Blackwatch 2021 Ed 2

2021 EDITION TWO

IN THIS ISSUE

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3 Message from the Principal 4 Chaplain’s Address 4 Message from the PLC Chair of Council 5 Dorothea Mackellar prizes for PLC girls 6 Construction starts on new Music Centre 7 National gong for PLC’s Anita Roy 8 An Archives promise kept 8 PLC introduces the Noongar tongue 9 Old Collegian helps with PLC uniform 10 Nina Kennedy jumps into the record books 10 Team culture aids win 11 Nat Medhurst joins Team PLC 11 PLC’s AFL All Stars 12 Sun shines on Open Garden Day 2021 14 Introducing the 2022 Prefecture Leaders 15 2022 House Captains 16 Introducing Junior School Leaders 17 Class of 2021 18 Introducing Rev Nalin Perera 19 Principal’s Citizenship Pocket 19 A sad farewell 20 Creativity on full display at exhibition 21 Photography in focus 22 Discovering the best of the West 22 Bracelets for Telethon 23 Reconciliation 24 Students unfold self-empowerment 25 Mamma Mia a hit with crowd 26 Top maths marks for Year 10 student 26 New Registrar for PLC 27 PLC breaking barriers 27 Year 1s go back in time 28 Year 6 Exhibition 29 Students urged to pursue their passions 30 2022 WA Young Australian of the Year 30 Debating trio make finals 31 50-Mile Walk 31 Wild life in the Junior School 32 Junior School shines on Arts Day 33 The Best Day of the Year 34 Foundation Report 36 Old Collegians' Association 39 Tartan News 41 Reunions 44 From the Archives 47 Obituaries Cover Image Junior School teacher Anita Roy is shortlisted for the Australian Education Awards Primary Teacher of the Year - Non-Government School.

Message from the Principal It is a privilege to work in a School where staff and students have such a strong passion to learn, to challenge themselves to achieve their personal best and to be the best versions of themselves.

I see evidence of this every day when I speak with staff and witness the work produced by our very talented students.

Teaching and learning are at the heart of everything we do at PLC Perth. It is so gratifying day after day to see how our teachers and students are excelling at both.

In this edition of Blackwatch, we feature some extraordinary success stories of members of our school community, including Year 5 Teacher, Anita Roy, who has been shortlisted for the Australian Education Awards Primary School Teacher of the Year – NonGovernment School.

This is an honour that Anita shares with just eight others across the country and is an incredible achievement. To be shortlisted for this prize, Anita had to demonstrate innovation in developing students and supporting their learning; positive engagement with parents and the wider school community and consistently high teaching standards.

Anita would say that she is just doing her job. However, like her colleagues across the School, I know that all of our staff put their heart and soul into their work and our students are all the better for it.

Another example is Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Years 3-6, Katy Howes, who this year achieved her Masters in Education. Over two years she juggled work and family commitments to undertake this course – all for the betterment of her teaching abilities which will benefit our students.

In the Senior School, Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Year 7, Jane Brandenburg, has also completed her Masters in which she had a focus on science education and educational leadership.

Head of Science, Lesley Kaye, has undertaken her Masters this year. Her thesis investigated an adolescent’s response to mindfulness meditation.

Philosophy and Religious Studies Teacher, Christa Snyman, is doing a Doctor of Education, Humanities Teacher, Padminee Raja-Snijder, is focusing on early career teachers in her Masters, while Head of Drama, Bauke Snyman, is undertaking his Masters Degree in drama and theatre studies.

Two members of staff – Head of Senior School, Rebecca Watts and Academic Extension Co-ordinator, Guy Varndell – have both completed the Harvard

Certificate in School Management and Leadership.

We see the results of the efforts of our staff in the amazing achievements of the girls, such as Year 11 students Pippa Atwell and Saskia Fleming scooping the prize pool in the annual Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards.

Both students attributed their success in part to English Teacher and long-term staff member, Roland Leach.

It is not just in the classroom that the girls are inspired to develop and grow.

Humanities Teacher, Liam Sullivan, Katy Howes and Head of Physical Education, Anna Turnseck-James joined 21 students on the 50-mile Walk, encouraging them to keep going and persevere to the end.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Blackwatch and share my pride in the achievements and efforts of our staff and students, all of which make our School such a special place for all members of our community.

Cate Begbie Principal

www.plc.wa.edu.au 3

MESSAGE FROM THE PLC CHAIR OF COUNCIL

World-class learning at PLC

Chaplain’s Address I have been part of Valedictory Services for Year 12s over the past nine years and now my first at PLC. It is a very moving time as both day students and boarders recount their experiences of school life, but it is also a time tinged with sadness, knowing that the rich camaraderie of living in a close community will soon pass into history, as emerging students prepare to take their rightful place.

From my own experience, I know that the links forged with one’s school last a lifetime, just as they do for former PLC students, as any reading of past editions of Blackwatch illustrates.

I was blessed and privileged to attend one of the most prestigious schools in Sri Lanka, Saint Thomas’ Anglican School in Colombo. My mother sacrificed everything she had to enable me to experience the best education possible.

Friends made back in the late 60s and early 70s have stayed with me throughout my life. So, I understand fully what belonging to such a school as PLC means to its distinguished alumni, as well as present students.

Reunions are filled with stories of favourite teachers and experiences that changed our lives; of those who gave us a unique sense of who we are and where we fit in the scheme of things.

It is hard to put into words, but as PLC's Centenary school song “Labore et Honore” states: “Mother, daughter, child every story shines What we love about this time, no need to define, it’s written in our smile Everybody plays a part, a sister and a friend Someone to count on when you need a helping hand

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To hold you up high, to care and understand Standing side by side, knowing we belong, our dreams will rise.”

The other thing I took from my time at Saint Thomas’ was a deep appreciation of the Christian faith.

Back then, along with so many of my compatriots, we were out to change the world - and many did.

They became captains of industry and commerce in every continent. I followed suit in the airline industry. I thought I was made, and the world was my oyster.

However, I began to realise that living just for myself was no longer satisfying. God’s call to me would never leave me alone. Eventually I gave it all up to candidate for the Christian ministry. I could never have anticipated how my life would be changed, nor how God would use me in sharing the Good News as to what ultimate living is all about.

This is the greatest joy I have had in my brief time amongst you, and I have been deeply humbled in the manner in which I have been received. My prayer for the whole PLC community, past, present and to come, is that we can all increasingly grow in God’s love in the midst of our rich diversity, yet common unity.

May God bless you all!

Rev Nalin Perera College Chaplain

At PLC Perth, our students are inspired to value learning as inquirers and critical thinkers to develop an understanding of themselves, their community and the world around them.

We are extremely fortunate that in order to promote this core value of learning, our forebears chose to introduce the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) to the Junior School, and provide the option to students to undertake the IB Diploma Programme in Years 11 and 12.

Seeing the PYP in action in our Junior School at events such as the Year 6 Exhibition and assemblies, reinforces the value of delivering the Australian curriculum via this global learning framework.

From as young as the age of four, we encourage students to be active participants in their lifelong journey of learning. They understand that making mistakes gives them opportunities to learn and improve. They are supported and urged to question and be active participants not just in the classroom, but in their School and wider community. This sets students up for success as they transition to the Senior School.

We are the only girls’ school in Western Australia to offer the IB Diploma Programme as an alternative tertiary pathway. Through the Diploma Programme, our students join their peers in 5,400 schools around the world undertaking the pathway. It is a programme respected by universities across the globe and helps students to flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.

Recently, our IB staff have been working through the five yearly accreditation requirements, a rigorous assessment to ensure the delivery of the IB PYP and Diploma programmes at PLC align with the IB organisation’s best practice. I would like to commend the staff who have devoted considerable time to this process.

The IB programmes are consistent with PLC Perth’s commitment to providing an education experience which gives every student confidence to lead a principled life and to make an active contribution to the global community.

Claire Poll Chair of the PLC Council

Creatures of Digits

Zero bones I dance with the thickness of time in fever dreams a steady seep of oily tendrils.

My lithe and boneless body finds sanctum in a glazed glass jar or untenanted crevasse.

I am the drifter of Davy Jones’ Locker.

One beak rigid amongst layers of supple flesh.

I dream of snaring saline game between gossamer web and scissor-like talon.

Leaving minced crab and beak-worked whelk in a trail of barbarity.

Pippa Atwell (left) and Saskia Flemming, both Year 11.

Dorothea Mackellar prizes for PLC girls Two PLC Perth Year 11 students have swept the prize pool in the prestigious annual Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards, which was announced in September.

A life-long fear of octopuses gave Year 11 student, Pippa Atwell, the inspiration to pen a poem which has placed her first in the Secondary School category for the coveted national competition.

Saskia Fleming drew on a farming lifestyle theme to take out second prize in the Senior School category.

Both students attributed their success in part to English Teacher and long-term PLC staff member, Roland Leach, who they said inspired and encouraged them to develop a love of language and poetry.

“Mr Leach’s knowledge and talent is very impressive, but it’s his love of language and passion for poetry that is most inspiring and encourages many students to keep writing,” Saskia said. “He makes you think about words and concepts in unique ways, which always inspires me to try something new in my own writing.

I remember in Year 5, he stood on a table because that way we would never forget the lesson. I still haven’t forgotten that lesson, Mr Leach!”

Pippa said her winning poem 'Creatures of Digits' was inspired by a lifetime of strange encounters with octopuses. “When I was about five, I was standing on a reef down south and an octopus started chasing me across

it. Ever since this encounter, I’ve had a number of unfortunate incidences with octopuses.

“Last year, I had one nearly land on me when a bird that was flying over dropped it.

“Although my octopus fear has always been a bit of a joke in our family, it led me to realise that they are truly amazing and unique animals.

Therefore, I did some research about them and found out some very interesting facts, which inspired me to write the poem about them.”

Pippa said 'Creatures of Digits' was an attempt to voice the natural beauty as well as the amazing physiological aspects of the octopus.

Saskia’s poem, 'Granfarmers' conveyed that for many people, farming wasn’t just an occupation, it’s a lifestyle. “This is especially evident when people get old; they find it difficult to leave the farm behind,” Saskia said. Her grandfather still runs the family farm at aged 87 and this had inspired her poem.

Another two PLC students were also recognised in the awards. Noah Hall, Year 11, was shortlised for her poem 'Bittersweet', and Tallulah Pestell, Year 12, and Layla Tomljanovich, Year 11, received commendations for their entries.

Two eyes large as fear.

My camera lens iris, a silken slit of slate.

The Hadal Zone, when you can’t tell which way is up.

Look closely, you will unearth my timorous guise.

The diminutive reincarnation of my fabled forefather.

Three hearts Briny blue blood oozes through my veins, a smouldering fire searing amongst frozen constellations of seafarers’ souls.

Singing like sirens, it is siphoned by a triad of tidal pulses.

The brittle balance that keeps me suspended.

Eight legs webbed and boldly striped, propel me through the water skating on nautical silk.

I am the aquatic arachnid.

Come too close, they will unfurl into a net that stretches far beyond the tiny boundaries of your courage.

Nine brains Muses of hunting, preying, deception.

My octarchy of savage spry arms Administered by intellect, the capital and cunning commander.

Two thousand two hundred and forty suckers let them bind us, I am yours.

Stay with me.

Then leave.

In three hundred and sixty tides, I will be gone.

For solitude is my curse.

Thirty seven thousand three hundred and sixty colour changing cells I will absorb hue and light meticulously.

Scuffle with me and I will release my prided paint.

Black as serenity, dense as nightmares.

You’ll be left gaping at phantom limbs.

www.plc.wa.edu.au 5

Construction starts on new Music Centre

A major milestone was recorded in May with the turning of the sod to mark the construction of PLC Perth’s new Music Centre.

Chair of the PLC School Council Claire Poll, joined Principal Cate Begbie, Director of Music Chris Goff, Encon Project Manager Mark Kepplinger, Cooktown Construction General Manger Ian Doubukin and Construction Manager Garry Ehlers with student leaders Monet Edwards, Dimity Andrews, Saskia Lehmann and Amberley Osborne at the special event.

Designed by award-winning Parry and Rosenthal Architects, the three-storey building will house 12 teaching studios, two large ensemble rooms and staff and storage amenities. Large glazing will feature to the north and south of the building to ensure maximum light into the teaching spaces, with louvres to control heat and direct light.

Ms Begbie said the research was very clear about the benefits of music and its significance in students’ development academically, socially and mentally.

More than 400 PLC students currently learn an instrument and more than 500 instrumental and voice lessons are held each week, in addition to the 24 ensembles of bands, choirs, orchestras and chamber groups.

Construction is expected to be completed by April next year.

