Verity - December 2021 - Issue 43

VERITY

Cover Art

Abbey Ellerton VCE Art

Inside Cover

Loreto gardens by Liz Crothers

Editorial Team

Jayde Harrington, Judy-Ann Quilliam, Linda Kinnersly, Michelle Brodrick

Photography

Paul Shire, Liz Crothers, H Studios, David Barker, Reuben Rasmussen, Judy-Ann Quilliam, Jayde Harrington, Narelle Mulrooney

Design

Liz Skrokov Design and Graphics

Print

Revolution Print

Contributions to Verity can be sent to: Loreto College

The Marketing & Development Office 1600 Sturt Street Ballarat VIC 3350 or verity@loreto.vic.edu.au

FEATURES

A BURSAR’S EYE VIEW 12

A unique retrospective view of the change, challenges and heartfelt oversight of forty years of Loreto community service from past, present and incoming Business Managers.

COMMISSIONING AND BLESSING OF OUR 31ST PRINCIPAL 16

Michelle Brodrick was officially commissioned as the 31st Principal of Loreto College Ballarat in a beautiful culturally significant ceremony and whole school mass

RISING TO CHALLENGE AND CHANGE IN BUSINESS 20

Five Loreto alumni have been recognised for innovating, surviving and thriving with their outstanding regional businesses in the 2021 Federation Business School Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards. 20

16 28 12

LANGUAGES IN AN EVOLVING WORLD 28

Yoshie Burrows shares the importance of learning languages and stories of alumni who are using their language skills in our changing world.

A VOICE OF CHANGEINSPIRING SELF-LOVE 32

Loreto alumna Ruchi Page (Class of 2011) is a strong voice for change in the beauty industry.

From the Editors,

“Change is not a betrayal of the past and of its traditions, change is fidelity to it.”

Sister Noni Mitchell, ibvm (Loreto in Australia: Mary Ryllis Clark, 2009)

Mother Gonzaga Barry’s arrival in Ballarat in July 1985 coincided with a period of immense growth and change in our region. In 2021 we find ourselves in a similar period of regional growth as well as unprecedented challenge and enforced change from the worldwide Covid pandemic.

Change and challenge seem to go hand in hand, and which ever comes first, for the most part is unavoidable. However, the fidelity and felicity with which we choose to view change and challenge influences our experiences and outcomes.

In our year of Felicity, this essential element of the Loreto spirit has potentially helped our Loreto community adapt to the unprecedented change and challenges we have all faced.

Our students have maintained their strong sense that girls can do anything; they hold onto the faith they have been taught and have risen to challenges with courage and strength. They surprise us with their resilience, tenacity, creativity and adaptability to change every day.

Our school has continued to strive to offer students an experience of stability, happiness and hope in which felicity and learning can still flourish, as well as continued plans for an innovative and exciting future extension campus.

Our alumni have risen to their graduate responsibility to go forward into the world and their individual paths and “do good and do it well,” evidence of their ability to face challenge and change and extraordinary achievements are everywhere, including right here in the businesses that keep our regions alive.

How-ever you view change and challenge, we hope this edition of Verity brings you some felicitous joy, right when we need it the most!

Jayde Harrington and Judy-Ann Quilliam Marketing and Development Office

Messages from Loreto

From the Board

At this time last year, I wrote about the excitement with which the College Board, leadership and staff faced the task of imagining and bringing to reality the Loreto College of the future.

Twelve months later, it is pleasing to report that, notwithstanding the obvious and relentless challenges and distractions, much progress has been made. A significant amount of work has been undertaken behind the scenes, including ongoing strategic and master planning, learning and curriculum review, a board governance review, a restructure of the leadership team for 2021 and a major audit of the requirements for continued registration of the school.

Good planning, good governance, structures and procedures to deliver those plans, help form the foundations for Loreto now and into the future. Whilst all of these tasks are important, they pale into insignificance against the core business of the school – which is to nurture and educate young women for their future place.

If the whole School Mass to formally commission Michelle Brodrick as Principal is any guide, it seems that Loreto College continues to do this very well, this was a truly beautiful occasion. But more than that, the occasion displayed the foundations of the School community which provides a pedestal for that beauty – strength, resilience, compassion and those deep ‘Loreto’ connections that are forged and endure in the harshest of times, and for decades after.

Shortly after, the School released its “Rise Up – I Am Loreto” campaign, which encapsulated this combination of beauty, strength, sense of community and hope for the future.

The words of the song resonate so strongly in 2021: “At times the future seems out of reach”, and yet we are urged to have hope, to know that “I will rise up, I will not fall”.

The School received a great deal of positive feedback about this campaign, and with good reason. If you have not already seen it, I highly recommend that you seek out the video.

To all who contribute to the life of the Loreto community, I extend my profound gratitude. To all of our students, and especially our graduating students of 2021, be confident that you will rise up, and have faith that this uniquely beautiful and strong community will not let you fall.

I wish all of you a Christmas filled with joy, love, friends and family, and a New Year filled with hope and promise.

Luke Dunne Board Chair

In this year of Felicity, we need to find the joy and be a part of the joy in people’s lives.”

There are moments in our life that change us forever. There are important events that change the course of our life and ones that stay forever etched in our minds. There are ones that are exciting and filled with joy that we step willingly into such as graduations and weddings. There are other traumatic events that we are plunged into without choice such as the death of loved one or separation.

All of these events challenge us whether they are sad or joyous.

The College has had to operate like it never has before. The year has been filled with lockdown and remote learning. Our ‘normal’ school days are not at all ‘normal’. Of particular difficulty has been the events we have not been able to hold and the gatherings we have not been able to have. Coming together has been something that I have missed and the opportunities to connect have been limited and sporadic.

The Loreto staff, students and families have worked incredibly hard to bridge this gap. Finding new ways to learn, sing, dance, act, run and laugh has become the norm. In the 1980s, Cyndi Lauper’s song True Colours was a standard anthem used for reflection for many school retreats and celebrations. The lyrics focussed on looking beyond the darkness and seeing the brightness in

From the Principal

people. In these times the role we play in bringing light and hope to each other has allowed us to face the challenges. Hope is a characteristic Christian virtue. If we put faith and hope to work in our lives, we can press on. The Loreto community embodies the values of Freedom, Justice, Sincerity, Verity and Felicity. In this year of Felicity, we need to find the joy and be a part of the joy in people’s lives.

The stories featured in this issue of Verity highlight the ways we have faced challenges and the way Loreto Alumni have risen to the many challenges they have faced.

From the obstacles overcome and the

learnings from these challenges, we will have changed. Rather than tearing us apart, I hope that it brings us closer together and that we can see more clearly the true value of each other.

In the past month we launched our ‘Rise Up’ video. This song was written and performed by Loreto College students. The students showcased and reflected the diversity and immense talent and interests of those involved. Each time I watch it I feel such pride and inspired to rise up, stay strong, holding on to faith with courage all the way.

Michelle Brodrick Principal

From the College Co-Captains

We are in such awe of the resilience and optimism our Loreto community has shown over the past few weeks. Recent restrictions have meant a return to online learning, however we have been able to stay connected, embodying the Loreto spirit in all that we do. We are in admiration of the innovation by our students and teachers, coming up with creative ways to engage the Loreto community - whether that be weekly online fitness sessions, ‘Guess the Teacher and Student’ quizzes from the Senate, or competitions led by our Art and Library Faculty. We send our gratitude to our fabulous Loreto community for staying positive and adaptable in these uncertain times.

We are grateful for the Year 12 cohort to be able to return to face-to-face learning as we approach the end of our school year. We have so much gratitude for our Loreto education, and are so appreciative of those

who have helped us on our Loreto journey. Loreto’s vibrant, creatively diverse and dynamic environment means that no matter who you are or where your interests lie, everyone is able to flourish.

Whilst this year was full of uncertainty, we take the opportunity to celebrate what we were able to achieve and involve ourselves in this year - including our annual GB Day and Walkathon, Swimming and Athletics Carnival, Harmony Day, Pride Day and the Loreto Production. These days, and every day in between, are what make our Loreto journey so memorable.

As the end of our Loreto journey is fast approaching, we reflect on the abundance of opportunities we have had not only this year, but during our six years at Loreto College. We are filled with so much gratitude for the support from our Loreto community, especially during our final year.

We extend our best wishes and thanks to the Class of 2021 for all the fun we have shared over our Loreto journey - we are so excited to see all of the incredible things you achieve in your bright futures. We hope the Class of 2022, led by Sophie and Jaime, embraces every opportunity in their final year at Loreto, and encapsulate the value of Freedom in all that they do.

Thank you, to our Loreto community, for entrusting us with the role of 2021 Co-Captains and we hope you also look back on this year with felicity. Loreto College will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we are eager to see where the next chapter takes us.

Madeleine Palmer and Casey Dodd College Co-Captains

Around Loreto

A Chorus

Line

In Term 2 we hosted ‘A Chorus Line’, our first production in the Mary’s Mount Centre since 2019. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this year our production included only Loreto students however there was certainly no lack of talent on the stage! All cast and crew members worked incredibly hard and they certainly did an excellent job bringing the show to life across four performances, delighting the entire school community in the process.

GB Day

With the theme ‘Throwback Thursday’, Gonzaga Barry Day just scraped in before we went into lockdown at the beginning of Term 3. Amongst the creative costumes and our Senate-led assembly, generosity was at the forefront of the day, with lots of fun stalls and an impressive collection of non-perishable food and secondhand clothes donated on the day for Ballarat’s Winter Relief Appeal. At the end of the day, the non-perishable food was delivered to Anglicare and the second-hand clothes were donated to St Vincent de Paul. A further $5000 was also added to these donations, due to the fun stalls that Mentor Groups ran throughout the day. Congratulations to the Senate for organising the day and for everyone getting into the spirit of Gonzaga Barry Day!

VCAL Projects in the former St Thérése of the Little Flower Church

Pride Day

On Monday 21 June, Loreto held our first Pride Day celebrations for all within the Loreto community to know they are loved, valued and welcomed. Our JPIC and Sincerity Group members encouraged students and staff to tie a ribbon onto a metal heart sculpture, to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ and all people in our community. In the end, a colourful representation of support was created in the quadrangle. Now, the beautiful heart takes a proud place in the Loreto reception area.

