A lasting legacy in memory of Rowena Margot Thomasson

BY IAN ROBERTSON,
ALUMNI MANAGER

I well remember the day in 2021 when I received a telephone call from Margaret Israel (Bremner, Class of 1962) to inform me that her daughter, Rowena Thomasson (Israel, Class of 1993) had tragically passed away. We were in the middle of lockdown, and I was feeling sorry for myself, but after listening to Margaret and the story of the loss of her only child, I realised that I had nothing to worry about.

Rowena entered Korowa in Year 5 in 1986 and after leaving school obtained a degree in Commerce and successfully pursued a career in Marketing with major companies. Rowena’s great love at school was music, particularly the trumpet. She was the Leader of the Big Band in Year 12. She also played a key role in the School’s swimming team. In the 1993 Palm Leaf her Year 12 photograph citation aptly read 'the girl most likely to blow her own trumpet' – a recognition of her musicality. Margaret and her husband Gary, in trying to come to terms with their loss thought of ways in which to honour Rowena’s life and perpetuate her memory. As Margaret said to me “I do not want Rowena’s story to end here”. After a few months of deliberation and discussion with me, in 2021, Margaret and Gary indicated their intention to leave a substantial bequest to the School in the form of a Music Scholarship to be named in Rowena’s memory. In addition, they also indicated their intention to fund a student’s music tuition on a brass instrument from Year 7 to Year 12 with a worthy student being selected in 2022.

Recently, Margaret donated along with other items, Rowena’s trumpet, in the sure knowledge that it will continue to be valued.

The School and the Korowa Foundation gratefully acknowledge the generosity of Margaret and Gary. Schools are comprised of people, their relationships and stories and no doubt there is a degree of comfort for the Israels in dealing with their loss, that their beloved daughter’s memory will live on and benefit Korowa students in what was Rowena’s great love - music.

Jessie Patrick Bequest Society

Named for Korowa’s first student, the Jessie Patrick Bequest Society acknowledges Korovians and friends who name the School as a beneficiary in their Will.

To find out more about becoming a member of the Society by leaving a bequest to Korowa, please contact Alumni Manager, Ian Robertson on 03 8808 8833 or irobertson@korowa.vic.edu.au