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Chairwoman’s CommentsI would like to thank our secretary Iris Armstrong, once again, for the time and effort she has given to the Masonic Old Girls’ Association. Her attention to detail and thoroughness continues to impress all of us and it is hoped she will remain in office for some considerable time. My thanks too, to the other members of Committee for their contribution during the past year. Our meetings continue to take place in the home of past president Kathleen Welshman and I wish to take this opportunity to thank her for her hospitality. Kathleen has been the mainstay of the association for many years and her home in ‘Ulsterville Avenue’ is regarded as our ‘Headquarters’. I might add that our suppers are reminiscent of the midnight feasts we enjoyed so furtively at school!! The major social occasion and highlight of the year was the Masonic Past Pupils’ Association Millennium celebration weekend. This took place in Dublin on 18 & 19 June 1999 and was organised by Mr Ted and Mrs Vivian Hood. Enormous thanks are due to Jennifer Moffat who liaised so competently with Secretary Iris Armstrong. During this most interesting and nostalgic weekend, a garden seat was presented at ‘Richview’ to the School of Architecture, University College Dublin. Perhaps the Old Girls’ Association would like to think about a similar presentation at Ballsbridge (now becoming a hotel) at some future date? An historic video of Richview and Ballsbridge was on sale. This is a silent film and a commentary might enhance the action? Any volunteers? Secretary Iris will enlarge on the weekend events. As this is my final year as Chairwoman I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed this privilege and I wish all our members peace and plenty in ‘The Millennium Year’. Dorothy Eccles Chairwoman Masonic Old Girls’ Association From our secretary Masonic Past Pupils’ Association Millennium Reunion Dinner Some three hundred attended the Reunion dinner held in the Stakis Hotel, Dublin, in June 1999. This included 70 Old Girls from Ireland, Florida, Illinois, New York and San Francisco. On the afternoon of the dinner, around 200 Old Boys, Girls and friends visited Richview, which is now owned by the School of Architecture at University College Dublin. It was nice to see that the school buildings remain substantially intact. A photographic exhibition was set up in the gym, bringing back many memories of our days at MGS – sports days, hockey and tennis teams, etc. Here we met many of our old school friends and had ample time to chat over a cup of tea in the day room. There were historic videos of the days at Richview and Ballsbridge being shown in the dining room; in one of the scenes the late Miss Legge was shown supervising hair washing day!! A garden seat was presented to the University school of Architecture by Mr Harold Ennis and Mr Ted Hood of the Old Boys’ Association. Then it was back to the Stakis to prepare for the evening function. Some of us had time to take in the Royal Wedding on television. A reception was held in the hotel foyer prior to dinner. At this stage our president Edna Clark with Chairwoman Dorothy Eccles presented baskets of flowers from the Old Girls’ Association to Jennifer Moffet and Ted and Vivian Hood, who were thanked for all their hard work in organising the function. Then on to the banqueting hall which was beautifully decorated with flowers, balloons and napkins in the Old Boys’ School colours. A miniature whiskey for the gents and chocolates for the ladies were at each of our places. Following the meal bottles of champagne were presented to Miss Pike and Mr Hoey, being the most senior members present. Toasts were made to the ‘Associations’ by Mr Darwin Templeton, Grand Master of the Masonic Order and replied to by both Presidents. Dancing followed for those with sufficient stamina remaining and several prizes were won by the Old Girls. The following Sunday morning several of us went to Ballsbridge to see what, if anything, remained of the Old School. How changed it is – few green fields left with just a part of the front façade remaining of the school building. It is to be a Bewleys Aparthotel and quite a large one at that!! Again thanks must go to our Southern Representative Jennifer Moffet who with the Old Boys had the unenviable task of organising an event of this size, when in the evening upwards of 300 people sat down to dinner. Iris Armstrong Secretary Masonic Old Girls’ Association
The secretary received numerous phone calls and letters from Old Girls in appreciation of their enjoyable weekend. Obituaries
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of the following Old Girls: Doreen Leroux (nee Taylor) Margaret McCormick (nee Campbell) Joan Odlum (nee Notley) Daisy McMullan (nee Wilson) Evelyn Shaw (nee Sewell)
We would like to send our condolences to the following: Olive Auty (nee Kirk) on the death of her husband. Pat Canavan and Helen Lynagh (nee Pritchard) ion the death of their mother. Sheila Prentice (nee Moore) on the death of her sister. Flossie Sands (nee Lewis) on the death of her husband. Gladys Best (nee Spencer) on the death of her husband. Joan Neville on the death of her mother. Hazel Saunderson and Edna Hawthorne (nee Wightman) on the death of their mother. Betty Cuffe-Smith on the death of her husband. Miss Good formerly Irish teacher at the school.
