July 1960 School Magazine

MAGAZINE of the

BRISBANE GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOT

JULY, te6o

Rcgistered crt the G'P.O., Brlsbcme, tor trqrgmission by poet crs

published by Mrs. H. M. McDona1d, Brisbqne Girls' Grcmmar School ond printed by Al1crn Williom Crqmb, Albor Street, Wcvell Heights, for The Read Press Pty. Ltd., 610-616 Ann Street, VolleY, Brisbcrne.

[.ifre hcrs fits Dcrngers "A monarch must be lhe happiest of men,' said Damocles. Bul when invited to sample the throne and enioy the riches around him he noticed, immediately above his head, a sword suspended by a sing le hair. The mora l'l However pleasant life may seem, it has its perils. Bul Queensland's own in- iurance office can help you to provide aga insl these to ensure ;ecurity for your family, a nd a comfortab le re. tirement to protect the va lue of you r o ro pe rty. Your local S.G.l.O. re. cresentative is well q ua Iif ied to advise and lrel' You' sG'6

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Z.h" nTl"gazine ofi 7h" %riobane Qtt"' Qrn^^ar S"host EDITORIAI, Throughout the history of mankind, the dominant feature has always been feat, and wherever there was fear there was hatred. Even in this enlightened age we cannot escape it. While it possesses uS, inter- national relations will never improve. The world is caught in a dark abyss of fear. Some men, distrusting what is different, have not overcome their innate dislike of coloured races. Instinctively, they subscribe to the idea that domination of the native peoples will conquer the fear which is controlling them. There is no easy solution to this heart-breaking problem, but one thing is certain, force will never be victorious. If man cannot yet love his brother regard- less of colour or creed, he must learn to do so by growing in wisdom and understanding. This can only be accomplished if we are ready to educate our minds and open our hearts to all that is beautiful, pure and true, while we are still young. Although we may never become heroic figures, we will not have lived in vain if we do all we can to spread the spirit of love abroad. In every generation, youth has been given a precious gift-the future. It is like an oyster shell which may contain a beautiful pearl, glowing and shimmering with an inward radiance. Whatever the years hold, the outcome depends upon us. It is a ma'nificent responsibility which each one of us shares. The material which we now hold is ready and waiting to be moulded. whether it leaves o,ri hands as a thing of beauty or a misshapen mass, rests with us.

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BRISBANE

Brisbano Girls' Grqmmcr School Mcgczine

Iuly, 1960

Brisbqno Girls' Grqmrncr School Mcrgezine

Iuly, 1960

Mrs. S. E. M. TUCKER Mrs. Siddie Elizabeth Mary Tucker, known for many years to her colleagues and her pupils at the School as Miss Benney, died on Sunday, 24th April, one day after St. George's Duy, the patron saint of the well-loved land of her birth. Miss Benney, an Associate of the College of Preceptors, London, was a member of the staff of the Brisbane Girls' Grammar School from January, 1923, until August, 1950, when she left to be married and to live at Ocean Beach, Bribie Island. Miss Benney endeared herself to her pupils, especially those who felt themselves privileged to belong to IV.C., of which she was Form Mistress for many years. They will remember among other huppy associations ttre occasions when they prepared for and helped on Stalls for Sports Days, Concerts and Parents' Days. The Staff remember with affection a friendly colleague who, from her home at Ocean Beach, kept in touch with the School, never failing to remember great occasions. After her professional career had come to an end, Mrs. Tucker continued to put her undoubted talent for teaching at the service of the Church of England in the Sunday School she organised at Bribie Island and so to spread her influence for good among young people whom she loved. Some of her pupils later came to the School . Mrs. Tucker's regard for and support of the School to which she devoted the best years of her professional life will not soon be forgotten. She has inscribed her own memorial in the annals of the School and in the hearts of her many friends. M.A.M. CURRENT EVEI{TS When school resumed early in February, several changes had taken place on the staff. Our thanks and best wishes go to Miss Adamion, Mrs. Boulton, Miss Roche, Mrs. White and Miss Colledge, and to Mrs. Roe, thanking the last-mentioned for her excellent work as Librarian in the first years of our new Library. It was with regret, too, that we farewelled Mrs. Powell who, as Mrs. Warren, is living and teaching in Sydney. We wish her every happiness in the future. Mrs. Dingle, Miss O'Hara, Miss Tribbeck, Mrs. Imhoff and Mrs. Needham, our new Librarian, joined the staff this year and we welcome them to the School.

