OGA eNews Archive Issue 2 2019

Since the last newsletter, I have represented the OGA at many school events. I have attended the school’s Anzac Service and laid a wreath in memory of Old Girls and their families who have been affected by war. I also attended The Professional Women’s Network breakfast this month and enjoyed listening to Old Girl Penny Wolff (’92) speak with her husband about their journey in the world of coffee. These are always great events and I urge you to attend a PWN breakfast in the future. Finally, I had the pleasure of attending and being the MC for the Past Student Awards. Congratulations to Hannah Krause (’85) and Lucy Shaw (’09) for receiving these awards this year. I wished I could bottle the essence and atmosphere of these nights; there is something very special about having Old Girls come back into their school to celebrate life after school in its many and varied forms.

The Old Girls’ Association is a crucial part of the school community as we help shape the school in unique and meaningful ways. The most important and crucial role Old Girls play is allowing future generations of St Margaret’s girls to fulfil their educational dreams by being able to reflect on the journeys and celebrate the continuing pursuits and aspirations of those who have gone before them.

Thank you also to the OGA Committee for their commitment. We are looking forward to welcoming you all to our upcoming OGA events.

Dates for noting

26 July             10/20/30 year Reunions

27 July             40/50/60 Year Reunions

28 July             Old Girls’ Day Chapel and Morning Tea

29 July             VIP 60+ Reunion Luncheon

27 October      OGA Annual Brunch - Arts Centre Foyer

26 November  Annual General Meeting

I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter and I encourage you to share your or your friends’ stories through the ‘Share’ link in this newsletter.

If you have any other suggestions, please also feel free to email me directly at ndevlin@stmargarets.qld.edu.au. I am looking forward again to connecting more with all of you and connecting you back to St Margaret’s. 

Anna Davidson (nee Graham '86) 

I trained as a Speech Pathologist and worked for Education Queensland in Special Education. My special interests are in the performing arts, visual arts and interior design.

My fondest St Margaret’s memories are the involvement in sport and musical theatre. I also have made lifelong friendships across many year groups.  

Anne Muggleton (nee Schmidhauser '56)
After finishing at St Margaret’s, I completed a General Nursing degree in which I was successful in graduating at the top of my year. I followed this by completing a Midwifery degree, which was then followed by post graduate study in surgical theatre procedures in Ontario, Canada. I spent some time gaining experience in regional British Columbia. My nursing career continued back in rural and regional Queensland and I was appointed the Director of Nursing at Wondai Hospital, Queensland. 

I am particularly interested in rural and remote interests and issues. I enjoy public speaking (including previously being a speaker for Queensland Cancer) and competed at a national level through to Toastmasters. I am involved in fundraising for charity and enjoy my time with my grandchildren.

My fondest memories of time at St Margaret’s are the incredible friendship, support and loyalty we learnt to give each other, through a fairly isolated boarding school experience. It has remained with me all my life and made future friendships so easy to make.

Penelope Bell ('02) 

My career path could more likely be viewed as a career maze! In short, I am a multi-disciplinary story-teller, artist and designer. I have worked in the fashion, PR and marketing industries for 15 plus years. Some of those years I spent living and working the glamorous life of fashion in New York City, and at times there have been those pinch-me moments flirting with icons like Jimmy Choo and Blake Lively. More recently, I have been illustrating for luxury fashion brands including Max Mara, Michael Kors and Aje. I have had the good fortune of partnering with internationally recognized art galleries, museums and educational institutions where I have taught illustration masterclasses, given keynotes and have been interviewed on multiple media platforms, digital and traditional.

My hobbies and interests include sustainability, sewing, long distance running and gardening.

My fondest memory of St Margaret's is the unbridled joy and enthusiasm I felt when I was around my friends, teachers and coaches - sitting in the breezeway at morning tea and lunch time, training for cross country, athletics, netball and touch football, singing my heart out and releasing the show off from within for drama performances and productions. I loved it all.

Annie Goodsell (nee Bromfield '77)
I worked with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet for a number of years. I am passionate about live theatre and more recently scrapbooking. My fondest memory of my time at St Margaret’s is being taught the basics of stagecraft by Dawn Rees (my mentor). I am hoping to help daughters, mothers and grandmothers experience the joy of sharing memory albums together.

We of course look forward to the results at the awards evening in Sydney on 16 August.

