PLC in Print December 2022

From the Principal

Together as staff, parents and students, we have worked to rebuild our community across the entire College. The recordbreaking attendances at events during the year have shown how much people wanted to connect with members of our wonderful PLC family. I sincerely thank all those volunteers on the various committees for the flair and hard work they put into running our flagship events.

I would like to thank all those involved in this huge consultative and collaborative process over the past few years. I think you will agree with me that the very talented designer, Jonathan Ward, has really captured the spirit and vitality of our College. We thank him sincerely for his sensitive and professional approach to this project.

As this school year draws to a close, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and delight that in 2022, PLC was truly back in action! For most of us, the isolation and anxiety of the previous two years of the pandemic were thankfully behind us.

While some members of the PLC community unfortunately still suffered from COVID and its impact, daily life at PLC returned with enormous energy to its busy, reassuring daily routines, and muchloved traditional celebrations.

I also wish to thank the Audio-Visual staff, our Boarding House caterers and in particular, our Maintenance and Grounds staff, for their huge contributions to the success of all our events this year. One of the most exciting events was the recent whole-school assembly to launch our exciting new PLC uniform collection. This memorable event in our College history showcased a stylish, contemporary, transeasonal uniform which allows our girls to show greater individuality in the range and choice of items they wear. The much-loved school colours are echoed in the bold new tartan.

I am thrilled to share with you all the details of this very special aspect of our College identity in this edition of PLC in Print. By our 150th anniversary in 2025, all girls will be wearing this superb new uniform.

We were thrilled to conclude the year by announcing another exciting development which will transform significant aspects of our PLC life, one of the most ambitious building projects ever undertaken by the College: the construction of a state-of-the-art Sports and Fitness Centre, due to open in 2025.

This outstanding Centre will provide new opportunities for all our students to balance the substantial academic offerings available to them at PLC with a range of sport and wellbeing opportunities, providing them with a more holistic education.

There will be more updates on this superb facility at the beginning of next year. As our rich College year closes, and we farewell our outstanding Year 12 cohort and their supportive parents, we also send our thanks and best wishes to staff who are moving on or retiring.

I thank everyone who has made their unique contribution to our College over the past year, in both small and large ways. Together we have created and shared another wonderful year in the school lives of our students.

Wishing you God’s blessings for Christmas and for the exciting year which awaits us all.

Cheryl Penberthy Principal

Ovindee Amarasiri wearing attire from PLC’s new transeasonal school uniform collection.

Whole School

PLC’s New School Uniform Collection

On Tuesday 29 November, at a historic whole-school assembly, the College proudly launched the new school uniform collection. This new transeasonal collection has been designed to offer students, from the Early Learning Centre to the Senior School, attire that is comfortable, stylish and offers personal choice in support of their individual daily requirements.

The new uniform items can be worn by students from 2023 with a two-year transition to full adoption in 2025, in time to celebrate the College’s 150th Anniversary.

History and Heritage

The new collection reflects and honours PLC’s rich heritage and the legacy of its school uniforms. Our blue, black and gold school colours feature extensively and our Scottish heritage is celebrated through a natural modern evolution of the College tartan.

A

Generation

of New PLC Uniforms

One of the wonderful stories from the new uniform collection was discovering that Charlotte Renwick (Year 7), is following in the footsteps of her mother, Anne Salvas (School Captain, 1997) 25 years ago. As School Captain, Anne was involved in the official launch of our current school uniform. It was an amazing moment and a wonderful generational connection between the current and new uniform collections.

Charlotte Renwick (Year 7) with her mother, Anne Salvas (School Captain, 1997).

Creating the new Uniform

The journey towards the new uniform represents the culmination of years of careful planning and many hundreds of hours of engaged and thoughtful discussion.

The Uniform Committee, comprising students, parents, staff and alumnae, ensured voices from across our community would inform the design. Through extensive collaboration, their insights have shaped this new collection that will support the needs of future generations of PLC students.

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

PLC’s new uniform has been designed in partnership with our manufacturer Noone, to use sustainable and ethically-sourced materials and incorporate recycled plastics into various items.

November

Discussions are held to explore a new school uniform that meets the ‘fit for purpose’ needs of PLC’s students in a modern educational environment.

February - May

The terms of reference for a new uniform are developed in the search begins for a uniform designer.

June

The College community is surveyed regarding future uniform requirements.

October

The JW Collective is appointed to design the new uniform.

December

Designer, Jonathan ward visits the PLC Archives to identify heritage items to inform the new uniform’s development.

February

The first meeting of the Uniform Committee is held.

March

Jonathan Ward presents eight initial design concepts.

April - June

Further design concepts are presented. Junior and Senior School student representatives join the project.

July - December

Uniform samples are produced for student, staff and other stakeholder feedback.

February - March

Refined uniform samples are presented for feedback.

April - June

Final samples of the academic and sports uniforms are presented.

July - August

The academic and sports uniforms are formally approved for production.

November

The new uniform collection is officially launched at School Assembly.

February - March

From Term 1, students can wear either the current or new uniform, but not a mixture of both. The period of transition is two years.

February

All students will have transitioned to wearing the new school uniform.

The Designer

Leading Australian uniform designer, Jonathan Ward (pictured here), has worked tirelessly over the past three years to produce an impressive and contemporary new wardrobe for our students.

Jonathan immersed himself in the PLC Archive, researching the catalogue of uniforms and clothing items which informed the new checks, weaves and colours that are features of the new uniform.

Uniform Etiquette

The correct wearing of the school uniform has long been deemed a mirror of PLC’s teachings on obedience, tidiness, good manners and moral standing. Punctuality, excellent handwriting, courtesy and politeness were also part of this strict code. Teachers such as Emily Virtue (staff, 1896–1933 and Vice-Principal from 1920) led by example and were meticulous in their attention to girls’ appearance. She gave lessons on etiquette too, and her long tenure ensured that these attitudes became deeply embedded in PLC’s psyche.

Royal blue, a traditional Presbyterian colour, was worn as a ribbon by PLC girls at prize-giving days from 1879. By 1900, many girls had hatbands for daily wear in royal blue with a crest printed in gold. Black and gold were added to royal blue as the school’s official colours in 1904. New hatbands were made but it was still not compulsory to wear them.

A school uniform was adopted by Samuel McLaren. It was his last major initiative as Principal (1889–1911), although the idea is thought to have been James Bee’s (Headmaster, 1907–13). From 1911, all girls were expected to wear a navy-blue skirt with a matching blouse, or one in white, during summer. A blue cotton or white muslin dress was an acceptable alternative. In winter, the uniform was a skirt with a plain navy blue or white blouse and a navy-blue coat. A straw hat was to be worn all year, hair ribbons had to be black or dark blue, and stockings had to be black.

At Speech Night, all girls wore white long-sleeved dresses in silk or cotton. Boarders wore the same dress for other special occasions and always needed to bring a set list of clothing to school.

In 1938, Mary Neilson (Principal, 1938–56) replaced the navy day uniform with one in grey. A woollen fabric, designed with fine pinstripes in blue, black and gold on a grey base, was used for the V-necked tunic, blazer, overcoat and sports skirt. Stockings changed from black to tan in 1939 and then to grey in 1940. The school colours edged the V-neck of the grey jumper. Only a white shirt and royal blue tie striped with black and gold relieved the grey, and this is why PLC girls were named the ‘grey elephants’ by outsiders who saw them in the city or travelling to and from school in East Melbourne.