Early in the term the Fifth and Third Forms attended the Symphony Concert which was arranged by the A.B .C., and held in t4. City Hall. A fing programme had been selected and the music was enjoyed by all who went. On Monday, l4th March, our inter-Form Swimming Carni- val was held in the Valley Baths. Those competing were most enthusiastic-especially in the Novelty Race-and the carnival was won by IV.A. The next week the inter-Form Life-Saving Competition was held, this being won by Sixth and Fifth Forms. Soon after, the School competed in the inter-School Swimming Competition. We congratulate Somerville House on their excellent win from Clayfield College. We gained fourth place and were most proud of our team and the hard training they had undergone. This year we competed with great success in the Inter-School Life- Saving, to win the McWhirter C.rp just 0.35 points ahead of St. Hilda's. Our thanks go to Mrs. Melzer who trained both the Swimming and Life-Saving teams so generously. Much has been, and is being done, to increase our Swim- ming Pool Fund. The Mile of Pennies organised by Miss Dunn is being continued, and during First Term Dr. Elsie Harwood showed us her pictures of her tour overseas, at a film evening affanged by the Parents' and Friends' Committee. Dr. Harwood photouraphed places away from the beaten track and it was a most interesting and enjoyable evening. Tenders for the construction of our pool were closed before the May vacation and the work is now well in progress. In an endeavour to raise sufficient money to complete the payment for the pool, the Old Girls of the School have arranged a Concert to be held in the City Hall on Tuesday, 2lst June. Many talented former pupils of the School have kindly agreed to present items, and the present girls will also take part. The preparations are being made with much cate and we feel that the concert will be most successful. An honour was paid to the School during the first term when the Reverend J. A. C. Whyte and the Reverend Alexander Duff chose to make a film of our School, ?S representative of girls' schools in Queensland. Films illustrating the activities of many schools in the British Commonwealth are to be sent to those schools. Although the film is not yet completed, we have already been photographed at work and play. When finished, the film will be shown at the School, before beinq sent overseas. We are now well into the Winter Term and training for tennis and basketball fixtures has lon'g been started. Athletics

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Iuly, 1960

Brisbane Girls' Grcxmmcrr School Mcgcrzine

Iuly, 1960

Brisbone Girls' Grcrmmcrr School Mcrgazine

man's fist. The dark red slate pencil, Phillacanthus parvispinus, has quite a different home, choosing to live under stones on the sandy floor of the pool. Its spines are fewer, ribbed and blunt, and each is circled at its base by a fringe of short flattened spines. Adding to its attractiveness are five rows of smaller spines running from the mouth to the underside. Another sea urchin of the sandy floor is the large bodied but short-spined Tripneustes gratilla. which has white spines tipped with orange. By means of some of its many waving brown tube feet, the three Tripneustes I see here deck themselves in broad fronds of seaweed. In this pool I find the most beautiful sea urchin I have ever seen, the New South Wales member of a Barrier Reef family. Its excep- tionally long spines, fawn banded with brown, sway gently in the current, like sharp spears embedded in the deep red body pat- terned by emerald green tracery. Green, pink and brown seaweeds clothe the wall between sea urchin hollows, providing pastures for the vegetarians of the pool. Jointed mauve-pink fronds of the coralline weed, Amphiroa anceps, catch my eye first. Near the surface of the pool grows a green seaweed with tiny round leaves, and not far above it, under a dark overhanging ledge, slimy grey liver sponge catches sunlight reflected from the pool. The most beautiful seaweed is Champia compressa-tiny fronds shining green and blue in sunlight filter- ing through the clear water. However, even more colourful are the sponges which grow among the seaweeds. Colonies of brilliant tangerine lumps, Tethya corticata, seem to bring sunlight to dark crevaces on the bottom of the pool. Two sponges, one heliotrope, and the other yellow, form irregularly-shaped patches on the upper half of the wall. Both siliceous sponges, the heliotrope Haclicona has distinct holes in its surface, and the yellow has a finer texture with larger, raret holes. There are strange sporadic lumps of a pale blue growth, patches of glowing purple and spreading orange growths in zrg-zaq, patterns, whose mystery and beauty fill me with wonder and admiration. This pool is the home of many star-fish, which cling to the walls and ate scattered over the sandy floor. One variety is exceedingly common on this coast, Patiriella calcar, whose multi- coloured forms can be seen in every pool on the headland. I pick one up to look at it closely--f1s back is leathery with small over- lapping scales forming a radial pattern in an array of vivid colours. They have eight poorly developed arlns, although I have found several freaks with nine leqs. Brittle stars could hardly be more different, for they have five sinuous arms, never still, radiating from a body the size of a sixpence. Their wriggling forms can be found embedded in shell grrt under rocks. 13

practices too were begun some time since ln preparation for the Inter-Form and Inter-School competitions. With the Second Term examinations for all the School now not far away, school life is very busy and interesting and we feel that these days are the best in our school years. At Assembly on Monday, 29th Muy, the School heard the sad news that Christine Evans, one of the two Head Girls in 1957, was killed in a road accident at Laidley. She was at the time in her Third Year of an Agricultural Science Course. This came as a severe shock and a cause of deep sorrow to those of us who met Christine when we were Third Formers and who will remember her always for the affection and respect she won rvherever she went. R.H. TIIE KENTDALL.EROADBENT IEAT{JRAL HrsToR.Y ESSAY, 1959. The Small World of a R.ock-Fool During holidays at the beach my greatest delight is to investi- gate the life that teems at the edge of the sea. It has been a iource of unending interest over the past years-an interest that has led me to close observation and to books of marine biology. It is not enough merely to look with a curious eye, but as one spends more time, one must identify and classify the creatures. Having read of animals and then being able to look closely at them gives one a knowledge of what to seek. It is then that such investigation is most rewarding. I sit on the edge of a pool of unruffled blue, sheltered from the turbulent white wakes of continually breaking waves. During my first visits to this pool, I was satisfied with the amazing variety of plants and animals in the shallow waters of the shelves near the surface. Now I am dissatisfied to gaze deeper down the wall and see its vivid colours suffused with green, knowing that yet more creatures must dwell where I cannot see them. So I iake my goggles and venture into the pool-into a new world. As I sink underw ater the blurred masses of colour take fascinating and varied forms. That there could live in harmony so many divers creatures in such a small area seems to me incredible and marvellous. The pricklv forms of hundreds of sea urchins, seeming to fill every crevice, first drew my eye from the general scene. Indeed one variety, the most common,, Heliociduris -erythrogramma, carve hollows for themselves. Their colours range from olive green to dark brown and from white to dark purple. With spines of one to two inches,_ round at the base and tapering to a point, the average H eliocidaris is the size of a T2

