Camphora, Issue 15, Winter 2022

ISSUE 15 WINTER 2022

THE SOUNDS OF LIFE RETURN TO THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS ALIVE AND WELL DRAMA STUDENTS COLLABORATING WITH PURPOSE AND CONVICTION

CONTENTS

1

|

ISSUE 15 WINTER 2022

From the Principal

2 Drama students collaborating with purpose and conviction 4

Year 7 put on their DeTechtive caps

6

Female entrepreneurship is alive and well

7

Spotlight: Young student entrepreneurs

8

My books, myself and I

9 Year 10 elective music students develop their musicianship through song-writing and creative collaboration 10

Coachella comes to The Croydon

22

In Profile: Grace Gaukrodger

23

In Profile: Aimee Longhurst

24 Fundraising for flood relief 26

Stories from the Archives

EX-STUDENTS’ NEWS 29

President’s Message

30

2022 Ex-Students’ Committee

31 Get to know the

Ex-Students’ Committee

11 Bundanon Camp encounters The Bridge and the return of Mr Fyfe

31

Alumni News

12

Q&A with rising star Molly Cameron

36

Tertiary News

14

Year 7 Transition girls join the camp adventure

37

The end of an era: Farewell to Card Day

38

2022 Jersey Day & Reunions

43

Conversations at the Futures Forum

43

Adelaide Annual Lunch

18 The sounds of life return to the Performing Arts Centre

44

Croydon Circle Annual Luncheon

20

60 seconds with... Mr Phil Harper

45

Save the date

21

60 seconds with... Ms Faraday Pang

15 Rowers gain valuable experience at the Australian Rowing Championships 16 Pandemic inspires science research for Year 10

PLC Sydney acknowledges the Wangal people, of the Dharug dialect, on whose land the College resides, and pays respect to Elders both past and present.

Camphora incorporates the Ex-Students’ News, the magazine of PLC Sydney’s Ex-Students’ Union.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

1

One might think that the technological society emerged in the Enlightenment and found its muscle in the Industrial Revolution.

In fact, techne was a word employed by Socrates (via Plato) to refer to the benefits of measuring and weighing things. Even Homer used it before him. When conflicts arose, techne could be used to settle the dispute. According to Socrates, the measurement of something is factual and checkable. It is not open to human input.

We teach students that the purpose of an education is to learn to love.

Therefore, you will find articles here on the daily life of the College and on things contentious.

Italian Philosopher, Giuseppe Fornari, disagrees. He says that even science is influenced by cultural norms and values. Science is transmitted by language and mediated by culture.

Therefore, it too is influenced by both our foibles and our poetry.

Enjoy this edition.

In this edition of Camphora, you will gain a new insight into our College.

We teach science well at PLC Sydney.

We also teach poetry well. We teach aesthetics well.

Dr Paul Burgis

I hope you enjoy both.

Every student is a whole person.

Measurement is good, and yet, so, sometimes, is the lack of it.

Principal

“We teach students that the purpose of an education is to learn to love.”

OUR MAGAZINE TEAM EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

Mrs Nicole Paull

Dr Paul Burgis, Mr Des Chu, Mrs Joanna Golotta-Maxwell, Christina Cusumano, Madeleine McArthur, Vianne Stavliotis, Alessandra Sydun-West, Rachel Lao, Charlotte Edwards, Ms Renee Noble, Mrs Rebecca Nichols, Phoebe Kelman, Sienna Colosi, Juliette Colosi, Dr Suzana Sukovic, Roxy P-B, Mrs Casey Allen, Aurelia Bergin, Matilda Hefferan, Mr Mal Heap, Ms Jo Herrmann, Ms Jo Knight, Molly Cameron, Ms Anna O’Brien, Marianne Lim, Caitlin Phu-Lund, Lizzy Hyland, Pelin Ozen, Ashling Keighran,

COVER With Covid-19 restrictions relaxed, the sounds of life have returned to the Performing Arts Centre. See page 18 for details. Photo courtesy of Mr Des Chu.

Mr Will Caldwell, Mrs Jo McGrouther, Ellie Cole, Grace Gaukrodger, Isabelle Ho Shon, Helena Loupos, Mr Phil Harper, Ms Faraday Pang, Aimee Longhurst, Mr John Da Cruz, Ms Debby Cramer.

Ex-Students' News: Mia Joseph, Marina Clark, Lesley Meldrum, Helen Humphries, Debby Cramer, Elizabeth Gregory, Ann McDonald, Philippa Zingales.

Thank you to all the ex-students and their families who contributed.

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

2

DRAMA STUDENTS COLLABORATING WITH PURPOSE AND CONVICTION In Term 1, Year 10 and 11 Drama students threw themselves into the collaborative learning pit and made some sophisticated and thought provoking work.

After an extended period of working online, our Drama students have relished being back in the classroom and working collaboratively.

In Term 1, Year 10 study Protest Political Theatre with a special focus on

Brecht’s techniques. In Year 11 students have the trickier task of creating work without a particular framework.

They must make a seven minute piece of theatre that makes a coherent statement in any style they wish.

Perhaps it is a sign of the times that most of the work made across Year 10 and 11 was charged with a passion for social justice and amplified by a feminist lens. We are so proud of our students for having the social awareness to engage with the world in a critical way and also the emotional intelligence to communicate this with sensitivity and conviction.

After doing extensive research, students explored topics such as: • The difficulties people face in reporting sexual harassment and assault.

• The gendered pressures placed on young children.

• Sexism in the contemporary music industry.

• The racism experienced by people of Asian descent, post Covid.

• The Federal Government’s response to natural disasters.

• The relevance of chivalry in the modern world.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

“The purpose of our piece was to demonstrate how traditional chivalry has always served the man rather than the woman. We realised that we could think about chivalry in a new way. What if it is less about romance and more about kindness and helping others? And what if it is something that we can demonstrate within the sisterhood? I loved getting to work with girls who I hadn’t worked with before. Being able to create something from scratch was challenging, but also so rewarding.”

Christina Cusumano (Year 11) “We wanted to explore the notion that specific gendered ideals are thrust upon children from the time they are born.

From misogynistic baby clothes, to the idea that women are supposed to be able to do it all (work and raise a family).

The process of making this piece really opened my eyes to how much misogyny there still is in the world. We really hoped our piece would give people something to think about and the strength to start trying to make a change.”

“Sometimes living such fast-paced lifestyles, we rarely look beyond our own horizon. This task allowed me to properly realise the importance of our topic. This experience developed my perspective on not only the need to amplify female voices, but also on how far we have come and how far we are yet to travel.”

Charlotte Edwards (Year 10) It is such a privilege to see our young people wrestle with such important ideas, work through the challenges of the creative process and let their voices be heard.

Mrs Joanna Golotta-Maxwell Head of Drama

Madeleine McArthur (Year 10) “The purpose of our piece was to raise awareness about the difficulties women face in speaking up about their sexual assault experiences. When making the performance, we collected statistics and testimonies which grounded our work in truth and authenticity.”

Vianne Stavliotis (Year 10) “Our performance shed light on the various prejudices women face. We chose to show this through the eyes of children to highlight stereotypes imposed upon girls from the day they are born. I am really glad we made this piece as it had such a powerful message and I am happy I was able to use Drama to share it.”

Alessandra Sydun-West (Year 10) “Chivalry is a concept glorified by society; whether it be in the romantic movies we watch or learning about the ’knights in shining armour’ of the medieval period.

However, chivalry has oppressed women for centuries, cornering us into the stereotype of ‘damsel-in-distress’.

“We wished to shatter the glamour, to expose chivalry as a practice rooted in misogyny and hidden behind the guise of respect. In creating our project, we learnt about the importance of demythologising this tired narrative in empowering women today.”

Rachel Lao (Year 11)

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

3

4

Who murdered Dr Sukovic? Students had to use their tools and analytics skills to solve the crime.

YEAR 7 PUT ON THEIR DETECHTIVE CAPS This semester, Year 7 got to put on their DeTechtive caps in PLC Sydney’s first ever Data DeTechtive Incursion, in partnership with ConnectEd Code.

With the assistance of the dedicated swarm of computer science educators from the ConnectEd Code team, the girls got to tackle a variety of digital technologies problems and work in teams to create tools for solving mysteries.

Over the three day event, students learnt how computers think in binary numbers, and how they can represent text, like their initials, in binary form using beads. They explored the world of coding, using the latest in Australian‑made educational tech, the Kookaberry microcomputer, to code a number of useful Data DeTechtive tools. They even found hidden messages and patterns in data to reveal secret messages and clues.

Day one had students tackle coding a moisture sensor and a ring-light compass, with many of the girls taking on coding for the first time and thriving. We can say for sure that the colourful neopixel ring-lights were the favourite of the day. Day two had students delve further into the world of data, identifying patterns using spreadsheets and cracking ciphers using text frequency analysis and cipher wheels. They then built on their coding skills from the previous day, adding an altitude sensor and logger, PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

Coding the colourful neopixel ring-lights was a favourite activity.

5

The girls explored the world of coding, using the latest in Australian-made educational tech, the Kookaberry microcomputer.

and a radio message interceptor to their collection of hand-coded tech tools. This day was filled with a lot of favourite moments, from intercepting and decoding morse code radio transmissions, to measuring their own height or the height of the building with the altitude sensors, to finding hidden messages in emoji.

On day three the girls were off to a great start, using special algorithms and cipher keys to decrypt hidden messages, when a mystery was brought to our attention by the STEM Captain, Marina Ruan. The mystery… the murder of Dr Sukovic, the Director of Research and Library Services. When presented with some data collections and soil moisture samples collected from the staff car park, the students were quick to get to work using their tools and

their data analytics skills to narrow down the pool of suspicious teachers who didn’t have an alibi for the time of the murder. With the discovery of more clues throughout the day, they would find ciphers that revealed hidden messages from the murderer, and would corroborate teachers’ whereabouts using their altitude sensors to check if teachers were in the right place at the right time.

“On day three the girls were off to a great start, using special algorithms and cipher keys to decrypt hidden messages...”

Ultimately the verdict came down, with most students convinced there was only one possible suspect remaining. All the evidence pointed to Mrs Chiba, who was found guilty of the crime; her motive—not wanting to pay overdue library fines.

The lively ghost of Dr Sukovic haunts the library to this day, and reminds everyone to get involved with PLC Reads the World, the theme for Term 2 is, fittingly, Crime, Intrigue, and Action.

Ms Renee Noble Cambridge Computing Science Teacher

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

6

FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS ALIVE AND WELL Female entrepreneurs have the power to change the world! PLC Sydney’s Women in Enterprise program aims to provide the opportunities to nurture our young entrepreneurs strengthening the pipeline into tertiary opportunities and business start‑up success.

The Women in Enterprise venture started as a way to promote entrepreneurship education at PLC Sydney, providing Business Studies students the opportunity to develop network connections with female entrepreneurs (including our ex‑student community) working in business and finance.

The ‘Enterprise’ pathway for Years 9 and 10 students has proven a popular addition to the Stage 5 curriculum.

This cross-curricular elective connects the Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies Course with the NESA Design and Technology Course, guiding students to start their own business, design and manufacture, and finally market and sell their products. At the end of Year 10 students attain Cambridge Business Studies accreditation. Open Day and Fair 2022 provided the opportunity for these students to launch their business ideas to the public.

