With connections across our urban, regional, state, and international network, OGs gather through reunions, specific and much-loved events and on special occasions. We are always open to new initiatives to enhance our engagement with our community.

OGS Committee

We are very pleased to welcome three young OGs to our committee. Miranda Hoffman (2018), Lucy James (2012) and Tiffany Chiang (2021). After Year 12, Lucy travelled and completed a degree in languages and international relations, and then education. She lives in Ballarat with her partner, two dogs and teaches French. Miranda completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, majoring in human structure and function, and minoring in neuroscience. After a year away from study to gain some work experience, she hopes to return to university in 2023 to commence postgraduate studies. Tiffany completed Year 12 in 2021 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts/Law at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. She is also preparing for the Taekwondo National Championships in December.

We are very much looking forward to their insight into connecting with our younger OGs.  

If you would like to reconnect to the School through the OGS or join our committee, please contact the Marketing and Community Engagement Office.  

Reunions

2022 has been a ‘catch up’ for those COVID years. By the end of the year, we will have held a record-breaking sixteen reunions, covering groups from 2020, 2021 and 2022. All were well attended, and our guests enjoyed reconnecting and sharing many stories; much hilarity was present. Everyone appreciated the presence of Past Principal, Christine Briggs, Past Deputy Principal, Janet Maher, and current Principal, Dr Toni Meath, and Deputy Principal, Lynn Broadway. In addition, Dr Toni Meath attended two reunions as part of her sabbatical, one in London and one in New York. It is a testament to our School that so many Old Grammarians want to reconnect with their school and reminisce on their school days.

The Annual OGS Golf Day

The Annual OGS Golf Day was held on 19 August at Peninsula Kingston Golf Club. The golfers were blessed with clear weather for a brisk round. Emma Dumas (McLean, 1982) won the OGS Golf Cup, and the runner-up was Eileen Crewes (Tregent, 1979). The encouragement award was presented to Cate Spencer (Sloan, 1982).

Rural Community Events  

The School has a broad footprint across Australia and overseas. This year marked the first of many to come where members of the School community caught up to share experiences about MGGS. This year, we were able to launch events in both Albury (September) and Echuca (October) following the regional Henty and Elmore Field Days. These areas have historically been home to many MGGS boarding families and today is no different. It was a delight to gather socially with many Old Grammarians from around Northeast Victoria and the Riverina who came together over drinks to meet with past parents and current boarding parents. We look forward to hosting or attending more rural and national community events throughout 2023.  

Meet the OG Series

Connecting our current students with our large community of Old Grammarians is a great way to share experiences and build bridges between generations. In August, OGs from different industries, age groups and stages in their careers came back to MGGS to share their stories with our current Year 11s and 12s in the new ‘Meet the OGs’ series. The purpose of the series was to introduce our senior Grammarians to young OGs and for us to hear about what they have been up to since leaving MGGS. The three-session series was a hit with great attendance from current students and also interest to be involved from OGs. In the first series, 11 OGs returned to Merton Hall with 59 submissions received from others interested in taking part.

OGs who featured in the first Meet the OGs series were:

Medicine and Allied Health
‍Asika Pelenda (2009) - Paediatric Registrar at the Victorian Paediatric Training Network and Co-founder of Hansimi Dance
Dawn Lee (2018) - Current medical student at UoM
Kate McCullough (2005) - Senior Speech Pathologist  

Law and Social Sciences
Madison Sertic (2013) - Australian Lawyer and Senior Integrity Policy and Engagement Officer at the Department of Education and Training
Anica Wajswelner (2017) - Leading Border Force Officer for the Australian Border Force

Business
Julia Honan (2014) - Production Coordinator at Carlton and United Breweries  
Selin Lanzafame (2005) - Design Director at McKinsey and Company
Stephanie Martin (2007) - Senior Manager in Mergers and Acquisitions at REA Group
Bridget McDonald (2010) - Supply Chain Consultant in Real Estate Services and Investment

Science and Technology
Chiara Cementon (2017) - Graduate Scientist in Engineering field

Human Development & Sports Science
Poppy Griffiths (2001) - Founder and Director of UnlimitU, coaching and leadership development

Congratulations

Sibella Breidahl (2012) Named Northern Territory Junior Doctor of the Year

Many OGs will remember and want to congratulate 2012 School Vice Captain, Sibella Breidahl, who has been chosen as the NT Junior Doctor of the Year. Following her graduation in 2020 with a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Adelaide, Sibella moved to the Royal Darwin Hospital where she is completing her postgraduate years and has accepted a Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Registrar training position. She has been chosen as the Northern Territory Junior Doctor of the Year in recognition of her support and work for the rights and wellbeing of young doctors. Sibella has worked closely with Aboriginal communities, spending time on rotation at Nhulunbuy, with a focus on disease prevention. She is also halfway through a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at James Cook University with a focus on Aboriginal health, tropical medicine, and public health policy. After completing her training and study, Sib hopes to return to East Arnhem Land and continue her work with these communities.

OGS Honorary Life Membership

The Anniversary Luncheon returned this year and more than 100 Old Grammarians gathered in the Boarders’ Dining Hall to celebrate the occasion. The event incorporated the 50- and 60-Year reunions of the Classes of 1962 and 1972 as part of the luncheon which provided two excellent speeches from Mary Brooksbank (1962) cohort and Jane Lottkowitz (1972).

At the Anniversary Luncheon, the Old Grammarians Society was pleased to award Honorary Life memberships to two very deserving recipients, current Deputy Principal, Lynn Broadway, and School Historian and OGS committee member, Philippa (Pip) O’Connor (Farrer, 1965). Both women are ‘living treasures’ of the School and are very much part of the OGS. These awards were made in 2021 but, due to COVID, were not presented until this year.

Emily Hensley Award 2022

In 2022, Melbourne Girls Grammar in partnership with the Old Grammarians Society presented the Emily Hensley Award in honour of one of our founding principals, Emily Hensley to:

Sarah Giles (2001), in recognition of her outstanding contribution and commitment to the fields of the Arts and Theatre. She is currently a director of theatre and opera, and her work has been seen by thousands of people across Australia. Sarah holds the belief that the theatre and opera are places where we can come together as one to look at some of the greatest problems we’re experiencing as a society squarely in the face without feeling attacked or challenged, and where we can grow together and emerge better people.

Dr Francesca Valmorbida McSteen (2005), in recognition of her outstanding achievements and service to community in the area of mental health. Francesca is currently working as a psychiatrist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and has made a profound impact in mental health in Victoria. She has dedicated herself to many years of study in the hope of improving the current health system more broadly in the future.