Scotch College

The Christina Morrison Circle

It's all about 'friendship'

A newly formed group will encourage and enable women who may have lost contact with the School through the severe illness or death of their husbands or partners to reconnect with Scotch.

A small steering committee consisting of Pam Marshall (Chairman), Cynthia Richards, Di Senior, Barbara Bruce, Neil Roberts (our former Bursar) and Scotch’s Bequest Coordinator, Jane Morgan, will nurture and guide the group, to be known as the Christina Morrison Circle (CMC). The committee will identify school functions which could be of interest to members, and will ensure that women attending these functions on their own are greeted and introduced to others.

The main aim of the CMC is to enrourage friendships, and there are no conditions of membership – other than being a woman.

A database has been established of women wishing to join the Circle, and the School hopes to identify other women who could be interested in joining. There are currently 35 CMC members, several of whom attended the Alexander Morrison Circle’s October luncheon. (The Alexander Morrison Circle recognises everyone who has indicated a desire to leave a bequest to Scotch.)

Named to honour the wife of our second Principal, the CMC acknowledges the significant role women play in the life of the School. Christina, the wife of Alexander Morrison, arrived in Melbourne in 1857, newly married with a young baby and a sister in tow. Christina and Alexander faced many obstacles, not the least being a severe lack of funds, inadequate accommodation and trying to lift the fortunes of a school in crisis.

Little more is known of Christina, though we do know she was a good linguist with a love and sound knowledge of music. With her support and guidance, Alexander Morrison built Scotch College into one of the great schools of the British Empire. Tragically, Christina died halfway though Morrison’s reign as Principal.

The CMC will complement the activities of the Alexander Morrison Circle, the East Melbourne Glen Chapter, the Scotch College Foundation and the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association.

We ask every member of the Scotch Family to spread the word about the CMC. Please encourage anyone you know who may be interested in joining us to contact any of our committee members listed below.

The CMC’s inaugural function will be a cocktail party on Thursday 1 March 2007 at 5pm in the James Forbes Academy, which will include a tour of the Academy. If you would like to attend, to renew acquaintances, make new ones and find out about the activities on the 2007 Scotch calendar, contact any committee member. CMC committee members are: Pam Marshall (Chairman – 5989 6562), Barbara Bruce (9827 0884), Cynthia Richards (9822 3067), Di Senior (9827 1802), Jane Morgan (9810 4150) and Neil Roberts.

Jane Morgan
Bequest Coordinator