Korovian Magazine December 2015

DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
Farewell Christine Jenkins
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
KOROVIAN
DECEMBER 2015 Number 68
Published by
Korowa Anglican Girls’ School
10–16 Ranfurlie Crescent, Glen Iris
Victoria, Australia 3146
ABN 53 007 133 646
CRICOS Provider 01022G
T: +61 3 9811 0200
F: +61 3 9885 8378
E: [email protected]
W: www.korowa.vic.edu.au
Follow us at twitter.com/KorowaAGS
Marney McQueen (‘96) was MC at our 125 Celebration Concert and
entertained us with her character Rosa the Beautician. More on page 8
Editor
Lucinda Bertram
Mail House
Customer Connect
Printer
Docklands Press
Contributors
Sarah Brook
Ophelia Bryant
Sally Forrester
John Harker
Christine Jenkins
Robert Turnbull
Sandra Turner
Shelby Versa
Cover Photography
Simon Fox
Event Photography
Jesse Marlow
Contents
From the Principal
1
Farewell Mrs Christine Jenkins
2
Introducing Mrs Helen Carmody
5
The new Chapel and Reception Area open
Celebrating 125 years: A Night of Music
6
8
Celebrating 125 years: Speaking from the heart
10
Celebrating 125 years: Jessie Patrick –
the first of many
12
Korowa News 14
Farewell & Thank You
16
Foundation News
17
Korovian Club News & Reunions
18
Donors to the Archives 25
Korovian is printed using
eco-friendly vegetable or soy
based inks and vegetable based
VOC free process inks which
reduces the levels of VOC’s and
other pollutants emitted in the
printing process.
The fibre used in this paper is
sourced from well managed
sustainable forests.
At this time of year we usually look back over the year past
and marvel at the girls’ achievements – always stunning!
The Class of 2015 has led the School
with distinction and we know they will
become leaders in the years ahead, no
matter whether this is at university, at
home or in the wider world. Although
some of these girls may not yet be ready
to lead, I am confident they are ready to
take up all of the opportunities that lie
before them.
A School is far more than the physical
environment that we see around us,
although that might be what we first
notice when we arrive on campus. The
essence of a School is its people, its
community, its spirit. Korowa has a close
and inclusive community that I will find
immensely difficult to leave at the end of
this year. I have loved watching over the
girls as they grow, develop and thrive as
a result of the loving care of their parents
and teachers. I love seeing the
camaraderie of groups of girls who
discover shared interests, no matter
whether this passion is for music, rowing
or chemistry. I love seeing friendly rivalry
between Houses at House Carnivals,
and the School spirit that emerges at
GSV matches and competitions. It has
been a privilege to see young children
discover the wonders of reading in
Junior School who later become serious
students of literature and languages. To
be a part of the journey for every single
Korowa student under my care has been
a wonderful and fulfilling experience.
Life as a Principal is a real contradiction
– one watches from the balcony but also
keenly participates in the action on the
dance floor. I have thoroughly enjoyed
my interactions and relationships with
students, parents, alumni and our wider
community. I am very grateful to all those
who, like me, have committed
themselves to making Korowa a strong
and vibrant School, especially our
wonderful staff.
Reunions of Korovians locally and abroad
are always abundant with stories of
teachers who have transformed lives and
students who have achieved success
beyond their wildest expectations. Thank
you to all the Korovians who have
enriched my time at Korowa and shared
their stories with me. I also thank those of
you who have served Korowa in a
voluntary capacity during my time at the
School, as this is true commitment.
2015 has been a fabulous celebration of
the 125th year of Korowa. We all have
much to be proud of and I wish my
successor much happiness at this
fabulous School! I thank all Korowa
families past, present and future, for my
time with you and I wish you all a very
happy year in 2016…..
Mrs Christine Jenkins, Principal
Cover Photo: Mrs Christine Jenkins, Principal, with 2015 School
Captains, Lydia Skabar & Louisa Bujor
1
MRS CHRISTINE JENKINS
Mrs Christine Jenkins: Leading
the way in a changing world
School Council Member, Past Chair of Council & Past Parent, Robert Turnbull, recounts the
contribution and legacy of Mrs Christine Jenkins as Principal of Korowa from 2003 – 2015.
Christine Jenkins in 2003
Christine with Nicola Bennett (’12) & Kate Moffat (’12) Big Day In 2012
Korowa has a tradition of long-serving, outstanding and loyal Principals.
Christine Jenkins is only the eighth Principal in the School’s 125 year history.
Chris came to Korowa in July 2003 from
MLC in Perth where she had held the role
of Principal. Prior to that Chris was Deputy
Principal at Firbank Grammar School and
for nine years the Middle School Science
Co-ordinator at MLC Kew.
My earliest memory of Chris is when
soon after her arrival she addressed the
concerns of Year 9 parents. The year
group was unsettled and peer group
pressure had a large number of girls
talking about leaving Korowa. I was
impressed by the way Chris quickly
acknowledged the problem and
responded to the issue, supporting
parents when daughters had them
looking at other schools. Most families,
as we did, stayed at Korowa and were
pleased at having done so.
Our younger daughter would visit
Korowa when her sister was being
picked up from school and Chris was
very quickly greeting her personally:
“Hello Lucy, are you looking forward to
coming to Korowa?” Chris clearly has an
impressive memory for names and a
keen eye for future enrolments. Under
Chris’ leadership enrolments indeed
increased and did so in a competitive
environment. Over the last 12 years she
has led the education of over 2000
Korowa students.
During her tenure the Junior School has
been extensively refurbished. Chris
acknowledges the importance of
developing foundation skills and an
excitement for learning in the primary
years.
Louisa Bujor & Lydia Skabar chat with Christine Jenkins
2
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
Thought-filled Moments
Drawing the raffle for the school fair in
2013, amongst the thousands of
tickets, Christine drew her own ticket
for 1st prize. Before I could announce
this to the crowd, without hesitation
and with a very warm smile, Christine
discreetly put the ticket back and
drew another. This is just one example
of many, where Christine has put the
interest of the school ahead of her
own. She has been selfless in her
service to Korowa and will be missed
by many.
Julie Catanach,
Current Parent & Council Member
Christine Jenkins at her Commissioning Service
Chris initiated further development of the
Middle School program in the then
recently completed Cripps Building and
expanded the curriculum to include
Mandarin and Food Technology.
The School’s Mission Statement
acknowledges that our girls will face a
rapidly changing world and under Chris’
leadership Learning Technologies and IT
Services have quickly developed to help
equip our students. Korowa has a larger
LOTE program than significantly bigger
schools and Chris has strengthened
Korowa’s international connections and
sister school relationships so that our
students can view themselves as global
citizens. Many of our Senior School girls
participate in and enjoy the language
exchange program.
Under Chris’ leadership Korowa has
become one of the top non-selective
girls’ schools in the State, indeed on
some measures one of the best in
Australia. In 2014, 45.5% of Korowa VCE
students achieved an ATAR above 90; in
2013 Korowa was Victoria’s top
performer in NAPLAN and in 2011
Christine at the Opening of the Visual Art Centre in 2005 with NGV Gallery Director,
Gerard Vaughan and Arts Captain, Lucy Wallace (’05)
Korowa ranked equal first among
independent schools for VCE Median
Studies scores.
Whilst championing academic
excellence, Chris has also encouraged
involvement and achievement in extra
curricular activities of music, the arts and
sport. As an example (of the latter), prior
to Chris’ arrival rowing received very little
support from the School. I remember at
the 2004 School Girls’ Regatta, the first
season after Chris’ arrival, the Korowa
first crew rowed in Division 3 because
the School did not possess the requisite
‘racing’ boat for Division 1 & 2
participation.The Year 10 Division 1 crew
had to row their A Final in a boat
borrowed from Shelford because there
was not enough time between finals for
both Korowa crews to use the one good
Korowa boat. Today, thanks to the
support of both parents and Chris,
Korowa has a strong regatta presence,
as befits a leading girls’ school.
Regardless of the performance,
exhibition or sporting event, Korowa girls
have always enjoyed the visible and
vocal support of their Principal.
Thought-filled Moments
A fond memory of Mrs Jenkins will be
that each year, at the finish of the first
day of school, she stands by the main
gate and asks every girl how their day
was. It’s clear that she genuinely
wants to know if the first day has been
successful, and if the pupils are
happy to be starting at school again.
