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Welcome
Message from the OSA President
FEBRUARY 2025
Dear Old Scholars,
Welcome to the first edition of our 2025 Connections newsletter.
The OSA Committee has been working on this year's calendar to provide a wide range of events for our OSA community to reunite and extend opportunities.
A very warm welcome to our newest OSA members, the Class of 2024. We look forward to seeing you at the celebratory event at the School on Wednesday 19 February at 4pm. As a cohort your positive approach and success in Year 12 was remarkable, congratulations.
The last event of our 2024 OSA calendar was the lovely Christmas service in the Whitby Chapel, and 2025 has opened with the successful January reunion in London where OSA Patron and Principal Fiona Johnston met up with 18 UK based Old Scholars. You will enjoy reading all about these events below.
The OSA Committee continues to provide connections for our ever-growing community. There are many enjoyable up and coming events to put into your diary, including our very much-loved Bridge & Mahjong Day on Wednesday 26 March, OSA Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday 5 March, OSA Year Representatives Evening on Thursday 10 April, IGGSA Tennis on Thursday 3 April
and the
OSA Mothers' Day Bazaar on Saturday 10 May. Our younger committee members are planning some more OSA Pilates and Young OSA Drinks, likely for Term 2, and we will keep you posted on our OSA social media accounts.
We farewell Sophie Rowney (2016) from our committee. Thank you Sophie and all the very best on your move to London. Thank you and welcome to Verity Burges (2001) who will be re-joining the committee in Sophie's place.
Enjoy reading this edition, and we look forward to seeing many of our OSA members in 2025.
Best wishes
Dr Amanda Burt (Coad, 1989)
President of the GHS & St Hilda's Old Scholars Association
Message from the OSA President
FEBRUARY 2025
Dear Old Scholars,
Welcome to the first edition of our 2025 Connections newsletter.
The OSA Committee has been working on this year's calendar to provide a wide range of events for our OSA community to reunite and extend opportunities.
A very warm welcome to our newest OSA members, the Class of 2024. We look forward to seeing you at the celebratory event at the School on Wednesday 19 February at 4pm. As a cohort your positive approach and success in Year 12 was remarkable, congratulations.
The last event of our 2024 OSA calendar was the lovely Christmas service in the Whitby Chapel, and 2025 has opened with the successful January reunion in London where OSA Patron and Principal Fiona Johnston met up with 18 UK based Old Scholars. You will enjoy reading all about these events below.
The OSA Committee continues to provide connections for our ever-growing community. There are many enjoyable up and coming events to put into your diary, including our very much-loved Bridge & Mahjong Day on Wednesday 26 March, OSA Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday 5 March, OSA Year Representatives Evening on Thursday 10 April, IGGSA Tennis on Thursday 3 April
and the
OSA Mothers' Day Bazaar on Saturday 10 May. Our younger committee members are planning some more OSA Pilates and Young OSA Drinks, likely for Term 2, and we will keep you posted on our OSA social media accounts.
We farewell Sophie Rowney (2016) from our committee. Thank you Sophie and all the very best on your move to London. Thank you and welcome to Verity Burges (2001) who will be re-joining the committee in Sophie's place.
Enjoy reading this edition, and we look forward to seeing many of our OSA members in 2025.
Best wishes
Dr Amanda Burt (Coad, 1989)
President of the GHS & St Hilda's Old Scholars Association
Upcoming Events
Year 13 Reunion - Class of 2024
2024 Leavers' Celebratory Afternoon
Wednesday 19 February at 4.00pm
To our most recent Old Scholars, the Class of 2024, St Hilda's warmly welcomes you back to a Leavers' Celebratory Afternoon.
We would love to see the 2024 cohort reunite, congratulate you on your Year 12 achievements and hear about your future plans.
The 2024 Chronicles will also be available for collection. Please register for catering purposes (this is a free event) and we look forward to seeing you on the veranda of the Heritage Centre.
Year 13 Reunion - Class of 2024
2024 Leavers' Celebratory Afternoon
Wednesday 19 February at 4.00pm
To our most recent Old Scholars, the Class of 2024, St Hilda's warmly welcomes you back to a Leavers' Celebratory Afternoon.
We would love to see the 2024 cohort reunite, congratulate you on your Year 12 achievements and hear about your future plans.
The 2024 Chronicles will also be available for collection. Please register for catering purposes (this is a free event) and we look forward to seeing you on the veranda of the Heritage Centre.
Ash Wednesday Services At St St Hilda's
Ash Wednesday Services
Wednesday 5 March
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent (and follows Shrove Tuesday) and is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar.
It takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday and is named after the ashes which are made from burning the blessed palms of Palm Sunday of the previous year. The ashes are applied to a person's forehead during the service and represent grief and are a sign of penance.
Father Philip Schonken who will welcome the whole St Hilda's and OSA community to the Whitby Chapel to any one of three Ash Wednesday services beginning at 7.30am, 1.15pm and 5.30pm.
We invite you to the Heritage Centre for refreshments after the final service which begins at 5.30pm (no need to regsiter).