Our innovative VCAL students have been working on three integrated projects with an ongoing focus on sustainability and community engagement. The students and staff are working together to create various components for the Little Flower practice cafe’ including café furniture, a pizza oven and garden. Such an inspiring and beautiful space for creative work!

The students have also been working on an ‘Ageing with Dignity’ project making dignity bibs and fidget blankets for dementia patients in aged care. The residents love receiving the products designed and created by the students.

What’s New

I am Loreto

At times the future seems out of reach The road too dark, the climb ahead so steep But here I am with the world at my feet Watch me go, there’s no stopping me…

Showcasing a fresh new look at our contemporary Loreto College, ‘I am Loreto’ showcases our students and alumni, finding strength and pride in their individual choices, gifts and talents. Especially in these changing and challenging times, ‘I am Loreto’ encourages us all to be proud to be Loreto!

‘Rise Up’ - original lyrics were inspired by Loreto College Year 11 student Grace Cassells, and written, recorded, and produced by Loreto community member, Heath McCurdy. Vocal soloist is Year 12 student, Madeleine Palmer and the Senior Music Students and behind the camera for much of this footage was, Loreto alumna, Alyssa Baker (Class of 2012) and Heath McCurdy and their team.

Special thanks to our recent Loreto alumni who participated in this projectKate Harwood (Class of 2006 – Health Industry), Ebony Monson (Class of 2010 – Scientific Research) and Roxanne Spittle (Class of 2011 – Construction Industry).

I will rise up. I will not fall. Holding onto faith. Courage all the way - I am Loreto.

If you have not seen the full song/video please scan the bar code to watch now: Link: youtube.com/watch?v=z1YEgm2lP4Y

New Uniform OptionsShorts and Trousers

In recent years there have been a few updates to the current uniform suite in line with contemporary uniform requirements. Following an extensive period of consultation and design, new shorts and trousers options have now been introduced for the respective summer and winter uniform. The new shorts and trousers feature a custom Loreto navy colour and fabric, specifically designed to complement the existing uniform items. The introduction has proven to be very popular with the students and families who have been asking for shorts and trouser options for a number of years.

The sports uniform has had some new optional additions introduced; a winter scarf is now available, and a soft brimmed summer hat has also been introduced to the summer uniform for outdoor wear. A full Uniform List and Expectations is available on the College website.

A Bursar’s Eye View 1979 - 2021

I have been an active member of the community of Loreto College Ballarat for more than twentyfive years and reflect, with a sense of awe, on the changes that I have experienced over that period.”

Mr Geoff Stevenson

When our recently retired Business Manager, Mr Jeff Primmer was cleaning up his desk, he came across a letter of reflection written by his predecessor, Mr Geoffrey (Geoff) Stevenson. The letter was titled, A Community Experience: Snippets From An Aged Bursar, and was written in the last few months of his work at the College in 2003. The innocuous letter turned out to be pure gold and has inspired this past, present and future reflection on the change and challenges that our Bursar and Business Managers are privileged to oversee at this wonderful school. The following includes excerpts from Geoff Stevenson’s letter.

“I have been an active member of the community of Loreto College Ballarat for

more than twenty-five years and reflect, with a sense of awe, on the changes that I have experienced over that period” shared Geoff in the opening words of his letter.

Geoffrey Stevenson was appointed to the Loreto staff in 1979, one year after the amalgamation of Loreto Convent – Dawson St and Mary’s Mount – Sturt St. He began his service teaching Business Studies at Dawson St, Commercial College. At that time there was a resident religious community of eleven nuns and the Dawson St community included a Primary School, Secondary Years Seven and Eight, and the Commercial College. The Sturt St site accommodated a religious community of twenty-nine nuns, students from Year Nine to Twelve, some of whom were boarders.

The Principal of Loreto College was Sister Mary Wright and the Vice-Principal Sister Yvonne Lamerand. Sister Claire Gardiner was in charge of the Dawson Street site and Sister Sheila Hynes was the Bursar.

In August of 1981, Geoff relinquished his teaching load and became the first lay Bursar of Loreto College Ballarat. “Sister Sheila gave me a very thorough briefing prior to her departure. At the time of appointment, it was agreed that I would be ‘on probation’ for twelve months to see whether I was equal to the responsibility,” said Geoff. No formal review ever occurred, and he remained in the role until his sudden death in 2004.

When he became Bursar, Sister Bernadette Ziesinghad been appointed as the Principal

and the total student enrolment was sixhundred-and-sixty-four including fortythree boarders. There were ten nuns on the teaching staff, and a decision had been made some years earlier to close the boarding school and the last group of boarders finished in 1982.

With the departure of the Year Twelve boarders at the end of 1981, the vacated dormitory was converted to a Year Twelve common room. Only seventeen boarders remained for the final year in 1982. The closure of the boarding school provided the day school the opportunity to expand and refurbish.

In December of 1982, the convent closed at Dawson Street and a large number of rooms became available for school use on the Dawson St site and the St. Anne’s dormitory on Sturt St site was converted to three classrooms, a common room and locker area. With the additional space on both sites, the greater possibilities with additional size and a strong unsatisfied demand for

the convent community. At that time all recording was manual with some very unsophisticated mechanical assistance. In the one cash-book they recorded transactions relating to the day school, boarding school, Loreto Abbey Private Nursing Home, St. Elizabeth’s Hostel and Loreto Abbey Mary’s Mount Convent.

Willingness to be challenged by, and make change in response to an ever evolving environmental expectation, is very apparent.”

Geoff oversaw a controversial and necessary increase in tuition fees by fifty percent in 1983, where it was forecast by some that the school would lose half its enrolments. After a long process of consultation, the tuition fees were raised by fifty percent to enable the school to adequately meet its obligations, and Geoff shared, “as a matter of interest I received not one complaint from parents and the total enrolment increased.”

One of the most significant changes noted in Geoff’s time was the change in governance and the management structures. At the time of his appointment as Bursar, there existed a Loreto Board, the members of which were the Superiors of both communities, the Principal, the two Vice-Principals and the Bursar. Over time the Board was succeeded by a Parent Advisory Committee, which was replaced by an appointed Council. Geoff was a member of the Finance Working Party which had an

important role in planning for the various school’s Council appointments and in the Incorporation of the schools.

In the term of his appointment, the religious Principals that Geoff served included Sisters Mary Wright, Bernadette Ziesing, Diaan Stuart and Maureen Burke. The community Superiors were: Sisters Consuelo Braithwaite, Ellen Moran, Therese Lechte, Jan Barlow, Elizabeth Donnan, Cynthia Wright and Margaret Bourke.

Finally, Geoff shared a few precious points of appreciation of his experience as a relatively short term member of the Loreto Ballarat community:

• It is a privilege to play a part in a community which has such a long established history, tradition and wider community respect;

• The Sturt Street site, with its adjacent parkland and lakeside setting, imposing

heritage classified buildings and lovely garden environment, is not so much a workplace as a daily experience of peace and fulfilment;

• Even though the members change, the sense of purpose and commitment does not;

• Willingness to be challenged by, and make change in response to an ever evolving environmental expectation, is very apparent;

• To be able to articulate an independent viewpoint and to use one’s individual judgement with confidence without any sense of unease or recrimination is for me the ultimate experience in trust; and

• “As I approach the end of my period of service with Loreto I give thanks to God for the opportunity.” Geoffrey Stevenson 2003.

Exciting times lay

ahead which I will follow with great interest.”

Following the sudden death of Geoff Stevenson, Jeff Primmer commenced in the role of Bursar for the College in July 2004. Whilst Geoff had started to make plans for retirement, his death came as shock to all and had a significant impact on the staff at Loreto College with Geoff having served in the role for more than 20 years.

The College was in a very sound position when when Jeff Primmer commenced in the role, with a well developed strategic plan, a building master plan to support the strategic plan, substantial cash reserves to fund part of the master plan, steady enrolments and an experienced and capable staff. With no handover and the role being vacant for some 4 months, there was much to do for the new Bursar.

The main emphasis of the Strategic Plan was the consolidation of the Dawson Street Campus, onto the College’s Sturt Street site. This involved significant capital infrastructure to accommodate the 270 Year 7 and 8 students, so in addition to the responsibility for the College’s day to day finance, property and administrative functions, Jeff was also responsible for the building components of the Master Plan, together with the Principal. The first component was the construction of what is now known as the Mary Ward Centre, which commenced in October 2004. This was a $6 million project completed over 15 months.

The library collection was moved into the Antoinette Hayden Library during the 2005 end of year break, which allowed the next

stage of the Master Plan to commence, the Science refurbishment. The library was converted into two additional science rooms and lab tech / prep area, while the existing 3 science rooms were completely refurbished.

2005 also saw the end of Anne Fry’s reign as Principal with Anne taking the role as Principal at John XXIII in Perth. Judith Potter was appointed as Principal from 2006. Planning for the closure of the Dawson Street campus was a major focus of the year. This was quite sensitive given the strong attachment to the campus from past pupils and current and past staff.

During 2006, the College completed negotiations with the Cathedral Parish for the purchase of the church at 305 Wendouree Parade – St Therese of the Little Flower. The impending consolidation of the two campuses would create demand for additional large gathering spaces. The Little Flower was used extensively by the music and performing arts department from 2007 – 2018. Initial concept plans for conversion into a Performing Arts Centre were superseded by the development of the Mary’s Mount Centre. The Little Flower is now home to the VCAL program.

The ‘sinking’ of a bore and installation of associated plumbing works was also completed in 2006. Whilst not a major capital program, it was a very important project as it ensured continued access to water during drought which ensured the grounds and oval could be maintained to the very high standard that we see today.

It would be easy to assume that the major changes during this period all revolved around the infrastructure developments. Whilst they have been significant, and brought with them challenges, Jeff also identifies the departure of the Loreto Sisters from the Sturt Street campus as significant. Loreto nuns first inhabited the Sturt Street site in 1875 and were a presence on site until

2012. Whilst their day to day involvement in the school’s education program decreased during the 1990s and the numbers living on site declined, they still had a presence on site that is difficult to quantify.

Also significant has been the change and challenge of technology. When Jeff commenced his employment, the College had no laptop computers, three student computer labs, desktop computers for some staff, with teachers sharing four computers in an area near their lunch area. Classroom technology was limited to overhead projectors and a portable TV and VCR shared between floors. Fee payment was accepted by cash, cheque or money order. In comparison to now where we have around 1100 portable devices, short throw projectors in each classroom, and WAP (Wireless Access Points) throughout the site.

