Welcome
Message from the OSA President
Dear Old Scholars
2026 is a signficant year as it marks St Hilda’s 130th Anniversary. To help celebrate this occasion we are offering OSA Sundowner celebrations in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in April. Please book your place via the links below.
In addition, this year our OSA Connections Newsletter will feature instalments by Sandra Naude and Pam Casellas (Greenway, 1970) on the significant events that have shaped St Hilda’s through to today’s modern School.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the events taking place over the next few months, including the Class of 2025 Celebratory Afternoon, the Women Lifting Women – International Women’s Day Summit, the OSA Bridge & Mahjong, reunions and a St Hilda’s 130th Anniversary Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea.
As always, we would love to hear from you. Please send us your news via oldscholars@sthildas.wa.edu.au, and if you need to update your contact details, you can do so at the link below:
Click Here to Update Your Contact Details
致以最美好的祝愿、
阿曼达-伯特博士（科德，1989 年）
President of the GHS & St Hilda’s Old Scholars Association
近期活动
Class of 2025 Celebratory Afternoon
St Hilda’s warmly welcomes you back the Class of 2025
Leavers’ Celebratory Afternoon
We would love to see the 2025 cohort reunite, congratulate you on your Year 12 achievements and hear about your future plans.
Date: Tuesday 17 February
Time: 4.00pm – 5.30pm
The 2025 Chronicles will also be available for collection. Please click on the link below to register your attendance.
Class of 2025 Post School Survey
We trust you are enjoying your first year after leaving St Hilda’s.
St Hilda’s would like to learn more about your plans for the year ahead to assist with planning the pathways programs offered during Years 11 and 12, and as such invites you to complete a short (three minute) survey by Friday, 20 February.
Women Lifting Women - International Women's Day Summit - 11 March 2026
Back by popular demand and following your feedback, we have designed this summit to help you shape a path that aligns with your personal, professional and financial goals.
We invite you to celebrate International Women’s Day by registering for this exciting event, brought to you by the OSA, St Hilda’s and Euroz Hartleys.
With topics on financial future proofing, work–life balance and how AI can enhance your life, this event will help boost your career, build your networks and strengthen your confidence.
Our keynote speaker is a digital alchemist, product designer and AI design consultant, Tommy Payne (2004). Tommy has recently returned from the US where she ‘built’ experiences that live on a billion+ screens worldwide. When you scroll through Apple TV menus – that is Tommy’s design. She will share her insights into navigating challenges in an emerging digital world and how we should use AI to enhance our lives.
The full summit agenda includes:
Designing an International Digital Career and How AI Can Support Work Life Balance – Tommy Payne (2004), AI Design Consultant, ex-Apple
Harnessing a Passion to Build a Corporate Career – Anneke Brown (1994), Managing Director, Tourism WA
Building a Purpose-Led Career with Work/Family Balance – Lauren Cramb (2002), Founder and Director, The Bike Bar
Financial Future Proofing – Katrina Ryan, Wealth Management Adviser, Euroz Hartleys
This will be an evening that promotes professional connection, supports career development, and offers practical guidance on achieving work-life balance. We hope to see you there.
时间: 4.00pm to 7.00pm, Wednesday 11 March
会议地点: Euroz Hartleys, Level 37 QV1, 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Cost: $50 including post-summit function.
OSA Bridge & Mahjong Day - 25 March 2026
The GHS & St Hilda’s Old Scholars’ Association invites you to the annual Bridge and Mahjong Day.
Enjoy playing bridge or mahjong with friends, with a delicious lunch in the historical Heritage Centre.
Date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Time: 10.00am – 2.30pm
Venue: The Gallery, Heritage Centre, St Hilda’s Bay View Campus
Cost: $45 (table $180)
A light sandwich lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Players will need to bring their own bridge cards, cloth and bridge table.
Please purchase your tickets by Monday 23 March.
St Hilda's 130th Anniversary Sundowners - Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane
Please join us in celebrating our history, connectivity and future by coming together across the nation on the following dates:
Melbourne – Tuesday 21 April – Loop Roof Top Bar, Level 3, 23 Meyers Place, VIC
Sydney – Wednesday 22 April – The Oaks, 118 Military Road, Neutral Bay, NSW
Brisbane – Thursday 23 April – The Regatta Hotel, 543 Coronation Drive, Toowong QLD
Each sundowner event will open at 6.00pm – 8.00pm with drinks and canapes and we look forward to seeing you and marking this significant milestone.