Brisbone' Girls' Grcrmmcrr School Mcrgozine

Iuly, 1960t

Srisbcrneo Girls' Grcrmmcrr School Mcrgazine

Iuly, 1960

I

As I turn over stones, I find a fascinating variety of animals and plants; tusked and fierce black elephant snails, Scutus antipodes, pla.ig, striped and elaboratgly patterned chitons, which are very sensitive to light and seek immediately a darker home, tiny crabs, Plagusa glabra, a glossy fawn with reddish flecks. sneak fearfully away into cracks, and tubes constructed of brcken shells cemented together to form the home of a tube worm, Dioptra dentata. At the base of the wall, under an overhanging ledge, I find an attractive white egg ribbon of a sea hare. Rewarded for my search for its owner, I see nearby a large sea slug, Oscanius hilli, slowly crossing the wall. It has a prominent white plumed gill, and its back is a deep red, flecked with yellow" Swimming slowly along the rock wall, I am conscious of the rapid reflex movement of some creature of the wall, yet I see nothing that is capable of such a movement, until I notice some feathery white bunches ahead of ffie, where the water I have disturbed has made no currents. My hand approaches, The "bunches," white or brown fringes one a fine red stem, whip back into a leathery tube. As I watch fascinated, the heads of this tube worm, so different from our conception of land worms, Sabellastarte indica, gingerly emerge tightly furled, and then: blossom into a dainty flower. Here in the narrow region where land meets sea the two kingdoms of animals and plants, which on land are completely separate, approach each other. Some animals, termed zoophytes, plant-animals, assume plant-like appearance while retaining animal functions. A colony of tall, delicately branched zoophytes dwell near the top of the wall, having dark red stems with numerous lateral branches. Surprised to find on a stone on the floor a new animal, I touch the dark red ball-it opens out and takes on a plant-like appearance. It is the same zoophyte. Stranqely deceptive with its plant-like form, but animal body, is the cunjevoi that cleaves to rock faces from a level above low- water to a little below it. Hence these distinctive, rugged brown lumps give their name to a zone, the Pyrura zone. At the end of a c"lindrical column are two apertures, one for inhaline sea water, and other for exhalinq water after it has been sieved to remove plankton and other tiny free ereatures. When the creature is dist'rrbed, the water is exhaled as a sudden and powerful jet. Cloqed when exposed to the air, these apertures are open under- water, to reveal the oranqe-red lininq of the internal cavity. When cunievoi live on rocks exposed to the forces of the sea, instead of desertinry their battered home, they fiqht back with a kind of jorrf"l resistance . Thus for a short interval of time I have been absorbed in the "rnall world of the rockpool-a world of individuals-diverse, colo'''r'ful, immen*elv vital and self-contained. -ITNNTFER NEILSEN

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Iuly, 196CI

Brisbqno Girls' Grqmmar School Mcrgozine

Iuly, 1960

Brisbqner Girls' Grqmmqr School Mcrgcrzine

AI{ ARAB WET}DII{G The wedding I describe is not by any means the wedding of upper-class Arabs whose customs ate very much our own and whose weddings in some cases surpass in splendour any European wedding. On the contrary, I describe the wedding of the lower- class Arabs who live in the slum Arab quarters, detached from the cities of Egypt" All the affairs of the wedding are attended to by the parents of the couple, and indeed, the match is actually affanged ^by the parents, a bride sometimes having to marry a person as old as her father-or even older, if he is wealthy. There is no question of force, it is simply custom ary . The bridegroom meets the bride's father and brothers but seldom meets his future mother-in-law and certainly never sees the bride until the day of the wedding (although the bride can take a peek at him through the keyhole to satisfy her curiosity a little). Another custom is that during the negotiations, the groom pays his future parents-in-law a dowry of money according to his means. Part of the marriage festivities is the displaying of the dowry" This is done by placing all the bride's household and presents on carts which are drawn by mules through the streets. The mules are adorned with garlands of flowers and are preceded by musicials playing 9n flutes, tamborines and hand drums. As the procession proceeds, men join it to sing and dance in the streets; but women remain in the house and watch from behind the shutters from where they comment on the dowry and compare it with others they have seen. Most conspicuous in the dowry is the eiderdown-most highly prized if it is made of golden satin with rose backing-and the gold or rose pillows with white pillow- cases edged with cotton lace. Finally the wedding takes place at the bride's home one afternoon, the ceremony being perforrned by a priest or "sheikh" dressed in a white robe and wearing a red cap with a white scarf wound round it. The bride wears white, while the groom wears a new neck-to-ankle robe made for the occasion. Afterwards the official documents are siqned or finger-printed-for it is only recently that a measure of compulsory education has been intro- duced. Now, for the first time, the groom is taken by his father- in-law and introduced to the bride. The reception also takes place at the bride's home-and sometimes flows into the street, so that tarpaulins ate hired to cover part of the street. The parents or a caterer provide the guests with an elaborate meal spread on long tables at which the grrests stand and help themselves. 16

