Lyn Jones and Jill Rigby

Monash Life | Met at Monash | 2 minute read

For many young women in the early 1960s, expectations for further education were limited. Perhaps nursing, maybe secretarial work. Then marriage, of course. But Lyn Jones (née Wishart) and Jill Rigby (née Weir), who met on the Clayton campus in 1962, had other ideas.

“A very small percentage of women went to university at the time, and the prevailing view was that you might get a job, but then you would marry and leave,” says Jones. “But we both had an enduring passion – teaching.”

Today, Jones and Rigby, now aged 79 and 80 respectively, can look back on an incredible six decades of achievement and friendship. “When you reach this stage in life, you look back and really value the people who’ve travelled with you,” says Jones.

With Jill, there’s a genuineness, warmth, empathy, and integrity. She’s been a quiet, steady support in the down times, and we’ve had pleasure in sharing the up times.”

Rigby says she’s always admired her friend’s positivity, even when facing challenges. “We have similar senses of humour, and we do laugh together, even though we can be talking about serious things,” she says. “When I first went back to teaching after I had my boys, Lyn gave me this fake fur coat to wear on yard duty to keep me warm. I didn’t have much money then, and I think that gesture and its warmth is very symbolic of our friendship.”

Rigby enjoyed a long career teaching primary-age children. Encouraged to undertake a diploma in computer education along the way, she says this has enabled her to keep up with technology. She also continues to learn through University of the Third Age (u3a) courses. “I’m thankful I’ve had curiosity all my life.”

Jones, who spent her career teaching in state and private high schools, including a stint in London, is still tutoring secondary students. “I’m a young 80,” she says. “I specialise in working with year 11 and 12 students now. It’s very rewarding, and I like that you have an influence on the way they see the world and think about their future.”

Both women have fond memories of their time at Monash. “One of the fabulous things back then was that the student cohort was so small you got to know people in other faculties, which provided a diverse experience,” Jones says. Rigby, who had already completed her teaching certificate at college, wanted to teach geography, so she took up a scholarship to Monash. “It was a really good time to be there,” she says. “Another bonus was that it’s where I started yoga, which has been fabulous to me right through my life. It’s been my saving grace!”

The pair have long been members of Monash Pioneers, a group of early alumni that holds regular events. And despite living on opposite sides of Melbourne, they catch up regularly. The distance proved difficult during Melbourne’s extensive lockdowns when travel restrictions were in place, but it made them value their friendship even more.

“COVID-19 made me think about what’s important. That’s being able to talk to friends and having someone who’s willing to listen, and Lyn’s always been there,” Rigby says. Jones echoes the sentiment, particularly after recently losing several close friends. “Our friendship has taken on yet another dimension.”

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