“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”

Marian Wright Edelman

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Many Melbourne Girls Grammar scholarship recipients have gone on to make meaningful contributions to our community by advancing our collective knowledge, reforming government and corporate policies and practices, making significant scientific or medical advances and adding to the cultural space in which we live.

Melbourne Girls Grammar scholarships help unlock the potential of students from all walks of life by providing access to the educational experiences available at one of Australia’s leading schools.

Scholarships are offered to talented students who have the potential and ambition to be a future agent of positive change. In addition, scholarships are awarded based on means testing. These identify capable individuals and provide them with the opportunity to experience an education otherwise unattainable.

Scholarships are awarded annually to students for entry into Years 7 and 9. These year levels identify key stages in the education at Melbourne Girls Grammar - St Hilda’s and the Senior Years Program. Commencing at one of these levels provides the chance to build capabilities, interests and skills from the beginning of secondary school or enabling a young woman to focus on specific areas of interest academically through subjects offered in the Senior Years at the School. Many students from Year 9 undertake overseas learning experiences that apply knowledge and skills to broader issues. Volunteering, community engagement and a focus on issues defined by learning first-hand in developing countries or advocating for change through the Model UN are part of the attraction for students committed to their studies but also keen to give back to the community.

These educational opportunities and experiences are complimented through a community focused on learning and where individuals are encouraged and empowered to act. In the pursuit of developing ethical women of action, our Melbourne Girls Grammar scholars are nurtured and encouraged to take advantage of all that the School can offer.

Melbourne Girls Grammar offers scholarships that attract students nationally and locally. They cover:

• Academic Excellence
• Music
• Boarding
• Financially Disadvantaged (means-tested)
• Indigenous Scholar

Your support in providing access to a learning community that fosters a love of learning for life can never be underestimated.

There are many ways that you can support our Scholarship Program. We encourage you to get in contact with our Development team in the first instance to discuss your objectives so that we can work with you to design the educational gift that best meets your financial position and your objectives. We have identified below some of the ways that members of our community have given in the past.

Establish a Perpetual Scholarship

Establish a named perpetual fund that provides tuition for one student in perpetuity by committing with a single gift, or a two-to-five-year pledge. The size of your gift is determined from discussions with you and will cover year of entry, the inclusion of boarding fees and charges as well as tuition, and naming rights.

Your generosity will be recognised with membership of the Merton Hall Foundation at the Life Governor level. Donations to the MHF Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.

Sponsor a Student

Donate the full fees per annum for the duration of an student’s MGGS journey (typically four-six years). Your generosity will be recognised with membership of the Merton Hall Foundation at the Trustee level. Donations to the MHF Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.

Ongoing Support

Make monthly or annual contributions of your choice. Donations to the MHF Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.

One-off Gift

Make a single donation of your choice. Donations to the MHF Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.

Bequest

Include a contribution to the Merton Hall Foundation Scholarship Fund in your Will. For more information about the Merton Hall Foundation’s Bequest Program contact the Melbourne Girls Grammar Development Office.

Old Grammarian and Other Funds

In addition, there are a number of Trusts that the Old Grammarians Society run in honour of past principals and OGs including:

• Gilman Jones Scholarship – awarded to the high achievers (academic and community service) of the graduating year.
• DJ Ross Fund – to provide bursaries in support of extension programs.
• OGS Scholarship – awarded to the daughter or relative of an Old Grammarian.

Donations to these funds are not tax deductible. 

For further information about giving contact the Development Office on 9862 9271 or visit the MGGS website.

A Lasting Gift That Supports Learning

In her Will, Patricia Hammond Reid (Ferrier 1949) provided a gift that will enhance the education of generations of young women in their studies at Melbourne Girls Grammar. Her generosity passes onto others the gift of education and the opportunities that being a Grammarian affords. We thank her deeply and pay respects to her family.

Born in 1932, Patricia Hammond Reid (Ferrier 1949) attended Melbourne Church of England Grammar School (MCEGGS) from 1946 when she entered Year 9. She came across from Shelford, having won a Council Minor Scholarship. Students at the time were required to sit a scholarship examination and generally one full fee (100%) scholarship was awarded and two or three minor (50%) scholarships. So, being a Scholarship recipient at this time in the history of the School demonstrated that she was a young woman with much promise.

This was certainly lived out during her time at the School. As a day girl, she came in each day from East St Kilda (Ripponlea). Pat, as she preferred to be called, was good at athletics specifically running, shotput and javelin. She was fast and this earned her a place in the senior team whilst she was still in Year 10.  In her final year at MCEGGS, she was elected Athletics Captain and received her ‘shield’ based on her “very strong performance and sportsmanship at senior level” for both running and athletics. In the same year, was also elected as a Councillor.

Pat’s father was an electrical control engineer so it was no surprise that she took a strong academic program that included English, Advanced Maths, French (2nd class honours) and British History. Patricia matriculated in 1949 and in 1950 embarked on a Commerce course at the University of Melbourne. In 1953, she became engaged to John Reid.

Pat passed away in 2017 but had remained connected to Melbourne Girls Grammar. At the Class of 1893-1956 Reunion on Saturday 28 April 2007, Pat shared some of her life since graduating from MCEGGS:

"[I] went to the University of Melbourne and completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree. [I am] married, and have two daughters. After 32 years I was 'retrenched' [from my work]. Thank goodness for a good education … I went into business for myself and have done a fair bit of tutoring at university level and privately [alongside]. [I am] still active in the investment field. Thank you, Grammar!"

By making a bequest to Melbourne Girls Grammar you leave a lasting legacy and help secure opportunities for many generations of future Grammarians.

The Nisi Dominus Society was established to acknowledge and thank individuals who confirm a gift in their Will to Melbourne Girls Grammar. Members of the Nisi Dominus Society are invited to special events and activities and have the opportunity to meet like-minded supporters of the School and share their interest in support of the education of young women.

For further information about making a bequest to Melbourne Girls Grammar, or to advise the School that you have included a gift in your Will, please contact our Development team.

For a confidential discussion, please call 9862 9271, or email us.