Event information for Fiona’s trip to Asia in June/July will be given in the our March edition of the OSA Connections Newsletter.
2026 Events At A Glance
We look forward to welcoming you to these upcoming events. Links to these events will be provided as the dates approach.
CLASS OF 2025 LEAVERS’ CELEBRATORY AFTERNOON
Date: Tuesday 17 February
Time: 4.00pm – 5.30pm
Venue: Heritage Centre, Veranda
OSA CROCHET
Date: 3rd Wednesday monthly from 18 February (18 March, 15 April and 20 May)
Time: 1.00pm – 3.00pm
地点： Heritage Centre, Hope Nicholas House
WOMEN LIFTING WOMEN SUMMIT – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Date: Wednesday 11 March
Time: 4.00pm – 7.00pm
Venue: Euroz Hartleys Head Office
OSA BRIDGE & MAHJONG DAY
Date: Wednesday 25 March
Time: 10.30am – 2.30pm
Venue: Heritage Centre, Hope Nicholas House.
INTERSTATE REUNIONS
MELBOURNE
Date: Tuesday 21 April
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Venue: Loop Roof Bar, 23 Meyer Place, City Centre
SYDNEY
Date: Wednesday 22 April
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Venue: The Licencee’s Flat, The Oaks,
BRISBANE
Date: Thursday 23 April
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Venue: The Regatta Hotel, Toowong, QLD
OSA GRADUATE MENTOR DAY
Date: Wednesday 6 May
OSA MOTHER’S DAY HIGH TEA
Date: Saturday 9 May
Time: 2pm – 4.30pm
Venue: School Hall, Bay View Campus
INTERNATIONAL REUNIONS
HONG KONG
Date: Monday 29 June
Time & Venue TBA
BANGKOK
Date: Tuesday 30 June
Time & Venue TBA
KUALA LUMPUR
Date: Wednesday 1 or Thursday 2 July
Time & Venue TBA
SINGAPORE
Date: Saturday 4 July
Time & Venue TBA
OSA 70+ MORNING TEA
Date: Wednesday 12 August
Time: 10.00am – Midday
Venue: School Hall
OSA COUNTRY LUNCH
Date & Venue: TBA
OSA PIN PRESENTATION ASSEMBLY / LUNCH
Date: Monday 14 September
Time: 12.20pm – 2.00pm
Venue: Joy Shepherd Performing Arts Centre & Heritage Centre, Hope Nicholas House.
OSA ART EXHIBITION OPENING NIGHT
Date: Thursday 17 September
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Venue: JSPAC Foyer
OSA ART EXHIBITION
Date: Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 September
Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm
Venue: JSPAC Foyer
OSA CIGS Golf Day
Date: Monday 21 September
Time: TBA
地点： Mount Lawley Golf Club
OSA AGM & THANK YOU EVENING FOR OSA YEAR REPRESENTATIVES
Date: Tuesday 13 October
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Venue: Gallery, Heritage Centre.
OSA SOCIAL GOLF DAY & LUNCH
Date: Friday 6 November
Time: 8.30am – 2.00pm
Venue: Mosman Park Golf Club
OSA CHRISTMAS CHAPEL SERVICE & REFRESHMENTS
Date: Monday 2 December
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Venue: Whitby Chapel & Gallery, Heritage Centre
Reunions
Class of 2015 10 Year Reunion - 14 December 2025
The last of the 2025 reunions took place on Sunday 14 December, when 40+ Old Scholars from the Class of 2015 returned to School.
A rare summer storm rolled through Mosman Park just before the event, bringing thunder and lightning that cut electricity across the area (including knocking out traffic lights). Despite the weather and the disruption, people still arrived on time and in great spirits. In a stroke of good fortune, the rain eased just as the reunion began. About 30 minutes beforehand, we received word that the Mosman Park Bowling Club was without power, meaning food and drinks could not be served until electricity was restored at 8.00pm instead of the planned 6.00pm start. Luckily, the power came back just in time and the evening unfolded without further interruption.
Class of 2015 Reunion
It was incredibly special to see classmates travel from all over Australia, from Melbourne and Sydney to as far south as Albany and as far north as Port Hedland, as well as welcoming overseas visitors from Europe and the United States. As the sun set at the bowls club, we shared drinks and pizza, laughed over photos from Year 7 camp through to Kalgoorlie, and caught up on everything from career pivots and pickleball recommendations to the best shows we have been watching. Hearing about first marriages and new babies this year was a particular highlight, and a reminder of how much life has happened since school. The atmosphere was warm, nostalgic, and full of good humour, and everyone left in wonderful spirits, already looking forward to the next reunion.
Alex Finlay-Jones.
Reunion Information for 2026
The Classes of 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016 will be gathering in their numbers to celebrate their reunions this year.
Please see the information below and SAVE THE DATE for your reunion in 2026, and start the conversation to find those old scholars who have lost touch with the School. We invite everyone to update their details via the link below so we can reach as many Old Scholars as possible via letters, emails and social media. More information will be released nearer to the date of each reunion.
If you have any difficulty reaching your reunion organiser, please contact oldscholars@sthildas.wa.edu, and we will be able to put you in touch. Or click on the event link when it appears in this newsletter.
Please help us to contact you by updating your contact details via the link below:
Also, Fiona Johnson will be travelling interstate in April, and to Asia in June/July this year and would love to see you if you are based in the region. See the schedule of events above.
Please contact the Alumni Coordinator, Lizzie Warburton, with your contact details.
Class of 2016 - 10 Year Reunion
Date: Thursday 2 April
Time & Venue: 5.30pm – Heritage Centre & Tour of School
Next Venue: From 6.30pm @ Pep’s Wine Bar, 492 Stirling Highway, Peppermint Grove.
Cost: Buy your own drinks.
Organisers: Ella Morison and Claudine Mah
Class of 2006 - 20 Year Reunion
Date: Saturday 18 April
Time & Venue: 4.00 – 6.00pm Heritage Centre & Tour of School
Next Venue: From 6pm at The Cottesloe Beach Hotel, 104 Marine Parade, Cottesloe.
Cost: $80
Booking Link: Book Here
Organisers: Kirsty Packer & Cate Leedman
Class of 1996 - 30 Year Reunion
Date: Saturday 19 December
Time & Venue: 4.30 – 6.00pm – Heritage Centre & Tour of School
Next Venue: From 6.00pm Mosman Park Bowling Club
Details: TBA
Organiser: Sarah Wallace
SAVE THE DATE
Class of 1986 - 40 Year Reunion
Date: Saturday 31 October
Details: TBA
Organiser: Kate Buffham
SAVE THE DATE
Class of 1976 - 50 Year Reunion
Date: TBA
Organiser: Pia Rigby Marazzi
Class of 1966 - 60 Year Reunion
Date: Sunday 25 October 2026
Details: TBA
Organisers: Sue Gillett (Wisbey) & Ann Treadgold (Cariss)
SAVE THE DATE
Class of 1956 - 70 Year Reunion
Date: Friday 11 September
Time & Venue:
RSVP: oldscholars@sthildas.wa.edu.au
Organisers: Deanne Newman (Benney) & Robin Creswell (Cummins)
SAVE THE DATE
OSA Notices
OSA Heritage in Photos
To celebrate St Hilda’s 130 year anniversary Sandra Naude and Pam Casellas (Greenway, 1970) will write instalments on the founding of the Girls’ High School which was opened in 1905, following Mrs Ross’ School founded in 1896 and Claremont Ladies College in 1898, and the significant events that have shaped St Hilda’s through to today’s modern School.
This month we look at the early days through the lens of the principals who led the School from Miss Edith Cecil Ross (1896 – 1898), through Misses May and Elizabeth Allen (1899 – 1904) and up to Miss Parnell (1905 – 1926) – all strong women.
In 1896 Mrs Edith Cecil Ross opened her school on the Perth-Fremantle Road, now Stirling Highway, just opposite Christ Church in Claremont. She started with a small number of boys and girls and lessons took place in her living room and on the verandah of her house, called ‘Cirencester’. Students would often see camels stride up and down the street, hauling goods from the Fremantle docks into Perth.
-
- 1896 Edith Cecil Ross and her husband.
-
- Mrs Edith Cecil Ross.
As Mrs Ross had taught children in England and in New South Wales, she believed it was her duty to provide an education to local children. However, with the birth of her second child, and it not being considered appropriate to raise a child and continue working, in 1898 she sold her little school to sisters Miss Elizabeth and Miss May Allen, who named their school Claremont Ladies College and Kindergarten.
Mrs Ross was a woman of strong character and kindly disposition who left her influence on those she taught. A plaque on the pavement laid at the St Hilda’s School Centenary, marks the exact spot of her house.
