VOL. 18 | 2020
17 Graham Street, South Brisbane Qld 4101 PO Box 3357, South Brisbane Qld 4101 P 07 3248 9200 | somerville.qld.edu.au
A school of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association. The PMSA is a mission of the Presbyterian and Uniting Churches. CRICOS Provider Number: 00522G VOL. 18 | 2020 18 VOL.
Inspirational Old Girl, Sarah Thomson (Class of 2005). Join us on our new OGA Portal!
Never has there been a better time to stay connected Visit somervillehouseoga. com.au/signup to with your fellow Somerville House Old Girls. Whether become an OGA member. If you are an existing you are a member of the OGA or not check out what is OGA member you will need to activate your online going on via somervillehouseoga. com.au. There is a profile to access these benefits. We can help you wealth of information freely available including hundreds with this if you don’t feel very tech savvy – reach of news article and updates on Old Girls. Within our OGA out via connect@ somervillehouseoga. com. au Contentswebsite we also host a member’s only portal providing or check out the online help guide via exclusive access to: somervillehouseoga. com. au/ page/ help. • Social Networking - Search the Members’ Directory The more up-to-date your profile is, the more benefit you will gain from the portal. Syncing your OGA profile 2 IN• PRINCIPAL Professional Networking – Search the OGA 24 CHASING GOLD to your LinkedIn account is an easy way to update 4 PITCHING THE AUSTRALIAN DREAM 25 FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE COURT • Promote your OG Business 6 ISABEL BAUER – A LEGENDARY OLD GIRL 26 Looking CONGRATULATIONS after each other has never been more • Event photo gallery AND OGA LEGEND important and our connections are crucial. 28 OLD GIRLS AND SOMERVILLE HOUSE • Mentoring partnerships If youPARENTS are an Old FILL Girl GOVERNANCE (attended Somerville RANKS House 10 2020 VISION • Job opportunities Junior or Senior School for more than 12 months) 30 EVEN WITH 2020 VISION, 2020 WAS THE YEAR and would like to be more connected, join the OGA. 1 2 ALUMNAE• Specialty STORIES groups (including DURING Reunion COVID Groups) NO ONE SAW COMING Lifetime Memberships fees provide fantastic value 14 A• REMARKABLE Opportunities to WOMAN contribute back through 31 TAKING SOMERVILLE@HOME presentations, career days and bursary donations 16 100 YEARS WITH MARGARET 32 FOUNDATION NEWS 38 FROM THE ARCHIVES 18 FIGHTING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE 3 9 IN TOUCH - OLD GIRLS' ASSOCIATION 20 COMPLETING THE PICTURE 44 REUNIONS 23 THE COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE ON THE FLAGPOLE 48 ALUMNAE NEWS
Thank you to those who contributed stories and photos to make this edition possible. If you are interested in submitting content for the next edition, please email [email protected]
17 Graham Street, South Brisbane Qld 4101 | PO Box 3357, South Brisbane Qld 4101 P 07 3248 9200 | somerville.qld.edu.au
A school of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association. The PMSA is a mission of the Presbyterian and Uniting Churches. CRICOS Provider Number: 00522G
This publication highlights the stories of the Somerville House community. The School has made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at the time of printing.
SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 1 Unexpected Life Lessons
Education during the COVID-19 pandemic has been an altered experience for both the learner and educator. Many teachers would agree that the pandemic has been a positive catalyst for change. During the remote learning experience, for the first time ever, parents were able to join their daughter(s) in the virtual classroom for the synchronous style of teaching and learning. Teachers changed their pedagogical approach on the fly, quickly learning that the asynchronous style of communications, via emails, text message and video was the best way to disseminate basic instruction or launch a discussion and set relevant deadlines.
Remote and online delivery highlighted acutely aware that students missed Positive outcomes since school that educating students with the one another, and so too, teachers life returned to the new normal has ability to manage their own learning missed their students. Our Level 5 meant that students and staff have throughout life is critical. Year 9 Pedestrian Mall did not have the same subsequently engaged in conversations student, Naomi Ura captures this ambience due to student absence. with flexibility about a different concept in her Honour Before Honours As social creatures, our students value learning landscape. essay, when she writes “After learning the intrinsic connections of our green We have also been grateful for the to edit my work meticulously at home, sisterhood and school community. I am already in the habit of working support of the Somerville House hard.” (Ura, 2020, p.37) Communication increased dramatically Foundation and Old Girls’ Association, as yet another impact of the pandemic. who joined forces with the School Survey feedback revealed that our This meant that parents and staff were to contribute to a COVID-19-specific students enjoyed the option to watch updated through news bulletins from bursary fund, which has already teacher explanations at their own my desk, as the evolving nature of an assisted 65 families. pace, even watching repeatedly to unchartered territory unfolded. Life enhance their understanding of the I trust you will enjoy the myriad of Lessons for assembly items brought content. Meanwhile, synchronous happenings around the Somerville about a change to my own pedagogy. communication via videoconferencing House community in this volume Reimagined assembly engagement in Microsoft Teams was also embraced of Connections. through Life Lessons with Mrs Kiepe for its benefits of discussions and meant that I filmed videos that taught spontaneous conversations. students how to check the water and Kim Kiepe Other significant positive outcomes oil levels on a car, take up a fallen Principal emanated from the uncertainty uniform hem, make my KK signature wrought by the pandemic, including pikelets (with the secret grated apple the opportunity for a review of the ingredient), or share the trick for structure of the School day for 2021. encasing a duvet within a duvet cover. While many students enjoyed a new I am yet to share the video of how to do found independence for managing a reverse park in the pouring rain on a their learning, conversely we became busy city street.
Ura, N. (2020). “What did Honour Before Honours in a remote learning environment mean to you?” Connections, Vol.18., Somerville House.
2 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 3 the Flinders Ranges; it was such an was also screened at a number of other in any of the creative industries,” amazing experience which brought the festivals in the United States including she said. whole team closer together.” Palm Springs, Hawaii, Orcas Island, Philadelphia as well as the International Describing the film industry as Pitching the With some initial filming complete, Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) in very ‘competitive’, Sarah said she Sarah said her team was able to put Amsterdam, Netherlands. encourages anyone looking to embark together a trailer in order to pitch and on a career in the film industry to be secure funding for the documentary. “The film was also awarded an open to entry at any level. Australian Dream Australian Academy of Cinema and “Pitching involves writing a treatment Television Arts (AACTA) Award for Best “Watch as much as you can and figure which explains the film you are Documentary, an Australian Screen out your taste and what inspires you,” intending to make. We also did some Producers Award and a Walkley Sarah said. From pitching to production, seeing your film light up screens at prestigious festivals around the world is the initial filming early in 2018, and from Award for excellence in journalism,” dream of many aspiring producers. Making this dream a reality is award‑winning producer and Old Girl, Sarah that, we were able to cut a trailer to Sarah said. “Start reading the trades, for example, Thomson (Class of 2005) who spearheaded the feature documentary The Australian Dream. show potential investors,” Sarah said. Variety or The Hollywood Reporter “It is just impossible not to be deeply and get as much on set experience “We were really fortunate to receive moved and inspired by Adam and as possible – this can be short films, Described by the Australian this was a story that deserved an but said persuading him to get on funding from Screen Australia and Film Stan,” she said. script reading or even running on set,” Broadcasting Association (ABC) as international platform,” Sarah said. board with the documentary took Victoria which goes a long way when she said. “It has been amazing to watch as ‘a voice for black Australians’, The some convincing. making independent films,” she said. audiences around the world have Australian Dream (2019) follows the “Adam Goodes is an extraordinarily Having joined Ventureland, a connected with the film.” story of former Australian Football talented and dignified man, a sporting “I think it was still very raw for Adam “We also had incredible partners multi‑platform film and television hero of Australia, decorated and when the team first spoke to him,” in Australian based Madman company based in both Los Angeles League (AFL) player, Adam Goodes, Reflecting on her time at Somerville revered both on and off the sporting Sarah said. Entertainment/Good Thing Productions, who made a stand against racism House, Sarah said it was the creativity and London, in January 2020, during a 2013 game and was then field,” she said. the entire team there are first class.” Sarah said she is excited about her “But I think having director, Dan and opportunity that she found through subject to racist attacks and trolling, next challenges. The Australian Dream premiered at the her motivating teacher mentors she compelling him to retire from the game “Yet over a two‑year period, Australia Gordon and Stan Grant on board Melbourne International Film Festival on enjoyed the most. in 2015. Striking her as shocking, Sarah turned its back on him, racially abused with the film was really important to “We are currently in production on Thursday 22 August 2019, where it won said she was inspired to make the him and drove him out of his chosen Adam, as well as our track record “I really loved English with Mrs Nina a number of feature documentaries the coveted Audience Award, before documentary as she found the core profession for which he had been so for premiering films internationally,” Walker and Art with Mr John Honeywill,” and an investigative series about a screening at the prestigious Telluride story remarkable. celebrated. I found it heartbreaking and she said. Sarah said. series of deaths in the British Military,” deeply upsetting.” Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival Sarah said. “I watched [political journalist and “During filming, we were lucky enough and the British Film Institute (BFI) “They were both so encouraging writer] Stan Grant’s incredible speech In 2017 Sarah and her team at Passion to spend time On Country with London Film Festival. Continuing the and motivating, they challenged me The Australian Dream is available to on racism from London and I felt that Pictures made contact with Mr Goodes Adam and his family at Iga Warta in documentary’s success, Sarah said it creatively, which I think is so important stream on ABC iView.
4 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 5 Isabel Bauer – Introducing the A Legendary Old Girl Isabel Bauer and OGA Legend OGA Bursary The Somerville House Old Girls' Association is proud to announce the launch of the Isabel Bauer OGA Bursary.
For over half a century, Isabel Bauer (nee Bloomer, Class of 1955) was part of the fabric of Somerville House Named in memory of legendary Old Girl, and our longest serving and an advocate of Old Girls, the Association and benefits of a Somerville House education. President, the postgraduate bursary will provide $5,000 for a specific and approved purpose, to support an Old Girl in fulfilling her potential.
As an only child and little girl, Isabel Isabel loved every minute of Junior for Nancy’s dinner, and a note would This could include making career changes or advancements, re‑entering always wanted to go to Somerville and Senior School and wanted her come home “My Dear Little Student, the workforce, further study, innovation or research. House and wear the navy uniform. daughters Rebecca (Class of 1988) and The fish was delish. Love Nancy.” The OGA will call for bursary applications in early 2021. Her mother said she could as soon Miriam (Class of 1990) to have the same To Isabel’s delight in 2019 and 2020, the as she was able to catch the tram close‑knit, Somerville family experience. For donations please access somervillehouseoga.com.au/ third generation, her granddaughters by herself from Greenslopes, so in As often happens, multiple generations donations/ isabel‑bauer‑bursary or for further enquiries, including Alexandra (7E) and Emma (4B) Year 3B with Miss Nancy North, she are taught by the same teacher, and sponsorship please email connect@ somervillehouseoga.com.au started her Somerville journey, and in 1982, Rebecca (6A) was with Nancy Musgrave became Franklin girls. a lifelong love of the School and the North. Nancy called Isabel her dear Last year Alexandra was taught by multi‑generational, Somerville House little student. Even as a parent, fish that Lynne Schlyder (6D), just as Miriam in community friendships. Isabel caught at Fingal Head was sent 1984 (6A).
Somerville House teachers, as strong women with careers, had a lasting impact and Isabel decided this was for her. The Australian cinematic competitions for During her transformative tenure lengthy holiday breaks were a critical Old Girls’ Association travel documentaries, and in the 1970s, as President (almost twenty years), benefit and enabled her to combine two was the first woman to construct and Encouraged by Miss Morgan to join the the OGA’s profile was raised to be a passions; education and travel. Her first own industrial buildings at the newly OGA Committee in 1971 (Isabel said critical strategic and financial partner to year after graduating from Queensland opened Slacks Creek Industrial Estate. you didn’t question Miss Morgan), little the School, with respect to history and Teachers' College was incredibly Similarly, with travel and tour groups did she realise that taking Rebecca to tradition but always future‑focussed. challenging, at a new school in Mt Gravatt of twenty‑five to thirty‑five people, her meetings in a bassinet would become OGA fundraising became more East – sixty‑four students at forty‑eight knowledge of European history and an almost lifelong commitment to the sophisticated and included bus tours desks in a composite class! She also architecture, incredible fearlessness, OGA and Somerville House. She served of historically significant homesteads taught at the two‑teacher Benowa and never take no for an answer continuously until her passing on July 3 from Beaudesert to Kenilworth, Primary (considered country service attitude, opened up doors and created 2020, as Committee Member, President raffles (disguised as games of 3km west of Surfers Paradise), St Hilda’s truly unique experiences. and Life Member. chance) launched at school assembly (including boarding mistress duties), incentivising tickets sold with higher St Margaret’s and Greenslopes Primary dollar vouchers, fashion parades, (her own school), where two of the boys card days and other themed events became parents and even grandparents to bring the School community of Somerville girls. Somerville House together. Cake stands and crocheted linkages across distance and time handkerchiefs were transitioned to a are amazing. commercially driven, reward for effort. Isabel’s career transitions demonstrate Isabel said I’m not baking cakes for a very contemporary orientation, a couple of hundred dollars ‑ her where teaching morphed into property initiatives delivered thousands. development, and for over twenty years, Bauer Tours of Europe and beyond. Isabel’s interests of education, travel, Left: (Back row) Liz Washington (1998), history, music, photography, property Sue Folliot (1980), Kira Sampson (1990), Belinda Cooney (1982), Bev Folliott and European cars were consistent (1958), Catharine Whittred (1984), Miriam throughout her life, and she achieved Musgrave (1990), Kara Rodwell (1991); in all areas. She won Queensland and (Front row) Isabel Bauer, Barbara Merefield (1953), Pam Davenport (1954) and Glenys Charlton (1951). Top: Isabel's 83rd birthday, Left: Isabel holidaying in Greece early 1960s December 14 2019
6 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 7 Left: Opening of the Bauer Building, May 2017 – (Left to Right) Rebecca (Class of 1988), Isabel, Alexandra (7E), Miriam (Class of 1990), Emma (4B) and Adam; Below and bottom: Isabel in the 1960s.
