Grammarian and Alumni Community

The Canberra Girls Grammar School Grammarians’ Association and Alumni Community is a dynamic global community with thousands of members around the world. The group contributes to the vibrant life of CGGS through special events, prizes, gifts and donations, and supports exciting projects for the whole School community. All students who have attended CGGS for 12 months or more automatically become life members of the Grammarians’ Association upon graduation.

The Grammarians’ Association was founded in 1931 as the Old Girls’ Union under the presidency of Diana Prance (Eddison, 1931) and with the support of six past students. Since that time, it has continued to foster the School community by connecting current and former students, preserving the past, and promoting the future.

We encourage you to stay in touch with us and keep your details up to date so we can offer you the most relevant information, events and networking opportunities.

Stay in touch

We have several Alumni-focused social media channels that we encourage our Grammarians to follow us on, to remain up-to-date with everything happening at the School as well as to connect with one another.

Reunions
Membership
Grammarians' Association Committee
Meetings
The Grammar Report

Reunions

Reunions form an important part of celebrating our Alumni community, and a wonderful opportunity for past students to share stories, renew friendships and reminisce about their school days. Each year we host special acknowledgements for the 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 year milestones.

For more information about reunion events, get in touch at grammarians@cggs.act.edu.au.

Reunions in 2024
  • Brisbane Alumni Reunion: Friday 15 March. RSVP here.
  • Class of 1971 53rd Reunion: Saturday 25 May, Griffith ACT. RSVP to Robyn Sinclair.
  • Sydney Alumni Reunion: Friday 9 August
  • Melbourne Alumni Reunion: Friday 15 November

Membership

All students who have attended CGGS for 12 months or more automatically become life members of the Grammarians’ Association upon graduation. As a member, you will receive:

  • A lifetime subscription to the twice-yearly Grammar Report magazine, with information about school life and news from Grammarians
  • Exclusive invitations to School and Grammarians’ events, such as networking evenings and guest speaker opportunities
  • An invitation to Founders' Day celebrations, which include our annual class reunions
  • An opportunity to play an active role on The Grammarians’ Association Committee.

Grammarians' Association Committee

Jane Sutherland (2008)
President

Jane Sutherland currently works in workforce planning for Defence with a keen interest to future proof the Australian Defence Force. She graduated in 2013 from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Management. Most recently she completed her post graduate accreditation in Human Resource Management. To date she is still involved in her two sporting passions of rowing and skiing.

Caetlin Watch (2002)
Vice President

Caetlin currently leads several workforce distribution programs for the Department of Health and Aged Care and is driven by a passion for better health outcomes for all Australians. She graduated in 2005 from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Arts and then completed a Master of Public Health from Sydney University in 2014. Caetlin is a cycling enthusiast, taking on roles such as race director, team manager, and commissaire, whilst supporting both her daughters, who attend CGGS, in their cycling pursuits. Caetlin is committed to empowering young women and giving back to her community.

Lisa Wilson (1981)
Treasurer

After a long and varied career in the Australian Public Service, Lisa continues to serve in several community not-for-profit organisations relating to intercountry adoption and LGBTQI+ allyship. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies and a Master of Financial Management from the Australian National University and has enrolled two of her children at CGGS.

Fiona Carruthers (1981)
Secretary

After completing her nursing studies in 1986, Fiona transitioned from clinical nursing roles in Australia and Scotland to Hospital Executive positions in the public and private sectors. She completed tertiary studies in Health Administration to fulfil these roles. Fiona retired from full-time employment as Nursing Director-Medical/Surgical Specialties, Calvary Bruce Public Hospital in 2022 and currently enjoys casual clinical nursing at a Private Day Facility. Fiona also volunteered with the ACT Brumbies as a Match Day Nurse for 10 years.

Margaret Cornwell OAM (Archer, 1951)
Leith Schmidt (Johnson, 1981)
Rebecca Carpenter (2002)
Clare Lindley (2012)

Meetings

In 2022/2023, meetings of the Grammarians' Association will be held on:

  • Wednesday, 23 November 2022
  • Wednesday, 8 February 2023
  • Wednesday, 5 April 2023
  • Wednesday, 7 June 2023

Meetings will be held in the Senior School Board Room, 6.00pm - 8.30pm.

The Grammar Report

The Grammar Report is a twice-yearly publication with news about the school and alumni.

If you would like to receive online-only copies of the Grammar Report, please complete this form.

If you have an alumni story you would like to share, please email grammarians@cggs.act.edu.au.