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National gong for PLC’s Anita Roy

Reluctant learners become enthusiastic classroom participants and find academic success under the tutelage of PLC Perth Junior School teacher Anita Roy. It was this factor and Ms Roy’s excellent working relationship with her students, their parents and caregivers, that this year saw her shortlisted for the Australian Education Awards Primary School Teacher of the Year – Non Government Schools.

One of just nine shortlisted candidates from around Australia, Ms Roy was scheduled to attend the Australian Education Awards Ceremony in Sydney in July, to find out the winning candidate, before the city was plunged into lockdown. The prestigious awards ceremony will now be held as a virtual event in December.

Head of PLC Perth Junior School, Richard Wright, said Ms Roy thoroughly deserved the recognition for her commitment and exceptional teaching practice.

“Anita always has high standards,” Mr Wright said. “She demonstrates exceptional pedagogy through frequent and clear communication and rapport building with her students. She knows how to differentiate effectively to meet the needs of all students.“ Mr Wright said Ms Roy understood the strengths and areas for development of each student by using data collected via standardised testing and effectively grouped her students for optimal learning.

“She runs before school mathematics support groups, where she ignites a love of maths in previously reluctant mathematicians and she evaluates the effectiveness of programmes using internal workplace research, mentoring

and supporting her colleagues to enhance their maths teaching skills.”

Mr Wright said Ms Roy led initiatives and Professional Learning Communities in mathematics, critical thinking and robotics, improving the teaching of maths, resourcing and assessment with other colleagues.

The judges also recognised Ms Roy’s high engagement with parents and the wider school community.

Mr Wright said Ms Roy was highly regarded by parents and the wider PLC community. “She conducts open classroom opportunities for parents in her class. She has parents immersed in the same learning the girls are involved in and provides the parents of a tangible example of the richness and depth of learning in her classroom.

Parents are also encouraged to share their skills and knowledge with the entire cohort.” www.plc.wa.edu.au 7

2021 Lifers with their letters from the past.

An Archives promise kept During Terms 2 and 3 of 2010, Year 1 Teacher, Carey Bouwer, and Education Assistant, Leniette Zalsman (1999), led their class in an inquiry into museums and archives.

Our Archivist Shannon Lovelady explained to the class the purpose of archives, and then took them on a lively, talkative heritage walk through the campus. They proceeded to visit archives several times, learning about conditions which could affect the integrity of stored items; ie light, insects, dust, mould, damp, humidity and extremes in temperature, as well as seeing how items can deteriorate over time.

On their last visit, Ms Bouwer suggested they write a letter to their future Year 12 selves. These letters would be kept safely in Archives, demonstrating longevity and stability, as well as the reliability of Archives, until returned to the girls when they were in Year 12.

PLC bring the Noongar tongue to a new audience PLC students, Ava Laurie (Year 7), Fiona Tan (Year 9), Molly Johnson (Year 8), Genevieve Kessey (Year 9) and Alexia Leake (Year 9), have taken their voices to the stage to help revive the endangered Noongar language.

Many people can speak more foreign languages than we can of our own First Nations languages – but PLC recently has played a pivotal role in changing this.

As part of restoring Noongar, the Australian Aboriginal language unique to southern WA and spoken by fewer than

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It seemed a lifetime away!

At the time, Blackwatch (Summer 2011) reported: "On 10 October 2010 they delivered their beautifully decorated letters with much excitement. Each name was recorded as each letter was presented. We then checked that each was free of dirt and packaged them appropriately before putting the whole into an archival quality envelope.

Enclosing farewell kisses blown from all the girls, the envelope was then added to the inventory and safely stored in the Compactus, where it will wait for 2021."

In September, our Archivist retrieved these letters from the compactus, 11 years after first placing them there.

400 people, singer Gina Williams and guitarist Guy Ghouse teamed up with the West Australian Young Voices choir to perform Koolbardi we wardong, at the WA Opera and Awesome Festival.

Koolbardi we wardong, meaning Magpie and Crow, portrays the story of how humanity came to be divided through the jealousy and pride of two brothers (Koolbardi and Wardong). Five PLC students joined Gina and Guy in the children’s chorus and lullaby of this Koolbardi we wardong performance.

PLC student, Fiona Tan, said her involvement with Koolbardi we wardong allowed her to become more aware of the Noongar language.

“I think the best thing about my involvement was that I got to sing in an Indigenous

Year 12 Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator, Deb McPhee, then organised a beautiful morning tea attended by our Archivist, their Year 1 teacher Carey Bouwer and Leniette Zalsman, at which they were presented back to the girls after all these years.

At first, there was a hushed expectation.

Someone said, “I bet it’s about horses!” and then, as the letters were opened, there was joy, laughter and surprise.

Every Year 1 class since has partaken in this gorgeous exercise, now a firm Year 1 tradition, and written a letter to their future Year 12 selves. And they are all kept safely through time, in the Archives.

language and understand more about the Noongar culture.”

The PLC students were a part of Australia’s first Aboriginal opera performance by First Nations singers, under the direction of a First Nations conductor.

PLC performer, Molly Johnson said it was a fun and easy way to learn more about the Noongar language and hopes it will enhance the use and awareness of it across Southern WA.

Rigid gender stereotypes have the potential to be damaging to young people – as a school this is the antithesis of what we strive to achieve. And increasingly governments are introducing anti-discrimination laws against schools which insist on girls wearing dresses or skirts. We have seen this emerging in the eastern States of Australia. In addition, research has found that girls are less likely to engage in physical activity when they wear dresses or skirts.

“It is my hope that the introduction of a pant option to the PLC uniform will instill an even greater pride in our School uniform than we already have.

“I believe the partnership with Ms Coote to guide us through this process will ensure our students will be proud to wear a PLC pant OR skirt and both will be revered by our whole community.”

Old Collegian helps with PLC uniform review Old Collegian and Co-founder/Creative Director of acclaimed fashion house SIR the Label, Sophie Coote, will lead PLC Perth through the design process of reviewing the School uniform and introducing a pant option for all students.

Ms Coote said she was excited and honoured to have been asked to be a part of the process, which was set in train after a survey found more than two thirds of all of our stakeholders were interested, either moderately or extremely, in the introduction of pants to the uniform.

Circulated to thousands of Old Collegians, current parents, students and staff, the survey found Senior School students had the strongest desire to add pants to the uniform with more than 80 per cent indicating they thought it was a positive move.

Principal, Cate Begbie, said everyone loved PLC’s Blackwatch tartan and our

uniform was a point of pride within our community. That was evident in the survey results which found that more than 80 per cent of all our stakeholders rated their satisfaction with the overall school uniform as ‘very high’.

However, she said there had been a need to consider the introduction of a pant option for some time as we kept in step with society’s expectations and a growing demand for choice for girls when it comes to school uniforms.

“The arguments in favour of a pant option are strong,” Ms Begbie said.

“Women can wear pants to work and have been able to do so for decades.

Ms Coote left PLC in 2007, going on to study a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney. Whilst at university, she pursued the creative side of the fashion industry and worked in multiple facets of the industry; styling, retail, PR and design. She moved to Los Angeles in 2011 and pursued a career as a fashion stylist and personal shopper. On her return to Sydney in 2013, she commenced planning the launch of SIR with her business partner and best friend Nikki Campbell after identifying a gap in the market (and their wardrobes) for elevated feminine basics and feminine silhouettes.

Established in 2014, SIR has garnered acclaim for its simple and sustainable basics. Taking its name from an acronym meaning separates, intimates, and readyto-wear, the cult Australian label promotes socially conscious minimalism.

As part of the next stage of Uniform Review, a PLC Uniform Focus Group has been established to work together and with Ms Coote on the design and fabric of a PLC pant as well as consider other elements of the School uniform raised by the survey.

It is hoped samples of any proposed changes will be made available to the community early in the 2022 school year.

“I look forward to sharing with all member of our community our progress on this exciting journey, which will be a significant milestone in PLC’s strong and proud history,” Ms Begbie said.

www.plc.wa.edu.au 9

Nina Kennedy jumps into the record books Aiming high comes naturally when pole vaulting is your profession.

And that’s exactly what pushed Nina Kennedy to pole vault her way into the history books on Saturday 13 March at the Sydney Track Classic.

With Nina being such an inspiration to future pole vaulters, she took time out to come and give the students at PLC a few words of wisdom.

The 23-year-old finally achieved one of her greatest ambitions (Alana Boyd’s Australian record) after edging 4.82 metres on her first attempt – breaking the Australian women’s pole vault record.

Nina said years of hard work and preparation made the record– breaking jump the easy part!

Nina’s achievement brought to life her childhood dream, cementing her place at the Tokyo Olympics having jumped the Olympic qualifier height.

“I'd wanted to break the Australian record for years. I was so proud of myself for achieving a goal that felt unattainable for such a long time.

Making the Australian Olympic team was a childhood dream come true.”

While Nina recently made history after surpassing Boyd’s previous record, setting high goals is something that can be dated back to her days at PLC. “In hindsight, PLC taught me that anything is possible; it encouraged me to set high goals and standards for myself in a realistic and meaningful way.”

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“I’d put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I’d done the preparation – and all that was left to do was to believe in myself and actually break the record!”

“For those unsure of following their goals, I urge you to back yourself.

Different advice works for different people – but if you enjoy what you do, work harder than you think you can, and believe in yourself, you can achieve anything.”

Nina hopes to compete at two more Olympic games.

Team culture aids win PLC Perth secured its ninth consecutive title of IGSSA Champion rowing school after winning all four regattas this year.

And our First XIII retained the Head of the River title for the sixth straight year.

The girls got away to a quick lead, continuing to mount the pressure to win the race comfortably over the 2,000m. PLC handled the blustery conditions well finishing in a time of 7 minutes 35.33 seconds.

Director of Wellbeing and Head of Rowing, Chonny James, said she believed the key to PLC’s success was the team’s shed culture. “This is something the whole Rowing Shed has been working especially hard on this year,” Ms James said.

“We, as a team, firmly believe that when we have our shed culture thriving that it leads to successful performances on the water and this year it was so pleasing to see the outcome reflective of the process.”

The First XIII were also the first team to race the Samantha Argyle II after the new Eight was christened just two weeks earlier. The original Samantha Argyle was retired after faithfully serving our rowing teams for many years.

Nat Medhurst joins Team PLC Former National netballer and high profile athlete, Nat Medhurst has been appointed Head of Sport at PLC Perth.

“This is an appointment which I am confident will significantly advance the School’s standing as a leader in Co-curricular and IGSSA Sport,” PLC Principal Cate Begbie said.

Ms Medhurst has 18 years’ experience in the sporting industry, most notably as a key player with the Australian Diamonds netball team and as a gold and silver Commonwealth Games medalist.

Since retiring as a professional athlete, Ms Medhurst has held the role of Community Engagement Manager for Commonwealth Games Australia. She has also been the Player Development Manager for Fremantle ALFW, president of the Australian Netball Players’ Association and a commentator for Channel Nine.

Ms Medhurst’s experience as an elite athlete and in player development provides her with a deep understanding and insight into girls entering an elite sporting pathway and the attributes

and skills required to transition girls to a professional level. She has also worked with local school and community sporting organisations.

She is an authentic, highly motivated, and inclusive leader and we are confident she will create a culture of inclusion and strong engagement in a wide range of girls’ sports at PLC. “I feel strongly that her down-to-earth presence will encourage all girls to participate in sport and physical fitness.

She is genuinely passionate about her work and positively impacting the lives of young women,” Ms Begbie said.

Ms Medhurst said she is thrilled and excited about her appointment.

“I was motivated to apply for the role because it enabled me to ‘give back’ to sport and encourage participation at all levels. I want to leave the industry in a better place in terms of participation, enjoyment, and success,” Ms Medhurst said.

Ms Medhurst replaces Annette Pearce, who advised the School earlier this year she was remaining in Singapore where she has been since she was granted a leave of absence to be Head Coach of the Singapore National Netball Team.

PLC’s AFL All Stars Four PLC students were selected in the IGSSA All Stars Team and competed in an Inter-Association AFL match on Friday 6 August at Claremont Oval.

Ella Slocombe (Year 10), Bec Anderson (Year 10), Edi Offer (Year 12), and Ayesha Razvi (Year 12), were joined by 21 other AFL players from independent girls’ schools to form the IGSSA team.

This team competed against an ACC team – that has a membership of 89 schools around the State, and a SSWA team – a team made up of players from the government schools in WA. The IGSSA team came second in a hard-fought contest.

The inaugural event was supported by the WA Football Commission and the Fremantle Dockers. With WAFC talent specialists and Fremantle’s AFLW senior coach, Trent Cooper, watching matches, this was a tremendous opportunity for all players.

www.plc.wa.edu.au 11

Sun shines on Open Garden Day 2021

Bumper crowds enjoyed Open Garden Day 2021 after the event was cancelled last year due to COVID-19.

