2019 HOGA Newsletter by Geelong Grammar School

The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Newsletter 2019

The Hermitage Church of England Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Office Bearers and Committee 2018–2019 PRESIDENT

ARCHIVES

Deidre Griffiths mob: 0414 216 160 email: deegriffiths@iprimus.com.au

Sue Calahan Jill Nicholls

SECRETARY

Ann Tyers

NEWSLET TER

Jill Nicholls tel: 03 5342 4889 mob: 0400 800 136

Prue Webb

TREASURER

PHOTOS

Susie Donald tel: 0407 798999

Ann Tyers

GOLF DAY

COMMIT TEE

Rosalind Leigh tel: 03 5249 1380 Sue Callahan tel: 03 5264 1550 Allison Rhodes tel: 03 5288 7162 Michele Butcher tel: 03 5255 5548 Elizabeth Bennett tel: 03 5267 2181

POSTAL ADDRESS

The Secretary GPO Box 591 Geelong Victoria 3220 EMAIL AND WEB ADDRESS

hermitagegirls@gmail.com

www.ggs.vic.edu.au

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Dates for your Diary 2019 OLD GIRLS’ DAY AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Awards

Saturday, 7th September, 2019 Darling Hall, Geelong Grammar School.

Tenable at Geelong Grammar School:

AGM: 11.00 am Drinks: 12.00pm Luncheon: 12.45pm

The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Prize for Service Ruby Barkmeyer

CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH LUNCH

Monday 2nd December 2019 All Saints Hall, Newtown, 11.20am For information concerning these functions contact: Jill Nicholls, Secretary, tel: 03 53424889

The Hermitage Old Girls’ E V Krome Cup for Sportsmanship Sybila Keogh Tenable at Geelong College: The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Prize (for all round Leadership) Sadie Longden

REUNIONS 2019

See page 24 for details GOLF DAY

Monday 30th September 2019 Barwon Heads Golf Club For information regarding the Golf Day contact: Prue Webb tel: 0407 554 785

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

From the Editor As I sit typing this Newsletter up, I cannot believe how quickly the year of 2018 has slipped by. A terrible drought has ravaged many parts of Australia and I am sure many old girls have been affected in some ways. I am aware there are a lot of sons and daughters of these old girls now running family properties and I feel for you all. I also have a daughter and son-in-law in NSW affected, so it stretches far and wide.

I had a wonderful afternoon meeting up with Lyn Mulligan, an OAM recipient. Lyn received this award for all the amazing work she has done, and continues to do for refugees and others for whom she has cared as a Hospice worker. No one will ever appreciate the hours of love that Lyn puts in to the helping of refugees in the Geelong surrounds. Once she begins to talk about them, the stories just flow. I have it on good authority that she has Once again, Cooeegrams have been rather turned this award down twice before. sparse this year. I have decided after 10 years of doing the Newsletter this will be I would like to remind Old Girls of the my last. It does take a lot of my time and changes to the Elsie Morres Scholarship I have very much enjoyed doing it. My and ask that you all notify your families. feeling is with the lack of Cooeegrams This scholarship is ONLY for descendents (received 5 this year) and the fact that of Hermitage Old Girls, and is offered I need to ring around to ask for people to girls and boys from Year 7 upwards. to send them in, that maybe people no Several girls have rung me this year, longer want the Newsletter. I have been having heard of it through friends, or not off the Committee for over 12 months and even knowing it is available. There is also just feel the time is right for me to let Jill The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Nicholls, the current Secretary decide with scholarship which is for girls only and now the Committee whether the Newsletter from year 7 upwards. Both come under continues in some form. General Excellence Scholarships. Congratulations to our three OAM Recipients. Lyn Mulligan (Bleakley) 1949 Jenny Gubbins (Young) 1956 and Judy Vanrenen (1969). You can read more about these three well deserving recipients further on in the Newsletter.

Congratulations to Rab Cole who recently celebrated her 100th Birthday with family and close friends (pictured following page). Birthday greetings also to Helen Botterill who turns 100 in February 2019. Helen Ganly, from Torquay I think is our oldest member and she turned 103 in July 2018.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Above: Rab Cole celebrating her 100th birthday, pictured with daughters Deb Cole, Prue Cole and Diana Bowman

I am delighted to announce that our Guest Speaker for the AGM and luncheon on Saturday, 7th September, 2019 is Janice Simpson, who left The Hermitage in 1968. She has had an amazing career writing novels and seems to spend a lot of time cycling across Europe. It would be lovely if we could have a mini reunion of the 1968 year group for the AGM this year.

Please remember to look out for emails from oggs@ggs.vic.edu.au as sometimes these will be information or invitations from HOGA. Because of the cost of organising the Year Group Reunions, the girls doing it try to email information to their year group. It saves a huge cost to you all if they do not have to mail out information. This is another reason to keep email addresses up to date so please notify us when changes are made. Please email changes to hermitagegirls@gmail.com so our database can be updated. Best wishes, Ann Tyers

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

President’s Report This year our dear old association is one hundred and nine years old and once again we have had a busy but rewarding year. Today’s Hermitage Old Girls’ Association reunion and luncheon gives us a great opportunity to review and celebrate our year, catch up with friends and remember our school days. We have been pleased to see our beautiful history book continue to sell and be very well received by readers. It’s amazing how each year we receive little bits of feedback about who the unnamed girls are in photos, the name of the occasional “unknown” teacher appearing in a photo, and so forth. For example, my next door neighbours of 20 years read the book with interest and informed me that she was one of the “unknown” teachers in a photo of final years at Highton, where she had taught science. Once again our committee members have worked tirelessly to make our social events – including today – occur and run smoothly, and we thank them for their great contributions. I would also like to acknowledge, as we do each year, the great work of past Committee members of many years as without them, our association would not have continued to this day. We are very glad that several of you are here today! We have been very sad to lose some of our Old Girls during the year, and beloved family members and friends, and also much loved members of the broader GGS community. We extend our deep sympathy to their families and friends. I know that our shared memories of happy times spent with them are a great comfort to us. This year we particularly remember Michael Collins Persse, much loved GGS history teacher, curator, connector, bridge builder and friend and mentor to many. Particularly, we Hermitage Old Girls will always most fondly remember Michael as our champion over many years. Indeed, it was Michael who continuously, over the years, encouraged us to make sure our History Book was written. He was extremely pleased to receive a copy when it finally was and, in his usual way, quickly familiarised himself with its contents. I know that quite a few of us have treasured letters and notes in Michael’s tiny black handwriting, making sure not an inch of useful writing surface went unused, full of interesting and wise reminiscences. It was a bitter sweet experience for several of us to attend, among 2,000 others, the recent wonderful memorial service held for Michael here at Corio. We were so glad to be able to share in that memorable day. Michael taught us that the most important things of all are friendship and love. One of our wonderful committee members, Jan Koch – who unfortunately can’t be with us today – is finally stepping down after a long period of service to the association, which included much work on our History Book project. We will miss you Jan, but will look forward to seeing you at our functions each year, hopefully for many years to come! THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Our Honorary Treasurer, Allison Rhodes, is also retiring from that position, but I am very happy to report that Allison is remaining on the committee! We thank Allison for all her work as Treasurer over the last several very busy years. It is much appreciated! Our annual reunion provides us with an opportunity each year to reflect on our school days at “The Hermitage”, feel gratitude to our teachers and other school staff for all their work and inspiration, and also to our families for enabling us to attend the school. I know that many of you will agree that what we gained from our education, and the many wonderful friendships we made, continue with us throughout our life. They are strengthened and enhanced by the Old Girls’ Association and, in turn, strengthen the Association. We are very happy that our ongoing association with Hermitage House at GGS adds to the continuity of our legacy, and that our History book now captures all of this as a lasting testament. This year, as always, we were made to feel very much a part of the continuing Geelong Grammar School community, which also helps to keep the spirit of “The Hermitage” CEGGS alive. We sadly joined in the farewelling of Stephen and Christine Meek, as Stephen’s long period of excellent leadership of GGS drew to a close. Then we were delighted to join in the welcoming of Rebecca Cody, the new Principal, who we are very heartened to observe is already doing a wonderful job, despite having such a hard act to follow. We would like to thank the school staff, and particularly the wonderful Katie Rafferty, for their ongoing support of our activities. Today we are delighted to have one of our Old Girls, Jen Lawrie-Smith, as our pianist. Thank you Jen! We are very pleased to again be joined by Jo Nitz, GGS’s Director of Advancement, and also Executive Director of the Geelong Grammar School Foundation, and also Catherine Krause, Head of The Hermitage House. We were made very welcome by Catherine who kindly invited us to morning tea in her home recently. We are also very pleased to Victoria Arter, House Captain of Hermitage House, who has joined us today. We received an apology from Rebecca Cody (opposite), who is sadly unable to join us today. But we look forward to seeing her at one of our future events. This year we have enjoyed our involvement with the continuing GGS as part of the OGGs committee, participating in various OGGs’ and school events. It will soon be time for the annual OGG’s Car Trial, a favourite event for the Grammar community, that I can highly recommend to Old Girls as a very enjoyable way to spend a day. Details are available on the school website.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

From the Principal: 31st August 2018 Dear Deidre and all HOGA members, Your kind and thoughtful gesture of welcome to Geelong Grammar School (GGS) is appreciated dearly. Thankyou! Your stunning ruby cyclamen has pride of place in my new study. As I had never been gifted such a plant before, I began researching the symbolism of it. Imagine my delight to discover that the cyclamen is associated with sincerity and lasting feelings; even, “I love what is rare and difficult to obtain”. It is certainly a rare and beautiful opportunity to serve as GGS’s 12th Principal. I am relishing every minute of the challenge and am inspired by the stories of Hermitage Old Girls. Thank you also for your generous invitation to join your upcoming AGM. Regrettably, on this occasion, prior commitments prevent my attendance. It will be a joy to spend time with you across the years ahead. I wish you all the best for your meeting and look forward to connecting soon. Yours with warm gratitude and a hopeful heart for the future of GGS.

