Old Girls

About the OGA

In 1897, five years after the founding of the School, the first Headmistress, Miss Fanny Hunt, formed the Old Girls Association – the first such past students organisation to be formed in Queensland.

From the outset, the organisation has enabled IGGS students to keep in touch with friends and the School itself.

A vital support network is provided through the OGA. There are a number of branches in Queensland which provide opportunities for fellowship.

The OGA not only provides the School with many amenities through their fund-raising – they also willingly take part in many of the School’s initiatives. For example, from their ranks come specialist advisers at Careers Day, sporting coaches and guest speakers both in the classroom and at official functions. Old Girls have chosen to be members of staff and the Board of Trustees.

This interaction between staff, parents, students and Old Girls is a vital dimension of the school community and is testimony to the values which are inherent in the school ethos.

Message from the Co-Presidents 

At the start of 2022 we were filled with confidence that the worst of the pandemic was behind us and that our planned events would proceed without interruption. It was, therefore, a shock when the start of the school year was delayed, but worse was to come.

To celebrate the 125^th birthday of the IGGSOGA, we had anticipated a very large attendance at Commemoration Day on 5 March. However, the massive floods of that week led to a cancellation. Fortunately, we were able to reschedule the event two weeks later, albeit with a reduction in the number of guests.

Now, we can look forward to another major event or really three events. The Annual OGA Luncheon is scheduled for Saturday 11 June. It is hoped that not only will there be reunion groups present for the current decade reunions, but that those of you who were unable to hold your reunions in 2020 or 2021 will gather on this occasion instead. Again, in recognition of the significant year, there are two other functions on this Reunion Weekend – a Cocktail Party on the Friday night and a Brunch for Seniors of 2017 to 2021 on the Sunday.

Our branches have continued to meet this year and have plans in place for gatherings throughout the year. We thank them for their ongoing loyalty and commitment.

We are only too aware of the problem of maintaining connections and having updated contact information. Please use the web site form – Update My Details – to ensure your contact details are correct.

Fellowship remains the integral purpose of the IGGSOGA, so we really hope to see or hear from many of you in 2022.

Once again in the final week of their years of schooling, we were delighted to welcome the 2021 Seniors into the ranks of the IGGSOGA. Despite the incredible disruptions to their schooling, these girls had remained cheerful and positive throughout. The Bell Ringing Ceremony, which marks their transition from student to Old Girl, is a meaningful rite of passage and their delight in being presented with their OGA badge is heart-warming. We welcome our latest members, wish them every success and look forward to hearing of their wonderful achievements.

In their final days there is much spoken about what their schooldays have meant to them and particularly the lifelong friendships formed. Generations of girls have walked through the gates for the last time vowing to remain in contact. That isn’t always as easy as they think, but today, thanks to the benefit of social media, it is becoming far more of a reality. Large friendship groups remain in contact, and we hear constantly of their reunions and social gatherings. Whether it is two close school friends reuniting after many years or a large reunion group, the bonds are obvious. We hope to witness this again at our Annual Reunion Weekend in June.

Be sure to join the OGA Facebook group to stay in touch.

Best wishes,

Leah Bell and Helen Pullar
Co-Presidents of the OGA 

OGA Press – Edition 33 (April 2022)

http://iggs.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/OGAPRESS-Edition-33.pdf