__l.trtt., VI A.

L7

Iuly, 1960

Brisbono Girls' Grqmmcrr School Mcrgczine

Iuly, l96O

Brisbqner Girls' Grcrmmqr School Mcgazine

MOONLIGEIT WALKS From Wordsworth's line : ". . . let the moon shine on thee in thy solitary walk," we can infer that his sister loved to walk at night. It does not require much imagination to see her moving between the shadowy rows of tall trees, stopping now and then to watch intently some sly creature playing unaware in the moon- light, or listen enchanted to some night bird's call. We can picture her running eagerly through the long grass to the edqe of a gleaming lake where she stands drinking in the calm serenity of the reflected moon and the dim outlines of the nearby mountains. This picture has always awakened in me a romantic longing, and it was with great delight and anticipation that I viewed the prospect of a paper chase one Saturday night. Substitute, however, for the beautiful Lake District, a dusty, pot-holed track, and for the moonlight night, one in which what there was of the new moon was obscured by cloud; and you have the setting for our walk. The only thing solitary about the outing, which the seven of us undertook, was the atmosphere of the road, which was entirely without illumination and bordered on both sides by tea- tree swamp. Unlike Dorothy Wordsworth, we hastened on as each rustle of the bush announced the approach of something we did not wait to identify. Each noise, far from delighting my companions, made them tell in hollow voices how a woman had been shot on this road only last week. Suddenly, we all stopped in our tracks, frozen by the weirdest sound the night could produce. There, right beside uS, staring with frightened eyes, was a donkey. With mixed feelings of relief and mirth, we crossed the main road and proceeded through the grass up the hill. Even if that tree, silhouetted against the dark sky at the top of the hill did look like a man's head, it was very unfeeling of my sister to mention it when there was so much beauty in the cultivated fields which lay on either side. We were now in the open countryside and I felt sure that the moon would soon come out and reveal something as beautiful as the Cumberland lake. We reached the top of the hill, and there below us lay-a cemetery. By this time, all expectation of an enchanting moonlight walk was shattered, and I trudged on resignedly. Perhaps it was foolish to expect that the reaction of a nineteenth century young woman surrounded by beautiful English countryside could be awakened in the breasts of young people of this practical twentieth century, as they walked through rather drab parts of Australian bushland. D. RUTTER, VI.B. 19

Because of the low cost of living, the meal would appe;ar to us very extravagant for their small means, some of the foods being chicken, turkey, savouries, Turkish delight, stuffed dates, and tasty oriental cakes, while "sherbets" or sweet fruit juices are drunk. One of the "musts" ate sugar-coated nuts-the sign of happiness. Throughout the reception, the women and men do not rningle at all, and following the introduction to each other, the bride joins the women and the groom the men. The entertainment consists of women singers and sometimes dancers who dance firstly for the men and then for the women. (Of course, only the female dancers dance for the women !) The festivities last until the early hours of the morning, when the excitement reaches a peak with everyone cheering enthusi- astically and calling gocd wishes to the bride and groom as they depart. -M. GRIFFITHS, VB" SILtrNCE Deep, profound, wellspring of thought and prayer, Divine escape from worldly toil and care. No harp nor iute thy music could come nigh, From thee were all things formed and fashioned, by

The Potter's hand-from silence, mud and clay; From silence broke Earth's new awakened day. Art thou for Man to gauge his thought of heaven, Or art thou but another Gift-God-given. What binding tie has linked thee to dark death Or left thee, witness to Life's final breath ? Death hath no sting, and grave no victory And silence, thou wast ne'er Man's enemy. Then thou must be-Creation as thy boast, Nearest to God, and therefore treasured most.

LYN HAMILTON, V.B.

-V. CARR, IV C.

IuIy, l950

Brisbcrne Girls' Grcmmqr School Mcrgcrzine

Iuly, l9SO

Brisbcrne Girls' Grqmmcrr School Mcrgozine

A BOOK WORTFil REAT}II{G Of the books I have read within the last six months, "Cry the Beloved Country" stands out in my memory. The recent uprisings in South Africa have given this book a greater meaning for me and give point to my recommendation of it to you for your consideration. "Cty, the Beloved Countty" is a novel, the background of which is the racial problem of South Africa. It is written by a South African, Alan Paton, whose experience as principal of the Diekloof Reformatory in Johannesburg has obviously filled him with compassion for the coloured man, while not prejudicing him against the white man. The story concerns the search by a Zulu parson for his delinquent son, and his finding the boy charged with the murder of a Dutchman who has been working to help the native races. The record of the parson's stay in Johannesburg, which is told with a biblical simplicity of style is almost unbearably poignant. Mr. Paton's approach to the racial problem is unbiassed and full of compassionate sincerity, the fineness of character of both white man and native being just as clearly portrayed as the immorality of members of both races. "Cry, the Beloved Country" is a memorable book, both in style and subject matter. It left me with the memory of these words "No one wishes to make the problem seem smaller than it is, No one wishes to make its solution seem easy. No one wishes to make light of the fears that beset us. tsut whether we be fearful or flo, we shall never, because we are a Christian people, be able to evade the moral issues." DIANA SHOGREN, V.B"

TTItr TFilER.MAI, R.EGTOI{ On our recent tour of New Zealand, the part which we all enjoyed and were most interested in was our stay in Rotorua, New Zealand's thermal region. Of course, there af,e other such regions-in Japan, in Amerrca, in Iceland, in ltaly; but for sheer variety, for range of attractions in a relatively small compass, that of New Zealand's North Island is unique. The twenty mile strip of intense activity stretches from Mt. Ruapehu to the Bay of Plenty, but most of the princip al attractions are centred around Rotorua. In the centre of the town are the celebrated hot baths where people go to soothe weariness and relieve many complaints. The water is naturally pale green and is about eighty-four degrees Fahrenheit. A large number of the occupants of Rotorua have laid-on hot water from the natural steam vents in their front garden s. Perhaps the best known of the thermal attractions is Whak- arewarewa (Whaka). When approaching the village, one travels across a high wooden bridge from which the eager Maori children dive for coins dropped into the water below. Upon inspection one finds that the sand is quite hot while the stream adjacent to it is cold and in other outlets boiling water bubbles freely from the ground. At the entrance is a carved narrow gateway and inside a genuine Maori pah, storehouses and many other little huts all ornately decorated with wood carvings. Maori guides, whose leader, R.angi, is world renowned, are always on hand to explain points of interest. Next one arrives at the constantly-playing Maggie Papakura geyser, and close to it is the Champagne Pool. This pool is fathomless as yet. One unfortunate Maori chief, returning from a conference at night, walked straight into the boiling Champagne pool and a tribesman found his clothes floating on the surface next day. A little further along are the mud pools, a fascinating sight as they bubble slowly with a deep plopping sound and toss little globules of hot mud into the arr. We were all reluctant to leave Rotorua, and the night before our departure the Maoris gave us a farewell concert. The women and girls presented the dainty poi dances, while the men engaged in the warlike haka. At present my room is crammed with souvenirs, but a tiny brown-eyed Maori doll, complete with tiny pois in hand, will always be my favourite. ANNE R.EYNOLDS, III.E.

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Different reqctions in cr family wctching qn emo- tionql scene on T.V. --C. SINCLAIR, V A.

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Brisbqner Girls' Grqmmcrr School Mcrg,

IuIy, 1960

Iuly, l960

Brisbqner Girls' Grcrmmar School Mcgazine

GAIF{ED ANT} [,OST The tT.ull .boy, tousled head bent, wandered along the river- !ank, idly kicking a pebble yith the toe of his boot f"O :i"gi*g lh. tryo precious pennies in his pocket. Those two pennies"hai been hard-earned- as he had toiied and sweated for them while 'glopPing and carrying inside wood for his mother's kitchen stove. She had sent him oul to _play, and now he was wondering *5ut marvellous t-hitgl he couldbuy with his two coppers. He rdunded a bend of ^the.-river-path and came upon the baloon man with a crowd of children clustered around him, eagerly waiting t b;t one of his balloons. Then he saw it-the yellow balloon-shining like the sun amid the group of ilr friends. euickly he wenr up to the pan; an-d, thrusting _gut his two pennies, breathlessly isked for the yellow ott_. "Ffere you are) sonny," said the balioon man, and it was his ! The most beautiful balioon in the world was hi; I He held the string tightly in his hot little hand and ran back ufo"g ;h; river-bank, homewaids, to show his mother the prr.io.6 bal"loon he had bought with his'earnings. The wjnd caught the balloon and drew it up into the am, but it could ttgt esCapg_it was held too tightly. it Lounced "p and down in the air ihining like a ball of !old. ifrr small b;i' watched it and laughed-wliat a beautiful balloon ! He was almost home now. How surprised his mother would be I Wasn't it the most beautiful and the-bigge.s! balloon he had ever seen I Danri;; and twisting and whirling witn the witrd, the balloon was his priOE and joy. So delighted was he that his tight grip on the string relaxed. SuddenlY,-z strong gust of wind blow aiO^the balloon i&ted free from his hand. -Ug uttq up it soared, dipping and swiyittg, ou.i ,!: tree-tops anq ine rivei, with its stri;g d"anglin g e6rtli#ards. After futile jumping Jo recaptule his trear,rI", th; rttiutt boy siood with tears trickling down hii cheeks, watching the yellow fiailoon float away out of his sight. HELEN TURNBULL, V.C. UN DILEMME Qu'est-ce que je ferai pour le journal ?

THE SPTilNX Situated in Ku-ring Gai Chase, not far from Sydney, is a memorial to those who served in the First World War. This memorial is a Sphinx, a replica of the Sphinx in Egypt. Set in natural surroundings of the Australian Bush, the Sphinx is one- eighth of the size of the original, and is the work of the late Private Shirley of the 13th Battalion. During the war, Shirley was gassed, and back in New South Wales, became an in-patient of the Lady Davidson Home. During his stay there, he carved the Sphinx out of solid rock, and built two small pyramids, one on either side of the Sphinx, but shortly after the completion of his work, Private Shirley died, leaving behind him a lasting memorial to his comrades. In front of the Sphinx is a wishing well, carved with early Egyptian figures, and then, further to the right is a flagpoie, which, before its present role, was the mast of the H.M.A.S. Adelaide. trt was dedicated by Rear Admiral Moore, ?S a memorial to all soldiers, sailors and airmen, who died as a result of their disability. We can see what a lovely, peaceful place this is for remembering those who fought for tireir country in the First World War. JOAN BRYCtr, Form III.A-

GOD'S GENTLE CE{ASTISEMEI{TS Often. at times when life does not seem fair, There gleams into our aching sight some scene, Or words that ring within our souls, or music Filiing the once heavy air with gladness. Perhaps, within the sunset to the West We hear the voice of God calling His tardy flock That they remember Him; or in the arc That spans the sky, are conscious of the love Poured out to u5-f e His unworthy sons. Then do the petty strifes of human life, The paltry passions that absorb men's lives Seem but as brittle nothings. We reflect. Life's true proportions are regained once more; Our souls are richer than they were before.