A. Emily Virtue, (staff 1896–1933).

B. Junior School uniform list, 1966.

C. Baseball team, 1908, showing the blouses with PLC monogrammed pockets and school tie.

D. Mollie ‘Beetle’ Alexander (sports teacher, 1936–63).

E. Ida Chapple, (1919), wearing the navy-blue overcoat that was introduced in 1911.

F. Sewing class, c. 1903, showing the wide variety of clothes allowed to be worn to school.

G. Doll wearing winter uniform, 1966–97.

Gloves were compulsory all year round, including in summer when girls wore a checked gingham dress. With the new uniform came strict rules to try to enforce its wearing, especially of gloves and hats. By 1939, general uniform inspections were conducted at the beginning of every term. At any time, staff could report girls for uniform breaches. After collecting a certain number of written slips issued to a girl for these breaches, she had to report to the Principal’s office and copy out each slip twice. Dark blue underpants had to be worn by girls in winter, and white or grey in summer. For several decades, prefects’ duties included gate duty at the end of each school day to remind girls to put on their hats, coats and gloves.

The sports attire of the late 1930s caused the greatest ruckus. From 1938, girls were allowed to take off their ties, blazers, stockings and tunics, leave them at the back of the gym, and do gymnastics in only underpants and blouses. Sports matches such as tennis, baseball and basketball were played in navy pleated tunics and black stockings until 1939 when PLC introduced a revolutionary sports uniform. A short-sleeved blouse and grey woollen shorts with four box pleats, lined with grey woollen pants that had elastic around the legs, gave the appearance of a short skirt but allowed greater freedom of athletic movement. Ankle socks completed the ensemble. Many parents were opposed to this radical change because the outfit was deemed to be unladylike. The uniform mirrored the clothing worn by Mollie ‘Beetle’ Alexander (sports teacher, 1936–63): a shirt, pleated shorts, thick ankle socks and golf shoes.

In 1961, the Junior SRC wanted girls to be allowed to wear trousers. However, the idea did not come to fruition until 2022. In 1964, parents were surveyed by the school about their appetite for a change in the uniform, as there had been none since 1939. A uniform committee, which included several enthusiastic mothers, was formed to advise PLC on its choices. The new uniform, introduced in 1966, abandoned grey colouring and returned to blue with added yellow.

In 1968, the Senior SRC staged a fashion parade. It pointedly included everything about the uniform which was disallowed – concertina socks, makeup, nail polish, short skirts, witch’s britches, blazers undone, coloured ribbons and jewellery. The fashion parade illustrated the increasing difficulty, from the 1960s, in the enforcement of uniform rules.

Even up until the 1980s, form teachers had to check girls’ uniform in the last few minutes of each day, as well as mark the roll, before girls were dismissed. Teachers and Principals continued to lament the amount of time devoted to enforcing uniform rules, and so in 1981, Joan Montgomery (Principal, 1969–85) proposed a survey to see if parents still wanted their daughters to wear one at all. They did. By this time, the rules had relented to allow the wearing of ear studs as the only item of jewellery. All of the incarnations of PLC’s uniform since then have continued to be accompanied with similar sets of rules.

Penrose Historian

PLC’s Forth-coming 150th History

D E

A B

Helen

Senior School

2022 Theatre Awards

PLC was nominated for a record number of Lyrebird Awards for this year’s productions of ‘Seussical’ and ‘My Brilliant Career’

PLC won Outstanding Technical Design in a Youth Musical Award for the Student Costume Team for Seussical as well as judges’ awards for Seussical for ‘entertaining the audience during the interval’ and My Brilliant Career for ‘the striking opening scene’ and another for ‘effective poster design’.

Phoenix van Twest in Year 12 also received a commendation for Best Female in a Supporting Role for her role as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical. Congratulations to every girl and staff member involved!

Boarding at PLC

At PLC, boarding is more than just a place to live and walk to school. It’s a holistic experience that immerses our students into a warm, inclusive culture where they will live, play, learn and thrive.

PLC has provided boarding facilities for girls since its foundation in East Melbourne in 1875. The PLC Boarding House is home to up to 100 students from Years 7 to 12.

Tara Case, mother of Harriet Case in Year 12, provided a testimonial on her daughter’s PLC Boarding experience.

“Our daughter Harriet has had an amazing Boarding experience at PLC. From the day she started, becoming a boarder at PLC has helped her flourish and grow.

Not only has she developed into a confident, mature young woman with a strong sense of responsibility, she has made some wonderful friendships along the way. At PLC, we see that the Boarding House community helps girls to develop a healthy balance of lifestyle, learning and fun and Harriet has enjoyed many wonderful experiences.

We have also found the standard of teaching to be exceptional, with a breadth of opportunities that suit Harriet so well. The broad co-curriculum of sport, music and performing arts has allowed her to thrive and explore many new possibilities.

Right from the first school tour, Harriet was impressed with the College’s facilities. “They were very modern and I couldn’t wait to experience it all,” Harriet said. They include a world-class Performing Arts Centre, Aquatic Centre and a new Year 12 Centre dedicated to the girl’s final year of learning. It’s a space that they can girls can truly enjoy and call their own.

We have always valued the interaction between the girls and staff. There’s a genuine sense of partnership that sees the girls nurtured in their learning and wellbeing. Harriet often shares how caring the Boarding House staff are and their willingness to support the needs of each girl and make them feel at home.

We could not be happier with PLC. Harriet is looking forward to her next steps as she begins university and enjoys the opportunities that PLC has helped give her”.

2022 Speech Night Gala Celebration

Speech Night Gala Celebration at Hamer Hall is always the pinnacle of musical performance for the College. Claire Huang on violin and Minwu Hu on flute were stunning in their solo performances, as was the Years 7, 8 and 9 combined choir, singing ‘Brand New You’. The evening also featured excellent performances from the Pipes and Drums Band, Wind Symphony, Senior Strings, String Orchestra and Melba Chorale and concluded with the uplifting Years 10, 11 and 12 ABBA medley, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra.

Junior School

There was a great deal of excitement and anticipation in Junior School leading up to the launch of our new school uniform. The applause and cheers of approval as each item was revealed truly validated the collaborative efforts of the Uniform Committee who worked to incorporate elements of the past, celebrating our College’s rich history, to create a uniform for the future. The resulting product demonstrated the success of years’ worth of collaborative commitment from current students, staff, leadership, Old Collegians and parents, and points to how essential collaboration is for an outcome to take into account the perspectives and needs of the group.

Collaboration has been a theme in Junior School this year as we have continued

to embed our Learning Framework into our teaching and learning programs. Education is enhanced as we learn together and take a collective approach as opposed to a solely individualistic one.

The ways in which work is changing as a result of automation, globalisation and flexibility is widely understood. These changes have implications for the world of work our graduates will enter. In today’s workplace, many projects are now more complex in nature. The number of moving parts and players contributing to decisions - is considerable.

Effective collaboration is the art of solving problems together, the art of working together and the art of playing together, in order to see better outcomes

than what might have been possible alone. Effective collaboration relies on the development of good character and communication and thinking skills. None of us are born with the innate ability to collaborate optimally – we have to learn how to do it, and learn how to do it well. Developing a truly collaborative mindset means understanding and valuing the fact that when we work well together we have more complete answers, richer ideas and broader perspectives that result in more inclusive solutions. I am proud of how our girls have begun to value, and indeed relish, collaborative efforts in their learning this year. Their learning journey has been made richer because of it.

Melissa Voce Head of Junior School

Year 6 ‘Parcours’ in French

French is an integral part of the Junior School curriculum and as we farewell our 2022 Year 6 girls, we wish to celebrate their outstanding achievements in learning this wonderful language.

Their journey began in Prep, learning colours, numbers and the alphabet, as well as songs and dances. In Year 1, they began exploring the classroom environment and by year’s end they had learned the names for classroom objects and could follow key classroom instructions in French.

Years 2 and 3 saw greater creativity. They learned how to form sentences, read stories and gain confidence in their speaking abilities. They created and presented weather reports, took an imaginary trip to a French market and engaged in everyday conversations with each other. In Year 4 they learned how to describe themselves in French and discuss their interests and passions, in particular the various sports they participated in.

Having acquired a strong foundation, Years 5 and 6 focused on using the language as a tool to immerse themselves in Francophone culture. In Year 5, the girls were transported to Paris to discover the history of key monuments including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. In Year 6, they wrote letters to their pen pals in Quebec and discussed the key differences between their respective cultures. Finally, in a culmination of their French abilities, they participated in a French café experience, enriching their speaking skills and enjoying delicious croissants.

