VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 CONNECTIONS CONNECTING THE SOMERVILLE HOUSE COMMUNITY

Somerville House Old Girl, Courtenay Cleary, performs for Her Majesty the Queen at the Royal Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey. At Somerville House, we value learning as a life-long, enriching undertaking. Our well-rounded educational programs set foundations for each student to be the best they can be in all they undertake. Our learners are tomorrow’s leaders.

Experience our engaging learning programs and vibrant School community at our 2017 Open Day, on Sunday 21 May from 11.00am to 2.00pm at our South Brisbane campus.

We invite you to explore our classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities, meet our Academic and Admissions staff, talk to parents and students, and learn more about our exciting Curricular and Co-Curricular programs.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family for what promises to be a wonderful occasion. CONTENTS

4 IN PRINCIPAL 24 ANTIPODEAN ADVENTURE 6 COURTENAY CLEARY’S MUSICAL JOURNEY 26 BOARDERS SETTLE INTO THE BAUER BUILDING 8 SCHOL ARS’ ASSEMBLY 28 STUDENT WELLBEING AT 10 SOMERVILLE HOUSE DUX OF 2016 SOMERVILLE HOUSE ANNOUNCED AS STATE’S HIGHEST ACHIEVER IN QCS TEST 30 THE SHAKESPEARE WINDOWS AT SOMERVILLE HOUSE 12 2017 VISITING ARTIST MONICA ROHAN 32 FROM THE ARCHIVES MONDAY 5 JUNE 2017 14 SCHOOL CAPTAINS SET TO THRIVE IN 2017 THE BRISBANE GOLF CLUB, YEERONGPILLY 34 FOUNDATION NEWS 16 MADONNA KING’S ‘BEING 14’ 44 IN TOUCH – OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION 18 SOMERVILLE HOUSE STUDENTS SET FOR NASA

Registration: 9.00am 22 ANNA CAMPBELL – BOARDING ALUMNA, Putting Competition: 10.00am FARM GIRL AND CEO IN A GLOBAL INDUSTRY Tee Time: 11.00am Shot Gun Start Player Registration: $165 Team Registration: $660 Ladies, men and mixed teams welcome Don’t miss this much-loved event supporting the Somerville House Foundation

TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT PLEASE VISIT WWW.TRYBOOKING.COM/260576

FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES PLEASE CONTACT MS LOUISE HARRISON OR MS RENAEE GILES, DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS ON (07)3033 9289 OR [email protected]

17 Graham Street, South Brisbane Qld 4101 PO Box 3357, South Brisbane Qld 4101 P 07 3248 9200 | www.somerville.qld.edu.au

A school of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association. The PMSA is a mission of the Presbyterian and Uniting Churches. CRICOS Provider Number: 00522G

VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 3 IN PRINCIPAL

Mrs Florence Kearney, Principal

This year, our Open Day theme is about Educating Young Leaders. It reflects the belief that our students are the citizens of the very near future, for a world that demands innovative and ethical solutions, and who strive to live a fulfilling life that makes a meaningful contribution to society.

Through their engagement in our At Somerville House, we focus on Since her days at Somerville House, the Class of 2016 for their outstanding As one of 28,000 Year 12 students who Join us from 11.00am to 2.00pm for dynamic and challenging educational developing the whole person, so where Courtenay performed with individual and collective academic sat the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) the opportunity to further explore our community, our students are that our students can reach their full Somerville Strings and the Senior efforts at a special Scholars’ Assembly, test in 2016, Sophie was announced classrooms, talk to staff, parents and encouraged to think deeply about the potential, carrying Honour Before String Consort, her musical journey attended by our top achievers. as the State’s Highest Achiever in this students and to learn more about our kind of future they can help to create for Honours as their internal compass. has taken her to the Royal Academy test, and was congratulated by the exciting Academic, Pastoral, Spiritual These students attained an OP 1-4 at Queensland, Australia and the world. of Music in London, where she studies Minister for Education, The Honourable and Co-Curricular programs. We value their insight, their initiative, We continually celebrate, and are under a full tuition scholarship. As our the conclusion of their Senior studies, the Kate Jones. their confidence, their commitment to extremely proud of, the exceptional feature story, we celebrate Courtenay’s culmination of expertise in learning, hard Throughout the day, you will have a better world and their ability to form educational outcomes our students recent performance as solo violinist work, resilience in the face of setbacks, I trust that you will enjoy reading this the opportunity to take part in guided soundly-reasoned judgements. achieve, both past and present. for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at and the strength of teamwork in issue of Connections and will join us in campus tours, enjoy music and Westminster Abbey in a live recording on supporting and encouraging one another celebrating the individual and collective cultural performances and take part The School’s highly qualified academic In this edition of Connections, we BBC television, and share her reflections to aspire to the best outcomes for all. achievements of our students, Old Girls in sporting demonstrations. recognise a number of incredible staff aim to educate students to become about her time at Somerville House. and wider community. confident and independent citizens, student achievements, both locally Sophie Watson, Somerville House Dux We look forward to seeing you at what is conscious of their strengths, responsive and on the world stage, beginning Continuing our School’s rich history of of 2016, was among the State’s top On behalf of everyone at Somerville promising to be a wonderful occasion. to the challenges and opportunities with our cover feature, Courtenay academic achievement, the Somerville Year 12 Graduates, recognised at the House, we look forward to welcoming they face in their lives, and capable Cleary, Somerville House alumna House community gathered earlier in Queensland Certificate of Education you and your family to our Open Day and willing to contribute to society. (2005-2010). the year to acknowledge students from (QCE) Achievement Awards. on Sunday 21 May 2017.

4 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 5 FROM SOMERVILLE STRINGS TO A Since her days at Somerville House, performing with the Somerville Strings ROYAL PERFORMANCE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY and the Senior String Consort, Courtenay Cleary’s musical journey has taken flight. She shares how her passion (and many hours of practice) led her to the Royal Academy of Music in London and performing as solo COURTENAY violinist as part of the Royal Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey. A student at Somerville House from 2005-2010, How do you think Somerville House Courtenay began composing four-part equipped you for your career in music? harmonies as early as Year 9, participated CLEARY’S in weekly rehearsals with the Cantrice and Somerville House has one of the best music Camarata Choirs and immersed herself in a programs in Australia. My classroom music huge variety of styles and repertoire. lessons have proved to be incredibly valuable MUSICAL JOURNEY to me as a classical musician. Given the opportunity to take part in the Somerville House 2010 Europe Tour, Courtenay Over the past six years, I’ve found myself performed as solo violinist in Gabriel’s Oboe at playing pieces like The Marriage of Figaro, the La Madeleine Cathedral in Paris, La Grotta di Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and Lourdes in Chiampo, near Venice, and the Ancient countless Mozart Divertimenti in professional Church of Gries in Bolzano, in the Italian Alps. situations. It’s so reassuring arriving at a She describes this experience as “One of my first rehearsal having already learned these pieces concerto style opportunities and what really drove from the professional string repertoire with me to work towards a solo performing career.” Ms Fin at Somerville House.

Courtenay currently holds a full tuition scholarship The advanced harmony and aural training which at the Royal Academy of Music in London we learned at School have been very useful for where she studies with prolific soloist, chamber my aural and theory classes at university. It has musician and recording artist, Maureen Smith. really helped to shape my overall understanding of harmony, I rely so heavily on this in ensemble Since moving to London two years ago, situations like the Melbourne Chamber Courtenay has performed recitals at The Orchestra and my string quartet. Regent Hall and Colston Hall in Bristol. In March this year, she was invited to perform a selection of solo Bach for Her Majesty the Queen of What advice would you give to England as part of the Royal Commonwealth the aspiring young musicians of Service at Westminster Abbey, this event was Somerville House? broadcast live on BBC television. Lots of people tried to tell me when I was younger that music was just a hobby and I Can you describe the experience think it’s really important not to listen to them. of your recent performance at If you’re passionate about music and are willing Westminster Abbey? to put in the many hours of practice, then there’s nothing stopping you from achieving I feel incredibly honoured to have had the a career as a performer. opportunity to play for the Royal Family and other distinguished guests at the Commonwealth There are so many wonderful music teachers Service. It was an awe-inspiring experience to and facilities at Somerville House, so you’re in play at such a prestigious venue as Westminster the perfect place to start working for it! Abbey. To have my performance broadcast live on the BBC is a dream come true.

6 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 7 The Annual Scholars’ The Somerville House community of our OP-eligible students achieved Assembly acknowledges gathered on Monday 6 February to an A or B on the QCS Test, with 36% acknowledge students from the Class achieving an A, well above the State’s the exceptional academic of 2016 for their outstanding individual overall performance at 17.5%. results of our previous year’s and collective academic efforts and to celebrate their excellent results at a In addition, almost 100% of the Year 12 SCHOLARS’ graduates and provides an cohort who applied through QTAC for a special assembly, attended by our top opportunity for us to celebrate achieving students. Tertiary placement have received an offer. academic excellence as a These students attained an OP 1-4 at These results are the outcome of ASSEMBLY School community. the conclusion of their Senior studies, the strong academic commitment, fine culmination of expertise in learning, hard scholarship and successful working work, resilience in the face of setbacks, partnerships with the School’s and the strength of teamwork in exceptional teaching staff. supporting and encouraging one another Our 2016 scholars are inspirational to aspire to the best outcomes for all. examples to all Somerville House Over 44% of our students attained an students and we wish them well as OP 1 to 5, with over 95% attaining an they embark upon their further studies, OP 1 to 15. Impressively, over 73% travels and other ventures.