Whilst the safety of our students and staff has always been the highest priority, there is now a major emphasis on compliance and management of risks. This now takes up a significant amount of time for the College’s Leadership Team, Board and Board Committees.

After 15 years of outstanding dedicated service, Jeff Primmer now leaves Loreto College for a well-earned retirement. He leaves the College in a similar position to when he first entered. Very competent staff, great facilities, minimal debt, cash reserves and plans for an expansion campus to meet current and future enrolment demands.

“Exciting times lay ahead which I will follow with great interest,” shared Jeff.

In 2021, we welcome Brenton Riordan to the College as Business Manager. Brenton’s appointment comes at a time once again of significant change, challenge and growth, as he joins our new Principal, Michelle Brodrick to oversee the extension campus of the school to accommodate the learning needs of our rapidly expanding region.

Commissioning and Blessing of our 31st Principal

Being commissioned 12 months in has definite benefits. I have come to know what it is to be Loreto.”

On Thursday 15 July 2021, Michelle Brodrick was officially commissioned as the 31st Principal of Loreto College Ballarat in a beautiful culturally significant ceremony and whole school mass. With special thanks to Sr Wendy Hildebrand ibvm –Loreto Province Leader, Fr Justin Driscoll, Aunty Gwen - Wadawurrung Elder and Macaylah Johnson - Wadawurrung and Loreto Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer, Luke Dunne – College Board Chair, special guests, students, staff and all involved in the planning and conduct of the Commissioning.

Michelle shared that when she looks back on her time at Loreto, she will always remember the special ceremony that marked her Commissioning and Blessing as Principal. She was overwhelmed by the Welcome to Country that was led by Macaylah Johnson, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander officer, and very moved when Aunty Gwen, on behalf of the Wadawurrung Elders, and assisted by Year 10 student Kailah Scott, placed the djirraburrin on her shoulders.

Michelle shared, “It was very humbling to receive such an honour, and as a leader and proud Loreto woman, I will always strive to live up to the values, strength and wisdom of the generations of Wadawurrung women who have worn it before.”

In this article, we have included an extract from Michelle’s address from the ceremony and she hopes that in reading it, you can get a sense of how blessed she feels to be

a part of such a faith-filled community which is dedicated to nurturing young women of character, strength and integrity.

“Being commissioned 12 months in has definite benefits. I have come to know what it is to be Loreto.

Now it is so much more personal as students, staff and the community are myriad images and feelings …. I can picture Loreto to be:

• Johanna walking in as a Year 7 heading to choir practice at 7:30 in the morning

• Olive and Lil leading the climate change march

• Layla working in the Mulhall Centre during remote learning

• Roger Morris and Suzie Fraser (Year 12 Coordinators) rallying the Year 12s in preparation for their studies

• Elizabeth Farrington at Reception welcoming everyone to the College

• Tess in Year 11 delivering a coffee and chatting about her day

• Nyawich speaking about her experiences before moving to Australia

• Chloe laid up in hospital following a fierce clash on GMHBA stadium during the Respect Cup footy match

Last Saturday night I watched Ash Barty play in the Wimbledon final. All week I had heard how much winning the title would mean to her and the vision immediately following the championship point was particularly moving.

I saw just how much it meant.

I watched her sink to the ground but then get up to respectfully hug her opponent. I saw her overwhelmed with what she had achieved. She spoke emotionally about her idol, Evonne Goolagong, the last Australian woman to win Wimbledon in 1980. Evonne Goolagong was often spoken about in my household growing up - her poise, grace and talent. My dad even named a horse, Goolagong, in her honour. So, I also felt a sense of pride in Ash’s achievement along with many other people.

What a difference it makes when things really means something to you.

Over the past year I have seen the love that exists for Loreto College – staff, students and community which has been nurtured over 146 years by those that have walked through these gates.

There are 30 principals that have been here before me. Judith Potter, Anne Fry…right back to Mother Gonzaga Barry whom we are celebrating today. I have even discovered that my grandmother’s cousin was a Loreto sister and was the Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School in Dawson Street, which Mother Gonzaga Barry established.

As innovators and educators, they steered the College through wars, depression, the uncertain and glorious times in which they lived.

In our history we have many stories to call upon that tell us about when something has meant so much.

• Mary Ward showed us what her faith meant in the 1600s when she was challenged by the Church and events of her times.

• Mother Gonzaga Barry showed us how much education and opportunity for young women meant to her when she established Loreto in 1875.

• Our First Nations people show us through their stories how much country means, a love for the land and our Earth.

So, as we enter a new phase of Loreto, one that includes an extension campus with options for new programs and initiatives, primary education and more, we don’t necessarily know what it will look like but if we hold on to the idea that it means something to us then we will continue the Loreto tradition. And we get to be a part of that, whether it is as a current student, a past pupil or member of staff and Board.

I want us to continue to have the longing, the love that I have seen to ‘be Loreto’.

• to be strong, brave and courageous

• to respect our First Nations history

• to speak out and take action…for those at the margins, for our Earth, for our Faith

• to embody the values of Freedom, Justice, Sincerity, Verity and in this year of Felicity...to find the joy and be a part of the joy in people’s lives

• and when things get tough, to seek guidance in the stories of the past but also in the present.

I want to say thank you to the many people here today who have been an integral part of my life and supported me….my family, previous principals and colleagues, to the Leadership Team and Steph and to the staff, Board and students of Loreto for their support every day.

To the Loreto community thank you for welcoming me. I can’t wait to experience ‘the ways we will do much’ together.”

Rising to Challenge and Change in Business

Words by Kylee Ellerton, Kim Tempany, Andrea Cameron, Katie Wright, Alison Van Bree and Judy-Ann Quilliam

If you have a goal then you need to plan your work & work your plan.

“Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable”

Coco Chanel

The past two years have certainly thrown us all some challenges, however for those in business the constant and unprecedented forced challenge and change has been unrelenting. So much so, that this year’s Federation Business School Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards pivoted to recognising and celebrating businesses that innovated, survived or thrived in 2020/2021.

It was wonderful to see that five of the finalists recognised as outstanding regional businesses are owned or operated by Loreto alumni! These successful businesswomen have risen to the task and are forging new paths or leading the way in their respective industries. Congratulations to Kylee Ellerton (Class of 1988) - Frank Ford Travel, Alison van Bree (Class of 1995) – Ballarat Epoxy & Flake Flooring, Andrea Cameron (Class of 1989) and Erin Taylor (Class of 1996) – Vitrafy, Kim Tempany (Class of 1987) – Buddies C.A.N. and sisters, Kristy Richardson (Class of 1999) and Katie Wright (Class of 2000) – Formosa Gardens Nursery.

Their inspiring stories of survival, success and a little Loreto inspiration need to be shared!

Kylee Ellerton (nee Mann) is the owner of Frank Ford Travel, Ballarat longest running

Travel Agency, celebrating over 50 years in business. Kylee’s Loreto connection spans three generations, her mother, Wanda Skirzynski (Class of 1964), Kylee, and her daughter, Abbey, currently completing Year 12 is the third generation to attend Loreto College.

Kylee spent 10 years learning her skills in the travel industry from her father before working and eventually becoming owner of Frank Ford Travel. For Kylee, her business has never been just about making money, it has been something she loves that has also given her the flexibility she needed to raise family. In 2018 her business partner retired, and she became sole owner of Frank Ford Travel. Kylee revelled in the new challenges of managing a team of seven staff and wearing many hats: owner/ manager, travel consultant, back office, marketing, networker, community volunteer, partner, mum, friend, daughter and carer.

However, in March 2020 worldwide travel abruptly stopped due to Covid-19. Her team had to suddenly bring clients home who were stuck overseas with borders closing all around them, cancel 760 bookings and secure refunds and credits. They started to educate and update clients with current travel information and navigating the ever changing border closures and restrictions. It was unimaginable that all of their traveling clients would be in the same situation all over the world, at the same time. That

was the turning point for Kylee’s business and her team. They were no longer just agents selling travel, instead, they became a trusted support to their many clients. Her team also had to pivot quickly and look outside the box for income to keep them going and they came up with hygiene packs, local accommodation deals, private airport transfers and mystery picnics.

For Kylee, being a finalist in the Awards has meant more than any industry award, and her beloved Loreto community have supported her all the way. Many past pupils and staff are clients of the business, and her close friends are the ones who have kept her going at the height of the pandemic. Kylee also employs Loreto alumni and has

had many Loreto students complete work experience with her over the years. She is also forever meeting Loreto girls in her travels, with many conversations starting over the sighting of a Loreto ring!

Despite all the challenges, Kylee remains optimistic about the travel industry she loves and knows so well. “The travel industry is resilient and will bounce back as everyone’s dream is to travel.”

Alison Van Bree joined her husband in Ballarat Epoxy and Flake Flooring three years ago to establish a business with a focus on developing beautiful, architectural epoxy finishes, including mechanically polished concrete to epoxy coatings, and custom decorative pieces. Alison was

Believe in

YOURSELF!!

Believe in what you are trying to achieve. Have an end game, change direction, come full circle and start again...”

actually sitting at a table having a wine with her good friend from Loreto College, Melanie Shoo, when she received the call to inform her that her business was a finalist in the Awards, such is the close connection and ongoing support of her Loreto peers.

The business is an evolution of so many aspects of Alison and her husband’s lives, and has given them the amazing opportunity to work together combining science and art. Over the past 18 months they have focussed heavily on value adding through research and development to develop new and bespoke finishes.

Alison shared, “I have so often had people comment over the years at how lucky I am, but it’s not luck, it’s hard work! Always work hard at what matters to you, whatever you are doing deserves 110% of your energy, your focus, and your passion. And if someone offers you a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat – just get on!!” (Sheryl Sandberg)

Kim Tempany (nee Holloway’s) business is a true Loreto family affair. Her daughters, Emily and Jessica attended Loreto College and also work with her in their business, Buddies CAN, and another Loreto alumna, Jane Spielvogel, is part of their management team.

Kim has a background in mental health and small business and identified a need and opportunity in 2017 in the roll out of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) to make a difference and affect real change within the disability sector in the local community. Kim recognised that their participants needed them more than ever, so they thought outside the box and pivoted their support model to keep more connected with their participants, so they felt valued as part of the Buddies Community.

