Summary

Alexander Morrison Memorial Medal awarded to James D. Burns, circa 1911 to 1913. Minted by Stokes & Sons. The Medal was awarded to the Champion Essayist at Scotch College. Burns attended Scotch from 1911 to 1914 and must have won the prize sometime between 1911 and 1913 as in 1914 it was awarded to Lindsay Adams. The Medal, which was first awarded in 1904, is named after Alexander Morrison (1829-1903), principal of Scotch College, one of the founders of Ormond College and Vice-chairman of the Aborigines Protection Board, 1887-89.

James Drummond Burns (1895-1915) attended Scotch from 1911 to 1914. In 1913 and 1914 he was editor of The Scotch Collegian. In 1913 and 1914 he was a Prefect, and in 1914 he was a member of the 1st VIII and School Vice-Captain. He was one of the 1914 Prefects who proposed successfully that "Patriae" be added to Scotch's existing motto Deo et Literis to become the modern Deo Patriae Litteris. He also wrote the Boating Song, which is still sung at Scotch College today. James died on 18 September 1915 at Gallipoli, Türkiye (Turkey).

Physical Description

15 carat gold medal in case.

Obverse Description

Bust of Alexander Morrison. Around, ALEXANDER MORRISON MEMORIAL MEDAL / FOUNDED 1904

Reverse Description

Male classical scholar seated on books, reading scroll. In background , oil lamp on plinth. Around, DEO ET LITERIS. In exergue 15C.

Edge Description

James D. Burns

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