MyallaOfficial Journal of the Old Girls’ Association

Snippets from the Past - Annetta Robotham

In the mid 1980s, the Old Girls’ Association decided to enlarge its room. At the time the OGA was located underneath St Michael’s Hall, where Design and Technology is today. To enable us to do this we secured a substantial loan from the School Council, and we had to be very creative to find the money to pay Perth College back.

Our resourceful Treasurer, Enid Clemenger, discovered bingo was being played every Friday night at the Bicton Community Hall and the organiser allowed charitable groups to run the evening for a month. Once expenses were paid the profit was given to the group and it could be as much as $1,000 a night! A group of committee members and their husbands, including Noele (McLean) and Frank Radford, Janet (Brown) and John Neilson, Pauline (Robotham) and David Uhe, Enid and I agreed to do this. Three people were needed each night and it was an experience, but also great fun. There would be a queue outside the hall, we would take the door money, and then there would be a rush for everyone’s favourite table. If a ‘regular’s’ seat was taken a heated argument would break out! Our duties were to have one on the stage calling the numbers for each game (naturally using the correct ‘lingo’!), making sure the cards were given out for each new round and manning a stall which sold pies, sausage rolls, lollies and cool drinks. It was all very fast and furious but over in a very short space of time. Over the month we netted a nice tidy sum of money and had lots of laughs along the way.

Our annual street stall outside Wesley Church in the city was another money spinner; Enid had a knitting machine and would make numerous children’s jumpers, Shirley (Pole) McDonald and her sister, Pat (Pole) Standring made the most beautiful layettes, and Norma (Pierre-Humbert) Chappell created gorgeous little dresses. There was also wonderful army of OGA cake and biscuit makers. There was a stall outside Wesley every Friday morning so your application had to be in early. Health and Safety regulations put an end to street stalls, but it was good while it lasted.

Our annual raffle also brought in a considerable amount of money, our themed Restaurant Nights were very popular, and just ask Lesley (Dunstan) Keen and Helen (Burnside) Treloar about the lamington drives!

We worked hard and had lots of fun and laughter along the way. With the refurbished Myalla House we thought it would be timely to share the stories of past fundraising drives, and to say thank you to the School Council for kindly funding the most recent refurbishments in our beloved building.

Lunch in the Swan ValleyDate: Friday 15 SeptemberTime: 12.00 pm Venue: Kate Edgar’s house, Herne HillCost: $45, or $50 for the bus there and backBook: www.trybooking.com/PNOB or call (08) 9471 2133

Kate is a third-generation Old Girl; her mother is Judith (Barrett-Lennard) Magill (1957 Leaver), her aunty is Margaret (Barrett-Lennard) Fraser (1954 Leaver), and her grandmother is Lorna (Lodge) Barrett-Lennard (1926 Leaver). Kate’s daughter is currently in Year 9 at Perth College.

Issue 280

Birthday Club Over 90sHappy Birthday to our Old Girls who are celebrating a birthday of 90 or more in the next six months:Mrs Lesley (Pearce) Doust (1935 Leaver)Mrs Geraldine (Smith) Harkness (1935 Leaver)Mrs Audrey (Mearing) Hornby (1935 Leaver)Mrs Laura (Betty) (Roberts) Cockburn (1937 Leaver)Mrs Iseult (Bunty) (Temple-Poole) West (1937 Leaver)Mrs Sheila (Wilding) Curlewis (1937 Leaver)Mrs Isobel (Bobbie) (Flight-Smith) Hardie (1938 Leaver)Mrs Nan (Meagher) Grey (1938 Leaver)Mrs Kathleen (Aberdeen) Douglas-Smith (1938 Leaver)Mrs Nancy (Lundy) Fleay (1938 Leaver)Mrs Roma (Reynolds) Coward (1939 Leaver)Mrs Wendy (Burges) Davis (1939 Leaver)Mrs Mary (Pat) Baunton (1939 Leaver)Mrs Joan (Harrison) van Oosteron (1939 Leaver)Mrs Joan (Pocklington) Howard (1939 Leaver)Mrs Patricia (Hockin) Sims (1939 Leaver) Miss Norma Conroy (1940 Leaver)Miss Doris Jenkins (1940 Leaver)Mrs Stephanie (James) Coleman (1940 Leaver)Mrs Cecily (Penton) Thorpe (1941 Leaver)Miss Patricia Amies (1941 Leaver)Mrs Gladys (Day) Rogers (1941 Leaver)Mrs Roma (Harps-Burt) Evans (1941 Leaver)Mrs Phyllis (Kohn) Stevenson (1941 Leaver)Mrs Alison (Fox) Davies (1941 Leaver)Miss Margaret Sampard (1941 Leaver)Ms Shirley George (1941 Leaver)Miss Lesley Styles (1941 Leaver)Mrs Patricia (Rodgers) Nottle (1942 Leaver)Mrs June (Carey) McDowell (1942 Leaver)Mrs Pamela (Mawby) Hesling (1942 Leaver)

Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) (Knight) Martin (1942 Leaver)Mrs Suzanne (Hockin) Wright (1942 Leaver)Mrs Rima (Wharton) D’Raine (1942 Leaver)Mrs Vivienne (Johnston) Jackson (1942 Leaver)Mrs Jean (Lockyer) Hankey (1942 Leaver)Mrs Susan (Layman) Gardiner (1942 Leaver)Mrs Frances (Anderson) Dodds (1942 Leaver)Mrs Tedye (Elkington) McDiven (1943 Leaver)Miss Pamela Gillett (1943 Leaver)Mrs Flora (Trilli) (Gamba) Bobone (1943 Leaver)Mrs Lorna (Ambuhl) Wishart (1943 Leaver)Mrs Lorraine (Shearn) Hadlow (1943 Leaver)Mrs Geraldine (Brownell) Nainby (1943 Leaver)Mrs June (Illingworth) Outhwaite (1943 Leaver)Mrs Sonia (Whitfield) Vernon (1943 Leaver)Mrs Grace (Edgar) Barrington (1943 Leaver)Mrs Mary (Sherlock) Wilding (1943 Leaver)Mrs Betty (Farnham) Defrenne (1943 Leaver)Mrs Loretta (Betty) (Gill) McLean (1944 Leaver)Mrs Barbara (Sinclair) Wheeler (1944 Leaver)Mrs Merle (Dyson) Exeter (1944 Leaver)Mrs Edith (June) (Richards) McCallum (1944 Leaver)Mrs Mary (Maund) Hunter (1944 Leaver)Mrs Judith (Fyfe) Anketell (1944 Leaver)Mrs Roberta (Bobbie) (Devenish) Bower (1944 Leaver)Miss Rae Anderson (1944 Leaver)Mrs Dawn (Dobson) Pilgrim (1945 Leaver) Mrs Dawn (Oldfield) Woolley (1945 Leaver)Mrs Joan (Hull) Wroth (1945 Leaver)Mrs Miriam (Latham) Smith (1945 Leaver)Mrs Judy (Stenberg) Nielsen (1945 Leaver)

Our records rely on your help to keep them up-to-date. If there are any inaccuracies please contact Perth College Reception:info@pc.wa.edu.au or 9471 2100.

The photos above are from our heritage collection. If you would like to visit our archives or donate mementoes, please contact our Heritage Officer, Jessica Marantelli, on 9471 2163 or email jessica.marantelli@pc.wa.edu.au.

1937 Swimming Carnival

Reverend Gerry Nixon, Principal Jenny Ethell, OGA President Dot Stewart and Bishop Kate Wilmot

Pictured above: 1939 students on the steps to the Boarders’ Dining Hall with St Anne’s (now St Mary’s) in the background. Back row (L-R): Francine Leslie, Joan Whitworth, Leslie Bateman. Front row (L-R): Helen Leaver, Lucy Craig, Jean Lockyer

Happy Birthday to our Old Girls who are celebrating a birthday of 90 or more in the next six months:

Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) (Knight) Martin (1942 Leaver)Mrs Suzanne (Hockin) Wright (1942 Leaver)Mrs Rima (Wharton) D’Raine (1942 Leaver)Mrs Vivienne (Johnston) Jackson (1942 Leaver)Mrs Jean (Lockyer) Hankey (1942 Leaver)Mrs Susan (Layman) Gardiner (1942 Leaver)Mrs Frances (Anderson) Dodds (1942 Leaver)Mrs Tedye (Elkington) McDiven (1943 Leaver)Miss Pamela Gillett (1943 Leaver)Mrs Flora (Trilli) (Gamba) Bobone (1943 Leaver)Mrs Lorna (Ambuhl) Wishart (1943 Leaver)Mrs Lorraine (Shearn) Hadlow (1943 Leaver)Mrs Geraldine (Brownell) Nainby (1943 Leaver)Mrs June (Illingworth) Outhwaite (1943 Leaver)Mrs Sonia (Whitfield) Vernon (1943 Leaver)Mrs Grace (Edgar) Barrington (1943 Leaver)Mrs Mary (Sherlock) Wilding (1943 Leaver)Mrs Betty (Farnham) Defrenne (1943 Leaver)Mrs Loretta (Betty) (Gill) McLean (1944 Leaver)Mrs Barbara (Sinclair) Wheeler (1944 Leaver)Mrs Merle (Dyson) Exeter (1944 Leaver)Mrs Edith (June) (Richards) McCallum (1944 Leaver)Mrs Mary (Maund) Hunter (1944 Leaver)Mrs Judith (Fyfe) Anketell (1944 Leaver)Mrs Roberta (Bobbie) (Devenish) Bower (1944 Leaver)Miss Rae Anderson (1944 Leaver)Mrs Dawn (Dobson) Pilgrim (1945 Leaver) Mrs Dawn (Oldfield) Woolley (1945 Leaver)Mrs Joan (Hull) Wroth (1945 Leaver)Mrs Miriam (Latham) Smith (1945 Leaver)Mrs Judy (Stenberg) Nielsen (1945 Leaver)

Myalla House Refurbishments and Blessing

Our records rely on your help to keep them up-to-date. If there are any inaccuracies please contact Perth College Reception:info@pc.wa.edu.au or 9471 2100.

The photos above are from our heritage collection. If you would like to visit our archives or donate mementoes, please contact our Heritage Officer, Jessica Marantelli, on 9471 2163 or email jessica.marantelli@pc.wa.edu.au.

Reverend Gerry Nixon, Principal Jenny Ethell, OGA President Dot Stewart and Bishop Kate Wilmot

Bishop Kate Wilmot officiating a special Chapel service on the occasion of the OGA AGM

Pictured above: 1939 students on the steps to the Boarders’ Dining Hall with St Anne’s (now St Mary’s) in the background. Back row (L-R): Francine Leslie, Joan Whitworth, Leslie Bateman. Front row (L-R): Helen Leaver, Lucy Craig, Jean Lockyer

Myalla House has been refurbished and extended, and the new rooms were formally dedicated at a special service on Sunday 2 April to coincide with the OGA AGM. These rooms have been named in honour of several former students and families for their dedication to the Perth College OGA.

SCURLOCK FOYERMarjorie (Williams) Scurlock (1929 Leaver) Jacqueline (Scurlock) Barnwell (1961 Leaver) Christine (Scurlock) Price (1965 Leaver)

Marjorie served as President, held multiple positions on the committee, and was awarded Old Girl of the Year. She suggested the name Myalla for the Old Girls’ Association newspaper and was one of its founding editors. Jackie served as a committee member of the OGA.

GORDON ROOM Joan (Firth) Gordon (1934 Leaver) Beverley (Gordon) Ireland (1960 Leaver)Heather (Gordon) Ward (1956 Leaver) Kay Gordon (1968 Leaver)

Joan worked tirelessly for the committee and the School, and was named Old Girl of the Year. Bev served as President of the OGA, held multiple positions on the committee, and served on School Council.

ROBOTHAM ROOM Annetta Robotham (1962 Leaver) Felicity (Robotham) Bailey (1967 Leaver)Pauline (Robotham) Uhe (1965 Leaver) Carol RobothamDavid Uhe

Annetta served as President, held multiple positions on the committee, and was a member of the School Council. Pauline served as a committee member of the OGA, and David served on School Council.