Ash Wednesday Services At St St Hilda's
Ash Wednesday Services
Wednesday 5 March
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent (and follows Shrove Tuesday) and is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar.
It takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday and is named after the ashes which are made from burning the blessed palms of Palm Sunday of the previous year. The ashes are applied to a person's forehead during the service and represent grief and are a sign of penance.
Father Philip Schonken who will welcome the whole St Hilda's and OSA community to the Whitby Chapel to any one of three Ash Wednesday services beginning at 7.30am, 1.15pm and 5.30pm.
We invite you to the Heritage Centre for refreshments after the final service which begins at 5.30pm (no need to regsiter).
OSA Bridge & Mahjong Day
OSA BRIDGE & MAHJONG DAY
Wednesday 26 March
The GHS & St Hilda's Old Scholars' Association invites you to the annual Bridge and Mahjong Day.
Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025
Time: 10.00am - 2.30pm
Venue: The Gallery, Heritage Centre, St Hilda's Bay View Campus
Cost: $40 (table $160)
A light sandwich lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Players will need to bring their own bridge cards, cloth and bridge table.
Please purchase your tickets by Monday 24 March.
OSA Bridge & Mahjong Day
OSA BRIDGE & MAHJONG DAY
Wednesday 26 March
The GHS & St Hilda's Old Scholars' Association invites you to the annual Bridge and Mahjong Day.
Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025
Time: 10.00am - 2.30pm
Venue: The Gallery, Heritage Centre, St Hilda's Bay View Campus
Cost: $40 (table $160)
A light sandwich lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Players will need to bring their own bridge cards, cloth and bridge table.
Please purchase your tickets by Monday 24 March.
Recent Events
London Sundowner Reunion with Principal Fiona Johnston
A Warm Welcome From UK Based Old Scholars
OSA Patron and Principal Fiona Johnston enjoyed a mid winter sundowner with nineteen Old Scholars on Saturday 18 January at The Exhibitionist Hotel, Kensington, London, and a wonderful catchup with some of our UK based community. Those Old Scholars present spanned from Class of 1956 - 2017.
Several of the Old Scholars had come from outside of London, so it was especially good of them to travel. Those who came included:
Megan Baxter (2014), Carlotta Pine (Pidgeon, 1983), Fiona Martin (McCarthy, 1987), Amelia Scudamore (2003), Emily Kempin (2012), Kate Haines (Richardson, 1993), Heidi Whitfield (Squarcini, 1991), Jaylie Ryan (2016), Louise Squire (1999), Alex Logan (2007), Caitlin Gooch (2011), Margaret Pawson (Tuckett, 1971), Elizabeth Middleton (2017), Sally O'Connor (Burt, 1961), Lavinia Jowett (Ratcliffe, 1969), Krista Blankenburgs (2013), Diana Furlonger (De Pledge, 1956), Ann-Margaret Stowe (MacDermott, 1987) and Susanna Packer (2010).
London Sundowner Reunion with Principal Fiona Johnston
A Warm Welcome From UK Based Old Scholars
OSA Patron and Principal Fiona Johnston enjoyed a mid winter sundowner with nineteen Old Scholars on Saturday 18 January at The Exhibitionist Hotel, Kensington, London, and a wonderful catchup with some of our UK based community. Those Old Scholars present spanned from Class of 1956 - 2017.
Several of the Old Scholars had come from outside of London, so it was especially good of them to travel. Those who came included:
Megan Baxter (2014), Carlotta Pine (Pidgeon, 1983), Fiona Martin (McCarthy, 1987), Amelia Scudamore (2003), Emily Kempin (2012), Kate Haines (Richardson, 1993), Heidi Whitfield (Squarcini, 1991), Jaylie Ryan (2016), Louise Squire (1999), Alex Logan (2007), Caitlin Gooch (2011), Margaret Pawson (Tuckett, 1971), Elizabeth Middleton (2017), Sally O'Connor (Burt, 1961), Lavinia Jowett (Ratcliffe, 1969), Krista Blankenburgs (2013), Diana Furlonger (De Pledge, 1956), Ann-Margaret Stowe (MacDermott, 1987) and Susanna Packer (2010).
Students and Old Scholars Crochet
Crochet Blankets For Street Friends WA
Last term Treffina Dowland (Lidbury, 1983) and Tracy Parker (Milner, 1975) joined the Senior School St Hilda's girls to help them finish a long term project.
Over the year Susannah Daly, Karen Choi and Jessica Dallimore (mathematics teachers) have run a crochet club for Community Service in which students have made over 220 woollen squares (approximately 15cm x 15cm) to stitch together into blankets. These blankets will be donated to Street Friends WA for people in WA experiencing homelessness.
Treffina and Tracey worked with the students to sew together these squares and finished off the first of the blankets for us. They hope to set up new dates and new projects later this term.
Students and Old Scholars Crochet
Crochet Blankets For Street Friends WA
Last term Treffina Dowland (Lidbury, 1983) and Tracy Parker (Milner, 1975) joined the Senior School St Hilda's girls to help them finish a long term project.
