“The three of us met in Victoria House where we had two years boarding before flatting. We were real hicks from the sticks! I had no concept of what a university looked like until I walked up the big driveway on enrolment day,” says Margaret.
Margaret Pointer (née Houghton) grew up in Gisborne and knew from the time she started high school she wanted to go to university. She was the first in her family to seek tertiary education but she loved learning and had the support of her parents to take the leap.
Initially Margaret wanted to be a marine biologist, but she was told by her high school careers advisor that would not be possible as there were no suitable toilet facilities for women on fishing boats. Fortunately, she developed a love for history and came to Victoria in 1968 to instead start a Bachelor of Arts.
Margaret completed her Bachelor of Arts with Honours, majoring in History, in 1971 and went on to complete a Diploma in Teaching in Auckland. She taught in Gisborne, London, and Wellington, later travelling with her husband and family.
“My husband’s career took our family to Paris, Noumea, Niue, and Tokyo, and I had many wonderful opportunities to experience different cultures and learn new languages. Each time we came back to Wellington, I returned to the classroom. After three years in Niue, I was able to use my history research skills to help discover the story of Niue’s involvement in World War I. I am pleased to now have two books in the University’s library collection.”
Fellow alumna Annette Pearson grew up in Ohakune and had set her mind to studying Law. Like Margaret, Annette was given advice that was less than inspiring. She was told there was no point studying to become a lawyer as it would take too long, and she would get married and never use the degree. She did not let this deter her.
“In 1968 I enrolled at Victoria, one of only a few women in the law school. I enjoyed five years of study and graduated with my Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1972. Following a year studying at the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University I left for Bogotà, Colombia, married, and began life there”.
Pursuing a professional career in a foreign country had its challenges, says Annette, especially the attitude towards a married woman working, and the issue of language.
“I mastered Spanish, overcame societal pressures, and began teaching and researching. A main focus for me was improving access for rural and disenfranchised groups to a wide range of justice services.”
Annette later became involved in restorative justice programmes and is known internationally for her expertise in this field.
Annette has maintained strong personal links to her home country and served as the Honorary Consul for New Zealand in Colombia for 30 years. For this service she received the Queen Elizabeth II NZ 1990 Commemoration Medal and the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004.
“While I still reside and work professionally in Bogotà and internationally, I love returning to visit New Zealand. Who said that I would do nothing with a law degree?”
Making up the trio is Ruth Smidt (née Symes). Ruth was Dux of her high school and as a top achieving student was encouraged to pursue the sciences. Her parents were very supportive of their daughters doing tertiary study rather than the usual options of nursing, teaching, or secretarial work, and she went on to complete a Master of Science with Honours in Chemistry.
After winning a George Grey Scholarship Ruth considered embarking on a PhD in chemistry but decided instead to seek employment.
“I had difficulty finding employment, but I believe the intervention of Victoria University staff resulted in a choice of two positions at the DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research). At the Soil Bureau in Naenae I was one of very few female staff and there were few female facilities,” says Ruth.
Ruth later went on to complete a Diploma in Information and Library Studies and worked for almost 20 years in the library at Hastings Girls’ High School.
“I was pleased to be able to guide and encourage young women in their academic studies through my role as school librarian.”
Ruth has also spent time giving back to her community through volunteering with Lifeline counselling and Citizens Advice Bureau.
Margaret reflects on her university days fondly, even more so after her recent visit with Annette and Ruth to the Kelburn campus.
“We have had previous reunions but never around the University campus. We met in Kelburn village and walked down to the main campus, the only campus in our day!”
“We stopped outside our flat in Glasgow Street and by chance met two young women who had just moved in for the year. They were lovely and were astounded when we told them we had paid $7 a week each for the place and $5 in the food kitty. Following this encounter, we visited the different parts of the campus where we had each studied—Easterfield, Rankine Brown and Hunter. What a wonderful day!”
Over 56 years the three have maintained a bond that began at university. They have watched each other’s children, and now grandchildren, grow up. They have met in various parts of the world and now with the digital age they have a chat group called the Glasgow Street Girls.
“We sit with our cups of tea, or glasses of wine and when we get the time zones right, it is fantastic.”