Celebrating Cultures

Thank You

Byzlyn Sin (Year 12)

In 2016, I received the news that I was the lucky girl to receive the Foundation Scholarship for 2017. Back then, I had no idea what a lasting impact my journey at PLC would have on me. Being a PLC girl is one of the best things that has happened to me. I am awed by my talented and outstanding peers who set the bar so high; many of whom are outstanding athletes, inspirational leaders, and magnanimous Old Collegians who return to give back and I hope, one day, I can too. PLC has unveiled the potential that I never realised I had. I was the state runner up in my first ever public speaking attempt, the UN Youth Voice Public Speaking Competition. Since then, I have continued to represent PLC in many other competitions, including WADL debating, the Australasian Philosothon, Mock Trials, and my favourite team effort, the da Vinci Decathlon, where our team was the state champion for three consecutive years. I am also so grateful to be named the 2022 Debating and Public Speaking Captain, just like the first Foundation Scholarship recipient, Tabitha Malet, in 2016. Under the ISSP High Achievers Programme at Curtin University, I was granted the opportunity to accelerate my Accounting studies, enrolling at University in Year 10! I am most passionate about PLC’s community service programmes, and I have spent a great deal of my time at PLC participating in programmes such as Cooking for a Cause and the Smith Family Student2Student Reading programme, helping disadvantaged students to improve and boost their confidence in reading, which was one of the most rewarding experiences. I am most blessed to have made so many amazing friends. I am so grateful for the girls who have been there since day one, and I know we will remain lifelong friends as we have been there for one another in every fragment throughout our sixyear adventure. I am thankful for all the opportunities which were bestowed on me as a PLC girl. I will continue to work at my best ability and uphold the high integrity of PLC values, community, and effort. Next year, I hope to study a double degree in Law and Accounting at the University of Western Australia. PLC has set a strong foundation in my studies. I am confident that many of the life lessons I have gained at PLC, will undoubtedly help me in pursuing my dream career. Thank you. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to study at such an amazing school. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this strong community. Thank you for everything, I am so eternally grateful.

The PLC Foundation was honored to receive two Bequests in 2021 one from Mrs Lesley Vernon Barrett-Lennard (Gibson 1942), who sadly passed away on 7 August 2021, aged 95 and Mrs Thelma Emily Webster (Fisher 1947) who sadly passed away on 22 November 2021, aged 92. The Foundation extends sincere thanks to Mrs Barrett-Lennard and Mrs Webster and families, for their generous bequests which will support the Foundation’s mission to provide a centre of academic excellence for the education of tomorrow’s leaders. Lesley Vernon Barrett-Lennard (Gibson 1942) Lesley was the daughter of Alwynne Beatrice Compton and Vernon Bland Gibson, who worked for the major under-sea cable company (for which Cable Beach was named for) during the war. Lesley was a day girl for three years - from First Year in 1938 until she was evacuated to Beverley in her Leaving Year in March 1942 (just a few weeks after the year began) with the threat of Japanese invasion. Lesley did not return to finish her schooling. Lesley’s sister Jocelyn Francis (Gibson 1949), first cousin Maggie Venerys (Clifton 1954) and a second cousin Charmian Bourne formerly D’Orsogna (Urquhart 1956) attended PLC, and through them several more distant cousins.

1939 Under-14 Relay Team, this photo appeared in the 1939 Kookaburra Back, L-R: Ailsa Newman, Gwen Beard, Beth Dunn, June East, Anne Alexander Front: L-R: Lesley Gibson, Phyllis Winter, Margaret Webster

Lesley married Thomas Barrett-Lennard, a farmer, in 1948, and ended up back in Beverley where they raised one son and three daughters. Her daughters were intending to study at PLC but when the time came, all the other local girls were going to St Hilda’s, so they sent them there. They were all very athletic, and when St Hilda’s won the Athletics one year in the 1960s, there were jokes going around that St Hilda’s wouldn’t have won if Lesley had sent her daughters to PLC! Lesley enjoyed receiving copies of Black Watch and birthday cards from the School. Thelma Emily Webster (Fisher 1947) Thelma was a day girl for three years - from First Year in 1943 to her Junior Year, 1945. (It was common to leave after Junior in those days. It was the equivalent of Achievement Certificate or Year 10). Thelma married garage proprietor John Webster in 1952, and they lived in the Scarborough/Doubleview area for the rest of their lives. They raised four wonderful children Rob, Lyn, Paul and Dale. Thelma attended the Easter Service in 2009 and returned for her 70-year reunion in 2017; Thelma appreciated receiving PLC birthday cards. Thelma was a regular donor to the PLC Foundation’s Annual Giving Programme.

70 Year Reunion (Class of 1947) Scorgie House Boardroom. Back Row (L-R): Hon June Craig AM (Lynn), Joanna Bullock (Gibson), Elizabeth Green (Plaistone), Elizabeth Flynne (Shearn). Front Row (L-R): Thelma Webster (Fisher), Margaret Atkins (Cusack), Lynnette Cook (Owen), Pamela McBain (Smith), Sue Carew-Reid (Copley).