OGA News
Twenty Years of Magnificent Musical Service
The Old Girtonians’ Association was delighted to bestow on Mrs Jacqueline Vine, an Honorary Associate Life Membership for achieving twenty years of service to Girton Grammar School at the end of last year.
Anyone who is a student of Jacqui Vine benefits from the expertise of a professional musician and an exceptional teacher. It is with these different but complementary skills that Jacqui has so profoundly shaped both students’ lives and the Girton Grammar School Music Department.
Before commencing at Girton in 1999, Jacqui worked as a trumpet player with a range of renowned ensembles including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, the Russian Ballet, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Band with whom she travelled all over Australia for six years.
Prior to her professional career, Jacqui completed a Bachelor of Music (VCA, Melbourne University), this was the beginning of a career of sharing her love of music with young people, naturally and consistently translating to musical and personal accomplishment in her students. Jacqui worked as a professional musician until her move to Bendigo in 1999. She completed her Diploma of Education (University of New England, NSW) while juggling teaching at Girton, managing a two-year old Oliver and a five-year old Tristan, building a house, and assisting in the running of a winery.
When Jacqui commenced at Girton in 1999, she had three trumpet students, which at that time was the full complement of Brass students at the School. At that point in history, there were no concert bands yet established at the School. Over twenty years, Jacqui has been pivotal to the growth in the number of music students in the School and development of the band programme at Girton. She has been central to the cultural shift in the School that now sees hundreds of music lessons and performances take place each week and huge growth in the ensemble programme at Girton.
Along the way, Jacqui has been the Symphony Orchestra Assistant Director, Junior School Concert Band Director, MiC of the Christopher Field Orchestra, MiC of the Senior Concert Band, MiC of Wind Symphony, MiC of Brass, and the MiC of Band Programme. Jacqui is an essential member of the MiC Music Leadership Team and is credited for the exemplary standards and progression of the Girton Music Department. In 2014 she successfully took on the challenge of Musical Director of the Senior School Production of “Into the Woods”, while juggling her many duties.
Aside from substantial duties related to Music Co-curriculum, Jacqui is a classroom music teacher and has achieved outstanding results while working alongside her VCE Music students. Her students have gained five Top Act Music Style and Composition Awards in four years, and she is a much sought-after Music Styles Assessor.
Music duties aside, Jacqui has enthusiastically undertaken other roles at the School such as House Tutor and World Challenge Leader (Vietnam) in 2010.
Jacqui has left an indelible mark on the School, but in particular, is known for her stirring bugle calls each year to mark ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. She is also the composer of the now-familiar Girton Fanfare which grandly features each Speech Night and Foundation Day to signify the procession of official guests.
While her achievements and contributions to Girton Grammar School are many and varied, it is also Jacqui Vine ‘the person’ that has left a lasting impression after twenty years of unfailing care and commitment to students and colleagues.
Jacqui is regularly seen with a trumpet, trombone or french horn in her hands or standing in front of a band directing. No matter whether it is an instrument or a baton in her hand, a smile is her constant companion. Colleagues describe Jacqui as kind, supportive, relatable, patient, enthusiastic, honest, even-tempered, adaptable and knowledgeable.
Jacqui’s real legacy will be as much attributed to her personality as her musicality. Her patience, hard work and determination have helped to shape a culture at the School where best efforts in all endeavours are the norm. Jacqui gladly makes herself the example, expecting of herself continuous improvement as a musician, a person and an educator. Her students know that they are the priority, and under her tutelage, many great moments have been made and musical careers forged.
Jacqui has Girton in her blood. With two musical sons having graduated from the School and a husband also working in the Music Department, the Vine family has shaped Music at Girton in both explicit and understated ways. Jacqui is a warm, vivacious and generous friend to many colleagues and Girton Grammar School is indebted to the contribution that she has made culturally and musically over many years.
Mrs Jacqui Vine, for twenty years of outstanding service to Girton Grammar School, we thank you.
Forthcoming OGA Reunions
With the impact of COVID-19 taking centre place on the world stage, the OGA cancelled all scheduled reunions in 2020.
Offering opportunities for our alumni to reconnect and renew friendships are important to us, so this year will see the OGA run it’s biggest calendar of events with both the usual programme of reunions, along with those cancelled in 2020.
To ensure that all reunions take place, three evenings will hold two reunions simultaneously in adjoining, private function rooms. These reunions will be completely separate, with the benefit of allowing our OGA staff to move easily between the two function rooms.
We thank you for your understanding and support. Should you have any queries, please contact the OGA via oga@girton.vic.edu.au.
We look forward to reconnecting with you in person.
Save the Date!
If you know past students or teachers from these cohorts, please help spread the word about these enjoyable events.
Class of 2019: One+ Year Reunion
Friday 9th April, 6.00pm
GPO Bar & Restaurant, Balcony Room
Book now via: www.trybooking.com/BOYEA
Class of 2011: Ten Year Reunion
Saturday 1st May, 6.00pm
Brougham Arms
Class of 2000: Twenty+ Year Reunion
Saturday 1st May, 6.00pm
Brougham Arms
Class of 2001: Twenty Year Reunion
Saturday 5th June, 6.00pm
Brougham Arms
Class of 1990: Thirty+ Year Reunion
Saturday 5th June, 6.00pm
Brougham Arms
Class of 2015: Five+ Year Reunion
Saturday 14th August, 6.00pm
The Foundry Hotel, Zinc Room
Class of 1991: Thirty Year Reunion
Saturday 28th August, 6.00pm
Brougham Arms
Class of 2010: Ten+ Year Reunion
Saturday 28th August, 6.00pm
Brougham Arms
Class of 2016: Five Year Reunion
Saturday 11th August, 6.00pm
The Foundry Hotel, Zinc Room
Class of 2020: One Year Reunion
Friday 10th December, 6.00pm
GPO Bar & Restaurant, The Courtyard