1989 School Magazine

E D ITORIAT

A FORMER HEAD.GIRL RECALLS SCHOOL.LIFE DU RING TH E WAR YEARS OF TH E 4O'S On September 3,1939, Britain declared herself at war with Cermany. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr Robert Menzies, in a national broadcast, declared that Australia also was at war. That was 50 years ago. Mrs Betty Crulke, one of four Pledger sisters to attend Brisbane Cirls' Crammar School recalled school-life during the years 1942-45 where the Japanese threat to Australia was great. "The match-box trams still rattled up Edward Street to Cregory Terrace, but enthusiasm to experience this great event was postponed until trenches were dug. All Third Formers commencing school in 1942 were taught by correspondence for several weeks." "When we did commence school, air raid practices were a regular event. Miss Lilley, the Headmistress, for whom I learnt to have the greatest respect, insisted the school be fully uniformed including panama hat when taking off for the trenches. Each girl had to come equipped with a square yard of unbleached calico for camouflage, and a peg to put between the teeth." "The trenches were on the slope where the Residence now stands, facing Brisbane Crammar School, whose trenches likewise faced B.C.C.S. This enabled wonderf ul opportunities for communication never possible before." "ln keeping with the rest of Brisbane all windows in the school were taped, and our families had ration tickets for school uniforms. Cirls over a certain height or weight received more coupons for extra clothing." Betty Crulke (nee Pledger) was Head Cirl in 1945, (her youngest sister, Leone, was Head Cirl in 1951) when peace was declared on August 15. "Miss Lilley made an announcement at mid-morning assembly and allowed the school to break for the rest of the day to celebrate." "As I remember, we Sixth Formers formed a crocodile and ran around the school ringing the school bell - quite unheard of except in these circumstances."

(December, 1945) Once more the world enjoys the prospect of peace after six long years of strife and bloodshed. This is the first publication of our magazine since actual fighting ceased; and while we await the declaration of peace, we remember the dark years on the one hand, and on the other, we try to give a meaning and a purpose to the brighter years ahead. The days of slit trenches and air raid practices have gone, and we thank Cod that we had only to practise. However, there were times when members of the B.C.C.S. were tested in deep emotion, and they displayed a commendable courage, faith and fortitude in hours of stress. Our Prisoner of War fund never lacked support, and we are assured that many unfortunate captives benefited by our efforts. We also remember the additional honour brought to our School by so many Old Cirls who joined different branches of the Women's Services. Now we rejoice that the day has come " when the war drum throbs no longer", and we hope that the peace will be permanent and provide the way of life that gives opportunities of noble service to home and country. While we anticipate an age of peace, may the words of Mr. Churchill in another connection be prophetic and true, "l can only hope, in years ahead that I shall not see, that the nations shall walk together in mutual understanding and forgiveness." This message challenges us to remember the higher culture and ideals of the School by which we too can be guided to contribute something of lasting worth to the peace and refinement of the world.

Prefects 1945 Back Row (LtoR) H. White, A. Emanuel, S. Cossins, y. Hassett, B. Greene, B. Selvage, L. Freeman Front Row L. Richmond, P. Boustead, B. pledger (Head Girl), A. Codfrey

SPORTS SHIELDS HONOUR MISS GWEN NEVILT

This year, the Sylvia Dixon Shield for tennis, and the lrene Hope Shield for netball were presented to the school by Miss Cwen Wetherell, an Old Cirl of the school, in memory of her friend Miss Cwen Nevill, founder of the eueensland Cirls' Secondary Schools Club and Old Cirl of B.C.C.S. The club, active from 1946 to i977, lilled a special recreational need for young women. ln its early years, the club organized tennis and netball matches between members of affiliated Old Cirls' Associations, who com- peted for the Sylvia Dixon and lrenre Hope Shields. The badges of the winning teams were affixed to the Shields.

22