From the Archives By Con Lannan, College Archivist, and Jennifer Chiu, Publications Coordinator Several notable members of The Geelong College community have been portrayed by renowned artist Robert Hannaford, including the most recent addition of College Chair Dr Hugh Seward AM (OGC 1966) this month. The subjects of Hannaford portraits include Dame Joan Sutherland, Sir Donald Bradman and former Prime Ministers. In this Ad Astra, we look at the previous Hannaford portraits at the College.
Rev Dr Alexander J Campbell (1815-1909) Location: Alexander Campbell Room Rev Dr Campbell, a Presbyterian minister, chaired meetings of the first Geelong College Committee. He was immensely important in the foundation of the College. A missionary from Edinburgh, he arrived in Geelong to become an assistant at St Andrew’s Church, Geelong. He was the first minister of St George’s Church. After his retirement from St George’s, he published “Fifty Years of Presbyterianism” and was the first President of the Council of Churches.
Desmond Drewitt Davey OAM (1920-2008) Location: Davey House “Des” Davey began his teaching career at the College in 1943. After six years as Scots College Headmaster, Des returned to the Geelong College in 1956 to teach languages. He became VicePrincipal in 1958, then Deputy Principal and Director of Studies in 1972-73. Des was awarded an OAM in 2006 for his services to education as a teacher and principal, and through contributions to professional organisations. Davey House is named in his honour.
40 Ad Astra Issue No 136
Edward Keith Doery (1927-2005) Location: Davey House Keith Doery was a College Council member for 26 years, serving on the Finance, Planning, Nomination and Education committees, and as Vice-Chairman for 17 years. He was elected a College Life Governor in 2000. He was also an Albert Bell Club member, Old Geelong Collegians’ Association President and Fellow. Keith Doery was also dedicated to advancing independent education, as a board member of the Association of Victorian Independent Schools Association and trustee of the Combined Schools’ Superannuation Fund.
Garnet Stewart Fielding (1935-2017) Location: Dining Hall Garnet Fielding served on the College Council (1979-96), becoming Deputy Chairman in 1980 and Chairman from 1981. He was appointed a Life Governor of the College in 2003. He led the College Council when it became incorporated; formally adopted a Coat of Arms; established The Geelong College Foundation; and appointed Dr Turner as the first female APS School Principal. Numerous building projects were competed during his term, including the Noble Street Wing which was subsequently named after him.
Rev Ewen Charles McLean (1913-1998) Location: Davey House Rev Ewen McLean was a boarder from 1930 to 1931 and a College teacher from 1940 to 1978. He was Preparatory School First Assistant until 1953. He was ordained as the College’s first full-time Chaplain in 1954 and he sought to expand the religious life of the school. He became Calvert’s Housemaster in 1966 and Registrar in 1970. After retiring in 1979, he continued a close association with the school, taking charge of its archives in an honorary capacity. McLean House was named in his honour in 1980.
