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Anne Vinycomb
Anne's early working years were spent as an engineering draftswoman in England. In 1958, Anne and her husband, Rex, and their family of five children — three boys and two girls — moved to Adelaide. A later move to Melbourne saw two of the boys educated at Carey, and Anne undertaking a Library Technician's Course and employment at Hawthorn Institute.
Her appointment to Carey in 1973 by Gerard Cramer saw the start of a technological revolution in audio-visual aids for the staff and students. When Anne came to the School, Carey possessed only an open-reel tape recorder and some overhead projectors; now we have some of the latest electronic machinery available in any school.
During her time at Carey, Anne contributed over a broad range of areas not necessarily related to her primary role. When she was appointed Geoff Burridge's assistant in Dunshea House, hers was the first appointment of a part-time teaching staff member as House staff. In her final six years, she served Dunshea with distinction as Head, and always regarded the House system as an important element in a child's development at Carey. She provided students with maximum scope to participate in House decision-making, even if, on occasions, they had to learn from their mistakes.
Since the original concept of Carey's change to co-education was first on the drawing board, Anne was at the forefront of discussions preceding its eventual inception. She has continued to provide a valuable focus for the co-educational agenda as Chairperson of the Co-Ed. Committee.
Anne Vinycomb has been one of those staff members who has not had to be asked to help when there is a job to be done. She has attended countless School functions, both cultural and sporting, to record the event on film or video. The School's collection of photographic memorabilia would be
much the poorer had it not been for Anne's initiative.
She has been a valued supporter of the rowing fraternity, frequently doing the cooking at Toonallook camps and supervising students on regattas, even going so far as to allow herself to be
taught to row in both a four and a single scull by Keith Bilney. Anne has also lent her support to the camping programme with the same enthusiasm, and has fond memories of Hattah camps with Peter Bucknill and Geoff Powell.
Her spirit of service led Anne to become Carey's representative on the Victorian Association of Teachers in Independent Schools, and she later became President of the Senior School Common Room — at the time being only the second woman to fill this position — when she played a leading role in creating a working environment which valued fun and laughter.
While reflecting on the changes that have occurred at Carey, Anne is delighted with the recently-introduced tutor system for the new energy it has brought with it. On the negative side, Anne feels the growth in the size of the
School has diminished to some degree
the personal touch. She would air a
concern that the V.C.E. has so
increased the work load on staff that
the level of fun that used to exist in the
Common Room is now more difficult
to obtain. Her love for co-education
remains undiminished and, while she
concedes it has brought more pressures,
she feels it's been worthwhile.
Anne Vinycomb is going to be
missed by the whole School
community. We shall miss her quiet
common sense, her cheery outlook, her
dedication, and her friendship. As she
commences her retirement, she takes
with her the love and best wishes of a
grateful community, and the hope that
she will retain a strong interest in the
School she has served so well.
Source: Mr Noel Voigt, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL (Carey Chronicle, 1991)
GenderFemaleCategoryPeople | Women of Carey