Alison Rigg (Past President and Life Member)
Ali Rigg had an idyllic childhood growing up on a farm at Bridgetown, attending the local primary school and often riding her horse to school. Ali left Bridgetown to complete secondary school at St Hilda’s, graduating in 1958 as school captain. She enrolled in a library course at Perth Technical School, graduating in 1962. She was appointed as a librarian at the WA State Library, a job she enjoyed immensely. Ali, aged 14, attended Sue Broad’s wedding in 1956, where she met a young John Rigg. In 1960, when John was a student in residence at St George’s College, they reconnected and have been inseparable ever since. They married in St George’s Chapel in 1965.
In 1968 they moved to Melbourne with two young children, where John sought further qualifications and experience. In 1971, John accepted a position at McMaster Medical School in Hamilton, Canada, and for ten years the young family, with a third child, embraced all that Canada had to offer. Ali loved her years in Canada and was introduced to the Junior League, a young women’s association, where she quickly made friends, enjoying Canadian culture and the Hamilton community. The family embraced skiing opportunities, and the proximity to New York and other large cities broadened their horizons. With mixed feelings, they returned to Perth in 1981. John and Ali played bridge together in the early 60’s, but little in Melbourne or Canada. They joined WABC in 1983 and 1982 respectively.
Today the honour boards are testament to Ali’s commitment to the club. She had long and successful partnerships with John, Suzie Broad, Jenny Fairweather and Margie King. As President she was instrumental in the smooth and welcoming transition from Dalkeith to Swanbourne. Ali was Club President 2009 - 11, a key person in founding the WABC library and awarded Life Membership in 2018. We enjoy what we have today at WABC by ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ (Isaac Newton, 1675).
Thank you, Ali, for being one of those giants.
Helen Seward and John Rigg
Published in May 2021 Edition of Trumps Plus