Over the year Susannah Daly, Karen Choi and Jessica Dallimore (mathematics teachers) have run a crochet club for Community Service in which students have made over 220 woollen squares (approximately 15cm x 15cm) to stitch together into blankets. These blankets will be donated to Street Friends WA for people in WA experiencing homelessness.
Treffina and Tracey worked with the students to sew together these squares and finished off the first of the blankets for us. They hope to set up new dates and new projects later this term.
2024 Christmas Service and Sundowner
Christmas Begins On 30 November 2024
It was wonderful to finish off the OSA calendar of events on Monday 30 November with a service in the Whitby Chapel for the OSA and drinks thereafter. It was an opportunity to recognise the work of the many OSA volunteers through the year, and our thanks to Father Philip Schonken for making us so welcome and starting us on the Advent calendar.
Katrina Chalmers (Black, 1985) & Alexandra Rogers (1986).
Rosey Longmire (House, 1982), Sophie Rowney (2016) & Tracey Lomas Schonken
Jane Barker (1986), Valerie Lapinski (1954) and Ella Morison (2016)
Michelle Broom (Marfleet, 1989) & Treffina Dowland (Lidbury, 1983)
2024 Christmas Service and Sundowner
Christmas Begins On 30 November 2024
It was wonderful to finish off the OSA calendar of events on Monday 30 November with a service in the Whitby Chapel for the OSA and drinks thereafter. It was an opportunity to recognise the work of the many OSA volunteers through the year, and our thanks to Father Philip Schonken for making us so welcome and starting us on the Advent calendar.
Katrina Chalmers (Black, 1985) & Alexandra Rogers (1986).
Rosey Longmire (House, 1982), Sophie Rowney (2016) & Tracey Lomas Schonken
Jane Barker (1986), Valerie Lapinski (1954) and Ella Morison (2016)
Michelle Broom (Marfleet, 1989) & Treffina Dowland (Lidbury, 1983)
Reunions
Class of 1975 - 50 Year Reunion
Class of 1975 - 50 Year Reunion
Date: Friday 14 March 2025
Time & Venue:
4.00pm - 6.00pm A glass of bubbles in the Heritage Centre, Bay View Campus & School Tour
6.00pm - 11.00pm Party at 38 The Esplanade, Peppermint Grove WA 6011
To book your place click on the link below or scan the QR Link:
Class of 1975 - 50 Year Reunion
Class of 1975 - 50 Year Reunion
Date: Friday 14 March 2025
Time & Venue:
4.00pm - 6.00pm A glass of bubbles in the Heritage Centre, Bay View Campus & School Tour
6.00pm - 11.00pm Party at 38 The Esplanade, Peppermint Grove WA 6011
To book your place click on the link below or scan the QR Link:
OSA Notices
OSA Heritage in Photos
A Look Back In Time To ... School Dances
School Dances have been a fixture in the School calendar from the earlist years. Our new Year 12s have recently enjoyed their Year 12 Ball at Frasers'. Parties and glamour have always been part of life at St Hilda's and here are some of the photographs from the archives. There is an extra large bundle of photographs this month as there were so many to choose from.
Dances have been a cherished event at St Hilda's for many years. Once they were held in the School Hall, which was decorated by the girls themselves, and supper was provided and served by mothers. A feature no longer seen at School Dances are dance cards, where girls would enter the name of their partner for specific dances.
Unfortunately for many of them we do not know that names of the subjects in the photographs so please do drop us a line if you recognise yourself or someone else.
1930s
The debutantes at the Karrakatta Club's 1938 May Ball which includes some St Hilda's students (unknown).
From The West Australian, 5 May 1938 (Women's Realm).
1950s
1952 L-R: Patricia Redman (Coleman, 1953), Dorothy Kain (Prideaux, 1953), Marijke Draijer (Poortman, 1953), and Beverley Menzies (Mears, 1953).
The Quad after the 1955 School Dance. Donated by Elizabeth Gamble (Ritson, 1956)
Left: 1956 Year 12 School Dance.
Back L-R: Helen Dowling (Duffield), Jenny Pearce, Margaret Healy (Hughes), Angela Wilson (Hankin) (Head Girl), Terry Ammon (Halbert), Jill Sefton (Cox), Davilia Bleckly (O'Connor), Jocelyn Denney (Christian) (Sports Captain), Elizabeth Kirby (Gibbs), Middle L-R: Rosalie Dodd, Deanne Benney. Front L-R: Anne Dungey, Barbara Collison, Di Piper, Robin Cummins, Jocelyn Barrett. In front - Elizabeth Gillespie.
Above: School Dance 1952
Far left: Tish Lees (Leslie, 1957) and Alan Cleland (1956 Guildford Rowers Dance).
1957 School Dance: Mary Taylor (Morrison, 1957) and Tish Lees (Leslie) serving 'drinks' at the St Hilda's dance in 1955 - a great privilege!
1960: 3 boarding students unknown - Far Right: Cecily Gribble.
1960s
1961 School Dance. From top : Rosalind-Ruth Phelps (Rowell), Judith Robertson (Negus), Elizabeth Black (Cater), Jennifer Bagshaw (Elphick), Susan Bennett (Hodby), Roberta Lee-Steere (Ainslie), Honey Fairclough (Crane), taken on 10 June 1961.
