Challenge Shield for Physical Culture

In 1930, visitors to the School, Mrs Kennedy and Miss Letemplier, donated a shield to be presented to the most successful sporting form/class. In 1945, this trophy was superseded, when Miss Kathleen Lilley, Principal 1925-1952, donated a shield called The Brisbane Girls Grammar School Challenge Shield for Physical Culture. The shield was donated in memory of her mother, Kate Lilley, who died in 1943, to be the ultimate prize for inter-form sporting competition. The 1945 VI Form were the first successful class to win the shield by placing first in netball, and second in athletics and tennis.

This interform competition structure continued until 1964 when the Principal, Mrs Louise McDonald, announced in her Headmistress’s Report at the Trustees meeting on 12 February 1964:

'Due to the large number of Forms (22) it was decided to have school competitions between houses which have now been organised. Each house has approximately equal numbers of all Forms and two staff members. We have chosen the names of five former Chairman or Trustees and five former Headmistresses as house names. Each House will have a Prefect as Captain. I feel this system will give more Senior Girls an opportunity to take responsibility and leadership.'

The number of Houses was reduced to five in 1966 and the abbreviated system continued until 1974 when the House competition was replaced with the interform version once again. Despite the format, the Challenge Shield has continued to be the prize presented at Speech Day for intramural sport. The original shield has been attached to a larger polished frame with sufficient ‘little shields’ to accommodate House competition for years to come.