2017 School Magazine

KIRSTEN JACK MEMORIAL LEUKAEMIA COMMITTEE

This year we celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the passing of Kirsten Jack (KJ), whose exuberant personality inspired the creation of the Kirsten Jack Memorial Leukaemia Committee. The committee consists of passionate, committed, like-minded girls who support the treatment of young people with cancer — in the hope of finding a cure. Early in the year we welcomed the General Manager of Childhood Cancer Support, Ms Helen Crew, to speak to the group and to accept a donation from the School. This inspired us to continue with our fundraising. Term I saw the organisation of a bake stall and ‘big bear’ raffle, both of which were extremely well supported.

In Term II, the annual KJ Formal Fashion Parade took place, starring our gorgeous Year 12s modelling their beautiful gowns. Our handmade Mother’s Day cards were once again a huge success and I know many mums look forward to their KJ card each year. For Open Day in Term III, girls went above and beyond making numerous batches of rocky road, as well as participating in the very popular face-painting stall. Origami daffodils and jelly cups for Daffodil Day, another bake stall and Bandana Day completed our fundraising efforts for the year. Special thanks must go to all KJ girls and Girls Grammar teachers and staff, Dr Farley, Ms Parry, Dr Kimber and the wider School community for their amazing support throughout the year. It has been an honour to be a Captain of this amazing committee and I am confident we will continue to support cancer research and keep Kirsten’s amazing legacy alive. LOUISE RAINBIRD (11G)

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS Doctors without Borders is a newly established service group supporting the organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). This group was created to raise awareness about diseases prevalent in developing countries, especially as other service groups are more orientated toward the issues faced by Australia and other developed countries. As MSF not only provides support and medical supplies to developing countries in poverty and conflict, but also continues research on specific diseases especially rife in these regions, we thought that a group that could inform students about these issues would be beneficial. In our fortnightly meetings, we discuss issues surrounding an epidemic, disease, chronic illness or humanitarian issue that is currently being addressed by MSF. Thus far, we have discussed the cholera outbreak in Yemen, the use of Direct Acting Antivirals (DAA) for treating tuberculosis and Hepatitis C, the uses of antibiotics and the rise of antibiotic resistance, and we have debated the advantages and disadvantages of patenting medicines and immunisation.

We are so proud of how the group has grown and how much support it has garnered. We hope the group continues to raise awareness and to fundraise for MSF in the future. ARCHLIA LIN (12R) AND ABIRAMI SOMASUNDARAM (12M)

062 | SERVICE | BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2017