PLC in Print - December 2021

Presbyterian Ladies’ College MELBOURNE

Issue 113 December 2021

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Contents

From the Principal

3

Note from the Editor

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J u n i o r S c h o o l 6

E a r l y L e a r n i n g C e n t r e 9

Senior School 10

Boarding House 16

Staff Farewells 17

Community News 24

ON THE COVER This photo was taken when the Prep girls came back after Lockdown 6.

‘Happy to be back at PLC playing and learning with friends after lockdown.’

www.plc.vic.edu.au

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From the Principal ‘Connections’. What a timely theme for the last PLC in Print of 2021!

Alongside the much overused ‘pivot’, we are constantly hearing the word ‘connect’ during this pandemic, when so many of our everyday interactions have been suddenly reduced or stopped entirely.

Meaningful connection in this time of lockdown and isolation has never been more vital. Previously, we thought of the importance of making connections often in a networking, self-serving sense. The urgent calls we now hear are for all of us to connect as an inclusive community for the benefit of all.

We are urged to reach out to others, not just to be helpful and caring but because it makes us feel good and lifts our spirits. We find it healing to connect with our families, neighbours, friends old and new, acquaintances and colleagues whenever and however we can. Connecting with nature too through neighbourhood walks and bike rides with a friend or family significantly improves our mental and physical health.

We are thankful for the technology that brings us together across the suburbs, cities and nations at a time when many are separated or living alone.

Kindness has bloomed as cooked meals are left on doorsteps, shopping is done for frantically busy parents, free books are left in neighbourhood parks and meal vouchers are sent to those exhausted by the long hours of their frontline jobs.

We at PLC have remained a connected and caring community. Our teachers have brought classes together through enjoyable projects. When staff organised for our resilient Year 12 students to receive surprise cupcakes, it showed the girls how much we were thinking of them. They have continued to reach out to each other over their disrupted year.

Many of our wonderful boarders have not seen their families for a long time but they have built on their already strong bonds to create an even more supportive Boarding House community. Overseas parents have enjoyed hearing Boarding House news in Zoom meetings with staff and other parents.

In September we farewelled Mr and Mrs Manderson who have served the College as Heads of Boarding for the last seven years. We have been grateful for their faithful leadership and devoted care of the girls in the Boarding House over this time.

Parents have found reassurance in discussions with other parents and teachers at information sessions, through year level social media groups and at the weekly online prayer group.

We have also encouraged Old Collegians to enjoy plays, art exhibitions and concerts held at PLC through our popular social media links.

Please enjoy reading about all the ways we are staying connected at PLC. Sending you all our richest blessings for Christmas and for a safe and happy holiday season.

Mrs Cheryl Penberthy Principal

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From the Editor The strength and vitality of our school can be seen each day in the meaningful connections and warm friendships that are fostered during classes, co-curricular activities and events.

Important connections are also made in the spaces of school life – in the hallways between classes, in the sunny grounds during recess or lunch, in the busy halls during a rehearsal setup or pack-up, backstage before a performance, on a bus full of excited students going to an excursion or sporting match or in the buzzing foyer as families stream out of a performance in the PAC. Finding even more effective ways to connect with our students has been at the forefront of our thinking during Lockdown 6, and we have successfully navigated new ways to achieve this important goal.

While our Year 12 girls loved receiving their surprise gift of cupcakes from the College, their shared Zoom experience to celebrate the cupcake delivery was in some ways even more enjoyable for them. We were thrilled The Tempest could be staged and filmed in the gaps between lockdowns, and the ‘meet up’ by the cast on Zoom to watch the final production was a joy for all involved. While we could not hold the usual opening of the popular Annual College Art Exhibition, our ELC children had the opportunity, and plenty of time, to explore the Junior and Senior School works, as they were the only students on campus. In turn, we were privileged to view their ELC virtual Art Exhibition.

Parents have also appreciated the opportunity to connect through online parent forums, and experienced what distance learning is like for students as they navigated random Zoom breakout rooms. Weekly Prayer Groups have continued to provide staff, students and boarders with much-needed opportunities to connect through reflection and prayer. Staff have also regularly met up by Zoom and supported each other with advice and good humour during this challenging time. Our final Year 12 Assembly had to be a Zoom event but it was, in fact, very meaningful as many parents could sit alongside their daughters and share in this special celebration at home.

This PLC in Print highlights the remarkable opportunities our girls have experienced in our second year of being impacted by COVID-19. We also pay tribute to the long-serving staff who have made invaluable contributions and forged strong connections to PLC during their years of service. The bonds created at school are clear when we read about the lives of Old Collegians who have maintained lifelong friendships and are now developing new and creative ways to maintain their links with one another and the wider Old Collegians’ community.

Our whole school community has worked tirelessly to maintain our special PLC culture in these difficult times. However, we continue to be encouraged by the words from Matthew 11:28: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’

As you turn the pages of this last edition of PLC in Print for 2021, may you also be encouraged by the resilience of our girls and the PLC community.

I wish you rest, peace and optimism for whatever 2022 may bring.

Mrs Lisa Saffin Deputy Principal Curriculum, Learning and Administration

Video link

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Early Learning Centre, Junior School & Senior School

Art Exhibitions

PLC was honoured to present the biennial PLC Art Exhibition in Wyselaskie Hall during Term 3 which incorporated numerous artworks from students from Prep to Year 12. The ELC Art Show was also curated and proudly shared with families online toward the end of August. Every ELC child created a number of pieces for this virtual exhibition and all contributed to some whole-class collaborative pieces. These events showcased the artwork from students across the whole school community, and demonstrated the talent and creativity of our students, and the importance of the visual arts in the school curriculum. Painting, drawing, photography, textiles, ceramics and digital design, were displayed together to create a colourful and exciting presentation of the students’ artistic expression.

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Junior School

Creative Ways to Keep Connected

It is clear that connections are vitally important as we continue to live in a world of uncertainty. Research shows that interacting with people significantly helps our wellbeing. We feel better and do better when we are part of a community.

Staff across the Junior School focused on creating opportunities for linking the PLC Junior School community as we once again entered prolonged periods of lockdown during Term 3.

Our annual Parent Literacy Course was held online this year. Over a five-week period Mrs Charmaine Kenner delivered sessions via Zoom with the more than 60 parents who had signed up to develop a greater understanding of how reading and writing is taught at PLC, particularly in the junior primary years. A number of families also engaged in a weekly program, Tuning in to Kids, coordinated by our school counsellor, Mrs Melissa Harvey. This evidence-based program focuses on the emotional connection between parents/carers and children and has proven success in improving parenting skills, parent-child relationships and children’s emotional competence and behaviour. The feedback provided after the program indicated many parents found the information that was addressed was most helpful during the extended periods of lockdown.

We also held Parent Connection Sessions this term to provide all parents in the Junior School a chance to meet with each other online. After hearing from Department Coordinators on the success of remote learning, as well as from our Head of Student Wellbeing, Mrs Prue Petsinis, on tips to cope with lockdown and suggested holiday ideas and activities, parents were able to chat in small groups in breakout rooms to connect with each other and share how they were addressing some of the challenges of the lockdown. It was wonderful to have so many parents join these sessions and engage with the school community, albeit remotely.

Mr Paul Smith, our Junior School ICT Coordinator, arranged workshops for staff, parents and students on cyber-safety during the term. This was a most timely theme, given the increase in screen time and online learning. Topics addressed included: social networking trends and safety, managing cyber bullying, help-seeking strategies and resources, parental controls and app privacy settings and establishing and maintaining a safe digital environment in the home.

Students also engaged in a variety of other online activities throughout the term to connect with each other and with their teachers. Specialist lessons went live this term, enabling specialist teachers to interact with the girls and to re-connect. In addition, Mrs Melissa Voce, our Deputy Head of Junior School, arranged a number of activities for students to develop their creative skills through a series of online incursions. African Drumming was most popular with the girls from Prep to Year 6! Our online French Day, organised by Madame Titley, was a great success and an enjoyable way of bringing the girls together. Congratulations to Pippa, our Junior School Captain, and members of the School Representative Council who launched their first podcast, providing opportunities for the students in the Junior School to stay connected with each other. Thanks to Mrs Suzanne Phillips and Ms Nerilee Parkin who supported the SRC girls to bring this creative idea to fruition.

Dr Michelle Cafini Head of Junior School

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The Years 3 and 4 girls reflected on how thinking related to wellbeing:

Wellbeing and Thinking: Take Time to Think How often do we make hasty decisions based on rushed thinking? On reflection we often say to ourselves, ‘If only I had thought of that!’ How we use our thinking can have positive outcomes for our wellbeing.

Thinking is an active process; your mind processes information, making decisions with different parts of your brain all working at the same time. We try to understand social situations, food choices or when to go to bed with our thinking drawn from forces creating a ‘push and pull’ situation. Our decisions can follow our head or our heart (as explored in Ferocious Warmth by Tracey Ezard). When making a decision we can be objective (head) or compassionate (heart). We can be resultsdriven (head) or have emotional reasoning (heart). We can approach a friendship issue with reasoning (head) or with empathy (heart).

Research suggests that if you have a positive outlook there are direct links to improving health outcomes.

Thinking is when you think of ways to help people in hard situations or in school subjects like Maths or if you’re just playing. Thinking can also help you with your wellbeing and being a kinder person. You need to think before you say something. For example: Is it nice? Is it helpful?

Will you regret it? Because words are something you can’t take back. It is also important to remember your actions as well because you can’t take them back either. Think carefully before you act.

Amara, Year 4

• Thinking helps you understand yourself better.

• Thinking is time to…just as a computer would say ‘load’ – it’s not just computers that need to load, humans need to load as well sometimes. It’s just sorting through your thoughts and ideas.

• Thinking is the passage to ideas.

• Thinking is a pair of eyes inside your head processing what comes in.

Victoria and Emily L., Year 3

Ideas Being open to new ideas Be active physically and mentally Working together Encourage others Thinking positively.

Ava and Emily F., Year 3 We create an environment where students experience connectedness, a sense of belonging, engagement and positive, respectful relationships. Research shows a direct correlation between caring for a pet and positive thinking. In Junior School, we are visited by a therapy dog called Louie.

Therapy dogs are trained to provide affection, comfort and support. They must enjoy human company and getting pats and cuddles – a lot! Louie has provided much-needed companionship as well as having a positive effect on the students’ ability to focus, directly improving their learning outcomes. Our students really look forward to the days Louie is at school. Wellbeing is central to learning and life for our students.

Mrs Prue Petsinis Head of Junior School Wellbeing

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Lisa Napier 7 M a r ch 1 9 7 1 – 2 6 July 2021

Lisa Napier, a much-loved and long-standing member of the Junior School Office team and a Senior School parent, passed away in July this year. She had fought her illness with courage, dignity and grace and worked tirelessly to prevent her ill-health impacting on the lives of her family, friends and work colleagues. Our prayers, love and thoughts go out to Lisa’s husband Mike, to her daughters Lily (2020) and Phoebe (Year 11), and to Lisa’s extended family and friends.

For so many members of our community, particularly the staff, students and parents in the Junior School, and Year 11 students and families, her death is a profound loss as Lisa had that rare ability to make everyone feel special and valued. She was everyone’s best friend.

Her husband, Mike, spoke of her ‘loving kindness, full of compassion and generosity, with a joyous playfulness that was underscored with a real sense of calm. She never judged or criticised.’

Those she knew were inspired by her unconditional love and extraordinary ability to really listen. She was a compassionate and caring member of her local neighbourhood.

The support from the school community during her illness meant so much to her and was a reflection of the devotion and indefatigable energy Lisa had given to her work. As a close colleague said, ‘she wrapped everyone up in love.’

Our Principal Cheryl Penberthy, who was her close friend and colleague for ten years at PLC, commented, Lisa called herself, “Detective Napier” as there was not much that happened in the school that she didn’t know about. Lisa knew when grandparents were unwell, if a girl was in the sick bay and any other reasons which might be causing her to be there and was aware of any other pressures outside of work that her colleagues might be facing. She had the most wonderful deep smooth voice and wide smile and she built relationships based on trust.

Lisa was very proud of Lily and Phoebe. She was devoted to their education at PLC and was so happy last year when Lily graduated and this year to see how well Phoebe was progressing in Year 11. She would have been so proud of Phoebe being elected Vice-Captain for 2022.

It was with heavy hearts that we, her PLC family, farewelled Lisa in a beautiful online memorial service where colleagues, parents and musicians expressed their love and respect for her through moving reflections, music, poetry and prayers.

Lisa was an extraordinary woman, a real friend, the best mother and a wonderful life partner. We take consolation in the fact that she is resting now and is at peace. Her beautiful smile lives on in our hearts and cherished memories of her continue to enrich our lives. We are all so blessed and fortunate to have known her.

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Early Learning Centre

Birds of a Feather Early childhood teachers are very aware of, and responsive to, the importance of supporting children’s environmental understandings. One of the many ways of doing this is to help children connect to their natural world – the world they are interacting with on a daily basis. The Early Learning Centre program reflects the children’s world and therefore it is often influenced by events that transpire from children’s experiences and community interests.

