CELEBRATING 120 YEARS
umber 2 / volume 28 / n spring 2 012 /
r e h t e Tog E E WOMEN’S COLLEG THE JOURNAL OF TH EY DN SY OF ITY WITHIN THE UNIVERS
Content s 2 3 3 4 6 6 7 7 8 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Principal points & Chair notes Amanda Bell Walk In Her Shoes Council elections 2012 Our donors Women in Leadership Portrait unveiling Staff retirements Oral History project From the Alumnae President Alumnae High Tea Best friends 120 year anniversary book Gala Spring Ball Vale Staying connected Events calendar
PRINCIPAL points
T
he 120th year of the College is in full swing. Our fundraising efforts are proving productive and the special ‘birthday’ merchandise – wine and wrap – are generating interest. The 120 year pictorial history, Change by Degrees, will be available shortly and we still have the Gala Spring Ball and the Back to College Weekend to enjoy! Alongside these special activities, our students continue to vie for the Rosebowl and Palladian Cup while producing outstanding academic results. This year is proving a wonderful final year for me and I acknowledge the extraordinary support I receive from College staff. They are committed to ensuring our success and they give unstintingly of their time and effort. This College could not operate without their loyalty. I have also appreciated the endorsement I have received from Council and alumnae, along with the warm co-operation I have consistently obtained from students. When I arrived at College, my aims were to enhance the College’s academic ethos, enable the leadership aspirations of students, promote diversity and improve links with the professions. Much has been achieved but I leave it to you, and future generations, to decide my legacy.
CHAIR notes
I
would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the pivotal role of Principal for The Women’s College and reflect on the lasting influence each Principal has upon the residents of her “era”. Last week we unveiled portraits of previous Principals, Dr Leonie Star and the late Ms Val Street. Speeches from Professor Elizabeth Elliot AM, Dr Star and Ms Carolyn Gavel reminded us of the many good times, and indeed, challenging times which make up the quintessential College experience. I’m sure all of us retain vivid memories from our time in College, however few may realise the constancy of demands upon the Principal as she navigates the needs of students, staff, other Colleges, the University, parents, alumnae, donors, College Council and the local community. In early 2013 Dr Jane Williamson will be concluding an extremely busy four years as Principal and we will be welcoming Dr Amanda Bell. On behalf of the College community I would like to thank Jane for the passion, dedication and tenacity she has brought to the role. We are also delighted to be welcoming Amanda and wish her well for the exciting time ahead.
Best wishes to all.
I look forward to seeing you all at the 120 year celebrations!
Jane Williamson
Lucinda Warren
Principal, The Women’s College
2 / The Journal of The Women’s College / spring 2012
Chair, The Women’s College Council
A WORD FROM
our NEW PRINCIPAL Dr Amanda Bell Dr Bell will commence as Principal in late January 2013.
While living and working as an art history advisor for the Western Australian Education Department in the early 1990s, I purchased two small, delightfully whimsical paintings by Ella Fry from one of her last solo exhibitions before she died in 1997.
S
ome twenty years later I walked in to my new office as Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School and there on the wall were two beautiful portraits of women painted in the early 1940s by Fry, a Grammar alumna. In 2005 I completed my doctoral thesis on Fry’s remarkable and mostly undocumented life. Fry was an artist, musician, teacher, arts administrator and philanthropist. Despite our professional worlds being separated by many decades, there are uncanny similarities of location, experience and interests that connect our lives. When I was working at SCECGS Redlands in Neutral Bay in the late
1990s, I came to know the Edwards family well and one of their children, Samantha, became good friends with my daughter. On my tour of Women’s College earlier this year and prior to the announcement that I would be fortunate enough to succeed Jane Williamson as the next Principal, it was Samantha’s sister, India, who showed me around the campus. Currently, one of the Girls Grammar trustees and herself and old girl, has a daughter – Brenna Huth, in College. Brisbane Girls Grammar, founded in 1875 under an act of parliament not dissimilar to the inception of The Women’s College, has many historic connections with the College, dating from the late nineteenth century when young women from Girls Grammar came to study at Sydney University as there was
no university in Queensland until 1911. In fact, the longest serving Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar, Kathleen Mitford Lilley, was a resident of Women’s College while studying for her arts degree. Coincidence, connections and stories in our lives play more of a role in our choices than perhaps we would like to imagine. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as an arts undergraduate at Sydney University in the late 1970s while studying art history, English, archaeology and German. The thought now, that in 2013, I will be able to combine my love of education, mentoring young women, the arts and this wonderful College with its historic connections to Brisbane Girls Grammar, is tantamount to coming home.
