Fideliter | 2026 Autumn Edition

FIDELITER

COVER: Hackett Prefect Imogen Radalj painting Pre-primary student Iona Caha’s face at our 105th Birthday Fair.

105 Years

of COMMUNITY

The spirit of community remains at the heart of life at St Mary’s and it is always apparent in the way our families, staff and students come together. This was particularly evident at our recent 105th Birthday Fair, which brought so many people together to enjoy a moment of connection, shared celebration and the relaxed, joyful atmosphere that makes our School community so special.

105 years is an extraordinary milestone for a community built on generations of shared purpose, strong traditions and the collective strength of those who have come before us.

Our Birthday Fair was a fitting tribute to this legacy. Thank you to everyone who came along. Your support created an atmosphere filled with laughter, activity and a genuine sense of belonging. It was a joy to see students, families, Old Girls, staff and future St Mary’s families celebrating side by side.

Earlier this term, we were delighted to welcome five-time Olympian Natalie Cook OAM OLY as our Bishop Riley Memorial Speaker. Held every five years as part of our birthday celebrations, this address is gifted to the School by the Foundation Board of Management in honour of Bishop Riley. Natalie’s visit was a highlight of the Term 1 calendar for our Senior School students and extended well beyond a single address.

Across her time with us, Natalie engaged students through a series of presentations, interactive workshops and volleyball sessions, including practical and reflective experiences with Physical Education Studies classes. As a passionate advocate for athletes and the lifelong lessons that emerge from pursuing excellence, she encouraged students to embrace challenge, remain grounded in their values and recognise the influence they can have on others. You can read more about Natalie’s visit on page 20.

2026 Parents’ Society Welcome Sundowner

The Parents’ Society Welcome Sundowner at the beginning of the year was a wonderful event for our community to come together. Held on The Polson Room lawn, the evening offered a relaxed opportunity for parents to reconnect, form new friendships and strengthen the sense of belonging that underpins our School community. We are grateful to the Parents’ Society for their generosity in support of this special event.

Coral Reef Crochet Project

We have been delighted to see staff, students and families engaging with the Coral Reef Crochet Project for our new Science, Enterprise, Technology and Innovation (SETI) Centre. As construction of the new building progresses, so does this collaborative initiative, which invites you to join in crafting a vibrant, largescale coral reef installation composed of hundreds of unique crochet pieces. Once completed, it will be proudly displayed in the SETI Centre foyer as a permanent feature.

We would love as many members of our community as possible to be involved. Whether you are an experienced crocheter or keen to have a go for the first time, every contribution matters.

Please scan the QR code below to download your patterns and to find further details on how to take part.

As we look ahead to the remainder of 2026, we look forward to many things, including welcoming our new Chaplain The Reverend Dr Gift Makwasha, who will join us in Term 2, and to the leadership, guidance and pastoral care he will bring to our School community.

Thank you for your continued support and for the many ways you contribute to life at St Mary’s. It is a privilege to share this milestone year with you.

Mrs Rebecca Payne

Acting Principal

Download your patterns here

Join us in crafting a vibrant, large-scale coral reef crochet installation for our SETI Centre foyer.

Meet our NEW CHAPLAIN

We are delighted to welcome The Reverend Dr Gift Makwasha as our new School Chaplain.

Fr Gift joins us from St George’s Anglican Grammar School, where he has spent the past four years serving as School Chaplain and Head of the Department of Beliefs and Values. He is also a familiar face within our own community; his daughter, Gamu, graduated from St Mary’s in 2019, making his return a meaningful one for him and his family.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Fr Gift brings more than 30 years of ministry experience in the Anglican Church. His vocation began in the Anglican Diocese of Harare and has since extended across parish and school communities in Zimbabwe, the United States and Australia. Among these roles, his chaplaincy at Arundel School, a prestigious girls’ school in Harare, was particularly formative. It strengthened his commitment to supporting young people in their personal, emotional and spiritual growth.

Throughout his ministry, Fr Gift has worked with individuals and families from a wide range of backgrounds, offering pastoral care, thoughtful guidance and steady support. He continues to contribute to the wider Anglican community as an Honorary Clergy Member of St George’s Anglican Cathedral and as an active member of the WA Anglican Schools Australia Chaplains’ network. He has also recently completed a Masters of Counselling, further enhancing his capacity to support both students and staff.

We are very much looking forward to Fr Gift’s commissioning, which will take place on Tuesday 21 April in Hearn Hall, the first day of Term 2. This special service will formally welcome him into his new role and acknowledge his commitment to serving and supporting the St Mary’s community.

Reflecting on his appointment, Fr Gift was drawn to lines from the hymn Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You, which articulate his approach to chaplaincy:

“Brother, sister, let me serve you; let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.”

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Fr Richard Pengelley for his generous support during this period of transition. His presence has been deeply appreciated.

We are greatly looking forward to welcoming Fr Gift back to St Mary’s, and we are confident that his warmth, experience and pastoral insight will enrich the spiritual life of our students, staff and families.

FROM THE B o A rd o F governors

At our 2026 Investiture Assembly, our Head Girl Grace Torre reminded us so beautifully that we stand in a particular moment in time. It was Grace who introduced the idea that this year is about “weaving our threads”, honouring where we have come from while recognising the part each of us plays in shaping what comes next.

“The steps which other feet have trod, you tread today.”

- School Hymn

2026is indeed a significant moment for St Mary’s. This year marks the 105th anniversary of our School, a milestone built on generations of girls, teachers, parents and a wider community who have worked together so that every student who wears the maroon and white can engage hearts and ignite curious minds. Their legacy is the foundation on which our girls continue to learn and then step confidently beyond our gates, determined to make the world a better place.

Throughout 2026, we will honour this moment in time through the many “threads” that bind us together. Threads that acknowledge our past while weaving our future. One of the most striking examples of this is the Coral Reef Crochet Project for the new Science, Enterprise, Technology and Innovation (SETI) Centre. This collaborative artwork, formed from thousands of individual crochet pieces, mirrors the intricate beauty of a natural reef. Each stitch represents a contribution, small on its own but extraordinary when brought together. The threads of yarn symbolise the threads of our community: each of us distinct yet

connected, creating something remarkable when woven together. I believe the final installation will be a wonderful piece for our community to enjoy.