Miss Elizabeth Allen, known as Lil, emigrated to Australia from England in the 1890s with her mother, sisters Rose and May, and her brother. Initially settling in Victoria and undertaking an education course, the family moved to Perth when Rose secured a position as a governess.
-
- Miss May Allen
-
- Miss Elizabeth (Lil) Allen
-
- The Misses Allen School in Claremont.
Claremont Ladies College and Kindergarten, while primarily for girls, included some boys since there was no school for young boys in the area. There is confusion as to the extent that May was involved in the school but it is believed it ended early when she married.
Rose Allen (their sister) married Alfred Sandover in 1895 who was a prominent identity with large land holdings and was a great supporter of Claremont Ladies College and Kindergarten. Their daughter Kathleen Sandover (1917) later married Roger Goode who also generously contributed his time over 20 years to St Hilda’s on the current Bay View campus, and after whom our sports centre is named.
-
- 1900 Rosalind Sandover, Kathleen, aged 2 years (who later married Roger Goode), and Iris Allen (grandmother of Kathleen).
-
- Early 1900s. Kathleen and John Sandover at Knutsford, Claremont.
-
- 1965 Kathleen (1914) and Roger Goode.
1900 Certificate
presented to Dora Koeppe for writing & neatness signed by The Misses Allen.
Elizabeth Allen hired Christ Church Hall for her school, which benefitted the cash-strapped Church “as well contributing to the intellectual life of the parish” the records show. The rent of the Hall for this purpose more than paid the interest on the mortgage. Miss Allen was undoubtedly a very successful businesswoman, for her little school prospered. By the end of 1900 she was confident enough to take out a five-year lease on the Hall at an increased rate of £35 per annum.
Miss Melina Florence Parnell – Headmistress GHS 1905-1926.
Little is known about Miss Allen’s personality, but she was well respected and, according to the vestry minutes, she was able to stand up for herself when dealing with an unhelpful caretaker.
In 1904 Miss Allen sold her school to Miss Melina Parnell and, in a change of career, took up nursing, married and lived in Wooroloo.
Donations to the Heritage Centre
Thanks to Old Scholar Jane Agnew (2005) who has donated the following:
If you wish to help, please do pop into the Heritage Centre for coffee and help identify photographs or contribute by giving your oral history.
Sandra Naude
The Guardian of St Hilda’s Legacy
Old Scholar News
Congratulations to Old Scholar Deidre Willmott (1978) on Australia Day Honour
Member of the Order of Australia medal
Our congratulations to Deidre Willmott AM (1978), who was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2026 Australia Day honours, for services to business and the Parliament of Western Australia.
Deidre is an experienced executive and non executive director skilled in public policy, business transformation and stakeholder engagement. Deidre was also a member of the St Hilda’s Council from 2000-2001 and Chair of the Council from 2015 – 2018.
Pippin Drysdale (Carew-Reid, 1961) - Landmark Retrospective Exhibition at AGWA
Our congratulations to Old Scholar Pippin Drysdale (Carew-Reid, 1961) whose ceramic forms are the subject of a major exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, eponymously titled Pippin Drysdale: Infinite Terrain, featuring works from both state and private collections of the last forty years.
Pippin is an internationally renowned ceramicist from Fremantle, who is still producing art works at the age of 82.
This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore her adventurous spirit, collaborative processes and her singular ability to interpret the world through porcelain. Her vast fields of flowing lines and mesmerising colour evoke landscapes both intimate and expansive, inviting views into layered readings that intertwine memory, place and imagination.
The exhibition will run until 6 April 2026.
For more information on Pippin’s work and opening times please click on the link below:
Old Scholar Career Profile: Tommy Payne (2004)
Tommy will be our keynote speaker at the 2025 Women Lifting Women Summit on Wednesday 11 March. Tommy is a Product Designer and AI Consultant, storyteller and former Product Designer at Apple. She has returned to Perth with her young family and we are very lucky to have her share her experience and wisdom. Below Tommy shares her career history and the ‘getting’ of that wisdom since she graduated from St Hilda’s in 2004.
1999 Junior School Executive L-R: Tommy Payne, Fallon White, Megan Coningsby, Alexandra Readhead, India Collins, Laura Wisniewski, Mrs Joy Shepherd, Kate Russell, Abigail Clifford, Caitlin Cook, Zoe Prichard, Grace Ho, Anna Dunnill.
I loved my school uniform; the crisp blue blazer, the boater perched horizontally across my brow. I found comfort in school’s structure; the daily rituals lent shape and intention to my days. Looking back, my affinity for order, design, and meaning quietly traced its way through everything that followed.
2003 Tommy Payne & Courtney Wall in the Year 12 Production ‘Henry V’
While travelling through Spain I ran into a former schoolmate who mentioned a design course at RMIT. Scrambling to assemble a portfolio, I was overjoyed to be accepted. Now a mature-aged student, I applied myself with focus and clarity that I hadn’t possessed before. I remained in Melbourne for six years, working in advertising, until a familiar restlessness returned. I craved creative work with more depth and resonance.
My first boss had a brilliant mind and was a visionary leader; he lifted up his employees and championed them at every turn. I learned to design through ambiguity and worked on products used by millions of people. From the outside Apple appears a gleaming monolith; inside it’s a workplace like any other – full of smart people, long hours and complex politics.
Old Scholars Return as Staff in 2026
Last week the new intake of St Hilda’s staff inductees included four Old Scholars.
-
- Kate Thayer (2011)
-
- L-R Ally Stephen (2017), Alexandra (Zandra) Eller (2009) and Ella Berson (2017).
Ally will be based at Chidley as a Junior School Education Assistant, Alexandra will also be based at Junior School as the Student Psychologist, and Ella will be at the Bay View Campus as a Senior School Physical Education teacher together with Kate who is the new Administrative Assistant for Sport and Physical Education.
We welcome each of them back to St Hilda’s.
Births
A Baby Girl for Dr Alexandra Andrews (Heaton, 2006)
We are delighted to hear that Alexandra and Ben Andrews have had a baby girl, Gabriella Elizabeth Grace Andrews, born on 1 October 2025. Gabriella has an older brother, Lachlan, and she will be a third generation St Hilda’s baby.
Vale
We are very sorry to announce that the following Old Scholar has passed away.
Anne (Rae) Wackett (Martin, 1958)
21 September 1941 – 2 December 2025
The Class of 1958 and former St Hilda’s staff and Old Scholars will be saddened to learn that Rae Wackett (Martin,1958) died in early December. Rae was an Old Scholar of St Hilda’s, a parent to Christina Scott (1985) and Conrad Scott, and a teacher in the St Hilda’s Art Department for many years.
Rae’s funeral took place on Thursday 11 December in the Whitby Chapel at St Hilda’s.
St Hilda's News
130 Old Scholar Trailblazers to Celebrate 130 Years of St Hilda’s
St Hilda’s turns 130 in 2026, and Sandra Naude is assisting the Year 7s to research 130 Old Scholar trailblazers who have made a significant contribution to society or excelled in their field. Sandra would like to hear about any Old Scholars who have been recognised over the years, such as in Australia Day, Queen or King’s Birthday Honours, international honours and bravery decorations. Also, she would like to know of individuals who you feel have achieved something special in their field, even if it is not high profile or well known.
The School acknowledges that many deserved Old Scholars may not be included in the Year 7 research of only 130 Old Scholars as this is a specific year level task, however Sandra wishes to receive your contributions not only for this project but for the Heritage Centre records and future research.
If you have suggestions across all year groups, Sandra would love to hear from you. Please email Sandra.naude@sthildas.wa.edu.au.
St Hilda's Field Trips in March
Once again the Admissions and Boarding teams will be driving out to regional towns for the Agricultural Shows to visit our wider community.
In March St Hildas will have a stand at the Wagin Woolarama from 6 – 7 March, and would love to see any Old Scholars who are in the area. Please do drop by and say hello to us on the stand, no need to register.
Additionally, St Hilda’s will visit Esperance for a networking event on 26 March.
Join us for a relaxed drink and some delicious finger food. Rachel, Dean of Boarding, and Laurence, Head of Admissions, look forward to welcoming you and chatting about all things St Hilda’s. Find us at The Quarters on the Taylor Street Jetty, from 5.30pm – 7pm.
Feel free to spread the word! Please invite anyone who might be interested in learning more about St Hilda’s and encourage them to RSVP. This event is held in partnership with Christ Church Grammar School.
Job Opportunities at St Hilda's
To keep abreast of all job opportunities, please visit the website 这里.
(There are currently no jobs available.)
St Hilda's Social Media Networking
Hilda Whitby is Connecting with you via LinkedIn.
Follow us on Socials
Missed an OSA Newsletter?
To read previous editions of the OSA Connections Newsletters click on the link below. Or forward to anyone who would like to receive a copy.