2024 School Magazine

In 1954, long-term Girls Grammar teacher, Miss Weaver, left a bequest to the School to fund what would later become our premier public speaking competitions. Named for this inspirational woman, the senior competition—and its subsequently established junior counterpart—has stood the test of time, still encouraging, uplifting, and empowering Grammar Girls 70 years later. In 2024, we celebrated this monumental anniversary in two powerful ways. First, our theme for the year was Legacy, chosen in honour of Miss Weaver herself. In addition, the Parents and Friends Association—graciously and with our deepest thanks—provided the funding for the purchase of a Perpetual Trophy, which will be engraved with the winner of Senior Merle Weaver from 2024 onwards, leaving a physical legacy to complement the impact of the competition on our girls’ lives. The participants of both the junior and senior competitions took this year’s prompt and crafted powerful, evocative speeches that truly inspired all who had the pleasure of listening. Miss Kathryn Talbot Head of Subject Year 9-10 English (Acting) The Senior and Junior Merle Weaver Public Speaking Competitions The 2024 Junior Merle Weaver Public Speaking Competition: Competitors and Topics NAME HOUSE TOPIC Cadence Chang 10H An author’s guide: writing the story of your legacy Megan Baek 10E Beyond the button: the shocking shackles of overstimulation and the key to our legacy Imogen Dingle 10W Redefining significance: how music shapes our emotions, society, and economy Anna Hodge 10L Records broken: a legacy beyond the podium Annabelle Abrahams 10G Leaving a legacy 101 Holly Pryor 10O Gardens of legacy, graveyards of success Adelaide Chan 10M A legacy beyond names: how impact transcends time Órlaith Lingard 10B Hieroglyphs to highlights: how social media is our invisible legacy Mathilda Gilbert 10R Shaping tomorrow: the power of vision and courage

BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2024 | 105