Her Excellency’s adventure

This was a very special occasion for us at The Settlement, as her Excellency has connections with The Settlement spanning back more than 60 years.

Students from Darlington Primary School senior choir sang during the visit. Governor Bashir addressed the children telling them that, when she was a young girl from the country visiting her grandparents’ house, her grandfather would point out Sydney University and The Settlement from their house on the hill in Redfern. He would tell her that when she grew up she would go to the university and would help the children who attended The Settlement.

When she did come to study at the university she lived at the Women’s College. It was a group of students from the Women’s College who established The Settlement over 100 years ago.

In her story of the grand old days of debutante balls at Sydney University Great Hall, which raised funds for The Settlement, she joked with the children that debutante balls were supposed to be the very first time you were allowed to go to a party. She inspired them to try to achieve their very best by saying that, at the ball, she was presented to the NSW Governor of the time, Sir John Northcott, and that now she had grown up and become the Governor herself.

This was a huge day for The Settlement as it was also the last day that staff were in their hall at 17 Edward Street in Darlington before moving out to allow the completion of renovations. They have since moved their office into a flat in the street and the young people and children continue to drop into their service which is currently relocated to Erskineville Town Hall until the renovations are completed in about four months’ time.

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If you would like more information about The Settlement and its activities please call 9698 3087. Michele Goodman is Manager of The Settlement.

This article appeared in Youth of Today, a regular article on local youth and related issues is kindly sponsored by Appetite Café.

Source: November 2011 South Sydney Herald http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/