8 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 9 SOMERVILLE HOUSE DUX OF 2016 ANNOUNCED AS STATE’S HIGHEST ACHIEVER IN QCS TEST

Somerville House students continue to shine at the annual Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) Awards, with School DUX of 2016, Sophie Watson, announced as the State’s Highest Achiever in the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test.

As one of 28,000 Year 12 students How do you think Somerville What advice would you give who sat the test in 2016, this is a true House equipped you to achieve to the 2017 Year 12 cohort as testament to Sophie’s dedication such well-rounded academic they approach the academic and academic ability. results? challenges of their final year In a ceremony held at the State Library at School? The willingness of my teachers to in South Bank on Saturday 18 February, continually discuss, explain and Sophie was acknowledged as one of Year 12 is an enormous challenge, but re-explain any challenging concepts the top 30 students in the State by if you take some time to prioritise what always astounded me. Beyond the the Queensland Curriculum and you want to get out of your year, you will academic program, I found that Assessment Authority, congratulated be able to make the most of your time participating in strings, volleyball, by the Minister for Education and at Somerville House. plenty of debating and being a member Minister for Tourism, Major Events of the Student Executive always kept I always found comfort in the fact that and the Commonwealth Games, me busy, and allowed me to become there were upwards of 150 girls who are The Honourable Kate Jones. a more thoughtful, aware and engaged facing the same pressures, even if they Sophie shares her reflections on the team player. come in different forms. I formed some experience of winning this prestigious of my closest friendships throughout I was very fortunate to be surrounded award, and her advice for our Year 12 Year 12, by talking to new people and by a motivated, genuine and students as they experience their final stepping outside my comfort zone, supportive cohort, which made my year of study at Somerville House. and many were girls that I wish I had school experience more enjoyable met earlier. While keeping everything and rewarding. in perspective is certainly easier said than done, I found developing insight Given that so many girls around the Can you describe the experience into what motivates you to be at school world are denied the ability to access of attending the QCE awards makes everything less daunting. and receiving the award for the any formal education, I found it an highest result in the QCS test? enormous privilege to spend my days alongside a like-minded group of girls, It was an honour to be able to meet the who all shared a common purpose, Sophie is currently studying a Bachelor diverse cohort of award recipients from values and an affinity for various of Advanced Science (Honours) at across the state; in particular, listening shades of lime green. the University of Queensland (UQ). to their impressive accolades and Following her completion of this varied plans for tertiary study was undergraduate degree, Sophie has very humbling. accepted an Academic Scholarship to study a Doctor of Medicine (MD) Provisional Entry for School-Leavers (Bonded Medical Places).

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE QCAA

10 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 11 2017 VISITING ARTIST MONICA ROHAN

By Mr John Honeywill, Head of Art

Each year, the Somerville exhibitions in Brisbane in 2014 and figures float, fall, hide or climb. But what House Visiting Artist 2015 sold out on the first day, as did you see is not always what you initially her Melbourne exhibition last year. expected. While the paintings can Program invites a nationally possess a quality of whimsy, they can recognised artist to spend a During her two-week residency, Monica be full of tension, isolation and fragility. Rohan spent time in the Junior, Middle two-week residency in our They can also be celebratory, as seen and Senior Schools. As well as working in her Archibald Prize finalist painting of ‘classroom studio’. During on her own artwork, Monica spoke to the fashion label partners, Pam Easton their residency, students are students in her ‘classroom studio’ and and Lydia Pearson earlier this year. presented formal talks to whole year invited to informally observe levels, supported by a comprehensive Monica Rohan is an intelligent, the artist as they create slide show which outlined the sensitive, reserved woman who was their artwork, and to learn development of her art. so generous with her time with the students, whether young or older. The more about their art practice Students were shown paintings which students warmed to her gentle, caring through various talks Monica had created at university that nature and intensely looked through the and presentations given laid the foundation for the engaging, journals that she generously shared. beautiful work which she is renowned by the artist. for today. Her intriguing paintings are Monica arrived at Somerville House characterized by a single figure or with a primed blank board and by the end of her two weeks, and in As our 2017 Visiting Artist, Somerville figures being partially concealed with addition to the many talks and time House was pleased to welcome patterns of some kind, whether the that she spent with students, she had Brisbane-based painter, Monica Rohan. patterns are fabrics or natural foliage. created an exquisite, lyrical painting Monica grew up on a dairy farm Pattern is something that has captured that astonished us all. She began by near Beaudesert. She completed a the imagination of people from all drawing up a few lines of where her Bachelor of Fine Art with Honours cultures throughout history, and it is own image would be placed and the at the Queensland College of Art in often the allure of the pattern and its remainder of the intensely detailed 2011. Since completing university, rich colour that first attracts the viewer painting ‘simply’ grew as she painted. Monica has had an extraordinary rise when seeing Monica Rohan’s paintings. It was clear confirmation of the value of to national recognition, having had six This is then followed by the discovery the residency program as we were all in solo exhibitions and has been involved of the human form, most frequently a the extraordinarily privileged situation in many prominent group exhibitions, portrait of Monica herself. It is at this to have observed and had an intimate including GOMA Q: Contemporary point that the viewer often perceives insight into the creative process of this Queensland Art in 2015. Her recent the imagery as being whimsical as the remarkable artist.

SOMETIMES, NOT ALWAYS 2017 OIL ON BOARD 80 X 61 CM PHOTO CREDIT: JON LINKINS

VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 13 Thrive is about self-growth and becoming the best version of yourself. Not just surviving the year, but thriving with passion, humour, style, kindness, dedication and compassion.

ISABELLE COULSON, 2017 SCHOOL CAPTAIN

School Captain, Isabelle, shares her Through their initiatives and personal As a new initiative for 2017, our Captains thoughts on this theme. “Thrive is qualities, our student leaders have have introduced ‘Date with a Year 7’, about self-growth and becoming contributed to the ongoing life of the a buddy system which pairs every the best version of yourself. Not just School and are developing invaluable Year 7 student with a Year 12 buddy. SCHOOL CAPTAINS SET TO surviving the year, but thriving with skills in leadership, community With the aim of connecting the passion, humour, style, kindness, engagement and team work. two cohorts, our Year 12 students dedication and compassion.” To date, our Captains have contributed have each written a letter to their “We also hope to inspire the student to the annual Valentine’s Day touch Year 7 buddy, describing their own body to connect with all other students football match against Anglican experiences of being Year 7 and sharing from varying year levels and to Church Grammar School (Churchie), their tips and advice for the future. engage with all planned activities represented Somerville House at events Our Captains explain, “We are really and initiatives so that then we can be such as the International Women’s looking forward to this new initiative THRIVE one truly unstoppable thriving force,” Day Breakfast, hosted by UN Women as it aims to connect some of the Vice-Captain, Cailin said. Australia, and participated in the IN 2017 Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia oldest and youngest members of The Somerville House motto Honour Student Leadership Conference. our school together. This is something Before Honours is also tied to the that we value highly to thrive as a concept behind this year’s theme. Leading by example, our Captains whole school.” Vice-Captain, Meg, illustrates have engendered school spirit for We express our gratitude for the “The word honour means to be humble inter-house and inter-school events individual and collective contribution in all my schooling aspects and to such as the Senior School Choral of our student leaders in serving the face challenges with grace and faith, Festival, Inter-house Cross Country, As they lead the student body through 2017, School Captain, Isabelle Coulson and Vice Captains, School community. We look forward to knowing that my cohort will be there QGSSSA Swimming Carnival and Green Cailin Hill and Meg Richardson, are focussing on their chosen theme of Thrive, encouraging their for me.” Day, inspiring their fellow students seeing the Class of 2017 Thrive in their fellow students to pursue their goals, to grow, and to achieve. to represent their school with pride, final year at Somerville House. honour and Somey Spirit.

14 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 15 And herein lies a real problem for our to Dr Seton. And mild sleep apnea are facing, and solutions to them. MADONNA KING’S teen girls, and their families. Today, equated to losing two grades in terms Sleep was raised by the girls, and is school is only part of a hectic teen’s day of learning - an A becomes a C; a B documented in my book Being 14. and for many 14-year-old girls, the day becomes a D. That should be enough And sure, it is often caused by our can reach far into the night. Rowing can for all of us, as parents, to consider teens’ obsession with social media, start before the moon nods off to sleep, this a vital health issue. Importantly, but it can also be the result of being ‘Being 14’ meaning an alarm clock cuts through this is one part of life we can and too busy, too often. teen dreams as early as 4.15am. Rowing should influence with our teens. Unlike morphs into school, which becomes other activities that crowd our girls’ Allowing our teens to take up hockey or swimming training or netball calendars, sleep happens on our watch. opportunities can gift them skills practice, or musical dress rehearsals. And it’s worth policing. and friendships for life; but perhaps Home beckons, but after a quick we need to temper the number of Let me introduce you to four 14-year-old girls: Mandy, Margaret, Joanne and Liz. shower and dinner, many girls are not The drop in academic results in tired opportunities with the number of hours students can be explained by how of missed sleep. They could be our daughters or nieces or neighbours, given how common their stories getting the chance to open their books to begin assigned homework, study sleep loss affects short and long term Being 14: Helping fierce teens become are: All four bring home strong report cards; three of them play sport and the other and revision before 8pm. memory; the old adage ‘in one ear and awesome women, (Hachette, 2017) spends hours each week, at ballet class. All four of them are drunk tired. out the other’ is truer than we might Busy-bee lives are unfolding each day have believed. Short-term memory is authored by Madonna King. in high schools across Australia, and loss can happen with one night’s the impact is devastating. Dr Chris missed sleep. For good long-term Seton, a paediatric and adolescent memory, a teen needs sufficient sleep sleep physician at Sydney’s Westmead to consolidate their learning. “Say a Children’s Hospital, says many of his child gets a good night’s sleep and patients are weighed down by nonstop they’re in the classroom and they’re extracurricular activity. Seven in every learning well on that particular day and ten 14-year-old girls gets insufficient accomplishing short-term memory,” sleep, he says, with most of them Dr Seton says, “that learning only recording fewer than eight hours, when goes to long-term memory if they have nine hours is the minimum required. consolidated sleep the night after.”