Left: Isabel with Valmai Pidgeon AM (Class of 1944) - Commemoration Day 2017; Above: School girl 1951/52.
The Old Girls always were, and still The campaign consisted of mail piano each year was a highlight. Equally Restoration plaque, another project she are, the most generous fundraising updates, two half‑page advertisements important, the Bauer Family Award at financially supported. partner for the School but under Isabel in the Brisbane Courier‑Mail Speech Night, for good citizenship and and the dedicated and hard‑working (broadsheet at that time), a community supporting the ethos of the School, and Isabel’s love affair with Somerville committees, the passionate engagement protest described by police as the the Bauer Family window in the Chapel House never dwindled. She adored of all eras of Somerville Old Girls and best dressed, interviews on radio and acknowledging Mary Somerville. The the School, the teaching staff and advocacy for the Old Girls’ Association, targeted letters. The most extraordinary Bauer Building, opened in 2017, was a fellow parents. She enjoyed supporting the dollars really flowed in. aspect of this history is that the entire fitting tribute to her passionate support, four principals in their stewardship campaign was under one month in and to a formidable woman. Every time of the School with diplomacy and From 1982 onwards, she led Old duration, before the PMSA changed she drove up to the School she said, conviction. As an only child, Somerville Girls to support the most significant direction. Isabel said we shook hands “what an honour.” House was her extended family and infrastructure developments and later, with the PMSA and moved on, but the multi‑generations of Old Girls; channelled that support under the Somerville’s continuance at Vulture What makes Isabel’s energy and drive her sisters. formation of the Foundation. The former and Graham Streets is due to her even more amazing is in the context of Old Girls’ Library to Chapel conversion, legendary protection. her health. A kidney was removed at Murray Evans Sports and Aquatic sixteen years old (as they did then), and Isabel Bauer Bursary Centre, new Junior School and Seymour Serving under subsequent OGA she was managed by nephrologists her Library are just some of the capital Presidents as Life Member, Isabel whole life. In true Isabel form, she never Isabel truly believed in the advantages works. In ten days, she personally delivered fifty years of service to the wanted anyone to underestimate her and and power of a Somerville House secured funding for all the new stained Old Girls’ Association. She transitioned only when she started dialysis at almost education and experience, and she glass windows for the Chapel – almost to one of the elder stateswomen of the eighty‑three years old in September marvelled at the talents of the girls and $140,000 in the early 1990s! Committee, delighted by the energy 2019, did her condition become more their incredible achievements across all and talent of each President and widely known. She told the doctors endeavours. She was a recipient of the In 1987, Isabel was alerted that the Committee, with their fantastic and dialysis would have to wait until she forever friendships and the legacy of the PMSA was negotiating with a syndicate contemporary ideas, volunteer effort had attended the Foundation’s Annual OGA, past, present and future. to sell the South Brisbane site. She and ongoing love of the School. At Fundraising Lunch, but eventually Isabel was humbled and profoundly kept the secret of who told her for the 2018 AGM, she couldn’t believe it deferred to their expertise, and was moved when OGA President thirty‑three years, and earlier this when both Rebecca and Miriam joined there in spirit as part of the thirty‑five Ms Liz Washington and Somerville year she divulged it was Principal the Committee. years of the Foundation video. House Foundation Chair Ms Dominique Sam Seymour. In the era of Australia Layt, asked if she would accept a Post and landline telephones, Isabel Donating time or money to Somerville, Dialysis provided reinvigoration, and bursary for an Old Girl to be named and the Committee wrote to the OGA the OGA and the Foundation were she entered VPAC on Commemoration in her honour. A bursary to enable membership to save their school. The pleasures for her. It was never ‘work’ Day 2019, feeling like her old self. an Old Girl to further her career is OGA post box had to be emptied daily volunteering for the School, as Isabel She loved seeing so many friends at completely aligned to everything that with the immediacy of response and was surrounded by friends and the OGA 120th Birthday Lunch the was Isabel Bauer – independence, volume of cheques. Whilst the intent dedicated people, who only wanted following day, especially the two tables self‑determination and opportunity was to mobilise Old Girls, the effect was the best for Somerville. She loved of her Class of 1955. In February 2020, through choice. far more profound with parents, and music and achieved Letters in Music on day release from the hospital, members of the broader community at sixteen years old, so presenting she attended the unveiling of the expressing support. the Isabel Bauer Music Cup for open Cumbooquepa Stained Glass Window Rebecca Bauer
8 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 9 2020 Vision Alisia Aloisi “The year 2020 took an unprecedented turn of events and the journey I planned for became slightly bumpier than expected. Our initial Three young leaders could never have predicted the relevance of this year’s school theme, given the evolving response was to negatively perceive the occurrences of COVID-19. situation their community has faced in 2020. Our 2020 vision was blurred. However, the girls in green did not let their dreams and aspirations be blinded by this unclear image.
We continued to achieve our clear goals. We drew strength from our Somerville House Captain Kate Lockyer would help their classmates embrace And finally, appreciate, spoke volumes fire fighters combatting the bushfires at the beginning of the year, and and Vice-Captains, Alisia Aloisi and the theme. to Kate. She wanted to encourage our frontline health workers displaying acts of grace and generosity. Madeleine (Maddie) Webber believed students to realise how fortunate they Our Heroes Day aimed to demonstrate our appreciation for these that the 2020 Vision theme was not only Maddie chose limitless, “the idea of are to be members of such a passionate role models with outfits ranging from essential workers, to significant a clever play on words, but also the challenging students to be ambitious and driven school community and to Australian’s and even unknown members of the community that are perfect way to describe the message and motivated in every aspect of embrace the opportunities afforded to personally inspiring to individual students. The qualities embodied by our they had chosen for the year; the their lives.” each girl. school; courage, resilience, compassion, integrity and respect are also the symbolic concept of ‘seeing’ the “Guiding our girls to establish defined characteristics of these heroes and have shaped the fearless leaders of change present, and ‘visualising’ the future As their final year in green concluded, goals that inspire them to push forward the Captains voiced their reflections at we are today. To further express their interpretation in 2020,” said Alisia, describing her the 2020 Speech Night, reminding their Our time during quarantine was a blessing in disguise. We discovered an appreciation of the 2020 Vision, the Captains word clear. peers that having 2020 Vision was more for more than just the materialistic, but our experiences with each other and the decided to each select a keyword that important than ever. limitless opportunities that have been provided to us as Somerville House girls.
We learned to appreciate the little moments in class which brought us joy, the endless guidance and support from our teachers and mentors, the tough losses and sensational wins we felt in co-curricular. But above all, we learned to appreciate each other. We can now venture into the unknown, side by side, able to conquer the world with the courage, friendship, resilience and integrity of a Somerville House girl.” Kate Lockyer “The Seniors of 2020 are simply lucky that Somerville House was the educational institution that transformed us from well-meaning Year 7s – buzzing around the break-out area, into mature Seniors – who I truly believe are ready to tackle Maddie Webber any obstacle the future may bring. The very essence of “In 2020, the girls in green have continued to learn how to limitlessly our characters have been intertwined with the intrinsically serve their community. Not only within the School grounds but far loving nature of this community’s shared values. Schools beyond into the world around us. We have spread the blessing are nothing but a vessel for the exploration of one’s self, of music in support of mental health and Beyond Blue. We or in other words – personal growth. The year of 2020 in have mastered knitting to create blankets for the Leukaemia fact, highlighted the importance of such personal growth, Foundation. The Junior and Senior School have brought together through both circumstance and our focus upon clear vision. their plastics lids for the Lids4Kidz program which creates plastic As a student body, for the first time ever, we were faced with the prosthetics for children. Three of our girls even shaved their hair goliath sized and unprecedented challenge of holding ourselves off in courageous support of The World’s Greatest Shave and a scholastically accountable. Such a task could only be tackled through cure for cancer. From bottle top lids to their ponytails, the girls meticulous planning, organisation, and evidently clinging to one of the have given so much from their hearts and more. Even though it may aspects of 2020 vision - clarity. We supported one another like never before, reminding not change the entire world, it can change the lives of those around peers of deadlines, meetings and the importance of a conscientious nature. us, and that is something worth celebrating.
This year we lived through the launch of the School’s #findyourvoice campaign, This year has also posed many challenges, but as we have each faced a mantra with a clearly envisioned purpose, and yet another display of how the them, we haven’t done it alone. Although at times, we may have been far endeavour to shape character via the fostering of personal growth is ingrained within apart from each other - from our friends, our families and our school – we carried this green community. Upon reflection of my time at Somerville House, I find myself each other in our hearts and knew that the people we missed the most were never filled with an incredible sense of gratitude. Whether it be music, sport or academics, truly far from us. This peace, love and connection comes from the source of all love there is a team, club or group welcoming you aboard with open arms. Over the years, and relationship, the Lord our God. Our faith helps us in our hardships, to know we I have been given countless opportunities to join bands, trial for sporting teams and are never far from help and comfort. When I think of those times, I think of the hymn, audition for theatre productions. Abide With Me, written by Henry Lyte in 1847. I think the lyrics capture this message in the most beautiful way, “I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless. Ills have no The Seniors of 2020 have had the absolute privilege of realising our aspirations weight and tears no bitterness. I triumph still if Thou Abide with me.” Even 173 years amidst extensive opportunity, planning pathways to achieve such goals and later, the lyric’s meaning are still as relevant as ever, as it reminds us of faith in God, subsequently finding our voices.” who cares for us always.”
10 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 11 Eunice Fu organisation involved a lot of trial and It is normal to be scared; just don’t error. As a pharmacist, there’s usually let that consume your ability to be Alumnae stories Class of 2011 minimal room for error, and our job courageous. Cherish your relationships Clinical Pharmacist – Liverpool requires constant, meticulous attention to and reach out, loneliness can be Hospital, New South Wales Health detail, so it was a humbling experience to tormenting (from personal experience during COVID realise that no one is perfect despite my and seeing COVID patients isolated). desire for perfection. How has your work been Staying active keeps me upbeat and impacted this year during Frequent outdoor runs and long walks motivated to do my best.” COVID‑19, and how have you helped me destress, stay in shape adapted to these challenges? without my usual gym routine and kept What would your biggest piece my immune system in line. I was terrified of advice be for our graduating “Staying focussed and striving to be a (and still am) of becoming ill as I was class entering the workforce in the more open‑minded and flexible person working with COVID‑19 patients and staff. helped me adapt to the challenges of I feel that it is a personal responsibility current climate? social isolation in a new state and at a to stay as well as possible in order to “Be proactive and resilient: take a leap new job. As well as this, my previous rural protect the vulnerable and reduce the of faith to grasp every opportunity given and regional experiences definitely gave burden to the healthcare system.” and use it as a stepping stone, your first me the resilience to adapt to changes and job might not be glamorous… but it’s the overcome setbacks in a more positive little steps that will lead you to achieve light despite the frustrations. No one What has been your biggest take‑away from this experience? bigger goals. Don’t compare yourself to else has gone through this experience, others; we all have our own journeys and Life can be hard. Make informed so I was initially working blindly with “Don’t waste your time: live life with story to tell. Nothing is easy or happens decisions, don’t make a stupid trying to figure out how to provide purpose, appreciate and embrace what overnight, so don’t give up! the most comprehensive pharmacy you have. I also learnt ways to keep mistake that can impact you for service possible within my scope of myself entertained during isolation, Success is not achieved alone; there the rest of your life. practice and restrictions enforced which is a skill! will always be people along the way, with minimal guidance. Learning and providing you with encouragement implementing these work processes in a I have also learnt to live in the moment: and opportunities to help nurture your multidisciplinary environment and large life is short, unpredictable and fragile. abilities and believe in yourself.” What has been your biggest take‑away from this experience?
“Regardless of your political allegiance, the hardline stance that the Chief Pam Brown Health Officer required in Queensland has kept the public safe from the worst Class of 1998 of the global pandemic. However, one Teacher – Prep, Somerville House slip up and it can revert to catastrophic casualties and death. It is a necessity How has your work been that QPS perform these duties to keep Queenslanders safe.” impacted this year during COVID‑19, and how have you adapted to these challenges? What would your biggest piece Sasha Finney APM Officer. As a result of quarantine of advice be for our graduating “Operating Somerville@HOME for five requirements, police have been class entering the workforce in the weeks earlier this year was challenging Class of 1983 re‑deployed from their core business current climate? but for the most part positive. It was difficult to transfer a Prep classroom Detective Senior Sergeant – duties to perform border patrols, and “Life can be hard. Make informed which is normally a very practical and Drug & Serious Crime Group to provide a security presence at What would your biggest piece decisions, don’t make a stupid mistake hands‑on setting to a digital format, State Crime Command, Queensland designated quarantine hotels in Brisbane of advice be for our graduating that can impact you for the rest of your but it encouraged alternative ideas Police Service (QPS) and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. I class entering the workforce in the life. And most importantly, always be and imagination to flourish. Who knew have completed four deployments to current climate? the Gold Coast, and these are ten days the best you there is and be kind to I could perform a magic trick for the How has your work been straight at both the border and hotels. others. Your work life is a long one. I letter ‘M’, or manipulate the camera What has been your biggest “You are the year group that have been impacted this year during have been in the QPS since I was 22 angle so the Preps could watch live as take‑away from this experience? flexible, resilient and worked positively COVID‑19, and how have you My substantive position is to provide a years old. I am now 54, so that’s over I bounced an egg and watch it explode with change. Take these skills into your adapted to these challenges? statewide response to the discovery of 32 years in the one career. Choose all over my floor in an egg experiment! “Your friends and colleagues are some future study or workforce and share illegal drug labs, which we have seen a career that you think will make you The whole experience highlighted and of your greatest supporters, and that them with others through clear and “The QPS held the responsibility of a slight increase in detections since happy. I love my job. That is important. reaffirmed with me the importance of my the students’ enthusiasm, resilience confident communication. Be proud of managing the COVID‑19 pandemic COVID started, so I have been very Look after your health and always look daily interaction and special personal and smiles are constant reminders of yourselves for all you have achieved in under instruction from the Chief Health busy managing two portfolios.” after your Mum!” connections with students every day.” ‘hope’ for the future.” this year of challenges!”
