ISSUE 3 — January 2020

1 Editor: Michele Dunn, Head of Marketing and Community Relations Editorial Team: Barbara Hoffman, Archivist; Shelley Kirkwood, Production Manager Photography: Joel Mesas, Nicole Anderson Collegiate Contact Us Ph | 02 9747 1266 General enquiries | [email protected] Collegiate magazine | [email protected] MLC School Archives | Barbara Hoffman on 02 8741 3214 or [email protected] Office Hours 8 MLC School hours are 8am to 4pm week days 7

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Contents 2 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE Collegiate

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Principal’s message...... 4 OGU President welcome...... 6 16 The Louise Bee Fountain gets a 20 beautiful new home...... 7 40 years since the closure of Boarding at MLC School.... 8 Leaders in building ...... 12 Thanks for everything, Mr Finlay...... 16 Reunions...... 18 Overseas...... 18 19 1969...... 19 1979...... 20 1989...... 21 1999...... 22 2009...... 23 2014...... 22 Networking – Doing things differently...... 24 Welcoming back our beloved Sapphires...... 26 A passion to give back...... 28 An agent of change...... 30 Supporting the legacy of MLC School...... 31 Vale...... 34 26 MLC School Alumnae Awards...... 38 Dates for 2020...... 39

Cover: General Sir Peter John Cosgrove, the 26th Governor-General of Australia, and Lady Lynne Cosgrove are accompanied by Pauline Johnston (Blight, 1988), Chair of Council; Lisa Moloney, Principal; Frances Booth, Deputy Principal and Jessica Kuo, 2019 School Captain, to the official opening of the Senior Centre. Disclaimer: MLC School has compiled Collegiate from various sources. Whilst every care is taken to ensure the information published is accurate, the editor cannot take responsibility for inaccuracies in the content or the authenticity of that information. 3 I have also met many other Old Girls at our reunions in Hong Kong, Singapore and Perth as well as our 2014, 2009, 1999, 1989, 1979 and 1969 reunions, which were held here at School.

I look forward to seeing you on Friday 15 May 2020 when we hold our inaugural Back to College Dinner and Alumnae Awards. These awards will enable MLC School to acknowledge and celebrate our Old Girls for their outstanding efforts in a range of areas. I am thrilled that we will also have The MLC School Young Alumnae Award, an award to recognise the achievements of Old Girls under the age of 40 years, who have made a significant impact in their field of endeavour in one or more of the award criteria. This is an exciting initiative and one I am confident the Old Girl community will fully embrace. Principal’s Please see further information about the Awards and the nomination process on page 38 of this Collegiate. message At the end of 2019 we farewelled our long-serving Deputy Head of Junior School, Douglas Finlay and celebrated his 24 years of dedication to our girls. Our Director of Music, I am now at the start of my third year James Allington also retired after five years at MLC School and it has been a delight of outstanding leadership of the MLC School Music Department. We wish them both a getting to know so many of our Old Girls. wonderful well-earned retirement and offer Many familiar faces have returned for our them our great thanks for their incredible annual Back to School evening and, of contributions to the School. course, our Sapphires’ Luncheon. This year In this issue, we look back at the history of boarding at MLC School, to commemorate we celebrated Nola Hewitt’s 99th birthday, the closure of the MLC School Boarding which is an outstanding achievement. House 40 years ago.

4 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE I am sure you will be fascinated by the article covering the development of the School campus over the last 134 years, a story that begins with our founder, Rev Dr Charles Prescott and highlights our proud history of being a leader in building spaces for exceptional learning.

The most recent addition to our impressive range of facilities is the new Senior Centre, officially opened in May 2019, by Sir Peter In his address, Sir Peter Cosgrove spoke of Cosgrove, the 26th Governor-General the MLC School tradition, over 130 years of of Australia. educating girls to exceed expectations and to On a gloriously sunny day, MLC School flags push the boundaries. were waving madly as Their Excellencies, Sir ‘Because an extraordinary life, a full life, one Peter and Lady Cosgrove, stepped out of their of contributing to community and nation, car on Friday 24 May 2019 to officially open doesn’t just happen by going through the the Senior Centre. Our Year 4, Year 5 and motions, by accepting the status quo. It Year 6 girls lined the footpaths on Park Road, happens by questioning, by challenging, by resplendent in their full School uniform, as dreaming of more. they cheered on the Governor-General. ‘And this is the MLC School way, to Dare to be After meeting Principal, Lisa Moloney; Chair more. Since inception MLC School has been of Council, Pauline Johnston; and the School a force for empowerment, a force for the Executive, Lady Cosgrove was presented with education for girls.’ flowers from our School Captain, Jessica Kuo; and our fifth-generation MLC School girl, It is a privilege to lead MLC School, a five-year-old, Poppy Frederick. place where our current students push the boundaries and expectations of what girls A fanfare of Taiko drums welcomed the can and should achieve; where our Old Girls Governor-General and the official party as are leaders in society who profoundly impact they made their way along Park Road and others both professionally and personally. into the grounds. The opening of the Senior Centre was the Governor-General’s last official school event before his retirement. The Opening was attended by Mayor of Burwood, Councillor John Faker; architects, BVN; the Senior Centre builders, Lipman; LISA MOLONEY and the MLC School community. PRINCIPAL

5MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE 5 OGU President welcome

Welcome to Collegiate – your OGU Teaching Fellowship Mooramoora means ‘good spirit’ Leawarra means ‘uprising’ magazine celebrating both The Teaching Fellowship has just wrapped up our links with the School in its third round of applications. This year we sent Churunga means ‘sacred place’ David Latimer, Head of Department – Human Booralee means ‘an ideal to which days gone by as well as Society and Its Environment (HSIE), to the USA we must aspire’ MLC School today. on a study tour to identify new and exciting ways to utilise IT in the learning space. We look All of these still represent much of which is forward to David’s presentation. the spirit of MLC School, and are captured in I am proud to represent you as President of the our School Song. OGU and would like to update you on a few of the activities we have undertaken this year. School Bursary Initiative As an MLC School Old Girl you would know intimately how our School Song speaks of the Perhaps our most significant commitment this tradition of passing on to the generations who Connecting with Old Girls year was the decision to support the School’s follow, a place of beauty, truth and kindness Bursary Initiative with a very generous sum. In late September, I had the pleasure of – and this has never been more important This initiative will benefit the daughters of meeting with the outgoing Year 12 girls at their than today. So, I would like to leave you here MLC School Old Girls as well as girls currently Old Girls’ Morning Tea. As I circulated, listening today with an invitation to join us at any of our at school who would otherwise not be able to the excited chatter, I was truly impressed meetings, and with a reminder of these words to benefit, or continue benefiting, from an with these young women who are now our that we carry in our heart and memories. Let’s MLC School education and all that it has to offer. newest Old Girls. They, like us, are fiercely put them into action in our lives every day: independent, and have a bright future because Perhaps you have been thinking of a way Long generations will come after us; of the education they received at MLC School. that you can support the generations who will come after us? Perhaps you would like to share Friends we have never known will come Then a month or so later I joined our oldest both your love for your old School and the to share, Old Girls (and one Old Boy) at the Sapphires’ benefits you derived from your time here? This life of ours, wondering what we were. Luncheon and Chapel Service. Our oldest We shall not see them, but we can endow attendee was just shy of her 99th birthday, I invite you to support this initiative by considering and the youngest guests left school 51 a gift in your Will (also known as a Bequest). This place with beauty for them here years ago. Our Sapphires are also a fiercely By leaving a gift of any size, you can remember and now. independent group who have thrived, due in your time at the School in a very tangible way no small part to the well-rounded MLC School and, importantly, you will contribute to the future With warm regards, education they also received. generations of young women who will shape the direction our world takes. SUE CARTWRIGHT (PACKHAM, 1981) Chapel and Potts Hall MLC SCHOOL OGU PRESIDENT I head out today to meet with a group of my refurbishment 1981 MLC School classmates for a girls’ weekend The OGU has continued with the restoration/ where we will laugh, reminisce, and sing the refurbishment of the Chapel. This has School Song as well as our final assembly included French polishing all the timber, performance song (I Am Woman). As I know replacing brass plaques, installing some there may be a little House rivalry, I have been Sue Cartwright Helena Grahame (1959) curtains and cushions, replacing the modern thinking about the four Houses that shaped our (Packham, 1981) Vice-President alter with the beautiful table from Potts Hall time at the School. MLC School was (as always) OGU President that many will remember up on the stage at an early adopter of many things and the House assemblies and, most recently, we placed an system was no different. order for pews to replace the linked chairs Many of you would have been a part of from Potts Hall. Heating/air-conditioning is the House system that ultimately changed still a work in progress which is waiting for MLC School forever and became an important the Chapel roof replacement, part of the Joanne Brady Ingrid Zhang (2001) part of the way the School works. Today there (Foster, 1989) School’s maintenance program. The beautiful Treasurer are ten Houses, but I would like to remind you Secretary new stage curtains in Potts Hall of the original four and their meanings – are also a donation from the OGU.

6 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE THE Louise Bee Fountain GETS A BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME

Louise Bee (1972) was an MLC School student from 1968 (Year 8) until the completion of her HSC in 1972. Her first two years were as a Day Girl, and from the beginning of Year 10 she became a Boarder, which she loved wholeheartedly.

Louise was the daughter of Joy Bee (Cunynghame, 1942), sister of Judith Everitt (Bee, 1964) and Susan Comrie-Thomson (Bee, 1974), and aunt of Elizabeth Comrie-Thomson (2004).

School friends and teachers said she was bright, creative, generous and brave and had a vivid, joyous personality, a great talent for friendship and an outrageous sense of humour.

At school, Louise excelled at Literature, Drama, History, Geography and Sport. In 1972 she was a Senior Prefect, Captained the School’s A teams in Netball, Softball and Hockey and was awarded the Old Girls’ Union Prize ‘for outstanding scholarship, sportsmanship and leadership’ at the 1972 Speech Night.

Louise was a lover of sailing and in 1981 she and her partner purchased a sailboat and travelled for over a year around the North Atlantic, Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, and across the South Pacific. In an interview in the Jan-Feb 1981 issue of Cruising World, Louise said she loved that their boat’s features also allowed them to sail in the shallow water around the many islands they visited. They were able to meander from place to place and then spend the nights in coves.

Tragically, Louise and her partner were lost at sea between Ulithi and Yap (Marianas Islands) during Typhoon Ruby on 29 June 1982. Louise was 27.

In 2007, the Louise Bee Fountain was donated to MLC School by Louise’s family in memory of their cherished daughter, and was positioned in the landscaped area near the Whitley Building. Earlier this year, with the major building and landscaping works completed, the Fountain was given a new home in the area bounded by the Year 6 Centre, the Senior Centre, Independent Learning Centre and the Sutton Building.

Louise’s parents, Joy and Robert Bee, who regularly join us at the Sapphires’ Luncheon, were able to view the Fountain in its new home in October last year. Their Fountain is a beautiful and touching memorial to a loved Old Girl and her special family.

