Vale Miss Handley – the end of an era
Mrs Janet Stewart | stewartj@mbc.qld.edu.au
Last week, Moreton Bay College remembered and farewelled Miss Oriel Handley at a very special Thanksgiving service led by the Rev. Peter Lockhart. Hundreds attended in person – and online – to acknowledge and give thanks for the dedication of Miss Handley to this community. Members of her Scared Choir performed many of her favourite hymns, and Vocal Point performed several pieces including the College Song – sung to the original tune - which brought tears to the eyes of many an ‘Old Girl’ present. Mr Ken Waller commanded the audience with a powerful eulogy of Miss Handley’s life, detailing their professional and personal relationship, and Don Hann, a previous Chaplain, also offered insights on Miss Handley’s time at MBC.
I was also privileged to share some very special memories of Miss Handley’s years of service to MBC. While I knew Miss Handley and our relationship began in 1997 when I commenced as an English teacher, I was deeply grateful to the committed work of our previous archivist Heather Hamilton and more recently the work of Lisa Crick, for the archival material I was able to access. This allowed me to recount details of Miss Handley’s life from its earliest connections with the College and the Greene sisters. I have attached my speech here.
Miss Handley was our last tangible connection to the Greenes and their pioneering vision for the holistic education of young women. As we honoured Miss Handley, we honoured her enduring commitment to the ideals of the Greenes, ideals which continue to motivate and inspire us today, 120 years later.
Miss Handley’s example of service, hard work and passion for the education of young women leaves an immeasurable legacy for all members of the MBC family.