1902
LA Adamson MA, eighth Headmaster of Wesley College, served from 1902 to 1932.
Lawrence Arthur Adamson served as a master in the late 1800s and then moved to teach elsewhere, returning as Headmaster in 1902. Wesley’s longest-serving Headmaster, he fashioned Wesley College into one of the nation’s leading schools in the early 20th century. Adamson was one of the leading educationalists of his day. Passionate about Wesley, he spent much of his considerable fortune on the College.
New preparatory school
On 1 December 1902 the first assembly in the new building of the Wesley College Preparatory School, The Hutch, was held.
A small timber pavilion for juniors provided a clear space for ‘very carefully supervised’ boxing and wrestling, according to the 1909 Prospectus.
The new Prep School was opened by the President of the College, the Rev WH Fitchett. Miss EM Cooper was the first Headmistress.
1903
The year 1903 marked the return of the school colours purple and gold pictured below the school crest.
1905
Adamson quickly increased enrolments, with daily attendance hitting a new record in 1905 with 280 pupils. By 1919, enrolments had been capped at approximately 560, creating a waiting list. The cap would remain in effect until the end of the 1930s.
1906
The first OWCA Scholarship was awarded to FM McCutchan the son of J McCutchan, an Old Wesley Collegian.
Tuck Shop
The first Tuck Shop was opened. Located halfway around the Front Turf, it was run by Mrs Donald, wife of Charlie Donald who was Wesley’s rowing coach for 40 years.
Founders' Day
The first Founders’ Day was celebrated at the Vienna Café, Melbourne.
The first Founders' Day was celebrated on 28 May 1906, the birthday of Walter Powell. In 1913 the date for the Foundation Day Dinner was changed to 1 May. The aim was to bring Old Wesley Collegians together on Founders' Days to celebrate their days at ‘the best school of all’.
New laboratories
New physics and chemistry laboratories and science lecture room.
New physics and chemistry laboratories and a science lecture room were established, following a concerted fundraising campaign and a large personal donation from the Headmaster.
1907
Wesley’s first Rhodes Scholar was ACD Rivett. He is the first of 13 Old Wesley Collegians on the Rhodes Scholars honour board.
Adamson Hall
The foundation stone of the half-completed Adamson Hall was laid by LA Adamson on 6 March 1908.
1908
On 26 May 1908 the Governor of Victoria, Sir Reginald Talbot, formally opened Adamson Hall.
Constructed in 1908, Adamson Hall was the largest structural addition at Wesley during the Adamson era. Much altered, it is the school's oldest surviving building. Adamson wanted to create a gathering place for Wesley College to celebrate, perform and commiserate. Renovated and updated, Adamson Hall retains its historic appearance and continues to be one of the school’s most important gathering places.
1908
The Associated Public Schools of Victoria (APS) was formally established, with Wesley College one of its founding members.
1910
In 1910 the Percy Lane Memorial Gates at the main entrance on Moubray Street were gifted to the College by Percy’s parents in memory of their son, who had been educated for some years at Wesley.
1913
The much-admired iron picket fence of the St Kilda Road Campus was installed in 1913, the year that also marks the introduction of the three-term school year.
1914
The first edition of the Lion was published.
In its original format, the Lion was a vehicle for students to express their opinions on topics of current school interest, in prose or verse. The magazine ceased production after the First World War. The present-day Lion was relaunched as a community magazine in 1962 and has been in production ever since.
1916
The Wesley College Dramatic Society was launched.
Prior to 1916, plays had only been produced at irregular intervals for the benefit of a school fund. The OWCA was appealing for funds for scholarships for the sons of fallen soldiers, so Adamson called a meeting of all boys in the school who were interested in acting. The first play to be staged was Vice Versa. According to the Chronicle for May 1917: ‘This first effort of the Dramatic Society was an astonishing success.’
Jubilee Medal
The first 60 years of Wesley College were celebrated with the production of a Jubilee Medal.
There was no other celebration because of the First World War.
War memorial lions
The war memorial lions were installed in May 1916.
The St Kilda Road Campus of Wesley College is home to many honour boards and war memorials. The most conspicuous are the four lions, sculpted at Headmaster Adamson's request and expense from 'almost translucently white and pure Sicilian marble' by the Italian-born sculptor Ettore Cadorin. At the time Adamson commissioned the work, the Wesley death toll in the war is thought to have been two dozen.
