ENTRE NOUSWOMEN OF WINDSOR

RETURN OF ENTRE NOUS01

020304

SEPTEMBER 2018

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WELCOME

CONTENTS

CALENDAR / ALUMNAE COMMITEE

It is with much pleasure that we share with you anew edition of Entre Nous, the newsletter of thePresentation College Windsor Past PupilsAssociation, known as the Women of Windsor. Entre Nous resumes publication this year, in the145th year of the school. We would be delighted to hear of your news andreceive your photos and stories. Please share themwith us at womenofwindsor@pcw.vic.edu.au We are also on Facebook and Instagram so followus @pcwalumnae to keep up with the latest newsand events.

WINDSOR HIGH TEA

LIFELONG FRIENDS / NAGLE BUILDING

SR MARY KAVANAGH

SR MARY KAVANAGH

STAY CONNECTED

NAGLE BUILDING DONATION FORM

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REUNIONS

RETURN OF ENTRE NOUS

SR MARY KAVANAGH

REUNIONS

WELCOMESr Mary Kavanagh OAM

PCW is the second oldest Catholic girls college inVictoria. The Academy, Fitzroy, staffed by theSisters of Mercy was the first. Over the years,both schools have met the many challenges tothe higher education of women, right back to thetime when women were not even admitted toUniversity. The title of our past pupil publication Entre Noustranslates into Between Ourselves. It is a familiarphrase to generations of PCW students. Wehope this electronic version will reach paststudents living and working in all corners of theglobe.   From the archives we have selected twosignificant reunion photographs. One is datedPresentation Day, 21 November 1912 and theother was taken during the 1940s.

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This photograph shows a large, formal gatheringin the then new 1911 two-story red brickbuilding, the first Hall and present Staffroom. It has been taken from the stage end, presentlythe Lecture Theatre. Reunions have beenpopular from as early as the late 1870s. Theytook the form of small, early evening gatherings– soirees. On this occasion in 1912 the PastPupils’ Association was officially launched andthe Annual General Reunion traditionestablished. The photograph below is from the wartime1940s. Notice the hats, gloves and neatly rolledhairstyles. The hemline is nearer to the kneesthan the ankles for most of the perfectlyarranged women!   We celebrate our 145th anniversary this year.Please join us at our Women of Windsor reunionon Sunday 18 November at 2pm. Groupphotographs will be taken to add to our galleryon display at our 150th celebration. We are engaged in a major effort to update ourdatabase. We encourage you to forward thisnewsletter to your sisters, school friends andother past pupils you have contact with.  If youwould like to be added to the database simply complete and return the form on page 11. 

ALUMNAE COMMITTEE

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03CALENDARClass of 1958 reunion 2.00 - 3.30pm  Saturday, 15 September $25 per head www.trybooking.com/VJEE Class of 1997 reunion 4.00 – 5.30pm  Saturday, 13 October  $25 per head www.trybooking.com/WUUM Class of 2008 reunion 4.00 - 5.30pm  Saturday, 20 October  $25 per head www.trybooking.com/VDBV Women of Windsor Reunion (all years) 2.00 - 4.00pm  Sunday, 18 November  www.trybooking.com/VMLP

The Alumnae is run by a tireless group ofdedicated women and the College would like tothank them for their work in supporting thecontinuing friendships amongst our past studentsand maintaining connection with the College. We are keen to welcome new, more recentgraduates to the committee so to keep thetradition alive for many years to come. If youwould like to join the committee, please emailwomenofwindsor@pcw.vic.edu.au. The Alumnae Committee is supported by theCollege Marketing and Community EngagementOffice. They can be contacted onwomenofwindsor@pcw.vic.edu.au or by callingFiona Douglas on 8517 2792 (Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday). Thank you to our wonderful committee and theirmany years of hard work. President: Andree Moloney (Kelly) Vice President: Marie Curlis (MacDonnell) Secretary: Margot Hannan (King) Minute secretary: Marilyn Commins (McManus) Treasurer: Pauline Wilson (King) Archives: Maureen Pontin (Tierney) Pat Brincat (Kerin) Marisa Balaz Thomasyna Devoy (Atkins) Sr Mary Kavanagh (Rosaria) 

