Page 18 - Luce 2023

N ews a nd Events

Splendid Courtyard

Official Opening

The sun emerged from the clouds and precipitation ceased
as if on cue on Friday 13 May 2022 for the celebration of the
College’s redeveloped courtyard. The very generous donation
of JCH alumna and retired psychiatrist, Dr Margaret Harper
(Lush 1962), has enabled the creation of a beautiful space and
ambience for students, staff and visitors to enjoy at all times of
the year.

Designed and planted by McNuttndorff Landscapes, the
courtyard is composed of a lawn space surrounded by a
diverse and colourful range of native flora, incorporating
large, beautifully weathered stone seats and curvaceous (L-R) Ms Margie Welsford, Dr Margaret Harper,
wooden seating with a miniature amphitheatre placed Ms Clare Pullar, Dr Damian Powell
invitingly between a well-aged eucalyptus and an equally Entering JCH via the front entrance, family and friends of
well-aged bottlebrush with brilliant red toothbrush flowers. Margaret and David Harper were delighted to feel the warmth
of the open fire, burning quietly in the Senior Common
Complementing the existing lemon-scented eucalypti Room fireplace under the imposing portrait of Janet, Lady
is a wide range of planting that includes trees, shrubs, Clarke. Margaret and David’s three children, together with
groundcovers, ferns, grasses, and strappy foliage. Trees such their partners and families, were all gathered in celebratory
as the dwarf lemon-scented gums and the banksia marginate mood, and were joined by Margaret’s two sisters, Mary Lush
form a beautiful backdrop to the many shrubs including (1967) and Jennifer Lush, and many friends from their days as
the sunny yellow wattle, pink and white correas, deep pink students at JCH.
grevilleas and the copper-tinted leaves of tea-trees that are in
front of the southern wing of the building. The former Principal, Dr Damian Powell, and Margaret
both spoke eloquently at the gathering, reflecting upon the
Many Australian native tree ferns are nestled against the south importance of nature, their love of Australian flora and their
facing Traill wing of the College while others such as the shared affection for Heathmont, where the Harpers live.
miniature tree ferns, bird’s nest ferns, bromeliads and golden
polybody ferns form a green undergrowth that will develop Genevieve Leach
into a lush urban version of an Australian tropical forest. Acting Deputy Principal

18 LUCE Number 21 2022