2021
Sam Cooper

I graduated from St Margaret’s in 2021. Since then, I have immersed myself in a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, majoring in Biomedical Engineering at The University of Queensland.

I am currently in my final year which includes a research thesis. I have chosen to focus on intracranial aneurysms with the Biomimetic Systems Engineering Laboratory at UQ, in collaboration with the Herston Biofrabrication Institute. I feel honoured to participate in this research and to contribute to better health outcomes.

2024 was a big year of travel for me. I was awarded a New Colombo Plan grant, sending me to South Japan for three weeks in June. There, I studied an Advanced Manufacturing course with Kyushu University. This experience broadened my engineering knowledge, whilst also giving me further insight into Japan’s history and culture.

I then headed to the USA in August where I solo travelled for three weeks, meeting incredible people from around the world and getting to know myself and my interests in the process.

My travels ended in Vancouver, Canada, where I spent four months on an academic exchange semester at The University of British Columbia, organised by UQ. This experience helped develop my resilience and time management skills, whilst allowing me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone.

It also gave me time to reflect on my exchange to Germany during my time at St Margaret’s, a memory I cherish and believe has contributed to shaping me into the person I am today.

2014
Annabelle Traves

The Old Girls’ Association was thrilled to see violin virtuoso and St Margaret’s Old Girl Annabelle Traves (‘14) interviewed on The Today Show recently.

Ten years on from graduating from St Margaret’s, Annabelle has been playing the concert stages of the world touring with Andre Rieu and has also recorded her first solo release at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, working with ‘Bridgerton’ composer Peter Gregson.

Her single ‘Sequence (Four)’ is available on music streaming services from today and her Today show interview can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH6hi3hAdcc

Bravo, Annabelle!

2012
Ashley McCarthy-Griffiths

Ashley McCarthy-Griffiths has recently been named one of the Top 100 Woman in Mining globally, a biennial list compiled by Women in Mining UK to highlight trailblazers in Mining across the globe. She was recognised for her work in leading transformations for creating a safer and sustainable mining industry and driving a diverse talent pipeline of STEM professionals. 

She has also been announced as a Finalist in the Exceptional Young Woman of Mining Award by the Queensland Resources Council and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland 2025 awards. 

She has recently undertaken a new venture for her downtime from work, becoming a cattle farmer by purchasing a farm in the Mary Valley with her partner.

1950
Vale Sibylla Adele Butters (nee O’Donnell)

Known as Del O’Donnell

Del was born in Charleville QLD in 1932 and passed away 16 October 2024 on the Gold Coast.

She spent a number of years at St Margaret's and always spoke very highly of her time there, apparently, apart from the custard! She was a proud Spenser girl.

As the daughter of a Senior Sergeant in the Queensland Police force, her parents moved often around the western country towns of Queensland before settling in Brisbane.

She married Brian Butters in 1956 in the St Margaret's Chapel. With a love of travel, both Brian and Del travelled to many countries including Russia, the UK, most of Asia and parts of the Middle East. Moving to Melbourne (which she loved) in 1972, Del lived there until 2004 after Brian passed. Her move back to Queensland in 2004 to live with her family also enabled her to renew some friendships from her days at St Margaret's and attend reunions which were always talked about for days after. 

Del was able to see her three grandchildren grow up and be involved in their everyday lives. She lived to see two of her four great grandchildren born (all boys – although she did request girls!)

By Karen-Anne Eadie

1949
Vale Ruth Roubicek (nee Cameron)

Ruth Roubicek passed away peacefully 18 January 2025.

Teacher 1983-1991
Vale Jane Wilson

Jane, a former teacher at St Margaret's from 1983 to 1991, passed away on 20 October 2024. Many Old Girls will remember her as an English and History teacher, or may have learned some interesting skills at the patchwork club along the way. 

She created the St Margaret's school chapel reredos (c.1990-1991) from a design by Father David Binns which depicts inspirational women mentioned in the Bible.

This silk and embroidery creation is of impressive scale and required several months of effort to assemble. Beyond St Margaret's, Jane was a lifelong teacher, avid quilter, and later in life, somewhat of a green thumb with the aid of a few backyard chooks.  And although Jane's husband of 53 years, Lee, predeceased her by some months, they will always be together in our hearts. As we mourn her loss and cherish her memory, perhaps the following quote by an unknown author will resonate with a few souls: “Our lives are like quilts – bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.”

By David Wilson