1964: Jill Johnston (Forbes, 1964) and dance partner.
1970s
1970 Year 12 Dance. Includes Penny Keenan (Clowes, 1970) and Leona Shirley (McKean, 1970).
1970 St Hilda's Prefects Dance. Robyn Longley (Nottage), Richard Manning, Alan Fleay, Mary Shields (Hamilton) (obscured), Jacquie Davies (Drage), Peter Maslen, Dixie Sounness, Assheton Craven, Phil Macaulay, Pam Casellas (Greenway) and Tom Grove.
1974 UVI School Dance on 3 May. L-R: Peter Taylor, 'Rat' Jane King (Ratcliffe), Ralph Gibson, 'Fish' Felicity Jefferies, Trevor Lowe, Jane Storey (Goatcher).
1970 Jacquie Davies (Drage, 1970), Mary Shields (Hamilton, 1970) and Pam Casellas (Greenway, 1970) at Hale Prefects Dance.
1980s
1982 Year 12 Dance
1982 Year 11 Dance
1991 Year 11 Dance - Jessica Scadden (Ryan, 1992), Sarah Mudge (Males, 1992), Kate McCormack (1992), Amber Banfield (Lee-Steere, 1992), Bonnie Ferguson (1992), Marina MacDermott (1992), Lucinda Foulkes-Taylor (1992), Catherine Walsh (1992).
1997 Year 12 Ball
Class of 2024
Recent Contributions to the Heritage Centre
Thanks to Caroline Shoobridge (Johnston, 1964) for the following:
School, boarding and House reports.
Pocket money expense sheets.
Class of 1964 hymn book.
Various photographs.
And to the Offer Family for
Shirley Offer's Autograph Book with entries from 1937 to 1946.
If you wish to help, please do pop into the Heritage Centre for coffee and help identify photographs.
My email Sandra.naude@sthildas.wa.edu.au
Many thanks to all our contributors.
Sandra Naude
The Guardian of St Hilda's Legacy
OSA Heritage in Photos
A Look Back In Time To ... School Dances
School Dances have been a fixture in the School calendar from the earlist years. Our new Year 12s have recently enjoyed their Year 12 Ball at Frasers'. Parties and glamour have always been part of life at St Hilda's and here are some of the photographs from the archives. There is an extra large bundle of photographs this month as there were so many to choose from.
Dances have been a cherished event at St Hilda's for many years. Once they were held in the School Hall, which was decorated by the girls themselves, and supper was provided and served by mothers. A feature no longer seen at School Dances are dance cards, where girls would enter the name of their partner for specific dances.
Unfortunately for many of them we do not know that names of the subjects in the photographs so please do drop us a line if you recognise yourself or someone else.
1930s
The debutantes at the Karrakatta Club's 1938 May Ball which includes some St Hilda's students (unknown).
From The West Australian, 5 May 1938 (Women's Realm).
1950s
1952 L-R: Patricia Redman (Coleman, 1953), Dorothy Kain (Prideaux, 1953), Marijke Draijer (Poortman, 1953), and Beverley Menzies (Mears, 1953).
The Quad after the 1955 School Dance. Donated by Elizabeth Gamble (Ritson, 1956)
Left: 1956 Year 12 School Dance.
Back L-R: Helen Dowling (Duffield), Jenny Pearce, Margaret Healy (Hughes), Angela Wilson (Hankin) (Head Girl), Terry Ammon (Halbert), Jill Sefton (Cox), Davilia Bleckly (O'Connor), Jocelyn Denney (Christian) (Sports Captain), Elizabeth Kirby (Gibbs), Middle L-R: Rosalie Dodd, Deanne Benney. Front L-R: Anne Dungey, Barbara Collison, Di Piper, Robin Cummins, Jocelyn Barrett. In front - Elizabeth Gillespie.
Above: School Dance 1952
Far left: Tish Lees (Leslie, 1957) and Alan Cleland (1956 Guildford Rowers Dance).
1957 School Dance: Mary Taylor (Morrison, 1957) and Tish Lees (Leslie) serving 'drinks' at the St Hilda's dance in 1955 - a great privilege!
1960: 3 boarding students unknown - Far Right: Cecily Gribble.
1960s
1961 School Dance. From top : Rosalind-Ruth Phelps (Rowell), Judith Robertson (Negus), Elizabeth Black (Cater), Jennifer Bagshaw (Elphick), Susan Bennett (Hodby), Roberta Lee-Steere (Ainslie), Honey Fairclough (Crane), taken on 10 June 1961.
1964: Jill Johnston (Forbes, 1964) and dance partner.
1970s
1970 Year 12 Dance. Includes Penny Keenan (Clowes, 1970) and Leona Shirley (McKean, 1970).
1970 St Hilda's Prefects Dance. Robyn Longley (Nottage), Richard Manning, Alan Fleay, Mary Shields (Hamilton) (obscured), Jacquie Davies (Drage), Peter Maslen, Dixie Sounness, Assheton Craven, Phil Macaulay, Pam Casellas (Greenway) and Tom Grove.
