Objects of Substance- The Rangakarra Ovals

One development in these naming protocols is the use of the names of people who have made outstanding contributions to the School. That is why, at Rangakarra [another one of our names], there are two ovals commemorating the skills, careers, loyalty, and dedication of two exceptional Grammar girls: Daphne Welch 1949 [Pirie] and Pauline Harvey 1971 [Harvey-Short] Daphne Pirie was an outstanding athlete and a student who maintained her close connection with the School right up to her death in 2022. She was thrilled to have such an important sporting space named in her honour and the name she chose to adorn the plaque was Daphne Welch, her name as a Grammar girl. What a testament to her love for her old School! This decision was also recognised her family’s connection to the School, a connection that both Daphne and her sister, Nola, held dear.

2015 naming of the Daphne Welch Oval with the Welch sisters and brothers.

Daphne’s death was remembered this hockey season when, on 30 July, the 2022 hockey captains, Olivia Clive (12B) and Anna Tilley (12E), laid a bouquet of flowers against the sign at her oval and led the hockey teams in a rousing war cry in her honour, a war cry Daphne delighted in and knew so well. Olivia and Anna said, "The celebration of Daphne Pirie (nee Welch) on the weekend highlighted how the celebration of Grammar women in sport can inspire and encourage younger girls to pursue the sports they love." The BGGS News article about the Interhouse athletics champion’s trophy created from Daphne’s running spikes [5 August 2022] recounts more about this special Grammar girl.