Nomination written by Wendy Johnston — Director of Marketing and Communications, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School

At a recent event at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, Ray Geise was awarded the Hall of Fame Ascent Award of the Anglican Schools Commission for his over fifty years teaching in Anglican Schools.

The nomination for this award was written by Wendy Johnston – Director of Marketing and Communications at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School and she has given permission for the nomination to be included in this edition of the Link.

For more than half a century, Ray Geise OAM has modelled extraordinary commitment, service, and leadership within Anglican education and the wider community. Now 94, Ray continues to work tirelessly to serve others, embodying the values, humility, and purpose that have defined his life’s work.

Ray’s association with Anglican Schools began in 1969, at The Hutchins School in Hobart, St Paul’s School at Bald Hills, and later at St Margaret’s, where he served for 23 years (1993–2016). His teaching portfolio (History, French, Indonesian, RVE and Accounting) reflected an extraordinary pedagogical depth and subject expertise. For 25 years, Ray was state panel chair for foreign languages on the board of Senior Secondary School Studies.

Ray’s most profound legacy at St Margaret’s was his revitalisation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and establishment of the Toc H club, both of which continue to enrich the school’s service culture today. His stewardship of RVE was marked by exceptional commitment, pastoral insight, and his ability to deeply connect with young people.

In 2012, Ray further strengthened the sector through the publication of a 314-page book documenting the history and impact of the school’s founders — Society of the Sacred Advent — an historical gem preserving the stories of the many SSA schools for future generations.

Ray’s leadership has been nationally acknowledged. His honours include the Order of Australia Medal (1996) for service to Toc H and the community (he was chair of Toc H Australia for 22 years), the Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal, the Centenary of Federation Medal (2002), and his appointment as a Knight of Honour of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (2010). These honours reflect not only his service record but the innovative programs and community initiatives he established over many years. In 2010 he was named Patron of St Margaret’s School (2010/2011) — an honour reserved for the most committed servants of the school who leave an enduring legacy.

Ray’s influence extends far beyond any single institution. He served as private secretary to the founder of Toc H in London, and later as Warden of Talbot House (1962–64). For more than 20 years, he has chaired the management committee of the Toc H Centre on Bribie Island, a wellbeing facility supporting people in need and those living with disabilities. Even today, he is planning a multi-disciplinary wellbeing event for senior students and the wider northern Brisbane community, evidence of a lifelong commitment to service leadership.

Deeply connected to the SSA since his days at St Francis Theological College (1957), Ray has lived the Anglican ethos through action: compassion, humility, justice, and service. He continues to support St Margaret’s today, presenting an annual English prize in honour of his late wife, Sheila, past student and staff member of St Margaret’s, participating in ANZAC Day ceremonies, and mentoring Toc H students.

Ray’s legacy is visible in the countless students who completed programs he championed, the communities he strengthened, and the values he modelled daily. His life’s work stands as a powerful inspiration for current and future educators.

There is a saying in Toc H that goes “Service to others is the rent we pay for our room on earth”.

Ray Geise represents the highest ideals of educational and community service: enduring, compassionate, and transformative.