I type this editorial from where you’d rather be – poolside at a resort in Bali – where I have taken some much-needed R&R with my eldest (pre-teen) daughter, Trinity. As I soak in my surroundings, my mind reflects on my last editorial where I canvassed the topic of how to find the elusive work-life balance that apparently demonstrates ‘success’ for the modern woman. This is me trying to embody ‘balance’.

In my ‘milestone memories’ file, I have compartments. One of these is my 14-year schooling at Perth College from a four-year-old to a 17-year-old graduate. These memories are colourful, vibrant, diverse and inextricably linked to people. The one non-negotiable baseline requirement in life (that my nearly 40 years of experience on this earth has taught me) is good, solid relationships. This begins in the home as the family unit, in whatever form that takes for us. It then extends to our schooling years where we identify ‘mentors’ in our teachers, and ‘soul mates’ in our friendships. Beyond this we may move into the workforce where, again, we align ourselves with like-minded individuals with a similar outlook to our own. We then nurture our own personal relationships and partnerships to add value and flavour to our lives and hopefully assist us in reaching our personal, professional and family goals in the future.

What Perth College has consistently done over many years is promote the importance of relationship-building. When you graduate and become a PC Old Girl, you automatically are part of something bigger. You ‘know stuff’ that others may not because you have been privileged in the offerings of what is now known as ‘girl power’ (teaching us resilience and good judgment) and you have learnt life lessons in practice,

rather than being misled into thinking you can do a YouTube online course on ‘How to be an Adult 101’.

Happiness is that other concept that floats in the ether… In the midst of the hustle that has become the norm for uni students, young corporates new to the workforce, and those of us at the midpoint or latter stages of our lives, with kids and even grandkids, we all aspire to find the Happiness Equilibrium. Perth College taught me to be the creator of my own destiny. My teachers spoke of the “many doors which will open” when my talents were nurtured by supportive parents and the right dose of hard work and study. I have learned that we can often open our own doors with a little courage and self-determination. This is where the PC community thrives. Recognising other Old Girls and encouraging their pursuits – creative, academic or otherwise. Supporting local small business owners or perhaps our PC peers who have catapulted into the international forum.

In the pages to follow, these themes of balance, happiness, encouragement and support are shared through the reunion photos, the wedding and birth announcements, and the celebration of the lives of our PC Old Girls.

Enjoy this celebration of community and be grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an enriching school life. Keep supporting each other and may we all reach the Happiness Equilibrium at least once in our lives.

Charissa Mitsikas-Beasley xoEditor

Submit Your News and Photos

If you have something to share for inclusion in our September 2018 issue, please email myalla@pc.wa.edu.au or call Director of Development, Natalie Swannell, on 9471 2124. Deadline for submission isFriday 27 July 2018.

Photo: Charlotte Ethell (2010) and Anne (Hepworth) Hairsine (1956)

MyallaOfficial Journal of the Old Girls’ Association

Issue 282

Message from the Editor.

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The OGA is OnlineConnect with the Old Girls’ Association and Perth College through your favourite social media. Send information and updates, keep up-to-date with events and news, ‘like’ photos, and share articles.

Profile Andrea Bradbury. PresidentTell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi I’m Andrea. I’m a PC Old Girl and don’t tell anyone, but I actually liked school. I’ve always liked finding out how things worked – whether it was trigonometry, dance, chemistry or history, most things intrigue me.

When I finished school I studied Marketing and Economics at UWA. I did a semester exchange at Copenhagen Business School and when I came back to Perth I was lucky enough to get a job in Advertising. I’ve worked in Advertising and Marketing for the past four -and-a-half years now and I’m absolutely loving it.

When I’m not working you’ll find me at the beach, watching the footy or at a live music gig.

What are your fondest memories from your time at PC?

I have such happy memories of Creative Arts Day (especially Barron winning House Choir!), of doing Narnia the Musical when I was in Year 8 and getting on stage for Spin a couple of times. I used to love playing netball on Saturdays and the bus rides home from IGSSA Netball.

