Foundation Report

The Foundation continued in its mission to support the College's major building projects and the educational opportunities for the girls of PLC.

The key focus for the group in 2022, was to consolidate operations following years that were adversely affected by the COVID pandemic. This saw the group undertake a range of events and activities including the annual NGV Winter Masterpiece lecture and tour, as well as the Hamer Hall Gala Concert gathering for members.

The group also presented its first annual award to Year 12 students at the VCE Art Show in recognition of their outstanding achievements in art and design and looks forward to continuing this new tradition. Membership of the group continued to grow in 2022 and the Foundation Board wishes to extend its sincerest appreciation to those members of our community, who through their generosity, are helping provide outstanding new building facilities for future generations at PLC.

Looking to the future, the group will be extending and enhancing the PLC community's awareness of its mission with a stronger presence at school events to ensure a better understanding of the importance of the Foundation's work and the life-changing impact that their support can help achieve for the girls.

The group also wishes to formally farewell Dr Andrew McDonald, who retired as President of the Foundation after 15 years in the role, as well as welcoming Diana Bevington as the new President of the group.

Julie Schroeder Community Relations

Hethersett is the longest established parent support body at PLC, founded in the 1950s and named in honour of the original property on the campus grounds. The group aims to provide a platform for Senior School parents to meet and connect, to support school events and to raise funds that augment the school’s initiatives. In 2022, after two years of interruptions, the group finally had the opportunity to host its full suite of events and it seemed like Team Hethersett was out in full force!

No effort was spared to do things differently for the girls’ events. At the Athletics Carnival, we added bubble tea to our longstanding food and drinks stalls – we confirmed firsthand that the craze was still very current! Another highlight was focusing our food service at Harmony Day on topical issues; Ukrainian and Afghan fare were on offer, the preparation of which certainly emphasised the concept of unity in diversity.

Parents’ celebration events were successful in their own right, with the Christmas Luncheon proving to be the finale in every possible way! A fully themed event for the first time, it was la dolce vita for our guests who enjoyed Italian influences all around – food, décor, entertainment, and even the extensive prizes won by the lucky ones. Our guest speaker, Pia Gava, MasterChef Contestant 2017, entertained us by talking about food, family and festivities in her Italian upbringing. Having a record number of attendees at the event, representing a wide cross-section of the College community, was the cherry on our Christmas pudding!

Our volunteers have proven that together we can do so much – I am most grateful to each and every one of them. I am also grateful to the College leaders and staff who have supported and appreciated the group’s efforts.

The Hethersett Group looks forward to building upon this year in 2023.

Dhakshi Ravishankar President