Scotch College

A new Scholarship through the Hugh Field Bequest

It was Charles Field who, in 1868, went from Scotch in East Melbourne to Melbourne Grammar, with the challenge to compete in an inter school boat race. Charles (No 3) rowed in the first Head of the River when Scotch beat Melbourne Grammar by 2 lengths (in four oared boats).

After leaving school Charles married and had two children. He spent some time in Tasmania, where he purchased a number of hotels, and later returned to Melbourne, where he died in July 1937.

The 1967 rowing season celebrated the centenary of inter school boat races. Charles Field's son, Hugh Field, donated the racing eight, christened the 'J C Field', used by the Scotch crew in the centenary race. Fittingly it was won by Scotch, one length clear of Melbourne Grammar with Geelong College third. Hugh, an old Wesley Collegian, took an active interest in the training and racing. He attended the boat races and dinner held at the Windsor Hotel the following Monday.

To keep the tradition alive the First Eight had rowed to Melbourne Grammar Landing with an invitation to a friendly gathering after the race.

Hugh Field told the crews that it had been his secret ambition fifty years earlier to see his boat win the one hundredth Head of the River race. The Scotch crew had fulfilled his dreams. Later Miss Field, sister of Hugh, presented J Charles Field Commemorative Medals, at a School Assembly, to each of our eight oarsmen, cox and Don Macmillan.

Hugh Field died in April 1972, and left all of his estate for his wife during her lifetime and thereafter for the Council of Scotch College absolutely for the general purposes of the College. He further requested that the name of his father J C Field (Charles Field) be associated permanently with some activity of the College, whether sporting or otherwise.

In May 1995 Hugh's widow, Jean, died, and the estate was wound up. Scotch has received over $1.1 million from this bequest. The Council has decided that the bequest be retained as a capital fund and that the income arising each year is to be used to fund scholarships for students at the discretion of the Principal.