Living Legacy Project

A Golden Thread Across Time – Mary Gamble Reflects on Life at Kilbreda

When Mary Gamble visited the Year 12 VCE Vocational Major students, she did more than share memories, she invited them into a different era of Kilbreda College, one that, while shaped by its time, still echoes in the College community today.

As a student from 1951 to 1956, Mary’s experience of Kilbreda was grounded in structure and high expectations. She spoke of Mother Margaret Mary Bourke, whose firm discipline ensured that students conducted themselves with respect and integrity. Students whose behaviour was not up to par, were summoned to the Principal’s office and treated to a stern lecture. Mary assured our VCE VM group that she was a ‘good girl’. Yet, beneath Mother Margaret Mary’s strict exterior, lay a deeper purpose: to form young women of strength, character, and quiet determination.

Mary’s reflections revealed that even in a more rigid environment, there was space for joy, growth and individuality. Her love of sport became a defining part of her journey, culminating in her being named Kilbreda Champion in 1956. It was not just an achievement, but a reflection of her commitment, resilience and willingness to strive for excellence, qualities that continue to be nurtured in students today. Mary was a proud captain of the sporting House, Lourdes.

Her story also carried moments of lightness and humanity. With a sense of nostalgia, Mary shared a mischievous memory of wagging school to attend the Melbourne Olympics at the MCG, where she witnessed Betty Cuthbert’s remarkable victory in the 100 yards. She recounted that the girls were dressed in bottle green blazers which resembled the green blazers worn by members of the Australian team. Mary and her friends did not have tickets but managed to enter the ‘G’ for free and scored great seats to witness Betty’s glory. This moment, though rebellious, captured something timeless, the curiosity, courage and spirited independence of young people finding their place in the world.

What resonated deeply with students was Mary’s reflection on the enduring message of Kilbreda – young women should believe in themselves. Even in the 1950s, this belief was quietly but powerfully instilled. It was an education not only of the mind, but of the spirit, encouraging students to recognise their own worth and potential.

Mary’s visit reminded all present that while uniforms, rules and routines may change, the heart of Kilbreda remains constant. There is a “golden thread” that runs through each generation, one that calls students to grow, to challenge themselves and to carry forward a belief in who they are and who they are becoming.

In listening to Mary, students were not simply hearing history; they were recognising themselves within it.

Student Reflections

Our VM Projects class had the opportunity to chat with Mary Gamble, who attended Kilbreda College in the 1950s. She told us all about what school life was like during that time and spoke to us about the rules students had to follow, the uniforms they wore, Kilbreda traditions and what a typical school day looked like.

It was really interesting to hear her personal stories and experiences from when she was a student at Kilbreda, like her enjoyment of the Kilbreda Ball and when she skipped school to watch the Olympics at the MCG. She was thrilled to see Betty Cuthbert win the gold medal for the 100 yards race. Listening to Mary helped us understand how much Kilbreda has changed over the years. We all really enjoyed learning about the history of our school through her memories.

Bella C

Year 12

Our experience with Mary was both enjoyable and insightful. Sharing afternoon tea with her created a comfortable atmosphere where we could ask questions and really listen to her stories about attending Kilbreda College in the 1950s. She spoke openly about what school life was like, including the stricter rules and different expectations, which made us all realise how much things have changed over time. It was interesting to hear her perspective and compare it to our own experiences today.

Overall, meeting Mary was a valuable experience that made history feel more personal and meaningful. What stood out most was her pride in the school and the strong sense of community she described. Despite the differences between then and now, it was clear that some aspects, like friendships, school spirit and values have remained the same. It left us with a greater appreciation for the school’s past and how it has shaped the environment we are part of today.

Indiana F

Year 12

I am so grateful for the opportunity to have met Mary and talk about our shared experiences of being a Kilbreda girl. Mary shared with us her love of sport and her achievements as Lourdes House captain, which is now what we know as Delany House (yellow). We also talked about how different the school’s buildings and facilities are today and how they have changed and upgraded. I think, collectively, we took a lot away from our time with Mary.

Amelia H

Year 12 

“To acquire knowledge, one must study. But to acquire wisdom, one must listen and observe.” – Anonymous

From listening to Mary, I was able to gain insight into what life was like in the 1950s.

Daisy W

Year 12

Kilbreda College and St Patrick’s Primary School Community Partnership

Trish Moloney and I were incredibly proud of our Year 11 VM students as they commenced their partnership with the Prep students at St Patrick’s Primary School on 4 May. This experience reflects their growing confidence, responsibility and willingness to contribute to others in a meaningful way. By stepping into mentoring roles, they are not only supporting younger students but also developing important skills in communication, empathy and leadership, topics that we study in ourPersonal Development Skills course. It is wonderful to see them embody our school values and make a positive impact in the wider community.

Student Reflections

Today we visited St Patrick’s Primary School. Each of us was given a group of Preps and we got to know them by discussing different topics. Meeting these kids taught us how to communicate better with the younger generation. We learned a lot from them and helped them with spelling certain words and counting numbers up to ten. They surprised us throughout the session with their talkative and ‘strong desire to work’ attitude.  I definitely loved getting to know the preps and would recommend this experience. I look forward to doing it again. 

Holly S

Year 11

During today’s excursion to St Patrick’s, I started the activity feeling very nervous. When we walked in the children were all friendly and excited to meet us. I was paired with two girls. We shared a moment talking about our favourite dinners. We all loved pasta. I can’t wait to see all the children next time!

Elise M

Year 11

Kilbreda College and Mercy Place Mentone Community Partnership

The Three Cs Project, known as Conversation, Community and Connection, has been such a positive experience for our students. It has been lovely to see the students’ confidence grow as they open up and talk to people they would not normally have access to in their everyday lives. Students who sometimes show up differently in class have really shone in this program, stepping into conversations with honesty and curiosity and building skills that go far beyond the classroom.

One of the most powerful parts of the program has been the relationships developed along the way. The relational aspect has really worked, helping students feel more connected and comfortable while building a strong sense of community. It’s been great to see how much students value these interactions and the impact it has had on their confidence and communication. We are also excited that in 2027 the program will expand to include a semester long experience for both Year 11 and 12 students, giving even more opportunity for these connections to grow.

Ruth Myers

VCE VM Enrichment Coordinator

Student Reflections

Visiting Mercy Place once every few weeks was a great opportunity for all of us. We made friendship bracelets, watercolour-painted cards and openly chatted with the residents. Throughout this experience, our communication skills were tested as we had to make conversation and have good listening skills. During these visits, we discovered interesting facts and learnt about the opportunities that this older generation got to be a part of. This experience helped me understand the importance of kindness and small acts, as spending time with these residents can have a meaningful impact on others. I would love to have this experience again, as talking to these residents was both valuable and rewarding. It allowed me to have a deeper understanding of the importance of communication and empathy when working with them. 

Holly S

Year 11

I had such a great experience at Mercy Place Mentone and genuinely looked forward to going each time. The atmosphere was really calm and welcoming, and it was easy to feel comfortable there. I especially enjoyed getting to know the residents, everyone had unique stories and personalities, and it was so nice just sitting with them, playing card games, talking, hearing about their lives and making them feel heard. Those small interactions meant a lot and made the experience really special for me. I became more patient, more aware of others and more confident in interacting with different people. I found that even the smallest moments, like sitting together, laughing or simply listening, could have a really positive impact. It made me realise how important it is to be present and give people your full attention. It’s definitely an experience I’ll remember and I’m really glad and grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of it.

Charlotte K

Year 11

Jenny Gamble

Learning Leader: VCE VM