Tauranga Girls' College celebrates 60th anniversary

Tauranga Girls College Principal Tara Kanji with students. Photo / Supplied

Tauranga Girls' College is having a 60th anniversary celebration like no other.

The local college has a special place in the hearts of past and present students, many of which are outstanding achievers in community and business — so the organising committee wanted something innovative and out of the ordinary to celebrate this special reunion.

Events and communications manager Ewan McLeod, who is a tourism and social studies teacher at the school, has had a long association with Tauranga Girls' College. His wife and children have attended the school and now his grandchildren.

"We could have done the standard reunion but we wanted to create a point of different for this special event so we brainstormed the concept of a Sixtieth Summit — a celebration of the achievements of women in business, arts and culture, sport and leadership."

The theme is Wahine Toa: Aspirational agents of change and is in keeping with Suffrage 125. There are a number of speakers at the jubilee — experts and wellknown women in their chosen fields. Many are ex-Tauranga Girls' College students.

The former students include: former mayor of Hamilton Julie Hardaker, Tarnished Frocks and Divas' Denny Spee, Nurses' Organisation advocate Carol Beaumont, former Trilogy CEO Angela Buglass, Repertoire's Meghan Maher; Beewrapt's Trudy Kendall and One News sports journalist Michelle Prendiville, who will also MC the event.

Professor Margaret Wilson — University of Waikato academic, former politician and first (and only) female Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives — will be able to give an interesting behind the scenes perspective on Parliament, and relevant to Suffrage 125.

The event will also showcase the achievements of three other prominent alumni: Ria Hall — respected award-winning singer, performer and lover of culture and tikanga Māori, Annabel White — author, chef and media personality and Gemma McCaw — former New Zealand Olympic representative for the Black Sticks Women.

Principal Tara Kanji says their school reflects the community, and so should their jubilee.
"In the 125th Suffrage year, it made sense to have a 60th diamond jubilee event that had a point of real difference whilst still maintaining a focus on the mana of wahine. This event celebrates the contribution that women make to all facets of society and that this journey of 'contributing' begins when our young women are at school including, of course, Tauranga Girls' College."

Tara would like to invite the public, including past and present students of the college to participate in the Sixtieth Summit, which she describes as a showcase of alumni and women of influence.

"This is a community event and also an opportunity for alumni to reminisce with school friends from years gone by. So, as our head girl Leah Owen says, 'come to our place — for our celebrations'. See you at our diamond jubilee."

The event
The Sixtieth Summit on Saturday is being offered as an open community event.

The 60th anniversary will be held over Labour weekend.

Celebrations start with an informal "chatter and platter" evening on Friday night for past, present and the school community, while Saturday's activities will showcase past and present successes of students and women in society.

The point of difference is — Saturday offers a full day of entertainment and speakers and is open to the public — alumini, non-alumni, past and present staff, male or female, or anyone who is interested in listening to their speakers.

If you would like to be part of this audience and come to the Sixtieth Summit, go to the reunion link on the website to register at www.tgc.school.nz/reunion.

What: Tauranga Girls' College 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee: Sixtieth Summit
When: October 19-20