Rebecca Cody Principal

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Again this year our OGGs representative also shared several memorable evenings, attending OGGs committee meetings, dining and reminiscing. The OGGs have been very ably led by Margie Gillett, (Clyde School), as President of the OGGs Association. As full voting members of the OGGs committee, along with Clyde, we Hermitage Old Girls continue to feel able to make a significant contribution to the work of the OGGs. We would like to thank the wonderful catering team at GGS and school staff, for their contributions towards the success of today’s event. Finally, I would like to again extend a special welcome to our guest speaker, Hermitage Old Girl, Victoria Marles, CEO of Trust for Nature, one of Australia’s oldest conservation organisations, who leads a very interesting life. We look forward to hearing from her during our luncheon. A very warm welcome to you Victoria! We extend an extremely warm welcome to all of you Old Girls! We are delighted that you are here to join us today. Deidre Griffiths

Secretary’s Report This is the 109th Secretary’s Report for The Hermitage Old Girls ’Association, and it is my first report, and continuing on after Ann Tyers I have big shoes to fill. At this stage we have 4846 HOGA records on the database. We have 1299 on the mailing list and we have email addresses for 778 girls. No contact details for 1608, and 285 want no mail. We believe 3244 are still alive and 1602 are deceased, but we are not always notified when old girls pass on. So if you hear of any who have died would you please notify either Katie Rafferty or a member of the Committee. This year we have had very successful functions. The Golf Day as usual was a great success, with many Golfers and non-golfers enjoying the beautiful ambiance of the Barwon Heads Golf. Congratulations must go to Prue Webb for another well-organized day and of course a very enjoyable lunch. The Golf Day this year is being held on Monday 1st of October, 2018. You will receive the invitation when the AGM notification is sent out. But if you have mislaid it we have invitations available if you are interested. It is a great day out so why not join us. We are again holding our Christmas Lunch at All Saints Hall on Monday December 3rd. It is only $20.00 and we have the added attraction of the students from Bostock House

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

entertaining us with both song and instruments. They take this performance very seriously, and it shows what a strong musical program is conducted at the school. You would have received your invitation to this also, but we do have them available here today. It is a great chance to catch up with friends before the busy Christmas season. This year, for the first time for a number of years, we held a luncheon in Melbourne. This was the brain child of Susie Donald, one of our committee members. We held this at the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club, which is a beautiful venue, with wonderful food. We had 30 attendees and if the noise level is anything to go by, they all had a wonderful catch up. Many had never been to a Hermitage function before, and they made us pledge that we would make it an annual event and so it will be. So keep a look out for next year’s dates. At this stage I would like to say a big thank you to our guest speaker Victoria Marles, who is the CEO of Trust for Nature. She has held this position since 2009 and I am sure she will give us a wonderful insight into what this organization is all about. This year has been an eventful year for Geelong Grammar School. We were fortunate to be able to say goodbye to Stephen Meek, and give him a small presentation from the Old Girls’ Association, thanking him for the support that he has given us over the years As yet, we have not been able to meet the new Principal Rebecca Cody. We did invite her today, but unfortunately we were not quick enough and she has other commitments. However we have been very fortunate to meet Catherine Krause, the new Head of The Hermitage House, who very kindly invited us into her home for afternoon tea, I believe the girls of Hermitage House are very fortunate to have a Head of House who thinks outside the box in the activities that she shares with the girls. Catherine is here with us today, as is the House Captain, Victoria Arter. We warmly welcome both of you, and thank you for coming. At Hermitage House our garden, with the help of the girls, is coming along beautifully. Our Plaque is on the wall and our seat, with a small plaque, sits comfortably in a little nook in the garden. We are at present organizing a plaque to commemorate the Headmistresses of The Hermitage, with their dates of service. This, we hope, will be completed in the not too distant future. We periodically attend to our wonderful cabinet in Hermitage House, changing the contents and giving things a polish. There is an audit taking place of the furniture, paintings etc. in Hermitage House by Geoffrey Laurinson, the Archivist at Grammar. We have had wonderful letters from our respective Scholarship holders, who are all very grateful that we have given them the opportunity to attend the Geelong Grammar School. They all study very well, as we are kept up to date on their progress by Jo Nitz, who we are very fortunate to have with us today. Thank you very much for joining us . The girls who receive the E.V. Krome Cup for Sportsmanship, and The Hermitage Prize THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

for Service, are also very worthy recipients. This year unfortunately we say goodbye to one of our committee members, Jan Koch, who has been a member of the committee since 2008/2009. During that time she has been a very active member, assisting wherever needed, and a wonderful and dedicated helper when we all spent many, many hours trawling through photos and information for our very special book “Proud to be Women” the History of the Hermitage. If there were a piece of information that we couldn’t put our finger on, Jan would quietly and efficiently source out the information that we required. So we pass on our very sincere and grateful thanks for all of your work and especially your friendship. Allison Rhodes has also resigned as treasurer. This is a large task and one she has done very ably over the last three years. We thank her most sincerely for all the work that is involved and sometimes it is very hectic, to say the least. We are very fortunate that Allison is staying on as a committee member. We are only a small committee, and it may surprise you, but there is a lot involved in The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association. We are always looking out for new members. We only have four meetings a year and run four functions a year, the commitment is not overwhelming. If you could see it in yourself to join our happy band we would really appreciate it. If any other members find the need to resign that would mean the end of the Hermitage Old Girls Association, which after 109 years would be a shame. So please think about it. This year we are very light on for Cooeegrams. In fact so far we have none at all. I know that is the first thing I read when I receive my Newsletter, so please take a few minutes and write us out a paragraph or two on your trips, family, changes of address, etc. Speaking of changes of address, please notify us of any changes of address, phone numbers, or email address, as without these we cannot keep in touch with you. Jill Nicholls

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Archives Report As you are aware our Collection is scattered throughout Geelong Grammar School. The furniture and some paintings, prints and photos are in Hermitage House along with an archival quality glass cabinet, containing a selection of uniforms, trophies and other memorabilia from school days. The portraits of Miss Morres and Miss Krome hang in the Dining Room. In Darling Hall we have a wall cabinet where the vases, candlesticks and cross from the altar are kept along with a few other bits. The vault in Fisher Library holds all our other memorabilia. May I please request that all uniforms donated are clean and free of bugs? We welcome and greatly appreciate your generous gifts to our collection and while we keep these in a safe, clean and regulated climate in the vault, an infestation of moths and bugs could potentially do great damage to our collection and to Geelong Grammar’s and Clyde’s collections. We don’t always have time to treat garments containing moths and bugs, and if the infestation is too severe the garment will be destroyed if we have a similar piece of clothing in our Collection. Geelong Grammar’s Archivist, Geoff Laurinson, continues to oversee all our Collection with interest. Geoff is going to have all our furniture appraised, cleaned and repaired where necessary. Cataloguing of our collection in the vault continues and an end is in sight. Jill Nicholls

Golf Day Report An enjoyable day was had by all HOGA girls at the Barwon Heads Golf Club on 1st October. The course was in excellent condition and resulted in some very good scores. Much laughter during a lovely lunch ensured a successful day. Thank you to the HOGA committee for their help. Please note that this year the Golf Day will be on Monday, 30th September so please think about getting a team together.

GOLF RESULTS

Winner - Sammy Vanrenen 43 points Runner Up - Robin Spry (Bell) on count back from Sue Cauchi (McIntyre), Jenny Bade (Glen), Sarah Tallent (Calvert) Nearest the pin 4 - Sarah Tallent (Calvert) Nearest the pin 8 - Susie Austin (Wall) Team Event - Catherine Bell (Irvine), Jenny Bade (Glen), Sammy Vanrenen

Prue Webb THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Reunion Reports FIFTY YEAR REUNION 1968 YEAR GROUP

Naida Hutton and Veronica Taubman So, 50 years ago, you were a Hermitage girl in a blazer, gloves and hat… How can it be that long ago? Surely not, and yet so much has happened to all of us during those years in between.

Name tags were an important part of the day, and fortunately we had the Dining Room to ourselves. If decibels are any measure of good fun and conversation, we 42 girls did very well at that.