It is estimated more than 1,500 people took advantage of the perfect Spring weather to visit six beautiful Peppermint Grove gardens which opened their gates for the PLC Parents fundraising event this year.

Attendees were also able to purchase local handmade goods from more than 40 market stallholders which lined View Street. The Market Place was once again a hit with crowds after the Open Garden Day Committee again organised for View Street, between McNeil and Forrest Streets, to close, creating a perfect market environment.

Food trucks and a new ‘Tea Junction’ was introduced this year for guests to purchase some of the many sweet and savoury options, baked by many parent volunteers.

Funds raised from Open Garden Day are vested back into the School

by PLC Parents for the purchase of goods and equipment which is not a part of the School’s normal operating budget. In the past, this has included air conditioning for the Junior School Swim

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and Recreation Centre, umbrellas in the Senior School Quad and branded marquees used at school events.

Principal, Cate Begbie thanked the organisers, who worked tirelessly for

months to ensure the event was a great success. “I would also like to the thank the hundreds of volunteers who helped in many ways including helping at stalls, baking cakes, setting up and packing away,” Ms Begbie said.

The new Tea Junction proved to be a popular venue for many of this year's attendees.

www.plc.wa.edu.au 13

Introducing the 2022 Prefecture Leaders Edwina Mactier

Poppy Bell

The role of Head Prefect to me, means that I am a positive role model for other students and a louder voice for those who may go unheard in the school community. It also means I am given the opportunity and responsibility to be a trusted representative for the school, bring about positive change to the school community and to uphold the PLC values.

The Academic Prefect's role is to foster an inclusive and unconditionally supportive academic environment at the school. This involves listening to students’ questions and concerns, organising inclusive programmes to build the community, and providing every girl with the tools she needs to flourish at school. I hope to be a voice for the student body; someone approachable who can offer advice, listen to concerns, and make changes in the school on behalf of the students, ensuring every girl feels supported in her schoolwork.

Head Prefect

The role allows me to bring to light issues that have impacted me and my peers, which I think is very important.

Additionally, I am given the chance to build upon what the past Head Prefects, whom have all inspired me, have done.

I see this as a brilliant opportunity to bring my own ideas and personality to the position as well as to share my own experiences for the benefit of my peers.

I hope to put more emphasis on issues that often don’t get the attention they deserve at the school and achieve new ways for students of all ages to connect.

Sophya Thomas

Deputy Head Prefect I have always been a student who has loved a challenge.

Someone who wasn’t afraid to dream big and face impossible challenges.

Hence, I was inspired by previous Prefects within the school to apply for this position.

I am so grateful to be able to lead my school and help inspire other students to be brave and outgoing.

My main goal as a leader is to establish a strong and passionate community.

A community where all students feel proud to be at PLC because they are valued and recognised for their opinions, participation, and contributions to the school. A community that inspires young women to achieve their best, learn new things, overcome challenges, and demonstrate integrity in their values. Most of all, I am determined to encourage my peers to overcome every hurdle they face.

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Academic Prefect

My ultimate aim is to provide every girl with unique support and motivation for her own studies. I often notice a key misconception around academics: that a joy or pride for learning is only justified for exceptionally high achievers. This stigma is simply untrue; learning is a human instinct, and every person is naturally curious. I believe that academically, hard work and commitment should be commended above numerical results.

Every girl’s challenges should be supported, and victories, celebrated. I hope to devise a system to recognise academic effort more regularly, perhaps through a badge or pocket for participation academic co-curricular, as well as revise the homework help and tutoring systems currently in place.

Indah Jenkins Service Captain

I have always been a strong advocate for social justice and believe it’s very important to be aware of current global and local issues in our world. I feel strongly about inclusion, diversity, equity and working together towards a common cause. What excited me about this role is how service gives an opportunity to empower others less fortunate whilst building a bridge of understanding and empathy.

For me, this leadership role is an opportunity to advocate and be in involved in life worthy issues. It’s also initiating a passion for change in other students and the community.

In an age where we are confronted with issues of climate change and inequalities, being the voice for others who can’t speak up is so important and I believe PLC students can lead by example.

Annie Pfeiffer Sports Captain

From an early age, my life has revolved around sport as I was always willing to participate in any sport, given the opportunity. My passion for sport inspired me apply for Sports Captain 2022.

We are so privileged at PLC to have such a wide variety of sports available to us all. I recognise not only the physical and mental benefits of sport, but the friendships across all year groups nurtured and developed, creating a sense of belonging here at PLC. I hope to encourage the students to challenge themselves through sporting opportunities at PLC and continue to build the PLC team spirit, as well as, maintaining and improving sport participation across all year levels and finding ways to encourage the girls to commit and dedicate time to trainings and game play.

Mimi Poll

Wellbeing Captain My passion is helping people, and in this role I can help be the voice of the students and organise events to improve the PLC community and make PLC a more welcoming, inclusive, and loving school.

I aim to achieve inclusivity, happiness, and compassion in PLC. As a community, we can start with small projects, such as building colourful flowerbeds, or painting murals around the school together. By the end of 2022, I aim to build a structure for future wellbeing captains so that as a community, we can continue to improve.

Most people do not know where to start when starting their journey to feel happy with themselves and with others, so spreading awareness about how you can do this is important.

Jacinta Beresford SS/JS Prefect

It is such an incredible honour to be chosen to fulfill this role in 2022. I have always enjoyed interacting with the Junior School students. I admire the vibrancy and lively nature of all the Junior School students, so being more involved in the Junior School sounded amazing to me. I can also distinctly remember Year 7 and being mesmerised by the Year 12s and the enthusiasm and compassion they demonstrated. I knew I wanted to continue that legacy and be a role model to younger students.

Throughout my time in this role, I aim to create a sense of community and belonging through promoting lasting connections between girls in different year groups.

Meeza Humphries Senior Boarder

I am very honoured and proud to be elected in this role. It is important to my family and I to see more Indigenous women in leadership roles and I am appreciative of having the opportunity to break this barrier.

Through my personal experiences as a boarder from a remote area, it provides me with valuable experiences to draw upon in trying to make the Boarding House a vibrant environment. Because I live too far away to visit home on weekends and for family to visit me, it’s important to me for the Boarding House to be a safe environment where you can enjoy your time.

Jasmine Walter

Reconciliation Captain We have been learning a lot about indigenous culture and history in my Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies class and I have felt lucky to be able to take this class and learn more about lots of different cultures, not only Aboriginal culture. I feel that everyone should get the chance to learn about different cultures and this is what inspired me to apply for this role.

This role means that I can help to educate other and myself on

different cultures and different issues that are important. I think this role will help me to grow as a person.

I aim to further develop and strengthen the sense of culture we have here at PLC. I want to make sure that every girl is comfortable, safe, included and happy in the PLC environment. I hope that every girl feels like they have a voice and feels that they belong at PLC.

2022 House Captains

Chloe Fleay Baird

Montanna Reidy

Reconciliation Captain Being Indigenous, I feel as though I have so much more to learn about my culture while also learning about other cultures.

Reconciliation to me means everybody having the opportunity to be educated about each other, their cultures, to listen and share stories and to be empowered.

This role provides myself and the school community with the chance to become educated about each other’s cultures and to foster an environment to all learn together and to move forward.

Olivia Muir Arts Captain

I have always been heavily involved in the arts at PLC so to be named as Arts Captain was a very big personal achievement. For my name to be on the same board as so many other talented people, even the famous Sara Macliver, is an absolute honour.

Being Arts Captain means an opportunity to create a pathway for other aspiring arts students. To showcase not only their talent but encourage participation in the arts by the whole school community.

I would also like to empower more women to perform live music.

I think it would be a great idea to introduce an annual Girls in Rock competition. A battle of the bands where all independent girls’ schools would come together and perform. As much of a competition this would be, it would also be an opportunity for all girls to come together and support each other.

A Girls in Rock competition is definitely something that I would want to leave as a legacy.

Antigone Miller Carmichael

Insiah Riaz Ferguson

Chloe Streader McNeil

Blaise McCabe Ross

Ava Steinepreis Stewart

Saskia Boquest Summers

Stage 3 Leaders 2022 Deputy Senior Boarder Olivia Ellis Boarding House Prefect Jameela Msuo Boarding House Prefect Imi Collins Boarding House Prefect Layla Tomljanovich Boarding House Prefect Holly Male Creative Arts Captain Ruby Meara Civics & Social Justice Captain Anouskhka Paganin Dance Captain Scarlett Keys Debating/Public Speaking Captain Bryzlyn Sin Drama Captain Charlotte Williams Environmental Captain Olive Erikson International Student Captain Kitty Zhang Kookaburra Editor Linda Zou Kookaburra Editor Nina Mannolini Technology Captain Saskia Fleming Chorale Captain Kaitlyn Chen Drum Major Sarah Few Orchestra Captain Hana Yusoff Pipe Major Saskia Boquest Stage Band Captain Juliette Jarrett Vocal Ensemble Captain Emily Stevens Wind Ensemble Captain Darcey Slocombe

www.plc.wa.edu.au 15

INTRODUCING JUNIOR SCHOOL SEMESTER TWO LEADERS

Poppy Mahon Head Prefect

Gisele O’Byrne Head Prefect

Mollie Brown Arts Leader

Zahra vanden Driesen Arts Leader

Sophia Amey Service Leader

Bethany Wallis-Hughes Service Leader

HOUSE LEADERS

Claudia McKay Ferguson House

Améline Ng Ferguson House

Lulu Davies Baird House

Ocean Koren Baird House

Lily Rumpus Stewart House

Indi Wall Stewart House

Mimi Nordstrom-Macdougall Summers House

Freya Pereira Summers House

Piper Bostock McNeil House

Isabel Waters McNeil House

Abby Boelen Carmichael House

Saskia Lehmann Carmichael House

16 Blackwatch 2021 Edition Two

Head of Senior School Rebecca Watts, Head Prefect Monet Edwards and Deputy Head Prefect Dimity Andrews lead the Year 6 graduating cohort from the Junior School to the Senior School.

Class of 2021 will ‘make the world a better place’ The graduating class of 2021 will be remembered as a cohort which turned values into actions and made positive change at PLC, Principal Cate Begbie told guests attending the students’ Valedictory in October.

Ms Begbie said the 2021 Year 12 students brought back the PLC Roar – the clapping and foot stamping to 'Scotland the Brave' played by our Pipe Major at assemblies – and initiated structural changes to the Student Prefecture to better acknowledge our Indigenous heritage.

“This cohort, with your famous charm, has been brave enough to challenge the status quo, and mature enough to do so with respect. This is easier said than done,” Ms Begbie said.

“To believe that things need to change in some way, and to express this belief without diminishing other people at the same time is a difficult balancing act.”

The cohort was also addressed by 2016 Head Prefect, Phoebe Johnson, who warned the students that they would quickly realise how great life at PLC Perth had been.

“When I had to leave (PLC) behind, it was pretty confronting and it was pretty scary.

I think for the two weeks after school I had certain trigger words about PLC that

would send me straight into tears: the word ‘panama’ was under a strict ban in my household,” Ms Johnson said.

“I had to work out who I was now that I wasn’t a PLC student and I didn’t know where to start. So I thought I would speak tonight about some on of the things you need to be as you leave PLC and work this out.”

Ms Johnson urged the girls to be grateful for how lucky they have been; to be patient because it doesn’t matter if they don’t know what they want to do when they leave school; be brave and to be kind.

“Finally, to the class of 2021, be excited.

I’m so excited for you all. I promise I’m trying not to sound cliché and cheesy, though I know I’m probably not succeeding at this, but you can literally be anything you want to be outside of these walls."

Ms Begbie said she believed the cohort was hardworking and intelligent. “You will, without a doubt, make the world a better place.”

www.plc.wa.edu.au 17

Introducing Rev Nalin Perera Recently we sat down with our new Chaplain Rev Nalin, to learn more about him, his role at PLC and what he hopes to achieve at PLC. Who inspires you the most?

My mother Helen-Iris, who died in 2003, was always my role model and inspiration.

She is with me every day, continuing to inspire me with her courage, tenacity, and unwavering belief. She was endowed with a fierce determination to swim against the tide, nowhere more evident than in her opposition to the patriarchal, patronising, archaic male-dominated society of the time in which she lived. We have progressed a long way from the early 1960s, but still have a long way to go.

My mother was a woman ahead of her time: single; western-educated; had a child out of wedlock in a very judgemental, rigid traditional society; and was constantly competing in a male-dominated professional world.

In my eyes, she paved the way for so many of her compatriots: Asian women with limited education, trapped by their gender, regarded as being only for good child-bearing and domestic chores.

Single-handedly, my mother brought up three boys, something previously unheard of, while at the same time holding down a full-time job. She sacrificed everything she had to educate her sons at an elite Anglican school. Ostracised by her own community and also the church, she never became bitter or rebelled, but constantly fought for change, sustained by her strong Christian faith. She knew in her heart that God loved her regardless of what anyone else said or thought about her.