Un poeme, une prose Peut-etre un dessin ? Je ne sais pas Des mots croises ? Mais non ! Je ne sais pas Mais j'esseyerai, noest-ce pas ?

M. WHITAKER, V.B.

-RUTH BLAIR, VI.C

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Brisbona Girls' Grqmmqr School Mcrgcrzine

Iuly, 1960

Brisbcrner Girls' Grqmmar School Mcrgczine

Iuly, 1960

PORT ARTHUR During recent holidays in Tasmania, our family visited the ruins of historical Port Arthur situated about eighty miles south- east of Hobart. We boarded the gleaming blue and silver bus at Franklin Square in the main street of Hob art, Elizabeth Street. Soon, with ?-purr of the motor, we were on our way. The bus wound quickly out 9{ th9 .ity, and in no time we were passing th.rgugh the countryside which resembles so greatly that of britain- with iis tanglgs of pink, wild roses, and .oniict-b;ilr Jo*Gdg;; surrounding the patchwork fields. At ten o'clock, the bus, topping a crest, revealed a breath- taking panorama of Fagle Hawk Neik, surrounded by sparkling blue sea. It was obvious that, as history relates, a chain^of mei qqd dogs could easily prevent runaway convicts from escaping. After lunch at the modern Lufra Hotel, we passed on to three Jt the main tourist attractions. The first, Tasman's Arch, is a natural rock span across the sea joined at either end to the mainland. a p?t4 hqt been worn away along the top by tourists. The second, a grimly fasci-13ting place, is the Devil's Kitchen. It is formed by sheer-sided_ cliffs, ending in a seething, bubbling mass of watei. Yuty are the tales told of desp erate convicts drowned while seek- ing escape in this place. The Blowhole, the third attraction, is a treacherous piece of the coast where water surges in from a hole in the outer itim into ? hollow, stone-covered cove. The water is forced upward in a huge, white spout. As the water recedes, the stones grind upon each other as they are sucked down. From here, we went to the ruins of Port Arthur itself. The ruins of the prison are awe-inspiring. The beautifully-designed, convict-hewn church, stands roofless today. The golden after:noon sunshine mellowed the bricks, throwing a warm-light within the church. In contrast, the convict cells are dark and miserable. Today, th.e1r, like th9 church, stand roofless for the most part, and *..0t stick gregl heads through the chinks. tsut it is ^still a place of horror. The guide showed us the punishment cells where ?onuicts Yere_ Put, sometimes for days on end, in complete darkness. Even the buttons were cut off their clothes so that they would have nothing to play with This, then, is Port Arthur to-day: "Five shillings each, sir !" ias you go through the turnstile, roofless stone buildings ful of past mJSery attq-gruesome tales-and on either hand, and'the very ground you walk on, the history of Austrarra. JUDYTH N4ATTHIES, IV.B.

INTERFORM SWIMMING"

-CHERYL PRICE, III C.

AMBULANCE SIREF{ In the silence of the night it came, Wailing afar. Then com:ng closer, rising

And fading away, Soaring, ebbing to nothing.

And all the time louder, louder, And as it passed I was frightened. No sound but that desolate, desperate cry In. emptiness. And my little brother woke, And gazed about wi h round child's eyes, Asked wondering baby's questions. Then the wailing went away. The thoughrs cf fear for ones I love Went too. And Richard fell asleep.

-J.L., V.B.

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Brisbqne Girls' Grammcrr School Mcgazine

Iuly, 1960

Brisbono Girls' Grammqr School Mcrgazine

IuIy, 1960

THE SECOND CTTANCE The sound of the gentle lapping of the lagoon's water mingled in a murmurous melody with the rustling fronds of the coconut palms which fringed the shore. A man about thirty-five years old lay face downwards on the sands, savouring the warmth of the sun. Paul Ingram loved this small Caribbean island. It was his birthplace and here he had spent his childhood and early manhood, revelling in the gay social life and aquatic sports. Remembering these huppy years, Paul's hand clenched over the crutches by his side. His mind flashed back over the years. He had been twenty at the outbreak of war and immediately he had left his father's plantatien and gone to serve in the Air Force, achieving a credit- able record. The war ended and Paul became restless under the conditions of peace-time flying. Therefore, he eagerly accepted his friend Barlow's scheme for establishing an aertal transport service net- work over South American countries. Their business thrived because of post-war development of these countries, and their planes flew to all points of the compass carrying equipment to mining and construction camps. But it was bad terrain to fly over. Treacherous down draughts and mountains claimed many pilots. So it was with Paul. One oppressively hot duy, angling in for a difficult landing on a mountain strip, Paul felt his plane caught in a violent down draught and lurch downwards. The plane crashed nose-first to the land. Next duy, Paul was flown to a coastal hospital, but the doctors had been unable to save his smashed leg. During a slow convalescence, Paul became sensitive and moody. Finally he returned to the business, but it was impossible. He savagely resented the pity which his disability aroused among his colleagues. Confined to the office and doing paper work, he was like a caged animal, his resentment and self pity, worsened by continual air traffic on the strip nearby. Eventually he sold his share of the business and returned to this island, at a loss to know what to do with his future. The money from the business, if wisely invested, would supply his rnaterial needs, but he knew inactivity and self-pity were his worst enemies.

