Students who have attended The Cathedral School for more than one year are automatically granted life-time membership of the Past Students’ Association.
The role of the Past Students’ Association is:
- to preserve a spirit of good friendship between past students of the School
- to foster and develop links with present students
- to promote the history and values of the School
- to foster and promote the welfare and interests of the School.
The Past Students’ Association is not a fundraising body. Its main purpose is to keep past students connected to the School, and it aims to do that through regular communication and facilitation of reunions. All past students are welcome to meetings. The dates are listed below and in the School Board Room (Heatley House) at 5.00pm. For more information please contact the PSA President Mr Tom Porter.
Tom Porter
Weekend Activities Coordinator/School Ambassador
T: (07) 4722 2000
E: tom.porter@cathedral.qld.edu.au
Foundation Weekend 2025: Past Students’ Reunion Events
Past students are invited to come back to the school over the Foundation Weekend. Whether you finished school five years ago or 50 years ago, you are always welcome here!
There are a number of events planned – please register for catering purposes, even when there is no admission fee.
Follow our Facebook page for updates: The Cathedral School Past Students Association
Friday 1 August, 2025
Class of 2020 Five-Year Reunion
5.30pm – 6.00pm by the Lagoon.
Cost: Free (Includes canapes and drinks).
The Connection Sundowner
This is a combined function for past and present members of the school community.
6.00pm – 9.00pm by the Lagoon.
Canapes on arrival and a cash bar is available.
Cost: $20
Saturday 2 August, 2025
School Tour & Morning Tea
10.00am to 12:00pm
School Tour & Morning Tea
Cost: Free
Lazy Lunch
12.00pm to 2:00pm
Lazy Lunch
Cost: $32
Sunday 3 August, 2025
Church Service
At St James’ Cathedral
9:00 am
Ravenswood Tour and Lunch at the Railway Hotel
Please join us on a tour to Ravenswood, where the School was moved to in World War II. The trip will include lunch at the Railway Hotel and a town tour, stopping at Wilson’s House.
Departing St James Cathedral at 10.30am and The Cathedral School at 11am, arriving at Ravenswood at 12.30pm for lunch.
Cost: $35 per person (including bus transport and lunch)
Bookings closed.
Back to School BBQ – Recent Graduates
The Past Student Association holds a Welcome Back BBQ for recently graduated Year 12 students. The BBQ is held in the first few weeks of Term 1 at lunchtime on the Function Lawn. Come along and enjoy a complimentary BBQ lunch and catch up with fellow graduates and School staff.
Staying in Touch
If you are a past student who has lost contact with the school please email Tom Porter with your updated details or connect with us on Facebook and/or LinkedIn.
Mr Tom Porter
PSA President
4722 2000
thomas.porter@cathedral.qld.edu.au
The Connection
The Connection is issued four times a year to all past students with a current email address on our database. It contains information about recent activities and events, news from past students, and upcoming reunions.
Complete the form to join the mailing list.
2025 PSA Meetings
PSA Meetings are held at 5pm in the Board Room of Heatley House
Monday 3rd February
Monday 12th May
Monday 18th August (AGM)
Monday 13 October
The Cathedral School Past Students’ Association –
Wall Of Honour
The Cathedral School has a proud history of alumni who have made a lasting impact in their careers, communities, and beyond. To celebrate their achievements and inspire future generations, the Past Students’ Association (PSA) has launched a ‘Wall of Honour’.
Recognising Outstanding Alumni
The Wall of Honour will acknowledge past students who have made exceptional contributions in areas such as:
• Service to the school
• Career achievements
• Sporting or artistic excellence
• Contributions to the wider community
We are pleased to announce the first inductees.
Olive Hely (nee Gannon)
Recognised for service to the school
Olive attended St Anne’s for her 4 years of secondary school from 1930 to 1933 and remained a loyal supporter of the school throughout her life. At school she was in Langton House, a school Prefect and a good tennis player who later became North Queensland Women’s Tennis champion. She remained a loyal supporter of the school throughout her life, contributing more than 50 years to the Brisbane branch of the Old Girls Association, maintaining school friendships and fund-raising to support the school.
Marguerita Holborn (nee Phillips)
Recognised for business and community contributions
Marguerita (known as Peg) completed her entire schooling at St Anne’s from 1946 to 1953 and was virtually raised by the Sisters following the death of her mother when she was only 6 years old. At school she was in More House and was passionate about music and school activities. She established a successful florist business in Townsville and was actively involved in the Anglican Church and several other community organisations throughout her life. She continued to support the school through the Old Girls’ Association and Parents and Friends’ Association.
Lynette Illingsworth (nee Martel)
Recognised for art and environmental services
Lynette Illingsworth attended St Anne’s from 1956 to 1961. She was More House Captain and a promising artist. After gaining her teaching qualification, she returned to teach Art and Ancient History at St Anne’s from 1964 to 1968. Her early artwork is historically significant and featured in publications and You Tube tributes. Throughout her life, she was deeply committed to environmental causes and earned local government recognition for her community contributions in this field.
Rosemary Menkens (nee Fox)
Recognised for community contributions
Rosemary attended St Anne’s as a boarder from 1960 to 1963. She was Chatham House Captain in her senior year and loved participating in school sports. Following her career as a Home Economics teacher, she was elected to the Queensland Parliament as the Member for the Burdekin electorate, a position she held for 10 years. She also served for several years on the Board of The Cathedral School, the first past student to be appointed to this role.
Nominate a Past Student
Any past student can nominate a deserving candidate. Each year, the PSA Committee (with the ability to co-opt members) will select a small number of inductees. Their names will be unveiled on Foundation Day and featured on a dedicated Honour Board at the school, as well as on our virtual Wall of Honour.
• Nominations can be made posthumously.
• Unsuccessful nominations may be resubmitted the following year.
The first inductees was announced in 2025, marking the centenary of the first Dawn magazine produced by the Old Girls’ Association.
How to Nominate
Submit a nomination for the inaugural selection via the form below.
Let’s honour the legacy of our past students and inspire the leaders of tomorrow!
Download the completed Nomination Form and email to:
psa@cathedral.qld.edu.au
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