As our girls continue to explore the world, growing as individuals and bringing connection, joy and service to the communities they visit, they return to us with a deep understanding that although people may live differently, we are all bound by a shared moral centre.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, thank you for choosing to be part of the St Mary’s community and for helping to create opportunities for the next generation of young women. Together, we continue to grow stronger.

Elizabeth Carr (’81) AM Chair, Board of Governors

FROM THE F ound Ation

WThe generosity of the St Mary’s community continues to inspire. Last year, donor-related income totalled $1,081,939, strengthening our Scholarship, Library and Building Funds, as well as prizes and awards. These contributions enrich learning across the School and expand opportunities for our students. In 2025, the Foundation was proud to distribute $226,718 towards scholarships and awards, reflecting our shared commitment to supporting students to benefit from a St Mary's education.

e also continue our tradition of supporting the Old Girls’ Association (OGA) by funding Life Memberships for each graduating cohort. Last year, we were pleased to provide Life Membership for the Class of 2025, ensuring they remain connected to our community well beyond their school years.

As we look ahead to our 2026 Annual Giving Appeal, we invite you to once again partner with us in shaping the future of St Mary’s. Whether supporting our Scholarships Fund, the Spirit of St Mary’s Fund, our vision for the new Science, Enterprise, Technology and Innovation (SETI) Centre, or resources for our Junior and Senior School libraries, every contribution makes a meaningful impact.

Recently, the Foundation was pleased to support the Bishop Riley Memorial Speaker, welcoming five-time Olympian Natalie Cook OAM OLY.

Held every five years as part of the School’s birthday celebrations, this series brings students into contact with individuals whose lives demonstrate resilience, purpose and service. Natalie’s thoughtful address encouraged students to reflect on perseverance, purpose and the positive influence they can have on those around them. We thank her for her meaningful contribution to our 105th birthday celebrations.

We were also delighted to continue offering our Frankie’s Folly wine range through our partnership with Flying Fish Cove Winery. It was wonderful to see so many enjoying tastings at the recent 105th Birthday Fair. Proceeds from sales support the Foundation’s ongoing work, and we are pleased to share this much-loved initiative with our community.

Thank you once again for your generosity. Together, we continue to create opportunities, celebrate achievements, and build a vibrant future for St Mary’s.

Bree Rosagro (Buxton ’98) Chair, St Mary’s Foundation

th A n K s to You 2025 DONOR ROLL

St Mary’s extends its gratitude to everyone who supports our vision to be a leader and innovator in the education of girls. It is our aim to provide the very best learning environment for our students today and in the future.

This Donor Roll records the names of donors who supported St Mary’s between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.

The donors listed in maroon have supported St Mary’s for five or more consecutive years and are recognised as members of the Fideliter Society

DONOR ROLL

Helen Adams

Allen Family

Joe Ariyaratnam

Arvidson Family

Atkins Family

Rodney and Lynette Baker (Price ’74)

Sarat Bainbridge

Wendy Barnao

Bronwyn Barnes (Cooper ’84)

Sienna Barnes

Sandra Barrett-Lennard

David Bean and Miriam Borthwick

Monique Beaudoire and Steve Hodgen

Adrian Beck

Benson Family

Ann Boyer

Kelly Brand (Fear ’00)

Brindal Family (’18, ’22)

Brownley Family

Vanya Burton

Paul and Wendy Butler

Buzynski Family

Carey Family

Elizabeth Carr (’81)

Marlene Carter (’63)

Valma Cearns

Virginia Christie

Civitico Family

Maggi Copeman (’72)

Carolyn Cover (Walder ’74)

Dr Leonie Coxon

Jane Crisp (Cyprian ’81)

Jaslyn Cullen (Gibson ’94)

Curlewis Family

Glenys Cyprian

Chelesa Davis (’14)

Amy Dawson (Fraser ’94)

Amy Dickson (Paterson ’94)

E. Patricia Dodson

Douglas Family

Shirley Duncan

Peter Evans

Feng Family

Sarah and Neil Foster

Carina Fu

Gibb Family

Rodger and Judith Gibson

Gillmore Family

Jane (Fisher ’70) and John Gillon

Peter Godfrey

Monica Gordon

Elizabeth Gorey (’71)

Grant Family

Griffiths Family

PJ Grigson

Gurgone Family

Zvi Guterman

Cheryl and Bernard Haak

Hancock Family

Harding Chitty Family

Fiona Harris

Marjorie Heaney (Long ’65)

Olive Henwood (’54)

Terri Herbert (Jasper ’98)

Erica Herron

Alana Hill (Hocking ’75)

Lybus Hillman (Manning ’65)

Hinkley and Morrell Family

Dana Hlavacek

Michelle Houwen

Elizabeth Howson

Ireland Family (Breanna ’21)

Isaachsen Family

Jago Family (Margaret Parker ’72)

Deborah Jarman

Graeme Jeffs

Jiang Family

Cate Johnson (’20)

Johnston Family (’08 and ’12)

Joan Karmelita

Leo Kelly and Marlene Downing

Kercheval Family

Komaromi Family

Koranis Family

Carol Lamond (’64)

Emi Lehmann (Kusafuka ’92)

Liew Family

Mary Ellen MacDonald

Wendy Mann (Barr ’63)

Faye Mansfield (Bennett ’63)

Manuel Family

Judith Martin (Spark ’56)

Julie Martin (Huxtable ’73)

McCarthy Family

McLean Family

Alexandra Meade

Joanne Meiklejohn (’70)

Sandy Minter

Molloy Family

Moncrieff Family

Nathan and Sari Mort

Muir Family

Vicki Neil (Reader ’68)

Stephanie Neille

Patricia Nicholls (Hobbs ’59)

Astrid Norgard (’64)

Dr Nikki Panotidis ('92)

Rebecca Payne

Anne Pesic (Nicolaou ’91)

Phan Family

Jo Philpott (’78)

Jeannie Pinto

Mr A Posa

Liz Pritchard (’94) and Ella Senior (’28)

Lesley Prowse (’63)

Radalj Family

Ramel Family

Ramm Family

Louise Richardson (Kelly ’85)

Robinson Family (Carly Goldfinch ’99)

Daniel and Natalie Romano

Bree Rosagro (Buxton ’98)

Brooke Sanderson (’03)

Margaret Saunders (Harris ’70)

Indiana Scanlon (’16)

Madeleine Scanlon (’18)