Amazingly, she seems to know almost
all the students by name – and that’s
no mean feat! With the first day of
school being so busy, it is touching
that Mrs Jenkins takes the time to
check up on her girls. This show of
care and her personal involvement is
an important example of where she
places her focus: the Korowa
students, and for this Mrs Jenkins will
be missed.
Ella Markov, Year 10 Student
3
MRS CHRISTINE JENKINS
Back Row: Margaret Turnbull, Julie Schroeder, Robert Turnbull, Christine Jenkins,
Heiko Schroeder, Rev’d Denise Tunstall (Smith ’67), Sue Paice
Front Row: Lucy Turnbull (’11), Esther Schroeder (’11)
2013 Speech Night
Chris has also represented Korowa in
the wider education community as a
Board Member of the Alliance of Girls’
School (Australasia), the Association of
Heads of Independent Schools Australia,
being at one time AHISA Deputy Chair,
and Girls Sport Victoria, also serving as
President.
Upon her arrival at Korowa Chris realised
that not only the School uniform, but also
our buildings and facilities were “tired”. A
new Art Department, a new Library and a
VCE Centre were urgently needed and
these projects followed on an annual
basis. In a short time the whole tone of
the Senior School was lifted immensely.
Staff and students were delighted with
the new environment and the design
looks as fresh and relevant today as it
did a decade ago.
Further projects that Chris led have
included the Junior School, Science
Labs, Food Technology, Senior School
classrooms, Multipurpose Room, John
Wilson Memorial Chapel, Ranfurlie
House, Student Services and the
preparation of plans for the new Sports
Centre. Chris’ support for building works
has been such that, on one occasion, I
was prompted to suggest that, like
Winston Churchill, she take up
bricklaying as a hobby.
As Chair of Council, I was privy to the
extensive range of responsibilities that
Chris has shouldered as School
Principal, often with very little support.
The role of Principal is indeed wide,
complex and often lonely.
Throughout her tenure, both Chris and
Korowa have remained true to the
School’s mission – commitment to
excellence in learning, teaching and
leadership to empower students to make
a positive contribution in a rapidly
changing world.
I am certain that the Korowa Community
joins with me in thanking Christine
Jenkins for having dedicated herself to
the development of a school that now
enjoys a reputation as a leading Victorian
Independent girls’ school.
Thought-filled Moments
Writing as a former Korowa student,
Christine was highly congratulatory of
student successes. At Korowa, one felt
like a valued contributor to the life of the
school. Christine helped to instill
amongst the girls a spirit of academic
excellence and service to the school
community. The contemporary additions
to the Korowa grounds and facilities are
another of her significant contributions.
Ellen Robinson, Korovian & Teacher
Over the years, I have experienced the
very human side of Chris independent of
her position as Principal. On occasion at
Recess, when Chris sat next to me, we
exchanged snippets of conversation
regarding our respective families.
Otherwise, we shared opinions about the
latest movie or discussed weekend
activities. We have a particular
characteristic in common given that we
finished our secondary education at the
same time. That makes us part of the
baby boomers and the hippy generation.
Hard to believe now! Chris, I wish you a
wonderful future.
Shirley Weiner, Teacher
4
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
Christine has this amazing ability to get
to know students right from the
beginning. Her genuine concern and
care shines through and stays with the
girls long after they have left Korowa.
Christine supports the girls and their
interests wholeheartedly (even joining
them on Mt Buller on a very cold and
windy day to watch the snow sports team
compete). Thank you for your support of
our daughter, our family and school
community.
Simon & Denise Fox, Past Parents
Mrs Helen Carmody with the 2016 School Captains, Aashraya Kumar & Gemma Muscella
Introducing Mrs Helen Carmody
Korowa’s Ninth Principal
By John Harker, Chair of Council
On behalf of the Korowa School Council, it
gives me great pleasure to announce that
Mrs Helen Carmody has been appointed
as the new Principal of Korowa. Helen’s appointment follows an extensive
international search by recruitment firm,
Russell Reynolds and Associates in close
consultation with the School Council.
Helen comes to Korowa from Toorak
College, Mount Eliza, where she has been
the Principal for four years. Toorak College
is an independent day and boarding
school co-educational from ELC to Year 4
and girls only to Year 12. It is widely
acknowledged that Helen led a turnaround
at the school which has positively
impacted VCE and NAPLAN results and,
importantly, has significantly improved
relationships between staff, students and
the wider school community.
Helen brings to Korowa more than 30
years’ experience in the Australian
education sector in both independent and
government schools. She has a unique
understanding of the needs of students
from ELC right through to Year 12, having
taught across all levels during this time.
Prior to her appointment as Principal at
Toorak College, Helen was Head of
Learning and Teaching at Kambala
Anglican Girls’ School in Sydney, where
she was responsible for the
implementation of all curriculum from
Kindergarten to Year 12. Helen had joined
Kambala in 2003 as Head of their Preparatory School. Among her many
achievements in that role was overseeing
the building of one of the first Early Learning,
Long Day Care Centres at an independent
school. Her experience at Kambala provided
her with a unique ‘one school’ approach,
which she took successfully into her role at
Toorak College and which she plans to also
bring to Korowa.
Helen has a special interest in the area of
e-learning and completed her Masters in
that field in 2004. This will be particularly
relevant to Korowa as we embrace the
challenges of learning in the 21st century. She has also demonstrated outstanding
commercial skills and has recently
completed the Australian Institute of
Company Directors course.
Helen also brings to Korowa an articulate,
engaging, and inclusive leadership style
which is a strong fit with our Korowa culture.
She is married to David, and has two adult
sons. Helen is an accomplished long distance runner and has completed many
marathons. She will share this passion for
health and wellbeing with Korowa.
Looking forward
to meeting you
‘I am delighted to be chosen to
lead Korowa, one of Australia’s
leading independent girls’
schools. I am extremely excited to
meet the students and to identify
where we can best support them
to achieve their goals and prepare
for the future. I am also looking
forward to working collaboratively
with the teaching staff at Korowa
to enhance what is already a very
successful team, as well as
getting to know the parents and
the wider Korowa community, who
have shown such strong support
for the school’.
Helen Carmody
We look forward to Helen joining our
community in Term 2 of 2016. Mrs Margaret
White will act as Interim Principal of Korowa
in Term 1, 2016. Margaret is one of the most
experienced and well-regarded educational
professionals in Independent Girls’ Schools
in Australia. Recently retired, Margaret was
the Principal of Kambala, an Anglican Girls’
School in Rose Bay, Sydney for 14 years.
Margaret is excited to spend Term 1 in
Melbourne at Korowa in order to support
Korowa’s students and staff in a smooth
and successful start to 2016.
5
THE NEW CHAPEL
The new Chapel and
Reception Area open
The Stained glass windows were
donated by the Korovian Club
Korowa celebrated the opening and dedication of its new
chapel on Tuesday 16 June with students, staff and friends.
The new chapel was dedicated by the
Archbishop of Melbourne, The Most
Reverend Dr Philip Freier and is named
the John Wilson Memorial Chapel in
honour of John Wilson, former Bishop of
the Southern Region of the Melbourne
Diocese and Chair of Korowa School
Council from 1986 to 2001.
Mrs Christine Jenkins, Principal of Korowa
says “Bishop John Wilson contributed to
the governance of Korowa for many years
and supported the spiritual thread woven
into the fabric of our programs. It is only
fitting that our new chapel is named in
memory of him. It will be a quiet place of
reflection, a place to discover the spiritual,
and a place to celebrate and sing.
“The Chapel has been made possible by
two very generous benefactors who are
committed to ensuring our Anglican
tradition continues strongly. We are very
grateful to the Cripps Family (Robert,
Janette and their daughter Amy Tennent
(Cripps ’95)) and also Sandra Ivory (Clark
’67) who have ensured that the Anglican
heritage remains at the heart of the
school. Korowa celebrates 125 years this
year and although our ethics and values
stay the same, it is our ability to
implement contemporary thinking and
educational best practice that have
ensured that we continue to be a leader in
the education of girls.”
The Chapel has seating for 100
The John Wilson Memorial Chapel has
seating for 100, able to be arranged
according to the purpose of the event or
service. The light-filled space, with three
windows featuring stained glass were
designed and made in Melbourne, create
an atmosphere of reflection. A state-ofthe-art audiovisual system also ensures
sound and music of the highest quality as
well as the best of digital presentations.
