Births

1. Levi Gregory Christopher Field was welcomed into the world on 13 March 2021 to Old Grammarian Zoe Field (Allinson, 2014) and her husband Isaac.
2. Poppy Elizabeth Richardson was born on 20 of December 2020 to Old Grammarian Ellen Richardson (Rennie, 2009) and her husband Jack Richardson.

Marriages

1. Charlotte Lloyd (2008) married Jamie Fisher in a small ceremony in New York City on Sunday 24 April 2021. Unfortunately due to the pandemic Charlotte and Jamie were not able to travel home to Australia to celebrate with friends and family, but hope to do so in the near future.
2. Anika Molesworth (2005) married Corey Stenhouse on 20 March 2021 on her family’s property, Rupee Station, Broken Hill NSW.
3. Joanne Guan (2002) married Steffen Schlueter in Copenhagen, Denmark on 1 October 2020.

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 or past staff member for IE, please email community@mggs.vic.edu.au

• Jocelyn Birrell (Rickards 1942) March 2021
• Diana Bridgeford (Wood 1955) 29 March 2021
• Zenda Bromwich (Oliver 1940) 10 October 2020
• Barbara Carruthers (Cromie 1944) 8 March 2020
• Caroline Cousins (Staff 1995 - 2010) 19 January 2021
• Helen Dingey (Tymms 1953) 15 September 2020
• Sandy Fay (Church 1976) 11 April 2021
• Jill Gordon (Armstrong 1942) 26 October 2020
• Jill Groom(Rank 1957) 9 May 2020
• Tabea Hansen (2013) 28 March 2021
• Judith Jarman (Daniell 1944) 19 February 2020
• Jo James (Earp 1948) 2 April 2021
• Fay Nicholson (Woodcock 1947) 6 April 2021
• Helen-Mary Rowan (McArthur 1942) 13 January 2021
• Dawn Sayers (1942) 8 February 2021
• Susan Speirs (1965) March 2021
• Clarissa Starey (1946) 6 January 2021
• Robin Wilson (Hill 1945) 2 September 2020

Diana Bridgeford (Wood 1955) 29 March 2021

Diana’s childhood took place during WWII, rationing, family absence and the polio epidemic. She learned to be resilient, a quality reinforced during her school days at Merton Hall. Diana was eight in 1945, when the entire school was jammed into the hall, where Miss Ross announced that the war was over and their daddies would be coming home. She was School Captain in 1955, the emotional final year for Miss Ross. Diana met the challenges with dignity and warmth. Later, Miss Ross bequeathed to Diana the gold watch which had been the girls’ departing gift to her and which is now in the School Archives. Most of Diana’s life was spent in Deniliquin with husband Richard and children. She knuckled down to the challenges of farming, followed by 'retirement' in town, working as a rural journalist and actively volunteering within a community which loved and respected her. The qualities she learned at school stood her in good stead as she met the challenges of widowhood and increasing frailty with strength and fortitude. She is survived by her children, Sam Bridgeford and Anna Taylor (1983), two grandchildren and sister Rosalind Pern (1963).‍‍

‍Tribute by Diana's sister Rosalind Pern (1963).

Caroline Cousins (MGGS Director of Music 1995-2010) 19 January 2021

Caroline had a belief that student participation in music changed lives for the better and brought joy through playing music together. There are very few Directors of Music like Caroline, who could range across all music disciplines: sacred, choral, orchestral, musicals, in the classroom, in curriculum development, in liaising with MGS, and in working with Morris Hall and all the Music Staff and parents. Caroline was a great educator, conductor and mentor who embodied the principles she espoused. We remember the final choral movement of Beethoven’s Ninth at Hamer Hall, the Bohemian Rhapsody with flashing, coloured lights, reflecting House colours, the Moldau at Robert Blackwood Hall, the Elgar Cello Concerto at The Recital Centre and the magic of the Carol Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. She gave her life to music, to her students, her family and friends.

Tribute by Caroline’s colleague and friend, Liz Barwell.

Helen Dingey (Tymms 1953) 15 September 2020

During her schooldays, Helen was grateful to be awarded an Old Grammarians Scholarship, then known as a War Scholarship, and she was always willing to support calls for scholarship donations in later life. After leaving MGGS, Helen obtained her nursing and teaching qualifications. She was a much-respected nurse and established the nursery and special care nursery at Dandenong Hospital. Horses were another of her passions and she always listed her prize-winning horses as one of her special achievements. Helen’s mother Marion Tymms (Lamble 1927) and sister Elizabeth Bills (Tymms 1955) were both students at the School.

