July 1956 School Magazine

Bri.sbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

July. 1956

July. 1956

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

THE OLYMPIC GAMES. The Olympic Games, which originated in 776 B.C. in honour of Zeus, are the most famous and most ancient of Athletic events. These games were given birth at the town of Olympia, site of a serene and idyllic landscape in the Western Pelo- ponnesus, Greece. ' It was at Olympia that the Greek ideal expressed itself, ihat the most acceptable worship came from one who was trained and disciplined in body, mind and spirit. No contest- ant who had any stain upon his character could enter. The large crowds that came to witness the Games were entertained with contests of jumping, running, discus throwing, casting the javelin and wrestling. Boxing and chariot racing ,were also included. Victors of these games in ancient times were crowned with a laurel wreath, while today the winner of an Olympic event is usually awarded a cup or medal. The Games were later abolished by Theodosius in 393 A.D. and not revived until 1896 when they were held in Athens. Since then they have been · held every four years in various cities throughout the world and this year will be conducted in Melbourne. Let us hope that the spirit born at Ancient Olympia will not die and that the ideal of perfection in mind, body and spirit for- ever remains the goal of mankind.

HELEN SAMIOS, VIA.

TWO TREES. Where no birds fly in the green of noon, nor an imal dares to tread; Nor grey owl hoots all the black night through, and even the stream is dead;

Where grass grows sere, and trees are tall And deathly silent as Hrothgar's hall;

Where darkness comes like a phantom thing, And with it the wind on unseen wing Who strikes wild sounds from their whitened string;

From their writhing bands To their skeleton hands All moon-bleached white As the shifting sands,

"TWO TREES"

- N. BUCHANAN, VA.

There stand two trees -.

N. BUCHANAN, V A.

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