With approximately 20% of PLC Sydney graduates going on to pursue Business courses at a tertiary level, and the growing economic importance of small business startups, there has been considerable demand to expand the scope of entrepreneurship.

Cambridge Business Studies and Design and Technology students working on product development of device stands.

Year 9 student Kate Barry participated in ‘Entrepreneur Alley’ at the Open Day & Fair with her business Scrunchie Munchies (www.scrunchiemunchies.com.au).

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

Senior Entrepreneurship Study Pathway PLC Sydney will offer a business entrepreneurship pathway of study for students entering Year 11 in 2024. This involves selecting from a suite of Cambridge International subjects including: • Business • Information Technology

SPOTLIGHT: YOUNG STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS

• Accounting • Psychology (including organisational and consumer psychology)

Name: Phoebe Kelman (Year 9 Boarder)

• Art & Design

Business Name: SOS

• Sociology

Business Description: SOS was established in order to combat the waste created from single-use plastics, including plastic ponchos.

The business mission is to reduce plastic use for ponchos and bags used at major sporting events and outdoor entertainment venues. SOS sources fabric and industrial canvas used for wax, cotton and oilskin coats, turning offcuts into sustainable handcrafted pieces.

On completion, students would be awarded with Cambridge International AS/A Level qualification.

Real World Experience PLC Sydney’s annual Women in Enterprise breakfast currently provides our Year 11 students with the opportunity to network with successful female entrepreneurs in our alumni and parent communities. PLC Sydney ‘Shark Tank’ has also created a launch pad to showcase the thriving businesses run by our students, many of whom were able to exhibit at the 2022 Open Day and Fair.

The flexibility afforded by the Cambridge Entrepreneurship study pathway, will also allow for time to access real world business experience, including industry placements and design-thinking workshops to pitch social enterprise ideas. Young Change Agents will be working with interested students in the July holidays to establish the foundations of design thinking in entrepreneurship.

Global Connections As well as establishing curriculum and co-curricular opportunities, PLC Sydney is seeking to spark entrepreneurial spirit in our students by exposing them to start-up ecosystems on a global scale. An inaugural Entrepreneurial Innovation tour is to take place in 2023, with PLC Sydney students set to visit Israel. Israel, with its large concentration of high-tech start ups, is home to a thriving network of businesses centred around artificial intelligence, health, agriculture and environmental business solutions. Students will have the opportunity to visit these businesses, and enjoy practical and handson experiences.

Mrs Rebecca Nichols Head of Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

The fabric is weaved, dyed and finished in the Hunter Valley. SOS aims to reduce waste going to landfill and is a ‘slow fashion’ business. Currently stocked items include waterproof ponchos, multi‑use canvas mats and cushions and popular boot bags.

All Products are 100% Australian-made. @sos_australia

Name: Sienna Colosi (Year 8) and Juliette Colosi (Year 9) Business Name: Miss Choux Business Description: Miss Choux commenced as a lockdown project in 2021. Juliette and Sienna are from French and Italian backgrounds and have a passion for cooking. Growing up around their parents’ restaurants, food development has been something that has come naturally. Miss Choux aims to bring one of France’s most popular desserts, the Choux, to Sydney! All desserts are all made to order, with the freshest and highest quality ingredients available. www.misschoux.com.au @miss_choux_patisserie

8

The Co-ed Book Club with Newington College was initiated to open a friendly conversational place for young men and women to share their love of reading.

MY BOOKS, MYSELF AND I Reading fiction gives us unique insights into different minds and life experiences.

Keith Oatley, a cognitive psychologist, says that “reading a literary piece of work enables people to change within themselves.

And so rather than persuasion, where someone says ‘you ought to think this’ or ‘you better do that’, what literary art does is it enables people to change within themselves, but in their own way.” The Senior Library continues to explore new ways to extend students’ reading experience and their journey of personal discovery.

At the beginning of this year, we initiated the Co-ed Book Club with Newington College to open a friendly conversational place for young men and women to share their love of reading. Our school hosted the first meetings of the Junior and Senior Book Clubs where students introduced themselves by talking about a book they love, and then decided how they would like to engage in conversations in the future. Our first meetings were a great success and we are looking forward to visiting Newington College.

“I joined a co-ed book club for the opportunity to discuss what I love most with people that hold different views than me. I was definitely able to do that.

Everyone had such different opinions and I loved listening to everyone’s favourite (and least favourite) books.”

(Roxy P-B, Year 8) Cultural diversity in literature has been our focus in Term 2. We were inspired by Gabrielle Wang, the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2022-23, who chose ‘Imagine a story’ as her theme. Wang wants to highlight the importance of reading stories about diverse characters, and written by diverse authors as a way of understanding different cultures and people in our community. Wang shares personal memories of how her sense of belonging was shaped by the absence of people like her during her school days.

Embracing Wang’s theme of diversity, we decided to feature Asian literary voices by organising book displays and activities.

On 23 May, the Senior Library hosted a panel discussion about books and a sense of identity titled ‘My Asian books,

my Asian self’. Our two guest speakers, Claire Cao and Soo Choi, are emerging writers and literary scholars. They shared their own experience of self-discovery through literature and highlighted some influential books. It was interesting hearing their thoughts about bringing a culture to life in fictional stories based on thorough research and personal insights. Students asked thoughtful questions and felt inspired to extend their reading.

The reading challenge, PLC Sydney Reads the World: Literary Worlds, continues to remind us that reading is a social activity.

By sharing an inspiring breadth of their reading on the library website, students become part of the school reading community. It is another powerful way for teenagers to develop a sense of self and the world through reading.

Dr Suzana Sukovic Director of Research and Library Services

The Senior Library hosted a panel discussion about books and a sense of identity titled ‘My Asian books, my Asian self’ with emerging writers and literary scholars, Claire Cao and Soo Choi, who shared their own experience of self‑discovery through literature.

Timberlake, H 2022, ‘Empathy and imagination help us to engage when we enjoy a book or an audiobook – but why do we feel so sad when we come to the end?

Howard Timberlake survives the post-book blues’, BBC Culture, 9 May, viewed 16 May 2022, <https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20220506-how-our-brains-work-whenwe-love-a-book-or-audiobook>.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

YEAR 10 ELECTIVE MUSIC STUDENTS DEVELOP THEIR MUSICIANSHIP THROUGH SONG-WRITING AND CREATIVE COLLABORATION Year 10 elective Music students Aurelia Bergin and Matilda Hefferan (aka Leila and Tilda) have co-written a beautiful song called ‘Moonchild’. Posted on Triple J’s Unearthed, the song could be described as Acoustic Indie Folk.

The absence of beat, floating vocal harmonies and high reverb effects create an ethereal presence.

Aurelia and Matilda’s musical collaboration commenced through their engagement in Composition Club.

While each student brought to this project their own musical strengths, they soon discovered that it was the synergy of their creativity that proved to be most rewarding. Aurelia’s captivating lyrics inspired the commencement of the project and this was complemented

by Matilda’s familiarity with guitar chords. In performing the song, Matilda played the guitar, sang and used her keyboard for musical effects. Aurelia’s stirring violin playing contributed to the calming aesthetic of the piece.

In addition to compositional and performance growth, the development of ‘Moonchild’ provided an excellent platform for learning about the recording process. Matilda was quickly introduced to the professional recording program Logic Pro. “My production skills have really developed through my collaboration with Aurelia. While there is still so much for me to learn about Logic Pro, there has been no better way for me to improve my skills than by diving into a project like this.”

Like any creative task, ‘Moonchild’ has been an exercise in understanding the value of leaning into vulnerability.

Year 10 elective Music students Aurelia Bergin (right) and Matilda Hefferan (aka Leila and Tilda) have co-written a beautiful song called ‘Moonchild’.

For any musician hoping to better their writing skills, courage is needed to share their work with others.

Aurelia recognises that by sharing her work, she has not only increased her confidence but has improved her skills through constructive feedback.

“The most rewarding aspect of creating ‘Moonchild’ was watching the song develop from a poem I wrote one day after school to a recorded song, enjoyed by listeners. At the beginning of the process, it was challenging to share my work with others. After receiving positive feedback from my family, I felt more confident to share it with Matilda, our Composer-in-Residence and members of the Composition Club.

This experience proved to be the main catalyst for the development of this song.”

Inspired by hearing their own completed work, Aurelia and Matilda plan to continue their collaboration together in the future. It is exciting to observe these students experiencing both the joy and learning achieved through the creative process. We look forward to hearing more music by Leila and Tilda in the future.

Listen to ‘Moonchild’ by Leila and Tilda. https://www.abc.net.au/ triplejunearthed/artist/leila-tilda/ Mrs Casey Allen Head of Classroom Music PK - 12 Coordinator of Choirs

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

9

10

Cleo Duong (left) and Alice Playford-Aggs were challenged to make their own creations for Coachella, without the use of a pattern or existing instructions.

COACHELLA COMES TO THE CROYDON Year 10 Textiles Technology students have created contemporary Coachella music festival outfits.

The Coachella music festival in Indio, California showcases popular, emerging and established musical artists and is known for its distinct fashion.

After two years of cancellations due to Covid-19, Coachella returned in 2022 with bold prints, fringe, and matching sets. The Year 10 Textiles Technology students did not disappoint with their on-trend creations this year.

It is wonderful to see the creativity expressed by these inspired young fashion designers.

When Year 10 students, Cleo Duong and Alice Playford-Aggs were asked to reflect upon the project, they discussed the challenge of finding just the right garment to repurpose and described the interesting use of traditional textile techniques such as crochet to create contemporary garments.

“This was a great project that encouraged us to experience the challenges of making our own creations, without the use of a pattern or existing instructions. It gave us the freedom to explore and design a contemporary outfit with a fun purpose.

It also encouraged us to consider the impact of the fashion industry on the environment and the need to consider our fashion choices as consumers.”

Cleo Duong and Playford-Aggs “The Coachella task was a fun and challenging project to complete.

The project itself pushed us to develop ideas outside our comfort zone—especially when it came to

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

repurposing a garment into something unique as well as Coachella-inspired.

Coachella is a festival we all know well, so it was easy to get inspired for our garments and helped us all gain a greater understanding of the creative and personal side of textiles. Coachella outfits are usually worn to make a statement. It was an amazing way of teaching students how to repurpose garments creatively and skillfully.

It helped us think outside the box to repurpose a garment and consider our environmental footprint when it comes to the textile industry.” Amelia McClaren Ms Jo Herrmann Head of Technological and Applied Studies

BUNDANON CAMP ENCOUNTERS THE BRIDGE AND THE RETURN OF MR FYFE The PLC Sydney Bundanon Art Camp immersion program has been a highlight for Year 11 artists since the Glen Murcutt designed Arthur & Yvonne Boyd Education Centre, on the Shoalhaven River, opened in 2000.

One of the most rewarding experiences for the girls is the opportunity to spend time engaged in their artmaking alongside an Artist-in-Residence who shares their knowledge and demonstrates their skills during the camp and for four weeks in The Croydon art studios.

