Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2013

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ARTICLE

PHILANTHROPY IN FOCUS

GIVING ACROSS GENERATIONS

AUTHOR

MS MICHELLE JAMES, PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

our greatest potential so that we not only feel fulfilled personally but may also give back and contribute meaningfully to society. My parents instilled in me the importance of a broad-based, enlightened education and saw Girls Grammar as the optimal environment in which I could explore my interests and abilities and thrive. Their gift to me, in not only my schooling but in an appreciation of the true significance of life-long learning, has been invaluable. It’s a gift I continue to give myself and now strive to give our children.’ ‘My husband and I made this gift to the School because of our passionate belief in education; in the School to provide the highest quality education; and in our daughters and future generations of women to become the thinkers, doers, motivators and leaders of tomorrow.’ As the gift is made over five years through regular tax- deductible donations, Karalyn finds Aere Perennius an affordable way of supporting her School. ‘We are very proud to make our small contribution to the School. It is very easy to give to a community you believe in and care about so much — a community which has given me and, therefore, our family a great deal in such a multitude of ways and which continually pursues excellence in educating young women.’ For established visual artist Kylie Elkington the idea of giving to Girls Grammar by donating two fine artworks arose from a conversation with Principal Ms Jacinda Euler at the 30 year reunion held at the School earlier this year. Currently residing in Melbourne, Kylie also took the opportunity to discuss her gift with Ms Euler and Director of Development Ms Lea Walker at the recent Alumni and Art viewing of the ‘Monet’s Garden’ exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. Kylie enjoyed the day at the NGV getting to know staff and past students, whose graduation years ranged from 1950

THROUGH THE SCHOOL’S SERVICE PROGRAMME and co-curricular activities, our students and staff raise funds to support many charitable community organisations. Our young women carry this tradition of giving with them after they leave Girls Grammar. For many, this tradition encompasses giving back to their School for the benefit of current and future generations. Mrs Karalyn Shaw (née Orr) (Head Girl, Class of 1992) and Ms Kylie Elkington (Class of 1983) are generously supporting the School in personally meaningful ways. Karalyn Shaw’s very fond memories of her school days and her fervent belief in education inspired her gifts back to Girls Grammar. ‘I had a dream to become Australia’s first French-speaking astronaut for most of my formative years. I was always offered every encouragement by my incredibly dedicated and passionate teachers. There was never a dream too big or too “out there” for any Grammar girl.’ Like many other past students and their families, Karalyn chose to support the School’s building fund through establishing a bronze plaque under the Aere Perennius programme. The name comes from a Latin Ode by the Roman poet Horace (65–8 bc ) — ‘ Exegi monumentum aere perennius ’ — which translates as ‘I have created a monument more lasting than bronze’. The plaques feature inspiring quotations selected by donor families, together with the names of students and their graduation years. four, including three future Grammar girls, Karalyn wanted the wording of her plaque to reflect her family’s impassioned belief in education. It reads: ‘An investment in education returns an immeasurable richness.’ ‘Education enables us to develop our whole selves — intellectually, spiritually, culturally and physically — to A former International Humanitarian Law Officer with the Australian Red Cross and now mother-of-

GRAMMAR GAZETTE