The problem here extends beyond I interviewed Dr Seton, along with tiredness, to the girls’ performance in dozens of other specialists, about class. A 14-year-old with 30 minutes of 50 successful school principals, missed sleep records a measurable IQ and almost 200 14-year-old girls in difference of up to 10 points, according search of those challenges our teens

Somerville House students are Finding the right balance is offered a wide range of cultural, important, and there is no such musical, sporting and social thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. opportunities. Our Co-Curricular Somerville House encourages program provides a framework to our students and families to identify, match and nurture student proactively manage their study and skills, talents and interests. Co-Curricular schedules, ensuring there is always enough time for rest, But with so many activities to fun and relaxation. choose from, parents may ask, “How much is too much?” If you would like to discuss your daughter’s commitments, It’s only natural for us to want the please contact Dean of Students, best for our children, we want them Mrs Karon Graham, at to be involved, to learn new skills and [email protected] to develop new interests. But we also or phone 07 3248 9221. want to ensure they have adequate rest and protect them from burn-out.

16 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 17 SOMERVILLE HOUSE JUNIOR SPACE SCHOOL

The Junior Space School is described Maths). While in Houston, students had couldn’t do. Building a rocket was STUDENTS SET FOR as astronaut training for youth, the chance to participate in a highly definitely in my list of favourites and provides an engaging, hands- interactive program about broader because it made me feel like a real on adventure. During the week in ‘earth’ science exploration, with engineer. If I get the chance in Huntsville, Alabama, our Junior Space activities around marine biology, energy the future, I will be attending the School students learnt about the history resources, forensics and robotics. Senior Space Camp.”

of space travel and the development KRYSTELLE PELA POLYE, YEAR 10 NASA of space-related technology in the Students Krystelle and Lauren share most motivational surroundings. In their Junior Space Camp experience: “It was the best experience of my small teams, they led several simulated life! We got to learn so much about “My experience was amazing. I was missions, working together to visit and space and then we met real people nervous at first as it was my first repair the international space station from NASA. In Huntsville, we got expedition away from home for and land an exploration rover on Mars. to go on accurate simulators and do Launching into the world of science and space exploration, a group of nineteen Somerville House weeks, but after meeting such lovely missions with our team. We also got Students spent the second week of and caring people I fitted in straight students embarked on a once-in a-lifetime expedition to the HASSE Space School in the USA. to make our own rockets and learn their camp in Houston, Texas, touring away. Coming here was a great idea aerodynamics as well as marine as it has expanded my knowledge in For our aspiring young scientists, engineers and astronauts, the Space Camp provided the the Johnson Space Center, NASA’s biology, forensic biology and see Huntsville and Houston. Meeting opportunity to get ahead, to learn and apply critical transportable skills needed for the leading facility. They saw the latest NASA and mission control.” technology and developments and the wonderful NASA experts such fast-changing workforce shaped by automation, globalisation and collaboration. visited the real Mission Control Center. as Dr Leroy Chiao and Mr Roland LAUREN JONES, YEAR 9 Nedelkovich has inspired me to Split into two camps for Junior and Senior School students, the immersive international study The Junior Space School program achieve being an astronaut or program is designed to inspire a new generation of STEM-skilled leaders. is focussed on providing relevance aerospace engineer. I loved the fact to, and inspiring passion for STEM that some of the managers like Geo (Science, Technology, Engineering and helped us to understand things we

18 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 19 SENIOR SPACE SCHOOL

Our Senior Space School or wrong answers. Students had to participants, Year 11 student Keely engage their higher order thinking Wilkinson, and graduate of the Class and creativity; teams worked of 2016, Isabelle McGaw, gained an together to present succinctly and even greater depth of experience professionally. A daunting task for into the world of STEM, engaging in any professional, but the Somerville a course at NASA’s Johnson Space House students presented Centre in Houston, Texas. confidently to the panel; their work exciting and innovative! These students visited areas not accessible by the public and Isabelle and Keely share their engaged directly with NASA thoughts about the Senior Space experts to design and plan their Camp experience: own space mission, within a given budget. This immersive program “I loved the experience so much. honed each student’s individual I learnt that you can pretty much leadership, project management be anything and still qualify and communication skills. to go to space – you don’t have to be an engineer or scientist. Keely and Isabelle moved I loved talking to the employees through three stages during their at NASA and connecting with expedition. Stage One involved them. It made the experience the development of space so much better. I loved learning technology and current live space about the different missions operations. They learnt about and hearing the presenters parachute aerodynamics from speak to us.” a leading professor in this field, and experienced the basics ISABELLE MCGAW, CLASS OF 2016 of scuba diving at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, which features an “I have met friends that I never International Space Station replica would have known otherwise. for astronaut training. I learnt new things and had a great time.” In Stage Two, each team of students consulted with NASA experts to KEELY WILKINSON, YEAR 11 begin their major project. They were responsible for the design and management of a $600 million mission to Mars.

Stage Three was fun, inspiring, and again, very challenging. Developed Somerville House will again in the style of the global X-Prize be joining the Alliance of competition that has fostered many Girls Schools’ combined technological advancements, teams expedition in December 2017. were required to present a brief as We are excited to see a new a Third Party Supplier to a panel of group of students challenge industry expert judges, relating to a and surprise themselves, manned mission to Mars. A mission learning just how much they to Mars has never been undertaken, can achieve. so there really were no right

PHOTO CREDIT: IVICON AUSTRALIA HASSE SPACE SCHOOL DECEMBER 2016

20 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 21 Somerville House taught me to think ANNA CAMPBELL critically and with a whole of picture perspective on things; which I apply every BOARDING ALUMNA, FARM GIRL, day working in a global industry. AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN A GLOBAL INDUSTRY

Somerville House Old Girl, Anna edge and that extra motivation. Also, strategically overcome a range of As an Old Girl of Somerville Campbell (Class of 2003), is making her I love red meat! So it makes it pretty significant challenges including how we House, how do you think your mark in the livestock and agriculture easy to give 110 per cent on the job. trade globally; how we innovate; how education equipped you for the industry as the CEO of the Red Meat we move livestock by road, rail and sea significant leadership roles you Advisory Council (RMAC). and how we care for the wellbeing of have held in your career? Can you tell us a bit about your people and animals in our business. Since her days as a Boarder from background in policy making Without doubt the education was world outback Queensland, Anna has blazed and your motivation to work in class. More than what we learned, trails in policy making, international What have been some of the this field? although that was important, it was marketing and leadership. challenges you have faced how we learned. I travelled a lot after school and working in a traditionally male A true epitome of the resilient, university and did a range of different dominated industry? Coming from a small rural town and empowered and capable young women jobs – wine bars, working for a US living on a farm, it broadened my who graduate from Somerville House, Congressman, working in the Pacific Certainly, there are a lot more men horizons immensely. Somerville House we speak with Anna about her exciting in communications, at home on my than women in Aussie agrifood. But taught me to think critically and with a career, and hear her advice for the parent’s property and for government. it’s an exciting time to work in it when whole of picture perspective on things; aspiring young leaders and change- there are women being appointed to which I apply every day working in a makers of Somerville House. Repeatedly I found that government executive leadership positions day in global industry. policy settings were major obstacles day out. I’d love to see a day when the It was the people that taught me How would you describe your impacting people and businesses; and sector is known for its promotion of that it was a job that actually effected about leadership, creativity and childhood in outback Queensland? women and is a career destination of change and influenced outcomes on choice for leaders and innovators. discipline from the friends I made to how we live our lives. the amazing teachers. I am even still in I always tell people my hometown Definitely I’ve had some major touch with my Ancient History teacher, Blackall was the last place you could disappointments when it comes to pay Ms Pamela Davenport. cash a cheque if you were on the run What do you hope to achieve and promotions; and I’d always advise and escaping into the bush, so it was in your role as CEO for the young women starting out to never sell My school friends continue to inspire popular with the outlaws. It’s still got Red Meat Advisory Council? themselves short for that exact reason. and support me and my Boarder mates that wild west feel to it when I visit. have gone on to be doctors, editors, It’s an extraordinary place both in terms RMAC works with many influencers designers and mothers. I am very of the beautiful landscape and the within government and industry What advice would you give to proud of them all. people. It was a great way to grow up. to unlock seven billion dollars in young women who are looking to work or study in the agriculture growth and productivity in the What advice would you give and livestock industry? How do you think your family Australian economy. to the aspiring young leaders business in livestock shaped I see my role as CEO as being about Firstly, we all eat food and wear clothes and change-makers of your ambitions to work in driving the change within the industry so you’ll never be out of a job. But if you Somerville House? this industry? and advocating government to put want to succeed, find mentors. “red meat first” to make this happen. Go for it. It certainly won’t be easy, Obviously being able to contribute to Identify what you want to learn, what but it will be rewarding. my parent’s business with my own skills Seven billion dollars is an ambitious you need to learn and the people who and career gives me a little bit of an target. We need to aggressively and will help you learn it.