Our accompanying artist, Mr Keith Fyfe, our much loved former Head of

Visual Arts turned professional artist, was a welcome, familiar and engaging member of the program in 2022.

their practice in anticipation of their HSC year ahead.

This year we were also treated with encountering the newly completed facility ‘The Bridge’, soon to be award winning design by Kerstin Thompson Architects, with its cutting edge detailing and commanding structure that spans across the valley akin to a train or aqueductlike form. This imposing and significant landmark on the Australian landscape site became the essential subject for student canvas works commenced en plein air during the camp.

It was wonderful for The Croydon and PLC Sydney staff to welcome Keith’s return as an inspiring Artist‑in‑Residence this year.

In addition, the girls experimented with a wide range of styles and techniques encouraged by Keith and demonstrated through experimental mark-making and monoprinting techniques produced with brushes and artmaking tools created by hand with recycled scraps and natural forms collected from the surrounding environment. Through trial and error, success and failure, the girls were led to find their own individuality as artists, and build confidence within

Amelia Rand with former Head of Visual Arts and 2022 Artist-in-Residence, Mr Keith Fyfe.

11

His history as an educator and his unique practice as a landscape artist has seen him as a finalist in many prestigious exhibitions, including the Wynne Prize, being an invaluable resource for us all.

The camp and the resulting Bundanon Dreaming exhibition in the Adelaide Perry Gallery during May, was yet again a successful collaboration and we congratulate all of our Year 11 artists on the outstanding bodies of work they produced during this program.

Ms Jo Knight Head of Visual Arts

Emylene Kuoch painting en plein air next to The Bridge.

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

12

Q&A WITH RISING STAR MOLLY CAMERON What was your aim/goal when you started Molly’s Kitchen?

When I started, it was mostly so I had an excuse to bake more often and to earn a bit of pocket money. I didn’t really have a specific aim in mind.

You also established The Sprinkle Stash, selling edible sprinkles.

What led you to create The Sprinkle Stash?

I was struggling to find affordable and beautiful sprinkle blends and also thought that leading into the senior years of school, having a less time intensive business would be easier to manage and sustain. I also love the idea of having a business that can be scaled and shared across the world.

Talented Year 9 student Molly Cameron has a passion for baking.

In 2017 she turned her passion into a business and launched Molly’s Kitchen, creating custom cakes, cupcakes and other sweet treats.

Molly recently presented at the International Cake Show Australia in Brisbane, Australia’s largest cake and sweet show and is the 2022 recipient of the Rising Star Of The Year Award by the Australian Cake Artists & Decorators Association (ACADA).

How old were you when you started baking and how old were you when you started Molly’s Kitchen?

I have been baking since I was quite young, but got serious about it when I was nine and started Molly’s Kitchen in 2017 when I was 10. My business really started growing more consistently in 2020.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

Tell us about the growth of your business since you started.

When I first started, I was offering so many different options (cakes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, etc.) and was mostly getting orders from family and friends. In 2017–2019 I was probably averaging about one order every week or fortnight. Since we went into lockdown in 2020 and I had more time to upskill and expand on social media, the business has grown so much in terms of orders. I have specialised in just custom cakes and cupcakes, made my prices more in line with those amongst the market and I am now booked out one to two months in advance. My weekly limit is 3–4 cakes.

Does anyone help you with the business?

My mum helps with getting ingredients and other things.

Apart from baking/decorating, what other roles do you undertake in the business?

I do the baking, decorating, admin, marketing, planning, social media and pretty much everything else in my business.

I would love to outsource some things in the future but that isn’t really possible yet as my business is on a smaller scale.

How do you develop your skills?

I have taken some online courses but I am mostly self-taught and develop my skills by practising.

How do you manage to juggle your business with school work?

The main way I balance school, business and life is by setting a limit for my orders. I currently have a limit of 3–4 each week, which changes in the holidays and around exams.

Some other things I do is planning out my week on a Sunday night, being as organised as possible and finding ways to make my time in the kitchen more efficient, such as making things and prepping in advance and outsourcing some things.

What do you like to do when not working or doing school work?

I do rowing as a co-curricular and I really enjoy that. Otherwise, I like going out with my friends to different places!

Who inspires you?

So many people! A lot of different cake makers that I have connected with on Instagram are absolutely incredible and I love the way that so many of them have a really distinct style to their cakes.

You were asked to present at the International Cake Show recently in Brisbane and were the youngest vendor at the show. Tell us about this experience.

It was definitely nerve-wracking! I had one demonstration each day and my first one was chaotic to say the least.

I found it a bit challenging to figure out how to explain things like buttercream consistency, holding a piping bag and piping bag pressure to people who hadn’t done it very much before, as it is almost second nature to me!

Once I got the hang of talking while I was making cakes and bringing myself back to basics in order to teach better, it was super fun and the audience that I had were really supportive and encouraging! In terms of being a vendor, it was non-stop! So many of the other vendors were so nice and encouraging and it didn’t feel as though they were ‘competition’, even if we were selling very similar products. It was a lot of work but I made some incredibly valuable connections with other cake decorators and vendors.

Is there a most memorable cake you have made?

One of the cakes I am most proud of is the wedding cake I made for Mrs Bruno as it was my first wedding cake and making a wedding cake had been a goal of mine for a few years. It was also only my second three-tiered cake and taught me so much about transport, structure and matching a cake to the florals and overall design of an event.

How do you come up with ideas for your cake designs?

There are some designs where I get the brief and immediately have an idea and there are others that I need to think a bit more about!

How does it feel to be the recipient of ACADA’s Rising Star Of The Year award?

It was a very surreal experience being at the awards night and receiving the award. I was sitting at a table with a group of International and Australian decorators who had been invited to compete in an Australia vs International ‘Cake-Off’ so I was slightly fangirling!

There were so many incredibly deserving cake and cookie decorators in my category so I really wasn’t expecting it. To be recognised by ACADA is such an incredible opportunity and something that I didn’t think could come from a side business/hobby!

I have a folder of running cake ideas for different themes and techniques I want to try out so I look there first and then look for other ideas, mostly on Instagram. It really depends on how much control the customer wants to have over the design. Some want fully planned ideas of the cake when I send them inspiration photos and ideas, and others are happy if I just give them a bit of an outline of the cake. I also love drawing inspiration from different event styling that I see, whether that be balloon arrangements, floral centrepieces, etc.

What advice would you give to other young people who are thinking of starting up their own business?

I would say just go for it! So many people wait for when they are going to be ready or ‘good enough’ to sell their products or services.

The first cakes that I sold were hardly edible and now it has grown more than I could’ve imagined! Start small and simple, and then go from there. Also, utilise social media for growth! It is a free platform to reach billions across the world and is such a useful tool. mollyskitchensydney.com.au @mollys_kitchen_sydney @mollyskitchensydney

You recently made a beautiful wedding cake for ex-student Bridget McCarthy. Have you made cakes for others in the PLC Sydney community?

Yes! The PLC Sydney community has been incredibly supportive, especially in the earlier years of my business when I was trying to kick-start my cakes!

I have made a wedding cake for Mrs Bruno, baby shower cupcakes for Mrs Thompson, cupcakes for Ms Lawrence, and various other cakes for different teachers and students in the community.

“The PLC Sydney community has been incredibly supportive, especially in the earlier years of my business when I was trying to kick-start my cakes!”

What are your plans for the future?

I either want to continue making cakes and make it a full‑time career, with online courses and a full cake studio, or I would love to go to medical school and become a surgeon as I am really interested in biology!

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

13

14

YEAR 7 TRANSITION GIRLS JOIN THE CAMP ADVENTURE On Monday 21 March the Year 7 Transition girls, Marianne, Caitlin, Lizzy, Pelin and Ashling went to the Royal National Park for Year 7 camp.

We spent two nights in a spacious cabin and joined mainstream for three days of exciting activities.

These activities included Skyweb, water sliding, pool rafting and rock climbing. Some of us thoroughly enjoyed making our way up the 10m high structure and using collaborative skills to create heavy duty pool rafts.

Overall, we had a wonderful time at Year 7 camp and are grateful for the help provided by all the instructors and teachers present.

Marianne, Caitlin, Lizzy, Pelin and Ashling, Year 7

Our time at camp was extra special because we made friends outside of our Morning Connection groups. These friends were very supportive and encouraged us to play night games, hosted by our instructors. We are proud to admit that we won some of the games!

Year 7 Transition girls joined in all of the fun and excitement of camp and had the opportunity to get to know other girls outside of their Morning Connection groups.

15

Our Schoolgirl Coxed Four had an amazing experience at the Australian Rowing Championships: (L-R) Lily Doukakis, Aaliyah Steel, Bailee Winton‑Murray, Sarah Bebbington, Arabella Rutherford (Captain of Boats) and Mr Felix Dieu (Head Coach).

ROWERS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE AT THE AUSTRALIAN ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS The PLC Sydney Schoolgirl Coxed Four had the amazing experience of rowing at the Australian Rowing Championships at Nagambie Lakes, Victoria from 31 March to 3 April.

Due to the strong winds the Heats were run as a time trial in the more protected lanes. This is a difficult format because crews have no real guage of their competition.

The girls had already realised that there is so much more to touring than the racing; rubbing shoulders with the best rowers in the country, the sheer volume of boats, road trips, merchandise, and the opportunity to stay together in a lakeside house with views of Lake Eildon—thankfully surrounded by caring and generous parents, for which we are eternally grateful.

The repechage was the crew’s second chance to make the semifinals. Undaunted by being drawn in the least protected lane, and maintaining their positive attitude, the crew fought hard to finish in 5th place—missing out on the top three crews progressing to the A/B finals. Disappointed to be relegated to the C Final yet proud of their efforts, the girls prepared themselves for the final challenge.

The C Final doesn’t offer the same silverware as the A final, however, the crews fight just as hard. This is their race and they won’t die wondering. The PLC Sydney Crew gave it their best, coming 5th in the C Final, capping off an amazing experience.

Mr Will Caldwell Head of Rowing Mathematics Teacher

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

16

Isabelle Ho Shon examining a face mask using a microscope.

PANDEMIC INSPIRES SCIENCE RESEARCH FOR YEAR 10 At the start of the year, students in Year 10 were scouring the internet and delving into all corners of their lives searching desperately for a question for their Science Student Research Project (SRP).

For some, the question seemed to pop up effortlessly but for others it felt like a fruitless, never-ending maze. Ellie Cole, Grace Gaukrodger, Isabelle Ho Shon and Helena Loupos looked no further than the biggest world phenomenon of the last two years, the global pandemic. There were so many questions to ask. All that was needed was to massage the question into a significant, valid, quantitative and safe investigation.

Not easy but they succeeded. Here are their stories and some advice for students embarking on the SRP rollercoaster.

Ellie Cole investigated HEPA filters When people breathe they generate aerosols which are very small droplets suspended in the air. These aerosols build up in a room (for example a bedroom) and when a person has Covid-19, those aerosols contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is a problem because when the door is opened,

say for people to go to the bathroom or to receive food, the aerosols flood into the hallways and can move throughout the house.

The results showed that all the DIY devices were effective, therefore reducing the risk of household transmission of Covid-19.

Portable-High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air purifiers can be used to minimise Covid-19 transmission.

They draw in air, pushing it through a high-quality filter that removes at least 99.97% of airborne particles.

