Duncan Cotterill is thrilled to announce a significant achievement for the McLean Institute with a Royal Assent being given to the McLean Institute (Amendment Act) on 1 August 2024.
It has been a long journey for the McLean Institute. Allan McLean left his 53-room mansion, known as Holly Lea, by will to be held as “an asylum for gentlewomen or women of refinement or education in reduced circumstances”. Duncan Cotterill was there at the start, back in 1904, when Henry Cotterill drafted the first will and later codicils which created the Institute. A lot has changed since then. The McLean Institute was incorporated by the McLean Institute Act 1909, which was then amended by further Acts of Parliament in 1930 and 1934. Holly Lea was sold in 1954 when the Institute moved to 123 Fendalton Road.
One thing that has not changed, through earthquakes, pandemics and two world wars, is Duncan Cotterill’s commitment to the Institute. It is therefore fitting that 120 years after their respective founders first sat down together, Duncan Cotterill would once again partner with the Institute. This time it was to prepare a private Act of Parliament amending the Institute’s terms.
Today, the Institute starts a new chapter in its journey to support the welfare and interests of women and children in our community. We are proud to have been part of this journey and look forward to continuing our support long into the future.
Special thanks to the Honourable Dr Duncan Webb who promoted the Bill along with Paul Dorrance and Stephen Caradus for their mahi on this achievement.