22 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 23 Students Chelsea Hennessy, Aoife Beginning with the mountain hike, Groups were also given the opportunity We also visited the Sabah Tea factory, ANTIPODEAN Kanowski and Codie Cardwell report three of our four teams conquered to participate in local activities such a heaven for all tea enthusiasts! Here we on the experience: Mount Kinabalu, while Team Four as soccer with the children and basket were taken on a tour where we learnt took on a hike through the Crocker weaving with the native women. how the tea is harvested and made, ADVENTURE Early in the Christmas holidays, four Range. Mount Kinabalu involved a and tasted a few delicious samples. groups of students from Years 11 and challenging two-day trek. On the first We also enjoyed exploring areas near CULTURE, COMMUNITY 12 travelled to the island of Borneo, day, we reached Laban Rata Hut where to the villages, seeing beautiful rivers One of the highlights of the trip was Malaysia. After a long flight with a groups stopped over for the night. and waterfalls. heading out to the TAR islands, where SERVICE AND LEARNING stopover in Singapore, everyone The following day, we woke up at we snorkelled amongst the coral in Travelling north to the Malaysian state OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM finally touched down in either Kuching 1.00am to reach the peak, then began crystal clear water. This was a great of Sabah, teams ventured to the Poring or Kota Kinabalu. our descent back to HQ. Meanwhile, way to escape the heat of Borneo, and Hot Springs where they enjoyed some Team Four trekked through the jungle being on the beach made us feel like we Upon arrival, we broke off into our relaxation time after their mountain trek of the Crocker Range, enjoying the were almost at home again. groups to begin a cultural journey and community projects. opportunity to see a different part in two of the main cities of Borneo. After the seventeen-day trip sadly of Borneo. They crossed rivers, We saw orangutans in wildlife Continuing on our Antipodean came to an end, all teams met up and walked through changing scenery, At the end of a busy school year, fifty-six students from rehabilitation centres, explored night adventure, we trekked for forty-five again at the Changi Airport, Singapore. both in the jungle and through small markets, river cruises, art classes, minutes to the Lupa Masa Jungle We all arrived home safely on Christmas Years 10 and 11, embarked on the journey of a lifetime, farming villages. visited the Kundasang War Memorial Camp. Here we learnt skills such as Eve, which was a great present for travelling to Borneo, Malaysia, on the Antipodeans finding water in the jungle and how and Sabah Tea Factory, went on day Trips to the community projects ranged our families. Abroad Expedition. to build a hut, while embracing the trips to the Tunku Abdul Rahman from three to five days and included natural wildlife. This trip was an amazing experience (TAR islands), stayed overnight in the renovating, building and painting. for all students involved. We made Accompanied by eight teachers and four Antipodean Lupa Masa Jungle Camp and relaxed While one group assisted in renovating On the way back into Kota Kinabalu, new friends from different year levels, leaders, students experienced a new culture and way of in the Poring Hot Springs. a kindergarten building, another helped we visited the Kundasang War Memorial saw how other cultures live, and to construct a church, shovelling, life, challenged themselves through mountain treks and While we had an amazing time where we learnt about how Borneo made a positive contribution to local wheel-barrowing rocks and sieving dirt. sightseeing, the purpose of our trip was was effected by WWI. It was extremely communities. It was certainly the jungle survival camps, and engaged in various projects It was an exhausting few days, but our to help local communities and challenge interesting to hear how so many experience of a lifetime. to serve rural communities. presence and efforts meant so much ourselves on an intense trek up Mount Australian soldiers fought for Borneo. to the locals. Kinabalu, or a scenic jungle hike.

24 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 25 How it feels to be the first group Our favourite things about the First impressions of the roof BOARDERS of Boarders living in the new new facilities… plant deck overlooking the city… Bauer Building…

SETTLE INTO THE “It feels like history in the making. “I like the bedrooms. Having our own “Amazing! Great idea! It builds a We as the Senior Boarders of 2017 space is so lovely and the bigger great atmosphere and comfortable are just the start of what I think is, desk and wardrobe are very much living space.” BAUER BUILDING and will be, a legacy. I look at this appreciated. I also love the balcony beautiful facility with complete pride on Level 10; it’s so pretty to watch the “It is a great place for getting together and admiration, not only due to its city at night.” and the view is amazing!” architectural integrity, but I also think “I thought it was amazing! I can’t wait about the memories that will be made “Having my own room and our beautiful for all of the fun times we will have.” here and the privilege that students will new dining hall! To be quite frank, The 2017 School Year marked the beginning of a new feel to live in such an amazing space.” everything. It is a comfortable living era for Somerville House Boarders, who, after much space, it feels a lot more like ‘home’, “Incredible and exciting! My group is which is very important.” anticipation and excitement, were the first to relocate absolutely grateful for the privilege to to the new Bauer Building Boarding House, known as be the first and hopefully set a good “I really admire and love the rooms, example for the following years.” not only the bedrooms, but the McDougall Hall. bathrooms, and dining areas too. “Incredible, truly a great and wonderful I think that these give the Boarders an As our Year 11 and 12 Boarders moved into their new experience that I will always treasure.” opportunity for privacy and socialising home away from home, McDougall Hall echoed with with others as well.” “I feel very lucky to be given such screams of delight, laughter and smiles. a great opportunity to be the first Boarders in the Bauer Building. It is Here are some of our Boarders’ first impressions of an amazing place.” their new surroundings. “I think that it is an amazing honour to be the first group of Boarders in the Bauer Building. It’s such a lovely building and I’m very excited to spend my last year of schooling living in it.”

26 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 27 STUDENT

AT SOMERVILLE HOUSE

By Mrs Karon Graham, Dean of Students

Since the introduction of the Positive Wellbeing Pastoral Care Program at Somerville House just we introduced our very first Student have eight hours or more of sleep each our sense of self, our self-esteem, our over four years ago, we have gradually built a heart-warming culture amongst students, of greater Wellbeing Survey and this year, in 2017, night. As a result, in Term 1 this year, confidence and ultimately, our destiny. we have conducted another survey to we have increased attention on creating The Positive Wellbeing Program is gratitude, kindness, and giving to others. assess how wellbeing changes over a calm environment, emphasising the tailored each year, for each year level, to the course of the year, over time and importance of getting more sleep meet the different needs and concerns by year level. Together with our School (at least eight hours), giving students of students, as well as providing useful Through year level community projects, Research, which is incorporated into parents at the School’s annual Blessing Psychologist, Mrs Marisca de Jager, more strategies to help them to relax, resources, activities and strategies to the Wellbeing Program gives students a variety of topics in the Program, of the New School Year breakfast, we have created a survey that has been breathing exercises to help reduce help our young people achieve a greater strategies to build self-esteem, positive includes the work from Professor earlier this year. compiled from a range of established stressful moments, and other simple sense of wellbeing. Ultimately, we want engagement, resilience, a growth Martin Seligman’s, Flourish, and adolescent measurement scales of strategies to improve their wellbeing. our students to flourish here at School mindset and optimism. At the same Seligman and Christopher Peterson’s Positive Wellbeing Week is another celebration of all things positive, engagement, perseverance, optimism, and in their future life. time, we are instilling in the students, definitive book, Character Strengths As Gandhi suggests, our beliefs, when in Term 4, we share a sense of connectedness, happiness, stress, a greater sense of purpose, meaning and Virtues, Dr Angela Duckworth’s thoughts, words, actions, habits, and Keep in mind, that every habit takes whole School spirit. The week is full anxiety, sleep, perfectionism, self- and achievement, which very much research in, Grit: The Power of Passion values are all interconnected and guide time to develop. Nothing comes quickly. esteem, resilience, gratitude and incorporates our Christian faith. and Perseverance, and Dr Carol of fun activities for students and staff, Dweck’s research in, Mindset: such as, random acts of kindness, overall wellbeing. The Positive Wellbeing program also The New Psychology of Success. a Charity Concert for Beyond Blue aims to help students identify their where students from Somerville House The results of our initial Wellbeing respective character strengths and Over the years, we have introduced a and other invited schools perform, Survey helped guide the focus of to build on these strengths over time. greater variety of resources for Tutor a whole school picnic on the oval, our Pastoral Care Program in 2017. There is no one giant step Focussing on specific aspects of the and HomeRoom teachers to use in and joint buddy activities, which unite Our survey revealed that the students that does it. Positive Wellbeing research, we help Pastoral Care lessons. To bring the the whole School in a common purpose at Somerville House are engaged in students to find those strategies whole school attention to specific of being more positive and considering their learning, there is a very strong It’s a lot of little steps. that best assist them to achieve aspects of positive wellbeing, we have others before ourselves. connectedness to the School and greater wellbeing. one designated week, in Term 3, when its values, an optimistic attitude we acknowledge all that we are thankful In a continuing innovative approach, and very high levels of gratitude. The Positive Wellbeing Program for in our lives. One mother was so Somerville House has led the way Understandably, as students progress incorporates much of the Positive moved by the beautiful Thank You card in surveying students to determine through the year levels, stress levels Education research which has been she received from her daughter, that the level of wellbeing at different tend to increase, and a greater conducted over the last twenty years. she read it out to students, staff and points in time. Last year in Term 4, percentage of students may not always

