As Auckland marks the 75th anniversary of the 1950 British Empire Games during the 2025 Auckland Heritage Festival, we remember two outstanding St Cuthbert’s alumnae who represented New Zealand on the world stage.
Helen Richards (née Mackenzie)
Helen attended St Cuthbert’s from 1937 to 1948. She was a talented swimmer and competed at the 1950 Empire Games in Auckland. That same year, she won the New Zealand title for the 440 yards freestyle. A photo from 1948 shows Helen with her 1st XI Hockey teammates, highlighting her all-round sporting talent.
Patricia Parkinson (née Woodroffe)
Patricia was at St Cuthbert’s from 1937 to 1942. She represented New Zealand in fencing and won silver in the Women’s Individual Foil at the 1950 Games. She also held national titles from 1946 to 1950. Her medal is now part of the school’s archives. A photo of the medal below.
Patricia Parkinson n. Woodroffe won this silver medal now part of the Archives collection at the British Empire Games for the Women’s Individual Foil.
“As an 11-year-old girl in 1950, I was lucky enough to live in Auckland at the time our city hosted the fourth British Empire Games and the first since 1936 in London. It was a time of great excitement for our family as living next door to us was a member of the NZ team, Derek Steward, whose specialty was the 440 yards hurdles. My father was also a keen follower of all the sports and bought tickets for my brother, John and me. We had the opportunity to watch the Opening and Closing ceremonies, the first at Eden Park and the second at Western Springs. Tickets were also given to us for the swimming, Water polo and diving and John and I lived quite close by to the Cycling Road race. I can recall sitting at the corner of Victoria Ave and Shore Rd for several hours as we cheered the cyclists as they rode lap after lap around the Remuera, Orakei circuit.
We also paid many visits to the Newmarket Baths or as they became known as the Olympic Pool, collecting autographs and watching all the swimmers training. There was little or no restriction for us at the venue and swimmers and spectators mingled easily. The whole week at the beginning of February, 1950 was one of the most memorable in my life and gave me a taste of competitive sport which has lasted for ever These memories of the times I have spent associated with these wonderful events have stayed with me all my life. Let’s hope the Commonwealth Games can continue in the future and for this reason we must thank Glasgow for stepping up and hosting the 2026 Games which very nearly did not take place. Jill Bignell (Glenie) pupil at St. Cuthbert’s College 1944 – 1956.”