Korowa’s Chaplain Rev’d Fiona Raike is
excited by the possibilities that the new
space offers students and staff. She
explains, “Our House Services have been
held in the Theatrette previously and
although they have been lovely it takes
Celebrating the opening of the new Chapel: (L-R) Rev’d Denise Tunstall (Smith ’67),
Brendan Tunstall, Robert Cripps, Christine Jenkins & Sandra Ivory (Clark ’67)
careful work to create the right frame of
mind. Having a dedicated space inspires
a different atmosphere immediately as the
girls enter the chapel. The sense of
reverence is clear.”
The Chapel will be available for the
Korowa community to be used for quiet
reflection or events such as weddings
and other church services. Rev’d Raike
says, “The first baptism has already been
held. I hope many past students or those
with a connection to Korowa will consider
using the chapel. The lovely manicured
gardens that our school offers also allows
for a great background for family photos
after the ceremony.”
The stained glass windows were donated
by the Korovian Club and enrich the
space with a meditative quality. We hope
many Korovians choose to use the space
for their private ceremonies. For enquiries
about the space, please contact Rev’d
Fiona Raike on [email protected]
or phone 03 9811 0263.
6
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
Year 6 students at the Service
The new chapel was dedicated by the Archbishop of Melbourne,
The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier
Ranfurlie House
A First Christening
Alongside the opening of the Chapel,
the new administration and reception
area in the refurbished Roberts Wing
was opened in June and is now named
Ranfurlie House. The former Roberts
Wing Building has been extensively
reconstructed and refurbished as a
welcoming entrance to Korowa with
crested sliding glass doors leading to
Reception. Now known as Ranfurlie
House the building honours the
Ranfurlie name of the earlier property
on our site when Korowa first moved to
Ranfurlie Crescent in 1914 from its
Wattletree Road location.
The first private ceremony to be held
in the Chapel was the Christening of
Lucinda Emily May Servadei on
Sunday 20 September and was
officiated by Rev’d Fiona Raike.
Lucinda is the daughter of staff
member Caroline Servadei and her
husband Alessandro. The intimate
ceremony was attended by family and
friends including Abigail Wraith (’81)
and Amy Westley (Higginbotham ‘93)
who did a reading.
Ranfurlie was the home of the Knox
family who lived here until 1913. The
Honorable William Knox MHR had
named his home (originally called
Everton) after the Ranfurly family title
although with different spelling. Over
the years Ranfurlie was also called The
House and later Knox House until it
was demolished in late 1973 to make
way for the main Senior School
building we know today.
Caroline and Lucy Servadei
7
125 CONCERT
MUSIC CAPTAINS
Music Captains play on:
Many of our past Music Captains joined in 125
Concert celebrations as singers and musicians.
We caught up with them back stage to discover
what they are up to now.
Sherry Du (’14) is now
studying Science at the
University of Melbourne
What role has music played in
your life since leaving Korowa?
It fuelled a love for jazz! I play
jazz in a university band where
we gig at Bennets Lane and
other pubs/clubs around
Melbourne and I’m a part of
the Stonnington Youth Jazz
Initiative (SYJI) where we
perform at festivals throughout
the year with jazz luminaries.
125 Celebration Concert –
A night of Music
By Ophelia Byrant, Director of Music
The 125 Year Celebration Concert was all about community –
the coming together of our youngest to our most senior
students, performing together.
The importance of massed singing as
part of our celebration was paramount,
so the concert commenced and
concluded with all students from Years 3
to Year 12 and Korovians accompanied
by the Menuhin Orchestra which also
included Korovians. The opening
“Aquarius” set the scene for an
outstanding concert and the finale,
consisting of songs from “Phantom of
the Opera” was a grand, powerful finale.
Marney McQueen (’96) who was the MC
for the evening thrilled the audience with
her singing of “I am Woman” as her Rosa
character and Steve Sedergreen in his
truly collaborative way, invited our
students to join him on stage to perform.
This was a historic concert showing the
breadth of musical styles that our
students perform, the importance of
mentorship and the Korowa community
working together. Warmest
congratulations to over 600 students
and all the music staff for their
dedication and skill to make this concert
truly memorable.
Jesika Clark (‘12) has just
completed a Bachelor of Music
from The University of
Melbourne majoring in
performance of classical voice.
Her mentor and teacher is
Suzanne Johnston. Jesika is
also concurrently completing a
diploma in German. She
teaches piano and singing and
also works in various theatres
in the city for Marriner Group. What role has music played in
your life since leaving Korowa?
Music has played an
enormous role in my life since
leaving Korowa 3 years ago.
Most days, I have some form
of music through teaching, my
choir (Melbourne University
Choral Society), playing cello in
a trio for weddings, studying
music at university, being
exposed to the music theatre
scene in Melbourne through
work and regular singing and
piano lessons. I am eternally
grateful for the music program
at Korowa. I developed skills
and interests that I will have
forever and I don’t know what
I’d be doing if I didn’t have
music in my life. Sophie Liu (’10) has recently
graduated with a Masters in
Clinical Audiology and will be
working with Australian Hearing
next year. 8
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
What role has music played in
your life since leaving Korowa?
Although I never pursued
music as a full time career, my
musical background has given
me a rich understanding of
how important hearing and
communication can be. These
days I help diagnose and
rehabilitate people with hearing
impairment, but I still spend my
weekends teaching music
theory and the occasional
accompaniment job!
Ana Mitsikas (’90) is Artistic
Director of Stage Left
Performing Arts School,
working as a professional actor,
singer, pianist, and leader of
the Korovian Choir. She is the
mother of two children Zak (9)
and Georgia (6) who both
attended Korowa ELC.
What part has music played in
my life since leaving Korowa?
My life is music! I have
performed nationally and
internationally in music theatre,
taught singing and piano and
perform regular gigs around
Melbourne. Both my children
learn piano and my husband
and I are the founders of Stage
Left, a performing arts school
for children. Kim Pham (’08) is studying
postgraduate Medicine at the
University of Melbourne, and
will be doing research into Art
within Medical Education next
year, as her final year research.
What role has music played in
your life since leaving Korowa?
I studied first year of a
Bachelor of Music before
changing to study
Biomedicine, but music has
continued to support me
emotionally, socially and
financially. I play with the Low
Down Big Band, and perform
in the Medical Comedy Revue,
Standing: (L-R) Jesika Clark (’12), Sophie Liu (’10), Ana Mitsikas (’90),
Kim Pham (’08), Bridget Lane (’06), Bhairavi Raman (’09) Emma Bland (’07)
Seated: Hannah Li (’15) Ophelia Bryant
Missing: Sherry Du performed on the night but missed this photo
as well as accompanying the
Korovian Choir. Music has
given me a positive and
creative perspective on life, as
well as a dedication to hard
work - and I plan to keep
playing for years to come.
Bridget Lane (’06) has a law
degree from the University of
Melbourne and is currently
working in policy for the Early
Learning Association of
Australia while completing her
practical legal training and
admission requirements
through ANU.
What role has music played in
your life since leaving Korowa?
Music has been my closest
confidant over many years of
study and I can’t imagine life
without it. Most recently, I’ve
been playing double bass with
the Melbourne Lawyers
Orchestra which provides a
creative outlet for talented
musicians working in the legal
profession. I still play bass
guitar (mostly Motown and
blues) and piano purely for my
own enjoyment - and I see as
much live music as I possibly
can!
Bhairavi Raman (’09)
completed a Bachelor of
Psychology (with Honours) and
a Diploma in Languages
(French) at Monash University.
What role has music played in
your life since leaving Korowa?
In addition to Western Classical
Violin, I play the South Indian
Classical (Carnatic) Violin. This
has played a major role in my
life since leaving Korowa. In
fact, after graduating last
December, I’ve spent the last
year in India to learn, listen and
immerse myself in Carnatic
music. I’ve been learning
intensively and performing
concerts regularly. I always
knew music would form a large
part of my life. My grounding in
Western violin and the
opportunities I had the privilege
of experiencing at Korowa
have enhanced my technical
capability and given me
confidence as a performer in
the Carnatic music arena.
Emma Bland (’07) is
completing a PhD in space
physics at La Trobe University.