So, what inspires me? It is the love of God my mother instilled in me – a love that is so powerful, unconditional, unwavering, unending, and always self-sacrificial. In my mother’s life, I was shown what God’s love was all about.

Although no longer physically present to cheer me, my mother’s presence and influence permeates every aspect of my life. To me, she was the perfect role model, and her inspirational life is the style of 18 Blackwatch 2021 Edition Two

living I want to share with the whole PLC community.

class, caste, religion, belief, gender identity, or language.

What would you like to achieve at PLC this year?

This is the legacy I hope we all may be able to take from being part of the life of PLC.

With my young wife, I migrated to Australia in the early 1980s, with an established airline industry career, eventually rising to the top of my field with Australia’s leading airline. However, despite financial and career incentives, I was discontented. In my early 30s, with three young daughters, I gave it all up to candidate for the Christian ministry, a move my wider family and colleagues thought foolhardy in the extreme.

Thirty years later, having served in ministries all over Australia, including congregations, Aboriginal communities, prisons, emergency services, and schools, I have constantly encountered God’s love in people, be it in word, deed, or action.

This is what I want to share with the PLC community, not only this year, but beyond.

Despite being at the dawn of what is often described as the fourth industrial revolution, sadly in many parts of the world the majority of women, young girls, and LGBTQI+ communities continue to face discrimination and violence, often targets of explicit bias, prejudice, and false stereotypes.

Thus, for me, a key priority is maintaining pressure to empower women to achieve gender equality, for we are all entitled to a safe, healthy, equitable environment.

So my other goal is to continually affirm the rights of every individual, so that we can be part of a community that loves and accepts one another unconditionally, regardless of our ethnicity, nationality,

What is the best part of your job?

There is no greater power in the universe than the power of love. Love is the purest and greatest power, that when unleashed has the potential to transform and liberate any community. Sharing this core message of Jesus is what I enjoy doing most.

I believe every student is a leader. Each of us needs to be empowered and we can be at our best when surrounded by a safe environment that manifests inclusion, a positive outlook, and continual support for one another. In essence, this is core business for all of us; staff, students, and of course, the chaplain.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to cook, and my family and friends tell me I am very good at it!

Whenever I have spare time, I love to invite our three daughters, their partners, and my grandchildren to our home. Even though I have lived in Australia for more than half of my life, Sri Lankans love to celebrate life by sharing food and offering hospitality is our favourite pastime. We find any excuse to get together with friends and loved ones over a meal.

Out of the kitchen, I love to read, keeping up to date with socio-economic theory, social media, marketing, and consumer trends, as well as theology.

Humble hard worker wins Principal’s Citizenship Pocket Year 12 student Tallulah Pestell has been honoured with the 2021 Principal’s Citizenship Pocket – a coveted award in which recipients are nominated by their peers and their teachers.

Presenting the Pocket at the Year 12 Final Assembly in October, Principal Cate Begbie said one of the things that impressed her most about Tallulah was her humility and quiet confidence.

• Participated full in the life of the School

“For someone so accomplished and talented, Tallulah just goes about doing what needs to be done with no expectation of praise or overt recognition,” Ms Begbie said. “Her great compassion for others and the fact that whenever you walk past her at school, she always smiles and says hello.”

Ms Begbie said Tallulah was a young woman who she had no doubt would make her mark and go on to do incredible things when she left school.

The Citizenship Pocket is awarded to a Year 12 student who has: • Made a difference to the richness of the life of the School and the way in which aspects of the School operates • Demonstrated exemplary dress and behaviour in their time at PLC

• Consistently achieved academic results that reflect her personal best; and • Is not a member of the Student Council.

“She does not just talk about the School values, she truly reflects them in the way she turns up to every day to be the best version of herself that she can be.”

Comments by students and staff who nominated her for the Pocket include: “She shows initiative and never gives the impression that she can’t do a job or doesn’t want to”; "is a positive role model who consistently wears her uniform with pride”; and “is a student younger peers can and do look up to”.

Tallulah is hoping to study Architecture at Melbourne University next year, COVID-19 permitting. “I’ve always loved art and mathematics, so architecture just seemed like the perfect fit,” she said. “I’m super excited to experience living in a different city as I have lived in Perth my whole life.

Tallula said she was shocked and honoured at receiving the Pocket.

“I have loved being a part of the PLC community and participating in the amazing opportunities we are offered at this school, and I felt very grateful to receive a Pocket that recognises this.

“I felt extremely grateful and honoured to achieve this award and walking up to receive it I heard my cohort cheering me on which was truly an amazing feeling. I felt so grateful to have such a kind year group supporting me.”

A sad farewell The PLC community was saddened to learn of the passing in September of Penny Argyle, a cherished member of the PLC Perth family.

Mrs Argyle, pictured centre, most recently attended PLC for the christening of the Samantha Argyle II – a replacement Eight after the original Samantha Argyle Eight was retired.

Her daughter, Samantha, graduated from PLC in 1989 and passed away in 1992 as a result of a vehicle accident.

Mrs Argyle and her husband Rory,

who was instrumental in fundraising to establish the PLC Rowing Shed and Rowing Programme, were able to see the Samantha Argyle II in action at this year’s Head of the River, when the First Eight raced her to victory.

The Argyle family has a long history with PLC Perth. Mr Argyle is an Old Collegian, having attended Kindergarten at PLC. Mr and Mrs Argyle’s two daughters,

Penny Argyle, centre, with (left to right) Vice-Captain of Rowing Alice Webster, Rowing Captain Eloise Rosser, her husband Rory Argyle and Principal Cate Begbie at the christening of the Samantha Argyle II.

Kirsty (1988) and Samantha are old girls and their son, Angus, is a current parent.

His twin daughters are in Year 7.

Vale Penny. www.plc.wa.edu.au 19

Year 12 student Yasmin De La Rosa Sutedja with her winning art work. Photo credit: David Broadway

Creativity on full display at exhibition The night before Open Garden Day, the Senior School View Street Building was transformed into an art gallery for the Creative Arts and Technologies Exhibition Opening Night.

Family and friends were invited to view the depth and breadth of talent displayed in the exhibition titled ‘In the Making’ by students ranging from Years 7 - 12 from ATAR, International Baccalaureate and VET pathways.

Some students exhibited pieces from multiple disciplines including woodwork, photography, textiles, video and visual art – showcasing their creativity across the diverse fields the arts encompass.

One of the pieces on display has already achieved notoriety as the winner of the 2021 St George’s Art Exhibition in July. Yasmin De La Rosa Sutedja (Year 12) was inspired by Frida

20 Blackwatch 2021 Edition Two

Kahlo’s lively portraits celebrating Mexican culture for her piece titled ‘Carrier’.

Yasmin’s reflective self portrait explores her disassociation with her Costa Rican, Swiss, Spanish, and Taiwanese heritage.

Gabby Smith’s ‘Herberium Heritage’ was recognised by guest Artist Kelsey Ashe, as a most notable work and her favourite for the Exhibition. In addition, she recognised highly commended works from Pippa Ford, Annie Mellick and Lola Meara.

The exhibition was then open to the general public on Friday 22 October during Open Garden Day.

PLC students' creativity and talent was display at the annual Creative Arts and Technologies Exhibition.

Top left - Tallulah Pestell, Year 12 Top right - Pippa Ford, Year 12 Bottom right - Angela Lyall and Hayden Cullinan, both Year 11 Bottom left - Jasmine Aitken, Year 12

Photography in focus Long-gone are the days of working in a dark room with developer liquid and tongs in photography lessons. Students at PLC experience a much more tech-savvy curriculum with the latest digital cameras, thought-provoking excursions, and experimentation with a range of industry standard software Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Illustrator.

Their creativity was brilliantly showcased at the Creative Art and Technologies Exhibition and none more so than the Year 11 portraits which were an outstanding highlight in the display.

Design photography was introduced at PLC in 2018 and since then has been available to students to study as an ATAR or General pathway. During the course, students are encouraged to design and capture images inspired by a range of photographers, styles and themes including David Hockney’s abstract photomontage series through to Annie Leibovitz’s expressive style of studio portraiture.

Additionally, students studying photography are provided with opportunities to work in within a range of production contexts including studio production, photojournalism and photographic art forms.

www.plc.wa.edu.au 21

Discovering the best of the West PLC Perth’s Year 10 students have been wandering out yonder as part of their Quest Programme this year.

Karijini, Walpole and Ningaloo have been on the girls’ itinerary, giving them a newfound appreciation for cultural richness and natural beauty of Western Australia.

Over their incredible journeys, students on the Ningaloo Quest kayaked and snorkelled on the world-famous Ningaloo Reef, students on the Karijini Quest explored the rugged beauty of Knox, Hancock, and Red Gorges – with their beautiful waterfalls and sparkling rock pools.

The Walpole Quest contingent hiked selected parts of the Bibbulmun Track and immersed themselves in some environmentally interpretive activities including the tree-top walk.

Bracelets for Telethon Year 2 student Florence McGee has teamed up with her big sister to raise funds for Telethon Kids’ Institute allergy research.

Florence has had an interest in allergy research since she was diagnosed with allergies herself, so when she saw her sister, Sophia McGee, (Year 4), and the success she was having making and selling bracelets as part of Kidpreneur, she knew they could help.

Using donated beads and Sophia’s already acquired know-how on how to make great bracelets, the sisters began making dozens of bracelets which they sold at the Lake Claremont Festival in September.

Sophia made bracelets as part of her chosen Kidpreneur project this year, where students were tasked with the opportunity to conduct market research,

22 Blackwatch 2021 Edition Two

create an item for sale, market that item, and sell it at their annual Kidpreneur Market.

All the profits from Kidpreneur go to a charity of the student’s choosing.

Florence was inspired by this initiative and knew it would be a great avenue to do her part in raising much-needed funds for allergy research.

“I have a few allergies, so this is something I am very passionate about,” Florence said.

She would like to raise more funds to go to the Telethon Kids’ Institute so that

scientists there could continue their work in researching the causes of allergies in children.

The pair is also on the hunt for more beads, so if anyone has any old necklaces, brooches, or broken jewellery, these philanthropic entrepreneurs would be more than happy to take it off your hands.

Reconciliation Captains given greater voice PLC students have proven to be true change-makers in the reconciliation process, according to Principal Cate Begbie.

Ms Begbie said she was approached by members of the Student Prefecture earlier in the year asking to promote the role School’s Reconciliation Captains after they had discussed the matter with some Year 8 students and Indigenous students.

Historically, Reconciliation Captains have been appointed in the third stage of PLC’s voting system, during which students and staff vote for School Officials which in addition to the Reconciliation Captains also includes officials such as the Drama Captain, Environment Captain and Kookaburra Editors.

their convictions to approach the Head and Deputy Head Prefects about it, who in turn came to me with the idea.

“It shows that just because something as always been that way does not mean it has to stay that way. Positive change is a good thing.”

The elevation of the positions was formally endorsed at PLC’s Reconciliation Assembly in Term 3.

2021 Reconciliation Captains, Tiana Bin Jacob, pictured right, and Katelyn Wain, pictured left, said they were very happy with the acknowledgement of the significance of their roles.

The second stage of the voting system is to elect House Captains, while the first stage elects the Head and Deputy Head Prefects, Senior Boarder and Captains for Service, Arts, Academic, Wellbeing, Junior/School School and Sport.

“We are so happy that this has finally been changed. We feel now that the School really values our input, not just at assemblies, but also to have a voice in the (student) leadership meetings,” Katelyn said.

Ms Begbie said the students felt it was important to elevate the Reconciliation Captains to the Student Prefecture because of the significance of their role.

Tianna said the change was a reflection of the constantly evolving way in which the PLC community and society in general regard our First Nations Peoples, their culture, histories and values.

“The Reconciliation Captains attend nearly every event on campus to say the Acknowledgement of Country and as a school, we strongly promote reconciliation,” Ms Begbie said.

“I was very proud of the students who raised this. They were strong enough in

Starting the conversation at Reconciliation Week PLC students celebrated Reconciliation Week with a range of fun activities and performances.

The Gorna Liyarn dancers performed on the Quad during a lunchtime, a sand mural was created by members of our Senior School and students had the opportunity to have their faces painted in recognition of the special week.

Reconciliation Captains, Tianna Bin Jacob and Katelyn Wain, organised the events, supported

by Indigenous Scholarship Programme Co-ordinator, Roxy Bin Swani.

Tiana and Katelyn said it was important that students felt comfortable enough to start asking questions around reconciliation and having conversations, forming an understanding, and ultimately bridging the divide between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples, not only at PLC, but in the wider community.