Our Year 6 graduates have come a long way since their start. Dressing up for French days, joining the French Club and overseeing the many girls participating in the Berthe Mouchette French Poetry competition has been a true joy. I hope to see them continue their French journey in Senior School and beyond.

Emmanuelle Brunet French Specialist Teacher

School Sport Victoria State Athletics Competition

‘No great thing is suddenly created.’ Epictetus

This famous quotation embodies our PLC Junior School SSV State Athletics Team for 2022. The Final SSV Competition this year was the State Athletics Championships and Rosalie Bandara, Abby Bourne, Chelsea Yang and Tiana Wan were our last remaining athletes, having progressed through the District, Division and Regional Athletics competitions. Although the girls trained very hard throughout the year to put themselves in this position, their story starts way back in 2019.

At the start of 2019, it was evident that we had some amazing running talent during our Year 3 PE lessons and ultimately our Years 3-6 House Athletics. So for the first year ever, I selected a bottom age 4x100m relay team to represent PLC at our District Athletics Competition; these girls ran as our B Team behind our older and more experienced Year 4 A Team. The aim was to give an extra year of experience and training to the girls, as the relay event is a real science and art form that is difficult to master. Who starts first? Who finishes?

Who runs the straights? Who runs the

bends? Do you hold the baton in your right or left hand? Do you run on the inside or outside of your lane? What are the changeover and acceleration zones? These are all the questions that are answered over months and even years of training.

I was fortunate enough to work with this great group of students who were all highly motivated and dedicated to learn more, practice hard and be the best they could be. They were rewarded in 2019 by finishing in first place in the SSV District 4x100m Relay B Race. I felt that this could be the beginning of something special but as we know, sometimes life throws some unexpected challenges our way, including two of our girls not being able to take part in the team at that time.

The following year began with great excitement and anticipation surrounding the team. We had Abby Bourne and Tiana Wan remaining in the team and two new spots to fill. But then 2020 brought COVID. We were teaching PE on a screen and you just can’t replicate that one-on-one coaching that happens in class and at training sessions.

2021 arrived, a year where we would go back and forth from lockdown to lockdown. We filled the remaining two positions of the Relay Team. It would

be the year that Chelsea Yang would find a new level of top speed as well as endurance. Then a new student arrived at PLC, Rosalie Bandara; she stormed onto the scene in the 2021 House Athletics, out-sprinting everyone and breaking two PLC records in the process. One of these records was the Year 5, 4x100m Relay for Hethersett where she teamed up with Chelsea Yang, the two of them going on to fill the remaining two relay spots with Abby and Tiana. Before we could get too excited, Victoria went into another lockdown and the Athletics season was shut down. At the time we thought all the training had been for nothing… we were wrong.

The school year started in 2022 and everyone was excited when the Athletics season came around. The standard sprint timing lesson was held early in Term 1 and there were no surprises to see Rosalie, Tiana, Chelsea and Abby sitting at the top of the list. The girls spent months of lunchtime trainings with me, working on all the biomechanics and the technical sides of the 4x100m Relay event. The girls would gain great feedback when watching their baton changeovers on the iPad to see how they could keep striving for improvement.

Finally, after three years, the girls were able to compete at the SSV District

Athletics Competition. PLC won all six relays in both the A and B Divisions which was the first time this had ever been accomplished by any school in the District’s history. The Year 6 girls raced beautifully and won comfortably in a time of 1:01. But the girls weren’t satisfied. The 2016 PLC 4x100m Relay Record for the Year 6, 12/13-year-old girls was set by Tiffany Pai, Amelia Liu, Jemima Mellado and Margot Shiel with a blistering time of 58.28, narrowly missing out on State Championships after being knocked out at the Regional level. The girls have a relay baton signed with their names and time in the PE Centre. Abby, Tiana, Chelsea and Rosalie had seen this baton and were motivated to set a new record and sign a baton of their own.

The Relay team would once again breeze through with a first place at the next round of competition, the Division Athletics, this time shaving one second off their time and sitting at around one minute. Then came three weeks of school holidays, meaning the girls would not be able to train, and the Regional Athletics Competition was being held on the second day back in Term 4. This dedicated group of girls called each other over the holidays and visited an athletics track to keep up their training. This paid off as the girls smashed the PLC record, running

a phenomenal time of 56.72. The girls finished in second place with the top two teams progressing through to the State Championships. The level of screaming after the race was something to be seen and heard as the girls celebrated with a silver medal, a PLC record and a trip to the State Championships.

The girls then battled it out at the SSV State Primary Track and Field Championships at Lakeside Stadium Albert Park. Rosalie qualified for the 12/13-year-old girls 100m and 200m sprints and completed a superb race in both heats of the 100m and 200m, finishing in first and third place respectively. A 100m time of 13.41 helped her qualify for the finals later in the day. The time of 13.41 by Rosalie would also break another PLC record of 13.51, held by Luciana Treacy back in 2012 when she won the silver medal at State Championships.

The time had arrived for the relay heats, with the top three from both heats and the next fastest four teams progressing to the finals. The girls would go even faster than they did at the Regional level, breaking their own record with a sensational time of 56.64. In doing so, they beat the relay team they had finished second place to at the last competition.

The girls were finals bound. Rosalie raced against the ten fastest 12 and 13-year-old girls in Victoria and won a silver medal at the State Championships. Rosalie only had a moment to catch her breath and attend the medal ceremony before she was marshalled for her 200m final. Rosalie ran another amazing race, finishing fifth in a time of 29.35, which was just outside her personal best of 28.82.

Then the eight fastest relay teams in Victoria stood at the starting line for the 12/13-year-old 4x100m relay race. The girls ran the perfect race, resulting in second place with the time of 56.89. There were hugs and high fives with family members, a medal presentation ceremony, photos and then they were on a bus as we drove off to their Year 6 Camp which had just started that day. The girls made it back to camp for the nighttime activities and the remaining two days of the three-day camp, just another sacrifice that this amazing, passionate and motivated team made over the journey.

Well done, girls – all your hard work, discipline and dedication has paid off. We will keep an eye out for you in years to come.

Ashley Newell Head of Physical Education and Sport

ELC

Nature Play and the Great Outdoors

Outside play has a powerful effect on young children’s energy, actions and feelings. Whether they are running through the trees, rolling in the autumn leaves, climbing high into the sky or lying on the grass watching the clouds float by, children are invigorated by the natural light, smells and sounds of the outdoor environment.

Outdoor play spaces are considered to be of equal importance to the children’s learning and development as indoor playrooms. Lengthy periods of time outdoors allow our youngest children to experience and embrace the wonders of nature.

This year we were very fortunate to be able to reinvigorate the large outdoor play space at the rear of the ELC. Teachers and children were involved in extensive discussions regarding the new areas throughout the past year, with significant thought, time and effort going into planning for new challenging and stimulating experiences.

When we asked the children what they wanted in their new playground, their responses were insightful and plentiful. Some drew their ideas and others articulated that they wanted to scramble over a ‘zigzag’ log stack or climb up to a bird’s nest high in a tree. An area for outdoor musical instruments and quieter spaces to sit together and reflect were also popular.

The children watched eagerly from the windows as excavators and forklifts removed all the old surfaces and structures. They were then amazed and delighted as they watched the new adventure playground come to fruition throughout Term 2.

Our new playground is a wonderful addition to the ELC environment and one that reflects the importance of learning in and from nature. This new ‘outdoor classroom’ has quickly become a fabulous space to explore and investigate. It offers children an authentic, handson engagement outside the classroom and it will be one which invites them to challenge and extend their capabilities into the future.

Deborah Hendren Head of Early Learning

Staff Farewells

was in East Melbourne. She loved it, only missing four days there.

