On Saturday night, August 12 2023 I called into the group of almost thirty 1988 girls, who were meeting at Kogarah Hotel, to acknowledge 35 years since they left school .
Jacqui Orner had contacted me, and suggested that i pop in ! I did, but, only after the extra time in the Matildas match against France .I caught the shoot out on the hotel’s TV.
Michele Gaigus , now an opthamologist , who had done Latin with Mrs Phillips, was pleased to hear that “Mrs Phillips was well . ” She told me the story of approaching the Deputy , Mr Scott in her desire to learn the trumpet, and to practice it at lunch time. He produced a map of the school, and said that “you can use these rooms, as they are the furthest from my office. “
The 1988 Year had started secondary school with Mrs Lyle Woyde as Principal, and finished school with Ms Jenny Rowse as Principal . There was no 1988 Year Book in this period , so there is a gap in a record of the year. Some of the girls were unaware that Ms Rowse had passed away .
I spoke to Penny Farrow , and reminded her that” she had acted in Guild Theatre productions in Rockdale .” ( i sometimes have a good memory) She is involved in theatre as a staff member at Griffith University, Brisbane . Former Maths teacher , Chris Horley’s niece was in this year, and she was in attendance.
Cathy Raper ,who was dux of the year, has been Australia’s first female ambassador to South Korea for a couple of years. And Jenny Ware, became the Federal Member of Parliament for Hughes, at the last Federal election. Jacqui told me that “there are some former students who live overseas, and a number who live in regional NSW. “
Ms Rowse would have been proud of the 1988 cohort.
Ms Rowse as Principal 1985-1992 was an inspiring lady . She sadly passed away on February 21, 2021 in Maitland , Hunter Valley . Remember her beautiful shoes and her dress sense . And one could never forget her command ‘”come here young lady ” as she questioned jewellery, or uniform, or both.