Forty Two of the 1968 Year group came together at the Barwon Heads Golf Club in October to reconnect, reminisce and reflect on our years at school and since. Special mention must be made of Sharon Pocock (Hurley) who travelled from Canada (and was truly recognisable after 50 years), Julia Frecheville from East Timor, Midge Bell from Cairns and many from Sydney and local areas. It did not matter where the ‘girls’ came from really, they came to celebrate this auspicious occasion.

Most girls were shocked, maybe saddened, by the news of the number of our year group who have died.

Memories were shared, poems were read, and there might have been a few tears in some eyes. The group photo is one to be treasured. Who would have thought it possible for us to be at a “fifty year reunion”, an inconceivable thought when we left school all those years ago.

The food and wine provided by the Barwon Heads Golf Club was excellent and Ann Tyers is to be thanked and congratulated for her efforts to achieve such a great roll up and provide us all with a great experience. It truly was a magnificent day and one we agreed we should repeat in five years time.

Top: Susie Hamilton, Janice Simpson, and Sandra Knee

Top: Janet Ward and Binky Henderson

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Below: 1958 Year Group at their 60 Year Reunion 16

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Top: Sandra Hooker and Vicki Hambling

Top: Pauline Greaves, Deidre Griffiths and Naida Hutton

Top: Jen Lawrie-Smith and Pom McKenzie

Top: Glenda Barr, Michele Butcher and Victoria Hickman

Top: Sue Callahan, Hliary Davies, Meralyn Barr and Anne Wood

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Top: Jenny Jordan, Jane Caldwell and Kristeen Hunter

Top: Trudy Toyne and Andrea Hogan

Top: Di Wolff and Desiree Cohen

Top: Anna Lutchner and Val Anderson

Top: Head of Hermitage House, Katherine Krause, Janny Molesworth and Victoria Arter, Head Girl of Hermitage last year. THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Above: Barbara Phoenix and Rosemary Dupleix

Above: Jen Stewart and Deb Chirnside

Above: Lorraine Gready and Priscilla Laird

Above: Judy Chirnside, Kristeen Hunter and Katie Rafferty

Above: Nancy Cole and Helen Brodie

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Above: Zoe de Vies and Robina Henry

Above: Catherine Hill (He’18) with her grandmother, Edmee Cudmore

Above: Ros Leigh and Jill Buchanan

Above: Sisters, Jill Nicholls, Sue Callahan and Glenda Barr

Above: Sammy Vanrenen, Anne Fairbairn and Trish Taylor

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Above: Vicki Hambling and Sharon Pocock

Above: Naida Hutton and Rosemary Brennan 22

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Above: Midge Bell and Di Wolff

Above: Julia Frecheville and Sally Horne

Above: Prue Rees and Barb Phoenix

Above: Veronica Taubman and Deb Russell

Above: Nova Urquart and Ann Tyers THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Reunions 2019 SEVENTY YEAR REUNION –

FIFTY FIVE YEAR REUNION –

1949 YEAR GROUP

1964 YEAR GROUP

(INCLUDING 1947, 1948 AND 1950)

Lyn Mulligan (0352 552638) and Helen Brodie (0352 581285) are organising the 70th Reunion to be held at the Barwon Heads Golf Club on Saturday 12th October, 2019 at midday. They are very keen for others from the 1947 year group (72 year reunion), the 1948 (71 year reunion) and the 1950 (69 year reunion) to join with them. Further details of the event will be notified nearer the time but please note it in your diaries and if you need more information contact Lyn or Helen. SIXTY YEAR REUNION 1959 YEAR GROUP

I do not have any information to pass on to this year group as I could not find out who is organising the event. I did ring around but to no avail. FIFTY SIX YEAR REUNION – 1963 YEAR GROUP

Jennifer Jackson (Bingley) and Patricia Roberts (Knappstein) are organising a 56 year reunion for the 1963 Year group. It is to be held in Melbourne on Friday, 6th September, 2019 and you will be notified of further details of where the luncheon will be held nearer the date. Any further queries to Jennifer jjackson@bigpond.net.au 24

Saturday, 16th November As our 50 year reunion was so successful, we are hoping that all will make a special effort to attend, especially the girls who have not been able to come previously. We are having a Luncheon at “Capri Receptions”, Pakington Street, Geelong West. (same place as last time just a name change ) Invitations will be mailed out in September, so please save this date. This reunion applies to all girls who were with us in senior school. Contacts for further info: Marie Jordan (Hill) 9 Robbie Court Leopold 3224 home O3 52501996 mobile 0408553027 email jordan43@bigpond.com Julie Richards (Rich) 36 Marshall Street Newtown 3220 home 03 52217298 mobile 0408056861 email jmrich2006@hotmail.com

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

FIFTY YEAR REUNION

ADVANCED NOTICE

1969 YEAR GROUP

FOR 1960 LEAVERS

Saturday 6th April 2019 This Reunion is to be held at the Barwon Heads Golf Club at 12 noon. If you have not received details, please email Judy Wilson (Morgan) judy@murdeduke.com.au

60th Reunion 2020 Ros Leigh is looking for some help from several of the 1960 year group to organize their 60th School reunion in 2020. Please contact her to start the ball rolling. Her email address is rosleigh1@ gmail.com (phone number 52 491380). It certainly is not too early to choose a date, particularly for girls who live overseas. Year group lists are available from Katie Rafferty in the OGG’s office at GGS.

Information regarding Reunions Could the girls who are making reunions happen please email the date and a contact email address to hermitagegirls@gmail.com . These dates can be printed in the Hermitage Newsletter and Light Blue so girls, particularly those overseas, can have some advance warning. Please also email hermitagegirls@gmail.com and katier@ ggs.vic.edu.au with the contact lists you make up from your reunions so that our database for year groups can be updated with correct details for all Old Girls.

May I ask that the girls organising the reunions please send in a group photo and a written report for the Newsletter. Over the last couple of years some have not been reported on as no information has been received. Girls who were unable to attend do like to read of their year group reunions. Photographs for Light Blue and the Hermitage Newsletter need to be 1 mgb. Photos much clearer with a camera rather than an iPad. Girls who are not currently listed as Old Girls can be added by forwarding details.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

OLD GIRLS DAY, SATURDAY, 7 TH SEPTEMBER, 2019 JANICE SIMPSON

Janice Simpson lives in Maryborough, Victoria, with her husband Des. She has taken to writing crime after the successful publication of her travel memoir, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (2012) about riding her bike from Paris to Istanbul. Her first crime novel, Murder in Mt Martha (2016) stretches its tentacles into the past as it is based on an actual 1953 murder that occurred in Mt Martha. Her latest novel is A Body of Work

(2018), the first in the Brendan O’Leary and Ange Micelli police procedurals set around Victorian events of note. She is still riding her bike, having completed 7 long-distance rides in Europe, North America and Asia, the last 4 of which she organised for friends. She expects to submit her creative practices PhD work and thesis in 2019 for examination.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Old Girls Day 2018 SPEECH PRESENTED BY VICTORIA MARLES

Hello and thank you very much for asking me here today to talk about my work at Trust for Nature. I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we are holding this meeting, the Wathaurong and their Elders both past and present and emerging. It is a real pleasure for me to be here today. It is always a pleasure to talk about Trust for Nature and its work being an organisation that I am so proud to work for. But today is really special. It is an honour to be talking to the HOGA as The Hermitage was the only school I ever went to. It is where I spent 13 years of my life. It is also extraordinary to be standing here in Darling Hall as it is less than 200 metres from where I grew up – GGS being a place where my parents spent around 25 years of their lives. Finally Trust for Nature has benefited enormously from the GGS educated visionaries. Most significantly it was established under the conservation vision of Rupert Hamer, an old Geelong Grammarian, who said “We wanted to set up something that wasn’t governmental, to enable people to give land or money for conservation…we wanted this to be the private enterprise angle of a public effort” - Rupert Hamer 1994. This set the course for this organisation. Let me tell you a bit about me. I am the CEO at Trust for Nature and I have been there for nearly 9 years. I am a lawyer and public interest law has been a ‘through-line’ in my life so it is great for me to be undertaking a job that is right in the middle of what so many of us are now concerned about – the environment. Prior to taking this job I was working in a legal role in Melbourne. During this time my partner and I bought a small property near Wedderburn that was part of the Mallee Fowl restoration project and had a Trust for Nature conservation covenant on it. This was how I learnt about Trust for Nature and its role. Then, over time, one thing lead to another and I was lucky enough to get a role with the Trust. Trust for Nature is all about land. As we increasingly face land use challenges in Victoria and around the world its role has become more relevant to more sections of our society. To provide context for the Trust’s work in 2018 there are three specific facts that I would like to refer to: --Land clearing has been part of the history of Victoria and certainly the Geelong THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

