Celebrating 100 years of the Strathy Girl

As Strathcona Girls Grammar prepares to mark our 100th anniversary next year, the excitement is building amongst our community.

Established in 1924, Strathcona has been providing a quality, caring education to girls in Melbourne for almost a century, and our upcoming centenary celebrations promise to be a memorable occasion for everyone.

To commemorate our historic milestone, the School has commissioned a commemorative statue being created by Strathcona alumna and renowned sculptor, Hannah Northam (’76). “My sculpture is a combination of abstraction and realism, mostly derived from the figurative. Being inspired by the truth in natural forms and the human body, sculpture is my way of expressing the emotive context and creative spirit found in life.” Hannah’s sculptures are cast in bronze and her originals modelled in clay, wax or carved in stone or plaster. This project is one of love and care for Hannah as she works to embody the true “Strathy Girl” in this intricate piece of work.

Our cover and included images are a little sneak peek into the original steps of creation. Once completed, this statue will be a fitting tribute to the many generations of Strathcona women who have passed through the School’s gates over the past century. It will be a symbol of the School’s resilience, excellence, and enduring commitment to providing girls with an exceptional education that prepares them for life beyond the classroom.

The statue will be unveiled during the centenary celebrations, which will be held throughout 2024. These celebrations will include a range of events, including a Gala Dinner event at the NGV. Further planned activities will allow students, staff, alumnae, and the wider community to come together and reflect on the School’s rich history and the future as we propel forward. We will share the planned events and activities through a Centenary Page on our website that will be open to view later in the year.

Looking back on the past 100 years, at the varied careers, successes and achievements of our alumnae, students and staff, it’s clear that Strathcona has made a significant contribution to the lives of countless young women. From our early beginnings as a small school with just 17 students, to our current position as a leading girls’ school with around 800 students, Strathcona has remained true to its mission of empowering girls to become confident, capable, and compassionate leaders.

commemorative statue will be unveiled during the Centenary celebrations,

There is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation in the air as we approach the Centenary celebrations. As we look to the future, we can be confident that Strathcona will continue to play a vital role in shaping the next generation of female leaders.

MARION CAPE Director of Advancement