I well remember the first day I entered the front doors of the school. There was a little Year 7 girl, plucking up her courage to do the same. I could see she felt as nervous as I did. We entered together, with me leading – the so-called confident adult!

What I encountered was a school that was run incredibly efficiently by a competent administration, which trusted teachers and the subject departments do the same.

My English Department at that time was headed by Janet Maher, and the Chief of Staff was Jennifer Haynes (the previous Head of English). They had both interviewed me the year before. I’d like to pay tribute to both of them for their trust in hiring me. I suspect it wouldn’t have happened nowadays.

A Reflection on Retirement by Lesley Clark

I was employed at PLC to begin work in February, 1988 by the Principal at the time, Mr William McKay. It was a major change for me, as I had previously worked at government high schools in the country and in the TAFE system, including at Durringhile, the minimum-security prison near Shepparton. That was an education in itself, teaching in the nick! I’d also spent time teaching in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan in 1985. I was one of the fortunate ones who had received the benefits of a free university education, and a studentship from the Victorian Education Department, and I remain forever grateful for that. This was when Gough Whitlam came to power as leader of an ALP Federal government, in 1972. Otherwise, I could never have gone to university. Yes, I’m a baby boomer, and proud of it.

My mother was a PLC Old Collegian, attending from 1938 to 1943, when it

Those early days were exciting and so interesting. In 1989 we participated in a pilot programme for the new VCE English course. We, as English teachers, were encouraged to create and experiment, always consulting with our colleagues, always disciplined in recording our teaching and learning outcomes, always responsible and able to justify our results. Our Administration and Principal always supported us in this.

It’s difficult to encapsulate 34 years of teaching at PLC.

What I’ve always loved is that most of the organisation of the school was done by incredibly competent women. Imagine if women ran governments! That encouraged and empowered me, when I first worked at PLC. It hadn’t been my experience before, either as a student at school, or as a teacher. In my 34 years at PLC, I’ve seen the same effect on our students. I’ve seen them become confident, empowered young women.

I’ve learned so much over these years from my older colleagues and my

current contemporaries. Thank you for your erudition and the interesting conversations we’ve had.

It’s hard to believe that I’m now the oldest member of the English Department. When I began, I was the second youngest in the department. Guess who was the youngest (only by a few years!)? She who will not be named. We both began in the same year, 1988. I’ll never forget when we were sitting at our desks opposite each other in the main staffroom. I was feeling quite overwhelmed, and she held up a card saying, ‘Are you having a C minus sort of day?’ It made me laugh.

I’ve loved teaching IB English A: Literature. I want to thank all the IB co-ordinators for their strong guidance, particularly Peter Francis.

Having taught from Years 7 to 12 over those 34 years, there are maybe a few thousand of them. It’s been such a delight and privilege to do this and I’ve learned so much from them too. I’m still in contact with a few of the ones from the older years and love hearing about how they’re going.

In ending, I want to pay tribute to my Head of Department, Patricia Shiel, and also to Cheryl Penberthy, the Principal of PLC, for their support and willingness to accommodate me during this (COVID) year. have so much appreciated it.

Clark English Teacher

Many regards,

Lesley

Karen Chittenden has been a big part of the Senior School Administration Department and of wider College life during her 20 years at PLC. Many members of our community will know her wonderful work, but few of us perhaps know that what they were experiencing was due to her many outstanding talents.

One of the greatest examples is stage production and costume design and creation at PLC. When Karen first began assisting the Drama Department, she was understandably nervous. She was, after all, taking over the reins from the legendary Dorothy Josev. But she soon developed a keen eye for curating and creating imaginative costume design and quickly learnt how to balance the vast elements behind a production and keep it spinning in perfect cohesion.

Her first production was Michael Gow’s Away. Here she began an evolution that saw her manage the elegance and extravagance of Beauty and the Beast, work closely with students to design costumes for Romeo and Juliet and help create the splendour of the 1920s for Thoroughly Modern Millie. She continued by curating beautiful frocks and a subtle sensitivity for Pride and Prejudice and the

many-coloured, thousand costumes for The Wizard of Oz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little Mermaid, Jane Eyre, The Tempest and Seussical.

Karen has always been a passionate supporter of the Drama Department’s initiatives, especially those involving students in the costume design and creation process. She has used these opportunities to encourage, support and inspire the girls and ensure they had an amazing experience.

As Cath Garrett, Head of Drama at PLC recently shared, ‘Karen’s contribution should never be underestimated. She has made my job so much easier and the ability to bounce ideas off her and work through my concepts is so incredibly helpful. It is a vital part of my process. Her professionalism and attention to detail are key to the performances, as is her kindness, care and friendship.’

For those girls not involved in productions, as well as staff and the many parent volunteers who seek out her help, Karen has been one of the enduring faces of the Admin Office. She has been the smiling happy face at the window, willing to assist a lost student, a lost class or sometimes a lost teacher. Her daily bulletins were filled with fun as well as the news of the day

and she was always a team player and contributor to the success of the many events at PLC, especially the magnificent Year 12 Graduation Dinners at The Centre Ivanhoe. Her designs and the creative flourish she brought to that annual event over the course of ten years ensured that our Year 12s and their families concluded their time at PLC with great excitement, glamour, fun and fanfare.

Farewell to Pam Newlan

Pam Newlan has been one of the most enduring members of the PLC Mathematics Department, with a career that spans over 40 years. That incredible teaching tenure has been matched by her enormous passion and enthusiasm for the role.

Pam first taught at PLC from 1980 to 1985 after being appointed by Miss Joan Montgomery. Pam’s strongest memory of her first period at PLC was the amazing talent and personalities of the mathematics teachers, several of whom went on to become principals of other leading independent girls’ schools. Knowing what a wonderful teacher Pam was, those former colleagues often recruited Pam whenever she was available. Almost 20 years later, in 2004, Pam returned to PLC and was delighted to discover that even though many changes had taken place, PLC was still a fabulous and inspiring place to work.

During her career, Pam has held the roles of Head of House and Head of Debating, and has hosted study trips overseas. She has also had a long stint as the lead teacher for Year 12 Mathematics Methods. As her colleagues can attest, she has been meticulous, hardworking, caring and a joy to work with and has never stopped thinking about her classroom teaching practice. She is also generous, humble, supportive, kind and a valued contributor and collaborator.

As the Head of Mathematics shared at her retirement, ‘I know I speak for everyone when I say that we all love working with you. You have given so much to us, to the thousands of students you have taught, to PLC and Mathematics, and we wish you nothing but happiness in the journey ahead.’

by John Taylor

Chris began at PLC in 1997 and since that time, has brought much joy to the students, the families and the staff of PLC.

Chris may have concluded her time as one of our most engaging faces at the PLC reception desk, but her journey began in the Boarding House. It was a role that she was destined to inhabit and one she cherished until maternity leave began. She returned to the Boarding House in 2008 and in the years that followed, became an integral member of the group.

Through her graciousness and generosity, she was always ready to help anyone, any time and in any way possible. She loved the girls, the staff and the families, and was as much a part of the boarding experience as anything that our school and

its many programs could offer the girls. Chris then transitioned to reception in 2020, and through the periods of upheaval that followed, as well as the important times of renewal and re-engagement, she has been a blessing to the College and her colleagues. The grace, poise and genuine care and commitment she brought to the role have seemed effortless and she has been a constant representation of kindness and calm for everyone. She has also grown in her willingness and ability to try new things and leaves with additional skills that would impress anyone, including her teenage children.

Chris grew up in the country and is delighted to be moving back again to be closer to her family.

Provided by Lynnie Curtis

Farewell to Karen Chittenden

Provided

Farewell to Chris Hardacre

Community

The LAMPAS Society

Our annual Soup Lunch was once again a wonderful opportunity for colleagues and friends to meet up at PLC. Guest speaker Freya Dinshaw (2005) gave a wonderful speech highlighting her work as a human rights lawyer and the work she does with asylum seekers, refugees and international organisations.

