1985 School Magazine

1965 6TH FORM REUNION 1965 6th Form Reunion was held over the weekend of 20th and 21st April , 1985. An afternoon tea was held at the school on Saturday- attended by more than 40 riotous Old Girls from all walks of life. A dinner was held that evening and those keen enough to travel from far afield included Ro Fortheringham (nee Foote) from Tasmania, Sue Young (nee Halstead) , Robyn Kremer (nee Stevens) and Pauline Turnbull (nee Markwell) from Sydney and Sally Webster (nee Gunn) from Townsville. An apology was received from as far away as London - Gaynor Sadlo (nee Robinson) - so our news really does travel. 1960 SENIOR YEAR REUNION The reunion of the 1960 Seniors was held on Saturday, 27th July, with a morning tea at the school and lunch at Petrie Mansions. Of the 85 names on our list, we discovered addresses for 76, had replies from mor-e than 60 and 48 attended the reunion. At the morning tea, we were joined by staff members: Mrs Yeates (Miss Thomas), Miss Paterson, Mrs Sanderson (Miss Burnett) , Miss McNamara (who represented the school) , some members of the O.G.A., and by at least five who had been with us up until Junior. A gift of $600 for the Library, was made to the school. Most participating had supplied in advance, a paragraph about themselves since leaving school and these were collected into a small booklet. From that" mass of fascinating detail , Val Welile compiled a summary which she shared during lunch . A diverse range of professions was represented: teachers, an architect, an electrical engineer, librarians, social workers, pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists, scientists, a chambermaid, a minister of religion, a specialist in sheep, a scientist turned accountant and a deaconess wife of a deputy prime minister. Several of our members have had more than one career. Amongst us there are such diverse combinations as teaching logic and breeding Murray Grey cows, or engineering and choir conducting. Jenny Neilson Kahn took the prize for travelling the furthest (from the U.S.A.) and others came from Victoria, Toowoomba, Clermont and several from the Sunshine Coast. Many people said they had approached the occasion with interest, but some trepidation, but found that they enjoyed themselves. The value was in meeting again so many of the people with whom we had shared significant years of our lives. Paula McKellar

Forty years fell away instantly as we met others whom we had not seen in the intervening years, and everyone was remembered. This was the reunion of the girls of the Third Form who commenced their years at .Girls' Grammar in 1945. There were pictures and articles pinned onto board , old magazines to read, years of news to share, photos of their families, and grandchildren were shown to each other. There were 162 girls in 1945, about 130 were found and contacted and there were 80 at the reunion, as well as four teachers, Mrs Tuffley, Mrs Freeman, Miss Rhoda Felgate and Miss Mary Brophy, now Mrs Cotter. Mrs Hancock was introduced and a presentation of two books on Australia were presented to the Library. A framed print, to add to the collection is to be given to the school. The chat started at 1.45p.m. and didn't finish until 5.00p.m.

Afternoon tea was served and later there were tours through the school.

There were many photos taken, to remind them of past days and of the happy afternoon. Many old friendships were renewed. We will have another reunion perhaps in five years time, as it was a most enjoyable afternoon .

Jean Kitchen

OBITUARY Mrs Olive Thatcher (Adam) (M.B.E.) Passed away July, 1985 .

Olive Adam was born 8th August, 1896. Educated at Valley State School until the age of 13, she attained second place in the Scholarship list to attend the Brisbane Girls' Grammar School until the age of 18 years, when she won a scholarship to the University of Queensland. After graduating in Arts with Honours in English and French, she taught for one year at Fairholme, Toowoomba, before doing two years journalism. Mrs Thatcher had seen all her children receive tertiary educations; she gave outstanding service in many organisations and in personal unpublicised works of charity. Her contribution had encompassed such activities as being a Board Member for 20 years, and a Life Member of the Y.W.C.A. and serving in executive and other capacities with the National Council of Women of Queensland, the Freedom for Hunger Campaign, U.N.I.C.E.F., the United National Association of Australia and the Senior Citizens Association. In numerous other fields, such as her work with the Research Department of Medical Psychology at the University of Queensland, assisting blind University students and in child guidance, Mrs Thatcher had demonstrated her high humanitarian ideals. She was named " Mother of the Year" in 1972. She married Thomas Thatcher in 1920. At his death , five of their seven children were still at school.

Geraldine Wheeler

40 YEARS REUNION The Reunion was held on March 30th, at 2.15p.m.

We extend to her family our deepest sympathy.

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