BUTTERS KITCHEN

Beverley (Roche) Butters (1958 Leaver) Lynda (Butters) Thomas (1988 Leaver)

Bev served as President, held multiple positions on the committee, and has made many jars of preserves over the years, with the proceeds going to the OGA Sisters’ Memorial Bursary.

NEILSON COURTYARD

Jan (Brown) Neilson (1965 Leaver)

Jan served as Treasurer of the OGA, held multiple positions on the committee and was named Old Girl of the Year.

WITHERS HERITAGE CENTRE

Shirley Withers (1946 Leaver) Rowena Withers (1987 Leaver)

Shirley was instrumental in the establishment of the Art Committee and the Heritage Centre. She was a long-serving editor of the Myalla and a former member of School Council.

OGA COMMITTEE 2017

President Dot (Sommerville) Stewart (1968)

Vice Presidents Linda (Meyers) Hyland (1968) and Jane Scott (1975)

Secretary Bev Ireland (1960)

Treasurer Kat Wray (1994)

Membership Secretary Bev (Roche) Butters (1958)

Bursary Trustee Jane Scott (1975)

Myalla Editor Charissa (Mitsikas) Beasley (1995)

Auditors Michael Hill and Grant Thornton

Committee Andrea Bradbury (2010)Malinda Blair (1996)Vikki DeAlwis (1995)Zena Harman (1995)

If you would like to become a member of the Old Girls’ Association, please contact Membership Secretary, Bev Butters: thebutters@westnet.com.au or 9276 3258.

Lesley Keen (1958)Val Mayger (1957)Lisa Mueller (1989)Annetta Robotham (1962)Jill Yelland (1965)

OGA Secretary, Bev Ireland (1960 Leaver), reading the minutes of the 2016 OGA AGM in the refurbished Gordon Room at Myalla House

Engagements, Weddings and Births

Naomi Laugharne (2009 Leaver) married Ronan Brown on19 March 2016. Emma Hoft (2009) was bridesmaid and Essie Laugharne (2011) was the maid of honour. Emma Halse (2009), Bethany Andres (2009), Bethany McGrechan (2008) and Madeleine Waugh (2012) attended.

Kayla Brown (2006 Leaver) married Paul Groves on 8 April 2016 at Tree Elle Retreat in Denmark. The gardens and outdoor cocktail reception were stunning. Old Girls Courtney Brown (2009) and Bronwyn Travers (2006) were bridesmaids and Bridie Gaze (2006), Gemma Gaze (2008) and Hannah Siemer (2006) attended.

Taryn Douglas (2005 Leaver) married Dan Hellebrekers on 3 March 2017 and celebrated at Mandoon Estate in the Swan Valley. Taryn’s bridesmaids hailed from Perth College - fellow boarders Naomi Edwards (2005) and Hannah Della Bosca (2005). Her flower girl was her cousin Ella Brennan, who is a current Year 2 student.

Engagements, Weddings and Births

Clare Gaze (2004 Leaver) married Alex Leake on 2 March 2017 at Matilda Bay with nine-month-old daughter Aisha Grace Leake joining the celebrations. Sisters Bridie (2006) and Gemma (2008) were bridesmaids.

Laura Marriott (2002 Leaver) married Marley Allsopp on 7 October 2016. Marley proposed to Laura whilst on holidays in France and they were married at Old Broadwater Farm in Busselton.

They had an amazing day filled with lots of happy tears, laughs, donuts, 90s music and more happy tears! Sharing in their celebrations were PC girls Aleisha (Growden) Nelson, Lisa (Patterson) Wooding, Caitlyn (West) Burling, Betty Lou (Sasse) Haydon, Penny (O’Halloran) Kennedy (all 2002 Leavers) and Theda Morrisey (2005).

Congratulation to Kayla (2006 Leaver) and Paul Groves on the birth of beautiful Isobel Kate Groves, born on 19 January 2017, weighing 7lb 4oz and measuring 49cm long.

Kayla Brown (2006 Leaver) married Paul Groves on 8 April 2016 at Tree Elle Retreat in Denmark. The gardens and outdoor cocktail reception were stunning. Old Girls Courtney Brown (2009) and Bronwyn Travers (2006) were bridesmaids and Bridie Gaze (2006), Gemma Gaze (2008) and Hannah Siemer (2006) attended.