1974 UVI School Dance on 3 May. L-R: Peter Taylor, 'Rat' Jane King (Ratcliffe), Ralph Gibson, 'Fish' Felicity Jefferies, Trevor Lowe, Jane Storey (Goatcher).
1970 Jacquie Davies (Drage, 1970), Mary Shields (Hamilton, 1970) and Pam Casellas (Greenway, 1970) at Hale Prefects Dance.
1980s
1982 Year 12 Dance
1982 Year 11 Dance
1991 Year 11 Dance - Jessica Scadden (Ryan, 1992), Sarah Mudge (Males, 1992), Kate McCormack (1992), Amber Banfield (Lee-Steere, 1992), Bonnie Ferguson (1992), Marina MacDermott (1992), Lucinda Foulkes-Taylor (1992), Catherine Walsh (1992).
1997 Year 12 Ball
Class of 2024
Recent Contributions to the Heritage Centre
Thanks to Caroline Shoobridge (Johnston, 1964) for the following:
School, boarding and House reports.
Pocket money expense sheets.
Class of 1964 hymn book.
Various photographs.
And to the Offer Family for
Shirley Offer's Autograph Book with entries from 1937 to 1946.
If you wish to help, please do pop into the Heritage Centre for coffee and help identify photographs.
My email Sandra.naude@sthildas.wa.edu.au
Many thanks to all our contributors.
Sandra Naude
The Guardian of St Hilda's Legacy
Old Scholar News
Old Scholar Weddings
Bianca Dawson (2016) to Michael Cooper
December 2024
Old Scholar and OSA Committeee Member, Bianca Dawson, married Michael Cooper at the Mandoon Estate, Caversham, on 2 December 2024.
The couple honeymooned in Canada and the United States afterwards.
Old Scholar Weddings
Bianca Dawson (2016) to Michael Cooper
December 2024
Old Scholar and OSA Committeee Member, Bianca Dawson, married Michael Cooper at the Mandoon Estate, Caversham, on 2 December 2024.
The couple honeymooned in Canada and the United States afterwards.
Tilly Banfield (2024) has become a Freo Docker
Congratulations to Matilda Banfield, Class of 2023 and OSA Ammonite Scholar, who was announced as a Rookie Signing for Freo Dockers in December.
Tilly is the daughter of Old Scholar Gemma Banfield (Muller, 1993) and the grand daughter of Diane Banfield (Walker, 1963). Fremantle has locked in a Rookie signing ahead of the 2025 season and the List Manager has highlighted her natural ability and sporting background.
In the last two years Tilly has also featured in numerous Hockey Australia Women's Future Squads, as well as being selected as a train-on in the Perth Thundersticks Women's team in 2024. Tilly's AFL career started when she represented St Hilda’s in IGSSA and played in the inaugural IGSSA Allstars AFL team.
Tilly returned to school in August 2024 for the unveiling of the new AFL posts on the Junior School oval. The posts were the results of the Year 6 'AFL Gals' team winning the "Leave it Better" ESSTEAM pitch.
The installation of the AFL posts now lays the groundwork for young althletes, like Tilly, to develop AFL skills and aligns with St Hilda's inclusion in the new IGSSA AFL Senior School Competition.
Tilly Banfield (2024) has become a Freo Docker
Congratulations to Matilda Banfield, Class of 2023 and OSA Ammonite Scholar, who was announced as a Rookie Signing for Freo Dockers in December.
Tilly is the daughter of Old Scholar Gemma Banfield (Muller, 1993) and the grand daughter of Diane Banfield (Walker, 1963). Fremantle has locked in a Rookie signing ahead of the 2025 season and the List Manager has highlighted her natural ability and sporting background.
In the last two years Tilly has also featured in numerous Hockey Australia Women's Future Squads, as well as being selected as a train-on in the Perth Thundersticks Women's team in 2024. Tilly's AFL career started when she represented St Hilda’s in IGSSA and played in the inaugural IGSSA Allstars AFL team.
Tilly returned to school in August 2024 for the unveiling of the new AFL posts on the Junior School oval. The posts were the results of the Year 6 'AFL Gals' team winning the "Leave it Better" ESSTEAM pitch.
The installation of the AFL posts now lays the groundwork for young althletes, like Tilly, to develop AFL skills and aligns with St Hilda's inclusion in the new IGSSA AFL Senior School Competition.
New Boarders Welcomed With Bespoke Name Towels Made By Old Scholar
Bespoke Name Towels
Last week the 29 new boarders arrived at the Boarding House to find a beautiful fluffy white bath towel on their bed, with their own names appliqued in St Hilda's blue and yellow gingham.
The hand-made names were sewn by Old Scholar and co-opted OSA Committee Member Flora Davies (2021) who makes name towels to order.
We hope that the new boarders will feel even more at home with their own towels and there will be no confusion over which towel belongs to who!
