Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2008

Alumni

Reunions and Events

Back to School

OLD GIRLS ASSOCIATION

Canberra Alumni Luncheon

Reunions 30 Year Reunion—Class of 1978 Date: Saturday 18 October 2008 Venue 1: Brisbane Girls Grammar School Time: 2.30pm – 5.00pm Venue 2: Mantra South Bank, catering provided by Stone Restaurant and Bar Time: 5.30pm – 8.30pm Contact: Mrs Sally Harper (Jenkins) Email: sjenkins@qldbar.asn.au or reunions@bggs.qld.edu.au 50 Year Reunion—Class of 1958 Date: Saturday 1 November 2008 Time: 11.00am Venue: Brisbane Girls Grammar School Contact: Mrs Ann Caston (Pressland) Telephone: +61 7 3366 4061 Email: reunions@bggs.qld.edu.au 2009 55 Year Reunion, Form III 1954 and years until up to senior Date: Saturday 14 March 2009 Time: 10.30am Venue: Brisbane Girls Grammar School Contact: Mrs Lyn Robinson (Ford) Telephone: +61 7 3720 2497 Contact: Mrs Gwynneth Petrie (Edwards) Telephone: +61 7 3268 2899 Contact: Mrs Mary Robertson (Finlayson) Telephone: +61 7 3202 6923 Email: reunions@bggs.qld.edu.au 5 Year Reunion—Class of 2004 Cocktail party hosted by Brisbane Girls Grammar School Date: Thursday 21 May 2009 Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm Venue: Brisbane Girls Grammar School Contact: Ms Carle Rutledge Email: reunions@bggs.qld.edu.au Invitations will be posted closer to the date; however, if you have recently moved and would like to update your details to ensure you receive the invitation please contact the School.

Jane Worme (1997), having enjoyed a ten year career in the Australian Army, found herself back at Girls Grammar as a pre-service teacher in 2008. Jane’s passion for education was ignited at Girls Grammar by some of the teachers who are now mentoring her as she nears the completion of her Education Degree. ‘It is just such an honour and privilege

Open Day The role of the Old Girls Association at Open Day is primarily to act as a key link between girls and women of previous and current eras. In recent years a number of older images of school life—organised by decades—has been displayed on Open Day, generating a lot of interest and discussion. By utilising the breadth of knowledge of the School community in this way we have successfully identified many past students in the photographs. Since being embedded in our Constitution at inception in 1899, the importance of the OGA in terms of building on personal contacts and knowledge of the School has been progressing steadily over the decades. Marrapatta Memorial Outdoor Education Centre

Jane was back at Girls Grammar for her practicum

Alumni enjoyed lunch with Ms Amanda Bell at the Promenade Café.

to be guided through my pre-service experience by the teachers who inspired me as a student and developed my appreciation for the opportunities that effective education can provide.’ Jane’s path to becoming a teacher has by no means been typical, having completed her Graduate Degree in Education part-time over a five year period while serving full time as a Captain in the Army. She has studied as an external student at the Queensland University of Technology and managed to complete two of her university subjects via distance education while serving on operations in East Timor. While Jane concedes that at times balancing work, motherhood and study has been ‘hectic’, she believes that returning to Girls Grammar as a pre-service teacher has been ‘the most rewarding way to finish my degree’. While Jane will continue with her career in defence in the near future, her teaching skills will be well utilised as she resumes her role as an instructor at the Australian Defence Force Academy, a national college for selected Army, Navy and Air Force undergraduates completing their degrees prior to embarking upon a career as an officer within the Australian Defence Force.

Queensland Alumni & Art

More than forty alumni toured GoMA’s spectacular exhibition—Picasso and His Collection. Guests were given a unique insight to the exhibition by Ms Lorraine Thornquist. Ms Thornquist (1967), alumna and the School’s Director of International Studies, is also a voluntary guide at GoMA and Queensland Art Gallery. The tour was followed by high tea.

A Lifetime of Dedication Mary Martin (1970) of the Nunucal people Minjerriba in the Quandamooka region— her father’s country—attributes her successful career to the vision and strength of her parents in supporting and guiding her along the way. Ms Martin was recently honoured for her long-standing dedication to improving Indigenous health with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Inaugural National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Awards. Her career began at the Aboriginal and Island Community Health Service in Red Hill following nurse training at the Mater Public Hospital. Since then she has made significant contributions to the health and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Her wealth of experience, broad knowledge and intimate understanding of the issues in Indigenous health have underpinned her involvement and persistent voice on many committees and councils to drive improvement on both state and national levels. Ms Martin’s passion, dedication, integrity, and tireless efforts to influence change have been the key driving forces behind making a difference.

Sydney Alumni Luncheon

Jean Vallis, UnaWebster (Sister of Grace), Christine Purvis

Mary Martin with Ms Bell

NSW alumni joined Ms Elizabeth Jameson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Ms Amanda Bell for lunch at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The group enjoyed reconnecting with the School and fellow alumni while taking in the café’s stunning views across Circular Quay.

‘I am not afraid to challenge obvious inequities around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health matters,’ said Ms Martin.

‘I plan to keep alert to new health matters in this area and foster productive relationships with individuals and organisations that can significantly impact on the wellness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.’ Ms Martin is a Board Member of the Aboriginal and Islander Community Service Brisbane Ltd., and is a member of the Consumer Advisory Council of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission. She has been involved in numerous working groups to progress the aims of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and was appointed this year to the new Royal Australian College of General Practitioners National Standing Committee—Aboriginal Health.

Victoria Alumni & Art

Back row: Grace Armstrong, Fay Muir, Carol (Marrapatta staff), Margaret Dearlove Front row: Lis Dodemaide (Daughter of Grace – visiting from U.S.), Beth Dawson, Louise Bremner

30 Year Reunion—Class of 1979 Date: Saturday 8 August 2009 Time: TBA

The most recent OGA activity was a visit to Marrapatta for the donation and planting of six Wollemi Pines. These special pines will complement the existing trees planted in 2000. During our visit to Marrapatta, Miss Williams and Mr McIntosh provided us with an informative synopsis of the history, essence and types of outdoor education programmes offered to the girls.

The importance of these trips and activities is best summed up by the wonderful opportunities they provide for multiple generations of Old Girls to share and celebrate the School’s

Venue: Brisbane Girls Grammar School Contact: Mrs Jacque Giles (Thomas) Telephone: +61 7 3211 4091 Email: reunions@bggs.qld.edu.au

Alumni stepped back in time at the Art Deco 1910–1939 exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. The exhibition comprised more than 300 works from all avenues of artistic media from painting to photography, fashion to film and architecture to jewellery.

ongoing achievements. MRS Christine Purvis President

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