For Ross Johnston, a 2 years’ attendance at PAC in 1930-31 turned into a life-time commitment to the School and, more particularly, the Prince Alfred Old Collegians Association. During his time at Princes he won the Norman Dowie Cup for the best and fairest player in the Intercol football, participated in cricket and athletics, and was a prefect.
Ross Johnston was joint secretary of the PAOCA (with Harold Shuttleworth) from 1952 to 1960, and then sole secretary from 1961 to 1971. He is also remembered as a constant supporter of Association sporting fixtures and for his humorous interludes at countless country dinners. In addition, he was one of several key figures in the establishment and the early success of the Public Schools Club, which was responsible for commissioning this portrait of him by Robert Hannaford (PAC 1960-1961). His commitment to old scholars’ affairs contributed to the creation of what became the strongest movement of its type in the southern hemisphere and the envy of many schools.