12 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 13 distance could stop us from writing “It’s been very interesting to meet In her words, “I make the and keeping in touch with one another,” so many new people; and I’ve best of every day”. she said. found them anxious to be friendly, and they’re all – believe it or not - Still a mentor to some “Many of these friends have made intrigued by my ‘accent’,” Ruth said. of her former students the long trip to the US to visit me over who graduated sixty the decades.” “I’m a marked woman as soon as to seventy years ago, I open my mouth, and strangers Ruth imparts her Ruth credits the demanding academics usually say, “I’ll bet you’re fresh wisdom to today’s from the School’s then ‘honours from England!”,” she said. girls in green. program’ for her success and discipline post graduation. “Sometimes, I even have trouble “Somerville House in making myself understood, has been a source of “I felt very prepared to enter university especially when I spell my name.” pride my whole life. when I left BHGS (The Brisbane High An all-girls school School for Girls),” Ruth said. Despite Ruth’s enthusiastic recount in of 121 years is to the 1946 publication, she went on to “I graduated from the University of be commended,” have a successful teaching career in the Queensland with a Bachelor of Science, Ruth said. United States, teaching English, French and then continued with my studies and Latin, as well as advising to the “The School at the Queensland Teacher’s Training yearbook staff, while also raising two fascinated College (now Queensland University children, Helen and Gordon. students from far of Technology (QUT) Kelvin Grove and wide, even campus),” she said. A remarkable woman with so much life from Thursday Island experience, Ruth dedicated much of “I was in the first group of students who and Dutch East Indies her time to other passions and causes successfully completed the Diploma of (Indonesia) during the War, and still close to heart. Education at the College”. attracts wonderful girls from around the world today,” she said. She has been supportive of Doctors Ruth began her teaching career in without Borders and St Labre Indian Queensland at the beginning of World “My advice to the young women is to School in Ashland, Montana, to name a War II, and little did she know that it always be prepared, have a backup few. Ruth was also an active member of would bring her back to the School that plan in case things go awry and look at the American Association of University inspired her chosen path. each student as a friend.” A remarkable Women and Church Women United, “My first teaching job was at Gympie an ecumenical association to unite Currently, Ruth is happy and healthy State High School, and then I went to churches in worthy causes. in her living unit at Josephine Suites in Gladstone to teach French,” Ruth said. Stanwood, USA, surrounded by her two woman Today, Ruth loves to spend her children, four grandchildren and twelve “When the War progressed, I was time reading, following politics and great‑grandchildren. summoned back to Somerville producing tapestry works. Studious, adventurous, hard-working and diligent; these are the four House where I would teach at the adjectives that Ruth May Scougale (nee Evans) used to describe her 1932 Auchenflower campus in the morning, to 1935 studentship at The Brisbane High School for Girls (Somerville and then catch the tram on my lunch hour to teach at the Coorparoo location House). A connected Old Girl from her home in Stanwood, USA, Ruth for the afternoon,” she said. has an inspirational life story to share; a 101-year history as a past pupil, past teacher, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, we share “At the time, I remember admiring Ruth’s journey with you. Headmistress, Miss Frances Craig. She was managing three different Graduating at the tender age of sixteen, Speaking to Ruth in July 2020, she locations, the third being in Stanthorpe Ruth is still part of Somerville House; recounts her favourite memories of her for the boarders, while the US her name proudly etched as Dux of time at the School. army commandeered the South School in 1935. She stretched her Brisbane buildings.” skills across many disciplines at the “All of my teachers were memorable, It was the War that instigated Ruth’s next time, she played the violin, studied but particularly Miss Norma Horton, life journey, as she married American French outside of her classroom time, who was both a mentor and a close solder, Mr Myron Scougale, in 1944 and and boasts the accolade of winning a friend,” Ruth said. relocated to Everett, Washington, USA. city‑wide essay contest sponsored by “Most noteworthy though, were the The 1946 School Magazine, narrated her the Shell Company. best friends I made for life; not even journey to what would be her new home.
14 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 15 Margaret at school, 2nd from right University Graduation - Margaret 5th from left Margaret's daughter, Suzanne Morton 100 years (Class of 1969) shares with us highlights of a life for Margaret well lived and well loved; inspirational. We are pleased to share this story along with some very with Margaret special images from Margaret's time at Somerville House.
Born on February 18 1920, Margaret Margaret Thurgood (nee Broadbent, Class of 1936) celebrated her 100th Broadbent started at Somerville House birthday in March 2020, surrounded by more than 100 close family and in Year 3 in 1927, daughter to Joseph and friends who travelled from Perth, Melbourne and Sydney to attend. Daisy Broadbent. Joe was a barrister and the Parliamentary draughtsman.
She helped in the library during her Senior Years and graduated Dux of School at sixteen years old, during the Principalship of Miss Craig.
She learned to play the piano, her for the church. Ken had a dental practice that had moved to Margaret at school, pictured on the right mother being very talented. Margaret Queen Street, in the Brisbane CBD, and Margaret did all of the had an aversion to sports and, on accounts for the business. In addition to graduating from the occasion, avoided it by tying her Helena Kaye Dressmaking Academy, she knitted and sewed sandshoe laces together at the ends, and cooked for her family and others, as well as playing golf putting them around her neck, and and lawn bowls. waiting out the lesson by sitting up in one of the trees at the end of the Her widowed mother lived with her until she passed in her 90s. running track. Not sharing that story Ken died in 1969 from cancer, and Margaret returned to with her daughter until a few years ago, the workforce, this time utilising her Chemistry Degree, and much to Suzanne's surprise. working at the agricultural chemistry lab in the Department of She went to university and graduated Primary Industries. Three of the young men who had worked with a Science Degree in Chemistry and at that lab were present at her 100th birthday celebration. Biology, having completed Honours She married Jack Thurgood in 1973 and she acquired four Maths in her first year. The university, step‑children. After he retired they spent many happy years at that time, was located in the gardens working for the church and travelling overseas, making friends of North Quay, and it was there she on the tours, of which many of whom are still in contact with met her future husband, Dental student her today. Ken Morton. After Jack passed away, she moved to a unit at a retirement Following her graduation she worked at village in Durack, joined many groups and gained new the Department of Stock (later Primary interests, and at 100 still retains her independence in her Industries) at the Animal Health Station unit, cooking and entertaining her friends and family, and still at Indooroopilly, Brisbane, as Assistant knitting squares into blankets for those less fortunate. to the Parasitologist. When she started, he had her unravel a tapeworm from a In her 80s she learned to do patchwork and china painting, pig which stretched to the gate, and she and has made some beautiful bedspreads, hats, cushions returned the next day for work, unfazed. and purses for family and friends. She is well known for her She was later married, and as war had kindness to others, often stopping in to visit people, on her broken out, and the Parasitologist had scooter, that are lonely or needing some help. joined up, she was able to retain her job. Her husband, Ken, was a Flight In her late 90s she was still making her many great Lieutenant and Dentist in the Royal grandchildren her ‘special pink birthday cake’ as she had Australian Air Force stationed in Papua done earlier for her grandchildren. New Guinea. Margaret and Ken had one son, Roger and seven years later She has kept in touch with all of her adopted Suzanne (Class of 1969) who have eight children school classmates over the years, and between them, and numerous grandchildren ‑ most of whom Be many of her uni friends, often meeting were at the 100th Birthday party along with some of her inspired! them or speaking to them on the phone. step‑family and well over 100 others. People travelled from as far as Perth, Melbourne and Sydney to attend and all agreed For more inspirational After the war she remained at home, it was a wonderful day, with the star of the show being much Old Girl stories visit Margaret at her 100th birthday celebration but never still, and was a great worker loved and hugged. somervillehouseoga. com. au/ news
Suzanne Morton 16 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 17 “My final two years of school were “I have found enormous inspiration “I am sometimes surprised to read what formative. The friendships I developed from like‑minded colleagues and the I have written and go, ‘hmmm that’s at that time were so important and resilience of the woman and children I not bad – did I write that?’ It never feels enriching. Teachers were very influential have worked with. It has been important that way when I am writing, but it is a and encouraged our discussions and to feel connected to a wider social significant part of being in academia wide‑ranging thinking,” she said. movement, rather than feeling that you – you do have to publish or leave ‑ not are carrying a lone agenda,” she said. “Particularly our history teacher, necessarily perish.” Dr Pamela Davenport and our English “When working in an area where there “I have to say that writing essays at teacher Ms Sheila Jamieson were are many depressing stories and you are Somerville House did provide me with wonderful facilitators of our thinking very aware of the pain of discrimination, early writing training and I think that I and development. It did feel as though poverty, trauma, and the appalling ways have always built upon that foundation,” we were part of a community in which in which some women and children are though there was differentiation from being treated, it is important to invest in Cathy said. our teachers; they also were very much the good things of life.” Listing the books and articles she has part of facilitating and encouraging us published amongst some of the career as young women to ‘think big’.” Having recently celebrated her fortieth wedding anniversary, Cathy says along accomplishments she is most proud Upon graduating from Somerville with her daughter, parents, siblings of, Cathy also said it was her research House, Cathy went onto study a and friends across the world, it is not teams’ recent achievement she is Bachelor of Social Work at the possible to work intensively and in such particularly thrilled with. University of Queensland, furthering a challenging area. her tertiary education with a PhD “My research team recently picked up completed at the University of New “Nurturing these relationships is an award for ‘excellence in a research South Wales. actually the most important part of team’, and I felt delighted to have our life and are a constant reminder that team recognised,” Cathy said. “I felt that social work might provide loving and caring relationships provide an excellent avenue for channelling the foundation for a life which is worth “I feel more pleased to have been my enthusiasm for social change,” living,” Cathy said. provided with an opportunity to Cathy said. contribute – it is a privilege that I “I also have recreational activities appreciate rather than a matter of “I also found that I enjoyed talking which also make a huge difference with my friends about personal issues to my energy levels and joy in living: pride,” she said. and problems and felt that I may be a stimulating film club which meets Although at times, a challenging able, with training, to work well with monthly, yoga two to three times a career pathway, Cathy’s best advice individuals who were facing significant week, bird‑watching with friends, to students looking to embark on a challenges in their lives,” she said. walking as much as I can, and taking some great travel holidays,” she said. career in social work is that it provides “As a social work student, I chose to a wonderful foundation for so many have a placement at Women’s House Developing a deliberate publication different career pathways. just as the first refuge was being strategy to link her research to the established in Brisbane. Ever since practice and policy framework in which “It opens a world for those that are I have always been involved in the the research is situated, Cathy has committed to issues of social justice movement to end violence against been involved in the publication of but is not bounded by a particular women and their children.” thirteen books and has contributed to area of work. Working with children, over twenty‑two articles in professional older people, the women’s sector, A true representation of the School With an extensive resume of work journals. She has also underwritten development work, social policy, Motto Honours Before Honours, within the areas of domestic and Fighting for numerous chapters in books, and careers in philanthropy and Cathy said it was her final two years family violence, including recently research reports, policy briefings and non‑government organisations (NGOs) at Somerville House that were the being named Chief Investigator on the training materials as well as refereed – I could go on,” Cathy said. most influential, as they encouraged a Australian Government's Safer Families journal articles. larger canvas for her thinking and the Program and the co‑chair Melbourne social change “Social work has provided me with possibilities beyond school. Research Alliance to End Violence “I am proud of the books and articles I a hugely stimulating working life – I Against Women and Their Children have published – they take a lot of work, don’t like to think how many different “At Somerville House, I became very (MAEVe), Cathy said it could be a so it is good to have contributed in this jobs I have had ‑ particularly early on,” A reverent passion for social justice and an ingrained commitment engaged with social justice issues. confronting area to work in. way,” Cathy said. to the feminist agenda of equality between men and women is The early seventies were a time of she said. progressive social change – the what inspired the career of Old Girl and Professor of Social Work “The violence and abuse of women “I am a person who enjoys having women’s movement, the anti‑Vietnam undermines gender equity and remains a written rather than the writing task itself. “However, it has provided me with at University of Melbourne, Cathy Humphreys (Class of 1971). war movement, the questions of scourge on our society with one woman I have to play ‘the long game’ when I am both opportunities to contribute and poverty and the history of Indigenous a week being murdered and there being writing to remember that the only way is moments of profound connection to Australians were all on the agenda,” no let‑up in the number of women through and there is light at the end of the lives of others that few other jobs Cathy said. subjected to abuse,” Cathy said. the tunnel,” she said. can provide.”
18 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 19 Completing the Picture
John Honeywill’s article ‘A rich history of women in the arts’ in the previous edition of Connections has inspired a Somerville House Old Girl and former museum curator, Dr Judith McKay (Class of 1967), to continue the story of the School’s contribution to the arts.
