PLC SYDNEY NewsletterFEBRUARY, 2017PLC SYDNEY EX-STUDENTS’ UNION BULLETIN

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOR 2017I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas Season and enjoyed time relaxing with family and friends. It really doesn’t matter how you fill your days, as each year just seems to fly. At last year’s AGM we struggled to get a quorum, but fortunately we did and so we welcome the 2017 committee, who are listed in this newsletter.

SUPPORT YOUR EX-STUDENTS’ UNION SO IT CAN CONTINUE TO EXIST

The committee are keen to be involved within the College and give you opportunities to be involved. We all feel that we need to hear from more of our members as to the direction we should take. Therefore we strongly encourage you to come along to an ‘informal meeting’ on Jersey Day, Saturday 11 March at 1.30 pm. The meeting will precede the official Jersey Day events which start at 2.30 pm.

We are looking at ways to encourage all members to join us when they can.

Each year we currently hold a very successful Card Day attended by our Ex-students and their friends. The early morning viewing and morning tea of the Archibald Prize grows in number each year and is a great way to see the finalists to hear and learn about the paintings from the excellent guides.

Jersey Day will be more interactive, with your families and partners welcome to join us in the grounds of the College. This year there will be a performance by the students in the College Big Band, as well as afternoon tea. The Pipe Band will commence the afternoon, with the Service at 2.30 pm for those who wish to attend.

The ESU is building its presence within the College by involvement with the PLC Dinner Dance, the Annual Open Day and Fair and assisting with the new annual Woman in Business forum. It is hoped that a mentoring program can be developed from this with ex-students and current students.

The biggest hurdle is how do we contact you? To save expenditure and hours of labour, we tried to move to online information for those who have access to email. In 2015 we launched the “Go Green’ campaign, asking for a response from you as to whether you wanted to be posted information or if email was your preference. Due to how the database works you can only be one or the other. The response was disappointing, even after giving our members several opportunities to respond.

Of those members we still had correct contact details for:

• 900 members were happy to “Go Green” (email)

• 146 members responded that they wanted their material posted

• 1540 members did not respond at all (we have email addresses for 550 of these members)

As mentioned in all our requests, for those we had no response from, we would stop posting, as the time and cost involved did not ensure the materials were getting through. This may be the reason you have not heard from us.

If you did not receive a Newsletter or Magazine from us in 2016, I urge you to please contact the College so that your information can be updated. I strongly encourage you to consider receiving your news via email if you have an email address, as the cost of printing and postage drains our funds, which could be used in far more beneficial activities.

Mrs Catherine Marvell (Davidson, 1975) - ESU President

EX-STUDENTS’ FUNCTIONS 2017Jersey Day, Saturday 11 March 2017Registration from 1.15 pmExtra ordinary meeting from 1.30 pm Service of Thanksgiving 2.30 pmPLC Sydney Pipes and Drums 2.15 pm(parking available on Drummond Field)

This year we will enjoy musical performances from current students, a picnic style afternoon tea and the opportunity to enjoy each others’ company in the College Grounds.

Other attractions on the day are the Archives Display in Marden and Adelaide Perry Gallery exhibition from 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm. There will be a College Tour at 3.45 pm.

Afternoon Tea for Mothers and GrandmothersAfternoon Tea will be held on Thursday 23 February 2017 from 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm in Marden

Interstate ReunionsSunshine Coast Reunion - Wednesday 16 August 2017Maison-de-Provence9/13 Garnet St, Cooroy QLD 4563

WA Reunion (Jersey Day) - Saturday 6 May 2017Tarts Cafe 212 Lake St, Northbridge WA 6003

Mobile 0410 664 9772016/2017 COMMITTEEPatron Mrs Gwen Bosler (Stuart, 1949)

President Catherine Marvell (Davidson, 1975)

Vice President Sara Keli (Thorp, 2001)

Secretary Elizabeth Gregory (Cornish, 1961)

Treasurer Rae Gower (Hoore, 1949)

Committee Ann McDonald (1963)

Marina Clark (Lvoff, 1978)

Lesley Meldrum (Morgan, 1955)

Robyn McBride (Hailey, 1976)

NCW Representatives Helen Humphreys (Neal, 1968)

PLC SYDNEY 2017 CALENDAR DATES

PLC SYDNEY OPEN DAY AND FAIRSaturday 13 May 2017

2017 ALUMNI EVENTS AT THE COLLEGE2007 Reunion 22 July 2017 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm1997 Reunion 12 August 2017 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm1987 Reunion 2 September 2017 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm1977 Reunion 9 September 2017 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm

EVENTS IN SYDNEY FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTSINNER WEST SCHOOLS’ EXPO - Sunday 30 April 2017THE SOUTHERN SCHOOLS’ EXPO - Sunday 4 June 2017

INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR PROSPECTIVEPARENTS AT PLC SYDNEYTuesday 4 April at 5.00 pmMonday 29 May at 9.30 amMonday 4 September at 9.30 amThursday 16 November at 5.00 pm

CATCH UP WITH US OUT OF SYDNEYFor our country friends, PLC Sydney will be attending the Boarding Schools Expo in Dubbo on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May and Coffs Harbour on Friday 2 June 2017.