Walk In Her Shoes initiative 2012 Women’s College Charity Convenors Alisha King (2nd year Science Advanced) and Antonia Watson (2nd year Arts/Law) mobilised 61 Women’s College students, who collectively walked almost 500 kilometers to raise $8516 for Care Australia’s Walk In Her Shoes challenge in March. Women and girls in developing countries walk hours every day to collect food, water and firewood – time which prevents them from going to school or earning an income. Money raised by the campaign assists by providing community gardens and clean water close to homes. The College team was the fourth highest group fundraiser in Australia. “It was a great way for Charity Committee to start out the year, and also to show the freshers around the local area at the same time,” says Antonia.
spring 2012 / The Journal of The Women’s College / 3
2012
Council Elections
Nominations are called for five councillors of The Women’s College Council to hold office for four years from 1 January 2013.
Nominations close at 12 noon on Wednesday 3 October 2012 and should be sent to: The Returning Officer, The Women’s College, University of Sydney, NSW 2006. Nomination forms can be downloaded from The Women’s College website at www.thewomenscollege.com.au or contact Mary McGuirk on 02 9517 5002 or secretary@thewomenscollege.com.au The main purposes of the Council are to provide, maintain and develop the College as a residence for such female students of the University as the Council may approve and for related purposes; and to provide such assistance in the educational development of the residents of the College, who are students of the University, as the Council may decide. The Council consists of ten elected councillors, a Treasurer, and four ex-officio councillors. The ex-officio councillors are: the Principal of the College, the Senior Student of the College, the President of The Women’s College Alumnae, and the person nominated by the Senate of the University. The Council has five committees: Building and Development, Finance, Marketing, Nomination, and Scholarships. At the last Council Meeting on 21 August 2012, the Nomination and Scholarships Committees were amalgamated to form the Scholarships, Fellows and Awards Committee. 4 / The Journal of The Women’s College / spring 2012
COUNCIL MEMBERS RETIRING
OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS
PROFESSOR JOHN CARTER AM BE PhD DEng FAA FTSE MASCE FIEAust CPEng, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Newcastle.
MS CAMILLE BLACKBURN BEc LLB MCom, Global Head of Compliance, Westpac Institutional Bank.
Year of Council Membership: 2002 Committees: Building and Development Record of Attendance (2012): 3 of 3
Member of College: 1987-90 (Senior Student 1990). Year of Council Membership: 1990, 2007 Committees: Finance Record of Attendance (2012): 3 of 3
MS JAQUI LANE MA (Hons),
MS VIRGINIA DOWD
Year of Council Membership: 2002 Record of Attendance (2012): 1 of 3
Year of Council Membership: 2002 Committees: Finance, Marketing Record of Attendance (2012): 1 of 3
MR DICK PERSSON AM BA FAIM Year of Council Membership: 2001 Committees: Marketing Record of Attendance (2012): 3 of 3
PROFESSOR ELIZABETH ELLIOTT AM MD MPhil MBBS FRACP FRCPCH FRCP, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Consultant Paediatrician The Children’s Hospital, Westmead
MS LYNN RAINBOW REID Tourism
Member of College: 1975-78 (Senior Student 1977) Year of Council Membership: 1977, 2003 Committees: Nominations, Finance Record of Attendance (2012): 2 of 3
Year of Council Membership: 2001 Committees: Building and Development, Nominations, Scholarships Record of Attendance (2012): 0 of 3 MS LUCINDA WARREN BEc Chair of Council Member of College: 1984-86 (Senior Student 1986) Year of Council Membership: 1986, 1997 Committees: Building and Development, Finance Record of Attendance (2012): 3 of 3
DR JENNIFER DAVIDSON MBBC FACEM, Director of Emergency Medicine Training, Network Director of Emergency Medicine Training, Emergency Department, Liverpool Hospital
MS MARY WALKER BA (Hons) LLB, Barrister Deputy Chair of Council Member of College: 1975-78 (Senior Student 1978) Year of Council Membership: 1978, 1999 Committees: Nominations, Scholarships Record of Attendance (2012): 3 of 3
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS DR JANE WILLIAMSON BEc BA MA PhD, Principal Year of Council Membership: 2008 Committees: Finance, Building and Development, Nominations, Scholarships, Marketing Record of Attendance (2012): 3 of 3 PROFESSOR MARIAN BAIRD BEc (Hons) DipEd PhD, Employment Relations, The University of Sydney Business School University of Sydney Senate Fellow Year of Council Membership: 2011 Record of Attendance (2012): 2 of 3 MS JACQUELINE HICKS BA (Syd) Dip Lib (RMIHE) Dip Ed Prim (ACAE) MA (Syd) MA (Deakin) BA Hons (UNE) Dip Ed Sec (CSU), Librarian President, The Women’s College Alumnae