And although it was a mix of emotions, our final day in Year 12 was so memorable, when we let go of all the balloons and knowing that it was FINALLY all over! (school is hard sometimes!!).

What will be your focus/objective/goals during your time as the OGA President?

I’ve got two main objectives for this year: providing more opportunities to engage with the Old Girls’ community outside of reunions and making it more attractive and rewarding to be involved with the Old Girls’ community (particularly for ‘younger’ Old Girls). It’s a slow burn but hopefully you’ll notice a little pivot!

If you’d like to be involved in any way, please send me an email. I’d love to hear from you!

If you had just $10 in your purse, what would you spend it on?

Tim Tams. Three packets of Tim Tams and some milk!

Meet your 2018 OGA Committee

President Andrea Bradbury (2010)Vice-President Dot (Sommerville) Stewart (1968)Vice-President Linda (Meyers) Hyland (1968) Secretary Bev (Gordon) Ireland (1960)Treasurer Kat Wray (1994)Membership Secretary Bev (Roche) Butters (1958)Bursary Trustee Malinda Blair (1996) Council Representative Jane Scott (1975)Foundation Representative Angel Chen (2008)Myalla Editor Charissa Mitsikas-Beasley (1995)Committee Charlotte Ethell (2010)

Stephanie (Jennings) Fullarton (1979) Lesley (Dunstan) Keen (1958)Lisa (Young) Mueller (1989) Annetta Robotham (1962)

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Swinging our Clubs into History.After 19 years of defeat, the Perth College Old Girls’ golf team has won the 2017 52nd Annual Combined Independent Girls’ Schools competition.

Perth College’s team comprises 20 players who graduated between 1951 and 2007 and make up 10 pairs – a competitive showing as only two pairs count for the trophy.

The pairs of Tracey Johnston (1974), Honor Metcalf (1968), Dana (Cole) Slater (1982) and Susanna (Suzii) Shen (2007) were announced as the counting pairs for the win.

The other players were Val Gmeiner (1957), Judy (Bloomfield) Freedman (1954), Barbara (Watson) Wilcox (1954), Kay (Beames) Lane (1955), Susie (Reading) Munro (1958), Sue (Buckley) Good (1964), Elizabeth (Cargeeg) Sutherland (1965), Lorraine (Collins) Meuleman (1968), Helen Taylor (1977), Jane Taylor (1981), Jane (Beasley) Parker (1953), Suanne (Jannings) Crossland (1973), Helen (Williams) Smith (1951), Jan (Carter) Dunkley (1966), Sue-Ellen (Sullivan) McKay (1969) and Pam (Thomas) Gulvin (1959).

The next event is on Monday 8 October at the Royal Perth Golf Club, and we hope more Old Girls will join the team. Any Old Girls with a golf handicap interested in playing can contact the Development Office via oga@pc.wa.edu or call 9471 2124, and you will then be connected with Pam Gulvin (1959).

Official Opening of Excelsior House.The latest addition to the Perth College campus, Excelsior House, was officially opened on Monday 26 March 2018.

Honorary Old Girl and former Perth College Chaplain, The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO, dedicated and blessed the building in front of 150 guests including Years 11 and 12 students, representatives from each Junior School class and Senior School Form group, the architects and builders, local MPs, Foundation donors, Council members, Liaison Parents, and staff representatives.

OGA AGM.Thank you to all our Old Girls who attended the OGA AGM in April, where we farewelled retiring members and warmly welcomed new ones. A presentation from Perth College’s Director of InsideOut, Dr Deb Perich, had attendees impressed by the strength of the programme and the difference it is making to the girls. I encourage you to watch the video that was shared with us - A Journey through Positive Psychology - about the impact of positive psychology.

www.perthcollege.wa.edu.au/whats-on/videos.

A simple lunch after the AGM in the Rose Family Dining Room in Excelsior House was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to catch up.

South Australia Old Girls’ VisitWhile attending an Alliance of Girls’ Schools conference in South Australia, Principal Jenny Ethell and Acting Dean of Students Jane Murray made time to attend a small gathering of Adelaide-based Old Girls. Attendees included Shirley (Robin) Jose (1944), Susan (Blackburne) Marchant (1963), Margaret (Barrett-Lennard) Fraser (1954) and Gillian (Bray) McKay (1965). Thank you to Gill for hosting and organising the gathering.

