GILLESPIE, Robert Kerr (1856-1929) The Principal, Francis Rolland described, in 1929, the death of Robert Kerr Gillespie as the loss of a loyal Old Collegian and one of the leaders of the Presbyterian Church. He was the eldest of three sons of Robert Gillespie, a banker, and Ellen Somerville nee Ellis to attend Geelong College, appearing only in the enrolment register of 1871.
In 1881, he married Euphemia Kyle nee Brock and their son Robert Brock Gillespie (1883-1960) attended the School from 1898 becoming a member of the 1902 Rowing Crew. In 1902 Robert Brock Gillespie won the Champion Medal at the Cumming Cup shooting competition. The
Robert Gillespie Scripture Prize awarded annually from about 1931 to 1982 was named in memory of Robert Kerr Gillespie.
His brothers,
James McGregor Gillespie (1859-1936) and
John Alexander Gillespie (1861-1932), were also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Pegasus December 1928 p47; Pegasus May 1929 p47.