BROOKSHAW, Dulcie (1928-2015)Article by Su Tayler
D. Brookshaw, 1972
Third Principal ‘Morongo’ Girls’ College from 1971-1986 (end of Term One).
Miss Brookshaw outlined her 15 years at Morongo as taking five years to settle in, the next five to cope with the recession, and the last five as seeing new projects and plans into fruition.
During her time at Morongo, there was much growth; many new buildings were established: The Neilson Library, The McCann Sports Centre, The Laird Centre and The Pettitt Music Centre. ‘The Dulcie Brookshaw Senior Centre’ opened in 1987. She was deeply moved by the school council naming the building in her honor and it opened on the first anniversary of her departure, something she felt made the day even more special. On her retirement in 1986, it was written that thousands of students had passed through her care, there would have been few who did not hold her with respect.
Miss Brookshaw’s secondary education was completed at PLC Melbourne in 1946. During 1947-49, at Melbourne University, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree. Between 1950 and 1954, she was teaching mathematics and geography at the New England Girls’ school, in Armidale, NSW, before moving to England (1955-58). Back in Australia, she returned to Armidale (1959-1960); after this she did a 12 month stint with IBM training as a computer programmer but soon returned to her first calling teaching. In the 1960’s, Dulcie completed a Diploma of Education and the Teachers training certificate. In 1964, she travelled overseas again. Prior to coming to Morongo in 1971, she was Chief of Staff and senior Mathematics teacher from 1966 to 1970 and had undertaken the role of Acting Headmistress at Shelford Church of England Girls’ Grammar School. During her time as Principal, Miss Brookshaw continued to teach Mathematics to Year 12 (Form 6) students.
Essentially, Miss Brookshaw was also a boarder at Morongo, living on the Morongo grounds, sharing her life with the students. She spent seven days a week at the school. It was her way of life, although she did have interests away from the school, such as Theatre, Ballet, Tennis, Squash, Golf and Holidays.
Miss Brookshaw was proud of Morongo and especially the fact that it was a girls’ school. She believed girls at Morongo had the opportunity to develop, lead and organise without being inhibited or dominated by the presence of boys. It was something she worked fiercely to protect, especially in difficult financial times. Morongo held out, when other schools succumbed and enrolments dropped. She wrote in the Old Collegians newsletter May 2014: ‘I was in NSW when I saw on TV News that Morongo was to close. I was shocked and saddened by this news, but I am now relieved that an educational institute is established on this wonderful site overlooking Geelong. Since the closure the Morongo Old Collegians’ Association has kept the lamp ever burning for the school… Morongo provided
education for girls for almost 74 years and was one of many great educational institutions in Geelong. I remember my days at Morongo with great joy, and I am sure that many Old Collegians recall their happy school days and the friendships they made at the time.’
After 15 years at the helm, Miss Brookshaw retired, age 57. She was a great supporter of the Old Collegians Association – attending many events over the years before and after her retirement. At the time of her retirement Sue Trethowan, of the Geelong Advertiser aptly described Miss Brookshaw: “Her blue eyes softened and she cast her head down a moment. She looked vulnerable – a small woman in a stylish neat dress of pale pastels with strings of tiny pearls wound around her neck – her fair hair softly framing her face – gone for an instant was the strong ‘woman in charge’ aura – the disciplinarian!”.
BackgroundHenry John (Harry) Brookshaw, Fuel Merchant and Mary Hilda Talbot had twin daughters Dulcie and Nancie on the 22nd of September, 1928 in Melbourne. Miss Brookshaw died on the 20th of May, 2015, in Melbourne, age 86. Her obituary appeared in
The Age.
Rowing was introduced in 1974 and keenly supported by Principal Dulcie Brookshaw. Miss Brookshaw was often seen at the rowing, even in her retirement and a rowing boat was named in her honour. In 1984, Miss Brookshaw and Mary Waters (Clarendon) approached Rowing Victoria, resulting in the Head of the River Schoolgirls Regatta. The inaugural regatta was held in 1985 on Lake Wendouree, Ballarat.
Reflections of the Principal“I arrived at the bluestone building with my possessions to settle into an environment which was to be my home. Jean Rentoul was there to greet me and I shall always remember her kindness in guiding me through those first few weeks. She was a tower of strength especially in the boarding house where I had to adjust to boarding house routine (just like any new boarder) and at the same time learn the ropes of running a school. Each school has a character of its own and I did not want to alter that by introducing change too quickly. I wanted to observe and get to know the feel of the place before implementing any major changes.
However, I did make myself unpopular with some senior students, when after the first Monday morning’s assembly at which the two verses of the National Anthem were sung, I decided that only one verse would be sung in the future. (I hasten to add that now the singing of God Save the Queen is alternated with the singing of Advance Australia Fair).
My years as a principal have given me greater understanding and knowledge in many areas. I have gained knowledge in running a million dollar business, in financial budgeting, in designing buildings, in landscaping, in public relations, in legal and industrial matters. I have heard the school chairman call me ‘The Big Spender’ and this may be true but I have enjoyed seeing the fruits of my spending sprees..."Su Tayler (MOC 1978) on Miss BrookshawNever in a million years would I have thought I’d be writing an article on Miss Brookshaw. It is a bit weird; I’m now around the age Miss Brookshaw was when she was the headmistress at Morongo and truly I can’t imagine ever being called Miss Tayler by a group of young ladies today! In fact, I’d be horrified. My lasting memory of Miss Brookshaw will always be my first day at school; I can still picture exactly where I was. Outside the school library and the Headmistress was approaching, to my first day form one eyes, a lady to be avoided at all costs. She stopped, probably my heart stopped too! She said, “How are you going, Susan?” To this day, the fact Miss Brookshaw had remembered my name from only one meeting months prior was such an important moment for me. I tell the story often when reminiscing about my days at Morongo, I was amazed. I believe it was something she prided herself on, knowing who all the girls under her care were. I was fortunate to catch up with Miss Brookshaw at the Morongo High Tea at the old Boarding house a few years ago – where I was able to tell her what I’d achieved in life, she was happy for me and pleased to hear and I felt 12 years old again!
(Final Newsletter Morongo Old Collegians 2015)
Head-itorial & Ed-linesMiss Brookshaw & Heather Neilson
Heather:
What would you consider to be Morongo’s greatest asset?Miss Brookshaw:
People! Council, Staff, Girls. This dates back to the time when the school was established by a group of men interested in providing education for girls. Also the foresight of the Council just fifty years ago in purchasing this Bell Post Hill site reflects their wisdom in planning for the future growth of the school. Many schools envy the position and site that Morongo stands on. … This is shown in the readiness of Old Collegians to give their support to the school. They treasure their school days and they remain interested in all new developments taking place.Miss Brookshaw:
What do you consider to be Morongo’s greatest asset?Heather:
I consider our greatest asset to be a solid foundation of tradition blended with a forward looking approach.(Full article
here Lucernian Vol. 4, No. 2, 1976 pp 8-9)
Sources:Warland, P. and Morongo Old Collegians Inc.
Morongo Old Collegians: 1920-1995. Morongo Old Collegians
Inc, Geelong, Vic, 1995.
Trethowan, S. 'Champion of girls’ schools bows out'.
Geelong Advertiser. Date unknown: c1986.
'School’s out for our Miss Brookshaw' –
Geelong Advertiser. May 15, 1986.
'Only Three Principals'.
Geelong Advertiser. October 27, 1977
O'Regan, G. 'She Okd Slacks, Banned Junior Exams'.
Geelong Advertiser? Date unknown: 1971
School Ephemera & Lucernians