Issue 1 - March 2014
From the President… Dear Members The OGA Executive and Committee for 2014 were elected at the OGA Annual General Meeting on 25 November last year. Congratulations to the following elected office bearers:President - Libby Black Vice President - Deborah Love Treasurer - Dipti Shankar Secretary - Sally Thomson Committee Members:- Alison Black, Jan Chayter, Denice Foley, Jacky Garnsworthy, Janice Moody, Anne Muggleton, Nina Psaltis, Jillian Scott, Isabelle Slipper and Harriette Watson. Mother Eunice is the OGA Patron and Vice Patron is School Principal Ros Curtis.
We look forward to seeing many past students this year at reunions, the Old Girls’ Day Chapel Service at 9.30am and morning tea on Sunday 27 July and the OGA Brunch at The Pavilion Function Centre, Albion on Sunday 26 October. Please save these dates. The OGA also encourages past students to attend the Professional Women’s Network events to connect and network with past students and other members of the community across many different professions. Details of these events are provided in this newsletter. The OGA AGM for 2014 will be held at the school on Tuesday, 2 December 2014 at 7.15pm. Please keep up to date with OGA news and events throughout the year via the OGA and Alumni page of the School’s website. As members of the OGA, we welcome your interest, involvement and feedback regarding the functioning and activities of our Association. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to be on the committee or have any suggestions or news from old girls at libbyblack@iinet.net.au or mobile 0430 512 411. Libby Black President OGA
OGA Committee 2014
OGA Overseas Study Scholarships OGA Overseas Study Scholarships 2014-2105 Applications are invited for scholarships for St Margaret’s past students wishing to study overseas. Application forms are available here and are due by Friday 27 June 2014. The Overseas Study Scholarships provide funds of up to $5,000 a year. Preference will be given to students studying at an overseas tertiary institution/University for one or more semesters. Candidates studying overseas but not at a University are also welcome to apply.
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Issue 1 – March 2014
Constitution Changes & OGA Newsletter sent by email At the last OGA AGM, constitution changes were made so that all past students who attended St Margaret’s for at least a year become life members of the OGA. This means that there are no longer membership fees to join the OGA for students who would have graduated prior to 2006. Since then, the school pays a membership fee to the OGA for each year 12 graduating student. As a result OGA membership has now increased with the inclusion of all past students.
To accommodate this increase in membership, the OGA newsletter will be delivered by email only and made available on the St Margaret’s website. To update your details please phone the Development and Community office on +617 3862 0765 or visit the OGA & Alumni page on the St Margaret’s website or email OGA&Alumni@stmargarets.qld.edu.au
Previous OGA Scholarship Winner From Sophie Underwood (nee Dixon 2003-2007) of her study at Oxford University, United Kingdom in 2013 “The opportunity to study at the oldest university in the English-speaking world was truly once-in-a-lifetime. Whilst at Oxford I studied Jurisprudence and Moral Philosophy, and experienced first-hand the academic rigour for which the university is famous - which included one-on-one tutorials
with world-leading academics and writing approximately 4000 words for my weekly essays. Suffice to say, my scholastic ability was truly pushed to the limit! I am so grateful to the OGA for assisting me in undertaking this wonderful experience.” Congratulations also to Sophie on her recent marriage to Josh Underwood in Goondiwindi in November last year.
Old Girls Prize 2013 Congratulations to Alice Finlay, who was announced as the 2013 OGA Prize Winner at Speech Night last November. Alice was a boarder from a sheep property near Stanthorpe. This year, Alice will be working and travelling overseas and in May, will depart for Florence where she will attend the ‘Accademia Italiana’ to study fine art and Italian for 4 weeks. Alice with her Grandmothers
Alice with her father and Guest Speaker
OGA Donates to Bronze statue “Inspired to Fly" The OGA donated $2,500 towards a new Bronze statue of a St Margaret’s girl called “Inspired to Fly”. The statue stands in the memorial garden at the entrance to the Eunice Science and Resource Centre at Circular Drive. The statue was created by sculptor Old Girls at the Unveiling Ceremony Liam Hardy. Year 12 girls of 2013 initiated the project and raised funds towards it, with further support coming from Friends of Mayo, the OGA and individual donations. If you are interested to acquire your own replica of the statue, a Marquette approximately 50cm high is available for purchase. Proceeds from these purchases also
contribute to the cost of this project. Please call Jenny Lishman on +617 3862 0724 or email jlishman@stmargarets .qld.edu.au to enquire. Many old girls attended the unveiling ceremony and were Memorial Garden & Bronze Statue pleased to see the restoration of the memorial garden which is also the resting place of two former Old Girls – Phyllis (Phyll) Drew (1917-2005) and Sandrene Kestell Cuss (nee Cornish 1960-1997).
