COLLEGE HISTORY
HAMILTON AND WESTERN DISTRICT COLLEGE
The boys’ College was first mooted in 1869 when a need to prepare local boys for university level examinations was identified. A company was formed and numerous local families supported the share issue which followed. The first students were enrolled in early 1872 and the school began promisingly with HB Wall as first Warden (or Headmaster). In the late 1870s, the school’s fortunes waned and the College struggled throughout the 1880s. From 1890, with Wall again Head after a period away, the College blossomed with strong academic results and sporting successes.
Changes to regulations in the early 1900s, along with a take-over by the Presbyterian Church in 1913 and the effects of the First World War, saw the College enter difficult times – so much so that the church planned to close the school in 1920. A new company was formed to allow the school to continue, although it encountered challenges during the Depression. Renewed growth in the 1940s led to the Church again taking over and the College grew further in the 1950s, for the first time passing 100 enrolments in a calendar year under HA Zachariah. Despite this, the College continued to accumulate a significant debt and the Church determined it had no future as a sole entity.
ALEXANDRA COLLEGE
The girls’ College took its first students only a few days after the boys’ College opened. Alexandra College was formed quickly when many of those connected with the boys’ school felt there was a need for a quality school for girls also. After the initial appointee as Headmistress resigned, her replacement Matilda Dixie prepared some of the earliest female Matriculants in Victoria. Alexandra College enjoyed long periods of academic successes in the later 1800s but it remained a small school under private ownership until a new company was formed to operate the school in 1904. For around fifty years, this company provided stability to several Headmistresses, appointing Miss FW Berry as Headmistress from 1935.
Changes to regulations in the early 1900s, along with a take-over by the Presbyterian Church in 1913 and the effects of the First World War, saw the College enter difficult times – so much so that the church planned to close the school in 1920. A new company was formed to allow the school to continue, although it encountered challenges during the Depression. Renewed growth in the 1940s led to the Church again taking over and the College grew further in the 1950s, for the first time passing 100 enrolments in a calendar year under HA Zachariah. Despite this, the College continued to accumulate a significant debt and the Church determined it had no future as a sole entity.
HAMILTON DISTRICT AND ALEXANDRA COLLEGE
HAMILTON COLLEGE
THE HAMILTON AND ALEXANDRA COLLEGE
The first co-educational Presbyterian day and boarding school in Australia was formed by the amalgamation. Much was achieved in the 1960s and the decision was taken to build new boarding facilities at the Myrniong site. Debts incurred before 1962 limited the full implementation of a plan to build the secondary school on the same site and the 1970s oil crisis added to the school’s financial difficulties.
Adopting the shorter title of Hamilton College in the early 1970s, the College became a united entity. The Junior School was moved to Myrniong in 1979. A revival in the school’s fortunes followed in the 1980s with strong growth in enrolments and academic offerings before the wool crash led to a decline in the 1990s.
The first fifteen years of the 2000s was a period of major developments. New facilities were constructed following a series of fund-raising appeals which gained strong philanthropic and community support. An international programme saw Year 9 students travel to China and many overseas students enrol at the College, which had by this time adopted its current name. Academic results and sporting successes followed as the school grew to over 500 students and an enhanced co-curricular programme developed.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges and the College has weathered the storm. It is now beginning to explore new ways of challenging the next generation of its students.
CONTACT THE ARCHIVES
The Hamilton and Alexandra College prides itself of its history
and School Historian and former Associate Principal, Mr Neil MacLean, looks forward to discussing the school's history or donations to our archives with you.
Mr Neil MacLean, School Historian
archives@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au
