The Significance of Being a Fairholme Girl: Georgia Stafford (Fairholme Old Girl 2008)
March 24, 2025
Georgia Stafford | 2008 | Stephens House | Day Girl
It's not lost on Georgia Stafford (2008) the value of an excellent education. Nor is it lost on her the profound value of a quality, empowering, all-female school experience.
‘It means something special to have worn the Maclaren tartan and to have walked down Palm Drive,’ she says.
‘It is also priceless to have had the values of ‘burning yet flourishing’ instilled in me and to have had the opportunity to grow and thrive in a place that values young women and truly believes that Fairholme girls ‘can’ and ‘they will’.’
She goes on to admit that she doesn’t think she fully appreciated her Fairholme education whilst at school. ‘However, throughout my professional and personal life and in the decade and a half since graduating, my Fairholme education continues to be a treasured gift,’ Georgia says.
Now, as a mother herself with a young daughter and baby son, she says she can truly appreciate the decision her parents made to send her to Fairholme.
‘The realisation that many of my closest friendships and greatest opportunities in life came to me through my time or connection with Fairholme has instilled a strong sense to give back to the College.’
As this year’s President of the Fairholme Old Girls’ Association (FOGA), Georgia is fulfilling her commitment to giving back to the school, and to empowering the next generation of Fairholme Old Girls.
‘Fairholme has always been more than just a school; it is a community where values, excellence, and lifelong bonds are cultivated,’ she says. ‘It means something significant to be a Fairholme Girl. I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education and the potential to succeed that is in each and every one of our Fairholme Girls irrespective of their background or circumstances.’
Georgia says the story of FOGA is one of connection and celebration, where the past meets the present, and generations of Fairholme women come together to honour their shared history.
‘As the world evolves, FOGA continues to adapt, but its core values remain rooted in the strength of community and the bonds forged during school years,’ Georgia says.
‘It’s about bridging the past and the present, creating a space where both old and new girls can come together,’ she says. For her, FOGA isn’t just an association—it’s a living, breathing part of the Fairholme experience that continues to offer support, networking, and a sense of belonging long after graduation.
‘Recently, I attended a Fairholme Old Girls mentoring luncheon held in the beautiful Homestead. I was able to share with current Senior girls my experiences after graduation, along with FOGA secretary Sarah-Jane MacDonald, who has been my good friend for many years. We were able to reflect and share the story of our different career paths in the legal field and how various opportunities that came along the way have given us both very fulfilling and different paths in our careers - Sarah-Jane as a legal practice Director and myself working in an advocacy role for a peak body and as chairperson of a Queensland Community Grants program.
‘It was heartwarming to share our current career journeys and Fairholme friendship story, whilst answering questions from current Fairholme students who may be considering a legal or advocacy career.’
Georgia says Fairholme Old Girls have always had a deep connectedness to the College, long after graduation, many often returning to the campus to share their stories, their passions, their successes – those which were developed and nurtured during their time at Fairholme. ‘While Fairholme Old Girls have always had a strong bond with the college, the opportunity to support and give back has evolved through the numerous events and special occasions over the years,’ Georgia says.
‘FOGA is growing and transforming to include mentoring sessions with current students, guest speaking opportunities at the College, one-on-one guidance and coaching, and networking events where Fairholme girls - old and new - can get together. As Fairholme Alumni, we have a unique opportunity to reconnect with the College and ensure the gift of a Fairholme education can be passed down to the next generation of Fairholme girls through the generosity of our time, resources and mentorship.’
Georgia says meaningful ways that Fairholme Alumni can contribute to the College community simply starts by being involved. ‘I think current Fairholme girls appreciate and value the opportunity of hearing from Old Girls firsthand about their Fairholme and career journeys, often with a little bit of House rivalry thrown in for good measure! Our Old Girls are forever linked by the unbreakable bond of being ‘Once a Fairholme girl – always a Fairholme girl’.’