As HEPA air purifiers are not always accessible, a team of engineers in the USA designed a DIY filter box, called a Corsi‑Rosenthal box which uses components that are easily purchased in the USA. I wanted to recreate the Corsi-Rosenthal design out of readily available materials here in Australia.

The hardest part of the SRP was definitely coming up with the idea and drafting a project proposal. The best moment was probably when I had finished making the last filter box because making them was a long process. It was a big relief to be able to start testing the boxes and gathering data. Some advice I have for Year 9 is to start your SRP early and actually put the effort in at the start because it is worth it in the end.

The experiment involved building and testing three DIY portable filtration devices to determine which one was the most effective at removing aerosols from a bedroom. Three DIY devices were tested by flooding a room with aerosols generated by a humidifier and measuring how long it took for 99% of the aerosols to be removed. I determined the air changes per hour (ACH) and the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) for each device.

Ellie Cole with one of her DIY HEPA filters.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

Grace and Helena both used GASLAB PLUS Carbon Dioxide meters to conduct their research. These meters were purchased by PLC Sydney in order to test the ventilation of teaching spaces and staff rooms. You may recall seeing images of the 2022 STEM Captain Marina Ruan and the 2022 Environment Captain Lilian Stock standing beside a tub of dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide).

The subliming dry ice filled the classroom with carbon dioxide gas and the meters were used to determine the time required to reduce the CO2 levels. The time was used to assess whether the ventilation in the room was adequate. These meters have become a useful addition to the Science faculty.

Grace Gaukrodger investigated methods of room ventilation During the pandemic, the ventilation of rooms became a very hot topic.

The purpose of my experiment was to investigate the most effective method of ventilating a room by studying carbon dioxide levels using a GASLAB PLUS Carbon Dioxide meter.

My hypothesis was that the carbon dioxide level will reduce the fastest with open windows, followed by open doors, followed by air conditioning. This investigation involved measuring the carbon dioxide levels every minute for 15 minutes: 5 minutes with no human subjects, then 5 minutes with human subjects with no ventilation and finally 5 minutes with human subjects with ventilation (air conditioning, window, door).

The carbon dioxide decreased the fastest with the door open followed by the window open and then the air conditioning operating.

Doing the SRP really taught me how to manage my time. One of the big challenges was spending my whole Sunday for four consecutive weeks in my lounge room with the carbon dioxide meter! However, after submitting the report I felt like I had achieved a lot. If I was to give some advice to Year 9 it would be to make a timeline and stick to it.

Helena Loupos investigated the build-up of CO2 in cars

Excessive buildup of CO2 can lead to drowsiness and slowed cognitive processing. My experiment was designed to find the best methods of ventilation: recirculation of air, windows open, and air conditioning (A/C). During the experiment, two participants were positioned in the front seats of the vehicle, while measuring the carbon dioxide levels using a GASLAB PLUS Carbon Dioxide meter.

The hypothesis was that when all four windows are open, carbon dioxide inside the car will decrease the most compared to having two windows open, air conditioning (A/C) on, recirculation on and no utilisation of ventilation. After the experiment was completed, the results showed that the levels of carbon dioxide were significantly reduced with four windows open compared to the other variables. Opening two windows and air conditioning also produced a similar decreasing pattern. Unsurprisingly, re-circulation led to an increase in the concentration of CO2 which is certainly worth highlighting as drowsiness and slowed cognitive processing and driving are not a good combination.

During the two month process of completing my SRP, I learned many new scientific and analytical skills. I learned lots of life lessons such as perseverance and resilience. I had to use these skills at the low point when I caught Covid-19 as I fell behind my planned schedule and had to conduct all my repetitions in a short amount of time. My best moment was receiving an extension and completing my experiment because it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off me. My advice to Year 9 is to start early and come up with ideas that they are passionate about in the holidays before the school year commences.

Isabelle Ho Shon investigated whether a surgical face mask is effective after being washed The use of face masks to mitigate the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has become widespread. This sudden increase in usage resulted in supply issues and the consequential reuse of masks can put both the wearer and the community at a greater risk.

The inspiration for my SRP came from the way my family and I were constantly reusing face masks as we were constantly running out of them.

On one specific occasion, my dad left his mask in the pocket of his jeans when he washed them. As we had run out of masks at the time, he reused it but remarked that he wondered if it would still be effective. This led me to think of my project idea, to investigate the possibility of reusing surgical face masks after different disinfection processes.

To measure the effectiveness of the face mask before and after the treatment, the functional integrity of the face masks was measured using a PortaCount Respirator Fit Tester which calculates a Fit Factor as a ratio between the ambient particle count and respirator particle count.

17

Grace Gaukrodger (left) and Helena Loupos both used GASLAB PLUS Carbon Dioxide meters to conduct their research.

The masks were also analysed using a microscope. When I first began collecting data, all the results were very similar even when the independent variable was changed. I was beginning to get a little worried, however, when I began testing the washed face masks, the results decreased significantly. I was so happy because of this and I believe this was the best moment during the whole SRP. The results indicated that washing decreased the functional integrity of a surgical face mask by a significant factor. The Fit Factor ranged from 0 to 3. It was also noted that the Fit Factor of all face masks was well below the minimum acceptable level for half-face masks of 100 (as used

by Occupational Health and Safety Administration, USA). This indicates that surgical face masks are very ineffective at protecting the user. Results in terms of determining the effect of the alcohol and UV disinfection process were inconclusive.

What advice would I give to Year 9 for their SRP next year? They should definitely start the SRP sooner rather than later and even though this is probably said every year, it really is important and can help you deal with setbacks such as contracting Covid-19 and needing to isolate for a week!

Though daunting at first, the SRP was really enjoyable and it was satisfying to see it come together at the end.

Also, when thinking of an idea, it is really helpful to draw inspiration from what’s currently happening in the world and your experiences in relation to that. The Covid-19 pandemic certainly provided the 2022 Year 10 cohort with many questions to explore.

Mrs Jo McGrouther Head of Science ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

18

THE SOUNDS OF LIFE RETURN TO THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE The Performing Arts Department had a busy start to 2022.

The most exciting aspect is that all groups, activities and ensembles can now rehearse and there is such a positive vibe flowing through the Performing Arts Centre.

The building has come to life again with a smorgasbord of sounds and movement on offer almost every day of the week before school, lunchtime or after school. The last remaining Covid-19 restrictions and bad weather impacted the start of the year, however, this did not stop the enthusiasm and the hard work from staff and students as they worked towards future performances.

Term 1 saw the Carlton Cup return to the AKT stage followed up shortly after with the Theatre Sports Challenge held at Tara this year, for which we can proudly announce that PLC Sydney won. Shortly after the Theatre Sports events, the Middle Years Production took to the AKT stage. This year’s production was Wendy and Peter Pan. What a show.

The cast was captivating in every way

The cast of Oliver performed to packed audiences on all three nights.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

possible over the two nights. The cast and staff worked so hard amidst covid absences and demonstrated great passion and commitment.

The 2022 PLC Musical Oliver finished its very successful run performing to packed audiences on all three nights.

Rehearsals for Oliver were held online in Term 4 in 2021 which was certainly an experience for both staff and students. It was very exciting to return to face‑to‑face rehearsals this year and it didn’t take long for the usual camaraderie to grow.

The end of the first term holidays saw an intense four day production camp where the cast, crew, and orchestra worked extremely hard to refine their own areas of the production whilst working together to present a Performing Arts spectacular.

On 10 April, the Pipes and Drums Band played for the arrival of HRH Princess Anne at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli.

Despite absences due to Covid-19, staff and students worked hard to bring the incredible production of Wendy and Peter Pan to the stage.

The end result was a polished and entertaining production that demonstrated the depth of talent within all areas of the Performing Arts at PLC Sydney.

The PLC Sydney Dance Troupes doubled in size in 2022 with there now being two senior and two junior dance troupes.

The troupes have been working hard and attended a dance camp in early June in preparation for the first-ever PLC Sydney Dance performance.

Mr Garry Barker has taken over the role of PLC Sydney Pipes and Drums Director. The Pipes and Drums have had a busy Term 1 performing at both school and outside events.

On 10 April, the Band played for the arrival of HRH Princess Anne at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli and the very next day delivered two performance parades at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. They are working on extending the Band’s musical repertoire and improving to even higher standards of performance, which I’m sure will lead to further public performances.

The Choirs, String Ensembles, Bands, and Bells have all returned to rehearsing. Rehearsals have looked very different from the usual rehearsal formats, however, very gradually, rehearsals are returning to the norm.

Despite these obstacles, staff and students are very excited to be rehearsing and making music again.

The top floor of the Performing Arts Centre is alive once more with the

sounds of music. There have already been numerous school events that several groups have performed at such as Madrigal performing at the Anzac assembly. All ensembles worked hard towards performances, such as the Open Day and Fair, and The Annual Music Festival. There are many more exciting performances to come throughout the year that everyone is looking forward to. And the successful Macindoe Lunchtime Concerts that were held during the lockdown period of 2021 have now returned.

Here at PLC Sydney we have a growing number of talented Jazz musicians. Each year on 30 April,

UNESCO recognises the tremendous importance and global outreach of Jazz music with International Jazz Day. On 29 April, students from the Big Band, Stage Band, and Junior Jazz Ensemble got together during lunch to jam and encourage each other.

“It’s not exclusive, but inclusive, which is the whole spirit of Jazz.”

- Herbie Hancock Mr Phil Harper Director of Performing Arts Coordinator of Bands

Students from the Big Band, Stage Band, and Junior Jazz Ensemble got together during lunch for a jam session to celebrate International Jazz Day.

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

20

60 SECONDS WITH ...

MR PHIL HARPER Director of Performing Arts Coordinator of Bands Have you always been a teacher or have you had other careers before teaching?

In my work life before teaching (and still to a much lesser extent), I worked as a professional musician. This included performing in theatre shows such as, Beauty and the Beast, Wicked, The Sound of Music, The Adams Family, Phantom of the Opera and many more. The most recent show I’ve performed in was Frozen. Other areas of performance I worked in were performing in orchestras for visiting artists such as Anthony Warlow, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and Jerry Lewis.

What led you to a career in education?

I enjoy conducting ensembles so I first started conducting ensembles in schools whilst playing in shows. This then lead to teaching in the classroom as well.

What has been your greatest challenge in the classroom?

I believe I haven’t really faced a true challenge, however, I always try to instill the love of music into my students, and there are days where I have to work much harder to generate the enthusiasm that I am hoping and working for.

What do you enjoy most about being involved in education?

I love the moments where everything is working perfectly such as: everyone playing a piece of music together, everyone understanding that piece of music, and everyone being involved and having fun in the activity of making and sharing music together.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

What do you find most rewarding about teaching?

The sense of satisfaction students get when they know they sound good and the realisation that they sound good. I love it when students want to start up their own band.

Do you have a most memorable career point to date?

Not really. There have been many exciting musical performances I have been part of, both in my teaching and performance careers. I love touring with my ensembles and there have been many memorable moments on tours in other countries that are my strongest memories.

Who has been your greatest influence?

