Great Scot September 2018 Gt Scot_154_September_online | Page 12

Sir John Monash
LEFT: MONASH AS
A YOUNG STUDENT
Sir John Monash –
more than a soldier
Monash's life was one of service
12
Great Scot Number 154 – September 2018
In the centenary of the end of World
War I, there has naturally been a significant
focus on Sir John Monash, who is Scotch’s
most famous Old Boy. The focus has been
on his military achievements, but he was a
multidimensional man throughout his adult
life. That life was one of service to many and
varied parts of the community. His close
connection with Scotch was not one-sided
fo he undoubtedly recognised the ways in
which Scotch set him up for life.
Monash’s teacher in Jerilderie had
taught him all he could, and urged Monash’s
mother to send the talented student to a
suitable Melbourne school. She visited
Melbourne Grammar School, Wesley
College and Scotch. He entered Scotch on
9 October 1877. Here, Monash was able
to continue learning German, which had
been recently reintroduced, and French
and Hebrew. His knowledge of European
languages helped in his war service.
Monash benefited from lessons in the
School's new laboratory, believed to be the
first in an Australian school. His elocution
lessons gave him confidence in public
speaking.
Earlier in 1877, Principal Alexander
Morrison engaged Sergeant-Major William
Alexander John Robert Whitehead to begin
army cadet training. Monash attended
every session, including lectures about
historic battles and great leaders, and called
Whitehead his ‘military father’. Interestingly,
Whitehead died at Hawthorn the day after
the Gallipoli landings — the same day
Monash himself set foot on Gallipoli. Despite
his accented speech and non-Anglo-Celtic
appearance, Monash did not experience
any racism at Scotch.
Monash graduated in 1881 as equal
Dux of the School. He did not complete
his Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree
until 1891. The delay was caused by family
and financial difficulties. After receiving this
degree, he crammed in studying Law, and
finished Arts. He graduated with a Master
of Engineering (1893), and Bachelors of Arts
and Law (1895).