Madge & Bibs: Adelaide's Revolution in Girls' Education

The Friends of the LIbrary present: Madge & Bibs: Adelaide's Revolution in Girls' Education.

Join us during the South Australia’s History Festival for a captivating evening exploring the remarkable legacy of two pioneering women in education.

This special screening of Madge & Bibs, directed by Rob George, brings to life the story of Madeline Rees George (Madge) and her sister Marian George (Bibs), whose vision helped transform opportunities for women in South Australia.

Under Madge’s leadership at the Advanced School for Girls, the school became the first state high school to introduce academic subjects that enabled women to qualify for university entry. Many of the early female graduates of the University of Adelaide came through its doors, going on to shape fields such as medicine, education, and the movement for women’s suffrage including South Australia’s landmark achievement of granting women the right to vote in 1894.

Come along for an evening of history, storytelling, and inspiration—celebrating the women who helped reshape education and opportunity in South Australia.

Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles on arrival before the screening, followed by an engaging discussion with the filmmaker, who draws on a rich archive of family letters and diaries to tell this deeply personal and historically significant story.

About the Filmmaker

Rob George is an Adelaide University graduate with an extensive career spanning over four decades in film, television, and theatre. As a writer, director, and producer with Prospect Productions, he has developed a strong reputation for bringing South Australia’s rich histories to life through compelling storytelling.

His work often draws on personal and archival material—Madge & Bibs being a powerful example, inspired by family letters and diaries from the 1870s. Madge and Bibs were his great-great aunts, making this film both a historical exploration and a deeply personal tribute.

Presented by the Friends of the Library, this event warmly welcomes students, staff, alumni, and members of the wider community.

Doors open at 6 pm, event starts at 6.30 pm.

All proceeds support the Library.