Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2019

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ALUMNAE STORIES

Lucy Stirling (2010) Rock Climber

‘I started climbing, as a sport, on a climbing wall at Brisbane Girls Grammar School. The School taught me to recognise my passion, dream big, set goals and strive for excellence. I love everything that climbing encompasses—the people, the atmosphere, the challenge.’ Ms Lucy Stirling was in her first year of high school when she discovered and fell in love with climbing. Training five to six days a week, three or more hours a day, she loves every aspect of climbing, from finding new ways to challenge herself through different locations and pushing her limits outdoors on natural rock, to training and competing in indoor environments.

Since 2010, Ms Stirling has represented Australia in three World Youth Climbing Championships and at over 14 International Open World Cups, 3 World Championship Events and also The World Games in Poland in 2017. In 2013, Ms Stirling won the Oceanic Lead Championships in the Open A division. She has retained this title for seven years and running. In 2014, Ms Stirling won her first Australian Lead National Championships in Open Female division, making her the highest ranked female lead competition climber in Australia. In 2016, Ms Stirling also became Australian National Champion in the bouldering division. Ms Stirling is training to qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympics where the sport will make its Olympic debut. She has set herself a goal of finishing in a top ten or podium position.

Dr Claire Fotheringham (1995) Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (Doctors Without Borders) Obstetrics and Gynaecology Medical Advisor ‘There are a really large number of women on the move at the moment—they may be displaced within their own country or their own community, they may be in transit, trying to get to a place of safety. Unfortunately women and children that are in those circumstances are very vulnerable.’ Dr Claire Fotheringham provides emergency medical care for women in some of the world’s most dangerous countries, including Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. She believes strongly in the role of advocacy, and providing independent, neutral and impartial medical aid to those who need it most.

During Term 1, Dr Fotheringham returned to the School to speak to captivated students about her experience of caring for women who are displaced or living in danger, and inspired students interested in service, women’s health and medical research.

Angie Milliken (Head Girl 1981) Actress

‘Grammar gave me above all, the resilience, courage and self-reliance to pursue a career path less traveled, one for which I had not seen many role models and which has ultimately given me a lifetime of diverse experiences. I will always be grateful this pathway was generated and encouraged in the Drama classroom of BGGS with those exceptional teachers.’ Ms Angie Milliken is a renowned Australian actor whose accolades include two AFI Best Actress Awards (My Brother Jack and MDA) and a Centenary Medal for her outstanding achievements in the Australian film industry.

After graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Ms Milliken has worked across theatre, television and film, receiving critical and popular acclaim. Ms Milliken’s film work includes roles in This Isn’t Funny, Rough Diamonds, Paperback Hero and Dead Heart, and her television career spans Australia and the USA, where she has featured in CSI Miami. Her work on stage has seen her performing with leading theatre companies, including The Sydney Theatre Company and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In 2019, Ms Milliken performed the role of Linda Loman in Queensland Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. Ms Milliken returned to Girls Grammar as a Valedictory Speaker (2004) and as a Foundation Day speaker (2019).

To discover more alumnae stories, visit www.bggs.qld.edu.au/alumnae-stories

AUTUMN ISSUE / 2019