FOREVER Fairholme Girls.

That is the title of Zarabella Bambling's entry to this year's annual Facets of Fairholme art exhibition.

The three-piece set of charcoal drawings depict Zarabella, her aunt Kathy Bambling and grandmother Paddy Bambling, both of whom are deceased.

These three generations of girls all attended Toowoomba girls boarding school Fairholme College, as did Zarabella's older sisters Josie and Em, who have since graduated.

Paddy was well-known locally as the creative force behind Penwhaupell Pottery.

"In the 1980s and 90s, if you got married or left the district, you've got a Penwhaupell pot," daughter-in-law Vanessa Bambling said.

Earlier this month, the sisters' parents, Arthur and Vanessa Bambling, hosted principal Dr Linda Evans and head of pastoral care for the boarding house, Jenny Sutton at their Aranbanga property, Penwhaupell Station, further solidifying the bonds between the family and the school.

Mrs Bambling said the visit was "quite special for us".

The family's connection is especially deep as Mrs Sutton has been head of pastoral care since Em, the eldest daughter, was at Fairholme.

What's more, Mrs Sutton was a contemporary of Kathy Bambling's, when they both attended Fairholme.

Mrs Bambling said boarding had "allowed the girls the opportunity to do lots of things that open doors for them".

Em and Josie are both now at the University of New England, studying business/agriculture and town planning, respectively.

Mrs Bambling said the amount of outreach Fairholme did, before, during and after their boarders attended, was unique among schools.

Dr Evans said she tried to visit boarder families in their home towns as often as possible, "which is difficult because we have so many families across Australia".

"Calling into the Bamblings home allowed us a wonderful catch-up with many past and current families, and also some families who are considering boarding for their daughter's education," Dr Evans said.

"It's a difficult decision to send a child to boarding school, and one no parent takes lightly.

"We don't take it lightly either, and it's important for us to touch base with the families who have entrusted us with their daughters."

Dr Evans said she and Mrs Sutton left laden with citrus, all of which came from Fairholme families.

The luncheon was well-attended as many locals have Fairholme connections, such as the Bryants, the Bayntuns, the Skiltons, the Robertsons and the Rowles'.