In October we visited Emma Jennings’ art gallery in Olinda. About thirty past staff and Old Collegians squeezed into her wonderful art space and shop and were fascinated to learn of her journey from PLC art student to running her own business. Afterwards we adjourned to the nearby Seasons Restaurant at Cloudehill for lunch, where the conversations continued.

We look forward to seeing everyone join us for further outings, events and speakers in 2023.

Hethersett Parents’ Group Christmas Lunch

It was Buon Natale at the Hethersett Parents’ Group Christmas lunch. A record attendance of parents, Old Collegians, past parents, friends and staff enjoyed a spectacular lunch hosted by the wonderful volunteers of the Hethersett Parents’ Group. Guests enjoyed an Italianthemed lunch and listened to special guest speaker, Pia Gava, MasterChef Contestant 2017, Food Ambassador and Author, as she spoke about the importance of Italian food, culture and passing on the traditions. Many lucky guests also left with some great prizes.

PLC Foundation

The PLC Foundation held its annual Cocktail Party and AGM on Friday 25 November. Conducted on one of the busiest days in the College’s end-of-year calendar, the group was delighted to welcome members from every group within the community. They enjoyed a tour of the newly refurbished Doris Daniel Theatre and live performances from a student string quartet and staff jazz band.

Retiring Foundation President, Dr Andrew McDonald, reflected on his tenure as President of the group over the past 15 years. He thanked the members for their generous support during that time and he also thanked the Members of the Foundation Board for their outstanding dedication to the College and the girls.

Henry Handel Richardson Society

The Henry Handel Richardson Society was thrilled and grateful once again to gather at her alma mater, PLC, along with members of the PLC community and other lovers of music and literature for a moving and unforgettable concert – ‘A Journey through HHR’s music for voice and piano’ – with outstanding performers, pianist Tonya Lemoh and soprano, Narelle Yeo. Some audience responses – joyous, exciting, informative, moving. Toccata Classics recently released a cd of Tonya and Narelle’s performance of HHR’s songs – ‘Henry Handel Richardson: Let Spring Come and other songs’.

Janet Driver President Lampas Society

Janey Runci

Christian Ministries

God is with us at Christmas

You can’t take Jesus out of Christmas because love came to town.

Early in Term 4, 120 members of our community gathered on a hot, balmy, ‘La Nina’ Friday for the final Connect Night of the year. We enjoyed food and friendship and were also grateful to have a Koorong Books sale, organised by Mrs Madelaine Nguyen.

These Connect Nights are a wonderful way for our community to connect with God and also with one another. This event was Christmas themed and we enjoyed being led in worship by Mrs Edith Ellis on the piano as well as Mrs Shirlaine Tse on the ukulele during the evening.

Mrs Sharon Catchpoole made some beautiful reflections, reminding us that at many times in the past, God spoke to our ancestors in various ways through the prophets, but in these last days, ‘He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.’ (Hebrews 1:1-2)

There were three key messages I shared with the audience that night: you can’t take Jesus out of Christmas because love came to town; in Christmas, God has gone in to bat for you; and in Christmas, Jesus has begun the work of restoration, but it involves an invitation.

I showed a clip from the original Star Wars movie in which Obi Wan Kenobi is training Luke Skywalker on how to use his lightsaber. At one point, he senses a ‘disturbance in the force’, when the evil empire blows up an entire planet. That movie aside, at Christmas there were those who not only sensed that God was doing something amazing in the universe, but also those who witnessed it and testified to it. There were the humble shepherds and there were the Wise Men.

Another important point is that God is not an impersonal ‘force’ like in Star Wars.

God is Creator, Redeemer, Almighty God, Prince of Peace and in Jesus Immanuel, ‘God is with us’.

That God is not far away is an important truth to reflect on during Christmas. In our increasingly consumerist society, we can become so distracted by ‘stuff’ that it may seem we are neglecting to give Jesus the honour he deserves. God is still there. Even when you see a Christmas card that reads ‘Merry Xmas’, Jesus is still there. ‘Chi’ or ‘X’ is the first Greek letter for Christ. Christ comes from the Greek word, Xριστός (Chrīstós), meaning ‘anointed one’. Whether you use BC or AD, BCE, or ACE, we still measure dates through the period of time that Jesus walked the earth. At Christmas, love came to town and many have testified to this.

My second point was that at Christmas, God has gone in to bat for you. I shared

a cricket analogy from my youth when I used to play junior cricket. During that time we were required to wear big, old, oversized helmets which made hearing quite difficult. Occasionally someone would get hurt and couldn’t run between the wickets, but was able to use the help and support of a runner. At Christmas, God has gone in to bat for you. He pays a price that we could never pay.

One Christmas card image that really resonates with me is the Wise Men overlooking Bethlehem with the star above illustrated as a shining cross. When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the cradle and the cross and the greatest act of love the world has ever seen.

Finally in Christmas, God has begun the work of restoration. But it involves an invitation. Romans 10:9 says, ‘If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’

Christmas is God entering into humanity so that you and can be restored, regenerated, forgiven, and set free. At Christmas, God has stepped into time and history and paid a huge price so that we can know him. It is an act of love and it is a gift. Like all gifts, don’t leave it under the tree wrapped up. The gift of God in Jesus needs to be received. Do you know Jesus, or do you know about him?

My encouragement to you this Christmas is to invite Jesus into your life through his Holy Spirit. Invite him in to be your Lord and Saviour, Lord of all your passions, dreams, time and concerns. Allow the Holy Spirit to renew and refresh you. God is not that far away. You can’t take Jesus out of Christmas because love came to town.

Rev Nick Curtis Director of Christian Ministries

Old Collegians’ Association

OCA President’s Report

I was delighted to welcome 130 Old Collegians to the iconic Supper Room at the Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday 12 November to hear and be inspired by the Rt Hon. Sally Capp (1986), Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

Sally explained how her PLC education, its values, the beliefs it instilled and the encouragement to try new things, had prepared her for the complex projects at the Melbourne City Council. Not least being that her team has undertaken significant initiatives in addressing homelessness, lockdowns and lockdown recovery. Sally shared that being Lord Mayor has been the hardest thing she has ever done, but also the most enlightening and rewarding. She encouraged us all to look out for these ‘light bulb’ moments in our lives and take advantage of them.

Sally thanked current and past PLC staff and students for attending and reflected on how much she values being a member

of a group of PLC women who have had such an incredible influence on one another.

At the high tea, there was representation from PLC cohorts from 1949 to 2018 as well as current and past staff, including 17 Old Collegian mothers and daughters. The 1980s was very well represented by 34 Old Collegians, seven past staff and a whole table from 1986.

During the afternoon we presented Marilyn Forde (PLC staff 1973-1983) with her certificate of Honorary Old Collegian. Marilyn recalled what an inspiring group of teachers were with her at PLC.

This year our fundraising in aid of the OCA Scholarship Fund raised $1,975 and I wish to thank everyone for their generosity including the Old Collegians who donated 10 of the prizes, PLC for donating a further seven, and Alex Frew (1978) for organising everything.

There was much excitement about the major prize. It was a Catherine Manuell Design On Board Wheely in a stylish blue and gold pattern. Fittingly, Marilyn Forde was the recipient. I’d also like to thank Lisa Leong (1989), author of This Working Life, and Genevieve Rogers (Gawler 1999), author of Hullabazoo, for donating their books for the event.

The OCA was established in 1903 by Melbourne’s first doctors and Dame Nellie Melba and is the oldest Old Collegians Association in Australia. We have much to look forward to. In 2023 we celebrate our 120th Anniversary, and in 2025 we will join with PLC in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of PLC.

If you would like to be involved in planning these celebrations, please reach out to us at plc.melb.oca@gmail.com or through our Facebook group PLC Melbourne OCA

Ailsa Wilson (Watson 1978) President Old Collegians’ Association

A. L to R, Ailsa Wilson (Watson 1978), Sally Capp (1986), Wendy Davenport (1976) and Debbie Barbour (1986).

Debbie introduced Sally and Wendy presented her with a laptop compendium generously donated by Cath Manuell (1980) of Catherine Manuell Design.

