Objects of Substance- Wilkinson Banner

Current House badges.

Unfortunately, despite Milisent Wilkinson’s personal qualities and values, so similar to those of the School’s as laid out in its Intent which encourages “young women to contribute confidently to their world with wisdom imagination and integrity”, none of the reintroduced Houses w as named after her. A past staff member and old girl recalls asking the Deputy Headmistress, Miss Doreen Thomas, (later Doreen Yates) who had been involved in the original organisation, as to why this was the case. Her memory was that she [Milisent Wilkinson] had already been accorded acknowledgement. The Milisent Wilkinson Prize for Tennis Champion was created in 1949 from a bequest from her estate for “ the use of the pupils ... so that they may be able to become fine sportswomen and noted tennis players. ” Although we have not yet unearthed the origin and provenance of the carefully preserved green Wilkinson banner, we do have the granddaughters of the first Wilkinson House captain, Regina List, currently attending Girls Grammar. Orli (10B) and Trudi Wachtel (8B) are in Beanland House and, as third generation Grammar girls, have a unique connection to both the House system and Houses which have disappeared. Perhaps with our ever-growing population we can look forward to a reinstatement of Wilkinson House – watch this green space!