“This change gives us an increased level of respect as well as the validation that what we are doing – in being the voice of reconciliations – matters,” Tianna said. www.plc.wa.edu.au 23

Students of PLC unfold the tale of self-empowerment The story of an extraordinary girl with a vibrant imagination and swift mind, who dared to change her destiny.

This magical and mischievous musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 'Matilda' was performed by PLC students in Years 7 – 10.

The cast and crew of Matilda Jr. The Musical brought to stage rambunctious fun and wicked wit, that highlighted the power of knowledge and determination in transforming a young girl’s life.

PLC Drama Teacher, Oliver Craze said that Year 7 students Esme Crawley and Isobel Barker portrayed Matilda’s characteristics faultlessly.

“With every show the girls outdid themselves. They dedicated copious time and efforts to put on a truly memorable PLC performance.

It seems the role Matilda was specifically written for both Isobel and Esme, who embraced the character with a deep passion and intrigue,” Mr Craze said.

Matilda Wormwood’s character is smart, she believes in herself, she 24 Blackwatch 2021 Edition Two

isn’t afraid to take a stand and she loves school. These characteristics highlighted a powerful message – that you can control your own story, and resilience and assertiveness can defeat the bullies.

Mr Craze said this message emphasised in the musical was extremely relevant to the lives of school students.

“Choosing to stage Matilda Jr this year was an incredibly easy choice to make. It is a classic story of how a few good people can stand up and make a difference against the bad in the world. A David and Goliath story of the modern era. This show is a combination of superb storytelling, epic music, and superbly choreographed dance routines. To put it simply – it’s magic.”

Above all, Matilda Jr. The Musical is a tale of empowerment. And if the audience didn’t know the songs before entering the show, they certainly did by the closing curtain.

Mamma Mia a hit with crowd Talented Senior School music and drama students wowed the crowds at sell-out shows of this year’s Senior School productionMamma Mia the Musical.

The show, held in August, ran over six nights and had audiences singing and clapping in their seats to hits including 'Dancing Queen', 'Take a Chance on Me' and 'S.O.S'.

Featuring an incredible set and costumes, the musical’s tale centres around Sophie, a young bride-to-be. On the eve of her wedding, she embarks on a quest to find the identity of her father.

A big congratulations to all members of the cast and crew and particularly Khansa Naura (Year 12) and Olivia Muir (Year 11), who played Sophie’s mother, Donna, and Poppy Bell and Emily Stevens (Year 11) who played Sophie.

www.plc.wa.edu.au 25

capabilities are certainly no different to males. Fighting these societal pressures can require a certain singlemindedness. With Yvonne’s AIMO results being only three points shy of perfect, she undoubtedly portrays such strong determination and drive,” Dr Gamble said.

Top maths marks for Year 10 student PLC mathematics whiz, Yvonne Cui is on a trajectory to represent Australia at international competitions, following her selection in the Australian Mathematics Olympiad Committee’s (AMOC) School of Excellence.

The Year 10 student, above right, has received outstanding results from the Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO)– a four-hour exam designed to give talented students an opportunity to be recognised and to participate in activities that will enhance both their enjoyment and knowledge of mathematics.

for future generations of girls interested in the STEM world.

With an exceptional score of 32/35, Yvonne was not only granted her selection into the National School of Excellence, but has also paved the way

“I see proportionally fewer females in the mathematical and scientific disciplines to males. I believe this is due to society’s social habits, as their

WA Director of Mathematics Olympiads, Dr Gregory Gamble, said Yvonne had the highest score of any female student he had seen in the fifteen years that he had been in the role.

Previously, PLC Year 11 student, Linda Zou, pictured left, also left a mark on the 2020 AIMO. Having been invited to the 2020 SE (School of Excellence), thanks to her results, she has been a pivotal role model and inspiring figure for Yvonne.

Dr Gamble has been running weekly maths Olympiad training sessions since 2007, of which PLC mathematics guns, Yvonne and Linda, are regular attendees.

Yvonne said Dr Gamble’s support, as well as Linda’s guidance, had been highly influential on both her passion for mathematics and successful results.

“Linda has always been a good mentor and friend throughout the whole year. Due to her prior experience with Olympiad mathematics, she gave me plenty of advice and help,” Yvonne said.

“As well as all the PLC staff, I want to also thank Dr Gamble for always believing in me. We’ve had several important discussions about gender disparity in Mathematics and has made me confident that gender stereotypes won’t be a problem. I intend to encourage other girls along these lines.”

New Registrar for PLC PLC Perth welcomed new Registrar Molly Atterton to the role in June, picking up from her predecessor, Allison Mackenzie.

Mrs Mackenzie had held the position for nine years and left to join her husband in Abu Dhabi, after he started a new job there.

Ms Atterton joins PLC from Wesley College where she was the Assistant Enrolments Manager She has Commerce degree with a major in marketing and management. “I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know 26 Blackwatch 2021 Edition Two

New Registrar Molly Atterton, centre, with Enrolment Administrator Jane Hard, left, and Allison Mackenzie, who left PLC in July after nine years.

the PLC community and introducing prospective families to our wonderful staff and students on campus,” Ms Atterton said.

She joins Enrolment Administrator Jane Hard in welcoming new families to PLC Perth.

PLC breaking barriers and building relationships PLC Perth Year 9 students have been breaking down barriers and building relationships with women who use the services of not-for-profit agency ISHAR Multicultural Women’s Health Services.

The students spent two days in early June getting to know the women through a range of joint activities aimed at breaking cultural and language barriers and building a better understanding of their needs and how they may be able to help.

PLC Director of Wellbeing, Chonny James, said it was women empowering women, at its finest.

“Our students have grabbed the opportunity with both hands and have already taken remarkable steps in developing various areas of their self-leadership skills,” Ms James said.

ISHAR, based in Mirrabooka, provides culturally sensitive health services to women and their families. It is one of the three not-for-profit agencies PLC Perth has partnered with.

The students had an excursion to ISHAR where they were given a guided tour of the facilities and an explanation of how the agency provided a wide range of services to refugee and migrant women and their families. They then discussed the various barriers, challenges and hardships the women face when they first arrive in Australia.

Students then met with the women and were guided in a cooking activity with the group making traditional Indian and Pakistani dishes, including naan. Vision boards were also made by each of the students and women

from ISHAR, which allowed the conversations to develop and relationships to establish.

The students had a sleepover at the PLC Lighthouse and then on day two of the exercise, they hosted the ISHAR women at PLC. In small groups, the girls took them on a tour of PLC, enjoyed a morning tea and then shared their vision boards in the hope to further the connections already established and uncover some of the deeper needs of these women.

Ms James said some of the most interesting content and proof of the students’ developing self-leadership had been during the reflection time at the end of each day where students uncovered and discussed truths and navigated higher level thinking as to how PLC could truly help these women.

Ms James said the exercise had been a very powerful awakening for the students about the different challenges faced by multicultural women in Australia.

Year 1s go back in time In Term 2, the Year 1 class held an Artefact Museum where they co-ordinated nearly every facet of the in-class event – including the museum’s café.

Parents were gifted with pretend money on arrival to make purchases in the museum’s café and were able to explore each student’s artefact display at their leisure.

Each student was tasked with sourcing one or more historical artefacts and wrote a comprehensive full-page report describing their display.

Complementing this was some artwork they had completed depicting their artefact and showcasing the crossdisciplinary nature of their learning.

Some of the artefacts students brough in included CDs, VHS, camera film, a jewellery box, sewing machine, black and white photos, pendants, and a typewriter.

The students also were honing their business skills with the addition of the lovely museum café where students sold scones, biscuits, and cupcakes as well as juice to hungry museum-goers. www.plc.wa.edu.au 27

Year 6 Exhibition Every year, the Year 6 cohort demonstrates their deep understanding of their learning through a Year 6 Exhibition. This year, the event was a wonderful celebration of student learning as they described their broadening skills, agency in decision-making (and therefore ownership of their learning), high-level thinking skills, and synthesis of their learning into a statement piece.

Following a brief assembly-style presentation and musical performance, it was then over to each student to present their statement piece to the parents and wider community in an interactive exchange.

In creating their statement piece, each student had the opportunity to investigate an issue in which they felt strongly. Students developed their own central idea under the transdisciplinary theme, ‘How we Organise Ourselves’. The issues, which spanned across various subjects, involved high levels of complexity, and were a testament to the depth of learning the Primary Years Programme facilitates. Students took meaningful action on their chosen issue and worked as dealers of hope to encourage others within the community to also take action.

Some of the central ideas included: ‘forms of communication can connect communities’, ‘communities can support people with disabilities’, and ‘technology can affect mental and societal health of users’. Each statement piece was unique, innovative, thought-provoking and inspiring.

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Students urged to pursue their passions

Former PLC boarder and founder of DOSE Running, Scarlett Duncan (2009) told students and guests at Founders’ Day 2021 that following her passion and setting herself challenges helped her to overcome the most difficult times of her life since graduating from School.

The guest speaker at the 106th Founders’ Day Service, Ms Duncan said PLC provided her with many opportunities, especially sport and even debating, however, she struggled to find direction after leaving school.

She was always drawn towards jobs involving sport and health and she undertook study in Preventive Health, specialising in Exercise and Sport Science.

“I’ve had some really tough challenges, including the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease that left me debilitated and took me away from the competitive running scene.” She also lost her beautiful sister Alice, three years ago.

“We’re all faced with challenges or trauma at some point in our life, and for me, when I felt like I was drowning, the little fire inside me, being my passion, is what kept me going.” She urged students to indulge in their passions.

Ms Duncan said the best challenges were the ones you set for yourself.

For her, it was bungee jumping, running

ultra-marathons and icy ocean dips in winter. She said committing to a goal that required preparation, discipline and effort was character building.

“There are many challenges I’ve conquered that at the time seemed impossible, or like there was a high chance of failure. All of which, I reflect on now and they look small, however, they’ve all contributed to the bigger or scarier things I’ve done, and my attitude towards any challenge thrown my way.

“I encourage you to stop fearing failure, and to say yes to the things that scare you, be it going to your friend’s dance class, public speaking, finding a cocurricular activity or a work experience that makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s all an opportunity to grow.”

Two years ago, Ms Duncan indulged in her passion for sport and health, and with hard work and effort, established DOSE Running – a community and brand that carries her values and allows her to share her love of movement and nature.

“Had I not found and nurtured my passion, I find it hard to believe that I’d be as productive and energised as I am, nor would I have the same optimism, resilience and drive that I do.

“So, I am encouraging you all to explore, find, invest and indulge in your passion. Allow it to guide or contribute to whatever it is you endeavour, and if you are feeling a little lost, trust that it will add so much value you to your daily experience of life, and possibly one day, your career too.”

Scarlett belives that investing in your passion will also help you find ‘your people’, connecting you with strong and supportive communities that will allow you to thrive as your authentic self.

“I encourage you to stop fearing failure, and to say yes to the things that scare you."

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Kendall Whyte is 2022 WA Young Australian of the Year Congratulations to Kendall Whyte (2010) for being named the 2022 WA Young Australian of the Year!

Miss Whyte is the Founder and CEO of Blue Tree Project which helps improve discussions and understanding of mental health.

authentically about mental health, without the fear of judgement.

Miss Whyte is helping to spread the message that “it’s ok to not be ok”.

Miss Whyte’s brother, Jayden, took his own life in 2018. At Jayden’s funeral, one of his friends shared a story about Jayden once sneaking onto his family’s farm and painting a tree blue to confuse his father.

This prompted Jayden’s best friend and his cousin to paint a tree blue in his memory, which led Miss Whyte to found the Blue Tree Project in 2019.

If you have ever seen a painted blue tree around Perth, then now you know the source. Blue trees can now be spotted all around the world.

Blue Tree Project provides free seminars and community events across regional Australia which provides a forum for people to speak openly and

Debating trio make finals Three Year 12 students, (pictured left to right) Sasah Kronja, Talliah Galindo and Gaby Evans, competed in the Senior Western Australian Debating League competition throughout Terms 2 and 3.

The trio made it all the way through to the semi-final which was held on Tuesday 31 August.

Unfortunately, they were beaten in the semi-final but they were pleased to have finished the season at the top of their division and to have made the finals.

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Piper keeps trekkers’ spirits up during 50-Mile Walk The sounds of the bagpipes helped 21 Year 11 students and two PLC Perth staff members make it to the finish of the gruelling 50Mile Walk earlier this year.

Joined by Scotch College students, the huge undertaking took the group 16 hours and 15 minutes to complete. It was the 35th 50-Mile Walk PLC students have taken part in thanks to the efforts of Humanities Teacher, Liam Sullivan.

The afternoon before the walk, the group drove to Moray, Scotch College’s Outdoor Education Centre just outside Dwellingup. They tried to get an early night, but excitement kept them up late.

They were woken at 3.00 am to the sound of Year 11 student, Chloe Fleay’s, bag pipes. The bleary-eyed trekkers rubbed their eyes, tried to eat some breakfast and set off.

