Objects of Substance - The White Lady and White Blouse Day

The White Lady and White Blouse Day were thus established as a major aspect of the School Service program. Since then, the White Lady and the symbol of the stark white blouse with no tie, have reminded the Grammar community of the importance of maintaining self-care, including regular screenings for gynaecological cancers, nurturing relationships with those we trust, and appreciating the need to support medical research into diseases that can have significant and, at times, traumatic and far-reaching impacts on our lives. Chalking a message on the wall or the paving, writing on a small white lady shape, and removing a tie may seem very simple gestures but, by doing so in a display of whole school solidarity, the simplicity of the messages and the white blouse has a huge impact. The stark whiteness of the blouse without the so-familiar tie is a constant reminder of the meaning of the day. Similar to the Witchery White Shirt campaign, our unadorned white blouse also symbolises the lab coats worn by the researchers dedicating their lives to improving outcomes for ovarian cancer patients. In 2016, the School joined with the Cherish Foundation, an organisation that funds research for better diagnoses and treatments for women with gynaecological cancers. Chase Becker (daughter of a Cherish Board member) provided a video of her personal experience when she received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer at the age of 14. The impact of a message from someone so young was powerful and resounds even in 2022: get to know your body and how it works, understand what is normal for you, take notice of any changes, be willing to talk to a trusted adult about any concerns you have, and most importantly, be proud of your body. Thus, in 2016 White Blouse Day focused on what each student cherished about her health, her relationships, and her life. Each student pinned her White Lady, along with a personal message, to her blouse, and, as has become tradition, removed her tie for the day. The effect was reinforced by the number of staff, including the Principal, who also wore white blouses and shirts.

2021: Ms Euler with Juliet Thottunkal (2021), Hanna Hussain (2021), Sierra Reza (2021), and Jill Campbell (2021)