2022 marks the 80th anniversary of the Gilman Jones Scholarship, which was set up by the Old Grammarians through donations with the approval of Headmistress, Kathleen Gilman Jones. The Old Grammarians knew that she would endorse the idea of giving financial support to a recently graduated student to facilitate them attending university. Gilman Jones herself had been a student at Cambridge University.

Miss Gilman Jones’ core values were about service – devotion to someone other than self – and about freedom of choice. She valued the education of women, including quality teacher training, employment of married women and provision of a superannuation scheme for her staff. The knowledge that education and training would be of immense value to current and future generations underpinned her firm belief that women should have the right to choose their path in life.

The OGS have recognised Miss Gilman Jones legacy of lifelong learning and service by updating the book Gilman Jones Scholars – A Reflection on Lives of Service that details the lives of the awardees since receiving their Gilman Jones Scholarship. The book contains many reflections of dynamic women who have led, or are living, fascinating lives.  

We thank the Trustees of the Gilman Jones Scholarship, led by Margaret McNaughton (Atkins, 1955), for their work in honouring the Gilman Jones legacy.

Research and production of Gilman Jones Scholars would not have been achieved without the commitment to the research, design, editing, proof reading and printing of the publication by School Historian Pip O’Connor (Farrer, 1965) and Robyn McCutchan, Executive Director, Marketing and Community Engagement.  

Order your copy by clicking here: https://www.trybooking.com/BXHRT

International Women’s Day 2022 was celebrated by our school community with a luncheon at the Alexandra Club. Again, the importance of continuous learning was reinforced by Principal, Dr Toni Meath.

Our special guest speaker was Dr Melissa Yang (2000), the 2021 Emily Hensley recipient.  Melissa spoke of her navigation through her medical education, managing and learning from the terminal illness and grief she experienced alongside her now deceased husband, and setting up a network of support for young women doctors through Doc to Doc. The link to Melissa’s speech is here.

Emily Hensley was one of two founding principals of our School. Her life embodies the values of MGGS today. The Emily Hensley Award was created to recognise young women today whose lives resonate with the same spirit. The award is designed to acknowledge the wonderfully diverse achievements of our young alumnae. Focused on celebrating individuals under the age of 40, the Award gives Old Grammarians the opportunity to share what they’ve been doing since leaving school and inspire students and other members of the community to pursue their passions. At Melbourne Girls Grammar, so many of our past students go on to achieve amazing things in life and work. They continue to embrace the School values and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to a chosen field of endeavour. They are energetic, confident and determined to make a contribution to the wider community through their voice and action. Anyone from the MGGS community (extended or immediate) can submit a nomination and is encouraged to highlight some of the incredible things happening in the community through identifying someone they admire — a friend, family member or colleague. Old Grammarians may also self-nominate, and we encourage our alumnae to bring their story to life — this is not a time for modesty!

Nominations for the 2022 Emily Hensley Award will open in June 2022. An explanation of this prestigious award for younger Old Grammarians and the application process is available here so start thinking about someone you would like to nominate.

List of past winners and their fields of endeavour
2018: Camilla Bachet (2001) – Engineering
2019: Natalie Molino (2008) – Public Health and Nutrition
2020: Dr Anika Molesworth (2005) – Agriculture and Science
2021: Dr Melissa Yang (2000) – Medicine

We are looking forward to seeing you at our IWD event on 8 March 2023. Why not get together with a table of OGs and/or a work colleague.

Upcoming OG events

• DJ Ross Oration – 7 June  
• Anniversary Lunch & Chapel Service – 15 October  
• Reunions – so many years coming back together in 2022!
  10 Year Reunion (Class of 2012) – 17 June  
  20 Year Reunion (Class of 2002)– 17 June
  20 Year Reunion (Class of 2000) – 22 July
  50 and 60 Year Reunion (Class of 1960, 1961, 1970 and 1971) – 13 August  
  50 and 60 Year Reunion (Class of 1962 and 1972) – 15 October  
  1 Year Reunion (Class of 2021) – 25 November  
  40 Year Reunion (Class of 1982) – 15 December  
• 30 Year Reunion (Class of 1992) – 15 December
• Regional Gatherings – Elmore (6 October) and Albury (22 September)
  On 22 September we will be hosting a community event in Albury (to coincide with Henty Field Days), and on 6 October we will be hosting a community event in Echuca/Moama (to coincide with Elmore Field Days). Past, current and future families are all welcome, past and current staff are also welcome. Invitations will be sent shortly, but anyone who wishes to express interest/be put on the mailing list can contact community@mggs.vic.edu.au
• International Gatherings – UK and US
  London Reunion – 28 May
  New York Reunion – 24 June  
• Old Grammarians Annual Golf Day – 19 August

Trudie Horsfall (1976) — President, Old Grammarians Society

Leaping into the Unknown

The next chapter for the Class of 2021 – our newest set of OGs – is well underway. They have entered the world of tertiary studies and are flourishing. Equipped with the knowledge, skills and capability to thrive from their time at MGGS, they are ready to tackle whatever this new chapter unveils.

