40 Years of Moray

27 October 2025 marks 40 years of Moray which was officially opened by Tom Bunning (OSC 1927). The site was named Moray after the province in Scotland, from where Clan Murray derives.

Throughout the 1970s, Scotch College considered obtaining a piece of land for a school camp, as popularity for outdoor wild adventures grew.

Headmaster Bill Dickinson was specifically interested in land around Dwellingup as it offered rugged terrain, plentiful vegetation, close access to canoeable rivers, power, water, and state forest. Additionally, it was a decently short distance from Perth.

In 1974, Dickinson who was aware that school groups were venturing out throughout the state, communicated the significance of this undertaking: “There is no doubt of the desirability of the school being able to develop further the opportunities for camping expeditions”

In May 1984, prior to its opening, the Year 9 adventure camp became the first Scotch group to use Moray when they were washed out at Nanga, having to retreat to the large shed on the Moray site.

For continuous use of Moray, it became evident that a dormitory, assembly building, and ablution blocks were required. In aid of this, the Parents’ Association hosted a fundraising fair in November 1984, to which an estimated 12,000 people showed up, raising $70,000.

To this day, the Outdoor Education Programme offered at Moray, encourages students to develop self confidence, leadership skills and personal relationships.