The walk, which is just over 80km, was mostly on dirt roads though the Jarrah forests of Lane Poole Reserve. It was a cold morning and the first few hours were in darkness and the next few were shrouded in the valley’s mist. The dinner break came just before sunset.

Chloe piped the group into dinner and many were able to quickly see parents, grandparents and siblings. The last few legs were in the dark, so every step became more difficult, and the fatigue had well and truly set in, however, the group’s morale stayed high for the entire walk.

At the last stop, they were cheered on by

History of the 50-Mile Walk In 1962, then US President John F Kennedy discovered an executive order issued in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt - that every Marine Captain and Lieutenant should be able to hike 50-miles in 20 hours.

Keen to know if his present-day officers could undertake the challenge, ten captains and lieutenants were tasked

family members along the main street of Dwellingup. At 8.02 pm that evening Chloe Fleay piped the triumphant group of 20 students (unfortunately one student had to pull out due to illness) across the finish line at Moray.

Congratulations to Pippa Attwell, Chloe Barnes, Meg Davidson, Olive Erickson, Georgia Flavel, Chloe Fleay, Saskia Flemming, Mischa Gardiner, Amelia George, Abby Hogan, Zoe Jagger, Indah Jenkins, Jade Johnson, Edwina Mactier, Libby Martin, AK Ostergaard, Mimi Poll, Ellen Sinclair, Tilly Waters, Hana Yusof, Ms Katy Howes, and Ms Anna Tursneck-James.

with the job. It triggered what would become a global effort to emulate the original executive order.

Early stories include that of a Colonel from Michigan who upon reading of the Marine’s efforts immediately decided to start his own 50-mile hike through the desert. The next morning, he finished his 50-miles with a sprint, achieving a time of 13.5 hours and was credited as the very first person to finish the 50-miles.

Wild life in the Junior School From slimy reptiles to furry friends, PLC’s Junior School students have enjoyed getting close to animals big and small this year.

As part of the students’ curriculum around ‘How We Organise Ourselves’ and caring for animals, West Oz Wildlife and Brownes Dairy each introduced some unique animals to the girls.

The dietary requirements of koalas, snakes and dingos were discussed during the visit by West Oz Wildlife along with where the native animals live and why they have certain features to protect them in the wild.

Brownes Dairy introduced the students to dairy cow, Emilene, and helped the class understand the milk production process from the paddock to their cereal bowl. www.plc.wa.edu.au 31

Junior School shines on Arts Day Beautiful bright works of art, deliciously decorated cakes, delightful voices, and creative dancers were bursting across the Junior School campus for Arts Day 2021.

To kick off the best day of the year, staff, students, parents, grandparents, and special guests gathered for the Years 1 to 6 Performing Arts Assembly. Students treated guests to an array of music performances by the Petite Chorale, Suzuki Strings Ensemble, Year 5 Stage Band, and many more talented music groups.

Various assembles of activities followed the Performing Arts

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Assembly, with each student given the opportunity to present their chosen form of art to their fellow peers and guests. Here students exhibited their creative ambitions, talents, inspirations, and exceptionally hard work put into their learnings this year.

The day culminated with the House Choirs performance of Peter Pan the Musical. The performance was an astounding creative fusion of dance, drama, arts, and music.

The Best Day of the Year Arts Day 2021 was an action-packed day with a terrific showcase of talent across all of the arts disciplines.

While we believe that everyone is a winner on Arts Day, there can only be one winning House. This year Baird House took the accolades.

Senior School Arts Day was held on Thursday 19 August but the preparations for “the best day of the year” started months earlier. Students had been perfecting their dance moves, voices, instrumental and drama pieces, cake decorating skills, photography, as well as putting the finishing touches on their textile pieces, woodwork and exhibition pieces in the lead up to the big day.

The day kicked-off with the Staff Act, followed by the Year 12 Act and then House Dance.

Various performances and exhibitions of works were on display in a number of locations around the school, with the day culminating with House Choir and the official presentations where Baird House was crowned the winner.

1st Baird House 452 2nd Ross House 372 3rd McNeil House 344 4th Stewart House 341 5th Summers House 337 6th Ferguson House 336 7th Carmichael House 303

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FOUNDATION

REPORT

Yasmin Broughton PLC Foundation Chair

Thank you to our donors Simply put, if it was not for big hearted, generous supporters, the PLC Foundation would not be able to continue to support PLC. Thank you to our donors for donating the funds that we need to make a difference in the lives of young people in the form of scholarships and bursaries, and to support our mission: “to serve as an independent manager and custodian for the provision of sustainable financial support to PLC over the long term”.

I would like to extend the Foundation’s gratitude to members of the PLC community who volunteer their time to the Foundation Board; James Mactier, Carlo Franchina, Mark Hector and Morgen Lewis.

This year, we also welcome new members to the Foundation Board and Investment Committee.

Paul Early has more than 28 years of experience in legal, banking and finance-related roles. He is currently a founding partner in Barrenjoey Capital which is an Australian owned and managed investment bank and has overall responsibility for its activities in the mining sector and for its Western Australian business. Paul holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from UWA and has three daughters studying at PLC.

Scott Edwards has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services and accounting. Scott joined Butler Settineri in 2016. Scott’s aim as a financial planner is to help clients achieve their retirement planning goals by protecting their assets during their working life and steadily build their wealth over time. Scott has three children; his daughter, Monet, is PLC’s 2021 Head Prefect.

Julia Lambo is Head of Corporate Communications at Navitas Ltd, a global education provider head quartered in Perth. Julia has nearly two decades’ experience managing internal and external communications to protect and enhance the reputation of complex, global organisations.

In her role at Navitas, Julia manages the Navitas Education Trust, a philanthropic fund which has donated over $2 million to education-focused projects around the world.

Julia has two daughters at PLC and a son at Scotch College.

Julia Schortinghuis is a Director of Lighthouse Capital and has been specialising in the finance industry since 1994.

Julia sits on the Aquinas College Foundation Council and Chairs the PLC Foundaiton Investment Committee. She has recently been appointed as the inaugural Chair for the Curtin University Financial Planning Discipline Advisory Panel. Julia is a judge in the Telstra Business Women of the Year awards and hosts the community-based “Good Money Habits” podcast and is actively involved in a range of charitable causes. Julia has a daughter in Year 10 at PLC.

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Opportunities open to Foundation scholarship recipients Thanks to our generous donors, the PLC Foundation is currently able to support 14 scholarship students. The Foundation also supports another two students on bursaries and to date 12 families have been supported with donations to the 2020 PLC Student Hardship Campaign, set up in response to the financial impact of COVID-19.

Welcome to Brianna We welcome our new scholarship recipient, Brianna, who will commence at PLC in Year 7, 2022. Brianna currently attends St Paul’s Primary School in Mt Lawley and has won praise from her Principal there who writes: “Brianna is assiduous in her approach to learning and achieving. Brianna is a dedicated learner who always applies herself to the best of her ability. She works well in both independent and collaborative tasks, enjoying the opportunity to share and extend her thinking.

“Brianna has eagerly participated in St Paul’s ‘Ad Astra’ Enrichment Program.

She is highly organised and is to be commended on the pride she takes in the presentation of her work. Brianna treats all with kindness and respect, making a concerted effort to ensure all are included and feel welcomed. She is to be commended on her efforts this semester and I wish her all the best in the future”.

Brianna participates in a variety of extra-curricular activities including netball, dancing, piano and swimming.

She is a member of the Bayswater City Saints Netball Club and Sharon Biddle School of Dance. Brianna also learns the piano (Grade 2 AMEB) and participates in a mini swimming squad.

In addition to out-of-school activities, she is also in the school band, liturgical dance group, and choir. Brianna is faction sports captain and holds the title of Champion Girl for swimming, cross country and athletics and broken some records.

We look forward to welcoming her to PLC in 2022.

Prudence ‘forever thankful' To be grateful, is to show appreciation for something done or received, but, for me, my gratitude for what you did goes beyond this definition.

I have embarked on my journey of Year 7 and I am halfway in the journey of Year 8, with the care and support of so many people in my life, and you, I have been able to enjoy these past years by participating in cocurricular activities at PLC. This year, in sport I have taken part in IGSSA volleyball and netball. I have also been able to trial for soccer, and I was able to take part in the Inter-house Swimming and Athletics Carnival. Though it was a bit daunting, it was fun!

In light of my passion for drama, I auditioned for the musical Matilda Jr. and I successfully got in! I was so happy, since it will be the first musical, I have ever been in.

The most fun thing out of all my experiences at PLC is Arts Day! It grants me a whole day to thoroughly express myself; in creativity, music and drama. This day makes me so happy.

It is too hard to choose a favourite teacher or friend. Although I greatly thank Mrs Timms who showed me I have a talent and passion for maths I didn’t know I had.

I believe the group of girls I sit with at recess and lunch give me great support that I am forever thankful for. I could never thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to be a PLC girl.

Thank you!

Year 8 Scholarship recipient

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OLD COLLEGIANS’

ASSOCIATION

Jessamy Mahony President

2021 OCA Inspiring Woman Recipient Each year, the OCA Committee, as part of its OCA Inspiring Women’s Programme, endeavours to recognise, honour and profile an inspiring Old Collegian who has achieved success in their chosen field, career, or area of personal pursuit. It is our great pleasure to announce Dr Rebecca Gianotti as the 2021 OCA Inspiring Woman Recipient.

Rebecca is a remarkable and inspiring Old Collegian who has enjoyed an eminent career as an Environmental Engineer for the past 20 years, Rebecca is currently working for the Global Water Institute based in Ohio USA focused on a programme

development for water, sanitation and income generating activities in rural Tanzania as part of a national rehabilitation initiative. In this role as in other roles, Rebecca has played her part in bettering the fabric of our society and that of developing nations.

While we have enjoyed many occasions for Old Collegians to connect over the past few months with Reunions, Young Old Collegians Sundowners, OCA Family Pin Presentation Morning Teas, the AGM, Founders Day Luncheon and Open Garden Day in Perth, our thoughts have been with our Old Collegians across the world and in particularly those located in New South Wales and Victoria having endured very long and I am sure trying lockdowns.

We hope and pray that 2022 bring us all the freedoms we once enjoyed to safely travel, visit and connect with our loved ones.

Congratulations to our bursary winners For more than 60 years, the OCA has proudly provided scholarship and bursaries to hundreds of PLC girls and this year we are delighted to share with you the 2022 bursary recipients.

The Olive Cusack Bursary – Susannah Moore, Year 9 The Dr Vera Summers Bursary – Jessica Fry, Year 10 The Heather Barr Memorial Bursary – Saskia Boquest, Year 11.

Congratulations to these three worthy recipients; all amazing young women.

We would like to extend my congratulations to each and every one of the accomplished young women who applied; you are all absolute credits to yourselves, your families and to PLC. Well done!

Thank you The OCA would like to acknowledge and thank Katrina Burton, Sally Simpson and Ann Mercer who are retiring from the Committee this year.

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Katrina’s incredible contribution to the PLC community over the past 17 years has included; nine years on the PLC Council including two years as Deputy Chair; 10 years on the Argyle Club Committee including three as its President; as well as wight years on the OCA Committee including three years as President and two as Secretary.

in various parent representative roles and as a member of the PLC Auxiliary.

Ann has served on the OCA Committee for the past year and been a valuable Committee Member.

For the past 15 years, Sally’s contribution to the PLC community has included five years on the OCA Committee as well as 10 years

Thankyou again to Katrina, Sally and Ann for your service to PLC and the OCA.

The OCA has existed for 101 years and its ongoing success is due to countless Old Collegians like these women who have generously volunteered on this Committee.

Welcome new committee members A huge welcome and thank to our newest Committee Members, Liz Humphry (1998), Ella Miels (2020) and Matilda McManus (2020).

Liz is a current parent at PLC with daughter Millie in Year 4 and also a Partner at Clayton Utz.

Welcoming the Class of 2021 to the OCA

Young Old Collegians’ Ella is currently studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics under BPhil at UWA where she is a Fogarty Foundation Scholar and Matilda is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Notre Dame University.

In October, I had the honour of representing the OCA at the Valedictory Service and Dinner to welcome the PLC Class of 2021 into a much larger PLC family, the OCA. I also presented each Valedictorian with a special gift of a solid sterling silver bracelet from the OCA. The evening was a beautiful celebration and a huge credit to the PLC team who worked tirelessly to stage the event.

While my role was to welcome the Class of 2021 as our newest Old Collegians and let them know what the OCA does and can offer them now and into the future, the most important message we always want to impart to our newest Old Collegians is that we want them to feel connected and welcomed to the wonderful extended PLC family now and for the rest of your lives.

