GIFTS TO GRAMMAR

The Archivists, Nola and Ross Squire, thank the Old Grammarians, friends and interested community members who have donated items to the School’s historical collection in recent months.

Their thoughtfulness and generosity are greatly appreciated.

Tom Parker McCarthy (Year 12, 2021), grandson of the late Norma Parker (Crabbe, 1956), delivered some photographs of Norma and her peers in sports teams and school leader groups at Queen’s in the 1950s.

Susan Patterson (Taylor, 1958) contributed a framed photo of the Boys’ Head of Lake winning crew 1982 along with a number of photographs of Boys' and Girls' First Crews. The 1982 winning crew was coached by her late husband and past staff member, Alan Patterson. Other documents donated included a copy of the BQOGA Constitution c.1979, correspondence between the BQOGA and OGs re the 1979 Grammar Fair Raffle and a blue T shirt produced and worn by the School group that attended the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982. Nathan Armstrong (1990) OG and current school parent, chanced upon a photograph of the CEGS Athletic Team from 1918, over a century ago! Nathan is not related to any of the athletes. It was a welcome addition to the collection, despite the fact that we have no names for these lads. Can you assist?

Gail Sjogren, mother of Paul (1983) and Anthea (1985), Senior Mistress, 1981 to 1997, and Head of Woodbridge House, 1994 to 1997, moved to northern NSW recently to be closer to her family. We were pleased to accept a collection of School memorabilia including Woodbridge photographs and magazines, images of many very successful Public Speaking contestants she mentored.

Brisbane 1982 Tshirt Youth of the Year Zone Finalists 1995: Georgia Farmers, Kelly Saunders, Emily Sanders, Taryn McDonald and Hannah Blair with Mrs Sjogren.

Woodbridge Year 12 1996 pictured on the night of the Valedictory Dinner. Old Grammarian and current parent Russell Ford (1968) donated Heart of Midlothian by Sir Walter Scott, a Book Prize, signed by the Headmaster, E.V. Butler, awarded to his father, Clifford Ford, in 1927.

The late mother of Wodonga resident, Bronwyn Craig, took an interest in collecting old crockery. Despite there being no family connection with our School, Bronwyn kindly made contact and donated two crested crockery items, dating from about 100 years ago, collected by her mother. Of particular interest was the spelling error in the School motto. Can you detect it?

Past parent, Pam Toom, mother of Kate (1998) and Jennifer (2000), passed on two elegant, printed cotton napkins from the first Enchanted Evening in 1996, hosted by the Gilberts at La Bayadere, and two goblets from the 2002 Enchanted Evening held at the Fisken property, Lal Lal Estate. Many readers will recall the tremendous effort required by so many to organise wonderful occasions.