Betty Cox (Pearson)

I came to MLC with my father for a garden party when I was five or six years old and he mentioned to me that I might like to come here when I was older. I have often said that I think that MLC was my destiny.

I have been heavily involved at MLC for most of my life. I enjoyed a love of poetry, reading and music from an early age.

Apart from one year, I spent my school life at MLC. I regard MLC as a place where I was taught tolerance and to value people of all ages for their honesty and integrity not for what they achieve socially '.

After leaving school, I attended Claremont Teachers' College and the University of Western Australia, where I graduated in Arts, majoring in Modern Languages.

Having taught for several years at government schools, I left for two years to go to England where I worked with the Cheshire Education Authority.

On my return to WA, I married and resigned from the Education Department and did not resume teaching until 1965. I then accepted a position at St Mary's in West Perth. It then eventuated that I came back to MLC to teach in 1972.

I was Head of Barclay House from 1972-1980 and I consider this to probably be my greatest achievement. My husband was Chaplain at MLC. I also held the position of Per Ardua Association President and I was remembered by one student as 'Mrs Cox, the teacher who always stays after school with the girls whose mums come late to get them'.

I was actively involved as a volunteer in the Air Observer Corps in Albany, and Princess Margaret Hospital Volunteers from 1982-2009 where I am now a patron.

My advice to others who are striving to reach their goals is follow your dreams and reach for the stars.

On MLC: Some of my fondest memories include friendships which are life lasting. I will always remember the nurturing and support of older girls and teachers at the Boarding House, these people became my family.