2020 HOGA Newsletter

The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Newsletter 2020

The Hermitage Church of England Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Office Bearers and Committee 2019–2020 PRESIDENT

ARCHIVES

Deidre Griffiths mob: 0414 216 160

Sue Callahan Jill Nicholls

SECRETARY

LIGHT BLUE COORDINATOR & NEWSLET TER

Jill Nicholls mob: 0400 800 136 TREASURER

Susie Donald tel: 0407 798 999 COMMIT TEE

Jill Nicholls GOLF DAY

Prue Webb PHOTOS

Susie Donald

Rosalind Leigh tel: 0439 391 380 Sue Callahan tel: 0408 641 707 Allison Rhodes tel: 0400 194 941 Michele Butcher tel: 0407 809 774 Elizabeth Bennett tel: 0407 040 471

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

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Dates for Your Diary 2020 MELBOURNE AUTUMN LUNCH

We regret to inform you that the Autumn Lunch has been cancelled because of the risk of Covid-19.

ADEL AIDE REUNION

Friday 17th April, 2020 Invitations will be sent out by Yvonne Thomas (Little) Please contact Yvonne tel: 0421 917 954 if you don’t receive an invitation as we do not have all the details.

OLD GIRLS’ DAY AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday 5th September, 2020 Darling Hall, Geelong Grammar School.

AGM: 11.00 am Drinks: 12 noon Lunch: 12.45 pm GOLF DAY

Monday 28th September, 2020 Barwon Heads Golf Club CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH LUNCH

Monday 7th December, 2020 11.20am, All Saints Hall, Newtown For information concerning these functions contact: The Secretary Jill Nicholls tel: 0400 800 136 For the Golf Day contact Prue Webb tel: 0407 554 785.

The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Awards 2020 Tenable at Geelong Grammar School: The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Prize for Service Pascale Southey (Cl’19) The Hermitage Old Girls’ E V Krome Cup for Sportsmanship Sophie Shoebridge (Ga’19) Tenable at the Geelong College: The Hermitage Old Girls’ Association Prize for all round leadership Jacqui Greer 4

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

From the Editor Well, this is my first newsletter and I have big shoes to fill after Ann Tyers has written this for the last 10 years.

I would like to sincerely thank Ann for all the work she has done both as Secretary for many years and of course the newsletter editor, now she can relax and enjoy those grandchildren of hers.

Once again Australia has endured terrible drought and devastating fires, and I know from first hand that a number of our girls have been severely impacted by both of these disasters. Our thoughts and prayers go to them and their families.

This year we have had a number of wonderfully successful reunions, and from the reports that you can read, the work spent in organising such an event is well worth the effort. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those that do the hard yards to get the reunions organised and encourage others to do the same. I am always very willing to do whatever I can to assist in the organisation of these.

We also have wonderful news from our Hermitage House that you can read about and be very proud of our girls.

This year we unfortunately lost our oldest student Margaret Ganly who was 104.

I was told that she swam in the ocean until she was in her 90’s and played golf after she was 100. Something for us to aspire to. I have been very fortunate to have been given her eulogy by her daughters and also some old gems that Margaret wrote about her school days.

This year we have also been very fortunate to get, well nearly a book, about the life of Eilene Dew (Dewy) who is in her 90’s and lives on an island off Spain. I asked her for a story and an amazing one it is.

Unfortunately I had to condense it to just the years at The Hermitage.

Once more I would like to remind Old Girls of the changes to the Elsie Morres’ Scholarship which is for girls only and now from year 7 upwards. Both come under General Excellence Scholarships.

We have a number of important dates of events this year, and would love to see as many Old Girls as possible support these.

The Committee is only small and it takes a lot of work to organise these events, and it’s a little disheartening when numbers are not what we had hoped for.

On that note, our emails come from Grammar, as they also handle the mail outs, so please open envelopes with the Grammar address on them, and the emails from oggs@ggs.vic.edu.au.

We have many ladies who say they have not received any invitations, but they haven’t realised that Grammar assist us by sending out our correspondence.

Also the girls organising reunions use email where possible as it cuts the cost down, so if you have a different email, or change your address, please let me know at hermitagegirls@gmail.com so that I can notify Grammar and keep our database up to date.

Jill Nicholls

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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President’s Report This year our association is one hundred and ten 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.

I’m happy to report that our beautiful history book, Proud to be Women, continues to sell and be very well received by readers; our archivists have kept busy organising our archives and memorabilia, and again this year our committee members have worked hard to make our social events –including today–take place and run smoothly.

Our Golf Day, Autumn Lunch in Melbourne, and Christmas Lunch–including wonderful musical entertainment by the Bostock House children–are popular annual events. I would like to thank all of our committee members for their great contributions in organising them.

I would also like to acknowledge, as we do each year, the great work of past Committee members of many years; 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 will be a great comfort to us.

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. Our ongoing association with Geelong Grammar School, and particularly with Hermitage House, adds to the continuity of our legacy, and also helps to keep the spirit of ‘The Hermitage’ CEGGS alive; our History book captures all of this for posterity.

Once again this year we were made to feel very much a part of the continuing Geelong Grammar School community, and we have been extremely pleased to observe that Grammar’s new Principal, Rebecca Cody, is doing a wonderful job running the school.

What a huge and demanding job that is.

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

This year we have once again enjoyed our involvement with the continuing GGS as part of the OGGs committee, participating in various OGG’s and school events. After several very enjoyable years as the Hermitage Old Girls’ representative on the OGGS committee I have stepped down from this position and we have been extremely fortunate to have Susie Donald as our new OGGS committee representative. Thank you, Susie, for taking on this important role. I’m sure you will find it interesting and enjoyable as I did, and you will be able to continue to keep us in touch with, and help us to continue to contribute to, the great work that the OGGS do for the school and its community. It will soon be time for the annual OGG Motoring Event, 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 of it and the Tower Luncheon are on the school website.

I should mention that this year the guest speaker at the Tower Luncheon will be Tammy Fraser, one of our Hermitage Old Girls. I’m sure some of you will attend and enjoy hearing Tammy speak.

Once again this year our OGGs representative also shared several memorable evenings, attending OGGS committee meetings, dining and reminiscing. 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 school staff, and particularly the wonderful Katie Rafferty, for their ongoing support of our activities.

We were sad to farewell Jo Nitz, GGS’s Director of Advancement, and also Executive Director of the Geelong grammar School Foundation, who is moving on. Jo has also been a great support to The Hermitage Old Girls and has done an excellent job during her time at Grammar. We wish her the very best for her future career.

We would like to thank the wonderful catering team at GGS and school staff, for their much appreciated 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, Janice Simpson, author and adventurer, and a member of the 1968 year group, which I’m sure many of you will agree, was a particularly good vintage. We look forward to hearing from her during our luncheon. A very warm welcome to you Janice.

And we extend an extremely warm welcome to all of you Old Girls! We are delighted that you are able to join us today.

Deidre Griffiths President

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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Secretary’s Report Once again HOGA has had a busy and very successful year with the functions that we have held.

We started the year off with what is now an annual event, The Autumn Luncheon, held at the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club. This year it was held on Friday 29th March, with 33 attending.

Drinks were held in the Norman Brooks Room, with a delicious lunch following. From the chatter and laughter in the room it was very evident that everyone had a lovely time catching up with friends from school days.

Next year, the Autumn Luncheon is being held on April 3rd 2020, those who wish to join us in Melbourne, please keep the date free.

Our Annual Old Girls’ Day and Annual Meeting, was held at Geelong Grammar in the Darling Hall on 7th September, with 67 ladies attending. Our Annual meeting was held, with no change of Office Bearers, this was followed by pre-dinner drinks and a lovely lunch. Our guest speaker this year was past student Janice Simpson, who gave us a very humorous and entertaining talk on her bike riding experiences around Europe.

The HOGA Golf Day was held at the Barwon Heads Golf Club, with 72 ladies attending and 41 ladies teeing off in good golf conditions. A lovely lunch was provided; Judy Chirnside then entertained us by relating many trials and tribulations she encountered during her business life, many of which were very amusing.

Again we held our very popular Christmas Lunch, where we were entertained by the year 3 and 4 Choir and Hermitage Strings from Bostock House, there were 51 students present and 6 adults, including Principal Rachael Dewhurst. We thoroughly enjoy their enthusiasm and talent. Each year the Old Girls’ Association presents the Hermitage Strings with a cheque for $300.00 to enable them to keep their instruments up to date.

58 ladies attended the Christmas Lunch and all thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful meal provided by our own “in house” Chef and committee member Susie Donald. Of course there were the raffles that some lucky ladies won.

All agreed that it is a lovely way to catch up with friends before the mad Christmas rush descends on us all.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the other Committee members who assist so ably on the day and at all the functions.

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Once again the HOGA Committee presented “Proud to be Women”, the History of the Hermitage book to the Year 12 Girls from Hermitage House. This is the second year we have done this, and the girls really appreciate the gesture, so I hope this can continue into the future.

During the year many reunions were held, reports of which will be in the newsletter.

Please keep us updated with changes of address and any members of our school community that pass away.

We love to receive Cooeegrams and we will take them any time of the year, just email them to hermitagegirls@gmail.com Jill Nicholls

Archives Report Our collection continues to be housed safely in Hermitage House, Darling Hall, Dining Room and Fisher Library Vault.

We are grateful Geelong Grammar allows us all this space.

We have also removed from display our only boater and straw school hats, which are now safe in hat boxes to extend their lives.

To free up more shelves for our collection in the vault, all the Prizes Books are being We have withdrawn from display the only moved downstairs to an area in the navy blazer in our collection, to extend its compactus that houses Grammars’ special life. The blazer is probably 100 years old and books. With more shelf space we can remains in good condition. The blazer will continue to sort and catalogue and scan all now be hung on a purpose designed the photos and newspaper clippings and padded coat hanger and covered with a store them, in folders. fabric zip up bag, and hung in an area in the Many thanks to everyone, who continues to vault with Grammar and Clyde’s uniforms. give us, their precious Hermitage We will also hang a Green Prefect’s blazer, a memorabilia. brown blazer and an overcoat in this way.

Kristine Hunter

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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Autumn Lunch Report Hermitage Old Girls’ Committee was delighted to welcome members from 1949 to 1976 cohorts to catch up for the second Melbourne Autumn Luncheon held at Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club on Friday 29th March.

Welcome drinks were served in the Norman Brookes Room before attendees were seated at two long, festive tables to enjoy a delicious lunch and accompanying wines and, of course wonderful company.

The room was filled with warmth and laughter and Old Girls took delight in the opportunity to catch up away from the school environment, to reminisce, share stories of lifelong friendships and the importance of connection within our school community.

We have taken a precautionary approach in response to looming health threats, and cancelled the Autumn Lunch this year.

Susie Donald

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The winning team on the day was Pam Macdonald (Phillip), Angela Worthy (Campbell), Cath Bell (Irvine) and Judy Laidlaw

Golf Day Report The Barwon Heads Golf Club was an excellent venue yet again for our annual HOGA golf and lunch day. It was attended by 72 Hermitage old girls, 41 who played golf in good conditions.

Judy Chirnside entertained us with her inspirational journey of how she established her successful business, thank you Judy.

Thank you also, to all those who helped on the day, especially the HOGA Committee.

GOLF RESULTS

Winner – Cath Bell (Irvine) Runner Up – Jennifer Bade (Glen) Teams Event – Pam Macdonald (Phillip), Angela Worthy (Campbell), Cath Bell (Irvine) and Judy Laidlaw Nearest the Pin 4 – Suzanne Parry Okeden (Beggs) Nearest the Pin 8 – Midge Bell

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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Above: Lyn Rasmussen (Strickland), Suzanne Parry-Okeden (Beggs) and Judy Oakley (Lamb)

Above: Midge Bell, Susie Sutherland, Belinda Blake, Deidre Griffiths Below: Robyn Webster (Wilkinson), Skye Scoble, Judy Derham (Bailey), Suzanne Parry Okeden (Beggs), Barb Bruce (Brown) and Judith Laird

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Sisters Judy Laidlaw and Wendy Speer (Laidlaw)

Jenny Jordan and Bev Foster

Above left: Cath Bell (Irvine), winner of the Golf day individual event Above right: Judy Laidlaw with sisters Naida Hutton (Glen) and Jenny Bade (Glen) Below left: Guest speaker Judy Chirnside Below right: Sue Reilly (West) and Prue Webb (Spittle)

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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Hermitage House News LUCY PEDDIE HEAD OF HERMITAGE HOUSE 2019

Walking around Hermi today, you come across walls lined with honour boards from the past. The bottom name always sits beside 1975, the year before The Hermitage amalgamated with GGS. The rich history, the traditions and the stories are held on to by the old Hermitage girls that are around today. However, I think it is important that we, the younger generation also do our bit to preserve and recognise one of the Schools that has allowed my peers and I to attend GGS. We decided to create jumpers which not only will act as a memento of our year group in Hermi, but also celebrate our Hermitage forebears. Each jumper is embroidered with the original Hermitage Crest, which I hope can become a tradition for Year 12 students leaving Hermi. In Term 3 this year I attended The Hermitage Annual Lunch and I loved being amongst the laughing Old Girls’ reminiscing on their time at the Pakington Street and Highton Campus. I also loved singing the COOEE song that I had never heard before but the women singing with such gusto and energy made it easy to join in. Maybe in the future this song too, can become a part of what it means to be in Hermi today or even sung in Chapel with the rest of the school. The spirit of the Old Girls will not be lost and is written in the crest, the story of The Hermitage will continue to “be seen”.