Sandy Fay (Church 1977) 11 April 2021

Sandy Fay (Church) attended MGGS from Prep to Year 12, leaving in 1977. Both her sister, Gillian (1981) and her mother, Robin (1954) were students at the School. Sadly, she passed away on 11 April 2021, after a battle with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Her husband Richard and her two boys, Charlie and James will really miss her as will many of us. She was infectious, fun to be around, hard-working, caring and mischievous. Sandy was a fabulous contributor to all things sporty at MGGS and Mungo House Captain in 1977. She pursued a career in hospitality having completed a Dip Ed in Physical Education. Her work ethic and personality shone here, and her reputation in the industry saw her in constant demand for organising and running major events. It was a privilege to have been a best friend for 50 years.

Tribute by Fance Morrell (Low 1977)

Jo James (Earp 1948) 2 April 2021

Jo entered MGGS in Year 8 as a boarder in 1944 and left at the end of Year 11. Jo’s life was devoted to her family, and to working in the community, wherever she lived. With her husband, Trevor James, she had four children, and in 1968 the family moved to Adelaide. After his death in 1973 she decided to remain in Adelaide, continuing her volunteer work, including as a zoo guide. In 1985, the lapsed SA Branch of Old Grammarians was re-convened and Jo became the first Treasurer. She continued to support the branch as a regular attendee at events particularly the Winter Dinner and Christmas drinks and served on the Committee several times, most recently in 2015-16. She helped keep the newsletter alive and her contribution of native posies from her Adelaide Hills garden to guest speakers were always appreciated. In 2010, Jo was very proud to represent South Australia at a Boarders Reunion in Melbourne. As she became frailer, her daughter Madeleine was able to ensure she could still attend events, and Jo was always warm and full of fun. She will be missed by the SA Branch of Old Grammarians.

Tribute by Mary Brophy (Brooksbank 1961) President of the South Australian OG Branch.

Fay Nicholson (Woodcock 1949) 6 April 2021

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Fay Nicholson. Her contribution to MGGS, as a student, parent, grandparent and aunt, including the Parents’ Association (Secretary, President (1983), member of the School Council, and the OGs, spanned much of her lifetime.  Fay was made an Honorary Life Member in 2013 recognising her broad contribution as a committee member, her leading work to develop the OG network and careers program and as Chair/ Trustee of the DJ Ross Memorial Trust for 12 years. In this role, she led its reinvigoration, was the catalyst for the DJ Oration and a key driver behind the Doncaster 'Book of Recollections' highlighting the Schools’ evacuation in the war years. She is survived by her daughters, Diana (1979) and Fiona (1985), son Robert and daughter-in-law Suzanne (1977), granddaughters Sarah (2008), Emma (2011) and Lucy (2014) and nieces Pip (1982) and Bridget (1984) daughters of Judith Nicholson (Wyatt 1950).  Fay believed that education was the key to opportunity and her own rich career was in tertiary education and information management.  A remarkable woman of great compassion, energy, warmth, generosity and intellectual curiosity and a wonderful sense of humour.

Tribute by Fay’s daughters, Diana (1979) and Fiona (1985).

Dawn Sayers (1942) 8 February 2021

Dawn lived in Brighton most of her long life and was 95 when she died earlier this year. After attending St Leonards Junior School. She went to MGGS for her secondary education. From excelling at MGGS, she followed her father into pharmacy and after managing the dispensary in several retail pharmacies, she returned to the Pharmacy College as a senior tutor. This was in the era when chemists were trained to mix medicines individually. She was highly respected in her field and by former pharmacy students. Dawn was a keen traveller (especially to Ireland where her father was born) and had a keen interest in the Arts. She was a long-time subscriber to the MSO, enjoyed opera and ballet and visited the NGV regularly.  

Tribute by Dawn’s goddaughter, Jenny Leigh.

Clarissa Starey (1946) 6 January 2021

Clarissa enjoyed her schooldays especially her time at Marysville during the war. Soon after her Arts degree, she began a lifelong career at the Red Cross. In 1959, she commenced work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent. Her career path was in information and communications, retiring as head of that department in 1994. She was responsible for the development of audio-visual services to national societies and within the secretariat, developing the film and photo library, posters and other audio-visual material. Clarissa established the Bulgarian Red Cross Film Festival as well as producing films for World Cross and Red Crescent Day. In retirement she was the Pan Pacific and South East Asians Women’s representative participating at WHO, UN, and WCC, as the NGO for health, especially that of girls and women until 2016. She also was a volunteer at The Red Cross Museum in Geneva. Tributes to Clarissa from around the world have described her as a “true humanitarian” and “a great team member who knew how to bring people and ideas together”. Living in Geneva for most of her life, Clarissa returned regularly to the School and even organised an OG Reunion in Geneva one year. The School was a very important part of her life and, a passionate photographer herself, she generously donated funds for the Photographic Studio which bears her name.

Tribute by Julie Woods.