Women of Windsor Reunion for all past students

Join us for afternoon tea and a walk downmemory lane as a panel of PCW womenfrom the 1930's to today share theirmemories of life at Windsor.  2.00 - 4.00pm Sunday, 18 November Rahilly Hall Presentation College Windsor Organise a group of friends or nominateyour leaving year when booking to beseated with similar guests. $30 per head RSVP: 15 November 2018 www.trybooking.com/VMLP Ph: 8517 2792 (Monday - Wednesday)

Position Vacant - Paid RoleWe are looking for a past student to help run and host our5-6 reunion events each year on behalf of the College. Theevents are held on a Saturday afternoon, and typicallyrequires the coordinator to be on site from 3.00 - 6.30pm. The role involves hosting the guests, taking them on a tourof the school and seting and cleaning up after the event.You will working alongside Emmanuelle, Class of 2016who is also in the role. The role is paid as a contract role and will require an ABN(easily obtained). For more information contact FionaDouglas on 8517 2792 (Monday - Wednesday).

WINDSOR HIGH TEA

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On Sunday 20 May, 200 current and pastmembers of the Presentation College Windsorcommunity gathered for the inaugural WindsorHigh Tea. The High Tea celebrated 145 years ofthe College and the generations of mothers andspecial women of PCW. The sell out event was a joyous celebration of theCollege and the friendships borne from schooldays. We were welcomed by the Principal, Ms FilinaVirgato who reflected on 145 years of PCW.  The 2018 School Captain, Deanne Leontaritispaid tribute to the women and mothers of PCWand the role they have played in supporting theschool and students for generations. A highlight of the day was the choir whosurprised us by singing the original schoolsong. Their beautiful singing certainly  broughtback many memories for us all and it was 

fantastic to hear voices around the hall join in. Thechoir also sung the new school song, and what ajoyful song it is for the newest generations of PCWgirls. The song was written by Mary Jo Kelly, pastteacher and sister of Paul Kelly. As Presentation girls have done for generations, theevent was used as an opportunity to pursue theCollege's social justice mission. Through a raffle theguests raised nearly $1000 for the Sacred HeartMission's Dine with Heart campaign. Special thanks must go to the Parents' Associationfor their beautiful catering. The high tea rivalled thatof the best hotels in Melbourne. The tables werebeautifully set and we were all made to feel veryspecial. The Windsor High Tea is to be a permanent date onthe diary, the Sunday after Mothers' Day. Mark it inyour diaries now, as it was a sell out this year, andyou do not want to miss this fabulous event.

CELEBRATING 145 YEARS AND THE WOMEN OF PRESENTATION

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NAGLE BUILDING REDEVELOPMENTIn its mission to continue to deliver a first class education, theCollege will redevelop the Nagle Building, to provide students withcontemporary and innovative learning spaces. Once the home of the College administration and library, it is nowthe location of the Year 12 common room, school counsellors,drama room and senior classrooms. With any renovation work, the extent of work is limited by budgetso if you would like to donate to this exciting redevelopment, pleasesee the donation form at the back of this newsletter. We aregrateful for the support we receive from past students.

We thank Marilyn Commins (McMannus) andMargot Hannan (King) for organising theday. Marilyn is recovering from surgery and had a'leave pass' from Rehab. to attend our lunch! Welldone ladies!! Keep well and join us for another celebration in2019.” Margaret Martin (Smith) Class of 1961

LIFELONG FRIENDS“Yarra Yarra Golf Club provided a wonderful venue for our annual get-together.  It was great to share the day withfriends from class of '61 and 62, and four Presentation Sisters.  It has been 57 years since we left school and for over25 years we have met annually - we are so lucky to enjoy these very special friendships. Our two teachers, Sr Mary Kavanagh and Sr Marie Therese Harold, delighted us all with their stories and memories ofbusy teaching days at Windsor.  Sr Robin Donovan, who accompanied Sr Mary is well known to us.  Whilst a 'Star ofthe Sea' girl, Sr Robin continues to be an important member of our group.  We value her interest, warmth and greatsense of humour. Sr Anne Cary, our 'Guest Speaker', spoke about her student days at Windsor from Grade 3 to Matriculation, and thenher journey as a Presentation Sister and educator.  The hardships faced in Catholic Primary Schools in the 60's and70's were unbelievable - lack of funding and classroom space, huge numbers of students and parishes that struggledto pay their teachers.  We were amazed to hear this.  Anne told us about her teaching and work with migrantcommunities, in particular the  Vietnamese and the Sudanese refugees whose lives were traumatised through warsthat continued across two and three generations.  Her story gave us a deeper understanding of the difficulties thesepeople faced in re-settling.  Anne's resilience, humour and positive approach to these challenges was bothentertaining and inspiring.     Thank you Anne.