What role has music played in
your life since leaving Korowa?
Music has proven to be a
wonderful escape from the
stresses of academic life and a
great way to meet like-minded
people who aren’t physicists!
There’s no shortage of
opportunities for a bassoon
player and I’ve been fortunate
to play with several Melbournebased ensembles since I
finished Year 12. 9
SPEECH NIGHT 2015
AAA
Celebrating 125 years –
Speaking from the heart
Korowa’s School Captains chose to speak about gender equality
at the recent Speech Night and how their education at Korowa
has equipped them to help bring change to the world
Lydia & Louisa deliver their speech
By Louisa Bujor & Lydia Skabar
Lydia: Good evening everyone,
Louisa and I thought that instead of
using the five minutes that we have up
here to give you the old yearly report
about what’s been happening at Korowa,
we would instead speak with you about
something that means a bit more to us.
Louisa: This past Sunday, 11 October,
was the International Day of the Girl
Child. The purpose of this day is to
promote awareness of the gender
inequality faced by girls across the
globe. Even we, as relatively privileged
girls in a stable and conflict free
environment, experience this gender gap
and half the time we don’t even realise.
The theme for this year’s day focused on
adolescent girls, linking in with the United
Nations’ newly Sustainable Development
Goals, one of which is to end all forms of
discrimination against all women and
girls everywhere.
Lydia: The targets linked to the UN’s
Sustainable Development Goals have
been set to be achieved by 2030. We
might hear these goals and think that they
sound idealistic, that in a realistic world,
women will always face discrimination,
whether it’s unwanted attention in the
streets, or being denied a proper
education based on their gender. But this
is the very reason it’s so important for us
to work towards ending it – we can’t
accept discrimination as the norm; that in
itself promotes unequal standards.
10
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
Louisa: Thanks to our experiences and
journey at Korowa, we understand how
important and beneficial it is to have
access to such an excellent education;
and, in comparison, how cruel it is that
there are girls out there who are denied
this right.
Lydia: We are also proud to
acknowledge that just by being a student
at Korowa, each of us is contributing to
the achievement of these targets already,
through Korowa’s programs and
activities that support girls and women
locally and globally who are currently
living in disadvantaged circumstances.
Louisa: Through the organisation of
House Special Efforts, led by our
fantastic House Captains, each house
has learnt about a chosen cause, often
centred around girls and women in need.
Lydia: Jamieson collected bras for the
Uplift Project, delivering them to women
living in areas in the world where bras are
often unavailable or unaffordable. They
also supported the education of 35 girls
in Baguia, East Timor, a community with
whom Korowa has formed a close
relationship.
Louisa: Wilkinson supported Safe Steps,
raising awareness about family violence
and supporting women in our community
by collecting toothbrushes for women
who have fled from an abusive
environment with nothing but the clothes
on their backs. This particular event
actually led to several VCE students
taking part in Safe Steps’ Federation
Square Shine Bright Candlelight Vigil with
Rosie Batty back in May, and when we
were given the call to action to help out,
more than 25 girls responded in record
time, which was just so good to see –
girls happy to offer up their time for such
causes.
Lydia: It’s through events like the House
Special Efforts and Big Day In, which
supports our sister school, Islamia, in
Bangladesh, that we aim to inspire and
encourage Korowa girls to spread the
generosity and passion that we all
possess.
Louisa: Getting involved with events like
these shows us that we do have the
ability to go further and actually help
those people who seem out of our reach
- people we haven’t even met. These
women and girls can seem so distant
and far away from our lives, but it’s
important that we make the effort to know
what is going on outside our little bubble
at school, so that we can work out how
we can respond to issues facing our
peers across the world, and most
importantly help.
Lydia: In today’s society, it’s so easy to
make these connections with these
causes and lend a hand, and at School
we have such power in numbers,
hundreds of girls and excellent teachers
willing to give their time. We are proud
that in 2015, this is exactly what our
community has done.
To the future leaders of our School, not
only the girls who do, and will wear
badges, but each and every one of you
– we encourage you to make the effort to
go further and higher with these things
that matter, further than previous year
levels and captains have gone.
Louisa: We know that you can, because
you’re Korowa girls, and from experience,
we’ve seen the enthusiasm you possess
and the drive you have to offer, and we
know that it would be a waste to let these
opportunities pass you by.
Lydia: We have the responsibility to be
aware of, and work towards in our own
way, achieving the UN’s target of ending
discrimination against women and girls
through our individual and collective
support of causes and their associated
organisations. As educated girls in a
contemporary society, it’s up to us to
continue to contribute to the UN’s aim to
end discrimination against women in
supporting these causes, and not just us
as a School, but as individuals.
Thank you.
As educated girls
in a contemporary
society, it’s up to us to
continue to contribute to
the UN’s aim to end
discrimination against
women in supporting
these causes, and not
just us as a School, but
as individuals.
Lydia Skabar, 2015 School Captain
You could support Safe Steps or the girls
in Baguia, or get involved with something
personal to you, because after you
graduate, you could have a connection
with that cause, and continue to make a
difference to girls and women like us
across the globe.
11
JESSIE PATRICK BEQUEST SOCIETY
AAA
Jessie Patrick – the first of many…
Named after Korowa’s first student, the Jessie Patrick Bequest
Society provides an opportunity for the School to honour and
thank Korovians and friends who name the School as a
beneficiary in their Will, during their lifetime.
Jessica Peisley with her baby brother Ross at Korowa and Jessica today.
Jessie Patrick (1903) was born Janet Gardiner Patrick in 1886 and was known as
Jessie. She arrived in Melbourne in 1892 with her family from Barrhead, Scotland.
Jessie was 17 when she graduated from Korowa in 1903.
As a tribute to Jessie Patrick, we caught up with a few other Jessies who followed
after her through the doors of Korowa but are enjoying or have enjoyed their own
unique journey through Korowa and beyond.
Jessica Shi
Jessica McAll as Puck in A Kidsummer
Night’s Dream
Jessica Appleton
Jessica Shi, Year 1
Jessica McAll, Year 4
Jessica Appleton, Year 10
What do you like best about Korowa?
I like having friends and having fun. I like
writing because I can know lots of words
and how to spell them. I like making up
stories.
What do you like best about Korowa?
I like that everyone at Korowa works hard
and we get things done. My favourite
subjects are Art, because it’s really
creative and Science because everything
has an explanation.
What do you like best about Korowa?
Our year level is like a small community.
We are all close with one another and can
talk about anything together. There is a
wide range of sports available at Korowa.
The facilities at Korowa are great ranging
from the Art to the Music School to the
high level of Languages we have here. What are you looking forward to in 2016?
The Year 2 Sleepover.
What do you hope to do after you leave
Korowa?
I want to be a person who helps people
– maybe helping old people to cross the
road or be a police officer.
12
Students outside the Wattletree Road School
circa 1900. It is thought Jessie is second
from left.
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
What are you looking forward to in 2016?
I’m excited about being the Junior School
leaders. Being a leader is not just about a
badge – it’s about being kind and not
showing off.
What do you hope to do after you leave
Korowa?
I’d like to be an orthodontist, because it
combines science with art when you have
to get the shape and appearance of braces
right; or an architect because designing
houses would be awesome; or a ballerina.
I’ve been dancing since I was 3 – I love the
feeling of dancing and the music.
What are you looking forward to in 2016?
I am looking forward to meeting the new
Principal. I am also looking forward to
starting VCE and using the VCE Centre. I
am looking forward to facing Year 11 and
everything that it brings.
What do you hope to do after you leave
Korowa? At this stage I am keeping my options
open for a future either in the creative
world of Art or Design. Or another world of
Physical Education and Sport
Jessica Coles with her family: (L-R) Elizabeth (now 8), Josephine (now 5),
Frances (now 3), Jessica, Bianca (now 10) and husband Damon
Jessica Peisley (’10)
Jessica Coles (Stokes ’91)
Tell us about one of the most interesting
lessons or activities you did at school.
Year 9 Trek was one of the best things I
did at Korowa. It was such an amazing
experience to be able to do with friends. I
also loved being part of the netball team
for most of my schooling and in the
rowing team in my senior years. History
and Legal Studies were some of my
favourite subjects.
What did you learn at Korowa that has had
the most impact on your life outside of
school?
