Good stories often have an exciting beginning, a journey full of encounters, and a satisfying end. While the story of our School commences in 1875, when former Premier and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, Sir Charles Lilley (1827 – 1897), revolutionised education across the state by establishing a girls’ school (six years before women were admitted to universities in Australia), to provide girls the same educational opportunities as their brothers, this is only the prelude.
While our institutional history is important, individual experiences are significant too, and the strength of these recollections from our past students will be in the collection of the cherished moments, challenges overcome, or most interesting stories, that we gather. In 2025, BGGS is excited to celebrate 150 years of educating girls and young women, and to commemorate this milestone, we want to hear from you—our Grammar Women—to either share your story or the story of another past Grammar girl.
With more than 8000 remarkable women living in more than 40 countries, the Girls Grammar alumnae network is extensive and diverse, and in my role as Alumnae Relations Manager, it is always inspiring to hear from those who have led significant careers or achieved career goals, accomplished diverse achievements, and those who have led interesting and fulfilling lives. However, it is also just as valuable to also hear the stories of our younger alumnae as their stories are just as inspiring, relevant, and reassuring.
Another rewarding opportunity for younger alumnae to share their stories is through the Grammar Women–Grammar Girls Mentoring Program. For those interested in being involved in 2024, you can find more information on our website and can register here. As one of our recent mentors, Hope Sneddon (2016) recently shared, ‘BGGS pushes young girls to be ambitious, driven and competent to achieve whatever it is they set their mind to, and at times, it feels like you’re all competitively running the same race to achieve new heights in your education. But when you graduate school, you realise that race prepared you to be a front-runner in whichever new race you choose to pursue. The most amazing thing about this is having a cohort of Grammar peers to be able to cheer you on in these later phases of your life after school—girls who understand your experiences and share your passion and drive. Being able to recognise this and participate in this support cycle as a BGGS alumnae with younger girls is something I’m so proud of participating in.’
In this edition of Bishbar Blue, we continue to share the stories of our past students, Global Head of Business Management and Enterprise Services at the London Stock Exchange Group, Caroline Porter (1997), and Founder and CEO of Smart Women Society, Téa Angelos (2013) as it is these stories that continue to inspire and also provide reassurance that there are many different paths leading to interesting and engaging careers.
I hope you enjoy reading the stories in this edition, and we look forward to receiving yours.
Ms Antonia Swindells
Alumnae Relations Manager
