From the Archives

2. 1935 Whole School Photo

3. Helenslea 1937

4. 1946 Dorothy Riley (Ninnes)

5. 1945 Gates Showing Badge Presented By The Old Grammarians

6. Knapsack to be used in the air raid shelters

7. Dorothy Riley (Ninnes) and her daughters Sue and Chris at Founders Day tea

8. Commemorative Trowel

From its small beginnings in a cottage in 1898, Shelford Girls Grammar has grown considerably. The memories and individual collections of Shelford memorabilia held by each past and present Shelfordian help to tell the story of Shelford’s rich heritage and the part it has played in their lives.

The school was recently reminded of this when Dorothy Riley (nee Ninnes) donated her knapsack, which was supplied to students for use in the air raid shelters built during the Second World War, the first tangible proof of their long rumoured existence, to Shelford’s archive. Dorothy attended our 125 year celebration with her daughters Sue and Chris (‘Riles’) who retired as a PE teacher at Shelford in 2019.

Along with Dorothy’s knapsack also on display was a symbolic trowel given to the school in 1935 during a dedication service and ceremony for the laying of the Foundation Stone for the new classrooms. Canon Langley performed the laying of the Foundation Stone with the word:

“In the faith of Jesus Christ, and in thankful remembrance of the many blessings vouchsafed to this School, we place this Foundation Stone. In the Name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

The family of Mrs Bettina Woodburn (Bromley) also recently donated her five trophies; the trophies having been awarded for Bettina’s academic and sporting achievements at school, which included being Dux of her year in 1939. These wonderful donations and recollections complement a diverse collection of records and memorabilia.

Re-established in 2014, the Archives Office aims to collect, document and preserve items of continuing value which record and illustrate the history, functions and development of Shelford since 1898. It promotes an appreciation of Shelford heritage by documenting historically significant records and communicating their existence to the School community and provides access to the records for reference purposes.

We are always pleased to hear from anyone who holds items that they may be willing to donate for the permanent collection or lend to Shelford for a temporary exhibition. These may include photographs, personal recollections, badges and uniforms, trophies, samples of handcrafts and other schoolwork, school publications and reports.

Please contact Francis Danesi at archives@shelford.vic.edu.au or by telephone 9524 7333 on Wednesdays and Thursdays during school terms for more information.