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Did your mother, grandmother or auntie attend Kilbreda?

Did your grandfather or uncle attend Kilbreda?

Kilbreda is creating a register of the generations of students who have attended this school. We are asking current students whose mothers, grandmothers or aunties or, for that matter, males relatives who attended Kilbreda to email Ashleigh.keyes@kilbreda.vic.edu.au to register.

Please provide details of:
Current student: Name and Year Level
Name of relative:
Relationship to current student:
Years at Kilbreda and any leadership position held whilst at Kilbreda

This list will be added to the current archives and published by the school.

You can follow ‘Kilbreda Past Pupils’ Committee on Facebook

Life at Kilbreda 100 years ago

As you might imagine, Kilbreda was a very different place a century ago. For starters, the school was not yet Kilbreda; this name was still almost twenty years away! In 1913, girls attended the Brigidine Convent and were taught exclusively by nuns. The principal at the time was Mother Margaret Mary Murphy, whose younger sister Kathleen was a pupil during that time 1906-11 and later sent her daughters Barbara, Linda, Margaret and Mary Myers to board at Kilbreda. Mary eventually became a Brigidine sister herself and taught in many local schools, as well as in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and currently she lives in Mentone.

The photo included also shows us that boys were among the students at the time. Many people are not aware that boys were educated here from 1905 for nearly 70 years in Grades Prep, 1 and 2. The boy in question is probably Brendan Conlon of Mentone. Other boys to attend at this time were the Cuddigans, the brothers of Nell, who is the older girl in the centre of the photo in the light coloured top. Nell finished at Kilbreda in 1916 and by March 1917 had founded the Past Pupils Association and was its first President, a position she occupied for many years.

Also evident from Nell’s appearance is the absence of a school uniform. Shortly before 1920, the day girls wore navy tunics and the boarders wore black, but at this time a particular uniform had not yet been adopted. The green we currently wear and the name Kilbreda were adopted in 1932. Most of the buildings we now know were not yet in existence. The Colonnade was still 15 years away. Classes were held in the dining room, part of which is now the Conference Room and in what is now Miss Stack’s office.

Towards the end of 1913, the Superior of the Convent died after a long illness. The local press reported that “the Angel of Death had visited the Brigidine Convent, and had borne away the spirit, so nicely endowed with the gifts of God, of Rev. Mother Benedict Moore”. Mother Benedict is remembered in the Colonnade building, which was called St Benedict’s Wing and the back oval which was known for many years as St Benedict’s Park.

What will be here and what will it be called in 2113?
On a more serious note, Thursday March 7 marked the 18th anniversary of the death of former Principal, Sr Mary Dalton. Mary was Principal from 1985-95 and an annual award is given in her honour. An article detailing Mary’s life and work appears on the Kingston Historical Website and can be reached from the following link.
http://www.localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/article/535.htm

 

30 Year Reunion Kilbreda Reunion 1983

If you completed year 11 in 1982 or HSC in 1983, please come along to a reunion, Sunday 21st April.

Meet at Kilbreda main office at 2pm for a tour of the school and from 3pm at Mentone Hotel, Beach Road, Mentone.

If you have any photos you'd like to share please email apetering@hotmail.com  Any queries please contact Clare McMahon(Giulieri) 95832336 or facebook or Annemarie Petering (Hamilton) 0407 310 621

 

2012 Reunion Class

The Network, Past Pupils, Committee of the Kilbreda Stewardship Council invites you, as a Past Pupil, to celebrate your life after Kilbreda.

Please come to gather and share with your friends and Mentor Teachers of Year 12, 2012, and continue your association with Kilbreda College
Place you Plaque in the Tower
Where: Kilbreda Meeting Room
When: Friday 22 March 2013
Time: 6.00-8.00pm
Donations $5.00 to assist with catering costs, payable on the evening.

REPLIES ARE NEEDED BY Thursday 15 March to
Denise Leonard, Chairperson Network Committee denise127@optusnet.com.au
Peta Wragg:    peta.wragg@kilbreda.vic.edu. au
Ashleigh Keyes:           ashleigh.keyes@kilbreda.vic.edu.au
Or via Kilbreda Facebook Page
Looking forward to seeing you on 23 March 2013.

