A woman ahead of her time

CAROLINE STOK, ARCHIVIST

A lifelong educator, Mabel Trumble was one of the first Preparatory School teachers when the school opened in 1921. Alongside Head of Preparatory School, Ken Nicolson, Miss Trumble led the growing group of students in their early years at the College, devoted to providing a rich educational experience.

Miss Trumble came to the school after some years teaching in Melbourne. She was born in 1889 in Nhill to John William and Susan Trumble, the eldest daughter of six. Her father and his brother, Hugh Trumble, were Australian test cricketers, although her father later became a solicitor. Mabel’s brother, John Compson Trumble the eldest son, boarded at The Geelong College from 1905. By 1910, the family had relocated to Melbourne.

Along with her glowing reputation in Melbourne kindergarten circles, Miss Trumble’s connection to the College may have also been a motivator for her being employed for the new Preparatory School in 1921. In its first year, the school included what was then Form III and IV with about 60 students (approximately ages 6 to 12). Miss Trumble was responsible for the younger cohort. An energetic teacher, Miss Trumble led the production of The Prep. News, a handwritten account of the life in the Preparatory School, a little brother to The Pegasus magazine. ‘Before the ‘break-up’ last term we gathered in front of the new building in which we have since passed many happy days and saw Paddy Chapman present Sir John MacFarland with the key to the G.C. Prep School. We are very proud of the school, for everything is so new and clean and we are going to keep it in the best condition. Lawns and hedges have been planted and Miss Trumble and the III Form have commenced to set out a garden.’

Miss Trumble’s untiring energy also extended to Preparatory School drama productions and inspiring committees of helpers. Its first production was Cinderella in 1921. Other highlights include Alice in Wonderland (1923), Peter Pan (1924), The Wandering Minstrels (1927) and Water Babies (1928). The Pegasus reported that “the small boys admirably trained by Miss Trumble played an attractive part in the success of the dramatic entertainment held in the second term,” (December 1923). The Geelong Advertiser reported on an evening of entertainment at the Comunn na Feinne Hall provided by the boys of The Geelong College in 1927:

entitled “The Wandering Minstrel”. It was adapted from “The Mikado” by Miss M.C. Trumble, a teacher in the Preparatory School, and meritoriously played by the boys of the Preparatory School. The stage was beautifully set and adorned with Japanese effects. Credit is due to Mrs F.W. Rolland, Miss Trumble and the mothers of the boys who did so much to make this effort a success.’

Miss Trumble’s tenure at the College was interrupted when she travelled overseas in 1925.

‘It seemed strange to come back to school and find no Miss Trumble, but we were pleased to hear of the splendid time she is having on her travels and to learn that in the midst of all her new adventures she still takes a very eager interest in the Prep and all its doings.’ (May 1925) A letter she wrote home was also published in The Argus (10/7/1925), where she recounted her experiences in ‘Friendly France’. Luckily for The Geelong College, she returned to her post in 1926. Her travels having confirmed that the school “is better than all the schools she saw in England, France and Italy,” (The Pegasus May 1926). Miss Trumble would continue her work in the Preparatory School for another three years, until she embarked on another overseas trip.

At the end of the school year in 1928, she was farewelled and honoured as an enthusiastic and loyal teacher. It was a great loss and “she will be especially missed in the Prep plays which she has made such a feature of the school year” (The Pegasus December 1928). On behalf of the boys, the Prep school captain, David Shannon, presented their cherished teacher with a rug as a parting gift.

Miss Trumble left for two years of study and holiday abroad where she endeavoured to master the French language and worked at a private girls school in Montreux, Switzerland.

Sadly, Miss Trumble would not return to The Geelong College. When she arrived back in Australia, she settled in Melbourne. As a result of her second trip abroad, Miss Trumble went on to publish a book, a French reader for children called “Micheline et Didi”. It was illustrated by her brother-in-law, Albert Ernest (Peter) Newbury an Old Geelong Collegian who had attended the school in the early 1900s, and a cousin Arthur C. Trumble. A copy is held in the National Library of Australia.

Later Miss Trumble was the secretary of the Queen’s Fund, an organisation established in honour of Queen Victoria which was ‘solely for the relief of women in distress’. The Fund, established in 1897, continues its philanthropic work to this day.

Miss Trumble passed away after a short illness on the 4th of June 1961, aged 72 years. She is remembered in the College history books for her part in the early years of the Preparatory School creating a warm place of learning for young students.