The Hallowian 2020 - Flipbook - Page 4
Pictured: Mrs Lola Johnson (left) and Ms Mary McKeering (right)
winter uniforms, including mandatory gloves
and stockings; and the treasured School badge
which needed to be earned.
Interview: Mary McKeering
They greatly valued the blessings of an All
Hallows’ education and believed that the School
influenced the person they became throughout
their lives. Mary and Lola maintained enduring
connections with All Hallows through lifelong
friendships and family members who became
All Hallows’ girls themselves. In fact, four of
Mary’s great-grand-nieces currently attend the
School!
Both Lola and Mary were presented with
brand new All Hallows’ badges by the School’s
youngest Year 5 students, Natalie Chung and
Allegra Cavallucci, before being clapped as they
left the assembly, a tradition usually observed
for new students and graduating Seniors. •
Centenarians remember
All Hallows’with love
Lola was an All Hallows’ pupil from
1935—1937 and excelled as a
member of the interschool tennis
doubles team, while enjoying
studies in music, maths, shorthand,
typing and bookkeeping.
Mary attended All Hallows from
1934—1935 and studied shorthand,
typing and bookkeeping. One of
her enduring memories was the
kindness of her teachers and staff,
one of whom took her aside one
day when she was feeling unwell
for a sneaky hot chocolate and
piece of bun!
In the days when Mary and Lola
were All Hallows’ students, Sister
Mary Loretto was the Sister in
Charge and well-known Brisbane
artist William Bustard was teaching
art at the School.
“
people and particularly women.
Lola and Mary shared some of
their fondest memories of their
time at All Hallows through a video
presentation at the School assembly.
They reflected on the ‘big school’
“
The All Hallows’ community was
honoured to welcome two inspiring
100-year-old past pupils, Mrs Lola
Johnson (née Prout) and Ms Mary
McKeering, back to the School to
celebrate International Women’s
Day 2020.
They reflected on the
‘big school’ of 550 students assembling in
the current Catherine Court, during the
era which saw the construction of the
Story Bridge.
At a time when the world was in the
grip of the Great Depression and in
the lead-up to the Second World
War, the gift of a good education
was unavailable to many young
of 550 students assembling in the
current Catherine Court, during the
era which saw the construction of
the Story Bridge; the high quality
of teaching; the summer and
Pictured: The cohort of 1935, standing in what is now Catherine Court.
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The Hallowian | 2019
Interview: Lola Johnson