Old Girls’ President’s Report One of the best things about the role of the President of the OGA is meeting the recipients of the various awards and scholarships the OGA presents. The first half of the year has seen The Pleiades Tennis Tournament held at Reabold Tennis Club and a networking breakfast hosted by K&L Gates in the City with Athanae Lucev (’01) as speaker. Old Girls’ Day was held on Friday 12 April with over 100 former students attending. I thank all Old Girls who took the time to reply to our survey on a possible name change for the St Mary’s Old Girls’ Association. This process was started as a result of comments to the committee and on our Facebook page regarding the descriptor “Old Girls”. Jane Crisp President of the OGA The recipient of the Jane Gillon Arts Award, Lily Toomey, Year 12 with Jane Crisp
In 2007, the OGA decided to broaden the focus of the scholarships we offer and introduce an award based on the Visual and Performing Arts. We saw this as enhancing the scope of awards we already present which are based on citizenship or academic performances. The Jane Gillon Arts Award is presented to a student who exhibits passion and talent in her chosen field, who will be continuing her arts studies in Year 12 and who hopes to incorporate her love of the arts in her future. The winner for 2013 is Lily Toomey, who is currently studying Visual Art. Other scholarships funded by the OGA announced this year include the Marlene Carter Scholarship which is given to a Year 7 student commencing Year 8 in 2014, and was awarded to Michaela Dowdell, and the Ethel Beaton Scholarship, which is given to a student commencing Year 11 in 2014, and was awarded to Jasmine Hancock.
The OGA Committee for 2013
Committee Members Jane Gillon (Fisher ’70), Hannah Jago (’07), Julie Martin (Huxtable ’73), Robin Moran (Cunningham ’68), Andrea Sassella (’98), Kelly Strahan (’96), Reverend Joyce Polson, Peta-Jane Hogg (’98), Julie O’Meara (Grose ’81)
President Jane Crisp (Cyprian ’81) Vice President and communications co-ordinator Amy Dawson (Fraser ’94) Immediate Past President and Networking Co-ordinator Bronwyn Barnes (Cooper’84) Treasurer and reunions co-ordinator Bree Buxton (’98) Secretary Necia Drazevic (Moffet ’87) Events Co-ordinator Katy Keddie (Knowles ’94) Chapel Liaison Margaret Jago (Parker ’72) Life Membership Liaison and Memorabilia Sales Shelley Civitico (Robson ’73) Ladies’ Auxiliary Rep Jane Crisp (Cyprian ’81) Parents’ Society Rep Necia Drazevic (Moffet ’87)
O l d G i r l s ' A s s o c i at i o n
From back l-r: Louise Richardson (Kelly ’85), Janine Sadler (Lewis ’70), Ingrid Tilley (Van Straalen ’70), Sue White (Hasleby ’70), Jane Crisp (Cyprian ’81), Roslyn Cull (Grant ’85), Helen Walker (Graham ’61), Andrea Graniett (Grace ’68), Penny Chellew (Devine ’70)
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“OLD GIRLS” HERE TO STAY After consultation with the membership base over the past eighteen months, the results of the name change survey are in. The outcome - please do not change the name of the St Mary’s Old Girls’ Association Inc. Many respondents commented on the link with the past and tradition, and the sense of belonging that all members, whether 18 or 78, feel. As previously communicated, this is therefore the end of the issue, and it will not be an agenda item at next year’s AGM.
The Committee always welcomes feedback and comments on the activities and initiatives of the Old Girls’ Association. We thank those who brought this issue to the attention of the committee and membership and, especially, thank all who took the time to complete the survey or who commented via Facebook or email.