Paul gradually realised he was not alone. Lifting his head, he saw a tow-headed boy about ten, watching him gravely. Paui realised that he must have been speaking his thoughts aloud and grinning self-consciously, introduced himself, tentatively holding out his hand. The boy shook it firmly, and speaking with a precise English accent, told Paul his name was Howard Wood. They became friends although they were a seemingly incon- gruous pair. In Howard, Paul found a son and every day they were seen on the shore, collecting shells, fishing, Howard delightedly listening to tales of the primitive Peruvian Indians, of jungles and of wartime experiences. The boy's attachment to him, and his enjoyment of life roused Paul from his miserable self-centredness. One evening, Paul dined with the Woods. Immediately, he liked Wood, a genial type, and his wife, an amusing and attentive hostess. Later in the evening, Wood watched Paul. He liked him and was glad he had contacted Barlow, oo hearing from Howard that Paul had been Barlow's partner. In a friendly letter of recommendation of Paul's character and reputation, Barlow warned that Paul might refuse his offer because of his broken confidence. Wood casually told Paul about his correspondence with Barlow. Paul waited, not knowing where thit conuersation would lead. Wood began without preliminaries, "f am starting an island- hopping freight service. I have need of a good pilot and an experienced adviser. I know you are both, and feei you are my man.tt He talked persuasively and quickly. "Think it over. f shall give you some details to work on. sleep on it." S'hortly afterwards, a pensive Ingram took his leave. Next day, Wood's office phone ranq. Paul's confident voice came through. "About that offer, Mr. wood. I accept !"

_J.N., VI.A

27

Brisbqne Girls' Grcrmmcrr School Mogcrzine

Iuly, 1960

Brisbcrne Girls' Grqmmcrr School Mcrgczine

Iuly, 1960

NEARLY A CEF{TURY BEFORE It was a crisp, clear winter morning when my family and I drove over the old bush track in the Bunya, Brisbane. Snuggling into my corner, I looked up to the sky and, as I watched, the clouds seemed to change their shape, until in my mind, they were a coach drawn by six sturdy horses-a Cobb and Co. coach. My father was explaining that the Cobb and Co. coaches had used this same road nearly a century ago and, as he talked, ffiy mind slipped back to those times. I saw a strong wooden coach drawn by a team of the fastest, finest horses I could ever imagine, their legs stretched ahead seemingly never touching the ground, pulling that clumsy, swaying coach across the rough track. Their manes flying in the wind, their heads stretched, straining every nerve in their bodies to bring that coach safely around the sharp corner and up the hill, those magnificent horses galloped on-on, never failing, never stumbling. The westerly wind moaned and whistled in the trees, scattering leaves around the racing team. But even the cascading leaves in front of their eyes did not deter the horses. The incessant crack of the driver's whip, his shouts of encouragement almost drowned in the wind, and their own longing to reach the relay station and rest drove them on. With the speed of Mercury, the horses dashed around the curve, causing the coach to swing dangerously towards a giant eucalypt besides the trail. But there was no real danger. So often had the horses made that run that their timing was perfect. At the last second, the coach was jerked from the danger, shaking the occupants roughly and adding to the discomfort of being bumped over the road for nearly four hours. It was the hardest run of all, from the settlement to the first relay station. Hills, gullies, excellent facilities for bushrangers, that was why an extra guard was always added there. Climbing that last, steep hill, the horses pulled and strained, slowly, painfully, each step dragging, each breath more laboured and more difficult than before. The passengers, a woman and a man, were obviously unaccustomed to such travelling for, as the man remarked ruefully, he felt "worse than a landlubber at sea in a storm." The woman's hair, once neatly affanged und er a neat, plain bonnet, hung in untidy threads 29

DAYBREAK

As I contemplate the daybreak, The cool fragrance of a dawning day breathes into my soul. Streaks of vivid light dance with elfin tread From cloud to cloud, Silently erasing the darkness of the night. Gone is the melancholy of the weary hours; No more do the trees stand forth against a cold grey sky. No, the sun is rising, the day has just begun.

The sky becomes an artist's canvas Tinted with golden glow and icy blue.

The night has crept away, following in Flecate's wake, And once more, in the Eternal order of the universe, Day has dawned.

ANTHEA SHAW, III.D.

MARY ROSE, VI B.

WII{TER I{OCTURNIE

Still in the cold blue silence by The old moon's edge of light, Snows of a shimmering winter lie

On northern mountains, towering high, Where clouds haunt the hush of sky Like cool whispers of white. And a frosty wind whirls from the crest Of the shadowy timber line; While slumbering, far in the woods to the west, Soft and grey in a furry rest, A squirrel curls down in the leaves of its nest, Warm in a hollow pine.

-PATRICIA WRIGHT,

III.D.