Schonfeld Family

Jenny Scott (Lefroy ’62)

Peta-Jane Secrett (Hogg ’98)

Shepherd Family

Smart Family

Lauren Smith and Alex Aberle-Leeming

Lex Smith and Lisa Surman

Spencer Family

Sun Family

Margaret Taylor

Kate and Douglas Thomson

Lynne Thomson

Thomson Family

Thornton Family

Rosemary Torvaldsen (Huggins ’79)

Dana Trtica

Judith and Rod Tudball

Louise Tyson

Sue Van Dyke (Robertson ’80)

Vander Wal Family

Sally van Rooyen

Roger and Pam Veary

Jade and Sophie Vella

Judy Waddington (Crews ’72)

Sharon Warburton and Damian Johnston

Mr L Weng and Ms Y Huang

Giles and Elspeth West

Western Australian Journal of Medicine

Wilkinson Family

Stacey-Jane Willis (’75)

Sarah Woods

Graham and Sarah Wright

Chao Xie Family

Xing Family

Zamudio-Concha Family

9 donors who wish to remain anonymous ENDOWMENT FUND

The families of all new students in 2025 who contributed to the Foundation’s Endowment Fund, which provides for the long-term future of the School.

DONOR-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS

David and Coral Mack (’64)

Bill and Pam Boekman

Bundu NFP Ltd

Joanna Rouse (’89)

Two donors who wish to remain anonymous

Every effort has been made to ensure that this list is accurate. If an error has been made, please accept our sincere apologies and contact us on (08) 9341 9111 or giving@stmarys.wa.edu.au. Please note: some minor adjustments have been made to align with our naming conventions. Should you wish to view the list of approved formats, please contact our Philanthropy team.

2025 RESULTS

Congratulations to the Class of 2025

On behalf of the St Mary’s community, we are pleased to congratulate the Class of 2025 on their WACE results. We remain committed to empowering every student to follow the pathway that best suits their strengths, whether through ATAR or Elevate, and the achievements of this year’s cohort reflect that commitment.

Throughout their final year of high school, these students demonstrated resilience, dedication and perseverance. They excelled academically and embraced the many opportunities St Mary’s provides beyond the classroom. Their success is a testament not only to their hard work but also to the steadfast support of our exceptional staff, who guide and encourage our students at every step.

2025 Dux, Noelle Tan, spoke at our High Flyers' Assembly about the importance of students discovering their ‘why’, the deeper purpose that gives meaning and direction to their efforts.

“I’m sure that when many of you think of Year 12, you may already have a specific ATAR or benchmark in mind. To you, the main piece of advice I have is this: understand the 'why' behind the score, not just the 'what'. Without a reason, your desired ATAR score is just pressure; with a reason, it becomes purpose.”

Congratulations once again, and we look forward to seeing how the stories of all our students unfold in the years to come.

Congratulations to our exhibition and award winners

1 Special General Award

Noelle Tan

1 VET Exhibition

Arabella Sutherland (Food Science and Technology) AND ABOVE 8% ATAR OF 99.0 AND ABOVE 24% ATAR OF 95.0 AND ABOVE 43% ATAR OF 90.0

7 Certificates of Excellence

Caris Emmott (Chemistry)

Parastesh Kiaie (Human Biology)

Anna Mackie (Economics)

Isabelle Schonfeld (Mathematics Applications)

Arabella Sutherland (Food Science and Technology)

Noelle Tan (English and Human Biology)

26 Certificates of Distinction

41 Certificates of Merit

99ers

Membership is for students who achieved an ATAR of 99.0 or higher. In 2025, we welcomed 11 members.

Caris Emmott

Jessica Devellerez

Leanne Gwynne

Parastesh Kiaie

Chloe Kok

Anna Mackie

Abbey Phan

Lily Roberts

Noelle Tan

Hannah Wilkinson

Millie Wright

400 Club

In years past, students who achieved a TEE of 400 points or higher out of a possible 510 points in their university entrance examinations were inducted into St Mary's ‘400 Club’. In 2010, the TEE was replaced by the TEA, with a maximum possible score of 430. To continue this proud tradition, each year we convert our Year 12s’ TEAs into a score out of 510 and acknowledge those students who have achieved 400 points or higher. In 2025, 20 students joined our 400 Club.

Mrinalini

Bandyopadhyay

Kelsey Bryan

Jessica Devellerez

Maahi Dodhia

Caris Emmott

Holly Green

Leanne Gwynne

Katelyn Huynh

Sara Kerr

Parastesh Kiaie

Chloe Kok

Anna Mackie

Abbey Phan

Angelique Rhodes

Lily Roberts

Arabella Sutherland

Noelle Tan

Alexandra Watts

Hannah Wilkinson

Millie Wright

High Flyers'

InJanuary, we gathered for our annual High Flyers' Assembly to celebrate our 2025 Year 12 ATAR and Elevate students, whose achievements have been recognised by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. It was a meaningful occasion that allowed us to pause and acknowledge the commitment, resilience and perseverance demonstrated by the Class of 2025.

One in ten students attained an ATAR above 98, and one in four achieved an ATAR above 95. An ATAR of 95 places a student in the top five per cent of students across the State. These outcomes reflect not only academic excellence, but also our students’ sustained effort and determination and the support of their teachers and families.

ASSEMBLY

Congratulations to our 2025 Dux, Noelle Tan, who received a Special General Award and has since received multiple university offers, including from King’s College London and the University of Cambridge. We also congratulate Arabella Sutherland, who was awarded a Subject Exhibition in Food Science and Technology, recognising her as the top student in the state in this subject.

2026 STUDENT le A ders

2026 PREFECTS and CAPTAINS INVESTITURE

HEAD GIRL’S P ers P ective GRACE TORRE

Over the past few months, I’ve gone through the same process every Head Girl before me has - thinking, reflecting and asking myself what kind of year I want this to be and what message I want to bring you, and I kept coming back to a moment from last year’s Handover Assembly.

It is tradition that the Head Girl-elect has the honour of being presented with the St Mary’s boater hat. This tradition began in 1976, when Head Girl Jenny Shaw left her hat behind after her last assembly as a Year 12 student. What started as an unintentional moment has since become one of the most quietly significant moments of Handover. And so, when I was announced as your 2026 Head Girl, I had the honour of being presented this very hat by Jenny herself, bridging nearly fifty years of St Mary’s history in a single moment. And as Jenny placed the boater on my head, she smiled at me and said:

“This hat has seen a lot. Leave your mark on it and make it one worth passing on."

