Scotch College

John McKenzie award

Colin John McKenzie 19 September 1942–9 March 2003

John McKenzie award

Anne McKenzie has generously donated a cricket award to commemorate the life of her husband, the late John McKenzie. Her wish was to continue John’s contribution to cricket at Scotch College. Anne contacted the McLeod Club who helped facilitate the award with the School. The late John McKenzie’s life embodies the ‘McLeod Club Spirit’. A cricketing career that began at Scotch College continued into club cricket and further into veterans cricket. John continued to give back to the sport the same love and enthusiasm he had experienced from cricket throughout his life.

Anne wished to continue his legacy and his support for cricket at Scotch through an encouragement award for a Year 7 cricketer.

John McKenzie (commonly referred to as ‘Macca’) commenced his secondary education at Scotch College in 1955. A bright and attentive student, he did, however, love all sports especially football and cricket. He was an exceptional cricketer at Scotch and played in the 1st XI at the age of 15 in 1958 under the captaincy of Bob Cowper. Bob of course went on to represent Victoria and then carved quite a career representing Australia in the mid-60s.

John played again in the 1st XI in 1959 and then captained the team in 1960.

John G. Miles, a Scotch College master and Cricket Coach 1955 to 1976, wrote the following:

‘John was an outstanding all-rounder, fine and aggressive left-handed batsman, shrewd and accurate right-hand off-spinner, excellent fieldsman and a popular and respected captain. He was elected to this position by his fellow team-mates, many of them fine cricketers in their own right.

John did not talk a great deal, although he had a keen sense of humour, strong leadership skills and attributes: he led by example. The 1960 Scotch side, as with the teams of other years, did not need to employ aggressive sledging methods as is unfortunately the custom today. John would not have tolerated it! John was an all round great guy.’

John played in the 1st XVIII in 1959 and 1960 and was in the APS Athletics in 1959 as a high-jumper. He was a Probationer in 1960.

After leaving school John continued his cricket career with the Melbourne Cricket Club and played 48 games in the 1st XI, was an influential and Premiership Captain for many years in the 2nd XI and then a long playing stint in the Club XI’s with the MCC ‘C’s’.

Following a business move to Sydney John continued his cricket with the Mosman 1st XI and then subsequently with the Mosman ‘Vets’ and later with the ‘Mosman Masters’. John played in the Mayor’s XI v Chappell’s XI at the dedication of the Allan Border Oval (Mosman) in 1993.

John’s football career was all with the Old Scotch Football Club and he played over 125 games in the 1st XVIII in A and B sections of the VAFA playing in two Premierships, winning a Best & Fairest in 1966 and a Victorian Representative in 1965 and 1966.

John enjoyed his days at Scotch and was a very active Old Boy right through his life. He attended dinners in both Melbourne and Sydney plus other activities and was always a willing coach and mentor to many young men.

The winner of the award will be announced in the next Great Scot.