Scotch College

Roy Prentice

Our latest Old Scotch College centenarian

Taken in 1914, the picture shows Roy with his three brothers: Syd, who died in 2002, Eric, who died in 1986 and Ken, who died in 1999

Roy Riggall Prentice (’24) has become the latest Old Scotch Boy to attain the magical century mark, reaching his 100th birthday on 20 June amid much family celebration.

Continuing our theme of Scotch–Melbourne Grammar connections, Roy was born in Heyfield, entered Scotch in 1916 and was a pupil until 1918, after which he left to join his three brothers at Melbourne Grammar. Roy recalls his days at Scotch were ‘very happy ones, and I made many friends’. He was Dux of his form in 1916.

Roy’s father was the first Vicar of All Saints, Kooyong, opposite Scotch in Glenferrie Road. At that church Roy met his future wife, Nance (nee Ashworth). They were married in 1938, and Nance died in 2005. Both Nance’s father John Marmaduke Ashworth and Roy’s uncle Samuel Horton Riggall were educated at Scotch.

Roy was an architect. He spent several years in private practice and four years in the RAAF in World War II, then joined the state public service in 1946. He designed schools throughout Victoria, and later became Chief Architect of the Housing Commission of Victoria from 1956 to 1971.

Although Roy has been blind for the past 10 years, he remains mentally active and is much admired by his four grandchildren and his extended family as the living oracle of early family history. Roy maintains his strong Christian beliefs and is grateful to Scotch for the interest that the School has shown in him over the years. He heartily expresses his thanks to the School community for the many letters of congratulations he received on turning 100.

Roy Prentice celebrates his 100th birthday with family