Wilderness Intergenerational Families

My grandmother, Kathleen Stacy (Maegraith) was born in 1899. My mother, Rosemary Henderson (Stacy) remembers stories of early Wilderness School days as told by her mother, and she, of course, has her own stories also.

As told by my mother, Rosemary Henderson (Stacy)…

“My great grandfather sailed to Australia from England on the same ship as the Brown family, and my mother began at Wilderness in approximately 1904 and was one of only a few students. She played the piano and after leaving school in 1916 was the lead violinist with the South Australian Symphony Orchestra. One of her favourite stories was when she sang in a school concert at the Walkerville Town Hall, and Miss Winnie presented her with a box of chocolates afterwards.

Mum was left-handed but was encouraged to use her right hand, resulting in her showing amazing ambidexterity.

I attended Wilderness from 1934-1948 and was in Antholiza House. Dorothy Powell and Helen Sabine were two of my early teachers, as well as Miss Annie, who taught Year 2. Miss Winnie listened to our reading every morning, and she had a great sense of humour. I remember being further advanced than the primmers! Miss Mamie taught mathematics in my intermediate and leaving years.

Henderson Family

Antholiza House

Kathleen Stacy (Maegraith) Class of 1916 Rosemary Henderson (Stacy) Class of 1948 Penny Gibson (Henderson) Class of 1976 Angela Biven (Henderson) Class of 1972 Annabel Flynn (Biven) Class of 2000

Pictured L to R: Angela Biven (Henderson), Class of 1972 Daughter, Annabel Flynn (Biven), Class of 2000 Rosemary Henderson (Stacy), Class of 1948 holding Josephine Flynn Inset: Sister, Penny Gibson (Henderson), Class of 1976

Wartime years were difficult. I remember a mound of dirt outside the hall covering an area shelter, and during the war, we had air-raid practice twice a week. We were fortunate this was never required.

The tuck shop was an old tram car, and it was parked over on the Northcote Terrace side of the School. It was a very special day when you had a lunch order! Mr Threadgold sold pies, pasties, chips with salt, and Kitchener buns!

Bazaars were wonderful fundraisers. We worked hard knitting, sewing and baking to fill the trestles with homemade goods. We bought wood for the local shelter with the proceeds. I remember painting the school badge on large metal trays to sell at the bazaars in the sixties. The bazaars were just as much fun when they were held a generation later!”

My mother, sister, daughter and I maintain close friendships from our school days at Wilderness. Happy memories are often shared.

Angela Biven (Henderson) Class of 1972