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Service Learning: A Growth Area at Strathcona
Old Strathconians’
ASSOCIATION
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Congratulations to Professor Bronwyn Naylor OAM (’73) who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2022 Australia Day Honours, for her service to Tertiary Education and to the Law. Professor Naylor is a Professor of Law in the Graduate School of Business and Law at RMIT University, with Honours in Arts and Law from Monash University (BA/ LLM), and a Master of Philosophy and Doctorate in Criminology from Cambridge University, UK. She is also an author. Pairing extraordinary service to the architectural profession, and championing other women, Strathcona Alumna Fiona Gardiner (’71) has been awarded the Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize from the Australian Institute of Architects. Fiona received her award at a special International Women’s Day event in recognition of her significant contribution to the profession, in particular heritage architecture, and for providing visibility to the contribution of women in architecture.
Alumnae Achievements
Joanne Knight (’96 and 2015 Strathcona Medalist), was commissioned as the new CEO of the Anglican Overseas Aid, on 1 March 2022 at St Silas Anglican Church in Balwyn North. The Commissioning was led by The Most Revd Dr Philip Freir, Archbishop of Melbourne and President of Anglican Overseas Aid. Jo and her sisters, Ruth Knight (’90) and Lois Knight (’93) all attended Strathcona in their secondary years. Helen Knight, Jo’s mother, was on the staff of Strathcona’s Mellor House for 11 years.
2022 Interschools Golf Challenge Cup
The 2022 Interschools Golf Challenge Cup was held at Commonwealth Golf Club this year. Strathcona was represented by Julie Howard (Evans ’63), Meg Fricke (’96), Meredith Doery (Paton ’71) and Prue Moodie (Douglas ’69). 29 teams competed and Ballarat Clarendon triumphed on the day, back-to-back victories for them. This is Strathcona’s 21st year competing in this event (formerly Sun Cup) which is celebrating its 93rd year. The $3,500 raised on the day will be donated to support the McAuley Community Services. Prue has a long history of volunteer work for not-for-profit and community organisations starting in 1969 as the honorary solicitor for the Children’s Protection Society.
Prue had a keen interest in social justice and politics, and after serving on various Government advisory Committees, she was elected Member for Kew in 1981. During her parliamentary life she was a Shadow Minister, writing the first ever “Family Policy” of any Party, and active on the all Party Social Development Committee. She left Parliament to return to her legal career and community interests, becoming Acting Chancellor of Victoria University whilst on its Council.
After retirement, Prue turned to her community interests and in 2007, whilst living in Brisbane, she saw the need to assist women and founded and established the employment support organisation for women called Dress for Success Brisbane. The service (which is affiliated to the US based Dress for Success) assists struggling unemployed women to be better prepared and confident for work and work interviews. Appropriate (donated) work clothing and coaching for interviews and various work preparation workshops are provided to clients free of charge.
Setting up this first Dress for Success in Australia, from scratch, involved recruiting and training volunteers, developing systems and business plans, fundraising and extensive networking. The service continues to thrive and has assisted thousands of women (and now men) into the workforce and professional lives.
On returning to Melbourne in 2012, Prue put up her hand to help the Dress for Success Mornington service (operated by Groomed to Go Inc) and led it though a difficult restructuring which secured it’s future. A new Career Centre was established to provide additional upskilling to clients, and a post employment support group was established.
Dress for Success has now been successfully established in all capital cities, and some regional towns in Australia. The organisation is now supported by major corporations and hundreds of volunteers providing hands on service which is personal, discreet and thoughtful. Services have been expanded to include pack and send wardrobes to remote centres and online workshops. Each year several thousands of women are assisted into work and economic independence by these Dress for Success services around Australia. Prue says that establishing Dress for Success and seeing it thrive and be so successful has been one of the most rewarding projects of her life.
2021 Strathcona Medal Recipient Prue Leggoe OAM
Prue Leggoe OAM (Turnor ’63) LLB was awarded an OAM in 2019 for her services to women (particularly the unemployed). Prue graduated in Law in 1968 and worked as a solicitor in commercial and family law and also established her own practice.
Old Strathconians’
ASSOCIATION
Alumnae Obituaries
Peggy Freedman (Wade ’39), one of Strathcona’s first students, passed away on Tuesday 5 July 2022 aged 101 years and 5 months. Peggy commenced at Strathcona aged four in 1925 and fondly remembered Mrs Livingstone and Ms Hughes who established the School in 1924. Peggy’s sister, Patricia Hughes (Wade ’40) also attended Strathcona and now lives in New Zealand. Peggy will be greatly missed.
Merle Herbert (Dunstan ’47) sadly passed away on 21 November 2021 aged 91 years.
Rosalind Lowe (Weller ’52) passed away on 29 July 2021. Rosalind was Deputy School Captain in 1951 and 1952.
Suzanne Edwards (Westcott ’53) attended Strathcona from 19471953. Suzanne passed away on 21 December 2020 aged 84 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was a Prefect who enjoyed her time at school and went on to study Social Work at the University of Melbourne, working to better the lives of people in our society. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Priscilla Carr (Clark ’56) passed away peacefully on 22 November 2021 with family by her side. Priscilla was aged 83.
Robin Coutts (Withers ’56) passed away peacefully at home on 8 June 2022 aged 83 years. She will be sadly missed by family and friends.