In acknowledging the Somerville House Painters, Sketchers, Photographers and Old Girls who have made notable Engravers to 1870 (Oxford University contributions to the visual arts in Press, 1992); and Heritage: The National Australia, I wish to outline the careers Women's Art Book: 500 Works by 500 of four more women who should Australian Women Artists from Colonial be better known to the Somerville Times to 1955 (Craftsman House, 1995). House community. Joan adopted a refreshingly eclectic Olive Ashworth, graphic artist, textile Olive Ashworth’s work is represented in acclaim. Later she established a craft Art historian Professor Joan Kerr approach to art history, giving more designer and photographer, who the collections of the National Gallery shop in her sister’s studio, which she AM (née Lyndon), who attended the recognition to women and Indigenous attended the School in 1924 to 1930, of Australia, the Queensland Museum, maintained until her marriage in 1954. School in 1952 to 1955, transformed artists, and to art forms other than is featured not only in Joan Kerr’s QAGOMA, and, most recently, the understanding of the visual arts in painting. Her book Heritage brought Heritage but also in the Museum Cairns Museum. Her work has also Agnes Barker was a successful Australia. After undertaking arts at the to national attention many relatively of Brisbane’s recent ‘New Woman’ been shown in exhibitions at the teacher. In 1951 to 1955 she gave University of Queensland and raising unknown women artists, including exhibition. Olive trained at Melbourne’s Queensland Museum and the State Saturday morning craft classes at a family, Joan completed her studies the Somerville House Old Girls I Art Training Institute before returning to Library (1991), and presently there are Somerville House. In 1959, at the in England, graduating with a PhD record here. Brisbane to work as an artist for Burns two videos relating to her work on the request of Channel 7 for a series from the University of York in 1978. Philp & Co. QAGOMA website. of demonstrations on crafts in the Later she took up various academic Sadly, Joan Kerr’s contribution to the home, she made over fifty television posts in Australia, notably at the arts would have been greater had Working freelance from 1945, Olive As pottery was regarded as a suitable appearances. This was followed in University of Sydney and the Australian her life not been cut short by cancer. Ashworth designed promotional accomplishment for ladies, it is not 1960 by a similar series on Channel 9 National University. She died in 2004, aged sixty-six, just material and décor for Queensland’s surprising that L.J. Harvey’s classes in Sydney. Top left: Olive Ashworth – Reef Rhythm 1971, as she was working on a project to major tourist attractions. Her clients established in 1916 at Brisbane’s Printed cotton fabric, printed by Tennyson Textiles, Sydney. Joan Kerr was an inspiring teacher extend her Dictionary of Australian included newly‑opened island resorts Central Technical College should have Agnes Barker’s work was included in an exhibition of Harvey School Above: Olive Ashworth holding her Aquarelle and mentor to many (including me), Artists into the 20th century and to and the cruise lines that served them. attracted several Somerville House Old fabric, depicting swirling marine grasses, as well as a brilliant scholar. Besides make her databases more accessible. She was the first local artist to exploit Girls. One of these, Agnes Barker (later pottery, ‘With Heart & Hand’, shown in the exhibition ‘Australia’s 100 Best Textile her countless publications, she edited She set the foundations for the online the design potential of the Great Barrier Richardson), who attended the School at the Griffith University Art Museum Designs for 1954' (photograph courtesy of Richard Stringer). two definitive texts on Australian art: resource Design & Art Australia Online Reef. Her designs, along with Frank in 1920 to 1923, became a noted in 2018. She is also represented in Below: Agnes Barker Egyptian vase 1928. the collections of QAGOMA and The Dictionary of Australian Artists: www. daao.org.au. Hurley’s photographs, defined the craftswoman, teacher, broadcaster and Hand-built pie dish clay, painted with ‘Sunshine State’ in an era of rapidly bark artist, as well as a potter. Griffith University. an Egyptian scene. (Private collection) expanding tourism. (photograph courtesy of Glenn R. Cooke). Agnes Barker was the youngest sister The fourth of these talented Old Olive was particularly interested in of the artist and Somerville House art Girls, Val McMaster (later Potts), who textile design. Her Aquarelle design teacher, Caroline Barker. She began attended the School in 1924 to 1930, was a prize-winner in the national exhibiting her pottery in Brisbane in the has left her mark on a school building. Leroy-Alcorso Textile Design Prize for late 1920s, later expanding her output A potter, illustrator and stained-glass 1954. Later it received another prize as to include pewter work, cork work, artist, she too attended L.J. Harvey’s the bestseller of the ‘Signature Prints’ toy making and bark painting. She is classes at the Technical College. series sponsored by the Leroy dress credited with introducing enamelled In fact, Harvey regarded her as the manufacturing company. In 1971 Olive pewter work and cork work to Brisbane. best and most enthusiastic of all his launched her own label, Indigenous pottery students. Design of Australia, to produce a range During the Second World War, while of distinctively tropical fabrics, mostly teaching remedial crafts at the From the early 1930s Val McMaster based on her photographs. Enoggera Army Hospital, Agnes began exhibited her pottery in Brisbane, crafting a vast collection of toys using winning prizes at the annual Royal various off-cuts and recycled materials. National Association exhibitions. She Above: Joan Kerr, 1993 (photograph by Joyce Evans, courtesy of the National Library of Australia). Her so-called Cavalcade of Toys was developed a distinct style within the Left: Val McMaster and her pottery exhibited in 1943 to 1944 to raise funds Harvey School’s output, favouring (photograph courtesy of Glenn R. Cooke). for patriotic causes, receiving wide comical and grotesque pieces,
20 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 21 including comic-demonic figures and The Commemorative Plaque vases featuring dragons. Her liking for dragons was inspired by her love of Oriental ceramics. on the Flagpole Later, in 1937 to 1941, Val McMaster worked for the stained glass artist William Bustard at R.S. Exton & Co., In 2017 the Old Girls' Association donated a plaque to the School to painting Bustard’s designs onto commemorate those past pupils who served our country during both stained-glass panels. At this stage she worked on a pair of lancet windows World Wars and in subsequent conflicts. The Plaque was mounted on the honouring a deceased Old Girl and base of the Flagpole in time for the annual School Anzac Day Service. It teacher, Hazel McCullough, for the is now the focal point for the wreath laying after the Service. former Somerville House library. Hazel was one of five McCullough girls who Old Girls and Old Boys of Somerville directly affected Somerville House. attended the School in the 1920s, House, originally known as The The School was in an area deemed as at about the same time as Val. They Brisbane High School for Girls, have ‘hazardous’ and was forced to relocate Above: Val McMaster – Pierced vase 1934 – included Nell McCullough (later Burton), served in the defence of our country Hand-built, double-walled vase, the external a fellow Harvey student. to several sites. The boarders went to wall pierced with a grape and foliage design from World War I to the present day. Stanthorpe. In Brisbane, the day girls (Somerville House collection) (photograph During the war years Val McMaster on the south side went to the Queen courtesy of John Honeywill). During World War I, a number of Old joined the Women’s National Alexandra Home at Coorparoo, those Left: The Hazel McCullough memorial Girls served as nurses overseas and windows, 1938, depicting in the Old Emergency League and worked as on the north side to ‘Drysllwyn’ at were honoured for their service, some Testament story of Ruth and Naomi, in the a driver for the 5th USA Air Force. Auchenflower while those living near Somerville House Chapel. Val McMaster, as being Mentioned in Dispatches. For Increasingly preoccupied with Clayfield College went there. The United William Bustard’s assistant, worked on these. example, the Paten sisters, Eunice domestic concerns, she gave up her States Army’s East-Asian Command and Pearl who were original pupils pottery career. Her work was also took over the School site. of the School in 1899, were both on included in the ‘With Heart & Hand’ active service. Eunice, a nursing sister exhibition of 2018, and is represented While in occupation of the School, the and later matron, was one of the first in the collections of QAGOMA and American Army erected the flagpole nurses to leave Queensland, travelling Somerville House. and installed the air raid siren. on a troopship with the 9th Battalion. Finally, I want to say how grateful I am Eunice nursed Australian soldiers in Since the end of World War II, Old Girls for my years at Somerville House. I Egypt, France and England. Pearl, a have continued to serve our country thank my teachers, particularly Pamela physiotherapist, cared for Australian in the defence forces, in the reserve Davenport, for sparking my interest troops in Egypt from 1915 to 1919. forces and in peace keeping units. in art and history, and for giving me Today, there are Old Girls currently Boys who attended the School in Prep the confidence to undertake my arts serving in Australia’s Defence Forces. enlisted as soldiers in the Australian degree at the University of Melbourne. Imperial Force. Some were wounded The Plaque is situated on the base There I was able to major in Fine Arts, or killed in action. Brothers Odo and of the Flagpole, an appropriate site then unavailable in Queensland, which Paul Hopkins attended Prep in 1900. because the Flagpole is a reminder provided a stepping stone for a career Tragically, Odo was killed in action on 26 of the far reaching effects of war. The in museums. September 1917 in the battle of Polygon Plaque bears the School Badge and the In preparing this article Judith McKay Wood, Ypres, Belgium. He has no known Badges of Australia’s Defence Forces. acknowledges the kind assistance of grave. News of his death shocked the The School Motto, 'Honour Before the Somerville House Archives, Glenn School community. His brother Paul and Honours' and 'Lest We Forget' are R. Cooke, Richard Stringer, Dr Tamsin classmate Victor Cochrane Baillie were engraved on the Plaque. Kerr, the National Library of Australia wounded in action. Through my history research, I had and John Honeywill. During World War II, Old Girls again noted that many past pupils had actively Editorial note: If any reader knows of enlisted in the services, as nurses but served in Australia’s defence forces and another Old Girl who has distinguished also in a diverse range of occupations. I thought that this deserved recognition herself in this field please contact the A large number enlisted in the new in the School. So I conceived the idea of Somerville House Archives. force, the WAAAF (Women’s Auxiliary the Plaque, designed it and organised Australian Air Force). They served in its production. This simple plaque not various musterings such as wireless/ only commemorates those who served telephony operators, signals, fabric our country but also reminds us of the workers on aircraft, transport drivers, precious value of peace. Left: Dr Judith McKay and her history teacher, mechanics and clerks. Some received Dr Pamela Davenport, at the recent official unveiling of the Cumbooquepa Stained Glass promotions to higher ranks. Window Restoration (photograph by Old Girl Janice F. Anderson (nee Boyling, Dr Betty Lee) World War II, the war in the Pacific, Class of 1965)
22 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 23 From the classroom to the court
It’s the middle of the season in the semi-professional Women’s Queensland Basketball League, and the South West Metro Pirates (QSL1), a strong Chasing Gold competitor in the league, are being guided by their point guard, Susan McHugh; a Year 10 student at Somerville House.
29 kilometres off the coast of Cairns, surrounded by the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef and nestled At just sixteen years of age, Susan have a lot of time for anything else,” Despite her young age, Susan already amongst 339 hectares of national park, Somerville House Year 12 student Phoebe Dwyer set in motion her is not only the youngest player in the she said. has a big dream to chase, and, of conservation skills. league but is playing in one of the most course, basketball is at the heart. crucial positions in any basketball Working hard with her parents and team, leading her teammates as the teachers, Susan has created a study “I really love the process of getting point guard. and training timeline to make sure she better and also just playing my favourite In pursuit of the Gold Award for the A not for profit organisation that works “I am very proud of Phoebe for her can excel in both aspects of her life. sport,” Susan said. Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award with animal welfare and wildlife habitat commitment and dedication to the Following in her father’s footsteps, “I make sure I know the due dates and “I’m hoping I can continue my passion program, Phoebe decided to volunteer conservation volunteer programs, Gold Award. What an incredible Susan started playing basketball at the deadlines for all of my subjects, and after I finish school by being a student- a week of her time to work at the Turtle Oceans 2 Earth was the perfect choice experience to work with the turtles on age of twelve and her passion for the then it’s a matter of working backwards athlete and playing College Basketball Rehabilitation Centre on the stunning for Phoebe as she continues her Fitzroy Island.” sport has grown immensely over the to fit each part into my calendar in the USA.” Fitzroy Island. participation in the Duke of Edinburgh past four years. Phoebe has now completed all and create a realistic study and program promoted at Somerville House. Six games into the South West Metro “When I first arrived on the Island, I was elements of the Gold Award and awaits “I love the competitiveness and artistry training schedule.” Pirates season and each game Susan told I was the only volunteer at the turtle “The Duke of Edinburgh is a very the Award office’s review and approval of the sport,” Susan said. Term 3 would have to be Susan’s is averaging 27 playing minutes, rehabilitation centre that week, which personal program offering our students of her final submission. “I also love being part of a team where favourite time of year, as this is when 6.5 points, 2 assists and 3 rebounds, at meant I was able to experience all of the the ability to pursue their passions everyone is working together towards the School’s Basketball program the same time accepting an Academic jobs that are generally shared between and ambitions in a way that suits Returning back to school after her week winning,” she said. commences and she’s able to double Merit Award for her studies in Semester fifteen volunteers,” Phoebe said. them,” said Somerville House teacher, with the turtles, Phoebe is proudly sharing her photos and videos with down on her passion. 1 of her 2020 schooling year. Mr David Haliczer. After numerous weeks of tryouts “To be able to care for the sick, her peers, and acknowledging how and training sessions, Susan was “We are building a great Basketball displaced and injured turtles; playing “The Gold Award sees participants fortunate she has been to participate in finally selected as part of the QSL1 program at Somerville House,” a part in their eventual return to the complete several activities, physical the Duke of Edinburgh. Pirates team. Susan said. ocean, was a joy and honour,” she said. recreation and skills activities, as well “The long-term benefits of the as a three-night adventurous journey “This is the first year that I was allowed “We have committed coaches and “The Oceans 2 Earth program was an program, coupled with the once in and four-night residential project, over a to trial for the senior team as it has fantastic opportunities at school,” unforgettable experience.” a lifetime experiences, have given minimum of twelve months,” he said. always been limited to those turning she said. me the confidence to try new things, sixteen or older,” Susan said. challenge my thoughts and continue “This year, our Opens Team played in to make a positive impact on the lives “When I found out I had made the the Queensland Schools Tournament around me.” team as starting point guard, I couldn’t for the first time.” believe it!” she said.
