Dr Maria Sulima

Born in 1911 in Galicia, a region which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire spanning what is now south eastern Poland and western Ukraine, Dr Maria Sulima arrived in Brisbane in 1949. Having attained a Doctorate in Law and Economics from Florence University, Maria established a thriving business in Brisbane as a real estate agent and operated a translation service and migration agency.

Education and academic achievement were important in her life and underpinned her belief that women should have the opportunity to benefit from an excellent education. In 1992, the year prior to her death, Dr Sulima visited the School, selecting Girls Grammar as the vehicle to fulfil her dream of providing an exceptional education to young women.

Dr Maria Sulima passed away the following year leaving a generous gift in her Will to establish the Maria Sulima Bursary awarded to students who display the qualities of a Grammar girl, but who would be unable to attend the School without financial assistance.

Over 20 young women have benefited from a Maria Sulima Bursary and BGGS continues to offer this opportunity to a girl whose character, talent, academic ability and intelligence suggests that she will take full advantage of the opportunities a Girls Grammar education offers.