The Second Warden
Sir John 'Jock' Behan

Sir John Clifford Valentine Behan, affectionally known as Jock, was born in Sydney in 1881. He attended Caulfield Grammar School before attending Melbourne University as a Trinity scholar, aged 16.   

Behan was a standout student, winning numerous university accolades. He graduated with first class honours in logic and philosophy, history and political economy, and law, and in 1904 was awarded Victoria’s first Rhodes scholarship.

At Hertford College, Oxford, Behan excelled. He achieved a remarkable feat by taking first class honours in both jurisprudence and civil law, in the same year, and won both the Vinerian and the Eldon Law scholarships. He also took first class honours in the bar finals and received the certificate of honour and a special prize from Middle Temple. Hertford College made him an honorary scholar.  

So when Trinity was looking to appoint a successor to Alexander Leeper, Behan was the top choice. He returned to Trinity in 1918 as Warden.  

When Behan took up the Warden position, he found Trinity in significant financial trouble, largely due to the war. His first order of business was to request an outrageous amount of money from the College Council – £100,000 (£20,000 immediately and £80,000 over 10 years) – for building renovations and additions, scholarships and tutorial stipends. While the Council doubted this sum could be raised, Behan’s enthusiasm and administrative capacity knew no bounds. By the time of his retirement in 1946, Behan had raised approximately £150,000. 

During Behan’s tenure, a comprehensive building scheme was adopted for the long-term development of the College. The Dining Hall was extended and renovated and the building named in his honour, ‘Behan’, was opened. The Trinity women’s hostel was completely transformed in terms of numbers, buildings and education function, and was given the name Janet Clarke Hall, improving its status in the community.  

Under Behan, Trinity was the first college to adopt a policy where the value of scholarships was based on financial need. He was also the first Warden to appoint a Dean. This was more out of necessity than anything, as trouble between Behan and the students had been brewing for some time.  

One contentious issue was that Behan believed there was a drinking problem on campus and threatened to expel any man seen under the influence of alcohol. The students protested and the ‘Drink Agreement’ was negotiated – under this agreement the social club assumed responsibility for the conduct of its members.  

The College Council wanted total prohibition of alcohol, in line with the other colleges, but an agreement was devised where drinking was permissible at dinner in the Dining Hall only and limited to beer and cider supplied by the Buttery. While this agreement could have worked, the relationship between Behan and the students was too fractured.  

Several incidents, including Behan unexpectantly shutting down the Buttery, led to the students calling for his removal. The College Council supported Behan’s authority but the damage was done. Behan dissolved the Fleur-de-Lys Club who were, at that time, the student leadership committee. He also refused to allow the five members of the committee to return to College.  

Behan did, however, endorse a new organisation for student activities, the Trinity College Associated Clubs (TCAC), which is still operational today.  

Despite Behan’s hard exterior, the late Bishop James Grant said in his history of Trinity College that:

Behan is well remembered as Australia’s first Rhodes Trust General Secretary. He was also knighted in 1949 for his services to education.  

Behan retired in 1946, aged 65. He died in 1957.