Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2007

ALUMNI

SNAPSHOTS Community Support

Nearly 300 members of the Girls Grammar Community enjoyed a wonderful night of entertainment at the fundraiser performance of “Respect – A Musical Journey”. Those who joined the Principal and Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr Mary Mahoney, at the pre-event function held on campus were given an insight into the production through fascinating detail revealed by its director, Mr Roger Hodgman, and the show’s choreographer, Ms Dana Jolly. Owing to the raffle and theatre ticket sales, more than $8,000 has now been directed to the School’s Capital Appeal, the total for which currently stands at $1.85m. Our sincere thanks are extended to our guests, the student volunteers, Red and White Coaches and to Twelfth Night Theatre for their contribution to the progress of the School through support of this fundraiser for the Creative Learning Centre.

Life Abroad

Since leaving school last year, Natalie Davies has soared into an intensive training programme with the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. With her intention of eventually becoming a helicopter pilot, Natalie has begun her three year study programme which is similar to a university aviation course only adapted to include military components. She will also have to follow this with further flight training. Natalie said that it is such a fantastic experience and already feels a great sense of cohesion within the Academy. “Academy life is very busy, starting about 6.00 am everyday for roll call and then onto our classes and other extra activities that we choose to participate in,” she said. Natalie began the arduous entry process to ADFA during her final year at School in addition to the demands of completing her Year 12 studies. She is so excited to be at ADFA and making steps toward her dream of becoming a Naval helicopter pilot. In her first year out of school, Emily McRae (2005) found herself absorbed in Ghanaian life as part of a worthwhile community service project. Emily lived with her adopted family in Ghana for just over three months. “I went on the Brisbane Girls Grammar School’s Antipodeans trip to Peru a few years ago and had the time of my life. I had always had the idea in my head about taking the year off to travel and I wanted to be involved in something a bit different and challenging. I discovered that Antipodeans offered a “year out” programme catering for school leavers. There are a number of countries to choose to be placed and they all involve community service. Ghana seemed like the most challenging and interesting place to me,” said Emily. Emily was required to teach English and Mathematics at the local school which she found to be the most challenging aspect of her placement, however definitely the most rewarding. Her Ghanaian life, although quite different to the relative luxuries of her Brisbane life, provided her with invaluable life skills and unforgettable memories. Emily built strong friendships with the people in her village and came away feeling confident in her abilities to travel independently and handle any challenging situation. Flying Forward

Alumni Event in Auckland, New Zealand on Sunday 1 April

18 grammar gazette autumn 2007