Our international friends can visit us at the Exhibitions at the following locations:

Hong Kong – Sunday 19 March – The Mira Hotel

Chengdou – Sunday 14 May

Xi’an – Saturday 20 May

Nanjing – Sunday 21 May

Please refer to the College website for details as more may be added after this publication goes to print. www.plc.nsw.edu.au

We would love you to call in and say hello.

INTERSTATE CONTACTS FOR REUNIONS

ADELAIDE Mary Minchin (Brazier) 1961 Email: rmminchin@bigpond.com Phone: 08 8556 4859 Mobile: 0401 123 323

PERTH Julia Hewson (Webster) 1965 Email: systemline1@bigpond.com Phone: 0419 954 106

MELBOURNE Leonie Gillett (Cresswell) 1959 Email: leonian2@bigpond.com Phone: 03 9848 5058

CANBERRA Suzanne Clubb 1956 Email: suzanneclubb@bigpond.com Phone: 02 6238 1531

BRISBANE Petrina Hawkins (Campbell) 1970 Email: trinahawkins@me.com Phone (07) 3374 1325

GOLD COAST Jeni Bone (Payne) 1987 Email: jeni@edit-it.com.au Mobile: 0412 230 002

SUNSHINE COAST Jean Edmonds (Horsburgh) 1965 Email edmonds.jean@gmail.com Phone: 07 5499 9915

PLC CARD DAYThe Annual Card Day is to be held at

Pymble Golf Club, Cowan Road, St. Ives from 10.00am onMONDAY 20 MARCH 2017

Price - $35.00 will include morning tea, lunch and cards.Non card players may like to make up tables for

Mah Jong, Scrabble etc.To book your table please contact

Marina Clark (Lvoff) Telephone: 9797 6058Email: marintz@iinet.net.au

Elizabeth Gregory (Cornish) Telephone 9624 1592

This function is the major fundraiser for our Ex-Students’ Scholarship. Please bring your Non PLC friends, as everyone is welcome, not just College ex-students.

NEWS FROM EX-STUDENTSEx-Student presents painting to College

It is a special day when an ex-student presents a painting to the College by an artist who is also an ex-student! Yet this is exactly what happened on Monday 23 January this year, when Alison Scott (nee Dyster), student 1954-1958, presented a painting by Janet Venn-Brown, who was a PLC Sydney student from 1937-1941. The two ex-students did not know

each other while at school, but met in the late 1970s when they both lived in Rome. Alison recalls that they met at a function for ex-pat Australians. Alison’s husband worked for the United Nations and Janet lived in a small apartment with a view of the Vatican.

Alison remembers that she and her husband went to Janet’s flat, wanting to purchase one of her works. The walls were covered with many paintings and they chose one painted predominantly in ochres and pale blues, showing the rooftops of Rome and a church dome. The Scotts have displayed the painting in every home they have lived in as they moved from Rome to Paris, Sydney and now to Bowral.

Mrs Scott presented the painting to Dr Paul Burgis. It is now part of the PLC Collection and will be displayed in different areas of the College. Currently it is hanging just outside Dr Burgis’ office.

Bronte Rivers (Naylor, 2011)

After spending a few years working full time and studying at Bible College, I finally listened to the wise words of Mrs Sue Arnaudon, my PLC Careers Advisor, who encouraged me to study Political and Social Science. I have one year left of my degree and I am currently working part-time at Anglican Aid, an international aid agency.

Caleb Rivers and I were married on 4 July 2015 and we are looking forward to continuing our involvement in our local Church. We are excited to see what God has in store for us in 2017.

Celia Barnett-Chu (Barnett, 2005) After leaving PLC, I studied a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts ( Japanese Language) at Sydney University. I am now working for the NSW Department of Justice in the Justice, Strategy and Policy Division. I’m working on the NSW Government’s response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Since 2007, my family has been closely involved in a charitable organisation called Friends of I-India (previously I-India Project Australia). Our mission is to address the immediate and long term needs of rural Indian women, who are disproportionately poor and uneducated, and who often suffer discrimination and violence. The project provides women with training in vocational skills, entrepreneurship and leadership through co-operatives run by, and for the benefit of the women and their families. There is more information about the project at: www.i-indiaproject.org.au. Last year I married my husband, Paul Chu, at the Sydney College of the Arts in Lilyfield, which is opposite our home. I have very fond memories of PLC, and particularly of all our amazing teachers, who somehow managed to put up with us.

It is with sadness we report the deaths of the following members:

27.5.2016 Wendy White (Shorter, 1973) She was Ferguson House Captain in 1973.

5.6.2016 Judith Anne Jaegli (Pinkerton, 1957) Dearly loved wife of Leo, mother of Karina and Michelle. Loving grandmother of Ryan, James and Annabelle and sister to David.

