Honouring our first girls

Heather Hebbard (1980), Inaugural Carey Girl Scholar and past parent

As part of the centenary celebrations, Carey held a lunch in August for the Inaugural Girl Scholars who started at Carey in 1979. Carey’s first girls included 33 in Year 12 who attended Carey for one year, and another 33 enrolled for both Year 11 and 12. The celebration was held in the 1979 Room in the Centre for Creativity and Collaboration, named to honour the year Carey became co-educational.

A plaque was unveiled as part of the formalities, and it was touching for us to be recognised in this way.

It was especially meaningful for me as my connection to Carey spans my entire life. My father, Alan Smith, taught at Carey from before I was born, and was Deputy Headmaster for many years, and my brother, Tony Smith, was also educated at Carey. I grew up with Carey as part of our family life. This familiarity with Carey contributed to a comfortable transition for me in 1979.

Having the opportunity to attend Carey was a defining event in my life and the experience had a significant effect on my future choices. As well as forming lifelong friendships, I left Carey equipped with the confidence and selfbelief that enabled me to assimilate comfortably into my nursing training and work easily with both male and female colleagues. I look back at those last two years of my schooling with fondness and pride.

Strong bonds were formed between the girls during those years as a result of the wonderful and unique shared schooling experience. It was great to see everyone again and reflect on our amazing time at Carey. We all enjoyed returning to the School, some for the first time since leaving in 1979 or 1980.