The Judy Allen Award

Celebrating community: Kilvington's PFA and the Judy Allen Award 

A Parent and Friend Association (PFA) typically lies at the heart of a school, and the Kilvington Parents and Friends Association is no exception. 

Every year, the PFA Executive Committee, supported by an incredible team of volunteers, delivers a program of activities, events and services that help keep the Kilvington community engaged, supported and connected. 

From hosting Welcome Picnics, Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations, and the School Fairs, to operating the Secondhand Uniform Shop (SHUS) and the Kilvington Cares food support program, the PFA brings families and individuals together to forge new relationships and live out the School motto – 'Not for our own, but others good'.

We know a connected school community benefits everyone. When students experience a sense of belonging, they feel more confident, engaged and motivated to reach their potential. Collaborative and caring communities also help teachers and school staff to thrive and allows families to feel valued and involved.

We are incredibly grateful for the time, energy and expertise that so many of our parents and friends give to Kilvington. 

Each year at Celebration Night, the Judy Allen Award is presented to a member of our Community who has made an outstanding contribution to the School for a five-year period or more, just like the passionate and dedicated Judy Allen. 

But who is Judy Allen and how did this prestigious award in her name come about? 

Mrs Judith Allen (nee Southouse, Class of 1974)

Joining Kilvington in Year 6 in 1968, Judy Southouse already had a connection to the School through her grandmother, Mrs Margaret Bishop Southouse. As a member of the Baptist Women’s Union, Margaret had helped raise funds to purchase the Ormond Plant Farm on the corner of Katandra Road and Walsh Street to form a school for girls. 

After leaving Kilvington, Judy had varying leadership roles in local government and community health, beginning her strong interest and commitment to community.

She actively rejoined the Kilvington community again in 1998 when her oldest daughter joined the School. Over the coming years, Judy’s legacy was formed. 'There was a wonderful group of parents who were very active and made it very easy to join in,' Judy recalls. 'We introduced the Class Representative System (CSR)  with reps inviting parents to go tadpoling in Black Rock, meet at the rink for roller-skating or help in the library covering books. There was always an opportunity to get involved and make a contribution.'

Judy served as PFA Vice-President and later Co-President, during which time she worked with other committed parents to establish the secondhand book exchange. She also sat on the uniform design committee for a new school uniform in 2000.

Together with a trusty team of volunteers, Judy created the very first iteration of the Secondhand Uniform Shop (SHUS).  She said, 'We scrubbed the walls in the space we'd been provided, bought clothing rails, learnt valuable lessons around taking and selling pre-loved garments and had a lot of fun doing it. It's really great to hear the fun element of the SHUS continues today while supporting the Kilvington community.'

Judy also served on the Old Kilvonian (OK) Association, helping to connect past students to each other and the School. When space became available in a vacant house onsite, the OK Association took the opportunity to create a lounge room offering refreshments and set up a small museum with historical archived items.

Together with fellow Kilvington stalwart Mrs Jean Harley, Judy and the OK Association founded The Walsh Club, a group for all past students who left Kilvington 50 or more years ago. This was named after Walsh Street, the original site of the School.

Judy, along with Lauren Matthews, was instrumental in researching and launching Kilvington’s first Foundation Day celebration, an important tradition that is held in mid-June each year. 

In 2002, Kilvington appointed Judy as the first Community Liaison Coordinator. In this role, she worked closely with the PFA to organise events such as Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations, debutante balls and celebrations for Kilvington’s 75th Anniversary.

For 11 years, Judy also served on the School Council, later the School Board, and made history as Kilvington’s first female Life Governor and the first alumni to receive the honour. 

After such a long and distinguished relationship with Kilvington, it seems fitting that this special community recognition award bear Judy’s name.  

Judy has recently 'officially' retired, but continues to work within the community, educating and supporting carers of people living with dementia. She is also an authorised marriage celebrant and a university student! 

Judy is excited to see the Kilvington community alive and thriving, with so many opportunities to get involved. 'Kilvington is an amazing village where lifelong friends are formed,' she says. 'There is always space to contribute, regardless of your time restraints or expertise. You may not know what you have to give at first, but I encourage you to put your hand up, give it a go and I promise you, you will find your place.

I’m so excited when people want to try new things and work together to build a collaborative community for the benefit of students, families and the School.'

We sincerely thank Judy for her passion, leadership and dedication to Kilvington. We also congratulate all Judy Allen Award winners for their exceptional contribution to our community.

To learn more about the Kilvington PFA, or explore ways to get involved, visit pfa.kilvington.vic or email pfa@kilvington.vic.edu.au. 

Past Judy Allen Award Winners: 

• 2024 – Briohny Marshall
• 2023 – Carrie Fowler
• 2022 – Ada Shi
• 2021 – Christina Welsford
• 2020 – Sebastian Earle
• 2019 – Janine Mitchell
• 2018 – Kirsten Brooks
• 2017 – John Allin
• 2016 – Lauren Matthews
• 2015 – Kylie Owen
• 2014 – Pat Lehman
• 2013 – Ann Cleghorn
• 2012 – Val O’Brien
• 2011 – Joan Cleghorn
• 2010 – Nicky Henderson & Gaye Wymond
• 2009 – Andrew Armstrong
• 2008 – Jean Harley