A Legacy of Love – Charlotte and Her GG’s Santa Maria Story
Stories of tradition and connection span generations. Few are as touching as the bond between Year 7 boarder Charlotte and her great-grandmother Joan – affectionately known as GG, who attended Santa Maria College in the 1940s.
A Special Connection Across Time
Charlotte began her Santa Maria journey this year, stepping into the same boarding community her great-grandmother Joan joined over 80 years ago. Joan Riseborough (née Baldock) was a boarder at Santa Maria during the tumultuous years of World War II. Now 93, she remembers those days as “the best time of her life.”
Joan’s memories are rich with stories – of long train journeys from Kulin, of sweeping dormitory floors, and of corned beef dinners served on bread and butter plates. She recalls the College’s humble beginnings: a single building, no chapel, and a tennis court where the primary school now stands. “The school was only seven years old when I arrived,” she says. “But it felt like home.”
Shadows of War and Light of Friendship
For Joan, boarding school was a refuge during a time of fear and uncertainty. “When I was in primary school in Kulin, I was always worried the enemy was coming and how I’d get home to the farm,” she recalls. At Santa Maria, the war felt close. “I’ll never forget the search lights over the river at night. One evening, I saw a plane caught in the lights and the siren going off. We had to sit in the corridor on the floor.”
The College grounds played their part too. Soldiers trained on the Figure 8 lawn, then the only flat ground, and camped across the road. “Everything was rationed,” Joan said. “We lived simply, but there was always a sense of purpose.”
Despite these challenges, Joan’s memories are coloured more by connection than fear. She helped younger boarders with bedtime routines, sang and played violin at the Capitol Theatre in Perth, and built friendships that have endured the test of time.
Threads That Bind Generations
Joan’s legacy at Santa Maria didn’t end with her graduation. Her granddaughters Anita, Kate and Justine Riseborough also attended the College, and now, Charlotte carries the baton as the only great-granddaughter.
Their bond is woven through shared hobbies – dressmaking, crocheting and baking – and a mutual love for stories. “It’s GG’s greatest wish that Charlotte gets to experience the Santa Maria way of life like she did,” Charlotte’s mum Vicky says.
Memories and Moments - An Interview Across Generations
In a delightful interview, Charlotte asked GG about her school days. The exchange revealed much more than facts – it captured the heart of their relationship.
Joan shared her transition to life in Perth, the strict routines, the joy of music and performance, and the camaraderie of dorm life. “We only had dormitories to start,” she explained. “Then we got our own rooms – each with a bed and a wood dressing table. The quilts were fancy – it felt very special.”
And while she spoke of challenges like rationed meals and wartime anxieties, her words were filled with gratitude. “The nuns were so good to me. They even let me stay after graduation to complete a dressmaking apprenticeship because we couldn’t find other accommodation in Perth.”
Passing the Torch
As Charlotte settles into her new life at Santa Maria, she walks in the footsteps of generations. Her journey may include different subjects, buildings and technologies, but the essence remains the same: belonging, friendship and the pursuit of personal best.
And with GG by her side, whether stitching a hem or sharing a story, Charlotte is well and truly living the legacy.
- AlumniStories, BoardingSchool, BoardingSchoolLife, FamilyTraditions, Featured, IntergeneationalStory, PerthHistory, StudentLegacy
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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