Old Girtonians’ Association Annual Newsletter

President: Clare Lourie 2005 Calendar of Events nd ‘Montrose’ 22 February OGA meeting, Alumni Centre 2974 – Road Raywood 3570 th Phone: 03 5436 1378 19 March OGA Annual Reunion Dinner, All Seasons International, McIvor Road, Bendigo

Secretary: 3rd May OGA Branch Basket Luncheon at Lauraine Osborne ‘Kamarooka Estate’ the home of Elaine Harty Tennyson Road Via Raywood 3570 Phone: 03 5436 9227 th 10 May OGA Bendigo meeting, venue to be decided

Treasurer: 23rd July OGA Melbourne Branch “Christmas in July” Rosemary Rogers 4 Marshall Crescent at The Wren’s Nest

Bendigo 3550

Phone: 03 5443 9116 th 13 September Bendigo meeting, Alumni Centre

8th October OGA Melbourne Branch Annual General Meeting

th Old Girtonians’ 28 November OGA Annual General Meeting and Christmas Association Contact Party, Christopher J Morey Building, Bendigo Details

The Secretary President’s Report Old Girtonians’ Association C/o Girton Grammar School Hello to all Old Girtonians. An open 105 MacKenzie Street invitation is extended to you all to attend Bendigo VIC 3550 functions listed on our Calender of Events especially our Reunion Dinner on 19th March 2005 Alumni Centre:

57 Wattle Street Bendigo Office Bearers 2005 Telephone: 54 417 974 President: Clare Lourie (Hay) School Telephone: +61 (3) 5441 3114 Vice President: Sue Ludeman (Arblaster) School Facsimile: +61 (3) 5442 Secretary: Lauraine Osborne (Mudie) 3176 Treasurer: Rosemary Rogers (Ward)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.girton.vic.edu.au

Highlights of 2004 wonderful tribute to Fay. Her family made In March we organised the Annual Dinner and at comment about how much Girton meant to our May meeting we decided to have an evening meal her. We will miss Fay at our Annual Reunion out and then did a tour of the Visitor's Centre which Dinners, and also her valuable friendship. is located at the Old Post Office in Pall Mall. This My sincere thanks to Lauraine Osborne proved to be a very enjoyable evening and we hope to our very capable secretary and Rosemary do something similar in 2005. Our September Rogers who has kept our books in order. meeting was held at 105 Mackenzie St., when Clare Lourie Clayton Jones spoke to us and outlined the future President direction of the wider school community and the Old Girtonians' Association. We realise we will need the School's support in the near future for the Old Girtonians' Association to continue and grow. Some members enjoyed a look around the premises and brought back memories of their boarding days at Girton. Also at this meeting, we decided not to have our usual Variety Christmas Stall at the Girton Fair but just have a raffle and memorabilia stall. We were sorry this had to happen because we had been running the stall for many years and would have raised a lot of money for Girton and the Old Girtonians' Association. The raffle and memorabilia stall proved to be very successful, thanks to members who made donations for the raffle and worked on the day. Once again, the Annual Reunion Dinner was a Assembly 1980s – Across two columns highlight of the year. Over one hundred attended.