Jenny was fortunate enough to also speak with Honorary Old Girl and Past Principal, Jennefer Roberts, who was the first lay Principal after the Sisters of the Church left the School in 1968. While Jennefer wasn’t well enough to attend the gathering, she spoke with great fondness of her time as Principal, and was keen to find out about the new programmes and developments.

2018 Reunions.Four reunions have already been held this year including the Vintage, 60-, 50- and 40-Years. Peruse the photos on the following page, and enjoy reading the comments from 1978 Head Girl, Susan (Mitchell) Hesford on her 40-Year reunion.

What’s Been Happening

1978 Leavers’ Fabulous 40th Reunion.Twenty-five of our year group attended. We understand we are the first year group to include partners at the meet-and-greet drinks and canapés and school tour, which was a lovely new dimension. The partners seemed to really enjoy meeting women they had heard so much about and seeing the locations of some of our misdemeanours (with some raised eyebrows!).

It was a delight to have Mrs Scott and Mr Watkins join us for drinks in the incredible Jean Rogerson Science Centre. We will be discreet about his age but suffice to say we were amazed that Dave rode his Vespa from South Perth to be with us.

A tour took in the impressive new Excelsior House, the innovative home for Year 12s, including the Rose Family Dining Room for the boarders, assisted by a donation from the father of one of our cohort – Peter Rose, whose daughter Gail was in our year. We were all agog at this facility which seems befitting a five-star hotel! Afterwards, a two-course dinner at Myalla House was greatly enjoyed,

where the acoustics could cope well with the vigorous chatter and commentary.

The overwhelming feature of our reunion was a complete lack of pretention; rather there was inclusiveness, humour and shared experiences, both uplifting and adverse. We feel so lucky to have the supportive PC sisterhood of a very close and hilarious year group.

For anyone in our year group unaware, we have a well-utilised Facebook page, ‘Perth College 78 Leavers’, on which we would love to see more of our old classmates, even if it is your only incentive to use Facebook.

Sincere thanks to all who organised the gathering, the caterers who did a beautiful job and also showed great humour, and Natalie Swannell’s patience in wrangling a wilful mob!

Susan (Mitchell) Hesford

60-Year

Reunion

50-Year

Reunion

Vintage

Reunion

40-Year

Reunion

L to R: Margaret (Broadhurst) Brinsden (1944), Yvonne (Maloney) Brooks (1946), Merle (Giese) Best (1944) and Jenny (Finkelstein) Shub OAM (1943)

L to R: Jenny Adams, Rosslyn (Mattiske) Gray, Judith (Dunstan) Gardner and Marion (Mill) Bulloch

50-Year Reunion attendees at Myalla House 40-Year Reunion attendees in Excelsior House

40-Year Reunion attendees in Excelsior House

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2000 Leaver Denyer (Roberts) Piesse and her husband Richard welcomed their first baby, Aurelia Piesse, on 19 August 2017. Aurelia is already enrolled at Perth College for 2030!

Weddings and Births

2002 Leaver Emma Shaw married Adam Sharpe on Saturday 12 May 2018 at Caversham House. Two of the bridal party were also fellow 2002 Leavers: Maid of Honour Lisa (Stevens) Symons and Bridesmaid Joanne (Harris) Bubnich. Other Old Girls in attendance included Kate (Hill) Barclay (2002), Alex (Harle) Hulsdunk (2002), Cheryn (Goh) Cowan (2002), Cara Chia (2002) and Kaarin Patterson (1998). It was a truly magical day!

Jessica (Karasinski) Boyd (2003) married Joshua Boyd at the Perth College Chapel on 1 July 2017, on a wet and stormy winter day. Julie (Sharp) Syme (2003) was Maid of Honour, and Jessica was accompanied down the aisle by her mother Debbie (Busch) Karasinski (1970), with a reading given by Jessica’s cousin Naomi (Schekkerman) Jeffs (1994). Guests included Jessica’s aunt Jan (Busch) Schekkerman (1966), and family-by-choice Wendy Fry (1972) and Kay Fry (1969), daughters of Peggy (Stewart) Fry (1941). Jessica’s grandmother Is 1941 Leaver Audrey (Woolcott) Busch.