This involved an increase of 1:1 support to ensure people had the resources they need in the home and were getting in

some form of activity. They also partnered with a local café and began a meal delivery service to ensure people had at least one hearty, healthy, balanced meal each day, ensuring they remained connected to their participants during the lockdown periods of 2020 and now 2021.

For Kim, her family and their team being recognised as an Awards finalist has given validation and recognition of the enormous amount of hard work and commitment that comes with owning and operating a business in such challenging times.

For sisters, Katie Wright and Kirsty Richardson, business and gardening is in their blood. Formosa Gardens Nursery is a proud third generation family business that has operated for over 44 years providing the region with a large range of indoor and outdoor plants, pots & garden related products. As Managing Directors, they have had to quickly adapt their business to online platforms throughout the Covid period. As gardening is hands on and not traditionally an online medium, it has been a huge transformation to develop a website from scratch and adapt to the online sales that have enabled the business to keep operating throughout each lockdown.

Katie and Kirsty have always valued the friends and former teachers that regularly shop and spread the word about their business and feel it is a huge honour to be acknowledged for their hard work & commitment to their business & industry in an extremely challenging year.

Andrea Cameron and Erin Taylor are cofounders of innovative new business, Vitrafy Life Sciences, along with their husbands Sean Cameron and Brian Taylor and MasterChef 2014 winner Brent Owens.

The Vitrafy Life Sciences is a fascinating new business success story with an exciting global future. Each of the co-founders had achieved successful careers in business and corporate environments before coming

together in 2018 to work on a project that had the potential to make a significant difference to medical research and patient treatments.

From a laboratory in Ballarat, the team developed a novel technology to deliver precise and consistent results when cryopreserving biological materials such as blood, sperm, ovaries and cancer treatments. Their driving motivation is for their technology to improve the quality and delivery of life saving cancer drugs and blood products.

Vitrafy has experienced significant growth over the past 18 months, expanding from a team of just 4 to over 20 people. Throughout 2020 whilst their team of Biomedical Engineers and Medical Scientists were balancing working from home and in the lab, they focused on product design, R&D and medical research partnerships. The team have now successfully lodged four families of patents for their cryopreservation technology and have executed collaboration partnerships with Red Cross, Bio Bridge Global (USA), Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne IVF and Huon Aquaculture. They are privileged to be undertaking research trials in the cryopreservation of blood products, ovaries, human stem cells and CAR-T cancer treatments with these partners and are particularly proud of being able to expand into the US during the pandemic.

Andrea is especially proud of their work with the Royal Women’s Hospital which involves the cryopreservation of ovaries so that women undergoing cancer treatments can retain the choice of starting a family post treatment.

“I am incredibly proud of Vitrafy and our contribution to improving health outcomes for individuals and families. We are all touched by cancer and disease in some way, and it is exceptionally rewarding to know you are making a real difference to people’s lives. It has also been a remarkable experience to be a part of a company that

has gone from start up to a planned ASX listing (late 2021) in just 3 years. Vitrafy recently raised $7.9 million in a pre-IPO capital raise which was an exceptional outcome and endorsement of our work. This funding will allow our continued cryopreservation product research and innovative development in blood components, artificial insemination, cellular therapies and animal reproductive services.”

When asked if they have any words of advice for our current Loreto students and alumni, these fabulous and successful Loreto women shared:

“If you have a goal then you need to plan your work & work your plan. Success never comes from working 9-5. It takes commitment, sacrifice, passion, hard work & failed attempts. It takes weekends, late nights, public holidays & plenty of overtime. Don’t stop believing in yourself. If a door closes on you-push it harder, it will open!”

Katie Wright.

“Believe in YOURSELF!! Believe in what

you are trying to achieve. Have an end game, change direction, come full circle and start again if required. Don’t take NO for an answer, rework the question, change direction, it CAN be done. Surround yourself with like-minded people.” Kim Tempany.

“Keep an open mind toward new career and business opportunities and being flexible when they present themselves can open up pathways you may have never dreamt of. Whilst education will always remain a key cornerstone, taking some balanced risks, backing your own ideas and surrounding yourself with motivated, like-minded people cannot be underestimated.”

Andrea Cameron.

“Be the best person you can be, and success will follow. You don’t have to have a degree to own a business, just have a passion for something and want it. Always be the best version of you and be kind and it will come back to you in unexpected ways. Eat the frog first (meaning do the hardest task first) then the next task will seem easier. Be thankful for the little things! Go Ward!” Kylee Ellerton

Students in Action

My family and friends give me lots of inspiration because they constantly make me laugh.”

With Muffet (Erin’s support spider in a jar) by her side, she is up for any challenge.

Erin began by attending a series of comedy workshops called ‘Class Clowns’, a program that is Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s development program for young people (teens aged 14-18). From comedy workshops in schools to a national comedy competition, Class Clowns engages and inspires young funny peeps to hone their potential.

and had fun,” said Erin. “I was terrified. It was probably the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. I had Backstage Blu tac to fiddle with while I was waiting to perform, and I also had Muffet my support spider”.

Erin, Edging out of her Comfort Zone to Great Success!

Meet Erin, a Year 9 student who recently made it to the Victorian State Finals for Stand Up Comedy.

After performing at a few small local events, Erin gained a wild card entry to the Victorian State Finals where she performed in front of a larger audience and a suite of judges at the Trades Hall in Carlton. “I learned and explored a whole new section of performing arts. I also was hurled off the edge of my comfort zone and plummeted toward sudden death until I realised it wasn’t so bad and that I actually enjoyed it

Erin gains a lot of her inspiration from her family and friends, in particular her parent’s Indian heritage, “My family and friends give me lots of inspiration because they constantly make me laugh”. She was also encouraged by the responses she received from her audiences, “The compliments and encouragement I got from judges and audience of other parents ditching their kids to come over and congratulate me felt really special”.

Erin has a bright future on the comedy scene with an invitation to perform at Up Next, A stand-up comedy night at the Arts Centre Melbourne, featuring the best young comedians getting around.

Students Strike for Climate Action

By Olive Lanyon (Year 7)

Australia went on strike to attend rallies, demanding that the Government takes stronger action on climate change. There were over 50 strike locations all over Australia including Ballarat, where over 250

high school students collectively protested for climate action. It was a proud moment to see the great stream of blue uniforms with homemade signs emerging from the Loreto gates to gather at Victoria Park.

We all gathered firstly at Victoria Park for a welcome to country, followed by a quick

Ethics Olympiad

In Term 2, Loreto College entered our first Victorian Ethics Olympiad. Led by Mr Peter Foord and Mr David Barker, the team consisted of Year 10 and 11 Students, Annmary Chalakkal, Bridie Carey, Ella Gudgeon, Eloise Davenport and Remi Currie. The competition was held online via Zoom against 13 other teams. Over 6 hours, the students talked 8 Case Studies that involved multiple ethical issues. Some of the cases included The Tiger King; The ethics of truth and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic;

Who gets to be fashionable?; Gaming platforms and shocking speech; (De) funding the police and more. With limited time to prepare, our team did a remarkable job throughout the competition. They organised themselves as a team and conferred on multiple points; they connected to each other’s points seamlessly throughout the day and all spoke eloquently and thoughtfully in response to the given questions and topics. It was also incredibly impressive that these students ultimately won gold on the day, especially for their first time competing!

practice of the chants. We then marched down Sturt Street making plenty of noise as we went. We arrived and congregated at Camp Street where the atmosphere was festive, and we had the opportunity to hear formal speeches from students from a range of schools including a passionate speech by our Loreto College Year 12 student, Lila Fields.

The focus of the day was gas. You may have heard on the news that the Government is talking about a gas lead recovery from COVID-19. We are calling on the Government to instead look to renewables like solar and wind. While gas is not as bad as coal it is still a fossil fuel and it will still wreck our environment and cause more disasters like the 2019 bushfires. We are asking the Government to fund our future not gas by using their resources to support and encourage renewable energy.

The support we received from Loreto College was amazing. I felt very proud that our school took such a supportive approach. There was never any question about us being allowed to wear our uniforms and Loreto even had three teachers come along as teacher representation. Overall, it was a successful event and a great opportunity for students to have their voices heard on climate change.

From there, our team progressed into the International Ethics Olympiad competing on Zoom against 38 teams from around Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand. Faced with new ethical questions, the students did an exceptional job once again and were complimented by the international judges on their high calibre. It is a credit to the team to have been able to represent Victoria on the international stage in Loreto Ballarat’s first attempt at an Ethics Olympiad.

Languages in an Evolving World

Learning a language provides powerful life skills for our students.”

Yoshie Burrows started teaching Japanese at Loreto College in 1996 after completing her teaching round at Loreto the year prior. Since then, the Language program has gone from strength to strength with Yoshie’s contribution and passion. Before Yoshie started at Loreto, the Japanese program had been running for some years, originally started by Margaret Knowles who was Yoshie’s mentor teacher during her teaching round at Loreto.

“Our Language program has grown in my time for sure. Now we have stable VCE numbers in both French and Japanese and we have been hosting students from Japan and France for many years, establishing exchange programs and strong relationships with schools.

We have also been offering a Year 10 Applied Language Program for several years now which allows students to receive a certificate while studying Year 10

Words by Yoshie Burrows and Jayde Harrington

Languages. The Year 10 Japanese Speech Contest sponsored by the City of Ballarat has been running for nearly twenty years and each year, we have been able to send two winners to Inagawa as ambassadors from Ballarat. Casey Dodd (current Year 12 student and College Co-Captain) won this contest and went to Japan in 2019. This contest continues to make a huge impact on students learning.”

Another opportunity for Language students is the in-country study tours. These too have been running biennially since 1999 until international borders were closed. Large groups of students from Years 9 to 11 take part in these trips where they jet off for study tours in Japan, France or New Caledonia. A true experience of a lifetime!

Besides the exciting cultural activities on offer to students, there are some real benefits to learning a language, particularly in a globalised world.

“Learning a language provides powerful life skills for our students. In today’s increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, proficiency in other languages is a vital skill that allows them to engage with the world in a more meaningful way. Learning a language has transferrable skills and always involves learning about the culture, nurturing students to be more open-minded and flexible when dealing with other cultures.

