Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), Monday 21 June 1920, page 3


Presentation to Miss McLaod, On Thursday afternoon last the ladies of St Stephen's Work Party and Gleaners' Union, together with a few intimate friends, met in the Parish fall to bid farewell to Miss McLeod, who is leaving Portland on an extended holiday. During her long residence at "Claremont" this lady, together with her late sister, have been zealous, faithful, consistent workers in all the church's branches, and their loss will be keenly felt. The hall was tastefully and prettily decorated by the "workers," and presented a very pleasding aspect as the guest, accompanied by her sister. Mrs Loisel, of New Zealand, came to the door, where they were met and welcomed by the president, Mrs Day, and the secretary, Mrs fI. Osbourne, of the Work Party, and each presented with a bouquet of flowers. The vicar, Rev F. Stillwell, R.D., opened the proceedings by a few pleasant remarks, and thoen a short musical programme was carried through by Mesdames Goldsmith, Burt and Rattray, and Misses F. Clark and S, Rattray, after which the indispensable cup of tea was partaken of, thereby dispelling all stiffness and restraint, and promoting the sociability of the afternoon. The Ven. Archdeacon Harris being a very old friend of the late Mr and Mrs McLeod, of "Castlemaddle," was the first speaker, and he dwelt most eloquently on the family's adherence to all things pertaining to the church and its functions, also of the untiring energies df the Misses McLeod in the work of St Stephen's. Portland, which was reciprocated by the vicar in his pleasing humorous way. Misses Lindsay, Clarke and Wadmore also testified their appreciation of the guest, and fully endorsed the previous speakers' hopes that some day, in the not too distant future, Miss McLeod would return to Portland, and resume the good works she has so long and faithfully carried on. A gold wristlet watch, engraved with the following -- "To Miss McLeod from friends of St Stephen's, Portland," was presented by the president in a neat and appropriate speech, and when Miss McLeod, who was visibly overcome, rose to respond, she was greeted with loud applause. After thanking her many kind friends for their eulogistic remarks, which she thought had been greatly magnified, and for the beautiful and serviceable token of their esteem as a remembrancenot that she was ever likely to forget them-she expressed the hope that on her return she would find her place in the Church and all its branches filled by others, who would come forward and carry on the work. Mrs Barris then played, and all the company heartily sang, " For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" and Auld Lang Syne," thus bringing to a successful close a very pleasant and sociable gathering. On Saturday afternoon (June 5) the members Of the Sowers' Band invited Miss McLeod to an At Home in the Kindergarten Room, which they had decorated and made look very sweet with fern and flowers. The vicar, in his usual bright manner, spoke of the goodness and kindness of Miss McLeod to the sowers. Miss Mutal Peters then presented Miss McLeod with a fountain pen. Afternoon tea was served by the little sowers, and a pleasant afternoon brought to i close.