Those words have taken on a much deeper meaning. Not as a ceremonial moment, but as a quiet truth: that while our time here at St Mary’s is temporary, what we contribute is not.

This year, St Mary’s turns 105. 105 years of girls wearing this uniform, cheering for their Houses and celebrating the people who filled the halls of St Mary’s before us. Girls who, without even realising it, left something behind for us to inherit.

A culture.

A standard.

A sense of what it means to be a St Mary’s girl.

And that’s where my theme for this year comes in - not as a slogan, but as a way of thinking about our place here.

Weave your thread.

Being part of St Mary’s is not about standing apart from its history but understanding how we fit within it. How each of us is a thread that forms the beautiful tapestry of our school.

Whether we be students, teachers, Christine at the uniform shop, Rebecca at our beloved

SMafé, Nurse Jo, Craig from our groundskeeping staff or Mrs Douglas in the boarding house, what we bring to our roles, big or small, becomes woven into something larger than each individual thread.

And what makes this powerful is that every thread is unique. Every contribution, whether done consciously or accidentally, becomes part of the fabric of this school.

So, the question is, how will we choose to weave it?

Just as Jenny never intended to begin a tradition by doing something so many of us do (lose a uniform item), nothing we do is insignificant. Every thread woven here becomes part of what St Mary’s is, which will be felt in the lives of those who come after us.

As we begin this special year in the life of our school, let us be mindful of the mark we leave behind, knowing that we are part of something far older than ourselves, and responsible for what it becomes next.

Don’t contribute for recognition. Don’t contribute for reward. Contribute because we are not the first to weave through these paths, and we will not be the last.

As sung in our School

Hymn, ‘The steps which other feet have trod, you tread today’

Walk knowing you are weaving the future of this school, and that the thread you leave behind will shape the legacy of St Mary’s today, tomorrow and for the years to come.

Grace Torre 2026 Head Girl

105 TH BIRTHDAY FEATURE

105 TH BIRTHDAY FAIR

Our 105th Birthday Fair, held on 6 March 2026, brought the campus to life with festive fun and a wonderful sense of community spirit. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this milestone. We are especially grateful to the Parents’ Society volunteers, our boarding families, the Old Girls’ Association and the many staff who generously gave their time to help make the event a success.

105 TH BIRTHDAY FEATURE

Up Close with 5x Olympian

Natalie Cook

Another highlight of our anniversary year was welcoming five-time Olympian Natalie Cook OAM OLY as our Bishop Riley Memorial Speaker, an opportunity generously gifted by the St Mary's Foundation. Held every five years as part of our birthday celebrations, these sessions connect students with individuals whose lives exemplify resilience, purpose and service. Natalie’s visit brought these themes to life across two days for our Senior School girls.

Natalie presented to all Senior School year groups, challenging the girls to consider what it means to “show up like a winner”, reminding them that success is built on daily habits, not headlines. Her message, grounded in discipline, self-belief and the power of purposeful action, resonated strongly, and she encouraged them to ask themselves each day, “what did I win at today?” and to recognise that perseverance, especially when plans go awry, is a skill that can be trained.

Natalie’s contribution extended well beyond her year group presentations. On the morning of the IGSSA Swimming Carnival, she joined our Interschool Swim Team at their team breakfast, offering a motivating address that set a positive tone for the day. The team went on to deliver an outstanding performance, securing a place on the podium with St Mary’s finishing third.

Being a celebrated Olympic Beach Volleyball gold medallist, Natalie led training sessions with some of our top volleyball players, bringing professional insight, energy and humour to the court. She also visited our Year 12 Physical Education Studies classes, where students are currently exploring biomechanics and exercise physiology. Her input helped the girls apply their understanding by providing real-world context.

Throughout the week, Natalie’s authenticity and clarity of purpose made a meaningful impact on students and staff alike. Her passion for legacy and purpose, and her commitment to supporting athletes through fundraising and advocacy, provided the girls with a powerful example of values-led leadership, and we thank her for being so generous with her time.

Monica Gordon, Dean of Teaching and Learning.

Our approach to AI

There is no denying the ever-increasing presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our lives, and its influence is already being felt across education, workplaces and daily interactions. Our approach to AI is grounded in a commitment to enhancing teaching and learning while protecting student wellbeing and academic integrity. We have begun introducing AI in a thoughtful, evidence-informed way that reflects our values and keeps human connection at the centre of learning. By prioritising staff capability, safeguarding learning, and explicitly teaching responsible use, we aim to prepare students and staff for a future shaped by technology without losing sight of the thinking, relationships and purpose that underpin education.

Our strategic vision

A clear strategic vision guides our work with AI. Our approach aligns with the Australian National Framework for Generative AI in Schools, ensuring the technology supports learning while maintaining safety, fairness, transparency and privacy. Through our Ignite Strategy, a whole-school focus has been placed on building staff capability so that AI can be integrated safely and intentionally into the classroom.

Our AI tool of choice

A careful and selective process led to the adoption of Microsoft 365’s education version of Copilot Chat as our trusted AI platform. This platform operates within a comprehensive enterprise-grade compliance and security framework designed for education, ensuring student and staff data remains within the St Mary’s service boundary and is not used to train public AI models. Built-in safeguards filter or block harmful or inappropriate content to support student safety.

Who will be using AI at St Mary’s

Students under 13 are not permitted to use AI tools at school, and families are encouraged to follow this guidance at home. Students aged 13 to 17 may only access Microsoft Copilot within the School’s secure environment. All other AI tools remain restricted on the School network to ensure that students use only approved platforms with the appropriate safeguards.

Our staff and AI

Staff are being supported through ongoing professional learning designed to build confidence, skill and shared understanding around AI. Workshops, cross-disciplinary learning communities, and the weekly AI Explorers Club offer staff opportunities to explore Copilot’s features, ask questions and experiment with practical applications.

We have also formed an AI Aspire Committee, which is running small trial projects across different teaching, learning and administrative areas. These trials are helping staff see where AI might make certain tasks easier, improve learning, or save time, while still keeping people firmly in control. What we learn from these trials will guide how we use AI in the future and help us understand which tools are genuinely useful for our School.