Through our intercultural language learning approach, students learn about other cultures as well as their own. This approach of learning always enables students to reflect and think about their own culture through the eyes of people from other countries. By being able to communicate with people from other countries and having intercultural understanding, our students can find lifelong friends or meet warm-hearted host families through the language program.

Learning a language also benefits the academic skills of students as they work on their memorizing techniques and develop critical thinking and problems solving skills. Speaking in a second language encourages people to take more risks.”

Some alumni are now putting their language skills learnt at Loreto College into practice. These past pupils are living examples of the variety of opportunities available to those with language skills in both further education and the workplace.

Jo Rayner (Class of 2001) has been using her language skills with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) after completing a double degree in Law and Asian Studies. Jo recommends students consider studying a language alongside Law, Politics and Economics degrees. Language skills can play a major role when pursuing jobs in public service and within the international relations realm.

Many universities offer exchange opportunities while completing courses.

Sarah Brasier (Class of 2007) was the recipient of the prestigious New Columbo Plan Scholarship which enabled her to study and complete a year-long art internship in Japan.

“Learning languages adds to our life skill however fundamentally, speaking a foreign language is incredibly fun. One of the most enjoyable moments for us is to listen to our students speak in their second language. Travelling has become easier and cheaper (once our borders are open!) and when we can read, listen and speak the language, we can have a much richer experience in our travels.”

Lauren Findlay (Class of 2012) works as a Mental Health Occupational Therapist and recently had the amazing opportunity of escorting Paralympians to the Tokyo Olympics.

“The next Olympics will be held in Paris. Like Lauren, this might give our students an opportunity to show their language skills!”

Along with the growth experienced in the Languages program, Yoshie too has continued to grow while at Loreto. Recently Yoshie was involved in a workshop for teachers in the UK and Europe.

“It was one of the biggest presentations I have ever been involved with. The title for this presentation was ‘Online Workshop for Secondary School Teachers: How do we equip our students with 21st century skills’. We initially started to offer this online workshop for the teachers in UK and Europe however this ended up involving more than 120 teachers from 20 countries across the world.

Every weekend, we had meetings with people in the UK. The time differences were a huge challenge, but we felt that we were all globally connected. During the sessions, we interacted with teachers in Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland as well as Indonesia. The main interest from teachers across the world was our Intercultural

Language Learning and how we use this approach, to help our students learn more deeply.”

In terms of what is next for the Languages program at Loreto, Yoshie hopes that the Australian borders open soon so we can continue to welcome exchange students from Japan and France again.

“We are excited to be able to take our students on study tours again. These experiences open the eyes of students, and they can see how closely our world is connected. The lockdowns have made us more parochial in our outlook and studying a language can help broaden our perspectives.”

Goals to Grow

Words by Shane Nankervis and Michael Walsh (Year 9 Coordinators)

The most exciting opportunity to come from this program is that students connect with the wider community, peers and teachers to develop knowledge and experiences beyond the classroom environment.”

This year all Year 9 students and Mentors have embraced the opportunity to challenge themselves and support others in the community within the framework of our Goals to Grow Program. This program has a strong basis in motivational science and the pioneering work of Angela Duckworth on personal grit. Goals to Grow enables students to invest in themselves and follow their passions by giving students autonomy over their learning and interests. Peer support is another key driver of the program. Students are placed in support groups with their peers to establish goals and share their progress and learnings. The most exciting opportunity to come from this program is that students connect with the wider community, peers and teachers to develop knowledge and experiences beyond the classroom environment.

Goals to Grow consists of the following key areas;

Mastery Goal

Students and Mentors develop a Master Goal. The premise behind this is for students

to participate in an activity, skill or learning that sparks their interest. This goal provides the student with choice, enabling them to focus on their passions, developing new skills and understandings. Some examples of student Mastery Goals we have observed are: Learning AUSLAN sign language, dressmaking, dog training, and refurbishing and repurposing household items.

Community Goal

One of the pillars of a Loreto education is supporting and engaging with the school and wider community through service. Our students are encouraged to look for opportunities to connect and support our school community, family and or the wider community. Students are encouraged to select two Community Goals per semester.

Academic Goal

The Academic Goal enables students to reflect upon their academic progress. Students review their report and establish their average percentage grade across the semester and set a ‘Magic Number’ (A target average to be achieved).This

highlights learning strengths and areas for improvement, providing the stimulus to develop practical, realistic strategies and goals that will assist students to improve upon their average and strive for personal excellence in their academic pursuits.

Some of our Year 9 students shared their learning experience from their chosen Mastery Goals:

Mathilda Carli loves the Arts and chose to make a fancy dress costume from scratch. Mathilda shared that after achieving her goal that her planning and organisational skills and ability think artistically and critically had improved.

“Achieving a goal: the most satisfying moment in anyone’s lives. I never fully comprehended its importance prior to doing this program. I never imagined that I’d discover a love for a new hobby. Ultimately, it was perseverance and ambition that brought success, two important values I learned during this program.”

Hannah McCrum chose to try something new and push her limits, so her goal was to

complete a 100km bike ride. In doing so, she learned a lot more about the Ballarat to Skipton Rail Trail, how to fix her bike and also improved her mental resilience.

Olivia Parnell wanted to do something that was right out of her comfort zone, so decided to work with her father to source an old International harvester ute and bring it back to a roadworthy state.

Olivia shared, “The Mastery Goal that I chose for Semester 1 has allowed me to gain practical life skills that I can use in the future.

When using the smarter format this allowed me to finish my goal in an achievable time frame. I would have never thought that I could change a car tyre and name parts of a car engine but now I can.”

And finally, Maddison Cahill shared, “The Goals to Grow program was a great opportunity to learn and develop valuable new skills, which will assist me in the future. The program taught me something new about myself and what I am really able to achieve when I put my mind to it.”

A Voice of Change Inspiring Self-Love

I wanted to use those experiences to teach people that it doesn’t have to define your success. I really wanted to show that your skin colour is not a difference, it’s something to be proud of and it’s something to celebrate. ”

During Gonzaga Barry Day at the start of Term 3, the Senate organised a special guest speaker for the school. Ruchi Page from the Class of 2011, came along to share her story and words of wisdom around passion and self-love through her journey as a digital creator and advocate for inclusivity and confidence within the beauty industry and beyond. Ruchi has been a strong voice of change in the beauty industry, advocating for greater shade representation in makeup through the Global Shades movement with Adore Beauty and her Faces of Australia interview series. Here is her interview with 2021 Senate members, Casey Dodd and Eve Lalor which left our students feeling incredibly inspired:

Casey: Welcome Ruchi, can you introduce yourself please.

Ruchi: Hey everyone my name is Ruchi Page. I’m a digital creator and writer from Melbourne and I’m here to talk to you today about confidence and self-love!

C: How have your childhood experiences shaped the person you are today and the work you aspire to do?

R: When I was 10 years old, I was faced with racism. I was told to go take a bath and to go back to where I came from because of my skin colour, which is funny because I lived in Buninyong. That moment was very confusing because I’m adopted, and I’ve been raised in a household of Caucasian people.

I never really felt othered until that moment.

That was that moment where I realized ‘yeah I’m different’ and the world will see me as different. Going forward, you carry those moments of isolation. I wanted to use those experiences to teach people that it doesn’t have to define your success. I really wanted to show that your skin colour is not a difference, it’s something to be proud of and it’s something to celebrate.

Eve: How has your interest in the beauty industry allowed you to find your passion, that has turned into your career?

R: The beauty industry is a crazy world. It is massive. It is never-ending. There are so many opportunities and I started just simply playing with makeup and skincare because there is something weirdly satisfying about watching people do their makeup routine. I don’t know what it is but it’s amazing, and I wanted to be a part of that. I also didn’t see people that looked like me doing this, and I thought, if I’m not represented then I’m going to be that representation. I slowly turned the makeup world into something a little bit more purposeful, where I could tell stories and share experiences while challenging the norm, and the beauty standard that exisits in our media today.

I got to work with Adore Beauty and be part of their Global Shades movement which Australia heard and listened to. We were on Sunrise which was such an incredible moment. Being able to voice my story and experiences about how I’ve been ignored for so long as a person of colour by the beauty industry was really powerful.

C: We were having a conversation before and saying how sometimes we scroll through social media without any intent, but people like Ruchi are growing on social media and using that as a platform to spread awareness, to spread positivity. I think that’s important and something that we can really take away from it. Ruchi, what is your advice to students who might be interested in a career in the beauty industry?

R: My advice for anyone who is wanting to explore the beauty industry is to pinpoint that defining moment that you know you have passion for. Passion is what will take you to each level.

E: We will finish up on this last question. What are your goals and aspirations for your future?

R: One thing that I have learnt is that no goal or aspiration is too big, so I have very

big dreams. I would love to come out with a makeup line and I would love to further work on my current series, Faces of Australia, which is an interview series, representing the BIPOC community, the black indigenous people of colour community. I would love to see that flourish even more.

It’s also about not being afraid to dream big although that sounds very cliché. If you had told me two years ago that I’d be talking to you all about confidence and inclusion, I would have laughed. If I was looking at a little old me sitting where you guys are sitting right now, watching the guest speakers, I would want to hear to not let defeat dictate your journey of success. I embrace my failures, and I embrace every

type of defeat, and although I’ve fallen three times, I’ve gotten back up one more time. I embrace these failures and welcome them with open arms. That is when you get to pave your way to happiness, success, and something you’re really proud of.

If I could offer one more piece of advice to all of you brilliant young women. There will be moments where you will have to fight to have your voice heard. But I encourage persistence and grit. Your gender identity, sexual orientation, skin colour, ethnicity and cultural background are what amplifies YOU. And you owe it to yourself to let YOU shine as the world awaits outside of these school gates. Wishing you all the best for your futures!

You can continue to follow Ruchi’s journey on Instagram here: @ruchipage Learn more about the Global Shades movement here: https://www.globalshades.org/ View Ruchi’s Faces of Australia interview series here: https://centennialbeauty.com/author/ruchipage/

Women Leading Change

Words by Anne Muirhead, Coordinator, Loreto Justice Network

It is of little surprise that congruence exists between (Mary Ward International Australia) revised Vision Statement, the 2021 United Nations’ theme for International Women’s Day, and the priority theme for the 65th Commission on the Status of Women. It is humbling and gratifying that leadership is at the heart of all of these statements - a distinct approach to leadership is undoubtedly a defining mark of our Loreto foundress, Mary Ward.