Our Class of 2021 graduates may have gone their separate ways and are pursuing different passions and dreams, but one thing they all share is a curiosity and a desire to continue to learn. At MGGS, we want our students to graduate with that thirst for lifelong learning and to feel empowered to influence the world around them.

High achiever Daisy Graham is pursuing her passion for STEM by accepting an offer to study Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne. Her dream job is to become a Fertility Specialist. Daisy, who received a Melbourne Principals’ Scholarship, is also pursuing her passion for Italian, studying it at a diploma level alongside her undergraduate degree. Her goal for the first year of university life is “to be an independent and curious learner, contribute to student life and take on a leadership role.” The 2021 Student Executive Council member is excited to use the skills she gained from her time as Clarke House Captain by continuing to support her fellow undergraduates.

Annika McCrum is another from the Class of 2021 who has immersed herself in all aspects of university life. She has dived straight into her double bachelor's degree in Business/ Banking and Finance, and is eager to prove herself in a male-dominated industry and course. Annika said she was inspired by the strong women in her life. She says, “I always knew I wanted to study something in the business/commerce realm; however, past student and young OG Isabel Walker opened my eyes to the idea of a double degree, involving banking and finance.”

Lily Eldridge is taking “every opportunity possible” to expand her knowledge as she pursues a career as a Physiotherapist. She said she was excited to start her new chapter on the Gold Coast studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Bond University – an amazing opportunity she never thought was possible. Lily said the course stood out to her because she knew she would thrive the most by expanding her knowledge in a field that interested her. She says, “I always knew I wanted to study something in relation to physical activity and the body.”

Alex Travers is eager to receive every benefit from her studies as she chases her dreams of becoming a versatile performer. She hopes to use the academic and social skills she learnt at MGGS in her next chapter studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Singing Actor Stream, at the renowned National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) in Sydney. Alex was excited to have the opportunity to pursue her studies in an area of study she is passionate about.

Daisy, Annika, Lily and Alex’s peers from the Class of 2021 have also found courses suited to their strengths and interests. We hope they all continue their love of learning and develop their passions and future careers. Our newest set of Old Grammarians have entered the world of tertiary education eager to learn and are now discovering where their chosen paths could take them. We hope they continue pursuing their passions – existing or yet to be discovered – and embrace the challenges they face with enthusiasm and positivity.

Gilman Jones Scholarship

This report is presented on behalf of the GJ Scholarship Award Trustees: Jenny Brown (Black, 1965), Margaret McNaughton (Atkins, 1955), Professor Philippa Pattison AO (Padbury, 1969) and Dr Judith Tisdall (1958).

In 1942 members of the Old Grammarians Society Committee established the Trust for the Scholarship to honour the memory of Miss Kathleen Annie Gilman Jones, Headmistress from 1916 to 1938.  The annual bursary provides a single cash award to the successful applicant (or applicants), who, in the estimation of the Trustees shows “the greatest scholastic promise” based on their Year 12 results and a report from the Principal of the School.

2022 marks the 80th Anniversary of the Award. We gratefully acknowledge the project undertaken by Robyn McCutchan from the Marketing and Community Engagement Office and School Historian, Old Grammarian Pip O’Connor, to re-invent and update the Booklet: Gilman Jones Scholars – A Reflection on Lives of Service, first published in 2009. A special event was held at the School on 21 February 2022 to launch the updated book and celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Award. We also thank School Careers Counsellor, Breeanna McGrath for her excellent management of the applications and collating the VCE results.

Notwithstanding a second year of much “learning from home” due to COVID-19 restrictions, the results of the VCE Class of 2021 at MGGS were extremely strong.  The Class received a median ATAR score of 90.6 with eight students attaining an ATAR score of 99 or higher.   Of the total class, 50.89% obtained an ATAR score of 90 or higher with one student attaining a perfect score of 99.95.  The Scholarship for 2022 has been shared equally between the two top students being:  Angel He (ATAR - 99.95) and Grace Whitbourn (ATAR - 99.80).   A summary of the results were provided by the School in December 2021 and are included here.

Both these students received numerous awards and prizes for their academic achievements during their years at the School and both had received a Gold Field Service Award in Year 11. Angel He has accepted the Chancellor’s Scholarship and enrolled in a Bachelor of Science course at the University of Melbourne.

Grace Whitbourn was considered a natural and respected leader and was engaged in many aspects of school life, including as Vice Captain of Clarke House in 2021 and a member of the Student Executive Council.  Grace is enrolled to study a Bachelor of Medical Science at Monash University.
   
We heartily congratulate both of these students on their outstanding achievements and wish them well in their academic studies and future careers.

Each student received $2,000 towards their pursuit of university study.