Columba College

Southland Times, Issue 25306, 8 June 1935, Page 17

Columba College

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS. During the last week-end a series of enjoyable gatherings was held in Dunedin to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of the founding of Columba College. The initial function was a birthday party given by the Otago Columba Old Girls’ Association to the staff, the present pupils and visiting old girls Miss Ashworth, principal of the college, who presided, called the gathering to order by ringing the bell which was presented to the school last year by the Southland Columba Old Girls’ Association. She extended a hearty welcome to all, and especially to the old girls, some of whom had not been back to their old school for many years. Mrs Templeton, president of Otago C.0.G.A., then extended a welcome on behalf of the parent association and announced that the different branches had given birthdaj gifts to the college, a chiming clock from the Christchurch Old Girls and an annual elocutionary scholarship from the Southland branches, the other two giving donations. The birthday cake, presented by the principal, Miss C. M. Ashworth, bore twenty-one candles. Miss F. Ross, patron of the association, lit the first candle. The others were then lit by pupils and ex-pupils of the school, each one representing the year in which she was enrolled. The following took part in the ceremony:— 1915, Peggy White; 1916, Mrs Lloyd (nee Lizzie Speight); 1917, Mrs Williams (nee Lizzie Robertson); 1918, Mary Davidson; 1919, Mrs Crimp (nee Molly Armour); 1920, Loma Mcßae; 1921, Mrs McAdam (nee Eva Payne); 1922, Mrs Turnbull (nee Rita Nash); 1923, Mrs Clifton-Johnston, Invercargill (nee Edna McKechnie); 1924, Frances Malcolm; 1925, Christine Pringle; 1926, Alma Moore; 1927, Rena Porteous; 1928, Freda White; 1929, Roberta Baird (Invercargill); 1930, Margar.. Whetter; 1931, Margaret Chisholm (Otautau); 1932, Helen Hudson; 1933, Pamela Sime; 1934, Dorella Smith and Sylvia Thompson; 1935, Eileen Perry. An interesting feature was that the girls representing the last four years were daughters of ex-pupils of the college. The candles were extinguished by Mrs Templeton and the cake was cut by Miss Ashworth, who was then presented with the badge of the Old Girls’ Association. After the singing of a song especially composed for the occasion by Miss Kathie Passmore, an ex-pupil, afternoon tea was served and the remainder of the afternoon was spent in conversation and in visiting the college, which was thrown open for - inspection. On Saturday evening a most successful dinner was held in Tudor Hall, one hundred and fifty old girls attending, the Southland president, Miss M. B. Cowie, proposing the toast of the college. After dinner a short programme was enjoyed and an opportunity given of renewing old friendships. At an anniversary service, held at the school on Sunday afternoon, the Rev. J. J. Caimey presided. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the college hymn and a prayer by the chairman. Miss Ross then read a passage of Scripture from Proverbs, chapters three and four, which included the school motto. An appropriate address was delivered by Professor J. Collie. On Monday evening a dance was neld in Tudor Hall, one hundred and thirtytwo couples participating. The chaperones, who were each presented with a posy, were Miss F. J. Ross, Miss C. M. Ashworth, Lady Sidey, Mrs Donald Reid an 1 Mrs R. A. Ewing. During the evening eight debutantes were pre-? sented by Miss Ashworth to Mrs Templeton and Miss Ross, each receiving a posy. The only Southland debutante was Miss Roberta Baird, Wallacetown, who vfore a frock of water-marked cream velvet with bell sleeves and a bateau neckline edged with velvet and gold lame roses.