28 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 29 FIGURE 1 BEATRICE, FROM MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM MONTGOMERY (C.1890). PHOTO: DOUGLASS BAGLIN

FIGURE 2 VIOLA, FROM TWELFTH NIGHT. ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM MONTGOMERY (C.1890). PHOTO: DOUGLASS BAGLIN

FIGURE 3 FIGURE 3 ENTRANCE HALL OF CUMBOOQUEPA (1890). PHOTO: COURTESY OF SOMERVILLE HOUSE

FIGURE 4 TOUCHSTONE, THE JESTER FROM AS YOU LIKE IT. ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM MONTGOMERY (C.1890). PHOTO: COURTESY OF SOMERVILLE HOUSE

FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2 FIGURE 4

by G.H.M. Addison of the Brisbane and Twelfth Night and Touchstone from characters in the Shakespeare window Melbourne firm of Oakden, Addison & As You Like It, are depicted in fanlights. at Southwark Cathedral, London: The Shakespeare Windows Kemp. The stained glass is attributed The pioneer Thomas Blacket Stephens to the eminent Melbourne artist William https://glaasincresearch.wordpress. has left his mark everywhere in the Montgomery (1850-1927), who was a com/2016/11/21/shakespearean- windows: his monogram TBS is worked strong advocate for the use of stained characters-in-stained-glass/ elaborately below every portrait. He did AT SOMERVILLE HOUSE glass in residential buildings. At not live to see this splendid residence Girls of Somerville House, do take a Cumbooquepa the glass is imaginatively nor was he to know that the Brisbane close look at the windows and read By Dr Beverley Sherry incorporated into the architecture. Set High School for Girls (founded in 1899) my essay. You will learn something in alcoves around the entrance hall are moved to Cumbooquepa in 1920. The about the art of stained glass, and the four life-size figures of Shakespearean official name of the school then became windows could lead you to four plays heroines: Viola from Twelfth Night, Somerville House, in honour of Mary by the one-and-only Shakespeare. Rosalind from As You Like It, Beatrice Somerville (1780-1872), a distinguished from Much Ado About Nothing, and Scottish scientist and mathematician. During research for my book Australia’s Historic Stained Glass, it was a joy to come upon the Portia from The Merchant of Venice. There is a nice fitness that the stained Dr Beverley Sherry is an glass portrays four of Shakespeare’s windows at Cumbooquepa, unquestionably some of Australia’s most distinguished stained glass. The windows demonstrate the Honorary Associate at the characteristically independent, imagination and skill of an artist who University of Sydney. She is enterprising women. understood the four different heroines, known internationally through her Cumbooquepa was built as a residence in the windows. In the early 1860s, name for waterholes behind the house. portrayed them in stained glass For a fuller story of the windows, see my publications on the poet John by William Stephens, son of an Stephens had built a modest timber After his death (the flags flew at half- accordingly, and added quotations from essay, “Shakespearean Characters in Milton but considers her book outstanding Brisbane pioneer, the home on this elevated site in South mast), this first Cumbooquepa was their speeches below each portrait. Stained Glass” (2016), in which I explore Australia’s Historic Stained Glass Hon.Thomas Blacket Stephens (1819- Brisbane. He named it “Cumbooquepa” demolished, to be replaced in 1890 by the A bust of Shakespeare appears above the Cumbooquepa windows in detail (1991) her most pioneering work. 1877), whose monogram is inscribed in recognition of the local Aborigines’ imposing building we see today, designed each figure. Two jesters, Feste from and in relation to the stunning array of

30 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 31 BOARDERS AT FROM THE ARCHIVES GARTH HOUSE Snippet from a 1987 Somerville House newsletter

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

The first Boarders of the school lived with the founding Principal, Miss Fewings at Glen Olive at Toowong.

As the School grew, so the Boarders moved from Toowong to Whytecliffe in Albion, then to Garth House back on Wickham Terrace in 1903. Three moves in almost as many years, but more were to come!

In 1906, Miss Fewings returned after visiting England and being impressed by the facilities offered by the famous Cheltenham Ladies’ College, decided upon yet another move to Toowong, where the new Boarding residence was named Cheltenham.

In 1912, both Boarders and day students moved to Erneton which was also on Wickham Terrace, and a few years later, some primary classes and a few Boarders were located at Athol Place a few doors away. GARTH HOUSE But a bigger move was to come! In 1920 the whole school moved to the former Stephens family home Cumbooquepa at South Brisbane.

CHELTENHAM TABERNACLE ERNETON

LUNCH AT THE TABERNACLE

32 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 33 ENHANCING THE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR GENERATIONS OF SOMERVILLE HOUSE STUDENTS

talented young women, and where Your generosity has had an immediate In 2001, the Federal Government possible, are now choosing to support benefit to all our students. introduced legislation which allows When you teach a girl investments and external providers individuals and businesses to form As a registered charity, the Foundation you educate the world. who provide opportunities for a their own charitable trust called Private significant number of women in senior provides a vehicle which enables you Ancillary Fund (PAF). A PAF is a simple leadership roles. to make a tangible difference, while and effective way to facilitate immediate reducing your net taxable income. income tax deductions, while allowing By engaging with the Foundation, either When making a donation to the you to support the Foundation and via donations, membership, volunteering other charities of your choice over These very powerful words, which Foundation, you are given the option time and skills or just attending our many years, leaving an enduring legacy. form part of the Somerville House to direct your funds into a particular MESSAGE FROM events, you are investing directly into Please contact your tax advisor for School song, encapsulate the spirit of project, allowing you to facilitate your projects which your daughter and future further information. Somerville House and the essence income tax deductions either as an young women will benefit from. This is of the Foundation. individual, via your family business THE BOARD CHAIR a truly wonderful way to invest in the By becoming a Foundation member, structures, or via a private ancillary fund. donating, attending one of our The Board and members of the present and future of the School and By Mrs Virginia Buttula, functions, or simply buying a raffle Foundation are devoted to supporting provide a lasting impact that will connect While we are all probably aware of how you and your family to the Somerville ticket, you are supporting the School’s Somerville House Foundation Chair the School to deliver its strategic donations to charities effect our own House community. growth, both now and in the future. intent via fundraising for major capital individual tax positions, the ability to programs, scholarships, and bursaries, Your support allows Somerville House In 2016, the Foundation awarded donate from our businesses and the to enhance the educational outcomes to continue to evolve as a landmark eight scholarships, one bursary, one use of private ancillary funds are not of generations of capable and confident in education throughout Australia and overseas study scholarship (awarded so widely known. As the Foundation young women overseas and provides our students, to Isabel Morris, 2016 alumna), and is a registered charity, this allows a with the best opportunity to make a As a Board, we have taken steps to contributed to the Seymour Library business to donate to the Foundation, lasting difference, both locally and encourage the empowerment of these Information Centre Upgrade Project. whilst reducing its net taxable income. internationally, in their chosen fields.

34 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 35 In 2017, the Somerville House Foundation is planning a series of meaningful and engaging events. SOMERVILLE HOUSE Each event will provide a unique opportunity to join and network with the Somerville House Community, whilst supporting and learning more about the purposeful endeavours of the Somerville House Foundation. FOUNDATION For more information about the Somerville House Foundation and its events please contact Ms Renaee Giles or Ms Louise Harrison, Foundation Development Managers on +61 (0)7 3033 9289 2017 EVENTS or email [email protected].

Golf Day Fathers’

When: Monday 5 June 2017 Long Lunch Where: The Brisbane Golf Club, Yeerongpilly Registrations: When: Friday 18 August 2017 www.somerville.qld.edu.au/events/golf-day-2017 Where: Alchemy Restaurant & Bar, or contact [email protected] Eagle Street, Brisbane Players: $165 Teams: $660 After selling-out in its inaugural year, the Fathers’ Long Lunch returns in 2017. Hosted at the sophisticated Alchemy Restaurant & Bar, the Fathers’ Long Lunch Registrations are now open for the Somerville House MONDAY 5 JUNE 2017 will feature esteemed guest speakers, a degustation Foundation Golf Day, celebrating our eleventh year on THE BRISBANE GOLF CLUB, YEERONGPILLY lunch, matched wines, as well as live and silent the green! Don’t miss what is set to be another ideal auctions. This event promises to be an afternoon of golfing day at the Brisbane Golf Club, on Monday 5 friendly competition for a good cause. All proceeds June 2017. Team with friends, reward your employees from the lunch will support the Somerville House or host your top clients, in what will be a fantastic Foundation Fathers’ Scholarship, awarded to young opportunity to network with our highly engaged women who demonstrate academic, sporting or music Somerville House Community. All funds raised will excellence, and would otherwise not be able to attend support the work of the Somerville House Foundation. Somerville House.

