I thought about what I’d say to my kids if we couldn’t afford their education. I think that memory is also part of my motivation for supporting Melbourne Grammar students today.”
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