2020 Annual Review

A Remarkable Year MS GEORGINA ANTHONISZ DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNAE RELATIONS

2020 was a remarkable year for philanthropy at our School, thanks to the passion and sustained support of the Girls Grammar community.

Of course, the School’s philanthropic priorities extend beyond buildings and infrastructure. Needs-based bursaries remain important to the continuing diversity and accessibility of our School. Bursaries provide life changing opportunities for girls whose families could not otherwise afford a Brisbane Girls Grammar School education and we are grateful to those donors who continued to contribute to the BGGS Bursary Fund in 2020. Every gift brings us closer to supporting new bursary recipients throughout their schooling. Giving often takes different forms and truly comes in all shapes and sizes. The Instrumental Music Department was delighted when a donor gifted a beautiful antique viola to the School and we were honoured to receive further artworks from the Estate of Judy Cassab AO. One alumna with an interest in environmental sustainability purchased specialist equipment for water monitoring at Marrapatta Memorial Outdoor Education Centre. The School’s support groups and network of volunteers also continued to dedicate many hours of service to enable a range of activities to go ahead, bringing much-needed companionship and collegiality to families during a challenging year. Thank you again for such extraordinary generosity, which contributes to the fabric of our exceptional school. The School’s Impact of Giving 2020 Report shares more stories about the impact of philanthropy at BGGS and how it benefits our students now and in the future.

We began the year with a focus to successfully complete the Exceptional Futures fundraising campaign for the new Science Learning Centre (SLC), not yet knowing the disruption and uncertainty that lay ahead for us all. Gradually, as events were cancelled, borders shut and schools moved to remote learning, we felt we should adjust our plans and expectations. Our School community, however, remained committed to girls’ education and nurturing students’ scientific abilities to equip them for the future—the importance of which was clearly evident as the year unfolded. We were overwhelmed by support received during the year, as people participated in the House Spirit appeal to join the Wall of Thanks, which takes the form of the periodic table, in the Science Learning Centre. It was a very special moment for staff and students when the SLC opened on the first day of Term 4, with construction completed ahead of schedule. Thanks to the collective gifts of the Parents and Friends Association, Old Girls Association, Girls Grammar families, alumnae and staff, our campaign raised more than $3 million, exceeding its original goal. It has been inspiring to witness this sense of generosity, testament to Girls Grammar’s growing spirit of philanthropy.

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Brisbane Girls Grammar School Annual Review 2020