About the OSA

St Hilda’s Old Scholars Association

The St Hilda’s Old Scholars Association (OSA) is a vibrant, intergenerational community that celebrates lifelong connection to the School. Established in 1913 under the visionary leadership of Miss Melina Parnell, then Principal of what was known as the Girls’ High School (GHS), the OSA was founded to preserve the bonds formed at school and to carry forward the values of St Hilda’s into life beyond the classroom.

Today, the OSA connects more than 10,000 alumni across Australia and the world, honouring its founding purpose through events, mentoring, scholarships and enduring friendships. At its heart, the Association exists to support past students and ensure their shared history continues to inspire future generations.

Led by a dedicated volunteer committee, the OSA fosters engagement between Old Scholars and the School, strengthening the spirit, tradition and community that define the St Hilda’s experience.

The objectives of the Association are:

  • To advance education through the welfare and interests of the School and the Association;
  • The promotion of a friendly spirit between present scholars of the School and Old Scholars;
  • To provide a connection between Old Scholars to the School and amongst one another, and to support a useful network of professional working women for opportunities and mentoring
  • To establish and provide scholarships, exhibitions, bursaries and rewards for education, the arts and sport.

Those who have attended this School have benefited from an excellent education, from which lifelong friendships have also evolved.

To view the GHS and St Hilda’s Old Scholar’s Association Constitution, please click here.

OSA Membership

St Hilda’s Year 12 graduates are invited to become Financial Life Members in their final year of school. The OSA warmly welcomes our youngest Old Scholars during their final graduation assembly and presents each with a certificate and a sterling silver ammonite pendant.

Any person who has attended St Hilda’s for a minimum of 12 months and has paid the membership fee is entitled to become a Financial Life Member of the GHS & St Hilda’s Old Scholars Association.

  • A sterling silver ammonite pendant gift and membership certificate to symbolise their connection to the School
  • Eligibility to apply for your children/grandchildren to apply for OSA Scholarships
  • Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting
  • Personal reward in contributing to the welfare of future St Hilda’s students through the OSA funding special projects of the School, scholarships and bursaries
  • 10% off the enrolment confirmation fee for future generations
  • Access to reunions, events, mentoring programs, professional networking and news updates

More than a membership, the OSA is a community that continues to support its members long after their time at St Hilda’s.

If you are not currently an OSA Financial member, you can download the OSA Financial Life Membership application form here.

OSA COMMITTEE AND YEAR REPRESENTATIVES

Dr Amanda Burt (Coad, 1989)
28th President of the GHS and St Hilda’s Old Scholars Association (OSA)

Amanda is supported by the OSA Committee, who work alongside the School Development Team. The Committee is represented by Old Scholars of various ages, who bring a diverse range of skills and enjoy working in a social environment.  Old Scholars are encouraged to attend the OSA monthly meetings and contribute to general business, or to join smaller sub-committees for the management of specific events.

The OSA currently provides financial support to 14 students each academic year through scholarships, which are funded through a variety of fundraising events.  Tasks undertaken by the committee include event management, budgeting, communication and coordination of special projects such as mentoring and scholarship selection.

The Old Scholars Association welcomes new members to the Committee; please contact the OSA President, care of oldscholars@sthildas.wa.edu.au.

Year Representatives are an essential link between members of their cohort, the School and the OSA. Typically, one or two Old Scholars represent their year group and serve as a central point of contact for exchanging information.

The most recent GHS & OSA AGM was held in October and the Committee for 2024/2025 comprises:

Patron
Fiona Johnston, Principal

President
Dr Amanda Burt (Coad, 1989)

Immediate Past President
Jane Barker (1986)

Vice President
Victoria Parker (2016)

Vice President
Yolande Dick (Ross, 1986)

Treasurer
Alex Rogers (1986)

Secretary
Ella Morison (2016)

Committee
Pam Casellas (Greenway, 1970)
Scarlet Roxby (2016)
Alice Hamilton (2015)
Treffina Dowland (Lidbury, 1983)
Jill Binning (Mansel, 1960)
Samantha Newall (Hamersley, 1993)
Joanna Seymour (Ladyman, 1991)
Verity Burges (2001)
Michelle Broom (Marfleet, 1989)

Scholarships and Awards

The OSA proudly supports a number of scholarships and awards that reflect the Association’s commitment to lifelong learning and educational opportunity. These include:
  • OSA Ammonite Scholarship (Year 11 Entry):
    Named after the ammonite symbol worn by Old Scholars.The OSA Ammonite Scholarship provides support in Years 11 and 12 to a daughter, granddaughter or great-granddaughter of a financial member of the Old Scholars Association. This scholarship is a fixed financial amount per annum that approximates one term’s fees per year. The winner is determined by a panel of two or three financial members of the OSA based on the application form submitted and an interview at the discretion of the scholarship subcommittee. Students are selected after consideration of achievements across a breadth of activities, including academic, cocurricular, leadership and service, as well as the student’s ability to contribute to a variety of activities at St Hilda’s.
  • OSA Academic Scholarship (Year 7 Entry):
    Recognising outstanding student achievement and potential. The Old Scholars Association awards a Scholarship to a student entering the School in Year 7, whose mother, grandmother or great grandmother are financial members of the Old Scholars Association. The OSA Academic Scholarship is intended for a girl who can demonstrate academic ability and a strong capacity for involvement. The award of a Scholarship is tenable for Years 7 – 10, subject to satisfactory academic performance and contribution to school life.
  • Career Accelerator Awards: Awarded annually to two Old Scholars to support their further education, professional development or entrepreneurial ventures.
These scholarships and awards are made possible through the generosity of Life Members and the ongoing support of the OSA community. For more information on Scholarships, please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries page.