Pembroke Old Scholars

GIRTON LUNCHEON || Last month we held our annual Girton Luncheon - a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the enduring spirit of our Girton community. One of the highlights of the luncheon was the launch of the e-book The Indomitable Lillie Smith, written by our Pembroke historian, John Davis. The publication shines a light on the remarkable life and legacy of Lillie Smith, whose contribution to Girton continues to inspire generations.

You can view The Indomitable Lillie Smith here: https://issuu.com/pembrokeschool/docs/the_indomitable_lillie_smith

10 YEAR REUNION || Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming back the 2016 Leavers to celebrate their 10 Year Reunion. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces reconnecting and reminiscing about their school days🎉

Photos - https://pembrokeschool.canto.com/v/Q9IG0SE1O7

If you have any exciting news or updates that you’d like to share, please update your details here: https://www.pembroke.sa.edu.au/old-scholars/update-your-details

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Pembroke’s next Head of Rowing, old scholar Ms Amanda Tidswell (1982).

Many in the community will know Amanda as the current Head of Rowing at Seymour College, where she has demonstrated excellence in leading a complex and high performing Rowing Program. Under her leadership, Seymour's Rowing Program achieved significant success at Head of the River, state and national regattas, and was recognised as the Schoolgirl Rowing Program of the Year in consecutive years.

Amanda brings a remarkable breadth of experience to the role. She has served as a competitor, coach, administrator, parent and Head of Rowing, giving her a unique perspective on the needs of athletes, families, coaches and schools. Across more than four decades of coaching, she has worked successfully at school, club, state, national and international levels, and her referees consistently spoke of her professionalism, integrity, generosity and unwavering commitment to supporting young people to achieve their best.

Amanda is no stranger to Pembroke. As an old scholar and former Lead Coach within our Rowing Program, this appointment represents a wonderful homecoming. Her understanding of our community, combined with her extensive experience leading large Rowing programs, place her in an excellent position to build upon the strong foundations already established at Pembroke.

Amanda will commence at Pembroke in mid-July, and we know our Rowing community will warmly welcome her.

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫.

Whether you're looking to reconnect with old friends, expand your professional network, or simply enjoy a great night out with the Pembroke community, we'd love to see you there.

Event Details
Date: Friday 19th June 2026
Time: 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm.
Venue: Donna Chang, 3/171 George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Dress: Smart Casual
Cost: $50 (includes 3 courses and 3-Hour Drinks package)
RSVP: with ticket purchased by Monday, 15 June

https://events.humanitix.com/2026-brisbane-old-scholars-and-community-drinks

We look forward to catching up with you in Brisbane.

FROM INDIA TO KING’S COLLEGE, AND WELL BEYOND | When Basil Sellers AO (1954, left in 1952) arrived at King’s College to board as a slight, fine-boned 12 year old from India, he brought with him a lot of luggage, including a cricket bat and a tennis racquet. It’s an image his schoolmate Allen Beilby never forgot – a small boy stepping into a new country, a new school and a new life.

Earlier this year, Basil was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for ‘distinguished service to the community through philanthropy and leadership, and to sports administration’. From a shy boy with a cricket bat to a well-respected philanthropist whose impact spans continents, we are so proud to call him our own.

Read more: https://issuu.com/pembrokeschool/docs/pembroke_news_autumn_2026/12

A big congratulations to old scholar Ella Bramwell (2017) on winning a gold medal in the 2026 World Rowing Cup. A fantastic result for the Women’s squad on the international stage 👏

GOLDEN GIRLS 🥇

Our Women's Eight get the job done in Seville and finish on top of the podium! 🇪🇸

Well done to Georgie Gleeson, Eliza Gaffney, Lily Triggs, Ella Bramwell, Samantha Morton Van Eybergen, Paige Barr, Jaime Ford, Laura Gourley and Hayley Verbunt! 🙌

📷: Benedict Tufnell/Row360

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Australian Olympic Team Australian Institute of Sport Filippi Boats 776BC

The Pembroke Old Scholars Association Executive were thankful for the opportunity to attend the 2026 National Reconciliation Week Breakfast with students and staff from Pembroke. POSA is proud to work alongside the School on the Reconciliation journey. We particularly enjoyed the Indigenous round matches which many of our Pembroke Old Scholars Committee attended. The performance by members of the Pembroke Senior Choir prior to the Yunupingu Cup game was spine chilling. The incorporation of Kaurna language in verses of the song “I Am Australian” was moving and especially significant during NRW.

Just one week to go until the inaugural Pembroke Career Connect event, an exciting new alumni initiative bringing together our community through conversation, networking and shared experiences.

Date: Wednesday 3 June 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Venue: Gallery Adelaide, 30 Waymouth Street, Adelaide
RSVP: https://events.humanitix.com/pembroke-career-connect-future-proofing-your-career

Come along and add your piece to the puzzle.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝟏𝟎-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲!

You are welcome to arrive earlier at Pembroke Middle School for a tour of the Middle and Senior Campus, including the new Shipsters Road Building. After the tour, we will gather at the Marryatville Hotel to reconnect and reminisce with old friends.

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟑 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
School tour: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Reunion: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
For more details and to book your ticket, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/posa-class-of-2016-10-year-reunion