Objects of Substance- Munro Challenge Cup

In 1928, the Ida Woolcock Challenge Cup was donated by Mr Justice John Woolcock, Chair of Trustees in honour of his wife, Ida Woolcock. This trophy was for the student who demonstrated the best public spirit of a schoolgirl and was voted for by the students. Mrs Munro, the following year, donated her trophy, adding two more key elements to this criterion and thus created a trophy that acknowledge the all-round Grammar girl and future good citizen. Her impact at the School, as well as an identity in the Brisbane community, must have been considerable as, in the year of her passing, a commemoration was included in the 1934 School magazine.

Notice in 1934 magazine p53.

The Munro Challenge Cup was designated in the Special Prizes section of awards on Speech Day as The Munro Challenge Cup (presented by Mrs E Munro) and post her death, was referred to as The Munro Challenge Cup (presented by the late Mrs E Munro). In 1954, this detail was dropped from the prize list and the trophy referred to as simply – Munro Cup. In 1979, the detail of the Munro Cup was once again included in the Prize List program; however, the wording suggested that the trophy was presented in memory of Mrs Munro – an obvious misinterpretation.

1952 Maureen O’Connell, Head Girl, receives the Munro Challenge Cup and the Ida Woolcock Challenge Cup from Miss Kathleen Lilley on Speech Night.