Member of College: 1989-91 Year of Council Membership: 2010 Committees: Nominations, Scholarships Record of Attendance (2012): 1 of 3
Member of College: 1975-1976 Year of Council Membership: 2010 Committees: Nominations, Scholarships Record of Attendance (2012): 3 of 3
MR LEO TUTT FCA FCPA FAIM FAICD, Honorary Fellow, The University of Sydney Treasurer
MS INDIA EDWARDS Senior Student 2012 Women’s College House Committee
Member of College Council: 2011 Committees: Finance Record of Attendance (2012): 2 of 3
Member of College: 2010-Present Year of Council Membership: 2012 Committees: Marketing Record of Attendance (2012): 3 of 3
spring 2012 / The Journal of The Women’s College / 5
IN
APPRECIATION
WOMEN
in leadership
OF OUR DONORS
With thanks to all who supported the college in the last six months. This column recognises our donors and celebrates the diverse range of support the college receives. No matter how small or large, each gift makes a difference to our students and the projects we support. Antoinette Albert Pacita Alexander Pamela Anderson Margot Anthony Kate Archer Jane Baird Ruth Barry
COCKTAILS AND DINNER 2012
Mary Barton Helen Bashir Crane Josephine Bastian Anne Beaumont Yvonne Becarevic Alexandra Bune Margaret Burgess Briony Cadwaller David Cartwright Margaret Chambers Janice Chapman Julie Cole Sandra Culph
C
Jennifer Davidson
ollege’s 120th birthday celebrations were in full swing in May with a special evening celebrating the achievements of Women in Leadership. College alumna Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM addressed a dining room filled with alumnae and friends, giving a personal account of aspects of her pediatric medical work. Over cocktails earlier in the evening guests were treated to a viewing of Diane Macdonald’s photographic exhibition, Positively Remarkable, in which Professor Elliott is represented as one of fifty inspiring women from a range of professional backgrounds who are passionate about social justice, and whose careers have had a positive impact on their communities. After dinner, historical vignettes of alumnae (characterised by some of our talented drama students) were interspersed with short video clips of living alumnae, acknowledging the important part the College has played in the lives and careers of many women. It was a fitting celebration of some of the remarkable women leaders who have resided at the College over the past 120 years.
Pauline Deakins Virginia Dowd Gweneth Downes Victoria Edwards Janet Flint Jill Forrest Denise Fung Olma Gan Carolyn Gavel Samantha Gavel Louise Gay Alexandra Grimwade Valerie Grogan Jill Hawker Jennifer Hawkins Jaqueline Hicks Eric Hinder
(Cont. on pg 7)
In her address at the dinner, Professor Elliott paid tribute to the College’s founding and reflected on some of the changes and constants of College life. She spoke personally of her work with maternal health in Vietnam, and with Aboriginal communities in the remote Fitzroy Valley in the Kimberley in Western Australia. Professor Elliott’s work in the Kimberley has helped to progress a community initiative to address the diagnosis, management and prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in that community. She notes: “I have learnt from this project that we non-Indigenous people must listen to Aboriginal communities, to acknowledge that they can and should prioritise their own needs. We must not see them as victims, but assist them to be the architects of their own, better futures.”
6 / The Journal of The Women’s College / spring 2012
PRINCIPAL
portraits
In August two portraits of past Principals were unveiled: Dr Leonie Star (1974 – 80) and Val Street (1981– 89).
R
enowned portraitist and alumna, Dr Gillian Dunlop (1982– 84) drew on photographic archives to depict Dr Star and Miss Street as they were at the time of their headship of College. In a special ceremony to unveil the portraits, Dr Star reflected on her appointment as Principal and the tumultuous era during which she and her young daughters resided at Women’s College. Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM (1975 –78) spoke fondly of her time as Senior Student under Dr Star, and the late Val Street’s period as Principal was remembered by 1988 Senior Student, Carolyn Gavel (1984 – 88).
IN
APPRECIATION
OF OUR DONORS
Jill (Pamela) Hodgson (Cont. from pg 6) Catherine Hutton Sue Johnson Deborah Kwa Pat Leslie Penelope Little Annegret Ludwig Robert Maple-Brown Betty Marks Wendy McCarthy Janet McCredie Mary McGuirk Leah McKenzie Anna McLaughlin Kristen Michell Adele Millerd Ann Moffatt Linda Mullins Dean Mullins Margaret Murray Michelle Ng Athalie O’Neil Joan Perkins Eleanor Putman Ruth Rae
SPECIAL RETIREMENTS
Nance Park Richards Elizabeth Richardson
Two staff of the college, beloved by students over a number of decades, have retired this year. Assistant Housekeeper Pamela Schiavone had worked at the College for twelve years, and Maria Dias for twenty five years. Both Maria and Pam were presented with commemorative College vases at their retirement functions. Maria says: “I started working at College a month after arriving from Portugal, and I didn’t speak much English, and I had so much help from everyone. The College means so much to me; it’s part of my life and I’ll never forget it.” Maria is planning a long trip abroad after her retirement. Pam is planning to retire to her hometown Adelaide.
Melanie Rooney Catherine Rothery Fiona Roughley Margaret Scrivenor Jill Shepherd Margaret Sheridan Pasuri Susilo Joanna Tapper Susan Thomas Margaret Tink Robyn Wallace Anita Walters Ursula Webb-Ware Donelle Wheeler Penelope Williams Jane Williamson Rebecca Wong
spring 2012 / The Journal of The Women’s College / 7
“To me the big thing about College when I came was that it was our home, and we adored it…. I was married from College, in Stuvac. I stayed in the night before, and drove across to the Wesley chapel in Dad’s car, and the reception was in [the Main Common Room]. That’s why this is a very special place to me.” Margaret Ford
THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE ORAL HISTORY PROJECT IS GATHERING THE RECOLLECTIONS OF OUR MOST SENIOR ALUMNAE. TO DATE, THIRTEEN ALUMNAE HAVE SHARED A HOST OF ENGAGING MEMORIES OF THEIR TIME AT COLLEGE.
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project
“College was very strange for me because I was an only child, and to suddenly be amongst all these girls was so different, and I didn’t study as hard as I did at home!” Margaret Young
I
nterviews for the Oral History Project are being conducted by Penny Cameron (WYNDHAM: 57– 59), Rachel Grahame (COOKSON: 56– 59) and Merilyn BRYCE (64–65), who have traversed Sydney and so far ventured as far as Newcastle to capture precious reminiscences of College and University life. Interview topics range from individual hopes and aspirations surrounding coming to College and University, to recollections of the rules and regulations and the social, sporting, and cultural aspects of College life. Participants are also asked to reflect on their university studies and their life after leaving College. As the interview extracts above
“It was war time when we were there, so things were limited and there was a blackout. The University had an air raid precaution place where a lot of us worked minding the phones in case of an air raid, which was rather fun.”
“My mother did not want me to go down her road, having seven children. She grew up in south-west Tasmania with a tutor, and only went to school for one year. My parents were determined to give us something better, and they fulfilled that.”
Pat Roby
Amy McGrath
show, the questions have elicited some delightful reminiscences and insights.
Alumnae who have been interviewed so far:
Memories are captured using the latest digital recording technology, producing archival quality sound files which will be stored in the College archives in various formats, to safeguard against technical obsolescence. Participants will be asked to give permission for College to use the recordings or transcriptions for publications, broadcasts, or for electronic and online media. College hopes to make parts of the recordings available on our website in the coming months, for all alumnae to access and enjoy. Please keep an eye on the website.