Playing with the Pirates is only one aspect of Susan’s busy schedule. She manages her semi-professional career along with her study and co-curricular commitments as a Year 10 student at Somerville House.
“I’m currently training twelve to fifteen hours each week with the Pirates, which involves a mixture of team and individual sessions, as well as general weights and fitness programs,” Susan said.
“When it comes to my school commitments, I do manage, but I don’t
24 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 25 Principal’s Award for Excellence – Congratulations Speech Night 2020
On Thursday 8 October 2020, Somerville House celebrated the 121st annual Speech Night.
Melissa Downes (Class of 1988) was awarded the 2020 Queen's Birthday 2020 Honours List Principal’s Award for Excellence, celebrating her career in journalism and charity work. On 8 June 2020, the Governor-General Pictured right: Melissa Downes (Class of 1988), Diana announced the Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours Downes (Ray, Class of 1958) and Dee Dee Wendt (Year 5). List, recognising 933 Australians.
The Honourable Jane Lesley Aagaard AM Member (AM) in the General Division The Honourable Jane Aagaard (Class of 1973) is an appointed Member of the Order of Australia. Super Netball Queensland She was acknowledged for her significant service to the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Firebirds Debut Territory, and to the community. Congratulations to Old Girl Tippah Dwan (Class of 2017) on Mrs Anne Chater OAM her outstanding debut performance Medal (OAM) in the General Divison for the Queensland Firebirds in the Mrs Anne Chater (Class of 1975) received a Medal 2020 Super Netball season. of the Order of Australia for her service to the community of Theodore.
Award Winner – Wondai Australia Day 2020 Honours List Regional Art Galley On 26 January 2020, the Governor-General and Chancellor Congratulations to Bron Langford of the Order of Australia, His Excellency General the Martoo (Class of 1991) on winning Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), announced 1099 four awards at the Wondai Regional awards in the 2020 Australia Day Honours List. Art Gallery held on Friday 2 October 2020 and judged by Michael Eather of Detective Senior Sergeant Sasha Naomi Finney APM Fireworks Gallery in Brisbane. Bron is Best -Selling Author and Australian Police Medal (APM) currently working as an Art Teacher at Journalist – Book release Detective Senior Sergeant Finney (Class of 1983) is Saint Mary's Catholic College in Kingaroy. Celebrating International Year of recognised for her dedication to policing and for her She was able to use the experience in the Nurse in honour of the 200th success and effectiveness in working in partnership with lockdown to reconnect with marking art. birth anniversary of Florence community groups to achieve positive outcomes during her Nightingale, Best-selling Author career with the Queensland Police Service (QPS). Jillian Kingsford‑Smith (Class of 1987) has released her latest book, Taking Control Compassionately. Jillian shares 'behind the curtain' First female Coach in stories that reveal the ardent path the Big Bash League Advance’s 2020 Global Australian Award of Specialist MS nurses from around the world. Australian Cricketer, Julia We are extremely honoured to congratulate past student, Dr Abigail Allwood Price (Class of 1988), (Class of 1990), who has been named joint winner of Advance’s 2020 Global became the first female to Australian Award. This award recognises the work of remarkable Australians, hold a coaching position in making an extraordinary impact on the global stage. Dr Allwood and the KFC Big Bash League's Mr Tim Klay were chosen from more than 250 nominations. Share your achievements nine‑year history as Darren Dr Allwood is the first female and first Australian principal investigator on a Lehmann's assistant for the To share your achievements with the School NASA Mars mission. Brisbane Heat. and the broader community, please email [email protected] or connect@ somervillehouseoga. com. au
26 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 27 his expertise on the Sunshine Coast Grammar School Council, while past parent Don Jameson sits on the PMSA’s Policy Committee.
PMSA Chair Morgan Parker said these appointments demonstrate a tangible step-change to the PMSA’s governance capabilities.
“We have undertaken comprehensive governance reform over the past few years and these appointments represent another milestone in our quest to become the industry benchmark,” Morgan said.
“Assembling a diverse and complementary team of high-calibre governance professionals will enable our organisation to prosper, at a time when society’s expectations of education institutions have never been higher,” he said.
Morgan said that today’s scale and complexity of independent schools, coupled with a more robust compliance environment in education requires highly-skilled leaders in governance roles.
“I am so pleased to welcome so many professional alumni from our and new business development Two other Somerville House parents PMSA schools as well as current and Old Girls and Somerville House parents advice, Allison is a strategic thinker sit on the Somerville House School past parents who can provide their and has governance and risk Council – current parent Fleur Wilkinson governance expertise to this renowned management expertise. and past parent Peter Thompson. Queensland group.”
fill governance ranks “As a Somerville House Old Girl, I Fleur has more than twenty years “Our PMSA schools are of the highest have a keen interest in supporting the experience specialising in large scale quality, our staff are exceptional, continuing success and development of business and cultural transformation and our governance leaders are also the School,” said Allison. and strongly values the fundamental commensurate with the long history Somerville House Old Girls are among many highly experienced professionals joining the governance ranks of and lifelong importance of high- of excellence that our schools have quality education. produced,” Morgan said. the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association’s (PMSA) Committees and School Councils. Parents providing “My daughter attends Somerville On his appointment as Chair, Morgan Seven Somerville House current professional expertise Rebecca Bauer is one of Brisbane’s She is currently the Co-Vice President House, and my son attends Brisbane said he planned to lead the organisation and past parents are also among most highly-regarded executive of the Somerville House Old Girls’ Current and past Somerville House Boys’ College, and I am passionate to improve governance, operate our governance officers leading the search recruitment specialists, with Association, and a Director of parents also sit on the PMSA Board, about contributing to the ongoing more strategically and to embed a PMSA and our schools, providing more than eighteen years’ experience the Somerville House Foundation Committees and the Somerville House evolution of the School,” said Fleur. more supporting and collaborative their professional expertise in a range of senior leadership and where she chairs the Foundation’s School Council. culture that better reflects the PMSA’s and knowledge. consulting capacities. Nominations Committee. Peter has strong finance, investment Christian mission. The Chair of the PMSA Board is and corporate finance skills and In recent months, the PMSA – the owner Currently Principal Consultant at Late last year, the PMSA appointed Somerville House current parent began his association with Somerville The PMSA owns four of Queensland’s and governing body of Somerville Hudson, Rebecca leads Executive Old Girl Allison Muller to the Somerville Morgan Parker, who is also a Brisbane House in 2007 when his daughter most outstanding independent schools House – has appointed more than a Search Recruitment for Queensland House School Council. Allison brings Boys’ College (BBC) Old Collegian. commenced. Peter is a past treasurer – Brisbane Boys’ College, Clayfield dozen high profile and highly capable and is a part of a niche team delivering her entrepreneurial skills and twenty of the Somerville House Parents and College, Somerville House and business professionals including Old services of this level nationally, years of strategy and management Also on the PMSA Board is past parent Friends Association, a Director (and Sunshine Coast Grammar School. Girls Rebecca Bauer (Class of 1988) attracting Australian and global talent. experience to the School Council. Jane Madden and current parent briefly Chairman) of the Somerville to the PMSA Nominations and Human Jim Demack. Jane is also the Chair of House Foundation. Resources Committee, and Allison “I have a strong passion for Somerville Now running her own corporate the PMSA’s Audit, Finance and Risk Caroline Thurlow Muller (Class of 1994) to the Somerville House and PMSA school education,” advisory and software development Committee, and Jim is the Chair of the Somerville House and Brisbane Boys’ PMSA Group Executive – House School Council. Rebecca said. company providing strategic growth Somerville House School Council. College parent Chris Wright provides Corporate Affairs
28 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 29
ways of working to deliver learning in a Taking virtual world. “Students and staff were all placed on a steep, fast-tracked curve towards a new Somerville@ HOME platform of teaching, and immersed themselves into this different way of learning with passion,” Mrs Kiepe said.
Somerville House students moved beyond the traditional 3Rs in 2020, “It is also important to acknowledge following the launch of the Somerville@ HOME academic program. that journey could not be measured without the support, co-operation and Charlotte (Year 2A) and Elizabeth (Year blended learning approach which dedication from our parents and carers, 1C) experienced a positive beginning to supported students to work effectively at who continued to be the mentors for the first three days of remote learning at home in an independent learning mode. their daughters, fostering a sense of the end of Term 1. calm,” she said. Mrs Kim Kiepe, Principal of Charlotte said, "I loved Seesaw Somerville House, believed that the A number of the new skills and systems activities and hearing back from my Somerville@ HOME academic program embraced during Somerville@HOME Even with 2020 Vision, teacher, Mrs Bell." was an essential initiative in response to will continue to be utilised within the the evolving coronavirus circumstances School in the future. Microsoft Teams "I liked designing my Easter egg on faced by us all. has become a regular addition to Seesaw, doing the Hokey Pokey dance many classrooms, providing a space 2020 was the year and reading books outside with my “COVID-19 increased feelings of great for students and staff to interact sister," Elizabeth said. uncertainty with our school community, and collaborate. This platform was and as such, Somerville@ HOME served also used to connect with parents Both Mum and Dad couldn’t be no one saw coming to ensure the continuity of our academic for Parent-Teacher Interviews and happier with the transition to program, as well as creating a sense of Information Evenings, which is being Somerville@ HOME. Mum said, "the stability for the girls,” she said. investigated for continued use in teachers were amazing - setting the future. The flexibility afforded Well, what can we say about 2020? It would have taken someone with much more than 2020 Vision to predict morning plans, keeping us on track and “The importance of health and through the addition of Session 7 in providing regular feedback throughout wellbeing was paramount at this time, the tumultuous year that 2020 brought! Throughout it all, we are thankful to the strong Somerville House the Somerville@HOME timetable is the days.” and so the academic program was community, which has shown so much resilience and flexibility to continue to support our students despite the being trialled in 2021 through the new interspersed with physical activity tasks unexpected challenges. SomerSmart program. “The girls showed us how to and mindfulness breaks.” navigate the apps, and it was a lovely opportunity to learn with our Acknowledging the resilience and First and foremost, the P&F a move to online training, Microsoft chosen area of interest is what the daughters," she said. courage of our students, parents and Management Committee would like Teams music rehearsals or reduced P&F is all about. While 2020 brought us staff, Mrs Kiepe is thankful for the to express our appreciation for our in‑person sessions, staff, parents, and challenges and frustrations aplenty, it Inclusive of online and non-screen time, Somerville House community and their hardworking teams in Somerwear and students worked together to make the also brought us the opportunity to take Somerville@HOME was an off-campus collective determination to develop new Somerfare, including our much‑loved most of the time available. Support a moment, breathe, and appreciate volunteers. The teams responded group executives are the heart of the the many wonderful experiences quickly to new ways of working during P&F community and provide a great an education at Somerville House the shutdown period, moving to a opportunity to get involved with your can bring. stronger online platform to ensure daughter/s co‑curricular experiences. Somerville House families received the We encourage all parents to attend same support and service they have meetings and volunteer if you can. Mrs Andrea O'Halloran come to expect – albeit via online rather President - Somerville House than face‑to‑face. Thank you to Mrs This dedication to providing our girls P&F Association Linda Connor, Mrs Janet Kavourakis, with the best opportunities in their and your incredible team of dedicated staff for demonstrating that where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Secondly, we would like to thank the impressive Somerville House Co‑curricular Team, and the many committed support groups who worked together to ensure as many girls as possible continued to experience some form of activity during the year. Whether this was through shortened seasons,
30 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 31 Join With Us
Message from the Despite these difficulties, and much contributed to playgrounds, the tennis experience was more than just like today, staff and students continued centre and given talented girls an academic excellence. “I got a fabulous to excel. As reported in the 1919 June opportunity to gain immeasurably from education, but I also learnt a lot about School Magazine, “it is a pleasure to a Somerville House education. Think of becoming a confident young lady and Foundation Chair think that all have been doing splendid us when you walk past some of the how to find my place in the world. work under these novel circumstances”: School’s art collection, take a dip in the I really thank Somerville House for a sentence that could apply to the pool, are moved by our orchestra or that opportunity.” 