Objects of Substance - Knickerbockers

2023 Amreen Kahlon

There have been many Queensland representatives in the Grammar softball ranks bringing expertise, experience, and knowledge. Three represented their country: Pauline Harvey-Short (Harvey 1971), the 1982 Australian team; Catherine Rees (Rees 1980), the 1981 Under 19 Australian team, and Geordan Shannon (2002) in the 2002 Under 19 Australian team. All three women were captains of Grammar softball. For the 59 years softball was part of the QGSSSA calendar, Girls Grammar has been a strong softball school. From winning the inaugural pennant in 1965 to a total of 90 premierships across all grades until 2023, to fielding an impressive ten teams in the 2010 competition, the School is rightly proud of its history, often leading the way in coaching, playing standards, and uniforms. Unfortunately for some, the 2024 season will see the bats, gloves, helmets, and bases put away and the knickerbockers, or their replacement shorts, placed in archives never to be worn again. This year marks the end of an era and a tribute to the hundreds of Grammar softballers who wore the royal blue and no doubt relate to the 1977 softball captain, Rosemary Harm’s (Shaw 1977) sentiments, “ I am very disappointed that after 51 years of my involvement (in QGSSSA softball), I now have to take my bat and ball and go home! ” (Email 2 9.01.24)

Pauline Harvey-Short (1971)

Manager, School History and Culture