Celebrating the OCA family pin We celebrate and thank our PLC community for supporting the school in many ways and as part of our 100 Year Celebrations the OCA introduced the inaugural OCA family pin to acknowledge and thank those Old Collegian families who continue to send their daughters, granddaughters and greatgranddaughters.

Over the past few months, it was wonderful to welcome back hundreds of Old Collegian families to PLC to be a part of the OCA family pin ceremonies.

First five year reunion We recently hosted the first Five Year Reunion Sundowner and were thrilled to welcome 57 member of the Class of 2016 to this event.

It was a wonderful night, with much energy and excitement, as many old school friends caught up and we look forward to hosting the Class of 2017 in 2022.

For the second year we hosted our Young Old Collegian Sundowner in mid-October which was also a fun night enjoyed by the 40 plus girls from the classes of 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Farewell to Sascha Hill After five years in the role of Alumni Co-ordinator, Sascha Hill has decided to retire from PLC. The level of professionalism, support and enthusiasm Sascha has provided the OCA Committee, the OCA and also all Old Collegians she has come into contact with, has been amazing.

Sascha has added value to the OCA community beyond measure and on behalf of the entire Old Collegians community I would like to extend a huge thank you to Sascha for all she has done and wish her well in her retirement.

www.plc.wa.edu.au 37

Celebrating 106 years of PLC More than 80 Old Collegians who left school more than 50 years ago joined students, staff and members of the wider community to recognise and celebrate PLC Perth’s 106th annual Founders’ Day Service in August.

Principal Cate Begbie the service was an opportunity to stop and reflect on our School, on who we are and where we have come from.

“It is an opportunity to feel grateful for those who have played their part in shaping both our school and our world,” Ms Begbie said.

Old Collegian Sylvia Brandenburg (1951), her daughter Jane Brandenburg (1979), and Sylvia’s great-granddaughters Ida and Alice West had the honour of cutting the birthday cake, which this year was made by Year 12 student, Audrey Chegwidden.

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TARTAN

NEWS

Elizabeth Booth (Liddell 1961) Elizabeth has two children and five grandchildren, and is happy to say, she has just celebrated 55 years of marriage.

Much of Elizabeth’s working days were spent in areas of the Education Department, including teaching in childcare, preschools, and pre-primary centres. Later she was involved in the integration of disability children into mainstream schools in WA.

Sophie Coote (2007) Co-founder/Creative Director of SIR. Since graduation at PLC, Sophie went on to study a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney. Whilst at university she pursued the creative side of the fashion industry and worked in multiple facets of the industry, styling, retail, PR and design.

She moved to Los Angeles in 2011 and pursued a career as a fashion stylist and personal shopper. On her return to Sydney in 2013 she commenced planning the launch of her clothing company SIR with her business partner and best friend Nikki after identifying a gap in the market (and their wardrobes) for elevated feminine basics and feminine silhouettes.

Erica McKenzie (1991) After graduating PLC, Erica attended veterinary school at Murdoch University before continuing specialist training in Canada and the USA. Erica became a board-certified specialist in large animal internal medicine and completed a PhD focused on equine muscle disease at the University of Minnesota in 2003. She then worked for two years in a post-doctoral position at Oklahoma State University, studying exercise related phenomena in horses and sled dogs, and traveling to Alaska to work with sled dogs completing the 1000-mile Iditarod race.

Since 2005, Erica has been a faculty member at Oregon State University where she works as a veterinary specialist with large animal patients, teaches third and final year veterinary students, and performs research focused on muscle diseases of horses

and other medical problems of large animals. She is a published author of many scientific manuscripts and veterinary book chapters, and the first female chair of the International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology, which is a global group that meets every four years to review the most current research advances in equine exercise. Erica has been married for nine years to Dave, who is an engineer and patent agent for the University. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon, a town of 50,000 people, with her two Kelpies (Tasi and Jarrah) in a house bordered by the forest.

Recreational pastimes include trail running, ironman triathlons, hiking the beautiful natural areas throughout Oregon and crossing the Canadian border to visit her twin sister, Fiona, who lives in Squamish, British Columbia with her husband and two children.

Elizabeth has been living in Tasmania for 15 years on an eight-acre property in the Tamar Valley, overlooking the Tamar River. In a bid to assist with a more responsible and sustainable environment, as well as contributing towards reducing global warming, Elizabeth has grown pine trees for shelter belts for livestock and animals and wind breaks for rural properties.

Carly Donovan (Morrison 1991) Carly has lived in Sydney since 1997 with her husband, Ciaran.

They have three sons, Finn, Riley, and Killian. Besides raising her young men since 2000, in 2015 Carly started her own virtual PA business and has now ventured into natural therapies where her passion lies in holistic healing and working with nature.

Carly says: “We are lucky enough to experience Sydney from our beautiful harbourside suburb on the lower north shore.

Our sons have all attended/ or are currently attending The Scots College and I am delighted to say our youngest son plays the bagpipes.”

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TARTAN

NEWS

aspects of professional life she found rewarding like event management and working with people.

She also continued to strive for personal growth and sought out experiences beyond her comfort zone like Sky Diving, Bungee Jumping, ultra-marathons, and solo hiking.

Scarlett Duncan (2009) Company Director, DOSE Running Scarlett Duncan commenced at PLC in 2006 as a Year 9 boarder, coming from Kojonup District High School. While at PLC, she displayed a great aptitude for athletics and was elected to a number of leadership positions; Scarlett was the Cross-Country Captain 2008 and 2009, Athletics Captain 2009, and Head Boarder 2009.

Scarlett continued her passion for sport after completing Year 12, coaching Running and Athletics and hiking in Asia and Nepal, including Everest

Base Cap and Kala Patthar. She attended Notre Dame University and completed a Bachelor of Preventive Health Specialising in Exercise and Sport Science whilst working for a physiotherapy clinic.

After graduating, Scarlett went on to a research role at the centre for Collaboration for Evidence, Research, and Impact in Public Health (CERIPH) within the Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University. This role gave her an insight into the skills she had and the

In DOSE, Scarlett has found her own definition of success or her ‘ikigai’, a Japanese concept meaning ‘a reason for being’. She continually finds that managing the demands of a business about which she is deeply passionate brings out the best in herself. In the future, Scarlett plans to continue to expand DOSE and to innovate towards something greater.

Jan Smith (Greig 1961)

Beth Cooper (Wells 1961)

Jan has been a volunteer guide at the National Gallery of Australia for over 16 years and it has been a great joy and preoccupation for her until COVID-19 put a hold on everything. She loves and appreciates the vastness and complexity of the works of art and has guided such wonderful exhibitions as Cartier, Versailles, Turner, Tom Roberts and most recently Botticelli to Van Gogh.

Beth gained a Bachelor of Arts at UWA followed by a Dip Ed at Monash University. She moved to Melbourne in 1970 with her husband Peter and they have three children.

Beth taught for twenty years at Toorak College, Mt Eliza, teaching French, English, German and as Director of Music for 10 years.

While overseas travel was still available, Jan and her husband managed to travel to at least half a dozen countries over the last decade. Most memorable, being a visit to the WWI sites on the Western Front in France and Belgium where she was able to stand in no-man’s land at Pozieres, where her Western Australian, maternal grandfather won the Military Cross on 23 July 1916.

Lockdown in the ACT has not only kept Jan away from her 60 Year Reunion, but it has stopped her from visiting her son and his family in Sydney for several months. However, Jan stays connected by helping her Sydney teenage grandchildren with their science assignments via zoom sessions and assists with the online schooling for her seven-year-old Canberran granddaughter.

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In 2019 she founded her own fitness business, DOSE Running (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins) and is the company’s director. This has allowed Scarlett to share the joys of running by applying the science and art of running efficiently and pain free with runners of a wide variety of experiences, abilities, and goals.

“I have a love of the French language, thanks to Mrs Ladd, and remember with admiration the professionalism and excellent teaching of Mrs Watson (biology).

They were wonderful years.

We were privileged to have had a supportive educational environment, and the company of such a fine cohort of splendid women”, says Beth, who disappointingly due to the Victorian lockdown, could not attend the recently held 60 Year Reunion, having been to every other reunion over the past 60 years.

REUNIONS

30 Year Reunion (Class of 1991)

The inclement weather did little to dampen the spirits of the Class of 1991 who gathered at the Chapel on Saturday 18 September to begin their 30 Year Reunion celebrations. Full of smiles, the group began their school tour and were interested to see all the changes that have occurred over 30 years. The afternoon was a wonderful opportunity for those who could attend to reconnect, and the festivities continued into the late hours of the night at the Subiaco Hotel.

40 Year Reunion (Class of 1981) It was great to see so many from the Class of 1981 return to PLC for the first stage of their reunion, and for some it was 40 years since returning to PLC. Following the tour and class photo, it was off to the Cottesloe Golf Club to continue the celebrations amongst all things PLC, including uniform memorabilia and a lot of tartan.

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REUNIONS

50 Year Reunion (Class of 1971)

This year, the 50 Year Reunion took place on Friday 22 October to coincide with PLC Open Garden Day. To celebrate this milestone reunion event, the Class of 1971 participated in a school tour, including a viewing of the amazing work for the Creative Arts and Technologies Exhibition.

A lovely morning tea followed in the PLC Lighthouse before many took up the option to experience all the splendour and excitement of the 2021 PLC Open Garden Day.

60 Year Reunion (Class of 1961) Sixty years ago, the Class of 1961 completed their schooling at PLC, and to celebrate this significant milestone, a group of 30 from this cohort come back to PLC to catch up, reminisce, and hear from the Principal, Cate Begbie, on all the changes since leaving school.

Warm conversations of school days and shared experiences continued at a lovely sundowner hosted by Rosalind Lilley.

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REUNIONS

65 Year Reunion (Class of 1956)

The 65 Year Reunion was held in conjunction with the PLC Founders’ Day Service and Luncheon on Tuesday 17 August and by all accounts it was a lovely opportunity to catch up with old friends, share memories and reconnect with the School.

70 Year Reunion (Class of 1951) On Friday 13 August, the Class of 1951 gathered by the steps of Carmichael Hall for the obligatory class photo followed by a high tea luncheon in the Boardroom at Scorgie House where they reminisced about the good old days at school. A visit from Deputy Principal, Mr Neil Walker was welcomed and following lunch the group strolled through the school to experience the workings of the college in 2021.

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FROM THE

ARCHIVES

Amanda Nash (1978) at the opening of the Hugh Baird Gymnasium, 8 July 1966. Donated

by Sue Nash (Fergusson-Stewart 1955).

Recent Accessions Andrea Gillett (1980) 1967 newspaper article re Heather Barr’s appointment as new Principal; 1969 Prospectus; Fee schedules for 1966, 1974-1978 and 1980-1984; early 1970s Boans (Perth and Grove) brochure advertising College wear; 1970s information concerning enrolments; 1969 Building Campaign Appeal brochure, and booklet titled Questions and Answers... Challenge and Response, which accompanied the 1969 Building Campaign Appeal; correspondence between PLC and Mr John Gillett 1967-1979; The Bedside Thomas Hardy awarded to Andrea in 1980; and Andrea’s late 1970s tie pin.

Marjorie Coleman (Paine 1945) Marjorie’s 1945 Prefect badges, one enamelled, one not; 1940s Carmichael House Badge; Marjorie’s book Lyrical Stitch (2020), produced for her exhibition of the same name at the Holmes a’Court Gallery in late 2020.

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Mrs Hazel Day (English, Speech and Drama teacher from 1963; Deputy Principal 1971-1989; Principal 1989-1997) Hazel Day’s 1951 reference from Perth Modern School, from then Headmaster Noel Sampson.

Sue Nash (Fergusson-Stewart 1955) Three photos: Sue at School c1951; Merrilyn Johnston at School c1949; and Sue’s daughter Amanda Nash (1978, dec) in newly opened Hugh Baird Gymnasium in 1966.

Richard Rennie (Head of Science 1983-2001) PLC Prize book: MacAulay’s Lays of Ancient Rome (1923 edition), presented to Grace Drummond (Dux of 1928 and 1929) when she was in Form III in 1925, for Proficiency; late 1950s or very early 1960s 45 record of PLC Choir ‘printed’ by Martin Clarke Recording Studios (later Clarion Records) at 28 Bay View Terrace, Claremont; The Cyclopaedia of Western Australia Vols 1 (1912) and 2 (1913) by James Sykes Battye, which were presented to the PLC Library in 1975.

Richard saved them from a skip bin in the late-1990s and kept them safe for the next 25 years.

Jane Meneghello (McGibbon) Jane’s daughter Emily Meneghello’s (2006) McNeil House Arts Coordinator badges; Music, Pipe Band and Arts badges.