Mary Ward’s leadership is worthy of deep reflection. Her style was utterly collaborative, contingent upon extraordinary communication skills and an ability to engage with people across all social, political and religious spectra. The ‘circle of friends’ or ‘open circle’ image (pictured to the right) denotes

a complete sharing of power and openness to the voice of each co-leader, with their distinctive strengths and weaknesses, gifts, and styles. The gesticulating hands of all members of the open circle surely attest to some lively and animated discussion, debate and discernment! Mary’s concern for the well-being of her companions spread across war-ravaged Europe, and her encouragement for them to develop rich interior lives of prayer and reflection resonates with much contemporary commentary around mental and spiritual health and well-being.

In keeping with our 400-year tradition, the empowerment of women and calling forth of leaders is re-affirmed at the heart of Mary Ward International Australia’s new Strategic Plan. Across all MWIA enterprises, we delight

in the leadership of, and partnership with all people, and are particularly proud of emerging leaders responding to the vision and mission of Mary Ward.

As Mary Ward’s early companions often toiled in isolation, Sr Ai-Thien leads a small team of creative educators in Gariuai, TimorLeste, transforming the lives of children, their parents, and the local community. The Human Resources Manager at Loreto Rumbek, Priscilla, is thriving in her leadership role in an environment plagued by malaria, violence, the spectre of forced marriage, and lack of amenities that so many of us take for granted. As a Loreto Rumbek graduate with tertiary qualifications, Priscilla is an excellent role model for those who will follow in her footsteps.

In Sydney, our Communications Manager, Anna, is at the forefront of conversation and conveyance across the whole province network, and in India, Sr Shakuntala has taken on the leadership of the Darjeeling Mary Ward Social Centre.

At St Mary’s Hostel, Ho Chi Minh City, Sisters Hoa and Trang encourage young women in their tertiary studies in a family environment conducive to strengthening just relations, a disposition so important to Mary Ward.

With renewed focus, MWIA will continue to consider and imagine new ways to support young women exercising their leadership within their communities and across our global network.

Mary Ward led with vision, courage, commitment, hard work and trust in God. She built leadership capacity in her early companions through affirmation, challenge, honest conversations and a shared sense of mission. In the current climate of intense

focus on women in the church, workplace, on the streets and COVID-19 world, we are strengthened and encouraged by the example of new leaders joining Mary Ward’s open circle as women of freedom, justice and integrity. May MWIA’s commitment to emerging leaders keep expanding this everwidening circle!

Student Artwork

Words by Robin Scott & Theresa Cronk

CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER

The Loreto Curiouser and Curiouser VCE Visual Art Exhibition celebrates the artworks created by current students studying Art, Studio Arts and Media in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Selected are a few art works from the exhibition within the theme of Change and Challenge. You can view the Virtual Exhibition on the Loreto website.

EMMA HILL

This year I focused on the theme of innocence. Throughout my exploration of this theme, I looked at the ways in which innocence is expressed in society, first focusing on how pressures put on young women can lead to a loss of a perceived innocence, as well as the whimsical and playful world of childhood. Exploring this topic allowed me to look deeper into my experience as both a woman and as a growing person, and allowed me to tap in to nostalgic emotions, especially as the year enters its final months and I prepare for the next stage of life, adulthood.

ABBEY PIERCE

Throughout this year I have focused my attention on the theme of proportion. I

presented this theme through emphasising facial features. I wanted to explore how manipulating facial features can make a face look unique and differ from even the same face. I have done this through printing onto non-traditional materials such as timber, wire and ceramics.

HANNAH SERGEANT-CROWE

The idea of uncontrollable forces and how as people have to learn to deal and adapt to change was the core theme for my exploration throughout the year. I wanted to discover what was deemed uncontrollable and explore how that affects me as an individual, through natural disasters and the uncontrolling nature of growth.

ABBEY COOPER

This year I show cased the theme of Generations. I found inspiration through different artists, but mainly the changes I have witnessed, including my own family, technology, social media and pollution. This led me to develop several different concepts, the two I have picked for my final artworks were the ideas that I enjoyed creating the most, and are themes that mean most to me.

ISABELLA HENNING

I have explored the theme of power this year. I wanted to look at how we see and experience power, through body language, different people and to show it through different lenses.

EMMA TAYLOR

The idea of society’s expectations has always been a passion of mine, to explore the harsh beauty standards we have created and what women face to be accepted in society. I explored this the me through the use of abstract distortions of facial features and feminine figures challenging society’s norms and how we as women have been expected to mold to fit in and blend with these expectations.

Loreto Chapel Weddings

From the Archives

Lettie Keyes - Australia’s first piano roll superstar

... the funeral notices were amended so that her friends would not be offended and her real age not revealed.”

Words by Theresa Cronk

Lettie Keyes was born Letitia Mary Josephine Keyes at Nathalia, Victoria, during 1894 to parents Francis Joseph Keyes and Annie Maria Kelly. Her father was a doctor in the town and her mother is reported to have been the matron at the local hospital. Lettie was one of five children, although a younger sister died in 1899 at the age of 9 months.

Lettie attended Nathalia Private School where she delivered solo performances during school concerts in 1902 and 1903. Her musical ability was commented on in the Numurkah Leader newspaper in 1902: “This little girl, though only seven years old, played a classical piece splendidly, and was loudly applauded.”

She started attending Mary’s Mount in Ballarat between February 1908 and finished during December 1912. Her younger sister, Nina, also attended Mary’s Mount between February 1913 and December 1918. In 1909, she passed the advanced grade for the practical exam and the Grade 2 theory exam through Royal Music Academy, London. At the end of 1909 she received the ATCL diploma in music from Trinity College London. She also received academic prizes for English and French studies. With Lalla Napthine, Geraldine Fitzgerald and May Kelleher, Lettie also represented the school in a

tennis tournament held between girls attending Ballarat secondary schools in 1911. Lettie wrote an account of the event for Eucalyptus Blossoms, the school magazine, ending with “And years hence, future generations will again hear the story of how the Loreto girls of 1911 won the Tennis Championship of that noble city – Ballarat”. Her sporting abilities also extended to other sports and she was captain of the Basketball team in 1912. As a result of her involvement with the school Art Club, Lettie performed the Sonata in F minor by Scarlatti during a concert presented by the group in September 1912.

After leaving school, reports indicate that Lettie attended finishing school in Switzerland followed by a walking tour of Europe and England. Other accounts assert that she spent some time as a piano accompanist for the composer and stage performer Ivor Novello, famous for the First World War hit, with Lena Ford, “Keep the Home Fires Burning”. There are reports that she was performing at concerts in Australia until September 1913, but there are no subsequent reports of her name until her roses received attention in a write-up of the Nathalia Flower Show during November 1915. It is known that at some point, Lettie did spend two years in London…

During 1916, she performed once more at a benefit concert in Nathalia on both piano and cello. By 1917, she was offering tutoring in Geometry, French, Latin and Algebra. Her father died in early 1918 and it was later that year, that Lettie started performing as an accompanist during concerts at Melbourne Town Hall. She married James Melrose Thomson in 1920.

Between 1923 and 1929, Lettie was making a name for herself as a pianist by recording piano rolls at Mastertouch in Sydney. There was more to this than just creating a recording of a piano recital as

noted by Glenn Amer. The process of creating a pianola roll must equate for the skill of the performer and Amer describes the compensation required as “effectively an arrangement for trio”. He explains that this is because less bass is required from the left hand on a piano roll while the “Singing-along” tune played with the right hand is raised by an octave or eight notes higher than it is usually played. This leaves the pianist unrestricted to playing with ten fingers and enables them to incorporate a counter-melody on the pianola roll recording. As a result, the editing of pianola roll recordings was not often done by the pianists themselves. Amer notes that Lettie often used her married name of L M Thomson when she wasn’t happy with the final version.

While working at Mastertouch, she became friends with Peter Dawson and recorded his performances when he was convinced to sing 84 songs at the studio. It is because of Lettie’s unique skills that some of the pianola rolls recorded with Peter Dawson incorporate what Amer refers to as “his personal vocal interpretation” of pieces such as “Mandalay” and “Floral Dance”. She became Australia’s “first piano roll superstar” and had a special fondness of opera. She specialised in the “cutting” of opera and musical comedy as well as popular ballads. Amer describes her talent as “a very brilliant ability in interpreting and arranging orchestral scores for the piano and the ‘bridges’ which she interpolated, to go from one aria to another, often with complicated key changes, became the signature of her rolls”. By 1928, Lettie was regarded in the newspapers as a “wellknown pianist”. There are several mentions of concerts that she gave in Sydney during 1927 and in Western Australia during 1928.

After a difference of opinion on the rights of performers to profits from the piano rolls, Lettie left Mastertouch but was later noted for having recorded more piano rolls than

“any other pianist in the Commonwealth”. She worked as an accompanist at The Globe theatre and was also involved in composing songs. One of these, “The Blind Lover”, was commented on by students studying the works of Australian composers for The Music Club at Loreto who wrote “And each member of the audience will be keenly interested in the composer of the music – A Mary’s Mount girl of former years. Lettie Keyes.”

It was also around this time, that she started working on the equivalent of today’s cruise ships - Kanimbla and Westralia – and she did this for eight years. This ended during the Second World War due to concerns about the safety of the passengers. With her friend Eileen Foley, she set up Keynote Music School in Sydney. The school promoted a particular type of music education that was “based on chord structures which were learned by the student, who then read the melody line from the music, together with the chord symbols, allowing the music to be played quicker and easier”. By 1945, Lettie and Eileen had developed a correspondence piano tuition course that could be learnt from home and in 1957, the publication titled “Keynote method of modern piano playing” appeared.

