Objects of Substance- The E.W. Colley Memorial Prize

Fathers have a special place: The E.W. Colley Memorial Prize Nestled in a protective sleeve in an archival box in the Girls Grammar Archive is a heartfelt, handwritten note dated 24/11/98 from a parent. It begins, “Dear Mrs Hancock, What a wonderful Speech Day on Friday and how touched I felt to see Anna Palmer walk across the stage to collect the E. W. Colley Memorial Prize.” The note was written by Mrs Susan Colley, wife of the eponymous Edward Colley.

1998 Mrs Susan Colley’s thank you letter.

Who was E. W. [Ed] Colley? How did this prize evolve? Whose idea was it? What was the intent of adding this prize to the 1998 End of Year Assembly and Prizegiving? What are the criteria? The story of the E.W. Colley Memorial Prize begins with the story of a strong Grammar family. Jack and June Colley sent their three children to the Grammar schools. Sisters Christine (1959) and Lindy (1960) attended Girls Grammar and brother, Edward, attended Boys Grammar. Later, both Christine’s daughter, Edwina (2003) and Ed’s daughter, Louise (1999) became Grammar girls. By the time Ed had graduated from Brisbane Grammar School, he had established himself as a sportsman, leader, and scholar. His academic preferences lay in the sciences: specifically, chemistry, physics, and biology. His sporting interests included rugby, athletics, and cricket. It is little wonder that, when his children arrived at the Grammar schools, he followed their sporting pursuits avidly and was committed to both Grammar communities.

1965 BGS 1 st XV. E.W. Colley is seated front row right.

One group within the Girls Grammar community which particularly appealed was the Fathers Group. The group had been formally established in 1977 under the guidance of Dr David Gordon and was thriving by the late 1990s, famous for the best barbecues on Open Day and impressive building exploits both on the Spring Hill campus and Marrapatta, then known as Imbil. He was a “vocal and fun member” according to his daughter, Louise, volunteering his time to the group’s activities, as well as cheering on the sidelines. It was this group which decided to honour Ed when he was cruelly struck down after a prolonged illness. Glenn Capper was the President of the Fathers Group in 1998. He felt that there was an opportunity to honour a man who stood for strong values, as well as the contribution of the Fathers Group. Glenn approached the monthly fathers’ meeting with the proposal of the E.W. [Ed] Colley Memorial Prize, as well as a perpetual trophy for the Year 11 Best All-rounder. As Glenn put it, “There was not a dissenter in the room.” (G. Capper 2023) The hard work then began with the discussion of criteria. Bowing to the difficulty of the task, Glenn approached the Principal, Judith Hancock, who strongly approved of the prizes proposed and suggested that she would look after establishing the criteria. The outcome reflected the values Ed Colley cherished and promised to reward an interesting, multitalented student. The wording of the criteria in the 1998 prize-giving program reads: “The Fathers Group has presented this prize in memory of a much admired and respected member. The prize is awarded to a student of Chemistry and another Science subject who has participated in QGSSSA or club Hockey or Cricket and displays commitment, sportsmanship, and school spirit.”

1998 Anna Palmer with Claire Wharton (left) and Karlie Burgoyne (right) in the Club Hockey photograph.

The inaugural recipient of this prize was Anna Palmer (1998). Anna played club hockey, received a High Distinction in the national Chemistry Quiz and was presented with a prize for Academic Merit on Speech Day. In Anna’s words: “I was greatly touched to receive this particular prize as my time at Grammar had been the happiest of my life and it had a lot to do with the breadth of wonderful things, we were able to be involved in. The prize for me, acknowledging academic, sport, teamwork, and school spirit, embodied much of what I absolutely loved about BGGS!” (Anna Palmer 2023.) Ed Colley, as did his wife, Susan, would have approved. Across its twenty-five years of presentation, there have been only two girls to receive the award in both Years 11 and 12. These students were Phoebe O’Hare in 2003 and 2004 and Jessica Morton in 2008 and 2009. Jessica recalls, “I do remember this prize and the context that came with it. The prize money went to a couple places - most of it went to my family as a contribution to my first car, but I also bought a couple of books… I was an avid reader (still am) – [the books were] most likely business, philosophy, or psychology.” (Jessica Morton 2023)

2009 Jessica Morton versus St Margaret’s.

The most recent recipient of the award was Caizha Lee in 2022. Caizha represented the school in the Open hockey team and was the Lady Lilley Gold Medal (Dux aeq) winner. She reflects on the E.W. [Ed]) Colley Memorial Prize: “It was an honour to receive the Ed Colley Memorial Prize. I did not know about the prize or the criteria prior to receiving it, so it was quite unexpected! The recognition I received last year, particularly from the Fathers Group, made me realise that there is a huge network of support, extending beyond my teachers and peers at BGGS, that backs and believes in every student. I recall writing something similar in my Thank You letter to the Fathers Group because this realisation is what I am most grateful for.” Caizha continues: “This prize is particularly special to me as its criteria is based on two of my passions – hockey and science. Whilst I initially thought the paired criteria of sport and science was slightly random, as each sits on polar ends of one’s usual activities, I have come to understand commitment to both areas reflects a balance between studies, physical and social wellbeing. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is a core value of mine and I strongly believe that is what helped me to succeed last year.” (C. Lee 10.08.23)

2022 E.W. Colley Memorial Prize winner, Caizha Lee.

It is an important moment when the Director of Science and the Director of Sport come together at the end of each year to select a winner for this award. It reminds them of their respective disciplines and the high standards the School demands of each student; it exemplifies the importance of a broad range of skills each student can and does develop; and, hopefully, it gives them an appreciation of the compatibility of the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual elements of the curriculum. Each winner is expected to write a letter of thanks to the Fathers Group, as eluded to by Caizha Lee.

2022 Caizha Lee receives the Lady Lilley Gold Medal (aeq) and six other prizes including, the E. W. (Ed) Colley Memorial Prize from Chair of Trustees, Ms Julie McKay. These letters of gratitude, just like the one written by Mrs Susan Colley 1998, become treasured mementoes of the relationships within the School community. They also acknowledge, in this special award, the qualities prized in a worthy Grammar girl. Not only must the student display academic and sporting qualities, leadership, and collegiality, it is hoped they will also appreciate the generosity of the Fathers Group and this acknowledgement of a special man.

Pauline Harvey-Short (1971) Manager, School History and Culture

References

BGGS Magazines 1977-1998

Capper, Glenn email and interview 1 August 2023.

Condon, Sally email 8 August 2023.

Lee, Caizha email 10 August 2023.

Morton, Jessica email 3 August 2023.

Palmer, Anna emails 1 and 14 August 2023.

Tier, Louise emails 21 July 2023.

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