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Obituaries

Dr Ailsa Thomson Zainu’ddin Diana Jane Griffin (Rouse 1970) Jane Christian Price (Webb 1952)
(Thomson 1945) 22 October 1952 – 16 June 2019 25 September 1934 – 14 April 2018
8 April 1927 – 25 March 2019

Ailsa Thomson Diana Jane was A resident of
Zainu’ddin was the eldest of Janet Clarke Hall
a distinguished four children from 1952-1956,
scholar whose of Edmund and Jane graduated
deep interest Dorothy Rouse. from Melbourne
in Indonesian She was born University LLB
history and in Launceston and began a legal
culture found and her primary career in family
expression in education was law.
A Short History of Indonesia (1968). at Broadland House, the same school Jane married Simon Price and they
Educated at Methodist Ladies’ College that JCH Fellow and Nobel Laureate Dr settled in Glen Iris, raising three
in Kew (and later writing its centenary Elizabeth Blackburn attended. daughters –Jenny, Julie and Jodie
history They Dreamt of A School,
1982), she entered Janet Clarke Hall in She boarded at Clyde in Woodend for A committed Christian, Jane fulfilled
1945, keeping a diary during her two her secondary education, matriculating many administrative and pastoral roles at
years in College. She graduated from in 1969 as Dux of the school. Some of the Anglican parish of St James. Notably,
the University with honours in History her subjects in the sciences were studied she published a book of prayers for
and English in 1947 and was invited to by correspondence and through Kyneton parish use. Until her death she presided
join the History Department. Beyond High School. over the religious discussion group she
tutoring, Ailsa was active in the Student founded at the Lyceum Club, introducing
Christian Movement during her years at Diana Jane was a resident of Janet Clarke speakers on topics across the religious
Melbourne, graduating with a Master’s Hall for three years and graduated in spectrum. This group continues in her
in History and moving to Canberra to 1972 with a Science degree, majoring memory.
serve as a research assistant to Manning in chemistry. She went on to work as
Clark at Canberra University College a research scientist in Melbourne for A group of women lawyers met monthly
from 1952 to 1954. Dunlop. This was followed by a period in her home from 1975 for some years.
of travelling the world before settling Jane’s strong faith and sense of social
While in Canberra Ailsa met and fell in Sydney. She married Alastair Griffin justice attracted an award for community
in love with the Indonesian diplomat whom she had met at the end of her service in the City of Stonnington. With
(and former freedom fighter) Zainu’ddin, first year at university. They lived and Simon, she played a leading role in
moving to Jakarta where they were worked in London and New York in the the Malvern Elderly Citizens Welfare
married in December 1954. Working 1980s, taking the opportunity to travel Association development to become
for the Indonesian Ministry of Education in Europe where she indulged her love MECWA, one of Melbourne’s leading
on the establishment of English as the of all things French, of snow skiing and aged care agencies.
nation’s first foreign language (a forward- of music – interests that stayed with her
looking decision given its history as all her life. Jane died in 2018 after a short illness.
a Dutch colony), the couple returned Many of her JCH friends attended her
to Australia in 1956 where Zainu’ddin Diana Jane and Alastair became parents funeral, paying tribute to her life of
had been appointed first Indonesian to Hamish, Philippa and Natasha and service to others.
language teacher in the newly her growing family became the centre
established Department of Indonesian of her world. She was a devoted wife Angela Grutzner (Parker 1952)
Studies at the University of Melbourne. and mother and a kind, loyal and
caring friend, keeping in contact with
Alongside caring for two daughters, friends from all stages of her life. She
Nila and Lisa, upon their return to was delighted to reconnect with the
Melbourne, Ailsa studied for a Bachelor JCH community when she attended the
of Education, graduating from the 1970s reunion in 2008.
University in 1964. In 1965, she joined
Monash University’s newly established She was hugely energetic and
Faculty of Education as its first lecturer enthusiastic in all that she did, with a
in the history of education. From 1975 great generosity of spirit – qualities that
to 1982 Ailsa was President of the endeared her to her family and many
Australian and New Zealand History of friends.
Education Society (ANZHES). In 1983
she was awarded a PhD from Monash Jenny Ross (1970)
University for her centenary history of
MLC. She retired from Monash as a
Senior Lecturer in 1992.

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