Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2019

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THE OLD GIRLS ASSOCIATION

AUTHOR Mrs Julie Caton (Cleghorn, 1981) President of the Old Girls Association

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the formalisation of the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association (OGA). Founded in 1899 and incorporated in 1997, it is one of the oldest alumni associations in Australia. Girls Grammar graduates automatically become members of the OGA, with our networks spanning countries, backgrounds and generations. The OGA’s enthusiastic and dedicated Committee seek to maintain the School’s traditions, support the School at events and activities, and forge links and networks among Grammar Women. With its extensive history, the BGGS OGA plays a fundamental role in preserving and enriching the traditions and culture of the School for past, current and future generations of Grammar Women. Our motto, ‘Connections for Life’, reinforces all that Grammar Women stand for; whether a recent graduate, one who left the School gates some years ago or a current student, we all have a connection that is worth celebrating and maintaining.

To recognise 120 years of the OGA, the Committee commissioned a pendant to be designed and crafted by world-renowned jeweller, and husband of Grammar Woman, Mrs Michelle Tully (Oswin, 1981), Mr Bruce Tully. The sterling silver pendant features distinctive engravings which mirror the designs on the gates at Rangakarra Recreational and Environmental Education Centre and panels at the Marrapatta Memorial Outdoor Education Centre, both donated by the OGA. The unique and striking blue opal, sourced from Quilpie, Queensland, reflects the iconic Grammar Blue and, according to local Aboriginal women in the Quilpie region, is a symbol of empowerment. The pendant is available for purchase exclusively by Grammar Women and current Grammar girls by contacting the Committee via OGAPresident@bggs.qld.edu.au. In this milestone year, I am grateful to those early Grammar Women who were, in their establishment of the OGA, forward thinking, service-driven and passionate about staying connected with the School and one another long after their time as students ended.

ROLL CALL EVENT The OGA welcomed current mothers of the School who are Grammar Women at ‘Roll Call’. Held in the first week of Term 1 at Clovely Estate, the event encouraged Grammar Women to reignite friendships from the past, with many guests commenting ‘it really doesn’t seem that long ago’ that they themselves wore the uniform. It is testament to the School that its traditions, which make Girls Grammar memorable to so many, still endure.

GRAMMAR WOMEN: DESIGNING WOMEN EXHIBITION, MELBOURNE On Sunday 20 January 2019, Girls Grammar alumnae reunited at the Designing Women exhibition at The National Gallery of Victoria, an exhibition that showcased works by women in diverse creative fields. Following the tour, attendees celebrated the spirit of Girls Grammar over lunch, making connections between Grammar Women of all generations.

Attendees at the Grammar Women event

AUTUMN ISSUE / 2019