2020 cohort as well. The Foundation admire the Cumbooquepa stained glass For many of us, our years at Somerville House was a transformative time in our lives. We formed enduring is honoured to have played some windows. Whether it’s refurbishing It’s important to acknowledge the friendships and learned lessons both inside the classroom and out that helped shape us into purposeful, small role in helping students during classrooms, working towards benefit of welcoming scholarship and compassionate, civic-minded women with integrity. We studied hard, pursued athletic success and became a these extraordinary times by assisting developing the School’s Heritage Heart bursary students to Somerville House extends beyond the individual student. part of a community that seeks to excel individually and collectively. We all have fond memories of Somerville Senior students in staying on at or purchasing robotics equipment, the It’s a reciprocal relationship, with these House – especially those challenging but rewarding senior years that marked our transition from a student Somerville House. Foundation has a rich history of giving. Our goal has always been to support students contributing diversity and a to a young woman. But imagine if those formative years had been cut short and you were unable to continue The honour of supporting our girls our girls in green. unique perspective. These enormously studying at the School. That senior period would have gone from challenging to near-impossible. in green also belongs to our entire talented girls bring sharp minds and community. It’s the generous donations As one parent whose daughter a rich vitality to the School. Diversity from our Old Girls, past and present, has received assistance from the and inclusion bring strength to our This scenario was one several Students in the senior years would seventy families keep their daughters at staff and parents, friends and Foundation wrote, “Please extend community and enrich the School. Somerville House families had to have been particularly affected, having the School. family that help to fund multi-year our heartfelt thanks to Foundation consider during 2020. This difficult to juggle a new school, build a new scholarships and bursaries. Giving members. Our daughter has benefited Gifts to the Foundation enable us This isn’t the first time our school has year has impacted some more than network, while studying for final exams. to these programs now will enable immensely studying at Somerville to continue to offer students, who banded together to face challenges others, with the economic fallout from With so much uncertainty, it’s vital the Foundation to channel funds, House, a school she could not have may not otherwise be able to access from a global pandemic. To guide the COVID-19 pandemic affecting for these students to conclude their not derived directly from donations continued at without support.” a Somerville House education, a us, we have the inspiring example of many families. For rural families education at Somerville House. (for instance, interest on our corpus), life‑changing opportunity. Principals Misses Harker and Jarrett, already impacted by flood and drought, towards current students in need Another parent wrote, “Our daughter This is why the Foundation’s focus who led the School during the 1919 has thrived at Somerville House thanks In 2020 alone, the Foundation directed the pandemic was another hit in a while still offering transformational this year and next is to support Senior Spanish Flu epidemic. Their good to the support we have been offered. $100,000 towards our Scholarships and disastrous year. Many parents had to scholarships and bursaries to students on their Somerville House judgement kept Somerville House We hope in the future to be in a position Bursaries Program. confront the possibility of withdrawing prospective students. journey. We’ve pledged to do our best students safe and on-track while to contribute back to the community their daughter from the School. The Join with us in shaping our young to help students experiencing financial schools around Brisbane closed to Thanks to the generosity of our that has given us so much.” impact on these students – removed women’s futures. hardship stay on, with the School slow the spread of the virus. Teachers donors we offer a robust program of from their classmates, teachers and and the Foundation each contributing travelled to students, exams were Foundation Scholarships. Scholarship recipient, former Somerville a supportive school environment $500,000 and with additional support tutored one at a time, and boarders House Foundation Director, and Ms Dominique Layt (Class of 1987) they know and thrive in – would have from the Old Girls' Association (OGA), were kept healthy and well thanks to Since 1984 the Foundation has barrister Trudy Naylor (Class of 1991) Chair, Somerville House Foundation been catastrophic. which this year has helped almost physical distancing. raised more than $15 million, we’ve emphasised that the Somerville
32 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 33 devoted to her discipline, definite in her views and an excellent teacher. The mystery of Her influence on the Somerville House community was immediate: Dr Wendy Harley (nee Hoskin, Class of 1948) was the missing cup inspired by Lorna to herself become a dermatologist. Dr David Weedon, grandson of first-day pupil, Minnie Connah (nee Wilson, Class of 1902), Named for the three Archibald sisters, said Lorna was the doyen of Brisbane the Archibald Cup has a tale almost dermatology for close to four decades. as interesting as Lorna herself. Lorna was a Foundation Member of the Dermatological Association of Australia (DAA) and was President of Lorna was a talented player and efficient the DAA when it was replaced by the Netball Captain during her years at Somerville Australasian College of Dermatologists. House, but was never rewarded with a trophy as there was none for the sport. In 1932, Lorna and her Even after her passing, Lorna continues sisters Jessica and Jean rectified the problem and to inspire and support Somerville presented the Archibald Cup to the School. At the House students. time, Netball was the only sport without a trophy. The cup was to remain at the School and be University of Queensland 2nd year medical students, 1937. Lorna Archibald (front row, far right). The Somerville House Foundation inscribed with the winner’s name each year, with honours her bequest through the the outstanding netballer being presented with a Dr Lorna Archibald Memorial Scholarship, small replica keepsake. which has grown considerably over the years. The Scholarship is needs-based However, the cup went missing for several decades. and awarded to a boarding student who Anne Jackson was awarded the cup as the “most improved netball player” at demonstrates academic excellence, Speech Night in her senior year in 1968. As Anne was on exchange in America, Doctor’s lasting legacy supporting them throughout their entire her father accepted the cup on her behalf and took it home. schooling from Years 7 to 12. Lorna’s generosity is deeply appreciated by the “The Cup sat on a small chest of drawers that I had inherited from my students who have received support over grandmother,” she said. From delivering medical aid during the war, to becoming one of the first women in Queensland to obtain a medical the years. The fifty percent scholarship degree: Dr Lorna Archibald (Class of 1931) was an intrepid trailblazer. Lorna led an extraordinary life, marked by has given these students access to “I didn’t ever question its presence as I moved on in life: finishing senior intelligence and generosity. She has had an incredible impact on the Somerville House community, beginning with opportunities that have improved their examinations, entering the Faculty of Medicine, marriage, postgraduate studies her own days as an excellent student and continuing with her ongoing legacy through the Dr Lorna Archibald education and also instilled them with to become an anaesthetist, failure of the first marriage, a second marriage, two the same impressive qualities Lorna sons... The cup went with me, wrapped in my father’s old army duffle bag, along Memorial Scholarship. Created with a generous $300,000 gift from Lorna’s Will, the Scholarship was established with the skeleton I had as a medical student, my chemistry set from first year uni in 1998. It allows outstanding students, who could not otherwise attend the School, an opportunity to access the had: determination, community-spirit and thoughtful intelligence. It’s also led and so on.” same Somerville House education that helped Lorna become a leading dermatologist and inspirational teacher. to a richer and more diverse Somerville It wasn’t until her sport-loving sons were discussing their own achievements at House community, encouraging students Churchie twenty years later that Anne examined the Archibald Cup once more. The youngest of four siblings, Lorna When Lorna entered The University woman navigating the blacked-out from a variety of backgrounds to bring attended Somerville House with her of Queensland in 1932, there was no streets of Brisbane, finding her way to new perspectives and experiences to “They boasted of their achievements as we did the typical drive to school the School. two sisters. She began her schooling medical degree course in Queensland. patients in need as a locum (a stand-in and I couldn’t resist mentioning that I was Captain of Netball and Athletics at Instead, she enrolled in a Bachelor of doctor). This was one of Lorna’s many Somerville and I had a cup bigger than any they had received,” she said. “This at the original school site in Erneton Lorna’s legacy will live on for generations. brought the usual disparaging remarks about girls’ sports.” on Wickham Terrace in 1919 and was Science, which she was awarded in memorable experiences. She also 1935. In 1937, she received a Master of worked for a period at the venereal Gifts in Will greatly benefit the future of one of the pupils who made the move “We retrieved the cup from the duffle bag and they inspected it: ‘Mum, why is Science with Honours in Zoology. By disease clinic, which was almost young students and their educational to Vulture Street in 1920. Lorna’s your name the last name on the cup?’. Horrible silence. I had never given it a then the Queensland Medical School unheard of for a woman at that time. opportunities. Consider including a school career was a busy, involved and thought. This was a cup given for a year, not in perpetuity!” was established, and she graduated Out of this experience arose her interest successful one, demonstrating her drive Gift in Will to students through the with an MBBS in 1942. She was one of in skin diseases, prompting further and intelligence. Not only academically Somerville House Foundation and The accidental keeping-of-the-cup amused her sons and the story spread as only a few women in her cohort. study to become a dermatologist. gifted, Lorna was also Captain of the learn more about the transformational family joke. Anne returned the cup to the school at her 40th reunion. opportunities these gifts can provide. Netball team, Treasurer of the Sports Australia was in the midst of WWII, and By 1949, Lorna had received a Diploma “I am ashamed of keeping it so long, but I loved having it under my jurisdiction,” Club and the 1931 School Captain. She all-male graduates were snapped up of Dermatological Medicine from the Anne said. won the School’s highest citizenship by the Defence Forces. This provided University of Sydney, and her long For a confidential discussion about award, the Lorna Robertson Award, an the few female graduates with new and and admired career as a teacher how to leave a gift in your Will or how One can only imagine that Lorna would have been delighted that her cup spent early indication of her generosity of spirit exciting options that wouldn’t normally and practitioner was underway. you can establish a scholarship, please so long in the hands of another netball enthusiast, academic star and female and embodiment of Somerville House’s have been available to women. Imagine Undergraduates and young doctors contact Ms Petrina Gilmore, Director doctor – a profession she helped pave the way in. values of Honour Before Honours. this, a recently graduated young found her strict but fair. She was of Philanthropy, on (07) 3033 9289.
34 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 35 Never would I have believed that this girl, not just at school, but in lockdown as rites of passage, as experiences with our sense of stability and effectively for I knew that our teachers ‘What did would be my reality and that my senior when my resilience was wearing thin, that would make our senior year as comfort. It could feel especially would have expected us to. Moreover, I year would partially be spent at home. is what Honour Before Honours means didn’t want to fall behind and let myself good as the stories many of the Old difficult to uphold the School’s Honour Before For me, Honour Before Honours in a to me. Girls had told us. For us, these events down! Therefore, during English class, motto ‘Honour Before Honours’ remote learning environment means were the ‘Honours’ we ‘deserved’ I not only finished all set tasks, but I believe our motto can be applied in Honours in a more than just glancing at the words from the School, rewarding us for in such uncertain times, but this continuously edited my work and took life beyond the School walls, especially on the School logo before I open my our hard work in Year 12 studies. is when we should be taking advantage of the School’s superlative remote learning when it comes to the uncertain times laptop to start another day of online Whilst I was undoubtedly upset and the motto to heart. In a remote online learning system. This practice of we are living in. In order to flatten the school. It means conducting yourself disappointed upon hearing that learning environment, a student integrity has prepared me to perform environment Coronavirus curve and protect our with personal integrity, not only at many of the Year 12 traditions were my best during physical school. After elderly and immunocompromised, could play truant, yet easily claim mean to you?’ school when teachers are watching, cancelled, my time spent at home learning to edit my work meticulously all Australians were instructed to that they were working hard in but when you are at home, bleary eyed during quarantine allowed me to at home, I am already in the habit stay home. Coronavirus doesn’t care order to receive a teacher’s praise. This year the Somerville in your pyjamas. Particularly within reflect upon this. Ironically, COVID‑19 of working hard. During Science, I whether you have a job, or school, or House Foundation a Coronavirus era, it means being a provided me with the '2020 vision' I The School’s motto reminds us have become less chatty and finish model citizen. As a Year 12 student, a party you need to go to. Everyone hosted their annual essay needed to view my circumstances that we should always act with my schoolwork to a high standard. it means altering my mindset and is equally susceptible. We were all competition, with students from another perspective, and with honour in everything we do, even Consequently, the expression ‘Honour understanding that my senior year has responsible for doing our part: washing clarity. It made me realise that these when we are learning online and Before Honours’ has encouraged me invited to respond to a not been ruined. Instead, it has been a our hands, social distancing, and events, whilst important, are not what to develop personal accountability in very topical question as blessing in disguise, providing a unique limiting exposure to Australia’s most a teacher cannot adequately defines a good senior year. Being my studies, allowing me to become a they spent most of Term 2 experience for me to strengthen my vulnerable. We were expected to do supervise. Inspired by this motto, a good friend and a good student, proficient student. self‑resolve and become a better, and the right thing. Not to receive praise or I have developed qualities such learning remotely. creating good relationships with peers undoubtedly more resilient person. other ‘Honours’, but simply because it as independence, integrity, and Finally, I found that the School’s motto and teachers, is what does. This is the is the right thing to do. To be perfectly compassion: all key components cultivated my sense of compassion Students were challenged to As a student of Somerville House, we honest, being a model citizen during ‘Honour’ that I learnt during my time of honour that have helped me to during the most trying period of my present in their own voice a clear hear our school motto ‘Honour Before this time was not easy. There were in online school that is worth more life, and as a result I have become a evolve as a person. and engaging thesis to inspire Honours’ at countless assemblies, moments I felt lonely, I missed my than any ‘Honours’ I may receive. The stronger person. During this time, my and convince readers on their Speech Nights and badge ceremonies. friends and I missed not being able to difference? Honours are temporary. grandmother in Japan became unwell perspective on our school’s values I’m sure most girls can recite the Honour is lasting, and impacts on see my grandparents. In these times, I This phrase inspired me to become and died. My father left the country to and beliefs. A $250 prize was age‑old ‘green represents the foliage both your life and that of the people had to remind myself that the lockdown self‑reliant during home‑schooling care for her as Australian borders were awarded to the winning Senior of a plant, and thus growth’ speech around you. I believe the Somerville was not for my sake, but for people like and in turn, become a more capable closing due to the pandemic, and my Years entrant, Amelia Mackie word for word. But few stop to think House Seniors of 2020 will leave a my beloved Mima and Grandad. Having student. It is more difficult to follow dog underwent surgery; all while I was (12C), and also to the Middle Years what those three words ‘Honour Before lasting legacy at the conclusion of this personal integrity during a time like along and ask for a teacher’s help trying to work at home. I had to put all winner, Naomi Ura (9F). We are Honours’ really mean, especially the Coronavirus pandemic was vitally year. We were already trailblazers as online than in person. Art class was ideas of receiving awards, or ‘honours,’ delighted to publish the winning within a remote learning environment. important to the wellbeing of both my the first cohort to go through ATAR, an obvious example: I could no longer aside, and instead prioritise my family’s essays which provide