Tuesday 30 July marked the 10^th anniversary of a St Margaret’s student-led initiative – the Ponytail Project – and saw over 200 students, 14 staff as well as Old Girls and current parents lop off their ponytails for wigs and raise funds for those effected by cancer.

The initiative began in 2015 by four students – Annabelle Crossley, Maria Cobain, Meg Fraser and Beth Flint, after Meg’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. It was then adopted by Cancer Council Queensland in 2019 and has spread around the state.

Prior to this year’s event, St Margaret’s students alone had raised over $700,000 for Cancer Council Queensland and the Minotti Trust and this year the school community was hoping to move the needle to the million-dollar mark – a lofty goal in keeping with this year’s school theme – ‘striving’.

At the time of writing, the fundraising tally sits at over $930,000, just shy of the $1 million target.

It really was a whole school community effort this year with several Old Girls rallying behind the project, contributing to the record number of people signing up for the chop and a record amount of funds raised.

All the way over in Western Australia, 2018 Prefect and Music Captain Penny Crothers lopped her locks – as she did in 2018. It's not surprising given Penny won the Foundation Award in 2017 and was a part of Toc H in her senior year, that she continues to live her philanthropic values. Penny raised an incredible $1,782 towards the project.

Also in Western Australia, Eva Matyear, 2022 Choral and Music Captain, joined the cause participating for the fourth year since 2018. Putting the call out to friends at her tertiary residential college, Eva gathered four others to join her in cutting her ponytail and together the group raised $1,009 for this year’s Ponytail Project.

Melissa Booton (nee Allison, ’08) is herself a young cancer survivor and although she had graduated before the Ponytail Project was first conceived, she reached out to share her story about how much the project means to her, the great support Cancer Council Queensland offers cancer patients and also what it means to be able to receive a wig after suffering hair loss.

At this year’s 60+ reunion, the Class of 1960, led by Rosemary Petersen, all agreed to wear their house colours either as hats or headwear and raised $1,910 from the event towards the Ponytail Project.

Adele Congram (’15) put her hand up to have her ponytail cut live on Seven’s Sunrise program alongside St Margaret’s Deputy Principal Karen Gorrie and several of our 2024 Prefects. Adele also attended the assembly and main lunchtime chop event and raised $390.

After having her ponytail cut as a Year 12 student last year, Nicola D’Abreton (’23) returned to join the cause again cutting her ponytail at the lunchtime chop event.

Sam Fraser (’89) for whom the Ponytail Project all started also joined us for the live Sunrise cross and was among the crowd of several Old Girl supporters, including one of the project founders Beth Flint (’15) at this year’s Ponytail Project event.

Principal Ros Curtis said the Ponytail Project is a shining example of what can be achieved when students are empowered to make a difference.

“We encourage our students to develop the practice of lifelong giving through philanthropic activities like the Ponytail Project.

“These opportunities empower the girls to experience how their actions can make a positive difference in the lives of others and inspires them to continue on a journey of giving into their adult lives,” Ms Curtis said.

It is clear from the involvement of our alumni that the culture of philanthropy instilled as part of a St Margaret’s education remains strong, even beyond the school gates.

In the words of American writer Coretta Scott King: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

St Margaret’s Ponytail Project is one of the most significant demonstrations of compassionate actions among the school community.

To donate to this year’s Ponytail Project please visit https://www.ponytailproject.com.au/fundraisers/stmargaretsanglicangirlsschool2024