The various Alumni Groups enjoyed catching up with Does the President’s Report change much some girls coming from New South Wales, Darwin, from year to year? Here, for comparison, is Queensland, and Western Australia and also there a report from the Archives, for the OGA were four mother/daughter and mother/son pairs at 1918, the fourth year of the Association’s the dinner. existence. Another highlight of the year is the Valedictory I have pleasure in presenting the Fourth Dinner when Rosemary Rogers and I are invited to Annual Report of the Old Girtonians’ attend and present Life Membership certificates and Association. badges to the forty new Old Girtonians who had This year, we had the good fortune to have joined before the Dinner. This is the greatest number a most interested, energetic President in Mrs we have had so far. Then we presented all students Gill, who has done valuable work during her with a mug with the school crest as a memento of year of office, and we all deeply regret her their time at Girton. Rosemary spoke to the students inability to continue as President. and parents outlining the objectives of the OGA and By the suggestion of Mrs Gill, a series of encouraging students to join. Part of Rosemary's dances were held during the two school speech will be in The Girtonian 2004. vacations, which proved successful both from Committee members also attended the a social and monetary stand point. Some of Foundation Service in May, the Carol Services and the proceeds of the dances were devoted to Speech Night when, as usual, we donated $600 repairing the hall of the residential portion of towards Speech Night Awards. the school, painting one of the rooms, and In our Newsletter last year, we asked if Jean helping to pay for the instalment of three Watson (Cahill) who is 92 years old was the oldest electric lights in the school rooms. living Old Girtonian. Since then, we have found out The first reunion was held in May, Miss that Verna Perryman (Pook) is 94. De Ravin, lately returned from England, where The Alumni Centre is now at 57 Wattle St., after she worked as a VAD, being Guest of Honour. moving twice during the year because of Girton A musical programme was also arranged. In Grammar's building projects. With the help of some June, Mrs Crookston gave an interesting talk Girton Staff Members, Betty, Sally and friends, the on Palestine. The reunion in July took the Alumni Centre is looking great so if you are visiting form of a Dickens evening, at which, owing to Bendigo it is definitely worth a visit. unfavourable weather conditions, there was On a sad note one of our Honorary Life only a poor attendance. In August, the present Members, Fay Hall, passed away. Fay had a long Girtonians gave a dramatic evening at which a involvement with Girton as a teacher and parent, and number of old girls acted as sweet sellers and then with the Old Girtonians'. I had the pleasure of ushers. In September, the Old Linen evening attending her funeral service at St. Paul's and it was a was quite the most successful reunion, and resulted in The Annual General Meeting, in October, a large quantity of linen being sent to the ANA Hall. was held at the home of Judy Appleton, Jean Papers were read by the Misses Vahland and Bisset. Townsend’s daughter. It was a lovely day In October, a garden fete was held in the school with much laughter and stories shared. Our grounds, the present girls undertaking several stalls guest speaker, writer Louise Zaetta, and giving splendid cooperation. It has been decided encouraged us to record our stories of Girton. to devote the proceeds of the fete towards repairing In a few short minutes we had several stories, the tennis court. which could be part of a future anthology. It was suggested during the year that a Cheryl Payne is the champion of this task, and committee of Old Girtonians should be formed to now that she has been relieved of her duties as collect old linen, and thus connect the Association Secretary, she may have more time to devote with some patriotic enterprise of this organisation. to this labour of love. Mrs Rymer was elected President and Miss De Ravin Cheryl has given much to the OGA Secretary. The plan has worked with much success (Melbourne Branch). We thank her for her and Miss De Ravin’s efforts have resulted in a large generosity of time and spirit. Lee Renfree is amount of old linen being donated to the campaign. the newly elected Secretary, assisting the Subscriptions are coming in slowly but steadily. newly re-elected President, Jenny Rutherford, It is hoped before the end of the year that this recently elected Vice President, Dorothy important item will not be overlooked by the members Anderson and Treasurer Sue Fairbairn. Hilary as the scholarship amount is still many pounds short. Salmon is the Assistant Secretary, and a It was decided by the committee that this deficiency welcome is extended to new committee should be met by drawing the balance from a sum in member, Mardi Spencer. Please note dates for the Savings Bank, which represents the part proceeds the 2005 functions as listed in the Calendar on of the September dances. Page One. If you require further information about these events, please contact Lee Renfree OGA (Melbourne Branch) email [email protected] or Phone (03) 9527 4771. Report Lee Renfree The Melbourne Branch of the OGA has had a Secretary: OGA Melbourne Branch. great year. Once again, our two major functions were well supported. At the Basket Luncheon, which was held in May, our special guests were the Headmaster, The OGA warmly welcomes forty students Clayton Jones, and the Deputy Head, Robyn from Year Twelve 2004 who have taken up MacCulloch. Both spoke of the growth of the school Life Memberships with the Association. and the very rosy future ahead, and the recent real Rafik Asaid, Kirsty Belfrage, Robert estate acquisitions which will make it possible for Campbell, Sarah Carr, Rachel Dale, Helen Girton to expand. All this will ensure a robust Dyett, Adam Eaton, Matthew Elliott, Mitchell environment for the future. Special thanks to Elaine Ferguson, Catherine Fricker, Shelley Friesen, Harty who opened her home as the venue for our Lauren Germany, Kye Greenwell, Melanie luncheon. Griffiths, Tim Harris, Kirby Jefferies, Alison Jeffs, Grace Harris, Kyrie Hudson, Georgina Keogh-Fisher, Holly Kesper, Jodie Kinnersley, Alexandra McCulloch, Elizabeth McKinnell, Madeline Mitchell, Bonnie Morison, Robert Munro, Tom Napier, Amaya Osborn McPherson, Sam Pang, Hannah Pickles, Rebecca Pilcher, Matthew Robertson, Susannah Smith, Courtney Strachan, Alex Thomas, Caitlin Thwaites, Andrew Walters, Aleisha Whitelock, Mitchell Zurek