An example of this approach was very evident a month or so ago when a resident kookaburra visited the ELC. There were gasps of excitement from the children as they approached the kookaburra as it sat quietly near the entrance doors. The kookaburra returned day after day and prompted a great deal of discussion about the various birds that nested in the trees and shrubs of PLC. At the same time one of the children found a bird’s nest and brought it into the classroom to share with friends. This provoked robust conversation with many interesting questions.

What was the nest made of? How do birds make nests? Are all birds’ nests the same?

Can all birds fly? The children’s responses were insightful: ‘Some birds build their nests up high in the tree so the cats can’t get their eggs.’

‘They make nests using sticks and feathers and leaves and soft stuff!’

‘Some birds build their nests in holes in the trees.’

This initial discussion led to extensive investigations about bird life which included walks around the school campus to observe the different birds and their various habitats.

Numerous bird paintings were created, bird houses were built from sticks and tanbark, and birds were made using playdough and clay.

Concurrently, the older children were encouraged to participate in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, a community engagement program that is undertaken each October by Birdlife Australia. With great enthusiasm the children headed outside to collect data about the types and number of birds that they could spot within a 20-minute period: ‘I counted six noisy miners’; ‘I saw a little sparrow’; ‘I saw two rainbow lorikeets flying really fast!’ These and many other sightings were then recorded on the group tally sheet for all to see.

The ELC is fortunate to be located on a large site surrounded by extensive gardens; the children enjoy spending large periods of time outdoors experiencing nature first hand.

The outdoors at PLC is a wonderful learning space that offers time for investigation, reflection, contemplation and hands-on engagement with the natural world.

Mrs Deborah Hendren Head of Early Learning Centre

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Maths Week

Senior School

The two highlights of Maths Week were the talk by Dr Sam Blake and the modified House Maths Competition. Dr Sam Blake is a young Australian mathematician who very recently decrypted a secret code that had baffled police investigators and other mathematicians for over 50 years. Sam’s talk was fascinating and thoroughly enjoyed by the large audience of students and staff.

Over the five days of Maths Week an average of more than 400 students participated in the daily Maths Quiz, which replaced our usual House Maths Competition. The success of this competition far outstripped all expectations.

Mr John Taylor Head of Mathematics

Gifted and Extension Program

Melbourne High Event

This term, a variety of PLC students have participated in invitational programs such as Tournament of the Minds and the Ethics Olympiad.

Indeed, our recent success in the Ethics Olympiad program culminated in our senior team making it through to the international final.

Four of our students experienced great success in the University of Melbourne’s School of Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition, focusing on the intricacies of ethical fragments. Chloe and Sinasta made the final in the Junior Division. Liah and Yunaa repeated their 2020 feat of winning first prize, sharing the honours with two NSW students.

During the Term 3 remote learning period, PLC collaborated with Melbourne High School to offer our Senior students a remarkable series of public speaking events related to Law, International Studies and Politics. A significant number of our students participated in discussions with eminent academics including Professor Eric Heinze (Queen Mary University of London) and Professor Timothy Lynch (University of Melbourne). PLC extends its thanks to Rajas and Benjamin, the MHS students who organised these events.

Dr David Treeby Program Coordinator for Gifted and Talented Students

Year 11 Formal In the last week of Term 3, Year 11 students came together to celebrate our Formal. Considering our in-person Formal was cancelled, we instead met on Zoom to play games and sing songs – our teachers even dressed up for the occasion! We were also able to split up into breakout rooms to show off our outfits and interact with the friends we had been separated from since July. It was a huge success, thanks to all the hard work of the formal committee and Ms Renney.

Tarini, Faria and Margot Year 11

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Joan Montgomery Award for Public Speaking In Term 2, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Joan Montgomery Award for Public Speaking (JMAPS), a House competition that commemorates the contribution to PLC of Miss Joan Montgomery, Old Collegian and former College Principal (1969–1985).

The final was held in the Doris Daniel Theatre on 23 June before a Year 7 audience. Each of the Houses was represented by a Junior (Years 7–9) and Senior (Years 10–12) competitor. As well as enjoying the speeches, Year 7s were interested to hear about the history of the competition and Miss Montgomery’s influence on our College.

Competitors were challenged to craft a memorable and distinctive speech on a topic of their own choosing, giving the audience a wonderful insight into the political, social and cultural issues concerning them. In this era of #MeToo and #BLM, many of the students chose to speak about how culture and gender intersect and affect the lives of women.

Students examined their topics in an engaging and inspiring way and delivered their speeches with great confidence and flair.

We congratulate the winners of JMAPS 2021: Junior Secondary runner-up, Ishara (Atholl), and winner, Zara (Rosslyn), and Senior Secondary runner-up, Kartiya (Leven) and winner, Emma (Rosslyn).

Thank you to the House Captains who selected the representatives and to members of the English Department who judged the final speeches. Thank you to the Old Collegians’ Association for providing the awards.

Mrs Patricia Shiel Head of English

House Virtual Melbourne Marathon Marvels In Term 3, 248 Senior School students and staff responded enthusiastically to the challenge to run, ride, walk and dance their way around a virtual Melbourne Marathon Course, accumulating a massive 42 kilometres worth of exercise and earning points for their House. Students showed incredible creativity in the ways in which they earned their kilometres and their generosity of spirit was evident in the inspiring messages of encouragement. The House pages were populated with pictures of smiling students exercising solo or with friends, family members or pets. With a total of 226 points, Atholl were worthy winners; congratulations go to all the students and staff who took part. Particular thanks go to Mrs Jen Rivett and Ms Amanda Bryant who masterminded this activity and to the fantastic 2021 House Captains who promoted this competition and led by example, encouraging the girls in their Houses by their own contributions.

Ms Jennifer Thomson House Co-ordinator

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The Tempest

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This year’s production was Shakespeare’s darkest comedy, The Tempest. Our group of over 75 PLC students spent time both in person and online rehearsing for over six months. We had girls involved as actors, dancers, choreographers, co-directors, composers, costume designers, stage managers, lighting operators, sound operators, make-up and hair artists and crew members all working in collaboration and with great resourcefulness and creativity. We were lucky to be able to film a performance to share the work with our community – we hope you enjoy our story of betrayal, revenge, redemption and love on our island of wonders.

Ms Cath Garrett Head of Drama

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Celebrating the Year 12 Class of 2021 The Year 12 students of 2021 are a group who love to celebrate together and they have found many ways to do so as their year has drawn to a close. After enjoying a surprise delivery of cupcakes to their homes, everyone gathered on Zoom for an enjoyable morning tea before the term holiday break.

Once back on site for Term 4, the long-awaited Year 12 hoodies were ready for collection; the students loved the original design created by classmate Naho Takeuchi. The dress-up days in the last week of the term showcased their creativity and imagination, culminating in the students transforming their school uniforms into fashion statements – with the icon Barbie as the theme – for their final Celebration Day. The filmed presentation of Graduation boxes was a formal occasion and the live Zoom family session of what would have been the Leavers’ Assembly gave parents the opportunity to acknowledge and treasure their daughter’s PLC journey in a wonderful photo compilation of highlights over their years. The Year 12 students of 2021 have been resilient, adaptable, innovative and independent learners. We thank them for their contribution to the PLC community and wish them every success.

Mrs Annette Hall Year 12 Co-ordinator

Farewell to Hui-Ling Yeo Hui-Ling Yeo was a student at PLC and after graduating from school, continued on to study dentistry at university.

However, her strong love of music prevailed and she returned to study music before joining the staff as a piano teacher at PLC in 2002.

Teaching across both Junior and Senior campuses, HuiLing will be particularly well known to students and parents in the Junior School as she has played a huge role there, both teaching piano and accompanying students for their many assembly performances, exams and concerts over the years. In addition, she has accompanied a number of choirs in the Junior School for their rehearsals and performances.

We will certainly miss Hui-Ling when she leaves us at the end of the year. Her excellent teaching and accompanying skills and her caring nature meant that many students requested to learn piano from her, and she willingly took on additional tasks within the department with alacrity and grace. A valued colleague, Hui-Ling leaves us with our very best wishes as she embarks on the next chapter of her life

Music Scholars’ Concert In a stroke of good luck, the Music Scholars’ Concert took place on Wednesday 4 August, in between lockdowns!

Although we were unable to have an audience present, the girls relished the opportunity to perform in the PAC Auditorium. For those who would like to enjoy the wonderful performances from our Music Scholars, the concert recording is available in the online edition of PLC in Print.

Mr Richard Squibb Director of Music

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Neno Girls Secondary School Here in Melbourne we have had our lockdowns, press conferences, remote learning and ongoing disruptions for students, staff and our wider school community. It’s been hard, but bear a thought for the staff and students at our sister school in Malawi, whose lives have been turned upside down too. Only more so.

Here is a snapshot of what has been happening at Neno Girls Secondary School over the past year and a half.

In March 2020 the COVID-19 global outbreak escalated and Neno was closed until October, with no remote learning due to a lack of resources, and no income for staff salaries. PLC was able to help with an allowance for staff to assist them with rent and food during this time.

On October 1 2020 the girls were back at school, with all the usual COVID-19 precautions in place: temperature taking; mask wearing; hand sanitising and washing; and surfaces being cleaned.

PLC provided the funds for 50 desks and 20 mattresses to enable the school to try to implement social distancing. It is not unusual at Neno for two to three girls to be crowded around a single desk in a classroom and for some to share a bed.

The school year usually starts in September but as the Form 4 girls (like our year 12s) were catching up on their lessons, the new Form 1 students could not start until January 2021. This was a problem as the Form 4s still hadn’t completed their examinations and there were too many girls to fit into the boarding houses. So, the Form 1 students slept in the multipurpose hall, sharing mattresses.

On January 19, the Principal, Esther, reported that 142 girls and two staff had tested positive for COVID-19. The school was turned into a clinic. Health workers were on site to monitor the situation and care for the sick. The school was closed yet again. PLC students raised money to buy more COVID-19 supplies for Neno.

The school reopened on February 22, and in March 2021 the Form 4 girls finally completed their final examinations (carried over from July 2020), achieving a 99% pass rate. This was an incredible result with all the disruption the students had to their schooling over the past year. We congratulate them on this achievement.

The latest news from Esther is that this year’s Form 4 students are now sitting their final exams. We wish them well. Enrolments have increased to 361. Neno Girls Secondary School is a wellrespected school in Malawi and we are thrilled that more girls will have the opportunity to be educated there.

Our sister school relationship continues to be important even without the annual trips to Malawi; our thoughts and prayers are with the Neno community at this time.

Here are some messages from our friends in Malawi: ‘We are always grateful for the support PLC renders to Neno Girls. May God bless you and PLC. Stay safe!’

Esther Kwambiri, Principal, Neno Girls Secondary School.

‘Thank you so much for the support and please convey our heartfelt thanks to management, staff and students of PLC.’ Moses Kasitomu, Education Secretary for the Blantyre Synod.

Mrs Jenni Williams College Nurse

Connecting Past, Present and Future in the PLC​ ​​Melbourne ​Archive As part of the CAS (creativity, activity, service) element of the IB Diploma Programme, four IB students volunteered in the PLC Melbourne Archive. Along with Archivist, Jane Dyer, the students made a video which is a beautiful demonstration of how they enjoy connecting with our PLC community’s past, present and future. It shows how they are proud of the College’s heritage and how they are proud to contribute to that heritage.

I wish to acknowledge Jane’s hard work and dedication in offering the girls positive, creative and enriching experiences within the Archive. I know the IB girls always find these experiences most enjoyable and rewarding.

Mrs Stéphanie Fourquet-Moylan French Teacher / IB CAS Coordinator

still of the video

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Boarding House The year has flown past and the time has come for us, the Boarding House Captains of 2021, to pass the baton onto the new Boarding House Committee. They are led by the wonderful Katherine and Sabrina and we wish them well for the year ahead.

Being away from home is never easy but the Boarding House continues to do its best to keep girls positive and upbeat. During the holidays, we had many little activities to enjoy: the Frozen-themed September birthday dinner, classes in tie dye, calligraphy and coffee making led by kind staff members and even some Boarding House students, and delicious snacks like mooncake and bubble tea.

Sadly for us girls, Mr and Mrs Manderson have made the decision to part ways from the Boarding House. The immense impact they have had in making the Boarding House such an amazing place is deeply appreciated and we will miss them greatly. On behalf of the whole Boarding House, we thank them so much for their dedication and kindness in their service. We wish them all the best.

Boarding House Committee 2021

Farewell from the Boarders’ Parents’ Association We met Stuart and Rachel Manderson in their first year as Heads of Boarding at PLC. From that time on we developed an effective and warm working relationship which benefited both boarding girls and parents alike.

Their care and commitment to the boarding community was very apparent and their dedication to the Boarders’ Parents’ Association was valued and much appreciated.

On behalf of the Boarders’ Parents’ Association, and all boarders’ parents, we thank them and wish them both success in their future endeavours.

Mr Clinton Dawson President Boarders’ Parents’ Association

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Our deep appreciation goes to all leaving members of staff. The following leaving staff are recognised for their service to PLC of 20 years or more. Many of their current and past colleagues have taken the time to contribute to the following articles. We recognise the lasting contribution these long-serving staff have made to the students and the wider community of PLC.

Farewell to Mrs Julie Bateman From videos to video streaming Over the past 29.5 years, Julie Bateman has enthusiastically welcomed change and ensured that PLC has always been at the forefront of developments in video technologies and platforms. This has ensured the best for generations of PLC students and now, with her impending retirement, we thank her.