B. L to R, three generations of one family came together with Jennifer Roberts (Munday 1980), her mother Joan Munday (McPherson 1950) and daughter Louise Roberts (2012).

C. Melissa Wong (1987), Gay Knox, Li-Leen Tan (1986), Joyce Khor (1986).

D. L to R, Anne-Marie Williams, Lisa Saffin, Cheryl Penberthy and Li-Leen Tan (1986).

The following is an excerpt from the President’s Welcome from the 2022 High Tea with Sally Capp event.

A very warm welcome to everyone at our PLC OCA High Tea in the Supper Room of the Melbourne Town Hall. Having PLC women back in the centre of Melbourne is a delight and symbolic too.

Our founding fathers set up PLC in East Melbourne in 1875 because they wanted their daughters and sisters to have the same educational opportunities as did their sons and brothers. They understood the power of education to improve lives, families and whole communities. From that campus in Albert St, the PLC speech days were held here at the Melbourne Town Hall through until the 1960s.

In 1918 and 1920, Dame Nellie Melba sang here, filling the Town Hall for concerts in aid of the OCA Scholarship fund which was being set up after the

war to help educate girls at PLC –girls whose families had been affected by the war through death and injury. The wife of the then Lord Mayor was an Old Collegian and organiser. We are proud that the OCA Scholarship fund still operates today, each year supporting seven or eight scholarships – the Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship, the OCA Scholarship and the Melba Music Scholarship. One of our current Melba Music Scholars, Anisha Ravishankar (2023), will perform for us on saxophone today.

Not only are we back in the Town Hall –but our fellow Old Collegian, The Right Honourable Sally Capp, is Lord Mayor of Melbourne, no less!

We hope this iconic location will help remind us of the PLC education and values that we each share with our own PLC class, with generations of Old Collegians from over the past 147 years and with the six decades of women here

today from the Class of 1949 through to the Class of 2018. An education designed to take each of us through our whole life, through all times both happy and sad. To equip women with knowledge, personal skills and values to navigate the world, to lead their own projects, families, businesses, professions and communities. May each of our own PLC experiences be a source of comfort and strength to us throughout our whole life. As we share this time together, let’s each recall our own highlights, perhaps the shared experiences of PLC Music, House Concerts and PLC Sport. Experiences where we found new skills and talents and worked together as teams. Let’s remember the teachers who nurtured, encouraged and inspired us, and the lifelong friendships formed through PLC.

Ailsa Wilson (Watson 1978) President Old Collegians’ Association

The Annie, Jean and Doris Lamont Scholarship

The Annie, Jean and Doris Lamont Scholarship is awarded annually for Old Collegians to assist with the continuation of their tertiary studies, either in Australia or overseas. To apply, please email adminoffice@plc.vic.edu.au by Friday 10 March 2023.

Dr Sarah Heynemann (2005) and Katherine Sewell (2007) were the 2022 Lamont Scholarships recipients.

OCA GOLF DAY

To be held at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. All are welcome!

Please contact Robin Collier (Wilson, 1969) at robinjcollier@gmail.com for more details.

Play commences at 4.15pm, followed by refreshments and cup presentations, concluding at 5.45pm.

Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship has been awarded since 1959 to students who would not otherwise be able to attend PLC. This scholarship was set up to honour Miss Hailes, a greatly loved Vice Principal (1933-1954) and Acting Principal, after her sudden death in 1958.

Please join with other Old Collegians who have for many years donated to support this scholarship, helping girls attend PLC in honour of Helen Hailes and the value we place on the importance of educating women. One of the most important offerings by the OCA is the provision of scholarships. The OCA actively encourages the community to give back and donate to support these ongoing scholarships, providing an opportunity to change the lives of the next generation of girls so that they may benefit from all that a PLC education has to offer.

Our Birthday League Governor

Ms Denise Poon (1978) is keen to welcome you into the Birthday League and send you a birthday greeting as you donate each year to support our OCA Scholarships.

Donations are acknowledged by the PLC OCA in PLC in Print.

Bank Details for EFT Donations

Bank: CommBank

Account name: PLCOCA

Account BSB: 063 197

Account Number: 00900486

Reference Details: ‘HH’, and the name you wish to be acknowledged by in PLC in Print, or ‘anonymous’.

Denise Poon Contact Details

Address: 499 Neerim Road

Murrumbeena Victoria 3163

Email: mimosacarnegie@gmail.com

Phone: (H) 9571 1197 (M) 0438 365 277

Ailsa Wilson (Watson 1978)

President Old Collegians’ Association

Birthday League Donors

The PLC OCA wish to thank all Birthday League donors for their kind and thoughtful support of the Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund supports talented students, usually the daughters or granddaughters of Old Collegians, who would otherwise be unable to attend PLC for financial reasons.

Dr Kate Cherry

Mrs Dawn Best

Mrs Deborah Williams

Mrs Roselyn Muir

Mrs Alison Rechner

Mrs Helen Bailey

Mrs Judith Boucher

Mrs Leonore McClintock

Miss Anne Smith

Dr Rosalind McMillan

Mrs Lois McKay

Mrs Janet Davies

Ms Robin Perrin

Mrs Helen Haysom

Mrs Natalie Cronin

Dr Tabatha Pettitt

Mrs Bronwyn Tacey

Mrs Joan Andrew

Mrs Wendy Fishley

Dr Bev Hookey

Mrs June Noble

Mrs Yvonne Knowles

Mrs Lesley Falloon

Mrs Helen Carson Mrs Dorothy Ramsay Mrs Anne Neil Miss Joan Montgomery Mrs Christine Wilson

Mrs Alison Kidman

Mrs Helen Guilfoyle

Mrs Elspeth Arnold

Miss Lauris Murnane

Ms Helen Beanham

Mrs Jean Oldfield

Mrs Claire Douglas Mrs Val Reid

Mrs Claire Macmillan

Mrs Helen Dent

Mrs Peg Randell

Mrs Anne Hoadley

Dr Merrilyn Murnane

Mrs Janet Brown

Dr Jennifer Henry

Mrs Diana Cherry

Dr Glenys French

Mrs Belinda Steele

Mrs Christine Gorrie

Mrs Jean Garrow

Mornington Peninsula Friendship Group North East Branch

Mornington Peninsula Friendship Group

The theme for the Mornington Peninsula Christmas lunch this year was ‘Bring a gift, buy a gift’ with the funds raised to go to the Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship Fund. Twenty-two members brought along great gifts which were enthusiastically bought, raising $315. COVID and the busy time of year reduced our numbers, but all who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves, judging by the non-stop chatter. There is something special about long-term friendships! We were also delighted to have Julie Schroeder join us.

We have decided to have our winter lunch next year on a Saturday so that those who are prevented from attending on a weekday may be able to join us. It would be great to catch up with more Old Collegians living and working on the Peninsula. If any are interested in joining us then or at any of our lunches, please ensure that we have your email address.

Email your contact details to jkirchner46@gmail.com or lemonjam.lj@gmail.com and we will ensure you receive plenty of notice of the date.

Our summer lunch will be on Wednesday 22 February 2023 – being ever optimistic that summer will be here by then! Save the date and watch for our email in January.

Sydney Group

The Sydney OCA group held a lovely Christmas luncheon in Roseville and enjoyed catching up with each other and hearing news from PLC. The group will continue with its coffee mornings during 2023 at various locations. Please contact Julie Phillips (Rank, 1961) at t.j.phillips@bigpond.com for more details.

Class Reunion of the 1974 Prep Class

Were you in Prep 1C with Mrs Cooper in 1974?