7 1958 Boarders

40 years

8 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE since the closure of Boarding at

years MLC School

We reflect on a significant The fire in January 1977 changed everything hungry Boarders were able to raid the Boarders’ and the future of boarding at MLC School was biscuit tin in the tuck-shop after school; and part of the School’s heritage. self-evident. The fire completely destroyed or occasionally, as a special treat on a Sunday, significantly damaged most of the Boarders’ they might enjoy a slice of cake. When MLC School opened on 27 January accommodations: sleeping dormitories, bathrooms, 1886, most of the 12 students enrolled were sitting rooms, kitchens and dining room. Our Boarders hold traditions and memories Boarders. By the late 1890s the number of of a very different MLC School experience, Since the demand for boarding at MLC School Boarders had increased to 55. Over the next and so a gathering of Boarders is a special was not there, the School Council decided 60 years, the Boarding House population occasion that brings Old Girls together who not to rebuild the damaged and destroyed steadily increased, reaching its peak of share a unique bond, both with each other boarding areas and to phase out boarding 130 (its maximum capacity) in the 1950s and with their School. at MLC School by the end of 1979. and 1960s. The decision was met with much concern and Boarders’ Banquet In 1976, a few months before the destructive distress, particularly amongst our rural Old fire of 7 January 1977, the idea to cease The annual Boarders’ Banquet (also Girls who felt a great sadness that their old boarding at MLC School was already being sometimes named House Banquet in school was abandoning one of its traditions. considered by the School’s administrators. Excelsior) commenced in 1928. It was an end Many appeals were made to change the Boarding numbers had steadily declined of year celebratory dinner for Boarders and decision, but financial considerations meant from 130 Boarders in 1970 to below half that invited guests. that the Council’s hands were tied, and at the number by 1976. beginning of 1980, MLC School opened its Over 50 years later, the final Boarders’ Boarding at MLC School was established to doors to day students only. Banquet took place at the end of 1979, just accommodate students from rural and regional before the closing of the Boarding House. The final ‘Boarders’ Notes’ in Excelsior 1979 areas, and traditionally they had been both Although it was an emotional occasion, the ended with: ‘Although the closure of boarding the heart of the Boarding House and the last MLC School Boarders made a ‘valiant will inevitably change the character of the reason for its existence. Due to the devastating effort to keep their chins up’. However, at School, we look forward to a new era of 1970s rural recession, the number of rural and the following morning’s Assembly, when Rev growth and development.’ regional Boarders plummeted, and by the Cornwell referred to ‘the traumatic experience’ 1970s the boarding population had changed to of the last of the Boarders’ Banquets, a blend of overseas students and local senior The unique Boarder experience emotions were released and many tears fell. students who were boarding from Monday Sinker pudding, Midnight Feasts and Boarders’ In April 1997, a group of Boarders decided to to Friday only. In addition, statistics collected banquets – for MLC School Boarders these gather for lunch on the Principal’s Lawn. The in the 1970s confirmed a trend away from words evoke memories of many happy times sinker pudding dessert only heightened the boarding in Australian schools. shared with their boarding ‘sisters’. nostalgia and joy of the event and a date was quickly set for a Boarders’ reunion for the Anticipating great opposition to the idea of As a Boarder, friends were not limited to year following year. April 1998 saw many Old Girl ending a significant School tradition, in 1976 groups. The deep sisterly relationships that Boarders at MLC School enjoying a luncheon the School Council decided to postpone any developed from living together went on to dubbed the Boarders’ Midday Feast. It was action on closing the Boarding House for a become friendships that lasted a lifetime. few years. This would allow the MLC School decided to return to the original name of community time to consider the reasoning The Boarders’ life at School was quite different Boarders’ Banquet, and in 1999, 2003 and behind the decision and also give them to that experienced by the ‘daybugs’. Lunch 2005 successful Boarders’ Banquet events opportunity to comment on the proposal. didn’t come out of a paper bag; the always were held.

9 Reflections on Boarding at MLC School

‘One thing that unites the Boarders is their ‘Sliding down the staircase on a mattress in the unanimous decision at each Boarders Vs middle of the night. Would have received a BIG Day Girls event, that they will conquer detention if we’d been caught!’ the “Daybugs”.’ 1974 Boarder Boarding Staff, 1960s ‘A Boarder is very partial to food. Time and One Boarder from the 1950s recalls that place have no bearing at all on this fact, the lack of entertainment provided to the and the variety of food is of only secondary Boarders on weekends led them to become importance’. quite ingenious. ‘This year has been a year as full as a Day She particularly remembers how Dr Wade Girl’s lunchbox’. refused to allow playing cards in the Boarders’ Dormitory, due to her strict Methodist views ‘Midnight Feasts existed in perfect harmony that playing cards would lead to gambling. with a colony of cockroaches’.

She says, ‘we had to make our own fun’ and ‘We lived for fourteen weeks on traditional she and her fellow Boarders would always Boarding House fare of bread and jam (with find a way. no butter), tinned fruit and endless sausages’.

From around the School grounds they ‘Whenever food is mentioned to the Boarder, collected large leaves which they pressed and eyes light up with greedy anticipation.’ dried. These were then shaped and patterned into a deck of cards. Boarders’ Unique Experience ‘One cannot live under the same roof with Once the cards were discovered and people without getting to know them well, confiscated, the inventive and indomitable and living at such close quarters with others Boarders simply began again. we have learned to tolerate and appreciate Boarder from the 1950s each other.’ Mrs G. R. Kroiter, Wanting to distinguish themselves as House Superintendent, 1979 MLC School girls, it was the Boarders of 1906 who ‘formed a deputation to the 1965 Headmistress, Miss Wearne, to ask for a uniform’.

On their own initiative the senior girls planned to have their School frocks made all in the same style, and returned after the holidays in a ‘uniform’ of their own design (a white blouse with long dark-blue skirt with light trim). Walk in the Light, 1986

‘No homework was set on Fridays, as this was Bath Night. There was a wood copper stoked by “the man”. The room also contained pegs for raincoats and shelves for rubber shoes. Early Boarders still associate the smell of rubber with the weekly “tub”.’ Boarder from the 1890s

10 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE 1958

1967 1974

Boarders in the Tower sleepout

11 Leaders in building spaces for exceptional learning experiences SINCE 1886

‘Youngarra’ purchased (renamed Miss Lester’s ‘Kent House’Australia’s first school to construct Assembly Hall opens Kent House) purchased in Nov 1885a kindergarten building Tower Wing Abbeythorpe purchased (renamed Potts Hall in 1933)

1886 1906 1922 1924 1936 1885 1890 1918 1923 1926 1949

First 25m MLC School opens ‘Cartreff’ purchased Sutton House (new) swimming pool on 27 January 1886 First schoolAthletics in Australia Carnival to for hold girls Science Lab opens and Physics (renamed Sutton House) Fully equipped gymnasium built added to Leaving Certificate Reference Library opens. Renamed in 1932 ‘The Minnie F. Wearne Library’

12 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE Pioneering the education of with things … which would fit them for any Rev Dr Prescott’s vision placed the Wesleyan girls and young women position in the world’. Ladies’ College in the forefront of educational practice when it established a kindergarten From the early days of the Wesleyan Church in He further stated that women were entitled in 1889. Australia, the higher education of women and to take their place ‘as the co-equals of men, girls was considered an important objective. in every avenue of human activity’. The success of the kindergarten was evident within the first year, leading the College Council In 1872, the Wesleyan Conference of For the late 1800s, these ideals – the to approve the building in 1890 of a ‘one-storey NSW resolved that: ‘the superior education core of MLC School’s foundation – were wooden structure with a wide verandah’ to of the daughters of our people was revolutionary. For over 134 years, MLC School house the new kindergarten. It stood at the a worthwhile objective’. has continued to subvert preconceptions of corner of Rowley and Grantham Street in the women’s roles by preparing girls to be ‘fit for corner of the existing School grounds and was On 4 May 1883, a Committee (which any position in the world’. the first purpose-built kindergarten in Australia. included our future Founding Principal, Rev Dr Charles Prescott) met at the Wesleyan A history of building spaces Mens sana and corpus sanum Centenary Chapel York Street, Sydney and The paddock, acquired with the original the idea of our School began: for exceptional learning experiences purchase of Miss Lester’s Kent House, now ‘considering the great importance to our greatly expanded, has remained a sports Church of higher education… the time has Rather than following education trends, field for the life of the School. Developing the now come for the immediate establishment MLC School has created them. From the time ‘whole person’ with a ‘mens sana’ (healthy in the Colony of a high school for girls.’ of its inception there was a clear intention mind) as well as a ‘corpus sanum’ (healthy to acquire land and construct buildings body), as Rev Dr Prescott stated in 1886 The Committee spent three years searching to provide a superior level of educational in his first Speech Day report, has always for the right property and in November 1885 experiences for its students. been at MLC School’s core. The School’s Miss Lester’s ‘Kent House’, on the corner of focus on physical activity and sport reflects a By being at the forefront of innovative Rowley Street and Park Road, with adjacent commitment to building leadership skills and teaching methods and evolving our paddock, was purchased. developing within our girls a strong sense of educational spaces, MLC School has fair play and resilience. Within six weeks, Rev Dr Prescott had consistently been able to offer its students sourced furniture, hired staff and the School exceptional learning environments. On 3 November 1906, MLC School held its was ready for students. The Sydney Morning first Sports Day on the Sports Field – the Herald advertisement on 23 January 1886 Australia’s first school to construct first Athletics Carnival for girls in Australia. announcing the imminent opening of the a kindergarten building Old Girl Marguerite Cooper (Henry, 1913) Wesleyan Ladies’ College, included that Shortly after the opening of MLC School, reminisced that ‘we were considered very the School would ‘make provision for those Rev Dr Prescott, who firmly believed in the “modern” because we had a Sports Day and who wish to prepare for University honours’. importance of educating very young children, ran races like our brothers.’ This radical statement was only five years persuaded the College Council to establish after women had, for the first time, gained a co-educational kindergarten. Expanding with the help of bequests admission to The University of Sydney. A second donation from Mrs Ellen Schofield, The importance of this innovation our first great benefactor who made possible Delivering the Schofield Hall opening address cannot be understated. The Kindergarten the construction of Schofield Hall, led to in November 1892, Rev Charles Stead stated Movement, based on ideas developed in the building of the Tower Wing that housed that the ambition of the Wesleyan Ladies’ Germany by Friedrich Froebel, was in its classrooms as well as the Principal’s residence. College was that its graduates would ‘possess early days in Australia and was struggling The hand-drawn plan for the construction, a store of knowledge and breadth of view, to gain support. and a reliance upon their own acquaintance dated 11 July 1918, is one of the oldest plans held in the School’s archives.

‘Youngarra’ purchased (renamed 7 January 1977 fire destroys Chapel and Centenary Music MLC School Kent House) Wade House Boarders’ accommodations Drama Theatre Centre Aquatic Centre Year 6 Centre

1957 1971 1978 1983 1998 2009 2019 1961 1977 1981 1987 2003 2011

First 25m Independent the School New home for Junior School Senior Centre Gymnasium opens swimming pool Wearne Library Learning Centre Max Dupain photographs

13 Our first gymnasium, opened 1890 (circa 1912)

The Potts years of expansion and growth The much-admired Rev Potts was Principal of MLC School from 1922 to 1933. Under his stewardship the School purchased many new properties and expanded significantly. He directed the building of numerous classrooms, tennis courts and a hockey field, and beautified the School by laying many gardens.

He also remodelled the School’s frontage, wrapping Miss Lester’s original Kent House Architect’s drawing of to match the rest of the facade, and with that Sutton House, opened 1949 he created Prescott Wing.