Genevieve Lynch Head of Library Services What is the most significant change you have seen at PLC? A new Senior Library has been exciting and interesting, allowing us to expand services and our use of new technologies.

Staff Farewells

What year did you commence at PLC? What was your role?

I started at PLC in 1992 as Audio-Visual Coordinator, which included providing video services to classrooms through a home-grown analogue video distribution system. This included TVs on trolleys which teachers would wheel from the corridor into the classroom.

There were boxes on the wall and the teacher would plug in the TV and pick up a handset to ring AV. We would then ‘stream’ the video which would play on a video cassette player in the AV department. We had to make sure that we had the right player connected to the right classroom. This system was created by Alan Raymant, who was a Senior Audio-Visual Technician until he retired in 2019.

What happened to video?

When I started at PLC, there was a shelving unit with disorganised catalogue cards of videos. The Head of Library then brought in a computerised Library Management System, making it possible to catalogue the video collection digitally. We also brought in a schedule to record and catalogue programs for teacher use. We were at the forefront in offering this service in a school environment. Then there was the introduction of video resource sharing between schools through our membership of the Audio-Visual Association of Independent Schools, an organisation which continues today.

When did computers arrive and what impact did they have on AV? Apple Mac desktop computers arrived in the late 1990s; six were placed in the staffroom for emailing and word processing. When laptops arrived and teachers started using them in the classrooms, data projectors had to be installed and the existing video distribution system was connected to projectors. TVs on trolleys were phased out slowly.

What will you miss at PLC? The people – I’ll miss the students and staff and working in a great team in Library Services. There is collegiality and the sharing of ideas and information to build better resources. I will miss keeping up with the changes in technology – coming down to user level and moving forward with it is exciting. I would not have had this experience if not for PLC.

Mrs Heather Carson Heather is helpful, generous, tireless, patient and resilient, loyal and caring, calm in a crisis, friendly, up for a chat and laugh, a positive thinker who finds humour in a challenge, adaptable and selfless.

Heather possesses diverse skills, including: endless washing of glassware containing smelly, messy remains of experiments; chopping, measuring and counting hundreds of beetroot and potato shapes; expertly dissecting male and female rats to show their reproductive systems; and creating eye-catching corridor displays and resolving AV/IT emergencies.

A mistress of organisation, Heather neatly arranged materials for practical work on benches before lessons and communicated pack-up instructions. On call during lessons, she was a willing gopher, fetching extra things as students requested.

For years, Heather prepared mountains of equipment to take on Biology field trips to the Otways. Microscopes, binoculars, reference books and environmental testing tools were neatly packed in boxes, colour-coded to allow easy identification and access from buses in different locations in any weather. Heather created dormitory and duty lists and could tell you who was doing what at any time. She was the Biology Department’s PA. She knew what teachers would be doing before they had thought of it themselves!

A trained teacher, Heather volunteered to supervise camps, relieve classes in any subject and taught Year 9 Personal Development. She was a valued group leader on Biology field trips.

Heather spent hours patiently assisting students in IB and VCE with self-designed experiments, helping them operate data-loggers, manipulate equipment and trouble-shoot.

Heather gave helpful advice to fellow lab technicians and often lent a hand in other areas of the Science Department. She had the responsibility of organising the Science teachers’ birthday morning tea roster, a duty she performed particularly well.

Heather began commuting from Chirnside Park in August, 1997 to work at PLC while running her household and supporting her family of four children. If you asked her what she did on her weekend she was likely to reply that she spent hours at hospital, waiting for one of her sons to get X-rays after an injury incurred during footy or cricket!

Although they’re not playing much sport now, her children have found success in careers and marriage and have blessed her with five beautiful grandchildren. She is an adoring grandma and will soon visit her interstate and UK families to cuddle the most recently arrived members.

We hope her trip to the UK and the dream of living in a house at Phillip Island are all achieved in the near future. She is a treasure and we will miss her!

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Ms Takako Ikegami-Lee We would like to farewell Mrs Takako Ikegami-Lee, well known as a wonderful, creative and dedicated Japanese teacher, who is retiring from her teaching career at the end of 2021.

Mrs Ikegami-Lee was appointed as a Japanese conversation tutor in 1998 before becoming a substitute class teacher for Japanese and EAL in 2010. Since then, she has taught Years 7 to 12, both IB and VCE. In 2017, she became a permanent teacher. She is equipped with very high academic language, research and IT skills and shares her expertise and professional knowledge with the Japanese Department. She continually displays a passion to teach and supports the students’ learning with experiences beyond the classroom.

Mrs Ikegami-Lee’s enormous dedication and commitment to the students have enabled them to achieve their best in their Japanese studies.

She trained and supported them in the annual JLTAV Speech and Victoria State Speech Contests and produced wonderful results. She also worked closely with Japanese IB students completing their Extended Essay by giving clear direction and inspiration throughout the process. Her knowledge of Japanese language and culture and her solid understanding of the IB mission have been truly appreciated.

Mrs Ikegami-Lee has developed new VCE Units 1 – 4 curriculum courses since 2019. The current Year 12 Japanese cohort is very special to her as she has worked with most of the girls since Year 9 and made many wonderful memories through the 2018 Japan Tour and Japanese exchange program. All students have respected her integrity, professionalism and wisdom as well as appreciated how she supported them with compassion and empathy during the protracted homelearning experience.

Mrs Ikegami-Lee has always encouraged the girls to expand their horizons by providing a wide range of opportunities. Due to COVID-19, this year we were unable to run the Japan Tour or host students from Soshin Girls’ School in Yokohama, Japan.

Not wanting the current cohort to miss out, Mrs Ikegami-Lee initiated an online exchange program between Year 10 PLC Japanese students and Soshin students. We have now been successfully corresponding with each other on a regular basis and maintaining a strong and positive relationship due to Mrs IkegamiLee’s efforts. Both student groups are grateful to have this opportunity to share culture and interests and practise the languages they study. We would like to continue this wonderful program in the future.

Now it is time to farewell Mrs Ikegami-Lee as she embarks on the next chapter of her life. She has a long to-do list, including writing books, travelling, gardening and spending time with her grandson. We thank her for everything she has given to PLC and wish her the very best in her retirement.

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Ms Sue O’Brien Sue O’Brien joined the staff of PLC in 2000 and worked for the first few years in a part-time capacity. She taught initially in a variety of subject areas: Science, Biology, Geography, IT and as part of the year 7 Learning Teams.

A member of her interview panel recalled recently how impressively Sue had presented. She was confident, professional and clearly highly motivated. Sue was the unanimous choice of the panel, and now, 21 years later, that choice has been strongly vindicated.

Numerous colleagues have described her as a teacher who is very well organised, passionate about science, enjoys her teaching, brings humour to the classroom and cares greatly for her students, whom she will often times refer to as her ‘possums’. Sue is also noted for her creativity in producing interesting and challenging student resources and her willingness to share these with others.

Mrs Daphne Proietto After 32 wonderful years of service to the Music Department at PLC, it is with mixed emotion that we farewell our beloved teacher, friend and colleague, Daphne Proietto, who will be retiring at the end of 2021.

Daphne’s commitment to nurturing her students’ love for music is second to none. Through her years in the PLC Music School, Daphne has taught, mentored and inspired generations of children who, if not for her persistence, problem-solving skills and empathy, would not have discovered their passion or ability for music. Daphne is a gracious and inspiring educator who epitomises the meaning of teaching to the needs of her students. She is patient, knowledgeable and understanding of children, always honouring their individual strengths and capabilities.

One family’s memory of Miss Daphne is her love of stickers. No lesson was ever complete without a sticker, which would

During her time at PLC, Sue has progressed through leadership opportunities from Acting Learning Teams Co-ordinator, to Acting Head of General Science to Head of General Science, until in 2009 she took up her current role of Head of Science.

A fellow member of the HACCS team has described Sue as the consummate professional. Her diligent preparation prior to any discussion makes her intelligent and thoughtful opinions always highly valued. She has also shown herself to be a great listener and respectful of the opinions of others.

As leader of the PLC Science Department, Sue has set the tone for achieving excellence in educational outcomes for all students at all levels.

This has been characterised in her encouragement to staff and students alike to never miss an opportunity to learn something new and never stop looking for new things to learn.

be stuck onto the cover of the piano book, to the extent that some of the covers were completely wall-papered in stickers making it difficult to determine which book it was.

This, in itself, is an apt analogy for Daphne’s way of seeing the world. She cares little for labels or titles, but rather sees beyond the ‘covers’ of people to what is within them – inspiring them to become the best that they can be. Daphne’s work with special needs students over many years saw her care and love of these children bring out the best in each one as they developed their talents and learned to play and appreciate music.

Hospitality and grace are at the heart of everything that Daphne does. She is always generous with her time, energy and ideas, and over the years her dedication to PLC has extended beyond music to involvement in many community events. She was often seen wearing a chef’s apron at the ELC Family Sausage Sizzle, making pasta and pizzas with the children and talking to families about nutrition. For many years, Daphne ran healthy food afternoons with the Year 3s in Junior School, cooking soup,

pasta, sauces and a variety of fresh food to show the girls how to make and enjoy wonderful food. These lessons were always popular with staff and students alike.

Daphne has been much loved in our school, be it for her infectious love of the piano, her unwavering belief in each and every one of her students, or the sparkle in her eyes when she shares her students’ successes or discusses pedagogy with colleagues. Daphne has indeed enriched our lives and leaves behind a lasting legacy in the lives of many. The PLC College will miss her dearly and we wish her many blessings as she steps into a well-deserved retirement.

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Mr Ian Taylor

Ms Amanda Snell Amanda Snell was a gifted and outstanding Head of Art at PLC for 35 years, from 1986 to 2021. During this time, she nurtured and inspired generations of art students in both IB and VCE studies. Many of her students have in fact gone on to pursue very successful and fulfilling careers as artists, designers, architects, jewellers or curators.

Amanda was a strong mentor and maintained close contact with her past students, often inviting them to return to PLC as recognised arts practitioners to encourage and support current students. Many of these Old Collegians came back to judge or open the always-spectacular exhibitions of student art works which transformed Wyselaskie Hall into vibrant, challenging arts spaces.

She worked closely with Old Collegians, assisting in promoting the work of Old Collegians across the ages in memorable projects based on the lives of pioneering past students such as Dame Nellie Melba, Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Henry Handel Richardson and through significant exhibitions including Virago in View in Singapore, Refresh and Through Women’s Eyes. Many Old Collegians returning to the College for reunions are particularly nostalgic when they tour the art rooms which, though now renovated, still hold special memories of the happy and creative hours they spent as art students.

Amanda’s students were extremely fortunate to be exposed to the latest in contemporary art theory and practice across all media, to learn from artists in residence at the College, and to visit major exhibitions in Melbourne, the regions, interstate and even overseas, as part of her unique art and architecture tours. At TOK camps, Amanda collaborated with Anne Friend to provide original, stimulating and immersive art and music experiences for students.

Her energy, creativity and knowledge were highly appreciated by the many leading state and international professional and curricular bodies she was part of.

She helped pioneer many arts education initiatives, including Top Arts, Victorian IB and Tasmanian IB Visual Arts exhibition and seminar day, IB teacher network and overseas exchanges, art workshops and camps with other schools, and was the recipient of the Wallace McCann Art Travelling Scholarship.

She was a much sought-after examiner and reviewer of VCE and IB Visual Arts curriculum.

Amanda’s legacy as a formidable art educator lives on through the hundreds of students she encouraged to think independently and to creatively explore their views in various media and her many colleagues who enjoyed her stimulating company and held her in the highest professional esteem.

In his 21 years of teaching at PLC, Ian has taught almost every possible mathematics subject from Year 7 to Year 12 Specialist Maths and everything in between. For many years Ian was the lead teacher for Specialist Mathematics and the subject flourished under his leadership. He spent endless hours creating and writing teaching notes, assignments, tests, Application and Analysis tasks. Not surprisingly staff thoroughly enjoyed working under Ian’s leadership because he made the course interesting and engaging for staff and students.

Ian is a delight to work with. He is totally unflappable, so patient and generous with his time. No request is too much and no idea is too ill conceived. It is easy to collaborate with Ian. He is so humble and will always encourage others to share their ideas first. He gives problems careful thought, and is able to offer valued suggestions.

Ian is able to add a little bit of levity just when it is needed. He has the knack of finding the right balance between providing empathy and infusing that little bit of humour, which at times can be just the tonic required.

Outside of school, Ian loves to bike ride and travel and there are probably few destinations he has not yet explored. It is obvious that he has an adventurous spirit, a love of the outdoors and a natural curiosity because he has trekked in the Himalayas on multiple occasions, travelled across Tibet and joined the History Tour to Russia; and these are just a few of his adventures.

Ian is a passionate Melbourne Demons supporter and every Monday you would find him discussing the game with like-minded Melbourne supporters. No doubt Melbourne winning this year’s premiership was the nicest possible retirement gift.

Ian has a talent for making connections with the students and he is a much-loved teacher. Reflecting his humour they often gave him the strangest gifts like the super-sized calculator with giant buttons; clearly, they were worried about his eyesight.