Mr N. Leech, giving just that little bit extra as Girton Teachers so often do.

Headmaster’s Report The 2004 VCE results were good, but not With the Christmas and New Year festivities quite as strong as those in 2003. The summary over (and overshadowed by the tsunami tragedy in follows: Asia), the new School year is almost upon us. In just a couple of weeks we will re-open with about 860 ENTER Number of Cumulative students including 28 boarders, up from 827 (26 range Students Percentage of boarders) in 2004. We employ over 130 staff in all. (77 in total) Girton It is a year now since I returned from MBA studies to students in find the School in excellent shape, as expected after ENTER Mrs Robyn MacCulloch’s fine year as Acting Head. ranges. Since then, much has happened to keep us very busy 99+ 2 2.6% in what was another good year. 98+ 4 5.2% The Board gave the go-ahead to the long-awaited 95+ 8 10.4% Gymnasium on Londonderry Reserve. It will have 90+ 19 24.7% two courts (netball and basketball) plus fine ancillary 80+ 34 44.2% facilities for classes, staff-rooms, weights, canteen 70+ 52 67.5% and more. The Board also approved the construction 60+ 59 76.6% of the Morey Building Extension to give extra classes 50+ 68 88.3% at 20 Vine Street; this building is set to start this month after various delays owing to planning and Madeline Mitchell (Frew) was the top student other requirements. Both should be completed during in the district with 99.90. Kirby Jeffries (Riley) second term this year. During 2004, the School with 99.05 was second in the district. bought Mr Colin Kennedy’s swimming pool site as a In the co-curriculum, there were very strategic purchase for future expansion. Soon after, many highlights. Twenty-one Girton students we had an approach from Paul Sadler Swimland who represented in sport in 2004. Caitlin are re-developing the pool for both their use in Thwaites (12 Frew) played Volleyball for the teaching swimming to the very young, and the senior Australian women’s team and for the School’s PE and sports programmes. The pool will be U21 Australian Netball team. Shelley Chaplin fully operational by late January. (12 Riley 2002) represented Australia at the Many much smaller improvements during the Paralympics in basketball. Christopher year have changed our campus for the better. The Naunton (12 Frew) is the Australian U18 most obvious of these was a refurbishment of the Orienteering champion. The School is ranked Library on the top storey of the Jean d’Helin building. second in Victoria and seventh nationally in We refurbished some cottages on Wattle Street Volleyball (girls and boys combined). Girton behind the Morey Building for various uses; the won numerous premierships in local OGA’s office, memorabilia store and meeting spaces competitions in a range of sports including included, with their recent home, 20 Vine demolished three in hockey, two in basketball, the for the Morey Extension. BDSCSC champions in swimming and senior athletics and three in netball including the Golden City Open A grade. In music, Mr Condon and his staff continue to lift the standards and levels of participation across a variety of styles. Some of the performances at the Ensembles Night at the Capital Theatre and Speech Night were breathtaking. The major production was “Cabaret” with the large cast displaying its talents very well. The performance culture is very strong across music, dance, drama and public-speaking throughout the School. Girton students won six out of seven Lions Youth of the Year club rounds and had numerous ‘best speaker’ wins also, along with the regional winners, Madeline Mitchell (12 Frew) and Hannah Pickles (12 Millward). Courtyard in 1987 A major thrust in 2004 and set to continue in 2005 is the development of community relations and service. The initiatives range from encouraging more students to participate actively in community service programmes to involving more parents in co-curricular groups and working bees. The Girton Parents’ and Friends’ photographs were taken, however, perhaps Association have been active and supportive of the they will bring back many memories. For initiatives. They ran an excellent Fair and Sports 2005, the special display will highlight sport at Night amongst other events, raising over $45000 for Girton through the ages, as part of the the School. A further $30000 was saved by using celebration that will greet the completion of regular working bees of students and parents. the new gymnasium. The Chairman, Mr Don Naunton, announced a In June, we received sudden notice to capital-raising campaign at Speech Night. By vacate the premises at 20 Vine Street, which Christmas a small number of generous donors had were to be demolished to allow for extensions passed almost $50 000 over to the Building Fund to to the Christopher J Morey Building. We assist with the Gymnasium project. We would moved to temporary premises in Wattle Street, appreciate any donations from our Old Girtonians to then, finally, after some months, to our new the development of their School. I enclose a flyer premises at 57 Wattle Street. We have been with this report to outline the project. Donations to working hard to make our new home the best it the Building Fund are tax deductible, of course. can be, but still we are not connected to the Thus we look forward to 2005, Girton’s 121st year School’s telephone network or computer and the 13th of Girton Grammar School, with great network, although these things will happen optimism. eventually. If you are having difficulty contacting us directly, please go through the CW Jones, School’s phone and internet access, because Headmaster. messages will be passed on. I would like to th 10 January 2005. thank the OGA Executive and Mrs Sally Wanklyn the Alumni Officer for their patience during this trying period. I would also like to Alumni Centre Report thank Mrs Wendy Lyons, Mr Andrew Jenkin, Mr Colin Tracey and Mr Iain Fotheringham for all their assistance in packing up, and re- settling the Alumni Centre. Please come and visit us. The archives and memorabilia are spectacular, and we are indeed fortunate that so many people of the past have made the effort to preserve Girton’s history. The Centre is open on Tuesday and Wednesday, but can open at other times by arrangement. Betty Jenkin Alumni Manager.