2005 Leaver Gemma (Ridgway) Bassett and her husband Troy welcomed an early arrival, Angus Bruce Bassett, on 13 December 2017, just in time for Christmas!

When I graduated from uni I already had a job offer in my pocket. Not a bad position to be in, right? I wasn’t a straight-A student, but I had above average marks and realised the benefit of applying for vacation work (in my field of study) throughout my degree. One job led to another and after vacation work with a mining company, and working FIFO that summer, I secured a position on their graduate programme halfway through my last year of studies. I was offered a position as a graduate environmental officer, working FIFO in the northern Goldfields, and I am glad I took that challenge on. Initially I thought I was just lucky but over the years I have changed my perspective and realised that it wasn’t luck, it was the fact that I had all the core characteristics and skills required to market myself as a promising ‘employee’… these, in part, being on account of my Perth College schooling.

Early in my career as an ‘enviro’ (mine site environmental advisor) in the northern Goldfields, we decided we should set up a network with adjacent mine sites so we could benchmark ideas with each other to improve environmental management. Little did I know that “some of us enviros” would happen to be two 1997 Old Girls – Carrie Pritchard and Elizabeth May.

I remember laughing to myself thinking ‘you can’t escape PC’… The networking process was enabled by the fact we had the PC connection and, to this day, even though we have all moved on to other careers and countries, that environmental management networking group still exists. Both these ladies are now successful career mums.

In my late 20’s I stopped working FIFO and started a corporate office job, which is still in mining but removed from operations. This change in lifestyle enabled me to take maternity leave and have two amazing kids of my own. PC may have prepared me to be able to work FIFO on a remote mine site as one of less than 10 per cent of women in the workforce, but, to be honest, nothing prepared me for life as a ‘career mum’.

One thing I wish I had done differently was have more confidence in myself and my abilities throughout my career and my personal life. I have been told that by my managers and by my friends. I am good at my job and I am good at being a mum. I just wish I hadn’t spent so much emotional energy worrying about the decisions I have made and instead used that energy to move forwards and upwards a bit earlier in my career.

Working FIFO allowed me to make many friends, lay the foundations for the professional network I have now, and begun developing the relationships I have with people in the industry. Working FIFO allowed me to travel the world, taking extended periods of time off to explore Europe, Asia and the Americas, and has allowed me to become financially independent which made the decision to become a single parent a lot easier.

My ex-husband and I went our separate ways three-and-a-half years ago and, with that, came another set of challenges. However, during that time I reconnected with my old school friends who have offered me support in so many ways. I get free legal advice, free red wine, free hugs, free counselling sessions and, most of all, friends for life who I think need me as much as I need them but with a ‘no strings’ attitude. Without the focus on friendship and support at PC, I may not have found myself with such a supportive personal network.

You can’t escape PC – through my kids’ day care centre and school I connected with 1995 Leavers Charissa Mitsikas-Beasley and Cara (Kellen) Davis, whose own children are now friends with mine. The PC spirit of supporting other women to succeed has been shown to me by both of them who offer friendship and support. The girls who babysit my kids for me so I can enjoy some rare moments of downtime are from a PC family and that made the decision to use them so much easier. There’s an element of comfort and trust in utilising the services of ex-PC students. I will quickly support a small business run by a PC Old Girl without thinking about the integrity and motivation behind it. I simply trust it is founded on the same values as my own because of our shared schooling experience.

Who said life was meant to be easy? I’m two months into a new role at work, a promotion, and I am back working FIFO two-thirds of the time and I am corporate-based the other third. The job itself is a challenging new role and the roster I work has never been done, either. Businesses these days see the benefits in facilitating working conditions for career mums. When I’m home on the weekends and working in Perth I have the kids. My days generally start at 4.00 am and end at 8.00 pm. I have learned to ask for help and say yes when help is offered. I have learned to be resilient. For that I am grateful.