New Boarders Welcomed With Bespoke Name Towels Made By Old Scholar
Bespoke Name Towels
Last week the 29 new boarders arrived at the Boarding House to find a beautiful fluffy white bath towel on their bed, with their own names appliqued in St Hilda's blue and yellow gingham.
The hand-made names were sewn by Old Scholar and co-opted OSA Committee Member Flora Davies (2021) who makes name towels to order.
We hope that the new boarders will feel even more at home with their own towels and there will be no confusion over which towel belongs to who!
Old Scholar Career Profiles - Rowena Keall Walsh (1985)
Rowena Keall Walsh (Keall, 1985)
Rowena Walsh graduated from St Hilda's in 1985, having been a day girl for the first three years and a boarder for the last two, when her parents moved to Augusta. She loved her time at School and still has a great connection with her year group and is one of the coordinator's of this year's 40th anniversary reunion.
Following graduation Rowena attended Bentley TAFE to do a one year Fashion Design course, before she then moved to the Claremont School of Arts where she studied Fine Art, completing a three year diploma. Rowena then ventured north and worked as a 'jillaroo' on a station near Carnarvon for six months, working with horses and stock, as well as painting the homestead.
Shortly after that Rowena met her future husband, Tom Walsh, and went back to Perth where she continued her art studies whilst working at Poppy Florists in Nedlands. Tom's parents were farming in Frankland and following their wedding they moved to the farm where they both lived and worked for seven years, and had three children.
Left: 1985 Rowena won the inaugural Student Art Acquisition Prize at School for her print "Fossils".
In the studio.
In 2002 Tom and Rowena moved back to Perth where she threw herself back into becoming a full time artist with a studio set up in her garden. She was a professional artist for the next 20 years, her paintings inspired by her passion for conservation of the environment and drawing attention to causes close to her heart. Rowena collaborated with scientists who worked on a range of diverse subjects including the penguin habitat at Peron Point, Rockingham, that was threatened by development, and botanists who study and catalogue rare and endangered native flora.
Collecting the Waneroo Art Award.
Rowena had seven solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions, and helped with various community art projects. She was invited to appear as The Artist in Residence at schools, community projects and in Kings Park.
Working with children in the bush near Coolgardie.
One of the most rewarding experiences was an opportunity to work with indigenous children and elders on Country, outside Coolgardie.
Rowena's artworks have been acquired by many private and public collections including the Janet Holmes à Court collection.
Whilst the idea of being an artist sounds idyllic, Rowena always found the marketing and selling of her artwork confronting and difficult and the art world can be a very fickle industry in economic times of boom and bust.
Above: Rowena with Sharon Tassicker, Curator of the Holmes à Court collection.
In 2019 she decided to have a break from her painting career and took a side step into another passion of hers; avoiding waste in fashion and landfill.
In 2020 Rowena found a suitable retail location in Claremont and founded Magpie Conscious Collective; a small boutique recyling and repurposing clothing. Initially the intention was to sell only secondhand clothing, but the shop has now branched out into repurposing, sewing, mending and upcycling apparel.
Since it opened in 2020 tonnes of clothing have been saved from becoming landfill. The shop has also become a hub for people looking to thoughtfully dispose of their clothing, and for people who are looking to buy unusual items. Rowena hopes that she can branch out teaching people how to be more sutainable and make better conscious choices with their wardrobe. "I meet so many interesting people doing interesting things. It's a really lovely space to work in and quite creative as well".
Right: Rowena outside Magpie Concious Collective with Pepper, the sales assistant.
Old Scholar Career Profiles - Rowena Keall Walsh (1985)
Rowena Keall Walsh (Keall, 1985)
Rowena Walsh graduated from St Hilda's in 1985, having been a day girl for the first three years and a boarder for the last two, when her parents moved to Augusta. She loved her time at School and still has a great connection with her year group and is one of the coordinator's of this year's 40th anniversary reunion.
Following graduation Rowena attended Bentley TAFE to do a one year Fashion Design course, before she then moved to the Claremont School of Arts where she studied Fine Art, completing a three year diploma. Rowena then ventured north and worked as a 'jillaroo' on a station near Carnarvon for six months, working with horses and stock, as well as painting the homestead.
Shortly after that Rowena met her future husband, Tom Walsh, and went back to Perth where she continued her art studies whilst working at Poppy Florists in Nedlands. Tom's parents were farming in Frankland and following their wedding they moved to the farm where they both lived and worked for seven years, and had three children.
Left: 1985 Rowena won the inaugural Student Art Acquisition Prize at School for her print "Fossils".
In the studio.
In 2002 Tom and Rowena moved back to Perth where she threw herself back into becoming a full time artist with a studio set up in her garden. She was a professional artist for the next 20 years, her paintings inspired by her passion for conservation of the environment and drawing attention to causes close to her heart. Rowena collaborated with scientists who worked on a range of diverse subjects including the penguin habitat at Peron Point, Rockingham, that was threatened by development, and botanists who study and catalogue rare and endangered native flora.
Collecting the Waneroo Art Award.
Rowena had seven solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions, and helped with various community art projects. She was invited to appear as The Artist in Residence at schools, community projects and in Kings Park.
Working with children in the bush near Coolgardie.