Within the Prescott Wing, Mabel Sutton, Old Girl (1896) and Headmistress (1912–1940), organised the construction of our first Science Lab which opened in Term 1, 1924. At the same time, Miss Sutton added Physics to the MLC School curriculum (to accompany Chemistry, Biology, Botany and Geology) and MLC School became the first school in Australia to have girls sit Physics in the Leaving Certificate.

In 1923, Rev Potts was instrumental in procuring Abbeythorpe which played an important role in the life of the School for over 50 years, accommodating Kindergarten and Primary classes as well as weekly Boarders.

Rev Potts’ final and greatest achievement was overseeing the construction of our Assembly Hall, with ‘numerous gymnastic rooms, and

Our first Science lab, opened 1924 Youngarra purchased 1949 and renamed Kent House other conveniences, beneath it’, opening in 1926.

After his sudden and tragic death in 1933, the Assembly Hall was renamed the Potts Assembly Hall in his honour.

In 1929 and in the 1930s further properties along Park Road were purchased and the School’s property grew once more. In 1936 ‘Cartreff’ at 36 Grantham Street was acquired and renamed Sutton House in honour of Miss Mabel Sutton.

The next great expansion of the School was with the 1949 purchase of ‘Youngarra’, Max Dupain’s The Young Violinist, Abbeythorpe purchased 1923 Sutton House, 1971 which stood on the corner of Rowley and Gordon Streets. At the same time the Potts Hall with Wade House (L) School celebrated the opening of the newly and Prescott Wing (R), 1961 constructed Sutton House along the Grantham Street edge of the original ‘Cartreff’ property.

‘Youngarra’ was renamed Kent House, in tribute to the first property purchased for the School in 1885. From 1949 to 1965, this Kent House was occupied by the Kindergarten and Lower Primary School. It was replaced by a

14 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE new and larger building (the Kent House we Design for the Seventies squad training program. Generous donors know today), which finally brought the whole At the beginning the 1970s many urgent who made the Aquatic Centre possible are Kindergarten and Primary School under the needs were identified: more boarding house recognised on the Foundation Boards within one roof in 1966. accommodation, renovations to existing the Aquatic Centre. boarder facilities, additional class rooms Wearne Library and laboratories. A campaign Design for the Developments in the MLC School established a fiction library in its Seventies was established to achieve these last decade second year, and in 1922, with funds donated goals. The final ‘dream’ was to build a ‘first by the Old Girls’ Union, a Reference Library class gymnasium’. The last decade at MLC School has been was established. The Reference Library was about consistently challenging classroom renamed ‘The Minnie F. Wearne Library’ in This dream came to fruition when in 1978 the boundaries to improve outcomes for students. 1932 in memory of the former MLC School gymnasium (now capped within the Aquatic Two factors key to continuing this tradition Headmistress (1887–1909) – and one of the Centre) was opened. for 21st century learners – tailoring learning first women to graduate from the University to individual needs and the integration of Sydney – who had died that year. From the ashes The devastation of the 1977 fire was of technology – are difficult to achieve in Sutton House was built to house the contents substantial – the whole of the Rowley Street traditional classrooms. of the Fiction and Reference Libraries. The and Park Road corner was destroyed. The inspired designs of the MLC Junior new combined library retained the name School (opened in 2009) and Year 6 Centre Wearne Library, and a full-time trained As always, the School rallied and within a few (opened in 2011) utilise the relationships Librarian was employed. The Library occupied years two new and important buildings were between space, colour and light to create most of the first floor of Sutton House and celebrated in a grand opening in 1981. For places that encourage children to develop contained shelving for 8000 books. the first time on the campus, the School had a Chapel as well as an impressive new their full range of senses and experiences, In 1971, while on assignment for the Drama Theatre. to nurture their intellectual and creative Department of Trade, Max Dupain visited development, and to capture the young, MLC School and on the landing outside the MLC School’s centenary playful and imaginative world of the Wearne Library in Sutton House, he ‘strikingly inquisitive early learner. The building project chosen to commemorate captured the silhouette of a young violinist 100 years as a school was the Centenary rehearsing’. This photograph was used by the Music Centre. Today Department of Trade to promote Australia’s All of our innovative spaces have informed education system, and was also used by the Opened in 1987, the new home for Music at the ideas behind the Senior Centre, which National Archives of Australia for the cover MLC School contained a recital auditorium, was officially opened in May 2019. of their 2007 publication Max Dupain: keyboard laboratory, three classrooms and On Assignment. twelve studios, adding great energy to the This impressive new building features light already flourishing department. In 1983 the new Wearne Library was opened and comfortable, flexible and agile spaces for collaborative, individual or contemplative (since incorporated into the Independent A home for technology Learning Centre (ILC). The site chosen for tasks. They are equipped with technology When the Independent Learning Centre the new Library was almost directly behind and other learning tools to facilitate the was opened in 1998 it was the physical the old one (in Sutton House). The building development of challenging and relevant centre for the Information Technology and was elevated to first-floor level and the area curricula for girls to engage in their learning. Network Communications for the whole underneath was paved, providing landscaped It allows each girl to interact, imagine, School. Building the ILC demonstrated an gardens and seating. multi-task, focus, collaborate, create, and ongoing commitment to the development and innovate, and brings out the best in In 1998 the Independent Learning Centre was improvement of flexible learning spaces that every student. opened with the Wearne Library located on incorporate technological advances. its first and second floors. ILC now is the home of Café 1886, the With gratitude to Our first swimming pool Wearne Library and the Ailsa Butcher Room our Community on ILC3. This room contains Foundation The idea of a swimming pool began in 1929 The story of MLC School’s expansion over Boards recognising our generous donors who with the establishment of the Parents and the last 134 years would not have been made the ILC possible. Friends (P&F) Association. The original possible without generous contributions from our community. members chose as their first objective ‘the Expansion of our swimming and provision of a swimming pool in the College diving space Donations raised by the MLC School grounds’. The award-winning MLC School Aquatic Building Fund have assisted, and will The Great Depression and WWII meant Centre was opened in 2003 by Dawn Fraser continue to assist, financing major capital that fund raising was a challenge, but on AO and Old Girl Olympian, Lorraine Thurlow works of extraordinary vision for the future 9 March 1957 the P&F had their ‘fulfilment of AM (Crapp, 1955). Its construction expanded of all girls at MLC School. a dream’ and the first MLC School pool was physical education programs and provided a officially opened. comprehensive, year-round learn to swim and

15 for everything, Mr Finlay

After 24 years’ service to MLC Junior School, Douglas Finlay heads off on his retirement adventure.

16 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE Doug commenced as a class teacher at 2000s), in collaboration with the librettist Dear Mr Finlay, MLC School in January 1996 after a year Mary Elizabeth. The opera was commissioned teaching in London. Prior to this he was by MLC School and was held over two nights It’s been quite a few years now since I was the inaugural Master of the Junior School in September 2008 at the outdoor stage in “sitting in 4F listening to you. I still remember at All Saints’ College Bathurst, and the the Homebush Bay Olympic site. Although fondly when you read to us, especially Headmaster of Gib Gate (a Frensham School) most of the performers in the opera were Midnight’s Tale and Watership Down. at Mittagong. Junior School students, Doug was delighted I have memories of when you taught us to be given the role of Old Father Time, one gravity and about depth and perception. At the start of his MLC School career, Doug of the few adult roles in the performance. taught Year 4 with Diana Drummond, at the Once you told us we could keep a 10 time a graduate teacher, who went on to Another aspect of school life which Doug says dollar note if we could catch it between become the Head of MLC Junior School. Doug has been especially gratifying is the role he our fingers, all the while knowing that our was the first male teacher in almost 20 years has had with Student Leadership in the Junior reflexes would never be able to achieve to join the Junior School staff and he says School. Doug says that for the last 20 years this. And thus the science lesson began. ‘employing a male teacher in the Junior School it has been his great pleasure to meet with I could go on and on, but to my point: at that time had an element of innovation the School and House Captains at weekly You must have taught hundreds of to it’. Leadership Lunches. He says that although students by now, and I’ve had a dozen or every group has had different personalities more teachers since I was in Year 4 … but Two years after Doug joined the Junior School, and different collective skills, a significant I think there are always those teachers the then Headmistress of Kent House (as the constant has been the girls’ desire to serve who really stay in your memory. MLC Junior School was known from 1949 to and to make the School a better place for all 2008) retired. This prompted a restructure, of the girls. When you’re nine or ten years of age, and Doug was made the Head of Department you never really realise the gift of a good Kindergarten to Year 5; essentially a Deputy Doug imagines that many people might wonder teacher. At the age of 31 I can now Head role. how somebody could remain working at the say, you are one of the teachers to same school for 24 years without becoming be remembered. In 2015, when Doug was asked whether he stale or bored. He says that it has only been would like to no longer have responsibility possible because MLC School is different. After all these years, I wanted to contact for teaching a class, he demurred as ‘I had you to say thank you. Thank you for the always been reluctant to cut back on my ‘With inspirational leaders, both within the great memories and lessons – both formal, teaching load, because the relationship a Senior and Junior School, for whom life-long and as I look back now, the life lessons teacher has with his or her class is a special learning is a way of life, change and innovation that you passed on to us. one, in fact it is the aspect of teaching which became part of the fabric of life at the Junior motivates teachers above everything; it’s School. Each year had its new learning Thanks for everything, Mr Finlay! what makes me get up every morning and challenges, new personal and school goals Dee (Dionne Wong, 2005) look forward to the day ahead.’ and, of course a new group of girls to work with. The girls are the spiritual and intellectual One aspect of working at MLC School which life blood of the school. Simply put, they are has always been an absolute joy for Doug has what makes MLC School the best learning been the quality of music in the School and environment in the world’. the dedication of the amazing people who We can only echo Dee’s thoughts“ on have run the Music Department. Old Girl Dionne Wong (2005) sent Doug a behalf of the hundreds of girls and touching tribute. It was a wonderful surprise parents that Doug has nurtured during Doug was involved in two major musical ‘retirement present’ for a great teacher. his days at MLC School. events put on by MLC School, the first being Noye’s one-act opera Fludde – a medieval miracle play set to music by the renowned British composer Benjamin Britten. Doug played Noah in the opera, with every girl in the Junior School dressed as an animal taking refuge in Noah’s ark.

Another memorable musical event for Doug was the staging of Kiravanu, an opera for children written by James Humberstone (MLC School’s Composer-in-Residence in the

17 Reunions

Old Girls in Hong Kong and living in Hong Kong and Singapore. Despite Singapore their different ages and professions, as is the hallmark of our graduates, they were all In May, Principal Lisa Moloney travelled to strong, independent women who are making Hong Kong and Singapore, and caught up their mark on the world in their own way,’ with Old Girls in each city. said Ms Moloney after her trip.

‘One of the things that regularly strikes me The events were also a chance for enrolled about both our Old Girls and our current and prospective families to interact with girls is their strong sense of self and MLC School Old Girls and meet Ms Moloney. commitment to their own learning and intellectual growth (whether that be while Ms Moloney will travel to Shanghai, at School or beyond). Singapore and Hong Kong in the first week of March 2020 and there will be events for Recently, I had the opportunity to meet a Old Girls and prospective parents in each city. number of our Old Girls who are currently Overseas

18 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE 1969 How time flies Although much has changed, a tour of the School still brought back memories. The The MLC School cohort of 1969 has Tower is still there, the Boarding House always been a tight knit community with dining room is now the Chapel – the generational links with the School. Some Boarders still remember the chairs! The friendship groups in this cohort celebrate 1969 Old Girls were pleased to see that annually and others join them from all over the School is still at the forefront of girls’ Australia for the milestone decade reunions at education when they visited the new Senior MLC School. Those who were in attendance Centre and the Junior School. for their 50-year reunion at MLC School were delighted to see old faces and catch up with friends they have not seen for some time.

