Edwin Flack (OM 1890) is renowned for the courage, determination, and focus he exhibited during the 1896 Olympic Games. However, these exceptional qualities, together with his community-minded spirit and commitment to excellence, were unmistakably evident both before and after those remarkable seven days.
Swept into immortality as Australia’s first Olympian, Flack’s sporting prowess shone during his time as a student at Melbourne Grammar School. While he didn’t always win, he ran, jumped, swam and dived with alacrity. He was equally impressive on the cricket pitch, the football field and the river.
However, perhaps less well known are his many achievements and contributions to the School off the sporting field. As a student, Flack was strong academically winning prizes in French and German. He served on the debating committee and was an exemplary member of the Cadet Corps reaching the level of Corporal in his final year.
He maintained a strong connection to the School throughout his life. Two years after graduating from Melbourne Grammar School, Flack was a founding and active member of the Melbourne Hare and Hounds Club, the precursor to today’s Old Melburnian Athletics Club. He served as Club Secretary for some years and, in recognition of his service, was presented with a carriage clock by the Club upon his departure to London for work purposes in 1895. (Family friend, Mrs Jessica Carvell, generously donated the clock to the School in 2017 and it is currently held within the School Archives.)
Flack visited the School many times, including acting as a judge and starter at the Annual Sports Day on at least seven occasions.
He also served on The Old Melburnians Council for 25 years. In addition, as an accountant by trade, Flack contributed his time and talent, operating as Honorary Auditor for the Council for more than 30 years. Flack was made an Honorary Life Member of the Old Melburnians in 1927 in recognition of his service.
Flack was also a generous donor to the War Memorial Hall Fund in 1919.
Perhaps his most lasting contribution to the School community was the establishment of the E H Flack Scholarship through his Will in 1939. Intended to support a boarder with financial need, to date, more than 100 students have benefited from this generous gift.
Strong positive values across the family
Edwin Flack was the oldest of three siblings. His brother (Henry) Reginald Flack (OM 1893) was also an active member of the School community during his time as a student and beyond.
Sharing many interests with his brother, Reginald Flack was also a fine sportsman at School, sometimes eclipsing the achievements of his brother, and sometimes not. Reginald was heavily involved with the Melbourne Hare and Hounds Club, particularly in relation to the organisation of fundraising activities.
He would also go on to become an accountant and, like his brother, gave many years of service to the Old Melbournians Council, including sharing Honorary Auditor responsibilities with Edwin. Reginald was made a Life Member of the Old Melburnians at the same time as his brother in 1927.
It is fair to say that the values of service and endeavour which are so strong in the two Flack brothers were a reflection of those learnt at home.
Joseph Flack was the patriarch of the family and after emigrating to Australia in 1878, he set about creating an impressive accounting firm which would go on to underpin the careers of both sons. He provided financial support to the School through various donations during the time his sons were Melbourne Grammar students. This included a gift to the Chapel Fund (for the Chapel of St Peter).
Like Edwin, Reginald supported the War Memorial Hall Fund, as did his mother, Marian.
However, it is a gift ostensibly from the whole family that demonstrates the deep ties between the Flack family and Melbourne Grammar School.
Named for her mother, Marian was the younger sister of Edwin and Reginald. Her history is not well documented, but it is known that she died in 1903 aged just 25 years. In 1910 Joseph Flack established the Marian Flack Scholarship in memory of his daughter. (You can read about the 1988 recipient of this annual Scholarship here.)
At least one student has benefited from this generosity almost every year since the Scholarship was established.
A lasting legacy across our community
Upon his death in 1935, the bulk of Edwin Flack’s significant estate was bequeathed to establish The Marian and E. H. Flack Trust, from which the income was to be applied at the discretion of the trustees to support “science, art, education, public hospitals, and benevolent institutions”.
Since then, the Trust has made annual grants to a variety of charitable institutions and diverse causes that seek to benefit and improve a broad range of philanthropic causes throughout Australia.
Since then, the Trust has made annual grants to a variety of charitable institutions and diverse causes that seek to benefit and improve a broad range of philanthropic causes throughout Australia. It assists charitable services that support aged care, disadvantaged individuals or groups within our community, and those in our community experiencing health related issues, as well as creative arts programs which support disadvantaged adults or youth.
In addition, the Trust makes significant contributions to medical research, with three-year medical fellowships being awarded to a number of Early Career Researchers at NHMRC approved administering institutions.
The impact of Edwin Flack’s forward thinking will not be forgotten within the School and across the broader community.
