Our Publications
The recent upgrade of Entre Nous to an electronic eNews format has prompted reflection on PCW publications over the past 140 years. The title Entre Nous means 'between ourselves' and suggests cosiness. It is a phrase familiar to generations of PCW students.
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In the very early days the soiree's arranged by Mother Paul Mulquin and the other teachers were definitely 'entre nous', involving comparatively small groups of students entertaining each other along the lines of their 'Amiability and Accomplishments Programme'.
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Miss Winifred Hines, a graduate of the young University of Melbourne, who was employed and promoted by Mother Evangelist McInerney at the turn of last century, formalized circulating news and views, on a regular basis, withing the college walls. Again it was very much 'entre nous'. By the 1920s the past pupils were publishing under the title, and it has been their preserve ever since. The 'nous' competent, of course, has expanded into thousands!
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As far as we know, the first official College Annual was compiled in 1939. Organised mainly by Sr Edwardine Watson, it was a quality issue, both in content and presentation, and intended to be the precursor of many. But World War II (1939 - 1945), brought restrictions, shortages and rationing, and quadrupling the enrolment and fees had to be carefully tailored to the needs of many families displaced during the aftermath of the war. Resources and staffing were strained, draining money and energy. It seems everyone was so busy making history that no one had the time to make an annual record of it.
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In 1966 the senior students took the initiative. Margaret McKinley, Gabrielle Hacket, Margaret Turner, Jeanette Richardson, Susan Hawe, Maree Holmes, Katherine Kelsey and Thomasina Atkins are some who come to mind. They started from scratch. They rallied the 900 or so from Prep to Matriculation and wore a path to the very helpful printers, McCarthy and Ellis, 75 Chapel Street. The number of pages in relation to cost was their major problem. Finally, fifty-two pages was determined as the cut-off point. Tears were shed. Some budding writers, especially the poets, had their scripts returned with the promise of first preference in 1967. They were duly rewarded when the 1967 Annual contained fifty-six pages. Mother Peter Fitzgerald wrote optimistically in the 1966 edition, "In 1973 we will be celebrating the Centenary ... Our present magazine, will, we hope, be such a success that we will be encouraged to produce a series which will culminate in a magnificent publication in 1973 ...
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So began the long line of yearbooks. The centenary edition, edited by Mary Chandler and her committee, showed a marked change in format in keeping with its celebratory tone. Looking back, it is interesting to note the rapid and startling developments brought about by technology, especially during the 1990s. By 2005, overseen by Mr Peter Farrar, every aspect of the school is presented in 120 pages of widely spaced text, with a wealth of coloured photographs and a variety of design.