Later this year, select teachers will participate in a joint professional learning opportunity with Hale School, led by Australian educator and researcher Leon Furze. This workshop will focus on evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning in an AI-enabled environment.

Our students and AI

The School’s approach to AI in learning draws on the work of educational neuroscientist Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, whose research highlights the importance of active thinking, long-term memory and human interaction in deep learning. While AI offers new possibilities, early or excessive reliance can hinder the development of essential knowledge, skills and academic confidence.

To support safe and responsible use, students will engage in AI literacy workshops throughout the year. These will help them understand how AI works, recognise bias and misinformation, and identify when AI supports learning and when it undermines it. Human relationships remain central, and collaboration, discussion and feedback continue to play a vital role in developing our students’ understanding.

My Trip to the Abrolhos Islands

"Our trip to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands was honestly one of the best experiences I think I will ever have. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and is something I couldn’t forget even if I tried."

One of the most interesting parts of the trip was visiting Beacon Island. We learned about its crazy history, especially the Batavia shipwreck and what happened afterwards. Basically, after the ship crashed, some of the survivors turned on each other, and there were mutinies and murders. It was shocking to hear about, but also incredibly interesting. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to dive on the wreck because of the weather, but we had so many other incredible experiences during the trip, which made up for it.

Another highlight was swimming with the seals. They were so playful and curious and would swim right up to us. At first, I was a bit nervous, but once we got in the water, it turned out to be the most fun ever. They were flipping around, trying to eat our cameras, and showing off. One even started playing with me and kissed my camera! I will always remember that moment. It honestly felt like something you’d only see on TV.

The coral around the islands was also gorgeous. When we were snorkelling and diving, the water was so clear that you could see all the different colours of the coral and fish. It was so calming just floating there and looking at everything. I even spotted an octopus!

Something else that made the trip really special was making new friends. There were people from different year groups as well as from my own, and we all ended up forming a bond. It was nice talking to people I normally wouldn’t talk to at school. We even got to know the staff and crew on the boat, and everyone got along so well.

Every day we had our meals together, and the food was 10/10 every single time. After long days of swimming, exploring and learning, it felt amazing to sit down, eat delicious food and talk about everything we’d done. Our table even shared funny stories that made everyone giggle.

To sum it up, visiting the Abrolhos Islands was one of the most unforgettable adventures I’ve ever been on, and there wasn’t a single bad day. We lived on a boat, made new friends, ate amazing meals, and saw the ocean and all its incredible beauty. I will never forget my time there. I would return in an instant if I could!

Summer Maguire Year 9

Scan the QR code to watch the video of our trip.

Charlie’s Cambodia Reflections: Learning through service

Late last year, I had the opportunity to go on the Service in Action trip to Cambodia, and honestly, it was the best experience of my life. The whole trip was so eye-opening and made me realise how sheltered we can be in our everyday lives. From the moment we arrived, I was inspired by the resilience and positivity of the people we met, even in communities where life is incredibly tough. Seeing the work of the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) firsthand was amazing, and getting to speak with Scott Neeson, the founder, was something I’ll never forget.

During our first few days in Phnom Penh, we learnt about Cambodia’s history. Visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields was extremely confronting, but it helped us understand the challenges and trauma that still affect the many families we would be working with.

I spent the week volunteering at a kindergarten with children aged three to five, and every morning when we arrived around 7:30, they would run toward us with so much excitement. They always looked so proud in their uniforms and were genuinely eager to start their day. Helping the teachers often meant simple tasks like doing the girls’ hair, reading stories or helping with little activities. Even though most of them spoke very little English, we communicated effortlessly through smiles and laughter. Playtime was such a highlight with arts and crafts, obstacle courses and endless paper planes that somehow brought the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen.

The children’s daily routines also showed us a lot about their lives. After lunch, they had a three-hour nap, which is really important for those who might be helping their parents at night or living in unsafe conditions. Later in the day, we practised a traditional Khmer dance, and in the evenings, we joined the older kids for sports or helped serve food to families in need.

The generosity and joy of the children left a lasting impact on me. Even though they had so little, they were always trying to give something: a hairclip, a drawing or a small handmade card just to show their appreciation. Watching how much they valued their education and how they embraced every moment genuinely inspired me. I hope I made a difference in their lives during that week, but I know for sure that they made a huge difference in mine.

Charlie Shepherd Year 12

Exploring the World,

Ariana takes New York

In January, our Creative Arts Tour took us all the way to New York City, a trip we’d been counting down to for months. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by our trip-long tour guide, Bob. He and his umbrella basically became the lighthouse that guided us through the whole trip. He was absolutely bewildered by our reaction to real yellow school buses. They look just like the ones in the movies!

The food is enormous - the pizza slices are the size of my head. And lemonade isn’t Sprite there; if you order lemonade, you get real squeezed lemon juice, even at McDonald’s (or ‘Mickey D’s’ as the locals call it). Strangely enough, the best culinary experience was the water. It tastes incredibly fresh and clean, straight from the northern snow.

All the performances we saw contributed to a life-changing experience for me, and I’m sure for the others as well. I know that’s something people say all the time, and I was sceptical too, but this time it’s true. A standout was seeing Hamilton on Broadway.

After seeing Lady Liberty in the flesh, or, I guess, in the copper, we enjoyed a snow flurry on top of the Empire State Building! A snow flurry is like a brief rain shower, but with snow. It was basically nature’s version of confetti - super quick and made up of tiny snowflakes that don’t settle on the ground. We were so excited to experience it.

We visited a lot of museums, including The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art), MAD (Museum of Arts and Design), FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), the Natural History Museum, the Brooklyn Museum and the Guggenheim. We saw many famous pieces, including Starry Night and one of Van Gogh’s portraits, Campbell’s Soup Cans and Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies. They’re all so much smaller than we thought. Not quite as small as the Mona Lisa, but very close.

We were privileged to visit the prestigious Dwight-Englewood School in New Jersey, where we toured their art department and made our own stamps to take home.

We also took part in a workshop run by one of their teachers who used to be the head designer for Nike! We had lunch in the cafeteria, which was just like in the movies and were entertained by the students’ questions like “Do you guys really ride to school on kangaroos?” to which we answered with utterly straight faces; “Yes. And we’ve all got pet crocodiles too.”

All in all, it was an unforgettable experience.

