Scotch College

Scotch celebrates its unique role in the sesquicentenary of football

The Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School communities came together to celebrate the recent sesquicentenary of Australian Rules football. The activities around this significant milestone illustrated that on the field the two schools are fierce rivals, but that off the field the two schools have a healthy mutual respect for each other, having co-existed now for 150 years.

Words: Tim Shearer Photography: Kate Collingwood and James Grant

On Wednesday 6 August a special assembly was held at Scotch. Old boys who had played VFL or AFL football were invited to present special heritage jumpers to members of the current XVIII. Hawthorn Football Club President Jeff Kennett (’65) delivered a stirring address, reflecting on the history and traditions of the School, and the important place that the School holds in our wonderful national game.

In 2001, Scotch Colleges sesquicentenary, the Scotch and Melbourne Grammar communities united to raise funds for the wonderful bronze statue that resides outside the members’ entrance to the MCG, depicting Tom Wills and players representing Scotch and Melbourne Grammar from that first recorded match in 1858. In 2008, Melbourne Grammar’s sesquicentenary, the two communities again joined forces to raise funds for a community commitment – the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership. This fellowship was established in 2003 to provide positive change in Victoria’s indigenous community. Through the provision of financial support, networking opportunities and professional development to appointed fellows and emerging leaders, the fellowship empowers indigenous leaders to focus their time and energy in areas of importance identified by Victoria’s indigenous community.

Thursday 7 August 2008 was the 150th anniversary of that first game and the two school leaders came together at Scotch to announce the community commitment. Students at Scotch and Melbourne Grammar were encouraged to wear football jumpers on this day, and to make a donation to the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership. Together the two school communities, through this and other initiatives associated with the celebratory events, raised $30,000 for this worthwhile cause.

The sesquicentenary of football dinner was held at the Crown Palladium and over 1300 old boys from Scotch and Melbourne Grammar enjoyed an evening of fellowship and fun. A combined team of the sesquicentenary was announced and John ‘Jack’ Winneke (’55) was guest speaker.

The sesquicentenary of football luncheon was held in the Olympic room at the MCG on Friday 8 August and over 650 friends of Scotch and Melbourne Grammar enjoyed each other’s company prior to the 1st XVIII match on the MCG. The Age journalist Martin Flanagan delivered a thought provoking history of the game, an address that was reprinted in The Age newspaper the following day.

CORDNER–EGGLESTON CUP

Melbourne Grammar reclaimed the Cordner–Eggleston cup with a ten-point win over Scotch in their sesquicentenary anniversary match played at the MCG on Friday 8 August. Melbourne Grammar also secured their APS football premiership with this win and congratulations are extended to them. Scotch started the game well with an accountable bra nd of football that clearly rattled our opponents. To Melbourne Grammar’s credit they overran our boys in the final quarter. The Scotch 1st XVIII are to be congratulated for their contest. The atmosphere at the ground was electric, and this was a credit to the students of both schools.

The final scores were: MGS 10.12.72 def SC 9.8.62.