Wendy Eather (Dalton)
Class of 1957
rewarding experiences with singing and Vocal Therapy was with elderly people in different Aged Care Facilities, Charity Organisations and Dementia Groups on a voluntary basis over many years. This led to being presented with a Premier’s Award in 2002. Choirs have also been a big part of my life. I was a member of the Philharmonia Choir, Sydney, Bach Choir, Hong Kong, the Chancel Choir, Ohio, USA, and other Choirs including Female Soloist with the Ku-ring-Gai Male Choir for many years. Through these life experiences and meeting many amazing people with different cultures, I have learnt the joy of giving is so rewarding without expecting anything in return. Again, this all relates back to my school days at Tara, and the basic principles taught.
I
was a student at Tara starting in 5th Grade and completing and passing the Intermediate Certificate in 1957. This was the last small class at Tara consisting of 12 students only. Mrs Buck was the Headmistress, a very formal lady who taught the students to be polite young ladies with respect for each other and society. After leaving School, I attended Business College, then worked at the Radio Station 2GB as a Script Assistant recording live audience shows in the 2GB Auditorium including John Dease and the Quiz Kids, Keith Smith-The Pied Piper and the Cadbury Variety Show: all amazing experiences. With the introduction of television, all live audience shows ceased and a new format for radio was implemented. With the change in radio, my Script Assistant position was made obsolete, so I moved to the ABC Children’s Hour with Jason and the Argonauts; another enjoyable and rewarding time. The principles learnt at Tara were a great influence for my life and working experiences. These years will always have special memories for me. I studied singing part time at the Conservatorium of Music, Sydney and graduated in 1995 with an A.Mus. A Diploma in Singing. This led to many Solo engagements in Sydney and overseas. The most
I married in 1963 and was blessed with two sons and three grandsons, and I have lived in Sydney, Hong Kong and Ohio. My husband retired twenty years ago, and we moved to the Southern Highlands, NSW settling into life on a farm witnessing new life being born, fresh air, and the beauty of the rolling green hills. Harley, our little dog and the beauty of the Highlands were a great inspiration to write over 80 poems now printed in a book, ‘Southern Highlands in Poetry’, (Southern Highlands Tapestry of Life). As I look back with gratitude I have been blessed with an amazing life based on the foundations taught to me at Tara by teachers who were so dedicated. For students at Tara today: Enjoy your school years and special friends you make. Pursue your dreams. Always be true to yourself in everything you do in your life, and you will have peace and happiness, and give joy to all the people you will meet on your journey of life. Thank you, Tara.
Congratulations on wonderful years. Celebrating the past, shaping the future.
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