Janet Fay Hall It has been an unsettled year for the Alumni 4.5.1922 – 29.9.2004 Centre. We started off well, at 20 Vine Street. 2004 Fay was an Honorary Life Member of the marks the one hundred and twentieth anniversary of OGA and a long serving member of staff. We the School’s Foundation, as well as other significant asked Dorothy Crothers to write a tribute, events in the School’s history. In 1974, boys joined recognising Fay’s contribution to the School Girton College, in 1984, it was the Centenary year, and the OGA. and in 1994, the School again purchased the site at MacKenzie Street. A display, entitled Twelve Decades, was developed, and set up in the Alumni Centre, as well as on the website. It traced the history of the School, its various sites, those in charge, and significant changes such as in uniform. This history has been archived and remains on the OGA section of the Girton website. Displays of memorabilia were brought out of the archives, and used to enhance the historical information. Later, the photographic part of the display was shown at the School’s Foundation Day, giving an appropriate historical perspective to Those of the Girton community who the Service. knew Fay Hall were saddened to hear of her An attempt was made to produce a video for the death in September this year. She will be website, using modern day students wearing uniforms remembered for her loyalty and commitment from the past. Unfortunately, owing to technical to the School. problems, the task was not completed. Some still Fay Hall joined the staff of Girton Church of Editor’s note: Have you lost your copy of England Girls’ Grammar School in 1967, and Fay’s 1984 Girton Centenary Cookbook? fulfilled a number of important and varied roles with Copies are available from the Alumni Centre great success until her retirement in 1987. on request. Fay’s main teaching area was in Home Economics, where she encouraged girls, and later Do you remember this? boys, to develop skills in cookery. Her students Article from the Bendigo Advertiser Thur participated in and won awards in competitions and Oct.15 1970 shows; a team of girls won the Gas Board Cooking For several weeks – 200 women – their Competition in 1987 and the prize of a new model ages ranging from five year olds through to, gas cooker. As part of the Year Ten course, students well, grandmother’s age – guarded Bendigo’s had to prepare a luncheon. This meant preparing the best-kept secret in decades, with nary a word menu, setting an attractive table, inviting guests and leaking out. And that, in any woman’s – or entertaining them during the meal – as well as man’s language – you’ll agree – is a mighty cooking the meal. These luncheons were very effort. popular with the staff as we were recipients of The secret started with the Fifth Formers invitations, but the students were always anxious to at Girton Church of England Girls’ Grammar hear Mrs Hall’s comments. It is a measure of Fay’s School, spread to the teaching staff and then expertise that so many of her students, boys and girls, through the whole school from primers to went on to careers in the food industries, and students matriculation. and staff still remember her advice and use her Yesterday – right on the very minutes of recipes. the time set for the denouement – the only Another subject that Fay taught was Religious person at the school who didn’t know – was let Education, and her own strong personal belief helped into the secret. to make this a meaningful subject for many of her Headmistress Jean D’Helin, whose students. recently announced retirement at the end of the For most of the years Fay was at Girton, year was the cause of the carefully guarded there was a high proportion of boarders, and her secret, was inveigled down to Girton’s involvement in their lives was extensive. At various Assembly Hall at 12.15 pm to be confronted times, she was in charge of the boarders’ meals; she by her entire school – pupils and staff – at a was Boarding House Mistress, chaperone, confidante surprise luncheon arranged by Fifth Form’s and surrogate mother. Yet another of her roles was to Home Economics Class, with the aid of Home run the Tuck Shop. This made her the friend of all Economics’ tutor, Mrs E. M Hall, and 11 Third students and her knowledge and understanding of Form Home Economics students. them was remarkable. With the aid of Mrs Hall, the 11 Fifth Formers worked out quantities of food and a menu for 200 as part of their class studies. Supplies were bought. The 11 Third Formers who do Home Economics at Girton prepared jellied beetroot, potato salad and savoury rice salads, the day before and stored them in the ‘frig. Yesterday morning salad and meat platters were arranged, fruit salads and jellies prepared and tables attractively set with bowls of flowers, party serviettes, jugs of squash, potato chips, sweets, nuts and cream wafers – by the Fifth Formers who originated the idea. It was not only the students who benefited Tension, both inside and outside the classroom from Fay’s years at Girton. Staff, too, used her as an mounted steadily until finally the hour arrived advisor and mentor, and her hospitality after Speech and the “Head” got, as she admits herself – the Night was eagerly anticipated as a fitting end to the biggest and happiest surprise of her life – a year. On a personal level, I regarded Fay as an farewell luncheon thought up, prepared and exceptionally gifted colleague and a dear friend. served by “her girls” and attended by the entire When she retired in 1987, the path that Girton was to school. take in the future was already beginning to change, Deeply moved by the gesture, Miss but Fay’s contribution to Girton’s history is unique. D’Helin assured her girls with obvious She is honoured by the ones she taught. sincerity that she “hadn’t a clue” – their secret was indeed well kept. Dorothy Crothers She also thanked the girls for all the fun