REUNIONS

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We have enjoyed welcoming back generations ofPCW women for their reunions.  It was great to see so many girls return toreconnect with their school friends, and sharestories of their school days and beyond. 

If laughter and chatter are a good measure of success, then it could be said our reunions havebeen a huge success! Reunion dates for 2019 will be announcedbefore year end.

Class of 1968

Class of 1978

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06Class of 1988

Class of 1998

Class of 2017

FIRST CLASS EDUCATOR, ROLE MODEL AND PCW ‘LIVING TREASURE’

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The name Sr Mary is synonomous with PCW.Some of you will know her as a fellow student, ortheir teacher, or Principal. Some will have sharedconvent life, or perhaps you have heard herspeak over the years at many a school assembly.You will know her generosity, her intelligenceand admire her spirit. However some may not realise that she is truly a‘living treasure’.  How fitting that Sr Mary's lifelong contributionto PCW, the wider Presentation community andVictorian education has been acknowledged inthe 2017 Australia Day honours.  Sr Mary is a humble person and was mostreluctant to accept the award initially. She waspersuaded to do so on the basis that heracceptance would be an opportunity toacknowledge and recognise the voluntarycontributions of so many religious who haveworked to ensure the education of generationsof young women within a catholic framework.We, her former students and friends, are sohappy that she accepted the honour on thatbasis,  but we know that this award is a publicrecognition of a truly exceptional person; aperson who has always selflessly walked theextra mile in pursuit of excellence. For those of you who didn't know (or perhapsmay have forgotten) Sr Mary graduated as astudent from PCW in 1940 in the early days of 

SR MARY KAVANAGH (ROSARIA) pbvm OAM

Helen O'Kane PCW boarder (Our Lady's) 1960-1965

the Second World War. She entered the orderofthe Presentation Sisters immediately afterleaving school, completing her teacher trainingand was professed in 1944. Sr Mary has devoted her long life to theeducation of generations of young Victorians.She has excelled as a leader, an educator andmentor since she commenced her teachingcareer as a Junior Teacher at (Our Lady ofLourdes Armadale (grades 5 and 6) in 1944 atthe tender age of 20! In 1947 Sr Mary returned to her alma mater,PCW, the College where, fittingly, she endedher teaching career in 1985. During her time atPCW Sr Mary juggled so many major roles - awoman who clearly could do everything! She was PCW school principal from 1961 to1970, played a major role in the managementof the boarding school including directresponsibility for Our Lady's Dormitory,taught a range of Matriculation (later VCE)subjects including English, Latin, Geographyand History and lead a major rebuilding andexpansion of the school's infrastructure in the1960's. All this she did while studying part timeat the University of  Melbourne (BA majoringin Latin and philosophy, B Ed and ultimately aMasters in education) completing her MEd in1965 while the school's principal and teaching Matriculation English, Geography and whatwas then known as Christian Doctrine!