Can you help?

Gaye Ibbitson

Donald Cort, father to Gail (1968 Leaver) and Deb (1971 Leaver), and father-in-law to Terry

Margaret ‘Madge’ Isobel Meares (1950 Leaver), who died in July 2016

Pamela Maria Bell, who was schooled at Perth College from 1948 to 1958 and died on 1 October 2016

Patricia (Pearcy) Golledge (1948 Leaver), who died in Queensland on 12 October 2016; she was the sister-in-law of Jennifer (Rushton) Pearcy (deceased)

Olive Joyce ‘Joy’ (Payton) Tinley (1940 Leaver), who passed away peacefully on 29 September 2016 aged 93. She was the dearly loved wife of Neil (dec) and loving mother of Rob. Much loved mother-in-law of Maureen and Merril. Adored nanna and great nanna of Neil and Rebecca, Jane and Paul, Michael and Ruth, Ian and Jalinda, Benjamin, Daniel, Charlotte, Hannah, Jacob, Elizabeth, Caitlin, Oliver, Sarah, Lyndon, Chloe, Rowan, Harrison, Leah, Joshua, Gretel, Nathanael, Matthew, Eleanor, Gilbert and Abigail

Ronald Rigg, who passed away peacefully on 10 September 2016. Husband of Faith, father to Susan (1966 Leaver), Jenny (1967 Leaver), Robyn (1970 Leaver), Kathy and Libby, and a grandfather and great-grandfather to many

Judith (Merryweather) Napier (1976 Leaver), who died on 15 September 2016. She was the youngest daughter of Betty (Lisle) Merryweather (1947 Leaver), sister of Diana (Merryweather) Manners (1969 Leaver) and Sally (Merryweather) Feals (1977 Leaver)

Judith (Mayo) Usher (1958 Leaver) on the death of her husband Vic on 12 March 2017

Obituaries

Seeking STEaM AmbassadorsAs our STEaM programme goes from strength to strength, we are seeking female role models with a connection to Perth College to become STEaM ambassadors in our Junior School. If you are working in the sector and are keen to promote STEaM and its endless possibilities to our students, we would like to hear from you! We want to change the perception that careers in STEaM are dominated by males and show our girls what it’s really like to work across the STEaM industries.

We are seeking an ongoing commitment but can work around your schedule; you may be available to speak at an assembly or to one or two classes, or be able to provide a video diary summarising a day in your life!

If you would like to become involved, please contact our Junior School STEaM Co-ordinator, Mr Jesse Ussi, via email to jesse.ussi@pc.wa.edu.au or call 9471 2200.

Perth College and the Old Girls’ Association extend their sincere condolences to family and friends on the passing of:

We extend our sympathies to Helen (Burnside) Treloar, who fi nished at Perth College in 1957, on the death of her son Phillip on 31 November 2016.

A Nostalgic Visit

It is not often someone who attended Perth College 81 years ago returns to stand at the school gates. Yet this is what Roberta (Bobbie) (Devenish) Bower did on Monday 9 January, having first attended as a very nervous eight-year-old at the start of the 1936 school year.

The Devenish family was prominent in Guildford and when Lyndy (Bobbie’s daughter) came to visit from Sydney earlier this year, the family decided it was the perfect time to visit the places important to Bobbie’s life. Lyndy had never seen where Bobbie lived and went to school.

Reminiscing was also wonderful for Bobbie, who had lived the majority of her adult life in Sydney, following her marriage to John Bower in 1951. The couple had three children (one daughter and two sons). Following John’s retirement, they returned to WA in 1978 and settled in Busselton where Bobbie has lived ever since. Her husband died in 1993.

Bobbie (who will turn 90 on 17 August) and Lyndy visited the home of Bobbie’s grandparents and her own family home, both beautifully restored in Helena Street, Guildford, as well as St Matthew’s Church in Guildford, where she was married, and Perth College.

Bobbie is in good health and still maintains her life-long love as a member of the WA Embroiderers’ Guild. She is an avid reader of Myalla, through which she stays abreast of Perth College and OGA news.

