Class Notes - OGA eNews Issue 2, 2026

Weddings at St Margaret’s

1962

Robyn Wallace (nee Kirwan)

Robyn Wallace and her family recently returned to the St Margaret’s Chapel to recreate their wedding photos as a celebration of their 60 years of marriage, having married on 23 April 1966. Below are some reflections on her time at St Margaret’s and her wedding day:

I must say I loved every minute of my time at St Margaret’s and when I return for reunions become quite emotional. I came to the school because of the love of my parents and my darling grandfather who helped with the costs.

St Margaret’s was recommended by the Miscamble family as Ann and Tonya were at the school and Rosslyn Lewis’ Mum and Dad from 26 Butler Street.

I came to the school at the beginning of Grade 5 and had some lovely friends. We were down in Dalhousie, a lovely old building. I have such happy memories of the girls. After doing Scholarship I did subjects for Junior such as French, English, History, Maths and Commercial subjects, finishing school at the end of 1960.

Originally the day girls were not encouraged to use the School Chapel, but by the time I was a bridesmaid for Rosslyn Dell Lewis when she married Edward Baker in April 1964 this had changed. Therefore, when I became engaged in December 1964, I was thrilled to hear that we could be married in the school chapel. On 23 April 1966 just before 4:00pm we were driven up Lapraik Street and entered the Chapel to be married by Canon David Laurie Thawley. The weather was rainy during the morning but cleared up late afternoon. The bridal party was Allan Keith Wallace and Robyn Frances Kirwan, the Chief Matron of Honour was Rosslyn Dell Baker (nee Lewis), Jeanette Moffat, a friend I met at the Tuffnell Home younger set, and Lorraine Wilson, who was a year behind me at school. Lorraine eventually married and became Lorraine Gibbs but died early 2008.    

Our marriage produced two children – Leanne Yvette Wallace and Matthew Allan Wallace. Leanne was married in February 1997 at the School Chapel to Peter Matthew Beal. Leanne was very fortunate to go to St Margaret’s for her last two years of education finishing in 1989. Leanne has been teaching at The Cathedral School in Townsville for over 25 years.

Were you married at St Margaret’s? We would love to hear your stories and see your photos. Please email OGA&Alumni@stmargarets.qld.edu.au to share your story.

2024

Sarah Sorensen

Congratulations to Sarah Sorensen (’24) who was the recipient of an Academic Excellence Prize – The Barbara Page-Hanify Prize – at The Women’s College within The University of Queensland 2026 Academic Dinner and Alumnae Awards. Academic Excellence Prizes are awarded to residents of The Women’s College based on their cumulative university achievements for the previous year, aligning with the specific criteria set for each prize.

Congratulations, Sarah, on all your hard work!

2024

Daisy Brown

A huge congratulations to Old Girl Daisy Brown ('24) on her selection in the CommBank Young Matildas squad that travelled to Thailand to compete in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup in April. 

Daisy's Australian team selection came off the back of a stellar performance on the field for Brisbane Roar including a hat trick which helped secure the team's win over the Newcastle Jets and earnt Daisy Player of the Match honours!

 

2022  

Ella Woods

The University of Queensland Law School Vis Moot Team recently attended the 33rd Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, competing against 384 teams from leading law schools worldwide. Old Girl Ella Woods (’22) was an integral part of the UQ team this year.

The team finished Second Runner Up overall in the oral hearings, an exceptional achievement at one of the world’s most prestigious international mooting competitions, and Ella was awarded an honourable mention in the Martin Domke Award (Best Individual Oralist) category. Congratulations, Ella!

2016 & 2015

Wallis Russell & Lily Alton

Congratulations to St Margaret’s Old Girls and rowing alum Wallis Russell (’16) and Lily Alton (’15) who have been selected in Senior Australian Rowing Teams, the Rowsellas, to represent Australia across the international season, including the World Rowing Cup series in Seville, Plovdiv and Lucerne.

Wallis has been selected in the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four while Lily has been selected in the Senior Women’s Eight. We wish Wallis and Lily and their crews a wonderful racing season.

📸 Wallis and Lily after winning the 1st VIII at the 2015 Head of the River

1961

Vale Lynette Venn (nee Triggell)

We are saddened to share the passing of Lynette Venn (nee Triggell) on 26 March 2026. Lyn completed Year 10 in 1961 and her time at St Margaret’s remained a meaningful part of her life. She always spoke fondly of the life-long friendships and values formed during those years. She went on to live a full and generous life, devoted to her family, friends and beloved dogs. Lyn was so proud of her five grandchildren, and that her granddaughter, Isabella Montagu (’17), loved and thrived at St Margarets from Years 7-12. Lyn is deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, and her legacy lives on in the lives she touched. She will be remembered for her fun nature, kindness and generosity.

1936

Mary Peden OAM (nee Grigg)

The Old Girls’ Association is sad to advise that Mary Peden OAM (’36, nee Grigg) passed away at age 89 on February 14, 2026. Mary was at St Margaret’s from 1950-1953 and graduated with a Senior Certificate and qualifications for Tertiary Education.

She chose to study pharmacy, and graduated from the Central Technical College in George Street Brisbane (now Queensland University of Technology) with a Diploma of Pharmacy in 1957, after completing a three year apprenticeship at Lutwyche Pharmacy concurrently with lectures and practical work at the College. She is one of more than 600 Golden Graduates who completed their studies in industrial chemistry, architecture, engineering, teacher training and pharmacy before 1959. In 1958 she travelled to Vancouver to work there.               

After returning to Brisbane, she married Alec Peden in March 1959. They raised a family of three children in Kenmore and Pinjarra Hills. Mary and Alec opened their home and garden for many fundraising events for the Red Cross, Pony Riding for Disabled and the Equestrian Federation. Mary accompanied her husband on overseas business trips and took an active part in rural and local business ventures. When their children married and grandchildren arrived, travel included frequent visits to London, Hobart and Perth.

In 1987, Mary became a Volunteer Guide, first on the construction site of World Expo 88 and later as a Special Guest Guide during the event. Before Expo ended, Mary was invited by Curator Ross McKinnon to join the first intake of Volunteer Guides at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha which gave her the chance to indulge her passion for people and plants.

Mary was the recipient of a Red Cross Service Medal in 1982 and was made a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow in 2014. In 2015 she was acknowledged as Order of Australia Queensland Branch Senior Volunteer of the Year and in 2017 was a recipient of an Order of Australia Medal for service to botanical organisations and to philanthropy.

When interviewed for her St Margaret’s Notables Profile, Mary said she enjoyed the close association with other country girls as a Boarding student, sharing their lives and building on the Christian principles and mindfulness of others instilled in her early family life.

“The school provided an excellent education with a religious background and many extra-curricular activities in sport and drama. I learned leadership and communication skills in my roles as a Prefect and Tennis Captain,” Mary said.