19 1979

Members of the Class of 1979 gathered for their 40-year reunion in the Sutherland Rooms in July. It was a lovely event where memories were shared from both previous reunions and life at School in 1979. The photo display put together by the School Archivist, Barbara Hoffman, sparked many memories of friends, good times and secret visits to the Tower. The 1979 Old Girls commented during their tour of the School, that it was impressive how the new developments showcased the wonderful exciting educational and sporting opportunities available to this and the next generation of MLC School students.

20 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE Thirty years has passed since the Class of Whilst we were amazed at the physical 1989 walked out the MLC School gates transformation of the School with its ready to take on the world and to embrace new Senior Centre and other world- life and all it has to offer. class facilities, it was reassuring that the character of the courageous, For the 62 of us who returned to the school compassionate and sassy ‘MLC School girl’ for our reunion on 17 August, it was an has endured through the years. awesome afternoon of bonding and sharing, and included messages from another 12 Here’s to the amazing bond of our year girls who couldn’t be with us in person but group, and the true gift of life-long shared their stories via a video presentation. MLC School friendships.

We laughed, and even had some tears Let’s not leave it another ten years to catch together, recounting our proudest moments up again! and our most heart-breaking challenges. We acknowledged that life gets real in KYLIE BRYDEN-SMITH our late 40s as we deal with marriages, (SMITH, 1989) teenage children, career highs and lows, our own mortality and that of our families.

1989 21 1999

A large and enthusiastic group of Old Girls returned to School to celebrate their 20-year reunion. The room was a buzz with happy faces who enjoyed the chance to catch up with one another and reminisce about days gone by at MLC School. 2014 22 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE It may be only 10 years since the Class of 2009 left MLC School, but these Old Girls were excited to see the changes made during that time. We overheard quite a few comments and memories about old classrooms, teachers and locker areas, which have now been replaced by the wonderful new Senior Centre.

The Old Girls gave a rousing rendition of the School Song, from the steps of the new Senior Centre, as their final farewell.

‘Whilst the school buildings had changed in the short time since we have left, the heart and spirit of MLC School still rings throughout the grounds. It was a great afternoon to be able to walk around the School and reminisce about old times.’

Although only five years out of school, the young women from the 2014 cohort commented on how MLC School prepared them to step into the 2009 world, whether it was to work in technology, be a lawyer, care for the environment or be involved with people. The 2014 reunion fell on the same day as the 50-year reunion and the young women from 2014 were inspired by the enthusiasm and friendship of those MLC School Old Girls who have remained close after 50 years.

23 Networking Doing things differently

The Old Girls’ networking breakfast at the of Influence list. She also won a Corporate Other themes that emerged were the Royal Automobile Club of Australia on Vision Business Innovator Award in 2018 for realisation that perfect doesn’t matter, that Wednesday 28 August looked at ways to do her initiatives such as establishing Lawyers it is more important to know your strengths things differently. with Solutions – a multi-disciplinary firm, and play to them, and the importance and active community work especially in of giving back and understanding the The 45 Old Girls in attendance graduated the area of domestic and family violence. responsibility that we have to do so. between 1981 and 2013. They represented a very diverse range of careers and Megan Lavender is a transformational Less positively, we heard about the lack of expertise, each one in her own way making leader of organisations and an experienced diversity on corporate Boards, the tendency her mark. We had representation across a public company director and government of women to undersell themselves, and the wide range of fields including the Finance board member. She is also peer recognised lack of flexibility available to parents and sector, Medicine, Marketing, Law, small as one of the Asia Pacific’s best third sector carers who wish to balance work, family business owners and Entertainment. Many CEOs – having held senior executive roles in and life. While there has been progress, it were parents of current MLC School girls. the corporate, government and third sectors. is slow.

After introducing the event, Head of Presently Megan serves as a federal Questions from the audience were Marketing and Community Relations, government appointed board member of insightful, and evoked nods around the Michele Dunn, led panelists Megan the Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service room. Discussions and questions continued Lavender (1988), Pallavi Sinha (1993) and and a state government appointed board well into the morning with many Old Girls Lija Wilson (Sutherland, 1993) through a member of the NSW Ministry of Health renewing old connections and building new series of questions which explored how Centre for Health Record Linkage and has networks. In addition, a number of Old each had ‘done things differently’ and the been commissioned by the NSW Minister Girls offered to mentor current students challenges and lessons they encountered for Lands as deputy chairman of the and to make themselves available to speak along the way. 107-year-old Gosford Showground Crown at assemblies and other School events. Lands Trust. The three panelists revealed how they have The next MLC School Networking Breakfast worked towards continued change in the Their stories resonated with everyone in the will be held on 12 August 2020 – we hope workplace in diverse fields. audience. Lija reminded us that there is still you will join us. a 14 per cent disparity in salaries earned Lija Wilson was named as a 2019 Flexible by women and men, which is equivalent Work Day Ambassador in recognition of the to each woman working for free for 59 work she has done to support women and days each year. Each of them emphasised men in senior positions to create flexible how important networking is to effect career options through an organisation she organisational change. They also pointed established called Puffling. out that workplace change can only be successful if it is seen as important for both Pallavi Sinha is a lawyer, academic and men and women. notary public and was selected in the prestigious AFR & Westpac 100 Women

24 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE 25 WELCOMING BACK SapphiresOUR BELOVED

On Tuesday 15 October Potts Hall was full of excitement and came from interstate and we were thrilled laughter as our Sapphires, our Old Girls to welcome back two Old Girls who had 2019 we welcomed over who left MLC School more than 50 years travelled from abroad to be at the Luncheon. 120 of our Old Girls, and ago, renewed acquaintances and shared We spoke with them about their lives after one Old Boy, to the annual memories. The strength of the connections MLC School. between our Old Girls and their continuing Sapphires’ Luncheon. love for their School was inspiring to all the Elizabeth Craft (Fullerton, 1961), MLC School students and staff who were our 1961 School Captain, now lives in present that day. Greensboro in the USA. Attending this year’s Sapphires’ Luncheon became a priority for Guests included 13 Old Girls who left Elizabeth when she experienced a sudden between 1938 and 1948, including Nola and dramatic change in her life. ‘I had surgery Hewitt (Freeson, 1938) who turned 99 the for endometrial cancer last December and week following the Luncheon. Five guests had set a goal of the Sapphires’ Luncheon for

The strong connection to our School In 2018 we welcomed our first fifth generation Generational that passes from generation to girl directly through the matriarchal line. She joins a multitude of MLC School families who generation is a cornerstone of have generations of women following in the High Tea MLC School’s history. footsteps of their forebearers.

26 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE my return trip to Australia. The Luncheon was a delightful occasion and my friends and I all ‘I have so many fond memories of my years agreed everything was first-class. I hope that at the school and I am truly grateful for the next year we can do it again.’ values that were instilled in us.’ An ASF Scholarship at the end of Elizabeth’s first year at university in Sydney changed the memories of my years at the School and when Dr Whitley was still Headmistress, for course of her life. During her year away in I am truly grateful for the values that were Assembly and a cup of coffee when I was out Rutherford, North Carolina she met Bill Craft. instilled in us that have helped me to remain here visiting my parents about ten years after After Elizabeth’s return to Australia they grounded for my entire life. I do hope I will leaving the School.’ corresponded, and not long after Bill came be able to return again next year.’ to visit. After he was granted a visa allowing Sue was grateful to be able to return and him to stay, Bill completed a Master’s degree Sue Williams (Harrison, 1962) left reconnect with nine friends from her Class of in Applied Mathematics at the University of Sydney the day after Speech Night at Sydney 1962, saying ‘it was an excellent opportunity Sydney. They married in 1965 and returned to Town Hall in December 1962 and has lived to revisit the establishment where I spent the USA in December 1966. in the United Kingdom ever since. By happy 12 years of my life.’ chance, an already-planned trip to Australian Bill and their granddaughter, Maria, coincided with the 2019 Sapphires’ Luncheon. The inaugural Old Girls Chapel Service that accompanied Elizabeth on her trip this year. Since leaving MLC School, Sue had only preceded the Sapphires’ Luncheon was very ‘It was a joy to return to MLC School for the visited once before and that was 47 years warmly received and will remain a feature Sapphires Luncheon. I have so many fond ago. Of that visit she said ‘I popped in briefly, of the day.

We invite all the mothers, grandmothers, great ‘These Old Girls helped to create a place of beauty, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, etc, of current students truth and kindness where our current girls thrive.’ to our inaugural Generational High Tea. The afternoon is a chance to connect across generations, share happy The inaugural Generational High Tea will be held at the School at 4pm memories, and discover what’s new at MLC School. on Saturday 21 March 2020.

27 A passion to give back

28 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE A passion to give back Evangelyn Carr (1951) is Under her tenure, Tresillian House pioneered new methods in the care of premature babies, passionate about giving back and created a program to support parents who to the community and is an were struggling with post-natal depression.

example of an MLC School Evangelyn grew up in a world that was shaped Old Girl who has been an by music and was very aware of its importance. During the construction of Tresillian House’s agent of change in her own Kathleen Winning Unit in 1975, Evangelyn life and in the lives of others. made sure that each nursery had an inbuilt sound system. She knew that music would both soothe the newborn babies and assist in Evangelyn’s can-do attitude has been a driving their cognitive and sensory development. force in all aspects of her life and one that led to a distinguished career in nursing. She credits Several years ago, while reflecting on her time her parents for instilling this drive within her. at MLC School and the impact it has had on A gift of her life, Evangelyn decided to leave a gift to Her father, George Carr, was a master builder the MLC School in her Will. who could draw plans freehand and who kept celebration his building license active his entire life. He ‘I will always be grateful to my parents for and connection to MLC School went into ministry later in life, and he and making it possible for me to attend MLC Evangelyn’s mother, Zen, created a wonderfully School,’ says Evangelyn. ‘I chose to give to the active and culturally rich community in the education of music because music plays such Riverina region in south western NSW. an important and underestimated role in living Though your time as a student a healthy life from infancy to old age. Once they decided that the nature and quality at MLC School may be over, your connection to the School endures. of the education at MLC School would be a ‘I feel that children should listen to music You will always be a part of the good fit for their daughters, they moved to from day one. I directed the gift in my Will community of MLC School as one of Sydney and sent both Evangelyn and her sister, toward music at MLC School to create more our cherished Old Girls. Carol Miller (Carr, 1952), to the School. opportunities for it to be enjoyed and available to as many people as possible. MLC School fostered Evangelyn’s love of music A paver in your name is a permanent recognition of your and art; passions that shaped her life. The two ‘I now realise how fortunate I was to have had schooldays and your family’s hundred framed miniatures in Miss Deer’s art the vast number of experiences I have lived in involvement with MLC School. room introduced her to the work of the great my life.’ masters that she was later able to admire in This can also be an opportunity to art galleries around the world; and her violin In making her bequest known to the School, celebrate your family’s generational teacher, Miss Simpson, built on her love of Evangelyn became one of the first members links at MLC School. Pavers bearing music that was inspired by her parents. To this of the Ellen Schofield Society when it was the names of grandmothers, day Evangelyn is responsible for all the flower launched in 2014. This Society is a means mothers, granddaughters, etc, are arrangements at St Stephens Uniting Church by which the School can recognise and all placed together as a permanent and she credits Miss Deer for instilling in her thank generous members of our community tribute to your family. a great sense of colour and design. who have left a gift in their Will during their lifetime. It is also an important way for the To purchase a paver and leave your After school, Evangelyn had a long and School to stay connected with bequestors so mark in the School’s foundation, visit exceptional career in nursing and hospital that their wishes are fully honoured. payments.mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au management; most impressively as the Director of Nursing at Tresillian House for 21 years. A gift in a Will has lasting impact and ensures Her work at Tresillian was featured in the that future generations of young women Wentworth Courier, a local Sydney newspaper, will be able to enjoy the benefits of an in March 2016. In the article, Evangelyn refers to MLC School education. Gifts of any size leave For more information, contact the days when she cared for a number of babies an enduring legacy. MLC School Development Manager, at the same time as ‘absolutely delightful’. Heleen Fourie on 02 8741 3129