Ian, thank you for your outstanding service to PLC. You have been a fabulous Mathematics teacher, loved by your students and colleagues and you will be greatly missed. We wish you nothing but happiness in the journey ahead. Put up your feet, relax, read a book, watch a movie in the knowledge that you have made an impact.

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Special tribute to Mr Mark Hennessy The following tribute to honour Mark Hennessy recognises, with my sincere apologies that the previous article did not adequately document Mark’s achievements, dedication and contribution to PLC. Mrs Cheryl Penberthy, Principal Mark Hennessy began his career at PLC in 2004 as the Junior School IT Coordinator. I clearly remember how excited Mrs Cora Farrall (then Head of Junior School) and I were after interviewing Mark. His passion for education, for students, and his innovative ideas on IT integration across the curriculum, were just what we were looking for. Mark’s expertise and energy proved to be invaluable in the transition to the new school building with its enhanced IT facilities. Mark guided and trained teachers in their classes, as the students engaged in IT learning adventures.

During Mark’s time in the Junior School, he was recognised for his significant contribution to PLC and education when in 2005–2006 he was awarded the Mathematics Association Award for his inspired and innovative leadership in ICT teaching, and in 2006 he was the Microsoft Innovative Educator of the year.

In 2009 Mark was appointed by Mrs Elaine Collin as the Senior School Staff eLearning Coordinator, a role he held for 11 years.

This was a unique and important role for PLC as it focused on the IT professional learning of staff. Working with the Director of ICT, the Head of IT and the ICT Consultative Committee, Mark co-ordinated PLC’s IT professional learning program in step with the goals of the whole school, each department and individual teachers. In delivering these programs, Mark was very adaptive to staff needs and the constraints of the working day. He could be seen teaching in the classroom with his colleagues, running training sessions at department meetings (lunchtime and after school) and in one-to-one sessions with teachers. His colleagues valued these creative and insightful training sessions.

Mark combined this role with teaching IT Studies and the Year 9 Outlook program. Mark loved being in the classroom, as did his students! He was always full of enthusiasm, encouragement and words of praise for them.

In recent years Mark was responsible for the Year 9 Outlook City program. He constantly sought out new ideas and experiences for the girls, and his wide-ranging knowledge of Melbourne was a great asset.

As a Form Teacher he always invested time and energy in building community and creating a sense of belonging amongst the students in his form. There would be the weekly ‘Song of my Life’ presentations, quotes of the week, personalised birthday cards and end-of-year photo fridge magnets.

The staff enjoyed Mark’s time as our Social Secretary. His great ideas for end-of-year and special events and his mystery tours kept us all in good spirits especially during exams and report writing times.

I remember with fondness the occasion when Mark gave me the honour of launching his new primary school mathematics books. In my talk to a large gathering of teachers across many schools, I said, ‘You all know how creative, enthusiastic and generous Mark is –’, but I could not finish, as the crowd burst into generous applause. Well, that just about says it all!

Mark is a respected teacher and a much-loved colleague who has given so much to PLC and education. We now wish him well as he pursues his many interests in and out of education.

Mr Wayne Rice Former Director of ICT

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Vale past staff

Nicky Smith Former PLC Head of LOTE (1990 – 2014), passed away on 13 October 2021.

Peter Ross Former PLC Director of Music (1987–2007), passed away on 22 August 2021.

A Sister’s Perspective Peter was born in Melbourne, living in what was then, the paddocks of East Ivanhoe, until his early teens. His mother, June Ross (nee Mathers) had attended PLC as did I, his younger sister. Neither of us could have ever imagined he would make his mark on the Music Department of our school many years later.

We remember Peter running puppetry shows in the backyard, in which he would do all the characters, music, costumes and the set, and we simply had to watch. This probably explains how Peter in later life was able to run the Albury Scout Gang Shows for several years, write original musicals in his very first year of teaching at Prahran High and University High and, of course, to go on to be Music Director of PLC for 20 years with a staff of over 50 to boss around.

Peter was also a very sentimental bloke.

When his pet hare died when he was a young boy, he wrote a letter to our grandfather who was a Presbyterian/Uniting Church Minister in Regent, asking if hares went to heaven.

Our grandfather, of course, reassured him it was so. Our father dreamt of being a farmer, so when Peter was thirteen, the family left Melbourne to live on a 500-acre farm just out of Albury. Peter began to learn piano with Eileen Buckhorn which he loved, but he did not thrive at school, and at the end of Peter’s Matriculation year, he failed English. Peter started employment as a wool classer and then began classes in accounting.

Just before Peter turned 21, he announced to Mum and Dad that he had decided to quit his wool-classing job and move to Melbourne to study music at the Conservatorium. This took enormous courage as Peter had to also pass his English exam at night school before he was allowed

entry. This was certainly a sign of things to come. Peter was starting to embrace his intellect, which would see him complete his Bachelor of Music at the Conservatorium, get a scholarship to study a Master of Arts at Columbia University in New York, and then later a Master of Arts Administration. This just goes to show that early failures do not have to guide your life and can be overcome.

Peter had a genuine love of people which enabled him to make strong and enduring connections throughout his life. Another strong trait of Peter’s was humour. He could reduce us to tears of laughter as he summed up some situation with a wicked sense of the absurdity of life. His trusted administrator at PLC, Jane Routledge, told us that on reflecting that they had worked together for 21 years, Peter had commented that ‘their working relationship had lasted longer than most marriages’.

Late in life, Peter faced his biggest challenge when, on retiring, he learnt that he had Parkinson’s disease. Before long, just getting showered and dressed was an enormous challenge. Like the character in the Monty Python film with no arms and legs yelling, ‘Come on! It’s only a flesh wound!’, Peter made the most of every day and continued to travel and explore life when most people would have given up and retired to nurse their wounds at home. Peter at this time also met his wonderful partner, Ali, and proved that the miracle of love can come to you at any age.

Sharon Brown (Ross 1974)

Nicky Smith worked at PLC for 24 years from 1990 until she retired in 2014 as Head of the LOTE Department. However, she will be best remembered as a much-loved teacher of French.

‘Nicky was a very special staff member, coming to us in the harvest that Sallie Norsworthy drew to PLC Junior School,’ said past principal, Mr William Mackay. ‘She was one of the treasures that came to us in 1990, joined by her husband, Rod, in 1991.’

Nicky’s teaching ability, and her adaptability, saw her move from being a French teacher in the Junior School to the Senior School in 1993, teaching from Year 7 to Year 12, including both VCE and IB, and then eventually becoming Head of LOTE. Nicky’s focus was for her students to strive to achieve their best and she encouraged them all to continue studying French to the senior levels, whatever their ability. This was testament to her love of her subject, her students, her teaching ability, and her overall educational values.

Her students loved her classes and also hearing her tales of French culture, her experiences of her worldwide travels with Rod and her children, her sense of fashion and of food – in fact, everything French. ‘Madame Smith was full of energy and her classes were always safe, positive and fun,’ said one past student. ‘She wasn’t a typical teacher,’ said another, ‘she was the one-in-a-million teacher who lit us up on the inside, passed on her passion to countless young people and made a mark in all our hearts.’

Nicky’s joie de vivre was evident in all aspects of her teaching. The biennial exchanges to France were a highlight for many girls; they were expertly organised, and often Madame Smith went on the trips herself.

Many will also remember the LOTE French cookbook, full of delicious international recipes. Her coq au vin and crème caramel recipes were legendary.

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95 Years Filled with Music, Charity and Friendships.

Aileen Noel Stooke (1943) Passed away at the age of 95 on 5 September 2021.

Being Head of the LOTE Department required diplomacy skills approaching international levels, of which Nicky was a master. Her departmental meetings were efficient and productive, and she negotiated with staff (and principals) to ensure that languages remained core to the curriculum.

Nicky lit up the staffroom with her gracious spirit, and many who knew her will resonate with the following statements made by staff: ‘We laughed a lot, but when I was going through hard times she was always there, just to give me a caring look, a touch, a smile, and to listen.’

‘When we were teaching together, I used to love my conversations with Nicky. She was always so joyful. In the staffroom Nicky was always surrounded by people. There was also an endearing modesty about her – Nicky would have been surprised if someone had told her that we were drawn to her vivacity.’

‘She shone with a rare je ne sais quoi, which drew people to her.’

‘Nicky was a truly authentic human being, both vibrant and fun-loving. Her zest for life and learning were infectious and she always knew just how to encourage her students and her peers.’

Nicky threw herself into the many and varied aspects of school life; helping behind the scenes at the PLC 125th Pageant, shooing horses away from tents on Year 7 camp at Coonawarra, organising French poetry competitions, visiting China on exchange; always, her sense of fun prevailed.

Nicky was also an intensely private person and the last few years have been particularly challenging for her and her family.

Throughout this time, she always remained focused on the positive and on others, rather than herself.

Nicky has touched so many people in her life and she will be greatly missed. We have been blessed to have had her as our friend, colleague and mentor.

Provided by her colleagues and friends

PLC was saddened to hear of the passing of Old Collegian, Miss Aileen Stooke (1943), much-loved former music teacher and lifelong supporter of the College. The youngest daughter of Helen (dec.) and Stanley Stooke (dec.) and loving sister of Peg Lanyon (dec.) and Lorna English (dec.), auntie of Brian (dec.), Graeme (dec.), Helen, Kevin, Dale and Joy. Aileen began her PLC schooling in 1942.

Enrolled by her mother, Helen Smith (1908), at the age of 15, Aileen boarded at PLC East Melbourne for two years, far away from her home town, Casterton, the small Western District Victorian township where her father ran the General Department Store. Aileen’s love of music, nurtured during her student years – as was her mother’s – flourished after school. A professional concert viola player in the 1940s and 50s, Aileen played and toured with many orchestras, including the Melbourne University Conservatorium Orchestra, the Borovansky Australian Ballet, the Princess Theatre Orchestra and Victorian Symphony Orchestra. Later, she worked at the PLC Junior School Music School as a music teacher (1967–1981). Aileen was the founding Director of the PLC Junior and Senior Orchestras, the Music Department at Tintern Grammar, Ringwood Secondary College and Knoxfield College (currently known as the Knox School). In 2000, Aileen conducted the PLC Old Collegians’ Orchestra which performed to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the College.

Throughout these busy years Aileen made time to build, with minimal professional assistance, four homes, including a rural retreat which she herself built manually, north of Dunkeld with stunning views of Mt Sturgeon. She volunteered with the International Red Cross, as a Red Cross Driver and Red Cross Door Knock Appeal Coordinator, for close to 50 years.

A petite lady with a huge heart and boundless capacity, Aileen successfully combined her love for people and her love of travel by nurturing an active interest in friends, cultural heritage, music and global culture. Over the last 30 years, Aileen’s service and interest in community continued in her roles as a foundation and committee member of the Ladies Probus Club Blackburn, former vice president of the PLC Friends of Music, former director of the PLC Foundation, PLC Old Collegian and a PLC Archive and

Heritage Centre volunteer from 1991 to 2021. In her early nineties, on her most recent independent trip to England and Scotland, Aileen visited cherished landmarks and friends, including former PLC principal, Mr William Mackay (1986 – 1998) and his wife, Ena, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Aileen’s interest in and service to others, as a trusted friend, wise mentor and clear thinker, enriched the lives of PLC principals, staff and students for 80 years. Her memoir, An Octagenarian Remembers, which she wrote ‘to portray her working life as a musician and a teacher and to portray some of the historical events she lived through’, was donated to the PLC Archive in 2011.

We will miss her twinkling eyes, hugs and cheeky smiles. In the words of several PLC Old Collegians: ‘We all have such happy memories of her and her dry sense of humour. It was enjoyable to spend time with her which I did each time I came to the Archive and OCA lunches. We will miss her.’ Val Reid (Sharkie 1954) ‘Aileen was a kindred spirit. No doubt there will be an orchestra up there to great Aileen as she enters the gates.’ Meredith Lyons (1968) ‘In the 1970s, Junior School Massed Orchestra was conducted by Miss Stooke. We could only perform in the concert if we could play our part by memory. Those who played their part perfectly got lollies from a lucky dip bag and could play in the concert. Those who made a mistake did not get lollies and were not allowed to play in the concert. On the day we had to play our parts in front of Miss Stooke and the girls, I got nervous and had a memory lapse so didn’t get lollies and could not play in the concert. I was devastated.

I went on to get my A.Mus.A. and played a movement of a concerto with the Senior School Orchestra at Dallas Brookes Hall – from memory – but will never forget failing my first audition. It was a good lesson and she was very matter of fact about it. I remember Miss Stooke saying, ‘long bows, all the way to Ferntree Gully’. I didn’t know where Ferntree Gully was then, but ever since, whenever I see a sign to Ferntree Gully, I think of Miss Stooke and her ‘long bows’. Assoc. Prof. Samantha Richardson, PhD (1984).

‘Such a quiet giant presence in our lives…a brilliant and inimitable friend.’

Alex Owen (2018)

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PLC Community PLC Parent Groups Parent Groups Left: Hethersett Parents’ Group Below: PLC Prayer Group

Friends of Music

Hethersett Parents’ Group

PLC Prayer Group

The Hethersett Parents’ Group is the oldest parent body at PLC, founded in the 1950s and named in honour of the original Burwood property. As a Senior School parent volunteer group, the Hethersett Parents’ Group provides parents with the opportunity to work together and support important events in the life of the school, including the Athletics Carnival, the Mother’s Day Breakfast, Father’s Day Breakfast and the Christmas Luncheon.