Sylvia Brandenburg (Leeke 1951) Fourteen black and white images from Sylvia’s days at School; four coloured images from the 1951, 50 Year Reunion in 2001; two coloured images from the 1951, 55 Year Reunion in 2006; Sylvia’s 67th Birthday card given to her at the 1951, 50 Year Reunion in 2001; 1973 End of Term notes for parents; Collage of photos on 2 x A4 pages (colour print) of reunion photos from 1951’s 50 year reunion, 2001; Stanley College of Fashion design scrap/workbook used

by Sylvia in Sub-Leaving and Leaving; two editions of Flourish magazine (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2006), the editor for which was Jane Cresswell (1984).

“The Maniacs, 1951”, donated by Sylvia Brandenburg (Leeke 1951) L-R: Loader, Eliane Seigrest, Sally Hale, Laura Einihovici, Aurelie ‘Auz’ Shearer, Barbara Baty, Lintie Norton Front: Jill Meathrel, Jean ‘Sooty’ Soothill

Miss Major and Miss Hope, walking down the old gravel road to classrooms, 1951. Donated by Sylvia Brandenburg (Leeke 1951).

After the ‘Penny Concert’ c1953, donated by Vicki Hunter (Rose 1978) L-R: Margaret Serwood, Tasma Clifton, Carmen Cloak, Pat Murphy, Dallas Milbank

Betony Bickford (nee Stanwix, Junior School teacher 1979-1986) An original Scottish sporran, one pair of hand-knitted socks, three pairs of sock garters once belonging to Dr Alexander Maxwell Clarke Stephenson, who was the stepfather of Betony’s husband, Neil Bickford.

Haede Kotai, Kate Dawes (Kotai 1983) and Clara Kotai (1987) Listen to the Talk of Us: People with Dementia Speak Out (2007) written by their mother Dr Trisha Kotai-Ewers (Ewers 1956).

David Plummer, son of Barbara Plummer (Joyce 1946) Four books presented to Barbara in 1946: three for the John Stewart Literature Prize in 1946 (Form VIA): Poetical Works of Wordsworth; Balletomania: The Story of an Obsession by Arnold L Haskell; Australia’s Alps by Elyne Mitchell; and We Live in Alaska by Constance Helmericks, presented for Proficiency, 1946 (Form VIA).

Unknown Donor from Centenary Eleven black and white images from the late 1940s and early 1950s including Koala Patrol Girl Guides’ hike from Glen Forest to Mundaring Weir 1950, ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ performance at the Cannington Showgrounds in 1950, and photos of teachers after Prize Day breakup in the late 1940s.

Dedicated Archives volunteer Jane Meneghello (McGibbon) at work.

Digital Accessions

Tina Davidson, Friend of PLC 1978 45 record (front cover missing), bought at a vintage market a few years ago.

Vicki Hunter (Rose 1978) Three photos of her mother, Tasma Rose (Clifton 1954) at PLC in the 1950s.

Kathy Bonus (Lefroy 1983) Kathy’s 1983 Music Tour windcheater.

Emily Mackay (2012) Sixty four images of the Pipe Band on music camps, playing at carnivals and festivals, formal and casual shots.

Mary Hillman (Alexander 1966) A large file of Argyle Club correspondence and documentation from 1997-2000.

Volunteer Thanks Thanks to Jane Meneghello (McGibbon) who comes every week and works on myriad tasks. This year she has sorted and recorded a box of sporting pennants for storage, identified students and typed captions for photos, and put new accessions away. She is currently reorganising the Photographic Collection and having nightmares about a 1940s photo currently sitting in a 1930s album! www.plc.wa.edu.au 45

FROM THE

ARCHIVES

Recently we discovered four beautiful old mystery photos of PLC which we’ve had tucked away for nigh on 35 years but which predate our Archives, so have really only just come to light. We thought it would be interesting to walk you through how we solved the mystery!

white, and badges bearing the PLC crest. As we had the straw Panamas for summer, the felt hats were only worn in winter - during Term 2 (of 3 in those days), so this would be an end of Term 2 photo, taken in August. But was it 1934, 1935, or 1936?

All four had the same markings on the back and appear to have been processed at the same time, so we could probably presume they were also taken around the same time. This appeared to be around the 1930s, but we needed a closer timeframe.

doesn’t help firm up the timeframe, but it's great to see such a good shot of these beautiful old gates.

The car looks like a late-1920s/early1930s Austin Twelve Tourer, which were commonly used as taxis.

The next is of a smiling young girl sitting on the pillar beside the old tennis courts where the Heather Barr Memorial Chapel within Carmichael Hall now stands. This is how this part of the School looked from its earliest days at Cottesloe (from 1917) until Carmichael Hall was built in 1955. Not a great deal of help as far as the timeframe goes, but she is wearing a summer-weight Black Watch tartan skirt, white blouse, and bottle green, blue and white striped tie.

Having exhausted the detail in the photos, we turned them over and found on the back of each is written “29/12/86 Mrs Robertson”, which isn’t much to go on. On one, though, was a barely discernible address: 37 Caporn Street, Nedlands.

The first shot is of the original front gates which were a magnificent entry statement to Junior (now Finlayson) House - a gorgeous old Peppermint Grove home built in the 1890s. We have owned this property since 1923 which

This uniform was introduced in 1934 which means these date from then at the earliest. We were getting closer...

Then there’s one of an extremely capable-looking woman named “Matron Throssell”. Checking our Staff Register, we found she was Miss Evelyn Crystal Throssell (later King), and was employed here as Matron from 1 July 1934 to the end of 1936.

The timeframe was narrowing!

The last shot, marked “Departing for holidays”, shows eight beautifully dressed PLC girls in Black Watch tartan uniform. All are wearing navy, felt, cloche-style hats on their heads with PLC hatbands of blue, green and

That was more than enough!

We looked at the 1980 electoral roll for possible Mrs Robertsons of Nedlands and, though it was six years earlier, found the right one living at 37 Caporn Street. Her first names were Thyra Isabella, which sounded familiar, so we checked our Enrolment Register and determined she was a student here, from Geraldton, for 1934. And _only_ for 1934, for that was her Leaving year.

That dated these beautiful images perfectly!

Coming back to the photos of the young girl (was this Thyra?) and the eight girls departing for holidays - because both were taken in 1934 it means these are the earliest photos we now have of both the new summer and winter uniform, in the very first year it was introduced.

That’s extremely significant! Now we'll be scouring our 1930s images in the hope we can match some faces.

Top left: Eight Boarders “Departing for holidays”, end of Second Term 1934. All are wearing the new heavier weight Black Watch winter uniform introduced in 1934. Top right: Possibly a young Thyra Horswill wearing the new PLC summer uniform of light weight Black Watch tartan, on the tennis courts where the Heather Barr Memorial Chapel within Carmichael Hall now stands, 1934. Above bottom left: The magnificent gates which once stood at the entrance of Junior (now Finlayson House) on View Street, 1934. Bottom left: Matron Evelyn Throssell (resident Boarding House Mistress July 1934-1936), 1934.

46 Blackwatch 2021 Edition Two

We are greatly saddened to hear of the passing of the following Old Collegians:

OBITUARIES

Rosemary Alison Adamson (Ross 1950) 14 November 1933 – 16 July 2021

Doreen Joy Owens (Brockway 1945) 7 November 1928 – 1 September 2020 Doreen came to PLC as a day girl for three and a half years from June 1942, just a few months after the Fall of Singapore and the bombings of Darwin and Broome. She’d come from Perth Girls’ School in James Street, Perth, and was here at the same time as her first cousin Marian Horridge (Brockway 1944).

In October 1942 Doreen and Marian were walking down by the river and noticed four boys playing around in an old rowing boat, quite some distance from shore. A little while later they looked towards the boys and saw the boat was gone, sunk.

Three were splashing around in the water and the fourth, Donald Mettam (then 11) was clinging to the end of the jetty.

Marian jumped in and brought Donald to shore while Doreen ran to nearby houses raising the alarm and calling for help.

Sadly, only Donald survived. At the time, the Coroner commended Doreen and Marian for their swift actions.

Being at PLC in the war meant periodical air raid drills which were terrifying for the ones who had been in Java, Malaya or Singapore during real bombings.

After leaving PLC Doreen trained as a teacher and, in 1949, was posted down to Manjimup State School as the new Domestic Science teacher. There, she became the Guide Captain and met dairy farmer Norman Owens. They became engaged in May 1950 and married precisely a year later at Trinity Church, Perth, in May 1951.

That summer, of 1951-1952, Doreen became a ‘towerman’ on the Diamond Tree fire lookout, scouting for fires in the surrounding forest and farmland.

Constructed in 1941 it was in operation until July 2019 when, speaking about her time as a fire scout in the 1950s, Doreen said, “it was a fantastic job, but the wind could make it unbearable at times. When we had a very strong wind, the whole thing would rock. It could be a really horrible feeling.”

Like her cousin Marian, Doreen later also became a published author who enjoyed writing about local historical events, people and places. In 1994 she published a local history Jardee: The Mill That Cheated Time. She described herself as a teacher first, then a writer and historian, followed by all the other titles such as mother, Sunday School teacher, occasional lay preacher and musician.

Lesley Vernon Barrett-Lennard (Gibson 1942) 13 October 1925 – 7 August 2021 Helen Meredith Bean (Pearson 1946) 4 July 1929 – 10 September 2021 Leslie Ann Benjamin (1964) 24 January 1948 – 6 August 2021 Jeannette Ann Burdge (Craig 1951) 17 June 1934 – 18 June 2021 Lyrid Francies Crosh Bye / June Prasad formerly Wood (Barker 1941) 25 June 1924 – 6 September 2021 Alison Barbara Crofts (Wilton 1950) 26 July 1933 – 24 July 2021 Helen Joan McKenzie Dawson (Grant 1968) 13 December 1948 – 3 April 2021 Abbey Brooke Donaldson (2011) 20 January 1994 – 18 April 2021 Beverley Jane Fitzgerald (Bird 1954) 9 January 1937 – 2 September 2021 David Robert Kellock Goodall (Kindy 1943) 12 October 1938 – 21 September 2021

Always musical, Doreen enjoyed belonging to a choir for many years, and was actively involved in her community. She was a member of the Manjimup Historical Society, and devoted many decades to the Manjimup Heritage Park, being on the Advisory Committee, between 1999 and 2009. She was also an English Language Friend (or ‘ELF’) program tutor at the Manjimup Community Resource Centre helping locals with diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds.

Valerie Joy Hart (Ellis 1950) 16 December 1932 – 20 April 2021

Doreen’s daughter Libby Thorn wrote to let us know that education was extremely important to Doreen, and that she was grateful for her time at PLC which had enabled her to become a teacher; a job she enjoyed and found challenging. She had also felt a strong, lifelong affinity with PLC and enjoyed the Easter Service and Founders’ Day events she attended in recent years.

Mae Muriel O’Halloran (Ellis 1944) 12 April 1927 – 18 June 2021

We loved having her and will miss her cheery presence.

Anthony Arthur Haynes (1964), Junior Branch 1952 9 June 1947 – 12 January 2021 Barbara Irwin (Biddell 1951) 1 September 1934 – 1 May 2021 Ailsa Joyce Jones (Fleming 1941) 12 August 1924 – 14 June 2021 Jewel Margaret Lamb (1951) 31 January 1934 – 23 October 2021 Marjorie Luno (Boas 1938) 1 April 1921 – 30 July 2021

Jan Russell Oldham (1960) 5 September 1942 – 15 October 2021 Barbara Louise Plummer (Joyce 1946) 15 January 1929 – 11 May 2021 Tasma Jean Rose (Clifton 1954) 24 April 1937 – 14 June 2021 Alison Marian Webb (Willoughby 1953) 22 April 1936 – 18 August 2021 Fiona Jean Wells (Johnston 1974) 19 September 1957 – 8 January 2017

We are also saddened to hear of the passing of our former staff:

Doreen Owens (Brockway 1945), with members of the Bushfire Front, cutting the cake for the Diamond Tree’s 75th anniversary in 2016, courtesy Tim Foley, Parks and Wildlife.

Mrs Felicity Ann Kathleen ‘Flick’ Leake (Miss Cusack) Standard IV teacher 1949 17 January 1925 – 9 May 2021 Mr Lindsay Dalrymple Evans Drum teacher 1979-1980 20 July 1948 – 4 May 2021 Mrs Hilda Joy Evans Head of Junior School 1979-1998 11 August 1935 – 7 June 2021

www.plc.wa.edu.au 47

2 G R OW

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F O R AG E

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Editorial Details Blackwatch is published for the community of Presbyterian Ladies’ College A College of the Uniting Church of Australia 14 McNeil Street, Peppermint Grove Western Australia 6011 T: +61 8 9424 6444 W: plc.wa.edu.au Please address all correspondence regarding Blackwatch to Publications and Communications Co-ordinator T: +61 8 9424 6475 at PLC or E: blackwatch@plc.wa.edu.au

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