Jane’s connection to our College now extends across five generations and dates back to around 1914 during the first World War. A time, and perhaps the only time in the College’s history, when the obligation to wear the school uniform had been waived. The reason for this was that the war had made it difficult to procure many items locally, and this included fabrics.
Jane was born in 1901, and probably would not have foreseen that her great, great grandchildren would be attending the College today. She was the eldest daughter of a local butcher, and reportedly enjoyed dressmaking and helping her father in his shop. These seemingly polar opposite pursuits saw Jane go on to become quite the pioneer, as she went on to establish herself as a fully qualified butcher. At the time, this was so novel it attracted the local press.
The Warrnambool Standard reported on 21st June 1963:
“A Warrnambool woman, who entered the male field years ago, does not feel out of character, as the City’s, and probably the State’s only fully qualified woman butcher.”
During the 1930’s Jane’s daughter Jean Heckle went on to attend St Ann’s College. This was a time when secondary schooling was considered a luxury in Australia, as we were in the grip of the Great Depression, and unemployment was prevalent. Jane was a single parent, so it is extraordinary that she was still able to send Jean to school in the face of these challenges. It’s also a clear indicator that Jane saw education as something to be valued and prioritised.
Jean Heckle was an active girl, who loved sports, but her real talents lay in art and design. Her first job out of school was as a sign writer. Jean loved her schooling, but would admit she was glad she was a Day Student and not a Boarder as the girls who were boarding had to bathe fully-covered in a robe.
A classmate of Jean’s was a young lady called Joan Carroll, who following school went on to become the Principal of St Ann’s College, now known to all as Sr Philomene.
The nuns used to watch us as we came through the gate and check that we were in full uniform. Right down to the hat and the glovesJane Gorman (Carney)
The next in line to attend St Ann’s College was Jane Carney, who named after her grandmother, began her Prep year in 1954. The Primary section of the school was open to all students, so all Jane’s brothers attended as well. Classes were held in the beloved Nazareth Hall, now the carpark in front of the library.
Jane was at school during the transition from the navy school uniform with the floppy hat, to the bowler hat with the now infamous ‘grasshopper’ St Ann’s green uniform.
“The nuns used to watch us as we came through the gate and check that we were in full uniform. Right down to the hat and the gloves.”
Even the girls’ choice of underwear was prescribed, “We also had to wear the beige cottontail full knickers!” Jane sighs. “And we had to get them at Stephen’s stores.”
While at school, Jane remembers the excitement that surrounded the St Ann’s Fetes. Her mother, Jean would make peg dolls to support the event. As the talented artist she was, Jean would diligently paint faces on the dolls, and adorn them with dresses and hair.
Jane also recalls Mrs Agnes Ryan as her nurturing Form I (Year 7) teacher who a generation later, was also a wonderful teacher for all her own daughters. Jane and Agnes became good friends and remained in touch throughout Agnes’ life. Jane’s daughter Anna also identifies Agnes as one of her most influential teachers while at St Ann’s.
“Agnes Ryan was just it and a bit for me. She was lovely and English was definitely my favourite and best subject. She was just inspiring.” Anna says.
Jane had four daughters go through St Ann’s; Lisa, Anna, Sarah and Olivia, during the time of the amalgamation with CBC.
Anna, who was part of the first graduating class of Emmanuel College, recollects commencing high school and not realising that there were so many other primary schools outside of her own. There were a lot of new people to get to know. “It was a really great group. And we had some wicked times,” she laughs.
The amalgamation was an interesting time in the College’s history, and one that Anna enjoyed being a part of. “I think it tied in everyone just that bit closer. We knew our friends at CBC quite well by then, because we’d been sharing classes with them for 12 months prior, so it was a nice transition.”
From Jane’s time at school to Anna’s, a huge shift had occurred in the staffing. The majority of Jane’s teachers were Sisters of Mercy, whereas Anna was largely taught by lay staff. “This was still the Convent, there were Sisters still living here.” Anna explains.
A common opinion among many girls of Anna’s generation is the value of ‘Typing’ lessons - a class not available at the boys school. Lessons were rigorous, however many girls comment to us how their peers in the workplace envy this skill.
“It was great. I really loved coming to secondary school here. It was good fun.” Anna concludes.
Today, the legacy begun by Jane Struth continues through the Cumming and the Moncrieff families. Current Year 11 student, Maiya Cumming has been enjoying her days at Emmanuel since she began in 2018. “It’s been really good.” Maiya says. “I was thrilled to be with all my friends from other schools.”
Maiya highlights all the camps offered by Emmanuel as her favourite part of school, including the optional ones such as Rock 2 Reef, and the International Language Tours. “I really like all the Outdoor Ed kind of stuff.” she comments.
Maiya is particularly looking forward to going on the snow trip next year, “All the Year 12s have had that this year, and they’ve all really enjoyed it.”
Being in Year 11, Maiya is looking to the future, but trying to keep her options as open as possible. She is considering study areas from education, to nursing, to allied health.
An option not available to any of the generations of ladies who attended before her, Maiya is currently being supported by Emmanuel to complete Animal Studies via correspondence. It’s a potential step in the direction of further study in Veterinary Nursing. Most of the course work gets completed online, plus the occasional day on campus in Melbourne during the school holidays, where she gets to do hands-on work with various animals.
“The support that these kids have got now is just amazing.” Anna highlights.
Another lovely connection the family has to the College is that both Lisa and Anna Gorman held their weddings in St Ann’s Chapel, and Olivia in the Rice Campus Chapel.
A centrepiece in the landscape of the College, the Chapel evokes different memories for each of the families’ generations. Maiya knows it, as it is today, a quiet space with beautiful windows; Anna, a place where Religion Classes were held on occasion, where scripture was presented, but not discussed; and Jane, the place where students were walked through following the death of one of the Sisters, to view and farewell an open casket.
Now spanning 120 years, the family of Jane Struth have been attending our school known today as Emmanuel College. Each enjoying a uniquely different experience, as the world changed and the school evolved, they can be proud of this common thread.
The support that these kids have got now is just amazingAnna Cumming (Gorman)