a unique For most girls, the transition to online community and Australia as a whole. I and now the first Seniors to spend request my teacher to critique my needs. Specifically, I made time to perspective on what has truly been schooling felt less like a transition and am grateful that for us Queenslanders, part of their school year at home. If paintings. I had no choice but to trust speak with my dying grandmother an extraordinary year. more like a plunge in the deep end. life has for the most part returned to anything, I believe we have bonded my own judgement and continue over the phone rather than studying. One week we were in class exchanging normal. It is safe to say we would likely as a cohort throughout this difficult working diligently. With my newfound Although I place a strong emphasis formal dress ideas and the next, I was still be in the midst of the worst of the period, and in that way I am grateful independence, I have made more on my education, I knew that I needed sitting at my desk alone staring at pandemic had everyone not follow the for the challenge that remote learning progress on my work back at school to be with her not only out of honour, icture this. It’s the 31st of my pixelated peers over a Microsoft restrictions put into place to keep us has provided. I finally realised that than ever before. I now try my maths but out of compassion. Therefore, the December and you’re with Teams video call. We were handed P safe. That is why for me, Honour Before the whole Year 12 experience is not problems over and over again before School’s guiding axiom has inspired me your family celebrating the more freedom, more flexibility, but Honours during this time goes further defined by the number of formals you asking for assistance, whereas I to go beyond the ideals of academic with that came more responsibility beginning of the new decade. It’s than simply being a school motto. attend, it is about graduating as a used to be heavily dependent on achievement, and has taught me to and trust. We were expected to wake a balmy summer evening and well‑rounded young woman. A person my Maths teacher. The impact of show love towards others when it is ourselves up at 8.00am every morning For the past five years I have been at everyone is smiling and laughing. with courage, compassion, gratitude, the School’s motto extends beyond needed most. and begin our schooling like any other Somerville House, I have enviously integrity and respect. A person who Somerville House too: I have taken You close your eyes and think to regular day. The reality was, we could watched each Year 12 cohort pass remembers that ‘Honour Before initiative and started helping around A simple three‑word phrase indubitably yourself ‘2020 will be MY year’. choose to sleep through our alarm through and experience all the special Honours’ is not just a school motto, the house daily. I use my autonomy for altered my home‑schooling experience and spend the day binging Netflix. As events planned for their final year at but three words to live life by. good as I stack the dishes, vacuum for the better. It encouraged me (and school. I waited to become a Senior of a Somerville House student, online the floor or walk the dog. Evidently, will continue encouraging me) to act In the months that ensued, bushfires 2020 with excitement and apprehension; schooling challenged us to put Honour the phrase ‘Honour Before Honours’ with honour, even when teachers are killed 34 Australians and over one billion however, due to circumstances out of Before Honours into action. This meant Amelia Mackie (12C) has inspired me to be self‑sufficient, not monitoring us. As a result, I have native animals. African Americans becoming independent learners and anyone’s control, many of those events ultimately shaping me into a more cultivated characteristics such as were brutally murdered, culminating in understanding that quarantine was were cancelled: Valentine’s Day Touch, competent person. independence, self‑accountability, and protests worldwide. And of course the only temporary. With this in mind, I was the Great Debate, the P&F Ball. The love; all which have allowed me to grow Coronavirus pandemic took over the able to continue to push through what list seemed to go on and on. For the 020 has been a year of The motto also spurred me to act as a person. For me, it is more than a world, claiming with it over half a million seemed like a never‑ending lockdown, Seniors of 2020, these events were not with integrity while learning remotely. change. Our normal habits phrase, it is a way of living. lives. If December was a taste of what knowing there was light at the end of about just dressing up and getting the 2 Rather than completing work at an was to come, I would have thought it was the tunnel. Upholding the School motto perfect Instagram photos (not in school and daily lives have been unsatisfactory level because our the plot of a dystopian English set text. and the values of being a Somerville uniform obviously). We saw these events uprooted as we knew them, along teachers couldn’t oversee us, I worked Naomi Ura (9F)
36 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 37 From the Archives
Then and Now The Spanish flu arrived in Brisbane in 1919 - just two years after governance of the School was handed over to the PMSA due to financial difficulties. The pandemic posed many challenges, one of which was a delayed start to the School year. CONNECTING THE SOMERVILLE HOUSE OLD GIRLS’ COMMUNITY
Enjoying a well-earned holiday, Boarding School. Soup was made Co‑Principals Miss Harker and at the School for victims of the flu in Miss Jarrett found themselves Spring Hill, with twenty-seven litres beyond the Queensland border distributed three times each week. and obligated to participate in a When boarding students were SOMERVILLE HOUSE OLD PRESIDENT TREASURER quarantine camp at Tweed Heads finally able to reassemble, staff Ms Liz Washington (1998) Dr Pretoria Bilinski (nee Irwin, 1987) before returning to Brisbane. In GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION worked hard to mitigate the isolation time, the Co-Principals were able to 2020 COMMITTEE imposed by the pandemic, organising VICE PRESIDENT ASSISTANT TREASURER return; however, a worsening of the a recital, picnic and dances to bring Ms Rebecca Bauer (1988) Ms Sue Folliott (1980) Miss Jarrett and Miss Harker pandemic in April saw all schools in students together. the metropolitan area close on May 5 VICE PRESIDENT IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT 1919 by government decree. Nearly one hundred years later amid Mrs Kara Rodwell (nee Ferguson, 1991) AND COMMITTEE MEMBER another pandemic, we thank our Ms Alison Kolb (nee Scobbie, 2004) Determined for girls to continue their teachers for the dedication they have SECRETARY education, teachers tutored students shown students in a year that for Miss Gaye Pitman (1971) undergoing exams individually many, has been the most challenging and did not allow anyone near the in their careers so far. ASSISTANT SECRETARY Ms Trudy Naylor (1991)
Sources: • A Legacy of Hours, A Centenary History of Somerville House • The Brisbane High School for Girls Magazine, June 1919, pg. 13-15
Links for further context of time: https://www.rahs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Spanish-Flu-at-the-Twin-Towns.pdf 38 SOMERVILLEhttps://mypolice.qld.gov.au/museum/2020/05/05/from HOUSE CONNECTIONS -the-vault-queensland-police-and-pneumonic-influenza-1919/ VOL. 18 | 2020 39 Old Girls’ Association President Message
In a year that brought unexpected twists and turns for our community, there were also many silver linings. As Old Girls stepped up to support each other through the impact of COVID, we discovered what it really meant when the platitude of ‘being there for each other’ was put into practice. Join the Over the past 118 years, the OGA has for girls. The OGA Crisis Bursary fund We were pleased to launch the OGA OGA provided a link between members also provided fee relief to current Sporting Spirit Award: for a second, of the Association, current students Old Girl families at the School who third or fourth‑generation Somerville (OGA Vice President) for her phase of their career, together Committee! and other members of the School had lost significant employment or House student who has displayed contributions to creating an online with other Old Girls who are The OGA Committee is seeking new community, while funding gifts, awards business income. fabulous commitment to sport. space for our members to stay seeking to further enhance their members and warmly invites all Old Girls and other financial assistance, in the connected and support each other. skills or broaden their horizons. to join them in 2021. For more information, form of scholarships and bursaries. It Social distancing restrictions saw The OGA also announced a new The program sits alongside our As young Somerville House women, please contact Miss Gaye Pitman also undertakes fundraising activities to many OGA events cancelled this year, postgraduate bursary, to support student mentoring services, which teachers influenced our lives in ways connect@ via enable the fulfilment of these services. including long‑awaited reunions, the Alumnae in making career changes or are facilitated in liaison with the somervillehouseoga. that spanned far beyond the classroom, com. au Old Girls Who Are Current Families advancements; be it re‑entering the School's Careers Counsellor, Ms shaping how we saw the world ‑ and Our Association has a proud history of Function and the Somerville House workforce, further study or research. Nyree Hatzimihail. Please get in our potential. This year, the OGA supporting its members and the wider OGA Birthday Lunch. But with the The Isabel Bauer OGA Bursary, is touch if you would like to be involved in paid tribute to Somerville House’s Somerville House community in times Year 12 students missing out on many named in acknowledgement of Isabel’s the program’s next intake. longest‑serving teachers and staff with of need. In acknowledgement of the of the highlights that mark their final lifelong contribution to our Association. unprecedented challenges faced by our year, we were thrilled to retain at least a Teachers and Staff of Honour list As the School year drew to a close, members this year, the OGA enacted a one tradition, with restrictions easing The recently reimagined Career being launched on the OGA website. our annual Commemoration Day COVID Crisis Response that included just in time for the OGA to host a Development Scholarship – donated by Teachers of Honour are Somerville celebrations were hosted online for the A special mention to Somerville House accommodation for members stranded special evening for the students and the Somerville House Foundation, the House staff members who have taught first time since the celebration was held Community Engagement Co‑ordinator, by border shutdowns, medical issues or the significant women in their lives, at Old Girls’ Association and the Isabel at the School for twenty years or more; in 1900. While restrictions prevented Mrs Libby Duffin, for her support and travel restrictions – as well as wellbeing Cloudland. These milestones are always Bauer OGA Bursary means that we now please visit our website to view the us from gathering for our traditional assistance this year. check‑ins, work opportunities, bittersweet for graduating students ‑ have financial support in place for new list – you might be surprised by the assembly and lunch at the School, Thanks to the OGA Executive for virtual reunions and support for and the mothers, aunts, grandmothers Old Girls requiring assistance as they familiar faces that are still working at we were excited by the opportunity to their work: Ms Rebecca Bauer member‑owned businesses. or stepmothers that have walked enter life after school ‑ and also one our school! share this tradition online, with our entire (Vice President), Mrs Kara Rodwell beside them, as they leave behind the for Old Girls moving into subsequent community. The video, which features The OGA Mentoring Program (Vice President), Miss Gaye Pitman Members also provided complimentary familiarity of school life and the roles phases of their careers. the annual keynote address by Old Girl was launched this year. Headed (Secretary), Ms Trudy Naylor (Assistant or discounted access to essential that have defined their lives for thirteen and acclaimed author, Jackie French Somerville House women are spread up by author and journalist Jillian Secretary), Dr Pretoria Bilinski professional advice including legal, years, to embrace their next chapters. AM, can be viewed on the OGA website. accounting, homeschooling and across our country and throughout the Kingsford‑Smith, it is the first initiative (Treasurer) and Ms Sue Folliott technology support. Our volunteers 2020 also brought new traditions, with world, and this year the OGA website of its kind, providing a formal structure As thousands of Old Girls have (Assistant Treasurer). helped Old Girls digitally reconnect the OGA hosting the inaugural School and Membership Portal brought us for the mentoring of our members. The demonstrated since Eliza Fewings Thank you to the OGA Committee, who with their peers and delivered supplies Leavers Panel and Lunch, where we together through online events, special six‑month program connects Old Girls founded Somerville House in 1901, our has persevered through unprecedented to isolated members. We partnered welcomed our newest Old Girls; the interest groups, career opportunities who are in an established or senior ability to turn adversity into opportunity challenges to ensure the Association with the School to link Junior graduating Class of 2020. Four brilliant and the Old Girl Business Directory. and strength is fundamental to being remains aligned to its purpose, of School students with mature‑aged women from the Classes of 2016 a Somerville House woman. Our The Inspirational Old Girls project supporting, celebrating and honouring members via a penpal project. All and 2017 ‑ Alice McMillan, Cameron hope is that this difficult time has continued to dive into the achievements our Somerville Sisters across all stages of this happened with the generous Scurrah, Anna Liang and Elsie Pritchett provided an opportunity to connect, of life. assistance of OGA volunteers and ‑ then joined us for the OGA School and challenges of our diverse support and celebrate our Somerville Somerville House staff, for which we Leavers Panel, providing insight and alumnae, including the first doctor Sisters, strengthening former to graduate from Somerville House, are very grateful. advice on their diverse and inspiring students’ networks, reinvigorating Liz Washington (1998), journeys since graduating. Lawrence Reisz, Dr Abigail Allwood, lost connections and establishing Old Girls’ Association (OGA) President Each of us were privileged to have The Honourable Jane Lesley Aagaard, new practices that endure as positive families who made significant financial The OGA philanthropy working pharmacist Eunice Fu, Dr Pamela symbols of Somerville spirit, long after sacrifices, because they believed in the group also undertook a review of the Davenport and cricketer Julia Price. this storm has passed. importance of high‑quality education OGA‑funded Speech Night awards. A special thanks to Mrs Kara Rodwell Scan with your mobile to view the 2020 Commemoration Day video
40 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 41 their future journey. OGA President, 2020 Mother/Significant Woman Liz Washington welcomed guests and Daughter Celebratory Party and made a special announcement regarding proceeds of the night going to our new OGA Bursary to In what has been a challenging year fashion. This annual event is hosted be named in honour of Isabel Bauer. Further details regarding this special for our soon to be newest Old Girls, by the OGA to celebrate the coming new Bursary will be forthcoming. we were delighted that the event end of the current Year 12 students' We would like to thank all of the hosted at Cloudland, Fortitude Valley, schooling journey and to welcome students, mothers and other special was able to proceed. With close to the newest Old Girls into the OGA women for helping to make the night 200 ladies in attendance, the venue community - supporting Old Girls such a great success and for helping was filled with laughter and fabulous and keeping them connected for us to stay COVIDSafe.
Bridal Shower Surprise
We were thrilled to welcome back Somerville House Old Girl and boarder, Sophie Hurford (Class of 2014), on Saturday 18 July. Sophie’s fellow boarding sisters organised a surprise visit to the School, as part of her bridal shower celebrations. The girls reminisced about the time they spent in their boarding rooms in Cumbooquepa, and the lifelong friendships they have made. Sophie was so happy to be able to visit 'her home' on such a special day. We send our best wishes to Sophie for a beautiful wedding.
