Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says Gippsland Grammar has been a cornerstone in the region’s education landscape for 100 years, and it was a privilege to join students, teachers and guests to celebrate the institution’s centenary.
“As part of Gippsland Grammar’s 100th birthday celebrations, students and teachers from all three campuses converged at Garnsey Campus for a special Commemoration Day, an event marking the amalgamation of St Anne’s Church of England Girls’ School with the boys’ Gippsland Grammar School in August 1970,” Mr Chester said.
“The ceremony, led by centenary captains Abby Crozier and Georgia Steel, saw more than 1000 students from Foundation to Year 12 fill the Laurie Payne Sports Centre.
“True to any good birthday party, there was singing and cake, alongside formalities, which included addresses from board member and old scholar Belinda Wilson (Class of 1997) and Gippsland Grammar principal Michele Wakeham.
“I also presented Year 12 International Science Olympiad bronze medallist Grace Ng with a framed and signed photo of her with Former Governor-General of Australia David Hurley.”
Gippsland Grammar was established by the second Bishop of Gippsland, the Right Reverend George Cranswick, with just four students. Throughout its 100 years, the school has incorporated educational institutions, including the original Church of England Girls’ School Sale, St Anne’s Church of England Girls’ Grammar School, Gippsland Grammar School and St Anne’s and Gippsland Grammar School (STAGGS).
Today, Gippsland Grammar’s student body exceeds 1150 across three campuses – Garnsey, St Anne’s and Bairnsdale.
