The Development Team were delighted to welcome back Eric Messer (1965), his wife Marianne and his daughter Madeline all the way from Victoria, Australia! 

Eric has fond memories of his time at Heriot's and has truly embodied the spirit of George in everything he has done since leaving the gates of Lauriston Place. After leaving school, Eric "went to sea" as a sea captain and remained there until retirement, before settling in Australia. His time in the Heriot's Sub Aqua Club inspired a life-long love of diving, which took him all over the world.

And on his travels Eric made sure to "Distribute Chearfullie"! He and his family raised funds for a community in rural Peru and then travelled there to build the school themselves. Working in the desert with no electricity or running water, they faced several barriers in construction, but eventually succeeded in opening the school, which has educated hundreds of children in the years since it opened. 

Across their diving trips in the Pacific Islands, The Messers continue to distribute chearfullie providing Singer sewing machines and various other necessary items to the communities they support there. 

Eric's story of his lifetime of distributing chearfullie will feature in the 2025 edition of Quadrangle magazine. If you have a story of your own to share, please do get in touch.