Looking Backward at Westleigh - The Misses Westgarth

Thankfully Harry Blutstein has sent me some additional information which goes back a lot further than the time of the Misses Everard – back to 1933!

I am most appreciative of this, Harry! 

Great information. 

Seems Westleigh College in some way, shape or form existed for a long time!

This piece is mainly about the time of the Misses Westgarth.

I have mentioned previously the school houses were named “Westgarth” and "Thornton”. 

Obviously the former named after, or for, the Misses Westgarth, and I think Thornton was named after Canon Thornton, or at least a member of his family. 

Notice the quote on discipline and behaviour.

“They do not approve of the relaxing of discipline which is a modern development in many girls' schools. In their own school they were a law unto themselves . “We had rules, and we never broke them." Miss Westgarth said.

Neither did the parents of our girls ever think of attempting to interfere with what we did. Our discipline was strict but never irksome and we are still convinced that the characters of our girls and their later lives were the better for it.”

I mentioned in this post that discipline and behaviour was not really an issue back when I was there.

My goodness!    How things have changed!

Notice also the date of the article in the now-defunct Argus newspaper. 

This post explains that the Misses Westgarth opened the school in 1900 in Clifton Hill.

In 1910 they moved to Bay Street which is where the Misses Everard’s house was located. 

It is one street south from James Street where the school I attended was, as far as I recall.

After the Misses Westgarth’s possession of Westleigh College it went into the possession of sisters, Kate and Ada Gresham. 

Then came the Misses Everard. 

Harry sent me a report card dated 1937 and signed by Miss Clarice. 

I think I can safely assume that in 1919 and the school changed hands from the Misses Gresham to the Misses Everard.

It is possible, although unlikely, that in the bottom picture of ex-pupils from 1927 some were taught by Miss Clarice, Miss Lillian Everard and Matron. Although some look a bit old so they may be Misses Gresham graduates.

So long ago, and yet I remember one of the Misses Everard showing us a very inadequate air-raid shelter for use during WW2 at the back of the Bayview Street house.I think it was behind my favourite Camelia tree!

I suppose it would have been the 1950’s equivalent of “duck and cover”!!

Again, stay tuned, and remember some of the pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them directly.

I do apologise for lack of several pictures: no mean feat getting anything about Westleigh College! 

LOOKING BACKWARD.

The Argus Saturday 27 May 1933

The Misses Westgarth.

“Forty years ago does not seem so long when one is looking backward," Miss Westgarth said this week when, with her two sisters, she talked of the many changes in outlook and custom that have taken place in the years since they established in 1886 what was to be the largest, and was at one time the only, private school for girls in the northern suburbs.

Before they came to Melbourne, and on medical advice for their mother's health they went with their parents to reside in Clifton Hill, the Misses Westgarth had kept a private school for girls in Geelong. 

The eldest Miss Westgarth had been governess in one of the leading Western district families and was asked if she would take other children as well for private education.

Recalling these beginnings this week Miss Westgarth said, “Our mother said at once, 'I know what that will mean, a school in no time.' She did not like the idea at all, but she was right. 

The idea did eventually take the form of a school, and when we came to Clifton Hill to live we again opened a private school for girls, which was known as Westleigh College. 

As the school grew in numbers and the need for larger grounds became imperative, Westleigh was moved to Northcote, and memories of its importance in the early educational life of Melbourne were recalled during the Northcote jubilee celebrations this week. 

Westleigh, as it was under the Misses Westgarth's regime no longer exists, although the name is still retained for the primary school that has taken the place of their secondary school.

The Misses Westgarth and a married sister, Mrs Fletcher, retired to live privately in 1917.

During their 31 years of directing Westleigh College more than 1,000 girls passed through their hands, and they are proud of the fact that in only two instances did they have any serious trouble with their pupils. 

They do not approve of the relaxing of discipline which is a modern development in many girls' schools. In their own school they were a law unto themselves . “We had rules, and we never broke them." Miss Westgarth said.

Neither did the parents of our girls ever think of attempting to interfere with what we did. Our discipline was strict but never irksome and we are still convinced that the characters of our girls and their later lives were the better for it.

"The girls had plenty of fun, games of all kinds, dancing, picnics, and so on, but it was never allowed to interfere with their school work. Boarders were never allowed to go to dances or parties during the school term, no matter who desired them to do so." If it had meant the loss of our last pupil we would not have relaxed our rules," Miss Westgarth said firmly. 

The limelight that plays on sport and social life among the young people today also meets with the condemnation of these ladies, who, even in the quiet backwater, as they describe it, of their lives today, still retain themselves the joy of life that they consider the young people of to-day lose so early be - cause their powers of enjoyment become vitiated.

"I heard of a child of nine years the other day," one sister said, "who re marked of a party that she had attended that the claret cup was horribly poor!"

Northcote was a place very different in the early years of Westleigh College from the Northcote of today.

There were of course no trams or buses. The only vehicles for public hire were four-wheeler cabs.

Miss J . Westgarth recalls an occasion when she was discussing arrangements at a meeting of the Ministering Children's League for a picnic down the bay to which the schoolgirls were going. 

"One lady, who came from Footscray asked me where I came from." she recalled: "and when I told her Northcote, she remarked, “Oh, then you'll have to bring your girls into town the night before."  

So far apart did Footscray and Northcote seem in those days. 

Fairy Hills which was a favourite pickicking spot, was real bush, and the journey to Heidelberg was made in a tram.

The Northcote Town Hall was so small that Westleigh"break up" entertainments had to be held at Fitzroy, and this was one of the arguments used when a new town hall was mooted.

Never more than 10 boarders were accepted at Westleigh College because it was regarded as essential that each girl she should get individual care.

There were girls from India, Fiji, and other foreign parts who lived all the lime at the college, and were completely in charge of the principals.

It was interesting to learn that the Misses Westgarth were educated at Geelong Ladies College under Mr. McBurney, brother of the Miss Mona McBurney, whose death last year removed one of our most distinguished musicians. 

Many of their own pupils have had distinguished careers, among them Evelyn Scotney, while among the well-known graduates on their teaching staff was Mrs. J. G. Latham.

The Northcote Jubilee is mentioned on Trove here, here, and here.

You can search “The Argus”for this piece here.

Picture credits:

Original Text Grab: Trove Digitised Newspapers

Past Pupil Pupils of Westleigh College 1927 with many thanks to Darebin Libraries.