Columba College were well represented amongst place getters in the Dawn Ibbotson Essay Competition. The Prize Giving was held at the Dunningham Suite at the Dunedin Public Library on June 6 2019.

Each year the National Council of Women Dunedin Branch run an essay competition. The topic for the competition this year was 'What is this thing called equality' and our students wrote well-researched, engaging, technically accurate and (sometimes) passionate essays on a broad range of topics. There was a big pool of entries this year and we are very pleased to have received twelve of the top prizes. Our warm congratulations to Victoria Williamson (Second Place and $250.00), Audrey Hayes (Third Place and $150.00), and the following students who gained Commended Certificates and a prize of $25.00 - Isabella Su, Liting Wang, Alana Walsh, Ash Biggs, Madeline McCane, Sennah Lee, Emma Orr, Stephanie Smith, Meg Stedman and Laura Hamilton. 

Of note, Dawn Ibbotson (turning 105 this year), was mentioned at the Convocation Ceremony, part of the University of Otago's 150th Celebrations, as being the oldest living graduate. Dawn likes to be visited by competition entrants and last year Beth Doleman, who won the competition, visited her a couple of times for a cup of tea and a chat.