JUBILEE HISTORY TEXT, 1911. Chapter VII - 'Old Collegians' Association'.The following text is an excerpt from the
Jubilee History Text published in 1911.
Old Collegians AssociationAlways at Geelong College there has existed a strong Old Collegian sentiment. Dr. Morrison fostered and encouraged it. He saw in it the assurance of a great future for the school and curiously enough it was his death which ultimately brought about the formation of the Old Geelong Collegians' Association. Before the College had been established ten years, prizes presented by Old Collegians were being competed for every year.
The first reunion of Old Collegians was held in 1878. That was the year in which the College football team played a series of famousmatches against Geelong Grammar School. Great enthusiasm was created, and the season was concluded by a match against a team of Old Collegians. The boys won, kicking five goals to one. The Old Collegians' goal was kicked by
H. Upton. After the match the Old Boys dined at the College, and the evening was given over to an impromptu concert. "It is intended," said the Doctor in the report for 1878, "that this shall be an annual reunion, and now that so many Old Collegians are scattered through the length and breadth of the land, it will, we are sure, be looked for with increasing interest." At the Annual Sports held in December of that year, the "Old Collegians' Cup" was won by C. McCormick of Geelong, with E. W. Longden of Melbourne second, and P. Dwyer of Geelong third. The race was the first definite link between the Old Collegians and the College. The Sports Dinner also became an annual function; Old Collegians were regularly invited to it.
In 1884 the Old Collegians' Cup was made a triple event. It included races over 100 yards, 200 yards, and 440 Yards. A. Garrard, a master at the Geelong Grammar School, was the first to win it under these conditions, a performance which he repeated in 1886, after securing second place in 1885. It was chiefly by the aid of contributionsfrom Old Collegians that the College Boat Club was inaugurated in 1888. Four boats—a pair, a fouroared gig, and two pleasure boats were purchased. Dr. H. Salmon, of Ballarat, was chiefly responsible for this form of Old Collegian interest, and the following year presented the prizes for which six scratch fours competed, while in 1890 he and a number of other Old Collegians gave the boat club a racing boat by Fuller of Melbourne. The Old Collegians had been contributing for some years to the Athletic Sports Fund, but about this time the amount receivedfrom them began to assume great importance.
There were 96 Old Collegians entered for the Cup in 1891, and there were over 50 of them present at the Annual Sports. The Sports' dinner was a wellattended function that evening. It was Norman Morrison's first year as VicePrincipal. Every year saw more Old Collegians mustering on sports day. "We are always pleased to see the faces of old schoolfellows on our Annual Sports Day," said the report for 1894, "which is a day of reunion when reminiscences are exchanged and friendship renewed."
It was in 1896 that the Old Collegians presented the Boat Club with a singlestreak racing four. It was christened "Pegasus," and was fitted with outriggers and roller slides. The Old Collegians' Cup was turned into a 120 Yards Race in 1896, and run in heats. A 100 Yards "Consolation Race" for Old Collegians had been included some years earlier. Both these races attracted large fields every year.
Dr. George Morrison died in February, 1898. The many Old Boys who attended hisfuneral asked Mr. Neil Campbell and Mr. Stanley Calvert to inaugurate a movement to perpetuate his memory, and this they did. A strong committee was formed, asfollows:—Messrs. G. Braham,
W. M. Bell, L. G. Calvert, Jas. Campbell, J. L. Currie, Neil Campbell, Len. Calvert, T. Cole, Stanley Calvert, Jack Dowling, J. Garbutt, A. F. Garrard, E. Greaves, C. Howell, G. R. Hope, Gus. Kearney, Professor Kernot, Sam Leon, Arthur Longden, Wm. McMullen, Chas. McLean,
J. McLaughlin, J. N. McArthur, J. Osborne, H. O'Hara, H. B. Reid, E. R. Sparrow, H. R. Salmon, D. E. Stodart, L. A. Whyte, R. Willey, and D. Whitelaw. The movement thus originated ended in the handing over on 27th May, 1899, to Norman Morrison of the key to the Memorial Library which had been erected on the south side of the College building at a, cost of some £400, all of which was contributed by Old Collegians.