What are our Old Girls up to?

Alex Handreck (2008) is a qualified Clinical Nutritionist helping people make changes to reach optimal health and vitality.

She has founded Optima Health, a service-oriented business that provides individualised nutritional consultations to the general public. Optima Health embraces a holistic approach and aims to educate clients to create a healthy and happy relationship with food and a balanced lifestyle.

“I get how hard achieving good health can be and ultimately that is one of the major founding reasons as to why I created Optima Health,” Alex said. “My business is grounded by fundamental naturopathic principles and my approach to health is focussed on nourishing and fulfilling all facets of our daily lives to create balance on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. Good health is a lifestyle, not a quick fix; my practice revolves around preventative measures as well as the implementation of a whole, nutritious diet and good lifestyle choices.”

Visit www.optimahealth.com.au for more information or see Instagram (optima_health) for some healthy inspiration.

Anna Civil (2008), Diana Ethell (2008) and Christina Mustac (2004) graduated from the School of Medicine at Notre Dame University in December 2016. Christina was Dux of the course. At the same graduation ceremony, Victoria Camp (2006 Head Girl) graduated with First Class Honours in Law and Helena McKay (2012) graduated as a Physiotherapist.

Narelle Stammers (1993) – “Since leaving School I have married and have two children aged 16 and 18. I worked around Western Australia and am now living and working in Harvey.”

Leticia Lockhart (2006) is travelling to Ubud for yoga teacher training.

Olivia Day (2007) just finished her Masters of Teaching (Secondary) at Melbourne University.

Tiffany Ha (2006) has begun studying Contemporary Music at the WA Academy of Performing Arts.

And finally...

Madi James (2006) has finished working at Perth College after joining the School in October 2014 as the Relationship Manager. She served as the link between the School and the Old Girls’ Association and for the last nine months also assisted the Perth College Foundation. Madi is studying primary teaching and has secured a prac position in Broome, where she has moved to join her fiancée, Matt, who works in air traffic control and received a promotion earlier in the year.

Updates

Bobbie (Devenish) Bower with her daughter, Linda Eaton

Perth College and the Old Girls’ Association extend their sincere condolences to family and friends on the passing of:

Save the DateWednesday 14 March 2018

1958 Leavers60-Year Reunion

Upcoming Events60-Year Reunion - 1957 Leavers

Date: Friday 19 May 2017

Time: 10.00 am

Venue: Perth College

School tour, Chapel and lunch at Myalla House

Cost: $40

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/OKLD

1958 Leavers ‘Get Together’Date: Friday 16 June 2017

Time: 10.00 am

Venue: Perth College - Myalla House

Cost: $30

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/PRAE

18-Month Reunion - 2015 Leavers

Date: Friday 23 June 2017

Time: 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Venue: The Queens Tavern

Cost: Complimentary

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/OKNR

Five-Year Reunion - 2012 Leavers

Date: Friday 21 July 2017

Time: 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Venue: The Queens Tavern

Cost: Complimentary

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/OKNS

50-Year Reunion - 1967 Leavers

Date: Saturday 22 July 2017

Time: 10.00 am to 2.00 pm

Venue: Perth College

School tour, Chapel and lunch at Myalla House

Cost: Complimentary

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/OKLI

40-Year Reunion - 1977 Leavers

Date: Saturday 5 August 2017

Time: 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm

Venue: Perth College

Cost: $50

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/OKLN

Country Lunch - All Old GirlsDate: Friday 15 September 2017

Time: 12.00 pm

Venue: Kate Edgar’s house, Herne Hill

Cost: $45 or $50 including bus transport

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/PNOB

30-Year Reunion - 1987 Leavers

Date: Saturday 21 October 2017

Time: 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm

Venue: Perth College

Cost: $50

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/OKMU

20-Year Reunion - 1997 Leavers

Date: Saturday 9 September 2017

Time: 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm

Venue: Perth College

Cost: $50

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/OKMY

10-Year Reunion - 2007 Leavers

Date: Saturday 28 October 2017

Time: 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm

Venue: Perth College

Cost: $50

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/OKNB

Please email oga@pc.wa.edu.au to update your details if you haven’t received information about your reunion yet!