If you would like to discuss your intention to leave a gift in your Will, please contact Heleen Fourie on 02 8741 3129 or [email protected]

29 An agent of change

Subeta Vimalarajah GetUp! calling for the removal of the GST on (2011) commenced at sanitary products. As part of her campaign MLC School in Year 7 she directly lobbied federal, state and in 2006. During her territory Ministers, organised protests across time at school, Subeta Australia and gathered 105,000 signatures developed a passion for via an online petition. Subeta’s campaign both feminist issues and was widely covered in the media; she gave helping others. Her views interviews to international newspapers and were formed by her contact with Old Girls was interviewed on national television and who were her debating coaches, as well as radio. (The GST on sanitary products was by her teachers and by her involvement with eventually removed on 1 January 2019.) Later Collective Voice (a lunch time club focuses in 2015, she co-founded a not-for-profit that on feminist issues). trains volunteers to deliver gender equality workshops in high schools across NSW. Subeta left MLC School in 2011 and commenced a Bachelor of Arts/Laws at the Subeta’s journey, however, may have been University of Sydney. Elected to the University very different. of Sydney Students’ Representative Council, Subeta held the position of Women’s Officer. In Year 9 her family considered moving She also wrote for and edited the University’s Subeta to another school to significantly student newspaper Honi Soit, as well as a lighten their financial load. Principal, Mrs number of other campus publications and Barbara Stone, saw great potential in Subeta student journals. During her final years and offered her family financial support by at university, she worked at a number of means of a bursary. Not only did Subeta community legal centres including the benefit from her final years at MLC School Refugee Advice and Casework Service, and there’s no doubt that the School benefitted the Central Land Council at Alice Springs. from her involvement, both as a student and During this time, for six years, she maintained as an Old Girl. her connection with MLC School as a ‘I will always be grateful that I was given debating coach. the opportunity to be an MLC School girl. According to Andrea Rowe, MLC School’s MLC School exposed me to many mentors Debating Coordinator, ‘Subeta was and to values I still hold.’ passionate about debating and arguing about Subeta now works in Canberra as a issues, particularly to do with the role of constitutional lawyer at the Australian government and human rights in society. Government Solicitor (which is part of ‘She inspired the students in her Debating the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s teams to display the same commitment to Department). excellence, and under her coaching, several If you are interested in a conversation MLC School teams won championships.’ around how you might support other young Subeta’s interest in others and the issues women like Subeta enrol or remain at that affect them made her a natural MLC School through the Bursary Program, spokesperson for the Pink Tax Movement please contact Heleen Fourie in 2015. Subeta launched a campaign with on 02 8741 3129 or [email protected]

30 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE

‘There was an art teacher who opportunities to girls who would not otherwise kept 200 artwork miniatures in have the opportunity to attend the School. her classroom that changed the The Old Girls Union has stepped up and “way I looked at life.’ offered to support the Initiative. The OGU has provided a significant sum to enable us ‘They could feed me a vegemite to start the Bursary Initiative. These funds sandwich and I will come back will make it possible to develop and grow this of MLCof School to sing the School Song.’ program and also allow us to start supporting current MLC School girls. ‘What an amazing group of Your love for the School and the role our Old women. Here’s to the true gift of Girls play in shaping our local and global life-long MLC School friendships.’ communities, are the roots of philanthropy at MLC School. Donations from the Old Girls ‘He truly was an inspiring Union and individual Old Girls are vital and wonderful and irreplaceable make a real and lasting impact. teacher.’ Late last year, an Old Girl contacted the School and explained that she wanted to These quotes are from Old Girls reflecting support Indigenous students. As a result on their relationship with the School and of her generosity the School has been able what they took with them into the world. to reinvigorate our Indigenous Scholarship “ program. In partnership with the Inner These memories of growing as a person and belonging to something special sets the School, West Indigenous Council, a handful of local and the women who have attended it, apart. Indigenous girls will now be joining our community next year. This Old Girl’s gift has Supporting As an Old Girl you are part of the MLC School been truly life changing. spirit that has, from the time of its foundation, challenged the community’s assumptions The size of a donation does not matter, about women and their capabilities. recognising and contributing to the School at a level that is manageable sends a powerful

the legacy Inclusion and diversity have always been measure of support.

fundamental MLC School values. The burning philanthropic question for our community Equally, one should never underestimate the now is how to offer as many girls as possible value of small, regular donations. A number the opportunity to benefit from an of Old Girls contribute to the School on a MLC School education? monthly basis and have done so for many years. Their regular donations have now In the words of Principal, Lisa Moloney, ‘We grown into substantial contributions. have to consider our social responsibility and how, as a Uniting Church school we are rising Gifts in a Will have changed the landscape to the challenge of being diverse, inclusive of our campus over the years. In 2009, the and just.’ School was surprised and delighted to discover that Old Girl Dr Daphne Line (1943), MLC School has always supported girls sister of Shirley Dixon (Line, 1945), had whose futures at the School were tenuous made a substantial bequest to the School in due to unforeseen family circumstances such her Will. This generous donation covered a as illness, death and redundancy. For instance, substantial portion of the cost of building the in the early 2000s, 26 girls were able to new Junior School. Daphne Line’s bequest complete their studies at the School as a to MLC School was in recognition of the result of a half or full bursary. This practice education she received here; the education continues to this day. that led her on a journey of remarkable service and academic excellence. Helping girls like Subeta is the motivation behind the MLC School Bursary Initiative. It is only through the ongoing support of our This Initiative will benefit current girls at Old Girls and our community that we will be MLC School who suffer from unexpected able to fulfil our philanthropic mission: to offer hardships, as well as the daughters and as many girls as possible the opportunity of an relatives of Old Girls. It will also enable the MLC School education, and to remain on the School community to reach out and provide cutting-edge of girls’ education.

31 2019 CURRENT STUDENTS WITH OLD GIRL MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHERS STUDENT YEAR MOTHER GRANDMOTHER GREAT-GRANDMOTHER OTHER Amelia Ko Pre-K Sovan Ko (Tran, 1996) Amelia Lee Pre-K Shirley Liu (2005) Avni Narang Pre-K Baneesha Narang (Chugh, 1999) Henrietta Britton Pre-K Jane Britton (Greville, 1998) Peita Nikolakopoulos Pre-K Stephanie Kazacos (2004) Vaani Narang Pre-K Baneesha Narang (Chugh, 1999) Estella Tran K Catherine Vu (1998) Eve Hutchison K Danielle Hutchison (Oag, 2002) Georgia Sioutas K Golfo Sioutas (Belogiannis, 1995) Hannah Girgis K Christina Girgis (Salib, 2001) Kyrani Countouris K Sandra Countouris (Loupis, 1997) Olivia Smith K Emma Munro (1991) Susan Munro (Burgess, 1965) Aunt Peta Bianchi-Howden K Jocelyn Howden (Anderson, 1967) Poppy Frederick* K Sarah Prince (1996) Heather Prince (Walker, 1965) Heather Walker (Scott, 1928) Great-Great-Grandmother, Aunt, Great Aunts Vera Papaluca K Virginia Papaluca (Sim, 2000) Victoria Cassar K Marie Cassar (Kazacos, 2002) Alicia Suen 1 Valerie Cheung (1995) Evelyn Tran 1 Catherine Vu (1998) Fedra Nikolakopoulos 1 Stephanie Kazacos (2004) Halimah Bokhari 1 Sakinah Ahmad (1998) Aunts Zoe Fotoulis 1 Amber Fotoulis (Pardy, 1997) Aunt Amara Sivagurunathan 2 Vicki Sivagurunathan (Sathasivam, 1993) Anastasia Countouris 2 Sandra Countouris (Loupis, 1997) Eloise Wong 2 Polly Chan (1990) Emilia Sarayar 2 Natalie Sarayar (Yong, 1995) Imogen Bush 2 Marion Bush (Jones, 1994) Lucia Cicinelli 2 Mellissa Cicinelli (Manikas, 1989) Olivia Burke 2 Jodie Burke (Moate, 1994) Jane Noake (1974) Sophie Hong 2 Angela Hong (Au, 1999) Anakha Nalliah 3 Christina Nallaiah (1994) Ethelia Cassar 3 Marie Cassar (Kazacos, 2002) Jade Scott-Rogers 3 Lara Scott (1992) Jasmin Srisathkurunathan 3 Manjula Srisathkurunathan (Kumar, 1998) Joanna Williams 3 Nicole Williams (Papamanuel, 1998) Aunts Madeleine Girgis 3 Christina Girgis (Salib, 2001) Milla Papaluca 3 Virginia Papaluca (Sim, 2000) Pip McGuire 3 Dee McGuire (Seeto, 1992) Amritha Ravichandra 4 Abirami Ravichandra (Senthilkumaran, 1996) Chloe Miller 4 Tamara Carlin (1985) Eleanor McKeough 4 Zoe McKeough (Barker-Whittle, 1994) Imogen Wong 4 Polly Chan (1990) Kyra Narang 4 Baneesha Narang (Chugh, 1999) Rose Lin 4 Lillian Tsai (1995) Anisha Sivagurunathan 5 Vicki Sivagurunathan (Sathasivam, 1993) Ashley Denton 5 Pamela Quane (1992) Janice Anne Quane Reta Harper Aunt, Great Aunts (Harper, 1961) (Anderson, 1932) Ava Roins 5 Helene Roins (Dracos, 1997) Aunts Chloe Kypreos 5 Mariel Kypreos (Pinfold, 1997) Aunts Evelyn Kerr 5 Helen Phyllis Kerr-Roubicek Gwenyth Hazelton (Balcomb, Great Aunts (Hazelton, 1965) 1940) Gauri Nathan 5 Ranita Nathan (Sungaran, 1991) Abigail Bush 6 Marion Bush (Jones, 1994) Amaya Karunakaran 6 Nirosha Karunakaran (Ganeswaran, 1996) Evie Papamanuel 6 Francene Papamanuel (Dracos, 1995) Aunts Amelia Glastonbury 7 Beverley Glastonbury (Hammett, Great Aunts 1956) Amelia Norton 7 Amanda Rowe (Clayton, 1993) Chloe Arnold 7 Nirusha Arnold (Olegasegarem, 1990) Crystal Balleine 7 Lois Balleine (Walker, 1951) Aunt, Cousin Isabel Baudille 7 Carolina Baudille (Moll, 1993) Isabelle Lin 7 Lillian Tsai (1995) Keira O’Connor 7 Pennie O’Connor (Ypsilantis, 1985) Matilda Banfield 7 Shannen Banfield (Lubrano, 1991) Megan Ebel 7 Rebecca Ebel (Salter, 1994)