I had a band conductor when I was young who helped me to realise my love of and passion for music. My wife is also a Music teacher and musician and together we travel the world experiencing many different aspects of other cultures and their music, so I would say my wife and the musical events we experience around the world would be my most recent great influence.

What is your motto in life?

Live life today. Don’t wait for the exciting activity tomorrow/ next week/next year.

Do you have any interests/hobbies?

I love mountains and snow. Earlier this year I had the exciting adventure of flying over Antarctica.

“I love it when students want to start up their own band.”

MS FARADAY PANG

21

Pathways International Coordinator Languages Faculty Have you always been a teacher or have you had other careers before teaching?

I was working as the chief editor in a leading music magazine in Hong Kong, and I interviewed famous singers and actors (such as Michael Jackson, Jackie Chan, Celine Dion and Paul Simon) everyday and travelled a lot. It was fun!

What led you to a career in education?

Since my high school and uni years, I was always interested in outdoor adventures but not teaching. I thought I would become a mountaineering or scuba diving instructor but I ended up volunteering in the organisation Outward Bound, coaching teenagers outdoor expedition skills. I fell in love with teaching and wanted to influence more young souls and bring them to the right direction.

What has been your greatest challenge in the classroom?

To teach differentiated groups where I have to cater for all abilities and attitudes (strong or weak; eager or reluctant students) and encourage them to grow.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching?

Seeing students continue to study Chinese after graduation and finding the knowledge I taught them useful in life.

At our reunions they tell me all about it—I feel like I am part of their life journey and will always be their ‘PLC mum’!

Do you have a most memorable career point to date?

In 2016, both of the top students in my composite Year 12 classes (I was teaching two HSC courses in the same classroom) came first in the State— it was double happiness!

Who has been your greatest influence?

My Year 12 English teacher who demonstrated a good model for a good teacher—friendly and understanding!

What is your motto in life?

Seize the Day.

“From seeing students really enjoy a lesson, an activity or an excursion—to seeing them achieve well in all aspects of their lives.”

Do you have any interests/hobbies?

Reading (all sorts of books), pilates, yoga, travelling and family time.

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

60 SECONDS WITH...

What do you enjoy most about being involved in education?

From seeing students really enjoy a lesson, an activity or an excursion— to seeing them achieve well in all aspects of their lives.

22

IN PROFILE GRACE GAUKRODGER Year 10 ARTISTIC SWIMMING “My greatest inspiration is my mum. She is always driving me to training no matter if it’s 5.00 am or 9.00 pm.”

Are you a member of a squad/team and where are you currently training?

I am part of the Australian National Youth Squad and we go on national training camps every holidays. During school term I train with my club the Sydney Emeralds.

What are some of the challenges you face with juggling school work and competing/training?

I think like most athletes I find it hard to complete my homework and study for assessments in time. And I am also tired at school because of my training. But being part of the Talented Individual Program (TIP) is helping me balance this.

What do you like to do when you are not competing or doing school work?

When I am not training/competing or doing school work I like to eat and cook and I also like to go to the beach or watch TV. What do you think has been your biggest sporting achievement so far?

I think so far, my biggest sporting achievement is making it into the Australian Youth National Team.

What is your greatest sporting ambition?

My biggest sporting goal is to go to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

How old were you when you started artistic swimming?

I was nine.

How did you get involved?

I loved doing backflips and spinning around in the pool.

Then one day my mum told me that there was a sport called Artistic Swimming. So I went for a trial at my club, and I loved it and I have been training ever since.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

My greatest inspiration is my mum. She is always driving me to training no matter if it’s 5.00 am or 9.00 pm. She supports me and helps me to achieve my goals and manage school and synchro.

AIMEE LONGHURST

23

Year 11 FOOTBALL How old were you when you started football?

Five or six.

How did you get involved?

I played with my friends at school and then made a team for Saturday football.

Are you a member of a squad/team and where are you currently training?

I play for Sydney University Football Club U/18s and I am currently training with them three nights a week.

“My biggest achievement so far would have to be my selection in the Junior Matildas extended players list squad.’

Having learning disabilities, I have never been a very strong academic student. The effort it takes to sit at a desk and do work is almost as hard as playing a full game of football for me sometimes, though I am trying my best to create the best version of myself.

What do you like to do when you are not competing or doing school work?

Hang out with friends, put smiles on faces, create art and go to the gym.

What do you think has been your biggest sporting achievement so far?

My biggest achievement so far would have to be my selection in the Junior Matildas extended players list squad. Before Covid-19 I was selected multiple times for the NSW country teams to compete at Nationals.

Prior to this season I was playing high level representative cricket, including being selected for the ACT/NSW squad, but I’ve found myself needing to take a break from cricket to pursue football because the juggle between each sport at high levels was huge.

What is your greatest sporting ambition?

My greatest sporting ambition is to make the A-League, the Matildas and possibly end up playing in England in the big leagues.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

Personally I have never had an individual I’ve looked up to like some may have. I do it for myself and my loved ones, especially my parents as my biggest supporters—I don’t think I could be any more grateful to have them. I want to impress and push myself to create the best possible athlete and person I can be.

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

IN PROFILE WITH...

What are some of the challenges you face with juggling school work and competing/training?

I am hardly ever home/in the Boarding House. I have five training sessions a week, not including my own personal strength and conditioning training, and making the time whilst still having the energy and motivation to get school work done each night is a struggle. Especially if I need to get work done over the weekend as I have games that take up the majority of the day, including making my way to and from.

It can also be a struggle each week to make my own way to training and games while following the Boarding House rules when teammates are unable to give me a lift. I often find it’s an everyday struggle not having my parents there to take me, which can be a stress and a half.

24

The Senior School held a sausage sizzle to raise funds for the flood appeal.

FUNDRAISING FOR FLOOD RELIEF PLC Sydney has a proud history of service learning with all year groups from Pre‑Kindergarten to Year 12 focusing on one or more projects, learning about the needs of the community involved and organising fundraising activities and initiatives.

However, at times the need arises to support additional causes that our community is compelled to assist. Earlier this year the College community sprung into action to support those who were affected by the catastrophic weather event that caused severe flooding along the east coast of Australia.

was unimaginable—almost every family in the school and two staff members lost their homes. Most families escaped the flood with only the clothes on their backs and a few personal treasured items. The families effectively lost everything.

Our community was compelled to assist in the most useful way possible—raising funds.

In March this year, Northern NSW was hit by devastating floods. Tragically homes, businesses, farms, livestock and lives were lost. And just as the clean up was finishing up and people were starting to get back on their feet, the area was hit with more damaging flooding.

“The scale of devastation was unimaginable—almost every family in the school and two staff members lost their homes.”

PLC Sydney connected with the community of Empire Vale Public School, a small school 26km south of Ballina that was completely wiped out by the floods. The scale of devastation PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

25

Dr Burgis launched an online flood relief appeal on 17 March to the College community, the Senior School held a sausage sizzle that was supported by the Meat Station in St Peters and CaterCare and The PLC Sydney Ex-Students generously donated $1000 to the cause.

PLC Sydney’s Director of Development, Mr John Da Cruz, travelled to Empire Vale to see the devastation first-hand and offer assistance. John said “It was heartbreaking to meet families such as Adam—a single father with four children under the age of 15 who lost everything with his home destroyed and was forced to live in their shed. The family was sleeping on donated mattresses on the concrete floor.”

“It was heartbreaking to meet families such as Adam—a single father with four children under the age of 15 who lost everything with his home destroyed and was forced to live in their shed. The family was sleeping on donated mattresses on the concrete floor.”

Empire Vale Public School was severely damaged by the flood waters.

As a result of their loss, families were so overwhelmed physically and emotionally that many were unable to navigate the bureaucracy to apply for grants and support. John discovered that “Most families were not aware of the available grants nor in a position to apply for support. We were able to meet with individual families and assist these families to access over 13 different Disaster Assistance measures.”

Thanks to the generosity of the PLC Sydney community, we have been able to donate more than $40,000 to Empire Vale Public School to purchase new books for their library and school materials for the children. Thank you to everyone who donated.

Dr Burgis spoke with Ms Bonny Avery, Empire Vale Public School Principal, on 16 March where she relayed the devastation that had been caused by the flooding.

Many people lost everything when the flooding hit the area.

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

26

STORIES FROM THE ARCHIVES FLORA ELDERSHAW: ONE OF A KIND A teacher’s ‘lot’, unlike the policeman’s ‘lot’ in the song from the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance, can indeed be ‘a happy one’. It certainly was a happy, varied and fulfilling ‘lot’ for Flora Eldershaw, who was at PLC Sydney from 1923 to 1941.

Flora Eldershaw was 26 years old when she was appointed by Dr E Neil McQueen, the Principal, to teach English and Latin.

Thumbing through the issues of the Aurora Australis for the 18 years of her tenure reveals an awesome dexterity to embrace not only classroom teaching, but many other educational activities. She was fully immersed in the life of the College.

Yet, in addition to her College responsibilities, Flora Eldershaw was a well-known writer in the 1930s and 1940s, and, during and after World War II, she embarked on a further career with the Commonwealth public service and in the private sector. Throughout her life Eldershaw sought to improve the ‘lot’ of others—through education, literature or better working conditions.

Flora Sydney Eldershaw (1897-1956) was a country girl: her father was a station manager on a property in the Riverina and she was a boarder at the Mount Erin Convent in Wagga Wagga. She studied History and Latin at the University of Sydney and received her BA from the University in 1918.

Her first teaching post was at Cremorne Church of England Grammar School for Girls.

Flora Eldershaw, c1940, photographed by Freeman Studios Credit: State Library of New South Wales

Flora Eldershaw, educator When Miss Eldershaw arrived at PLC Sydney in 1923, there were 295 students, and nearly a third of those were boarders. When she left the College 18 years later, in 1941, the enrolment had dropped to 220 with only 39 boarders, thanks in large measure to financial difficulties brought on by the Great Depression.

Her responsibilities extended far beyond teaching English and Latin. Miss Eldershaw taught Economics and took her students to Dalgety’s to see wool selling, to Nestle’s chocolate factory, and to Arnott’s biscuit factory. She helped organise school concerts and took the students in Form 5A to Sydney Town Hall to hear Lotte Lehmann, the famous soprano. She was co-producer or producer of at least two Shakespeare plays and took pupils to live performances of Quality Street and Hamlet. In 1926 Miss Eldershaw was one of the staff members who went to Mittagong for the school camp, part of Dr McQueen’s modified Dalton Plan.

In 1936 she took seven PLC girls, together with groups from MLC and PLC Pymble, to the Great Barrier Reef.

The following year, as Form Mistress for Form VIA, she led the pupils in a weekend at Collaroy designed to teach them the principles of home management.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

For five years she was the President of the Aurora Committee; for three years she was one of three Vice‑Presidents of the Student Christian Union Committee; for 11 years she was a netball coach, either with another staff member or on her own; for all but four years she was a Form Mistress (Year Director); for three years she was a House Mistress.

In 1928 Miss Eldershaw became Senior Mistress, a position akin to Deputy Principal today. For several years from 1931 she was in charge of the Boarders, becoming ‘Matron’ Eldershaw. In 1939 she was Acting Principal for five months when the Principal, Miss Hamilton (appointed in 1932), returned to England for a holiday.