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Issue 1 – March 2014
News of Old Girls Old Girls as Judges’ Associates Congratulations to the following past students from the 2007 year group who have completed their University studies in Law and now have positions as Judges Associates Claire Hockin in the District Court of Queensland (in 2014) Alison Black in the Supreme Court of Queensland (in 2014) Sophie Underwood (nee Dixon) in the High Court of Australia (for 2016) Opera Singer Career Success Congratulations to Nikki Hill who graduated from St Margaret’s in 2008. Nikki has just been awarded a scholarship from The Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust for 2014. The Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust carries forward Dame Nellie Melba’s vision by supporting the development of young Australian opera singers with exceptional promise. This scholarship provides financial assistance, mentoring opportunities with industry specialists and performance experience. Nikki Hill is the recipient of the Ruskin Opera Award & Mel and Nina Waters Award with the Melba Opera Trust. Nikki has recently completed a Bachelor of Music majoring in performance at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. She is studying with dramatic soprano, Lisa Gasteen and is about to begin a Postgraduate Certificate of Music Studies at the Queensland Conservatorium. The twenty-three year old lyric soprano was pleased to be a part of Opera New England’s production of La Bohème in January 2014. During her tertiary studies, Nikki has also performed various operatic roles including 2nd lady from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in the Val Machin Opera Scenes, Bridesmaid in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Rosalinde in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. In 2013 Nikki was awarded The Margaret Baker-Genovesi Italian Award and in 2012, she won The Queensland Conservatorium Voice in Combination Prize.
heritage-listed Bustard Head Lighthouse Station on the central Queensland coast. The Buchanans took up the challenge of bringing the lighthouse back to its former glory, after it was automated in 1986 and fell into disrepair. Located near Town of 1770, the lighthouse was the first of its kind built by the newly independent Queensland Government in 1868. “Without Shirley’s conception, instigation and indefatigable dedication, an important part of Australia’s maritime history would have been bulldozed into oblivion,” Mr Buchanan said. Shirley sadly passed away in June 2012, less than twelve months before the lighthouse complex was reopened. In memory of his wife, Mr Buchanan has kindly donated two of his books to St Margaret’s, The Lighthouse Keepers and Light of Their Lives and a DVD of the ABC’s Australian Story – ‘Light of Their Lives’, which are all available from the School Library. Exciting new Business Initiative Annabelle Chan and Amanda Love, both seniors at St Margaret’s in 2000, are good friends and keen foodies who have started a new business called “The Picnic Society”. Their aim is to take the hassle out of preparing a picnic so people can get on with the fun part! Offering a range of picnics filled with handmade and gourmet items, made with locally sourced ingredients, The Picnic Society has already started filling orders for happy picnickers. Each picnic is specially personalised, freshly made on the day, and includes all the necessary crockery, cutlery, glassware and custom napery; all packed into a beautiful market bag, which can be kept for future picnics. For further details check out their website www.thepicnicsociety.com.au
Old girl Shirley Buchanan (nee Cort 1954) rescues an historical Queensland icon The memory of St Margaret’s past student Shirley Buchanan (nee Cort 1954) continues to shine on, thanks to her dedication to one of Queensland’s most historic lighthouses. Together with her husband and former lighthouse keeper, Stuart Buchanan, Shirley was responsible for saving the
Support St Margaret’s and promote your business St Margaret’s OGA is pleased to be able to offer your business a great opportunity for promotion at St Margaret’s and OGA special events. If you would like to support these events through the donation of raffle prizes or gifts please contact OGA Committee Member, Nina Psaltis, on ninap@bigpond.net.au or mobile 0418 150 557
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Issue 1 – March 2014
Events Old Girls’ Day Sunday 27 July Chapel Service – 9.30am
Saturday 26 July Class of 1954 Reunion Class of 1964 Reunion Class of 1984 Reunion Class of 2004 Reunion
OGA Brunch Sunday 26 October – 9am St Margaret’s 2014 Reunions Date claimers have been sent out for the 2014 reunions listed below. If you have not received your date claimer or know of anyone who has not received theirs, please contact the Development and Community office on +617 3862 0765 or email OGA&Alumni@stmargarets.qld.edu.au. Interstate Reunion Friday 9 May - Sydney Reunion VIP Luncheon - 60 years plus reunion Wednesday 25 June Reunion Weekend 2014: Friday 25 July Class of 1994 Reunion Class of 1974 Reunion
Professional Women’s Network Formerly known as “Women in Industry”, these events are designed to provide a professional networking forum for past students, current parents and members of our community. Guest speakers have included past students from a range of fields who have shared their career journeys and stories of success. We look forward to seeing you at these events and invite you to bring along your family, friends, colleagues or clients. Wednesday 14 May 2014 Lunch, CBD Tuesday 26 August 2014 Breakfast, St Margaret's Friday 17 October 2014 Breakfast, CBD If you are interested in being an event sponsor, please enquire by phone to +617 3862 0884 or email developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au
From the Archives School Banners At the St Margaret's Day Service on 19 July 2013 a new processional banner was blessed and the previous one presented to the Archives so that it can be preserved as a part of our heritage. The old banner, which was embroidered by Miss Evelyn Heath, an Old Girl as well as School Principal from 1982 – 1993, had been used regularly in Chapel and other school Services for more than 20 years.