During the 1940s, she adapted to performing on radio and became a radio star according to newspapers of the period. She performed at a benefit concert for the Australian Comforts Fund, broadcast on various radio stations on 7 September 1941, and again for 2GB listeners in Sydney on 21 October 1942. She was also travelling and performing as a pianist as well as making a name for herself as a singer. A letter published in The ABC Weekly on 27 December 1941 mentioned that Lettie was performing with groups such as the Lettie Keyes Instrumental Trio, The Katoomba Trio and The Arcadians and that one of her songs, performed by Strella Wilson,

L e t t i e K e y e s

Born: 1894, Victoria, Australia

Born: 1894, Victoria, Australia

Died: 2 August 1972, Sydney, Australia AKA: L. M. Thomson (married name)

Died: 2 August 1972, Sydney, Australia

Labels:   Mastertouch

AKA: L. M. Thomson (married name)

Labels:   Mastertouch

Lettie Keyes - yes that was her real name! - was christened Mary Letitia Josephine Keyes. She was one of the five children of Dr. Keyes and was born in Nathalia, near Shepparton in the north east of Victoria. Their father was the local doctor and their mother the matron of the local hospital. The Keyes family was well connected in Ireland, coming from gentility in the county of Mayo. Lettie also often spoke of her cousins, who were Cross and Blackwell, the jam manufacturers. The family enjoyed a very genteel life in Nathalia and Lettie and her sister Nina, being Roman Catholics, were educated at the local convent. On many evenings, Lettie and her mother or Nina played duets on the large upright piano, which later, Lettie had transported from Victoria to her flat in Elizabeth Bay This helped make Lettie a great musician. One of her greatest skills was to quickly

Lettie Keyes - yes that was her real name! - was christened Mary Letitia Josephine Keyes. She was one of the five children of Dr. Keyes and was born in Nathalia, near Shepparton in the north east of Victoria. Their father was the local doctor and their mother the matron of the local hospital. The Keyes family was well connected in Ireland, coming from gentility in the county of Mayo. Lettie also often spoke of her cousins, who were Cross and Blackwell, the jam manufacturers. The family enjoyed a very genteel life in Nathalia and Lettie and her sister Nina, being Roman Catholics, were educated at the local convent.

On many evenings, Lettie and her mother or Nina played duets on the large upright piano, which later, Lettie had transported from Victoria to her flat in Elizabeth Bay This helped make Lettie a great musician. One of her greatest skills was to quickly

had been broadcast by the ABC.During January 1944, she left Australia with the Strella Wilson Concert Party to entertain Australian troops in New Guinea. This concert party went further forward than any other artists in wartime New Guinea, spending three weeks entertaining sick and wounded troops in camps and hospitals, including a performance at the Ela Beach Sports Ground on 20 January 1944. The audience at this concert was reported to number thousands and filled half the venue. Lettie wrote the song “There’ll come a day” specially for Strella Wilson to perform at this concert. Afterwards, it was reported by Lettie that there had been a shortage of pianos and “a tiny instrument was flown by air from point to point in the forward areas for her”, prompting her to suggest that pianos should be installed at each “concert station”. In 1946, she accompanied the British soprano, Angela Parselles, during

a concert at the Wellington Town Hall in New Zealand. Lettie was also present at the signing of the Peace Treaty in Japan after the Second World War as she was on tour with Strella Wilson at the time.

During the 1950s, Lettie continued to perform at concerts in Sydney and taught at the Keynote Music School. She returned to Mastertouch in 1961 to record more piano rolls at the same time as pre-1929 recordings that she had been involved in were being re-released. George Horton, of Mastertouch, recalled that this brought an outcry from the public about her age and noted that she was very sensitive about her age. So much so that when she died suddenly on 2 August 1972, “the funeral notices were amended so that her friends would not be offended, and her real age not revealed”.

Fond Farewells to Loreto Staff

Marcia Phillips

Words by Donna Byrne and Ian Stowe

Marcia joined Loreto College in 2011 as Head of Library. During this time, she has been a passionate advocate for reading, for books and for libraries and has contributed to successful student outcomes across all domains of student achievement, not only literacy.

Over the years, Marcia has very carefully and deliberately curated a rich reading collection to cater for and develop the interests of students, to encourage a habit of reading for pleasure beyond the school years, and for lifelong learning. She has an unwavering belief that if a student says they don’t like reading, that they are simply reading the wrong book. Marcia will always enthusiastically endeavour to find the right book to put in the hand of that student.

Marcia regularly transformed the Library space through creative and eye catching displays and engaging events to celebrate reading and books. The CBCA Book Week festivities and morning tea for staff have become cornerstone events on the annual school calendar and are indicative of Marcia’s organisational skills, but also her unassailable work ethic and generosity.

A supportive member of the English Faculty, Marcia taught Year 7 English and assisted the Faculty to remain contemporary with text choices and promote wide reading for students. Marcia also supported all faculties with resources to meet curriculum and professional development needs.

Marcia also made a significant contribution to annual school productions as the Producer, fitting costumes to the show and to each performer, as well as mending and cleaning after every performance. She has the amazing ability to predict what the show will need to succeed and to then make that happen. Her care for all and her desire to see the show be the best it can be, will live on.

We farewell Marcia with best wishes for the next chapter in her life – may it be a rich tale of adventure!

Mary Ward’s quality of Sincerity, “we should be such as we appear and appear such as we are”epitomises the many strengths of Gabi Howard; past student, Rowing and Sports Coordinator and member of both the PE/Health and Science Faculties.

Gabi Howard

Words by Kelli Baird

A genuine, honest, and authentic young person who I have had the privilege of watching grow over many years. To witness the changes of the students you teach is one of the pleasures of an ‘older’ educator. From the age of 12 when Gabi first arrived in Year 7, she embraced Loreto life both as a student and teacher. As Mornane Sports Captain and Rowing Captain in Year 12, Gabi’s passion for sport, physical activity and leading others began to shine.

Gabi has made an extraordinary contribution to Loreto College as a staff member, first as Rowing Coordinator where she was instrumental in lifting the standards expected of the rowers, to overseeing historic wins and placings in both Head of the Lake and Victorian and National Regattas. Then as a PE/Health and Senior Psychology teacher

and Sports Coordinator, and her treasured role as Mentor Teacher for her Barry Two Year 10 students.

“This is verity – to do what we have to do well.” Innovative, hardworking, and passionate are just some of the superlatives that can be used to describe Gabi. It has been our privilege to share an office and witness the work ethic, organisation, and professionalism she displays daily. She is a fierce advocate for empowering young people to do their best whatever the obstacles.

Whilst we are incredibly sad to see Gabi leave Loreto College, we know that she will continue to inspire and make a difference to the lives of others and look forward to following her future career pathway beyond Loreto.

Alessandra Bourke-Finn

Words by Tony Griffin and Alex Davison

Alessandra leaves Loreto Ballarat after a stellar career. She came to the Art Faculty with a reputation as a gifted and respected ceramic artist in 1997 and quickly enhanced that reputation to become a much loved

colleague and a highly respected teacher. Her contribution to the vitality of the artistic and cultural community that is an integral part of Loreto Ballarat, across generations, has had a powerful impact and will leave a legacy for many years.

She is an extremely effective teacher of senior students and her outstanding VCE results speak for themselves. Under her guidance Year 12 Studio Arts students over many years regularly achieved study scores in the 40s and she also saw a number accomplish perfect study scores of 50 and even a Premier’s Award!

Alessandra loved seeing students involved in art and succeeding in their investigations and creative research. The art rooms

provided a safe and caring environment where, under her care, thousands of students were able to experiment, explore and express themselves. Her classrooms were places where their ideas were respected, challenged and broadened and it was the atmosphere in those art rooms for which she will be best remembered. She will be remembered by thousands of students for the profoundly open, accepting, generous, hard-working and exuberant atmosphere that was the hallmark of her teaching practice, where taking creative risks was encouraged and students were instilled with a love of art and of learning, ingeniously and adventurously, by a teacher of remarkable skill.

Mandy Carroll

Words by Peter Foord

Mandy Carroll joined Loreto College in 2001 and celebrated 20 years of dedicated service to our school and wider Catholic community with a Catholic Leadership Award from the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Office in 2020.

Louise Moneghetti

For seventeen years, Louise has supported the individual and group programs of many girls working at both the Dawson and Sturt Street campuses. Over the years, Louise’s role evolved, and she became involved with many life skills programs

Throughout her time Mandy has created an indelible stamp on the culture, vibrancy and spirit of our Loreto community at all levels. She was a ‘people’ person through and through and never failed to ask how you were going and offer support when needed. Mandy brought her expertise and passion as an English, English Literature and Religious Education teacher to all year levels. At all times she was focused on the wellbeing of the girls while standing firm on the high standards of excellence she expected of her students.

Mandy filled multiple leadership positions and became a member of the College Leadership Team. She was Liturgy Coordinator and Director of Faith and Mission, producing many memorable and meaningful liturgies and Masses and overseeing Social Justice activities including Walkathons, fundraising and nurturing the

Louise Moneghetti

Words by Karen Bambridge

at the College, at a time prior to the establishment of the VCAL curriculum. Louise was instrumental in integrating literacy and numeracy learning with practical application skills through the introduction of a number of valuable programs where students were able to gain hands on training, whilst supporting the wider community. They created weekly meals of soups and casseroles for Father Frank’s Exodus House program, cooked countless Christmas Cakes for the Exodus community and weekly morning teas for the Loreto sisters. Louise established close links with the SMB Campus of University of Ballarat and students from neighbouring schools were welcomed to the Loreto Life Skills program and Special Education program.

Catholic and, specifically Loreto, culture and charism within the school.

For several years, Mandy was also House Leader of her beloved Mornane, thriving in energising students and other staff in all the House related activities and was a muchloved Year 12 Coordinator.

In recent years, Mandy supported students in the Learning Diversity Department to develop their literacy skills, bringing incredible energy, passion, hospitality and skill to whatever role she was fulfilling.

After a long career of service to education, Mandy will be very much missed by staff and students. However, we wish her a wonderful, life-filled retirement with husband Richard, her children, Meg, Austin and Rory and her new granddaughter, Matilda Grace.

During her time at Loreto, Louise has been an invaluable support to classroom teachers and Year Level Coordinators and has helped with co-curricular programs, including camps. Louise has the innate ability to work unobtrusively with students, knowing exactly when and where an adjustment to a program should be implemented. She notes that ‘kindness and patience’ are the two essential attributes that have guided her during her time working with students.

As Louise moves to enjoy the next phase of her life, including the joys of grandchildren, we thank her most sincerely for the wonderful contribution she has made to the Loreto College community and in particular, for the caring support she has provided for so many appreciative girls and their families over the years.

