From the Old Girls Association President

The Annual Morning tea was held on Wednesday 4 April at 10am in the foyer of the Raye Freedman Arts Centre. Over 70 Old Girls attended and celebrated the 95^th Anniversary of Epsom Girls Grammar by singing Happy Birthday and enjoying a cake made by a current student which was cut by the Head Girl, and Miss Ona Redpath and Dr Margaret Guthrie. Morning tea was provided as a fundraiser by the rowing Club. They were entertained by the Epsom String Quartet and then sang the School song accompanied by former student Dora Green on the keyboard. The morning tea ended with a School tour and visit to the Archives room.

Wellington Reunion
A reunion of Wellington based Old Girls was held at the Gather Cafe and Bar in Wellington on Friday 9 December 2011 with 15 former EGGS students attending. The evening was enjoyed by all those present and many stories were shared.

Franklin Branch OGA Annual Dinner on 7 November
The Franklin Branch OG’s Annual dinner was held on 7 November 2011 at Counties Inn. President Julie Goodyer attended the dinner with 12 Franklin members and an enjoyable evening was had by all. The Association is very grateful to Joint Presidents Mary Sommerville and Joy Fulton for their hard work in keeping the Franklin Branch of the Association running.

Bay of Plenty Branch Luncheon – Papamoa 3 October 
The Bay of Plenty luncheon was attended by over 35 Bay of Plenty based OGs. President Julie Goodyer attended the luncheon with her grandmother Beryl Neels nee Body. Joan Siddell also attended. Both Beryl and Joan turned 90 this year and live in the same retirement village. They both started at EGGS in 1934. The Association thanks Anne Powell for organising the luncheon and Joan Head and Val Munn for phoning around the ladies in their areas. Joan Head’s work for the BoP branch over many years was acknowledged at the luncheon. You can see photos from the luncheon in our photo gallery.

Wilma Smith Concert
One of our previous Founders Award recipient’s violinist Wilma Smith (class of 69) was in New Zealand from Melbourne recently performing as part of the Nautilus Trio. Wilma performed in the Raye Freedman Arts Centre on Friday 23 September. The concert was amazing. She returned with a quartet ensemble in early November playing at the Town Hall. A group of former students from Wilma’s years at school also attended the RFAC concert and met up with Wilma afterwards. Wilma also conducted a master class at the School during her visit.

Our OGA Annual Dinner was held on Wednesday 21 September 2011 in the School Hall. Over 90 guests attended and we presented 6 Founder’s Awards to recognise the outstanding service and achievements of former students. This year’s recipients were:the late Emeritus Professor Dame Judith Binney, Te Tomairangi o Te Aroha – History – (posthumous award); Professor Jillian Cornish – Medical Research; Dame Ann Hercus – Politics; Brenda Perry – Women’s Tennis; Dame Alison Quentin-Baxter – Law and Foreign Affairs; and Dame Robin White – Art. The citations were read by Principal Madeline Gunn and the Awards presented by President Julie Goodyer. Head Girl Kingsley Avery reflected on the meaning and importance of the Awards at the close of the evening. You can see more photos from the dinner in our photo gallery.

Former student receives Honour in Special Honours List 
Lady Susan Jean SATYANAND who started at EGGS in 1961 has been made an Additional Companion to the Queens Service Order (QSO) at Wellington on 17 August 2011. The term of Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand as Governor-General concluded on 23 August 2011.

1970/1971 Decade Reunion
On 5 and 6 August a combined reunion was held of 1970 and 1971 third formers who celebrated 41 or 40 years since they started in the third form at EGGS. Over 100 former students from these years enjoyed a cocktail function at Iguacu Restaurant & Bar in Parnell on the Friday night and then came back the next day for morning tea in the foyer and boardroom of the Administration Building followed by a School tour. There were many stories and much laughter as classmates who in many cases had not seen each other since leaving school suddenly recognised each other. It was noted that the facilities had changed a little especially when seeing the Raye Freedman Arts Centre and Stage 1 of the new Sports Centre. As the morning tea did not wind up until 3pm these women will certainly be looking forward to their 50th reunion in 10 years time. You can see more photographs from the reunion under our Photo Gallery Tab.

1951 Decade Reunion 

On 27 July 26 former EGGS students gathered in the staffroom to celebrate 60 years since they first started at EGGS. They enjoyed a morning tea, luncheon and tour of the school. They were amazed at the facilities in Stage 1 of the new Sports Centre and recalled their own excitement at the opening of their new gymnasium (now the “old gym”) which opened while they were at the School in 1953. Here they are pictured in the “old gym” which brought back many memories and stories from their days at EGGS.

Sports Centre Opening 
President Julie Goodyer and committee member and newsletter editor Catherine Peters represented the OGA at this milestone occasion for the School. The opening of the Sports Centre on 6 July 2011 means the School is now half way towards being able to provide the girls with the sporting facilities they so need and deserve. That EGGS girls continue to achieve so much with the facilities they have put up with in the past is commendable but the OGA is sure they will go from strength to strength with the opportunities the new Stage 1 Sports Centre will open up for them.

