Objects of Substance- The Topper Cup for Citizenship (Year 1

2021 Dr Campbell with daughters Jill and Louise, the first Topper Cup sister recipients.

Every student of Girls Grammar is a “citizen” of our special community but there are some who stand up and stand out, displaying what Mrs Topper would call “good citizenship”. This sense of service to those around them is not the sole responsibility of the Year 12s. Every student has the capacity to contribute, and this award is a meaningful recognition of those on the cusp of their senior secondary years that, while academic and the co-curricular excellence is valued and acknowledged, so should we celebrate the example of those who consistently display that Grammar girl spirit of service and make an “unselfish” and often, subtle contribution to the culture of the School. Perhaps Mrs Elsie Topper, as a teacher of an ancient language, would hope the recipients of her award would agree with Socrates when he said, I am a citizen of the world, and my nationality is goodwill.

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