1990 School Magazine

Bornin Rockhamptonin 1895. the eldest of a family offIve. Mary Alexis Macmillan was educated at both the IPswich and Rockhampton Grammar Schools. As the winner of an opeiT Scholarship she ei\tered the University of Queensland in March 1915. A resident of Women's College. she graduated in 1919 with honours in Modern Languages and returned to teach at the Rockhampton Grainmar School Linti1 1924 Her only brother was killed in the war and ITer fiance. John Denis Fivei'. died in 1923 as the result of gas poisoning while on war service. The Fryer Memorial Library at the 11niversity of Queensland was named in ITis honour in 1924 Miss Macmillan went to England and Scotland and then to France where she was Assistante d'Anglais at the Lycee at Tours for a year before returning homein 1925 and subsequently to B. G. G. S. the following year A kindly and gentle person socially. Miss Macmillan was a SII'ict disciplinarian at school. setting the highest of standards in her own conduct She loved the English langtiage. and imparted this love and knowledge to her Senior English classes. Miss Macmillaii was a prominent In ember of the English Teachers' Association. the Women's Graduates and the Old Collegians in Novelnber 1969. tlTe Queensland Associatioi\ of UiTivei'sity Women launched a Memorial Fund from whiclT the annual interest would accrue to the Fryer Memoiial Library An important annual award presented at B. G. G. S. Speech Day is the Mary Alexis Macmillan Prize for Lyric and Poetry for Years 8.9,10 This dedicated woman will be remembered by many Old Girls, their children and grandchildren o11 the 21st anniversary of her death

*~

*;

I**

,.

I

I\

*:,

I~. *,.\ * t;

L.

* ~

* \

,

I

\

f

. '*

,

i:' 't. -{:' ,; I I ' - -,;\;, ' ," " A

\.

^

\

I

\

' ""' I'~-*.~ * ** , - ~'*" ' \,-_ I

,..

,

-. it, '. '

I

e, ^. .

10. _

-. ~

~ .

Bathara Hebden (R) congratulates Mrs Spence on her hundredth birthday. The next thiity-eight years saw Mrs Spence living in the Goondiwindi District. whei'e ITer ITUsband 11Tanaged the station property "Kioma". Here she became involved in a range of charitable and coininunity organisations. including the Country Worneit's Association. the Red Cross and the Flying Doctor Service When the Spences retired to Brisbane in 1953. Mrs Spence not only kept up her community work. but also widened her scope. In the Queen's Birthday Honoui's of 1979. lier tireless workwas acknowledged when she was appointed a Member of the Civil Division of tlTe Most Excellent Order of the Bi'itISIt Empire At the age of eiglity-two. Mrs Spence went off to exploi'e EUi'ope by netself. and at eighty-eight. she went on a flying trip to the Antarctic to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The same advei\tui'ous spir!t manifested itself on ITer birthday this year WITen Mrs Spence enlivened her otherwise conventional breakfast witli a champagne toast SHE SHAPED THE FUTURE OF MANY GIRLS There are many women living today. in Brisbane anti in I'emote parts of Queensland. whose love of the English language and respect for words was inspired by Mary Alexis Macmillan A quarter of a centtiry ago Miss Macmillan ended her association witli Brisbane Girls' Grammar School. an association which began in 1926 as English Mistress. From 1930 until she retired from the full time staffin 1964. Miss Macmillan held the position of Second Mistress. and filled the role of Acting Headmistress fronT April to December. 1957. She returned to teacl\ Senior English part-time in 1965. and although she finally retired from active class involvement at the end of that year. her keen interest in literature. ITistory. the arts, politics andindeedin life itself remained undiminished until her death on July 22,1969, after a long Illness heroically endured

*,

*

I

I

-,

,, \-.-.: **:* ; , ,

Miss MacMillan

17