Honour board, Ballarat College Dux

Historical information

This was the second honour board created by Ballarat College to honour the top academic student of each year. The first award was given in 1868 four years after the school opened. Dux of College honour boards were on display in the Assembly Hall (Sturt Street building north wing). They are featured in 1918 photographs of the Assembly Hall. The three boards cover the following years: 1868 - 1895 (partially defaced), 1896 - 1921 (completely defaced) and 1922 - 1952 (complete). This new board replacing the originals were created prior to the centenary celebration in 1964 and hung in the Memorial Hall. At amalgamation (1974) and because the Senior students moved to the Mair Street campus) this board was co-opted to honour Middle School Dux. In 2012 the school undertook a major project and created three new boards. One board honours Ballarat College Dux (1868 - 1973) and School Captains (1914 - 1973); another board honours Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies' College Dux and Head Prefect (1919 - 1973). These boards resemble the 1950 re-creation. A third board was instituted in 2012 to honour Ballarat Clarendon College Dux and School Captains (1974 - )

Significance

This board emphasizes the value placed on academic excellence by the school from its earliest beginnings. That the boards have been maintained and consistently displayed in significant places of honour within the school only further emphasizes the historial and social significance of the award 'Dux of school'.

Physical description

Large varnished wooden board with wood frame, four rectangular relief boards and one heading relief board. Gold leaf lettering on relief boards.

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