Archives

1990s

The hottest topic at the beginning of the 1990s was “The New VCE”. Implemented gradually across Victoria, it began as a pilot project in 1987, but was in full swing in 1991 and the old HSC was abolished in 1992. In the early days, a compulsory subject at Unit 1 and 2, Australian Studies, was introduced. Our own Theresa O’Shea, along with another colleague, Fay Bleeker, wrote the text used by Kilbreda and other schools. Touching on the world of work, indigenous studies and many other aspects, it later became an elective subject. I taught it alongside Theresa, Fay, Tony Grosso, Sue Dempster and Marty Lyons.

An active Parents and Friends Committee continued to work in the background, raising money and hosting various events. Among those were the annual Welcome Picnic at the beginning of the year, Trivia Nights, Dances, Garage Sales and one of Sr Mary’s innovations, The Book Sale, whereby families were able to buy and sell texts and an annual working bee also gave practical help around the school.

In 1993, French students were given the chance to undertake an immersion trip to New Caledonia, which was unlike those in recent years here. Set up through the De La Salle Brothers, who had a school there, a group from Kilbreda and St Bede’s spent a fortnight in New Caledonia, where some students were billeted to families without running water or electricity. Following the success of this exchange, a group of indigenous students from New Caledonia came to Melbourne, staying with local families and attending classes here and at St Bede’s. Many of those students arrived ill-equipped for Melbourne weather in May, but managed with smiles on their faces most of the time. As Language Coordinator at the time, a number of us accompanied the group to the MCG for a Friday night game between North Melbourne and Fitzroy. For the record, North Melbourne won and I recall that the teachers accompanying them were particularly taken with John Longmire, the then full forward.

Later that year, the staff room, which was where the Music Room now is, was left silent, when Sr Mary quite casually announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer. She was determined to fight it and did not mention it in public again. Life at the College continued on though and Mary was ably supported in the running of the school by Vice Principals Carmel Smart and Denise Leonard. The beginning of 1995 was less hopeful for Mary and staff and students were resigned to the fact that the end was near. Kilbreda closed down for Sr Mary’s funeral at St Brigid’s Mordialloc, as staff, students and families wished to attend. Carmel Smart took on the leadership of the College for the remainder of 1995.

1996 saw the return of Sr Angela Ryan, coming to Kilbreda from St Ives in Sydney. Sr Angela was always open to new ideas and her catch phrase was “we’ll put it on the table”. In 1997, we were investigating the implementation of an Asian language and despite considerable research, Angela made the decision to introduce Japanese. Excitement abounded when in 1996, a helicopter landed on the back oval for a presentation to Year 12 student Katie O’Farrell.

I can’t write about the 1990s without mentioning the untimely and tragic death of my daughter, Amelia, in 1997. I had already understood that in coming to Kilbreda, I had joined a community. But the nature of that community became evident to me in the days, weeks, months and even years following. Sr Angela, along with Sr Maree, came to visit me and my grieving family in Monash Medical Centre and Angela came along to assist in the planning of Amelia’s funeral, which I thought was above and beyond the call of duty, but typical of her care and support. My family received cards and letters from almost every class and family in the school, which was overwhelming.

During this period, an enormous building project was undertaken and the school grounds were totally disrupted for a considerable period. As the building was being constructed in the centre of the school, the impacts were felt all around. The building joined the Margaret Mary Wing with the Library and St Anne’s wing, creating Rooms 59-69, the Art Rooms and above. Further changes were made to the Chapel, which became the Meeting Room. The former Meeting Room and Glasshouse under the Library became the Year 7 area and additions were made to the Library.

It was also during this time that the Colonnade was converted back from administration to classroom use and Rooms 5-19 became the staff and administration area. The yard is shown prior to the building project. Also shown are students descending the stairs from Rooms 33 and 34, which are no longer accessible, but are a constant source of interest for students and staff, as the bottom few steps are still visible near the Music Centre.

In 1999, we had “Back to Kilbreda” celebrations to mark our 95 years, looking forward to our Centenary five years later, and hosts of past pupils returned for a look at the new school. Later that year, Angela left us and her replacement Helen Toohey, came to lead the College into the new millennium.

Mary Dalton was born in Horsham in 1939 and was educated there by the Brigidines and later attended The University of Melbourne. She was Principal at Wangaratta and then went to Killester and later Adelaide. She taught English, Australian History and RE. In Adelaide, she was assistant to the Deputy Principal, trained students in debating and staged managed most of the Drama productions, selling tickets, working backstage and ‘cajoling’ support for the shows. In addition to this, she was also responsible for overseeing a Book Exchange Program. Both of these traditions continued at Kilbreda. Greatly missed when she transferred from Adelaide, Mary was earmarked as the new Principal for Kilbreda, but, as she wished to further her studies, spent 1984 at Regis Theological College in Toronto and her friend Sr Catherine Kelly csb, took on Kilbreda until Mary’s arrival the following year.

The Hall, which now bears her name, was opened in 1985. Each year, the Year 11 students were received by Sr Mary and Year 11 Coordinator Anne Hoyne at the Debutante Balls in the Kilbreda Hall. Whenever a drama production or Rock Eisteddfod was being prepared, Mary would be present working on the lighting, and travelling with the group to make sure all went according to plan. In the 1990 Deb photo included, current Year 10 Coordinator Samantha Powell is seated in front of Sr Mary and Miss Hoyne.

Perhaps her greatest joy in life, though, was watching her beloved Melbourne Football team play. She went to games on many occasions with former staff member, Tony Mangan, and others who shared her affinity with the club.

Mary died on March 7 1995 and at her funeral Mass at Mordialloc, her long-time friend and colleague Sr Catherine Kelly csb delivered the eulogy.  “Teaching was what Mary loved doing and she did it exceptionally well. Her real interest was in trying to make her students make the most of their talents”, living out the Brigidine core value of: “engendering a love of learning, hope and a sense of purpose”.

 “Those who knew her well also remember her enormous kindness to those in trouble of any kind. She was committed to social justice of the most basic kind- to supporting the ‘most vulnerable’. Many students and their families were supported without anyone else ever knowing about it”.

At the unveiling of a portrait of Sr Mary, by current staff member Andrew Whisson, Sr Catherine  told the school community of “this very significant woman in the life of this college” and of her importance in carrying on “the traditions in the spirit of St Brigid which were established from the very beginning at Kilbreda. It is fitting that this portrait of this strong and gentle woman hangs in this hall which carries her name and in which so much good educational activity takes place. May she be remembered for a long time by all of us”.