In Term 3, a number of activities were cancelled, sadly, including the PLC rehearsal dinner for The Tempest and the Father’s Day Breakfast. Our committee meetings have been held via Zoom. Our main focus became the Christmas Luncheon, held in November.

It has traditionally been a marquee event, drawing together the Junior and Senior School parents to celebrate the end of the year. It was a fantastic opportunity for families to connect with each other and to renew friendships after what has been a very challenging time for most. We have an exciting guest speaker lined up and the event is much anticipated!

If you are interested in being part of the Hethersett Parents’ Group, we would love to hear from you.

Please send us an email at

The PLC Prayer Group managed to hold one in-person prayer meeting during the start of Term 3. Though each lockdown has been disruptive to many aspects of school life, we have been able to maintain continuity as a group through online meetings when necessary. A constant focus has been prayer support for those in the PLC community – staff and students alike – who have struggled with the emotional toll of the rolling lockdowns. We have constantly upheld the school in prayer, asking God for peace, comfort and strength for those who have experienced anxiety, hopelessness and discouragement.

The group continues to meet weekly on Thursday afternoons. We pray for the needs of the school and the PLC community. It is a fantastic opportunity to stay connected with others and to be encouraged. A broad range of people attend prayer group, including staff members (past and present), Old Collegians and parents. All are welcome!

If you are interested in joining the PLC Prayer Group, please contact April Lim at

hethersettgroupplc@gmail.com April Lim President – Hethersett Parents’ Group

aprilswlim@gmail.com April Lim Co-Convener – PLC Prayer Group

When we emerged from Victoria’s extended sixth lockdown on Friday 22 October 2021, we looked back on the year with mixed feelings. While the lockdowns kept us safe and cocooned, they have meant lost live performances, missed face-to-face interactions and a return to the 1970s mullet hairstyles, which would have worked well at Retro Night if it had eventuated!

We were thankful that the Autumn and Grand Concerts were successfully held earlier in the year to appreciative audiences.

Unfortunately, the ever-popular annual Jazz Cab in July was cancelled as it marked the first day of Lockdown 6.0. Despite these challenges, the FMS was pleased to hold its AGM by Zoom in October with a fantastic turnout of dedicated members who were happy for the opportunity to catch up online amongst the formalities of the evening. As our Director of Music, Richard Squibb, pointed out, we are the envy of many schools in having a team of dedicated and enthusiastic parents who volunteer their time and effort to work seamlessly with the Music Department to support the girls on their musical journey.

We encourage you to be part of the FMS committee or volunteer group next year where, amongst other events, we will be assisting the Music School with planning a celebratory Music Roundabout in May 2022.

This promises to be an extraordinary night of music making by our wonderful girls from both Junior and Senior Schools. Please forward any enquiries to fms@plc.vic.edu.au Li-Leen Tan (1986) President – Friends of Music

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The PLC Foundation - Transforming the Lives of Girls at PLC The PLC Foundation’s goal is to raise funds for the development of major new facilities at PLC. The PLC Foundation proudly welcomes the following new members this year and thanks them for their outstanding and generous support.

The Lampas Society The events of Lampas this year have, of course, been seriously curtailed.

During the year a new Committee was formed. New members include Janet Driver (President), Elizabeth Tapper and Christine Casinader, all recently retired in 2019. They joined current serving Committee members Annie Maurer (Vice President), Elaine Fasken (Minutes Secretary), Pat Ritter and school-based secretary, Julie Schroeder. We would also like to thank the immediate past president Christine Bradbeer for all her hard work with Lampas; we are pleased that she has agreed to continue on the Committee in an advisory capacity.

Members of Lampas were particularly saddened by the death of past president and committee member Peter Ross. We all appreciated Peter’s larger-than-life personality and his interesting and intriguing suggestions for Lampas outings and speakers. His obituary appears in this edition.

We are looking forward to planning events for 2022. Currently we have our two regular events and we will keep you posted about other activities: • Lampas AGM and Luncheon on Saturday 21 May 2022 with guest speaker Mrs Cheryl Penberthy, Principal.

• Soup Luncheon with speaker (tbc) on Saturday 10 September 2022.

Finally, Lampas members would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the current staff of the College. These last two years have been incredibly challenging for the teaching profession and, as in the past, PLC staff have shown the ability to adapt, create and innovate in order to maintain the high professional standards for which PLC is renowned.

Lampas welcomes all past staff, parents and friends of PLC to stay in touch and participate in our meetings and activities.

To join the Lampas Society community, please email

jschroeder@plc.vic.edu.au Janet Driver President – The Lampas Society lampas@plc.vic.edu.au

Foundation Members ($3000) Mrs Y. Sargood (dec.) (1947) Mr R. Walley and Mrs L. Walley Mrs I. Sam and Mr L. Chan Mrs W. Southward and Mr L. Southward Mr J. Tan and Ms S. Zhu Ms H. Yeo and Mr P. Combridge Ms M. Chen and Mr Y. Jin Mrs Y. Hou and Mr H. Feng Ms F. Gao and Mr H. Shen Dr T. and Mrs R. Verghese Mrs Y. Ju and Mr H. Li Dr B. Coghlan and Dr M. Coghlan Mrs S. Kaur Riazati and Mr A. Singh Mrs Y. Tang and Dr A. Shee Mr T. Teoh and Mrs R. Xu Ms W. Ng and Mr C. So Dr D. Dinh and Mr R. Wijnbergen Ms C. Shen and Mr Y. Zhou Dr M. Damasiewicz and Dr F. Chionh Prof H. and Dr D. Nandurkar Mr S. Achyutuni We also thank and recognise the following members, who through their continued generosity have advanced their membership status in the Foundation.

Foundation Associate Fellows ($6000) Mrs M. Orme Mrs H. Bailey and Mr A. Bailey Mr C. Dawson and Mrs M. Dawson Dr L. Chua and Dr W. Browne Mr T. Dinh and Ms Y. Oey Mrs Y. He and Mr Q. Hu Ms L. Ji and Mr H. Zhang Dr V. Sung and Mr R. Leung Mr M. and Mrs A. Muttiah Mr B. and Mrs S. Short Mr D. and Mrs J. Wong Foundation Fellows ($12,000) Mr D. Gifford Mr D. Hee and Ms S. Sim Mr R. Zhu and Ms L. Yu Foundation Governors ($25,000) Mr W. and Dr A. Rice Mr D. Ward For more information or to apply for membership, please contact the Development Office at

development@plc.vic.edu.au

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26 PLC i n Pri nt | D e c e mbe r 2 0 2 1

PLC will be participating in the Boarding Expo in Wagga Wagga and several field days next year. We look forward to catching up with Old Collegians, current and future boarding families and other members of the PLC family during these trips.

Come and say hello!

Details of PLC functions will be forwarded nearer to the events.

Boarding Expo – Wagga Wagga 3 – 4 June

Hamilton Sheepvention 31 July – 2 August

Henty Machinery Field Days 20 – 22 September

Elmore Field Days 4 – 6 October

The Lamont Scholarship

Helen Hailes and PLC Old Collegians’ Scholarships

The Old Collegians’ Association currently funds up to eight scholarships every year for girls at PLC. The Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship funds three girls for six years, from Years 7 to 12. The Old Collegians’ Scholarship funds girls for two years, from Years 11 to 12, and the Melba Memorial Music Scholarships funds girls for three years, from Years 10 to 12. We would like to thank all our online donors, those from the Birthday League and those from the branches in Geelong, Mornington and Shepparton.

If you would like to make a donation to support all our scholarships for PLC girls, please donate online to: Account Name: PLC OCA BSB: 063 197 Account Number: 00900186 Specify purpose as: Helen Hailes Payee: Please specify your name if you would like to be acknowledged in PLC in Print.

Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship Donors list The following Old Collegians and members of the Birthday League are thanked for their contributions to the Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship Fund: B. Tacey, R. Mcmillan, W. Fishley, L. Murnane, N. Cronin, J. Montgomery, B. Hookey, L. Mckay, Y. Knowles, A. Neil, L. McClintock, C. Wilson, R. Muir and P. Randell.

Congratulations to Old Collegians Rashmi Mattewada (2005), Rachelle Thannhauser (2013) and Sarah Oldfield (2014) who were all recently awarded Lamont Scholarships. We wish them all the best!

Rashmi completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Melbourne after leaving PLC and is now undertaking MBA studies at the Melbourne Business School, also at the University of Melbourne. She is currently a Director in the Commonwealth Treasury.

Rachelle studied for her Bachelor of Arts with a Psychology major and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Science (Honours) after leaving the College. While studying she has been doing support work, especially in boarding houses.

She is currently a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology/Doctor of Philosophy student at Monash University.

Sarah’s first degree was a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Psychology and Psychophysiology at the Swinburne University of Technology. She then worked in different sections of the mental health field before taking up fulltime study for her Masters of Psychology (Clinical) at the Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, in Western Australia.

Annie Elizabeth Lamont, her sister Jean and cousin Doris, were past students of PLC. When Annie Lamont died in 1994, she left a bequest ‘to establish a scholarship for post-secondary study to further the academic education of a past student of PLC, Burwood’. The Lamont Scholarship is awarded annually to Old Collegians to assist with the continuation of their tertiary studies, either in Australia or overseas.

The due date for applications for the 2022 Lamont Scholarship is Friday 18 February 2022.

Information and application forms can be obtained from the PLC Administration Office by emailing adminoffice@plc.vic.edu.au

PLC i n P ri nt | D ec em be r 2021

OCA President’s Report

Front Row L to R: Nikki Hamilton (1978), Amy Nhan (2006), Kim Low (1978), Nita Eng (1979), Dr Yvonne Ho (1983). Back Row L to R: Terri McKenzie (1976), Lucy Munanto (2008), Ailsa Wilson (1978), Denise Poon (1978), Tang Li (2007), Phoebe Costello (2011), Robyn Byrne (1973).

OCA Committee 2021 Let us all recall the times we have been able to gather together, to encourage and value each other. PLC and the OCA have a strong tradition of service. We greatly value the Old Collegians who give back to the PLC community. Traditionally we have given thanks and made farewells at our OCA lunches; however, COVID-19 restrictions have not made this possible. We want to honour the years of service of these dedicated Old Collegians. They have followed in the footsteps of the Old Collegians who established the OCA in 1903, those who raised money to set up our first scholarships to help girls after WW1 and WW2, and then the Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship, and those who enthusiastically embraced the new Burwood campus, green and spacious, with room for new buildings and generous PLC OCA Facebook Page A place for Old Collegians to share photos and thoughts. We look forward to sharing with you at the PLC Melbourne OCA Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ plcmelbourneoca/

sports facilities. They are now all stepping back, confident that there are many talented and skilled Old Collegians who will be able to serve and carry on these great traditions.

There are many opportunities to serve so please contact us at plc.melb.oca@gmail. com to discuss future opportunities and join us on our Facebook page: https://www.

facebook.com/groups/plcmelbourneoca Jan Markham (Rennick 1969), past PLC Council, past OCA secretary, past parent.

We acknowledge and thank Jan for her long years of dedicated service on the PLC Council. Jan retired in December 2020 having served while the Burwood campus was transformed to include the new Learning Resource Centre and Performing Arts Centre.

As an Old Collegian, past PLC Parent of two daughters and a solicitor based in Burwood, she had an extensive knowledge of PLC and its special place in the local community.

It is an inspiration that Jan found time to serve PLC along with her family and running her own legal firm. An active Old Collegian in her year group, Jan also served as OCA Secretary for many years, often attending OCA lunches and PLC concerts and events. Jan is a wonderful example of an Old Collegian who has continued her close connection with PLC through all stages of her life. The PLC Council is greatly enriched by Old Collegians who share their professional skills and expertise as they serve. Jan has continued the tradition of Old Collegians serving on the PLC Council first implemented by Principal William Gray in 1937.

Anne Smith (1957) PLC OCA Scholarship Selection Panel.

Anne finished PLC in 1957, the last year of the East Melbourne campus. She then trained as a primary school teacher and is well known among the vibrant community of Old Collegians who chose teaching as their profession. Starting in state schools, she rose to be the Principal of Hawthorn West Primary School in the 1970s. She was then headhunted to St Catherine’s School as Head of Junior School, Vice Principal 1980 – 2001. As a recognised leader in the education of girls, she has played a key role on our PLC OCA Scholarship Selection Panels since the late 1990s. After her retirement she continued to make herself available around her travel, OCA lunches and reunions and other interests, bringing her many years of professional expertise to assist the OCA. Anne has often said what a privilege it is to meet the current students and hear about their achievements in their studies, music, sport and extracurricular activities. We thank Anne for her very significant contribution over many years.

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Ros Faichney (1960) Group B Selection Committee, past PLC staff, past parent, past OCA secretary.

Ros has been continuously involved with PLC since she commenced in the Junior School at Hethersett in 1953. Then she went into the Senior School at East Melbourne but was in the class that would move out to the new Burwood campus to complete her last four years. After training as a geography teacher, she soon returned as a young teacher to PLC in the 1970s. After her own children were born, she also came back to do emergency teaching. She was then involved as a PLC parent while her daughter attended Senior School. Then she had time to be more actively involved in the OCA Committee and served as OCA Secretary for several years.