they have had together. “I have had 19 years of great fun at Girton and will never forget the Mrs Marijke Horvath – still leading hikes in happiness you have all given me – you as the last the mountains, and organising camps for generation, and back to the first generation 19 years students of all levels. ago, some of whom are now your mothers,” she told Mrs Coral Killeen – no longer teaching Year the girls, adding laughingly, “If you give Miss Hardy Two, but very busy in the Early Childhood (the new Head) as happy a time as you have given Learning Centre, doing specialised tuition with me, I don’t think she will mind the few grey hairs that young Girtonians will come.” She also thanks Mrs Hall for making Mrs Monika Halleday – still teaching French, possible her “family party”. and still taking students on overseas tours to Head Prefect Wendy Sheumack proposed the French speaking countries. Toast to the guest of honour, traditionally observed Mrs Jane Reaburn – still teaching Science and by the students with bottles of “pop” and Janet Clarke Biology responded to Miss D’Helin. Mrs Denise Bailie – still teaching Mathematics The luncheon ended with three rousing cheers for and Science Miss D’Helin, followed by another round of cheers in Mrs Betty Jenkin – retired, but enticed back to tribute to Miss W Batterham, who will end 24 years teach one class of Literature from 2003 – 2005 association with Girton at the end of the year. Mrs Nansi Ward, Mrs Wendy Lyons – still working from time to time Memories of Fay Hall also come from this piece of her own writing published in Kaleidoscope in 1987, as Girton prepared for the move to Strathdale.

