Somerville House Old Girls' Association

Reservations are now open for the Commemoration Day Service on Friday, 9 October 2026 at 11.45am. As seating is limited, please ensure you RSVP for the event to confirm your seat.

Click here to RSVP to the Service and/or High Tea - https://www.somervillehouseoga.com.au/networks/events/206628

Today the Somerville House Old Girls' Association had the pleasure of welcoming back five recent Old Girl school leavers who spoke with the graduating class of 2026, our soon to be next cohort of Old Girls.

On the panel were:

💚Bailey Fisher (2022)
💙Eliza Whitfield (2022)
💚Mia Branagh (2023)
💙Aurelia Furey (2023)
💚Matilda Wells (2023)

The panellists spoke on their recent experiences at university and working, in some cases, in full-time employment while studying. They shared their experiences of college life, and maintaining and nurturing friendships during hectic periods in their lives to date. They told stories of exchanges programs and rural placements, and finding their own paths even if that meant pivoting from their initial study and life plans.

Thank you to the five inspiration young women who gave generously of their time to discuss life after school with the upcoming graduates.

Further details about the speakers' adventures after School can be found here - https://www.somervillehouseoga.com.au/backoffice/networks/412/news/13383438

Announcing Liz Bellward (1991) as the Old Girl speaker for Commemoration Day on Friday, 9 October 2026, celebrating the birthday of Somerville House. This year the Old Girls' Association will also be celebrating its 125th birthday!

Liz is the Director of the Rockhampton Zoo, and is an animal caretaker, conservationist, and advocate for animal welfare, as well as a corporate and business leader.

Commemoration Day details:

✨11:45am - 12:20pm: Commemoration Day Service in VPAC
🏫12:20pm - 1pm: Guided Tours of the School
🎂1pm: High Tea in Honour Room

RSVP details for Commemoration Day will be released shortly.

The Somerville House Old Girls' Association is proud to host the 2025 Seniors and their Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts or Significant Women in their lives to celebrate and acknowledge the achievement of completing their schooling journey with a celebratory dinner on Thursday, 21 August.

Year 12 families can purchase tickets here by - https://www.somervillehouseoga.com.au/networks/events/215216

Congratulations Kate Yaxley (2013). We can’t wait to see the show.

Tickets can be bought purchased here - https://queenslandtheatre.com.au/plays/into-the-woods

We are so excited to announce that Kate Yaxley will join the cast of INTO THE WOODS with @operaqueensland @qldtheatreco & @qsorchestra later this year. Kate will play Florinda, and cover the Witch, Baker’s Wife and Jack’s Mother. Congratulations, @kateyaxley 🌟 Into the woods she goes!

Have you received your invitation to the Annual Birthday Lunch, which also celebrates the Somerville House Old Girls' Association's 125th birthday on 10 October 2026? It can be found in the Connections magazine that was recently posted out, or can be accessed via this link - https://www.somerville.qld.edu.au/our-community/publications/

Make a reunion of it - bring some friends along. Purchase your tickets to the lunch here - https://www.somervillehouseoga.com.au/events/206628

Did a Somerville House Scholarship help shape your future? The Somerville House Foundation would love to hear your story.

The Somerville House Foundation is looking to connect with past scholarship recipients who would be willing to share their experiences and the difference a scholarship made in their lives.

Every scholarship tells a story. A story of opportunity, generosity and the lasting impact of a community that believes in the potential of its students. By sharing your journey, you can help inspire others and demonstrate the life-changing difference philanthropy can make.

Your story may be featured in Foundation communications, helping us encourage future support for scholarships so more students can benefit from the same opportunities.

If you received a scholarship at Somerville House and would be happy to share your experience, we'd love to hear from you. Please send the School Development Manager, Kate Parry an email at [email protected].

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS until applications close for the 2026 Isabel Bauer OGA Bursary! 🎓✨

Somerville Old Girls, don’t miss your chance to apply for this incredible opportunity.

Whether you’re looking to advance your education or support your career goals, the Isabel Bauer OGA Bursary can help make your dreams a reality.

📝 Applications Close: July 15

To find out more information regarding the application process, click the Bursary tab on the Somerville House OGA website.