Scots College Archivist 1986–2016

The service that Paddianne Neely has given to Scots for 30 years very readily meets the criteria for which the Garden of Honour was established. The plaque for Paddianne records that her years at the College extended from 1986 through to 2016, a level of service which very few can match.

Having qualified as a teacher, it was possibly not surprising that the role established at Scots as the archivist arose through friendship with another teacher at the College who knew of her skills and resolve in looking after the special features needed to ensure the archives and records are secure into the future. This link resulted in Paddianne being invited by the Board in 1986 to establish the College Archives.

Reporting to the College at that time, Paddianne came to a building shrouded by many trees, with a somewhat dismal outlook, and to a room that has been described as a “broom cupboard,” which was to become the repository of what archives were available (some old school reports, an architects model of the Aitken building, assorted school magazines, a pile of unidentified school photographs, and other odd items). From this beginning, Paddianne set forth in her determined manner to ensure that from now on memorabilia, items covering the history of the College through photographs, records of significant events and achievements, and treasured items held on to by past pupils often unsure as to where they should go when the family no longer wanted to retain them, would be properly and efficiently recorded and held for safe keeping.

Never one to not tackle what would have seen as an insurmountable problem, Paddianne took off on visits to other schools and colleges through the country to view how their records and archives were kept, followed by a visit to schools in Sydney, who provided the details and knowledge of how best to conserve material and establish a sound archival system for records and historical artefacts. Very soon, that “broom cupboard” became far too small and the first of many shifts within the College took place.

Paddianne reports that 11 shifts have been necessary as classrooms changed, facilities within Gibb House were modified, and more appropriate space was needed. Throughout this time, an array of memorabilia and archives were being amassed as Past Students became aware of the moves underway to properly hold and record such materials, and the steps being taken to fully establish accessions registers for all gifts made to the College. The 75th and 90th anniversaries provided a catalyst for treasures to be passed on to the College, from missing photos of the major sporting teams to be located, down to some of the original cap badges, and a particularly unique item of the identity tag that all boarders had to wear in case of an invasion by the Japanese in World War Two.

As the volume of material increased, the Board invested in new display cabinets and special boxes to properly store this material for posterity. A special highlight over these years has been the earlier anniversaries and the photographic displays specially mounted for each occasion. This reached a peak at the centenary in 2016, which showed so clearly the benefits that come from having a sound and secure archives system, for which the College can be proud. No one who attended the celebrations in 2016 will not recall with pride the efforts and time given by Paddianne to ensure that 100 years of Scots was on display, with items from the past and records to show what has been achieved and the place of Scots as a leading Presbyterian school. Special mention must be made of Paddianne’s husband Don, who in his quiet and unassuming manner has helped in many ways to support the growth of the College archives, none more so than in the many weeks in the lead up to the centenary and the major display.

Today, Paddianne is being duly honoured through her name being added to the Garden of Honour, as a person with the skills and attributes to ensure the rich history of the College is now well preserved and expertly displayed. Very fittingly, Paddianne was honoured by the Queen with the award of the Queen’s Service Medal in 2015 with special reference to her abilities and service in maintaining archives and records for not only Scots, but also for Wanganui Collegiate School and other colleges, and for displays for the Wellington Cricket Association at the Basin.

It is fitting to acknowledge the other Scots family members present who have been recognised in the Garden of Honour. Each has made a significant contribution to the history of the College.

The Collegians’ Association salutes Paddianne and is delighted for her name to be added to the Garden of Honour to mark the significant service given to the College as the Archivist from 1986 to 2016. Her contribution in a very tangible manner, through the superb work undertaken to preserve and archive historic material, carried out in a skilled and professional manner, has ensured the history of Scots will give increased pleasure to past students and visitors to the College in the years ahead. By this means, Paddianne is rightly recognised as a person worthy of being accorded a plaque in the Garden of Honour in 2018.