Historical information

1959 was the first issue of 'Threshold'.

In 1951 thirty girls started a junior technical course for the first time in Ballarat, under the Principal of the Ballarat School of Mines. By 1959 it had increased enormously with an enrolment of 284 students, and its own headmistress. The early school took place in the Dana Street Primary School and a large portion of the Ballarat Technical Art School.

It was not thought necessary for girls to produce a magazine, but Joan Hood (Kirner) was determined that the girls would have the same opportunity as the boys.



“When I went out teaching, I went to Ballarat Girls Tech, where I met [husband] Ron who was at Ballarat Boys Tech. They were seen as tough schools, and I saw the disadvantage faced by these girls who were at the lowest of the low of the education rung – and yet there were some fantastic girls there who needed equal opportunity.

So I think it was teaching that cemented in my mind that people don’t get an even go – and in particular girls. It didn’t take me too long to realise blokes were largely empowered. And it was teaching that cemented how equity and empowerment for women could be achieved through education.”

Sarah Capper: You graduated from Melbourne University in 1958, and as mentioned, began work as a teacher in Ballarat. You married Ron in 1960 and received one of those government letters asking you to resign -

JK: Yes, I think it burnt a hole in my pocket when I brought it home! We were both teachers, and I said to Ron, “Well, you got married – where’s your letter?!”

That really clarified that the world wasn’t quite even, even in this profession that I’d always wanted and loved. I didn’t get superannuation – I think I got something like 100 pounds as pay in lieu of permanent service. And that wasn’t just me – that was a whole generation. Fancy that – that’s what it said – “pay in lieu of permanent service”.

So that made me livid. If I hadn’t been a feminist before then, I certainly was by then. I realised the distribution of power was different for women and men.

http://sheilas.org.au/2014/02/a-bonza-joan-kirner/, accessed 06/06/2015

The four houses of the Ballarat Girls' Technical School were Bass House, Sturt House, Flinders House and Mitchell House.

Physical description

Orange and green soft covered magazine of 24 pages. Includes a message from the headmistress, Fay Moore, and a photograph of the Magazine Committee featuring teacher Joan Hook (later Joan Kirner, Premier of Victoria).

Information and a photograph is given for the following personalities: Sandra McHenry, Sylvia Rowe, Heather Young, Beverley Davis, Lorna Robertson, Janice Hunter, Margaret Ayars, Margaret Veal, Heather O'Brien, Hilary Batt, Leone Davies, Marlene Drever, Janet Smith.