Scotch College

A Scotch journey 1851 - 2001

How It All Began

In 1813 James Forbes was born to a farmer, Peter Forbes and his wife Margaret, in the parish of Leochet-Cushnie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

After education at a parish school and Kings College, he studied mathematics and theology at Aberdeen University where he graduated with a Master of Arts in 1836.

His long-standing interest in theology resulted in him being licensed by the Presbytery of Garioch, but before taking up parish work, he decided to teach in a school in Colderts, England. There began his passion for education.

He was ordained as a minister in Glasgow in 1837 at the age of 24 years.

Forbes Arrives in Australia, 1837

Young Forbes had an obvious sense of adventure and by invitation of the Rev. James Clow, set sail in the Portland arriving in Sydney in December 1837.

The following month, Forbes found himself on the James Watt, sailing to Melbourne and after a brief spell in Geelong, returned to Melbourne where he quickly established himself as a preacher and pastor.

In 1839 he ministered Scots Church and quickly established ministries in Geelong, Portland, Port Fairy and Campbellfield.

Forbes was outspoken, particularly in the cause of public education, the plight of low income families and the poor salaries of teachers. His success in furthering his churches' cause resulted in a stipend of 350 pounds, the highest in the colonies.

And So, The Foundation Of Scotch College Was Created

In 1838, at the tender age of 25, Forbes established his own school - the Scots School, acknowledged as the most efficient in the colony. He married Helen in 1845. In October 1851, determined to open a higher Presbyterian School for Victoria, he enlisted the Free Church of Scotland to provide a rector.

Thus, Robert Lawson arrived in 1851 and the Melbourne Academy was established, later to become Scotch College.

The original campus was located in Spring Street, moving once in that street, before going to East Melbourne in 1854 and to the current Hawthorn location in 1916.

Forbes also supported the Merri Creek Aboriginal School established in 1846 by the Baptist Church.

Whilst being mindful of the plight of the poor, he 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 Forbes Legacy

Education aside, Forbes was an outstanding public figure.

He was President of the Melbourne Total Abstinence Society, Secretary of the Melbourne Mechanics Institute and Vice President of the Melbourne Debating Society.

His most enduring charitable work was the foundation in 1845 of the Melbourne Ladies Benevolent Society, presided over by his wife Helen. Its work still continues.

Forbes was a bold and courageous man. He possessed an alert mind, a keen sense of duty and a deep attachment to British institutions.

Whilst strong in character, James Forbes was physically quite frail. He contracted a chronic ailment to the trachea and died in 1851, the year the Melbourne Academy was founded. Sadly, he died two months before its opening. James Forbes was survived by his wife and four children.

Scotch College Celebrations

In 2001, the Scotch Family will be celebrating 150 years of James Forbes' legacy. We hope as many of you as possible take advantage of the many events and functions being planned to celebrate both our past and our vision for the future.

Major events will include a Torch Relay, Family Walk and Picnic, a Special School Assembly. Celebratory Dinners in the Memorial Hall, the launch of a new History, the opening of the first stage of the James Forbes School for Music and Drama, a School Pagent and the grandest Foundation Day Concert of all time, and many other activities, the details of which will be published in future editions of Great Scot.