Scotch College

Mary Frances (Molly) Shrimpton - 17 April 1918 - 11 June 2006

Molly Shrimpton had a long association with Scotch College. She was the wife of Ronald Courtney Shrimpton (’34). Her son James Michael Courtney Shrimpton (’61), and her eldest brother attended the school, as did several of her nephews. Courtney Shrimpton’s impressive school record shows he was in seven First teams in the years 1932–34, and vice captain of the school in 1934. They met at a tennis party in 1939, and were married at the school chapel in 1941. Courtney was a sergeant in the Cadet Corps at school, and joined the AIF in 1939. Sadly he was killed in New Guinea in 1943 aged 28, and never saw his two-month-old son, James.

Molly stayed on in the family home and looked after her ageing parents, then when they died moved to Camberwell where she lived for nearly forty years. James died suddenly in 1988 at just 44 years old, and his wife Claire died two years later.

In memory of Courtney, James and Claire, Molly donated many art works to the school and formed what is known as the Shrimpton Collection. She wanted them to be enjoyed by the whole school community. Look around the school and you will find works from The Shrimpton Collection in many places including the Bursar’s Office, Junior School Foyer, Computer Centre, and the Language and Culture Centre. Many works were purchased at Scotch College Art Exhibitions, and she was always anxious to be there when the doors opened.

In 1954 the War Widow’s Guild presented the Queen with a beautiful stole woven by Molly. She was also a keen traveler, and an astute collector of china. As a family we are very grateful for the time she spent researching and writing the family history long before computers and the internet made this a whole lot easier.

Gaynor Robson (niece)