32 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE 2019 CURRENT STUDENTS STUDENT YEAR MOTHER GRANDMOTHER GREAT-GRANDMOTHER OTHER Riley Chantler 7 Michelle Chantler (Tan, 1993) WITH OLD GIRL MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHERS Samantha Brady 7 Joanne Brady (Foster, 1989) STUDENT YEAR MOTHER GRANDMOTHER GREAT-GRANDMOTHER OTHER Tiana Roins 7 Helene Roins (Dracos, 1997) Aunts Amelia Ko Pre-K Sovan Ko (Tran, 1996) Vishaalini Ravichandra 7 Abirami Ravichandra (Senthilkumaran, 1996) Amelia Lee Pre-K Shirley Liu (2005) Zara Constance 7 Ainslie Constance (Thomas, 1991) Aunt Avni Narang Pre-K Baneesha Narang (Chugh, 1999) Alexandra Scherf 8 Helen Scherf (McFadzean, 1988) Gwen McFadzean (Marshman, Aunts, Great Aunts, Great- Henrietta Britton Pre-K Jane Britton (Greville, 1998) 1928) Great-Aunt, Grandmother was MLC Junior School teacher Peita Nikolakopoulos Pre-K Stephanie Kazacos (2004) Athena Nikolakopoulos 8 Joanne Nikolakopoulos (Ronis, 1994) Vaani Narang Pre-K Baneesha Narang (Chugh, 1999) Chantelle Wan 8 Claire Lam (1992) Aunts Estella Tran K Catherine Vu (1998) Claire van der Stel 8 Nicole van der Stel (Tebbet, 1993) Eve Hutchison K Danielle Hutchison (Oag, 2002) Grace Scanlon 8 Joanne Scanlon (Dent, 1988) Aunt Georgia Sioutas K Golfo Sioutas (Belogiannis, 1995) Isabel McKeough 8 Zoe McKeough (Barker-Whittle, 1994) Hannah Girgis K Christina Girgis (Salib, 2001) Indigo Devlin 8 Helen Devlin (Blunden, 1963) Gwynthelyn Blunden Kyrani Countouris K Sandra Countouris (Loupis, 1997) (Richardson, 1932) Olivia Smith K Emma Munro (1991) Susan Munro (Burgess, 1965) Aunt Layla Hamdan 8 Sarah Hamdan (Chehab, 1993) Peta Bianchi-Howden K Jocelyn Howden (Anderson, 1967) Lucinda King 8 Kristi Jones (1984) Rhoda King (Davis, 1954) Aunt, Great Aunts Poppy Frederick* K Sarah Prince (1996) Heather Prince (Walker, 1965) Heather Walker (Scott, 1928) Great-Great-Grandmother, Romy Dobbie 8 Yvette Dobbie (Clarkson, 1982) Aunt, Great Aunts Seetha Nathan 8 Ranita Nathan (Sungaran, 1991) Vera Papaluca K Virginia Papaluca (Sim, 2000) Yianna Mitropoulos 8 Alexandra Mitropoulos (Tzavellas, 1988) Aunt Victoria Cassar K Marie Cassar (Kazacos, 2002) Zara Kilborn 8 Kimberley Pressick-Kilborn (Pressick, 1990) Alicia Suen 1 Valerie Cheung (1995) Anna Gough 9 Kylie Smith (1987) Evelyn Tran 1 Catherine Vu (1998) Annabelle Banfield 9 Shannen Banfield (Lubrano, 1991) Fedra Nikolakopoulos 1 Stephanie Kazacos (2004) Hannah Bathgate 9 Beatrice Bathgate (Black, 1951) Great Aunt Halimah Bokhari 1 Sakinah Ahmad (1998) Aunts Julia Gough 9 Kylie Smith (1987) Zoe Fotoulis 1 Amber Fotoulis (Pardy, 1997) Aunt Juliette Beattie 9 Kylie Beattie (Smith, 1989) Aunt Amara Sivagurunathan 2 Vicki Sivagurunathan (Sathasivam, 1993) Laryssa Latt 9 Sophie Chan (1989) Anastasia Countouris 2 Sandra Countouris (Loupis, 1997) Madison Clemens 9 Felicity Clemens (Hill, 1991) Julienne Hill (Cush, 1964) Eloise Wong 2 Polly Chan (1990) Renae Varvaris 9 Dorette Varvaris (Mitrothanasis, 1994) Emilia Sarayar 2 Natalie Sarayar (Yong, 1995) Sophie Thomas 9 Michelle Thomas (Crowhurst, 1990) Imogen Bush 2 Marion Bush (Jones, 1994) Tina Papamanuel 9 Francene Papamanuel (Dracos, 1995) Aunts Lucia Cicinelli 2 Mellissa Cicinelli (Manikas, 1989) Ana Trigg+ 10 Margaret Trigg (Waterhouse, Great-Great-Aunts Olivia Burke 2 Jodie Burke (Moate, 1994) Jane Noake (1974) 1925) Sophie Hong 2 Angela Hong (Au, 1999) Annabelle Bailey 10 Jeanette Bailey (Horley, 1958) Janet Horley (Martin, 1933) Great Aunt Anakha Nalliah 3 Christina Nallaiah (1994) Charlotte Bathgate 10 Beatrice Bathgate (Black, 1951) Great Aunt Ethelia Cassar 3 Marie Cassar (Kazacos, 2002) Claudine Talbot 10 Shelly Talbot (Harrington, 1990) Jade Scott-Rogers 3 Lara Scott (1992) Emma Webb 10 Melissa Webb (Allum, 1986) Barbara Allum (Jay, 1958) Aunt Jasmin Srisathkurunathan 3 Manjula Srisathkurunathan (Kumar, 1998) Freya D’Mello 10 Amanda D’Mello (Navin, 1998) Vikki Navin (Martin, 1973) Marilyn Martin (Dobson, 1950) Joanna Williams 3 Nicole Williams (Papamanuel, 1998) Aunts Holly Herden 10 Jane Herden (Adams, 1991) Aunts Madeleine Girgis 3 Christina Girgis (Salib, 2001) Lily Scanlon 10 Joanne Scanlon (Dent, 1988) Aunt Milla Papaluca 3 Virginia Papaluca (Sim, 2000) Maya Simpson 10 Rani Sachdev (1982) Aunt Pip McGuire 3 Dee McGuire (Seeto, 1992) Miranda Norton 10 Amanda Rowe (Clayton, 1993) Amritha Ravichandra 4 Abirami Ravichandra (Senthilkumaran, 1996) Anastasia Giannakakos 11 Elpida Giannakakos (Vlach, 1982) Chloe Miller 4 Tamara Carlin (1985) Anika Lammers 11 Melissa Lammers (Bush, 1989) Olga Bush (Makaroff, 1969) Eleanor McKeough 4 Zoe McKeough (Barker-Whittle, 1994) Annaliese Konidaris 11 Tina Konidaris (Countouris, 1992) Imogen Wong 4 Polly Chan (1990) Brianna Chapman 11 Patricia Chapman (Binns, 1959) Dorothy Binns (Hume, 1927) Aunt, Great Aunt Kyra Narang 4 Baneesha Narang (Chugh, 1999) Charlie Kairaitis 11 Heather Kairaitis (Knox, 1986) Faye Knox (Turner, 1965) Aunt, Cousins Rose Lin 4 Lillian Tsai (1995) Ellena Hartzenberg 11 Jacqui Hartzenberg (Cameron, 1989) Anisha Sivagurunathan 5 Vicki Sivagurunathan (Sathasivam, 1993) Gabrielle Cadena 11 Rosemary Cadena (Empson, 1982) Pamela Empson (Waters, 1954) Aunts Ashley Denton 5 Pamela Quane (1992) Janice Anne Quane Reta Harper Aunt, Great Aunts Kate Cartwright 11 Sue Cartwright (Packham, 1981) Val Packham (Hedge, 1955) Aunt, Great Aunts, Great- (Harper, 1961) (Anderson, 1932) Great- Aunt, Grandfather was Ava Roins 5 Helene Roins (Dracos, 1997) Aunts Council Chair Chloe Kypreos 5 Mariel Kypreos (Pinfold, 1997) Aunts Mia Novati 11 Sarah Novati (Trollope, 1988) Beryl Trollope (Houston, 1962 Aunt, Great Aunts Evelyn Kerr 5 Helen Phyllis Kerr-Roubicek Gwenyth Hazelton (Balcomb, Great Aunts Olivia Hempel 11 Katherine Hempel (Pittendrigh, 1987) (Hazelton, 1965) 1940) Paris Mitropoulos 11 Alexandra Mitropoulos (Tzavellas, 1988) Aunt Gauri Nathan 5 Ranita Nathan (Sungaran, 1991) Rahni Ong 11 Sughan Ramakrishna (1989) Abigail Bush 6 Marion Bush (Jones, 1994) Danielle Mikhael 12 Ina Mikhael (Torrisi, 1988) Amaya Karunakaran 6 Nirosha Karunakaran (Ganeswaran, 1996) Eleni Kaloterakis 12 Yvonne Kaloterakis (Kostopoulos, 1986) Evie Papamanuel 6 Francene Papamanuel (Dracos, 1995) Aunts Georgia Ventouris 12 Hellan Ventouris (Tzavellas, 1991) Aunt Amelia Glastonbury 7 Beverley Glastonbury (Hammett, Great Aunts Lily Rodgers 12 Rachael Rodgers (Musgrave, 1990) 1956) Madeleine Aitken 12 Karen Aitken (Ludlow, 1982) Amelia Norton 7 Amanda Rowe (Clayton, 1993) Tayla Casey 12 Jodie Kelleher (1980) Chloe Arnold 7 Nirusha Arnold (Olegasegarem, 1990) Zoe Scoufis 12 Natasha Burtenshaw (1989) Crystal Balleine 7 Lois Balleine (Walker, 1951) Aunt, Cousin Isabel Baudille 7 Carolina Baudille (Moll, 1993) Poppy Frederick (Kindergarten) is MLC School’s first fifth generation student through the matriarchal line. Her Great-Great-Grandmother was Sarah Matilda Scott (Evans, 1894) who was Isabelle Lin 7 Lillian Tsai (1995) * known as Tilly. Tilly enrolled into MLC School at the age of 10 in 1886. Keira O’Connor 7 Pennie O’Connor (Ypsilantis, 1985) + Ana Trigg (Year 10) Great-Great-Great-Grandfather was Gustavus John Waterhouse. He is commemorated on the Potts Hall Foundation Stone. His wife, Mary Jane Vickery, is on the Matilda Banfield 7 Shannen Banfield (Lubrano, 1991) Tower Wing Foundation Stone (as Mrs G. J. Waterhouse). They were early benefactors of the School. Mary Jane Vickery's brother, Joseph Vickery, was a benefactor of MLC School from its Megan Ebel 7 Rebecca Ebel (Salter, 1994) foundation. When in 1914 it was seriously proposed to close the School, he led the charge to ensure that it didn’t. All his six daughters attended the School.

