A Legacy of Friendship - Class of 1965

Words by the Class of 1965 and Judy-Ann Quilliam

Mother Gonzaga Barry said, “paint pictures on your memory walls…” and 57 years later, the girls of Loreto Abbey, Mary’s Mount, Class of 1965 are still doing that together - albeit that some of those pictures in more recent times have been created via Zoom!

The friendship bond created by the Class of 1965 all those years ago has been strong enough to withstand the test of time, distance and a global pandemic.

For these women, time may change things however, in their hearts and their place in the Loreto archives, they will always be girls of Loreto Abbey, Mary’s Mount. The class started with only 12 students in Form 1 and grew to approximately 36 by the time they graduated in Matriculation (Year 12) in 1965.

Back row – Colleen Wakefield (nee Smerdon), Denise Lloyd, Maggie Forehan (nee Grigg), Robin O’Connor (nee Coghlan), Anne Ryan (nee Coghlan), Rose-Mary Serong, Catherine Tabban (nee Wimpole), Annette Mullany (nee Rice). Front row – Jan Stephen, Prue McCarthy (nee Arundell), Liz Blake (nee Feery).

After their 20th year reunion in 1985, they decided to meet every two years, and Jan Stephen took on the role of organising the bi-annual gettogethers. Then in 2016 the Class decided to meet each year, on the same date at the same venue, as following the death of one their Class members, they all felt time was too short to not try and meet annually. Since then, the annual reunions have become a highlight on their calendars and they each find it interesting how their lives are continuing on.

Throughout the pandemic, the Class continued their meetings via Zoom. In October 2021, in the midst of our second year of the global pandemic, 12 of the Class members caught up once again via Zoom. Jan Stephen shared, “To have 12 (from the Class) on screen and apologies from five others was fantastic. And we were all so much better with our Zoom manners this year. The difference was palpable, we have all learned so much (about Zoom meetings) in the last 12 months.”

Maggie Forehan (nee Grigg), Ornella Michelini, Liz Blake (nee Feery), Denise Lloyd and Jan Stephen shared their thoughts and memories and hope to inspire other Loreto College classes to keep in contact and do the same.

Jan shared, “If a class has one or two girls who are prepared to organise class get-togethers, a lot more classes could perhaps be doing what we do. One of the best decisions we made was to choose a date and venue to meet each year. That way any girl who has to be an apology one year, will know that the following year we will be meeting on the same day/place, and they can plug it into their diaries. I then send out an email about eight weeks beforehand, just to remind everyone.”

A more recent reunion in Melbourne - pre-COVID

The reunions have certainly been a big part of keeping this Class together. Maggie Forehan shared, “I love being a part of the reunions. It’s great to catch up with old school friends and reminisce on old times. I love hearing everyone’s stories of their lives and families.”

The group is a blend of very intelligent women who are always moving forward and when asked what values or lessons from Loreto College the women have continued to draw upon throughout life, the answers are consistent – discipline, time management, resilience, loyalty, consideration and caring about others.

Ornella Michelini shared,

This class is a good example across the board of how a good education can better one’s life, whether it be from attaining high status in a profession or being a mother and wife within a beautiful family.

When they reflect on their time at Mary’s Mount, they realise they were educated at a time when there were a lot of strict rules and days at school were pretty tough however, they still managed to have a lot of fun together.

Liz Blake was a boarder and remembers that all newspapers were censored, and the ‘Advocate’ and the Australian were the only newspapers allowed in the library. There was no communication, no radio or television except for very special events such as the Royal Wedding and President Kennedy’s assassination. Any letters sent out and received were always censored by the nuns.

Despite the strict rules, Maggie Forehan shared, “I have great memories of school, the friendship, laughter and the mischief that we sometimes got up to. To be honest I wasn’t particularly interested in any school work other than sewing with Mother Cyril.”

The love and respect for the Loreto Sisters who looked after the girls throughout the boarding era is evident every year at the annual suite of Loreto College reunions, particularly amongst the past boarders. Their friendships, like the Class of 1965, are very strong. Ornella shared,

I think it is so amazing that after 55 years out of school, we still meet annually - and not even COVID could stop us! We are still all good friends and love our get–togethers.

COVID could not stop these lifelong friends catching up ‘pandemic style’ via Zoom; Maggie Forehan (Grigg), Mary Holmes, Jan Stephen, Robin O’Connor (Coghlan). Middle Row – Sue Hennessy, Liz Blake (Feery), Colleen Wakefield (Smerdon), Rose-Mary Serong. Front Row – Helen Dawes (Pittard), Denise Lloyd, Rosemary Norwood, Judy Sloane. Above Right: Meetings throughout the years.

Mother Gonzaga Barry would be proud of the legacy of friendship and memories of the Class of 1965, as she said (in Eucalyptus Blossoms), “Every moment of the day you are painting pictures that will add considerably to the joy or sorrow of your lives, as often as memory brings them before you in future years.”

The Class of 1965 continue to paint and bring before themselves beautiful, valuable collections of memories, that bring joy to each other’s lives each year.

The Class of 1965 also fondly remember the members who are no longer with them as they have passed away. These women have gone but will never be forgotten by their Class - Annette Conroy, Denise Wilson (nee McInerney), Mary Hartnett (nee Mulvany), Maria Callaghan (nee Sharp) and Catherine Tabban (nee Wimpole).