Zéna Harman

Reflections of an Old Girl

Proud mum Zéna with her son Harry

Mrs Kathleen (Aberdeen) Douglas-Smith (1938)Mrs Lorna (Ambuhl) Wishart (1943)Mrs Frances (Anderson) Dodds (1942)Miss Rae Anderson (1944)Mrs Beverley (Belton) van der Moezel (1945)Mrs Geraldine (Brownell) Nainby (1943)Mrs Valma (Burges) McCreery (1947)Mrs Wendy (Burges) Davis (1939)Mrs June (Carey) McDowell (1942)Mrs Minna (Craven) Terry (1946)Mrs Bobbie (Devenish) Bower (1944)Mrs Dawn (Dobson) Pilgrim (1945)Mrs Grace (Edgar) Barrington (1943)Mrs Tedye (Elkington) McDiven (1943)Mrs Bobbie (Flight-Smith) Hardie (1938)Mrs Alison (Fox) Davies (1941)Ms Judith Fox (1946)Mrs Judith (Fyfe) Anketell (1944)Mrs Trilli (Gamba) Bobone (1943)Mrs Olive (Hardie) Liddelow (1946)Mrs Dorothy (Hardwick) Martin (1941)Mrs Joan (Harrison) van Oosteron (1939)Mrs Patricia (Hockin) Sims (1939)Mrs Suzanne (Hockin) Wright (1942)Mrs Joan (Hull) Wroth (1945)

Mrs Audrey (Hunt) Atwell (1944)Mrs June (Illingworth) Outhwaite (1943)Mrs Vivienne (Johnston) Jackson (1942)Miss Beryl Kay (1944)Mrs Pat (Lackman) Baunton (1939)Mrs Miriam (Latham) Smith (1945)Mrs Susan (Layman) Gardiner (1942)Mrs Shirley (Lloyd-Jones) Withers (1946)Mrs Jean (Lockyer) Hankey (1942)Mrs Mary (Maund) Hunter (1944)Mrs Pamela (Mawby) Hesling (1942)Mrs Nan (Meagher) Grey (1938)Mrs Audrey (Mearing) Hornby (1935)Mrs Dawn (Oldfield) Woolley (1945)Ms Pamela (Phillips) Uittenbroek (1946)Mrs Joan (Pocklington) Howard (1939)Mrs Bunty (Temple-Poole) West (1937)Mrs June (Richards) McCallum (1944)Mrs Patricia (Rodgers) Nottle (1942)Mrs Lesley (Scott) Blight (1945)Mrs Mary (Sherlock) Wilding (1943)Mrs Barbara (Sinclair) Wheeler (1944)Mrs Natalie (Skinner) Harvey (1946)Mrs Judy (Stenberg) Nielsen (1945)Mrs Sheila (Wilding) Curlewis (1937)

Proud mum Zéna with her son Harry

Our Condolences . Roma Annie Pearl Coward (nee Reynolds) was born on 18 May 1920 in Kalgoorlie and died on 23 September 2017 in Mornington, Victoria, aged 97. Roma attended Perth College from 1928 to 1938 and was a proud student, becoming a Prefect, House Captain, a wonderful pianist and an artist. In WWII she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) where she served at Port Pirie, South Australia. She married Arthur McDonald Coward in 1945 at the Perth College Chapel and had three children, twins (Bruce and Jennifer) in 1947 and Susan in 1949.

Angela Glyn Webb (nee Watkins) attended Perth College from 1936 to 1945 and passed away on 9 September 2017 aged 89. Angela was the daughter of Bessie (Harris) Watkins (1919) (deceased), mother of Jenny (Webb) Browning (1973), mother-in-law of Trish (Padbury) Webb (1978) and granny to Jemma (Browning) Hansen (1996), Tracey (Browning) Price (1998), Alice (Webb) Schinzig (2001) and Elizabeth Webb (2003).

Gena Lisa (Randall) Hart (1989 Leaver) passed away peacefully on 30 September 2017. Our sincere condolences are extended to her family, husband and children.