MNZM Josie Karanga (nee Mareroa), awarded for services as a leader of whanau and for community development. (Attended EGGS 1971 – 1975).

Christchurch Old Girls get together
Seven of our Christchurch members met with President Julie Goodyer at Brigittes Restarant and Bar in Merivale, Christchurch on the afternoon of Friday 17 June to enjoy a coffee or wine and share stories about their time at school and about their experiences during the earthquakes. Julie Kleinpaste who was a Year 10 Dean last year attended and all had stories to tell of their experiences of the earthquakes. One woman was at the hairdresser when the February quake struck and another has to park her car at the foot of a hill and walk up to her property as she no longer has vehicle access to it. Those attending were keen to purchase Jute Bags and each took away a copy of last year’s School magazine for some news about the School.

Annual General Meeting
Nearly 40 OGA members enjoyed hot soup and rolls provided by the Committee at our AGM on 13 June at the School. Julie Goodyer was re-elected President, Helen Trainer was elected Treasurer and the elected committee members are Ro Bellamy, Mary Dunkley, Mary Hall, Fiona Cottam (staff representative) Kathryn Seagrave, Catherine Peters, Vanessa Williams, Sally Blyth and Margi Leech. A Secretary will be appointed at our first Committee meeting. A special welcome is extended to Sally and Margi who are new on the Committee this year. Brenda Perry of the Development Office also attends our Committee meetings as a non Committee member. The AGM awarded Honorary Membership to 4 people who have made outstanding contributions to the School but are not otherwise eligible to join the OGA. These are Elizabeth Atkin-Rose – for services on the Board of Trustees; Paul Rishworth for services on the Board of Trustees; Michael Rose for services on the EGGS Foundation; and Glenda Choy for services on the EGGS Foundation. The Patrons of the OGA remain Verna Dowdle, Gae Griffiths and Margaret Bendall. After the AGM everyone took the opportunity to socialise but due to Council sign off requirements we were not able to view the inside of the new Sports Centre. 

Jute Bags now on sale
The Committee was very pleased to see our new Jute Bags at the Committee meeting on 9 May. They have been launched for sale at the School by the Sustainability Committee for $10 each. This is a new fundraising initiative for the OGA. The Jute bags are ecologically friendly and have the School logo on one side and art work depicting 3 lion cubs by Year 11 student Camille Thom on the other side. Buy a Jute bag for $10 and support the Association. The bags are available in the School shop or can be ordered by emailing us at oga@eggs.school.nz

Hostel Scholarship Appeal
The 20th May saw the launch of the OGA appeal to past hostel students seeking to boost the Hostel Scholarship fund. The interest off the fund goes towards a new hostel girl’s first year’s fees at Epsom House. This Scholarship is currently awarded to a Year 9 student who is either a daughter of an Old Girl, or has strong connections with the School through an old girl relative, and whom we consider will make a real contribution to, and benefit from, being a part of the EGGS community. The Scholarship is paid from the interest on a fund that was initially started with a $3,000 donation from Sally Dalzell who was Principal of Epsom House. The fund has grown from those small beginnings to its current $32,284 with other donations and a significant contribution from the profits made at the 90^th Jubilee reunion. The Scholarship itself was launched at the Hostel Reunion luncheon at the 90th Jubilee. The interest currently funds one instalment of fees (approximately $1,300). Our aim is to grow the fund to $100,000 by the time of the 100th Jubilee in 2017 so that the interest will by then pay for a full year’s hostel fees. Print the donation form under the Hostel Scholarship tab if you would like to donate.

Blessing of Sports Centre
The OGA was represented at the blessing of the Sports Centre at 6am on Wednesday 18 May morning and President Julie Goodyer was one of the first to see inside of this magnificent facility. It is a wonderful building and what we see now is only half the project. We encourage everyone to take the first opportunity they can to tour the Sports Centre.

EGGNOG Day
Current students brought their ‘Old Girl’ relatives to School for morning tea and a tour of the School on 5 May. We had over 40 people attending and enjoyed morning tea, a trivia quiz, general reminiscing and a school tour taking in the new Sports Centre. Former student Dora Green played the keyboard for the School song which was sung at the more sedate speed that many Old Girls are accustomed to from their time at School, much to the amusement of current students. 

Franklin Branch held their AGM on Thursday 5 April, the day after the Annual Morning Tea. Long serving joint Presidents Joy Fulton and Mary Somerville resigned and new joint Presidents Sonia Butcher and Rita Peterson were elected. Congratulations Sonia and Rita and we look forward to being kept in touch with the Franklin Branch events.   Many thanks to outgoing Presidents Joy and Mary for their long service to the Franklin Branch.

1942 and 1952 third formers Reunion

Franklin Branch held their AGM on Thursday 5 April, the day after the Annual Morning Tea. Long serving joint Presidents Joy Fulton and Mary Somerville resigned and new joint Presidents Sonia Butcher and Rita Peterson were elected. Congratulations Sonia and Rita and we look forward to being kept in touch with the Franklin Branch events.   Many thanks to outgoing Presidents Joy and Mary for their long service to the Franklin Branch.

1942 and 1952 third formers Reunion