More News…
This year’s Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Toowoomba Secondary Schools Competition saw Fairholme teams deliver an outstanding season of debating, showcasing sharp thinking, quick wit, and true Fairholme spirit. ‘We have such a wonderful culture of debating at Fairholme, with a great number of students keen to participate every year. The growth I observe in our debaters is extraordinary, from their confidence in speaking, to their exceptional teamwork and critical reasoning when preparing arguments on a wide range of contemporary issues’, says our Debating Co-ordinator, Mrs Kim Scudamore. A special congratulations goes to our Year 7.4 team, who claimed the Grand Final victory against Toowoomba Grammar School. They successfully argued the affirmative on the topic: ‘That we should actively encourage the use of Artificial Intelligence in classrooms.’ Their ability to build persuasive cases and respond confidently to rebuttals was a testament to their hard work and teamwork throughout the season. Our Year 8, Year 10 and Senior teams also impressed, each reaching their respective Grand Finals and finishing as runners-up after tightly contested debates. Their efforts reflected not only strong debating skills but also resilience and camaraderie in high-pressure settings. In total, 16 Fairholme teams competed this season, with 12 teams making it through to the finals. Congratulations to every debater who took part in this year’s competition. The future of debating at Fairholme is certainly in good hands. Fairholme Grand Final Debaters: Team 7.4 - Sophie Cussons, Suzana Yusaf, Abigail Walker, Norah Joseph and Bella Cherry Team 8.2 - Tanishka Chaudhary, Annabelle King, Claire Fischer and Elaine Mutsando Team 10.1 - Sophie Haller, Richa Vimal, Brooke Johnson, Caitlin Schultheiss, Isabella Kentish and Georgia Nicholls Team 12.1 - Ayesha Saleh, Rori Zimmerman, Chanudi Dissanayake and Mabel Galbraith
Year 8 student Ella Phillips has returned holme after an unforgettable tour of the United States, where she proudly represented Australia in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series as part of the Aussie Drop Bears team. Ella’s journey began in Dallas, Texas, before heading to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she participated in a high-level training camp with local college softball coaches. The team also competed in warm-up matches to prepare for the main event in Florence, Alabama. Competing in the Under 14 division, Ella and her Australian team made it all the way to the double elimination final, narrowly missing out on the championship title by just one run in a nail-biting 8 - 9 loss. Despite the result, their second-place finish is a highlight achievement for Ella. Ella’s individual performance was nothing short of outstanding. During the closing ceremony, she was named in the Under 14 All World Series Team and the Under 14 All Defensive Team, a testament to her talent and consistency on the field. She also ranked in the top 10 for both batting and fielding statistics across the entire tournament. Reflecting on her journey, Ella shared that her softball career began humbly at home in Taroom encouraged by her mum and PE teachers to trial for the South West state team. That experience sparked a passion for the sport and she now plays for Dodgers Softball Club in Toowoomba. ‘I’ve been really lucky with the support I’ve had,’ Ella said. ‘The stats don’t say everything, but they’re the best I’ve ever had. I’m really proud of how I played in America.’ Boarding since Year 7, Ella has ambitions to study veterinary science but also has her sights set on a softball career. With aspirations to play in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Ella is already planning her next steps, including a trip to Japan in 2026 to further develop her skills.
Preparing the next generation of athletes for success both on and off the field. Fairholme is proud to be part of an exciting new partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), through their 2032 Brisbane Olympics Student-Athlete Empowerment Project. This forward-thinking initiative aims to educate and support student athletes across all areas of sport, health, and performance. As part of this project, our High Performance Sport athletes and Sport Physiology students are taking part in ‘Girls 2 Win’, a specialised program dedicated to the education and empowerment of young female athletes. Led by UniSQ experts in female health and performance, Girls 2 Win focuses on the unique aspects of female physiology and how these can influence wellbeing and sporting success. Students are gaining vital knowledge about the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and the ways in which physiology can impact athletic performance. Fairholme’s Head of High Performance, Miss Casey Reynoldson, said the benefits of the program reach far beyond the sporting field. ‘By equipping our Middle and Senior School athletes with tailored strategies and practical tools, the program ensures they are empowered to make informed choices - supporting their health, confidence, and performance in every arena.’ With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, initiatives like Girls 2 Win play a key role in shaping and inspiring athletes of tomorrow. In addition, our Sport Physiology students are also involved in the UniSQ’s ‘Mind 2 Win’ program. This program explores the crucial role of the mind in health, wellbeing and performance. Through interactive workshops and practical exercises, students are developing key psychological skills such as focus, resilience, self-awareness, and mindset strategies. These tools will help them manage stress, build confidence and perform under pressure, while also supporting their mental health and long-term success. ‘At Fairholme, we are delighted to provide our students with access to world-class education and research in partnership with UniSQ - helping our young athletes take bold steps towards their sporting goals, and perhaps even towards the Olympic stage in 2032.’
