2023 and 2020

Inge Mellor and Georgia Hurwood

Within the framework of their School Partner Sponsorship, Pitcher Partners extended an opportunity to St Margaret's students for 'Vacationer Roles'—summer internships during the December/January holiday period. Inge Mellor, a graduate of 2023, not only secured an internship and gained valuable experience in their Audit Division, but also received an offer for a permanent position as an Undergraduate Accountant for 2024.

Yet another achievement stemming from our collaboration with Pitcher Partners involves Georgia Hurwood, a graduate of 2020. In the initial stages of pursuing her Bachelor of Business degree at QUT, Georgia secured an internship with Pitcher Partners for the 2021 year . Throughout this period, she received continuous guidance, mentorship, and support from Pitcher Partners, both in her professional endeavours and academic pursuits. Demonstrating exceptional performance, she earned a permanent position as an Undergraduate Accountant in 2022. Upon completing her Bachelor of Business degree at the close of 2023, Georgia was offered a new position as a Graduate Accountant for 2024.

Pitcher Partner’s Kylie Lamprecht is a long-time supporter of the school and Old Girl, and this formal partnership further speaks to the company’s strong belief in collaboration and investment in the future workforce. At Pitcher Partners, they provide extensive technical training, hands-on experience, and personal mentoring to ensure young professionals feel prepared and ready to pursue promising professional careers in accounting. With a collaborative team environment, young accountants can learn and grow from peers to partners, and importantly, have fun.

1974
Sue Battersby

I am trying to connect with past students from Eagle Junction State School, a local school a number of girls attended before they started high school at St Margaret’s.

I am a Past Pupil of Eagle Junction State School, and I am trying to identify the children in some of my own class photographs.  Once I have identified all the children individually then this information will be shared with Eagle Junction State School for their historical records. 

I have a list of all the pupils that should be in the picture but can’t put faces to names after more than 60 years. Any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

I am looking for classmates from Year 1 – 1963, Year 2 – 1964, Year 3 – 1965 and I am looking for class photos for Year 4 - 1966 & Year 5 – 1967.

If you are able to assist, please contact me via sue_battersby@outlook.com. 

1967
Vale - Catriona Stark (’67,nee Shrapnell)

Catriona was a boarder and in Chaucer House. She treasured the use of language, literature and art. Her appreciation of poetry, writing and music is also prized and shared by her children.

Catriona was a loving, caring human who was matriarch to a blended family of seven. She trained as a secondary teacher and taught English, French and Ancient History. 

Catriona's father and her two brothers were all Churchie men. When Catriona's own sons attended Churchie she volunteered in the library. It was here her interest in school history was ignited. Catriona trained in the Anglican Head office and proceeded to set up the archives at Churchie. She was a pioneer in the early days of School Archives and became the successful Convenor of this Special Interest Group. 

Prior to Catriona's arrival at Churchie, the whole family had spent several years in the States, where she joined a quilters’ group. This was an absorbing exacting new hobby and each of her 17 grandchildren own a very special quilt sewn with Catriona's love.

1947
Vale - Ailsa Wynne Nicholson (’47, nee Hetherington)

In her early twenties, Ailsa did a course at a Danish Gymnasium learning to teach Physical Education.  The secretarial course after leaving school later sent her to the Northern Territory in her late twenties. There she checked on the welfare of first nation people in their outback communities. She and her husband married in the Northern Territory, had one son, and returned to live in Brisbane.

She became a part-time Physical Education teacher at St Margaret’s in the senior school in the late sixties before transferring to Clayfield College as their Primary School Physical Education teacher until her retirement in the late 1990s.

Ailsa’s love of lifesaving saw her be a part of the first Ladies Lifesaving Club at Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast plus accompanying Sheena Dyason as an assistant manager on many school trips and interstate competitions with the Qld Team. She was awarded a National Award/Medal for her contributions to lifesaving.

After retiring, she became a very talented table tennis player, participated in two Masters Games in swimming events and adored her German Shepherd dog.

Ailsa’s passion for travelling persisted throughout her long life, visiting over 100 different countries.

After her husband and dog passed away, she moved to a Retirement Village at Chermside and later Regis Aged Care Home at Lutwyche where she died at the age of 92.

1944
Vale - Miss Dawn Jones (’44)

St Margaret’s bids farewell to a cherished alumna, former staff member, parent, school patron, and devoted volunteer, Dawn Jones (’44) nee Rees. She remained connected to St Margaret’s from her early days in 1932 as a Prep student until her recent attendance at last year's Reunion Weekend. Dawn, a stellar student and accomplished all-rounder, held leadership roles and excelled in academics, sports, and the arts. Graduating in 1944, she later taught French, German, and English at the school for an impressive 42 years, leaving an enduring impact for generations of students.

Dawn's influence extended beyond the classroom, notably co-producing school musicals and achieving a milestone by securing acting rights for 'The Sound of Music.' A dedicated member of the St Margaret's community, Dawn served on the School Council, volunteered from 2006 to 2022, and was honoured as the school's Patron in 2007. Her lifelong commitment to education and the arts, as highlighted in the 1974 'Raymond-Rees Award,' underscores the profound legacy she leaves behind. As we mourn her passing, we remember a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, whose exemplary life enriched the St Margaret's community for over nine decades.

Vale - Allana Noyes (Past Teacher)

Allana was always passionate about acting, doing everything she could to be part of drama activities at school.

She obtained an Associate Diploma of Speech and Drama (Teaching) through the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) followed by a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) — Drama at The University of Queensland.

Allana worked at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, Brisbane, from 1988 to 2002, much of that time with her mother Jacqui. Her work at St Margaret’s included teaching AMEB syllabi, directing student plays and devising, directing and acting in versions of Macbeth that involved primary and secondary students.

Allana was a Speech and Drama Examiner for the AMEB from 1999 to 2023. Over many years, she adjudicated at arts and drama festivals and eisteddfods. She was involved in the Speech and Drama Teachers’ Association of Queensland and worked tirelessly in assisting with the organisation and management of Eisteddfods in Toowoomba, as well as competing in them as a singer.

As a Brisbane actor, Allana toured with the Queensland Arts Council and performed in a range of productions, including Mother Courage at the Arts Theatre and Titus Andronicus, Henry 5, King John and Measure for Measure with Trocadero Productions.

After moving up the range to Toowoomba in 2003, Allana taught speech and drama in an extra-curricular capacity at Fairholme College. There, she enjoyed running workshops with staff and students on how to present confidently as a public speaker. Allana also conducted a private drama studio at home from 2004 to 2023, where she loved assisting students in gaining confidence in reading aloud and performing poems, prose, plays and talks.

Allana had an enthusiasm for everything she did, had a big smile and a fabulous laugh, loved drama and the arts, and enjoyed throwing herself into craft activities whenever she had spare time.

She is missed beyond words by her husband Bob and son Harry.