Share Your Story

Good stories often have an exciting beginning, a journey full of encounters, and a satisfying end. 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), established the School (six years before women were admitted to universities in Australia), to provide girls the same educational opportunities as their brothers—however, this is only the prelude.

Our institutional history is important, but our individual experiences are significant too. Recollections from our past students reveal cherished moments, challenges overcome, and fascinating insights into the School and the young women who walked its halls. 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.

Comprising more than 8000 remarkable women living in more than 40 countries, the Girls Grammar alumnae network is extensive and diverse. 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. Equally valuable are the experiences of our younger alumnae, as their stories—still in progress—are just as thought-provoking, relevant and inspiring.

We would love to hear about your experiences since leaving Girls Grammar—from cherished moments, challenges overcome, goals accomplished, or your favourite anecdote.

Share your story with us here, and read two submissions we have already received below.

‘I graduated from Girls Grammar in 2001. Commencing Year 8 in 1997 in Griffith House, I embraced as many co-curricular opportunities as possible including Sports, Debating and Music, however I most enjoyed Hockey, Gymnastics, Swimming and Sailing. In class, I loved Biology, History and French.

‘The Year 10 trip to Angouleme, France is one of my fondest memories and I am still in touch with my host family. It was during my time at BGGS that I decided I’d love to be a General Practitioner. Grammar girls are privileged to have a world class education, and upon graduation I studied Biomedical Science followed by Medicine at The University of Queensland.

‘I gained my fellowship in General Practice in 2013, the same year we welcomed our first daughter Poppy, who is starting her Grammar journey in 2025. She will be followed by two little sisters who will hopefully attend the new Junior School. We cannot wait to see our three daughters grow as Grammar girls.’

Phoebe Donaldson (McGiffin, 2001)

‘At BGGS I was a Library Monitor given the task of keeping the literature shelves in strict Dewey order. 60 years on, literature and libraries have shaped my story. In 1967 I completed a BA (Honours in English) at The University of Queensland (UQ). Following this I was a Tutor in English at UQ, then at Flinders University from 1969 when I moved to Adelaide. Living at a postgraduate college, I met Tony Edwards, an academic biochemist, and now my husband of 53 years. I finished a Master’s Degree at Flinders in 1973 and a Diploma of Teaching in 1974.

‘In 1975 and 1976 we lived in Madison, Wisconsin where Tony was a research fellow. We explored America on extensive road trips to the east coast, Rocky Mountains and New Orleans. We returned to Adelaide in 1977 with a baby daughter, then had a second in 1979. When they were both in school, I began a primary teaching career and studied librarianship, earning my Graduate Diploma in Teacher Librarianship in 1987. Since then I have been a teacher librarian in Adelaide schools, enjoying both the librarianship and teaching.

‘My daughter’s interest led me to take up distance running in middle age, and I completed a marathon in 1999. Our daughters were educated in Adelaide, then moved away, one to Alaska and the other to Sydney, where they both have fulfilling jobs, partners and families. Visiting children and grandchildren is a joy. Since 2003 I have been to Alaska almost every year and look upon Ketchikan as a second home.

‘After retirement in 2011, my husband and I turned historians. We researched and wrote a prize winning history of his Cornish forebears. Family history has taken us to Cornwall and Ireland and we have visited other parts of the UK. I have also written about my Queensland family. Here in Adelaide, we are fortunate to have the annual Adelaide Festival and plentiful music and theatre. These, along with reading and volunteering at our local Toy Library all provide a satisfying life in old age.’

Wendy Edwards (Bacon, 1963)