She has just recently retired from the Group B Selection Committee after over ten years of service. Ros has been able to make a unique contribution to PLC with her broad knowledge of all PLC campuses and her perspective as a teacher, past parent and Old Collegian. She is a wonderful example of an Old Collegian who has kept a connection with PLC through all the different stages of her life for almost 70 years. Like many Old Collegians, Ros has always actively served in her local church and community and we warmly thank her and wish her well as she continues these projects.

Dr Glenys French (Rowe 1960) Past OCA president, Founder of our OCA Women Out There Fellowship (WOTF - a grant to recognise Old Collegians who run projects to benefit the community), past Group B Selection Committee member, past parent.

Glenys commenced at PLC at Hethersett Junior School, then on to the East Melbourne Senior School, moving to the new Burwood campus for her last three years. She recalls her PLC education as a wonderful preparation for a fulfilling personal and working life, enriched with lifelong learning. She trained as an Occupational Therapist, was awarded a Churchill Fellowship and became Head of Department at La Trobe University, overseeing the training of a generation of OTs. With her daughter Alyssa (2005) attending PLC, she was a PLC parent for 13 years. Always an active Old Collegian, she served as OCA President, drafting the OCA mission statement to clarify our strategic focus. Conscious that so many Old Collegians are wonderful leaders in their own local communities, she established the WOTF for the OCA to award grants to honour and encourage their important work. Glenys has been a great mentor and leader to so many Old Collegians over decades. She also made time to serve for over a decade on the Group B Selection Committee for the PLC Council, an important role to ensure that we always have skilled and committed Old Collegians and parents appointed to serve on the PLC Council. The OCA is very grateful to Glenys for her many years of service to the OCA and PLC. Glenys is enjoying having more time for gardening, grandchildren and her many craft projects including patchwork and felting.

Thanks to Catherine Manuell (1980) for donating Hot Desk Folders to our PLC Women speakers. Catherine set up her own design business, Catherine Manuell Design, over thirty years ago, a colourful outlet for those wanting to experience the art of going places rather than everything you use being just black and beige. Recently she has expanded her range with the Aboriginal Art Project, using the designs of Indigenous female artists and ensuring that the artists benefit with the licence and copyright remaining with the artists. The OCA chose the designs of Diana Robinson from Iwantja Arts, pictured above. This is a great example of an Old Collegian ensuring, through her business, that four indigenous women are recognised and rewarded for their own designs with this unique Australian range of bags and accessories.

Women Out There Fellowship The Old Collegians’ Association is delighted to announce that applications have opened for the 2022 Women Out There Fellowship. And it’s now even easier to apply!

As always, the Fellowship offers $2,000 to support Old Collegians who are doing wonderful work in their communities.

This year, in recognition of the wideranging challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, judges have relaxed application requirements.

One of the biggest changes is that applications are no longer restricted to new projects needing seed funding. After all, who has time to kick off a new project?!

That means Old Collegians involved in any worthwhile community projects can apply for funding to support their work.

Especially if that work addresses issues caused by or made worse by the pandemic.

If you think you might be interested in applying, get in touch with the WOT Fellowship team at plc.melb.oca@gmail.com and use ‘WOTF enquiry’ as your subject.

Ailsa Wilson (Watson 1978) President – Old Collegians’ Association plc.melb.oca@gmail.com

PLC i n P ri nt | D ec em be r 2021

OCA Sport Driver Cup 2021 This year, on Tuesday 22 June, we were lucky to be able to hold the Driver Cup, the annual competition between the PLC Old Collegians and the PLC Stars Hockey Teams.

The cup is named after Mrs Janet Driver, who was instrumental in the development of hockey at PLC and was a long-standing teacher at PLC until her recent retirement. We were lucky to welcome Mrs Janet Driver to the event along with some socially-distanced spectators.

A rare event for 2021! The Old Collegians, led

by Lauren Law (2010), started strongly and were convincing winners in the end but it was a hard-fought match with many lessons to be learned. Both teams were delighted to play the match and it was, again, a great opportunity to celebrate PLC and the relationships that build through participation in sport.

The Langford sisters - a rare opportunity for four siblings to play in the same match!

PLC OCA Netball

PLC OCA Netball had a fantastic start to the year in the COVID-19-free setting. We had three teams, two playing on Tuesday night and one on Saturday afternoon. One team, PLC OCA Majesty was a team of the newest Old Collegians from the Class of 2020. They really enjoyed the opportunity to catch up every week as they started university and explored their new lives outside PLC. The other two teams consisted of Old Collegians from the Classes of 2012 to 2018 and it is a wonderful blend of old school friends and new netball friends who have shared experiences at PLC, despite not knowing each other when we were at school.

Both PLC OCA Monty and PLC OCA Majesty qualified for the mid-year finals series and enjoyed very successful seasons.

PLC OCA Melba never had an opportunity to play finals due to the disruptions of COVID-19. The spring season has been postponed, with the small glimmer of hope that we can play a few games closer to the end of Term 4. We have grown a fantastic community of Old Collegian Netty Gals – and we even got PLC OCA Netball hoodies this year! We are always welcoming people into our netball community, any ages and any ability! Our contact email is plc.oca.netball@gmail.com Clare Haysom (2016)

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Mornington Peninsula Group

News of Old Collegian Groups History of PLC Old Collegians – North East Group The North East branch began at Benalla at the home of Mrs Elsie Say (McConnan) in April 1962 as an informal group. This gradually expanded to encompass many Old Collegians from the North East and some members also travelled from Albury and neighbouring Victorian and NSW towns for their meetings.

In May 1971 a branch was formed in Albury by Betty Jewell (Turner) but numbers dwindled and members eventually joined the Benalla group. Records were not kept until 1971 and by this time there had been 35 meetings held. From 1971 records show that meetings were held four times a year all over the NE in Shepparton, Nathalia, Seymour, Mooroopna and Benalla.

As more Old Collegians joined, members travelled to Deniliquin, Mangalore, Finley, Jerilderie, Echuca, Dookie, Kilmore, Rushworth, Corowa and Tatura to meet for lunch in private homes of members – some with lovely gardens. Each person took a salad or sweet in summer or a casserole in winter.

Food was always delicious and often recipes were shared.

The numbers of attendees ranged from 25 to high 40s as all were much younger then and didn’t mind driving distances.

Representatives from the Old Collegian’s Association mostly came from Melbourne and kept members up-to-date with school affairs. The principal of the time often came to meet the Old Collegians. Other visitors and speakers included Old Collegians who had made their mark in studies, community life or a particular project at or for the school.

In 1987 the 100th meeting was celebrated in Benalla at the home of Margaret Brooke (Harris). This was catered for and members from other branches were invited, as well as some from Melbourne and the school. There were 96 members present on that day.

Several times members travelled to PLC in Melbourne for a tour of the school with lunch provided afterwards. There were also several lunches held at different restaurants during this time.

In 1991 it was decided to hold only three meetings per year, and these have been held in Benalla, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Milawa, Tatura, Mooroopna, Yarrawonga, Kyabram, and even Devenish Hotel.

At the end of 1993 the regular meeting was cancelled at the last minute due to catastrophic flooding in Benalla, Wangaratta, Shepparton and surrounding areas. This was called a 100-year flood. Over the years, a number of the original members have passed away and most remaining members are getting on in years, so driving distances is not an option. Consequently, they usually only attend the lunch in their area which these days is being held at a venue so that no one has to prepare their home and can enjoy the day as well.

During the last 30 years numbers attending have ranged from 20 to 30, with Committee members and PLC staff also joining for lunch. The current Principal still endeavours to attend at least once a year.

From the outset, members have donated towards the Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship fund and often the secretary of the fund attended and told us of the progress of current scholarship holders.

The Benalla group has always been quite large and over the years they have met together to celebrate birthdays at least every month – at each other’s homes originally and latterly at a commercial venue, but this practice has been curbed lately because of COVID-19 restrictions.

In 2020 the COVID-19 virus came to Australia and due to the huge outbreaks particularly in Victoria our state was locked down many times, members were unable to attend, and lunches were cancelled. Only two lunches were held during 2020 and 2021.

To this date 203 meetings have been held.

The first lunch for 2022 will be held on Wednesday 2 March.

Judy Cuddon (Clezy 1957)

jcuddon@outlook.com

The Mornington Peninsula Friendship Group repeatedly tried to hold another lunch in the winter months of 2021 but were thwarted by lockdowns every time. Our plan is to have our first lunch in 2022 on Wednesday 23 February or Thursday 24 February. Most will be aware that we have decided to change the venue to Kirk’s Bistro on the Esplanade in Mornington, for reasons of flexibility, their wide range of menu choices and reasonable cost. Kirk’s is a popular choice, judging by the feedback received so far.

By alternating which weekday we hold our lunches, we hope to spread the chances for members to attend. Some have commitments on certain days of the week. Now that we know that restaurants and hotels are open again, we will be making a booking, so please watch for the invitations to come out.

Any Old Collegians on the Peninsula who would like to join us or go onto our emailing list, please contact either: Janet Kirchner (Morrison 1963) on 0418 550 446 or lemonjam.lj@gmail.com or Pam Booth (1959) on 0438 907 701 or

gagabooth4@gmail.com

Geelong Group Please note that the Geelong PLCOCA has had to postpone celebration of their 1950 beginnings by Miss Grace Bradshaw and her Western District contemporaries due to COVID-19 restrictions; we hope to celebrate this special milestone in the first half of 2022.

Previously-contacted Old Collegians will be sent a new invitation when our Celebration Luncheon is organised in 2022 for Truffleduck, 66 Hyland St, Fyansford, Geelong. Any new Collegians recently settled in the Geelong/Bellarine area who would wish to join us please ring President Anne Parton on 5241 9344.

Anne Parton (Donaldson 1955)

Sydney Group The Sydney branch of the PLCOCA is small and always happy to welcome new members to their gatherings.

If interested, please contact Julie Phillips (Rank 1961) at t.j.phillips@bigpond.com

PLC i n P ri nt | D ec em be r 2021

Mornington Peninsula Group

Class Reunions

Reunions 2021/2022 Due to the ongoing restrictions of COVID-19, it was necessary to cancel all the reunions scheduled for the remainder of 2021. We realise that this is very disappointing as Old Collegians look forward to catching up with their former school friends at reunions and seeing the many changes to the PLC campus since their school days.

We intend to hold the postponed reunions in 2022 when we anticipate being able to plan them with greater certainty and ensure the safety of all attending.

Old Collegians will be informed of dates as soon as the 2022 details have been confirmed.

Please ensure that your contact details are upto-date with PLC by contacting the PLC Development Office at development@plc.vic.edu.au

Class of 1995 25 Year Reunion The Class of 1995 were extremely fortunate to be able hold their reunion (postponed from 2020) in the small gap between lockdowns in July. 42 girls from that year level were able to catch up at the spacious venue, From the Collective, in Carlton. It was a great night and we thank Penny Modra (1995) for all her efforts and the time she spent in organising the event and bringing everyone together.

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Births Anthea (Andrighetto 1999) and Jordan Hill welcomed their second girl, Isla Rose, on 24 May this year. Big sister Elsie is enjoying her new role.

Ariane Zihlmann (2008) and Drew Trouw welcomed a daughter, Stephanie Linda Hendrica Trouw, on Sunday 10 October 2021.

She is the first grandchild for both families and first niece to Priska Zihlmann (2011).

Obituaries

Judith Kefford (Wilson 1945) passed away on 21 August 2021, aged 93.

Judy won the Wilson Prize for Mathematics and made lifelong friends – Jan Dimmick (Colclough 1945), Dawn Bartram (Mallinson 1945) and Anne Marks (Spiers 1945) at PLC. She graduated with a BSc from The University of Melbourne and met and married Rod Kefford in 1950. In the tradition of her mother, Dorothy Wilson (Bell 1920), she gave much time to charity. The Old Collegians (North Balwyn Group) and school mothers worked very hard to raise funds for the gymnasium. She often said that their hard work was under-appreciated. Her daughters, Jane Campbell (Kefford 1969) and Sally Lombard (Kefford 1973) did appreciate this excellent facility. Judy and Rod also raised two boys.

Judy and Rod moved to Red Hill South to grow berries, feijoas and tamarillos.

She joined the Mornington Peninsular Old Collegians Group. The Winter Soup and Bread event at Ambrosia Ridge was a muchanticipated annual event.

She is remembered as being kind, generous and glamorous. PLC in Print nearly always had a photo of the Mornington Peninsular Group with Judy standing tall at the back.

Her great-grand-daughter, Bridie Campbell, will start in Year 7 next year with Tilly two years later. Judy was loved by eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who all loved her Violet Crumble ice cream.

Provided by her daughter, Jane Campbell (Kefford 1969)

News of Old Collegians

The PLC Community is saddened to learn of the passing of the following Old Collegians Judy Kefford (Wilson 1945) was an active and regular member of the Mornington Peninsula branch for many years, until she moved into care at Shoreham House five years ago.

For quite a few years, she was our hostess for the winter meetings at her home in Red Hill. We would sit around the open fire and chat while sharing lunch, usually enhanced by a bowl of Judy’s delicious home-made soup.