Hilda Bune (THOMPSON: 38) Helen Campbell (HOSKINS: 42-44) Pauline Deakins (KENT: 39-44) Margaret Ford (THOMAS: 44-49) Marjorie JACOBS AO (33-35) Lucy Lloyd (TAYLOR: 39-42) Amy McGrath OAM (CUMPSTON: 38-41) Barbara Munro (SALENGER: 36-38) Margaret Murray (SMITH: 38-42) Patricia Roby (MORRIS: 40-42) Pamela Snedden (ALCORN: 41-47) Margaret Tink (ANDREW: 42-46) Margaret Young (MILDRED: 43-45)
spring 2012 / The Journal of The Women’s College / 9
JACQUELINE HICKS
T
he Women’s College Alumnae Committee welcomes our new committee, especially the two new members, Camilla Coventry and Serena Porges. We are sad to say farewell to Melissa Robbins who has been a stalwart of many a planning process, and a wonderful support to the President. We are also saying farewell to Robyn Wines who is stepping down as Treasurer. We wish them both well and thank them for all their hard work. We have had an exciting year so far, with the wonderful Champagne High Tea to
From the
Alumnae President welcome back so many Alumnae to College. It was a fun event, enlivened by beautiful music and the spectacular wraps that Diana Gibbs had on display. Diana has been commissioned to weave a beautiful wrap with the College wisteria as a motif. Her wraps were handed round and much admired. The Women’s College wrap is now available so get in quick with your orders. I would like to thank the hardy band of stalwarts who turned up for the Alumnae Committee AGM. We have a new committee and some exciting plans for the year ahead. We welcome any suggestions from our
ALUMNAE COMMITTEE 2012– 2013 PRESIDENT Jacqueline HICKS (1975–76) VICE-PRESIDENT Victoria Harper (MORGAN 1981– 84) SECRETARY Eliza NEWTON (2002– 05) TREASURER TBD MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY India HARDY (1999–2002) COMMITTEE MEMBERS Camilla COVENTRY (1999–2001), Stephanie MOFFITT (2002–07), Serena Porges (HOOK 1983 – 84).
ALUMNAE
Great company and delicious goodies were the order of the day at the Alumnae High Tea in April 2012.
10 / The Journal of The Women’s College / spring 2012
community for the Back to College Weekend which is planned for the weekend of the 7 to 9 December. We would love to see as many of you as can make it come back for a weekend of memories and celebration of our 120 years. Planning for the Gala Spring Ball is steaming ahead. It will be held on 13 October in MacLaurin Hall. While for many of us, MacLaurin Hall brings back memories of long queues on enrolment day, and nervous anticipation when the Jacaranda spread its purple carpet, it is a wonderful place to celebrate the achievements of College over 120 years. Stephanie Moffitt and Eliza Newton have been working hard with members of the College staff to make this a memorable event. The Wisteria Lunch is coming up on 15 September. This year we welcome back those who were Freshers in 1972 and earlier. This is a rare treat to share memories with those who can remember the cottage, as well as those who witnessed the Vietnam War and Conscription protests. Come and join us when the Wisteria is in flower and the sun slants through the windows of Main Common Room, and bring your fellow Wizzies!
Jacqueline Hicks
hi g h tea
Best friends Alison Main and Rachel Grahame (COOKSON) have remained close friends since they had rooms side by side on middle floor Main in 1959. A former architect, Alison is a painter and sculptor and lives in Adelaide. After 25 years as a teacher librarian, Rachel works in historical research. She lives in Sydney.
Ali a
nd R ache
l in
Aug
ust 2
012
.
ALISON My first memory of Ray was her lying in bed in Main with her head tied in a scarf, nose pointing at the ceiling – it was hard to sleep in rollers! I was a bit frightened of her because she’s always been able to talk and I was a bit socially backwards. Ray’s got a strength of personality that was there from the start. I think coming from a big family gives you a security and confidence, which I as an only child didn’t have. Ray’s got a political mind and she can be fiercely partisan about things. Our politics were all transformed when she was studying government. She brought a lot of us into the left who grew up as wishy–washy liberals. We used to say that she’d be the first woman Prime Minister. Ray’s mother used to send down boxes of provisions for all of us at College - Mab tarts with jam and coconut. She had a dress we called the lampshade dress and she lent it out to everyone who went to a formal. For my seventieth birthday she made me a patchwork quilt with a patch in it from a dress she had at College. We shared a house together in Rushcutters Bay after we left College. When Ray started going out with Jack I was very intimidated by him. One day she brought us together and said we had to be very good friends because they were getting married
and she didn’t want any animosity. Going to their house as the kids were growing up there was a constant flow of people coming and going. I was on my own and I spent a lot of time there and they were always totally welcoming. I know that because of the strength of her family and the commitment within it I’m sort of second in it all. Our friendship is a totally important part of my life. I feel very strongly about the whole Women’s College network – a bit like my architecture friends which are another marvellous club I belong to. It’s unquestioned for me that Rachel would always be there.
