A Significant Legacy

At this time of the College’s 140th birthday, I would like to add to the collection of stories by remembering my great-great-grandfather Alex Morrison and the pivotal role he played in the foundation of Ormond College.

The University of Melbourne was established in 1853 and land was set aside for the establishment of residential colleges around what we now know as College Crescent. Approximately 10 acres was allocated to each of the various denominations of the Christian churches – Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist and Catholic.

The Anglicans were quick off the mark, establishing Trinity College, which opened its doors in 1872. The Presbyterians were a little slower to get going, but some urgency to the task of establishing a college followed the CH Pearson-led Royal Commission into Public Education. In 1877, Pearson suggested that the Presbyterians either start building a college or sell the land with proceeds divided between church and state.

At this point, Dr. Alexander Morrison, the Principal of Scotch College (1857 to 1903), used Pearson’s threat to galvanise the Presbyterian General Assembly to form a committee (which would evolve into the College Council) to undertake the job of getting a college built. Under the leadership of Dr. Morrison, the committee set about raising money and by the end of 1878, £10,000 was in place, virtually all of it from Western District and Wimmera graziers. However, it soon became apparent that £10,000 wasn’t going to be enough to build a college. At this point, Francis Ormond gave a matching sum of £10,000 (with much more to come later). 

The building of Ormond College could commence. Its design was inspired by Glasgow University, shown below on the left, with Ormond on the right.

In the Ormond College Centenary Essays Don Chambers writes:

Morrison’s perseverance had launched the Presbyterian college scheme after Pearson’s challenge of 1876. Morrison had also drawn his committee member, Francis Ormond, from peripheral shadows to the stage centre. Once drawn in, Ormond gathered a momentum of his own which Morrison’s committee was happy to ride with, and tactfully direct. By 1880 Morrison and Ormond were seeking a third person to direct the new college, and the patron was eventually delighted to participate in the British interview which led to John Henry MacFarland becoming Ormond College’s first Master.

The portraits of this triumvirate adorn the walls of the Dining Hall. MacFarland is on the left at the front, Francis Ormond above the door at the back and Morrison beside him on the right of the rear wall.

Unfortunately, Francis Ormond died suddenly in 1889, but Morrison and MacFarland (although 22 years Morrison’s junior) remained dear friends. MacFarland was a frequent guest to the Morrison beach house at Mt Martha, called Craigie Lea and, of course, they continued to be closely involved in the governance of Melbourne’s finest educational institutions.

The Dining Hall was completed in 1893 and MacFarland gifted Morrison a small bureau with a Latin inscription under the lid. This bureau is a treasured family heirloom. Translated, the inscription reads:

To Alexander Morrison
This chest, made from the same wood with which the new College Hall is decorated.
Not forgetful of the weight of his devotion to study.
John Henry MacFarland.
A friend to a friend.
1893

Morrison continued as Chair of the College Council until his passing in 1903. I am privileged  to call Alex Morrison my great-great-grandfather and to have enjoyed 3 wonderful years (1987-1989), at the College he was so instrumental in establishing. At College I met my future husband Edward (Ed) and subsequently our two eldest children Will (2013) and Kate (2014) have both attended Ormond. 

Sally Meggitt (Armit – 1987)