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AIKMAN, Alexander Michael Hirst (1933-2005)

AIKMAN, Alexander Michael Hirst (1933-2005)


School Principal and Olympic rower, Michael Aikman was a day student at the Geelong College from 1939 to 1951.

He was a versatile sportsman as a student. He participated in the 1st Football Team in 1950 and 1951; the 1st Rowing VIII in 1950 and 1951; in the Athletics Team from 1947 to 1951 and in the Relay Team for 1947 and 1948. In 1951 he was a Cadet Corps Sergeant and Band Drum-Major, Vice-Captain of Calvert House, Captain of Athletics and a School Prefect. A member of the Library and Music Committees in his final year, his was a notable voice in the Glee Club’s performances, particularly, in 1950, as 'Colonel Fairfax' in Yeoman of the Guard, 'Marco' in The Gondoliers, 1951 and 'Psyche' in Princess Ida in 1945. His musical talents were rewarded with the Music prize for 1951. He graduated BSc University of Melbourne and BEd University of Melbourne in 1958.

He competed in the Melbourne Olympic Games of 1956 in the bow position of the Olympic Rowing Eight which came third in the final to the USA and Canada. Another former student J G Howden was in the fourth position in this crew and the eight was coached by another former Collegian, R R Aitken. Michael Aikman became a distinguished teacher and went on to become Principal of Haileybury College, Brighton from 1974 to 1998. His first teaching appointment had been at Camberwell High School teaching chemistry from which he briefly moved to Scotch College before heading to Sydney as boarding housemaster and chemistry teacher at Trinity Grammar School. In 1966, he was appointed headmaster of Scots School, Bathurst before ultimately commencing at Haileybury in 1974. The Great Hall at Haileybury College was named the Aikman Hall at his retirement.

Michael Aikman was inducted into the Old Geelong Collegians' Association (OGCA) Notables Gallery at Geelong College in October 2014.


Sources: Obituary by Michael Irwin The Age (Melb) 4 April 2005 p19; Ad Astra July 2014 p51 OGC 1946.