School play shows off heritage

The students at St Mary's Diocesan School are serving up a slice of heritage in their school production this term as they tell the true story of an Eltham woman and her home baking in the play An ANZAC Mother: The Gingernut Lady.

The play, written by Tess Gibson, is based on the efforts of Helena Barnard, who baked thousands of gingernut biscuits during the two world wars to send to troops fighting overseas.

As well as baking over four tonnes of gingernuts to send to the troops during the first and second world wars, Helena also knitted clothes for the troops, sent parcels to Belgian refugees and raised money for an ambulance for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in France.

Her war efforts were recognised by the Eltham Community in 1918, and she was awarded a British Empire Medal in 1946 for her welfare services.

Drama teacher Tracey Blake says the students are thrilled to be telling the story of a local heroine, and are finding the topic particularly poignant.

We are really excited to be able to do something local and being the World War One centennial, we are honoured to pay tribute to this special lady.

Drama teacher Tracey Blake

Christine Dionisio (17) plays the role of Mrs McGilliculty in the play, and says she has been inspired by the story of Helena. "I like the whole show, not a lot of women would have been able or willing to do what she did during the war."

Playing young Helena, Alex Howard (16) says Helena is an admirable heroine, "she still made the biscuits after she had gone through a lot personally."

An ANZAC Mother: The Gingernut Lady" will be performed at The Castle on Regan Street. August 11, 12 and 13 at 7pm. Tickets are available from the St Mary's Diocesan School office and at the door prior to each performance for $15