RACHEL Ali and I had similar backgrounds. We’d both been to boarding school, our fathers were both doctors, and we both read a lot. Although she was an only child and I came from a large mob, those experiences made it easier to be friends. We kept similar hours at College – I don’t think she got up for breakfast either! I was one of five girls and I’d inherited a lot of clothes – ball dresses made of silk and taffeta. Mum sent hampers and she was a good cook, so everybody brewed in my room. Ali’s always been a bit vague. She has that way of speaking that trails off… She isn’t really vague, but she sort of pretends to be. Perhaps it was a protection at boarding
school. I think she went to boarding school when she was pretty young, and she was a bit of an outsider. When we were at College Ali had this other, architectural life, and she was more outside than a lot of us were. College was our complete world. When Jack and I were living in Neutral Bay she used to come and stay the night and we’d just talk and talk. Our kids adored her. She could draw a dog that looked like a dog, and she would make up stories for them and bring them things. She used to come camping with us in the late 1970s. Two of the pictures that hang in our bedroom are watercolours that Alison did at Crescent Head. Ali was a very successful architect, with a substantial body of work in the respectful restoration of old buildings. I always think of her as an artist – she draws magnificently, she paints in oils and does wonderful papier mache sculptures. She has contributed to many exhibitions in Adelaide. Ali and I have never been out of contact and our friendship has been completely without friction. We don’t live in the same city, we don’t write every week. I am much more publicly involved and politicised, but between us I don’t ever remember a falling out. We feel a link always.
spring 2012 / The Journal of The Women’s College / 11
year anniversary book :
CHANGE BY DEGREES
A special chapter dedicated to the College’s Principals reveals some wonderful portraits and profiles, as well as some less formal moments, including two images which record rare meetings between a number of consecutive Principals. Collated and edited by Senior Resident Assistant Louise Prowse, in collaboration with Principal Dr Jane Williamson and Vice Principal Dr Tiffany Donnelly, the book contains a short introductory piece to each chapter, and special “memory boxes” which enhance the images with snippets of newspaper articles, letters, old College handbooks and personal reminiscences.
change by degrees: pictorial history of the women’s college within the university of sydney
In addition to some memorable special events and some superb commemorative merchandise, the Women’s College has produced another memento to mark its 120th birthday: an anniversary book titled Change by Degrees: A Pictorial History of The Women’s College.
A
s distinguished College alumna Dr Janet McCredie AM notes in her forward to the book: “It records moments in College life from the earliest sepia photographs in our archives, thence via black and white snapshots from box brownies and later cameras, to colour prints from today’s digital technology.” The book’s chapters capture some of the constants of College life, as well as marking some of the physical changes to the buildings and grounds over time. Some rarely seen and now extinct views
of the College make their appearance, and do not fail to intrigue and delight. Throughout, the book celebrates the lives of the generations of women who have lived, studied, socialised and enjoyed themselves at the College. Their personally captured moments of fun are a particular treasure, and we are fortunate to have acquired a number of personal albums over the years which are now housed in the College archives. The photographs from these collections add texture to the “official” shots captured by visiting photographers.
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Currently completing her doctorate in Australian history at Sydney University, and a former Women’s College student herself, Louise says that the book has been a labour of love, involving many hours spent in the temperature controlled College archives searching albums and scrapbooks. “It was a pleasure and a treat to go through the archives, and the surprises for me have been discovering some of the unknown gardens and places around College,” says Louise. “Reading the handbooks from the 1920s gave such a pleasure and insight into the lives of students of the past – but they also felt so familiar. I could see my own experiences reflected in the experiences of women who were here eighty years ago and that was really comforting to know – that some things really don’t change. The best part of the book for me is that is gives a good sense of the fun that goes on at College – that’s the part we as past students remember best.” An essential edition to any alumna library, the book may be purchased at forthcoming 120th birthday events, by completing the order form enclosed with this mailing of the magazine, or by contacting Kate Brabant on 9517 5008 or emailing community@ thewomenscollege.com.au. If you have an album or other material related to College that you’d like to donate to the College archives, please contact the Vice Principal, Dr Tiffany Donnelly, on 9517 5005 or email vp@thewomenscollege.com.au.
