Foundation Fundraising Lunch - OG Bethwyn Todd (Class of 1989) generously helping to kickstart development at Somerfields
The Somerville House Foundation recently held the Foundation Fundraising lunch at Howard Smith Wharves on 27th May, 2022. Held annually, the lunch has become a great opportunity for Old Girls to catch up and continue to support the School. This year The Foundation's dual focus is to expand scholarship offerings and to help the School develop a truly world-class sports facility for students.
The Foundation was thrilled to announce at the lunch that SomerFields, the School's $22M Sports Precinct, had been kickstarted thanks to a major gift from Old Girl Bethwyn Todd (Class of 1989). Bethwyn's half-a-million dollar gift was matched by The Foundation, to deliver $1 Million to the School! With this sum, the School will redirect funds to bring the hardcourts forward, accelerating the project by three years, so current students can access from Term 2, 2023. Building Fund gifts support capital development of SomerFields' Clubhouse, our social hub.
The OGA would also like to thank Bethwyn for her incredibly kind and generous gift that will benefit many future generations of Old Girls. Bethwyn spoke passionately at the lunch on the value she placed on her education at Somerville House and her gratitude for the support she received. Bethwyn attended Somerville House from 1985 to 1989 after growing up on a dairy farm south of Beaudesert. While she was diagnosed as hearing imapired at birth, this has never held Bethwyn back. She recalls excellent support from her teachers at Somerville House. Bethwyn is currently Asia Pacific President of global agricultural sciences company FMC Corporation. Read more about Bethwyn's journey in the Courier Mail story HERE. (Please note that Courier Mail digital news requires a subscription to view)
Bethwyn Todd (Class of 1989)
If you would like the opportunity to be part of this exciting new chapter for Somerville - GIVE TO SOMERFIELDS.
With the theme for the day "Faster, Smarter, Stronger", guests enjoyed listening to an impressive sporting panel on the importance of girls' participation in sport with Andrew Courtice (former Queensland Sheffield Shield Cricketer and current parent) as MC.
Panelists featured: Trisha Squires Head AFL Queensland and Somerville House School Council member, Andrew McCabe Director of Sport, Track & Field sprinter, London Olympics, Bridgette Ireland Water Polo coach, Gold medal, Sydney Olympics, Emily Petricola OAM 2021 Somerville House Coach, Gold medal, Tokyo Olympics, Samara Quinlan (Class of 1995) Director of Rowing, Rowing Queensland Board Director, and Adeleine Watson (Class of 2020) Dux, Sports Captain, Lulu Pullar (Class of 2015) Brisbane Lions player, final year medical student.
Please see below highlights video of panel speakers (3mins)
Old Girl Marni Zammataro (Class of 2021) spoke passionately about the life changing impact for her as a recipient of the Sidonie Thompson Memorial Scholarship. From a tiny, country primary school with only 86 students, Marni finished her schooling at Somerville House and is now completing a dual degree in Law and Psychology at QUT. See below video.
Legacy Scholarships
There are many multi-generational families at Somerville House but unfortunately, not all are in a position to send their girls to this School. A newly established Legacy Scholarship will cover 50% of tuition from Year 7 through 12 for the daughter, granddaughter, or niece of an Old Girl. Our hope is for Old Girls to lend their support, so we can increase the number of Scholarships with a new Legacy Scholar commencing each year. Help families with strong Somerville House connections continue that tradition.
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All Foundation Scholarships are means-tested.