Esse Quam Videri

Left: David Dimsey and Alexandra Healey (He’19) wearing the Hermi jumpers

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The Year in The Hermitage House Taken from” The Hermitage” - source The Corian YEAR 10 REFLECTION

YEAR 11 REFLECTION

All you could see was a sea of green as Hermi walked over to the Handbury Centre towards The House Swimming carnival on Wednesday, 6th March. All you could hear was the deafening chanting of the Hermi girls as they walked into what you deem as a “battle of chants”.

Coming back into the Hermitage, we were a rowdy bunch of Year 11s. We were excited about being a part of the senior cohort but, mainly excited about having the privilege of being a part of The Hermitage House for another year. I have developed a great appreciation for the friendships I have made with both the girls and staff who dedicate their time to help us grow together in a positive environment.

Not only were we fighting for the House Swimming Cup, but we were hoping for the Spirit Cup too.

The year started well with unpacking into our new rooms and welcoming many new members. Hermi had quite a successful year taking home the win in House Music, placing a very successful second in House Swimming (Defeating Clyde), getting into the debating finals with a loss of only one The atmosphere was like never before, point against FB, and achieving second with only girls surrounding the pool for the place in Athletics. Together, we have first time ever. Due to this, the girls were learned and continued to grow more and able to scream as loud as they could! more each day, term and year, through our Although we did not manage to take either achievements and by adding more of the titles home this year, we were able memories of life in the House. to finish the carnival happy with our Overall I for one believe that the best part efforts, having beaten Clyde after one of being in The Hermitage is the spirit, training session. We are looking forward to enthusiasm and pride that we each hold the carnival next year and the chance to up high on our shoulders. We cannot wait win again. to welcome the new group of girls next Lilli Cowan year as they will continue to pass on the green pride for years to come.

The events commenced and we had some strong contenders for many of the races.

It did not take long for the Hermi girls to be screaming out after the victory of a Year 10, 11, or 12 girl.

Annabel Kirby

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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YEAR 12 REFLECTION

We were initially apprehensive about House Music, despite our prior record of victory.

The Hermitage knew that 2019 would be difficult, with various rumours of other houses gunning for the prized cup with angelic melodies and original tracks. To counteract the threat posed by these potential talents, Hermi completed a large number of rehearsals (involving frenzied and frustrated conductors and a sort of sheepish, unfocused choir). Despite the beautiful tunes emerging from the common room when the small group practiced and the frankly awe-inspiring voice of Saskia, when we were lucky to hear it, we started out singing our selected ABBA song Take a

chance on Me quite terribly. Clearly, there were concerns that the exalted cup would not pass through our hands this year. Our worries were quashed, however, as we started to improve over time. Our sense of security due to the talents of our small group and solo performer continued to grow. When it came to the actual day, we approached the stage with a degree of nervousness but also confidence.

Achieving second place in choir and first place in both solo and small group showed us that not only was our House talented as a whole, but that it also had some incredible singers who are definitely going places in the years to come.

Ella Davidson

MEG FRIDAY

This year we are also very proud to announce that Meg Friday is the 2020 Hermitage House Captain, and she has very kindly allowed Catherine Krause (Head of Hermitage House) to write a piece for our Newsletter.

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Meg, is very grateful to have been recently appointed the position of the Hermitage House Captain and is very excited for the commencement of 2020. She has loved her time in Hermi so far and all the great experiences she has had and she feels proud that she is able to continue the tradition of being a member of Hermi that was originally started by her auntie when she was a member of the Jennings House in 1988. Meg has loved all aspects of boarding but has especially enjoyed making great friends and being part of such a diverse and accepting community. She enjoys sport and plays both netball and softball but has a particular interest in her academics and a passion for science which she hopes to pursue following her time a GGS. Meg is very excited to welcome all the new members of Hermi in 2020 and hopes for next year to be just as successful as this one.

SARAH SUTHERLAND

We are extremely proud to say that this year we have the 2020 school captain in The Hermitage House. Sarah Sutherland (Yr12 He) has many, many ties to The Hermitage and she kindly wrote an article for the Newsletter.

Sarah Sutherland is a current year 11 student in Hermitage House. After joining Geelong Grammar in 2017 at Timbertop, she was eager to commence her journey at Corio and being a sixth generation Geelong Grammarian this transition and opportunity was very special to her. Sarah’s family also has long and proud history within the Hermitage. Her great grandmother attended Hermitage, her great aunt (Elizabeth Caillard née Hopkins) was Hermitage School Captain in 1953, her mother Sue (née Hopkins) attended Hermitage (1972-1975) and GGS in 1976 when Hermitage amalgamated with GGS. More recently Sarah’s cousin Judy McKay was a House prefect in 2013, Brooke McKay was House Captain in 2015 and Sarah’s sister Sammy Sutherland was a House Prefect in 2018. Sarah is proud to wear the green blazer and continue this tradition. Her time in “Hermi” thus far has certainly lived up to that recounted by her relatives, with their fondest memories including the formation of unique friendships with their peers and in-house tutors and inter-house events.

This year the Hermitage’s success in competitive inter-house events such as the debating, swimming carnivals and music competition have all been highlights for Sarah who loves seeing The Hermitage girls bond through these events, and building that house spirit.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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2019 Reunion Reports SEVENTY YEAR REUNION REPORT – 1949 YEAR GROUP

The Hermitage School 1949 leavers’ reunion was held on October 12th at the Barwon Heads Golf Club. Fifteen past pupils attended and were greeted by our School Flag fluttering on the flag pole in front of the Club House. Sixteen apologies were received.

After being welcomed in the lounge for pre luncheon drinks, we headed to the Dining Room. Here there was memorabilia set out including school uniforms, photos, magazines, embroidery, an autograph book etc.

Grace was said before we enjoyed a delicious meal. This was followed by a “Mastermind Quiz”, relating to our school days. There was time to share anecdotes with an open microphone.

The luncheon concluded with us all singing our school song Cooee. All those who attended left with smiles on their faces, having enjoyed a happy time of reminiscing and fellowship.

Lyn Mulligan Co- ordinators: Helen Brodie and Lyn Mulligan

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

FIFTY SIX YEAR REUNION REPORT – 1963 YEAR GROUP

On Friday 6th September 2019 we held a 56 year reunion of our 1963 year group. We had intended to hold it last year at the 55 year mark, but we were not as organised as we should have been.

We sent out over 40 emailed invitations and received 14 replies to attend the lunch.

Unfortunately one person was unable to come at the last minute due to ill health.

Initially we were disappointed with the response, but in reality it was a great success.

We had one long table with Jennifer Jackson at the Head, which enabled people to converse with others more easily. Of those attending, 2 had been daygirls and 11 were boarders. Jennifer Jackson, Kerry Porter, Diana Richards and Patricia Roberts were the longest serving boarders present, having started in P6 in 1957.

During coffee, we went round the table asking for people’s comments about their time at School and also their impressions of the teachers. Memories flowed and individual perceptions were very different. Overall the impression was that compared with similar schools of that era, it was generally felt that we compared well as far as teaching and conditions were concerned. We didn’t really have a lot to complain about even though we may have thought so at the time.

We were delighted that Heather Gee née Noble was able to come, as she lives interstate in Western Australia. Heather changed her flight back from Cairns to the West, so that she could come via Melbourne and join us for the lunch. Some members of the group seemed to think that Tasmania did not really class as interstate! This is a moot point between Tasmanians and Victorians, one better argued at another time.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal and the service was excellent. A Club in the CBD of Melbourne is a convenient place to hold a reunion, as it is easy access for most people.

Those present were; Jennifer Jackson née Bingley, Jan Cooke née Bolton, Mary Thomas née Fairley, Heather Gee née Noble, Ann Link née Cooke, Elizabeth Kong née Adamson, Patricia Roberts née Knappstein, Rosemary Cameron née Oates, Elizabeth Redman née Vibert, Kerry Porter née Gordon, Di Richards née Dennis, Judy McCowan née Bechervaise and Angie Jackson née Bors.

Judging by the comments we received afterwards and the fact that people lingered until nearly 4 pm, we felt that it had been thoroughly enjoyable and a great success.

Patricia Roberts, in collaboration with Jennifer Jackson.

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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Above: 1963 Year Group

Above: 1949 Year Group

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Below: 1964 Year Group

Above: 1969 Year Group

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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FIFTY FIVE YEAR REUNION REPORT – 1964 YEAR GROUP

Five years ago at our 50th class reunion it was decided, unanimously, that we were getting older, to have our reunion every 5 years.

A brilliant suggestion as we have found some of our dearest have gone on ahead, Isabel “Coonie” Rye, Paddy de Crespigny, Angie McMillan, Lorraine “Nayne” Williams, Jenny Kelly, Ro Morse, Di “Blondie” Webster and Jayne White.

Our condolences to their families, as they were missed.

Invitations were sent out to our class of 64 girls with 21 invitations accepted, some sent inabilities for various reasons and some did not reply and this was disappointing to Marie (Hill) Jordan and Julie (Rich) Richards who spent much time collating, printing and organising the weekend. Remember girls it is important to those organising the weekend.

Laurel Banham arrived from Qld, Denise Lamour from Sydney, Joc Bell from Tasmania, Robyn Garnett from the U.K., Leanne Stirling from W.A. and the rest from all over Victoria.

On the Friday night 12 of us, those who were in town, enjoyed dinner at Julie’s and thanks also to Julie’s daughter Helen, who helped out. A meal of Lasagne, chicken salad with a wee drop of wine, then off to bed. Saturday lunch was held at Capri Receptions and quite a few cruised past our old school, which is being renovated. Many memories of our days spent there surfaced. Much gossip was going around the tables of pranks, school mistresses, classes and boarding house midnight parties.

That night 14 of us went to Marie’s for a casual dinner, although we were feeling rather sated from our delicious lunch, we continued on with more food, wine, laughter and talking about our years at The Hermitage.

Next morning, 15 enjoyed brunch at the Barwon Edge Boathouse, to finish off a wonderful weekend. It certainly was a great weekend and many thanks to Marie and Julie for such an excellent reunion.

Five years will go too quickly so be prepared to attend the next one.

As one of us said, “Wheelchairs, wheelie frames and walking sticks optional.”

Natalie (Adamson) Gash 1964

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

FIFTY YEAR REUNION REPORT – 1969 YEAR GROUP - SATURDAY 6TH APRIL 2019

When we first mentioned to our 1969 school leavers that we were planning our 50 year School Reunion, there was disbelief it had been 50 years. It brought much excitement, misapprehension to some and disappointment to others who couldn’t make it due to a tyranny of distance, or other previous commitments, but the arrival of 40 girls in the foyer at the Barwon Heads Golf Club was filled with shrieks and laughter with recognition and non - recognition while finding their name tags.

After some welcome drinks and canapés there was no sitting at tables with your comfort group. Everyone had to randomly draw a table number and seat which mixed us all up beautifully and we caught up with girls we might not have otherwise had the chance to.

Judy Wilson welcomed everyone and read out apologies from Lou Brown (Leahy), Libby Butler (Knight), Val Clarke (Riches), Pattie Cox (Commerford), Anne Dalton (McMaster), Jenny Davis (Hoskin), Bronwyn Dye (Turner), Chris Grange, Alison Hill (Greene), Barb Ince (Martella), Sue Larmour (Reid), Rosemary Littlejohn (Barnes), Deb Madin (Bowman), Sue McDonald (Cuthbert), Robyn McLeod (Armistead), Julia Ponder, Lyn Morgan, Anne Steele (McDonald), George Strachan (Sanders) and Judy Wookey (Aiton). Many wanted an update and photos after the event.

Judy also mentioned that we had lost four of our year level - Lou Adam (Petridis), Viva Browne, Ruth Schofield and Janne Underwood.

Sue Cauchi read a rather funny poem of memories written by Julie Bingley (West) which had been presented by her at her year level’s 50th Reunion. At the end of this it was added that when girls attended “Slab’s” funeral they thought Slab had come back to haunt them as they turned around to see Slab walking down the aisle for the service.

It was her twin sister!

Sue then gave a precised update on those she had received something from or had contact with: Rose Barnes (Littlejohn) Registered Nurse. Her most interesting experience was in the 1970’s when she had 3 years free travel as a Volunteer in developing countries - including Cambodia, Myanmar, India, The Amazon Jungle and Equador. She also worked in Remote Areas of South Australia & Northern Territory as the Community Nurse, then furthered her career with a BA & Grad Diploma to work in Women’s Health and Mental Health in Clare South Australia. She married and separated in the 90’s after having 2 children and has now retired and retrained as a Meditation Leader. She looks forward to hearing other’s stories & seeing photos.

Lou Adam (Petridis) Had Alzheimer’s and only died last year from a heart attack.

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At the 1969 reunion were: Above (left to right): Janice Simpson and Julie Morgan; Marg Dandy (Wettenhall) and Sally Wilson (Heath) Below (left to right): Marg Hitchings (Cuthber) and Rae Day (Gawler); Sue Baulch (Bade) Karen Bowler (O’Neill) and Gail Oswell (James); Bottom left: Julie Cunningham (Bender) and Vivian Royle (Bennett); Bottom right: Di Winterhoff (Underhill) and Sue Gauchi (McIntyre) visiting Ra Marshall (Green) and Vern in Adelaide

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Val Clarke (Riches) Travelled to the Antarctica earlier in the year and lives on Stradbroke Island.

Daksy Davis (Hoskin) Lost her husband very recently and has had her daughter in hospital. Would have loved to have been with us but is also travelling overseas very soon.

Bronwyn Dye (Turner) Hoped to be able to come but being on the land in New South Wales has been caught up with shearing and staffing problems. She has 3 children.

Her daughter who is 6 hours away and the boys work with her on the property.

Ra Green (Marshall) Married and separated after having 3 children and remarried again as a 60th birthday surprise to Vern who is now very much her carer. Ra unfortunately has Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body and needs constant care in every aspect. Vern says at times there is still the shadow of the “old” Rosemary which is lovely although perversely, it works to remind him of what he has lost. Even with the illness she is still sweet and engaging and has thankfully so far been saved from some of the worst symptoms.

Sue Larmour Has a business in obscure bulbs living at Allans Flat which is in the Corryong area and was committed to a trade show in Sydney before receiving the invite.

Deb Madin (Bowman) unfortunately, we only got her email address very late in the piece.

Julia Ponder Lives in Western Australia and is planning a mini reunion in July with some.

Jo Skurrie (Knight) only recently learnt about the reunion, as we only found her email address in the last few weeks. She still lives in Canada and along with her husband and has recently retired. They split their time between Gabriola Island and Read Island which only has boat access and is off the grid. She also has her studio and work there.

They also have 9 grandchildren and a daughter still lives in Byron Bay with her family so they do visit them every few years.

Anne Steele (McDonald) lost her husband 4 years ago and lives on their property in New South Wales. She has 2 boys on the land with her and unfortunately had a clash this weekend with a group of her husband’s friends coming to stay.

Judy Wookey Lives in Ocean Grove but at present is holidaying in Western Australia.

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Judy Prasser (Vanrenen) who just happened to receive an OAM this year for her contribution to travel and small business spoke beautifully on Reflections of School Years She raised points she had read in an article published in The Age that she thought were an excellent summary that were important to her at school - sport, music, performing arts, debating, chess, school spirit, camaraderie, tolerance and continuity of friendships after school ends.

Judy also felt survival, resilience, teamwork, friendship and consideration for others were all skills mastered in the classroom, schoolyard or on the sports field and form part of who we are today. All formed the “rich tapestry” of life at the Hermitage together with the teaching and boarding staff, administrators, kitchen and housekeeping staff and the discipline which was a lot more rigid than today was at the core of all school values.

We have carried all of this alongside new skills - computers, Excel Spreadsheets, Websites, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - and with networks, friendships and social skills we have continued into the wider world as we worked, developing careers, marrying and having families and maybe even having grandchildren - but it all started at the Hermitage.

Julie Morgan who writes a Blog presented a piece which she felt might not have been anything the Day Girls had been particularly aware of. She spoke of two young girls riding in the back of their car for four hours, each with a case in the boot holding all their “worldly possessions” and the in-trepidation they had for what was about to await them, nor did they know anything of the initiation that awaited them or what was expected of them. All a rude awakening!

Sally Wilson and Lulu Beel also led us in a rendition of Coo-ee! Something to behold but they did better than the rest of us.

We had great feedback that it was the best reunion and there are thoughts of doing it again in another five years. The Golf Club had a great ambience and the staff and lunch were excellent. Everyone really enjoyed reconnecting and there were lots of happy memories and updates, but it was also terrific for others whose life has not been so kind. Not everyone’s journey has been as smooth as others, so we hope by also attaching in a separate email an updated contact list, people will stay in touch and remember to keep us up to date as to any changes in their email addresses.

Addresses and phone numbers are also great as well in case something changes and you forget!

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Hopefully this answers the enquiries I have had and I am only sorry I can’t relate all the reconnections and stories of individuals from the day. I would also like to thank Judy & Bruce Wilson for opening their house to all those and any spouses who were around Saturday evening. It gave us all more time to catch up (into the wee hours of the morning) and the only criticism from Di Underhill who came from Germany was that there was not enough time to talk to everybody and we should make a weekend of it!

I know Jo Beasley who came from Fiji and all those who travelled from intra-State and interstate would have felt the same. I know I certainly did.

TOWER LUNCHEON

At the Tower Luncheon this year, we were privileged to have a Hermitage Old Girl as the speaker, Tamie Fraser (Beggs) ‘53 (pictured below). We were treated to a very informative and entertaining speech about her life. More than 50 Old Girls were present at the Luncheon.

Below: Hermitage Group with Tammi Fraser at Tower Lunch.

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Below: Hermitage Group with Tammi Fraser at Tower Lunch.

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Above: Kristine Hunter talks to Lesley Robinson at Tower Lunch.

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Above: Alison Roach with Lyn Mulligan Below: Jill White and Lesley Robinson talk to Jenny Jordan at the Tower Luncheon

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Old Girls’ Day Photos

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Reunions Happening In 2020 1960 YEAR LEAVERS 60 YEAR REUNION

Ros Leigh (Taylor) is organising this reunion. The date is yet to be confirmed due to circumstances we are encountering at present.

Contact Ros on email: rosleigh1@gmail.com or tel: 0439 391 380, if you could assist her with the organising, or if you know anyone who has changed address or details please contact Ros.

1970 YEAR LEAVERS 50 YEAR REUNION

Pom MacKenzie (Russell) is organising this reunion and it is to be held on Saturday 21th Novemnber 2020 so please keep this date free.

Pom is missing some contacts. Please contact her on tel: 0417 011 532 or email: pomac82@hotmail.com if you know of anyone who has changed address or details.

1977 YEAR LEAVERS – 1975 YEAR 10 GIRLS

2020 is filled with hope and excitement of our Hermitage year reuniting at the Old Girls Lunch on 5th September, followed by an informal reunion and also celebrate our milestone birthdays!

With the kind assistance of GGS Alumni and HOGA we have obtained the names of all the girls in our year level at the time of amalgamation. We do not have all the girls’ contacts as some continued onto Geelong College or elsewhere and not all details are current.

Love to hear from you to make this a special time for us all. email: hermitagegirls@gmail.com Janet Ryle-Yeates (Bone) tel: 0426 238 208 email: janetanneyeates@gmail.com Lucienne Kelly (Collins) tel: 03 9830086 email: Kellylu6036@gmail.com So please keep the 5th September free as we would love to see you.

If you are in contact with or know current details of an old girl, please ask if they would send through their details via yourself or any of the email addresses listed, with the former surname included in the email.

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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 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 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.

Old Girls Day SATURDAY, 7 TH SEPTEMBER, 2019

Speech presented by Janice Simpson.

Thank you for inviting me to speak at the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Hermitage Old Girls Association and to be so generous to permit me to talk about myself. However, as Shelley Gare writes, ‘Few of us have lives interesting enough to put down on paper. Even people who have been through extraordinary events usually have long years in which nothing much happens except cereal is eaten, babies are born and public transport is caught’ (2008, p. 14). Although I’m not much of a cereal eater since giving up Weeties with stewed rhubarb back in 1968 when it was served to us in stainless steel bowls in the dining room, you may recall; and my babies are now in their middle forties and their babies are working full-time or studying at uni or in the senior years in school; and I do catch the train from Maryborough to Melbourne on a regular basis; consider yourself warned. Perhaps the events I’ll focus on today you will consider neither extraordinary nor even remarkable. But nevertheless, here we go.

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“I’ll begin by regaling you with ‘wheely’ good stories, or in other words, stories about my bike riding trips here and there.

” I got into this pedalling business when a friend returned from a Great Victorian Bike Ride having ridden along the Great Ocean Road in the company of only 7,999 other riders. As he’s a portly chap, I thought, well, if he can do it, so can I. There and then I decided to become a ‘Great Vic’ bike rider. For those of you who aren’t aware, the Great Victorian Bike Ride is an annual bike ride somewhere in Victoria that attracts up to 5000 people – it’s capped now after the lessons from the 2004 ride that attracted 8000 – over a 9 day period. Of course, one thing leads to another, so after two or three of these rides I decided I needed a new and speedy bicycle. I trotted off to Carlton and availed myself of a gleaming new machine, a bit like Mulga Bill in fact. While I was there I spotted a postcard advertising a bike trip called the Orient Express. It was a 6-week trip beginning in Paris and ending in Istanbul, riding through France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Oh, did my heart flutter. I’d always dreamed about a trip on the Orient Express. I blame Agatha Christie in the first instance, and Graeme Greene and Paul Theroux only served to heighten the desire. Besides, I’d seen passengers alighting from the royal blue and gold train in Venice in their carefully designed clothes and jewellery, liveried porters dealing with the Louis Vuitton luggage.

I figured the closest approximation I was going to make was with a waterproof duffle bag stuffed with camping gear and a few clothes for 6 weeks on the trot and my almost brand new navy blue bike.

When I arrived in Paris I met up with my friend and old girl, Diana Young. Funny how we were old at 17 when we left school, and now that we really are old we don’t even bother with such an adjective! She offered her husband’s services in putting my bike together but I gamely said I could do it, so we had a glass of wine instead. Of course when my bike began to make noises on about day 3, I rather regretted my hasty refusal.

An American bloke, who was a bit scary at first, removed my front wheel somewhere in the French countryside and discovered both springs had been put on the same side of the quick release skewer. I didn’t admit that it was me who was so incompetent, but I guess he knew that.

That of course was not my only mistake. I tripped over my stationary bike and ended up with cuts and bruises in a French village; I got lost in the German countryside where church steeples abounded so I had no idea of which one I should head for;

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I fell off into a bank of nettles on the way into Vienna; I was accosted by a Gypsy boy with nefarious intentions on a hot day in Romania; and suffered vomiting and diarrhoea in Bulgaria and Turkey. There were hills and mountains to climb, easy for the whippet members of the group, but the old lazy Labradors like myself found it much more challenging. Roads and morning tea stops decreased in both quantity and quality immediately on crossing the Austrian border. There were campgrounds without showers and toilets, miles from anywhere of interest. There were dangerous reckless drivers hurtling down roads forcing riders onto verges, if such a thing existed. And on top of that there was the alcoholic cook and the two male staff members, Mr Cool and Mr Bossy, to contend with. There was rain and thunderstorms and heat, too. And long distances, as we averaged more than 115 kilometres a day in order to cover the 4000 kilometres from Paris to Istanbul in 34 riding days.

But perhaps the scariest of all was the dogs. As some of you may know, I love dogs, always have. But those scrawny Romanian dogs, mangy and loitering in packs by the sides of roads were enough to frighten anyone. A squirt from a water bottle was said to be effective in scaring them, but being the inexperienced rider I was, I still couldn’t safely pull a bottle out of its carrier while remaining upright on the bike. Many riders stuffed rocks up the legs of their nicks or carried large sticks to beat the dogs with.

One bloke bought a water pistol that he strapped to his top bar, but again, I decided that falling off while trying to squirt dogs, only to end up on the ground and face being ripped apart was not for me. So I purchased a taser. I shared this acquisition with my riding buddy, Stewart, who was continuing on from Istanbul to Bejiing. It fell to me to carry it to Istanbul. Stewart had demonstrated its efficacy a few times when riding through villages, large Hungarian and Romanian dogs snarling at us, not always from behind a fence. One point with the taser and they shut up, bolted behind sheds and houses.

I was sailing along a Romanian road one sunny morning on my own, as others had stopped for a coffee at a roadside stall, when I spied four large dogs napping beside the road. To taser or not to taser. Giving it a millisecond’s consideration, I pressed the button, fully expecting that the dogs would cower in the grass or run to the nearby woods. But I swear, despite their malnutrition and unkemptness, those dogs sprang out of sleep faster than a greyhound at the races and bolted out onto the roadway where they began to snap at my heels, my calves, my thighs. Not small dogs you understand, but things the size of German Shepherds.

It was Nicolai Ceausescu’s fault, who as communist dictator nationalised farms and instituted urban renewal after he came to power in 1965, policies that forced people to abandon their pets, including dogs. They were set loose, and it is from this stock that they have bred in the wild. All I could do was pedal fast and shout. Which I did. I yelled like my father had at our sheepdogs when they failed to act appropriately.

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I won’t repeat what I said now, but you get the picture. I pedalled faster and faster. I could see my speedo at almost 50 kilometres per hour.

One dog dropped off, then another and another, but the biggest brute was still intent on bringing me down. I kept yelling, hands firmly on the handlebars as we were now going downhill, twisting and turning round the curves, the road surface for once thankfully without large potholes. I thought my legs would drop off.

“Finally the beast let me be, one last slavering saliva spitting snap aimed at my thigh.

”

When I arrived at the lunch stop, I immediately gave the taser to Stewart, and refused to ever entertain using such a device again. Although I wished I’d had it in Thailand and Malaysia a few years later, but that’s another story altogether.

Obviously I survived that ride; indeed I thrived on it despite its hardships and challenges. All I had to do was pedal from A to B, shower, wash riding gear, eat, sleep then get up and do it all over again the next day. I made lifelong friends on that trip, people who I have ridden with several times over and will ride with again. It allowed me to experience the joy of childhood again. Since that initial ride I’ve pedalled on a number of six-week rides: from St Petersburg to Venice where on our first day in a Russian heat wave we were shot at; from Copenhagen to Barcelona, a much more stately affair until the Pyrenees; through France and around Germany along its many rivers; and from Montreal to Newfoundland in Canada. There’s great stories associated with all these rides. Next year we’re circumnavigating Victoria before riding down the east coast of Tasmania. Later in 2020 we head to Europe where we’ll ride from Paris to Berlin via a circuitous route, taking in John Cage’s As Slow as Possible composition where a note will change in Halberstadt, Germany on September 5. The piece for organ began playing there in 2004 and will conclude in 2640.

Ah, riding a bike. It’s such a pleasurable way to travel in the company of good friends.

Janice Simpson www.janicesimpson.com Gare, S 2008, ‘Intolerable truths - exposing the memoir’, Australian Author, no. April, pp. 13-6.

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Old Girls’ Day 2020 Our Speaker for 2020 Is Angela Baldwin - Artist who is from the 1975 Year 10 or Year Group 1977 Angela is situated in the beautiful Otway Ranges, which is an idyllic location to be creative. The subject matter for my textile arts practice and canvas art is inspired by the beautiful nature that is abundant in our local Otway Ranges. My work is about the pleasure of seeing, of being cognisant of the world around me and exploring an alchemy between colour, nature and the moment. As an emerging Artist, I find most of my inspiration from the beautiful bird life, landscape and vegetation.

Angela received a Merit award: Cross X pollination Red Rock Gallery Textile Award 2018 Photo of Angela Artist

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This next piece was read by Janet Ryle-Yeates (Bone) at Old Girls Day 2019, and as many ladies asked her for a copy, we decided to print it for all to enjoy.

Words of St Theresa Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is a beauty, admire it Life is bliss, taste it.

Life is a dream, realise it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is costly, care for it.

Life is wealth, keep it.

Life is love, enjoy it.

Life is mystery, know it.

Life is a promise, fulfil it.

Life is a sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is Life, fight for it.

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Did You Know?

SCHOOL SONG

How many of us know the true meaning of

c o o e e?

Etymology: The word “cooee” originates from the Dharus language of the original inhabitants of the Sydney area. It means “come over” and has now become widely used in Australia as a call over distance.

In 1909 under the watchful eye of Elsie Morres traditions in the newly established Church of England Girls High School was being established. One of those was the School Song. This came about by a suggestion by the Reverend (Later Canon) Alfred Wheeler of All Saints’ Church, Newtown. He offered to compose the music for a School Song if someone would write the words. The very talented Miss Agnes Cross came up with the verses of Coo-ee and the good vicar set to work. To capture the exact timbre of children’s voices, he got the girls to wander around the garden calling “coo-ee” to each other from behind the bushes! The ploy seemed to work because the School Song became a rallying cry for hundreds of Hermitage Girls over the years.

The words have been changed slightly, as we became known as Geelong Church of England Girls Grammar School, so instead of ‘To high school girls near us or distant’, it is now ‘To school fellows near us or distant’, and now in, instead of ‘Long live the High School’, it is ‘Long live the School’.

The school song has never lost its unique feeling when we all come together and sing this amazing and special School song. Girls even now, years after the School has amalgamated, still get emotional when singing this special piece of our past.

Remembering our many friends that we made during our school days, and now many are spread across the world, but they are now special friends for life.

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COO-EE Not only was this word used in our School Song, it has been an integral part of the school language, and used in other ways as well.

In 1909 it was the Old Girls’ Association that established the school magazine.

Kathleen Newman edited the first edition which came out in July and Miss Cross oversaw the publication. It was a quarterly and cost sixpence. They called it Cooee…”and we trust that the call, so well-known to all Australians, may echo to all corners where Old Girls are to be found, and so enable them to keep in touch with one another and the School”. For more than 100 years, Hermitage Old Girls kept that promise. In 1913 the school magazine was reduced to 3 copies a year, one per term, and the cost was 1/-.

When the Hermitage moved to Highton in 1973, the Coo-ee was funded and published by the Old Girls’ Association, as about one third of the publication was taken up with Old Girls news. Unfortunately with soaring costs, a decision was made to produce a separate, stand-alone publication for the Old Girls’ Association, and The Hermitage Newsletter has gone out annually to members ever since.

Maybe it is time to bring back the COO-EE!!

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Cooeegrams ROBIN SPRY (BELL) 1962 4 HENRY STREET, QUEENSCLIFF 3225

My husband Garry and I had a wonderful three months overseas trip in 2019. I really wanted to see Puffins in the wild which proved to be rather more difficult than we expected. Initially we planned to see them off the coast of Yorkshire, or near Edinburgh on the Farne Islands. When in south west Devon we heard they could also be seen on Skomer Island in western Wales. We arrived at the departure village after a very long drive from Devon. It was mid-morning and the boat was not going that day due to bad weather. We also discovered that one had to be in the queue from 7.30 am to get a ticket. So we had to find accommodation in this tiny village. No luck at the Café where people apparently book months ahead nor in the next tiny village, but the campground host offered to hire us sleeping bags and a small tent. Unfortunately it rained all night and we got saturated. We had no sleep but were first in the queue at 7.30am. After getting our tickets for the 10am departure we went back to the Café for breakfast and were told by the owner that they had had a cancellation just after we had left the day before! Our day on Skomer Island was wonderful and here is a photo of one of the thousands of Puffins

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ERROL STEPHANIE DAY (AIKMAN) 13 SIDWELL AVE, EAST ST KILDA 3183

I have been very fortunate to have been educated at the Hermitage in Newtown, Geelong plus a bit of time at the Geelong College for maths lessons. After the Hermitage I went to the Gordon Institute of Technology to study Architecture, which in time I completed and this allowed me to work in many places.

While studying I met a student who had been a pilot in the recent war. He offered to take me for a flight, so we went down to the Belmont Common, which was the local aerodrome before it was flooded. There was not much Air Traffic in those days. We took off in a Tiger Moth and flew over Corio Bay to the You Yangs and back.

Some years later, I learnt that the Australian Women Pilots Association was offering a scholarship that was worth 150.00 Australian pounds for a woman to learn to fly.

I was one of two women to get a scholarship, despite the fact that I needed spectacles to correct distance vision. Eventually enough skill was attained and enough flying hours accumulated to gain a Private Pilot’s Licence. My eyesight would not pass for a Commercial Licence so I had to save every threepence to pay for my flying.

At the Royal Victorian Aero Club at Moorabbin, I met a man who was an aviation enthusiast. Yes we got married. He joined the Air Force and I had the pleasure of living with him in Queensland, Singapore, Sydney and Melbourne. I still belonged to the Australian Women Pilots Association and as their annual meetings were held in various places around Australia, we were able to fly to them in small two seater aeroplanes. One meeting was at Charleville in Queensland, with a stop at Lightning Ridge on the way. There were very few landmarks at the time. I have had the privilege of meeting many interesting women pilots, such as Nancy Leebold and Freda Thompson who each individually, flew from the UK to Australia. Nancy Bird Walton, a founder of the Women Pilots Association was an inspiration to us all with her stories of flying.

Too old to fly now because safety standards must be kept high. But when you fly, enjoy, it is such a great experience.

Left: Stephanie Day pictured at the 2019 HOGA AGM and Old Girls’ Day lunch THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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

This year 2019, I continued to travel abroad to play in the Super Seniors’ tennis tournaments, sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation. Events for Ladies 85+ are not available in Australia yet.

In June I went to Poertschach in Austria to play in 2 tournaments, the Austrian and European Championships and won both Singles events for 85+ ladies. Points accrued gave me No 1 World Ranking by the ITF. I then became a finalist, in October, at the Victorian Tennis Awards and was announced the winner of The Most Outstanding Achievement in Seniors’ category (pictured below).

A number of Newspaper articles, TV and radio interviews followed!!!! All very unexpected but exciting too.

I visited my daughter Sandra in U.K. for 3 weeks in November and I am very happy that she, husband Jeff and their 4 daughters have plans to holiday in Australia next year.

Photo taken from The Age, June 25 2019, Photographer: Eddie Jim

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LESLEY ROBINSON (DONALDSON) 1952 258 SCENIC ROAD, HIGHTON. 3216

My sister Robin and I recently enjoyed a trip to Europe, starting off with a small-group tour of Tuscany commencing in Florence. What a glorious area it is, with magnificent churches made of every shade of marble known to man! Winding cobble-stone streets that always seemed to be going uphill, with photo-worthy gems at every turn. The coastal areas were stunning, with rugged coastlines, topped by dense woodlands with decorative buildings nestling in between.

Of course we had seen numerous photos of the leaning tower of Pisa, and I was expecting a stand-alone building, but we found there was an enormous square faced by marble buildings. In one of which was the Baptistery, where a man gave a sound demonstration. He sang a single note, which echoed, so he sang a second different note which echoed, and the echoes echoed, making a harmony of several notes.

Sensational! After a week of these delights it was time to regretfully move onto Budapest.

River cruising is certainly an easy way to travel, not having to pack and unpack for fifteen days. Most of the travelling between ports was done overnight, but times when we moved on in the daylight it was mesmerising sitting with our feet up, watching the world go by.

Most mornings we were out by 8 o’clock ready to be taken on a guided tour of the area, by bus or on foot, with a little time to explore and shop at our own pace. Magnificent churches were de rigeur, but the scenery and weather gradually changed as we moved further north-west. Dense woods were general, but the buildings slowly changed from Eastern European to Germanic to distinctly Dutch. The weather changed gradually too, as we moved northwards and further into autumn.

With so much sightseeing ashore I’m glad I kept a diary, otherwise I would not have been able to place the locations of many of our 1600 photos.

By the time we reached Amsterdam there was intermittent drizzle, but we weren’t deterred from taking a canal cruise, visiting a diamond manufacturer’s and a display village featuring windmills, clogs and cheese, to ensure we knew we were in Holland.

After disembarking we repaired to our hotel, a short distance from the CBD, but on a major tram route. This was our base for the next couple of days, while we visited the Royal Palace, galleries, antique centres, museums and of course shops. Robin and I are both addicted to retail therapy.

Our stopover on the way home was Hong Kong, which we had been anxious about because of the worsening demonstrations, but as these were mainly at week-ends and our stay was mid-week we encountered no problems.

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Hong Kong is extremely picturesque with steep wooded hills, studded with skyscraper towers and other buildings, all overlooking the South China Sea. Other than attacking the shops close to our hotel we stuck with organised tours because the traffic was horrendous, with great concrete flyovers over flyovers, but if the political situation improves I would like to return another time.

We were away for five weeks, and probably tried to do too much for two elder ladies, but I don’t regret it for a moment.

JANET RYLE-YEATES (BONE) 1977 7 MELROSE AVE, HIGHTON. VIC. 3216

After enjoying a wonderful Luncheon and the company of friends Jean Buntine and Lucienne Collins at Old Girls Day in September, it was decided that our year (Hermitage 1975 amalgamation era) should make a concerted effort to reunite our year level at the Old Girls Luncheon in 2020 with an informal reunion to follow.

Our time together at the luncheon went way too quickly and we could easily have spent the entire day together. Lots of laughter as we reminisced upon the years we shared at The Hermitage; teachers, friendships, shenanigans and on it went.

With the encouragement and assistance of The Hermitage Old Girls’ Committee and GGS Alumni we are hoping to gather contact information for girls in years 10 & 11 in 1975 who may have become disconnected from HOGA through the amalgamation process if they did not continue at GGS, mainly girls who attended Geelong College or went on to pursue other things.

2020 is a significant birthday milestone for those that were in year 10 in 1975 and we hope to reach everyone so they receive an invitation.

Please forward any contact information you may have via hermitagegirls@gmail.com MARGARET BRODIE

22 FLOREAT CRES, TREVALLYN TAS. 7250

TEL: 0488 946 261 EMAIL: M-MBRODIE@BIGPOND.COM)

It’s a long time since I wrote a Cooeegram but I’m inspired having just received the book “Proud to be Women: A History of The Hermitage”.

Reading it brings back happy memories from many years ago when life was uncomplicated (at least that’s how it seemed to me). Yes, I am proud to be a woman and to have been a pupil at The Hermitage.

After farming at Rowella on the Tamar River, Tasmania for 34 years these last 11 have brought freedom to travel, especially after retiring from physio duties in aged care 50

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facilities in 2013. Great places like Europe, Egypt, Great Britain, China, Mongolia, Siberia and Russia, Svalbard and Iceland. Plus a great trip through the Simpson Desert. There are the visits back to Albury to my childhood home where my youngest nephew is the 5th generation to be farming – 100 years on from the purchase of the property and visits to WA to see sister Elizabeth.

Family-wise, daughter Anne, her husband and 2 teenage children now 15 and 16 moved to Launceston a few years ago after living in a number of mining towns throughout northern NSW and Qld. Jane has settled down on a family farm about 25 minutes drive out of Launceston. She has two littlies now aged 2 and 4 – ever so cute and energetic.

I miss the open space of the farm, the large lawn, spreading oak trees and the eucalypts but I can’t envisage living outside suburban Launceston anymore. Home has a wonderful view over the Tamar River to the mountains which affords an ever changing scene. I get my “country fix” by visiting Jane and the family.

I’m fairly involved with the local Anglican church which has seen dramatic changes to parish structures, exacerbated somewhat by the National Redress situation but change was going to happen redress or not. Part of my involvement included being one of 12 from around Australia to take Cursillo to the diocese of Hong Kong in October 2018.

If you come to Launceston it’d be great to catch up and share stories. There’s room to put your head down if you’d like. Margaret Brodie email: m-mbrodie@bigpond.com) VALERIE ANDERSON (MCQUALTER) 1/7 HERMITAGE RD, NEWTOWN

Val’s daughter very kindly wrote a piece and sent a photo.

Valerie flew over to Western Australia in the school holidays last year with her daughter Fiona, Fiona’s husband, Paul and children, Nalini and Nicholas. They had a lovely holiday and visited Trish O’Neill (Trotter) in Perth, where they were able to attend Trish’s 90th birthday which was the highlight of their holiday.

Val herself will turn 90 in March this year.

LOUISE HARRISON (STANBURY)

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20 MUNN ST, MERIMBUL A, N.S.W. 2548

December 2019 /January 2020 After having a gorgeous Christmas with some of my children, grandchildren and friends we were looking forward to the New Year and a lovely beach and holiday time for them.

We had my daughter in law’s mother staying from Sweden and my youngest son’s girlfriend had just arrived from Norway a week before Christmas who was also with us.

On December 30th police began door knocking in holiday apartments, motels and caravan parks asking our wonderful tourists to leave Merimbula. Fire was raging towards us from the Victorian border and was out of control. The road to Melbourne/ Victoria was closed. The town emptied as they all drove via Canberra, a twelve hour trek, to get home. Holidays cut short and our town was decimated. The local supermarket was mayhem. People, doomsday shopping and panicking. The stock coming off the shelves was ridiculous.

New Year’s Day was the beginning of an absolute nightmare for our beautiful town and surrounds of the Sapphire Coast of NSW. The fire from the border ripped through Mallacoota and was heading to Eden.

“The sky went from red to black very quickly.

It was pitch black at two o’clock in the afternoon. The air made it impossible to breathe and the ash and debris dropping was alarming.

”

We were prepared as much as we could be with sprinklers on the roof and surrounds saturated. Eden was evacuated and we were next in line.

Merimbula became an evacuation town. This was the reason the police and RFS wanted all the holiday makers out. They were concerned not everyone would be safe if those people were still here. There was 1,000 people at the Bowling club and 600 or so at the RSL Club and the Tura Beach Country Club. Not much sleep was had that night with everyone on alert and extremely frightened. The one consolation was it had to get across Merimbula Lake to get to us but we all know the danger of ember attack and how far they can travel. We are opposite bushland so that was a huge fear.

We woke to darkness again and thick, rancid smoke and ash. We were wearing our masks if we had to venture outdoors. The next five days were horrendous. Sky still red and heavy smoke, difficult to breathe, fires back to watch and act but still burning furiously. Luckily Eden was saved. Anyone who had the Fires near us App will be aware 52

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just how lucky Eden was. The town was a ghost town and some businesses closed their doors for good. We are in the accommodation business and all our guests left.

Those who stayed had to wait days to be able to get on a plane to Melbourne due to the planes (Rex Regional Express) being unable to land due to smoke and ash. The fires eased gradually, but as I write this they are still burning. It is February 2nd. Every day we wake to a grey, smoky, hazy sky.

Oh to see a clear blue sky again! Yesterday (Feb 1), we were on high alert again, with fires joining to the west of us and an extremely hot, horrible day. Fires also burning north of Cooma, causing the highway to Canberra being closed. Victorians locked out again.

Today (Feb 2) is a cool day with a southerly and all fires are downgraded at the moment.

“We are able to breathe a little easier. There is still a strong smell of eucalyptus and smoke in the air.

”

Our business has taken a massive loss as we have lost all our summer guests. Everyone left or cancelled. We are now in the process of dealing with insurance people. We will fight on and continue to promote our gorgeous area and hope that people will return in droves during the year. Particularly, next summer.

I would like to encourage all Old Girls to come and visit during the year. Our area is stunning. We have fabulous beaches, caravan parks holiday apartments, walks, golf clubs, bowling greens, local seafood, especially oysters our main industry. Also some fabulous restaurants. We have a plane to Melbourne every day and three planes to Sydney. You could call into Mallacoota on the way. Every business needs your support.

The ripple effect in this town is amazing. Please bring an empty esky and fill it to take home. We have a website Bluewater Apartments Merimbula NSW. Please ring or email me if you want to come and stay. Please don’t use Booking.com!

Email: louharro@bigpond.net.au Mobile: 0407 875 996 Business: 02 6495 3880 Leave messages if necessary. Thanks so much.

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I will be pleased to put this summer behind us. I am very happy that we are safe and managed to get through this catastrophe. Many people didn’t and my heart goes out to them. I never want to go through it again.

Best wishes to everyone for 2020. It can only get better.

Lou Harrison (Stanbury) (See back cover for photo’s by Lou of Merimbula during the bushfires.)

VALERIE MCDOWELL (BENDLE) P.O. BOX 80, HOLMESGLEN, VIC 3148, MCDOWELL .VAL@GMAIL .COM

During the year I visited two islands – both very beautiful but very different.

My youngest son, Paul, lives on South Stradbroke Island (off shore from the Gold Coast, Queensland). He is a kite surfer and assists with various beach sports. My daughter and son-in-law drove me there in June for a few days; we stayed in Paul’s eco cabin which is set in an unspoilt area of a natural forest and superb sandy beaches. Paul took us for one of his conducted four-wheel drive tours of the island and we marvelled at the beauty and serenity of all the various sites. South Stradbroke is a wonderful holiday destination!

In September, my son-in-law, Steve Cooper, was serving as the Uniting Church Minister on Norfolk Island for a month; I joined them, for their final week, staying with them in the comfortable church manse. Steve was an excellent guide driving me to all the scenic spots and places of historical interest.

To celebrate my daughter’s birthday, we participated in a progressive dinner where we met descendants of the Bounty mutineers. A visit to a superb cyclorama was a highlight as it depicted the story of the mutiny in vivid colour. We were also able to attend the funeral of a notable local citizen which was held in the island’s historic cemetery during which the man’s son sang the Pitcairn anthem! The whole visit was an enriching experience.

I was very sorry to have missed Tamie Fraser’s address at the Tower luncheon, I hope her speech is written up in Cooee for us all to enjoy.

(Ed Note: unfortunately we were not given a copy of the speech)

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PAT ARMSTRONG (BELCHER) EMAIL: PAT6TIA@GMAIL .COM “TIA” 6 JONQUIL COURT, TOOWOOMBA, QUEENSL AND

70 years since we left school. Can it really be so long? I am always so pleased to catch up with my school friends of those long gone days and to hear their news. I always enjoy my trips to Point Lonsdale where our family had a beach cottage for twenty five years. The days of bathing boxes on the front beach, now long gone. As children we spent days on the beach only returning home for a meal.

After marriage in 1953 I spent the next eighteen years in Western Queensland between Bourke and Cunnamulla. There, our five children were born, later moving near Toowoomba to educate all. I enjoy the comforts now of city living especially knowing what a dreadful drought the west is having.

After learning to weave with Nancy Gibson, it is still my greatest joy. I still teach weaving and this year a man was my smartest student, as his wife spins, something they can enjoy together.

Fancy something I learnt at school I’m now still doing.

ZOE DE VRIES (CAIN), 20 LOCH STREET, EAST GEELONG, VIC, 3219 EMAIL: ZADEVRIES2@BIGPOND.COM

Well wrapped in a hot summer the New Year of 2019 rolled in packed full of Life Challenges for my close-knit de Vries family. All families have them….. those times when it seems that Fate has misjudged the loading capacity and upset nature. This year it was our turn to have to deal with the heart rending onslaught and survive, which we did.

However, the year also brought several very happy events.

The first of these was a small party held in February to celebrate Helen Botterill’s 100th Birthday. It was held at “Chesterfield” in Newtown, where Helen then lived and she thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. “The Geelong Advertiser” printed a great report and several photos. Although Helen and I are not related she has been my Aunt and Good Friend all my life as she and her family were close friends of my mother since childhood.

In March when I reached the 80 year milestone my family and a few friends marked the occasion at a small dinner party. Then Jill Buchanan (Purnell), my friend since P5 days, said “there are a number of us old girls turning 80 this year aren’t there?”

We decided to try to organise a Group Birthday Party in Geelong. So… on 15th June a group of 15 of us met for lunch at “The Elephant and Castle” for a combined 80th Birthday Celebration which was a whole lot of fun. Wendy Cowdery (Roberts) and Jo Kelly (Gilpin) both helped us to contact people; Jenny Nicholas (Thompson) came from THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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Moama and persuaded Nicky Bryan (Kamerling) to come from Qld., Pam Copeland managed an awkward trip from Wandin North and others came from Geelong, the local coast and across the bay. We merrily sang Happy Birthday to each other and also remembered with affection all those old friends unable to join us. Quite a big day for some, but everyone was so enthusiastic! Any excuse for a party? Well, I think it is just lovely that so many of us enjoy reconnecting again.

Here’s to Friendship!

I was fortunate enough to contact Eilene King (Dew) our Evacuee from Sumatra during WW2 and asked if she would share her experiences with us. What a surprise I got when I received a 65-page book which is copyright Eilene King and Robert Hale (2020). Eilene gave me written permission to edit it, so I have just included the first stage of Eilene’s interesting life in Australia. I am sure you will all find it extremely interesting. Eilene (in her own words) “now lives in the Spanish island of Ibiza. I came here with my then husband in 1971. We were going to do the Mediterranean, but only got to Menorca, then Ibiza, where we only intended to stay for a couple of weeks.

I’ve been here ever since!” (She is 91 years old) Jill Nicholls, Editor

EILENE KING (DEW)” DEWY”

The Evacuation, Highlands School, 1941 “This is a true story written from extracts of my war-time diary and letters to my parents on the other side of the world. I was thirteen years old when it all began.

Lying in the cool hills of Northern Sumatra, near Berastagi, just two hours drive from Medan and a little way from the beautiful Lake Toba, was a most unusual school.

A truly international school, Highlands was started in 1928 by Mr. and Mrs. Cookson.

Mr. Cookson was an English rubber planter, his wife an American, and times were hard in those days. With them was Nenda, the grandmother from Hawaii and it was she who suggested that they take the four children into the Cook Hills of Northern Sumatra and start a little school.

“The school was set in beautiful grounds, acres of green fields, with huge playing fields for hockey, cricket and football, a tennis court, we even had an indoor roller skating rink in a small hall, when not being used for assembly or church service. There were

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daily outings into the surrounding hills in the afternoons. Scattered here and there in these grounds were bamboo and palm huts which were served as class rooms for pupils of various nationalities. Grandmother Nenda sat in the back row of our class.

English pupils were taught in English, Dutch by a Dutch teacher, German and French by their own teachers and a small number of children taught in Danish or Swedish as well. Situated in a Dutch colony, the every day language was Dutch, and each morning we assembled in the school hall with our flags to sing the Dutch National anthem. Meal times we changed around and if we were placed at a “French Table” we were supposed to talk and ask for anything we wanted in French, likewise a German or any other table. Naturally we got around that problem in some way as children do. The utmost luxury at Highlands School were the little ponies and a flourishing riding school run by a strict German riding master. There were daily outings into the surrounding hills in the afternoons. It was a very happy atmosphere.”

War arrives in South-East Asia “At the end of 1941 all was perfect and we were looking forward to the Christmas holidays only days away, when we would be returning to our families, many to Malaya via Penang, others to their homes in Sumatra or Java. But we became aware that something different was happening among our friends the natives. Then we witnessed the cutting of long bamboo poles which were stuck into our playing fields, their upper ends sharpened to points, hopefully to stop the landing of parachutes!

“Until then the war had not affected us too much. But the Japanese had occupied bases in Indo-China and were consolidating their gains. Out of the blue on the 7th December came the terrible news of the destruction of the American fleet at Pearl Harbour, and the invasion of Hong Kong and the Phillipines. The next day the Japanese landed on the coast near Kota Bharu in Kelantan, northern Malaya, and started to proceed south. In the bars of Singapore and up-country, planters and business men sat back calmly sipping their evening “stenghas” (whiskey soda) and gin tonic discussing business, rubber and tin and the arrival of the battle ship, “Prince of Wales” and “Repulse”, reinforced their confidence. The threat of war in South East Asia had been unthinkable as Singapore was regarded as an impregnable fortress, and even at this late hour people in Singapore did not believe they could be attacked and conquered.

“Days passed, the “Prince of Wales” and “Repulse” were sunk. Their destruction was a severe blow and the Japanese advance down through Malaya was rapid. Penang fell on 18th December and Medan, the capital of Sumatra was bombed. Now there was no hope of returning home for the holidays, so with Christmas holidays only a few days ahead, all plans had to be changed and our holidays were postponed “for a week or two”. In fact, we had to spend Christmas at school. Teachers, staff and helpers were marvellous, doing their best to give us all the best Christmas they could under the circumstances.

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“One lunch time the Headmaster sat at a table at the top of the dining room and tapped his glass with a knife and told us that we were to be evacuated till it was all over in possibly a couple of weeks.* As we passed his table some children went to the left and others to the right. The parents of the children to be evacuated had to pay a large sum of money into a bank in Singapore within a matter of hours. The children who were chosen to go to the left were the ones to be evacuated and the others were to remain behind with Mr. Cookson, his son Lynn and Nenda. They were all eventually taken into captivity along with 5,000 Dutch colonials for the bad years.” * Eilene’s diary entry for Tues Jan 6 reads: “We were told at 12 o’clock to pack all our things and be ready at 3.”

Evacuation from Sumatra “Off we evacuees went to our dormitories to pack out cloth kit bags, leaving out a double set of clothing to wear the next day, choosing one precious toy or article to take with us. I had difficulty in choosing between a silk green spotted blouse and my stamp collection! The stamps won, some of which I still have today. Next day we all piled into buses, I think 15 of us with Mrs. Cookson, her young daughter, Susan, and elder daughter, Mary, and perhaps four or five teachers. There was the usual frightening drive from the hills down to Medan - the narrow road wound and hair-pinned down the steep mountainside, at times terrifyingly close to precipitous drops into the valley.

Safely down in Medan, we all stayed the night at the Hotel de Boer and early next day off to the airport where a huge plane awaited us. What excitement! But not when we entered the plane, it was completely empty, no seats, no nothing, so we all sat on our kit bags and away we went down through Sumatra and landed in Batavia (now Jakarta) in northern Java.

“Three other girls and myself found ourselves in the magnificent residence of the British Consul and his wife. We were completely blown away by the splendour of the place, the smartly dressed servants, bearers carrying silver trays with visiting cards, very expensive cars coming back and forth. But to top it all was our first lunch in a huge dining room with a long long table beautifully decorated, with the Ambassador and his wife and others. Around the walls were little men sitting with, I think I recall, strings attached to their toes pulling a great cloth above, our first image of “punka wallahs”. There we stayed in great luxury for a few days, then gathered up with the rest of the group, who had been staying here and there. Once again there was another frightening bus ride into the hills of Megamendong where we were to stay until this little war was settled. Little did we know that the end would not be days or weeks, but years ahead.

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“I think we were in Megamendong for about two weeks, a great holiday. Once again another bus ride, another crazy bus driver, down to the docks of Tanjoeng Priok, where the good ship “Bontekoe” awaited us, that was 16th January, 1942. The Bontekoe was only a small vessel, a Dutch cargo boat which plied its trade over short distances along the Straits of Malacca. With us on board were two Australian servicemen returning from the war in Europe. We were Australia bound. That year by late January Singapore was under intense air attacks and on 15th February the unthinkable happened: Singapore surrendered to the Japanese forces.”

On board the Bontekoe “At the beginning we only sailed by night, from one small port to another. At Telok Betong we stayed two days, and the crew went ashore to collect palm leaves to cover the decks as a kind of camouflage. Then we sailed on, round the headland, past what is left of Krakatoa island and onwards south. We were bound for Perth, Western Australia.

The Bontekoe was totally undefended, and vulnerable to Japanese submarines. When we were well into the voyage, we learned that the ship that had preceded us had been torpedoed and sunk, so our Captain had decided to change course and sail instead for Sydney, by rounding the eastern and southern coasts of Australia, which I guess was the safer route.

“I shared a cabin with Miss Boey. There was a very stormy night and I was in the middle of Gone with the Wind, but needed to go to the loo, away down the darkened passage as the ship was completely blacked out. When I tried to get out of the bathroom door I found it was completely jammed. Panic, fright. What to do? So I took off my pyjama top, turned the light switch off, and took out the bulb with a towel and opened the porthole. (We had had several talks from the Captain about the importance of showing no light). Leaning out, to my good luck I saw a narrow sort of passage way around the side of the ship just below the porthole and right in front of me a long pole leading nowhere. So I thought if I squeeze out of here, grab on to the pole and on to the little deck below. Unfortunately just as I leaned out of the port hole the ship made a huge roll and out I went, but I grabbed onto the pole and somehow got on to the little deck. With the wind howling and cold, and the sea very rough I made my way to the fore of the ship and standing in front of the bridge made all kinds of frantic noises and arms madly waving. I guess they must have thought at first they had seen a ghost! Obviously someone came down and rescued me and took me back to Miss Boey. The following day the Captain gave me some kind of award for being so brave, but above all to have kept the ship in darkness. Shooting out of that port hole is still very vivid to this day.”

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Land ahoy!

“On and on we sailed and early one morning Mrs. Cookson said that we had turned the corner of Australia, as the rising sun had changed position. I believe we sailed south of Tasmania. As a sign of good luck we were followed by an Albatross. Sailing so far south the weather became extremely cold and all we had was our thin summer clothes.

Kindly the crew loaned us their thick blue jackets, all far too big for us, what a sight we looked! It was now nearly sixteen days and we had seen no land at all. Then finally we saw faint blue cliffs in the distance. At last, at 9.30 the next morning, Wednesday 4 February, we anchored just outside the entrance to Sydney Harbour.

Sketch made by by Eilene while on board the Bontekoe THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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“One of the highlights of our journey was Queen Wilhelminas birthday. Much “Bols” Gin was drunk by the crew, and we all had great celebration. Sydney Harbour Bridge in sight and as we were actually sailing towards it we all ducked and screamed as we felt sure the mast would hit the bridge.”

“Years later I learned that the Captain of the Bontekoe had returned to Indonesia to make four further journeys to transport evacuees to Australia. A very brave Captain and crew.”

THE AUSTRALIA YEARS Eilene lands in Australia Eilene recounts...

“We arrived with the head mistress and her daughter and Miss Boey. We got off the ship and then we had a quick little tour around Sydney, and then we went to the railway station because Mrs Cookson had a friend who was in Victoria, who had just arrived in Australia just before us, so we arrived at the station at 5 o’clock or 6 o’clock in the evening. It was rush hour and the station was completely packed, but we were the first evacuees to arrive in Australia, and all stood back in amazement and let through these poor little rag-a-muffin souls with their knapsacks on their backs and their name tags around their necks. We boarded the train and slept overnight and arrived in Melbourne.

Somehow Mrs. Cookson had arranged for Mrs. Lowson, the mother of one of the pupils, to meet us in Melbourne. We caught another train to Geelong, then down to Barwon Heads where she had arranged with various families to accommodate these fifteen children for the time being, a temporary measure till a larger place could be found. Myself and two other girls stayed with a very nice family, and the others were scattered around. We stayed in Barwon Heads for about two weeks until a farm house about 25 miles away was found where the owner said he would be delighted to take these children on to live at the farm house until such time as their parents were able to come and collect them. Everyone we came across was so kind to us. People in Geelong had collected money and bought everything for 22 people - so much was given to us, all new clothes from the Red Cross, some of mine simply ghastly!

Spray Farm “So off we all went to Spray Farm. It was a beautiful old farm house not far from the sea, lovely fields all around, about 12 rooms altogether, and they gave us this part of their home, rent free. We settled in there, and Mrs Cookson formed a little school so we had school days, and none of us had any clothes so we were all kitted out by the Red Cross in various forms of clothing. I remember I had a horrible brown skirt with great big orange squares in it far too big for me, but I was grateful to have anything. Day by 62

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day mothers appeared to collect their sons and daughters. Anxiously we were all awaiting the arrival of our mothers. I wonder how they ever knew where we all were - perhaps via the Red Cross - and were able to get from Perth (where they arrived) across Australia to Spray Farm with very little money. Anyway, we were all at Spray Farm and mothers came and collected their children. One by one we got smaller and smaller and smaller until only myself and three other girls were left whose parents didn’t come.

Margaret Fairley’s parents were drowned when the boat bringing them from Java was torpedoed. Mary Hemsley was there, myself and somebody else I can’t remember. All the other children, fifteen children, were collected by their parents.”

They were attending the Hermitage School in Geelong, so along I went and was enrolled into the Hermitage School, where Mrs Cookson, who had originally brought us from Sumatra, then joined the staff. So, I was an evacuee living with Mr and Mrs Bland and attending the Hermitage School. They bought me an old bicycle and every morning I cycled with their two daughters to the school.

That was the start of my life in Australia.”

The Blands “One day a man who had just come to Australia to open up Caterpillar Tractors came to the farm to talk about the farm equipment, and he enquired what was happening at the farm. On seeing the children, he came over to meet us. Then made it known that, as he and his wife were quite elderly they couldn’t do a great deal for the war effort, but at least they could take in a child. So he saw me and talked to me and said, “I have two daughters about your age. Would you like to be our adopted child for the duration of the war?” Well, I had no other home to go to so I said, yes, that was very nice, so off I went to live with Mr and Mrs Bland, Americans, and their two daughters, Margaret and Catherine.

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Boonoke North and the Falkiners “Sadly Mrs Bland became ill and was no longer able to look after me, so I went as a border at the Hermitage. I don’t remember too much about that except holidays, when various girls took me to stay at their homes for the holidays. I had become particularly friendly with a girl named Patricia Falkiner. She was a lovely girl, one of the first long summer holidays she said, “My grandfather has one of the biggest sheep stations in Australia, in New South Wales, and there will be plenty of room for you to stay.” I was very happy and so off for my first summer holiday I went with Trish to Boonoke North sheep station. Old man Otway Falkiner, well he wasn’t very old, had a delightful Irish wife who had been Lady Someone-or-Other, felt very very sorry for me and took me in and said, yes, you may come every holiday anytime you like, we’d love to look after you.

“So I had a fabulous first summer holiday with Trish riding ponies, going round with the Jackaroos rounding up sheep, looking after the horses, all the things one does on a big sheep station never a moment to get bored. And so for many holidays thereafter, I went to Bonooke North and stayed with Trish and her family. They were really wonderful holidays.

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School days “Then of course I continued to be educated at the Hermitage. I guess I was 12 and left when I was 17. We all had a brown school tunic and a brown or off-brown shirt, and under that we wore bloomers, big brown bloomers with elastic which came just above our knees. They were big bloomers!

“I got the Maggie Cunningham prize as apparently I was the best girl in the school, and won very many prizes for this and that, leadership and such like, and particularly sport.

But I didn’t always see eye to eye with the teachers. Once a teacher was trying to explain something or other to me in algebra, which I didn’t understand, and I just looked up at her, and she said, “What’s wrong Eilene?” and I said, “This is all as clear as mud to me.” And she said, “Please stand up and leave the class.

“I remember once when I was about 14 the Anglican bishop came to confirm some of the girls. He asked me when I had been baptised and when I told him that I had never been baptised, a look of horror passed over his face and he said I had to be baptised as soon as possible. So later that day, when all my class mates had got changed to go for dinner, they saw me still in my school uniform, and there was much surprise and hilarity when I told them I had to go to be baptised. The Headmistress was not too keen on me, but she consented to be my God Mother so that I could be baptised.

“Once a year we had, the teenagers well, the 15 and 16 year-olds... the boys from Geelong grammar came or we went to Geelong grammar, and we had an annual dance. We got ourselves all tarted up and I spent most of the evening dancing with some young boy called Clive. Anyway he thought I was a bit of all right, so he wrote me a letter, well not a love letter, he simply wrote and said how much he enjoyed my company, and he must have ‘said something’ in the letter. But of course because it came from a boy at Geelong Grammar, it was opened, so I was in front of the Headmistress, and I was not to reciprocate, I was not to reply to this letter and I was not to receive any more letters like this and I was not to see this young man, so I was in trouble for having received a slightly what-do-you-call-it letter from this boy.”

In fact, Eilene was popular with the other girls but not with the head mistress...

“I was always in trouble with the head mistress... always!

Oh stupid things... like purposely knocking a tennis ball over the school walls and jumping over the school walls to get the tennis ball, to meet somebody or other.

Stupid little things like that.”

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So she was a bad pupil?

“Well, as far as the head mistress was concerned, yes.”

On the other hand she was made head girl.

“Ah, that was the choice of the other girls but not the head mistress.”

Why does she think she was unpopular with the head mistress?

“I was different to all the other girls.”

So why does she think she was popular with them?

“I suppose because I was different!

And I was a good leader, although I say it myself. In games and discipline and various things.”

Why does she think the head mistress couldn’t recognise that?

“Well, she was a bloody German I think!”

Finally Eilenes’ stay in Australia comes to an end “So there I stayed going from family to family for holidays, mainly to Trish Falkiner’s grandfather’s sheep station, until the time came when at last at long last my mother had arranged that the first ship to leave Australia and come back to Malaya which was April 1946, that I should be on this ship. And I was.

“I enjoyed my school days at The Hermitage. It was April 1946, and I was old enough to appreciate how much we all owed to Mrs. Cookson, having to leave her husband, mother and son behind to be taken prisoners of war, and bring us safely to Australia.”

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Eilene sets sail for Malaya once more “Nearly all my school friends came down to say goodbye to me, and there was clothes rationing and all kinds of rationing in Australia, so I didn’t have much to bring back to Malaya with me, but I was given an Australian soldier’s long green duffle bag which I carried with me, and which now, over 60 years later, I still have.

“On the ship from Melbourne to Perth, we got to Freemantle, which is the port for the city of Perth, I must have been very brave as I decided to get on a bus and go into Perth. So I went into Perth for the morning and on the way back, walking along the street, I saw this little hunchback man and I thought, “That looks like Mr Hobbs” - the father of my two best friends in Malaya before I left for school (in Sumatra). Anyway, I went back to the ship, and later in the afternoon there was a big kerfuffle as these five race horses were being loaded onto the ship. And I looked down and on the quay was this little hunchback man Mr Hobbs. So I dashed down the gang plank to Mr Hobbs, threw my arms around him, and he was absolutely stunned to see me and, you know, what was I doing, where was I going, and I said I’m going back to Malaya, and he said I’m here to send the first five race horses back to Malaya, and I shall be on the next ship coming back to Kuala Lumpur, where I shall see you again.”

Reflections on separation from her parents “All this time I had no idea where my parents were, then one day through the Red Cross I heard that my father had escaped Malaya and was in India. My mother had been on a ship en route to Australia but the ship in front had been torpedoed and was sunk, so our Captain turned right and all passengers, to their surprise, landed in Durban. This was in the beginning. I’m not sure but I think through the Red Cross and the army, my father got to Durban, joined my mother, and then was posted to Nigeria, where they spent the remainder of the war. By then it was impossible to travel between South Africa and Australia, the Japanese had control of the whole of the ocean. So I was in Australia, on my own, and my mother and father were in Nigeria. I heard from them from time to time. I still have some letters where we corresponded with each other but very very infrequently. Then finally because it looked as though the war was coming to an end, my father was recalled by the war office to London to join the first lot of troops to go back and re-capture or release Malaya from the Japanese occupation.

Return to Singapore – A vision of blue It was March of April 1946. I travelled back from Australia with an Australian army kit bag with my clothes and the few possessions that I had. I got to Singapore and there were two ladies on board with me who were travelling to Borneo to join their husbands.

They had never been to the East before. My only memory was the Adelphi Hotel in THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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Singapore, so on leaving the ship I took these two ladies to the Adelphi, and grandly said to the receptionist, “I would like three rooms for a couple of nights”, and he more or less fell about laughing , saying “Don’t you realise there’s been a war on? I can give you three mattresses on the floor somewhere”. Well of course the war didn’t really affect me in Australia. I thought I guess that’s all there is so I accepted, and said “Oh well, all right then, yes,” so stayed there the night.

Somehow or other, I don’t quite know how, I knew that my parents knew that I was arriving on this ship on a certain day, and they would be in Singapore somehow to meet me. They had booked the overnight train from Kuala Lumpur to arrive at Singapore station. Anyway the next day I knew it was the day they should have been arriving, so I… must have been a bit doolally or something or other…I got myself all kitted out in a pale blue crepe dress (made to go to the Melbourne races), high heeled shoes, a fancy matching handbag, masses of makeup, and …I can’t remember…possibly a hat, and in Australia then when one went out one always wore white gloves, so I had long white gloves, and really dolled myself up. I went outside the Adelphi Hotel, and of course there were no taxis, so all dressed up to the nines I climbed into a trishaw. The Chinese rider was somewhat surprised and I said take me to the Station Hotel, so it was quite a long ride, going through the streets of Singapore with everybody looking at me. I got to the station just before the train arrived.

The Station Hotel had been very grand, but a couple of bombs had fallen in and around the station and it was a bit of a mess. The rooms of the hotel were still standing so you could go and have a bit of a swash, not a shower. It was just a bit Shanghai jar with a dipper. There was hardly anybody on the station platform, or people getting off the trains, as the trains had just started again after the war. My mother and father had been on the train all night and were feeling a bit grubby and thought they would go to the hotel and have a shower and smarten themselves up and then meet me.

But as they stumbled out of the train they saw this vision in pale blue standing there, couldn’t quite believe their eyes, and I went over and lovingly greeted them. My father I recognised, who stood there absolutely stunned, but my mother had changed so much I really didn’t know her. Anyway after several minutes of shock, we went and had coffee. Later that evening we caught the train back to Kuala Lumpur, in the mean time I had changed into some sensible shorts and a shirt, packed away my beautiful blue ensemble. Next morning we arrived in Kuala Lumpur to a new life. A couple of months later my father was released from the army, and went back to his civilian job with the government.

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Obituaries: Gladys Bubb (Spark) 17.03.2019

Aged 98 years.

Mum attended The Hermitage and then completed her nursing training at Geelong Hospital. There she was given the name Terry by her colleagues and was subsequently know as Terry Bubb.

She and my father owned and operated Spark Jewellers (Later renamed Timeguard Jewellers) in Moorabool St, Geelong following WW2 until they both retired. All of her children attended The Hermitage and GGS – son Warwick Bubb (deceased) Andrea Bowles (Bubb) and Denise Massoud (Bubb).

Mum would say that she had a wonderful life. She lived for her family and caring for others. She was a tireless volunteer in many community activities and was much-loved by so many people who came in contact with her.

She enjoyed her last couple of years socialising and making new friends as her base moved from Geelong and Lara, and then into care at Vasey RSL Care, Frankston South.

Andrea Bowles (Bubb)

Joy Rainey 17.01.2020 Passed away on January 17 this year in Geelong.

At a Hermitage reunion she sent this story of her life.

After leaving school I started employment as a Technical Assistant, Grade 1 at CSIRO, Division of Textile Industry. I’m not sure if my ambition was to remain there for the rest of my working life and work my way up the ladder, but I married at 19 and my husband was not keen on me working so I left after 2 years. Well, as you can imagine, the marriage did not last and at 21 there was I with a broken marriage, no career, no THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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qualifications and feeling like a total failure. So after a couple of failed reconciliations I decided to travel to the UK as my parents were over there and my father, as in Australia, was involved in motor-sport.

I did not have any great desire to be involved in the sport as my confidence level was at such a low that I thought no matter what I became involved with then it would certainly fail.

With a strong desire to learn Italian I enrolled for a three month course at the Universita per Stranieri, Perugia. For the first time in my life I enjoyed studying so much that I stayed for an extra five months. On returning to the UK I studied for two A levels then for a BA in Social Science. At school I wasn’t the greatest scholar but in my early thirties I enjoyed every minute of my studies and best of all, my confidence level soared after graduation.

During my final year I entered a motor race meeting. My parents were in Australia at the time and I thought that if I made a fool of myself then I wouldn’t have any explaining to do. But I won and that started me off on rather a long and fortunately successful motor sport career.

To finance my studies I worked part-time teaching English as a Foreign Language then discovered a need for a language school in Guildford, Surrey. In 1976 the Language Centre of Guildford was started where I remained for nine years before selling out.

With another broken relationship to my record I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t suitable for relationships, the motor racing seemed to get in the way. From then on I decided that work and motor sport would be my main activities and I would never become emotionally involved again. That situation lasted for just two years – then I met Trevor. He also raced in the same motor sport discipline as me and we slowly became friends and then after a couple of years decided to buy a house together.

I became involved in a business venture with a fellow Australian but it all went wrong and I was forced to retire from my motor sport activities.

For the next eight years I worked hard to overcome my financial difficulties then in 2001 I was invited to compete at Shelsley Walsh – it was the 100th Anniversary of the promoting car club and I was still a record holder at the venue. At last I was ready for a comeback!

When we tried to push my racing car out from the garage the engine, the back axle, gearbox were all locked up from lack of use so it meant a total re-build in just five months.

I thought the re-build would make a nice story for the motoring supplement of

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The Daily Telegraph (Britain’s best-selling broadsheet newspaper) so I submitted a piece and to my surprise, the Motoring Editor phoned to say he liked the idea and commissioned me to write a weekly half page feature for 17 weeks. That was the start of my new career.

After competing at the invited race meeting I decided that the magic wasn’t there anymore but I wanted to drive different cars in a variety of events. The London to Sydney Marathon came to mind so Trevor decided we would use a very unlikely car and chose a 1970 Morris Minor. My Telegraph readers loved the idea and we spent a year preparing the car just for the event and yes, we successfully drove the 10,000 miles without any trouble at all.

Our next long-distance rally was in South America in 2006 and finally 2008 an event in India, driving a locally made Hindustan Ambassador.

Just after the last event, Trevor was diagnosed with cancer and on 27th October 2009 he passed away. I lost my soul mate, the best friend I ever had and also my husband.

We were together 26 wonderful years.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I have decided that as winter in the UK is not my favourite season, I am coming back to Geelong for 3 months for some sunshine and reminiscing.

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Margaret Ganly Our oldest student of The Hermitage passed away aged 104.

Here is her Eulogy by her two daughters.

Carleen: I can’t imagine a world without mum. I never believed she would actually ever go from us. At the moment I can’t imagine moving on without her. It is impossible for me to explain what my mum and I had together and the friendship that we shared all my adult life. I had a happy childhood and have lots of memories I could share about that life, but it is my adult years that are the ones we really shared. The last seven months while mum was in the nursing home were really hard but they still contained wonderful moments, right up to the last few days. When she said to the nurse a few weeks ago, “104, pee on the floor”, both the nurse and I had to sit down for laughing.

The care and love she received in the nursing home were absolutely wonderful.

Marg: Mum was born on 7/7/1915 to Nellie (7th daughter) and Norman (7th son) and evidence of the love that would have been in that home will be remembered for ever in the hundreds of love letters that mum’s mother kept all her life. Norman and Nellie courted for 10 years and the love letters continued after they were married and Norman went to France in 1916. He never returned and is buried in Dernancourt cemetery in France. Mum and her brother Harold were left with a grieving mother and very little money. The RSSILA (Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia which was formed in 1916) had insufficient land for all the widows so names were randomly drawn. Her mother was lucky to be one of those people. As a result she was able to have a home built by her brothers-in-law. The house still stands today. The charitable ladies of Geelong (The Patrios) sent mum to the Hermitage so she had a fine education.

Carleen: Nellie’s wonderful brother Bill became dad to mum and his wife Aggie became a second mother. She was surrounded by love. As Nellie was one of 12 children there were cousins in abundance and mum had a wonderful childhood of friendship with all these cousins. These friendships lasted throughout the life of each of her cousins. The glue that kept all the family together was the beach house that mum’s grandfather created in the last decade of the 19th Century. The Joseph H. Scammell was wrecked off the Torquay front beach in 1891 and Grandfather William bought the deckhouse and made a holiday home for his family. This house has stayed in the family for 129 years with Uncle “dad” Bill as the second owner, his wife Ag the third and mum the next. My sister and I had wonderful childhoods with cousins there and to this day it is the meeting place for family and our friendships with our cousins have continued throughout our lives. Without mum’s love of the Scammell it would not be there today.

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Above: Margaret Ganly with daughters Carleen Thoernberg and Margaret McKay and at the 2016 Tower Luncheon

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She has put time, imagination and money into the Pride family home. We were so grateful that we were able to keep her living there until 7 months ago. We celebrated her 100th birthday there and were able to take her home to celebrate her 104th birthday.

Marg: The 1940 bushfire which devastated much of Torquay stopped at the Scammell fence and mum pregnant with me fought the fires with wet sacks and a hose and was very cross that I didn’t remember the occasion. During the Second World War mum was left to care for the Scammell and the house in Geelong and about five elderly maiden aunts and a widowed mother while our father was away in Darwin. She spent much time at a family farm in Anakie called Dornoch taking the role of men by rounding up sheep, bailing hay, milking cows and generally being a girl Friday around the place.

I remember being scared of everything, especially the dogs and the chooks. This was a place where mum spent time as a child. One day, when riding her horse, the horse bolted and rounding the corner found that the gate was shut, the horse stopped.

Unfortunately mum continued over the gate. Bedraggled, scratched and limping back to the house with the horse the comment from the aunties was “You’re late for dinner.

Where have you been?” When told what had happened the only comment was “Is the horse all right?”

In 1948 I contracted polio. This caused much trouble for the family as we had no car and a sickly father from the war and I had a three year old sister and mum spent many months for the next years taking me backwards and forwards to the Geelong hospital.

Scammell parties were an embarrassment if we had boyfriends there. Mum frequently descended down the stairs dressed in a tutu or a bathing suit. Mum had a mad friend who joined mum in many silly episodes. On one occasion when we were living in a flat in Kew mum and her friend heard about a party we were having. Mum drove her Morris Minor car up to Melbourne with her friend to join the party. We were horrified and made them stay in the corner. They slept on the floor.

Lighting fires was a family passion. I remember down at Torquay one weekend mum decided to clear some of the bushes along the fence. Unfortunately the fire got out of control and before the fire brigade came neighbours were descending on us trying to put it out. Mum was passionate about cooking chops anywhere but in the kitchen. Dad hated this. One occasion when driving mum to Queensland we stopped at a camping ground because it was raining. Mum wanted to cook her chops on her little stove so she stood outside in the rain with an umbrella over her cooking her chops while I sat in the car hoping no one was watching.

Carleen: Mum was well-known all over Torquay and everyone noticed when she stopped going up the street to shop and pay her bills. I am asked regularly by the bank teller, the checkout lady at IGA, the lady in the post office etc. how she is and told THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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how much they miss her. I think the most remarkable thing about my mum was that everyone who knew her or met her loved her. She never had a negative relationship with anyone. I wish I had bottled her recipe for being so loved and also for never being ill. She had an ear infection when she was 11, gave birth to two children in hospital back in the 1940s, had cataract surgery in her 80s and broke a leg bushwalking with me in her 90s (as you do). She never had a real illness. Her secret was never staying still, caring for others, working hard physically, eating lots of fruit and veggies and having a stiff gin and tonic every day. I love telling the story of mum breaking her leg down the Jarosite Track in her mid 90s, ending up with 13 men down there with her. A man from the nearest house turned up with a wheelbarrow stuffed with cushions to try and bring her out of the valley. As well there were three friends, Mike (my partner), two policemen and finally the SES men and two ambulance men. When we told the policemen we thanked them and we were now OK to get her out, one refused to leave as he was having too much fun.

Carleen: Mum loved the bush and the beach with a passion. She and I spent decades wandering rough tracks and bush bashing to get to remote beaches. The Otways were her favourite place on earth and we discovered Shelley Beach before there was a track there as well as wonderful Crayfish Bay. Mum and I camped at Johanna for many years with just a two woman tent and a driftwood fire. She loved sleeping in the tent and was dreaming of this right until her last weeks. Mum and I collected gem stones from wild Moonlight Beach in the Otways over several decades and she bought a tumbler and polished them all herself. She also loved collecting shells and we have bowls and jars full of cowries all over the house. Finding Cowries is a family tradition. The family cry was always “sixpence for the first cowrie”.

She also loved going to Magnetic Island and Michael, mum and I went there every winter for many years up until a year and a half ago. One of her statements a few weeks ago was that it was probably a bit far to go to Magnetic Island this year! We stayed with the same people every time and they loved her so much they didn’t charge her anything in later years. Mum and I went on many adventures. We went to the Kimberleys on a camping trip and made lifelong friends with a couple on that trip. We also went to Darwin, Alice Springs, Uluru etc on an adventure. We had to get a new passport for mum to go to Pensri’s wedding in New Zealand and this required a new marriage certificate being purchased as hers was so old it was the wrong size paper.

Foolscap went out with button up boots it appears.

Marg: But the best times of all were the Otway visits each year with my sister, mum and me. We stayed for many years with Joan and Clive who became great friends and after they sold their lovely home we stayed at Bimbi Caravan Park. Mum could never miss an occasion to go in the water. On one occasion, when we three girls were down on deserted Crayfish Bay without our bathers, mum and I stripped and started

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paddling in the too cold to swim water. Before we could change our minds and get dressed we heard a lot of jeering and cheering from the cliff top. To our horror about 30 secondary school students were walking along the top of the cliff with their cameras.

I have never seen a 98 year old to go under six inches of water so fast searching for seaweed to wrap herself in. The photographs of this event have been left out of the visual presentation to come. Mum often said the word Bimbi when she was having a confused moment in her last weeks. We had great meals, hilarious card games and too many gin and tonics. A picture of mum playing cards is in our photo presentation to come. On another occasion in the Otways she gate-crashed a university archaeology dig claiming to be me. When people started to comment that she didn’t look like Margaret Mckay she just kept moving her tent to a new place until, after conning a ride on the flying fox, she thought she’d better make herself scarce. I had some explaining to do back at the university when I couldn’t produce my notes about the dig because I hadn’t gone. On another occasion she came with my archaeology group down to Cape Otway lighthouse where we became lost on a walk and were locked out of the camp after dark. My husband and I were concerned about mum when we found the gate locked. “No problem” said mum, and she scaled over the high gate and demanded her gin and tonic when she got into the camp. Not the least bit perturbed that a search party had been out looking for us.

Carleen: Mum went to work in 1952 enabling us to have music, ballet, swimming activities etc and to go to Morongo. Because of her many skills and working life mum was able to manage all her own finances and do her own tax until she was 100. Her shorthand skills however were the bane of the family as she recorded recipes, bank details and other things in shorthand – which none of us can read to this day. Mum got a driving licence in her 50s, took up golf in her 50s, took up pottery in her 60s, just to mention a few things.

Also during the 1960s mum and dad started to travel. They went all over Australia and made numerous trips to Europe up until they were in their early 80s.

Mum was a very clever lady. She was a prolific writer of poetry and stories and with her friend Gay and others went to writing group for years. Even on her 100th birthday mum wrote a poem to give to people and that is in your order of service. You will hear some of these poems today. Mum studied Chinese History, English and Australian Literature, Geography and Classical Studies in her mature years. She even did a Classical Studies unit at Deakin University in her 70s but we had to stop her doing more subjects as dad wanted her to come out of her study occasionally. Mum and I went to Greece to visit Agamemnon’s grave and look at the wonderful gold mask. There are many stories from our time in Greece – too many for today.

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Marg: When I received a midnight phone call saying that mum was sinking, Brian and I leapt out of bed at our Daylesford house and Brian drove furiously through the forests to get us to mum. Passing through Anakie near the Dornoch farm where mum and I had spent parts of her life we received the message that mum had gone. Time and place linked. Farewell mum.

Carleen: Mum you will never be forgotten. Nothing will ever be the same again for us.

Thank you for your friendship and all the memories.

This is a piece that Margaret wrote about her school days.

Miss Davies - A Class Act Miss Davies walked into Form V, bracing herself as usual. These girls were about the worst she had ever had to cope with. There was something amiss today in the eerie quietness as she walked down the centre aisle and up to her desk on the platform.

Homework notebooks were neatly piled before her chair and she eased her considerable bulk down after the customary exchange of “good mornings”.

Work proceeded more or less in an orderly fashion, as French verbs were recited and other routine exercises performed. Then Miss Davies set the girls to work on a translation from “Contes et Legendes” while she intended to correct notebooks.

It was a lovely day outside and she sighed for a release of a day to herself out there.

She knew she was too soft to handle these budding adolescents. The first few notebooks were not too bad, some a bit careless. Then came that Ursula girl’s – what now? It opened at a bulky place and there, glued to the page, was a French Letter.

Miss Davies went white and then put her hand over her eyes as the class exploded. A sudden hush! There in the doorway stood Miss Morres, the headmistress in her flowing black gown, face expressionless.

Deathly silence!

Ursula banished from the school. Miss Davies got the girls through their exams and then she moved on.

Margaret Ganly

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School Memories I went to Miss Cathcarte until I was seven and then to the Hermitage. A group of women called “The Patrios” formed the Geelong Society and raised funds to educate the children of deceased soldiers. Repatriation paid for the books and the “Patrios” paid for the school fees. One Patrio was Clarys Taylor. They had the holiday house opposite Conquest’s house in Anderson Street. Eunice Gyles was another and she had been in the orchestra with Norman. I learned piano from her but we didn’t have a piano so not much practice got done. I had to go to practise on the piano at Aberdeen Street in the front room. I felt self-conscious practising there.

When I went to the Hermitage I was put into Grade 2 but I was very behind - 18 months they said. However, by the end of 3rd grade I was Dux and was given the Miss Ramsay Prize.

The teacher Miss Ramsay liked me because the year before when I had gone home for lunch Pace was not there so I had gone to the aunties and mum was there crying because she’d lost her pension. The aunties fed me and I went back to school crying.

Nancy Stevens told Miss Ramsay in her lunch hour that Margaret Burn was crying. She came to see what was wrong and I said that my mum had lost some money and she said ‘your daddy will get some more” and I said “I haven’t got a father”.

In 4th grade I had the ear abscess and missed six weeks so at the end of the year I was not placed. I was terribly distressed that I was not going to get a prize but got a special prize from the very caring Dr Newman – The Gift of Dr Newman. It was a book of Stories from Dickens. When I got back to school after the operation Miss Morres (the principal) came into class and had me moved to sit near the fire. Before I got sick I was studying French vocabulary at home and had been cast as Little Red Riding Hood in the play of the same name. They had the play without me. It was only a class play. Miss King was the teacher and she set us the essay topic of “How to darn a sock”.

In a geography class we were told that the Asians eat lots of rice because it is cheap.

Ursula said “is that why we get so much here?”.

Miss Phillips was the 4th form teacher and Upper 4th Form had Miss Barnes. Miss Barnes was there when I was enrolled and was still there 8 years later. Most of the women were war fiancés who had lost their men. Miss Hope taught literature. Miss Davies was the form teacher for the 5th Form. In 1931 Miss King loaned me a special map for geography. The teachers were disappointed when I decided to leave in 1932 to do a business course at the Gordon. I was working at Dennys Lascelles by July on the switchboard. I’d had practice at the Geelong telephone exchange so got the job on the telephone exchange at Dennys. I taught Molly Ganly the switch in 1933 and then worked in the General Office in 1934.

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Deaths Helen Botterill 1937, Died 26th February 2020 Heather Bridge 1968, Died 2nd March 2019 Helen Brodie (Middleton) 1949. Died 24th Dec. 2019 Gladys Bubb (Spark) 1937, Died 17th March 2019 Marion (Joy) Burgess (Robinson) 1948, Died August 2019 Helen Carter (McCallum) 1949, Died 31st March 2019 Nannette Cowey (George) 1953, Died November 2018 Margaret Ganly (Burn) 1931, Died January 4th 2020 Mary Gathercole (Stott) 1949, Died 6th September 2019 Susan (Sue) Hutchinson (Keating) 1958, Died 28th July 2019 Stella Kelly (Oswald) 1956, Died 24 May 2019 Dianne Shirley Lord (Jacobs) 1961, Died 25th Nov. 2019 Helen Spencer Mayor nee Nall (Hermitage 1926-39) on 20 February 2020 Rosemary (Robin) Pollard (Smith) 1956, Died 16th Dec 2018 Sallie Ramsay (White) 1956, Died Dec. 2019 Joy Rainey 1960, Died 17th Jan 2020 Mary Schrader (Saffin) 1963, Died 30th Died 2016 Bernice Pauline Sizer (Vane) 1957, Died 6th January 2020 Isabelle (Coonie) Smith (Rye) 1964, Died 16th June 2019 Heather Weiss (Green) 1953 Died 10th January 2020

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Bereavements Andrea Bowles, Denise Massoud (Bubb) – Mother Marie Duff (Wigley) – Husband Beverley Foster (Smith) – Sister–In-Law Doreen George – Sister Robin Gorringe (Saffin) – Sister Catherine Hallam (Kirby) – Husband Anne Norton (Middleton) – Sister Ro Noone (Norton) – Aunty Janet Oates (McCallum) – Sister Vanda Steel (Hocking) – Husband Jan Shea-Simonds (White) – Sister Bronwyn Sizer – Mother Nyda Skene (Vane) - Sister Angela Worthy (Campbell) - Husband

THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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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!

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL

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young oak tree grows outside The Hermitage House at Corio. The sapling is small but its roots go deep; it is the offspring of an oak planted in 1910 by Elsie Morres, the founding headmistress of The Hermitage.

The tree stood for strength and grace and wisdom.

It sheltered generations of Hermitage girls and witnessed the school’s changing fortunes for more than 60 years.

Oaks may endure but the School did not. The original tree at Pakington Street is long gone, but its scion grows bravely here on Corio Bay. It carries the spirit of the old school in its arms and casts its acorns into the future.

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Above: Images of Merimbula during the bushfires, taken by Lou Harrison (Stanbury)

The Hermitage Church of England Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong news letter 2020

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THE HERMITAGE OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER — GEELONG GRAMMAR SCHOOL