Mr. Neil Campbell presided at the opening, which was attended by a splendid gathering of Old Collegians. The opening ceremony was performed by Professor Kernot. Speeches were made byvarious Old Collegians. One who spoke, Mr. James Osborne, said that the reunion of so many Old Collegians suggested to him that an association might be formed to keep them in close touch with one another in the future. All those present received the suggestion with the greatest favour, and it was decided at a meeting in the Prince of Wales' Hotel that night that the Memorial Committee should be entrusted with the task of carrying it into effect. That was the beginning of the Old Collegians' Association.
Messrs. Neil Campbell and Stanley Calvert set diligently to work to create the Association. It took the whole of 1900. They received the warmest support from Old Collegians everywhere, and in the early part of 1901 the formation of the Association was assured. The first reunion was held on 3rd May, of that year. Afootball match, Old Boys against Present Boys was played in the afternoon. Those present were afterwards entertained by Norman Morrison in the College dining hall. In the evening rules were agreed to, officebearers elected, and the Association formally launched. Then followed a banquet in the Geelong Town Hall. There was a splendid muster of Old Collegians of various years, while letters of congratulation were received from Old Collegians all over Australia. The membership of the Association numbered
350.
A day scholars entrance examination was presented to the College by the Association in the first year of its existence. The Principal decided to hold the feesfrom this scholarship in trust, so as to establish a Geelong College Exit Scholarship. At the same time there was established the "Dux Prize," a set of books presented to the Dux of the College, and the "Association Plate," a trophy for a 100 Yards Handicap, competed for at the, annual sports. These first two prizes have been presented every year through the Association by some member of it. The generosity of Old Collegians, had been stimulated by theformation of the Association, and a magnificent lead had been given by Mr. J. L. Currie, when in 1902 he presented to the Boat Club a fine 8oared racing boat—the "Lorna Mary."
A special boat fund was established by the Association after that, and on 7th October, 1905 a racing eight of latest pattern was handed to the College, and launched at the sheds by Mrs. Morrison, who christened it "The Old Collegian."
When Gus. Kearney died a movement was originated by the President of the Essendon Football Club and the Old Collegians' Association to establish an annual prize inmemory of him. The sum of £100 was collected, and invested at 4½ per cent. This prize is awarded annually on the lines of amodified Rhodes' Scholarship. That prize was awarded for the first time in 1908—the year in which the College again became a public school.
The Committee of the Old Collegians' Association did little more than arrange for the annual reunion until 1907. In that year Norman Morrison was actively engaged in negotiations with the Presbyterian Church for taking over the school. He discussed everything before a largely attended meeting of the Committee held in the Geelong Town Hall, of which Mr. J. L. Currie was Chairman. In the end it was decided to ask for representation on the Council of the school. Professor Kernot, Mr. S. Leon, and Dr. Norman McArthur were appointed to confer with the church authorities. As a result, the Association obtained the right to nominate three members of the Council. Themembers nominated were the President (Mr. J. L. Currie), the VicePresident (Mr. L. A. Whyte), and the Honorary Treasurer (Mr. Neil Campbell). The General Assembly, at the request of Norman Morrison, had included in its representatives Dr. Norman McArthur and the Hon. Secretary (Mr. StanleyCalvert). There were thus five Old Collegians on the Council. Then a vacancy occurred through the resignation of Mr. Graham Balfour. Another Old Collegian was appointed in Dr. R. H. Morrison. This was after Norman Morrison's sad death, and had the effect of retaining the Morrison influence in the control of the College. Mr. L. A. Whyte died, and Mr. W. Reid was nominated by the Old Collegians' Association in his place.
The next work in which the Old Collegians engaged was that of erecting a Jubilee Hall. A meeting of committees was held at Scott's Hotel, Melbourne, and this project, which was very dear to the heart of Norman Morrison, was definitely undertaken. Before the meeting separated the sum of £950 was promised.
The death of Norman Morrison nearly broke up the Association. He had been one of the chief moversin it, and the life of the movement seemed to be gone with him. Afaithful band of Old Collegians who had been intimate friends of Norman Morrison's were, however, resolved to carry on what he had begun. They kept the Association together, and by using it to perpetuate his memory, made it stronger than ever. The new headmaster was publicly welcomed to the College by the Old Collegians' Association, and the movement was continued for the building of the hall, which was converted into a memorial of Norman Morrison. It had been projected by him to celebrate the jubilee of the College. The Association have carried out hisidea, and perpetuated hismemory at the same time.
