The Abbotsleigh Old Girls’ Union (AOGU), founded in May 1908 by the School’s first Headmistress, Miss Marian Clarke, is one of the oldest student unions in Australia with membership of more than 7,000 Old Girls.
The AOGU and elected Committee maintain and pass down the traditions of the School and promote its interests, build a strong community to unite past students of the School with the present, and keep past Abbotsleigh girls connected with each other. Old Girls contribute directly through representation on the School Council, Foundation and other committees, sharing their experiences and wisdom by speaking at assemblies and functions, guiding career discussions, encouraging reunions of year groups, and supporting students and each other.
Some family connections to the School span five generations, with great-great grandmothers originally attending Abbotsleigh. This is the rich legacy and history which the AOGU works to preserve, while striving to continue to make the AOGU relevant for our newest Old Girls as they help define the future.
Upcoming activities
The AOGU is committed to building real connections – to each other and to our school, through a variety of events designed to appeal to many tastes, ages and interests. Download the AOGU Calendar (PDF link) to see what’s happening this year.
Objectives of the AOGU
The AOGU Committee aims to preserve and enhance the rich legacy of the School and its students, celebrating the history and traditions while striving to make the AOGU relevant for all members, no matter when they left school.
The main objectives of the AOGU are to:
- Maintain the traditions of the School and promote its interests
- Create connections and communications to unite past members of the school with the present
- Build the Old Girl community through events and activities, which can be found here
You can read the AOGU Constitution here (PDF)
AOGU membership and constitution
Life membership is available to all students who complete at least four terms of schooling at Abbotsleigh. All girls who finish Year 12 at Abbotsleigh are automatically invited to join as members. Members can join AOGU activities, vote at the AGM and are eligible for nomination and election to the AOGU General Committee.
AOGU representatives
The AOGU Committee is a volunteer committee of Old Girls. All Old Girls are eligible to be nominated as a member of the General Committee with appointments taking place annually at the AGM. The term of service is one year with unlimited eligibility for reappointment. Office bearers are also appointed annually at the AGM.