In Memoriam
Barbara Juniel (Jones ’56) passed away peacefully on 11 April 2021 aged 82. Her three daughters attended Strathcona: Samantha Semmens (’77), Simone Semmens (’77) and Suzanne Phillips (Semmens ’79). Barbara had heart surgery in 2018 but prior to that she loved the OSA events she attended and really enjoyed reading the Strathcourier. Several of Barbara’s friends from Strathcona attended her funeral.
Helen Greenfield (Brown ’68) passed away peacefully on 22 June 2021 aged 70.
Catherine Woods (’99), sadly passed away on 24 November 2021 following a long illness. Cathy was an inspiration to many as she shared her faith during her three-year struggle with liver cancer. She achieved so much during her short life. A highly qualified nurse, Cathy worked in busy Hospital Emergency Departments and for many years, brought hope to marginalised and disadvantaged indigenous communities as a remote nurse on Elcho and Millingimbi Islands in East Arnhem Land. Sympathy to her sisters, Emma Morgan (Woods ’96) and Megan (’00).
Past Board and Staff Obituaries
Rosemarie Worboys, 1937-2022 (Strathcona Board 1990-91, Teacher 1992-95) Rosemarie is remembered for her strong Christian faith and as a humble, brilliant and very well organised member of the Strathcona community. She was a member of the Board 1991-92 and a teacher for four years 1992-95. She taught Chemistry, Science, Maths and Christian Education. Rosemarie was the mother of five, her son-in-law, Tim Charles was a teacher of Psychology and Year 9 subjects in 1999 and later one of her 11 grandchildren was a student teacher at Strathcona.
Barbara Balfour (Rautman), 1938-2021 (Strathcona Staff 1966-1987) Barbara joined the Strathcona Staff in 1966 and taught English, History, Geography and General Studies (at Tay Creggan) for 22 years. For 13 years she taught Biblical Studies for Years 11 and 12 and was a member of the Victorian Universities and Schools Examination Board. She developed and taught a new subject introduced at Year 9 in 1987. We are so grateful for all Barbara accomplished, for her high standard and concern she showed for every girl under her care.
Elaine Hopkins, 1933-2022 (Strathcona Staff 1976-1985) Elaine was the Librarian for 10 years and did much in the establishment of the Tay Creggan Library as well as supporting the life of the school in many ways. Sympathy to her family especially her two daughters, Vivienne (’74) and Alison (’76), who attended Strathcona.
Gary Bradley, 1939-2022 (Strathcona Staff 1979-1999, 2005-2006) Gary was a popular teacher of English and Music. He had a strong faith in God and a love of and gift for music. An outstanding pianist, Gary is remembered for his playing at assemblies and Presentation Nights during his 23 years at Strathcona. Also a composer Gary wrote new music for the Strathcona School Hymn, composed many cantatas and six musicals for young people which he produced and directed for groups of students at the school. Sympathy to his family especially his daughter past student, Lisa (’94).
Kenneth Alexander Lyall OAM
13 July, 1927 – 28 January, 2022
Kenneth Alexander Lyall; Ken, ‘Rocky’; son; brother; husband; father; grandfather; great-grandfather; sportsman; scout, cadet, crusader leader; Deputy School Captain and winner of the coveted Henry Meeks Senior Gold Medal for scholarship, leadership and sport; Head of Carey Junior School; 7th Principal of Strathcona; President of the Baptist Union of Victoria; Gladman Medal for teaching at Melbourne Teachers’ College; lecturer at RMIT; Fellow of the Australian College of Education; marriage celebrant; Boroondara Citizen of the Year; OAM; magician and conjuror; cook (signature dish: Apple Charlotte); generous host; porridge-maker and provider at Kew Baptist weekly men’s prayer breakfast for 30 years.
And the above list is not exhaustive! Ken was a man equally at home in an academic gown, a dinner suit, his secondbest overalls, or, topped by a cowboy hat, honing his whipcracking skills. The generally clichéd term ‘larger than life’ accurately characterizes him: his warmth, his enthusiasm, his compassion, his laugh, his integrity and commitment, his faith. Tributes at his memorial service, held at New Hope Baptist Church in Blackburn North, attempted to cover major aspects of his life and work, but tellingly, it was his three daughters — Judith, Heather and Alison — who brought him to life. Beginning with his “Hêllô dēars” with its distinctive intonation and stress, they presented, in quick succession, moments of their lives with him: funny, moving, private and public, predictable and quixotic. Suddenly, unmistakably, he was among us: generously offering gratuitous advice to football umpires; tearfully watching — again! — his favourite film, Goodbye, Mr Chips; kneeling at the dining room table in his early-morning devotions. It was a telling reminder, too, that Ken’s Principalship was a family affair. ‘Team Lyall’ was actively involved in every aspect of the school’s life, even down to rubbish collection of the grounds every Saturday morning. Edith’s partnership, in particular, was outstanding, and probably of a kind that will never be repeated.
Ken’s 17 years at Strathcona were marked by strong growth and expansion: in buildings, facilities, in the establishment of a sound and deep financial basis, in a strengthening of the school’s distinctive culture, emphasis and reputation. These achievements have been recognised in his many awards and distinctions, of which he was quietly and justly proud. He saw them, however, not as occasions for personal hubris, but as confirmations of the task to which God had called him. The hymn which began his memorial service gave expression to that conviction, and to the nature and quality of his whole life’s work.
That spirit, that voice, live on.
