Helen Carden - Biography

Helen Carden nee Jeffery (1944-2019)

Born in Kearsley, NSW

Attended Kearsley Public school and later Cessnock High school

Helen was a highly intelligent and capable student but chose to leave school and go to business college in Cessnock where she distinguished herself in secretarial studies.

After her training, Helen gained a job with the CBC bank which transferred her immediately to their branch in Lindfield, and later Chatswood, where she worked up to and after the birth of her first child. After her second and third children were born, Helen maintained various part time secretarial jobs and also worked weekends at Wesley Gardens Nursing home.

In 1980 Helen started working at SCECGS Redlands as an assistant to the Headmaster's Secretary. In 1981, she was appointed by Peter Cornish as Headmaster's Secretary when the previous incumbent retired. She worked tirelessly and often long hours but thoroughly enjoyed her role and was a great supporter of the school. She was incredibly proud when the school managed to purchase the old Cremorne Girls High site after much hard work by all involved. Helen thrived in this environment and I would say her years working at Redlands were the happiest of her life.

Helen retired at the end of 2009 after 30 years of dedication to the school, headmasters, board members, teachers, office & grounds staff, parents and students alike.

I think in keeping with the school motto, Redlands enabled Helen to let her light shine.

Belinda, Rachel and Vanessa – daughters, Redlanders, colleagues.

May 2020.