Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 1995

Editorial comment

From the past our duty to the present and the future Victory in the Pacific Day. In

Letter to the Editor To the Editor Girls' Grammar has been noted for its liberal, broad-based education for girls, but is this whal is being learned? Is the school aiming to produce robots who only know how to conform, or do we want enthusiastic, individual and innovative thinkers? I would like to think the latter, although a large portion of school time is spent enforcing rules, instead of encouragiog thought. I agree that certain guidelines are necessary for maintaining order, but shouldn't we be concentrating on the "real" morals and ethics hoped to be attained from studying at Grammar? My years at B.G.G.S. have equipped me with the necessary elements to gain success in the modern world. But these ideals have not been gained through conforming or excelling. I have admired those girls who have taken a different path in life, either by choice or circumstance. · We, as a community, should not be embarrassed by this individualism. We should promote it and learn from those with unusual experiences. The enthusiastic, individual, innovative and truly liberal students have served as my role models not those who are stagnant lhinkers. Bena Riddle

be expressing our appreciation of freedom by actively opposing nuclear testing and fighting for the rights of oppressed peoples, instead of becoming introverted and absorbed in the minute details of our own history. Instead of throwing wild street parties and reminiscing over personal victories, should we not emphasise the price that was paid to gain peace, and understand that this is not something that we should take for granted? At any given moment there are scores of wars and battles being fought around the world, and the numbers of those killed far exceed many of the World War [[statistics we are vigorously told by news and documentary specials. Peace is not a situation that results from self-proclamation. Actions speak louder than words. Unfortunately, each nation's declaration of peace is not substantial enough. Surely if peace is as grand in Australia as the 1995 celebrations suggest, this atmosphere of unity,

harmony and remembrance should be advocated for countries less stable than our own, rather than being enjoyed by the fortunate few. Wlth the genuine commitment of countries like Australia, world peace need not be a dream, but simply a state of being enjoyed by all. One of the main aims of the World War II Diggers was to secure peace for successive generations of Australians, and to save all from the scourge Of war. We, the current Australians and citizens of the greater global village, have been rightfully left with the duty: to endeavour to create peace and stability throughout the world. In order to fulfil such a legacy, we must do more than remember and celebrate our past, we must focus our presently introspective nationalism on inspiring our fellow nations. Although the youth of today have been raised with "Lest We Forget", may it never be said that we neglected the future for the sake of our past.

1995, half a century since the actual conclusion of the war, exactly what are we celebrating? With a year of coordinated celebrations across Australia, numerous forums and extensive media broadcasts, there has been considerable emphasis placed on the youth of today and its role in creatlng I he future of our nation. However, upon reflection, it appears difficult to look beyond the "hype" created by the media and the government, and ascerlain precisely what the individual citizens of Australia should be celebrating. In the capitalist society we live in, advertising companies rarely miss an opportunity to cash in on current events and the subsequent emotions aroused by them. From remaking the 1945 Cadbury block, to subjecting television viewers to the post-war history of Gravox, strolling the supermarket aisles has rapidly evolved into a quaint trip down memory lane. In a year when we are supposedly promoting and pursuing peace, surely we should

An ancient and honoured art It seems to this observerof peculiar Grammar behaviours that an inordinate amount of attention is paid by some students to cultivating ways of adding "style" to elements of the School uniform. No. it's not the flashing white knees between the top of those black knee-highs and the hem of the navy skirt that impose themselves upon the observer's vision. It is the status afforded the origami hat. Older grades look with horrified and worldly-wise stares at the wider and stiffer brims of the grade 8 models then deftly fold their own into quarters to be crammed into lockers, bags or under arms. The more advanced models, after years of nurturing. are worn like inverted lotus blossoms hiding every feature from the tip of the nose upwards. Where are the secret folding and fluting lessons held? It is there a secret club? Is it a skill perfected by masters and passed on to willing apprentices? On second thought I have heDid of past students tell of hat inspections in previous generations. \Vhen hats were hung lined up like trophies along passageways, staffwould inspect those straw panamas and woe betide any student found with the tell-tale and trendy radius of creases . Perhaps it's a genetic imprint from mothers who, as students past, were just as keen to avoid that dreaded stamp of uniformity. The Lone Haranguer

Letters to tire editor are encouragedfrom all members of tire scirool

ourselves and what is around us. He expressed the idea that we forgive but don ' t forget. Mr Keating read our the "apology" by the Japanese Prime Minister that he had just received. Using this as an example. Mr Keating pursued the concept that from here we must never repeat the errors of history, should strengthen our relations with and trust in other nations and look into the past to learn from history. Paul Keating delivered his words with an air of respect and gratitude, rightly so as our war veterans sat in the audience. However. in th:.:context of his report of the peace we · so gratefully enjoy fifty years afterWorld War II, he has temporarily forgotten about issues happening today that contradict hi s prophecies; issues such as the Indonesian occupation or East Timor have sparked controversy and contradiction within the Australian Government. Whilst Indonesia violently controls East Timor (200,000 people have died unjustly during the twenty years of occupation) , Australia continues to support thi s imperialist nation. Paul Keating totally ignored Australia' s failure to repay the debt owed to the East Timorese people for their role in supporting Australian soldiers. Our thanks for this contribution to victory in the Pacific was for Australia to enter into a treaty with Indonesia in 1989 that bMically documented the exploitation·of the Timorese natural resources for our benefit. Our thanks is to tell the Timorese to snuggle up to those who still butcher their loved ones. His speech was poetic and idealistic as, not too far away, another East Timorese was being unjustly persecuted by imperialist Indonesian forces. Is this cooperation and trust that we must foster between other

Girls' Grammar hosts National Youth Forum Fleur Mahoney 1995 mDiks 50 years since the end of World War II. In 1995 we celebrate peace at the end ofWorld WDI II. As a special part of this year of remembrance and celebration, the Victory in the Pacific celebrations that were held in Brisbane included a National Youth Forum held at our School on Tuesday 15 August. The celebration ceremony consisted of videos, drama, music, and the memories of a generation who gave up their youth for the war effort. Along with this we were inspired by the Prime Minister's hopeful speech of continued peace. We, the youth of the nation, have been given the role of "ambassadors of the future", according to the Prime Minister. \Ve have been given the opportunity to understand the consequences of war beUer because of our grandparents' experiences. We now must realise it is time to be thankful for the peace we enjoy today. It' is time to realise that this honific event was not just a chapter from a history textbook but a reality, an event that affected people's lives. From these ceiebrations and these memories it is up to our generation to ensure that the future does not see the same mistakes. According to one student involved in the ceremony, we should "honour the past, celebrate the present and hope for the future" . This ceremony offered enlightenment for our generation, and respect to the generation of veterans. In his address to the audience assembled in the Gehrmann Theatre, the PrimeMinister, Paul Keating, stated his belief that we have faith in our country, in what we represent, faith in

countries confined to those with power over large oil supplies? Positives can come out of all sorts of crises, the honourable Paul Keating believing that we must be "detenninedly vigilant" about human rights, liberty, democracy and the value of eilch person. Does this mean except for those from whom we sap a livelihood by supporting the oppressor-who many see as a militaristic, imperialist, totali tarian nation. Let us all bow our heads and learn from the mistakes of the past. But we must not turn a blind eye to the destructive nuclear force that continues to rise from the devas tation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki . As we grant the respect the war veterans deserve, Australia is still not "determined" enough about human rights or the value of the individual. Lest we forget thut, as we celebrate this fiftieth anniversary of peace, Hiroshima and Nagasaki are recalling the horrors of atomic warfare and test bombs are released in China and in the Pacific. Paul Keating's speech certainly held optimistic and idealistic words, but these words stay, as yet, as words. The education system has a special obligation to educate youth about the rea1Hies of war. so the we can learn from the past and ensure that wartime atrocities never occur again. It appears that it is now up to our generation to hold on to the legacy of our veterans, adopting their knowledge, understanding their pain, and continuing further down the path towards a peaceful existence. At the end of the ceremony, the audience was left with these sacred words ofwisdom: 1vheu }'Ou'refeeling down mul you think life is tough, remember what these people went through in World \Var II and )"u 'll realise that life really isr1't that bad at all. It might not be for Australians, but it certainly is for the East Tunorese and the French Polynesians.

commrmity. Submit these to any member of tire editorial committee.

Hrs Hc:o.nc..oc..~ To..i::..~ ~ ·"'\ t-he.. ne..w c::..t;""'l::>'"~ w~tl .

Contributions These should be submitted to Kristine Cooke

Ph 3833 2201 Fax: 3832 1483 Editorial Committee

Editors:

Cara Dumas and Alison Meeking Stephanie Dee and Michelle Harvey

Sub-Editors/ Sport: Sub-Editors/ Arts: Sub-Editors/Features:

Francesca Mason and Alexandra McTavish Marina-Portia Anthony and Justine Cameron

CDia Newton and Claire Valkhoff ·

Sub-Editors/School News:

Illustrator:

Miranda Youngs

Staff Consultants:

Paul Bennett and Kristine Cooke

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School (BGGS) extends its thanks to advertis ers for their support. The advertisements are published in good faith and on the understanding that the contents are legitimate and lawful. BOGS does not warrant the quality of the goods and services offered by advertisers and encourages readers to make their own enquiries as to the suitability of the goods and services.

Page4 GRAMMARGAZETIE, Tenn31995