Yet surely her greatest achievements were the two pageants she masterminded: the Historical Pageant in 1927 and Under This Gum Tree in 1938. Miss Eldershaw was the author and chief organiser for each of these events.

The Historical Pageant, performed over two nights in the gardens, presented, in the words of Dr McQueen,

“the course of civilisation from the nomadic stage to the present time”1 – featuring more than 400 characters in its three-hour running time! It was a project of gargantuan proportions and involved every student and every staff member. Every pupil was cast in at least one role, they made the costumes and props (and carried out research so that the details were accurate), and they performed the music.

Eleven years later, as part of the College’s 50th anniversary Jubilee celebrations in 1938, Miss Eldershaw again put pen to paper to write and produce Under This Gum Tree.

With a track record of not shying away from a challenge, this pageant sought to speculate upon and present events that could have taken place under the mighty gum tree that (still) stands adjacent to the Sunken Lawn. Scenes showed the Indigenous inhabitants before European settlement, songs and dances about Australian flora and fauna, how colonial Australia developed, and a recreation of the day the Earl and Countess of Jersey came to open the new buildings at the Croydon campus in 1891.

The Ex-Students’ News offers a summary of this unique PLC personage: “Hers was a many-faceted personality.

Sharp flashes of anger could be succeeded by paroxysms of rollicking infectious mirth. She quickly saw the humour of any situation and loved to recount tales from the

store of richly-embroidered anecdotes. Above all, she relished a joke against herself. One of her most endearing characteristics was her immediate and practical sympathy for anyone ill or in trouble. Her swift changes of mood, her robust sense of humour and her spontaneous warmheartedness all lent colour to the life of the School.”2

Flora Eldershaw, author Flora Eldershaw was also a well-known writer. Using the pseudonym M Barnard Eldershaw, she and Marjorie Barnard (1897-1987) collaborated to write five novels, a critical study of Australian fiction, three historical works, and several radio plays.3 The two women met in 1916 as students at the University of Sydney, where Flora was a year ahead of Marjorie. Having adjacent lockers most likely initiated the friendship and by the end of the year they were close friends. They were both top students and were interested in literature and in promoting Australian women writers. Both were early members of the University’s Board of the Women’s Union, a body concerned with the interests and affairs of female students at the University.

Later they became active members in the Fellowship of Australian Writers.

1

The Golden Key or Educating for Life, E. Neil McQueen, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1930, p. 31. Series 43, Box 400.

2

Op cit., The Ex-Students’ News, 1956.

3

Novels: A House Is Built (1929), Green Memory (1931), The Glasshouse (1936), Plaque with Laurel (1937), Tomorrow and Tomorrow (1947). Critical study: Essays in Australian Fiction (1938). Historical works: Phillip of Australia (1938), My Australia (1939), The Life and Times of Captain John Piper (1939).

A scene from Under This Gum Tree, produced in 1938 as part of the College’s 50th anniversary celebrations (portrays of Dr Marden, the Earl and Countess of Jersey, 1891).

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

27

Miss Eldershaw with Boarders, 1937.

Their first novel, A House Is Built, published in 1929, received the £1000 Bulletin prize for the best Australian novel, a prize shared with Katharine Susannah Prichard.

Despite the prize, they could not find an Australian publisher and the book was published in England. It tells of family and commercial life in 19th century Australia and focuses on the restricted lives of middle-class women of the era.

Writing in tandem is no easy balancing act, yet the Eldershaw‑Barnard duo survived for nearly two decades.

Marjorie Barnard wrote that their friendship “was to withstand what everyone agrees to be the acid test of collaboration in writing”.4 In 1983, when she was 86 years of age, Miss Barnard revealed that the “partnership worked like this: We talked and we talked and we talked. And then we precipitated. I did most of the writing, she did most of the talking. And we never fell out—it was always a happy relationship. She was very certain, and that was a great help to me”.5 The last M Barnard Eldershaw work was Tomorrow and Tomorrow, published in 1947. Described variously as utopian and science fiction, it is set in the 24th century and was censored at the time for political reasons.

It was finally published in its entirety in 1983.

Flora Eldershaw, war and post-war work Perhaps the hostilities of World War II led her to seek a more active role in national affairs, or perhaps after 18 years she had become weary of a school environment; at any rate, it was time for a change. In May 1941 the pupils at PLC Sydney “were very sorry to say good-bye to Miss Eldershaw” who “has left us for the duration of the war to take up a post in the Department of Labour and National Service, Canberra. . . We wish [her] every success in her new work.”6

In Canberra she worked for the division of post-war reconstruction and later transferred to the division of industrial welfare in Melbourne. She gave advice on women’s legal rights, working conditions and equal pay, and extended her interests to the welfare of Aboriginal and migrant women. In 1948 she became a private industrial consultant until her retirement in 1955.7 Flora Eldershaw suffered a heart attack in 1953 and two years later went to live at her sister’s property near Wagga Wagga. She died in the hospital at Wagga Wagga on 20 September 1956.

“were very sorry to say good-bye to Miss Eldershaw” who “has left us for the duration of the war to take up a post in the Department of Labour and National Service, Canberra. . .

We wish [her] every success in her new work.”

Her long-time PLC Sydney colleague, Miss Marjorie Swain, spoke for many when she wrote, “PLC was proud of her success and all those pupils and men and women who had the privilege of knowing her and of working with her will remember with affection and gratitude the qualities of heart and mind which made her an inspiring leader and a loyal and sympathetic friend.”8 Flora Eldershaw certainly led a full life in the 59 years allotted to her.

Ms Debby Cramer Archivist

4

“Tributes to Flora Eldershaw”, Meanjin, December 1956, p. 391.

5

“Recognition for a writer who wanted to change things despite the censor’, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 November 1983.

6

Aurora Australis, 1941, p. 6.

7

“Eldershaw, Flora Sydney”, Maryanne Dever, Australian Dictionary of Biography.

8

Op. cit., “Miss Eldershaw”, Series 55, Box 526, Folder 1.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

29

EX-STUDENTS’ NEWS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The Ex-Students’ Committee has received positive feedback about Jersey Day, from the new ex-student branding, which features the Blackwatch prominently (of course!), to the catering to the tours. Many in our community who have not returned to the College for some time were in total admiration for the many physical changes that have taken place at the College—as am I, whenever I visit our school.

Our school holds a special place in our hearts. I encourage all ex-students to return to the College and not just on Jersey Day. The Committee and I encourage you to embrace these opportunities to learn, grow and rekindle memories every time you visit our beautiful school.

Observing the warmth amongst our ex-students on Jersey Day was a poignant reminder for me of what we can work towards as a community. In doing so, I reflected on the theme of International Women’s Day this year, ‘Break the Bias’.

Our ex-students represent the many ways women participate and contribute to their communities and the world at large.

As a community, we need to ensure we advocate for equality and that our ex-student activities are diverse, inclusive and equitable. We are all doing different things in terms of careers, family commitments and other priorities, but what unites us is that we are all PLC Sydney ex-students. This unifying connection should be celebrated and leveraged.

Until that day, we had not reconnected in a big way on College grounds for Jersey Day since 2019. It was such a joy to see so many ex-students descend on campus and to hear lots of laughter—and glasses clinking—as reunions were celebrated.

Jersey Day commenced in 1894. At that time, the founders would never have anticipated that a global pandemic would have kept the ex-student community physically apart for a few years. Jersey Day this year was certainly worth the wait!

We have the will to lift each other up, so let’s establish systems and opportunities to support our ex‑student community as we move towards a world that prioritises women’s equality.

EX-STUDENTS

At long last, we came together and celebrated Jersey Day on Saturday, 12 March.

As President, my priorities for my tenure lie in establishing networking opportunities for ex-students as well as ways to showcase and support our ex-students’ businesses and other enterprises. We have an incredibly talented community of ex‑students, so let’s tap into this knowledge and skill base.

Mia Joseph (Ilias, 2009) Ex-Students’ President

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

30

(L to R) Philippa Zingales, Catherine Marvell, Johanne Stapelfeldt, Rae Gower, Mia Joseph, Marina Clark, Elizabeth Gregory, Ann McDonald, Sara Keli, Lesley Meldrum. Absent: Megan Carrillo, Robyn McBride, Hannah Kesby.

2022 EX-STUDENTS’ COMMITTEE Founded in 1905 PLC Sydney Ex-Students was established by a dedicated group of alumnae to raise funds for the building of the Marden Library in honour of our first Principal, Dr John Marden.

Today, the Ex-Students’ Committee is a volunteer group of ex-students representing most decades of the College’s history. The Committee provides advice, counsel and financial support, working closely with the College to create new opportunities to re-engage ex-students with the school, classmates, and the extended PLC Sydney community.

Please contact esupresident@plc.nsw.edu.au for more information.

COMMITTEE AND OFFICER BEARERS 2022 Patron: Gwendoline Bosler (Stuart, 1949)

INTERSTATE CONTACTS

President: Mia Joseph (Ilias, 2009)

Adelaide

Sunshine Coast

Patricia Becket (Lamrock, 1961) patsybeckett70@gmail.com

Jane O’Hare (Provan, 1970) 0448 003 895 jane.ohare@bigpond.com

Vice President: Edwina Hobson (2015)

Brisbane Petrina Hawkins (Campbell, 1970) trinahawkins@me.com

Canberra Suzanne Clubb (1957) (02) 6238 1531 suzanneclubb@bigpond.com

Gold Coast Jeni Bone (Payne, 1987) (07) 5526 0092 jeni@edit-it.com.au

Melbourne Leonie Gillett (Cresswell, 1961) (03) 9848 5058 leonian2@bigpond.com

New England/Northern District Helen Loveday (Kinross, 1951) (02) 6721 0583

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

Western Australia Kay Ralph (Teasdell, 1970) 0438 932 690 termimesh@westnet.com.au

Riverina Catherine Cruickshank (Bassingthwaite, 1986) (02) 6927 6353 If you would like to volunteer to coordinate a reunion or be the key contact for PLC Sydney ex-students in your area, please contact the Ex‑Students’ Office on 02 9704 5635 or exstudents@plc.nsw.edu.au for more details.

Secretary: Elizabeth Gregory (Cornish, 1961) Treasurer: Johanne Stapelfeldt (1978) Committee Members: Marina Clark (Lvoff, 1978) Sara Keli (Thorp, 2001) Hannah Kesby (2009) Lesley Meldrum (Morgan, 1955) Robyn McBride (Hailey, 1976) Ann McDonald (1965) Director of Alumni & Community Relations & Committee Member: Philippa Zingales (Harris, 1998)

GET TO KNOW THE EX-STUDENTS’ COMMITTEE I enjoyed all of the co-curricular activities I was able to be involved in while at PLC. In particular, I loved my time spent swimming and training for athletics, as well as playing social water polo!

What have you gone on to do since school?

EDWINA HOBSON (2015) When did you start at PLC Sydney and what did you enjoy most about your time at the College?

I started at PLC Sydney in 2010 in Year 7.

I have completed a combined Bachelor of Commerce and Engineering at university. I graduated from university in 2020 and started a full-time role in project management as a graduate at Multiplex in 2021. Prior to the pandemic I was able to travel while I was at university, which was super enjoyable and I look forward to travelling again next year.

