Objects of Substance- Shall We Dance- Year 12 Formal

Over the years, there are many common elements which highlight the Sixth Form Formal: A dance committee, venue decoration, invitations, School organisation and importantly, what are you wearing? Who are you taking? However, there have been deviations from the norm.

In 1953 when a group of ten girls, with the assistance of their parents, invited five couples each to the Sixth Form Dance. Pam Thomson [nee Napier] remembers: “…ten Sixth Formers of Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School who organised a private dance which was conducted in the O’Connor Boat House on North Quay. The music was provided by the Daisy McLean Band. The parents of the girls funded both the hire of the venue and the band. It was agreed that each girl invite ten boys and girls who either attended, or had attended, GPS Schools. The parents were there to supervise the dance, as well as paying for the drinks. Alcohol was not allowed. The hostesses wore tiaras to honour the 1953 (our Senior year) … Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. ...” (Email 26.08.21)

1953 Back: Jill Malouf, Audrey Morwood, Pam Napier, Lois Murphy, Jill Farrar, Margaret McLuckie Front: Beverley Rogers, Elizabeth Casswell, Noela Strachan, Marcia Thomas

1972 saw the formal move off the Spring Hill campus never to return. Venues included many of Brisbane’s most popular entertainment spots such as Lennons, The Oasis, Wanganui Gardens, and 29 Murray Street. It was at one of these venues where “conduct unbecoming” occurred and resulted in the Principal, Mrs Judith Hancock, banning formals and the “darkness” descended from 1986 until 1995. This was not the first time this disciplinary action was taken as girls from 1964 recalled, “The dance was grudgingly organised by the School with deep misgivings. The legend was that at a previous dance the punch was spiked so all future dances until ours were cancelled.” (1964 Reunion Recollections)