1918
Counting the cost of the First World War on 11 November 1918: four of the nine boys of the 1911 winning crew (pictured) had died by the end of the war. By the end of the war, the death toll was at least 148.
1920
The School Orchestra was formed under the direction of Music Master Hermann Morris.
Lifesaving
Lifesaving was instituted in 1920 as a result of Wesley’s involvement with the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Victoria Branch, established in 1904.
1921
The first history of Wesley College 1865-1919, edited by Reverend E Nye, was published.
Melbourne Technical School
A wool sorting class at the Melbourne Technical School was instituted and proved particularly useful for the boarders from rural areas.
1922
Adamson Hall is fitted with electric light.
1923
The first troop of Boy Scouts was instituted, with Mr W Kennedy as the Scout Master. Mrs Harold Stewart generously paid for equipment and presented 12 acres of land at Gembrook for the use of the Scouts.
1924
Melbourne University granted the College permission to conduct the exams for School Intermediate and Leaving Pass candidates on its behalf.
House system introduced
The House system was introduced. The four Houses were named Corrigan, Irving, Way and Adamson.
1925
At the suggestion of the Headmaster, a system of donating to pay for individual chairs for Adamson Hall was instituted. By 1934 the total number of funded chairs reached 675.
1926
The Jubilee was celebrated 10 years later than the actual 1916 date, since no celebrations had been held during the First World War.
1928
A portrait of LA Adamson painted by WB McInnes was unveiled by the Governor of Victoria Lord Somers and hung in Adamson Hall. It currently hangs in the Cato Room at the St Kilda Road Campus.
1930
The OWCA Amateur Athletic Club was formed.
Samuel Alexander
Renowned philosopher Samuel Alexander (OW1871) was the first Australian to be awarded the Order of Merit.
Alexander attended Wesley College in the 1870s. Brilliant at school and a natural scholar, Alexander was one of the world’s leading philosophers in the interwar period and is one of the school’s most distinguished alumni.
1931
The OWCA established a Ladies’ Committee under the Presidency of Mrs Harold Stewart.
1932
LA Adamson, Wesley’s longest-serving Headmaster from 1902 to 1932, died. Adamson of Wesley was published a year after his death.
1933
Harold J Stewart, ninth Headmaster of Wesley College, served from 1933 to 1939.
Adamson’s long-serving deputy Harold Stewart took over the helm as Headmaster, a period during which the school was substantially rebuilt.
Rebuilding Wesley College
Rebuilding of the school, to the plans of Harry Norris and funded through the benefaction of George and Alfred Nicholas, began.
The New Wesley started on the last day of school in December 1933. More than 900 men were employed on the site.
The 'new' Wesley College
The new swimming pool
Senior boys in the new library
During second term the swimming pool buildings, including the gymnasium, were completed.
1935
The new Junior School buildings opened.
1936
On 2 March, the bell of the new chapel was rung for the first time at 3.55pm to summon worshippers for the service of dedication.
1937
The new school was formally opened by the Governor of Victoria, William Vanneck, Lord Huntingfield. The memorial stone, unveiled on 11 May, reads, ‘To the Glory of God and in Memory of Lawrence Arthur Adamson CMG MA Headmaster 1902-1932.’
1939
Alfred Nicholas died. A memorial window in the chapel was dedicated to him to commemorate his passing and benefaction.
1940
Neil Harcourt MacNeil MC, the 10th Headmaster of Wesley College, served from 1940 to 1946.
1941
The Wesley College Cadet Corps was reactivated and membership quickly reached 320. Schoolboy volunteers were led by First World War veteran Captain Potts.
The history of Wesley College
The second history of Wesley College, edited by NH McNeil, was published.
1942
The Army occupied Wesley College in the Second World War. During this time, Wesley students attended classes at Scotch College.
1944
Classes resumed at the St Kilda Road Campus in February 1944. At each Friday assembly, McNeil read the names of the war dead. By the end of the war, the death toll was at least 139.
1947
Professor Wilfrid Frederick, the 11th Headmaster of Wesley College, served from 1947 to 1956.
Frederick was a revolutionary headmaster who overflowed with ideas for educational reform. He went on to become Professor of Education at the University of Melbourne.
1949
Academic prize books were replaced by the Wesley College Gift Book, which is now presented to every graduating Year 12 student.
