McARTHUR, Arthur Norman (1869-1950)

Modified on Thu, 27 Feb 2020 11:39 by Caroline Stok — Categorized as: Biography - All, Biography - OGCA Gallery of Notable Old Collegians, Biography - Students, Geelong College

McArthur, Dr Arthur Norman (1869-1950)

See Also Potts' Reminiscences
See Also Potts' Reminiscences of Dr George Ernest Morrison

Dr Norman McArthur, 1911. (OGCA).

Dr Norman McArthur, the son of Peter McArthur and Margaret nee McLean, born on 14 July 1869, was a boarder at the College from 8 February 1881 to 1886, and excelled in school sports, being especially interested in boxing and football. He was a member of the 1st Football XVIII from 1884 to 1886 and the 1st Cricket XI in 1885 and 1886. In the 1886 Annual Report his football talent was described as ‘generally roves, plays with dash, uses his weight to advantage and a good kick.’ At Cricket, - ‘Good bat, has scored well this season, fair fielder.’ At tennis - ‘a good player, gets plenty of pace on, needs practice.

From the Geelong College he proceeded to medical studies at Ormond College, Melbourne University and at King's College, London. By 1909 he was Senior Gynaecological Surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne and became a distinguished medical consultant practising in Collins Street. At University he gained a double blue for cricket and football.

Dr Norman McArthur.

A member of the well-known pioneer family of Meningoort, Camperdown, he was a worthy follower of their tradition, and was an original member of the Old Collegians' Association which he helped to form in 1908, and of which he became President in 1909 and 1910. His keen support of the College was lifelong, and after the tragic death of Norman Morrison he and Neil Campbell were largely responsible for the survival of the College. He, it was, who supplied the drive for the erection of the Norman Morrison Memorial Hall. His father Peter McArthur of Camperdown was one of the original twelve members of the Corresponding Committee formed at the establishment of the School in 1861. Dr McArthur was a member of the Geelong College Council from its inception in 1908 until 1947 and acted as Chairman of the Council during 1939 to 1941 during Arthur Coles' absence.

Dr McArthur married Millicent Elizabeth Noakes. His brothers, Leslie Graham McArthur, Robert Ernest McArthur, Peter Campbell McArthur, Sir William Gilbert Stewart McArthur and John Neil McArthur also attended the College as did his son Peter Norman McArthur.

Pegasus in August 1916 noted him as Dr 'Potts', the writer of a series of reminiscences about the College published in Pegasus between 1912 and 1916:
'On Friday, the 11th August, Dr 'Potts' McArthur visited Geelong, and in company with S B Calvert was entertained by Major F Purnell, Commanding Officer, Geelong Military Camp. Dr 'Potts,' as President of the Victorian Boxing Association, acted as judge for the finals of the Camp Boxing Competitions, and during the evening gave the 'Boys' some interesting points and a short exhibition.'

Dr Pillow and Dr Wettenhall at the Council Meeting of 4 May 1951 described Dr MacArthur: ‘His entertaining personality was highly appreciated at College functions, with his ready wit, sound judgment, and diverting reminiscences. His example was outstanding, and one of which we can all be proud. It is impossible to exaggerate the debt owed to him by the College.’

Dr Norman Arthur McArthur was inducted into the Old Geelong Collegians' Association (OGCA) Notables Gallery at Geelong College in 2011.

See Also Potts' Reminiscences on the early College and sportsmen and Potts' Reminiscences of Dr George Ernest Morrison

Sources: Pegasus June 1909 p 41; Pegasus August 1916 p 33; Obituary - Pegasus June 1951 p 35: Council Minutes 4 May 1951.