It was wonderful to recognise the recipients of the recent Past Student Awards at the Past Student Awards Dinner in May. Many nominations were received for the two awards for 2019. The recipient of the Young Past Student Award was 2009 graduate, Lucy Shaw.  The Distinguished Past Students Award was 1985 graduate Hannah Krause. I would like to congratulate these worthy recipients on their awards, and encourage the Old Girl community to continue to nominate their peers for these awards.

Recently we held a Year 10 Careers Conference, where we were fortunate to have some of our Old Girls come to be part of a panel and speak with our students. After their session they stayed for morning tea and were very generous in talking with the Year 10s and passing on any advice they had learnt from experience. A very heartfelt thank you to the following past students:

• Maggie Wu (2012 - 2016) – Currently studying Law and Business at QUT.
• Prue Edwards (2010 - 2012) – Completed studies in Business and International Hotel and Resort Management, Arts and Education. Currently teaching English and History in Brisbane.
• Amany Cummins (2002 - 2013) – In final semester of a Finance and Economics degree at UQ Has accepted an offer from Merril Lynch to begin next year in an Analyst role within their investment banking team.
• Emily Wilks (2005 - 2012) – Bachelor of Urban Development (major: Construction Management with Honours). Currently working at Tomkins Commercial and Industrial Builders (the team who is developing the new sports precinct at St Margaret’s).
• Molly Duhig (2010 - 2015) – Currently studying Chemical and Environmental Engineering at UQ.
• Bella Smith (2004 - 2014) – Currently studying Bachelor of Primary Education majoring in Mathematics and Physical Education at USQ.
• Isabella Lane (2008 - 2013) – Received first class honours in a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (UQ). Currently working in the ICU at Princess Alexandra Hospital.
• Maddie Edmunds (2005 – 2009) –Australian rower. She is a five-time national champion and a 2016 Olympian and is currently taking a break from international rowing commitments. She is pursuing some business management opportunities and has ambitions to play in the AFLW competition.

Recently we said goodbye to our Chaplain Rev. Cannon Nicki Colledge, who was called to take up another calling to minister to the St Mark’s parish in Clayfield. We are so grateful for her contribution to our community over the past 12 years.

We are pleased to announce that Rev’d Susan Crothers-Robertson will be joining us in Term 3. Rev’d Susan comes to St Margaret’s from St John’s Anglican College, Forrest Lake, where she has spent the past five years as College Chaplain.  Ordained as Deacon in 1997 and Priest in 1998, she will bring with her a depth of experience in the Anglican ministry from her diverse roles, including Assistant Curate (Parish of Maryborough), Priest in Charge (Freshwater Parish, Deception Bay), Canon Pastor and Mission Chaplain at St John’s Cathedral, and Director of Ministry Formation at the Mission Education Commission in Brisbane. We look forward to welcoming Rev’d Susan to the St Margaret’s community.

3. Click on the Alumni tab in the left hand menu to view the profiles of fellow past students!

“In 1949, I first entered the gates of St Margaret’s Church of England Girls’ School, now St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School and left after I had completed Senior (Grade 12).

I enjoyed my school years and made lifelong friendships which I treasure.

My mother was widowed while I was in primary school and was left to bring up two young children on her own. She worked extremely hard to ensure that my brother and I had access to the best learning opportunities possible. She believed that education was the key to securing her children’s future.

Delivering the opportunity for two children to complete a private education was not without difficulty. The Sisters were quick to act when things became very challenging for my mother, generously providing most welcome support which gave me the opportunity to finish my education at St Margaret’s. The kindness bestowed upon my family by the Sisters at this time is something I shall always remember with deep gratitude.

I went on to The University of Queensland, graduating with honours in my chosen field, followed by the wonderful experience of working professionally both in Australia and abroad. I have received national and international awards for my work, embracing life as a true gift.

Last year I decided that it was time to give something back to St Margaret’s. I wanted to afford other young girls the same opportunity that I was fortunate enough to receive. My St Margaret’s education helped prepare me for my life’s journey and I hope my donation will help these girls to secure this wonderful foundation for their future.

An Old Girl of St Margaret’s

The Sister Mary SSA Bursary was established through the generosity of this St Margaret’s past student in honour of Sister Mary (Sister in Charge of St Margaret’s from 1940 to 1964), who provided her with much support and guidance during her time at St Margaret’s.

The Bursary has been awarded to support a family, who has experienced financial difficulty due to drought, in keeping their daughter enrolled at St Margaret’s.

In 2018, 1.4% of Old Girls made a tax-deductible donation to either the Building or Scholarship Funds alongside 10.9% of parents. With the help of past students, parents and friends we raised more than $52,000 for the Scholarship Fund.

These donations provided bursary support for 12 current students whose families were experiencing circumstances which would have otherwise prevented them from completing their education at St Margaret’s.

All donations – large and small – are gratefully received and acknowledged. Whether it’s $5 or $5000, your donation will support the St Margaret’s Old Girls of the future, who are today’s current students.

Through making a tax-deductible donation to the Scholarship Fund, Old Girls can come together to honour their legacy, while also paying forward the good fortune they had in receiving a St Margaret’s education.

If you would like to donate to Scholarship Fund, you may do so via our Online Donation Form.  

Thank you for your support.  

This year's Distinguished Past Student Award Winner, Dr Hannah-Gerti Krause AO (’85), graduated from The University of Queensland with Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery in 1991. In 1995, in Ethiopia, she witnessed the problems low-income women faced from complications arising from limited access to obstetric care, an experience which encouraged her to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology.

In 2002, while at the Senior Registrar level in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Brisbane’s Royal Women’s Hospital, Dr Krause was awarded the Brown Craig Travelling Fellowship from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She was made Fellow the following year. Awarded a Royal Women’s Hospital (Melbourne), Postgraduate Research Degree Scholarship in 2004, Dr Krause graduated Master of Philosophy in 2006 and became a Certified Urogynaecologist in the same year. She has also completed a Doctorate of Philosophy at Griffith University.

Since 1995 and throughout her career, Dr Krause has sustained regular, self-funded volunteer medical missions in developing countries. In 2016, she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Honours list for distinguished service to medicine in the field of urology and gynaecology, particularly through surgical assistance to women in developing countries throughout Asia and Africa.

Lucy Shaw (’09) was awarded the 2019 Young Past Student of Distinction Award. After graduating from St Margaret's, Lucy studied mechanical engineering at the University of Melbourne, after which she was accepted into the highly competitive Graduate Associate Program at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management consulting firm. At BCG she advised leaders in state governments, energy and mining companies and NGOs on business strategy in Australia and the USA.

After leaving BCG, Lucy pursued work in Latin America and Africa, including advising the Ethiopian government on improving agricultural productivity and helped companies in Africa provide electricity to more customers at a lower cost.

Lucy is currently a Masters’ student and Fulbright Scholar at Harvard studying development economics and an MBA, where she completes research on government debt in Africa, and how electricity infrastructure can be improved in the continent. 

While unable to attend in person, Lucy sent this video available for viewing.

We would like to encourage all past students to consider those you may wish to nominate for the 2020 awards. Award criteria and eligibility details will be posted on the school’s website in a few weeks’ time and we are happy to receive nominations at any time.

In 2016 Penelope was the Telstra Queensland For Purpose and Social Enterprise Award Winner. Speaking to a packed Brisbane City Hall, Penelope shared that she has spent her career working in predominantly male dominated industries. “I’ve worked in construction, oil and gas, resources and defence, but one of the best things about me is that I learnt how to reverse parallel park a warship before I could drive a car!” Penelope said.

Reunion Reflection: 10 Years reunion and beyond (Janet Keki '08)

Our 10 Year Reunion was an absolute hit! The girls came from near and far and showed great enthusiasm in the lead up to the event, so to get as many girls in the same room that night was not a surprise to me. Upon arrival at the reunion, it was obvious that the school has gone through some major structural changes since we’ve graduated – so it was good to see that no one is still rolling their ankles down on the old netball courts. It was wonderful to hear of all the successes the Class of 2008 had achieved over the last 10 years, and to see that our friendships are as strong as they were when we were roaming the halls of Avoca.

Some of my fondest memories from attending St Margaret’s was addressing the school with my fellow captain, Charlotte – so it was great to get back behind the lectern for another crack at making fools of ourselves, while keeping the crowd entertained. From a personal perspective, the reunion bought together my tight knit group who are spread out between Brisbane, Sydney and Papua New Guinea. My bond with each of these girls was heavily nurtured throughout our time at St Margaret’s and this night was a great reminder that the adage ‘Always a Maggies Girl’ continues far beyond Petrie, Towers and Lapraik streets.

Ten years is a long time between drinks, but I can assure you that we’re all very excited for our 20 Year Reunion and for all the moments and experiences to be had between now and then.