4 minute read
In the beginning
Paraphrasing Isabel Piper (McConaghy 1919)
Isabel McConaghy (1919), Inaugural OCA Report, 1920 Kookaburra
At the end of 1919, with PLC then nearly three-and-ahalf-years-old, a group of senior students and young Old Girls decided they then had enough girls who had left the School to form an Old Collegians’ Association.
With support from Miss Agnes Scorgie (Principal 19161921), a meeting was held at School in April 1920, during which the Old Collegians’ Association was officially formed for the girls who had left PLC - in any year - but who had not since attended any other school. Marion Cooke, a Boarder from Grass Valley since third term 1917 and Head Prefect of 1919, was appointed inaugural Secretary and Treasurer.
They decided, since most of the new members lived in the country, they would meet twice a year - a tennis party in summer and a dance in winter, when country friends would most likely be in town.
On 31 July 1920 Miss Scorgie hosted the OCA’s inaugural dance. The new members of the OCA cleared and decorated two large adjoining rooms, which could only be the room behind Reception in Scorgie House, and served a dainty supper in the newly-built dining room (now the Boardroom).
After, the girls were giddy with the evening’s stunning success, and the OCA Dinner Dance gradually evolved into an annual ball which continued on ‘Show Saturday’ until 1973.
On 28 October they held an impromptu gathering at School and presented Miss Scorgie with a travelling rug for her upcoming trip to Scotland; from which no one then knew she would not return. At that meeting they decided members of the OCA should wear some kind of badge, in the form of a brooch or embroidered pocket on a sports coat, to recognise other members.
They decided the School colours of brown, gold and pale blue were “not sufficiently beautiful to decorate our newly-established association,” so chose royal blue, maroon and gold, and cheekily suggested the School might also like to choose new colours in the near future. In 1934 the OCA launched a new, navy blue blazer with green, white and blue check binding with the embroidered ‘OCA’ on the pocket. This had gone by the wayside before 1960.
The new Association closed its first year with around 25 members, optimistic their numbers would swell with the girls leaving at the end of that, and every year to follow.
“We regret that, so far, there are no engagements or marriages to gossip about, but we may have better luck for next Kookaburra.”
Isabel McConaghy (1919), 1920 Kookaburra
Did you know?
All graduating PLC students are now automatically member of the Old Collegians’ Association?
Did you know?
In 1921 the inaugural OCA President was our Acting Principal, Miss Frances Dumaresq. The same year, the inaugural OCA Vice President was Miss Marjorie Battye (1917) - but from 1922 to at last 1947, the Vice President’s position was held by the Principals: Miss Finlayson (1922-1927), Miss Janet Phemister (1928-1933) and Dr Vera Summers (1934-1961).
By 1921 they had 40 members. Miss Frances Dumaresq (Acting Principal 1921) was appointed inaugural President of the Association and Miss Marjorie Battye, inaugural Vice-President. Marjorie was President in 1922 and Treasurer in 1923.
Snippets about Old Girls’ engagements, weddings, births of babies, travel, sporting, educational and career victories proliferated the next 40 odd years of OCA Reports in the Kookaburra.
“By 1925 the membership had increased … to 135 and four additional office-bearers were elected. The activities were increased and card and film evenings were held at regular intervals throughout the year. It was also decided that the Old Girls should raise money yearly, the sum total to be handed to the school fund for the Cot in the Children’s Hospital.”
“During the years 1939 to 1945 the Association’s activities were cut to a minimum, with many Old Girls fully occupied with war service, but by 1946, with the war over, our activities started to become a little more frequent.”
“Since 1949 a steady increase has been received in membership and it is hoped that a still greater interest will be shown in this association in the years to come. Each year a ball, dinner, tennis afternoon and golf day are held, and … always regarded as a great success by those who attend.”
Did you know?
The OCA’s first constitution was drafted by Supreme Court Justice John Hale in the 1940s (BW 1988 June).
