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.

  

                                                               

"Westleigh College, Northcote" by Trevor Batrouney - A History of the School

                                                                       

Some great new information from another “Westleigh Girl” – Harry Blutstein!

 

Many, many thanks, Harry! I am thrilled to receive any new information. Harry writes:

"I have put a post/comment on the blog. It is a comment to the last post as I haven’t worked out how to post an item of my own!

In any case, you can purchase the booklet, "Westleigh College, Northcote" for $10 from Trevor Batrouney. 

You can contact Mr Trevor Batrouney via email: trevorb[at]planet.net.au.

Find attached a report card for Raey Cope (I have others from between 1932-1937) and photos of what I think was one of the school buildings at 212 Clarke Street.

Trevor did give his permission for his contract details to be included.

[.....]

His book gave me the location of the school building in Clarke Street, and there are several others that I’ll investigate (and photograph).

What I think is remarkable about the report cards is the range of subjects offered.

At the time this would have been unusual for any school, let alone a private girl’s school.

It is a great pity that the school records were destroyed."

This is quite extraordinary!

In my time at Westleigh College  – 1954 - 1960 - the school was located in James Street so I don’t recall anything about Clarke Street.

Harry very kindly sent me the pictures which I have posted as well.

 

I especially like the report card, dated 1937, below.

It clearly shows Miss Clarice’s signature and the school emblem, or logo as we would now call it.

This was pasted into every book prize that was awarded on Speech Night

I mentioned that the Mayor of Northcote was Mr Batrouney while I attended Westleigh ColIege. I am assuming Trevor Batrouney is his son. 

Mr Batrouney always gave a speech at Speech night. And I mentioned this here. 

I also remember the school fees bill, as sent to my parents, looked very similar to the report card.

I don’t have any of these documents and any longer but I have no doubt they will look familiar to many ex-pupils.

Harry very kindly posted details in comments here.

Little by little more information will hopefully emerge.....stay tuned!

     

 Again, the pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them directly.              

                                            

Memories of Northcote Town Hall

I don’t ever recall seeing the Northcote Townhall set with tables like this, but I most certainly remember the Bentwood Chairs!

I still think it looks impressive. No wonder Speech Night seemed such a grand occasion.

With thanks to Darebin Historical Encyclopedia

Looking Back at the Years Spent at Westleigh College

Many decades have passed since I was a pupil at Westleigh College.

After I left in 1960 I went to Canterbury Girls' High School, then to the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Teachers College.

That completed my formal education.

The informal education will stop when I do!

During the years I attended Westleigh I saw so many changes in the world that it would be impossible to enumerate them.

How can one explain that one remembers the baker driving a horse-drawn cart down one's street in order to deliver freshly baked bread?

Not only that but the garbage collector, and the ice-man who brought the ice for one's ice-box also used horse-power, literally.

However, once things began to change they changed rapidly. The 1960's were just beginning.

But before all that happened I had to explain to my class mates about the rye bread and salami sandwiches that were in my lunch box and other social and cutural differences.

This was, of course, just when Australia's large intake of European migrants following World War 2 had started.

None of my class mates had ever seen anything but square white bread before.

Conversely I had never seen or tasted a meat pie or a pastie until I started at Westleigh College.

Migrants back then assimilated. They wanted to be Aussies as soon as was humanly possibly. I even tried a meat pie!

The salami sandwiches were much better! The pasties were quite tolerable. I like them more now than I did back then.

Nowadays one can get such a wonderful variety of food in Melbourne and that is certainly due to immigration policies which helped create great dining experiences and more sophisticated palates.

I could list the changes in housing and architecture, cars, fashion, entertainment and values: all those social and cultural aspects which are apparent to people who have lived through them, but it would be a very long list indeed.

Without a doubt one of the most revolutionary changes has been the internet.

We live in a world of instant communication, 24/7 news, and the ability to research and learn whatever we want and when we want it.

It is the internet that has made this 'blog possible in many, many ways: finding information for starters, posting it, and sharing a piece of Westleigh College's history that was unfortunately destroyed by fire.

This is my recollection of the facts I knew about the school as well as my childhood experiences as a pupil there.

I am hoping that other fellow pupils, who became computer-literate at a somewhat mature age may find this 'blog.

And I am also hoping that anyone interested in the history of Northcote may also find this valuable.

Some of My Class Mates From 1960

There was no such thing as an official class photograph at Westleigh College when I was there, not even a professional photographer for Speech Night or any other function.

Unfortunately these are the only photographs I have, and it took me quite a long time to find them, even though I was certain they were still in my possession.

Thankfully I persisted with my search.

The photographs posted here are the ones I took with a Kodak Box Camera which I received as a birthday gift from my parents. I suppose I was in grade 5 then, because these pictures were taken in Grade 6.



This first picture (above) is of my friend, Carolyn Palmer who had beautiful curly red hair and a great sense of humour..

This is Jennifer Walker.

For a very short time we both went to the same ballet school. I didn't stay there very long: it was quite an ordeal going into the city of Melbourne from Northcote, and then traveling home to Hawthorn by public transport when it was dark.

Here is another picture showing Jennifer and Carolyn.

On the right is Elana Braianis who was a very talented dancer and singer.

Like myself, Elana had an older sister at Westleigh College.

This photograph shows Leonie Eastman, Jennifer and Elana.



Fortunately I had written all the names of the girls on the back of each photograph so I know that in the bottom row - seated - we have Leonie, Jennifer, Elana and Marilyn Richards.


The girls standing are Anna Hansen, Pauline Amos, Rosalyn "Pippa" Law and Carolyn Palmer.


Unfortunately I never handed the camera to any one of my classmates to get a photograph of myself!

I have no idea how I looked in my school uniform back then. That may be a good thing.

Most of these girls started when I did, in 1954, although a few came later.

I have not had any contact with any of these girls since 1960.

Perhaps I should register here and see if that helps?

A Typical Day

Since I had an older sister I was at the school daily for two years before I actually became a pupil at Westleigh College.

My mother would take both of us and pick us up at the end of the day until she considered us old enough to go by ourselves.

In the very early fifties I recall there were still doubledecker buses that went along High Street from Preston, to Northcote and into the City of Melbourne.

They were green and yellow, as were the other buses and trams back then, and some still are!

I only recall one trip on a double-decker bus. I was quite disappointed when they took them out of service and replaced them with a single-decker bus, and then eventually with trams.

For a short time there were also "pram buses".These literally shadowed the other buses but not in the same ratio.

Since it was very much the era of the post-war baby boom it was necessary to have buses to accomodate all the young mothers with their prams.

Very few, if any young mothers drove cars back then so public transport was about the only option, and road traffic was light.

We would walk from our home near St George's Road in Preston to the bus stop in High Street. We passed through Croxton and Thornbury until we reached the closest stop to James Street, Northcote where the school was located.

Further historical information can be found here, and this link has an excellent map and additional information.

After a day of learning and social interaction with class mates we would go home with our mother.

Sometimes we would walk down to Separation Street, rather than catching the bus at the Northcote Townhall.

This was always a bit of a treat as we often went to the Junior Shop for additonal clothes and items of school uniform, or we were bought a cake or some sweets from the local cake shops or milk bars.

Cream horns and eclairs were very much a favourite from the Dutch bakery. Amazingly I am now friends with the daughter of the people who made these excellent treats!

The local newsagency was a great source of pens, pencils and other essential school stationery items. We often looked longlingly in the window at the box of 72 Derwent pencils until the day we were given them for our respective birthdays.

I recall there was a Woolworths shop on the corner of Separation Street and High Street, but it was nothing like any Woolworths store today. We still enjoyed going to it, and we also enjoyed going to the Coles shop in Preston which was located just where our bus stopped. Both shops sold just about everything from clothes to stationery and personal items like cosmetics.

There was no self-service, or check-outs back then. That was the main difference. Self-service supermarkets came into being in the later part of the 1950's.

Most of the cheaper items were made in Japan, not China like they are today.

Although we used the High Street buses for many years they were eventually replaced by trams that looked like this one.

When we arrived home we usually changed out of our uniform and went out to play with the other children in the street. No television as yet so we had to create our own entertainment.

Some of us had bikes, roller skates and scooters but generally we went to the park in St George's Road to use the swings, monkey bar and slide.

Needless to say very few of us were overweight from sitting too much!

This all began to change when the first neighbour got a television set in 1956, just in time for the Melbourne Olympic Games.

The temptation of a small black and white television set a few doors away was quite irresistible for both the neighbourhood kids and their parents.

I am quite sure the owners of the first television sets had a few regrets! No one ever wanted to go home.