Ariana Ford Year 12

Growing as Learners

NEWS FROM JUNIOR SCHOOL

Our Early Years Meet Community Heroes

Our Kindergarten girls are deepening their understanding of community and those who keep us safe, through two exciting experiences. Their visit to the Old Central Fire Station offered a hands-on look at how emergency services serve our community. During their visit, the girls explored the Engine Room, played dress-ups, climbed the mini bouldering wall, met the Fire Department’s friendly mascot “Igor the Spider,” and even got to ring the fire bell.

On Monday 23 March, the cavalry descended on Junior School with the WA Police Mounted Section visiting our Kindergarten and Pre-primary girls. They were thrilled to meet the horses and learn about the important role mounted police play in keeping public spaces safe. As part of the same incursion, the Police Air Wing helicopter also landed on our oval, providing students with a rare, up-close insight into the aircraft and the critical role they play in the WA Police Force.

Getting to Know our Year 4s

Our Year 4s began the year with great energy through our Getting to Know You program, designed to help girls build meaningful connections during a stage of childhood when friendships often naturally develop into lifelong bonds. Held in Chapel Valley, the sessions were facilitated by Gecko Sports, an organisation known for delivering engaging activities that support teamwork, confidence and physical wellbeing in children. The girls participated in a variety of games and challenges that encouraged collaboration, connection-building and plenty of fun. The ever-popular ‘wet station’ delivered many laughs, with both students and staff leaving enthusiastically soaked and happily united. The session provided an ideal platform for the girls, particularly those new to the School in 2026, to form friendships in an active, welcoming environment.

Parent Education:

A Morning with Dr Kyla

Our Junior School parents were treated to a presentation from Dr Kyla, a paediatric dietitian and fussy-eating specialist. From Dr Kyla’s session, parents received clear, practical strategies for fostering positive eating habits in their daughters, as well as valuable insights into creating supportive mealtime environments and encouraging healthy relationships with food. We were humbled that Dr Kyla expressed her delight in learning about our approach to lunchboxes, particularly our commitment to avoiding food policing and trusting children to eat intuitively. This aligns with Dr Kyla’s evidence-based philosophy of reducing pressure, supporting selfregulation and fostering body confidence from early childhood. Her affirmation was encouraging, and we remain committed to maintaining an environment where students can enjoy food without judgement or restriction.

Student Lens

We are delighted to introduce Student Lens which showcases photographs captured by our student photojournalists at key events such as the recent Interhouse Swimming Carnival and the 105th Birthday Fair. These are just some of the great photos taken by students, highlighting their emerging talents. For some students, especially at high-energy events like the swimming carnival, contributing behind the camera offers a meaningful way to participate and to feel a sense of belonging and purpose.

Beyond photography, our Media students gain real-world experience by supporting the technical and creative side of various School events throughout the year. Their involvement ranges from monitoring audio during assemblies to operating cameras, managing live-switching software, and assisting with recordings for occasions such as dance recitals, the swimming carnival, and Speech Night. These hands-on opportunities not only extend their learning but also enrich the quality and professionalism of our event coverage.

HANDS‑ON EXPERIENCE

OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

It has been a vibrant and memorable start to the year for the Old Girls’ Association, with several opportunities for connection, celebration and the sharing of stories that strengthen the lifelong bonds within our community.

In March, we were delighted to host the Old Girls’ Sundowner. It was an evening marked by warmth, laughter and nostalgia as many guests arrived proudly wearing their old school uniforms. The enthusiasm was infectious, and the prizes for best dressed added a fun spirit to the occasion. A special feature of the evening was the St Mary’s Memory Line, where guests were invited to lift the receiver of our Memory Phoneline and record a reflection from their time as a student. These spoken personal memories were both heartfelt and funny, capturing the essence of what connects generations of Old Girls. We look forward to sharing a curated collection of these recordings in due course.

March was a busy month as we also held our Annual General Meeting. We were delighted to re-elect the OGA Committee, and I thank all members for their continued dedication and service.

While 2025 marked the OGA’s centenary, this year brings another significant milestone as the School celebrates its 105th birthday. It was a joy to attend the 105th Birthday Fair to mark the occasion and witness our community come together with such pride and enthusiasm.

We are also delighted to formally welcome Old Girl

Amy Dickson (Paterson ’94) to the role of Alumni Relations Coordinator. Amy started in this role in October 2025, having already served three years

SAVE THE d Ate

Fleur de Lis Club Morning Tea

Thursday 29 October

For Old Girls who left St Mary’s 50 or more years ago. To be held in The Polson Room at St Mary’s.

Reunions

Congratulations to the Classes of 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016 who are celebrating their milestone anniversaries this year. Please check our website for reunion information, or alternatively you can scan the QR code.

as the Philanthropy & Alumni Officer. Her deep understanding of our community, combined with her professionalism and genuine enthusiasm for strengthening Old Girl connections, makes her a fabulous addition to this role. I am very much looking forward to working closely with her as we continue to expand the opportunities and experiences available to our alumni.

Looking ahead, the Old Girls’ Mentoring Project will commence later this year. This initiative will pair Old Girl mentees with experienced Old Girl mentors, fostering professional guidance, personal development and strengthened Old Girl connections. If you would like to be involved in this program, please email Amy Dickson at oga@stmarys. wa.edu.au.

We are also pleased to once again offer seven Old Girls’ Scholarships, providing valuable financial support to Old Girls across diverse fields of study. Please keep an ear out for the announcement of this year’s recipients.

It continues to be an honour to serve as President and to help nurture the enduring connections that define our community.

Amy Dawson (Fraser ’94) President, St Mary’s Old Girls’ Association

Valé

We offer our condolences to the families of the following members of our community:

Debra Archdeacon (’73)

Caroline Donaldson (Hassell ’62)

Linda Curlewis (wife of Ian Curlewis, Honorary Life Member)

Jodie Wheeler (Farr ’90)

Meaghan Robinson (O’Loughlin ’81)

Gwynneth Meave Edwards Lloyd McGahey (Myles ’58)

Jasmine Hassan-Raiyat (’15)

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

Ashlyn Tymms (’05)

Bravo, Ashlyn!

A huge bravo to Ashlyn Tymms on being named the winner of the 2025 Opera Awards, one of the most significant opera awards in the country.

Ashlyn, a mezzo soprano, received the prestigious Youth Music Foundation of Australia Award, valued at $30,000, recognising her star status in the opera world.

