ABOVE , LEFT TO RIGHT : PADDOCKS OF THE GLEN ESTATE TAKEN IN 1914 ; PAUL MISHURA SPEAKS DURING THE EMG EVENT ; BOYS AND GIRLS AT SCOTCH ’ S PARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS IN 1917 . BELOW : INVITATION TO THE VIRTUAL EVENT
1915 , and was demolished in 1942 over fears it may be targeted by the Japanese .
After proclaiming ‘ enough of the props ’, Scott peppered Paul with a series of questions about some of the myths that have percolated through the years , commencing with , ‘ Is it true that Scotch could have bought all the land up to Riversdale Road ?’ The perfunctory Paul reply : ‘ No .’ Along the way we learnt some interesting information : When Wesley was invited to share Scotch during World War II as its campus had been requisitioned by the Australian Army – the Wesley Principal , Neil MacNeil ( SC 1903-11 ) had been a Scotch boy – Melbourne Grammar School was also invited , but declined . The sharing of facilities , and staggered operational arrangements ( sadly now all too familiar to us as well ) to allow the increased school population , led not only to the Green Grandstand on the Main Oval as a gesture of thanks from Wesley to Scotch , and to some small buildings on Morrison Street ( now gone ).
The rivalry with Melbourne Grammar shared more than the first football match , extending to a 1868 boat race that later went on to become the Head of the River , and the first 1958 snowsports challenge .
While we have perhaps an equally famous rivalry with Xavier , particularly on the football field , Paul indicated that this was not always the case , and that when Scotch Principal Alexander Morrison died , Xavier boys joined with Scotch boys , past and present , in the funeral procession in his honour .
In asking Paul for his view on which of the past Principals he deems to have had the greatest impact , he said that perhaps because Morrison had ‘ been around so long ’ he was the one who first put Scotch in a strong position , but that it was more likely William Littlejohn , who ‘ had made the School what it is today ’. Littlejohn ‘ gave gold to the School colours ’, instituted The Scotch Collegian , introduced the Prefect system and the Foundation Day Concert , and played a key role in Scotch ’ s move from East Melbourne to Hawthorn . Paul claims that the ‘ School is recognisable today as the School of Littlejohn ’ s time .’
Given our coronavirus times , comparisons with the Spanish flu of 1918-20 were perhaps an inevitable inclusion . Paul revealed there is not much about the flu on record , and that while there were some Old Boys who certainly died from it , there is nothing to suggest any boys succumbed .
Scott took the opportunity to seek a professional opinion on the two photographs that reside in his office : one taken of the Quad in 1921 by Keith Oliphant . Paul remarked that what makes this picture so special is the exquisite detail , and that we also actually still have the negatives ! The other photograph is a sweeping image looking down to Memorial Hall taken from the Glen Estate in 1930 , noting the so-called ‘ temporary ’ cricket pavilion , and the original Science Block ( later J Block , or Junior Block ) that was demolished to make way for the Lithgow Centre .
It goes without saying that Scotch artefacts and memorabilia are very much Paul ’ s domain and passion – the collection includes , for example , every Collegian dating back to 1904 , and original school desks with cast iron frames that were found under the Junior School . He warmly encourages all families to check ‘ the box of trinkets under the bed ’, especially for photos , as these are the most important records of an individual family ’ s association with the School , and are by their very nature unique .
Of his new Archives Museum home , a place that will ‘ properly protect ’ Scotch ’ s history and will enable it to be shared in an enticing way , Paul assured the group that while there will be many months ahead of setting up the displays , there will absolutely be a ‘ grand opening ’ next year .
School Captain Will Dixon then relayed on behalf of the boys their excitement at the Victorian Government ’ s announcement the previous day that students would be allowed back to school . Measures were in place to ensure Scotch was COVID-safe with a staggering of lesson times , social distancing in classrooms and a resumption of non-contact sports . Will remarked that 2020 as a ‘ year of firsts ’ had again played out that morning through a live broadcast of the Foundation Day Assembly . In assessing the effect of COVID-19 on the boys of Scotch , Will stressed the importance of keeping perspective and making the year a positive one ; nevertheless , that ‘ a lot of people have forgone much in previous generations and that many people before us have made sacrifices .’
Tim Shearer concluded proceedings by not only thanking all involved in presenting this virtual celebration of the School ’ s birthday ; he said that no birthday would be complete without a cake , which magically appeared to be enjoyed , alas , not by EMG members , but by ‘ Team Shearer ’!
The broadcast closed with a moving and superb rendition of Loch Lomond performed by the Chamber Choir in novel Zoom format .
PATTY WALLACE-SMITH
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 65