DESCENDANTS of students, and of the former principal, James Begg, were among guests at the release of a recently written historical account of the acclaimed Hamilton Academy, a school that operated between 1870 and 1900.
Several copies of the book, ‘James Begg’s Hamilton Academy’ were sold prior to its launch by Southern Grampians Shire Council mayor, David Robertson, at the Hamilton History Centre on Thursday morning.
Speaking at the launch was Hamilton History Centre president, Ian Black, who wrote the foreword and also assisted with the book’s research.
Author, Neil MacLean, said he learnt a bit about the Academy when researching his previous book about the history of The Hamilton and Alexandra College, a rival school to the Academy at the time.
“Ian and I had shared various stories … and last year we spoke about the Academy and decided to work on this project,” he said.
“The two schools, exploits, histories, were so intertwined in the last 30 years of the 19th century.
“I came to see that the Academy was a very well-respected school and arguably for much of the 1800s was the most significant school in town.
“I became impressed that it had been created and run by one man for virtually all its existence.
“I gained considerable sympathy for (James Begg) for the times when things didn’t go his way (although) he was certainly feted when he died.
“He created and ran, seemingly at his own expense, this very fine institution and sadly its one that’s been forgotten about.”
He said he enjoyed writing the book and paid tribute to fellow historian Julie Kincaid who assisted with the project.
Cr Robertson said it was a privilege to launch the book.
“Hamilton is well known right across Australia for its education standards and facilities here,” he said.
“We have today, five secondary schools in this little town - many towns this size only have one.
“If you go back to the 1870s this is where it all started.
“There was competition back then between the College and the Academy and (that competition) continues … today.
“Competition is great.”
A contingency from the book launch made a pilgrimage to the site of the old school, where the original Academy building still stands in Pope Street.
However, it is better known as the former St Mary’s Primary School after being purchased by the Catholic Church in 1904.
Among the guests who travelled from Ballarat and Melbourne for the launch were descendants of James Begg - grandson Phillip Kilborn, and his daughters Elizabeth Hamilton and Virginia Kilborn.
Also in attendance was Alison Burgess, the great niece of Hamilton Academy students and brothers, Lucius and Ludlow French (also spelt ffrench).
Ms Burgess travelled from Woodford and is a former resident of Tarrington and Hamilton and is the great great granddaughter of Hamilton’s (formerly The Grange) first Police Magistrate, Acheson J.S. French.