In 2026, Ashlyn will perform several roles across Australia and make her debut with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Auckland.

Earlier this year, she made her Opera Australia debut in Cendrillon and later captivated audiences as Ježibaba in Rusalka, performances that have firmly established her as an artist of international standing.

Join us in celebrating this wonderful achievement and in cheering Ashlyn on as her remarkable career continues to flourish.

Noelle Tan (’25)

Noelle secures offer from Cambridge

We are delighted to congratulate our 2025 Dux, Noelle Tan, on being offered a place at the University of Cambridge to study Human, Social and Political Sciences.

Noelle’s time at St Mary’s played an important role in shaping her academic pathway. Having begun her schooling in Singapore, where the focus was predominantly on STEM subjects, it was at St Mary’s that she was able to explore the humanities in depth. Here, she discovered her passion for the human and political world, with Politics and Law quickly becoming a favourite subject and ultimately inspiring her future direction.

We are also proud to share that Noelle received an additional offer from the prestigious King’s College London, a further recognition of her exceptional talent and potential.

Noelle’s achievements reflect her hard work and the strong foundations built during her time at St Mary’s. We look forward to seeing all she will accomplish as she embarks on this remarkable academic journey.

Abbey Telfer (’17)

From School Art Room to Oxford Street Gallery

It’s no surprise that Visual Arts was Abbey’s favourite subject at school, given she has recently opened her own gallery on Oxford Street in Mount Hawthorn. The space, established with her mum Lynette, grew from Abbey recognising a need for more exhibition opportunities for young and emerging WA artists in Perth’s increasingly competitive arts landscape.

After graduating from St Mary’s, Abbey went on to study Fashion and Textiles at Curtin University. While not strictly fine arts, the degree offered valuable experiences, from assisting with exhibition management and planning shows to participating in the Beijing Design Marathon and China Fashion Week. Throughout her studies, Abbey realised she was drawn more to conceptual thinking and visual communication. She also came to understand that the fast-fashion industry wasn’t the right fit for her; visual arts felt more authentic and meaningful.

This realisation shaped her early career. Abbey gained hands-on experience as a Studio Manager for Leon Pericles, a renowned West Australian artist, and worked across several galleries. As her interest in commercial art grew, so did her long-held ambition to run her own gallery. She followed Perth’s art scene closely, particularly the work of emerging artists, and saw strong potential to support the next wave of local talent, contribute to the growth of Western Australia’s art community, and encourage art collecting while highlighting its cultural importance.

Abbey’s foundation for this pathway began at St Mary’s. She was part of the first cohort to study Design Fundamentals, taught by Jodie Sanders, who still teaches the subject today. The course provided essential design skills and introduced Abbey to programs she continues to use in her practice. One of her most formative school experiences was the New York Creative Arts trip, which she describes as an eye-opening immersion into the global world of art and design on its grandest scale.

We wish Abbey all the best with her exciting endeavour.

Alyssa Jones (’24)

Lights, Camera, FlickerUp!

We are delighted to congratulate Alyssa Jones (’24) on her short film Time To See being selected as a finalist in this year’s FlickerUp Youth Shorts, part of the renowned Flickerfest International Short Film Festival and a national competition for filmmakers aged eighteen and under. Time to See explores the story of a girl who becomes trapped in a virtual-reality world and was produced during Alyssa’s final year at St Mary’s as her ATAR short film project. Much of the filming took place in the studio within our Lynne Thomson Creative Arts and Design Centre, where Alyssa was able to draw on the guidance and expertise of her media teachers.

This is an outstanding achievement and a wonderful recognition of Alyssa’s creativity, skill and storytelling talent. We are proud to see her making her mark on the film industry so early in her journey.

105 TH BIRTHDAY FEATURE

105 Old Girls

These Old Girl Profiles form part of our 105th Birthday web feature, highlighting the remarkable paths and achievements of 105 Old Girls who continue to inspire our community.

Jessica Gethin (’97)

From Music Prefect to International Stages

When Jessica became St Mary’s first-ever Music Prefect, she had no idea it was the beginning of a career spanning international podiums, major orchestral stages and senior leadership roles in Australian music. Left with a conviction that leadership and creativity belong side by side, Jessica’s love of music grew into a life devoted to conducting, collaboration and championing artistic excellence.

After graduating in 1997, Jessica returned to St Mary’s the following year to teach music, which shaped her passion for mentorship and reinforced her belief in female leadership in the arts. From there, her trajectory accelerated.

Today, Jessica is one of only a few full-time professional conductors in Australia, working across symphonic, ballet, opera and film. She is Principal Conductor of the West Australian Ballet, Artistic Advisor to Orchestra Victoria and Head of Orchestral Studies and Conducting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

From 2011 to 2019, she served as the Founding Chief Conductor of the Perth Symphony Orchestra, leading a period of bold artistic growth and increased national recognition. Jessica has conducted all of Australia’s major symphony orchestras and The Australian Ballet, performing at venues ranging from the Sydney Opera House to national tours. Internationally, she has appeared with ensembles including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dallas Opera. She has also worked with artists such as Harry Connick Jr., Ben Folds, Sir Bryn Terfel, Michael Bolton, Chrissy Amphlett and Tim Minchin.

Her contribution to the arts has been recognised through numerous honours, including a Churchill Fellowship, being named a finalist for West Australian of the Year, and being inducted into the 2024 WA Women’s Hall of Fame. Jessica was also listed among the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Most Influential Women in 2015.

Though her career has taken her across continents and disciplines, Jessica credits St Mary’s with instilling the confidence to back her own vision. Friendships formed at school, and the early encouragement to blend leadership with creativity, remain touchstones she carries into every rehearsal, onto every podium and into every new musical collaboration.

Dr Nikki Panotidis (’92)

Paediatrician. Advocate. Educator.

Dr Nikki Panotidis has built her career on strong advocacy, clinical expertise and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people, with her work placing her at the forefront of developmental paediatrics in Western Australia.

Nikki studied medicine at the University of Western Australia, beginning the journey with a close group of school friends who were known to the wider cohort as “the St Mary’s girls.” She trained in paediatrics with dual specialisation in General Paediatrics and Community Child Health, completing postgraduate training in Perth and interstate. During advanced training and research in Melbourne, she found her enduring interest in developmental paediatrics.

