McOUAT, Mary (1876-1950) 
Mary McOuat known to students as 'Maggie'.
Known only as "Maggie" to her charges, especially the younger boys, Mary McOuat was a matron at Geelong College for more than forty years from 1909 to 1950.
Maggie was the daughter of John McOuat (1845-1922) and Elizabeth nee Jude (1853-1900) who married in 1872. She was born in Caramut on 9 February 1876, the second child of John and Elizabeth. Her early years were spent in country Victoria. Firstly, Caramut then Hexham, before the family relocated to the Geelong area in about 1880.
Maggie was one of 10 children, and the eldest at home when her mother tragically passed away in 1900. She was charged with the care of her younger siblings, the youngest being Walter (9 years) and William (11 years). Sadly, these two brothers passed away in 1916. William died from an illness on 8 November 1916 in Geelong and Walter died 9 November 1916 while defending King and Country on the Battle of the Somme on the Western Front.
In 1909 Maggie started working as a matron for the boarders at the College. While the earlier years were spent in Senior House, in 1923 she became matron of Warrinn House where she cared for the younger boarders. It is unclear if Maggie resided on campus from 1909, but Electoral Rolls show her enrolled at the College from 1927 where she would remain until her passing.
When Principal Rolland retired in 1945, he wrote in the Pegasus:
‘Next year she (McOuat) will meet the fourth headmaster of Geelong College with whom she has worked. For many years the youngest boarders were her special care, and there are many now important citizens who learnt under her supervision the art of washing behind their ears. With her there is "no nicely calculated less or more"; in any crisis she would be the first to volunteer for extra service. She has given the school a matchless loyalty, she has been to hundreds of boarders a splendid influence and to Mrs. Rolland and myself a valued friend. Her name is Miss McOuat, though no one addresses her as stiffly as that.’She died on 2 September 1950 aged 74 years. The Age newspaper reported her death:
After 41 years' service as a matron at Geelong College, Miss McOuat, known affectionately by old collegians and friends as 'Maggie' died early on Saturday morning. A service will be conducted by C G Lavender at 2.00pm today in the chapel of F H Tucker and Sons, Geelong West. The funeral will then proceed to the Western Cemetery.Maggie was a beloved member of the College community. In the December 1950 edition of the Pegasus magazine the first page featured a portrait of “Maggie.” She was fondly remembered by current and past staff and students. Principal Buntine wrote:
‘Maggie passed beyond "the mists that blind us here" in September last. Hers was a beautiful life, laid down as she would have wished, quietly and unobtrusively. So long as the College exists, so long will Maggie be remembered. By her selfless devotion and care through more than forty years she wove herself into the very fabric of the life of the College.’Former Principal Rolland wrote to the school with his tribute:
‘On hearing from Dr. Buntine of my friend's passing, I could hardly believe it, and realised how deeply the loss of that gracious personality would be felt by the present school and by Old Collegians, as well as by her own relatives and intimate friends. She revealed every day the sovereignty of service. She has left countless memories that will live again wherever boys whom she has mothered meet together in any part of the world. But her most precious legacy is the memory of a great character, of a heart large enough to cherish many friendships, and too narrow to admit enmity, envy, or self pity; of a loyalty to the school that for nearly half a century responded unflinchingly and joyously to every strain put upon it; of a self-control which never allowed a private sorrow to cast a shadow upon others.’ The Old Geelong Collegians' Association (OGCA) erected a tablet at Warrinn shortly after her death. When Mossgiel was purchased and converted to matron’s quarters the memorial plaque was transferred to Mossgiel in 1973.
Sources: K. Payne August 2023, The Age (Melb) 4 September 1950 p2; Pegasus December 1945; Pegasus December 1950; Ad Astra Sept 1973.