In 2024 it will be 50 years since 24 excited girls put on their summer dresses, blazers and straw hats and entered PLC for their first day of Junior School. I am planning a reunion lunch for 2024 and would love to hear from anyone who was in Prep 1C in 1974 or who can help with any contact details of girls from the class. I’m looking forward to sharing memories, maybe a few tears and lots of laughter. Please contact me via rosieinohio@yahoo.com

Rosemary Keogh (1986)

A. L to R: Julie Phillips (Rank, 1961), Fran Miller (Alchin, 1970), Norma Smith (Digby, 1942), Nette South (Weller, 1962), Patricia Ellis (Stevens, 1962), Julie Schroeder, Gill Whitney (1966), Sandy Dudgeon (McCay, 1956), Susanne Crotty (Cohen, 1960), Marg Wines (Glasier, 1954).

C/D E

B. L to R: Bronwyn Street (Morgan, 1963), Anne Neil (Hare, 1963), Prue Humphreys (Perdriau, 1963), Jan Kirchner (Morrison, 1963), Margaret Carroll (Hamilton, 1963), Pam Curtis (Wells, 1963) C. Twenty-two members at Kirk’s Bistro, Mornington.

D. L to R: Marie King (McClelland, 1961); Gabriella Pendergast (Gyorffy, 1962), Heather Shelley (McCracken, 1969), Helen Willett (Rank, 1957/58), Fran Hunt (Wylie, 1972) and Morag Donaldson (1987).

On 17 August 2021 Kim Rubenstein (1982) announced her intention to run as an independent Senate candidate for the Australian Capital Territory in the 2022 Australian Federal Election and established the Kim for Canberra party. In January 2022, the Australian Electoral Commission approved her application to form the political party called Kim for Canberra.

Kim ran on a platform of climate action, integrity, gender equality, territory rights and the Uluru Statement from the Heart, with a view to changing the way politics is conducted in Australia. With thousands of members and supporters, the Kim for Canberra campaign gained much public attention, getting major media coverage. While unsuccessful, the Kim for Canberra party received 12,622 primary votes and a further 30,349 second preference votes.

Geelong Branch

Our next Geelong Branch gathering will potentially be on a weekend in late February or March 2023 to allow working Old Collegians to attend. A room at Narana Aboriginal Culture Centre is the suggested venue.

Parton (Donaldson, 1955) President Geelong Branch President

PLC in Canberra Group

The PLC in Canberra group took advantage of a timely break in the recent spring rains to catch up on Saturday 26 November. It was relaxing to sit outdoors in the sunshine and catch up on current news, followed by some hilarious stories about school days at both the East Melbourne and Burwood locations. Unfortunately, a number of Old Girls were waylaid by illness or enjoying long-awaited holidays, but we hope to gather again en masse in March 2023. If you’d like to be added to the mailing list for future events, please email Morag Donaldson (1987) at plcincanberra@hotmail.com or contact the PLC Development Office. E

Kim Rubenstein (1982)

Anne

Jan Kirchner (Morrison, 1963) and Pam Booth (1959)

North East Group

Nineteen members from Shepparton, Benalla and Wangaratta areas braved the miserable weather to meet at the Shepparton Uniting Church in the Narthex – a week before the floods. It was wonderful to see ‘old’ friends again and there was much chatter and laughter.

The Ladies’ Catering Committee served a delicious meal of casseroles, with vegetables and rice which was most acceptable on such a cold day, with a tasty dessert to finish.

little about the Helen Hailes Memorial Scholarship recipients. PLC Principal, Cheryl Penberthy, sent a letter and report detailing some of the activities being held at the school.

Due to many members ageing and unable to drive too far, it was decided to hold only two lunches each year from now on and they will be in March in the Wangaratta area and October in Shepparton. The first lunch for 2023 will be held at King River Café on Wednesday 1 March.

If you would like to join us and are not on our mailing list, please email jcuddon@outlook.com and I will send details at the appropriate time.

Viv’s Place in honour of

McCutcheon OAM (Penington 1950)

Viv’s Place is a new 60 apartment complex in Dandenong for mothers and children who are victims of family violence and homelessness. It is permanent accommodation launched recently by Launch Housing and the first of its type in Australia, modelled successfully in New York. It has 60 independent apartments of varying sizes, with communal facilities such as a play area for children, kitchen, meeting rooms, and support counselling from Uniting Care.

Helen Jessup (Ibbitson, 1940)

It is a long time since I’ve been in touch with my alma mater.

I currently live in New York, having been married to an American, now deceased. Formerly I also lived in Bangkok, Jakarta, London, and Washington, DC.

I received my BA in English literature and French at the

University of Melbourne and later an MA and PhD in art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art History, London University.

I taught at Chulalongkorn University, the ANU in Canberra and Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and curated exhibitions of Indonesian and Cambodian art for several museums in Paris, Washington, Japan, New York and Germany. I’m the founder and President of Friends of Khmer Culture and a founding trustee of the United States-Indonesia Society. Formerly I served for more than

twenty years on the board of the Archives of American Art and the American Friends of the National Gallery of Australia.

I have four children, three stepchildren and eight grandchildren, and since they live in four different countries

I spend a great deal of time on international flights.

2023 OCA Netball

Registration for the 2023 Netball season is now open. Please complete the expression of interest form if you are interested in playing with us next season. We currently play in two competitions, outdoors on Saturday afternoons at Ashwood High School and indoors on Tuesday evenings at the Oakleigh Recreation Centre. The details for the seasons are below: Saturday

Ailsa Wilson (Watson, 1978), Lauris Murnane (1955) and Wendy Fishley (Olney, 1955) joined us from Melbourne. Ailsa shared events to be held for Old Collegians as well as a SUBMIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

It is named after Vivienne as she was a passionate social worker and activist, and was involved in the establishment of the Hanover Services for homeless men, and was the first qualified social worker to be employed there. She later became involved in many social projects and served on several boards. In 1995 she was acting Health Commissioner and in 1996 she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services in welfare, education and health. She sadly passed away in 2020 after a severe stroke.

PLAYERS

Sam Khong and Clare Haysom

Old Collegians’ Mothers and Daughters Morning Tea

Mothers, grandmothers and daughters all celebrated their shared history of a PLC education at the annual Old Collegians Mothers and Daughters morning tea. Excited students from all areas of the College enjoyed a delicious morning tea together and their mothers and grandmothers caught up with former school friends.

Judy Cuddon (Clezy, 1957) North East Group President

Vivienne

Margaret Turner (Penington 1948) (Vivienne’s sister)

News of Old Collegians

From 2011, Sil studied French in Paris before moving to Parakou, the third largest city in Benin, to help co-ordinate church development and aid projects. She continues to work alongside local partners and churches to help plan and evaluate programs that rely on international funding. Key projects include Bible translation, radio evangelism and support for people living with HIV. Sil also serves on the SIM Benin Togo leadership team. She recently completed a Master of International and Community Development degree through Deakin University.

Music & Entertainment

Births

Candace Middleditch (Buller, 2005) welcomed a second son, John Desmond, on 6 April, younger brother to Stuart.

Books

Morgan Mansell’s (2010) autobiography entitled Don’t MS With Me is now available. Morgan tragically passed away a few years ago and her book, published this year, is an inspiring recount of her journey with Multiple Sclerosis. The Mansell family is donating all proceeds from sales towards medical research into MS and has so far raised over $5,000.

To purchase a copy visit Don’t MS With Me or search for ‘Morgan Mansell Don’t MS With Me’ on Amazon.

Marriages

Priscilla (Sil) Ruddle (School Captain, 1993) was married to Neil Sim at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Burwood, on 22 October 2022. Attendants included her sister, Rachel (1991), and John Altmann (whose wife, Cathy, is a PLC teacher) was the best man.

Sil graduated with a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from Swinburne University in 1999, with her final years of study completed through ANU. She moved to Canberra in 1997 to train with the Australian Women’s Volleyball Team and captained the Australian Women’s Volleyball Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2002 World Championships in Leipzig. During her time with the Australian Volleyball Team, Sil played 274 games for Australia.