Why have you become involved in the Ex-Students’ Committee?

I became involved in the Committee because I want to try and facilitate closer relationships between people in my year and alumni generally.

31

I would love to see the huge and valuable network that is the PLC Ex-Students become stronger, and for women to use opportunities to network, ultimately providing better employment prospects for themselves.

Favourite memories from school?

My favourite memories were always House Choir night, I was in Kinross and I can’t remember winning very much but we had super fun times!

It was definitely a highlight in the school year for me!

“I became involved in the Committee because I want to try and facilitate closer relationships between people in my year and alumni generally.”

ALUMNI NEWS CONGRATULATIONS TO ELIZABETH NAUPA PECHAN (1993)

Elizabeth and her husband Greg’s commitment to cultural preservation and environmental protection earned The Havannah membership of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World in 2019.

She is a strong supporter of women in business and promotes local smallscale enterprises such as nature-based

handicrafts and other sustainable environmental livelihood practices.

She recently commented that she wants young women to know that being strong doesn’t just mean physically.

“It could be mental strength as well.

A lot of our strength comes through our communities, and through volunteering and passion and perseverance, and

all of these skills that a lot of us have in Vanuatu, make us very resilient to the environment and culture that we live in,” she says.

Congratulations to Elizabeth on this much-deserved recognition.

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

EX-STUDENTS

Congratulations to Elizabeth who received the 2021 Hanson Mataskelekele Award for Women Leaders. Elizabeth is the founder and co-owner of The Havannah Vanuatu.

32

WEDDINGS 12.02.22 Mia Xenos (2013) married Jim Koukouras at St Nectarios Greek Church in Burwood and their reception followed at Doltone House, Hyde Park. Their maid of honour was Demi Kioussis (2005).

14.04.22 Bridget McCarthy (2011) married Josh Stanton at Royal Randwick, their reception followed in The Stables at the top of the Members Stand. Current students Molly Cameron, Sienna, and Juliette Colosi, made their wedding cake and choux pastries. Her flower girls were her Godsisters, Frankie and Lottie Maxwell (Pre-Kindergarten).

19.02.22 Julia Cookson (2005) was married to Christopher Peters on a misty day in the Blue Mountains. Three of Julia’s school friends were her bridesmaids.

13.03.22 After four postponements due to the pandemic, Lauren Aliferis (2013) and Peter Lagouvardos were legally married in the Greek Orthodox church in November 2021 and had a very small celebration with immediate family.

In March 2022 they were finally able to celebrate with all of their family and friends. In the words of the Bride: “After battling Covid and floods, the wedding was nothing short of amazing, and Peter and I are now so excited to begin this next chapter of our lives.”

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

BIRTHS

33

28.03.22

11.2.2022

Jacqlyn Paneras (Hanna, 2009) and her husband Lance, welcomed Nicholas Emile Paneras in March 2022. Their older son, Christian Trifon Paneras was born in November 2020.

Clare Stokes (Marvell, 2004) and her husband Michael welcomed a big brother for their son Oscar, when Hugo Marvell Stokes arrived in February at Kareena Private Hospital, Caringbah.

VALE – THANK YOU NORMA SHORE She began at PLC Croydon (as our school was then known) in Year 4 as a day student.

She was Vice-Captain of Thompson House, one of the College’s original Junior School Houses, and went on to be part of the Harper House committee.

She enjoyed sport and played on the 1942 Tildesely Tennis team.

Norma sat the Intermediate Certificate in 1943 (equivalent to Year 9), and immediately after school, she completed a secretarial course before training as a nurse.

A talented and dedicated nurse, in 1959, Norma was awarded a prestigious Florence Nightingale Scholarship. Norma built a successful

nursing career, training junior nurses and relocating to Melbourne for many years before returning to Sydney. From 1974 to 1984, Norma was director of Nursing at St. George Hospital.

Norma was a very proud and dedicated ex-student. She attended almost every Jersey Day in the 1950s and 1960s and, when she lived there, became a very active member of our ex-student community in Melbourne.

A generous contributor to PLC Sydney’s music program during her lifetime, in 2011, she became the inaugural president of the Shubra Tower Society, the College’s bequest association.

Ms Shore passed away earlier this year, and in her will, she generously left a gift to the Foundation.

DEATHS

21. 11. 21 Janet George (Dobell-Brown, 1967)

Since the last edition of Camphora Magazine, we have been advised of the passing of the following ex-students and valued members of our community.

An obituary on Mrs George was published in the UK’s Horse and Hound Magazine.

2021 Margaret Hyde (O’Carroll, 1950)

20.05.22 Susanne Briggs (1975) Susanne was well loved and respected

by Sydney’s arts community and

Future generations of young women will benefit from her kind generosity, and we hope to go on to enjoy their education, music studies and time at school as much as she did.

Vale, and thank you.

arts media, having worked at the Art Gallery of NSW, the Art Gallery of South Australia, The Mosman Art Gallery, other regional galleries, and Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre.

2019 Noeline Ashhurst (Rochester, 1953)

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

EX-STUDENTS

Ms Norma Shore attended PLC Sydney from 1938 through to 1943.

34

ACHIEVEMENTS Congratulations to Pamela Cohen (Hughes, 1961) on being recognised with an Order of Australian Medal (OAM) for service to community health and the social work profession in the 2022 Australia Day honours.

Dr Phillippa Carnemolla (1990) is an industrial designer, and an expert on policy and practice focused on developing more inclusive cities. She has recently been promoted to Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building. She works with diverse community groups doing transdisciplinary work across many other faculties (Business, Health and Law) relating to Aged Care, Disability Care and Health and Planning Law. Learn more about her research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50YSJAa_AdI

Menai Baptist Church welcomes Jessica Wiles (Tugwell, 2011) We are pleased to share that Jess has been appointed Youth Pastor at Menai Baptist Church, a place of worship for many in our school community.

Jess recently said:

“My role at Menai Baptist Church is focused on providing a space for youth and young adults to explore Gods word, encounter Jesus and live life together as disciples of Jesus.”

PUBLICATIONS Do you how amazing some of our native plants are? They are plants that have grown and adapted over thousands of years to live harmoniously with Australia’s land, climate, animals and First Nations Peoples. When you dig a little deeper, you’ll find they have some astonishingly unique gifts, and purposes not found in any other plants or parts of the world.

Josephine Farrell (Crosby, 1997) has written her first children’s book: Aussie Native Plants A-Z. Inspired by Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies, Joey felt it was time to bring some of the beauty and interesting facts about Australian flora to children and adults alike helping them embrace and become intrigued by the secrets of the land.

Learn more about the book: https://boolarongpress.com.au/product/aussie-native-plants-a-z/

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

35

Bronwyn Birdsall’s (1999) debut novel Time and Tide in Sarajevo will be available in July 2022.

She took some time to answer questions about bringing her story to the page.

1. What inspired the story of your new novel?

Time and Time in Sarajevo is inspired by the years I lived in Sarajevo—a place rich in beauty and history. I was 24 when I moved there in 2007, eleven years after the end of the long and brutal siege of the city. After returning to Australia in 2011, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything I’d seen and heard, asking myself—how do we find hope in a world that can feel beyond repair? What does it mean to have given up on a future?

My novel follows a young Australian teacher in Sarajevo who gets caught up in a crisis. Set over a few days, it’s about friendship, loyalty and finding your place in the world. I hope it captures the city’s humour, resilience and atmosphere.

The protagonist is similar in age and background to me, but responds to life very differently than I do. Through her, I got to experience the city again with a fresh perspective. I think it’s deepened my understanding of Sarajevo, and maybe even given me some answers to those questions.

Bronwyn Birdsall’s (1999) debut novel Time and Tide in Sarajevo

3. What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

For me, the process is quite mysterious.

I liken it to something Michelangelo apparently said: that a sculpture is already complete within the marble block, and the sculptor’s job is simply to remove everything unnecessary to reveal the work. It takes patience.

I think a general curiosity about life shows up on the page. Being interested in people and ideas, and seeking out different experiences, is not just good for you as a writer, but good for you as a person. Also, never be discouraged by your messy first draft; that’s just you telling yourself the story. You’ll shape it for a reader when you edit.

I wrote the whole first draft of Time and Tide by hand and then I just kept working on it. A lot of the process was me learning how to write a novel.

Eventually, my publisher and I worked through several edits and I’m so happy with the final result. It’s like I’ve been doing a puzzle in my mind for six years and it’s now solved!

Finally, have people around you who believe in you. I don’t know if I’d have had the courage to do this without those formative years with Ms Deidre Coleman as my English teacher. I still remember her telling me that my sensitivity was a gift, not something to be squished down. I’ve held onto that my whole life.

I’m working on my second novel now, about three generations of women in Sydney. It’s completely different from the first, but the basic process is the same: write, edit, write, put it aside, write some more.

Time and Tide in Sarajevo will be published on 26 July 2022 in Australia by Affirm Press. Pre‑orders are already available online and through local booksellers.

2. What is your writing process?

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

EX-STUDENTS

PUBLICATIONS

36

TERTIARY NEWS Olivia Beck (2018) is in her fourth year at UTS studying Electrical Engineering. In 2020, she achieved the Dean’s List. She was approached by the head of the motorsports competition for UTS to join the team, and she is currently working full time at ANSTO as part of her first internship.

Lauren is currently working with AGL as part of the Three-Year Graduation Program in Mechanical Engineering – Rotation. She is currently based in Muswellbrook until September.

Emily Moloney and Celine Farrugia from the Class of 2022 have enjoyed orientation at Bond University as they begin their medical degrees.

Congratulations to Lauren Sharpe (2016) on receiving her Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours and Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics from UTS.

Lauren Sharpe

Engineering Honours in Mechatronics (Space) Engineering at the University of Sydney and a Masters of Engineering in Biochemical Engineering at University College London. It fascinates me how one journey led to two destinations 17,000km away from each other.

As such, I stress the importance of making the most of your own high school ‘journey’.

Ameline heads to University College London Ameline Archis (2021) has moved to London! She wrote to the College as she settled into her new life at university and took the time to share some words of encouragement for our current Year 12 and younger students.

“My journey at PLC Sydney led to my acceptance into a Bachelor of

During your time in high school, I firmly believe that you should remain committed to being dedicated and disciplined in your studies and branch out to exercise your passions in the vast range of co-curricular activities offered at PLC Sydney. Ultimately, through completing these activities alongside your academic studies, you will learn the immeasurable skills of time management and organisation, essential and applicable to all areas you wish to pursue in your own lives.

It is also important to understand that universities, both domestically and internationally, are beginning to pay more attention increasingly to your transferable skills and extracurricular activities and your academic successes.

Therefore, get involved in as much as

Emily Moloney and Celine Farrugia

you can throughout your PLC Sydney journey and make the most of all that our school has to offer.

However, it is still important to remember that high school is challenging.

Despite this, I encourage you to believe and trust that everything that PLC offers prepares you well for the exciting and endless life journey ahead of you. Reach out to the staff, past students, and your fellow students, and remain optimistic to learn about the possible journeys you can embark on. Specifically, the Futures Team at PLC showed me immense support and guidance throughout my own applications overseas. They had a constant passion for assisting me in following my aspirations and truly allowed my dreams of being accepted into University College London to come true.