Jeff Primmer

Words by Neil Buckland

Jeff Primmer commenced as Business Manager at Loreto College in July 2004 and worked with four separate Principals throughout his 17 years of service to the school including Anne Fry, Judith Potter, Sandra Diafas and Michelle Brodrick.

The role of a Business Manager in a school can be extremely challenging and the list of duties that Jeff always handled with aplomb was endless. Jeff was responsible for managing all Finance, IT, Canteen, Maintenance and Administration Staff and has served on numerous committees and working groups including College Board, Consultative, Property, Finance, Leadership, OH & S, the Catholic Development Fund Committee and on the Board and Finance Committees at Bayview College in Portland.

Throughout Jeff’s time at Loreto College, he has overseen many significant changes that will continue to benefit the College for years to come. In particular, the construction of the Mary’s Mount Centre, the Mulhall Centre, the Archives Centre, upgrade of the Mary Ward Centre, heating & cooling of the

entire Campus, relocation of Dawson Street Campus to Sturt Street, refurbishment and development of the Antoinette Hayden Library and the planning and purchase of land for the new extension campus.

Jeff Primmer has always been very professional, willing to listen, supportive, fair, honest and trustworthy. He has always put the students and their education first and was quick to put aside what he was doing to listen to staff patiently and respectfully. And whilst providing this support to all staff and students, he has managed to ensure the College is very well maintained and financially viable.

Jeff now enjoys a well-deserved rest and more time with his wife Marg and granddaughter Olive.

2021 Annual Giving

We sincerely thank the following supporters of our 2021 Annual Giving Program. Their generous support will ensure that our Sensory Garden will be built for our students to enjoy and our Scholarship, Building and Bursary Funds are maintained for the future.

We look forward to sharing more about the progress of the Sensory Garden in our next edition.

2021 Annual Giving Supporters

Kylie Barnett

Meg Barry

Clare Beaston

Leeanne Beaston

Helen Beckham

Jodie Bridges

Lyn Browne

Deana Cameron

Janet Canny

Megan Clark

Eliza Clayworth

Suzanne Collier

Reverend Peter Connors

Shane & Victoria Cook

Ebony Corden

Annaliese Cosgriff

Annette Currie

Elizabeth Delahunty

Monica Eastwood

Leah Ferguson-Grieve

Joylene Fletcher

Irena Green

Cassandra Griffin

Wendy Guest

Anne Halloran

Belinda Hope

Thea Hubble

Anne Hunt OAM

Gabrielle Jarvis

Trudi Kannourakis

Michael Kearney

John Koopmans

Maryanne Krall

Fiona Lauritz

Katrina Leehane

Amy Licheni

Christine Liston

Nicole Loader

Robina Maconochie

Linda McDonald

Amelia McGlade

Tamra McLean

Leah Monaghan

Louise Moneghetti

Sharon & Don Moss

Ann Nathan

Emma Newman

Nicholson Construction

Elizabeth Obrincsák

Joanne O’Loughlin

Melissa Pearce

Bruce & Pauline Pipkorn

Anna Pipkorn

Ella Pipkorn

Judy-Ann Quilliam

Carolyn Re

Jo Russell

Cheryle Ryan, Helen Morcombe & Jacinta Clegg

Clare Ryan

Judith Sacco

Anne Sarros

Patricia Scally

Jan Stephen

Suzana Sullivan

Kate Thomas

Jodie Thompson

Janet Torney

Cassandra Tuffen

Brenda Verbeek

Belinda & Rodney Walton

Loreto Launchpad

Picnic

Pop Ups

We are all about setting up and creating a hassle free, gorgeous picnic setting in the Ballarat area.”

Kate (left) and Olivia Flynn (right)

For this edition of our ‘Loreto Launchpad’ we are excited to share with you a new venture from past pupils and sisters, Kate (Class of 2010) and Olivia Flynn (Class of 2014). Together, they have created Picnic Pop Ups, a clever and beautiful way to elevate your normal picnic as well as expand your idea of what a picnic can be.

So you might be wondering, what exactly is Picnic Pop Ups about and how do I organise one? We thought Kate and Liv would be best to tell you about their business:

We are all about setting up and creating a hassle free, gorgeous picnic setting in the Ballarat area. We provide everything you need from rugs and cushions to tableware and glassware for up to 30 people.

The idea began as the two of us were beginning to plan events in Ballarat for Hens Days and birthdays and couldn’t find a venue or business that catered for an outdoor setting. We began researching

and found that picnics were a very popular event setting in other regions and we knew it would be a hit. So far, we have been running for less than 12 months and have catered for events such as Hens Days, Birthdays, Baby Showers, Gender Reveals and general catch ups.

Working together on our small business has been so much fun, we really enjoy creating beautiful spaces and designing special settings for every event. We allow all clients to select their location which have varied from public gardens, lakes and backyards.

As we head into the warmer months, make sure to get in contact with Kate and Liv who would be more than happy to help you create a beautiful picnic for your next event. If you live in the Ballarat area and would like to organise a picnic with Kate and Liv, please send all inquiries via their Instagram page (@Picnic_Pop_ups) and be sure to give them a follow!

Alumni Updates

My advice to students is to aim high, be ambitious and to not doubt what someone from Ballarat can do in their career. When considering what to do after school think differently and be brave, there is a whole world for you out there..”

Rhiannon Keen (Class of 2000)

After graduating from Loreto in 2000 I went to the University of Melbourne and studied until I had completed a Master of Public Policy (Economics). I’ve enjoyed continuing to study while working and have started a course in Executive Leadership at Cambridge Judge Business School in the UK.

During my time at Loreto I loved studying Economics with Mrs Dow. I still remember reading the textbook one day and everything seemed to ‘click’. After that I felt like I could understand the news better, make sense of what was happening in the world and the decisions politicians and others were making. Politics with Mrs Ferguson as well as Economics were definitely my favourite subjects at school.

After university I started my career working in policy and politics as an Advisor to both Victorian and Australian Government Ministers. I loved this career as I got to be front and centre for all the big policy announcements, news breaking in Canberra and have a lot of input into policy decisions. I worked for the Minister for the Environment in Canberra and loved travelling all throughout Australia – from the Pilbara to the Great Barrier Reef. I also worked for the Minister for Education and in the Prime Minister’s office. It was in this role I also travelled extensively and ended up at the White House in the USA and at Number 10 Downing Street in the UK where I worked with the Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron.

After my career in Government and politics I decided that I really enjoyed my studies in economics and business and began working at the Professional Services Firm, KPMG in Melbourne. I have remained with KPMG since then and I’m now a Director in Financial Services in London. A few years ago, I was one of the youngest female Directors in our Firm. I’ve loved that I had the opportunity to work in New York and to transfer to London where I now live with my young family.

I love my career in business and finance and advising some of the world’s largest companies, governments and organisations on their large projects and complex problems. I enjoy meeting new clients and people, working with teams of smart people to solve challenges and even sometimes the deadlines and pressure. I like that no project or day ever really feels the same. I like bringing lots of complex things together such as technology, data and analytics, research and analysis to form opinions and advise people on ways of doing thing better and often presenting on this.

Working in politics and business I have often walked into rooms and I am the only female there and often have been among one of the youngest. I think going to Loreto gave me confidence in those situations as I have never doubted that my opinion didn’t matter. I have always had the belief that women in time will come to do much and will change things - and now is our time. I have always been surrounded

by smart women and have never doubted that we deserve a seat at the table or felt intimidated if I’m the only one there.

My advice to students is to aim high, be ambitious and to not doubt what someone

from Ballarat can do in their career. When considering what to do after school think differently and be brave, there is a whole world for you out there. I was surprised many years later when I lived in the UK that my ATAR score might have been enough

to get me into Oxford or Cambridge –and yet this was something I never even dreamed was in the realm of possibilities for someone like me at the time. Know all doors are open to you, you just have to knock.

Past Pupils’ Association

Another Spring is here and with it a message of hope for better days ahead. I trust that you are keeping safe and keeping well during these uncertain times.

Recently I received a letter from Sister Bernadette Ziesing who lives in Adelaide in retirement. Many past pupils will remember her as Mother Gerard. She has happy memories of her years teaching at Loreto Ballarat. She wished to thank many of you who have sent cards, letters and best wishes. She assures you that you are all in her prayers.

During the COVID pandemic many of us seem to have re-visited the so-called “good old days”. With the cancellation of reunions I hope you have been able to keep in touch with old school friends through the many avenues of social media available today. The trusty old telephone has been a source of comfort. Keep in touch with Loreto Ballarat through “Verity” and through

Births

Mimi d’Auvergne (Class of 2000 & 2001 - exchange year) and her partner Mira Plocek welcomed their third little boyOliver Jakub Plocek on the 17 January 2021. He joins his 4 year old twin brothers Dominik and Luka Plocek to complete their family. They still reside in Perth WA.

the College website. Read of the achievements and activities of the girls of 2021 and of the news of past pupils wherever they may be.

You may like to keep in touch with the I.B.V.M. in Australia as today’s followers of Mary Ward contribute in so many ways to creating a better world for all. www.loreto.org.au

The Past Pupils’ Association continues to support the work of Mary Ward International Australia through our annual donation. Read about how this organization strives to improve the lives of so many across Australia and across the world. www.mwia.org.au

Meg Barry, President, Loreto Ballarat

Past Pupils’ Association

Deaths Marriages

Bianca Gallagher (Class of 2000) passed away suddenly on 07 July 2021

Anne (Margaret) O’Donnell (nee English) (Class of 1955) passed away on 09 January 2021

Maureen Thomsen (nee McTiernan) (Class of 1955) passed away on 08 May 2021

Hannah Stuchbery (Class of 2012) married Troy Farrow on March 20, 2021

Tamra McLean (Class of 1990) married David Foster on April 17, 2021

Victoria Doyle (Class of 2013) married James Burge on June 26, 2021

Emily Feben (Class of 2009) married David Baker on July 3, 2021

We rely on the individual, a family member or representative, funeral director or legal counsel to formally advise the College the details of any births, deaths or marriages to be published in Verity. Only confirmed members of the Loreto Community will be published. We invite deaths notices to be included and commemorated at our annual Past Pupils Mass of Remembrance in November. Contributions gratefully received to verity@loreto.vic.edu.au

Loreto College Ballarat

1600 Sturt Street

Ballarat, Victoria, 3350

p: (03) 5329 6100

loreto.vic.edu.au