125 Years of Affilliation
On 11 April 1876, the Senate
of the University of Melbourne approved the Statute of Affiliation, by
which Trinity College became an 'Educational Establishment of and
within the University of Melbourne'. The form of words used in
Trinity's Statute was subsequently adopted by most of the other
Melbourne Colleges in the drafting of their Statutes of Affiliation.
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Above: The Rev. George William Torrance
Acting Principal of the College 1872 - 1876 "...The Senate of the University refused to pass the Statute in the form in which it was first submitted. Proper objections were realised and appropriate amendments made, but to Torrance's frustration the process took nearly three years..." Perspective of a Century (1972) |
Above: Map of the University of Melbourne in 1854 showing the areas later to be set aside for the colleges. |
| The First Trustees | |
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Sir William Stawell - Chief Justice of Victoria 1857-1886 |
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The Very Revd Hussey Burgh Macartney - first Dean of the Anglican Diocese of Mebourne |
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James Wilberforce Stephen Minister of Education 1873-1874 and a Judge of the Supreme Court 1874-1881 |
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William Parkinson Wilson - Foundation Professor of Mathematics at the University of Melbourne and first secretary to the College Council. He was a leading force behind the move for affiliation, but died in 1874 before its realisation. |
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The Right Revd. Charles Perry (right) first Bishop of Melbourne 1847-1876 Perry was the principal founder of the College. A Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, he suggested that the new Melbourne College be named after his alma mater. His moves to establish the college began in 1853, the year of the foundation of the University of Melbourne. The site was reserved in 1866, statutes were adopted and the Foundation Stone in 1870. |
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| Above: Laying the Foundation Stone 1870 | |
| Dr William Edward Hearn | |
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Dr William Edward Hearn
Foundation Professor of Modern History and Literature, Political Economy and Logic at the University of Melbourne, and later Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Law. He drafted the Statute of Affiliation and moved for its acceptance by the University Senate. (left) Dr W. E. Hearn in his robes taken in 1869 |
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Above: Medal belonging to W. E. Hearn, given to him for good conduct by his father. |
Above: Marriage certificate of W. E. Hearn and Isabel St Clair - the only wedding held in the first College Chapel |
| The First Warden - Dr Alexander Leeper | |
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Above: Portrait of Alexander Leeper by Sir John Longstaff |
Dr Alexander Leeper First Warden of the College 1876 - 1918 "...a gentleman of academic distinction and wide university experience..." Perspective of a Century (1972) |
| Trinity College at Affilliation | |
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| Above: Staff & students of Trinity College 1878 | |
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Above: Plan of University and College Grounds from The Melbourne University Calendar for the academic years 1878 - 1880 |
Above: A College study in the 1870's |
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"In 1877
the corporate and intellectual life of the College was stimulated by
the foundation of the Dialectic Society in April and the opening of the
College lectres and tutorials to non-resident men in July." Perspective
of a Century (1972) |
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Above: Prelector's address to the Dialectic Society by William Hackett, College Vice-Principal, 1879 |
Above: Record book of the Dialectic Society which first met 13 April 1877. Four of the five founding trustees are listed here. |
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| Above: Photo Portrait of Will Lewers - the quintessential College Man of the 1880's | Above: The College Song, written by Will Lewers and Felix Cowle for the old students' dinner April 1888 |
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| Above: Trinity College in late 1870s | |
More information on the early years of Trinity College can be found in "Perspective of a Century - a volume for the Century of Trinity College Melbourne 1872 - 1972" by James Grant (1972). Copies are available from the Development Office at Trinity College.