Ladies’ Members Long Lunch Celebration MEMBERS When: Friday 14 July 2017 and AGM Where: Blackbird, Eagle Street, Brisbane CELEBRATION When: Monday 28 August 2017 In 2017, the Foundation welcomes a new event – Where: Somerville House the inaugural Ladies’ Long Lunch. This ‘sister’ event LONG LUNCH to the Fathers’ Long Lunch, will be held at the stylish AGM Our Annual General Meeting provides a forum for and ∙ riverside restaurant, Blackbird. Guests will enjoy an ∙ B FRIDAY 14 JULY members to actively share their ideas and vision for afternoon of cocktails, fine dining, inspiring speakers, L G Monday 28 August 2017 A 2017 N our Foundation, and allows our Board to recognise the and the opportunity to bid on ‘money can’t buy’ C I K I N B D ongoing support of our valuable Foundation Members. auction items. All funds raised from the afternoon will IR E D PRIVAT be contributed to the Somerville House Foundation Scholarship fund, empowering outstanding young women of academic, sporting or artistic talent who otherwise could not afford to be educated at Somerville House.

36 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 37 She shares some of her STUDY experience to date: ABROAD The international house where I’m staying is a little bit removed from the city and is close to a lot of pretty hiking IN 2018 trails through the Taipei mountains. Living in the International House and going to the University have been great ways to meet new people from Taiwan, as well as overseas. More often than not, Chinese is our only common Again in 2017, the Somerville House language, so I’ve used the Chinese Foundation will be offering Year 12 skills I learned at Somerville House students the opportunity to apply a lot in conversation. for an Overseas Study Scholarship. These funds can be put towards their University classes are a bit different From little things, participation in an overseas study or from school classes. I have one class a community aid project, upon their day from 12 – 3pm, giving me mornings completion of Year 12. to explore the city. There are only six people in my class, which makes it This scholarship can assist in funding a easier to ask the teacher questions wide range of possibilities, including: and to get to know my classmates. In my class I have people from • An exchange to a university, tertiary South Korea, Germany, Netherlands, institution or school France and Canada. It has been really BIG • Language programs at recognised interesting to learn about their individual institutions backgrounds and experiences, as most of them have already finished • Short courses or summer/winter their Masters. THINGS GROW programs at universities, language ARTIST IMPRESSION ONLY schools or technical education One of the biggest differences between institutions abroad these classes and classes at Somerville • Study tours that spend time at a school House is that the teacher speaks entirely in fast-paced Mandarin, • Homestay programs that also involve I actually have never heard her speak JOIN IN THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE GIVING WITH interaction with a school in some way any other language. Over the past THE 2017 ANNUAL GIVING APPEAL • An approved community aid project. four weeks, I’ve gradually moved from understanding the gist of what she says Our current scholarship awardee to, recently, the more exact meaning. and 2016 graduate Ms Isabel Morris, I have also started taking Taiwanese commenced her chosen placement classes at the University. Taiwanese, at the National Taiwan University in also known as Taiwanese Hokkien, is a Our Annual Giving Appeal is a Library Information Centre Upgrade for students after hours. During school February this year. Hokkien variant spoken by about 70% testament to the power of collective Project. This exciting project, which has hours, the space may be used as an of the Taiwanese population. It uses giving, and the immense impact that commenced construction, is due for informal learning area and for scheduled the same characters as Mandarin, many people coming together and completion in early 2018. Funds raised classes. With writable walls, comfortable but sounds very different. giving modest gifts can achieve. as part of the 2017 Foundation Annual furniture, Wi-Fi, ample power, USB ports Giving appeal will specifically go towards and video conferencing, this space is It has been a learning experience Each year, we ask everyone in our Current Year 12 students are the development of an After Hours set to provide an innovative and vibrant having to buy and cook food for myself invited to apply for the Somerville School community to make a tax Studying overseas will Study and Information Learning area in learning hub, supporting the 21st throughout the day. At Somerville House Foundation Overseas Study deductible donation in support of one provide me with the the new library. This fresh new space century learning needs of our students House, I got very used to the Scholarship. Applications will open of our School’s areas of greatest need. opportunity to gain a new will provide a comfortable study area and teachers. convenience of receiving three meals in July 2017. As school fees and Government perspective of the world. a day from the Boarding house, which funding only cover the operational I often miss. However, I’m enjoying For more information on the costs of the school, the Foundation’s sampling the Taipei’s street food! It’s Scholarship and application Annual appeal is key to raising the delicious and cheap; my favourite process, parents and students funds essential to the advancement of Tax deductible donation options start at as little as $20 and can be MS ISABEL MORRIS things so far are scallion pancakes can contact the Somerville House the School’s infrastructure. made online at: www.somerville.qld.edu.au/foundation/annualgiving, 2016 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT (or congyoubing, , in Chinese) Foundation team by emailing or by contacting the Foundation Development Team on (07) 3033 9289 and bubble milk tea (or zhenzhunaicha, [email protected]. In 2017, we are continuing to raise funds or [email protected]. ). towards the delivery of the Seymour

38 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 39 On Friday 3 March, the Somerville House Foundation hosted its first event for the year, the Lantern Festival Dinner. This event, held at Parklands Restaurant, Sunnybank, provided parents from the different sub-schools with the chance to learn more about the diversity of opportunities Somerville House provides students; as well as hearing about the vital work of the Somerville House Foundation.

Guests enjoyed an inspiring speech Somerville House Principal Mrs Kearney, the School, Mrs Buttula also shared by Old Girl, Irene Kuo (Class of also provided guests with an insight into her motivation for becoming involved 2000), who shared her memories and the innovative, vibrant and supportive with the Foundation; which was driven experience of Somerville House and the learning environment which the School from a desire to give back to the impact her education has had on her offers to students and their families. School community. personal, academic and professional Mrs Kearney was open with the School’s life. Ms Kuo is an inspiring example of plans for the future, as well as sharing As expressed by Mrs Buttula, what Somerville House students can her perspective on the important role the Somerville House Foundation achieve with commitment, dedication, parents can play in their children’s allows everyone in our community to hard work and embracing life’s education through active engagement in bring something meaningful to the challenges and opportunities. Irene the School community. The event also table. By investing, be it financially, via Celebrating our School’s strong culture studied a double degree in Business afforded guests the opportunity for volunteering time, or attending events and Law at QUT, before beginning her Mrs Kearney to answer any questions such as the Lantern Festival, the impact and diverse community career as a solicitor and continuing they may have had regarding their benefits not only our present students, her studies to achieve a Masters of child’s education at the school. but also continues to be appreciated Law. Today, Ms Kuo currently works for future generations to come. as an in-house legal advisor for a large New Foundation Chair, Mrs Virginia The Somerville House Foundation multinational company, and attributes Buttula, provided guests with an update 2017 LANTERN FESTIVAL Lantern Festival was a testament to the her time at Somerville House to on the Foundation Board’s philanthropic wonderful warmth of spirit that makes teaching her that ‘nothing is impossible vision – A vision which is focused Somerville House such a special place DINNER if you are truly passionate about it’. on building a community collectively working to invest in and encourage to be a part of, and was a celebration of the empowerment of women. On a the plethora of opportunities available personal level, as a current parent at to our students as ‘Girls in Green’.

40 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 41 What motivated you to become You have been a major influence mothers shoulder the greater load in our What do you believe is the right involved? in developing the Foundation’s daughter’s day to day schooling, so this time/age to encourage MaryElise highly successful Lantern is a chance for the fathers to meet each and her fellow Somerville House We believed in the vision and saw Festival event, which has just other, and support a worthwhile cause. students to become involved in the track record of the Foundation celebrated its second year. philanthropic activities? (it’s hard to miss the results around In what ways do you believe the school, for example – The What has been the most an event such as this benefits We believe we need to teach MaryElise Foundation Building!). We also wanted rewarding experience for you in the School and the community? and all our children to be philanthropic the opportunity to be part of the terms of your involvement with by doing their bit from a young age. Foundation’s great community. the Foundation to date? MEMBER PROFILE The Lantern Festival is a great For our family, this started with her offering at Sunday School as a toddler. Somerville House Foundation initiative The greatest reward is to see the This will then be part of her character What is your understanding of aimed at celebrating the multicultural Somerville House Foundation grow Dr Wesley Hii and make up as she grows. our Foundation and its work? communities which exist within as more members of our community the school. The event provides an become involved. This also provides opportunity for the Somerville House The Foundation plays a very important the enjoyable opportunity to meet other Who has been your greatest role Principal, Mrs Kearney, to answer any role not only in the school, but also great people involved in the Foundation, model and why? in the lives of the girls. Without the questions these parents may have who, without the Foundation events, about the School and their daughter’s Somerville House Foundation, our you may not have the opportunity to My greatest role model is Jesus Christ. Introducing Foundation Member, Dr Wesley Hii, education, as well as encouraging daughter would not be able to enjoy meet. This is not about increasing one’s He lived and died, never for himself, the increased involvement of these whose daughter MaryElise is a current Year 7 student the wonderful teaching facilities it profile or status, it’s about joining to but for others. at Somerville House. Since joining the Foundation in has helped to build. Also, without the communities in the various worthwhile build a philanthropic community, and activities of the Foundation and 2015, at the commencement of his daughters time at generous support of the Foundation improving the educational opportunities Scholarship, some would not be able the School. for young women. What is your advice to someone Somerville House, Dr Hii has been pivotal in fostering the to attend this great institution. who is considering becoming Foundation’s multicultural community event, The Lantern involved in the Foundation? You are also a supporter of our How do you feel your daughter Festival Dinner. He is an advocate, not only for the work Father’s Long Lunch event. What impact are you hoping MaryElise can benefit from your I would strongly encourage parents, Do you think this event provides of the Somerville House Foundation, but also in setting a your involvement will achieve? involvement with the School families and students of Somerville a worthwhile opportunity for philanthropic example for our children by being actively and the Foundation? House of past and present, to Our hope is always to do our little bit for fathers of Somerville House to involved in and fostering our Somerville House community. be involved in Somerville House the Foundation, but more importantly, network with each other and MaryElise can see the efforts we put Foundation. It is a great and worthwhile to set an example for our children that contribute to the Foundation into Somerville House, the school cause. As with the great legacy left the world is bigger than ourselves. at the same time? Would you that is shaping her future and one she for our girls from previous Foundation We see our involvement as a small encourage other fathers to attend? loves, and that it is not just about us members, we too have the opportunity piece of the Foundation’s puzzle. paying her school fees. This hopefully to do our part for generations to come. I think the Father’s Long Lunch is a reinforces to her the importance of great chance for the fathers (past and being generous and philanthropic with present) of Somerville House daughters all you have, whether it be through to network and build relationships. financial donations, time, or talents. We all know that Somerville House

42 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 43 OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

President Message, Mrs Vanessa Saxby (Abbott)

When a Somerville House student walks out of the school gates for the final time, she becomes an “Old Girl”. Being a Somerville House Old Girl means that she can rely on solid friendships, utilise extraordinary networks and draw on the values and life skills learnt during her days as a “girl in green”.