We would then shop at the trading table. The proceeds from this were always in aid of the Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship Fund. Judy was a great gardener and produced lovely veggies from her garden for the table.

Margaret Hindson (Roberts, 1951) says that Judy always reminded her of vivid colours. She was an accomplished needlewoman, fashioning clothes from some unusual sources. One of her community activities was the Red Hill Op Shop, and she sourced some beautiful items and turned them into very vibrant fashions. Another memory is of being on a coach trip to the Marysville district some years ago; every town with an op shop was visited by all the ‘opshopaholics.’ Judy bought a garment, and by dinner that evening, had turned it into something quite different!

Vibrant is a word Margaret associates with Judy, and her lasting memories will be just that she touched so many lives in many ways. Pam Booth (1959) also remembers how welcoming and genuine Judy was in encouraging her to be involved again when she rejoined the branch. She lent Pam a loom to do weaving and inspired her.

The Mornington Peninsula PLC OCA Friendship Group now has over 115 members on its database, and we know that Judy would be delighted at that. Vale dear Judy, you will remain in our thoughts and our hearts.

Provided by Mornington Peninsula Group

Patrica Marr (Gray 1945) passed away 22 June 2021.

Elizabeth Jean Doery (Gittins 1947) passed away 19 March 2021.

Elizabeth arrived in Melbourne in May 1941 as a eleven-year-old evacuee from Hong Kong. With her was her five-year-old brother, John. Her parents stayed behind in Hong Kong to help in the war effort; it was over five years before she saw her mother again and sadly her father did not survive.

The two children were taken in and cared for by Mrs King who had also left Hong Kong shortly before with her three daughters.

Elizabeth had happy memories of living with the Kings and was grateful for the care and kindness shown. Mrs King enrolled Elizabeth at PLC Burwood in Year 6 to start at the beginning of Term 2 1941, then for her secondary years in East Melbourne.

In February 1944 Elizabeth became a boarder, as Mrs King left Australia to be with her husband who had escaped Hong Kong.

Elizabeth’s strongest memory of boarding school was always being hungry. Despite the lack of food, Elizabeth excelled in her studies and won numerous academic prizes including the Elizabeth Liebech Scholarship at the end of 1945. In her final year Elizabeth was head prefect of her Boarding House, Koorinya.

During this time Elizabeth (‘Gitty’) made some wonderful and lasting friendships which endured through the years.

In 1948 Elizabeth commenced a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, doing Chemistry, Physics and Pure and Applied Maths. At the completion of these studies Elizabeth married Stewart Doery and settled into married life in North Balwyn. They were both very active in their local church, East Kew Presbyterian (later Uniting) Church.

PLC i n P ri nt | D ec em be r 2021

Obituaries The years went by and Elizabeth and Stewart welcomed four children, but suddenly in June 1969 Stewart died, leaving Elizabeth with the four children aged six to 13.

Elizabeth faced this new hardship with her characteristic pragmatism, determination and strength.

In 1975 Elizabeth applied for and was accepted into the Maths/Science Department of the Technical Schools Division and obtained her Diploma of Education. She went on to teach at some secondary schools until finding her preferred teaching of older students at Box Hill TAFE. Also at this time as the children were getting older Elizabeth could indulge in her own hobbies and interests. She saw an ad for a course in lightweight bushwalking and camping conducted by the Council for Adult Education and learned all she needed to know about food and equipment; she waited until 1981 to join the Victorian Mountain Tramping Club (VMTC). In her own words it was an ‘indescribable pleasure’. Elizabeth went on to hike through numerous places in Victoria, Australia, Nepal, New Zealand and other parts of the world.

Also too in 1975 Elizabeth joined the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) after spending many holidays at Wilsons Promontary, Hattah Lakes, Wyperfeld and other national parks. In 1976 she was invited to form a ‘friends of’ group and chose Wyperfeld. This group was very active in ridding the park of noxious weeds like horehound, planting the indigenous Slender Cypress-pines and developing walking tracks.

Elizabeth stayed active with the group until health issues in 2007. In 1999 the then Governor of Victoria, Sir James Gobbo, presented Elizabeth with a Best Friends Award in recognition of her dedication and enthusiasm in conservation.

In 1991 Elizabeth got a ‘most pleasant job for semi-retirement’. It was with Victoria Walks as the first administrative assistant and she stayed until 1996.

In 2000 Elizabeth gave up backpacking walks due to serious injuries but kept on with the club, teaching map reading and navigation courses. In 2001 she was made an Honorary Life Member of the VMTC. During all these years Elizabeth kept in touch with her PLC friends and in 1990 they decided to become the Meanderthals. There were about 14 ‘girls’ and assorted husbands and they would go somewhere nice for a short hike, then share a meal and generally have an

enjoyable catch up. They would do this once or twice a year and it has continued to the present.

Elizabeth died on 19 March this year, a week after her 91st birthday. She is sadly missed by her four children, eight grandchildren and her three (soon five) greatgrandchildren.

Dr Jessie Barbara Finlayson (Paul 1952) passed away on 1 August 2021, aged 85.

Barb was born at Coburg on 11 August 1935, to parents Charles and Jessie Paul (Norling). Barb was the second of two children, arriving two years after her elder sister, Valda. Valda was born with a mass of fair curly hair while Barb’s short dark hair and petite form earned her the name ‘Pixie’ by her Aunty Hilda. And Barb was every bit like her namesake: merry, graceful and whimsical with a good dose of mischievousness thrown in for good measure.

Barb attended PLC from 1947 to 1952.

She was an enthusiastic member of Leven House, always supporting her fellow students at activities such as sport days. Barb was a quiet student who made friends with students who travelled by public transport from Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Barb often spoke of the enjoyment and challenge of her time at PLC, where girls were expected to succeed and progress; and succeed she did! It was at PLC that Barb met Marlee Petrie (1952), Nell Billett (Gruen 1952) and others, becoming lifelong friends.

They often talked about their school days, in particular a Year 11 trip in 1952 to the Great Barrier Reef. Barb kindly donated a menu from this trip to PLC. Barb worked in a library in Collins Street, Melbourne after leaving school then began studying nursing, completing her undergraduate degree at The Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1956. Barb met her future husband, Ken, while he was in hospital as a patient; they married in 1958 and it wasn’t long after that they welcomed with great joy, their beautiful daughter, Deidre (Dee), into the world. This joy was also tinged with sadness as Dee’s twin sibling did not survive, delivered stillborn. In 1981, Barb gained her certificate in geriatric nursing and about the same time her husband, Ken, was diagnosed with chronic leukemia. One of the main reasons for the move to the country in the early 1980s was to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

At this time, Barb worked part time at a nursing home in Castlemaine. She learnt

new skills in things such as breadmaking, spinning and weaving and general farming duties. Barb was an active member of the Newstead Spinners and Weavers for more than 15 years. Sadly, Ken died in 1994 after a long battle with cancer. Ever the learner, Barb returned to study at La Trobe University in 2001, earning her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in 2005. It was with great surprise and honour that Barb received two awards in her first year of returning to study – the Kylie Morrow Memorial Award and the Shakespeare Prize. She also obtained an Australian Post Graduate Award which enabled her to study for her doctorate. In her own words, she said, ‘All this was most surprising as I was not a good student at school.’ Talk about a late bloomer!

She continued to take regular trips to Melbourne using trains, trams and taxis to visit attractions like the National Gallery of Victoria, participate in writers’ festivals and attend Penleigh and PLC reunion functions.

These outings were important for keeping her connected to the things that gave her meaning and purpose.

Barb moved to Bendigo after Ken died but continued her involvement with the Newstead Spinners and Weavers and joined the Bendigo Writer’s Council where she worked as a volunteer at their annual festival.

In 1998, Barb entered six short stories in the Castlemaine Fringe Festival, earning much praise for her contribution to writing.

In later years, and continuing her thirst for learning, she began studying for her professional doctorate degree (PhD) in philosophy. Her thesis was titled, ‘Chasing the Ghost of Spiritualism in Henry Handel Richardson’s Life and Fiction’. Her fascination with the writings and life of Henry Handel Richardson began at the age of eleven and was amplified when Barb learned that HHR had attended the very same school, PLC, 60 years earlier. It was ironic, therefore, that at the age of 79, Barb would be presenting her thesis about Henry Handel Richardson at the PLC Heritage Centre. People described Barb’s talk as fascinating, generating much discussion and interest in HHR and her family, who all believed devoutly in spiritualism. Barb also attended the 10th HHR Oration, held at PLC in 2018. Barb donated a copy of her thesis to the PLC Heritage Centre.

Dr Barb Finlayson – we thank you for being a part of our lives and know that you will live on in all our hearts.

Provided by Marlee Petrie (1952) and her son, John Petrie

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34 PLC i n Pri nt | D e c e mbe r 2 0 2 1

Obituaries

Jill Seale (Roberts 1953) passed away on 19 May 2021, aged 84.

Jill, born in Richmond in 1936, was the much-beloved daughter of Malcolm and Alma Roberts and sister to Graeme Roberts (all deceased).

Jill grew up in Camberwell where she established lifelong friendships with Barbara Johnson (Humphries 1953), Maurine Treloar (Grey 1953) and Val Bastoni (Dunn 1953) who all attended PLC. Jill completed primary school at PLC at Hethersett in Burwood and then moved home to Balwyn, where she was able to access the direct tram into East Melbourne and attend the Senior School.

Jill thrived at school. She was very studious yet didn’t get the grades to extend her studies in science at university. She did two years of Matric in 1953 and 1954 in the hopes of doing so. School life was fulfilling and Jill was a talented sportswoman, notably in tennis and baseball, obtaining House Colours. She was House Captain of Rosslyn in 1954 and School Prefect in 1953 and 1954. She was also school tennis and baseball captain and won the school tennis championship. Jill’s mother Alma (Miscamble), who attended PLC, was also an accomplished sportswoman.

Aside from her sporting accomplishments, Jill was a student of music, loved the piano and was a valued member of the school orchestra on the French horn. Jill was selected by the Australian Youth Orchestra and attended music camps from 1953 – 1955 in Victoria and NSW and performed at their inaugural performance at David Jones in Sydney in 1957.

As Jill was unable to enter university, she went on to the Peter MacCallum Institute and studied Therapy Radiography and was highly thought of through her interactions with staff and patients alike. This interest in cancer and her empathy for patients played an integral role in her future years as she went on to qualify and practice as a naturopath in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Jill married Malcolm Helder in February, 1960 and produced two children, Michael and Kathryn (1981). They spent many happy years together in Broadway, Camberwell, prior to their parting of ways in 1981 when Jill moved to Surrey Hills which she called home until 2016.

Jill’s sporting prowess didn’t finish at school; she continued playing competition tennis and golf for many years to come.

In 1986 Jill met Michael Seale on the Greek island of Rhodes. Their relationship moved swiftly and in October, Jill travelled to South Africa to trial life living with Michael.

In May 1987 they married and soon after returned to Australia. A new life commenced with extensive travels through Australia caravanning and camping.

In addition to travels within Australia they travelled extensively globally and resided part time in Cape Schanck. When her dear school friends were asked recently to choose a word or two to describe Jill, they replied with the following: positive, delightful, bonnie, extremely friendly, appreciative, a risk taker, sporty, intrepid, musical. This group of school friends in addition to the ones mentioned previously included Helen Brown (Bradshaw 1953), Dorothy Dinner (Arnold 1953), Margaret Lester (Watkins 1953) and Margaret Taylor (1953) who all still meet once a month for lunch!

Aside from Jill’s love of travel, music and sport, she also held a deep interest in the self-help, spiritual realm. Many of the books her daughter is now privileged to treasure are written by world-renowned thought leaders such as Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay and Gary Zukav. She nourished herself with a regular meditation and yoga practice.

Having led such an active and healthy lifestyle, Jill had very few ailments in her later years. She was fortunate to have avoided arthritis, but was impacted with lower back issues and reluctantly gave up golf in 2012, but still maintained her membership at Metropolitan Golf Club where she always felt at home with another close friendship group.

After her second husband Michael passed in 2010, Jill managed well on her own and made the most of her independence. During this time, it became apparent that Jill had succumbed to Alzheimer’s and was diagnosed in 2015.

Mid 2016, Regis Shenley Manor became her new home. She was often heard saying to friends and family how happy she was there and would be for the rest of her life. And so she was.

Jill was unfortunately another individual impacted by COVID-19. With the inability for outings and regular visits for several months from family and friends, Jill became institutionalised and it was at this time her cognition declined noticeably. Towards the end of 2020, though Jill always seemed happy, there wasn’t a great deal of quality of life.

Until the very end, Jill always saw the best in every situation, no matter how challenging. She had a beautiful heart and beaming smile. Her divine essence lives on in all those who loved her or simply called her friend.

Provided by her daughter, Kate Helder (1981)

PLC i n P ri nt | D ec em be r 2021

Heather Richardson (Nixon 1954) passed away on 7 March 2021.

Heather was the younger sister of Joan Andrew (Nixon 1951) and Bruce. They grew up in Ivanhoe Presbyterian Church where their father was Session Clerk.

After PLC, Heather trained at Toorak Teachers College, and then taught at Orbost Primary School, where she met and married Gil Richardson (a dairy and maize-cropping farmer).