From 2003 to 2011, Sil worked for the local water authority in Canberra, including time as Field Services Manager. She took leave from work in 2009 to study at the Sydney Missionary & Bible College (SMBC) and completed a Graduate Diploma in Divinity. In November 2010, she was accepted for service in Benin, West Africa, with a Christian mission organisation called SIM.

Stephanie Scott (2008), Katherine Gekas (2006), Gabriella Pereira (2012) and Jennifer Mak (2010) competed for the City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band at the Australian Pipe Band Championships in Sydney. Stephanie and Katherine played in the championship, winning Grade 3 band, and Gabriella and Jennifer competed in Grade 4B, winning the medley element and placing 4th overall. All started their piping and drumming careers as members of the PLC Pipes and Drums.

Liza Lim (1983) was a finalist in the music category of the $60,000 Melbourne Prize, one of the most valuable arts awards in Australia. Liza went on to win the $2,000 Civic Choice Award which she has since generously donated to PLC to create two new student awards recognising music composition and performance.

Liza was very grateful to the College community who helped support her nomination. ‘I feel chuffed and incredibly honoured to have won the Melbourne Prize Trust’s Civic Award. It means a lot to have one’s work recognised, especially in one’s own hometown and even more, to have been supported by the community through a public vote. Thanks everyone for voting!’

Liza has travelled extensively, but reflected that Melbourne was where she can most attest to the development of her career as an artist. ‘There’s no more formative part of my journey to becoming a composer than the encouragement and support I had at PLC. The school continues to be an amazing place for music and I’d like to use my award to give future students a boost in their creative composing journey.’

B.

C.

Obituaries

she married Frank Sadler, and together they set up home on a farm in the district of Swanpool. She applied herself to all aspects of sheep farming with zeal, while raising four children and being an active volunteer in community groups.

Robin had a genuine interest in people and enjoyed the social aspect of all the groups in which she took part. Alongside involvement with the Agricultural and Pastoral Society and Yooralla Auxiliary, she was a member of the Swanpool CWA for 67 years, holding an executive position for nearly 60 years. Robin’s leadership skills were also exercised in the Girl Guides movement. She began her association with the organisation as a young member, then became a leader, and afterwards spent 16 years in administrative roles at local, regional and state levels. Robin’s last role was Victorian State Lone Guides Advisor. When this position finished, she had time to dedicate to her passion for history.

Eleanor Lowe (McConnachie, 1949) passed away peacefully on August 9, 2022. She was a proud Old Collegian and this was mentioned in her eulogy.

Provided by Eleanor’s daughter, Robin Cynthia (Kim) Green (MonsellButler, 1956) died peacefully on July 6, 2022.

D.

OAM (Say, 1949) was born in 1993 in Benalla and began her time at PLC as a Year 10 student in 1947. She was active in sport and music and brought an adventurous spirit and keen intellect to her schooling, gaining her Matriculation Certificate at the age of 16. Robin won the respect of peers and staff and was appointed a School Prefect, a role which foreshadowed a principled life of service to others. Her commitment over decades to many community organisations in Benalla was acknowledged in 2015 with an Order of Australia medal.

During her time at PLC, Robin relished the camaraderie of fellow students and forged precious friendships. From her first meeting with Margaret McArthur (Leslie, 1950) to whom she gave the nickname, ‘Is’, a rapport was struck. Margaret was later to be her bridesmaid, and they continued to share a deep and lifelong friendship.

Robin’s father and paternal grandfather were pharmacists, while her maternal grandfather was Benalla’s Presbyterian Minister, Rev. Alexander McConnan. Robin’s older sister, Isabel, was also a student at PLC, as was their mother, Elsie Say (née McConnan). Robin was an active member of the Old Collegians North East Victoria Group and thoroughly enjoyed the meetings and connections it fostered. Earlier this year she attended the 60th anniversary of the Benalla Group and gave a brief account of its history, including that her mother was one of its founders.

Robin chose nursing as her first profession and graduated from the Melbourne School of Nursing in 1954. She did not practice for long as in 1955

A member of the Benalla Historical Society for more than 40 years, Robin worked enthusiastically to champion local history as well as develop the Benalla Costume and Kelly Museum. She was a dynamic advocate with an exceptional knowledge of local history which she shared generously. An excellent public speaker, Robin gave tours and history talks to visiting and local groups. She was also instrumental in the establishment of the costume component of the museum and worked avidly to care for and exhibit its collection. She held the role of president of the museum for seven years, and during this time the museum achieved state industry awards in 2009 and 2011.

Robin’s work was enabled by boundless energy, astute intelligence, good humour and great benevolence. She had a strong and loving marriage and cherished her family and broad network of friends and colleagues. She had a steadfast connection to her community and yet her reach extended far beyond. Her geniality and wisdom touched the lives of many, and she will be greatly missed.

Robin is survived by four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Provided by the Sadler families.

Kim was born 13 November 1939 and commenced at PLC in the mid-1940s. She matriculated in 1957. Afterwards, Kim studied physiotherapy and commenced her career at the Caulfield and Alfred Hospitals. Kim left the Alfred Hospital to travel overseas and eventually focused on aged care, working at Nazareth House, Broadmead and Inala. Kim is survived by her daughters, Jane Carter (1983), Lizzie Allen (Year 10, 1987) and Sarah Ridley (Year 6, 1985) and son, David.

Provided by her daughter, Jane Carter.

Lexie Luly (1940), a beloved PLC art teacher who inspired generations of PLC students, died peacefully on 17 November 2022, aged 98. Her life was spent in the communication of art and culture and the joy of travelling. A full obituary will appear in the next edition of PLC in Print. Please contact yarragar@activ8.net.au or 0427 396 211 with any enquiries.

Dorothy Alison Clayfield (Gibb, 1944) passed away on 22 November 2022, aged 95.

A B C D

A. Morgan Mansell’s (2010) autobiography Don’t MS With Me.

Priscilla (Sil) Ruddle (1993) and Neil Sim.

Stephanie Scott (2008), Katherine Gekas (2006), Gabriella Pereira (2012) and Jennifer Mak (2010).

Liza Lim (1983). Photo credit: Maria Sturm.

Elaine Corr (Don 1961) passed away on 7 September 2021. She is dearly missed by her family and friends.

Elisabeth McConnan (Robin) Sadler

The PLC Community was saddened to learn of the passing of the following Old Collegians.

Class of 1985, 35 Year Reunion

Class of 1992, 30 Year Reunion

On Saturday 15 October, the Class of 1992 descended upon the Wesley Anne in Northcote for our 30 Year reunion. The energy in the room was incredible, as we exchanged stories of the past three decades. It was inspiring to hear about the breadth of experiences including those of scientists, social workers, pilots, teachers, entrepreneurs, artists, engineers and everything in between. The cumulative frequent flyer points of the group would be impressive, with tales of travel to all corners of the world including Antarctica.

A long way from our shared experiences as schoolgirls at PLC, yet now we share experiences as mothers, carers of elderly parents, questioners of the world, victims of middle age, and lovers of laughter.

Louisa Gibbs (1992)

Class of 1985, 35 Year Reunion

The Class of 1985 got together to celebrate our 35 year reunion on Saturday 19 November at the Caulfield RSL. Despite being two years overdue (due to COVID), we had a terrific turnout and there was certainly no lack of enthusiasm!

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces, especially as there had been seven years between catch-ups. Plenty of bubbles flowed and thanks must go to Anna Plotkin for assisting with the venue, which was just perfect.

Everyone mixed, mingled and chatted, and the evening finished all too soon. A few people even braved Melbourne’s unpredictable weather and continued on to one of the local bars in order to extend the evening’s festivities.

We owe a huge thank you to Lee McClure, without whose tireless efforts the reunion would never have got off the ground. We’re all looking forward to the next reunion in three years’ time, with a strong possibility of some catch-ups in between! In the fitting words of Asha Pillai afterwards: ‘There is an indefinable ease of being with those you share history with.’

Class of 1992, 30 Year Reunion