One of the most rewarding experiences was an opportunity to work with indigenous children and elders on Country, outside Coolgardie.
Rowena's artworks have been acquired by many private and public collections including the Janet Holmes à Court collection.
Whilst the idea of being an artist sounds idyllic, Rowena always found the marketing and selling of her artwork confronting and difficult and the art world can be a very fickle industry in economic times of boom and bust.
Above: Rowena with Sharon Tassicker, Curator of the Holmes à Court collection.
In 2019 she decided to have a break from her painting career and took a side step into another passion of hers; avoiding waste in fashion and landfill.
In 2020 Rowena found a suitable retail location in Claremont and founded Magpie Conscious Collective; a small boutique recyling and repurposing clothing. Initially the intention was to sell only secondhand clothing, but the shop has now branched out into repurposing, sewing, mending and upcycling apparel.
Since it opened in 2020 tonnes of clothing have been saved from becoming landfill. The shop has also become a hub for people looking to thoughtfully dispose of their clothing, and for people who are looking to buy unusual items. Rowena hopes that she can branch out teaching people how to be more sutainable and make better conscious choices with their wardrobe. "I meet so many interesting people doing interesting things. It's a really lovely space to work in and quite creative as well".
Right: Rowena outside Magpie Concious Collective with Pepper, the sales assistant.
VALE
We are very sad to announce the passing of the following Old Scholars and a past staff member.
Jennifer Anne Seymour (Walsh, 1954)
7 November 1937 - 5 January 2025
Jennifer Anne Walsh was born on 7 November 1937 to a farming family in Northam. Her father was called Justin R Walsh. Jenny started at St Hilda's on 10 February 1953 and left on 9 December 1954.
Jenny was married to Theo Seymour, who died many years ago, and was the mother of three boys; Justin, Anthony and Vincent. Jenny had lived for many years in the eastern states, but she returned to WA later in life.
Jenny was very artistic, like her father Justin. She was a big fan of dogs, especially her daschunds and she had been living in Cervantes for many years. Jenny died peacefully in Moora Hospital on Sunday 5 January, leaving behind her three sons, her daughters-in-law Anne-Louise and Tricia and her grandson, Beau, and many friends.
Sandra O'Connor (Temple, 1961)
23 February 1944 - 16 January 2025
Sandra O'Connor has recently passed away in Melbourne where she lived for many years with her husband Micheal (Mick) and her two children, Kathy and Greg.
Sandra was at St Hilda's from 24 May 1955 until 12 December 1957 where she was one of the "South Side Girls' who travelled from Applecross everyday. She was a life long friend of Ronda Carroll (1962) and is remembered very fondly by her St Hilda's friends.
In her working life Sandra was a hairdresser and worked in retail and hopsitality and in her later years she had been a wonderful carer to her husband Mick after a long and happy marriage.
Dr Pam Joy Garnett BSc DipEd, GradDipScEd MAppSc, PhD
1948 - 23 December 2024
We are sad to announce that Dr Pam Garnett has recently died on 23 December 2024 after a long illness. Pam visited St Hilda's on Friday 25 October 2024 and it brought her enormous pleasure to see the School flourishing.
Many of the St Hilda's students from years 1988 to 2012 will remember Dr Garnett as an outstanding, energetic science teacher who was continually researching, innovating and pushing the boundaries. She was also highly regarded by her colleagues as she was always supportive of their professional development.
She was initially a Science teacher specialising in Chemistry, then she became Head of Science and finally Dean of Curriculum in 2000. In 2003 Pam was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools. The award recognised her outstanding knowledge of science and an imaginative approach to working with students.
In 2005, when Pam was Dean of Curriculum, the School was recognised for an Outstanding National Achievement in School Improvement and received a $20,000 prize.
Pam also chaired the Science Learning Area for the Curriculum Council of Western Australia, is a past president of the Science Teachers' Association of W.A., and she was also a member of the Premier’s Science Council of W.A. In her acceptance speech in 2003 she said,” It is the love of science, thinking about how to teach it better and the immediacy of the relationships that you have with students that are the great appeal. I still get a buzz when students learn”.
VALE
We are very sad to announce the passing of the following Old Scholars and a past staff member.
Jennifer Anne Seymour (Walsh, 1954)
7 November 1937 - 5 January 2025
Jennifer Anne Walsh was born on 7 November 1937 to a farming family in Northam. Her father was called Justin R Walsh. Jenny started at St Hilda's on 10 February 1953 and left on 9 December 1954.
Jenny was married to Theo Seymour, who died many years ago, and was the mother of three boys; Justin, Anthony and Vincent. Jenny had lived for many years in the eastern states, but she returned to WA later in life.
Jenny was very artistic, like her father Justin. She was a big fan of dogs, especially her daschunds and she had been living in Cervantes for many years. Jenny died peacefully in Moora Hospital on Sunday 5 January, leaving behind her three sons, her daughters-in-law Anne-Louise and Tricia and her grandson, Beau, and many friends.
