Births

Hugo Vo was born on the 13 September 2020 at Frances Perry House to Penelope Spry (2006) and Henry Vo. Olivia (16/03/2019) is already proving to be a wonderful big sister!

Milestone Celebrations

This year three Old Grammarians have reached the incredible milestone of turning 100 years old. This is not a milestone one can let pass without mention as we think about all the wonderful contributions of these women to our community.

Alison Erwin (Smith, 1938) celebrated her 100th birthday with family, fortunately just before the second lockdown. Alison, a French teacher for many years, attributes her longevity very simply to good genes. Paula Stafford (Robertson, 1937), OAM, celebrated her 100th birthday in Queensland. Paula received her OAM in 1993 for service to the fashion industry and is widely credited with introducing the bikini to Australia. Helen Gordon (1937) is our latest OG to turn 100. She matriculated in 1937 and had a younger sister Barbara Campbell (Gordon, 1942) join her at the School.

Vale

Acknowledging, celebrating and paying tribute to the women who make up our Melbourne Girls Grammar community is important to us. Graduates of Melbourne Girls Grammar and other community members have gone on to do incredible things with their lives.

If you'd like to pass on an obituary for an Old Grammarian for IE, please email community@mggs.vic.edu.au

• Joan Caithness (Inglis, 1948) 5 September 2019  
• Barbara Crompton (Wilson, 1947) 23 October 2020
• Lady Geraldine Currie (Dexter, 1944) May 2019
• Amanda Gramp (1968) 2 October 2019
• Diana Grant (Hill, 1961) 5 June 2020  
• Barbara Hamer (McPherson, 1943) 28 May 2020  
• Pam Hoban (Dixon, 1945) 7 July 2020
• Elizabeth Lewis (Jones, 1951) 23 October 2019
• Ella Mansfield (Peterson, 1939) 19 August 2019
• Lyndal Pascoe (Pearce, 1949) 1 September 2020
• Barbara Phillips (Daley, 1946) 2 November 2019
• Jill Tainsh (Henderson, 1951) 27 July 2020
• Robin Wilson (Hill, 1945)  2 September 2020  
• Michelle Flouch (Staff 2003 – 2008)  18 May 2020
• Dorothy Onley (1938) 3 October 2020
• Jane Toward (1993) 16 September 2020

Michelle Flouch (Staff 2003 – 2008) 18 May 2020

Fiercely loyal and passionate about family and friends, Michelle also approached her teaching and sports coaching in the same manner. She was an outstanding hockey coach involved at Olympic level. Prepared to go above and beyond for anyone who needed a helping hand, she was a generous soul. With a brilliant sense of humour, Michelle could always be relied upon for a laugh, even in the face of adversity. She was a thinker and somebody who always tried to find solutions. As one of the many characters I had the privilege of working with at MGGS, Michelle will be greatly missed.

Tribute by Allison Bray, colleague.

Amanda Gramp (1968) 2 October 2019

Amanda attended MGGS from 1958 –1968. She commenced her medical degree at The University of Melbourne, transferring to The University of Adelaide in 1972 when the family relocated. Amanda trained as a pathologist and developed a fascination for skin pathology. After working at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science and Gribbles Pathology, she courageously set up the first specialised skin lab in South Australia, Gramp Skin Pathology, in 1989 where she worked tirelessly to create a highly respected and successful business until her retirement in 2014. Amanda was also an exceptional teacher, dedicating countless after work hours to impart her knowledge of dermatopathology with patience and encouragement to a generation of dermatologists. She will be dearly missed by her children Nicholas Ely and Caroline March and their families.  

Tribute by Amanda’s close friend and colleague Dr Cathy Reid and her sister Sally Godinho (Gramp, 1967)

Barbara Hamer (McPherson, 1943) 28 May 2020  

Barbara was a boarder at Melbourne Girls Grammar in 1934, at eight years old. She became a social worker and an administrator working in London and Melbourne and with various groups such as Southern Family Life Community Health Centre and Moreland Hall for Alcohol and Drug Dependency, amongst others. Barbara was passionately interested in the Arts and, amongst other responsibilities, was a Foundation Member of the Arts Council of Victoria, which initiated the taking of music, dance, drama and visual arts to schools and communities in regional areas. In 1984 she was elected to the Convocation of the University of Melbourne and subsequently to the University of Melbourne Council. In addition to all this energetic activity, she ran a sheep farm, raised three children and was a wife to a Federal politician, Senator David Hamer and, later in life, became a writer.

Tribute by her daughter, Fiona.

Ella Mansfield (Peterson, 1940)

Ella’s father was a clergyman and, while he was stationed at Inverleigh, Ella became a boarder. She worked as a hairdresser, in the post office, and as a wireless telegraphist where she was a Morse code operator for two years during WW2. Ella married Allan Mansfield in 1943 and they had four children. Throughout her life, she was involved in many charitable organisations. Ella’s interests included competitive tennis, a passion for art where her oil paintings sold in exhibitions, lawn bowls, participating in acting groups, dancing, and travel. Ella lit up a room - she was funny with a keen sense of humour and would talk to everyone she met. She played an active role in the lives of her ten grandchildren and her ten great grandchildren.

Tribute by her son, Bruce.

Lyndal Pascoe (Pearce, 1955)

It is with sadness that we mark the passing of Lyndal, who died as a result of injuries sustained after a fall. Her contribution to school life was significant, and she was an active OG for many years. Lyndal always spoke fondly of her time at MGGS and formed many strong friendships which have been maintained to this day. The educational philosophies of her Headmistress, Miss Ross, sparked a love of learning and she was actively involved in education throughout her life. She is survived by Jeremy Pascoe, her loving husband and her daughter, Caroline Bills (1979). She was a caring, generous person with a quick wit. A recording of her Memorial Service can be accessed here.