Objects of Substance - The 150 Year Badge

After the traditional ‘birthday’ cakes were cut, the 1555 students of our School were presented with their 150 Year Badge by the Chair, Ms Julie McKay (2000), Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, Trustees Ms Sophie Moore (1991), Ms Diana Lohrisch (1989), Mr Andrew King, Dr Jim Nicklin, Prof. Maher Gandhi and Mr Berkeley Cox, guest speaker, Griffith girl, Dr Emily Granger, and President of the Old Girls Association, Mrs Julie Caton (1981) as an enduring gift to mark this historic moment in time, forever linking them to the legacy of their School.

Yagyaa (7E) and Ella Isles (7E), receive their 150 dress badge from Chair of Trustees, Ms Julie McKay.

Through Objects of Substance we have explored the grand (Dorothy Hill Observatory #39), the simple (Calico Bag #27), the profoundly moving (Marrapatta Commemorative Grove #84), the intriguing (Confidential Book # 32) and even the amusing (Sock and Custard #115). We have explored the tangible (School Bell #111), the ephemeral (R.T. Jefferies Choral Competition #104) and the enduring (Rangakarra Year 7 Knowledge Tree Grove #106) but each object is always meaningful. For the people of our School have chosen these objects, ascribed them with their significance, imbued them with a meaning that has grown over time and made them uniquely our own. Head Curator at The Australian National Museum, Sophie Jensen has said: “Objects don’t tell stories, people tell stories. But so often, the object provides the anchor through which a story can be told.” Dipping in and out of history, revealing the hidden stories and shared experiences through time and bringing thoughtfulness, these objects reflect and bring meaning to modern traditions such as the Year 12 Motto and Blue Days. Those involved universally see this project as a journey of discovery and delight. In 2020, Mrs Pauline Harvey-Short (1971), Manager, School History and Culture conceived of the idea to select and document the history and significance of 150 Objects of Substance, and it evolved into a celebration of Brisbane Girls Grammar School’s sesquicentenary in 2025. Every item chosen would capture elements of Grammar’s essence. She proposed to feature the School’s treasured objects, locations and ephemera arguing that ‘these treasures and treasured places, capture the essence of the Girls Grammar journey from “an experiment” founded in 1875 to … one of the most prominent girls’ schools in Australia’.