Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2011

grammar gazette SPRING 2011

Our Rhodes Scholars

three children and is a Senior Fellow at the Center on International Cooperation, a thinktank within New York University. “I work on foreign, defence and security policy, and areas of interest include post- conflict reconstruction, fragile states, US foreign and defence policy, and Asia Pacific security issues.” 6 Girls Grammar’s most recent Rhodes Scholar, and the state’s eighth female recipient, Caitlin Goss, explored and engaged in complex issues while at school. One of her most significant accomplishments was her contribution to the Year 10 Manifesto which she “presented initially at the World Parliament of Children in Paris and later to the Canadian Parliament in 2000. The essence of the Manifesto was: peace, freedom, education and the environment with a view to building a vision for the future of the planet and its people.” 7 Currently completing her Masters of Philosophy at Oxford University, Caitlin was deeply interested in law and philosophy. “Law captured my attention because of its ability to effect powerful social change, to strengthen communities and to protect individuals. In philosophy, I was seduced by the depth, poetry and sheer rigour of the discipline, which I found more challenging than anything else I studied.” 8 These three women not only embrace the Rhodes’ philosophy but also are outstanding role models and exponents of the Girls Grammar Aspiration and Intent. References: 1 Dr B Woods’ Speech delivered at the University of Queensland Awards for Research Excellence, 2010 2 Kenny, Anthony (Ed) The History of the Rhodes Trust Oxford University Press, Oxford 2001 3 ibid p351 4 Dr B Woods’ Speech delivered at the University of Queensland Awards for

not until 1997 that a majority of the awards made in a year went to women. (Poytner, John) 3 Dr Beth Woods, as Chief Scientific Officer in the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, is now overseeing Queensland’s investment in research activities through the Smart State initiative. Dr Woods’ view of the new Grammar aspiration is a most positive one. She has stated that “the wider purpose of research excellence (is) to deliver new insights on questions, develop people who will reframe questions, make connections between specialist fields of knowledge, enthuse and inspire others..., and contribute to local well-being and global futures.” 4 In her various roles as inaugural director of the Rural Extension Centre (University of Queensland), Professor of Agribusiness, chair of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, chair of the Board of the International Rice Research Institute, Beth Woods embodies the characteristics of an exceptional Girls Grammar and Rhodes Scholar. The School’s second Rhodes Scholar, Elsina Wainwright, reinforces the importance of learning and engagement with the world. Brisbane Girls Grammar School taught me to love learning—to acquire knowledge not just for the sake of test results, important though they are, but also for the pure satisfaction it can bring. In my academic career, I have sought to pursue topics that I find endlessly interesting and that I will enjoy discussing at dinner with friends as much as around a work table with colleagues. 5 This engagement led Dr Wainwright to be Deputy Director for Personnel and a Senior Fellow in the Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Programme at the Centre on International Cooperation, Adjunct Associate Professor at the Centre for International Security Studies at the University of Sydney, Visiting Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and a member of the Defence and National Security Advisory Council, which advised the Australian Defence Minister. Dr Wainwright is now living in New York with her husband and

MRS PAULINE HARVEY-SHORT, ASSISTANT DEAN

Elsina Wainwright, 1994 recipient

These ambitious ideals resonate strongly with the Grammar girl and are reflected in the School’s Aspiration: Brisbane Girls Grammar School aspires to be a leader in exceptional scholarship. Underpinning the Aspiration are the guiding principles of systematic curiosity in research and learning; judicious and ethical engagement with the world; contemporary learning places; and life-wide learning. The three Grammar Rhodes Scholars would applaud and endorse these principles. Beth Woods (recipient 1977), Elsina Wainwright (recipient 1994), and Caitlin Goss (recipient 2009) are women who fervently believe in scholarship of the highest order. They also epitomize a striving for excellence though methodical research, the continuing search for innovative answers, an abiding sense of social justice and learning that continues wherever they go and throughout life. On 26 October 1976 the early-meeting and frequently enterprising Queensland selection committee had chosen, from a field of seven, Elizabeth Woods to be the first woman Rhodes Scholar selected in the world. Of the six Australian Rhodes Scholars for 1977, three were men and three women, but the balance was not maintained: of the first hundred Rhodes Scholars selected in Australia after eligibility was widened, twenty- six were women. At least one woman was selected each year, but it was

Elizabeth Woods, 1977 recipient

The energy of the mind is the essence of life. Aristotle 1 In 1903, the Rhodes Scholarship programme was established. Cecil Rhodes made a provision in his will to bring exceptional scholars from all over the British Empire and the United States to study in England. It was his goal to select students “…on the basis of qualities of character as well as intellect.” 2 The determining criteria as stipulated in his will were literary and scholastic attainments; energy to use one’s talents to the full; truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship; and moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one’s fellow human beings.

Research Excellence, 2010 5 Email 3 September 2011 6 ibid

7 Extract from the reference written by Julie Hennessy for Caitlin Goss’s Rhodes Scholarship application. 8 Extract from Caitlin Goss’s Rhodes Application

Caitlin Goss, 2009 recipient

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