Scotch College

Campbell McComas

Scotch College and the wider community lost one of its favourite sons in January 2005.

Campbell McComas, or any one, of some 1822 other names Campbell invented, tragically left us on the eve of his 100th performance for Scotch College. ‘Instead, fittingly, today is his 100th performance,’ said Campbell’s son, Alistair, while delivering a eulogy at Campbell’s funeral held at The Memorial Hall. Alistair went on: ‘We remember his rare strength of friendship, his abundant ability with words and with people and his quiet achievements for charity … He took funny business seriously, and took great pride in making fun of serious business.’

Campbell McComas was one of the most active and dedicated Old Boys of the modern era. Leaving Scotch in 1969, he pursued a legal career and then embarked upon a career as comic speechmaker in which he created more than 1800 characters. Much of his work – in fact almost a third of it in recent years – was dedicated to charities across the entire social structure of Australia and, indeed, the world. He was tireless in his efforts to help others and in giving his time and energy to a huge range of deserving causes. At Scotch, where his passion had been for the spoken word and dramatic performance, Campbell’s vision for a Centre for Music, Drama and the Spoken Word has been realized in the James Forbes Academy, which was opened on 10 February 2005. Campbell made one hundred appearances at and for Scotch over his years, and was not only an active Old Boy, but the youngest Board member of the Scotch College Foundation, Chairman of the Capital Campaign to raise funds for the Academy, and President of the Foundation in 2002–04. His remarkable commitment to personal philanthropy acted as an inspiration to many, and his contributions to Scotch and to Australia are impossible to quantify.

Campbell McComas was a master at his craft which is best summarized by Barry Humphries ‘Campbell was a man who invented and then triumphed in his own genre of impersonation.’ Campbell devoured the written word and then articulated the message in a way that was able to bring enjoyment, laughter and fun to those fortunate enough to be in his presence.

To mark the lasting impression Campbell McComas has had on Scotch College, a series of scholarships is being established. The Campbell McComas Scholarships are being created to celebrate his life, his dedication to Scotch College, and his belief in the best – in facilities, opportunities and people. They are a recognition by friends, colleagues and admirers of a remarkable man with a remarkable career and an unquenchable belief in the goodness and generosity of the human spirit.

The tribute from Campbell’s class of ’69 sums up our feelings:

‘Cam, your boundless energy, generosity and sense of fun will continue to inspire us as you take up higher duties.
‘Well played, Cam, your friends are calling, classmates who have watched you in awe’
[Signed, The class of ’69]

Campbell McComas, as the only character in his play, has left the stage, but we are the beneficiaries of his wit, kindness and generosity. We are all the richer for his love, drive and friendship.

JOHN JEFFREYS

Photos above (from left to right): Campbell with his father Geoffrey McComas; Campbell’s final performance at Scotch College at the Special Preview of the James Forbes Academy; Campbell with Sandy Murdoch.