3.9.2016 Margaret Joy Heseltine (Russell, 1950) Margaret lived in the ACT. Her daughter Cassandra and granddaughters Tegan and Zoe all attended the College.

6.9.2016 Dr Daphne Elliott AM (Davison, 1942) Daphne died in South Australia at the age of 90. She was awarded the AM in 2002 for service ‘to the promotion of women’s education in the field of science, and as an advocate for improving the status and human rights of women’. Daphne spoke at the College’s 2012 Speech Day. She was a woman of deep faith and wonderful scholarship. 13.10.2016 Rosemary (Rosie) Phillips (1960) Rosemary was 73 years old.

28.11.2016 Jann Hamilton (Parkinson, 1951)

7.12.2016 Alison Vickery (1953) She had two brothers and one sister. Alison was dearly loved by her 8 nieces and nephews and 15 great nieces and nephews.

25.01.2017 Lyn Lennox (Nield, 1950) Former School Captain, Lyn was a paediatric occupational therapist. She was presented with an Order of Australia in 2013 for her services to the community.

1956 Leavers 60 Year Reunion

On Sunday, 16th October 2016 we held our Reunion lunch at PLC Croydon (as we still call it!).

To our delight 29 “girls” turned up, including 6 Boarders. Several came from interstate, Sylvia Lowe, Beverly Smith, Heather Robb and Wendy Griffiths flew over from New Zealand. Roughly the same number attended as did 5 years ago. Altogether, as we included our First Year (now Year 7), 64 invitations were posted, 11 apologies were received, and many sent notes so we could all catch up on their news.

The tyranny of health, immobility, distance and carers responsibility, have taken their toll, and 3 girls had to cancel out in the last few weeks.

Sadly 6 from our Leaving Class of 33 pupils are deceased, Lesley Newman, Pam Kerr, Sally Carter, Susie Robertson, Carol Norton and Elizabeth McDonald. Over the years we have lost Robyn Woods, Alison Watts, Rosemary O’Ryan, Jean Woods and Gillian Caley. We miss them all.

Susanne Lambert, PLC’s Development and Alumni Relations Officer, co-ordinated and did all the hard “legwork” with me to make this day problem free.

We had delicious canapés and drinks upstairs in the Macindoe Research Centre, followed by lunch. I was spoilt by gifts from the girls and our PLC Archivist - Debby Cramer, who worked with me to provide a great selection of old photos from our School days.A few girls talked about their versions of school highlights, and we all reminisced together. Much chatting and laughter ensued.

We were taken on a School Tour - some wonderful new facilities and buildings, but we all lamented that the grassy areas seemed much smaller than when we were all there!

Back for a leisurely afternoon tea before leaving for home, with a “surprise” gift each of a USB stick of our PLC photos. I had many comments that this was our best, happiest and most enjoyable Reunion ever, and how fortunate we were to be brought up in this School’s traditional values of friendship.

We have decided 5 years is too long to wait at our age, and so like the 1955 Year Leavers, we arranged a morning tea/lunch at “Eden Gardens” Restaurant Macquarie Park together with them usually in October each year, which is well attended. Usually about 16 turn up - very casual. Everyone is welcome.

Many thanks to all who made this a great day,

Carol Lyons (Schiess, 1956)

Back Row: Beverley Smith, Jennifer Lyons (Nott), Pamela Nolan (Bell), Sylvia Rose (Lowe), Heather Ferguson (Robb), Sandra Chapple (Williamson), Janet Newman (Whipp), Helen Link (Moodie), Janet Andrews (Henderson), Linda Cook (Bell), Marie Wickham (McKee).Middle Row: Marilyn Philip (Goodsir), Frances Gostelow (Muir), Ann Byrnes (Vandyke), Margaret Dobbin (Iliffe), Nancy Syevenson (Craddock), Janice McAndrew (Dobell), Vanessa Arndell (Munro), Janice Clarke (Scott), Margaret Mitchell (Davies), Judith Hincksman (Hummerston), Pauline Cassidy (Muller).Front Row: Wendy Sharland (Griffiths), Nan Lewis (Ferguson), Caroline Lyons (Schiess), Nancy Badewitz (Caldwell), Helen Waddington (Keir), Jocelyn Graham (McGrogan, Ruth Thomas (Cocks).

Sylvia Rose, Ruth Thomas and Beverley Smith

PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH

It is most important that we can stay in touch. If your details have changed please complete the enclosed form and return it to us in the reply paid envelope or complete it online by going to the website www.plc.nsw.edu.au/community/ex-students or contact Mrs Susanne Lambert 02 9704 5744, email: slambert@plc.nsw.edu.au

Please note in the message section whether you would prefer to receive your correspondence by email or post.

As stated previously we spend a lot of money and time posting information out to people who never receive it as we have not been informed of their latest details.

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