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09In those days PCW students were from familiesmore often than not poor or struggling but SrMary made it her business to ensure that allstudents had access to a quality education withexposure to drama, theatre and music. Throughher encouragement and leadership we studentswere able to aspire to a university education-well before it was the usual thing for girls! Above all, Sr Mary was a brilliant teacher;incisive, exciting, entertaining andknowledgeable. She shared with and developedin her students a sense of wonder and a thirstfor learning; she was respectful of her studentsas they were, and continue to be, of her (all betswere off before boarders' weekends though)! Sr Mary's particular passion is the education ofcountry girls and city girls unable to live withtheir families. When the Presentation Sistersdecided to close the PCW boarding school in1985, at a time when most women would becontemplating retirement, Sr Mary togetherwith Sisters Paschal Rushford, Jane Oldman,Gabriel Coburn and Robin O'Donovan and agroup of dedicated country parents  established the PCW  "off campus" Student  Residence,initially in Brighton (1985-1986), Oakleigh(1987-2001)  and subsequently, from 2002 to2010,  in a house adjacent to PCW at which timeshe "retired" at the age of 86. In the 25 years SrMary lead the PCW Student Residence she hadthe enormous responsibility of caring for from10 to 20 plus students each term of every year,24/7!   An extraordinary commitment mostpeople could not even contemplate!   The 1908 PCW building which comprised theboarders' dormitories in Sr Mary's day nowhouses the major school library and art anddrama spaces and fittingly has been named the  Kavanagh Building in Sr Mary's honour.  

As those of you who have spoken with SrMary in recent years will know, she remains abrilliant communicator and an entertainingand  compelling speaker - retaining herincisive mind! She is in great demand atevents involving generations of her paststudents many of whom she continues tosupport in a variety of ways.  She has writtenmany articles particularly of a historicalnature for school bulletins, magazines,newsletters and special publications. Sr Mary continues to be an active member ofthe PCW Past Pupils' Association and wasinstrumental in establishing the "Women ofWindsor" encouraging past students to sharetheir careers and post school experiences. Awide network of eminent women with acommon background has been "uncovered"as a result and what a joy it is to be part of theannual "Women of Windsor" forums and tocontinue the association with our school andother past students. The women influenced by Sr Mary are spreadacross Australia (and probably the world!)and span generations. These women havemade, and continue to make, significantcontributions  in many walks of life thanks tothe life skills and education available to themfrom their time at PCW under the wisecounsel and leadership of Sr Mary.  I am veryfortunate and privileged to be one of thosewomen.

Sr Mary with Her Excellency the HonourableLinda Dessau AC Governor of Victoria

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10POSITIONS HELD 1944-45 Our Lady of Lourdes  Armadale  Junior teacher 1946 St Mary's East St Kilda Junior teacher 1947 – 1970 Presentation College Windsor Teacher and Boarding House Mistress  1961 - 1970 Presentation College Windsor Principal  A time of rapidly expanding enrolments,broadening and expansion of the schoolcurriculum  and overseeing major buildingdevelopment 1971 - 1978 Presentation Convent Windsor Community Leader 1979 Presentation Convent Dandenong Community Leader 1980 - 1982 Star of the Sea Community Leader 1972 - 1979 Christ College (an early campus of theAustralian Catholic University) Lecturer in History and Philosophy ofEducation  Star of the Sea O'Neill Campus Gardenvale Part time (occasional) teacher

1983 - 1985 Presentation College Windsor Part time teacher, boarding house mistress  andtutor to students  who needed or requestedassistance until her retirement 1987 - 2010 Presentation College "Off Campus" StudentResidence Responsible for the 24 hour care and welfare offrom 10 to 20  girls seven days a week until herretirement Superior  Presentation Convents Windsor,  Dandenong and Star of the Sea Gardenvale Member Presentation Congregational Leadershipcouncil 12 years  Member PCW Past Pupils’ Association committee fromthe late 1980s until the present day Qualifications University of Melbourne BA majoring in Latin and philosophy B Ed   M Ed Research thesis 1965: The Educational Work of the Presentation Sistersin Victoria 1873 - 1960

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11STAY CONNECTEDUDPDATE YOUR DETAILS 

As we celebrate our 145th year and our 150this on the horizon, we want to reconnect andmaintain contact with as many PCW girls aspossible. We have a database of past students, but weknow many of the details are not up to date. Tohelp us keep it current, please complete theform below and send it to the Women ofWindsor: Email: womenofwindsor@pcw.vic.edu.au 187 Dandenong Road, Windsor, 3181 

This year we also launched out Facebookand Instagram pages. Follow us@pcwalumnae to keep up with the calendarof reunions and events, and all the newsfrom the Women of Windsor. We encourage you to share your memoriesand photos on these pages.

Follow us@pcwalumnae

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12NAGLE BUILDING REDEVELOPMENTSUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT