My Days at Santa Maria College – Rosalin Sadler (1960)
Rosalin Sadler’s journey has taken her from the classrooms of Santa Maria College to creative and cultural circles across Melbourne, London and beyond. A lifelong advocate for music, literature and the arts, she has worn many hats, business owner, writer, producer and arts leader, while always carrying with her the memories and foundations formed in her early years at SMC. Below, Rosalin reflects on the experiences, friendships and moments that have shaped her remarkable path.
After many years away, returning to South Perth has felt like stepping gently back into the beginning of my own story. Born in 1943, I spent my first 15 years here, and those early memories have a way of rising to the surface, vivid, musical and full of colour.
I was fortunate to be born into a musical family. Piano and cello were part of daily life, and I loved singing Gregorian Chants at Latin Mass in St Columba’s Church during my primary school years. My mother taught music at the convent alongside my music teacher Sr Anita. Before long, I was catching the bus to Santa Maria College, in the same year as Gillian Garratt and Adrienne Hughes.
New Cities, New Chapters
In 1958, our family relocated to Melbourne. There was much wailing on the train as we crossed the Nullarbor over those long days and nights. Melbourne brought an entirely new life. At 18, I found my way back to music through choral singing, and eventually to Melbourne University, where I developed a deep passion for Literature.
England beckoned in 1975. I connected again with academics from Melbourne University, which led to further literary pursuits. A visit to North Cornwall resulted in a snap decision to live in The Old Mill at Boscastle. There, I ran a mixed business, edited manuscripts and early attempts at novels, and even found myself in a brief tussle with The National Trust over the rights of village traders. What chance did we have of success? Commerce, I learned, teaches many lessons.
Running a restaurant at The Old Mill was enormous fun, and extraordinarily labour intensive. I hope my customers and staff were happy; we certainly gave it our all.
Eventually, I left The Old Mill for London, writing for Modern Painters magazine under Peter Fuller and working as an arts reviewer for various newspapers. I lived in London for about 15 years. Work with Channel 4 and BBC2 followed, after forming WordFirst Productions Ltd. I remain a member of the Chelsea Arts Club. It was in London that Frances Berrigan (Class of 1960), with her Cicada Productions, and I crossed paths again professionally.
Returning to Melbourne in 1998, I became President of Flinders Quarter Inc from 2000 for around five years, working and living within the arts precinct of Flinders Lane and its laneways. Later, I returned to Western Australia and, around 2011, served on the Arts Committee of the Cottesloe Council.
Now, I find myself once again living in South Perth, just around the corner from where it all began, opposite my primary school, from which I went to SMC and where, on her first day, I delivered Geraldine Doogue (1968). Gillian Martin (Garratt, 1960) and Janice Lillis (Knipe, 1960) remain dear friends. I am neighbours with Helen Daniels whose sister Katherine (1960) was in my class. After spotting the UWA Choral Society singing on Cottesloe Beach, I joined. A membership of the UWA Club was a fitting reward.
Memories of Santa Maria College
My memories of Santa Maria are lively and fond.
At lunchtime, I conducted brisk trade with the boarders, my sandwiches in exchange for whatever they had to offer. I would inspect their goods up and down the line before making my decision. Retreat was something I genuinely looked forward to, leaning against a tree in silence, staring into the bush, which was all there was to see, apart from the swimming pool. One boarder took particular delight in trying to make me talk during those moments of quiet.
I remember a summer heatwave when Sr Gertrude moved us to sit beneath a gum tree near the tennis courts. She was a gentle soul who deserved better treatment from some of us. We could be quite rowdy. I cringe now at the memory of her attempts to settle us.
The SMC summer nights are unforgettable, rehearsing for concerts and eating late with the boarders. I hoped for boiled cabbage. I loved it. My favourite Sisters were Gertrude, Claude and Concilii, though with the softening of the years, I look back fondly on them all.
I felt such pride when the original Science Building was constructed. We were told it was the first Science Building for girls in Western Australia. Frogs were cut up, though not by me. I have seen a photograph of a Sister by the river with us, her back to the camera. I believe it was Gertrude leading us in crocodile formation to Point Walter.
Full Circle
Today, my involvement in the arts continues. I am supporting SculptureWest (Sculpture at Bathers) in its ambition to expand state-wide. I fund a free weekly violin lesson scholarship, in my mother Joy’s name, for a primary school girl at North Parmelia School. WASO identified North Parmelia and Medina Schools for their Crescendo program. At Medina, a boy chose the cello and is making excellent progress. He has even decided that when he grows up, he will be a composer.
Any philanthropic gesture, large or small, and the Arts certainly require it, can create an opportunity a young person may never have known they wanted. At North Parmelia, without any prompting, the children formed their own choir to sing before school each morning. Music and philanthropy make miracles.
Looking back, Santa Maria was not just a school. It was the beginning of friendships that have endured, of confidence that carried across continents, and of a lifelong devotion to music, literature and the arts. And now, living once again where it all began, I am reminded that some foundations never fade, they simply continue to shape the music of our lives.
Thank you, Rosalin, for so generously sharing your memories and reflections with our Santa Maria community.
- Alumni Spotlight, Alumni Success Stories, Arts Leadership, Catholic Schools Perth, Music and Philanthropy, Rosalin Sadler, Santa Maria College alumni, Women in the Arts
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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