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The Girl Stands Tall
Emma Parton, 2022 Head Prefect In 2003, to mark the centenary of Diocesan School for Girls, the Parents & Friends’ Association gifted the beautiful Paul Dibble bronze sculpture Future Female to the School. She stood in the Centennial Courtyard where girls, staff and visitors to the campus loved and admired her.
Sadly, one morning in June 2021, we arrived at school to find her gone. Torn away from her base during the night, she has never been recovered.
How would we ever replace her? The best place to start our search was with John Gow of Gow Langsford Gallery. A past parent of Dio, John has represented Paul Dibble since 1990 and following our approach, met with Paul and his wife Fran to see if there was something that could be done for Dio. Paul no longer had a mould of our girl but was able to complete one he felt would be a suitable substitute.
Our new Dibble was installed in March. The Girl Stands Tall is a striking two metres in height. Geometric yet elegant, she has a real sense of presence where she stands surrounded by trees in the Centennial Courtyard. The Girl Stands Tall has been installed with sophisticated security protection... burglar beware!
We wish to acknowledge John Gow, Gow Langsford Gallery and Paul and Fran Dibble for facilitating this new art acquisition. Thank you – we are delighted.
Coincidentally, the statue resonates with the Year 13 theme of the past two years, Ko Ta¯tou, ‘This is us’. This year’s theme is ‘E tu¯’ which translates as ‘Stand up’ in te reo Ma ¯ori.
May we and our new Dibble continue to stand tall!
Paul Dibble is an accomplished bronze sculptor and one of only a few artists in New Zealand who cast their own works. Many of his works are enjoyed in gardens and homes around the country and our Dibble will be cherished and enjoyed by the girls every day. Paul’s most significant work is the 2006 New Zealand War Memorial sited on Hyde Park corner, Piccadilly, London and titled Southern Stand.