SPRING BALL
Gala
E
nclosed with this issue of Together you will have found your special invitation to the Gala Spring Ball to be held in MacLaurin Hall on Saturday 13 October 2012. Tickets are limited to 300, so please book early to ensure you will be there with your friends to celebrate College’s 120th birthday in style. Plans for the Ball are well underway and promise an evening of unforgettable entertainment, including a live band and delicious meal complimented by our 120th birthday wines. Plans are underway for auctions, and we are seeking sponsors to donate various auction items. Some suggestions are below, and if you’d like to donate an item to be auctioned at the Ball please contact Kate Brabant: community@thewomenscollege.com.au or telephone 92175008. See you at the Ball! AUCTION ITEM DONATION SUGGESTIONS:
• Antique piece of furniture • Artwork • Concert tickets • Cirque du Soliel / Circus Oz tickets • Holiday accommodation • Free financial planning session • Experience (eg rally car driving) • Outback tour • Winery tasting tour • Dog grooming • Gardener/landscaper for a day • Fireworks • Jewellery • Golf tuition • Personal training sessions • Massage pamper package • Portrait / photographic session
spring 2012 / The Journal of The Women’s College / 13
Pat MILTHORPE (1956 –59) BA DipEd 5 May 2012 Pat’s parents were from farming families in the Parkes district of NSW. Pat and her twin sister were the youngest of four girls of whom their father was immensely proud and encouraging. During the war, while he was serving in the army, Pat’s mother moved with the girls to Sydney to work as a nurse. Living in Manly between the Ocean Beach and the Harbour Pool, the girls enjoyed a wonderful freedom and all became water babies. After the war the family returned to Parkes, and Pat moved from boarding school in Bathurst to Parkes High School after the death of her father in 1955. Here Pat thrived and later gained entry to Sydney University and Women’s College.
In 1994, Pat retired, aged 55, and became increasingly involved in local communitybased groups including the Castlemaine Theatre Company, The Chewton Domain Society, and U3A, and was briefly involved in local government. She also made an enormous contribution to the Victorian Local Governance Association, contributing to state-wide initiatives such as the purple sage project, advocating the importance of public consultative processes in decision making. She continued to improve the language and writing skills of students through private (and free) tutorials, and gave inspiring public speeches at events such as International Women’s Day. Pat was also very environmentally aware and succeeded in living her life leaving as little footprint as possible. Sources: Kay McLachlan, Matt Sheehan, Ray Williams
After her degree studies Pat travelled overseas and returned to continue teaching, always including her beloved French. She also maintained a lifelong interest in theatre. With her husband John Anset she bought a beautiful solar powered mudbrick home in Castlemaine. In 1990 she was appointed Principal of Castlemaine High School, a role for which she is remembered fondly by many of her students. The staff recall with humour some of Pat’s unconventional methods of getting her point across, including wearing gigantic plastic hands, huge false ears and a pair of bright red spectacles in a staff meeting, to make a point to her teachers about keeping a balance between seeing, listening and doing in learning. During her time as Principal, Pat was closely involved in the difficult task of steering her staff and the School Council through long, tortuous negotiations to amalgamate with Castlemaine Technical College. She is remembered for her commitment to the ongoing professional development of her teachers.
Helen Proudfoot (BAKER: 1948 – 51) BA (Hons) DipTCP 7 December 2011 Helen Proudfoot was a pioneer of the study of the natural and built environment and a founder of the Australian historic building preservation movement. She was among the first female town planners in Sydney and her publications remain important reference sources for students of Australian planning and heritage. Helen was born in Gunnedah and attended New England Girls School in Armidale. She graduated from the University of Sydney with honours in arts, living at Women’s College for four years. As a new planning graduate in the 1960s, Helen joined the County of Cumberland Planning Scheme. While men in the office were given ‘’exciting’’ topics for work,
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such as industrial estates and transport corridors, she was allocated what was seen as the less important task of heritage. Through the planning scheme, Helen undertook the first heritage studies of Parramatta, Windsor and Richmond, Campbelltown, Liverpool and the central area of Sydney. Her master’s thesis on the preservation movement in Australia in town and country planning was completed in 1969. Her overarching achievement of this period is the book Old Government House: The Building and its Landscape (1971), produced for the State Planning Authority of NSW. This book remains the definitive publication on the house and Parramatta Park. In the early 1980s, Helen was living with her architect husband Peter Proudfoot and family in Roseville, and for the following decade worked on her professional interests of architecture, landscape and planning. She was the historian on the significant excavation of Australia’s first government house site in Sydney. Later in the decade she produced her seminal work on the five towns of western Sydney and their historic buildings, Exploring Sydney’s West (1987), giving prominence to an often undervalued geographical area of Sydney. Helen contributed to many projects and publications, on subjects including the colonial house Lindesay in Darling Point, public works in NSW, Cadmans Cottage (Sydney Cove’s oldest building) and the Hawkesbury region. She was awarded the Sidney Luker Memorial Medal in 1990 by the Planning Institute of Australia for her contribution to urban and regional planning. In 1996 she was awarded the National Trust of Australia’s Gold Medal and was made an honorary life member. In the 1990s, despite a debilitating stroke, Helen gained her PhD in the graduate school of the environment at Macquarie University, writing on town plans and their impact on the settlement process in Australia, 1788 –1849. Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Staying connected NEWS FROM SOME OF OUR ALUMNAE
1950s
Lorraine Oates (LIVINGSTON: 1951–56) MBBS Although retired, Lorraine maintains her involvement in geriatric medicine through management of The Abbeyfield House in Orange, NSW. Lorraine is widowed with two sons.