Boarders’ Lunch 1970 1.05 All boarders standing at attention at tables. Door opens, and in walks staff who stand at the head of the tables. Grace. All sit. Bell. Girls on duty bring plates and food to tables. Teachers serve. All must have a little from each dish. All served. All eat. Sweets. All served. All eat. Bell. All stand. Thanks. 1987 1.05 Stairs outside dining room crowded with hungry, noisy, jostling throng of boarders. Door opens. Push. Shove. Boarders enter. Member of Staff says, “Keep in line, please. No pushing. Take one serve only. No seconds before all students have firsts. Please go outside when you have been served.” 1.15. All served and dining room is empty and Happy Birthday, giving the appearance that a cyclone has hit the place. Miriam Mrs Hall A special Old Girtonian turned eighty on December 20th 2004. At the Annual General Meeting, she was presented with flowers and wished a very special day. Miriam’s family is notable for having had three generations of women attend Girton. Miriam’s mother (Mrs Jones) attended Girton, as did Miriam herself, and Miriam’s daughter, Jane, was Head Prefect in 1973. Miriam has been a tireless worker for the OGA. She was Treasurer in 1961 – 1962, President from 1966 – 1978, Secretary in 1981 and Treasurer again in 1982 and 1983. In addition, Miram served as OGA representative on the Girton College Council for many years, and was an active Fair Convenor for the OGA, holding many working bees at her home over Are they still there? many years. Frequently, we are asked about teachers from earlier The OGA wishes Miriam a very Happy times, and whether they are still at Girton. Here are Birthday, and thanks her most sincerely for her the answers: many roles over many years. www.schoolfriends.com.au • Tanya Kairn (1993) is lecturing in Have you taken the opportunity to look at Physics at RMIT and completing her this interesting website? It lists the names of many Ph D Old Girtonians from Girton College and from Girton • Catherine John (1986) is working Grammar School. For a small fee, you can gain part-time in law, while attending a access not only to the names of former school friends, playgroup where children are but also establish communication with them. encouraged to speak in French Remember, everyone can help by letting the OGA • Chrys Li (1983) has established her know of newly located Old Girtonians – with their own business, teaching English to permission, of course – so that we can keep our lists children in Hong Kong as up to date as possible. It is most frustrating to find • Matthew Brooks (2000) was awarded people who would have loved to come to a Reunion an Industry Based Learning Dinner, but whose address is unknown. Scholarship for 2003 by Latrobe University Bendigo Old Girtonians who just • Catherine Brooks (2003) was awarded an Undergraduate can’t leave Scholarship for Commencing First It’s great to welcome back former students who Year students by Latrobe University return to the School as staff members. Currently on Bendigo staff are: • Edwina Tracey (2001) was awarded a Lynden Francis-Wright (1996) (Teacher of Japanese Latrobe University/Bendigo Bank and Human Development), Amanda Palmer (1998) Academy of Sport Scholarship (Teacher of Geography and Science), Scott Langan • Torben Vedelsby (1997) was awarded (1988) (Head of English), Kendyl Hopley (1999) (PA the Mike Molnar Award by Latrobe to the Head of Co curriculum), Joe Walkden (2002) University Bendigo (IT Help Desk assistant) • Babies have arrived to Tara Gerry (1997), Pippa Cayley (1992), Maria Where are they now? Ciancio (1993) and Marnie Cavallero • Sarah Threlfall (2000) has graduated with a (1995). Matthew Nichol (1991) and Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours, Motoko Watanabe (teacher of and will be working at the Northern Hospital Japanese at Girton currently) are also in Epping. expecting their first child in late • Anne Johnson (1994) walked the pilgrim January. trail to Santiago de Compostela with her father. We would love to extend this section of the • Scott English (1995) returned to Australia OGA Newsletter. Please write and tell us after extensive overseas travel, and has taken about yourself. up a job in Melbourne. • Faith Hawthorne (2002) is studying Business/Law at Deakin University, is publications and promotions officer for the Law Students’ Society for 2005, and has been selected for the Deloitte Business Development Programme • Lauren Ward (1992) having returned from her Rhodes Scholarship studies in the UK, has been Vice Principal of Janet Clarke Hall at the University of Melbourne. • Nick Pease (1999) has completed his first year teaching Drama and Year Twelve English at Buckley Park High School, and has been invited back in 2005 to run the School Production Middle School 1991 • Lynne Williams (1984) is nursing, and living in Western Australia • Julie Brown (1981) is about to have her book Bartok and the Grotesque published. Julie lectures at Royal Holloway College, the University of London