Objects of Substance - OGA Badge

The Girls Grammar School badge is an iconic part of our uniform. Whilst I cannot clearly remember pinning my own badge for the first time, I do recall the pride in pinning it on for my daughter, Samantha Caton (2016). Many past graduates still retain their own badges as it symbolises their connection to the School. Old girl staff members often wear their own badges on their academic gowns, frequently accompanied by royal blue ribbon. Whilst handmade or die-cast, alloy or silver, the historic design has remained essentially original and true to its origins.

The OGA membership badge since 1927.

The Old Girls Association (OGA) badge, like the School badge, is faithful to its original design. Archival notes from the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Magazine in 1927 state that the badge design and production was approved, with the badge being issued at a cost of three shillings and sixpence to the fee-paying members of the Association. The design incorporates the silver School badge inside a royal blue circle. The symbolism of the inclusive royal blue circle is very powerful. Inside the circle is the silver inscription – B · G · G · S (top), O · G · A (bottom). This special and meaningful badge is now gifted by the OGA to graduating students at the Valedictory Dinner each year to recognise their commencement as Grammar Women and signalling a lasting bond.