Girton Grammar marks 140 years

GIRTON Grammar has celebrated one hundred and forty years at an assembly featuring a spectacular blessing by the Bendigo Chinese Association’s dragon Gwong Loong, student orchestra and choir performances, and the premiere of a video commemorating the school’s legacy.

Established in 1884 by Marian Aherne and Alice Hill, Girton was founded with the mission of providing girls in the region with the opportunity to pursue a university education.

It was named in honour of Cambridge University’s Girton College, the United Kingdom’s first residential institution offering a tertiary-level education for women.

In her keynote speech at the assembly, which was attended by all junior and senior levels, principal Dr Emma O’Rielly said it’s incredible to think that when the school was founded, Victoria was still a British colony under the rule of Queen Victoria herself.

“Sandhurst, as Bendigo was then known, was a prosperous city that had quickly evolved from a collection of tents over just 30 years,” she said.

“Girton (became) the only school dedicated to offering senior education to girls at a time when society held a very different belief about women and education.

“The Girtonians of today feel incredibly fortunate to be the custodians of such a rich history, filled with inspirational stories of those who have paved the way for our generation.

“Gathering together today, we’re reminded that we are all a part of this living history, with our own opportunities to leave our mark on the school and our community.”

The commemorative video is now available on YouTube.