New
Old
Volunteers Needed If you are interested in volunteering in the Archive Centre at the school to assist with maintaining and preserving the school’s history, please contact the Archivist Bronwyn Perry on bperry@stmargarets.qld.edu.au Phone: +617 3862 0816
The Archive Centre also has two other banners, but we have no information about them. A photo from 1920 shows an even earlier banner depicting St Margaret and a dragon. Do you recognise any of these from your time at school? If anyone knows when these banners were in use, or any other background, please contact the Archives so that we can document their role in the traditions of our school.
Bronwyn Perry School Archivist bperry@stmargarets.qld.edu.au Phone: +617 3862 0816
If you are interested to volunteer your time and skills in any other capacity, please call the Development and Community office +617 3862 0765 or email OGA&Alumni@stmargarets.qld.edu.au
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Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Issue 1 – March 2014
From the Principal 2014 has opened with an air of excitement. Following the demolition of the Loft last year, work began on The Barley Sugar Garden and the restoration of the sandstone (tennis) wall. Construction is also taking place in Toorak, where the former school library (now housed in the beautiful Eunice Science and Resource Centre) is being converted into 4 flexible class room spaces for Year 7 students. St Margaret’s is moving ahead, ‘per volar sunata,’ – securing first class academic results and experiences for the students and providing first class facilities. More than ever before, we are trying to provide opportunities to engage meaningfully with our past students. I hope that you can find the time to attend either our Professional Women’s Network events, Trends in Education Series, attend a reunion or OGA event, or answer the call to volunteer within the school.
For the first time, this year, St Margaret's will launch an annual appeal for both our Capital Projects and the provision of Financial Needs Scholarships (Bursaries) to those who would not otherwise be able to secure a St Margaret’s education. Old Girls have a special role to play in supporting this appeal as our long term vision is to promote the philosophy of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent by providing financial support to families. St Margaret’s would not be the school it is today without the support, both modest and large, financial and in-kind, that has been received from past students. I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to up-dating you either through this newsletter or The Flyer on our programs designed to encourage our students ‘to fly upwards.’ Ros Curtis Principal
OGA at St Margaret’s Open Day The OGA once again this year had a display and information stand at the School’s Open Day. This provides the OGA with an opportunity to promote the school and
the role of past students to current members and potential new members of the school community. Photos will be in our next newsletter.
OGA Brunch 2013
Guest speaker Natalie Wright with former teacher Wayne Singleton.
Old Girls’ Association Newsletter Issue 1 – March 2014
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Great books to read – written by St Margaret’s Old Girls Rosamond Siemon (nee Nunn, 1936) – Brisbane author Rosamond Siemon is the author of the very successful The Mayne Inheritance, a murder mystery set in Brisbane in the mid 19 th century and The Eccentric Mr Weinholt, the true story tracing the colourful life of a man who was a wealthy landowner, big-game hunter, war hero and politician. Siemon, R. The Mayne Inheritance (2003), University of Queensland Press Siemon, R. The Eccentric Mr Weinholt (2005), Uiversity of Queensland Press
Robyn Storey (nee Heelan 1969) - Robyn was a boarder at St Margaret’s and has strong links to the Dawson Valley in Queensland. She is the author of 2 books including one as editor of the memoirs of her father J.V.Heelan and another on the stories and lives of the women of the Dawson Valley Storey, R.E. (2002) We’re off to see the Wizard… via Mungallala, the Middle East, New Guinea and Borneo. Memoirs of J.V. Heelan 1919-1946, 2/7Field Company. Royal Australian Engineers, 9th Division, Australian Imperial Forces. Storey, R.E. (2005) Valley Belles: gutsy girls & feisty females. University Publishing Unit, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton
Daphne Mayo (1907-1908) And another great book about St Margaret’s Old Girl Daphne Mayo (1907-1908). Daphne Mayo was Australia’s leading woman sculptor of her day and a passionate supporter of the visual arts. This publication accompanied the first retrospective exhibition by a state gallery of Mayo’s work in 2011 and features Mayo’s own essay “Let there be sculpture” which was published in 1942. McKay, J. and Hawker, M. (2011) Daphne Mayo: Let There Be Sculpture, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane