7.8.1930 – 15.3.2020 Christine Wood (nee Richardson) Born in Hobart, Christine Wood attended St Mary’s College from 1937-1948, where she was Head Prefect in both 1947 and 1948. After matriculating, Christine completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in 1951. She married Rodney Wood in 1953 and embarked on a committed and happy marriage in which she mothered six children and worked to strongly support her husband’s career as Barrister, Magistrate and Federal Judge. Christine taught at Brixton Day College in London for about a year before returning to Australia in 1957 and taking up a role as librarian – first establishing the Cosgrove High School Library and later becoming Supervising Librarian at Hobart High School, and then transferring to the University of Tasmania Library. In 1981, Christine returned to study at the University of Tasmania, this time in Psychology, studies which she pursued all the way from undergraduate to PhD. Her doctorate was conferred in the same week as her 75th birthday which was an
Christine taught in London before returning to Australia and establishing the Cosgrove High School Library. amazing achievement, but perhaps not surprising in a woman of such intellect, commitment and passion. During her Masters, Christine began practising at the University Clinic, and also trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming, a technique which she both used in her practice and taught to others as an accredited trainer. She also taught Parent Effectiveness Training classes, both through Centacare and independent schools, bringing benefit to parents of wide socio-economic backgrounds. Her doctorate, conferred in 2003, continued to explore parenting and emotional competence needs, and
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proved remarkable in the significant contribution it made to the wider community. Over the years, Christine remained a staunch supporter of St Mary’s College and of the Cathedral parish. For many years she served as a reader and a greeter at the 6.00pm Sunday Mass, as well as becoming a part of the Parish Council. Christine dedicated her final years to her interest in psychological and social philosophies, which she found invaluable to her ability to create and maintain rich relationships with her children, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren in this rapidly changing world.
This page (left-right): St Mary's College House Captains and Champions 1947, featuring (back, left-right) Christine Richardson, Pamela Walsh, Mary Rooney, (front, left-right) Zoe New, Betty Mulchany, Aileen Manton and Roberta Tuckett. Opposite page (top-bottom): Sheelah Boon (nee Cook), whose family lived in Fermoy Cottage (formerly Cook’s Cottage), pictured above, during her childhood years.
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