Her experience includes tertiary hospital practice, private multi-disciplinary work and a formative period providing paediatric care to Indigenous children in remote Northern Territory communities.

Nikki is now a Senior Consultant Paediatrician with the WA Child Development Service. She divides her time between training paediatric trainees within the Medical Education Team and working as a Senior Clinician on the Metrowide Autism Assessment Team. She has more than a decade of clinical experience supporting children with ADHD, complex behavioural presentations and diverse developmental and learning needs.

Medical education remains central to her work. As a Senior Lecturer with the UWA School of Paediatric Medicine, she has contributed to curriculum development, assessment frameworks, specialist examinations and student mentoring.

Known for her ability to bridge health and education, Nikki works closely with schools, to support student wellbeing and learning. In 2025, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority engaged her to prepare a Board-requested report on equitable access to assessment.

Nikki’s ties to St Mary’s remain strong. The lifelong friendships she formed in Junior School continue today, and her commitment to the School now extends to her role on the Board of Governors, following in the footsteps of her father, Van, who served on the Board for nearly a decade. Her family’s connection runs even deeper: her grandfather, Richard Broad, played a significant role in scoping the Karrinyup campus site - a legacy she carries forward with pride as a St Mary’s Old Girl.

You can explore more profiles on our website via the QR code.

Julia Samson (Lazarus ’26, Head Girl)

1909 – 2002

Scholar. Egyptologist. Trailblazer.

Long before she became one of Australia’s most respected Egyptologists, Julia Samson was a bright and engaging St Mary’s girl whose curiosity reached well beyond the classroom. Her path from Head Girl to internationally recognised archaeologist reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, discovery and the human stories that shape civilisation.

Julia attended St Mary’s from 1923 to 1926, where she excelled academically, earned several prizes and served as a Prefect and then Head Girl in her final year.

In 1928, Julia relocated to London, a move that helped her realise her lifelong dream of studying at the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, beginning a career that would position her at the forefront of Egyptological research.

Her fascination with ancient Egypt had begun much earlier, sparked during a family holiday and formalised when she joined the Egypt Exploration Society at just fifteen. She would remain a member for an extraordinary 77 years.

Julia became a distinguished Egyptologist, field archaeologist and author, contributing widely to the understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation. She was an Honorary Researcher at the Petrie Museum in London, home to one of the world's largest and most important collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology.

Her sharp mind, generous spirit and ability to bring history vividly to life made her a treasured presence in academic and social circles alike.

Mary (Maimie) Aitken Brown (’22) MBE(M)

From London’s Fashion Scene to Wartime Captain

When Maimie joined St Mary’s as one of our first students in 1921, no one could have foreseen the remarkable path her life would take.

After graduating in 1922, she moved to London to study at the London Academy of Dressmaking, quickly establishing herself in the city’s fashion scene. Welcomed into London’s social circles, she built a reputation for artistry, poise and professionalism. However, with the outbreak of the Second World War, her life took a dramatic turn.

Returning to Perth, Maimie enlisted for voluntary service at Lucknow Hospital in Claremont before later

joining the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service. Her work spanned Western Australia and the Middle East between 1941 and 1943, where she supported military hospitals.

Upon returning to Australia, she rose quickly through the ranks, running the 115 Military Hospital in Victoria and later Company Commander of the 110 Military Hospital in Perth. In 1944, she was promoted to Captain. Her leadership earned her the Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military), awarded for her exceptional discipline, compassion and dedication to the welfare of the women under her command.

‘Julia’s belief that the human intellect and imagination were the most creative forces in the world and central to all cultural progress was the core of her life and work, and of her extraordinary wide range of interests in the natural sciences and the arts. Her forceful yet humane character, her magnetic personality, her highly individual conversational powers, her radiant smile and warm capacity for human friendship were an inspiration to all her knew her.’ From The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Vol.88, 2002

Julia’s contribution to her field, along with her remarkable presence and dedication, earned her a place on the St Mary’s Old Girls’ Honour Wall. Her life stands as a testament to the power of ambition and imagination, and the enduring impact of early inspiration.

Maimie later authored two books: The Bending Road, recounting her years in London, and On and Off Duty, detailing her wartime service. Her World War II medals remain on display at the Army Museum of Western Australia, and she is honoured at St Mary’s through a place on our Old Girls’ Honour Wall.

Bec Climie (’99)

Outback postie bringing community spirit to remote families, one mailbox at a time

Across the vastness of outback Queensland, where mailboxes sit kilometres from front doors, and the landscape can be as harsh as it is beautiful, Bec Climie has created something rare: a sense of community stitched together one mail delivery at a time.

What began as a rural mail run has grown into a lifeline of connection, creativity and cheer for the people who live along her 600-kilometre mail route.

Twice a week, Bec sets out from Julia Creek, a small outback town 1600 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. Her deliveries extend far beyond parcels and letters.

"There's been chooks and guinea fowls, and a poddy lamb. If it's the middle of mustering and people need food, they rely on the mail to bring them groceries, or if they break down, then there's a part coming in the mail," said Bec.

Bec has 38 stops on her twice-a-week mail run, and she’s found a way to make every one special. She has introduced book clubs, morning teas, Secret Santa exchanges and even ‘mail run lotto’ - small initiatives that have grown into meaningful traditions for the families along her route.

Her most beloved creation is the annual Mail Run Show Day, born from the realisation that Julia Creek lacked a traditional agricultural show.

"There are a lot of people on the mail run who are very arty and crafty and very good at making things, and so I thought we could have our own show," she said.

"We award the Best in Show and all those kinds of things that you would actually get at an agriculture show, but it's just done via the mailbox."

Now, residents compete via their mailboxes in categories ranging from best photography to cutest pet. Last year, she even swapped out her regular postie van for an ice cream truck, delivering the mail and soft serve to everyone on her route.

Bec highlights her close-knit rural community on her podcast, “More Than Mail”, where she chats about all things living and working in remote Queensland.

Life in the bush can bring its challenges, from droughts and floods to isolation, but Bec’s presence and dedication have become a source of joy and connection for an entire rural community.

ST MARY’S ANGLICAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL INCORPORATED

75 Elliott Road Karrinyup Western Australia PO Box 105 Karrinyup WA 6921

TELEPHONE: (08) 9341 9111

WEBSITE: stmarys.wa.edu.au

CRICOS Number 00454C