2023 School Magazine

FOUNDATION DAY

Monday 15 March marked BGGS' 148th Foundation Day—a day that celebrates the excellent education received by generations of Grammar Women, and the invaluable impact such an education has had on facilitating local, national, and global change.

This year’s Foundation Day Address was delivered by Queensland’s 2023 Rhodes Scholar and BGGS alumna, Ms Josephine Auer (2015). An avid advocate of the School motto, Nil Sine Labore , and dedicated student, Ms Auer shared an insightful reflection on her own Girls Grammar experience, emphasising gratitude for her exceptional past teachers, and the plethora of opportunities that have arisen since graduation.

As she enlightened us with her academic aspirations, Ms Auer highlighted the importance of ‘(using) one’s talents to the full’. Qualities of determination, passion, and hard work were referenced as an integral part of the ‘Grammar magic’. Through equating the Rhodes Scholarship selection criteria to the very principles of a Girls Grammar education—academic excellence, co-curricular accomplishments, leadership, and commitment to service, Ms Auer enthused us all with a sense of drive and optimism for our own future endeavours. We were all reminded that through the changing cohorts, the ‘Grammar magic’ and values have always stayed true. It is truly inspiring that trailblazers for women’s education—not only Ms Auer, but other Girls Grammar Rhodes recipients, Elizabeth Woods (1977), Elsina Wainwright (1994), Caitlin Goss (2009)—have walked the very paths we traverse daily. Natasha Miric (12O) and Tung-Hi Ma (12H)

42 | BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2023