Three men stood out above others in connection with the work of the Association. To Stanley Calvert, the original Honorary Secretary, is due much of the credit for the shape the Association has assumed. As Secretary he was untiring, and endeared himself to all old boys by his kindly tact and ready understanding. He had a hardworking and enthusiastic associate in the Honorary Treasurer, Neil Campbell, who, when Stanley Calvert was laid aside by ill health, worked day and night to keep the Association moving ever ahead.
Dr. Norman McArthur has been the other. He was confidential friend and adviser of Norman Morrison, and since his death Dr. McArthur has strivenwith all his power to realise the ideals which Norman Morrison held, both for the school and the Old Collegians' Association. He has spared neither time nor trouble, and both as member of the Council and President of the Association, has worked with untiring energy. The successful building of the Memorial Hall is in very largemeasure due to Dr. McArthur's enthusiasm as an Old Collegian and loyalty to an old friend. With him has been associated Mr. James D'Helin. During the months before the Jubilee, when the work was heaviest, Mr. Neil Campbell in his turn was overtaken by ill health. Mr. D'Helin, however, as Assistant Honorary Secretary, worked with redoubled energy. He proved himself indefatigable, tactful, and businesslike. So long as the Association has men like these who are prepared to give time and thought and energy to its affairs and the affairs of the College, there will be no fear for the future. Both will continue to increase in power and prosperity and importance.
Past Presidents 1901—Prof. W. C. Kernot. 1902—Prof. W. C. Kernot. 1903—Prof. W. C. Kernot. 1904—Prof. W. C. Kernot. 1905—Prof. W. C. Kernot. 1906—S. Leon, K.C. 1907—J.
L. Currie. 1908—R A. Campbell. 1909—Dr. A. N. McArthur. 1910—Dr. A. N. McArthur. 1911—Stewart McArthur.
Past VicePresidents 1901—Stewart McArthur; Dr. Harry R. Salmon. 1902—S. Leon, K.C.; James Osborne. 1903—R A. Campbell.; J. L. Currie. 1904—Jas. Robertson; Wm. Oliver. 1905—J. F. Strachan; W. J. Currie. 1906—D. E. Stodart; Dr. A. N. McArthur. 1907—L. A. Whyte; George Hope. 1908—E. R. Sparrow; W. Philip. 1909—W. H. Boyd; C. H. Wheatland. 1910—W. H. Boyd; C. H. Wheatland. 1911—Percy C. Dowling; Wm. McMullen.
Association Awards ASSOCIATION ENTRANCE; SCHOLARSHIP,. 1901—J. H. Slater. 1902—K O. Hewison. 1903—J. A. Miller. 1904—N. J. Butt. 1905—R. Barnfather. 1906—M S. Davidson. 1907—G. H. Yalland. 1908—W. R. Jewell. 1909—D. W. Paine. 1910—J. R. Hobbs.
University entrance scholarship 1903—E. E. V. Collocott. 1904—J. T. Tait. 1905—K W. Grutzner. 1906—A. H. Campbell. 1907—F. T. Beamish. 1908—S. T. Appleford. 1909—K M. Doig. 1910—J. R. Porter.
Association Plate 1901—G. A. Melville. 1902—C. G. Timms. 1903—G. B. Kearney. 1904—
C. R. Pawsey. 1905—N. O. Mack. 1906—S. G. Smith. 1907—A. T. Tait. 1908—A. T. Tait. 1909—J. Fenton. 1910—D. S. Walker.
Dux of College 1901—G. Lamble. 1902—E. E. V. Collocott. 1903—A. E. Pillow. 1904—J. T. Tait. 1905—F. W. Grutzner. 1906—A. H. Campbell. 1907—S. T. Appleford. 1908—K. M. Doig. 1909—R. E. Cameron. 1910—J. R. Porter.
Dr. Gus Kearney memorial prize 1908—A. T. Talt. 1909—K. M. Doig, 1910—J. R. Porter.'
Sources: Sources: Geelong College. History, Register, .. And Records by G, McLeod Redmond. Melb; Sands & McDougall, 1911. pp 57-66.