Each year, groups of past students are This is an annual event in the School The objective of the functions sub- CONNECTING THE SOMERVILLE HOUSE OLD GIRLS’ COMMUNITY given the opportunity to re-connect calendar and we look forward to committee is to offer a range of with their classmates through various welcoming new members to the group functions and events to appeal to reunions held at the School. Our Class in 2018. a greater demographic of the Old of 2012 recently celebrated their five- Girl community, with the purpose of year reunion, where they had a lovely Somerville House is holding an Open enabling Old Girls to reconnect with time reminiscing with former teachers Day on Sunday 21 May from 11.00am each other and the school. We would to 2.00pm, and would like to extend an SOMERVILLE PRESIDENT COMMITTEE LIFE MEMBERS and class mates and partied well into love you to get in contact and tell us the evening. invitation to all Old Girls to attend. This what sort of event you would like to HOUSE OLD GIRLS’ Vanessa Saxby (Abbott) Valmai Pidgeon event provides a wonderful opportunity attend. For instance, would you like to ASSOCIATION Isabel Bauer (Bloomer) The first of the 2017 Success in Stilettos to visit the school and see the many see the OGA host a lunch, a dinner 2017 COMMITTEE VICE-PRESIDENTS professional networking events was changes that have occurred since you or after work drinks on a Friday? held in February and was an enjoyable were a “girl in green”. A range of new Trudy Naylor COMMITTEE MEMBERS evening. We were pleased to welcome OGA merchandise will be on display Do you have a skill set that could Alison Kolb (Scobbie) Janice Ivey Anderson (Boyling) approximately forty Old Girls from and available for purchase. be utilised by one of our new Pretoria Bilinski (Irwin) varying professions and year groups, subcommittees? The OGA committee Would you like to be involved with the SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP Barbara Duhig (Willers) who came together to enjoy great would love to hear from you. To join a CO-ORDINATOR conversation over a glass of wine and OGA but can’t commit to attending all subcommittee or provide suggestions Bev Folliott (Gardam) tasty food. The next Success in Stilettos of the meetings? The OGA Executive for future events, please email Gaye Pitman Sue Folliott is scheduled for Thursday 7 September, Committee would like to invite you to [email protected] Rosalie Lewis (Barclay) so be sure to look out for the invitation. join one of our new sub-committees. TREASURER Three sub-committees have been With warm wishes There are currently 108 Old Girls who formed, which are chaired by Executive Lana Gishkariany Mrs Vanessa Saxby (Abbott) are current parents within the school Committee members and will address community. Each year, we invite this the following areas: Business Plan IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT community to reconnect at a special and Budget, Functions and Events Belinda Cooney (Smith) cocktail function in the Chamber Room. and Networking.

44 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 45 2017 REUNIONS

CLASS OF 2012 5 YEAR REUNION

After five years apart, seventy excited young women congregated at the Somerville House Foundation Building to celebrate their reunion. There was lots of laughter and stories being shared, while enjoying drinks and canapés.

Everyone spoke about the many changes that have taken place since leaving and acknowledged how the School and teachers had such a positive impact on their lives after School. Within the cohort, there were those who have finished their studies and are now working, those who have been travelling and those who are undertaking other ventures.

The Class of 2012 were joined by Principal Mrs Kearney, Ms Harris and Ms O’Gorman. Unfortunately, Mrs Bottomley was unable to attend, but sent a video message which was played on the night. Her message was about making important decisions in their lives. She encouraged them to take risks, but to make them calculated risks and explained the best way to make a calculated risk was to find a mentor and let that person help you to plan through OLD GIRLS your decision making. Mrs Bottomley finished by saying she misses them all and wishes these young women good CURRENT PARENTS luck and all the best for their future and she can’t wait to hear all their stories. FUNCTION

There are currently 108 Old Girls who are current parents within the school community and it was wonderful to see many of them reconnecting at our recent event.

This is an annual event in the school calendar and we look forward to welcoming new members to the group each year.

46 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 47 By Alison Kolb (Scobbie) CELEBRATING EIGHTY YEARS Another successful evening was held at Bar Pacino for the Success in Stilettos Old Girls networking event. There was an amazingly diverse group of By Jill Bridgwood ladies who attended the evening, all with one thing in common, Somerville House.

Recently I have been asked what does Success in Stilettos represent and what is the point of the event? I don’t think there is a better time to explain Successful pop-stars, members of the clergy and female writers this than now, with the last event being held close of detective fiction live long (usually profitable) lives nowadays. to ‘International Women’s Day’. Success in Stilettos Teachers, if they survive the first few years of the profession, represents Somerville House females being must find less gaudy but certainly satisfying rewards in the successful in their chosen profession and in their life! progress of their students, the company of other teachers We all have a different profession, we may or may and their own instructive and inspirational role. not wear stilettos, we may or may not wear make-up, we may or may not wear a uniform or even live in At Somerville House recently, a delightful gathering of those the city, but we all strive to succeed to be the best who are teaching, have taught, or been taught at the school, woman we can be, professionally and personally. celebrated the eightieth birthdays of Pamela Davenport and Barbara Merefield, who were students at Somerville from 1950 The point of the event is to show that ‘behind every and then taught there themselves until recently. Dr Evans and successful woman is a tribe of other successful Mrs Florence Kearney, as past and present Principals, were women, who have her back’. For me, that sums it benevolent observers of the scene. up, ‘Old Girls supporting Old Girls’, there is no better reason in my mind, to get behind one another. The restored Chamber Room provided an elegant setting for The night has been designed to be a relaxed, social meeting past work-colleagues and the animated swell of chatter event in a central location, where women can come and laughter throughout the afternoon testified to strong bonds together for a short time, or a long time and meet among ex-workmates after many years. A handsome cake, some new, amazing and inspiring women. elaborately and expertly iced by present teacher Narelle Cooley, crowned the festivities. I look forward to the network growing, to meeting new people and being able to utilise the connections I have In the right circumstances, the rewards of teaching make the to support the development of Old Girls professionally necessary drudgery (for both student and teacher) positive. and personally. Don’t miss the next event! Those who found so many memories to exchange and laugh about certainly thought so!

Save the Date THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2017

48 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 49 FAREWELL MISS NORTH

By Barbara Merefield, Past Student (1950-1953) and Teacher (1973-2000)

Many Old Girls of the school will have happy memories of being taught by Miss Nancy North, who passed away on 12 December 2016, just two months short of her 97th birthday.

Nancy (officially Frances Louisa) At that time, it was almost impossible In 1986 Nancy married a former was the youngest of four children to imagine the Junior School without Principal of the College, the Rev born to the Rev Frederick North, a Miss North, for not only did she teach Dr G Lindsay Lockley, father of Barbara Congregational minister, and his wife, her ‘little flocks’ but, following in her Merefield (student 1950-53; staff Kathleen. When Mr North died suddenly mother’s footsteps, played the piano for 1973-2000) and grandfather of Kirstine in 1928, Mrs North was forced to find Junior School Assemblies and was the Lockley (1984-88). After Lindsay’s work to support her family and gained a first to be invited to play the E Frances death in 1991, Nancy moved to a unit position as teacher of IIA at Somerville Craig Memorial Organ in Harker Hall. in Coorparoo, until declining mobility House, a position she held until 1941, Many will recall her leadership of the led her to enter an aged care facility subsequently continuing to use her Junior School Music and Drama Club, at Wishart. considerable musical talent as official producing a play each term and a school accompanist until 1962. nativity play at the end of the year. Nancy loved to meet up with former In later times, she often used to wonder colleagues and students. Even overseas Thus it was that Nancy became a what had happened to the scenery she might well be greeted with, student of Somerville House, entering created for these plays, the cost often ‘Oh, Miss North!’ Her husband was Sub-junior (Year 9) in 1934 and passing paid from her own pocket. once heard to remark, somewhat her Senior Public Examination four whimsically, as she greeted yet another years later. After a year at the University After her retirement, Nancy travelled friend ‘I think there are some people in of Queensland, she obtained a teaching overseas for a time, but returned Brisbane that Nance doesn’t know!’ position at the Newcastle Church of to Somerville House to assist with England Grammar School, evacuating Year 3 reading once a week. “Miss North” is remembered with great with the school to Morpeth in the A committed Christian, she continued fondness by her students for instilling early years of World War II. In 1942, to play the organ at her local church in them a love of learning and literature however, Nancy received a letter from and participate in numerous church and her insistence on correct grammar, the Principal of Somerville House, committees, including the Board of for her ability to produce ‘a rhyme Miss EF Craig, inviting her to return to Governors of Cromwell College at for the day’ on request, her sense take charge of ‘a little flock without a the University of Queensland. of humour and her genuine affection shepherd’. It was to be the first of for them all. many ‘little flocks’ she shepherded until her retirement in 1983.