Sandra O'Connor (Temple, 1961)
23 February 1944 - 16 January 2025
Sandra O'Connor has recently passed away in Melbourne where she lived for many years with her husband Micheal (Mick) and her two children, Kathy and Greg.
Sandra was at St Hilda's from 24 May 1955 until 12 December 1957 where she was one of the "South Side Girls' who travelled from Applecross everyday. She was a life long friend of Ronda Carroll (1962) and is remembered very fondly by her St Hilda's friends.
In her working life Sandra was a hairdresser and worked in retail and hopsitality and in her later years she had been a wonderful carer to her husband Mick after a long and happy marriage.
Dr Pam Joy Garnett BSc DipEd, GradDipScEd MAppSc, PhD
1948 - 23 December 2024
We are sad to announce that Dr Pam Garnett has recently died on 23 December 2024 after a long illness. Pam visited St Hilda's on Friday 25 October 2024 and it brought her enormous pleasure to see the School flourishing.
Many of the St Hilda's students from years 1988 to 2012 will remember Dr Garnett as an outstanding, energetic science teacher who was continually researching, innovating and pushing the boundaries. She was also highly regarded by her colleagues as she was always supportive of their professional development.
She was initially a Science teacher specialising in Chemistry, then she became Head of Science and finally Dean of Curriculum in 2000. In 2003 Pam was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools. The award recognised her outstanding knowledge of science and an imaginative approach to working with students.
In 2005, when Pam was Dean of Curriculum, the School was recognised for an Outstanding National Achievement in School Improvement and received a $20,000 prize.
Pam also chaired the Science Learning Area for the Curriculum Council of Western Australia, is a past president of the Science Teachers' Association of W.A., and she was also a member of the Premier’s Science Council of W.A. In her acceptance speech in 2003 she said,” It is the love of science, thinking about how to teach it better and the immediacy of the relationships that you have with students that are the great appeal. I still get a buzz when students learn”.
St Hilda's News
Ancient UK Bell Ringing Society Visit To St Hilda's
The Ancient Society of College Youths Visits to The Whitby Chapel
on Sunday 16 February At 1pm & Tuesday 18 February at 2pm
St Hilda's is unique in that it is one of the only schools in WA that has an active bell ringing society. A committed group of Old Scholars led by Mary Townsend (Day, 1963), students and members of the local community meet on Wednesday mornings at 7.30am to learn to ring and enjoy the tuneful melodies of our chapel bells.
The Ancient Society of College Youths (ASCY) is one of the oldest 'continuous change' ringing societies in the world, founded in 1637 and based in the City of London.
The society played a leading role in the early development of change ringing, and today it provides ringers for important events at St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. The group will be ringing at key WA bell towers.
There will be general ringing but mostly they are attempting peals and quarter peals on the various bells which, depending on the number of bells being rung, can last from 40 minutes to 4 hours. St Hilda’s Chapel will be open if you wish to pop in and listen to them.
If you would like to know more about ASCY please click on the link below:
Ancient UK Bell Ringing Society Visit To St Hilda's
The Ancient Society of College Youths Visits to The Whitby Chapel
on Sunday 16 February At 1pm & Tuesday 18 February at 2pm
St Hilda's is unique in that it is one of the only schools in WA that has an active bell ringing society. A committed group of Old Scholars led by Mary Townsend (Day, 1963), students and members of the local community meet on Wednesday mornings at 7.30am to learn to ring and enjoy the tuneful melodies of our chapel bells.
The Ancient Society of College Youths (ASCY) is one of the oldest 'continuous change' ringing societies in the world, founded in 1637 and based in the City of London.
The society played a leading role in the early development of change ringing, and today it provides ringers for important events at St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. The group will be ringing at key WA bell towers.
There will be general ringing but mostly they are attempting peals and quarter peals on the various bells which, depending on the number of bells being rung, can last from 40 minutes to 4 hours. St Hilda’s Chapel will be open if you wish to pop in and listen to them.
If you would like to know more about ASCY please click on the link below:
Job Opportunities at St Hilda's
If you are an Old Scholar looking for some work, part-time, voluntary or paid, please contact oldscholars@sthildas.wa.edu.au .
- Coordinator of Libraries
- Head of Program - Wandering Spirit (Parental Leave Replacement)
To keep abreast of all job opportunities, please visit the website here or scan the QR code.
Job Opportunities at St Hilda's
If you are an Old Scholar looking for some work, part-time, voluntary or paid, please contact oldscholars@sthildas.wa.edu.au .
- Coordinator of Libraries
- Head of Program - Wandering Spirit (Parental Leave Replacement)
To keep abreast of all job opportunities, please visit the website here or scan the QR code.
Other
Are you LinkedIn?
And finally, we are striving to create a valuable network of Old Scholars through LinkedIn . If you have not already done so, we would appreciate you adding St Hilda's as your place of education and join the Alumni section to extend our Old Scholar community.
Are you LinkedIn?
And finally, we are striving to create a valuable network of Old Scholars through LinkedIn . If you have not already done so, we would appreciate you adding St Hilda's as your place of education and join the Alumni section to extend our Old Scholar community.
Socials
Follow us on Socials
Socials
Follow us on Socials