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Brisbcrne Girls' Grqmmcrr School Mcrgczine

Iuly, 1960

Brisbcrne Girls' Grcrmmqr School Mcrgczine

Iuly, 1960

THE TR.EASUR.ES Hand in hand, they watched the leaf that fell And slowly floated down the river; saw With short-lived grief the broken nest and shell. They gazed with wonder at the sheltered pools Where flitting goldfish lived their secret lives And shone from shaded corner-weeds like jewels. Alone they wandered where no shadow falls, And there she scuffed the dust where rushing ants Rebuilt their ruined cities, raising walls. From loads of earth that crushed their straining might. There where the morning sunbeam, sifting through The branches, brought from fairyland the light Revealing tiny dancing sprites; and here Was magic in a twisted root; a bud Half-closed meant myslery and love were near. The woman gently clasped the child's warm hand, And on that perfect day two ages met, When wisdom stood with faith in Wonderland. -JENIFER

about her face, and the man's once immaculate suit was crumpled and dusty. They would be prepared next time ! At last the station was reached. The team halted outside a double-storied cabin, the ground floor serving as a dining room for Cobb and Co. passengers, while the second storey had rooms for the lady to adjust her hair, and the man to make his clothes more presentable. The horses were shaking slightly, nervously, from the great strain, and the warm wintry sun shone brightly on the beads of sweat glistening on their bodies as they were led to the stables for their well-earned rest. The wind was-still howl- ing in the trees, sweeping up the leaves in tiny "willy-wi11ies," but the team could forget that, forget the hard run. Its work was over ! I smiled secretly to myself while I pictured the scene, a scene which was enacted on the same road I was now oil, but nearly a century before. -GRETA MAIN, III.B.

KELLY, VT.B.

L...t 'lllll ,Y'K, a.t - It -A. BUCHANAN, IV D. 3l

-fftt Otu H: I t

-G. WHEELLER, VI A.

at b

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Iuly, 1960

Brisbcner Girls' Grcrmmcrr School Magqzine

SPORTS ASSOCIATION President : Mrs. McDonald Vice-President : Mrs" Melzer Secretary : L. Morris Treasurer : E. Nicholson

Commit*ee : Miss Michod, R. Holt, S. Astill, R. Blair, E. Budtz-Olsen, A Fielditg, L. Lewis, M. McCallum, R. Mclnnes, D. Muirhead, P. Butter, J. Simpson, V. Skerman, L. Trotter, S. Smith, B. Cox, D. Huxley, R _Gqqc.h, L. Gr6en, .P. Rutledge, D. Hinckley, C. Metcalfe, P. Baxter, B. McGhie, R. Jackson, D. Alford, R. West. BEANLAND MEMORIAL LIBRARY COMMITTEE President : Mrs. McDonald Yice-Fresidenls : Miss Macmillan, Mrs. Jackson, Miss Thomas, Miss Paterson. Librarian : Mrs. Needham Comrnit'ee : Miss Elliott, Miss McNamafa, R. Holt, E. Doak, L. Fitz- simmons, H. George, A. Lee, M. Rose, G. Wheelef, B. Ansell,_J._Beale, M. Ernst, E. Marks, A. Pimlott, C. Tarling, I. Wilkinson, H. Young, J. Alden, W. Lather, J. Mathies, M. Parker, G. Watson, M. Dwyer, L. Jermyn, E. Nosworthy, R. Thomsett, J. Wasley. MAGAZII{E COMMITTEE J. Kelly (Editor), R. Blair, G. Wheeler (Sub-Edi:ors), P. Millar, P. Johnston, H. Tuinbull, D. Fisher, L. Kennedy, B. D'Arcy, V. Carr, A. Buchanan, J. MacDonald, S. Thomson, M. Lovekin, J. Tickle, A. Shaw, M. Baker. PREFECTS R. Holt (Head Girl), S. Astill, R. Blair, E. Budtz-Olsen, A. Fielding, M. McCallum, L. Lewis, R. Mclnnes, D. Muirhead, D. Rutter, J. Simpson, V. Skerman. FORM CAPTAINS IV D.-W. Robinson IV E,.-S. Stendrup TENNIS TEAM J. Turner (Captain), E Hansen, G. Watson, P. Hutton. BASKETBALL TEAM J. Simpson (Captain), N. Hartland, M. McCallurn, D. Muirhead, L. Speight, L. Trotter, L. Worth. SWTMMING TEAM, 1960. J. Forster (Captain), J. Harrison, R. Mclnnes, H. Spence, R. Turton, J. Corish, J. Covacevich, M. KleimeY:t, R. Wheeler, D. H:nckley, N. Hartland, P. Baxter, R. Geach, D. Chalk, L. O'Callaghan, D. Siemon, J. Davidson, D. Alford, J. Kilgour, B. McGhie, J. McKinnon, R. Snape, D. Wilson LIFE-SAYTNG TEAM, 1960. J. Forster (Captain), A. Fielding, D. Wilson, I{. Spence. VI A.-R. Mclnnes VI B.-R. Holt VI C.-S. Astill V A.-S. Baker V B.-H. Spence V C.-J. Coote III A.-8. Britton III B.-S. Aland III C.-D. Wilson III D.-D. Chalk III E.-J. Davison Secretary : S. de Vidas Treasurer : A. Edwards V D.-B. Templeton IV A.-L. Addison IV B.-D. Beutel IV C.-,4.. Cooper

Not to fix, but

to gently persuode .

n'tn,::r,::;

'o

grory of your hoi r.

auEElu Macassar Oil NUNN & TRTVETT'S COMMERCIAL COLLEGE

i

,I

Ali cocrching under the expert ond personcrl otiention of the Princi.pol, Miss S. R. Holsteod. Personol inierviews inviied doy ond even- ing closses. Shorthond, Typing, Commerciol English, Commerciol Arithmetic cnd Book- keeping.

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