Scotch College

More proud traditions and cherished memories

The reality of it all finally struck me as soon as I opened the door to enter the upstairs balcony of the Leochel Cushnie Church. This was where it all began. This church was the focal point of the early life of James Forbes, the founder of Scotch College.

He was born and bred at the Farmhouse 'Bogend', which was less than two hundred metres from the Church. This church was where he worshipped, sang in the choir and preached his last sermon before coming to Melbourne.

Located some thirty kilometres west of Aberdeen, and built in 1797 on a hill one thousand feet above sea level, the church was subjected to the rather cold breeze which was blowing on that grey Sunday morning on 1 October, 2000.

I was one of one hundred and thirty-five parishioners, Old Boys and Members of the Scotch Family who had joined the Principal, Dr Gordon Donaldson, for a church service to commemorate the life and work of the Reverend James Forbes.

However, the cold outside only served to highlight the warmth, both physical and spiritual, of those inside. The Minister, Reverend Margaret Garden entered the church with Dr Donaldson and the Presbytery Moderator, Reverend Iain Thomson, and the service commenced with a very special welcome to the Scotch College contingent.

The Hymn 'Now thank we all our God' followed an Oboe solo by parishioner Linda Rodgers. The Sunday school children then sang 'God's love is the best love', to the tune of 'The Flintstones' and completely captivated the congregation. The service continued with the Hand Bell Ringers' delightful performance of 'Lead me Lord'.

Dr Donaldson's address to the congregation explained fully the details of James Forbes's life including his entrance to the University of Aberdeen at the tender age of thirteen years and his arrival in Melbourne. The great tragedy of the life of James Forbes was that he died six weeks before the school opened on 6 October 1851.

Forbes had left his mark on Melbourne. Apart from establishing three other schools, he was a great advocate of aboriginal rights, and his funeral was a large event in Melbourne. He was a highly respected and greatly admired leader in the community.

The Principal then invited Mrs Nan Trimmer, a direct descendant of Reverend Forbes to light the Torch, with the help of OSCA President Michael Stillwell.

The congregation was hushed as they all realised the symbolism and significance of the moment. The torch, located in front of the font, burnt strongly throughout the remainder of the service.

The service, so carefully thought out and arranged by Reverend Margaret Garden, continued with the hymn 'Colours of day dawn into the mind' with the chorus:

So light up the fire and let the flame burn,

Open the door, let Jesus return.

Take seeds of his Spirit, let the fruit grow,

Tell the people of Jesus, let his love show.

The Reverend Ian Thomson's sermon 'Follow me' captured the essence of the ministry of James Forbes. Many did follow him, including the thousands of boys, who have been to Scotch over its 150 years.

The warmth of the occasion was marked by an exchange of gifts. Dr Donaldson's gift to the parish from Scotch College was twenty specially inscribed Bibles, and he accepted from the congregation a gift of a Celtic cross.

The congregation then moved to the entrance foyer of the church, where Dr Donaldson invited Mrs Trimmer to unveil the plaque which read:

'A valedictory service was conducted at Leochel Cushnie for James Forbes prior to his emigration to Australia in July 1837, where he became the first Presbyterian minister appointed to the Port Phillip District. He founded the Melbourne Academy, which opened on 6 October 1851 and later became Scotch College.

 

On 1 October 2000, Mrs A G Trimmer, a descendant of the family of James Forbes, kindled a torch here to commemorate the life and work of this Presbyterian minister and educator. From this location the torch traced Forbes's journey to Australia, to commence the celebration of the founding of Scotch College 150 years ago.'

The congregation, joyfully holding the burning torch aloft, slowly walked down the gravel road to the Church Hall, where the School hosted a buffet luncheon for the one hundred and thirty-five members of the congregation.

After the lunch the Scotch contingent visited the Farmhouse Bogend, where James Forbes was born in 1813. Although the cottage had been modernised, we were still able to identify the original walls and fireplace, and vividly imagine the young Forbes growing up there, and looking at the view out the window, which would have changed little in one hundred and eighty-seven years. The simple plaque presented by the School and attached to the wall, was another gentle reminder to all, of the very special significance of the farmhouse.

Then we were off around the corner to Newbraes, the Forbes family property, where Bill and Bessie Stewart had lived for so many years. They were fun hosts and enlivened the afternoon, as Bill entertained all with his squeezebox.

All too soon the afternoon drew to a close as we drove back to Aberdeen. The Stillwells and McGregors returned that evening to join members of the congregation at a dinner hosted by Reverend Margaret Garden.

A splendid meal in which we reflected on the ties, which were now firmly in place, between Scotch College and the parishioners of the Leochel Cushnie Church.

We had revisited the roots of the school and firmly cemented the relationship between a great school and a very special church.

The proud traditions continue and the cherished memories of this visit will remain with us always.

Leigh McGregor