From The Archives: A History and Collection of Memories from Boarding at BGGS

In 2010, the 135th year of Brisbane Girls Grammar, former staff member and Grammar woman, Elizabeth Hatton (1964), researched the history of boarding at Girls Grammar. An excerpt of this research is included below:

Although the School was founded in 1875, it is somewhat uncertain as to when boarders first became part of the School community. The first Lady Principal, Mrs Janet O’Connor, applied to the trustees of the School to take boarders into her own home, but her request was refused because of the presence of her husband and sons. What the evidence does support, however, is that when the School moved to its current site on Gregory Terrace in 1884, boarders were enrolled and accommodated within specially designed dormitories. Until 2002, the School’s distinctive Main Building remained the ‘House’ to continuous generations of boarders.

To understand the life of a boarder, it is perhaps best to read the stories they wrote about themselves in the School Magazine. The tone and content is representative of their times and reflects how the School responded to those special moments in history.

1913—The first recorded Boarders report

‘The number of boarders this year has increased by four, last year there being 19 and this year 23. The majority come from the west and north. It is very interesting and amusing to hear each girl’s opinion on town and country life and each one thinks that part she comes from is the best. We meet and form friendships with girls whom perhaps we might never have known. This is one of the advantages of boarding school.’

‘During Exhibition week, we were given a Wednesday holiday and a work-through on Friday. Wednesday morning we all marched out of the gate with our little packets of lunch under our arms to the Exhibition grounds, had a great day, and were sorry at not being allowed to go on Friday.

‘In August there was an eclipse of the moon. We sat on the balcony in our dressing-gowns and watched the shadow go across the moon’s face. This favour was granted to us on condition we behaved ourselves. For a while we were very good, but this must have been too much of a strain on some of our nerves, as a few of the girls commenced their tricks by apple-pieing beds and putting brushes down girls’ backs etc. For this we were almost sent to bed, but on a second promise, we were allowed to remain. We were all very good and talked of such interesting things as the world coming to an end, until on turning in, a few of the girls whose beds had been upset, found they had to set to and make them again.’

 1918

‘On Monday night, the memorable November 12th, after we commenced prep, Miss Mackay announced to us the glorious news of the signing of the Armistice. Whereupon we “downed tools” namely ink-bottles and Geometry books and rushing to the front verandah close upon the heels of Miss Mackay, Miss Pate and Miss Wall, who was taking strenuous exercise with the Assembly bell, ran up and down, stamping and cheering. No time was lost in repairing to Queen Street, where we marched up and down in a body singing or rather yelling, “Rule Britannia”, “Keep the Home Fires Burning” and “Anzac.”’

1934

‘Although we are so small a party, we flatter ourselves that we are not always insignificant. On wet days, we are the most popular girls in the School, for it is from our drawers that dry stockings and blouses are forthcoming—from the unlimited supply, which the day girls feel sure we possess.’

1942

‘Owing to war conditions at the beginning of this year, our numbers were sadly depleted. They have increased, however, and we now number 19 … our first effort this year was the making of handkerchiefs to sell on Old Girls Day which enabled us to present £1 to the Old Girls War Work Group. Vegetables being scarce, the boarders have grown silver-beet, cabbages and tomatoes and have lately taken over the watering of the garden.’

1953

‘We spent Coronation Day happily and busily. We all attended church where we took part in the Service, which was in imitation of the actual ceremony. During the morning from the laboratory verandah, we watched the military parade in Victoria Park. At night we hired a bus and toured the city to see the various celebrations; the brilliantly lit Treasury Building and the Town Hall were admired greatly.’

1961

‘The Boarders appreciate the use of the School television set; moreover, a wireless extension has been bought by which we are able to listen to the news during breakfast.’

1981

‘This year has seen changes within the Boarding House. The facelift given to the House was quite extensive with the renovation of the Dining Room into a Dormitory and the Old Assembly Hall into the Dining Room. Upstairs was fully carpeted and the senior girls received new furniture.’

1991

‘This year we have been fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of living in the renovated Boarding House. There have been major changes … we lost our common room, but this has been compensated by easy access to television and video units situated in most dormitories.’

2000

‘The year 2000 started with a bang with the arrival of the 25 remaining boarders at Brisbane Girls Grammar School … it is obvious that although the boarding house lacks numbers, our spirit, sense of fun and enthusiasm have never left us.’

The Boarding House closed in 2002, with six boarders at the School. The final comments of the boarders ring with happiness and meaningful sentiment.

‘Some radical changes to boarding house life became apparent. As well as the long-awaited unlimited leave that is offered to Year 12 boarders, due to decreased numbers, each of us was able to select our own private bathroom! The food, while decent before, is now fantastic; bulk preparation is a thing of the past as now breakfast is cooked for each person…looking back, I believe we made the most of this privilege and when we leave the Boarding House for the last time, we will each take with us memories, stories and laughter to last a lifetime.’