New Grandmothers On a happier note we are pleased to announce the following proud new grandmothers: Heather McClure (nee Field) Pauline McMurray (nee Ritchie) Doreen Harkness (nee Morrison)
Other Celebrations Olive Marshall (nee Wilmot) and husband Jim have celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Irene Aceson (nee Halliday) has obtained a BA degree in Psychology with the Open University. The son of Jayne Pollock (nee Field) has graduated from the Queen’s University with a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering. The daughter of Heather McClure (nee Field) has graduated in Dentistry from Dundee University. News from one of our members I have been out to New Zealand about five or six times. When I worked for British Airways a certain length of time I was allowed to take a close relative for a holiday. I took my sister, and we chose New Zealand, which resulted in her family emigrating there in 1976, hence my reason for so many visits since. During my visit in 1974, our first night was spent with Paddy Marshall – one never goes far in this world without meeting a Masonic Boy. It is a really lovely country consisting of two islands, the North and the South. The whole area is 103,416 square miles, equivalent to about one sixth larger than Great Britain. Both islands have wonderful scenery, large mountains and magnificent beaches that are never crowded. The reason for this is the small population. The whole area has 3.5 million. About half the people live in the northern third of the North Island. The South Island has about 800,000 people. The climate is mild and equable, with hours of sunshine equal to those of Italy or Florida. Natural resources, largely a farming country, principal products and exports are meat wool and dairy produce. The South Island is more spectacular. When I was there in 1984 we walked the famous Milford Track, which is situated in Southern part of the South Island, once known as Fiordland, because it is like Norway, large mountains with a lot of water due to heavy rainfall. One joins a large party and the walk takes three days. Accommodation is provided in huts, including food, and on the last evening we stay in a luxurious hotel, have a celebration dinner, and are given certificates for completing the walk. The young folk do this walk carrying everything on their backs, stay in basic huts, do their own cooking etc. at lesser cost!! Several guides walk with us to help cross the deep rivers that rise to a high level in heavy rain. It is a wonderful experience. This year I went out for five weeks in January. It was my first visit since my sister retired in autumn 1998. It was great to see her family now grown up with the new generation now coming on. We took a holiday taking three nights to get to Wellington. A beautiful city due south of the North Island, this is where all the Government offices are and where the ferry leaves for the South Island. We joined up with friends here, and toured for nine days on the northern tip of the South Island – The Able Tasman area, a new area for me, lovely coves and beaches – deserted, great for swimming and walking. We stayed in motels all the time – these are excellent, we have nothing like them here, well furnished and spacious and so reasonable. You do your own catering, or there is a good choice of takeaway and restaurants if you don’t wish to cook. Now I hope I have encouraged some of you to face the long journey to see a great country!! Olive Gray MGS Pupil 1932-1936 Gossip An eagle-eyed Old Girl watching TV was startled to see two familiar faces amidst the throng of rowdy and vociferous ‘Free the Prisoners’ protesters disembarking from the Enterprise train arriving in Dublin. What on earth are the Old Girls coming to she thought!! The two culprits were Olive Marshall and Gladys Shaw. But all is well – it eventually turned out that they were merely returning from the Old Girls AGM in Belfast and picked a most unfortunate moment to leave the train.
Future Circulars It has been decided that no further circulars will be sent to those members from whom we have not received subscriptions or donations for some time. We regret having to do this. A special thanks to all who have contributed to this year’s newsletter. Without your help we would have little news. Dorothy Ferguson (nee Rea) |