Class Notes - OGA eNews Issue 2, 2025

1965 

Suzette Purdy and Margaret Paull (née Murphy)

To the Class of 1965,

So difficult to comprehend almost 60 years have sailed past since our senior year! With almost half the cohort departing after Year 10, it is heartwarming to have some of the 1963 students continuing their allegiance to the school. Thank you, ladies, for your loyalty!

For those of you who have not been on the grounds since our 50 year reunion, expect to be amazed by the continuing changes you will discover. The school tour is certainly a must this year!

Most of all, we attend so we are able to meet with friends from near and far who often make a considerable effort to celebrate together.

At the request of our Archivist... If you have any photos which may be included in our display, would you kindly email them to: developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Your reunion coordinators,

Suzette Purdy and Margaret Paull

1975

Catherine Yelland, Anna Keehn and Margaret Hunt

Dear St Margaret’s 1975 classmates,

None of us really think it is 50 years since we left school. It could be yesterday. The hat is a bit different, and the beret has gone, but otherwise the uniform is almost the same. When I see a St Margaret’s girl, I hope that they are enjoying their years at school and that they are benefitting from the standards of excellence, traditions of service to the community and high expectations that we experienced. 

So much has happened to us in the last 50 years – happy and sad, exciting and routine. It would be great to share this at our 50^th reunion and to reminisce and remember. I hope you will be able to join us the weekend of 26^th and 27^th July.

Your reunion coordinators,

Catherine Yelland, Anna Keehn, Margaret Hunt

1985

Carolyn Jones and Lisa Tarabay

To the fabulous Class of ’85,

Carolyn and Lisa here – your former School Captains and current experts in nostalgia, elastic waistbands, and spotting a good perm from 100 metres away.

Can you believe it’s been 40 years since we ruled the halls of St Margaret’s AGS? Neither can we – mainly because we still feel 17… until we try to dance to “Footloose” and pull a hamstring.

This reunion isn’t just an event – it’s a chance to laugh until our mascara runs (again), swap stories we probably shouldn't tell our kids, and relive the days when our biggest problem was what to wear to the Churchie Dance.

It’s not just a reunion – it’s a time warp. So tease your hair, grab your shoulder pads, dust off your Walkman, grab your jelly sandals, and get ready to party like it’s... well, 1985.

If you have not been to a reunion before – this is the one for you – so grab a ticket… and for any of those who need accommodation – please reach out to the group… Slumber parties can be arranged at a moment’s notice! We also love photos… If any of you have some, please scan and send… or just bring them along.

Click the link and book yourself in! – Class of 1985 - 40 Year Reunion | Events | St Margaret's Old Girls' Network

With love and legwarmers,

Carolyn & Lisa 💄📼🎶

We have limited photos for the Class of 1985 and hope to have more for our archives and for your future reunions, too. If you have any photost that you would like to share, these email these to developmentandcommunity@stmargarets.qld.edu.au

2005
Rosemary Willink and Lily Francis

To the Class of 2005, 

It's the Melbourne Comedy Festival right now and I had that wonderful experience of crying from laughter so hard that it hurt – tears and snot and maybe even lost control of my pelvic floor kind of funny. Not long after this, I received a friendly reminder that our 20-year reunion is in little over three months, and it occurred to me that my peers from school could also make me laugh like that. Sometimes without so much as saying a word. I am curious to learn how we've grown and gone our separate ways. But more than anything, I'd really like to share in that laughter again. 

Your reunion coordinators,

Rosemary Willink and Lily Francis

2014
Courtney Woods

We are thrilled to congratulate St Margaret's past student Courtney Woods ('14) on her debut with the Australian Opals national women's basketball team.

Courtney was a basketball star during her time at St Margaret’s, and Basketball Captain in 2014. Her childhood dream of donning the green and gold was always in mind, and we congratulate Courtney on this amazing achievement. Read more about her journey to donning the green and gold here: https://lnkd.in/eM57KDWz

2015
Adele Congram

To the Class of 2015,

Somehow, it has been 10 years since we graduated – and it’s time for a reunion to celebrate, catch up, and wonder how we blinked and suddenly became adults.

I cannot wait to catch up with you all and reminisce at what is shaping up to be a wonderful event on 26 July 2025.

If you’re living outside of Brisbane and you need a place to stay – or if you have a spare bed (or even a half-decent couch!) – please let your friends or myself know.

As part of our reunion, we are invited to make a class gift to support bursaries and scholarships. This is a chance for us, as a class, to give back and help future students experience the same opportunities and memories that shaped our time at Maggies. No matter the amount, every contribution will make a real difference. Everyone's circumstances are different, but I hope you will join me in giving back if you are able to – no matter how small the amount. 

Boarders – please keep an eye out for an email from me and a Facebook event inviting you to dinner. 

I hope to see you at the reunion,

Adele Congram

2016
Maggie Wu

On 26 March 2025, I had the pleasure of attending the Past Student Awards Dinner and celebrating the 2025 award winners, Prue Galley, Ria Bhagat, and Annabelle Brayley. It was a fantastic evening to catch up with old friends and make new ones. 

The messages that Prue, Ria and Annabelle shared with everyone were inspiring and uplifting. It was an absolute delight to hear about what each of them is doing now and how their education at St Margaret's inspired them to pursue their careers and set them up for success. 

I look forward to another fantastic Awards Dinner in 2026, but in the meantime, I encourage everyone to think about the achievements of their classmates and other Maggies' Old Girls and consider nominating someone for a Past Student Award. 

2021
Rory Owen

Congratulations to former boarder Rory Owen (’21) who scored in her State of Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium on Monday 1 May. Rory played her first NRLW game at Suncorp in Round 1 last year for the Parramatta Eels – remarkably, it was just the third rugby league game of her career. Her speed was on full display as she crossed the line in the first half to score a try which converted to take the tally to 12 – 14. Sadly, for the Maroons that’s where it stayed, with the Blues winning.

2024
Lily Alford

Congratulations to 2024 alumna, Lily Alford, who is among a select group of Queensland students to receive the prestigious TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship.

The award recognises Lily’s strong commitment to high academic achievement and outstanding leadership in both the school and local community.

This year, Lily is studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and Economics at The University of Sydney.

Congratulations, Lily! We wish you every success in this next chapter of your education journey.

Rowing Succees for Old Girls and Current Seniors

On March 16, this year's Queensland Rowing Team were presented with their uniforms as they geared up for the National Titles at Lake Barrington in Tasmania.

This year’s squad featured an incredible mix of seasoned St Margaret’s Old Girls and talented current students, all selected to represent Queensland. Their hard work, dedication, and passion for the sport have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of this talented team. We would like to acknowledge all Old Girls and current students selected.

Open Women's Eight "Queens Cup"

• Sally Kehoe OLY ('03) University of QLD (Coach)
• Lily Alton OLY ('15) University of QLD
• Wallis Russell ('16) University of QLD
• Sophia Wightman ('21) Sydney University Boat Club

Women's Youth Eight "Bicentennial Cup"

• Georgia Campbell ('22) KAND Rowing Club
• Georgia Montague ('23) Sydney Rowing Club
• Grace Turnbull ('24) KAND Rowing Club
• Ella W (Year 12) University of QLD (Reserve)

Senior Lightweight Women's Quad "Victoria Cup"

• Alice O'Toole ('23) Toowong Rowing Club
• Millie C (Year 12) KAND Rowing Club