We enjoy learning about the significant events such as career developments, travels, further study, degrees and doctorates, the birth of children, partnerships, degrees, book releases, art exhibitions, stage performances and more that feature in our community’s lives. If you'd like to contribute to IE, please contact community@mggs.vic.edu.au

A New Adventure

Over the last few years, Melbourne Girls Grammar’s rowing program has gone from strength to strength under the leadership of Angus Sellar, Head of Rowing. The uphill trajectory has culminated in one of the most successful seasons in the program's history, opening the door to a new adventure for our rowing program.

This new adventure began after the MGGS’s First VIII squad were officially accepted into the main draw for the Prince Philip Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta on the Thames from 29 June to 3 July. Whilst it feels a long way off, it is fast approaching, and the School community is excited for our talented rowers, who are the first sports team to represent MGGS on the world stage in our 130-year history.

Congratulations to Georgina Gough, Amelie McComb, Eloise Faulks, Isabelle Balding, Olivia Nairn, Lola Dahan, Zoe McKernan, Hannah Glover, Alexandra Williams (cox), Isabella Ross (emergency) and coach John Kloufetos for qualifying for the prestigious rowing event. We are thrilled that our rowers will participate in this event and become ambassadors for our School. As a community, we celebrate their hard work, rigour and teamwork. Their achievement of getting selected to participate in the Henley Royal Regatta will inspire future generations of rowers and sportswomen at MGGS.

The Merton Army is always there to enthusiastically support our MGGS Rowing team so let’s get behind our girls and let's create the next chapter of rowing at MGGS! You can show your support for this exciting adventure by donating here.

Australia Day Honours

Congratulations to Dr Stephanie Williams PSM (1996)and Valerie Constable OAM (Wilson, 1949) on their Australia Day Honours.

Valerie was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to the pharmacy profession over three decades. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Lifetime Achievement Award recipient has been a trailblazer and has forged a path for other women in the profession. She was the first female president of PSA (Victoria). In 1995 she founded the Pharmacists' Support Service and became its inaugural Chair.

Stephanie received a Public Service Medal for her work as Ambassador for Regional Health Security at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has been credited with fundamentally shaping the Australian Government's response to the impacts of the pandemic in the Indo-Pacific region, both in the initial emergency response phase in the first half of 2020, and in the process of planning for the supply of vaccines and related delivery support to partner countries.

Congratulations to The Honourable Gaetano (Tony) Pagone, who became a Member of the Order of Australia for law for services to the Family Court and the community. The Pagone Family has had a long involvement with the School, including a Speech Night award named Prize for Excellence in Italian (Years 10 and 12). The award, first presented in 2007, celebrates the time spent at MGGS by Clara Pagone (2006) and is awarded to Grammarians who display a passion and interest in the study of Italian.

Celebrations

The Honourable Margaret (Peg) Lusink AM (Rosanove, 1938) celebrated her 100th birthday in May. In 1939 Peg enrolled at the University of Melbourne to study law. At age 16, she made history by being articled to her mother, Joan Rosanove. Six months later, in 1940, she married Dr Graeme Larkins and went on to have three sons. Upon Graeme's early death in 1959, Peg returned to the University of Melbourne in 1960 as a mature-aged student at 38 and completed a Bachelor of Laws degree. In 1990, Peg became one of the foundational Professors in the Law Faculty at Bond University, teaching family law and running the Moot Court Program. In 1996, Peg accepted another judicial appointment, becoming the President of the Commonwealth Professional Services Review Tribunal. That same year, she was awarded an AM for law for services to the Family Court and the community. Peg was among 50 women interviewed as part of the Trailblazing Women and the Law project led by University of Melbourne alumnae Professor Kim Rubenstein. You can listen to Peg's 2015 interview with Professor Rubenstein online at the National Library of Australia.

Marriages

Alison Harding (2008) married Aleksandar Kutlaca on 2 April 2022 in South Australia.

5 Year Reunion

On Friday 8 April, the class of 2017 celebrated their 5 Year Reunion at Prahran Hotel. Throughout the celebration over 40 OGs reminisced about their time at MGGS, shared their current endeavours and discussed future plans and dreams. This peer year are doing incredible things in life and work including studies in Veterinary Medicine, Arts, Marketing, Business and Commerce, Exercise and Sports Science and IT. Our OGs have spent time travelling overseas on exchange, working interstate, moving out with friends and finding part time work whilst studying. Some OGs are now working full time in Media Agencies, National Security, Film and TV, Events and more. Congratulations to this incredible group, and we can’t wait to see where the next few years take them!

LinkedIn Group

The new MGGS LinkedIn group is open to all OGs who would like to make new connections, share news, promote job opportunities, find upcoming professional development sessions and more. Feel free to join the group and introduce yourself!

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4241097/

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 onto 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

• Edith Margaret Wesley (Redfearn, 1948) — 8 May 2021  
• Hilary Lee (Williams, 1943) — 4 October 2021  
• Dorothy Slater (Mountford, 1944) — 22 October 2021  
• Jill Scott (Dufty, 1955) — 25 October 2021
• Janet Jones (Balderstone, 1980) — 27 October 2021  
• Patricia Hancock (Plummer, 1943) — 5 March 2022
• Margaret Swale (Evans, 1965) — 6 May 2022
• Wendy Eddy (Teacher: 1974-2003) — 30 January 2022

Betty Dackas (Cusack, 1950)

Betty came from a farming background, on a property near Narrandera (NSW). She was the youngest of 3 siblings, brother Peter and sister Sue.
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Betty graduated nursing in 1954 at the Alfred Hospital. She married Kevin Dackas, also a nurse and went to England where Betty worked and graduated as a Theatre Sister. Upon returning to Melbourne, they purchased a small private hospital which they operated until they purchased the Allendale Private Hospital in Hawthorn. Two children Richard and Andrew came along. Her husband Kevin died in the early 70s.
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Betty remained totally devoted and committed to Allendale which she expanded, modernised and developed into a hospital specialising in orthopaedic procedures. The hospital was sold in the early 1980s. Upon her retirement, bridge, golf and travel became important features of her life. She also organised and held yearly reunions for the Alfred Hospital Nurses graduation class of 1954 until 2017. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2016 from which she succumbed to on July 10 2021.
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Written by Robert Layet — long-term friend and partner

Wendy Eddy (Teacher: 1974-2003)

Wendy Eddy taught Art at the School from 1974 until the end of 2003. She made a very significant contribution to her subject area and in her later years to VCE photography, giving her students the opportunity to explore and develop their skills creatively. Wendy was known for her professionalism, hard work and selflessness, always giving of her time generously to both her students and colleagues. She assisted with costumes and backdrops for numerous drama productions, and she designed and embroidered a School Banner in 1997 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of the Anglican Church in Melbourne. More recent students would have known her as a familiar and friendly examination supervisor.
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Edited extract from article by Christine Briggs, Principal 1995-2007 in IE September 2003

Margaret Swale (Evans, 1965)

Margaret had a long association with MGGS, as a student, as a member of staff and as an active and supportive Old Grammarian.

Margaret first joined the teaching staff from 1970 -1973, returning to the School in 1987 until her retirement in 2007.During this time, as well as making a significant contribution to the teaching of mathematics, she undertook several positions of responsibility both in pastoral care, as a year level co-ordinator, and in challenging administrative roles.  For several years Margaret carried out the important task of creating the School timetable; students and staff members appreciated her thorough attention to detail in meeting their requests.  Her role as Director of Academic Programs included advising students on subject selection. Throughout her career, Margaret made a distinguished contribution to the professional field of mathematics as an external examiner, assessor and writer of mathematical textbooks.

After her retirement in 2007, Margaret was able to devote more time to her interest in botanical drawing, but still found time to serve on the Committee of the Old Grammarians Society from 2016 – 2019. We extend our sympathy to Margaret’s sons, Christopher and Matthew, and their families.

Written by Janet Maher, Head of Middle School 1993-7, Deputy Principal 1997-2006

Janet Jones OAM (Balderstone, 1980) ‍

Janet grew up on a farm near Mortlake and was a boarder at MGGS, where she made lifelong friendships. She loved boarding life, hockey, and athletics – particularly the hurdles – and was thrilled to become Taylor House Captain in her final year. After her school days, Janet remained a keen sportswoman. She was a member of the exclusive Spartan club – runners who have completed 10 Melbourne marathons — and undertook gruelling 13-hour ironman challenges, long-distance ocean swimming events, rowing regattas and even 100km ultra-marathons along the Great Ocean Road. She devoted her career and much of her personal life to helping young people with disabilities or disadvantages. In her spare time, while also working at the Ballarat Specialist School, she co-founded the Starfish Nippers program at Anglesea to provide kids and young adults with disabilities an opportunity to learn water skills and beach safety. Having faced cancer on three separate occasions, Janet was also passionate about cancer research, establishing the Lighthouse Classic — a 12km walk/run along Victoria’s Surf Coast – to raise funds for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute. In June 2021, Janet was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for Service to lifesaving and the community. Above all, Janet adored her family and cherished her three children, Felicity, Lucy, Harry and husband, Peter. After a courageous battle with cancer, Janet died at age 58 at St John of God Hospital in Ballarat on 27 October 2021.

Written by Janet’s sister, Julia Balderstone (1986)