Condolences to the Thomas family and 1999 Leaver, Jessie (Thomas) Klaric, on the passing of their father and relative, Robert Thomas, who died in a boating accident after his yacht Finistere capsized off Mandurah in February 2018.

Our sympathies to the Metcalf family following the passing of Marion Jenny (Eastaugh) Metcalf (1946 Leaver) on 25 January 2018.

Helen (Whitfield) Jones (1948 Leaver) passed away quite suddenly in June 2017. Helen very much enjoyed attending the Old Girls’ Association reunions whenever she could and is now reunited with her sister, Barbara (Whitfield) King (1945), who passed away in late 2016.

Condolences to the Wells family on the passing of Anne Margaret (Salter) Wells (1951 Leaver) in September 2017. Daughter Tania said, “Mum always spoke so fondly of her time at Perth College, right up to her 83rd year.”

1958 Leaver Elizabeth ‘Anne’ (Scott) McDonald died on 27 February 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Anne had three sisters at the school, Judith (Scott) Edgar (1955) (deceased), Gillian (Scott) Salter (1961) and Phillipa ‘Jane’ (Scott) Erzay (1969). Our condolences to the Scott/McDonald families. 1944 Leaver Merle Linda Exeter passed away on 27 February 2018 aged 91. Condolences to her family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Patricia (Stoneman) Gunzburg (1946) and her family on the passing of their husband and father, Les Gunzburg.

Condolences to Karen (Langoulant) Furr (1981) and her sister, Sue (Langoulant) Dwyer (1984), on the passing of their father, Allan Langoulant, in November 2017.

1962 Leaver, Christina Frances (Giles) Lyall, passed away on 4 August 2017 aged 71. After graduating from PC, Christina obtained a teaching degree and has since contributed to a number of community groups in the Hills area where she lived.

Condolences to the Arundel and Johnson families on the recent passing of 2004 Leaver Ashleigh (Arundel) Johnson. Rest in peace, Ashleigh.

Carol Robotham passed away on Friday 1 June 2018, aged 80. Carol was the sister to Annetta Robotham (1962), Felicity (Robotham) Bailey (1967) and Pauline (Robotham) Uhe (1965) and sister-in-law to David Uhe. Aunt to Smantha (Uhe) Coopes (1990), Sarah (Uhe) Twine (1992) and Kirsten Uhe (1998). Our deepest sympathies to their families.

Birthday Club Over 90’s.

OGA Country Lunch

Friday 2 NovemberTime: 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm

Country lunch in the Perth Hills.

A bus will depart from Myalla House at approx.

11.30 am and return at approx. 3.00 pm.

Venue: Home of 1989 Leaver, Nicola Firth

Cost: Lunch only $50

Lunch and bus $60

Book: www.trybooking.com/TDYE

Upcoming Events

Perth College10-Year Reunion 2008 Leavers Saturday 13 October

Family Chapel ServicePlease join us for our monthly family chapel

service with Holy Communion at Perth College.

• Sunday 12 August

• Sunday 16 September

• Sunday 14 October

• Sunday 18 November

Starts at 9.30 am, with morning tea to follow.

Glass+ Friday 13 to Sunday 29 July 2018Glass Artists of Western Australia is holding its third

exhibition called Glass+ in July. Old Girls Jill Yelland

(1965), Belinda (Daw) Kay (1973) and Judy (Best)

Willock (1973) will be exhibiting.

Venue: Zig Zag Gallery - 50 Railway Road Kalamunda

Time: Weekdays 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

weekends 10.00 am to 4.00 pm

Entry is free.

Visit our website for full details:

www.perthcollege.wa.edu.au/old-girls/reunions-events

Perth College20-Year Reunion1998 Leavers Saturday 28 July 2018

OGA Vintage FairSaturday 15 SeptemberTime: 11.00 am to 4.00 pm

A day to celebrate all things vintage.

Venue: Perth College

Cost: Complimentary

Register: www.trybooking.com/VWSW

Interested in being a stallholder? Visit our

website for an application form.

Perth College30-Year Reunion 1988 Leavers Saturday 21 July 2018