33 Ngairetta Brennan AM (Vout, 1946) Susie McKinnon, Ngairetta’s daughter, shared the sad news that her mother, one of the four MLC School Vout sisters, died on 11 June 2019 at the age of 89.

Ngairetta and her sisters Margaret VALE Messenger (Vout, 1949), Judith Willis (Vout, 1952) and Dianne Nicol (Vout, 1953), all Margaret Morgan (Thornton, 1942) Boarded at MLC School and were known for being loving and kind friends who were Margaret’s daughter-in-law, Merilyn has sent devoted to each other. Ngairetta’s capacity us the news that Margaret died peacefully for love and devotion was also deeply felt by last year on 15 May 2018 aged 92. Esma Robinson OAM (Strudwick, 1932) her husband John, their three children, four Esma Hilda Robinson (Strudwick, 1932) died Merilyn said that Margaret looked back on grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. on 23 February 2019, aged 101 years. her days as a Boarder at MLC School with Ngairetta’s eulogy, delivered at her funeral great fondness and would often looked at by her eldest son-in-law, Ross McKinnon Aside from the years she was a Boarder at her photos from that time. MLC School, Esma lived her whole life in AM, stated that they were all gathered ‘to Coonamble, NSW where she married Jack Margaret’s time at MLC School was cut short celebrate the life of a ‘Great Australian’, and raised her three children Carollyn, Ian when Japanese submarines were spotted in who, for her family, was one of the last of and William (Kent). Sydney Harbour during WWII. Her concerned “Australia’s greatest generation”’. parents brought her back to Wallacia so they During the Great Depression Ngairetta’s In 2005, when she was 88 years old, Esma could keep her safe from any potential harm. was recognised for her for years of service to parents were heavily involved with ensuring the community of Coonamble, particularly For many years Margaret was a tireless the wellbeing of their community in Forbes. through service organisations, with a Medal worker for the community. Both she and Their example set the tone for the life of of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s her husband Geoffrey were devoted to bush public service and strong social conscience Birthday Honours List. care and regeneration in the Ku-ring-gai of Ngairetta and her siblings. area. In 2001, they both received awards of Traveling by steam train from Forbes to Thank you to Anne Wise (Furnell, 1965) appreciation for their many years of voluntary MLC School, Ngairetta became a popular who informed us of the sad news. work with the Ku-ring-gai bush care group. Boarder and a great achiever. In her last year Marjorie Gliddon (Adcock, 1941) Merilyn says that ‘Margaret was a devoted at the School she was a Senior Prefect, a House Prefect, Mooramoora House Captain, Marjorie Gliddon (Adcock, 1941), passed wife to Geoffrey, a loving mother to Robert and was the senior swimming champion. away on 19 December 2018 aged 95. and mother-in-law to me, and a beautiful grandmother to Thomas, Alexandra and Ryan. She graduated with high distinction and After leaving MLC School, Marjorie studied She has left us an abundance of wonderful enrolled in a Science degree at the University at the Macquarie Secretarial School. Her memories and she is greatly missed.’ of Sydney. first job out of college was working for the After her marriage in 1950, husband John’s Red Cross during WWII. Once the War had Betty Carroll (Walker, 1944) job with CSR took the family to many places ceased she fulfilled her desire for travel and Betty Carroll (Walker, 1944) passed away across Australia: North Queensland (where set off overseas for two years. on 16 November 2018. Betty was the Susie was born), Brisbane (Jennifer and beloved wife of John and a loving mother to After her travels, Marjorie married Dr Keith Michael were born), Melbourne and Mt Greg and Julie. She was loved and is missed Gliddon and settled in Adelaide where she Osmond, SA. Tragedy struck the family in by her family and many friends. raised her children Keith and Rosemary. June 1997 when Ngairetta’s beloved son and Returning to Sydney with the family, Marjorie youngest child, Michael, was involved in a Marie Geddes (Grellman, 1944) worked for many years as a real estate agent. very serious car accident. Michael died of his Julie Boyle (Larkins, 1950) contacted us to injuries in 1989 aged just 31 years. Ngairetta’s Marjorie leaves behind her two children, let us know that Marie Geddes (Grellman, and John’s resilience during this terrible time eight grandchildren and nine great- 1944) died on 26 February 2019. was an inspiration to their family and friends. grandchildren, all of whom miss her greatly. Marie was a devoted wife and loving Ngairetta’s favourite quote was Antoine de Our condolences to her daughter Rosemary mother, and her many nieces and nephews Saint-Exupéry’s ‘Love does not consist of Speirs (Gliddon, 1971) who contacted us adored her. She is remembered as a gazing at each other, but of looking outwards to let us know the news, and all Marjorie’s beautiful, warm and vibrant person and is in the same direction.’ She was an organiser family. very much missed by all who knew her. and achiever who could always see the ‘big

34 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE picture’. In the 1960s she became involved with the international conservation group ‘Men of the Trees’ and founded the first Australian branch in Queensland. She was the President of the group for 18 years. Her efforts and her inspiration led to the Winsome says that Vivienne was a very reforestation of many areas via the planting proud MLC School Old Girl, and in her final of hundreds of thousands of trees across SE years even with her dementia progressing, Queensland. Ngairetta was recognised for she would happily engage in conversations her efforts in 1995 when she was awarded about her school days and would smile as Australia’s highest civilian honour, the she reminisced. Margaret initially trained as a nurse at the ‘Order of Australia’ (AM) for a lifetime of Children’s Hospital. She worked for two years Each year at Winsome’s Speech Nights, she conservation and community work. in the UK, where she did a course on Spinal recalls that Vivienne would proudly stand Injury nursing. This led to her becoming one with the other Old Girls and heartily sing the Ngairetta is a Maori name that means of the nurses for the Australian team at the School Song, remembering every word. ‘sunshine’ and anyone who knew Ngairetta Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 1964. Some said she was very appropriately named. Her Winsome concluded her tribute to her mother years later she went to Auckland, NZ to do family and friends all remember her as a with ‘Mum loved her children, grandchildren a one year course on cardiothoracic nursing. wonderful person, a gracious and generous and great grandchildren; she lives on through During that year she met her future husband host, who was deeply loved by all who were all of us’. and settled with him in Auckland, living there lucky enough to know her. for over 50 years. Margaret Kealey (Buzacott, 1948) and Elaine Clarke (Hurd, 1946) Joan worked as a dental nurse for some Joan Copeland (Buzacott, 1950) Elaine’s daughter Kate contacted us to let years then met her husband Bill Copeland Helen Britton (Buzacott, 1954) called to share us know that her dear mother had died in with whom she had two children. Bill’s job the very sad news that her sisters Margaret October 2018. took the family to South Africa, where Joan and Joan had died in 2018; Margaret in April was to live for over 30 years. One of her Elaine was a well-respected and much-loved and Joan in September. granddaughters, Emily Rule, won a Round member of the Melbourne Girls Grammar Square Exchange scholarship at her school, Both completed their entire education School’s music department from 1970 to St Stithians College, Johannesburg, and was from Kindergarten through to the Leaving 1989. She delighted in sharing her immense able to attend MLC School for Term 4 Year 10 Certificate at MLC School, as had Helen and knowledge and musical ability as both in 2005, thus reviving the family connection their younger sister Mary McBean (Buzacott, a teacher and accompanist and she will to the School. 1952). Their brother John (who is Helen’s be remembered for the joy of music she twin) also attended MLC School from 1941 to introduced to countless students through Helen says that ‘both Margaret’s and 1943 for his first two years of school. lessons and extracurricular activities. Joan’s lives were marked by their sincere and committed faith, their outstanding Their mother, Jean Elizabeth (Betty) Buzacott organisational abilities, and their years of Lorna Alford (Dean, 1946) (Bingle, 1921), attended MLC School from service to their communities’. Lorna’s son Linton shared the news that his 1913 to 1921. She was the Head Girl, won dear mother passed away peacefully on an exhibition to the University of Sydney, and Constance (Connie) Bartley (Minturn, 18 August 2018 at the age of 90. after completing a BA (Honours) taught at 1948) MLC School from 1925 to 1929. Their aunts, She is missed every day by her two children Betty’s older sister, Edna Bingle (1919), Connie’s daughter-in-law, Zenta Bartley (Rizzo, and eight grandchildren. and younger sisters, Mollie Huntley (Bode, 1985), shared the sad news that Connie had 1929) and Nancy Loveday (Bode, 1932), also died on 5 July 2019 at the age of 85. Vivienne Turner (Ward, 1947) attended MLC School. Connie attended the Sapphires’ Luncheon Winsome Watson (Turner, 1972) wrote to regularly and will be missed by her family and let us know of the passing of her dear Both Margaret and Joan were Senior Prefects; many MLC School friends. mother, Vivienne Turner (Ward, 1947) on Margaret in 1948 and Joan in 1950. They 14 December 2018 at the age of 89. participated actively in the life of the School, Margaret in tennis and hockey and Joan in the Enid Simpson (1950) In 1947, Vivienne completed the Commercial choir and swimming. Both made friendships Enid passed away on 26 November 2018 at School course at MLC School and then went at MLC School which lasted their lifetimes. the age of 84 years. She had two sons and on to work in a solicitor’s office in Sydney. She Margaret in particular attended almost all of many nieces and nephews as well as many married in 1952 and became a doting mum to her year reunions and kept in touch with her great nieces and nephews; all of whom loved her three sons and her daughter Winsome. many MLC School friends. her dearly and miss her greatly.