50 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 51 THE HUMBLE CHICKEN

Dr Eliza Smith, a Somerville House Old Girl (Class of 2000), works with smallholder farmers our organisation and the feeling of locals to make a business in vaccinating to alleviate poverty in Africa and the Asia Pacific. She outlines the impact of Brisbane-based empowerment one can experience birds using locally made vaccines. FOR MORE at the beginning of a new day. We One of our founders developed a Kyeema Foundation and how it makes a difference in the African country of Malawi. were founded in 2003 by a group of particular vaccine which does not rely INFORMATION Australian veterinary and agricultural on a stable chain of refrigeration for CONTACT: scientists who wanted to continue it to remain effective. It is therefore Most people in Australia simply cannot a rooster and protection from That’s because of the place chickens promoting a model of sustainable extremely useful in areas where power Dr Eliza Smith fathom how chickens could be so Newcastle disease for a whole year. have in these communities, where they Newcastle disease control that is supply is unreliable. And to this day, [email protected] important to someone’s livelihood. Over As flocks grow, chicken meat and eggs are traditionally cared for by women an effective solution for alleviating the master seed is made freely available many years, we’ve found that protecting can be sold for school fees, medical and require less resource and time Visit https://kyeemafoundation.org/ poverty in the most vulnerable – to governments or organisations free range village chickens from the fees, more diverse household diets, inputs compared with other livestock. and www.crooked-compass.com often rural, marginalised communities, in developing countries wishing most common fatal disease globally, reliable household energy and, more There are incredible nutritional benefits where people are disproportionately to produce it. In our experience, empowers people in more ways than often than not, investment in the health chicken eggs and meat can provide impacted by economic, socio-political, this model makes a much greater first imagined. When poor families and husbandry of the birds to further to those with little access to nutrient- and environmental forces. This model (and more sustainable) contribution THE LOCAL GENTLE GIANTS IN lose chickens, they lose a lifeline to improve business prospects. At Kyeema dense or diverse crop foods. MALAWI (ABOVE); LAKE MALAWI – encourages people to make an to the local economy and sense of education, health and fiscal security. Foundation, we work with women AFRICA’S THIRD LARGEST LAKE. investment in vaccinating their chickens pride than chicken give-ways and free, PHOTO CREDIT: PAT BOLAND. and children, as well as disability or Kyeema comes from an Australian three times a year through advocacy imported vaccine drives. Twenty Australian dollars provides a HIV/AIDs affected households. Aboriginal word meaning ‘of the household in Malawi with two hens, dawn’, which captures the vision of campaigns, training and supporting

52 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 53 2017 OGA 2017 NEWS FROM EVENTS REUNIONS HOME AND CONDOLENCES ABROAD

Success in Stilettos Class of 1977 Class of 1957 2017 BEREAVEMENTS THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2017 40 Year Reunion 60 Year Reunion Barbara Merefield (Lockley) 1953, her stepmother Venue to be announced SATURDAY 29 JULY 2017 WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 MATISSE 6.00pm to 8.00pm School tour of Somerville House and Reunion lunch to be held at Kirstine Lockley 1988, her stepgrandmother drinks and canapés in the Foundation St Lucia Golf Links, Carawa Street, WALKDEN-BROWN (2005) Gyneth Cartwright (Ferris) 1942, her sister Building. Time: 2.30pm to 7.00pm. St Lucia Qld 4067 at 12 noon. Commemoration Day Matisse Walkden-Brown (2005) joined Greenpeace in early 2015 Margaret Fardoulys (Harrison) 1950, her husband ORGANISER ORGANISER Cathy Green (Fardoulys) 1980, her father FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER 2017 as the Head of Pacific Net. Matisse grew up in Fiji and now works Clare Bailey Rhyl Hinwood (Jones) to ensure the sustainability for the Pacific and its people. Miranda Green 2013, her grandfather VPAC [email protected] (07) 3378 3808 or 0407 661 002 [email protected] Sally Campbell (Atherton) 1984, her father and Margaret Lockyer (Bowden) Jeanette Leutenegger (Holle) 1949 and Margie New Old Girls Night Class of 1967 AMY SHEPPARD (2008) (07) 3268 5858 or 0422 125 819 Biggs (Holle) 1956, their brother – Class of 2016 50 Year Reunion AND EMMA SHEPPARD (2011) [email protected] Susan Thornton (Gordon) 1978, Sara-Jane FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER 2017 SATURDAY 12 AUGUST 2017 Amy Sheppard (2008) and Emma Sheppard (2011) from the band Keneally (Gordon) 1983 and Christina Warner The Ship Inn School tour to be held at Somerville Class of 1997 Sheppard, supported superstar Justin Bieber on his Purpose (Gordon) 1985, their uncle 6.00pm to 8.00pm House, followed by reunion lunch to 20 Year Reunion Tour across Australia and New Zealand in March this year. Xanthe Keneally 2014, Chloe Keneally 2015 and be held at a venue to be announced. Allegra Year 8, their great-uncle SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2017 ORGANISER Mother/Daughter Dinner Fran Thomas (Foggitt) 1952, her husband Juliette Job (McCarthy) Reunion lunch to be held at a venue HARRIETT HUDSON (2015) MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2017 Rowena Thomas 1983, her father 0439 030 602 and time to be announced. Dockside [email protected] ORGANISER Harriett Hudson (2015) has been selected to compete as a Julie Cook (McKay) 1981 and Freya Fleming 6.15pm for 7.30pm dinner Alexandra McNee (Cutts) member of the 2017 Open Age Queens Cup crew for NSW. Harriet (McKay) 1983, their mother 0437 234 992 is currently studying at the University of Sydney and rowing with Sue Vickers (Kelso) 1960, her daughter Class of 1987 [email protected] the Sydney Rowing Club. This is another outstanding achievement Sarah Hollingworth 1999 and Rachel Hollingworth 30 Year Reunion for Harriet to be selected at such a young age in an Open age 2002, their grandmother FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER 2017 crew. Other members of Harriet’s crew will include Olympians and National team members. THE OLD FROGS Venue: TBA INTERESTED ROWING NETWORK Time: 7.00pm onwards IN ORGANISING ORGANISER A REUNION? ORGANISER Karen Murphy 2017 DEATHS Laura Healy 0488 018 852 If you are interested in organising 0407 393 252 [email protected] a reunion for your year group 2017 AWARDS Nancy Lockley (North) student 1934-1937 [email protected] and would like more information, and teacher 1942-1983 please contact Catharine Whittred, AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS Wendy Bertony (Maslen) 1956 (1957) Alumni Manager, on 07 3248 9293 Blessing of the Fleet Lady June Watson (Kilgour) 1934-1941 (1945) or [email protected] We acknowledge and congratulate Old Girl, Ms Cecily Pearson SATURDAY 27 MAY 2017 AM, Alumna 1968 – 1969. Ms Pearson, Deputy Official Secretary Lesley Krimmer (Ferris) 1934-1942 (1945) Somerville House Water to the Governor, received a Medal of the Order of Australia Hazel Noakes (Moore) 1929-1931 (1933) Sports Facility (OAM) for service to the Crown, and to public administration. Edith (Nellie) Windelberg (Watson) 1936-1941 Joan McIlroy (Macdonald) 1937-1938 (1940) Somerville House/ All Hallows Rowing Regatta Sue (Sanna) Heussler (Shannon) 1947-1950 Mary Wallace (Cavaye) 1937-1939 (1941) SATURDAY 5 AUGUST 2017 Stay connected with the Alumni and Old Girls’ 2017 2017 Joan Scott 1939-1942 Lake Kawana Association on the Somerville House website. MARRIAGES BIRTHS Girls Ailsa Wilson (Kennedy) 1942-1944 Elizabeth Lewis (2004 ) Jenny Collins 1998 and David Follow this link www.somerville.qld.edu.au/alumni-old-girls-association Head of the River to Jeremy Dailhou Horstmann – Elizabeth Marie and you can register or update your details under ‘Stay Connected’. The thoughts and prayers of the Somerville House SATURDAY 26 AUGUST 2017 Claire Deborde (2008) Jessica Tan 2004 and Michael community are with you and your families in this Lake Kawana to Seamus Devine Crowley – Harper Sofia difficult time.

54 SOMERVILLE HOUSE CONNECTIONS VOL. 15 NO. 1 | 2017 55 Somerville House has one of the best music programs in Australia. My classroom music lessons have proved to be incredibly valuable to me as a classical musician.

MS COURTENAY CLEARY ALUMNA 2005-2010 Audi Centre Brisbane

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^This promotion is valid for new and demonstrator vehicles sold and delivered between 1st January, 2017 and 30th December, 2017. Offer must be redeemed at time of purchase. Please present your current Somerville House ID card, or have your details verified by Somerville House Foundation office, to take advantage of this offer.