area since the eighteenth century --Victoria is now the most heavily cleared state in Australia --Nearly all the important native vegetation that is left in Victoria is on private land as most of the valuable public land is already protected in parks. In combination, these facts put the spotlight on the role and importance of privately owned land. This is where Trust for Nature comes in. I am guessing that most of you do not know much about Trust for Nature - in fact may be nothing at all. Trust for Nature was set up by the Victorian Conservation Trust Act in 1972 and so it will soon be 50 years old. As a result, it is one of Australia’s oldest conservation organisations. Over the years the Trust has grown and now we have nearly 50 staff spread across Melbourne and regional Victoria. The Trust has protected around 100,000 hectares of high quality native vegetation on private land. It has done this with many partners, from philanthropists, to not for profits, to corporates, to - most importantly - individual landowners and volunteers. For example much of our work is done jointly with the Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare. It has really enacted Hamer’s original vision of being built with the endeavours of private individuals – from many different backgrounds, roles and motivations. As I said, the history and achievements of Trust for Nature owe a lot to a number of GGS alumni. This is not really surprising as many people who went to school at GGS or at The Hermitage had and have great connections to the land. For example, in addition to the role of the Premier Hamer, the first statewide conservation officer was Bill Middleton, an old Geelong Grammarian. Bill was a forester who devoted the last full time part of his working life to the Trust. Quite a number of the board members have been landowners and Old Geelong Grammarians as well. So back to the Trust. What does it do? Trust for Nature is like the National Trust but for land. It protects native vegetation on land as an owner either by buying the land or by receiving it as a gift. It also protects native vegetation by working with private individuals who want to protect the native vegetation on their own land with a conservation covenant. Voluntarily and willingly. As our conservation actions are now underpinned by our statewide science plan which provides guidance about the most important areas in Victoria that should be protected for the long term, it is very important that we are a science based organisation.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Currently the Trust owns and manages 44 reserves across Victoria including one of the very large freehold properties in Victoria – 30000ha in the north west corner of the Mallee – Neds Corner. We have owned this property for 16 years. It was previously owned by the Kidman family. Another example is probably a well-known place for many of you, as I am sure, that at one time or another, a lot of us in this room will have driven along the Hamilton Highway. And as you get close to Lismore you will begin to see Mount Elephant on the horizon. Seemingly so high in the middle of the very flat volcanic plains that constitute the western district of Victoria, it is the backdrop to the daily lives of everyone who lives around there. As is the case with privately owned property, there came a time when the owner wanted to sell. In the city, the community often gets nervous about what a new owner will do; and this is the same in rural areas. It feels like a time of high risk. The community got together and contacted Trust for Nature. Would the Trust buy the mountain? This became a wonderful example of using the role and the power of the Trust and the role and the power of the local community. The community and the Trust did the fundraising and the Trust bought the mountain. Mt Elephant is now looked after by a local committee (which includes an old GGS graduate). Sometime after the purchase two local people – husband and wife - left a substantial bequest for the benefit of Mt Elephant. Two years ago we opened a visitors’ centre and as you pass by on the road you can see just how Mt Elephant is progressively being restored. There are 11 committees of management around the state working tirelessly to look after the Trust’s reserves. As I said previously, the other key aspect of the Trust’s role is to work with private landowners who want to protect on title the native vegetation on their land for a time when they may no longer be the owner or manager. We work with the landowner to design and place on title conservation covenants. And then after the covenant has been registered we provide stewardship support for the landowner so they are not completely on their own with the conservation management of their land and the ins and outs of the covenant. There are 1400 conservation covenants in Victoria – more than in any other state. Across the state, private landowners are protecting threatened woodlands, wetlands and grasslands with conservation covenants and these lands are home to some of Victoria’s most threatened species, for example the Helmeted Honeyeater. One of the big environmental challenges around the world and here in Victoria too is how to combine productive and sustainable use of land for the benefit of us all at the THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

same time as ensuring that the next generation will be able to see the beautiful natural landscapes that we have been able to enjoy. Once it would have been standard to see the eastern barred bandicoot and brolgas in western Victoria. This is an important contemporary issue for Trust for Nature. How do we as a society combine conserving natural habitat with productive land use? And what can the Trust do to help? We think that it is possible to combine these two goals. And we already have some inspiring examples. The Dockers Plains Pastoral Company consists of 3,000 hectares with two main enterprise activities; the running of an Angus herd along with share cropping, principally canola and wheat. After several years of development a deed of Covenant was signed with Trust for Nature in September of 2009. Designed specifically to achieve sustainable land use, the covenant protects significant conservation values whilst allowing sustainable agricultural activities. The Dockers Plains Pastoral Company Landscape Covenant is the largest covenant in Victoria. The Covenant totals 916 ha and is located in North East Victoria on the Lower Ovens River, approximately 10 kilometres north of Wangaratta. Additionally the northern section of the covenant is an adjunct to the adjacent ‘Warby Range Lower Ovens National Park’. Working with the agricultural sector is a key priority for us now. The Trust also has a revolving fund which is used to buy and sell private land with high conservation values. The Trust for Nature buys properties using money from its revolving fund and then on-sells them to new owners subject to protecting the properties with a conservation covenant. All money generated through the sale of Revolving Fund properties is returned to the fund for future purchases. This is a great tool for long term conservation because the money in the fund keeps on working. The revolving fund was instrumental in creating a world leading conservation reserve in the Wimmera. Why do I say this? The Bank Australia Reserve is the first and probably only example of a bank owned conservation reserve – the bank bought the reserve from the revolving fund as a tangible way of showing its commitment to addressing climate change and species loss. The Bank has used the reserve to voluntarily offset the carbon generated by cars it finances and biodiversity loss caused by new homes it finances. There are a variety of reasons that private land owners engage in conservation and these include:

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

--making a lasting difference to their environment and creating an enduring legacy --improving the habitat on their land as much as possible --learning about the different plants and animals, and their interactions. --protecting the historic ties to the area they have through their family --demonstrating a fascination for a particular landscape or vegetation type Many organisations and countries around the world are now focusing on private land conservation. The Trust certainly has a long track record and its challenge is to keep innovating and adapting its approach to conservation as to leave a legacy for the next generation of Victorians.

Above: Susie Sutherland with Victoria Marles at Old Girls’ Day

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

OAM AWARDS 2018-2019

LYN MULLIGAN (BLEAKLEY) 1949, OAM For half a century Lyn has enriched the lives of those on the Bellarine Peninsula and abroad. Lyn has shown endless compassion to refugees and to those she has cared for as a hospice worker. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on Earth,” she quotes channelling Muhammad Ali. Many years ago she became involved with the lives of refugees and asylum seekers. Boat people came from Vietnam and settled in Ocean Grove. One family in particular became close friends and named their daughter Lyn after her.

Apart from the care and support she offers them, she has achieved many other recognitions in the Ocean Grove area. After leaving The Hermitage in 1949 Lyn did Nursing at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Lyn said one of the best things she has done in her life was in the 1970’s, along with some others, when they opened the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Hospice. “The people were vulnerable and they needed support”. Lyn received her OAM in June 2018 for “Sustained service to community organisations including Oxfam Ocean Grove, The Uniting Church, Ocean Grove, Rural Australians for Refugees, Bikes for Humanity, Bellarine Community Health and Girl Guides.

An Afghan refugee, Farhim, came to Australia by boat and eventually settled in Ocean Grove but now lives in Point Lonsdale. As Lyn no longer drives, for the Lyn’s response was “the award is a past two years, the devout Muslin has celebration of all things Australian. been taking Lyn to church as dues for the Australia is still the land of opportunity. hospitality, love and care she’s shown his There are so many people who are doing family. A huge garage at her home is a little things like me that are making a storage space for bikes, mattresses, and difference. I love the rich diversity of other household items ready to be sent to people who make up the brilliant tapestry families in need. of our country”. Lyn spends many hours helping refugees in the Geelong area and further afield in Australia. She also raises money to support Refugee camps overseas. 32

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OAM AWARDS 2018-2019

JENNY GUBBINS (YOUNG) 1956, OAM

She said there had been a nursing home in Hamilton, but when her mother ended up in that facility it was in desperate need of an upgrade. It inspired Jenny to establish the Hamilton and District Aged Care Trust and fundraise for a new aged-care home. Jenny and a group of friends formed the committee and raised money through bridge games, luncheons, garden days and bus trips.

A community campaign to improve the lives of those living in aged care has led to a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for Jenny Gubbins. Warrnambool’s The Standard reported that Jenny was the driving force behind the establishment of “In those days there weren’t a lot the Hamilton and District Aged Care Trust of fundraising things actually,” she explained. “Now it seems to be in 1992, which has raised about $1 million everyone is fundraising. It just all through fundraisers and philanthropic trusts, as well as helping access millions in fell into place and we were lucky. government funding. I don’t know why I’m getting this (medal) because all of us worked hard.” Jenny stepped down as President of the trust last year but said that she was proud of The Grange Residential Care Service and 50-bed nursing home, which she helped to raise money for.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

OAM AWARDS 2018-2019

JUDY VANRENEN 1969, OAM Judy received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the tourism and hospitality industry. Judy was the inaugural chair of the Southern Grampians Tourism Advisory Board in 2001 and a foundation member of the Grampians Tourism Board.

From her family farm in Glenthompson, Judy founded boutique tour operator Botanica World Discoveries in partnership with Australian Pacific Touring (APT) in 2000, which is a botanically themed tourism business that takes travellers on garden tours around the world. Judy has written two books, Beyond the Garden Gate (APT, 2014) and Along the Garden Path (APT, 2017), about the history and influence of gardens. A former General Manager of Evergreen Tours, she was a voluntary business mentor, Board Member and President of the non-profit Small Business Mentoring Service, which was recognised in 2003 with a Centenary Medal for voluntary service improving the performance of small business in Victoria.

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Reminiscing – The Plimsol Bell 1926

TAKEN FROM COO-EE MAY — 1924 “SAMUEL PLIMSOLL”

We have long felt that our school bell was unsatisfactory and have realised the need of one that could be heard all over the school grounds. This term we were delighted to receive the valuable gift of a ship’s bell from Mr. C. H. Salmon. We are very fortunate in having this, as it has an interesting history. It has engraved upon it the words “Samuel Plimsoll” – this being the name of the ship from which it came, one built in 1873, at a time when the fame of the great man after whom it was called was at its height. This was when he was triumphant in his fight against the unscrupulousness of owners, who sacrificed life recklessly by sending out unseaworthy vessels, rightly called “coffin ships”. In those days ships were overloaded and the cargo stowed badly, so that there was every chance of the vessel capsizing and the owners being able to collect insurance. Mr. Plimsoll used every means in his power to make such practices impossible, finally entering Parliament, where he succeeded in carrying through the great Merchant Shipping Act of 1876; which gave the Board of Trade power to compel all owners to make their vessels seaworthy. Many will have noticed the memorial of the great reformer on our ships – the Plimsoll mark – a circle with a horizontal line through the centre which, after loading, must be above the water. Our new bell has been erected on a stand on the veranda at the south-east corner of the main school building, and we are glad to have, in it, a memorial of the splendid campaign or fifty years ago to defend the rights of sailors. SHIP “SAMUEL PLIMSOLL”

“This vessel was built at Aberdeen in 1873 by W. Hood and Co. She was 241 feet long and 39 feet in breadth. The owners were Geo. Thompson & Co., afterwards known as the “Aberdeen White Star Line.” In 1873 and for many years after, this vessel was commanded by Captain J. Henderson.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The bell, now at the Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong, is one of two bells carried by this ship. One was fixed at the after part of the vessel and a much larger one at the fore part. The former is the one now at the School. It was struck every half hour at sea by the apprentice or the midshipman on watch, and repeated on the big bell in the fore part of the ship, by the look out man on duty on the forecastle. The nautical day at sea commences at noon on one day and ends at noon on the next, not as on shore from midnight to midnight. Time on board ship is divided into what are termed “watches”, each consisting of four hours, excepting between 4 and 6 o’clock and 6 and 8 o’clock in the evening. These two-hour watches are called “Dog Watches”. The ship’s company is divided into two groups also called watches, viz., the Port watch commanded by the Chief Officer and the Starboard watch commanded by the Chief Officer. Those “watches” are on duty on deck for four hours each alternately, excepting during the “Dog Watches” when they are on duty for two hours only. During the watches the time is given by striking the bells each half hour, as follows:- At 8.30 the bell is given one stroke, at 9 two strokes, at 9.30 three strokes at 10 four, etc., and at 12 o’clock 8 strokes. That ends that particular watch, and the men, who have been below off duty during that watch, now come on deck, and relieve those who have been on duty during the four hours of the watch just passed. Then the time begins all over again, and at 12.30 the Bell is struck one stroke and so on up to eight bells, when that watch ends, and the men on duty are relieved by those who have been below during that particular watch.” TAKEN FROM BULLETIN — MAY 8TH, 1924 M.M.B.

– “I saw it recently chronicled in ‘The Bulletin’ that the figurehead of the clipper ‘Samuel Plimsoll’ is preserved in the Perth Museum. It seems worth adding that the bell of the same craft hangs in the Church of England Girls’ Grammar School at Geelong (Vic.) it still performs active service, too, by calling the pupils to lessons and meals.” TAKEN FROM BULLETIN — MAY 22ND, 1924 PILOT

“–M.M.B. claims that the bell of the ‘Samuel Plimsoll’ calls pupils to lessons and meals at the C. of E. Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong (8/5/ ’24). It must be the fo’castle bell, for the main poop bell is on the bridge deck above the captain’s cabin on the s.s.Themistocles; it was bought by Capt. Jermyn and presented to the Aberdeen White Star Line. THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Plimsoll Bell Song This bell which was formerly on the clipper ship “Samuel Plimsoll” is now in use at the Geelong Girls Grammar School. –C.H. Souter

Long years ago’

But now I clang

When the winds did blow

From where I hang

And first I went to sea,

In the Grammar School, Geelong

I rang the watch

When the girls upstairs

To their “three hot Scotch”,

Come down to prayers

And my “Eight Bells” set them free.

And to sing their matin song.

I rang to prog

Their laughter peals,

When the spotted dog

When I call to meals

And the lobscouse raced the board,

And they race from court and park

And I rang once more

And their white teeth crunch

When they went on shore

As they munch their lunch

To get drunk as any Lord!

Till they’re down to the Plimsoll mark

It was Heave Ho!

Then it’s Heigh Ho!

And to sea we go

And away we go

When we’ve had our long-shore spell

On their dancing feet pell-mell,

And out with the mops,

As I ring to play

And up to the tops –

On a bright Spring day –

Hurrah for the Plimsoll’s bell!

Hurrah for the Plimsoll’s Bell.

Charles Henry Souter 1864-1944 Medical Practitioner and Writer

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Cooeegrams MARCIA TANSWELL (CARROLL) 1945 12 L AKE STREEET, VARSITY L AKES QLD 4227

Apologies for being so late but I wanted to bring you up to date with my news of the year 2017. I am still residing in Aged Care, not too happy, simply not my scene at all. I miss conversation and welcome mail and phone calls (0409 010 791). I still keep in touch with Edmee Cudmore (Rushbrooke) and Stephanie Day (Aikman). In this one year I have been presented with three more great grandchildren, all doing very well. Already this year a grand daughter has become engaged and then married. Two more grandchildren are to be married in April and May, one of whom had cancer and treatment during 2017 and now in remission, thank God. Went to the RACV Royal Pines again last September for my 88th birthday. They look after us RACV Club members so well and it is about 20 minutes from where I live. Soon we are to have the Commonwealth games all around us. Already problems with transport. I am not driving anymore so reliant on (half price) taxis which may well be a problem when the games are on. Weather has been humid and hot and windy with lots of rain recently. Looking forward to receiving the Newsletter and news of Old Girls and interesting stories. God Bless (Ed : Unfortunately Marcia’s Cooeegram did not arrive in time for the 2018 Newsletter so we are printing it in the 2019)

PRISCILL A L AIRD (KYLE) 1961 3 PLEASANT STREET, GEELONG 3220

My grandchildren attend Christian College and have achieved awards. An excellence award to Elizabeth aged 8 for singing. John aged 10 received 1st prize for The Strings at ‘South Street’. He also came 3rd in long jump and 1st in the 800 metre race at Landy Park. It is wonderful to be included in their lives and activities. I keep in touch with Jenny Laidlaw (Bond) who lives in Bendigo.

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MIDGE C BELL 1968 105 MARSHALL ST, MACHAN’S BEACH. QLD 4878

After a long career in Tour Management and Guiding I realised I was “running out of NICE!” So hung up the boots in November 2017 – 39 years later! Out of the blue, and via a pal, I was offered a job with a “new to me” Operator asking – “would I consider taking a group of Aussie golf fans to the US Masters?” WOULD I WHAT! Arrangements were made, and I was to meet the group in Dallas at the end of March 2018. Two weeks out, said Operator flew me to Sydney for the tour briefing and casually said “you’d better take your clubs; there is only 3 guests and you’ll need to make up the foursome”! “I only had 15 stableford points last week”, I shrieked – to which he replied, “Well – you’ve got 2 weeks to sort it out!” What a trip it was – like the icing on the cake of my career. We all got along well (small groups can be very problematic) and played 6 remarkable courses, including both courses at TPC Sawgrass; that iconic 17th at Players Stadium! -WOW. In Georgia we stayed at Champions Retreat - a private golf estate with a 27 hole course – Golfers amongst you, GOOGLE it – AMAZING! Then Augusta National itself! So much hillier than it looks on the telly – but absolutely every bit as beautiful. We spent 3 days there and marvelled at the fantastic organisation, while watching the world’s best golfers – what a thrill. One last comment – squirrels, Canadian Geese and other creatures all over the other courses, but not a sign of anything at Augusta National – how does that happen, one wonders?!! LESLEY ROBINSON (DONALDSON) 1952 258 SCENIC ROAD, HIGHTON. 3216

For most of you a trip to the United Kingdom is a rite of passage during your youth or middle age, but mine had to wait until much later. Our education, at least during the Krome years, was very Anglophile. A reverence for all things British was inculcated in us at an early age, so it was with great expectations that I set off on my “trip of a lifetime” at the age of 83. It was originally planned for the year before but my sister Robin (my travelling companion) and I both had health problems, but the day finally arrived.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

London was enthralling, with the rows of beautiful buildings lining curved streets with unexpected turns revealing new vistas that had an uncanny air of familiarity. We’ve all seen these before in photographs or on the television. We joined a small group tour that took us to the “dreaming spires” of Oxford – again with that feeling that I had seen these beautiful buildings before. Our guide could tell us of the history going back centuries. Then we continued to Stratford-on-Avon with another knowledgeable guide. I have been fond of Shakespeare since being introduced to the bard by Miss McKie when we were taken to see Olivier’s Hamlet, and of course Stratford is steeped in Shakespeare’s version of history. We were shown the wild beauty of Wales, the Bronte parsonage at Haworth and Wordsworth’s house and school, where as a pupil he had naughtily carved his name in his desk. York was a revelation with its huge and magnificent cathedral. I had no idea that it had been a Viking stronghold before 1066. It must have had some special celebration that day as there were strolling players in period costumes, processions and Morris dancers, reminiscent of Midsomer Murders. Castle Howard is just as impressive as it appears in Brideshead Revisited, containing numerous Old Masters paintings. In contrast Beatrix Potter’s house is dainty and charming. We finished our tour in Edinburgh, where we hired a car and set off for a few days in the Highlands. We visited Balmoral, Glamis and Blair Castles before returning to London. The Victoria and Albert Museum (or a small section) was high on our list of priorities, along with Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey. All most impressive. With only three days in Paris we had to be very selective. The Louvre, Paris Opera, Sainte Chapelle and Versailles were memorable, with Versailles making the English palaces look almost restrained! Among all this splendour we had to make time for shopping of course. We had three days in Singapore on the way home and were impressed by its cleanliness – not a paper in the streets or a dead leaf in the lush tropical gardens. It was truly my “trip of a lifetime”, although I would be hard-pressed to nominate the best part, except I doubt I would have appreciated it fully without my solid grounding in British history.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Above: Susan Sloan (Buick), Berenice McDade (Aixus), Margaret Baylis (Haydon), Rosemary Holmes, Helene Dennis (Holdsworth), Lynette Lawrence Below: Nicole Bodman (Henderson), Judith Schofield (Laird), Jane Poyser (Calvert), Rosemary Poyner (Thomson) and Patricia Jarrett (Cooke)

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

SHIRLEY WHITAKER (L AMB) 1952 “APPLEWOOD”, 17 TREETOP VIEWS, DONCASTER 3108

In September, I travelled to Umag in Croatia to take part in the annual Super Seniors’ World Team and Individual Tennis Championships. The first week our team played in the 80yr. age group and competed well. The second week I had entered in the 85yr. Singles event. There were 23 ladies from 11 different countries competing. I had 4 wins before being beaten in the final by a lady from South Africa. I received a silver medal and US$600 - prize money. All very unexpected!! The two weeks of tennis was a wonderful experience and then I flew to UK to spend 3 lovely relaxing weeks with my daughter Sandra, her husband Jeff and children Lauren, Emma, Sarah and Zoe. JILLIAN GOSS (MUIR) – 1961 407/45 BANOOL ROAD, BALWYN VIC 3103

Following the death of my husband in January 2015 I decided to move and now live in an Independent Retirement Village in Balwyn. My address is as above and my email address now is jillgoss2@gmail.com BERRY MCDADE (ANGUS) 1954 ‘GLENBRAE’, 4 RUTHERGLEN ROAD, VERMONT SOUTH 3133

On 6th March, 2018 a group of 16 from the 1954-1955 girls had lunch together at the RACV in Melbourne. We of course had a great lunch catching up with each other and what we were all doing. Old girls came from Port Fairy, Naracoorte and Moama. We all look quite good for eighty plus years. Unfortunately 6 people had to cancel at the last minute, but those attending have agreed we will try and meet the same time in 2019. What happy memories we all had of our school days. MARGARET BENECKE (HOLDSWORTH) 1947 TALL WOODS CORNER, 1 MYRA STREET, WAHROONGA. NSW 2076

My husband died in 2017 and I have moved to the above address from Turramurra.

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SALLY HORNE (JAQUES) 1968 7 MULLENS ROAD, VERMONT SOUTH. VIC. 3133

This year Alistair and I have enjoyed the cherry blossom time in Japan, and a wonderful tour from Moscow to Prague. We have visited Ayers Rock and Alice Springs, and enjoyed a month cruising from Rome, via Venice to Barcelona. We are off to Switzerland and the Christmas Markets prior to Christmas! While our health is good we intend to keep travelling, as we truly enjoy it so much. We have lots planned for the next couple of years as well! In March we flew into Tokyo’s Narita Airport and commenced what was to be a most enlightening three week experience. Immediately we noticed how clean and well organised everything was. On the airport limousine bus that took us into Tokyo itself, there were discreet signs asking us to remain silent and to refrain from using our mobile phones! How refreshing that everyone obeyed these suggestions, and we were free to enjoy the wonderful scenery after a long flight. We were very excited to see many Cherry Blossom trees in full bloom around the airport, and along the route into Tokyo. As the blooming of the trees is a natural phenomenon, not even Japanese precision can guarantee when they will be in high season. They only bloom for an average of 4 days per tree, so we felt very privileged to be there. Workers are given the week off and schools are closed so that families can enjoy this special time. All over Tokyo in the beautiful parks and gardens, companies were holding picnics and parties for the workers and their families. Many people took the opportunity to dress in traditional dress and to attend Shintu or Buddhist shrines. The large department stores, shopping malls and bakeries were all decorated in pale pink with special delicacies especially for this season. We spent 4 days in Tokyo and visited the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the Ginza shopping district, a Sumo Museum and demonstration, and a sushi cooking school. For the next leg of our tour we travelled into the Japanese countryside to Hakone, which is near Mt Fuji. On the way we visited a Shinto shrine were a wedding was taking place. A display of incredibly beautiful peonies was a highlight of this visit for me. We stayed in Hakone for two nights in a more traditional Japanese house with low dining tables, grass mats on the floors, and grass mat sliding room dividers. The bed was a futon on the floor. We also took advantage of the opportunity to try out the traditional Japanese hot spring bathing (or onsen) within the hotel. We were supplied with traditional Japanese clothing and shoes, and it was lovely to share the hotel with many Japanese extended family groups, often comprising three generations. It goes without saying that the Japanese food was delicious. We even developed a taste for Saki after a while. The next day we ascended Mt Fuji, which still had snow at the peak. It is truly a 44

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

breathtaking sight, just like the postcards! From Mt Fuji we went on to the ancient city of Takayama, where we visited a well preserved historical centre where the local Shogun held court. Also close by Takayama is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirawago, famous for its thatched roof farm houses, some of which are 250 years old. Nearby we visited a workshop where we were able to learn the art of making Japanese rice paper, calligraphy and origami. After a fascinating visit to a local food market, we caught the bullet train to Hiroshima. The bullet trains are very smooth and fast, and leave precisely on time, as you would expect. The conductor regularly entered our carriage and each time bowed to us on entry and as he left. In Hiroshima we took a day trip to nearby Miyajima Island or “Shrine Island” in Japanese. Native deer thrive on the island among the many shrines on this picturesque place. It is also a favourite place for Shinto wedding ceremonies, which we were privileged to witness. Again the cherry blossoms were out in abundance, with pink, white, single and double flowered varieties, as well as spectacular weeping varieties, and many people in traditional dress, hired specially for the occasion. Our Japanese guide explained that the outfits are so expensive, it is more usual these days to hire them rather than own them. The next day in Hiroshima we visited The Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which was a truly humbling experience. It includes the Atomic Bomb Dome, which is all that remains of a building that was near ground zero when the bomb was dropped. It is a stark reminder of what happened that day. We continued by bullet train to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. We attended a fashion parade of designer silk kimonos, and we actually tried them on to great hilarity all round! There are many layers worn underneath, including a tightly tied corset like garment that had us struggling to breathe. A very strict Japanese lady dressed us (the men in the group as well!). Nobody argued with her directions, as she was tiny, but quite fierce. In Kyoto we visited a number of very old shrines. We did a tour and tasting at the Sake brewery, and attended a Geisha performance of traditional flower arranging, music and dance. We also experienced the theatre of a traditional tea ceremony. On to Osaka, and the amazing Himeji Castle dating back to 1617. We climbed many, many very steep sets of stairs to reach the top level, out of breath, but marvelling at the panoramic view over the surrounding countryside. In Osaka itself we spent a fascinating hour in the lively Dotonbori District to see its famous neon signs and lights. All up, our 3 week tour was wonderful. We felt that we came away with a small appreciation of the history of this very old culture, and enjoyed immensely the scenery, the beauty of the cherry blossoms, and the delicious food. Everyone we met was so

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

respectful and helpful. We would definitely return and travel there again. Next time we might try to go in autumn, as the trees in the mountains particularly are said to be spectacular. There is much more to see and do. BERNICE (BERRY) MCDADE (ANGUS) 1954 4 RUTHERGLEN ROAD, VERMONT SOUTH. VIC 3133

During July to September 2018, my husband Bill and I enjoyed a wonderful world trip. We started by flying to Perth where we boarded Qantas’s Dreamliner for the 17 hour direct flight to Heathrow, London. Then on to Glasgow where we spent three days before catching the train to Sterling. Bill, a Scotsman, was born in this area. We stayed in the wonderful grounds of Stirling University and during the four days there, we visited friends and relatives. After picking up a hire car, we meandered down through the beautiful English countryside, staying briefly with friends in Penrith before coming to rest for three days in the lovely Lake District and then on to Great Yarmouth (via York) to spend two days with other friends. Then it was on to Southampton, staying briefly at Kettering, Bath, Bournemouth, also calling in to Bletchley Park at Milton Keyes, as I had a personal reason to explore this fascinating place. After three weeks in the UK we boarded the Sea Princess for the 56 day cruise back to Sydney. The first port of call was Ireland followed by Iceland, two ports in Greenland, four ports in Canada before four ports in the USA, including an overnight stay in New York! After leaving Key West in the USA it was on to Costa Rica, before we reached the Panama Canal. An incredible engineering feat indeed, and something Bill has always wanted to sail through. We were able to do it for his 80th birthday. We then cruised on and visited Ecuador before visiting Peru, where we stayed overnight in Lima. It was soon after this that the only disappointing aspect of the cruise occurred. We were to visit Easter Island, which we did but because of the rough seas it was too dangerous for the tenders to go ashore. Following on from here we travelled to Pitcairn Island where we knew we were only going to circumnavigate, which we did in glorious weather. Our next stop were two ports in French Polynesia before our final cruise port in Auckland, New Zealand. For 95% of the time away we were very fortunate to experience glorious weather. In the UK it was 24 to 30 degrees the whole time, unbelievable. At the end of the trip, we spent 3 days in Sydney, where we caught up with Mary Young (Tait) and our best man and his wife. For something different we decided to return to 46

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Melbourne by the Daylight train. The whole trip of 84 days was most enjoyable and passed quite quickly. We are now finalising our trip to fly to Africa and return home to Melbourne on the Queen Elizbeth. Fortunately, we both keep very healthy. IRMA MACAULEY (SKELTON) 1947 6/92 APHRASIA STREET, NEWTOWN. VIC 3220

Greetings all, especially the 1947 and 1948 girls. A rather quiet year except for the five weeks in July/August which I spent overseas with my daughter Dianne Morgan. We took a 27 day cruise to Iceland and then circumnavigated the British Isles. The visit to Iceland was the highlight. Many Icelanders, even after nearly one thousand years of Christianity, still have a fear of upsetting the trolls and elves which they believe live amongst the many lava hills which are quite spectacular and will travel quite an extra distance to avoid upsetting them. The best experience, one which I never thought to experience, was an hourlong time in the beautifully warm Blue Lagoon, even getting out into 12 degrees Celsius didn’t spoil the thrill! The stops around England and Ireland were interesting with lots to see. There was not too much of the ‘green’ we associate with England. They were harvesting early and the gardens we visited were not looking too happy due to the very hot summer being experienced. It really was hot during our time there. We were lucky to obtain seats at The Globe Theatre to see one of Shakespeare’s plays. Another joy was to visit the rooms at Buckingham Palace that were open to the public for only a short time each summer. They are so beautiful, but just overwhelming. Bad luck, we could not meet the Queen as she was on holiday in Scotland. Not much time for shopping, but the sales in London were very tempting and of course, not to be resisted. SUE BAULCH (BADE)–1969 ‘AUDLEY’, BRANXHOLME. VIC. 3302

After leaving school in 1969 I did Mothercraft Nursing at Queen Elizabeth in Carlton. Working in various jobs I finally went home to the Hamilton Base Hospital. I married Philip Baulch in 1975 and am still at Audley - our farm at Branxholme 45 years later.

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We have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. After our youngest one was born I went back and did my childcare course through Ballarat University and then worked at the Kindergarten in Macarthur. Eventually I worked in childcare in Hamilton, finishing about 3 years ago. Philip & I have been on various committees throughout our married life - including Sheepvention since it started 40 years ago, as well as many others. Now I am on the Aged Care committee in Hamilton. I helped establish Hamilton House in Hamilton for the aged many years ago Our children are all away from home - Charles in Geelong, Hugh in Melbourne, Alice in Port Fairy and Nicholas at Nareen - he will eventually come home to the farm. I enjoy reading The Hermitage Newsletter as well as playing in the Old Girls golf day at Barwon Heads with Judy Vanrenen, Judy Wilson, Sue Gauchi, Ginny Palmer and Sal Ellis which is always a great catch up. We look forward to our 50 year reunion on 6th April 2019. We have lost several girls from our year group and looking for missing names and addresses. I can be contacted on email pasabaulch@bigpond.com DI WOLFF 1968 7 BAMFIELD STREET, SANDRINGHAM. 3191

At the end of 2017 I retired from almost 25 years as Chief Examiner of Revolutions History with the VCAA and Chair of the Exam setting panel. However, I continue to work with education in various roles. One is my role as a Moderator for History examinations in South Africa, for the Crawford Schools. The Crawford Schools are a group of private schools that seek equivalence with the VCE standard across all subjects. I have been fortunate to be part of this project and in my role oversee the setting and assessment of the history examination. It has been interesting to observe the gradual improvement of the learning of History from rote learning to an enquiry based approach. On a personal level, this year has seen the arrival of my sixth grandchild. My oldest is in Prep and I enjoy going to her class once a week to help with reading.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

VALERIE MCDOWELL (BENDLE) 1944 PO BOX 80, HOLMESGLEN. 3148

How I wish I could thank Miss King for the thorough way she taught us Geography! After completing each chapter of our “James’ Geography” text book, she would give us a detailed test of the facts we had learned about the country we had studied (capital city, rivers, mountains etc). These facts have given me a background knowledge of the physical world which I have greatly valued since leaving school. The pictures in our textbooks awakened an interest in travel which was largely unfulfilled until I reached the age of 80! However since then I have had the joy of visiting many countries during which those textbook photos came to life. Last March, I flew to central India with my daughter and son-in-law to visit the famous textbook picture (and story) of the Taj Mahal became a stunning reality as we viewed the marble monument at sun rise. Later in the year, my daughter and I flew to Japan where we had wonderful views of Mt. Fuji in perfect weather – another dream realised! While in Tokyo I was delighted to spend time with my 26 year old grandson who works there as a Professional Translator. We subsequently boarded the “Celebrity Millennium” for a cruise, calling at Kobe (and Kyoto), Taipei, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The whole experience was enriched by the background knowledge acquired during Miss King’s lessons.

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Obituaries Rosemary Diana Holmes 2.3.1937 – 24.8.2018

A Lifetime of Friendship

WRIT TEN BY BERRY MCDADE (ANGUS)

I had known Rosemary since I was 5 years and our friendship lasted all these years. Rosemary lived with her family at “Kuleah” near Woolsthorpe in the Western District of Victoria. She was home schooled until she went to The Hermitage as a boarder. She left there in 1955. Rosemary then did her Nursing training at the Alfred Hospital, then Midwifery at the Women’s Hospital. She enjoyed several trips to the UK and Europe and between trips had a flat in South Yarra for many years where I stayed as did many other nurses over the time we were travelling.

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During those years we enjoyed our time involved with the Victoria League, the National Trust (the beginning of the junior group), English Speaking Union and we enjoyed the social life. On one of Rosemary’s trips to the UK, I hitch hiked from Frankfurt, Germany where I was working at the Orthopaedic University with Thalidomide affected children, to visit Rosemary in Zurich, Switzerland to have breakfast with her enroute to London. I then returned the 400kms back to work in Frankfurt! True friendship! Rosemary was my bridesmaid in 1971 and we enjoyed each other’s company all these years. In 1980 Rosemary purchased 8 hectares of land at Mt. Egerton, originally to run a few cattle. This was not viable so in 1982-1983 she became interested in Lavender growing. She planted 1000 plants in benched rows. Edythe Anderson, also a nurse, helped run the very successful business. Their first Festival was held at “Yuulong” in 1985. Many friends visited the beautiful Yuulong Lavender Estate.

In 1973 Rosemary had a chapter in “Don’t Dream It – Do it” by Greg Cahill and the Department of Agriculture. In 2015 a book by Rosemary was launched, “The Australian Lavender Growers Association”, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Association. Rosemary’s latest book “Adaption” was launched in 2016, a story of how the wool sales were down and farmers had to adapt to survive.

Rosemary was a very generous person and could not say a bad word about others. She was a wonderful and true friend who managed her illness for 10 years and died peacefully with her friends around her. I unfortunately was overseas when told of her passing, but I have so many happy memories of our childhood and adult life together that I will treasure.

Right: Berry McDade and Rosemary Holmes, pictured at the 2015 Hermitage Old Girls’ Day THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Anne Barbara Hambling OCTOBER 5, 1925 – DECEMBER 22.12.2018

Anne and her classmates are pictured above in prep, dated approx. 1932. Anne is far right top back row.

Back row: Anne Blakely, Valerie Bendle, Joc Smith, Elspeth Hawkes, Jacqueline Nash, Pat James, Cecily Piper, Anne Cole. Middle Row: Pauline Rushbrooke, Morva Rooke, Shirley Hyett (?) Judith Cook, Joan Backwell, Janet Nicholson, Jean Carson with her sister Anne or Harriet. Front Row: Pat Webber (?), Joyce Newland, Betty Giles, Christian Hamilton, Joyce Eaton, Marie Just

“We all had to take our dolls to school, I was very proud of my doll as she was dressed in the school uniform.”

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EULOGY DELIVERED BY VICKI HAMBLING (DAUGHTER)

Anne Hambling née Cole (known as Annie) was born in 1925. She was the youngest of 5 children and she and her 3 sisters went to the Hermitage. Anne is pictured left with sisters including Joan (known as Suzie), Enid (known as Biddy) and Cynthia (known as Pete). Russell, Anne’s brother went to Geelong College. The family lived in the house on the corner of Virginia and Pakington Streets opposite the school. Her father Dr George Cole was the Chief Health Officer for Victoria and during the polio epidemic, when all the schools in Geelong were forced to close, the family plus a number of the boarders who couldn’t go home went by train to Warburton. There they were picked up by the local hire car (pictured opposite) and taken to the family farm, “Sunnydale,” where they stayed for the duration of the school closure. Anne loved horses and when she was 16 she was riding an ex-racehorse when it stopped suddenly and threw her off. In the fashion of the day, she was put back on the horse and told to continue. However as time went by it became evident that she had broken the second last vertebra in her back. She missed a lot of school and had to spend months sleeping on a board. Anne was too young to go nursing so she spent a year at Invergowrie, a finishing school, where she studied how to be a good wife and mother. At age 18 she began nursing at the Geelong Hospital where she made lifelong friends who she met up with every month throughout her life in Geelong. She returned to nursing when all her children had completed school after doing a refresher course but only worked for a few years because of her back. Anne married Horrie in 1949 and five years later they bought a house in Breakwater, Geelong. They had five children - Bruce who went to Geelong College and Vicki, Jill, Penny and Lee who went to the Hermitage. For many years both Anne and Horrie gave support to men who were released from gaol and who had nowhere to go. They would come and live in an old tram on the THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

property until they got their feet on the ground. One of these characters was Ray Sugars. Ray would just disappear and go on a bender. He was picked up in Melbourne after one of these events just after he had called the house and been told that the whole family apart from Horrie had the measles, so when the cops stopped him and said ‘Where are you going?” He looked them in the eye and said, “I’m going home, mummys got the measles.” He came back to Breakwater to help out. For many years, Anne was President of the Breakwater Progress Association where she successfully thwarted many plans for unwanted developments, including an abattoir. She was also President of the East Geelong State School Parent’s Association and successfully managed to change the food being sold in the school canteen so that only healthy options were available. And later she was a member of the Hermitage Old Girls Committee and President in 1976. She worked as a volunteer tutor with the Adult Migrant Home Tutor Service and worked as a foster carer giving relief to the parents of children with disabilities. At times whole families lived with our family while they saved money to buy a house or renovated a house. Over the years Anne cared for family, friends and members of the community who were sick or recovering from an illness and who came and stayed at Breakwater until they had recovered. A number of HOG boarders lived with the family. Early on Anne felt she didn’t have the skills for public speaking so she enrolled in an evening toastmaster’s course and honed her skills. And for her own personal interest and development she studied Italian once a week in the Geelong library. She continued her life-long love of Italian throughout her life.

Someone wise once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Anne was an exceptional woman and mother, she made everyone feel welcome, she was non-judgemental, very positive, very accepting, a great listener and very supportive. More importantly she understood the stages of life and the need for kids to become independent and to stand on their own two feet. She knew that young people would make mistakes but she also knew that they would learn from those mistakes and that the knowledge gained would shape them. She didn’t put expectations on us, she didn’t try to run our lives, she encouraged us always to make our own decisions. She was also a support to our many friends and friends of those friends who passed through our doors at our holiday house in Jan Juc, our home in Breakwater or the place we stayed at in the snow and later in Pambula Beach. Everyone was always welcome and no one was ever turned away “How many people did she nurture, love and accept? How many of us have walked through her doors?” asked one Hermitage Old Girl and then she answered the question herself saying, “Communities of people.” 54

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Anne and Horrie moved to Pambula Beach at the end of 1977. However their move coincided with Anne’s plans to go and study Italian in Perugia for three months. A few years later she again went to Italy and did another intensive course in Sienna. This was followed up by her enrolling in an Arts degree at the University of New England in Armadale where she studied by correspondence. She did English, English Literature, German and Italian and had to drive up to Armadale to attend the residentials. At this time there was no internet and it wasn’t as easy as it would be now. She had to go to Bega High School to be supervised completing her exams. In 1995, Horrie gave Anne a computer and a printer for her 70th birthday; she loved it and she didn’t look back. She later also got a mobile phone and an ipad, she kept up with life and technology. Anne had an adventurous spirit, travelling across the world, grabbing opportunities for parties, weddings and family get togethers, even if they were thousands of miles away. She visited her brother and family in England, Vicki in Mozambique, travelled with Penny to Europe, travelled with Jill to Italy, travelled with Lee to visit family in Perth to meet great grandchildren, and visited old school friends in Victoria and in New Zealand. In Merimbula in NSW, Anne and a friend started a free Italian course for the locals in 1996. They taught a two hour class each week for nine years. Then the Sapphire Coast U3A formed and the Italian group became part of that, and Anne was the local U3A Foundation Member 005 and taught Italian with them until she was 88. She was made a life member in 2007. When we were out for coffee earlier this year Anne said that she hadn’t actually felt old until a few years ago. And she wasn’t old, she really wasn’t old until she was 90. In Pambula, Anne volunteered with the theatre group Spectrum, at one stage she was on the board of the local Nursing home, she volunteered with the Friends of the Pambula Hospital and when Anne’s friend started Supportline Anne volunteered to work on the phones. Thinking about our Anne, our wonderful mother, I think one of her greatest gifts was her empathy and understanding of people and why they behaved in particular ways. This underpinned all her wonderful attributes and everything she did. She taught us to do things because we wanted to and to never expect anything in return. She was a very giving person, she was not a person who looked for paybacks. She didn’t personalise things that were not intended to be personal. She recognised that when people acted in particular ways it was usually about that person and how they were feeling and not about her. Anne died on the morning of the 22nd of December, my sisters and I were with her. A friend wrote “To die with your loved ones by you is the climax to a life of care of others.” THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Deaths Adele Byrne (Coutts) 1947 Frances Nall 1942 Shirley Austin (Hyett) 1944 Rosemary Holmes 1955 Naomi O’Shea 1957 (Ruth) Jayne White 1965 Beryl Hickman – (Staff) The Hermitage 1942-1946, (Staff) GGS 1987 Anne Hambling (Cole) 1941 Elizabeth Petridis (Adam) 1969 Lois Clark (Ludbrook) 1946 Elisabeth Walker 1957 Carol Radford (Smith) 1951 Helen Fox (Speirs) 1962

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Bereavements Cynthia Roseburgh (Horne) - Brother Jill Greenwood, Kay Smith (Harrison) - Mother Deborah West, Susan Piper, Caroline Adams (Blakiston) - Mother Patricia Adam - Sister Karen Porter (Gordon) - Husband Pat Lillie (Nicholson) - Son Vicki Hambling, Jill Hambling, Lee Hoskin (Hambling), Penny Hambling - Mother Mary Shaw, Jen Stewart (Speirs) - Sister Margaret Tucker (Burt) - Mother Gail Arkins (Willis) - Husband Fiona Proper (Weir) - Husband Marie Scown (Coutts) – Sister

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Cooee To school fellows near us or distant, We send out our Cooee today; Wherever you be may you hear it, Whether hard at your work or at play. In our own sunny home or in lands far away Do you hear it? Just listen! We greet you today. Cooee! Cooee! Long live the School! Australia’s own call to her daughters is the call of your school now as well: May its echoes ring cheerily round you, Making feelings of gratitude swell. May it be that your conduct will aye prove the worth Of the love of your school and the land of your birth. Cooee! Cooee! Long live the School! May lessons you learn in your school days, Through life make your path ever bright, May you grow in all virtue and beauty Gentle, honest, and strong in the right. In all games that you play, in all work that you do, Do the work, play the game, as a girl straight and true. Cooee! Cooee! Long live the School! May our song in far days waken mem’ries, Of comrades and friends tried and true, Days bright with the freshness of morning, Pleasures many and sorrows but few. Then here’s to you, schoolmates, young, old, far and near, Accept our glad greeting and ring it back here. Cooee! Cooee! Long live the School!

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The Hermitage Church of England Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong news letter 2019

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL