Archives at Wenona

From Mrs Michele Ginswick, former Deputy Principal, now Archivist.

We have to thank the foresight of many members of staff at Wenona who over the years have put bits and pieces aside, papers, publications, invitations, etc and, of course, photographs. Add to this the generosity of our Old Girls in passing on their ‘little treasures’ and so we have an Archive! Recently it has fallen to my lot to bring some semblance of order to the collection to make it more accessible, to ensure that all items are well preserved and names of donors recorded.

The seeds of the school which was to become Wenona lie in the formation of Woodstock in 1886. The Archive is home to a number of photographs from Woodstock’s early days as well as a complete set of Wooodstock magazines. An important photograph from the pre World War I period is that of Wenona’s future Headmistress, Miss Ralston, amongst her year group in her final year at Woodstock. Also a photo of Miss Messiter, Wenona’s second Headmistress, as a girl of about 12 in a wonderful Edwardian hat! This was the only likeness the school had of Miss Messiter until early 2007 when we were able to track down a great nephew who allowed us to copy his photo of his beloved aunt when she was in her 30s.

When Miss Hooke closed Woodstock, opening Wenona shortly afterwards as a Prep school, she continued the use of the school colours, the motto and the crest. The Archives collection has examples of the hand-sewn alterations to the hat band crests as ‘Wenona’ replaced ‘Woodstock’.

A fascinating collection of photographs of the Wenona girls doing Archery in the 1920s and 30s shows stalwart young women dressed in silk shirts and stockings with green tunics. The inability to restock equipment brought this sport to an end during the Second World War. The collection holds many examples of original uniform, including much of the extensive wardrobes needed by Boarders from the 1930s to the 1970s. Apart from wearing the school uniform the same as the day girls, they wore a different uniform in summer and winter for church, dinner and outings, even to the beach! Where items are missing, replica uniforms have been made to enable a full record to be shown. Sadly, the one most missed is the green archery tunic.

Thanks must go to Margaret Cameron and Sue Hutchins for the wonderful job they have done to collect oral histories from a number of our oldest Wenonians. This project was undertaken in time to record some of our more colourful personalities who have since died.

Currently I enjoy hunting out images to help celebrate different reunions with displays of photographs and memorabilia. Some groups are able to set up their own presentations to illustrate just how their schooldays look to them from a distance of time. These displays have great perception and personality and become valuable archival artefacts in themselves.

In Term 4 2007 I will be asking for volunteers from all eras to assist with the naming of girls in photos and in dating a number of photos. If anyone has any pieces of Wenona memorabilia to donate to the Archives they would be most gratefully received. I normally work Tuesdays and can be reached on 9409 4467 but you can always reach me via a message to Jane Howland on 9409 4468.