Davis McCaughey
Encyclopedia
John Davis McCaughey, AC
(12 July 1914 – 25 March 2005) was a bible scholar, church and university administrator, and was Governor of Victoria from 1986–1992.
In 1953 the McCaughey family emigrated to Australia
for him to become the Professor
of New Testament
Studies for the Theological Hall at Ormond College
, University of Melbourne
.
He was Master of Ormond between 1957 and 1979. He served as Deputy Chancellor of the University of Melbourne
in 1978-1979. He was also involved in the foundation of La Trobe University
in the mid-1960s.
, which brought together many congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Australia
, the Methodist Church of Australasia
and the Congregational Union of Australia
. He was the primary author behind the Basis of Union, the foundational theological document that led to the formation of the new denomination, and the president of the first Assembly of the Uniting Church in 1977 to 1979.
by the Premier
, John Cain
, and served until 1992. He also served during the Premiership of Joan Kirner
.
His approach to this largely symbolic Vice-regal role differed from his predecessor, Sir Brian Murray
. Notably, he opened Government House to the public, exchanged the Rolls Royce car for an Australian made vehicle, flew business class instead of first class, and dispensed with military aides de camp.
Cain said of McCaughey, "He was unassuming, down-to-earth, unfailingly courteous to everybody and unaffected by the trappings of the office." Kirner commented, "He was one of the few people who could bring common good and a broad sense of morality to life."
director, Patrick McCaughey.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(12 July 1914 – 25 March 2005) was a bible scholar, church and university administrator, and was Governor of Victoria from 1986–1992.
Working life
McCaughey was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1941 and during the next decade he also worked for the British Council of Churches.In 1953 the McCaughey family emigrated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
for him to become the Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
Studies for the Theological Hall at Ormond College
Ormond College (University of Melbourne)
Ormond College is the largest of the residential colleges of the University of Melbourne. It is home to 332 undergraduates, 30 postgraduates and 27 professorial/academic residents.-Establishment:...
, University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
.
He was Master of Ormond between 1957 and 1979. He served as Deputy Chancellor of the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
in 1978-1979. He was also involved in the foundation of La Trobe University
La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are...
in the mid-1960s.
Uniting Church in Australia
Rev Dr McCaughey was a key architect in the formation of the Uniting Church in AustraliaUniting Church in Australia
The Uniting Church in Australia was formed on 22 June 1977 when many congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union....
, which brought together many congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Australia
Presbyterian Church of Australia
The Presbyterian Church of Australia is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Australia. .-Beginnings:...
, the Methodist Church of Australasia
Methodist Church of Australasia
The Methodist Church of Australasia was a Methodist denomination based in Australia.It ceased to exist in 1977 when most of its congregations joined with the many congregations of the Congregational Union of Australia and the Presbyterian Church of Australia to form the Uniting Church in...
and the Congregational Union of Australia
Congregational Union of Australia
The Congregational Union of Australia was a Congregational denomination in Australia.Two hundred and sixty of its congregations joined the Uniting Church in Australia, which was formed in 1977 by the union of congregations of the Congregational Union, Methodist Church of Australasia, and...
. He was the primary author behind the Basis of Union, the foundational theological document that led to the formation of the new denomination, and the president of the first Assembly of the Uniting Church in 1977 to 1979.
Governor of Victoria
At age 71, in 1986, he was appointed as Governor of the state of VictoriaVictoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
by the Premier
Premiers of the Australian states
The Premiers of the Australian states are the de facto heads of the executive governments in the six states of the Commonwealth of Australia. They perform the same function at the state level as the Prime Minister of Australia performs at the national level. The territory equivalents to the...
, John Cain
John Cain II
John Cain , Australian Labor Party politician, was the 41st Premier of Victoria, holding office from 1982 to 1990.-Biography:...
, and served until 1992. He also served during the Premiership of Joan Kirner
Joan Kirner
Joan Elizabeth Kirner AM , Australian politician, was the 42nd Premier of Victoria, the first woman to hold the position, which she held for two years prior to a landslide election defeat.-Biography:...
.
His approach to this largely symbolic Vice-regal role differed from his predecessor, Sir Brian Murray
Brian Murray
Brian Murray is a South African actor and theatre director. He was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2004....
. Notably, he opened Government House to the public, exchanged the Rolls Royce car for an Australian made vehicle, flew business class instead of first class, and dispensed with military aides de camp.
Cain said of McCaughey, "He was unassuming, down-to-earth, unfailingly courteous to everybody and unaffected by the trappings of the office." Kirner commented, "He was one of the few people who could bring common good and a broad sense of morality to life."
Family
McCaughey was married to his wife, Jean, for 64 years, having married in 1941, the year of his ordination as a minister. Their five children include former National Gallery of VictoriaNational Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria is an art gallery and museum in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest and the largest public art gallery in Australia. Since December 2003, NGV has operated across two sites...
director, Patrick McCaughey.