NEAL, Marjorie-Rose

Marjorie-Rose Neal taught at The Geelong College from 1972-1977, one of the first full-time female teachers at Senior School and part of the early years of co-education at the college.

Born in 1930, Marjorie-Rose was the youngest of four children and the only daughter of Leo and Flos Neal. After attending Westleigh College Kindergarten, she received her education at Catholic Ladies College in East Melbourne (1937-1943), followed by boarding at Sacré Cœur in Glen Iris (1944-1947). These formative experiences within the Catholic tradition influenced her decision to enter religious life, entering noviceship at Sacred Heart Order in 1949 at the Rose Bay Convent in Sydney. She took the habit in 1950 and her vows in 1951. She later served at Sacré Cœur in Glen Iris.

In the late 1950s Marjorie-Rose studied for a Bachelor of Science at the University of Sydney, whilst resident of Sancta Sophia College, She then moved back to Sacré Cœur in Glen Iris before returning to Sancta Sophia to study a Diploma of Education at the University of Sydney.

In the late 1960s, Marjorie-Rose chose to leave the order, believing she could make a greater impact as an educator outside of the order. Following her DipEd she taught at Rose Bay whilst studying a Master of Science at Macquarie University.

When Marjorie-Rose started teaching at the College in 1972, she was employed as a Maths teacher. She was one of the few female staff members at Senior School (Pat Wood was the first female academic staff member).  She pioneered, with Mr JH Douglass, the introduction of ‘computing options’ to the maths course at College and in Geelong. She also assisted with Calvert House for most of her years at the school.

Marjorie-Rose’s nephew, Peter Neal (OGC 1972), recalls that she was integral to the design of the girls school uniform when coeducation was introduced in 1974/1975.

Following her time at College, Marjorie-Rose taught at Taylors College, Eltham College, Fintona Girls School and Genazzano. Then in 1986 she started lecturing at Rusden College in maths and education until retiring in 1995. She was also studying a Master of Education at Monash between short contracts at Blackburn High and Syndal High School.

Outside of teaching, Marjorie-Rose was an avid cricket follower and Geelong Football Club supporter.

Peter also remembers:

“Over the years whenever Marjorie-Rose and I spoke about the College it was always with great fondness. She told me when I visited her in 2022, the day after the first Sic Itur I attended, that the '72 year group was her favourite year group saying that they were amongst the nicest students she had the pleasure of teaching.”

Marjorie-Rose passed away 24 August 2024, aged 94 years.

College Senior School Staff, 1972. Marjorie-Rose is standing, second row, fourth from the right.