35 Australia Quest and was crowned Miss Wagga anniversary in August 2018. Margaret adored Wagga. She later married and had two sons. her four grandchildren and travelled regularly to Vancouver to spend time with three of them. For many years Judith lived in Gosford where Her gentle manner belied the cheeky humour she served as President of the Inner Wheel she reserved for those closest to her. She is Club. This was the start of her involvement much missed by her family and many friends. in many community organisations. She later moved to Tamworth and joined Day View Club Diana Shaw (Reynolds, 1954) where she became President in 1996. Judith Diana’s daughter Nicki has sent us a was also involved with the Rotary Club and tribute to her Mum, who passed away was a Meals on Wheels volunteer. on 27 January 2019. During her Boarding years, Judith was an Diana was a student at MLC School from enthusiastic member of the MLC School Kindergarten at the age of 4 in 1941 right Boarders’ Choir. Jo remembers Judith telling through to the completion of her Leaving her once that she loved the ‘P.S.A.s (the Jennifer Matheson (Dare, 1952) Certificate in 1954. Nicki says that her Mum Perfect Saturday/Sunday Afternoons)’ when had extremely fond memories of her ‘old Jennifer’s husband wrote to us from New Mrs Lew (Principal Rev Lew’s wife and founder school’ and always enthusiastically perused Zealand to let us know that his wife, and of the Boarders’ Choir) would organise for Collegiate when it arrived. mother of their four daughters, died in them to sing at many local places. On occasion September 2018. they ‘hopped on the tram and sang at the Just prior to suffering the stroke that Epping Methodist Church’. incapacitated her, Diana returned to Jennifer was a Boarder at MLC School from MLC School and had a wonderful day 1st Form in 1948 and completed her Leaving Jo says that Judith always spoke very fondly reminiscing about old times, the teachers, Certificate in 1952. Her elder sister Patricia of her days at MLC School. and her many school friends whilst taking Dadge (Dare, 1948) was also at Boarder at a tour around the School. the School for her high school years. Margaret Lawrence (Savage, 1953) Diana passed away after suffering a second Jennifer was from a multi-generational Margaret (Marg) passed away peacefully in stroke and is survived by her daughter, her son MLC School family. Her mother, Irene, and Sydney on 22 December 2018 surrounded by and her four grandchildren, all of whom she aunts, Emily, Winnie and Susanne (Suwannee), her family. Margaret’s fond memories of her totally adored. were the Alcorn sister, all of whom boarded at time at MLC School stayed with her until the MLC School in the early 1900s. Their parents very end. Joan Clough (Edmonds, 1955) owned a dairy farm on the far north NSW coast Margaret maintained close contact with her and the girls travelled to Sydney from Byron Joan’s son, Andrew, has written to say that MLC School contemporary and best friend Bay via boat (the ‘Wollingbar’) as there was no his dear Mum passed away on 5 May 2019 Margaret Grey (McLachlan,1953) known as bridge across the Clarence River at Grafton at in Hobart, where had lived since 1970. Margie Mac, who became her first daughter’s the time. godmother. Margaret is survived by her Joan enrolled at MLC School in 1946 into 2nd Just months before her death, Jennifer had Old Girl younger sister, Elizabeth Gamble Grade at Abbeythorpe and completed her written to us about her favourite teacher at (Savage 1970), and daughters, Cathy Palmer Leaving Certificate in 1955. MLC School, Miss Sutherland who taught her (Lawrence, 1979) and Jane Lawrence (1982). After graduating, Joan began her professional Geography. Jennifer says Miss Sutherland Until her health declined, Margaret regularly life working in a variety of legal and ‘took our imaginations on a journey as we attended Sapphires Luncheons with cousin hospitality administration roles where she was studied various cities around the world – it Elaine Hardinge (Cumming, 1953) and always highly regarded. She went on to forge was very interesting and engaging. I got an Margie Mac. a very successful career in hospitality, working ‘A’ in Geography in the Leaving Certificate with many significant hotels well into the which was a tribute to her teaching’. After school, Margaret completed training at early 1990s. the Sydney Teacher’s College and pursued a Judith Ann Thompson (Blamey, 1952) career as an infants and primary school teacher. On her ‘retirement’, Joan became a volunteer Judith’s step daughter-in-law, Jo, has written She loved helping children to learn and, with the Cancer Council. She followed this with the sad news that Judith passed away fortunately for her own family, was creative with a remarkable 20-year role as a research on 6 October 2018. in finding imaginative ways to allow children assistant within the University of Tasmania’s to explore their world and develop their own esteemed Menzies Institute for Medical Judith was a Boarder at MLC School from interests. Margaret could play the piano and Research. 1948, completing her Intermediate Certificate her passion for music, especially classical and in 1950. After school, she returned home opera, was her particular comfort. Joan’s dedication to her work and her family to Wagga Wagga where she completed was matched by her constant association with a secretarial course and worked in local Margaret met her husband Ron in 1952 in MLC School and the strong friendships made businesses and also in her father’s bakery. In the company of Margie Mac. They married six during her school days that she valued so 1954 she was persuaded to enter the Miss years later and celebrated their 60th wedding highly. She was a very proud Old Girl.

36 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE Dr Barbara Dunne (Slater, 1955) Barbara’s son Phil has passed on the sad news that his mother died peacefully and surrounded by family on 15 April 2019.

Barbara attended MLC School on a full scholarship and later went on to study Medicine at the University of Sydney, graduating as one of Australia’s first female anaesthetists.

Phil says she was an amazing lady who had lived an incredible life. She managed to forge an impressive career while always having time for her three children and five grandchildren who all adored her.

Helen Cooper (Rhodes, 1958) Rosemary Maclean (Graham, 1958) Jeanette Loy (Maddox, 1960) has sent the following tribute to her MLC School Old Girl, ex staff member, and life-long and dear friend, Helen Cooper former member of the MLC School Council, (Rhodes, 1958): Jeanette Loy (Maddox, 1960) passed away on 27 January 2019. It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of the untimely death of our At school, Jeanette was a regular prize dear friend Helen Cooper (Rhodes, 1958) winner for both English prose and verse, who drowned as a result of a tragic boating as well as a high-achieving violinist. She accident off the coast of Newcastle on went on to complete a BA and a Teaching 11 July 2019. Certificate. Christine Halloran (Newcombe, 1967) Helen’s death has come as a tremendous In 1975, Jeanette returned to MLC School We have received word that Christine shock to the MLC School Class of 1958 as as the Head of the English Department. peacefully passed away in Murwillumbah she was a much-valued member of our She married in 1977 and following the birth after a short illness on 20 June 2017 group who meet for a luncheon each year of her son in 1980 she resigned to raise aged 67. to remember our years at the School. her children. Julie Markham (1967) Helen joined our class in Abbeythorpe and But the pull of MLC School soon had continued on with us all into the senior Jeanette back and she was elected to the There was an outpouring of grief from years. We were all sad when Helen’s mother MLC School Council in 1981 and served the Class of 1967 when they heard of took Helen to England in the latter years of on Council until 1985 when she decided to the sudden passing of the much-loved high school. return to teaching. Julie Markham at the age of 69 on 9 August 2019. Helen trained as a nurse at University In 1986, Jeanette was again teaching at College Hospital in London, married, and MLC School, this time in English and Drama. After finishing at MLC School, Julie then happily returned to Australia with In 1992 she was appointed the Head completed a BSc and MSc at the University her husband. She was very glad to be back of Religion. of Sydney. She went to forge a much- in the land of sunshine and wide blue admired career in the health sciences, most skies, and she very soon reconnected with Jeanette retired in 2007 after more than recently at the University of Western Sydney her MLC School friends from the Class of three decades of dedication to MLC School. where she was an Adjunct Fellow, Dean’s 1958. She was very pleased to again be She is greatly missed by her two children Unit – School of Science and Health, as well surrounded by her MLC School community. and four grandchildren. as a Lecturer in Medical Science.

Helen is remembered as a gentle and Maureen Drinnan (Bilton, 1962) Julie was described as irreplaceable and loving person, and very much as a good Maureen passed away on 9 September beloved by her family. Her son Ben said all friend. She will be sadly missed by all 2018, aged 73 years. She leaves behind who knew her knew of the deep connection those from our class who will treasure her her dear husband, two children and Julie had to MLC School and to her memory forever. three grandchildren. 1967 classmates.

37 MLC School Alumnae Awards

The MLC School The nomination should clearly and succinctly Alumnae Awards address the criteria for selection. A short Old Girls of MLC School resume of three pages or 1000 words may help to make the world Old Girls may be recognised for their be appended to the nomination to illustrate outstanding efforts over a sustained period in the nominee’s career and achievements; this a better place. Their one or more of the award criteria. is not an essential requirement. No other contributions lead to appendices will be accepted. The MLC School Young progress that benefits The assistance of the nominee may be society as a whole. Alumnae Awards sought in compiling the nomination. This award recognises the achievements of The award winners will be chosen by the Old Girls under the age of 40 years, who can MLC School would like to recognise Principal, Head of Marketing and Community be shown to have made a significant impact and celebrate these women who Relations and President of the OGU, and are in his or her field of endeavour in one or more are prepared to think differently, at their sole discretion. of the award criteria. have courage and conviction and lead with passion, and is proud to You can submit your introduce the MLC School Alumnae The Award Criteria for both nomination in one of the Awards which will be announced at areas are: following ways: the 2020 Back to College Dinner • Cultural contribution and Alumnae Awards on Friday • Complete the online form at • Philanthropic endeavours 15 May. https://www.mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au/ • Social welfare and impact our-community/mlc-school-old-girls/ Please nominate or encourage Old • Innovation and entrepreneurship alumnae-awards Girls you know so they can receive • Professional achievement • Complete the form which has been the accolades they deserve. • Academia inserted into this issue of Collegiate, • Sporting achievements accompanied by the nomination • International achievements submission. • Contributions to MLC School • Scan and email to MLC School Please complete the nomination form Development Manager, Heleen Fourie, included in this edition of the Collegiate, at [email protected] accompanied by the nomination submission, • Or post to: by 24 April 2020. This form is also available Heleen Fourie on the MLC School website at Development Manager (https://www.mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au/our- MLC School community/mlc-school-old-girls/alumnae- Rowley Street, Burwood NSW 2134 awards). Self-nominations are accepted. Every nomination will be acknowledged. The nomination should not be more than two pages or 800 words in length. Brief For any further questions please contact nominations are encouraged. MLC School Development Manager, Heleen Fourie, at [email protected] or on 02 8741 3129.

38 MLC SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ MAGAZINE Stay connected facebook.com/MLCSchool/

twitter.com/ mlc_school?lang=en Dates instagram.com/mlcschoolnsw/ linkedin.com/school/ for 2020 mlc-school-sydney/

Our Old Girls are warmly invited to attend these events. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information and booking links.

OGU Meeting Wednesday 19 February 2020 2pm–5pm Meet the Principal in Singapore Wednesday 4 March 2020 5.30pm–7pm Meet the Principal in Hong Kong Friday 6 March 2020 5.30pm–7pm Generational High Tea Saturday 21 March 2020 4pm–6pm Back to College Dinner and Alumnae Awards Friday 15 May 2020 6.30pm–8.30pm OGU Meeting Wednesday 20 May 2020 6pm Meet the Principal in Melbourne Friday 29 May 2020 5.30pm–7pm Class of 2010 – 10-Year Reunion Saturday 13 June 2020 2pm–5pm Class of 2000 – 20-Year Reunion Saturday 13 June 2020 2pm–5pm Class of 1990 – 30-Year Reunion Saturday 13 June 2020 2pm–5pm Meet the Principal in Brisbane Friday 19 June 2020 5.30pm–7pm OGU Meeting Wednesday 5 August 2020 6pm Hunter Valley Old Girls’ Luncheon Saturday 8 August 2020 Time to be confirmed Old Girls Networking Breakfast Wednesday 12 August 2020 7.30am–8.30am Old Girls’ Union Chocolate Recess Monday 7 September 2020 10.30am Class of 1980 – 40-Year Reunion Saturday 12 September 2020 2pm–5pm Class of 1970 – 50-Year Reunion Saturday 12 September 2020 2pm–5pm 11am Chapel Sapphires’ Chapel Service and Luncheon Tuesday 13 October 2020 12pm–2pm Lunch OGU Meeting Wednesday 28 October 2020 6pm Annual Music Gala Concert Wednesday 18 November 2020 Time to be confirmed Old Girls’ Union Annual General Meeting Wednesday 25 November 2020 6pm

Please direct all enquiries to MLC School Events Coordinator, Jillian Avramis on 02 8741 3180 or email [email protected]

More information will be available in SAVE THE DATE the months leading to the event. BOARDERS A luncheon for our country- Register your interest AND DAY GIRLS based Old Girls will be held in with Heleen Fourie: the Hunter Valley on Saturday Reunion Luncheon [email protected] 8 August. or 02 8741 3129 A UNITING CHURCH DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, PRE-KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 12

Rowley Street, Burwood NSW 2134 Australia PO Box 643 Burwood 1805 Ph +61 2 9747 1266 Fax +61 2 9745 3254 [email protected] ABN 75 549 644 535 | CRICOS No. 02328D The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) (trading as MLC School) mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au