42 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 43 Reunions
One Year Reunion 10 Year Reunion - 2019 The OGA were pleased to host the One Year reunion for the Somerville Sisters with lots to catch up on after their first Class of 2019 on Friday 30 October 2020, held at the Ship Inn. year since finishing at the School. Thank you to Old Girls, The Somerville House 10 Year reunion and many friendships were rekindled Sue Folliott (Class of 1980), Trudy Naylor (Class of 1991), Liz as shared memories of school days was a fantastic night that saw up to A fantastic turn out of New Old Girls attended the function, Washington (Class of 1998) and Kara Rodwell (nee Ferguson, were revisited. A large group of girls forty girls meet at Somerville House especially with many of the girls still currently in exams. Class of 1991), who helped organise and manage the function continued the evening at Southbank for a school tour and afternoon of We hope the girls enjoyed reconnecting with their fellow on the night. canapés and conversation. Schooling for dinner and drinks, which gave more at Somerville was a different experience opportunity to reconnect with former school peers. We were overwhelmed for every girl but we bonded in having by how many people attended and gone through the experience together everyone expressed gratitude that the and it was wonderful to hear what evening was made possible. everyone is doing now, ten years on. For many, this was their first visit back We are all looking forward to the to the School grounds since graduation next reunion!
30 Year Reunion
The class of 1990, due to COVID, voted to postpone their 30 Year reunion until October 2021 when hopefully function numbers and travel will allow everyone to attend. A group of the Brisbane cohort caught up on Saturday 10 October. Lots of chatting and laughter filled the afternoon and into the night. Everyone is looking forward to next year for the official 30+1 reunion.
44 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 45 45 Year Reunion
Well we managed to be the lucky ones that still managed to enjoy a reunion this crazy year of COVID.
We have been having reunions every five years since 1975 when we left Somerville House!
We are a very happy small cohort that is always pleased to see one another and 35 Year Reunion - 2019 we had a fabulous long lunch at The Hundred Acre Bar, Hillstone St Lucia, where so many Somerville memories that unfortunately couldn't make it I must boast that I still recognised every We had a total of forty-three beautiful have been had by many. for a number of reasons, but we had one of those smiling faces! women from the graduating cohort of We had a few that could not drive twenty-four ladies that had a fabulous 1984 celebrate their 35 Year reunion at We shall do it again in another five over the border from Northern NSW afternoon of laughter and chatter. We The Jetty, Southbank on 12 October years, as we always have. See you (which only shut two weeks before looked at old school photos, magazines 2019. It was wonderful to catch up again then. our day) and others that work in the and uniforms brought along by some. again, and for some it was their first medical profession, whom we thank Rotating chairs were easy around reunion since leaving school. We sincerely for their devotion to their our wonderful long table that looked came from USA, interstate, regional Rosalie Lewis (nee Barclay) duties, that missed out sadly. I received straight out onto the golf course on a and Brisbane areas. The Jetty which many apologies from school friends sunny, mild August afternoon. is situated a few hundred metres from the School, was a great venue and the food was delicious. We even had a school hat cake in colours inspired by Margaret Olley, as we reminisced our school days fondly in technicolour. A fun evening! Thanks to everyone who attended, Andree Wigan (nee Waterson) and Libby Duffin (Somerville House Community Engagement Co-Ordinator) for your assistance in organising our reunion, and Suellyn Fraser (nee Sellars) for compiling a book of school photos to enjoy on the night.
60 Year Reunion
The Class of 1959 have held a reunion every five years since were down on previous years, and sadly, mainly because of 2021 Reunions 1969 and, coinciding with Commem Day, have played an age related issues with Old Girls or partners. Time is catching Interested in important role in keeping the past in touch with the present up with all of us. Alumnae Class of 1960 – 61 Year reunion and the present connected to the past. We have cemented Is hoping to hold their reunion organising a reunion? friendships around Australia and overseas which have Why are our Somerville friendships so enduring? At a previous mid‑September 2021. We would love to flourished over the years. The 2019 60 Year reunion was no gathering a small group of boarders discussed this question hear from anyone from this Alumnae if they If you are interested in organising exception. The program included: attendance at Commem and agreed that it probably had something to do with the would be interested in attending. Please Day celebrations with lunch in Cumbooquepa with some contact Mrs Patty Munro via email a reunion for your year group shared common values by which the School and the teachers touring of the School; Friday night dinner in a private room at imunro@ optusnet.com.au and would like more information, lived: Honour Before Honours. Toowong; Saturday brunch at the Brisbane Powerhouse after Alumnae Class of 1991 – 31 Year reunion please contact Mrs Libby Duffin, City Cat trips by some and of special interest to the overseas Long may our connections continue and thrive. Is hoping to hold their reunion in October Community Engagement 2021. We would love to hear from anyone and interstate old girls. from this Alumnae if they would be interested Co‑ordinator on 07 3033 9255 in attending. Please contact Mrs Anna Walk or lduffin@ somerville.qld.edu.au The reunion was a great success even though the numbers Naida Haxton AO via email Anna@ zeroh2o.com.au 46 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 47 Alumnae News
Dr Jane McNamara (nee Hamlyn, Class of 1973) and Dr Vivienne Cowlishaw Shortell (nee Riding, Class Condolences - Deaths sister Ms Susan Keleher (nee Hamlyn, Class of 1981) sadly of 1952) passed away peacefully at home on Saturday lost their father John Hamlyn on 10 September 2019. 16 November 2019.
Mrs Noela McNeilly (nee Reedman, Class of 1950) sadly Ms Cassandra Tilse (Class of 2004) passed away on Mrs Adrienne Joyce Allan (nee Hiley, Class of 1958) lost her husband Malcolm on 4 February 2020. 31 October 2018. passed away peacefully on 8 December 2019.
Mrs Judith Mobbs (nee Suggars, Class of 1953) and Mrs Margaret Trembath (nee Voller, Class of 1949) Miss Melissa Atkinson (Class of 1993) passed away on their daughter Ms Elizabeth Nash (nee Mobbs, Class passed away on 16 March 2020. Her daughter Mrs Karen 21 March 2020, after a long battle with cancer. From left to right: Marjorie, Doreen, Yvonne and Jessica of 1982) sadly lost their husband and father Ronald on Trembath-Russell, attended Somerville House from 1979 29 March 2020. to 1983. Mrs Isabel Bauer (nee Bloomer, Class of 1955) sadly passed away peacefully on 3 July 2020. Mrs Marjorie Dixon (nee Cossart, Class of 1945) died Mrs Janet Orma (nee Brandon, Class of 1941) and her Mrs Alison Waddell (nee Bradfield, Class of 1951) peacefully on 4 February 2020 at the age of 91 years. daughter Ms Janet Wyvill (Class of 1983) sadly lost their passed away on 25 January 2020. Marjorie was the last of the four Cossart girls to attend Mrs Jennifer Becks (nee James, Class of 1958) sadly husband and father on 22 February 2020. Somerville House as boarders. They were, Yvonne lost her husband Barry Becks on 9 February 2020. (Class of 1936), Jessica (Class of 1938), Doreen (Class Mrs Catherine Whittred (nee Collins, Class of 1984) of 1943) then Marjorie, before and during WWII. Marjorie Mrs Marie May Ormsy (nee Hockings, Class of 1947) sadly lost her uncle Hal Rossiter and brother in 2019. Mrs Patricia Bradford (nee Phillips, Class of 1954) married Dr James Dixon and has two daughters Kaye passed peacefully on 10 November 2019. passed away on 1 May 2020. Dixon (Class of 1973) and Jill Dixon (Class of 1974) both Ms Lisa Williams (Class of 1989) sadly lost her mother in of whom attended Somerville House as day students, as Mrs Elizabeth (Ann) Penfold (nee Trewern, Class of March 2020. Mr Norman Laurence Bright passed away on the did her nieces Diana Williams (Class of 1965) and Jessica 1952) passed away on 28 August 2020. 29 December 2019. His wife Gabrielle Claire Bright Williams (Class of 1968). Mrs Lorraine Wright Yell (nee Wright, Class of 1953) (nee Spiro, Class of 1946) deceased, attended Somerville Mrs Catherine Quodling (nee Searle, Class of 1962) passed away on May 24 2020. House from 1939 until the Americans took over the Mrs Jennette Frazer OAM (nee East, Class of 1949) sadly lost her husband John Quodling on 26 January 2018. School during World War II. Their two daughters, Jennifer sadly lost her husband Alan on 4 February 2020. Gay Bright, (Class of 1975) and Sandra Allan (nee Bright, Ms Desley Scott (Class of 1953) passed away peacefully Class of 1977) and their granddaughter Sally Anne Allan Ms Julie Fussell-Salamanca (Class of 1981) sadly lost after a short illness on 13 March 2019. (Class of 2014) all attended Somerville House. her father on 30 April 2019.
Mrs Roanne Campbell (nee Elliott, Class of 1952) Mrs Samantha Anne Garske (nee Wilkinson, Class of passed away on 28 August 2018. 1985) passed away October 2019.
Mrs Judith Cantamessa (nee Young, Class of 1948) Miss Beverley Soden, past staff member (1969‑1990) passed away 2020. Mrs Rebecca Gay (nee Bredhauer, Class of 1988) sadly passed away on 25 January 2019. lost her father Peter on 7 February 2020.
Dr Claire Clark PHD (nee Skerman, Class of 1957) It is with great sadness that I record the passing of a After leaving Mrs Betty Grigg (nee Bradfield, Class of 1954) passed passed away 24 June 2019. beloved member of the Somerville House staff (1969 to Somerville away 2 August 2017. 1990), teacher of French, Miss Beverley Soden. Whilst not House, Bev took an Old Girl, Bev started her association with the School on the challenge of Ms Susan (Susie) Krimmer (Class of 1984) passed away following her return from two years of living and teaching re‑training to teach on 2 July 2020. in Lisieux and Nice in France. Her sister recalls that the Visually Impaired, her students thought that she was very chic and were applying her flair for Ms Joanna Law (nee Garrat, Class of 2007) sadly amazed at her perfect French accent. languages to the learning passed away in 2019. of Braille. Beverley enjoyed her years teaching at the School Some years ago, Mrs Barbara Merefield (née Lockley) Dr Betty Lee (nee Reye, Class of 1966) sadly lost her and along the way, led a number of overseas trips to and I spent a very enjoyable week touring Ireland with partner Mr Michael Robson on 20 January 2020. French‑speaking parts of the world. Bev and her sister. We have many happy memories from Early in the Rev Sam Seymour’s time as Principal, he that adventure. Mrs Betty McCutchan (nee Lamont, Class of 1944) suggested that a Staff Association be formed. Her passed way on 8 November 2017. Our thoughts are with her brother and sister at this sad time. contemporaries believe that Bev was elected the first President, a sign of the regard in which she was held by her colleagues. Gaye Pitman (Current staff member, Class of 1971)
48 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 49 Welcome - Births
Ms Alison Kolb (nee Scobbie, Class of 2004) welcomed George (pictured above) on 27 June 2020.
Ms Michelle Marston (Class of 2007) gave birth to baby boy Parker in April 2020.
Congratulations - Marriages
Alexandra Blinkhorn (nee Goddard, Class of 2008) married Mr Alexander Blinkhorn on 4 October 2020 Jessica Cannon Jessica Bradford at Maleny Manor.
Mrs Jessica Cannon (nee Woodhouse, Class of 2007) marriage in 2020.
Mrs Jacqueline Duggan (nee Noble, Class of 2007) married Mr Ethan Duggan on 20 April 2019.
Mrs Jessica Heron (nee Bradford, Class of 2010) married Mr Jason Heron on Saturday 15 August in the Somerville House chapel.
Mrs Kirsten Pettis (nee Downes, Class of 1985) married Mr Glen Pettis on 25 May 2019 at Hillstone, St Lucia.
Mrs Kayla Zipf (nee Reimann, Class of 2016) married Mr Jedidiah Zipf on Friday 4 September 2020 at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania.
Stay connected with the Alumnae: Register or update your details via Alexandra Blinkhorn somerville.qld.edu.au/community/alumnae
Stay connected with the Old Girls’ Association: Request membership via Kayla Zipf somervillehouseoga.com.au/signup
50 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 18 | 2020 51 SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Support the School as a ‘Somerville Sister’ by puchasing offi cial OGA Merchandise at Somerwear or from our online store. Join us on our new OGA Portal!
Never has there been a better time to stay connected Visit somervillehouseoga. com.au/signup to with your fellow Somerville House Old Girls. Whether become an OGA member. If you are an existing you are a member of the OGA or not check out what is OGA member you will need to activate your online going on via somervillehouseoga. com.au. There is a profile to access these benefits. We can help you wealth of information freely available including hundreds with this if you don’t feel very tech savvy – reach of news article and updates on Old Girls. Within our OGA out via connect@ somervillehouseoga. com. au website we also host a member’s only portal providing or check out the online help guide via $ $ exclusive access to: somervillehouseoga. com. au/ page/ help. • Social Networking - Search the Members’ Directory The more up-to-date your profile is, the more benefit you will gain from the portal. Syncing your OGA profile • Professional Networking – Search the OGA to your LinkedIn account is an easy way to update
• Promote your OG Business Looking after each other has never been more • Event photo gallery important and our connections are crucial. • Mentoring partnerships If you are an Old Girl (attended Somerville House • Job opportunities Junior or Senior School for more than 12 months) and would like to be more connected, join the OGA. • Specialty groups (including Reunion Groups) Lifetime Memberships fees provide fantastic value • Opportunities to contribute back through presentations, career days and bursary donations $ $
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Inspirational Old Girl, Sarah Thomson (Class of 2005).