The Incredible Legacy of Lyn Purser (Cornish)
Young Lyn Cornish had very different ideas in the 1950s when women were expected to tend the house. Lyn was born in Canarvon and then moved to Perth with her family as a young girl. She attended Perth College as a boarding student while her parents managed the Civic Hotel just up the road. Upon graduating, Lyn bravely moved to Sydney to study at the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) such was her love of sports and movement.
Newly graduated and armed with ideas, Lyn returned to Perth and secured a job at St Hilda’s. Her role as sports mistress and physical education teacher inspired a generation of young women to enjoy sports and not let their gender limit their expectations.
Miss Cornish, as she was known back then, taught Physical Education, which allowed her to introduce one of her passion sports, fencing, to very willing students. During her training, Lyn had been a member of The Swords Club in Sydney, which was part of the ACPE. She was ahead of her time as a female fencer and enthusiastically coached various teams. Students often quoted her excellent tuition skills and sense of humour when being ‘assassinated’ in the ring by her opponents. Miss Cornish encouraged everyone to participate in some form of sporting activity and was tireless in giving her time and energy to students. There are many fond mentions of Miss Cornish in the 1955 Chronicle and the high regard that the girls held for her.
In an era when excellence in sports and leadership was not necessarily attributed to women, Lyn encapsulated both these characteristics. And was a shining example to her students and peers.
Lyn initially left St Hilda’s to travel to Europe and work in London. She later returned to the school for a year before marrying David Purser, a sheep farmer from Mogumber. They had three children, and their daughter Romola was named after Old Scholar and acclaimed artist Romola Clifton (1952), whom Lyn taught.
Lyn always looked back fondly on her time and found the School to be a wonderful place for girls to achieve their potential. Her loyalty to St Hilda’s ran deep. In 2023 Lyn attended the Head of the River rowing regatta at Champion Lakes, and while she was there to watch another team, was found to be barracking loudly for St Hilda’s! Lyn herself was a progressive and gentle supporter of Women’s Rights and even in the days prior to her passing was speaking passionately about women in sport and politics.
Lyn was a generous philanthropist and often donated to the Annual Giving campaign as well as contributing towards the refurbishment of the Heritage Centre. One of Lyn’s final acts of kindness was a generous gift to St Hilda’s. She believed in giving back, and her connection to St Hilda’s remained strong throughout the years as did her vocation as a teacher. The School is indebted to past staff like Lyn, who give not only their time, but leave a tangible legacy to future generations. Lyn’s spirit lives on at St Hilda’s.
She leaves behind wonderful traits of leadership, sports excellence and generosity, and the School is forever grateful to her for these gifts.
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