Objects of Substance- The Gymnastics Wall Bars

The wall bars were fixed to the southern side of the gymnasium and could be moved off the wall to

create defined yet changeable spaces. Many activities and exercises could be done using the wall

bars as a stand-alone object. Other pieces of equipment, such as special benches and ladders, could

be attached and further connected to horizontal bars and balance beams to create an ever-changing

environment for students to practice climbing, balance, flexibility, and strength exercises. It was

essentially a much-upgraded version of the very basic transportable ladder in Miss Beanland’s 1888

gymnasium. The space also had a significant impact on the School’s co -curricular program, and the

internationally developing sport of Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. 1952 marked the first time women

competed on all four apparatus at the Olympic games.

1967 QGSSSA Artistic Gymnastics Competition held in BGGS Gymnasium with wall bars against the

wall.

Just a few years later, in 1965, QGSSSA created its first Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competition.

Girls Grammar, of course, entered alongside five other schools, and has participated every year

since. The gymnasium’s wall bars were to form the backdrop of thousands of Physical Education and

co-curricular Gymnastics lessons at Girls Grammar, even after the new gymnasium was expanded in

1979 and renamed as the Auditorium.