FOUNDER'S DAY
On Monday 8 July 1861 at 11.00am, the Reverend Alexander J Campbell declared the Geelong College open for business. The following day, 40 students, including 13 resident boarders, 7 day boarders, and 20 day boys assembled at Knowle House in Skene Street for their first classes. To teach them was newly appointed Principal, George Morrison, and two teachers, George F Hutton and Adolph B Herbst.
A formal celebration of the School's opening was first established in 1947 by then Principal, Dr Martyn Buntine, which involved both a church service and a student assembly. These annual events lapsed over time but were re-introduced in 2001 at the Senior School and Preparatory School. That year, they celebrated both the 140th anniversary of the College and the 80th anniversary of the Preparatory School. ln 2011, Campbell House held its inaugural Founders' Day celebration.