In 2026, Alex Aberle-Leeming (OSC 2008) steps up from Vice President to President of the Old Scotch Collegians. As we head into the new year, we sat down with Alex to talk about his experience and vision for the future.
Alex commenced at Scotch in 2003 as a Year 7 student and completed his schooling in 2008. Reflecting on his time at the College, he speaks warmly of the breadth of opportunities available to him and the lasting impact they have had on his life.
I had an absolutely wonderful time at the College, and a huge amount of what I’ve gone on to do, the skills I have and the opportunities I’ve had, can be traced back to my experiences at school.
When Alex isn’t at work, he spends as much time as possible around the water. Co-founding WreckSploration, a not-for-profit organisation focused on the preservation of historical shipwrecks. Alex is also a volunteer Surf Life Saver and instructor, and has been a part of the Surf Lifesaving movement for over 10 years.
Approached by Dr O’Connell at his 10-year reunion, Alex joined the Old Scotch Collegians committee as a general member, later taking on the role of Vice-President and now succeeding Aaron McDonald (OSC 2001) as President from December 2025.
When you reflect on your time at Scotch, which experiences or moments stand out most to you, and why?
Many of my strongest memories are tied to opportunities and experiences that felt unique to Scotch. Marching stands out, as well as trips to Canberra, India, Reunion Island, and down to Moray.
There were countless memories in the everyday moments, those regular co-curricular activities like debating, sport and music. Even now walking around the grounds as an alumnus, it’s easy to remember exactly what it felt like to be a student in those spaces.
What path did you take after leaving Scotch, and where has it led you today?
I spent a short time at the University of Western Australia before moving to Canberra to study computer science at the Australian National University.
I lived on campus for several years and worked in government before returning to Perth about 11 years ago. I now work in technology sales and live in Cottesloe with my wife, Lauren, and our German Shepherd.
While those experiences were important, what really stands out to me is how much of who I am now, the skills I’m known for and the opportunities I’ve had, most which can be traced back to my time at Scotch.
Why is the Old Scotch Collegians community so important to you?
The OSC is a continuation of the experiences and relationships formed at school. It’s about maintaining those bonds and extending them out into the world and building a community for life.
The OSC Committee carefully considers how we can best support the school community, the OSC community, and the wider community. It’s important to me that the decisions we make reflect the needs of the broader OSC community.
The Committee is here for you – not just to serve you, but to represent you. To do that effectively, we need to hear from you. We are always open to suggestions, initiatives, and feedback – whether that’s through an email, a conversation at a reunion or Founders’ Day, or direct engagement with Committee members. Whether professional or social, the more we hear from the community, the better we can reflect what truly matters to Old Scotch Collegians.
What motivated you to take on the role of President, and what excites you most about the position?
My experience at Scotch was extremely formative, and I feel strongly about maintaining a personal connection to the school community. I’m passionate about ensuring there is a meaningful forum and opportunity for all alumni to engage in a manner and format that suits them.
What excites me most is where the OSC already is. I’d like to thank past OSC committee members and in particular, Aaron McDonald for their careful leadership. Engagement has grown, the range of initiatives we support has expanded, and our financial position is stronger than it has ever been. We are in the best possible position for 2026 and beyond.
What is your vision for the OSC moving forward?
Our overarching focus will be engagement with our community: Scotch, the OSC, and the wider community around us.
2026 is set to be another year great year of growth for the OSC – over the next 12 months, we’ll be consolidating our direction with a clear strategic plan that reflects what the OSC community wants. That includes transparent and consistent approaches to funding, fair allocation of resources, and ensuring our impact is meaningful. I look forward to spending time with you at this year’s OSC events – bring on 2026!
