Summary

Australia
Scotch College, Melbourne Prize Medal, 1877 (AD)
Mint: Harry Stokes & Co.
Awarded to: H. Griffith for Sports

Scotch College is the oldest school in Victoria. Its foundation was initiated by the Reverend James Forbes, the first settled minister of the Presbyterian Church in the Victoria. Forbes was a Scottish immigrant who studied mathematics and theology at Aberdeen University and graduated with a Master of Arts in 1836. Forbes was outspoken, particularly in the cause of public education, the plight of low-income families and the poor salaries of teachers. In October 1851, determined to open a higher Presbyterian School for Victoria, Forbes enlisted the Free Church of Scotland to provide a rector. Robert Lawson, a Scot from Edinburgh University, became the first Principal of the Melbourne Academy, later to become Scotch College. The school fulfilled the 'old Scottish ideal of education', in which Church and School were inextricably connected. Whilst being mindful of the plight of the poor, Forbes was a strong believer in parental payment for education. He agreed government should provide monetary help, and fees should be less for the poor, but believed payment ensured parental appreciation of the value of education. The original campus of Scotch College was located in Spring Street. In 1854 it moved to East Melbourne, and in 1915 it moved to its current Hawthorn location.

Physical Description

Bronze medal, with the motto 'Deo et Literis' around the edge, and with an embossed image of a young man in classical dress seated on a stool and with a scroll across his lap. There are two bound volumes on the floor of the room, and an oil lamp of learning burns on top of a pillar. On the obverse, a wreath of laurel leaves surrounds the inscription 'Scotch College Melbourne'. Inscribed on the edge: H. Griffith/ Sports, 1877'.

Obverse Description

Young man seated facing left reading a scroll with books stacked beside his stool, in the background an oil lamp burns on top of a short square pillar, around above, DEO ET LITTERIS , in small letters on exergue line, H.S. & Co.

Reverse Description

Within a laurel wreath, SCOTCH / COLLEGE / MELBOURNE

Edge Description

Engraved: H. GRIFFITH SPORTS 1877

Significance

Scotch College is the oldest school in Victoria. Its foundation was initiated by the Reverend James Forbes, the first settled minister of the Presbyterian Church in the Victoria. Forbes was a Scottish immigrant who studied mathematics and theology at Aberdeen University and graduated with a Master of Arts in 1836. Forbes was outspoken, particularly in the cause of public education, the plight of low-income families and the poor salaries of teachers. In October 1851, determined to open a higher Presbyterian School for Victoria, Forbes enlisted the Free Church of Scotland to provide a rector. Robert Lawson, a Scot from Edinburgh University, became the first Principal of the Melbourne Academy, later to become Scotch College. The school fulfilled the 'old Scottish ideal of education', in which Church and School were inextricably connected. Whilst being mindful of the plight of the poor, Forbes was a strong believer in parental payment for education. He agreed government should provide monetary help, and fees should be less for the poor, but believed payment ensured parental appreciation of the value of education

The original campus of the school was located in Spring Street. In 1854 it moved to East Melbourne, and in 1915 it moved to its current Hawthorn location. -Scotch College web site http://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/Gscot/GSJun99/p28Journ.htm. -D. Tout-Smith 24/11/2003.

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