Scotch College

Richard Johnston room dedicated

On Thursday, 8 February it was our pleasure to welcome to the Hill fifteen members of the Johnston clan, headed by Mr Campbell Johnston (Snr) CBE ('27) and his wife Agnes.

The occasion marked a special unveiling ceremony in memory of Richard Johnston, who died ten years ago aged forty-eight.

The newly refurbished McMeckan recreation room is now known as the Richard Johnston Room.

After enjoying a sumptuous meal in the Dining Hall, the party, accompanied by the Principal Dr Gordon Donaldson and his wife Joyce, the Director of Development Mr Peter Crook, McMeckan Head of House Mr Tony Glover, my wife Lesley and I, adjourned to McMeckan House where a lovely photograph of Richard was unveiled by Mr Campbell Johnston Snr.

Richard spent a year in McMeckan as a boarder in 1956, while his parents were overseas. It was a very important year in his life, as he formed a special bond and affinity with the boarders and with country people generally. He loved his year in the House and made many lifelong friends.

So it was no surprise in 1961, having rowed in the 1st VIII for the second successive year, he left Scotch and decided to pursue a career in farming. After jackerooing for two years, he made his way to New Zealand and studied Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. While he was there he met his future wife Rainey, lured her back to Australia and they began sheep farming in the Western District, firstly near Balmoral and later at Coleraine.

The family property, Waradgery, is now being run by their son Tim and his wife Amelia. Tim was Captain of Littlejohn in 1985. Richard and Rainey's other son, Ed was Captain of School House in 1988 and their daughter, Penny was a boarder at Merton Hall.

Both boys were rowers, following in the footsteps of their father and uncle, Cam ('67) who was an Australian representative and is a present member of the Scotch Council.

Richard was always a great supporter of the Hill community and keen to foster the goodwill and camaraderie among the boarders' parents.

He served for a period as President of the Boarders' Parents Association and he was unwavering in his positive promotion of the boarding experience.

Richard was a much respected person, and was always very warm and friendly to my wife Lesley and I, and we were very saddened to hear of his early death.

Three generations of Scotch Collegians were present at the ceremony, with young Campbell, son of Cam and Caroline in Year 10 presently. At the conclusion to the formalities we enjoyed the hospitality of the Glovers in their new McMeckan residence.

Also present were Richard's sister, Rosemary and her husband,

Kelvin Griffith. Penny's husband Lachlan Campbell, Rainey's husband Geoff Russell and Ed's wife Felicity.

It had been another very special night on the Hill.

Mr Doug Galbraith,
Dean of Boarding