 

CLASS OF 2011 REUNION COMING UP

The Network, Past Pupils, Committee of the Kilbreda Stewardship Council invites you, as a Past Pupil, to celebrate your life after Kilbreda.

Please come to gather and share with your friends and Mentor Teachers  of Year 12 2011, and continue your association with Kilbreda.
Place your Plaque in the Tower.

Where: Kilbreda Meeting Room
When: Friday 23 March 2012
Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Official Welcome 6:30pm -  Kate Whisson
Donation $5:00 to assist with catering costs, payable on the evening.

REPLIES ARE NEEDED BY Thursday15 MARCH to Denise Leonard, Chairperson Network Committee denise127@optusnet.com.au       
                                 or  one of the following:

• Peta Wragg wraggp@kilbreda.vic.edu.au
• The Kilbreda Facebook Page
• Ashleigh Keyes Kilbreda office keyesa@kilbreda.vic.edu.au

Looking forward to seeing you on 23 March.

Network Committee Members: Denise Leonard, Peta Wragg, Grace Coelho, Angela Docherty, Ashleigh Keyes, Damian Smith.

20 Yr Reunion

Whether it be in the movies or in real life.....school reunions tend to get a bad wrap. Is everyone more successful than me ? What on earth have i done with the last 20 years ? Will i have anything in common with anyone ? Will anyone remember me ? And the all important.....how do i get rid of 10kg and these "laugh lines" in 4 days ? As silly as these things sound, they are very real fears.....that is, until you step into a room full of people that you spent 6 years learning, growing and laughing with and realise they are the very same girls...yet now, they, along with you......are fabulous, interesting and beautiful woman with lives that are diverse, amazing and unique. And in fact, these very woman played some part in the person you are this very day.
It is hoped and promised on Graduation Day that your school years have provided you with skills, both academic and social, that will propel you out in the world with all the tools necessary to succeed in whatever it is you endeavour to persue......at the time it feels like an inspiring , yet romanticized, notion.... but looking back 20 years on.....it's pure fact !
On the day of our 20 Year Reunion, the laughter, jokes and funny stories started immediately, until someone pointed out that we were in what used to be the Chapel....oooppsss.....this, of course, produced more laughter.....when this tapered off someone mentioned liturgical dancing, which set us all off again......and so, the scene was set for a wonderful afternoon and evening.
It was a privilege to have the chance to wander the hallowed halls of Kilbreda and, once again, climb the tower....a right of passage for Graduating students. It was great to see some of the modern facilities and buildings that have been added over the years but it was also comforting to see some of the old ones still exist too, which give Kilbreda the unique appearance that started it  all back in 1904 and also keep the memories of our time there, in tact.
The stories and laughter continued well in to the night at the Beaumaris Hotel. You just had to look around the room at all the lovely friendly smiles to realise that the Graduating Class of 91 is still, 20 years on, a fabulous group of girls....well, young women now. So, if you are unsure about attending your Kilbreda Reunion, just remember the school motto.....Strength & Kindliness.....and you'll do just fine !
Thanks to Ms Mary Stack for allowing us access to the school and a big thank you to Mrs Peta Wragg for giving up her Saturday afternoon to take us on a tour......for a couple of hours we were, once again, giggling school girls making our way through the halls of Kilbreda College.

INAUGURAL CAPTAIN'S DINNER 2011

On 22 September 2011 Kilbreda College held a Dinner for past College Captains, Vice Captains, Sports Captains and House Captains. This dinner was to celebrate that “Kilbreda Women Make a Difference”. The Dinner was hosted by the Principal and members of the Network Past Pupils Committee of the Kilbreda Stewardship Council.

We were able to identify and locate address for approximately 120 former Captains using College Annuals and the Past Pupils Database. There are many we were unable to reach and are now urging past pupils to contact Kilbreda to add to and update the database. Eighty one women attended past, present and the future 2012 captains.

The evening was a great success with stories and experiences of life at Kilbreda and roles in leadership being shared as well as life’s journey from Kilbreda and the present time. Sister Angela Ryan csb a former student, captain, and Principal was the Guest Speaker. Angela drew from the five strong female characters in the novel “The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul” written by Deborah Rodriguez who made a difference in the lives of each other in significant ways. Also students who spent their gap year in Ghana spoke of their experiences and the ways in which they were able to contribute to making a difference in the lives of others.
The Captains’ Dinner will be held again in 2012 due to the enthusiastic response and desire of many to take advantage of the momentum created by this event. We are hopeful of reaching more of our past Captains for 2012.
Thanks are extended to the Committee for the planning and organisation of the Dinner and to the Caterer, CHERYL Dureau of Gourmet Classic Catering, for our superb meal.

- Denise Leonard Chairperson Network Committee

KILBREDA 30 YR REUNION 1976-1981

You are invited to celebrate with all the familiar faces that you have missed over the past 30 years.

Come and join us for a drink as we renew friendship, reminisce about days gone by, and share in life experiences both past and present
Date: Saturday 27th August 2011
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Mentone Hotel
R.S.V.P 12 August Kilbreda1981@gmail.com
Please phone Chris Youl 0400 935 664 or Lisa Tuke (Hott) 0400 776 464 with any questions

YEAR 12 2010 CLASS REUNION

The Graduating Class of 2010 help their first reunion in the Meeting Room on 25 March 2011 hosted by members of the Kilbreda Stewardship Network Past Pupils Committee. A fantastic event filled with stories and their class 'Gnomes'. The students also put their commemorative plaques in the Kilbreda Tower.

This event was advertised through the new 'Kilbreda Past Pupil' Facebook page which will advertise news and upcoming reunions.

YEAR 12 2009 CLASS REUNION

The Graduating Class of 2009 held their first reunion in the Meeting Room on the last Friday in March hosted by members of the Kilbreda Stewardship Network Past Pupils Committee. Squeals of delight, lots of laughter, “great to see you”, “what are you doing now?” filled the Meeting Room.

A Tower Tour was a priority – Mentone and the Bay glowed in the night light! Our knowledge of local landmarks was tested in the dark – so was our skill at negotiating the steep stairs of the Tower!

Many girls glued their Commemorative Plaques to the walls of the Tower, linking them with past generations. Rob Chalker welcomed the girls as Kilbreda’s newest past pupils.

It was lovely to see our most recent graduands, each one excited about her future, whether it be to study, to work or to travel the world.

KILBREDA 25 YEAR REUNION

The Class of 84 recently held their 25 year school reunion. After many months of organising and with most girls not having seen each other since the 10 year reunion, there was definitely plenty to catch up on. The school provided a fantastic venue and certainly made us feel welcome with memorabilia from our school days displayed. Mary Stack even conducted a school tour, with her current office our old Year 10 classroom, where we used to climb out the windows.

The night began with around 50 girls attending (approximately half of the year level), with some others unable to attend and passing on their best wishes. Photos were flowing around the room and many stories told, both old and new. With the night drawing to a close and many girls still to catch up on news, the party continued on to the Mentone Hub where many were staying who had travelled down from Interstate.

The girls are now ready to continue the reunions and look forward to 30 years (maybe in conjunction with St Bedes).

Jo Linford

KILBREDA PAST PUPILS COMMUNICATION SEPTEMBER 2008

Please click here to download the latest Past Pupils Communication

REUNION MATRICULATION CLASS 1962 - JUNE 2007

MAURI HAMILTON (MAURICETTE DUFFY)
For the last four years, since the Centenary, our class has met for lunch and a bit of a chat! Some of the group began at Kilbreda in 1950 and continued till 1962. Others were only there for part of their schooling, one for only one year. The sense of connectedness is very evident in the group as everyone communicates over a wide range of issues and as though they last communicated yesterday.

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KILBREDA PAST STUDENTS - HELPING POVERTY

The following article and accompanying image, was published in the Mordialloc Chelsea Leader on the 25^th of June 2007.

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PAST STUDENTS SURVEY

A new page has been added to the Past Students section of the Kilbreda Website, the Past Students Surveys page. This page will be updated whenever a new Past Students survey becomes available.

KILBREDA PAST PUPILS TWILIGHT REUNION

On Friday evening 4 May approximately 56 past pupils covering 50 years of education at Kilbreda gathered at the 2007 Reunion, a Twilight Cocktail Party. We enjoyed the company, stories of school experiences, catching up with people’s life journeys, browsing through photos and memorabilia and news of Kilbreda today.

Ms Mary Stack, the newly appointed Principal and first non Brigidine Principal of Kilbreda welcomed all to Kilbreda.

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