Morrison Hall

Pranks, patients and pugilism

For many ‘old timers’ this building will always be the Old Shelton Dormitory. From 1936, she housed fifty six strapping young larrikins every year for over fifty years.

Imagine the practical jokes she has seen! A bed gently carried down the stairs at midnight to give the occupant a rude awakening in the morning. A broom handle thrown into a transformer from the veranda and blacking out the whole campus. She has seen it all.

But she has also seen misery. From 1942 to 1944, Shelton Dormitory was the hospital ward for wounded American troops fresh from the Coral Sea. The nightmares of War replaced the sweet dreams of students. Tortured souls suffering from ‘shell shock’ received psychiatric treatment for the combat now taking place in their mind, the hardest battleground of all.

Then, after the Americans left, for the next forty eight years War was exchanged for dancing, boxing, recreation and the return of good times. The final student moved out in 1992 and Shelton Dormitory was renamed Morrison Hall. Even though she lives on as the home of student services, she must still miss the fun filled spirits of those strapping young larrikins.

The new 'Shelton House', offically opened in 1936

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