Visit of the Cleeland Sisters

Last week I met with two of three Cleeland sisters, who were boarders here in the 1960s to 1970s; Kate, who finished in Matric with my aunt in 1969 and Lena (Eileen) who finished in 1972. They had come to donate a number of items of interest to our archives, amounting to three boxes in total. Many of these had been collected by their older sister, Gabrielle, who finished in 1966.

All three were boarders from a property at Newhaven, Phillip Island. Most of Gaye’s time at Kilbreda was under the Principalship of Mother Margaret Mary. While her experience and that of Kate was fairly similar, Lena’s boarding life was much more liberal. Kate recalls having a record player which she was allowed to plug in up in the Hall and play records during free time on Saturday nights. Being a dancer, she enjoyed dancing to the newest songs, as did her friends. Even during recreation, uniforms were worn. A few years later, in Lena’s time, the boarders were allowed to wear casual clothes on a weekend.

Kate recalled, “Ballroom dancing was taught during my time by Mrs Challingsworth who was always beautifully dressed, gracious and a very patient teacher! Her sister played the piano superbly and also ran the choir. When I started life as a boarder, my mother explained about my love of dance to the then Mother Superior and asked if lessons could be arranged. This was duly organised and Kathleen Gorham from the Australian Ballet took a small group of us for a weekly lesson – later students from the ballet school came regularly to teach us”. Kate was also present in 1966 when fellow boarder Celestine Chisholm climbed out of the upper storey window whilst sleep walking.

Gay and Lena both slept for a time in the pink Dormitory (now Room 5), while Kate spent her six years in the Main Dormitory where Rooms 1 – 4 are now. For several years Kate slept on the balcony with her sister Gaye. “Two other groups of sisters at the time shared this rather privileged spot!”

Lena solved a mystery as I’d asked about the fourth Cleeland who appears in the list, Eileen. It turned out that was Lena, short for Eileen.

Among the treasures donated there is a green beret, which may have only been an option for boarders, two of the rarer pins and about 20 sets of rosary beads. Fortunately, among the annuals was a copy of the 1971 edition, which is quite rare, our only copy being that of Principal Mother Barbara.

Damian Smith

Archives