From the OGA
In 2024, the Old Girtonians’ Association (OGA) embarked on a journey to explore the rich history of Girton in celebration of the school’s 140th anniversary. The OGA collaborated with the school on various initiatives, including a short historical video showcasing the school’s evolution over the years, aptly titled Girton: A 140-Year Legacy. This provided the chance to gather, document and protect school uniforms from various time periods, ensuring they can be viewed by Girtonians in the years to come.
Plans for the redevelopment of Girton House in the coming years will prompt the OGA to find a new home, and with six rooms of the house filled to the brim with 140 years of memorabilia, photos and historical documents, the OGA acknowledged the urgency of digitising and preserving these valuable items. To address this need, the OGA enlisted the help of the student body and established a new co-curricular initiative called the Girton Preservation Club. Under the leadership of Ms Lynden Francis-Wright, the club’s dedicated student volunteers have spent months scanning a century’s worth of issues of The Girtonian. These scanned issues are now available for OGA members to enjoy.
Throughout the year, the OGA hosted seven reunion events, bringing together Old Girtonians from various graduating classes. We were pleased to have two former Girtonians speak at the VCE Conference in January: environmental engineer Rachel Welling and lawyer Dean Armstrong. We also welcomed back photographer Alli Campbell, General Practitioner Dr Katie Snow and law student Toby Scott as guest speakers at the OGA Careers Event for Year 12 students in May. Additionally, social media sensation Evie Matthews spoke to VCE Music students about her journey to becoming a professional musician and Olympic silver medallist Jenna Strauch shared her experiences in elite sports at a special Senior School Assembly. We are grateful to all these individuals for sharing their wisdom and inspiring the next generation of Girtonians.
At the Valedictory Dinner in November, Amelie Woodward (12 Jones) was awarded the 2024 OGA Departing Girtonian Scholarship, receiving $2,500 to help fund her journey as a graduate. Amelie’s dedication to striving for excellence in all areas and her positive presence in the school community embody Girton’s values, making her a deserving recipient of the scholarship. During her interview, it was evident that Amelie fully immersed herself in all aspects of Girton life, excelling in academics, community service, leadership and in service to her beloved Jones House.
In 2024, the OGA was delighted to be named a finalist in the Alumni Campaign category of the Education Plus Awards for our 30-year anniversary documentary, The Girton Grammar School Story. Sadly, this year also saw the passing of Carole Taylor, who played a crucial role in the school’s survival, as highlighted in the documentary. We extend our deepest sympathies to Carole’s family.
At the end of Term 4, staff members Mrs Collette Derrick and Dr Andrew Itter were each awarded an honorary Associate Life Membership to the OGA in recognition of their 20 years of service to Girton Grammar School. Board member Mr Jarrah O’Shea also received an Associate Life Membership in recognition of his three years of service on the Board. Additionally, the OGA was pleased to award academic prizes to 11 students who crossed the stage on Speech Night, and will continue to support Girtonians in their pursuit of academic excellence in years to come.
Looking ahead, the OGA aims to continue its preservation efforts by assisting the Girton Preservation Club in cataloguing the vast collection of images from Girton's history. OGA members interested in helping with this project are invited to get in touch, as we would love to have a separate OGA volunteer team working in parallel with our students. Protecting Girton’s legacy for future generations is a priority for the OGA, and it is a goal we aspire to achieve together, thanks to the invaluable support of Girtonians past and present.
Ms Kristi Mitchell
Alumni Manager