HALL OF FAME

Miss Ruth George (1900 - 1984)

2015 Inductee

Student 1914 - 1916

Miss Ruther George was born on 12 March 1900 to Joseph George, a blacksmith, and Annie Fortune, on Thursday Island. Miss George attended Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School from 5 arch 1914 until 13 December 1916 on an Old Girls Scholarship. Miss George gained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland in 1923, with majors in French and English. Whilst at University she lived at the Women’s College and was a member of the University Music Society.

Miss George’s first teaching appointment was at Rockhampton Girls’ Grammar School before she started her long career at Somerville House in 1926. Ther she became resident Mistress and later First Assistant (Deputy Principal in today’s terminology). In 1994, a sculpture was unveiled at Somerville House to pay tribute to three notable, long-serving and inspiration teachers. Amongst them was Miss Ruthe George.

Miss George became a stalwart of the Brisbane Branch of the Old Girls Association and worked tirelessly to raise funds for the Reference Library. In recognition of this work, Miss George was invited to officially open the IGGS Library on 4 March 1972.

Miss George was President of the Assistant Mistresses in Non-Government Schools Association in the 1930s and was a fierce advocate for teacher conditions and pay. She played a key role in establishing a universal award covering non-government school Assistant Mistresses following cutbacks during the Depression. In honour of her memory and outstanding contribution as an activist and union representative, the Queensland Independent Education Union offers an annual Ruth George School Officer Award for individuals who make an outstanding contribution as unionists and union activists.

Miss George was actively involved in the English Teachers’ Association as well as an inaugural and dedicated member of the Modern Languages Teachers’ Association Queensland (formed in 1958). She also led a literary circle for the Australian Federation of University Women (Queensland). She spent considerable time in France on overseas travels and for her dedication and contribution to the teaching of French, she was granted Life Membership of the Modern Languages Teachers’ Association Queensland in 1960.