Historical information

This book contains a collection of poems written by English poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, between 1830-1870. It also contains an introduction written by Sir Thomas Herbert Warren, former President of Magdalen College at Oxford University, plus 91 black-and-white illustrations by Millais, Rossetti, Maclise, and others. Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson FRS, was the Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. In 1829, Tennyson was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge for one of his first pieces, "Timbuktu."

Ruyton Girls' School has a long tradition of awarding prizes to students at annual "Speech Night" events. Speech Night at Ruyton is an extraordinary occasion. It is a time when we gather to celebrate both the year just lived and the contribution of our Year 12 girls to the life of our School. It is a night of stirring student speeches, acknowledgement of student endeavour and excellence and awe-inspiring performances by School choirs and ensembles.

The Maisie Brodribb Memorial Prize was named in honour of former Ruyton Girls' School student, Maisie Anderson (maiden name Brodribb), who attended the School between 1898-1903. The Prize, now discontinued, had been awarded for Mathematics and Science.

Significance

The record has strong historic significance as it was awarded to a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole). Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division.

Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967.

In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House.

Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88.

The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.

Physical description

Navy leather hardcover bound book with gold detailing on front cover and spine. 882 pages.

Inscriptions & markings

Front Cover:
R /
RECTE ET FIDE LITER /
RUYTON /

Spine:
POEMS OF /
TENNYSON /

Inside Cover:
R /
RECTE ET FIDE LITER /
RUYTON /
PRIZE /
AWARDED TO /
Helen Cole /
FOR /
Biology /
Form Matriculation /
H. Daniell. /
11th Dec. 1952 /
Maisie Brodribb Memorial Prize /