1960s
Marg Carroll (HAMILTON: 1966–67) BA, M. Town and Country Planning, Grad Dip Social Ecology In March 2012 Marg received a NSW Seniors Week award for intergenerational understanding. She has published three books about different eras of life for rural Australians. Elizabeth Sarah (Sally) Crossing AM (FLETCHER: 1963 –65) BEc Sally continues her substantial work in health consumer advocacy by chairing (from 2011) Health Consumers NSW. For the past eight years she has led Cancer Voices NSW, and she was founder and Chair for eleven years of the Breast Cancer Action Group NSW. At a national level, she has served as Vice Chair of the Consumers’ Health Forum of Australia.
1970s
Josephine BRYANT (1973 –75) B Soc Studies, BA (Design) Josephine works in the Australian Commonwealth Public Service as Manager of Social Work Service, Southern NSW Department of Human Services.
en nae at the Wom Pictured: Alum . ay M nner in Leadership di
Please send us your news for the next issue of Together: vp@ thewomenscollege.com.au
1980s
Jo BURNAND (1981 – 84) BMed BSW MPH Jo completed a medical degree after working as a social worker for a few years. She also holds a Masters of Public Health. Jo lives with her husband and three children in Canberra, and still loves rowing, a passion which started at Women’s College. Vanessa Gillen (WARE: 1982 – 83) BA Vanessa has been living in Cooktown, Far North Queensland, for three years, working in Indigenous enterprise, tourism marketing and her passion, photography. She has two children.
In
2000s
Elizabeth Gale (GALE: 2000 – 2003) B App. Sc (Speech) Elizabeth is living and working in Mildura, Victoria. She specialises in early childhood intervention, assisting families of children with severe disabilities, assessing and treating communication and reading difficulties. Elizabeth’s first child was born in October 2011.
2010s
Clea GRACE (2011) B Sc (Adv) Hons After receiving the University Medal in Immunology in 2011, Clea moved to Melbourne to start a PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, researching new treatments for particular types of blood cancers that currently don’t respond well to available drugs.
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EVENTS calendar
FATHER DAUGHTER DINNER Friday 8 September Current students and their dads celebrate their special bond. WISTERIA LUNCH Saturday 15 September For alumnae who entered college in 1972 and before. COUNCIL ELECTIONS Nominations close on Wednesday 3 October at 12 noon. GALA SPRING BALL Saturday 13 October The gala ball will be the 120 year anniversary showpiece event. Glamorous night to be held at MacLaurin Hall. VALEDICTORY DINNER Monday 29 October College farewells the students completing degrees in 2012. BACK TO COLLEGE WEEKEND Friday– Sunday 7– 9 December Get your friends together and stay the whole the weekend at College to celebrate our 120 year anniversary. Alternatively, pick and choose from your favourite celebratory events, from wine and cheese tastings to family BBQs, all here at College. FOR DETAILS OF ALL EVENTS, SEE THE WEBSITE: www.thewomenscollege.com.au/events-list.php Or contact Kate Brabant on Phone: +61 2 9517 5008 Email: community@thewomenscollege.com.au All events take place at The Women’s College unless otherwise stated.
Image credits:
Maja Baska Penny Cameron Ted Sealy Staff, students and alumnae of The Women’s College
Editor:
Tiffany Donnelly
Designer: Regina Safro
Our cover: Contact details:
The Women’s College The University of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia Phone: +61 2 9517 5000 Fax: +61 2 9517 5006 www.thewomenscollege.com.au
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Elma Sandford and Marian Windeyer dancing on top floor Main Balcony, c. 1912. From forthcoming book, Change by Degrees.
Designed and produced by The Women’s College within The University of Sydney in August 2012.