They had four children, John, Marion, Sue and Kate. They have all married and given Heather and Gil 14 grandchildren and then 14 great-grandchildren. Most of them live in Orbost.

Heather was very much involved in local activities and church, especially ‘The Flower Show’, which has been going for over 100 years.

Jennifer and Heather Andrew, the two daughters of Heather’s sister, Joan, both attended PLC; young Heather Newhook’s daughter, Paris Newhook, is in Year 10 at PLC. Provided by Heather Newhook (1981)

Marian Steinbergs (Davey 1954) unexpectedly passed away peacefully at her home in Croydon on 24 March 2021. She is greatly missed by everyone that knew her.

Margaret Loader (Keast 1955) passed away in August 2021, at home, surrounded by her family after battling cancer for many years.

On leaving PLC, Margaret trained as a primary school teacher before heading off to Europe. On board the ship she met her future husband, Brian Loader, from Coffs Harbour.

Margaret always felt very fortunate to have attended PLC and saw the school as a very special place of learning. She valued her time at the College, spoke frequently with her old school friends and thoroughly enjoyed connecting with other Old Collegians through the Old Collegians Sydney group, where she was treasurer for several years.

Margaret had two sons, a daughter and seven loving grandchildren. She had many talents including creative needlework, particularly patchwork, and knitting.

She maintained a large, prize-winning, and outstandingly beautiful collection of porcelain dolls. These were all beautifully dressed, many in period costume, with one in the PLC uniform with a hat that she made from her own old school hat. She loved gardens, particularly growing her own roses, and cooking, much to the delight of her grandchildren.

Margaret will be missed by the PLC OCA Sydney branch where she was a loyal member for many years. Always smiling, always humble and always a willing helper at our functions.

Diane Piper (Hancock 1955) passed away on 29 June 2021.

Jo Anne Sudholz (Kelsall 1977) passed away on 2 May 2021.

Sarah Lawson (1984) passed away on 11 August 2021.

Doll made and donated to PLC by Margaret Loader (Keast 1995)

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Old Collegian News

I also continue the link with Victoria University where I am an Honorary Fellow, helping in Dili with study tours, election monitoring teams and two-way exchange programs and conferences with TimorLeste’s National University. Working to improve education in a tropical multi-lingual small democracy is not easy, yet it is most rewarding, and, for the time being, it does not worry me that I cannot get back to Australia.

Cheryl Hopcroft (Joy 1976) Cheryl is a mum of four boys now grown up and with children of their own. Cheryl is a local psychologist; her clinic, Psychology4Life is upstairs at 1395 Toorak Road, Camberwell.

Cheryl provides general psychological counselling and runs a team of eight other psychologists from the busy practice.

Cheryl is interested in connecting with other Old Collegians who are embarking on a career in psychology, also with any other Old Collegians who are Lyceum Club members.

Cheryl can be contacted at cheryl@

cherylhopcroft.com

Dr Helen M. Hill (1962) Greetings from Dili, capital of Timor-Leste. It’s only one hour’s flight from Darwin but I am stuck here until more quarantine places become available in the Northern Territory. I have been living here since mid-2014 when an email arrived from Dulce, one of my former Masters students at Victoria University, then a Vice-Minister of Education. She urged me to send her my CV as they might want to give me a postretirement job. So before the end of 2014 I was in Dili, a familiar city, where I have many friends, and which I first visited in 1975 researching for my Monash University Masters’ thesis.

I taught many Timorese students during my 22 years at Victoria University, many of them studying International Community Development, a course I helped to establish.

When I came to Timor several of them wanted me to advise them, so I’ve almost had a different job each year. When Dulce became the Minister for Education, she had me setting up an advisory team on reform of the secondary curriculum, which led me to reflect on my time at PLC. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected education badly but it has also given impetus to the reform of teaching methods.

Dr C. Alison Hogg (1973) was honoured to be awarded the RACGP WA Jack Christodulou Examiner Award 2020.

‘The award honours a committed examiner who has demonstrated a passion and commitment to the fellowship process, maintaining high standards in key aspects of examining, and has made a significant contribution to supporting candidates on their journey toward Fellowship.’

Alison was awarded this for nearly 20 years of examining and more than 10 years as a Quality Assurance Examiner. The awards ceremony was delayed due to the COVID-19 lockdown and was held in November 2020 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Kim Rubenstein (1982 School Captain) has had a busy 18 months. In February 2020 she moved from the ANU (where she had been since 2006 as a Professor in the Law School) to the University of Canberra to be Co-Director of the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation.

The last 18 months have amplified for her (and indeed the last 25 plus years of her public policy work) that unless there’s someone in Parliament open to making changes in urgent areas of policy like climate change, gender inequality and stamping out corruption in politics, it won’t happen.

So she has announced she is running as an Independent to represent the ACT in the Senate.

She has formed the Kim4Canberra Party and now with over 1700 members has applied to the Australian Electoral Commission to be registered. This will enable her to be ‘above the line’ on the Senate ballot giving her a very strong chance of winning a Senate seat as an Independent.

Old Collegians living in the ACT who want to volunteer can participate and those who are not living in the ACT keen to support Kim in this project are encouraged to contact her!

Kim also spoke recently on Radio National about her final school year (and her recentlylaunched biography of Joan Montgomery) as another impetus for her Senate run - you can listen here to ‘The Year that Made Me’.

Kim Rubenstein (1982) with Joan Montgomery.

PLC i n P ri nt | D ec em be r 2021

Old Collegian News

Lisa Leong (1989)

Lisa Leong (1989) Over the course of too many lockdowns, Lisa has been asking some big questions about how and why we work … for her new book! It’s called This Working Life: Navigating Your Career in Uncertain Times (available for preorder).

Lisa has been reflecting on some career advice she received 20 years ago, after she left the law to pursue a future in radio. Steve Ahern, then the head of radio at the Australian Film Television and Radio School, advised the cohort to think deeply about this question: ‘Who do you want to be when the On Air light switches off?’ Because in the media there are no guarantees, and, one day, it will.

His point was that you can’t get too hung up on your work persona. Work is part of life, but it’s not the only part — you need to pay attention to the whole.

Take a moment to connect again with who you are, beyond roles, beyond job titles (current or projected). Your values, and your dreams, and your superpowers, and those things in life that make you feel energised and alive. I believe this connection to self is how you begin to navigate through the upheaval, towards a future of your own design.

Lisa is the presenter of the ABC’s ‘This Working Life’.

Ai-Leen Tan (1992) skiing with sisters Li-Leen Tan (1986) and Meileen Tan (1984) in the Dolomites, Italy.

Ai-Leen Tan (1992) left PLC in 1992, studied Law and Commerce at the University of Melbourne graduating in 1997, and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1999 before moving to Singapore for work. It was the height of the dotcom bubble and during a one-year stint with a venture capital firm investing in dot.com start-ups, she expanded her social network beyond her usual lawyer / accountant / banker crowd and made connections with software engineers and tech geeks. These connections eventually led her to meet her now husband (‘Der Mann’).

In 2004, they moved to Frankfurt, Germany, shortly after tying the knot. Ai-Leen had learned German before this but there is nothing like being fully immersed in the culture and country and being surrounded by Germans to help improve command of the language. Making the effort to master the language paid dividends in allowing her to form good bonds and connections with new German friends and colleagues as well as deeply appreciate the German psyche and their brand of humour.

After 10 years, Der Mann took a new role in Switzerland, so they had to move again. Thanks to the good connections in Germany, Ai-Leen was able to easily negotiate a transfer to the Zurich office of EY where she is currently an Associate Partner with a global risk management role.

For someone who loves glaciers, mountains, lakes, waterfalls and gorges, Switzerland is a wonderful country to live in. Its location in Europe makes it convenient for trips to neighbouring countries for business or to experience a change of culture, scenery and food. Travel is something Ai-Leen enjoys, and it has helped her work and communicate better with teams from countries all over the world on global projects.

That is of course until the pandemic hit, disrupting life as they knew it and making everything come to a standstill.

With over 65,000km of marked hiking trails, Switzerland is a hiking paradise. Ai-Leen has set herself a goal to hike every hiking trail in their area; once restrictions were eased during the summer, she declared that every weekend they would hike in a new part of the country.

Although glad to have used the lockdown period in Switzerland to establish a more personal connection to the country, Ai-Leen is most anxious for Australia to reopen its borders so that she can return to Australia soon to see her family.

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Old Collegian News

Commissioner Andrew Crisp, Emma Jennings, Brigadier Matt Burr at the Olinda Relief Centre.

PLC OCA Facebook Page A place for Old Collegians to share photos and thoughts. We look forward to sharing with you at the PLC Melbourne OCA Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ plcmelbourneoca/

Connected Communities During COVID-19 and a Once-in-a-Lifetime Storm In May 2021, Emma Jennings (1995) moved her tiny art gallery from Sassafras to a huge space in Olinda, opened for one weekend and then closed for Lockdown 5.0.

Just as this lockdown came to an end, on the night of Wednesday 9 June, nature had other ideas and threw the most severe storm the region had ever seen.

In the Dandenong Ranges 76 houses were either damaged or destroyed by some of the largest trees in Australia, strengthened due to years of withstanding winds from the north-west, but unable to stand against the wind that came from the east. Families huddled together as the storm raged through the night, wondering if they would survive, knowing their houses most certainly would not. It’s a miracle no one died.

They entered a different type of lockdown without power, internet or phone – for some, up to four weeks. Winter in the hills is cold. Really cold. They say if you last a winter here, you’ll stay forever. But without power or heating, it’s almost unbearable.

Working closely with the Yarra Ranges Council Emergency Management team, local charities, community groups and businesses, they quickly organised donations of the essentials: matches and firelighters, torches, gas cooking stoves, firewood, blankets, hot water bottles, candles and generators.

Two relief centres were set up at the Olinda Football Club and Kalorama Reserve.

SES, CFA and DRERS volunteers drove supplies up and down the hill from Montrose, Monbulk, Lilydale, Emerald, Belgrave and The Basin. AusNet crews worked 24 hours a day

on power lines, traffic controllers stood at roadblocks on 12-hour shifts through freezing nights, turning onlookers around. Specialist arborists and the Red Cross came from all over Victoria and eventually the ADF and Bushfire Recovery Victoria came to assist with the clean-up and delivery of generators.

Artists ran workshops and musicians played for the children as locals gathered to support each other with hot soup, tea and compassion – all within the limitations of being COVID-19 safe. Hayley Williams (Coates 1995) organised a beautiful weaving project for them.

It was four weeks before the area was safe enough to welcome visitors back and reopen businesses.

It will be years before the forest trails are cleared – if ever.

Emma succeeded in reopening her gallery after yet another storm on 29 October which led to power outages in homes and businesses in the hills. She is working with her community on art recovery projects.

Some people are doing better than others.

Life goes on. In time, the forest will heal, and so will they.

To see more of Emma’s work visit www.

emmajennings.com.au Emma uses layers of tone, pattern and botanical studies to investigate geometry and ecological connections in the natural world.

Her painting, ‘Watertank’, 1993, hangs in the foyer at PLC.

PLC i n P ri nt | D ec em be r 2021

Kalpana Ramani (2003)

Congratulations to Kalpana Ramani (2003) on her appointment as the newest Committee Member of the historic Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC).

Kalpana helped establish the MCC Netball Club in 2011 and was Chairperson of the MCC Netball section. With her extensive background in digital services, design thinking and risk management in both the corporate and government sector, Kalpana will bring a valuable younger member’s perspective to the Committee.

Kalpana specialises in innovative programs such as the one she led on methods to safeguard consumers from online scammers. She received a national award in 2019 for showcasing innovative design through digital storytelling. Kalpana currently leads resilience initiatives for priority programs within the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

Grace Brown (2010)

Mary Hanna (Sutherland 1971)

Tim Disken

PLC Olympians at Tokyo!

PLC Old Collegian Mary Hanna (Sutherland 1971), an internationally-celebrated dressage rider and equestrian coach, became the first woman to represent Australia six times at the Olympics. At 66 years of age, Mary was the oldest athlete at Tokyo and is now the second-oldest female Olympian in history. Mary participated in individual and team dressage on her horse Calanta. What a fantastic and enduring Olympic journey!

Another PLC Old Collegian, Grace Brown (2010), a professional road racing cyclist, participated in her first Olympics at Tokyo. She achieved 4th position in the Cycling Individual Time Trial, a wonderful effort in a close race. Grace was a cross-country, middle-to-long distance runner before taking up cycling. She has recently signed a two-year contract to race with the French Women’s World Tour team, FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope.

Tim Disken, who trains at the PLC Aquatic Centre, participated in his second Paralympic Games. Tim won three medals in the Rio Games and at Tokyo won a silver medal in the Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay. A wonderful achievement for Tim who has represented Australia many times on the national stage. We look forward to seeing him training hard in the pool.

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Presbyterian Ladies’ College MELBOURNE ABN 16 005 650 386 CRICOS No. 00334M 141 Burwood Highway Burwood, VIC 3125 Australia Tel: (61 3) 9808 5811

www.plc.vic.edu.au Submissions for the next edition of PLC in Print are due

by Friday 4 February 2022 Please send submissions to

news@plc.vic.edu.au INCORPORATING THE OLD COLLEGIANS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER