Extraordinary Women
First Alumni Twilight Tour Our Old Girls take a walk down memory lane
Sun safety message from our very own survivor Amelia Davies-Waddell (2017)
From the President of the Alumni Committee Amanda Yaksich Alumni Committee President The Penrhos Alumni Committee has enjoyed an exciting, rewarding and successful year, keeping our alumni community well-connected through a busy calendar of 2019 events. We kicked off the year with our annual Shakers and Stirrers networking get-together, held in conjunction with the Wesley Old Boys at the Windsor Hotel. We look forward to another great night with old friends on Friday, 21 February 2020. Please keep an eye on social media for further details and be sure to RSVP. We hosted our annual High Tea in June, which always presents current parents and alumni with a lovely opportunity to gather over a delicious ‘high tea’ style lunch. We are already busily preparing for next year’s new look event, a Gin Soirée on Saturday, 28 March 2020 – save the date, we’d love to see you there! The much-loved Mother-Daughter dinner is always a highlight of the Year 12 calendar and this year’s event was a truly memorable evening for our 2019 Leavers and their mums. The Llew Woodford Function Centre was transformed once again with flowers and twinkling lights, as we welcomed the Year 12 girls into our alumni community.
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This year, we added three exciting new events to the alumni calendar. An Alumni Soiree on the opening night of the College Production gave Old Girls an opportunity to enjoy a pre-show drink and mingle with familiar faces before enjoying Matilda the Musical. In September, we presented the daughters of our alumni who are attending Penrhos with a special badge to wear on their blazer, to symbolise the students’ multigenerational relationship with the College at a special presentation attended by their families. In November, we held our inaugural Alumni Twilight Tour, at which we walked more than 50 of our alumni around the campus and down memory lane before gathering to share stories over wine and cheese in the Colwyn Centre. We have held many wonderful reunion events through the year, including our first ever Reunion for Boarders. The Classes of 2010, 2000, 1990, 1980 and 1970 will celebrate their 10 Year Reunions in 2020, and the Class of 2018 will come together for their 18-month Leavers’ Reunion.
Congratulations to recent graduate, Felicity Lindquist, who was recipient of the Endeavour Award in 2019. This Alumni Committee funded award provides financial support to a Year 12 student who aspires to achieve something extraordinary in the community. Felicity’s ‘Derby Early Learning Chicken Program’ involves the construction of a chicken coop with nesting boxes by secondary students in Mowanjum, to help the younger students develop responsibility through care of chickens in the ELC. We look forward to hearing more on the outcomes of this thoughtful endeavour. As I put the pen down on my last report as President, I would like to say what an honour and privilege it has been to lead the Alumni Committee over the last 10 years. My time has now come to step down and I would like to sincerely thank the many members of the Penrhos alumni community who have made this such a wonderful experience. Our new President was confirmed at the Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Committee last month and I look forward to continuing to serve you as a Committee Member under the leadership of Helen Carr (1995).
Inaugural Alumni Twilight Tour — our Old Girls take a walk down memory lane
Biannual magazine for the Penrhos Alumni community
Extraordinary Women… and a few good men
More than 50 alumni were welcomed back to Penrhos in November for our inaugural Alumni Twilight Tour, which started in the Chapel with a welcome from Principal Meg Melville and Alumni President Amanda Yaksich. Old Girls from a wide range of graduating years enjoyed hearing about some of the changes which have taken place over recent years — one keen-eyed alum added to the list, by correctly pointing out that the carpet in the Chapel was also new!
In recognition of the members of our Alumni who studied with us as boys (1952– early 1980s)
Contents
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From the President of the Alumni Committee
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Inaugural Alumni Twilight Tour — Our Old Girls take a walk down memory lane
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Alumni profile: Amelia DaviesWaddell (2017)
It was hard to balance out how much our alumni felt things had changed with how familiar they still felt everything was. In the end, everyone was happy to head back to the Colwyn Centre to continue reminiscing over mini Chunions and other refreshments.
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Enduring community and Alumni Committee members
We are keen to build on the success of this event, so watch out for details of the next tour in 2020 when we hope to tour even more of our Old Girls then.
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Out and about
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Photo gallery: Alumni events
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Reunions
Alumni staff members guided groups around the campus and pointed out new additions and changes as well as outlining future plans. Everyone chimed in to share their own personal stories and memories. At various points on the tour, guests met with students from the 2020 Student Council to hear about current day experiences and all enjoyed the opportunity to compare experiences as current and former students of the College.
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Meg Melville welcoming the group in the Chapel Maggie Marshall (Eliot 2005), Briallen Clarke (2005) and Chardae Indrisie (2005) Ivy Burford, Adelle Schotte (2005) and Melissa du Heaume (Burford 2005) Jaye Lewis (Norrish 1995), Susie Finch (1995) and Nikki Vassiliou (1995)
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Vale Chloe Cutts, Isabella De Bari and Lise Summers
COVER PHOTO Amelia Davies-Waddell (2017) 3
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Sun safety message from our very own survivor Amelia Davies-Waddell (2017) With summer well and truly with us, we share Amelia’s inspirational journey of overcoming melanoma, raising awareness on sun safety, and plans to work in medical research and oncology. Six years ago, Amelia Davies-Waddell was celebrating her twelfth birthday and looking forward to the Christmas holidays, having completed her first year at Penrhos as a Year 7 student. A pimple-like pink spot near Amelia’s left elbow had troubled her mother for some time, despite the reassurances of several doctors. Eventually, a dermatologist agreed to perform a biopsy in the run-up to Christmas. 1 “Just two days before Christmas, my mum was told it was malignant spitz melanoma, which is very rare, particularly in children.” Amelia learned of the results a few days later and had a PET scan and oncology appointment before the new year.
“I’m so grateful that my parents chose not to tell me until after Christmas, and so I had the gift of one more normal cancer-free Christmas, before life would change for ever.” “As a child I was very close with my Granny, who had passed away from cancer just 18 months before, so I was terrified of anything to do with medicine or going to the doctor.” “I remember sitting in the waiting room, for the first time being faced with the reality that kids get cancer, seeing children with nasal gastric tubes, missing limbs, scars down the back of their heads from where brain cancers had been removed. It broke my heart.”
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Amelia counts herself lucky that her treatment didn’t require chemo; instead, she had several surgeries, including the removal of lymph nodes from her left arm which left her with ongoing neuropathic pain due to nerve damage. “For years after I was diagnosed, I had regular PET scans and ultrasounds. It is now almost six years postdiagnosis and I don’t require as much monitoring anymore. However, I will continue to have regular skin-checks in hospital for the rest of my life. There is an 80% higher chance of me getting melanoma in the future, which means I have to be extremely cautious about sun-safety and regularly have any suspicious lesions or spots removed.” Amelia missed some school due to her various appointments and treatment; she couldn’t participate in co-curricular activities or to join her friends in many normal activities. “Cancer can be an isolating experience, and it really changes the way you view the world. After diagnosis, I could no longer be carefree and assume that bad things wouldn’t happen to me, because I became so aware that life is very fragile.” Amelia hopes that, by sharing her story, she might save other young women from the same terrifying and painful experience. “Melanoma is serious and, even when it’s cured, the experience has a negative impact that lasts for the rest of your life. The sun exposure we get when we’re young is the most critical, and no sun-tan is worth it— it’s always worth the time and effort it takes to be sun-safe, it might just save your life.”
Although she says she always had a love of learning, particularly Science, Amelia believes her desire to study Medicine was from her own experience, from a desire to apply the empathy and insights she gained through having cancer to help others.
Council Melanoma Ambassador and aim to promote melanoma awareness and sun-safety to young people and the general public.” As part of her role, Amelia has appeared on Channel 7 News and featured in the West Australian to share her story and promote melanoma awareness. She has also appeared on Today Tonight promoting the Cancer Council SunSmart Schools program, and on ABC radio’s Focus program as part of a panel discussion on sun-safety and melanoma. Amelia hopes to build on and continue this work into the future.
“I was fortunate to have a great oncologist who showed me what a difference having a good doctor can make during a difficult time. For me, the silver lining has to be in helping others through my own experiences.” Having been awarded a General Exhibition in 2017 as one of the 50 top performing students in WA and graduating from Penrhos at only 15 years of age, Amelia is now studying Medical Sciences with direct entry into Medicine at UWA.
Amelia also spends her spare time visiting schools to share her story. “It’s really rewarding work. If, by sharing my experience, I can reach even a small number of young people and encourage them to adopt more sun-safe behaviours and reduce their risk, then that’s at least a good outcome from what I’ve been through.”
“I want to pursue medical research too; I want to help come up with better, more effective and safer ways of treating and diagnosing cancer. I am currently volunteering at the Melanoma Research Group Lab at ECU, where they’re working to develop a blood test which can be used to detect melanoma. I love my time in the lab – it’s fascinating.”
“As young women, I think we receive a lot of pressure to look a certain way, and I want to share that it’s never worth getting cancer. Young girls and women should love and embrace their natural skin tone – a suntan isn’t worth the risk of melanoma. It’s important to limit UV exposure, cover up from the sun and wear sunscreen when outdoors. These are small changes that can make a big difference. Everyone should also be aware of any changes to their skin and get anything unusual looked at by your doctor, it could save your life.”
Amelia was awarded the Alumni Endeavour Award when she graduated from Penrhos, for her proposal to promote sun-safety and melanoma awareness. “I think as a young person who’s had a malignant melanoma, I’m uniquely positioned to spread the message to other young people. I’m also now the Cancer
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Amelia promoting sun-safety and melanoma awareness Amelia presenting her proposal for the Alumni Endeavour award at the 2018 Alumni High Tea Amelia with her family
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Enduring community and Alumni Committee members Penrhos College alumni are connected by their shared values and experiences. The Alumni Committee is made up of graduates who are dedicated to creating opportunities for Old Girls to engage and re-engage with the College, their fellow alumni and the broader College community. We are proud to celebrate enduring community members and to recognise their exceptional contributions in support our alumni community. 1 2 3 4
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At the Alumni High Tea Amanda Yaksich (1977) Loretta Dease (1961) Members of the Alumni Committee
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Amanda Yaksich (Watson, 1977) After 10 years at the helm, President Amanda Yaksich recently announced her decision to retire from leadership, although she will continue as a valued member of the Alumni Committee. Amanda brought her signature energy and enthusiasm to her tenure as Alumni Committee President, championing a range of events and initiatives to bring alumni together. Amanda delivered the highly successful Shakers and Stirrers annual networking event with Wesley Old Boys each year and partnered with the College Community Engagement team in supporting new initiatives in 2019 such as the Alumni Twilight Tour and Opening Night Alumni Soiree at the College Production. Amanda is also famously responsible for the Alumni Endeavour Award, which is designed to support initiatives presented by Year 12s to benefit the broader community, for delivery in their first year following graduation. “In her time as President, Amanda has encouraged the Alumni Committee to always look for new ways to help graduates feel connected to the College and to each other,” incoming President Helen Carr (1995) said. “Whether considering initiatives to interest alumni in
Loretta Dease (1961) their first year past graduation, or in their golden years beyond graduation, Amanda always has the distinctive values of Penrhos at the forefront of her heart and mind.” The Alumni Memorial Garden, which opened one year ago, is the highlight of Amanda’s tenure. “We are so proud to have been able to support the creation of this special place – a beautiful garden in which to honour and respect a loved one, who is no longer with us”, said Amanda of the project featured in the Winter edition of the 2018 Penrhosian. Looking to the future, Amanda will continue her fantastic work with the Alumni Committee with the launch of a new initiative in 2020 to help raise funds for the new Science Innovation Centre. Amanda’s idea is to create an ‘alumni look-out’ on the top deck of the new Centre, with a view across campus, to symbolise the role of the ever-present alumni in looking after current Penrhos students. Further details will be shared in the new year, when Amanda will be seeking just 250 proud members of our alumni community to add their names to a memorial plaque and to raise the $75,000 required for naming rights to the deck.
As a past President and Committee Member for a tremendous 60 years, Loretta’s history of involvement with the College and the Alumni Committee has been both exceptional and invaluable. Loretta has been a wonderful supporter of many events and initiatives over the years, and we are sincerely grateful for her continued contribution to our alumni community. Natalie Freeman (1984) When Natalie attended her first AGM in 1990 and put her hand up to act as Secretary, she could not have expected to be still in the role thirty years later! “The Committee, obviously, has changed over the years, and I’ve been very fortunate to have worked alongside some extraordinary members of our alumni community” says Natalie. Known as a diligent and reliable team player, with a great sense of humour and a wealth of operational with regard to Committee business, we are indebted to Natalie for her ongoing commitment to the engagement of our alumni community.
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Out and about After a lifetime of travel and working in an array of jobs, Bindi Pritchard (1982) has recently published her first collection of short stories entitled Fabulous Lives – a collection of short stories that embraces people with all their frailties and strengths, as they reach critical junctures in their life. Fabulous Lives recently launched in Perth and London where Bindi, supported by twin sister Karyl Nairn (1982), was delighted to reconnect with dear Penrhos friends. Bobbi Hunt (Hubbard 1985) and husband Greg are busy juggling their pharmacy business and four children, Lexi, Sarah, Fraser and Adam. Bobbi enjoys regular catch ups with school friends and is pictured below with 1985 leavers, Fiona Schwab (Smith), Naomi van Bentum (Hillam), Denise Annand (Sharp), Kathy Whitley (Saleeba) and Anthea Metcalfe (Hughes). We love to hear from our multi-generational families and it’s very special to see once familiar student faces returning to campus as parents. Former Rome Captain Sally Sanderson (Cole 1989) and husband Ash live on their farm in Kalannie with their three children, Olly, Zac and Ruby. Sally runs a busy private podiatry practice, Wheatbelt Podiatry, and has enjoyed working as a volunteer podiatrist in NE Arnhem with SOS Health Foundation. Sally’s daughter Ruby will join the Penrhos Boarding House in 2020 and Sally says attending the recent Orientation Day felt like “coming home”. Leila Jeffreys (1989) features in her own ABC documentary “Bird nerd: the art of Leila Jeffreys” which follows her journey as a beloved bird photographer. Her work has gained international traction, with her exhibitions travelling to Sydney, London and New York. After graduation, 1995 leaver Gina Cacho (Fowler) qualified as a Physiotherapist, working in both Perth and
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The Marketing & Development Office invites Alumni members to contribute to The Penrhosian magazine by emailing news items to alumni@penrhos.wa.edu.au. We publish Alumni submissions in good faith, with a view to sharing and celebrating good news.
London, and undertaking studies in Business and Positive Psychology. Gina married fellow Physiotherapist Tony Cacho in 2001 and the couple now have four children — Lilian, Willoughby, James and Maxwell Cacho. The family has also lived in Spain, taking an 18-month sabbatical to renovate Tony’s family home. Lilian, the eldest child, is a Year 6 student at Penrhos. After leaving Penrhos, Toni Woodcock (2001) graduated with a BSc in Analytical Chemistry with honours in Forensic Science. Toni worked at Analytical Reference Laboratories (ARL) for eight years, before moving to Hamilton, New Zealand in 2014 to work for Hill Laboratories. Tessa Parkinson (2003) was inducted into the WA Hall of Champions in October in recognition of her incredible sailing experiences over the last five years, including her Gold Medal at the Olympics. Olivia Carter (2005) married Murray Walsh in September 2019 at the Mount Lawley Bowling Club. Olivia is pictured here celebrating her big day with fellow 2005 alumni Imogen Williams, Briallen Clarke, Nyomi Gunasekera, Esther Dawkins and Vanessa Hancock. Briallen Clarke (2005) has been working as an actor in Sydney since graduating from NIDA in 2010. Briallen moved to Los Angeles in mid-2018 to pursue career opportunities, only to then book up for a television series back in Perth! Briallen appeared in Season 1 of ‘The Heights’ on ABC and has been back in Perth filming Season 2 for the past few months. Keep an eye out for Bri on the ABC in early 2020! Amy Vitale (Calneggia 2005) and husband, Wesley Old Boy Stephen Vitale were delighted to welcome their first child, son Matteo Michael Vitale on 8 April 2019.
Clare Walshe (Rodoreda 2005) and her husband Tom celebrated the arrival of their first child, Lucas John Walshe, on 14 August 2019. Clare is a Science teacher at Penrhos, and we wish her a wonderful maternity leave with her new bundle of joy. Riding the success of their small business on South Perth foreshore, Maddie Russell (2005) and partner Andrew Moyes, founders of THE ACAI CORNER have opened a second store in Claremont. After being named one of the best food trucks in the world by Lonely Planet, their new store in Claremont now has the biggest range of acai and smoothie bowls in Perth. Inspired to start the small business and retire from their corporate careers three years ago after a trip around the world, they are passionate about bringing healthy, nutritious food to Perth. Verity Williams (2008) Perthbased civil and construction engineer was named Roads Australia’s Young Professional of the Year for demonstrating “promise, passion and pursuit” in her work. Verity will now continue as an ambassador for Roads Australia and Arup over the next year. Congratulations to Lara Scaddan (2009) who enjoyed an eye-catching victory in the Kulin Cup with her horse Gunsmoke at the regional Kulin Bush Races in early October. Congratulations to Hannah Carlton (2009) on her recent wedding to Matt Richards at Lamont’s Bishops House. Pictured here with sisters Phebe (2013) and Breanna (2007). Michelle Hodgson (2009) enjoyed reminiscing with classmates at the recent 10 Year Reunion. Michelle and fellow alumni Christina DePiazzi (2009) and Mirna Dorkhom (2009) had fun recreating a favourite photo ten years on! Megan Zanetti (Ciccotosto, 2010) and husband Shayne Zanetti welcomed Indiana Hazel Zanetti on October 25, 2019. Megan is a teacher in the Junior School at Penrhos, and we wish her a wonderful maternity leave with her beautiful baby girl.
After leaving Penrhos, Olivia Ledger (2013) worked in event management in Perth before moving to the Warburton Remote Community where she worked as an Administration Officer and studied remotely to gain diplomas in Business Management and Administration Olivia returned to Perth this year, establishing a Driver Training & Safety organisation – Driver Risk Management – continuing to pursue her passion for food and events by opening a small catering company – Forage & Fromage, with a specialty in providing gourmet grazing tables and platters. Celeste Depiazzi (2016) and her partner are delighted to announce the birth of their first child Isla, born on 16 September 2019. Grandmother Corrine Irving (1984) and Aunty Sienna Cirillo (2024) are proud as can be with the new addition. Congratulations to Marli Ryan (2017) who recently won 2019 Pilbara Girl at the 2019 Kimberley and Pilbara Girl Finals. The Pilbara Girl program was founded to inspire Aboriginal girls to become confident young women who will act as young role models and leaders in their communities. 2018 leaver Taylor-Anne Bright followed her dreams of pursuing a career in the performing arts with a move east to study Musical Theatre and Acting at Federation University in Ballarat. Having moved out of home and across the country, Taylor has now completed her first year at university, and is thoroughly enjoying all the new techniques and skills she is learning. Taylor shares that she is grateful for all the opportunities she received at Penrhos, especially to Mr Ballantyne for his support of her passion for Performing Arts. Tessa Browne (2018) is a rising star in the Australian Volleyball Super League, winning both Indoor and Beach Junior Female Player of the Year at the 2019 VWA Volley Awards and finishing her second season with the WA Steel. Earlier this year, Tessa participated in Volleyball Australia’s first integrated European tour, spending five weeks travelling and training – she credits Coach Ruggerio and Penrhos College for the pivotal role they played in developing her passion for both beach and indoor volleyball.
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Photo gallery: Alumni events
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1989 30-year Reunion 1999 20-year Reunion 2009 10-year Reunion Boarders’ Reunion
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Reunions Throughout the second half of 2019 we have enjoyed the wonderful company of the many alumni who have attended their milestone reunions at the College.
Class of 2009 10 Year Reunion Friday, 1 November 2019
Class of 1989 30 Year Reunion Friday, 9 August 2019
The girls from the Class of 2009 recently returned to Penrhos to celebrate their 10-year reunion. The evening began with a lively campus tour led by the legendary Scott Haddrell, followed by drinks and canapes at the Colwyn Centre. The group then got the chance to read the wise words and predictions of their younger selves with the unearthing of their time capsule letters, buried in the Margaret Way Courtyard for the past decade! The Alumni Committee were delighted to see such a wonderful turnout and thank Lisa Woodbrook for coordinating the evening.
The Class of 1989 began the night with a campus tour including the Rixon Theatre, built in the years following their graduation. It was then to the Llew Woodford Function Centre for canapes and refreshments where the ladies spent their night laughing and reflecting on their school memories. The Penrhos Alumni Committee would like to thank Jennifer Bignell, Julie Barrett, Simone Moor, Hayley Lawrance, Sally Sanderson and Danne Reynolds for all their efforts in making the night a success.
Class of 1999 20 Year Reunion Friday, 6 September 2019 Twenty years on, the Class of 1999 took a walk down memory lane and enjoyed a campus tour to see all the changes that have taken place since their graduation before heading to the Colwyn Centre to reconnect with classmates and teachers. It was fantastic to see more than 50 of the 1999 graduating class come together to celebrate this milestone; the chat and laughter didn’t stop as they shared exciting stories and caught up on all their life updates.
Boarders’ Reunion Saturday, 31 August 2019 This year hosted the first ever Boarders’ Reunion for Penrhos College. The night invited all previous Boarders back to visit the school and to celebrate the time spent here. The evening began with a tour of the updated Boarding House and then moved to the Colwyn Centre for canapes and drinks. The night saw many old friendships rekindle and gave everyone a chance to catch up with their former roommates.
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Chloe Cutts
Isabella De Bari (left)
Dr Lise Summers (centre)
Vale: Chloe Cutts, Isabella De Bari and Lise Summers Chloe Dianne Cutts 30/4/2001 – 17/4/2019 Chloe loved school and was a caring, humble, and muchloved member of the Class of 2018. Anyone who spent time with Chloe will remember her as one of the kindest and gentlest people they have met — although this did not stop her from having a wicked sense of humour, a rare strength of character and determination beyond measure. Chloe began her Penrhos journey in Year 5 in 2011. I was lucky enough to be her Head of Year from Year 8 through to Year 12 and was privy to her many amazing qualities. It was fantastic to see Chloe at all the major Year 12 events last year — despite her health, she made it to the ball (looking absolutely stunning), the Mother Daughter and Father Daughter dinners, and Valedictory. She was also there, with her dusty pink beanie, to support the Year 12s who shaved their heads for the World’s Greatest Shave — I know how much that meant to them, as Chloe was always in their thoughts. Chloe was also an incredibly generous person, who gave much of her time and energy to the Cancer Council, Relay for Life, Daffodil Day and other organisations. This was difficult for Chloe — most acutely, because of her introversion and how uncomfortable it made her to have to re-live the experience of being ‘the child with cancer’. Nevertheless, she was always happy to help as she knew that what she was doing would benefit others. And she was passionate about that.
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Chloe had big plans — to travel to Europe on a culinary adventure, to drive her car (Celine) which she waved at and said hi to every day when she came home, and to study teaching at Notre Dame. While these plans won’t come to fruition, Chloe leaves behind her a legacy that will stay with me for my lifetime and I know she touched so many people in the community in the same way. Some of my most lasting memories of Chloe are her obsession with the Marvel superheroes, her love for cups of exotic tea, and her lively chat about the family farm in Manjimup and her beloved dog, Maisy. While she would never admit it — and she would no doubt be embarrassed by the suggestion — Chloe was, without doubt, more heroic than all her favourite characters. She was a real-life Superwoman: courageous, compassionate and resilient beyond measure; we all have our kryptonite and it is just devastating that Chloe found hers so young. Our sincere condolences to Chloe’s beautiful family — Dianne, Terry, Emily, Holly and Cooper — who have lost their angel. Chloe, you will be forever missed by your loving family, friends and the Penrhos community. Jonathan Hunt Head of Year 12 (Class of 2018) / Teacher of English
Isabella de Bari 22/05/99 – 9/12/18 Isabella de Bari, or Izzy as she was more commonly known, was a treasured member of the Class of 2016, having attended Penrhos from Year 7 through to Year 12. Izzy had a vibrant and humorous personality and was described by many of her teachers in Year 12 as a delight to teach; she was a highly valued class member, who got along well with her teachers and peers alike. She had a strong group of loyal and fun friends, and I know she especially loved the trappings of being a Year 12 – the Margaret Way Courtyard privilege (especially when she had her turn at wearing the sombrero instead of her school hat), getting her Leavers’ Jacket, and enjoying the beauty and magic of Flower Day. Izzy’s gorgeous smile was always at the ready and, if there was a bit of fun or mischief to be had, you could be sure to find Izzy front and centre with her very infectious laugh. Izzy was always up for a challenge and some adventure, heading out on the Laos Cambodia Tour at the end of Year 11. She embraced the different culture she experienced, and her caring nature shone through during the community projects on the four-week long tour.
Despite struggling with glandular fever in Year 11, Izzy took her turn as Form Captain and was also a part of the committee which organised the Year 11 Dinner Dance, modelling her dance dress and ball gown beautifully for the Auxiliary Spring Lunches in Years 11 and 12. 2
Izzy always demonstrated a wonderful commitment to College activities, including community service, IGSSA volleyball, netball, water polo and cross-country, as well as being a supportive cheer squad member for her friends at IGSSA swimming and rowing events. A proud Spartan, Izzy was always involved in interhouse activities and carnivals; she was also a valued member of the Socials Committee. It is hard to imagine someone so young and vivacious being lost, but I know everyone who was fortunate enough to have had the chance to know her will be forever glad3 they did. You are well-loved and greatly missed, Izzy. Tracy Hosking Head of Year 12 (Class of 2016) / Teacher of Mathematics
Dr Lise Summers 18/12/1959 – 09/08/2019 Lise joined Penrhos as a Year 8 student; she enjoyed singing in the choir, playing flute in the orchestra and performing in Dramafest. After graduating in 1976, Lise’s love of history and books led her to study for a degree in History at UWA, where she met husband Jay. Lise went on to complete a postgraduate diploma in Archival Administration from the University of New South Wales, a Masters in Local History from Edith Cowan University and a PhD in History from the University of Melbourne. Lise was well known for her outstanding commitment to her work, for the State Records Office of Western Australia, for the Australian Society of Authors (the ASA), in her teaching at Curtin University and formerly as Archivist for Penrhos College. Recognised by the ASA as a prolific Archivist, Historian and Woman of Letters, Lise had an amazing mind, and could remember the most extraordinary facts. She was whimsical, sentimental and incredibly kind. No matter
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where she went or what she was doing, Lise would always have at least one book on the go. She was also an inspiring lecturer with a strong dedication to history and heritage, and an incredible generosity in sharing her expertise to help others — Lise will be most missed for her keen intelligence, great ideas, humour and passionate advocacy. Lise loved Penrhos, was a proud alumna, former staff member, and parent when her three girls were here. Her last act of generosity and service to Penrhos, completed 6 two weeks prior to her passing, was to crochet one of the vests worn by the character Mrs Phelps in the College’s production of Matilda. Our thoughts and prayers are with husband Jay, daughters Elin (2004) Alexandra (2007) and Madeleine (2010) and Lise’s sisters Mardi Shaw (1978) and Anna Courtman (1983) and nieces Xanthe (2010) and Persephone (2013) who are all close members of the Penrhos community.
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