To conclude, I want to reiterate the importance of making the most of your time and journey at PLC while remaining committed to having fun. Do all that you can now to open up the doors of the world, and remember that you are well supported and loved in the PLC community which can take you to the moon, the stars, and everywhere else!”

If you’d like to share updates about your tertiary studies with the College, including graduation or publication news, please contact exstudents@plc.nsw.edu.au.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

37

Rae Gower (Hoore, 1949) with Marina Clark (Lvoff, 1978) at the final Ex-Students’ Card Day, 2022.

THE END OF AN ERA FAREWELL TO CARD DAY Our annual Card Day has long been on the ex-students calendar; the exact date of its beginning is hard to determine, but we believe it’s been running in some form or another since the late 1960s until this year.

It was always a lovely occasion for ex‑students and their friends to get together to play Bridge in the beautiful location of Pymble Golf Club.

This year was no different, and we all had a delightful day, playing cards board games and, shopping at Libby Tugwell’s (Harley, 1979) card stall, Lesley Meldrum’s (Morgan, 1950) homemade gift stall and browsing through the new PLC Sydney merchandise.

we are exploring a social event in the future to be held on the North Shore.

Our special thanks go to Margaret Middleton (Esplin, 1954) for securing the venue and being an important part of this event for us over many years.

Thank you too to Elizabeth Gregory (Cornish, 1961) for her help on the day, and Rae Gower (Hoore, 1949) for coming out of retirement as the Ex-Students’ Treasurer to deal with the finances and tombola.

Many thanks to all who have supported this event for so many years.

Marina Clark (Lvoff, 1978)

EX-STUDENTS

We all got together for a delicious sandwich, petits fours, and lunch whilst the tombola prizes were drawn.

The money raised from the day ($378) supported the College’s Flood Appeal for Empire Vale Public School.

Sadly all good things must come to an end… With numbers declining over the last few years, the Ex-Students’ Committee has decided that the 2022 Card Day will be the last one. A difficult decision; however,

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

38

& REUNIONS 2022 Over the past 128 years there are only a few times that Jersey Day has been cancelled. After the disruptions of 2020 and 2021 with back‑to‑back cancellations, coming together again at Jersey Day 2022 was that much sweeter.

An event steeped in tradition, the second Saturday in March holds a special place for ex‑students as we’re welcomed ‘home’ through the green gates.

But navigating a new ‘Covid-safe’ normal was an opportunity for us to do things differently. To mix old traditions with new ones and give Jersey Day a fresh vibe.

And what a vibe it was!

The service in College Hall followed with afternoon tea by the camphor laurel tree are stalwarts of Jersey Day. This year the two were combined into a single event, held in Thompson Hall. Opened by the Pipes and Drums Band, ex-students spanning more than 60 years joined together in singing the School Hymn and giving thanks for the day.

1982 classmates: (L-R) Karen Lee Wasley (Waddell), Hayley Simmons (Brown), Elizabeth Thompson (Miller), Annette Bray (Rand) and Linda Blackman.

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

39

All ex-students are always welcome at Jersey Day, no matter what year they left the College.

In more recent years, Jersey Day has also played host to the decade reunions. With the unfortunate cancellations of the past two years—and not wanting any reunion groups to miss out—there were 14 reunions held on Jersey Day 2022.

It was somewhat of an experiment, albeit meticulously planned

by Director of Alumni and Community Relations, Philippa Zingales (Harris, 1998), and the Ex‑Students Committee.

Verlaine Griffiths (1962) with friends.

1962 classmates: (L to R) Louise Pearce (Muller), Sue Webster (Bonamy), Annabelle McLellan (Perrottet), Frances Smith (Ireland), Sue Gill (Caldwell‑Smith), Suzie Wallis (Langdon), Sue Robinson (Abberton), Robyn Newton (McLeod), Susan Collins (Brown), Robyn Whitfield (McKie), Allison Melloh (Phillips), Margaret Kench (Sergeant), Karlene Holland (Clifford), and Kate Palethorpe (Lesslie).

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

EX-STUDENTS

Ex-students from the classes of 1961‑62, 1971-72, 1980‑82, 1990-92, 2000-02, 2010-12 and 2015-17 moved from the Thompson Hall service to fill the Hamilton Junior School balconies.

40

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

41

Class of 2012: (L-R) Lia Tsatsoulis, Elise Harrison, Ruby Kerr, Helen McHugh, Kassandra Kashian, Jessica Blake, Melinda Patroulias, Lauren Parker, Kaila Hart and Rachel Khoury-Harb.

Michelle Pascoe (Dickson, 1979) with daughter Cailin Pascoe (2016).

From the chatter and laughter coming from the reunions, it was clear that any nerves and apprehension had quickly melted away. They were replaced with the joy at seeing familiar faces and places while reminiscing about the PLC days.

Lesley Meldrum (Morgan, 1955) enjoys Jersey Day with friends.

Class of 1971 Reunion: Wendy Twaddell (Hicks) with Diane Giblin (Phillpot).

EX-STUDENTS

Walking back through the green gates is a time of mixed emotions.

For some ex-students, it’s the first time they’ve returned to school after their final day.

Naturally, there’s some nerves and apprehension.

Class of 2000 Reunion.

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

42

As many of the ex-students commented during and after the reunion, the experiment of bringing so many reunion groups together worked well and was a huge success.

It was an opportunity to not only connect with the girls from your own year but also those in the years above or below.

After what has been an incredibly tough time for so many in our community, Jersey Day 2022 was a shining light.

The chance for so many reunion groups to come together in an organised way may not present itself again. But Jersey Day is a day for all ex-students.

If you’ve never been to Jersey Day, consider adding it to your 2023 calendar.

Bring a friend, a group of friends or come by yourself.

The ex‑student community is a warm and welcoming one full of an incredible group of women. You never know who you’ll reconnect with or the new connections you might make.

Sara Keli (Thorp, 2001)

Jersey Day: (L-R) Adele Simpson (Barrie, 1981), Barbara Palmer (1980), Judith Kelly (Fletcher, 1980), Fiona Kirby (Tice, 1980) and Christina Robb (Makepeace, 1980).

CONVERSATIONS AT THE FUTURES FORUM

43

In May, we welcomed back ex‑students for our Conversations Cafe. A feature of the Annual Futures Careers Forum, the Cafe has become one of the most popular parts of the event.

From Law to Physio, Graphic Design to Social Work, just to name a few of the industries represented this year, the Conversations Cafe is an example of our network in action. Our older ex‑students shared their knowledge and advice with the younger generation of PLC Sydney girls. Each table represents a different industry and is hosted by an alumna working or studying in that particular field.

Current students have the opportunity to have an informal conversation about going into that field after school, university experiences and how to prepare for work and life after school.

So many students (and their parents!) came away saying how inspiring these women were and how excited they were to have the opportunity to speak with them personally about their studies and careers.

Thank you to all the ex-students who shared their time for this event.

ADELAIDE ANNUAL LUNCH On Friday, 3 June, a group of five ex‑students reunited over lunch at Stamps Restaurant, Mitchem in Adelaide.

EX-STUDENTS

The Adelaide lunch is always happily anticipated, and this particular group of friends have reunited annually for many years. It was a pleasure to welcome a new ex-student to the group, Mandy Thomas (1976). We also welcomed the Director of Alumni Relations, Philippa Zingales (Harris, 1998), who was visiting Adelaide. Our next lunch is scheduled for August 2022.

Patsy Beckett (Lamrock, 1960)

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

44

CROYDON CIRCLE ANNUAL LUNCHEON PLC Sydney is pleased to invite ex‑students to SAVE THE DATE for The Croydon Circle Annual Luncheon.

and history. Alumni are considered members of The Croydon Circle upon their 75th birthday.

The event will include:

The Croydon Circle serves to recognise those ex-students who have the longest contribution to our College’s tradition

Date: Tuesday 18 October Time: 12.00 noon to 1.30 pm

• a visit to Marden Library to view the current exhibition.

• a short tour of the College (optional) • student entertainment

REUNIONS: CLASS OF 1950 1951 - 1952 At the 2022 Luncheon, we extend a special invitation to those cohorts marking a 70 Year Reunion, including the classes of 1950 and 1951, whose reunions could not occur at the College due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, and to the Class of 1952, who will be marking 70 years since school this year.

Form 6A, 1952

For further details about Ex‑Student Events, please contact:

Form 6A, 1950

PLC SYDNEY / CAMPHORA

Form 6A, 1951

Philippa Zingales (Harris, 1998) Director of Alumni & Community Relations T: 02 9704 5635 E: exstudents@plc.nsw.edu.au

REUNIONS IN 2023

45

In 2023 we look forward to welcoming the following year groups back to school to celebrate their decade and 5-year reunions: 1953 – 70 Year Reunion 1963 – 60 Year Reunion 1973 – 50 Year Reunion

SAVE THE DATE

1983 – 40 Year Reunion 1993 – 30 Year Reunion 2003 – 20 Year Reunion

ANNUAL GENERATIONS BREAKFAST Our College values the wonderful generational and family connections within our College community.

The PLC Sydney Ex-Students warmly invite past students who are mothers, grandmothers, aunts, godmothers, or relatives of current PLC Sydney students, to join us for breakfast in Term 3.

Current staff who are also ex-students are invited to join the breakfast until the

first bell. We also welcome ex-student families who have girls commencing as new students in 2023 at PLC Sydney to attend.

Date: Monday 25 July 2022 Time: 7:30 am – 9:00 am Venue: Macindoe Seminar Room

LEGACY RING

2013 – 10 Year Reunion 2018 – 5 Year Reunion Reunions are held on our annual back to school event—Jersey Day— held in March. If you would like to be an ambassador for your year group and assist the College with planning your reunion, please contact The Ex‑Students’ Office.

Every time you wear this classic piece of jewellery, it will be a physical reminder of your connection to College and history as a ‘PLC Sydney girl’.

a high‑polished rhodium-plated finish, each ring is engraved with your year of graduation and presented in a crested gift box. Each ring is $130 inclusive of GST, and a portion of the sale of each ring will be donated back to the College.

Custom made to order in the highest quality Sterling Silver with

To order or for more information, contact the Ex-Students’ Office.

DID YOU KNOW THAT OUR EX-STUDENTS ARE A POWERFUL NETWORK OF WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD?

Join the Official PLC Sydney Ex-Students Group: facebook.com/groups/PLCSydneyExStudents Follow us on Instagram: @plcsydneyexstudents

Update your LinkedIn profile with PLC Sydney and grow your school network: linkedin.com/school/plc-sydney

EX-STUDENTS

STAY IN TOUCH – UPDATE YOUR DETAILS TODAY www.plc.nsw.edu.au/alumni/stay-in-touch

Contact the Ex-Students’ Office E: exstudents@plc.nsw.edu.au T: +612 9704 5635

ISSUE 15 / WINTER 2022

1 Meta Street Croydon NSW 2132 Phone (+612) 9704 5666 Fax (+612) 9744 0519 enquiries@plc.nsw.edu.au www.plc.nsw.edu.au All material appearing in Camphora is copyright. Reproduction is not permitted unless otherwise authorised.

MP;PR3231;-2022-06