Resident families have long been part of the Ormond community. Accordingly during the College’s 140 years a series of children have lived at College, including at least one who later became famous.
One of the earliest children to live at Ormond was Ida Rentoul Outhwaite (1888-1960), one of two daughters of a Theological Hall professor. Rentoul Outhwaite became an internationally noted illustrator of fairy tales and children’s books. Several decades later David Picken raised six daughters in Allen House during nearly thirty years as Ormond’s Master. Three daughters were even born at Ormond.
Fairy Island, an illustration from Ida Rentoul Outhwaite’s book Elves and Fairies (1916). Ida grew up at Ormond.
Perhaps the most famous former child resident of Ormond is Olivia Newton-John, who arrived at Ormond aged five when her father became Master in 1954. In her memoir, Olivia says she loved living in Allen House, ‘a beautiful stone mansion’ where she pretended to be a princess or explorer. When her parents hosted functions, Olivia hid in the alcove halfway up the Allen House stairs, watching her parents’ elegant guests. She says she remembers the sound of students ‘spooning in’ – welcoming victorious sporting teams in the Dining Hall.
During Olivia Newton-John’s time at Ormond the Lodge was built as a house for her family, and it was the first of several College buildings to be shaped by the needs of parents and children. Within several years of being completed the Lodge was enlarged to cater for Master Davis McCaughey’s family of six. Similarly, McCaughey Court was designed partly to cater to the families of graduate students in an era when many married and started families whilst completing their education. Opened in 1968, the building was home to nine children in its first year.
Since then, a number of families and have called Ormond home, their children roaming the grounds and becoming part of College life. Ormond continues to be home to staff and their children, who remain cherished members of the College community.
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