I came to Korowa in Year 10, but the 3
years I spent at the school were lifechanging. Coming from a highly
competitive, selective state school,
Korowa taught me that it was possible to
reach your academic potential and still
enjoy school life. It gave me a sense of
perspective, and I loved the atmosphere
of tradition and belonging.
What did you learn at Korowa that has had
the most impact on your life outside of
school?
Korowa has given me a great
appreciation for all the opportunities I
have been lucky enough to have both
during school and since leaving. It
developed my interest in learning and
love for reading. I try to apply ‘I can. I will’
to all areas of my life.
What have been some of your highlights
since leaving school?
I visited Thailand, Vietnam and Laos after
first year uni and loved volunteering in an
orphanage in Northern Thailand. In 2013
I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts
(Psychology) at Monash after which I
spent 6 months backpacking through
South America and Europe, by far my
highlight since leaving school.
Tell us about one of the most interesting
lessons or activities you did at school.
The teachers also left an impression - the
wonderful Mrs Macpherson who could
silence a whole Year 10 class with a
well-chosen poem; Mr Brown with his
impossible physics tests; the teachers
brave enough to take us on the 600km
Great Victorian Bike Ride; and my
favourite, Mrs Millar, with a passion for
the Classics, and many lessons to teach
us about the real world.
What have been some of your highlights
since leaving school?
Since leaving Korowa, I have completed
a degree at the University of Melbourne
and a postgrad at Monash; have worked
in market research and publishing; and
have been fortunate enough to have a
family of four wonderful daughters. I can
only hope their schooling experience,
particularly in secondary school, is as
positive as my own was.
The Jessie Patrick
Bequest Society
As the Korovian magazine goes to
print, we are preparing to welcome
members of the Jessie Patrick
Bequest Society to hear past
School Captain Natasha Anstee
(’06) speak about her research
work at the Walter & Eliza Hall
Institute into understanding how
blood cancer cells die and, more
specifically, in acute myeloid
leukaemia, a specific type of
leukaemia. Members have enjoyed
hearing from Korovians working in
a wide variety of fields at their
annual gathering and Natasha will
be no exception.
If you would like to find out more
about becoming a member of the
Society or about leaving a bequest
to Korowa, please contact the
School’s Development Officer,
Sarah Brook on Ph 03 9811 0295
or E [email protected].
13
KOROWA NEWS
House Arts
Leisel Jones drops in for a chat
Korowa pops up at
MUMA
The artwork of Korowa students “popped
up” at Monash University Museum of Art
(MUMA) for one night only in August. Year
11 Art Students were given the rare
opportunity to work with industry
professionals and set up a public
exhibition titled “Merge”.
Korowa has formed a strong relationship
with MUMA this year and has had the
privilege of working with several experts
from the Museum throughout the year.
A Healthy Chat with
Leisel Jones
Olympic Gold Medallist Leisel Jones was
a guest speaker at Korowa as a part of
our celebrations for Health & Physical
Education Week in October.
“Leisel has an inspiring story to tell about
the highlights and struggles of being one
of Australia’s most successful female
swimmers. She had a great motivational
message to share with our students about
women in sport and healthy living,” said
Peta Yeo, Head of Physical & Outdoor
Education and organiser of the activities
during Health Week.
14
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
Spring Jazz
Big Day In
Korowa pops up at MUMA
Spring Jazz
Big Day In
Spring Jazz was the major fundraiser for
FOPA and was an evening of great music.
Villains and Heroes filled our grounds at
this year’s Big Day In. Proceeds from the
sale of cakes, dumplings, sausages and
lots of other activities go to help our
school on Bhola Island in Bangladesh,
where four teachers work with 300
students. Korowa is proud to have
supported the school since 1997.
“What makes Spring Jazz a unique
evening is the collaboration of the student
performers with the ever-professional
Steve Sedergreen Trio. For many of our
solo performers this is the first time they
have sung with a live band in a concert
situation, and Steve also challenges the
girls to improvise and ‘jam’ with the band
- which is difficult for even a seasoned
performer!” said Jacqui Dowd, FOPA
President.
House Arts
House Arts is a chance for our Middle
School students to express themselves
creatively with drama, music, dance and
song. This year was another fabulous
showcase of talent and energy with
Wilkinson demonstrating they had the
necessary wow factor to edge out the
competitors and take home the trophy.
Going Global
Korowa students continue to make their
mark in Language Awards picking up
several coveted prizes. Helen Zhou, Year
12, was awarded a 2015/2016 AustralianGerman Student Exchange (SAGSE)
Scholarship. This scholarship is funded by
Siemens and includes a ten-week
fully-funded program & tour in Germany.
Meanwhile Ellie Lim, Year 11, won first
prize in the Kake Trophy Japanese
Language Speech Contest with Korowa
students making a clean sweep of the
podium as Amy Huang and Melissa Tan
picked up second and third prizes
respectively. At the end of November,
Ellie will represent Australia in the Grand
Final in Okayama, which is the Kake
main campus in Japan. All her flights,
transportation and accommodation are a
part of the prize. This is the second time
in a row that a Korowa girl has won first
prize as Claire Winnett (Year 12, 2014)
won last year.
A Kidsummer Night’s Dream
Magic was afoot in this year’s Junior School Production of A Kidsummer Night’s
Dream, adapted from William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’
The choice was ambitious, however in true Korowa-style, the students and staff
embraced the opportunity, producing an extremely professional show and
highlighting the abundance of talent in Junior School.
15
THANK YOU
Farewell to Gwen Zammit
Gwen Zammit has been Business Manager at Korowa since
February 1998 and will leave at the end of 2015 to allow her more
time to achieve work-life balance. Gwen has a real commitment
to not-for-profit organisations and has devoted her considerable
expertise and energy to ensuring that Korowa is financially
healthy and buildings, IT services and non-teaching areas are all
well-managed.
Gwen is proud of her role in overseeing the refurbishment of three
floors of the Senior School in 2005/2006, her first project at
Korowa. The refurbishment transformed three very significant
areas in the School - Visual Arts, Information Resources and the
VCE Centre and introduced concepts which have been followed
through ever since: minimising passageways to maximise open
space, optimising natural light and combining colours from the
Korowa palette to create a flow from one space to another.
Gwen took the initiative in addressing OHS issues early in her
career at Korowa, well before OHS reached the prominence it
has today. She has been successful in significantly reducing
manual handling injuries for both teaching staff and maintenance
staff and those improvements have been maintained.
Gwen led the way in introducing environmentally sustainable
practices at Korowa but wishes she could have done still more.
These initiatives include recycling, passive cooling, energy saving
measures and installation of 300,000 litre stormwater tanks under
the oval. Students have worked with Gwen to establish a frog
pond, to create a ‘Green Team’ and to meet the targets of the
Sustainable Schools program. She is grateful to both students
and staff for their involvement.
Behind the scenes, Gwen has also been able to support Korowa
families through difficult times. She has made a real difference to
these families by giving some relief from financial pressure and
helping them maintain their daughter’s enrolment. She is a caring
and helpful person who is always ready to listen.
Gwen is a highly talented leader of our Finance, Risk,
Maintenance and IT staff, who are all hardworking and skilled
people, dedicated to Korowa and serving our Community. We
congratulate Gwen on all her achievements, we thank her for her
enormous contribution to Korowa and wish her every happiness
in the future.
Robert Turnbull,
Chair of Council 2010 – 2015
Robert is the parent, with Margaret, of two girls who have
attended the School.
Robert has retired from the role of Chair that has taken so much
of his energy and time over the last five years.
He has had almost a second parallel career in voluntary work at
Korowa, alongside his busy engineering and property business. It
is worthy to outline his many activities he has undertaken since
his eldest daughter Alison commenced her Korowa life in 2001.
Friends of Rowing Committee 2004, and Vice President
2005 – 2006
KPA President 2006 through to 2009
School Council member 2007, then Chair of Council 2010 – 2015
The longest (and hardest) role he filled has been as Chair. This is
a very demanding and public role, as in any similar school, and
requires strong personal characteristics such as resilience,
diplomacy, integrity and compassion. Robert served on Council
committees, and these roles also added to the time he had to
spend on campus and at outside meetings.
Robert is one of those people who ‘just gets on with it’ and never
complains. In complex matters, he seeks wide counsel and
ensures he is very well-informed. He has been a most effective
Chair in Council meetings, ensuring everyone had a voice, offering
quiet but effective advice when necessary, and always with the
best of manners - such an old-fashioned but wonderful trait.
There was also the occasional joke that caught all of us off-guard,
and many seemed to be about Scotsmen for some reason!
He and Margaret have made many friends as a result of their
Korowa connection – and these friendships will be lifelong.
His contribution to the life of Korowa has been immense – and we
celebrate his work and his enthusiasm for the school, and
sincerely thank him for his service.
John Harker, Chair of Council
New Chair of Foundation
It is with great pleasure that we announce Mrs Sandra Ivory
(Clark ’67) as the new Chair of Korowa Foundation
Sandra commenced her early working life in the human
resources industry but always showed a keen interest in the
family’s small industrial real estate firm. When a job came
across her desk for a commercial property manager with a
large insurance company she took the opportunity to enter
that field. She eventually became a licensed Real Estate
Agent in residential sales and management with Biggin &
Scott Albert Park.
In 1980 Sandra joined, full-time, the family’s organisation.
The group of companies act as owners, developers and
managers, specializing in city fringe warehousing in three
capital cities in four states. Sandra shared her father’s vision
‘to benefit others and create things of value’ and became
vitally interested in helping to develop growth in Anglican
Schools.
Sandra has two sons, Robert and Alex, who attended Christ
Church Grammar School to Year 6 and completed their
secondary schooling at Geelong Grammar School as
boarders, where both captained the swimming team and
played in the 1st XV rugby.
Sandra is a member of Christ Church South Yarra and has
served on the Vestry and as a Sunday School teacher. For a
short period she was President/Secretary of the Melbourne/
South Yarra Group and her interests include travel, theatre
and reading and ‘walks the tan’ most mornings.
She is a member of the Ivanhoe Grammar School Board of
Governors, Launceston Church Grammar School Board of
Governors and Geelong Grammar School Board of
Governors.
Golf Day
SAVE THE DATE
Our 2016 Annual Golf Day
will return to one of
Australia’s best golf
courses, Kingston Heath
on Tuesday 26 April.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of
handicap and there are lots of other fun
things happening during the day – your
ticket includes lunch and after-game
drinks and canapés, as well as prizes
for longest and straightest drive and
nearest the pin.
This event is one of the School’s major
fundraising events and a perfect
opportunity to register a team of
parents or use this for corporate
entertaining by inviting business
contacts and entering a team.
Corporate sponsorship is also available
to promote your business.
For all sponsorship enquiries, please
contact Sally Forrester, Director of
Community Relations on
[email protected]
or phone 9811 0291.
Christine Jenkins, Principal
16
17
KOROVIAN CLUB NEWS
From the President
A milestone is a significant stage or event in the development of
something – or, at least that’s what Google tells me.
It might seem strange to think of
something 125 years old as “still
developing” but that’s what Korowa is,
constantly, and each of us who attended
the School experienced this change in
different ways. Be it building works,
introducing boarders, implementing a
choral competition, installing the first
school computer, AFL becoming a school
sport, changing the curriculum or shifting
the school motto, Korowa has changed
and adapted over the years, and that is the
reason it is still standing today. The School
has experienced many milestones over its
long life and I believe this one has been
about connection.
NETBALL
Calling all netballing
Korovians!
The Korovian Club has
challenged the 2016 Senior
Netball A team to a
lunchtime match next year
and we’d love you to join the
team. If you’d like to play,
please contact the Club on
[email protected]
– the game will be played at
Korowa at lunchtime on
Friday 13 May 2016.
We’ve seen a wide variety of events
connecting Korovians from all walks of life
throughout the year. Milestones provide
excellent opportunities for many vastly
different people to connect and we have
certainly used that to our advantage. I
would like to personally thank everyone
who attended the Korovian Club Dinner at
Kooyong Tennis Club. It was a delight to
spend the evening with Korovians from
1951 to 2014, as well as past staff and a
few other special guests. The stories told
and memories shared that night created
an electrifying buzz in the room. Another
highlight was the past School Captains’
Cocktail Evening. It was inspiring to hear
how the leadership opportunities provided
at Korowa equipped these women to lead
such extraordinary lives. For anyone who
attended the 125th Anniversary Concert,
I’m sure they’ll agree that it was a magical
evening. The Korowa Music Department
never disappoints and I was particularly
proud to see almost every Music Captain
from 2006 through to 2014 in attendance. I
would also like to thank Ophelia Bryant for
another wonderful opportunity to bring
Korovians together. In addition to the
Korovian Choir performance, a Korovian
contingent also performed with the entire
Middle and Senior Schools in the massed
singing from musicals Hair and Phantom
of the Opera.
So, how do we keep the momentum going
from here? Although milestones are great
excuses to connect, why do we need to
wait five years to reunite? If these wonderful
events have taught me anything, it’s how
diverse the Korovian community truly is.
Each Korovian has a special experience to
share and we, as a committee, are hoping
to provide more opportunities for you to do
so. The first will be a Korovians vs. Current
Students netball match in May, where a
team of graduates will challenge the 2016
Senior Netball A Team. In addition, we will
also be hosting an evening in the city and a
business brunch later in the year, watch this
space for details. We’d also love to hear
your ideas. Have a wonderful idea or
require assistance to put a plan into action?
Please don’t hesitate to e-mail us at:
[email protected]
As we look forward, I wish to take this
opportunity to recognise Mrs Christine
Jenkins, on behalf of all Korovians, for her
service to the School. Students from her
tenure such as myself will affectionately
remember her quick wit, knowledge of
each individual student, the twinkle in her
eye and, of course, the famous shoulder
pads. Even if you didn’t know Christine in
your school days, I suspect I speak for all
Korovians when I extend our gratitude for
the efforts she’s made to maintain the
School’s connection with Korovians, and
vice versa. Her presence at reunions
(especially those house updates!) have
made us feel a very valued part of the
Korowa community and we wish her all the
best in the future.
Finally, I would like to thank the Korovian
Club Committee for their tireless efforts,
laughs, organisation and mentorship this
year. The Committee is open to all
Korovians of any age and we’re always
looking for new members. Our first meeting
for 2016 will be held on 9 February and
we’d love to see you there.
Wishing you and your family the very best
for the holiday season,
Best wishes,
18
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
Shelby Versa (’10)
President, Korovian Club
Chris Jenkins, Diana Smith (Rushton ’59)
Chris Jenkins, Kate Tarr (Lewis ’75)
Belinda Williamson (Potter ’81), Sue Blair (White ’81), Jenny Ackland (’81), Libby Shaw (Hornsby ’81),
Di Stanley (McIntosh), Kate Tivendale (O’Neill ’82)
Amanda Weeks (’95)
News
Jennifer Johns (’70) was made a
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in
the 2015 Queens’ Birthday Honours for
significant service to medicine,
particularly cardiology, as a physician,
researcher and mentor, and to the
not-for-profit sector.
career as a University Academic. Her
main areas of research and teaching
include organisation and integration of
primary care services, prevention and
management of chronic disease, and
health care policy development and
reform.
Student of the Year and a National Health
and Medical Research Council’s Public
Health Postgraduate Scholarship.
Amanda also achieved the honour of
being entered into the Golden Key
Society, only open to the top 5% of all
University graduates in the state.
On a recent trip to the United States,
Chris Jenkins caught up with Kate Tarr
(Lewis ’75) in Los Angeles and Diana
Smith (Rushton ’59) in San Francisco
– both are planning visits to Melbourne in
2016 and we’re looking forward to
welcoming them back to Korowa for
afternoon tea. We are always delighted to
welcome Korovians for a cuppa and a
tour – please get in touch if you’re going
to be in the area!
Amanda’s university degrees included a
Bachelor Applied Science (Health
Promotion), a Bachelor of Health
Sciences (First Class Hons), Graduate
Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology and a
Doctor of Philosophy (Public Health).
These were undertaken between 1995
and 2007 at Deakin, La Trobe and
Monash Universities. Amanda’s PhD was
entitled “The Influence of EfficacyEnhancing Mechanisms on the Outcomes
of Self-Management Interventions.” Much
interest was generated within the health
and government sectors following the
release of Amanda’s PhD and led to
many publications in both National and
International journals, books and
conference presentations.
Outside of her work Amanda enjoys
showing her Bernese Mountain Dogs
[BMD] and undertaking various activities
with the BMD Club of Victoria including
attending Pet Exhibitions promoting the
benefits of pet ownership, training her
BMDs to become VicDog Therapy Dogs
that she takes into nursing homes and
hospitals to visit with patients and
undertaking many voluntary activities to
benefit children who are currently
undergoing medical treatment in
hospitals in conjunction with the hospitals’
play therapists. Amanda was the first to
train the youngest dog in Victoria to
become a Therapy Dog, with her first
BMD at the age of 4 ½ months [Normal
age:1-2yrs]. Amanda is also involved in
the rehoming and breeding of BMDs with
one puppy, Crosby, being bought by Gary
Lyon and featuring on Melbourne’s
Channel 9 Footy Show.
Jenny Ackland (’81) has recently had
her first book The Secret Son published.
A group of Korovians attended the launch
of the novel, which wonders what might
have happened if Ned Kelly had had a
son who fought at Gallipoli and stayed in
Turkey after World War I finished.
After leaving Korowa in 1995, Amanda
Weeks (’95) undertook various University
degrees which enabled her to pursue a
Amanda also gained numerous awards
and scholarships for her work including
the Carole Bailey Scholarship for Health
Promotion, Victorian Health Promotion
19
KOROVIAN CLUB NEWS
School Captains’ Function
Christine Jenkins, Stephanie Davies (’13), Nicola Bennett (’12), Lucy Turnbull (’11), Nicola Boemo (’10), Georgia Mullins (’10), Georgie Bagot (’09),
Freya Coker (’08), Natasha Anstee (’06), Lisa Walpole (’04), Liesl Woods (’03), Elspeth De Fanti (Coker ’08), Sarah Tinsley (’97), Tania Goode (’95),
Marina Malcolm (’91), Dr Ros Otzen
Jill Williams (Taylor ’58) (far left) and Ann Ogilvie (Cole ’56) (fourth from left) with a group of other Korovians at Phillip Island in
February 2004
Deaths
Sadie, daughter of Holly Pearce (’91)
Isaac, son of Catherine Pope
Vanterpool (Ellis’05)
Do you remember
when ...?
We would love to include
School photographs of you
and your classmates in
displays at your reunion.
If you have any photos from
your time at School, please
contact Sandra Turner,
School Archivist, who can
organise to have copies
taken, or receive them if you
would like to donate them
to the School.
P: +61 3 9811 0252
E: [email protected]
20
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
Georgie, Zara, Mary McCoy (Mollard ’57), Margaret Bickley (Mollard ’61),
Ken Bickley, Father Nick Wallace
Births
Weddings
Holly Pearce (’91) – a daughter, Sadie
Diane Cameron.
Margaret Bickley (Mollard ’61) married
Ken on 11 April 2015 at St Andrew’s
Anglican Church at Rye. Margaret and her
sister, Mary McCoy (Mollard ’57) were
delighted to have their granddaughters
Georgie and Zara in the wedding party.
Fiona Ritchie (Morris ’93) – a son, Hugo
Wade. Brother for Mietta.
Melissa Crozier (Harding ’96) – a
daughter, Emily Katherine. Sister for
William.
Sarah Raso (Don ’00) – a daughter,
Matilda Francesca.
Elspeth De Fanti (Coker ’02) – a
daughter, Isla Emily Wren.
Catherine Pope Vanterpool (Ellis ’05)
– a son, Isaac Kennedy.
School Captains’
Function
In October, as part of our 125th Anniversary
celebrations, we were delighted to invite
School Captains from the last 25 years to
join the presiding Principals from those
years, Chris Jenkins and Dr Ros Otzen for
cocktails.
Beryl Richards (McCleery ’39) died
peacefully on 31 October 2015, aged 92
years. Beryl was Dux of the School and
Head Prefect in 1940. She is best
remembered for writing the lyrics for the
School Hymn which is still sung and
much loved by current and past students
of Korowa. Beryl lived most of her adult
life in Canberra, where she taught science
in non-government schools. She was the
proud matriarch of a family of 4 children,
11 grandchildren and 9 greatgrandchildren. Beryl’s intellect remained
undimmed by the years and she
continued to be active in her church and
her community until the end of her long
and productive life.
With thanks to Beryl’s sisters Carolyn
McKenny (McCleery ’59) and Lorna
Aplin (McCleery ’49)
Felicia Cook (Wells ’46) passed away on
19 June 2015 at the age of 85.
Joy Maddern (Simpson ’46) passed
away on 19 June 2015.
Margot Johnstone (Semmens ’48)
passed away in September 2015.
Jan Serisier (Marsh ’54) passed away in
December 2014.
Ann Ogilvie (Cole ’56) died tragically
from cancer on 11 April 2015. Her cousin
Jill Williams (Taylor ’58) writes
“Ann and I were only children of twin
mothers and we were very close.
In 1945, Ann started Kindergarten at
Korowa and I followed in 1947. The
Parents’ Association organised a school
fete in October 1947 and we participated
in a fancy dress parade: Ann in Japanese
dress and I in a sailor suit. On leaving
Korowa, Ann trained as a primary teacher
at Mercer House. After graduating, she
taught at Malvern Grammar. In 1965 I was
a bridesmaid at her wedding to Laurence
Ogilvie. Ann had two boys, Richard and
Simon, both of whom have partners and
children.
Ann belonged to a group of Korovians
who met on Phillip Island for lunches. I
attended three of these gatherings.
I hope we keep up the tradition with
granddaughters attending the School.”
Helen Glezer (Adams ’56) passed away
on 29 July 2015. She is survived by her
sister Hilary Schofield (Adams ’58).
Wendy Buchwald (Taylor ’78) passed
away in November 2015. She is greatly
missed by her sister Carolyn Tomilson
(Taylor ’73).
Amanda Reid (Kennedy ’89) passed
away in Wadhurst, Surrey, UK on
29 December 2014 from a brain tumour.
After graduating from Monash University,
she was awarded a Commonwealth Trust
Scholarship to Peterhouse, Cambridge,
where she completed Masters Degree
(Finance). She continued a fulfilling career
in Investment Banking in London before
returning to Melbourne, where she
worked as a Senior Economist in the
Victorian Department of Treasury and
Finance and then the Premiers
Department. She travelled extensively,
was passionate about theatre/arts/
decorating/gardening and her family.
With her English husband and 2 young
sons, they returned to UK in 2009 where
she was soon diagnosed with malignant
brain cancer, which she fought bravely for
almost 5 years.
Amanda was the daughter of Sue
(Malfroy ’61) and Ian Kennedy.
With thanks to Sue Kennedy (Malfroy ’61)
Mardi Curtis (Past Staff) passed away in
September 2015. Mardi taught the
Kindergarten Class from 1964 until 1982.
To the bereaved families, we offer our
deepest sympathies.
21
KOROVIAN CLUB NEWS
Reunions
1965 Reunion 29 August 2015
Tasmania Reunion
17 October 2015
Back Row: Christine Shears, Virginia Snell (Sutcliffe), Ainslee
Harrap (Dall), Geraldine Emerson (Kibble), Judith Heale (Kiel),
Sue Friend (Molloy), Suzanne Mullins (Le Page)
Back Row: Kaye Dowling (’69), Chris Sandow (Vanderkelen
’68), Jannie Marshall (Loder ’71), Liz Tucker (Cornish ’60),
Christine Jenkins, Susan Hutchinson (Elliott ’60), Ros Goodsell
(Wright ’64), Rachael Clerk (Stevens ’86)
Front Row: Liz Welsh (Lucas), Cathie Hutchinson (Ellson),
Geraldine Powell (Cumbrae-Stewart), Thea Shoop (Flynn),
Lorraine Pitman, Barbara Goad (Langsford)
1965
Front Row: Valerie Stanton (Hands ’50), Lucy Jones (Charlton
’59), Anne Wilson (Gray ’54)
Tasmania
1975 Reunion 24 October 2015
North East Victoria/Riverina
Reunion 2 September 2015
Back Row: Martine Bourbon, Liz Dann, Lyn Czydel (Hartley),
Robyn Crozier
Back Row Dorothy Hoy (Webb ’44), Dawn Clay Obst (Clay
’68), Jacye Symes (Hargreaves ’49), Sue Jaques (Boothby
’57), Christine Jenkins, Pauline Pankhurst (Pierre-Humbert ’50),
Gwynneth Handberg (Picken ’64), Margaret Marchant
(Richards ’55)
North East Victoria/Riverina
Front Row Pat Zerbe (Landy ’45), Noelle Browne (Henderson
’47), Bonnie Purbrick (McAllister ’46), Faye Hoffman (Friday
’54), Joyce Smith (Tallent ’48)
Front Row: Rosemary Steer (McLean), Rosemary Brown
(Lyster), Suzanne Muir (McLeish), Terry Martin
1975
Queensland Reunion
12 September 2015
1985 Reunion 24 October 2015
Debbie Jones (Spencer ’74), Toni Shields (Devine ’00), Carolyn
Watschur (Shying ’82), Ingrid Hadinek (’75), Liz Dann (’75),
Elaine Speedie (Smith ’58), Gwynneth Lewis (Hast ’43), Leonie
Paterson (Broun ’71), Janet Freyne (Boothroyd ’76)
Middle Row: Evelyn Bowes, Lindy Bradley (Wilson), Joanne
Jukes, Verity Coates, Catherine Steel, Virginia Walsh (Garing),
Catrin Jackson, Larissa Langley (Brown), Bronwyn Bowditch
(Jennings), Debbie Day (Williams), Lisel Thomas, Stacey
Herring (McNamara), Maria Rodopoulos
Queensland
Back Row: Debra Rogers (Strong), Julia Hinwood, Emma Allen
(Eade), Nikki Phillips
1985
2010 Reunion
17 September 2015
Front Row: Jude Doyle (Constantin), Lisa Gregor (Russell),
Kate Kendall, Anita Earle (Robinson), Monica Greenwood
(Klimek), Malita Moaven (Curtis), Karen Harris (Opie), Nicole
Hall, Debra Bourke (Teklenburg), Catherine Dixon (Watson)
1995 Reunion 24 October 2015
Back Row: Sandra Carland (Kerr), Jessica Kerstjens,
Susannah Hicks, Amanda Tesvic (Taggart), Jenny Symons
Front Row: Amanda Weeks, Jacqui Constable, Brooke
Mengler (Findlay), Caroline Beauchamp, Melissa Van Onselen
(Jellis), Caroline Gratzer (Staff)
2010
22
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
1995
23
KOROVIAN CLUB NEWS
Reunions
2005 Reunion 24 October 2015
Back Row: Catherine Pope Vanterpool (Ellis), Stephanie Bruce,
Stephanie Anderson, Clair Cullen, Nicole Ciancio, Kirsty
Sculler, Charlotte Ward, Fiona Miras, Venusha Gurusinghe,
Melanie Schuijers, Raechel Hickey, Amy Pollock
Front Row: Louise Kemp (Martin), Hannah Macdougall,
Jennifer Winckworth, Vanessa Gornall, Lauren Colautti,
Genevieve Kerr, Ellie Dee, Melissa Ashton, Vassie Dandanis
From the
Archives
Thank you to the following donors of
memorabilia to the Korowa Archives
in the past 12 months.
Moya Dickson (Shannon ’58)
Jacqui Grantford (Corben ’84)
Katerina Menissos (2021)
2005
Cynthia Richards (Lodge ’51)
Past and Present Staff Reunion
24 October 2015
Back Row: Adrienne Beames, Josie Foxcroft, Alison Peisley,
Damian Fogarty, Julie Trethowan, Maureen Chiba, Peggy
Harker, Diana Millar, Eddie Millar, Alf Capriolo, Heidi Beattie
Front Row: Sandra Turner, Sue Paice, Wendy Millar, Christine
Jenkins, Maria Cramond, Margaret Holmes, Sue Stockdale,
Stephanie Dahlsen, Norma Lawry
Barbara Baddelely (Higgins ’54)
Helen Dalton (Caldecott ’68)
Annie Sterck
Melissa Brown (Wells ’87)
Barbara Lynch (Henderson ’50)
Jo James (Adams ’62)
Nicki Hanslow
Jane Clark (’74)
Fiona Adams (’90)
Kate Parton
Elizabeth Feltscheer (Drake ’63)
Past and Present Staff
Lynton Shannon
Barbara Maclean (Anderson ‘49) and her little sister,
Susan-Gaye Anderson (‘55) on the swings at Korowa.
SAVE THE DATE
2016 K-Ball
Saturday 30 July 2016
Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn
Valerie Miles
Jenny Clifton (Welch ’71)
Susan Clarke
Korovian News
Facebook and Twitter
We are always keen to
include news from
Korovians about what’s
happening in their lives.
The Korovians Facebook page has recently
changed from a Profile to a Page to fall into
line with Facebook’s rules about Profiles only
being available to individuals.
You can email Sarah Brook
at Korowa on
[email protected]
or fill in the form on the
back of the address flyer
which came with the
magazine and post it back
to the School.
Fortunately, our 1800 Friends were transferred
over to Likers of the new page – if you haven’t
already liked the Page, please search for
Korowa Korovians.
We’d also love you to keep Liking, Sharing
and Commenting on the posts you see –
which will ensure our posts keep appearing in
your Newsfeed.
Robin Radford
Naomi Aldous (Prowd ‘46)
Jillian Fist (Hamilton ’52 and her sisters Barbara
Longmuir ’50 and Kay Estey ’61)
Megan Rothwell-Jones (’85)
Kay Stephens (’68)
Loris Charton (Jansen ’45)
Jean Sale (Christison ’53)
Gill Beaurepaire (Tallent ’70)
Dr Margaret Brumby (Wiadrowski ’58)
Marion Downe (’52)
Chris Sandow (Vanderkelen ’68)
Patricia Colborne (Streeter ’52)
Margaret Holmes
Jan Miller (Kostos ’60)
Barbara Maclean (Anderson ’49)
Susan-Gaye Anderson (’55)
Items donated include photographic images,
uniform, craft work, programs, books and badges.
24
KOROVIAN DECEMBER 2015 • NUMBER 68
2016 Reunions
1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 Saturday 19 March
Afternoon Tea at Korowa
Pre-1961 Tuesday 16 August Chapel service and lunch at Korowa
1966 Saturday 27 August
Lunch at Korowa
2015 Friday 9 September
7pm at Korowa
2011 Thursday 15 September
7pm at Honey Bar, South Melbourne
1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 Saturday 22 October
Afternoon Tea at Korowa
Invitations are usually sent about six weeks before
the event. If you’d like to help with organising or
hosting a reunion, please contact Sarah Brook on
[email protected] or Ph 03 9811 0295.
25
2016 DIARY NOTES
TERM 1
Australia Day Holiday
Tuesday 26 January
Staff Commence Wednesday 27 January
Students commence
Monday 1 February
Open Morning
Wednesday 24 February
Labour Day Holiday
Monday 14 March
Reunions (Classes of 1961, 1971,
1981, 1991, 2001)
Saturday 19 March Term Ends
Thursday 24 March
Good Friday
Friday 25 March
TERM 2
Staff Commence Monday 11 April
Students Commence
Tuesday 12 April
ANZAC Day
Monday 25 April
Korowa Annual Golf Day
Tuesday 26 April
Korovians vs Students
Netball Match
Friday 13 May
Open Morning
Wednesday 18 May
Queen’s Birthday
Monday 13 June
Term Ends
Friday 17 June
Alice Irvine in the Junior School Musical - A Kidsummer Night’s Dream
Contact details
Korowa Anglican Girls’ School
10 –16 Ranfurlie Crescent
Glen Iris Victoria 3146
Australia
P: +61 3 9811 0200
E: [email protected]
www.korowa.vic.edu.au
Twitter: @KorowaAGS
Senior School Office
P: +61 3 9811 0200
Please contact the Community
Relations Office for enquiries about:
Junior School Office
P: +61 3 9811 0244
Korovian Club
Korowa Parents’ Association (KPA)
Friends of Junior School (FOJS)
Friends of Rowing (FOR)
Friends of Netball (FON)
Friends of Snowsports (FOSS)
Friends of the Performing Arts (FOPA)
Korowa Foundation
Enrolments
Please contact the Admissions Office
for enquiries regarding enrolments
P: +61 3 9811 0292
E: [email protected]
P: +61 3 9811 0295
E: [email protected]
The information contained in this publication was correct at the time of printing (November 2015).