Focus on Fairholme 18

FOCUS FAIRHOLME COLLEGE

A NEW CENTURY: ARDENS SED VIRENS

September 2018

‘Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze, Spirit, blaze Set our hearts on fire.’

Fairholme

College TOOWOOMBA

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Contents

From the Principal 02

Chairman 04

49

Life.. In Reverse

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My Island Home

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3 Fairholme Old Girls, 1 Farmhouse, 100 Years At Fairholme

Published by Fairholme College Editors/Writers: Marita Ramia and Helen Lange Layout & Design: Sandra van der Stelt Advertising Enquiries Communication Office T 4688 2341

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Fairholme College Toowoomba Proudly a College of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland Wirra Wirra Street PO Box 688 Toowoomba Q 4350 T 07 4688 4688 info@fairholme.qld.edu.au www.fairholme.qld.edu.au www.facebook.com/fairholmecollege ABN: 16 917 099 053 Registered Provider (Queensland): Fairholme College Toowoomba CRICOS Provider Code: 00651J

Three Golds In One Year

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Learning To Lead

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Women Of Strength 29 Youth On Side

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Scanning The Stage

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Getting To The Heart Of The Matter

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From Little Things...

Big Things Grow

04 06 Whole School Picnic

14 Gala Ball

18 Formal

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FOGA Reunions 47 FOGA Weddings 49 FOGA Babies 52 Sad Passings 57 Sustaining Fashion

Dr Linda Evans

Chairman

Legally Staged 20 COVER: Delvene Cockatoo-Collins pictured at home, on Minjerribah

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Mystery Photo 60

32 Women Of Strength

44 FACETS Of Fairholme

To Focus … Focus ‘fә kәs

Noun: 1. the centre of interest or activity Verb: 2. pay particular attention to

Dr Linda Evans | Principal of Fairholme College It seems apt to reflect upon the meaning of focus, given the long-ago choice to entitle Fairholme’s annual publication, thus further, having just read the reports of each student from Prep to Year 12, I admit to a fixation on the word focus and its relevance in the achievement of best outcomes. The term emerged in comments written to describe the learning style of some of our youngest students. As one of the learning attributes against which students are ranked in the Middle and Senior school, I noted those who focus and those who don’t, and how this descriptor interrelates with outcomes.

It is a descriptor against which I gave careful consideration when allocating learner attributes to each student in my Year 10 English class. After all, the ability to focus is certainly at the heart of success in any given field. You simply cannot achieve at your best in any field if you are unable to centre your attention; often at the expense of far

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more pleasurable distractions. It can be equated with the concepts researched and explored by American psychologists Angela Duckworth, who writes of grit, and Jo Ann Deak, who is notable for her interest in perseverance … her concept of ‘not yet’.

As a seventeen-year-old university student I made my first foray into research (and I use the term loosely) through the subject of Exercise Physiology. Vaguely, I remember having to undertake research into the effect of a sporting cue upon performance. My friend Lindy created intricate diagrams that showed the link between cues and brain function. Motivated by a complete lack of artistic ability, I took to the field for some action research. I chose a local Australian Rules team as my case study and the cue we explored was: eye on the ball. I remember John, a volunteer coach for the Kenmore Cats, when reflecting on his strongest player saying,

‘The difference between Lachie and every other player is his concentration, his focus, the way he never loses sight of the ball.’

Some of the most outstanding Touch Football players I have coached or played alongside have been those who knew where the ball was or would be – before anyone else. Their focus was breath-taking.

Sarah Whitman (2016) in writing of the importance of concentration (aka focus) in sport, identifies five important principles: •

Presence – the ability to be in the moment and not focused on past errors;

• • • •

The ability to ignore distractions; Control over anxiety and overexcitement; Noticing smaller details and seeing things earlier than opponents; and An ‘in the zone’ mindset.

Importantly, each of these principles has relevance to any other learning context – not just sport. She also explains that such qualities are developed through practice, practice, and more practice.

Pre-season practice allows for big game performance – it allows for the simplicity of focus.

Educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom and his team noted the same pattern in their studies of world-class performers. His team equated focus with a centred work ethic. Almost without exception, parents in Bloom’s study were ‘models of the work ethic in that they were regarded as hard workers,

they did their best in whatever they tried, they believed that work should come before play, and that one should work toward distant goals’ (Cocozza, P. 2016). Duckworth, (2016) in her book entitled Grit: The power of passion and perseverance, asks parents to consider their own ability to bring passion and perseverance (or focus) to achievement of their own goals before they consider how gritty their children are.

How well do you focus on a task of importance; conversely, how easily are you distracted or seek distraction?

When I think of distractions I leap immediately to technology, and particularly social media platforms: glittering magnets for connection and also for the over-consumption of time.

fingertip touch, and conversely the possibility of more distraction than most of us could ever have dreamt of, as children. It brings much and it also potentially robs us of our ability to focus. It begs a need to self-regulate in order to utilise focus to achieve our best.

In the pages that follow you will note myriad examples of current and past staff and students whose ability to focus and manage distractions have reaped brave rewards. Let us thus celebrate the important learning attribute of focus – may the ability to regulate distraction, engage purposefully, and work with determined grit be skills of a Fairholme girl, long into her future.

It would seem that technology has brought with it the ultimate paradox: access to information and ideas at a

References

Cocozza, P. (2016). ‘Is grit the true secret of success?’ The Guardian. May 7, 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/07/is-grit-the-truesecret-of-success Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Harper Collins Publishers. Ltd. Whitman, S. (2016). Why concentration is so important in sports. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sportsdoc/Why-concentration-is-so-important-in-sports.html

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Moving Forward - Developing A Master Plan Mr Ian Andersen | Chairman of the Board

One of the key aspects of Fairholme College’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022 is ‘Our Fabric’ – seeking the development of places and spaces that enhance enjoyment of living, learning and connecting with one another.

The development of a Master Plan for the refurbishment and building of spaces is one the main strategies identified to achieve this. Its purpose is to look into the future while remembering our history, culture and values.

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A building master plan is a document designed to guide how we develop the physical nature of our college. It will set guidelines to help us create a campus, principally to meet the current and future educational needs of our students but also the whole Fairholme community.

I also noted that Winston Churchill once said ‘we shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us’ I would hope that we develop a Master Plan that confidently provides us with a direction to re-imagine, improve, integrate, revitalise and extend our whole built environment.

At its most recent Meeting, the Board set the College on course to develop such a plan. To do that, the Board will engage with a number of eminent architectural firms in the expectation of appointing an architect who is sympathetic to our philosophy, who will engage with us as a community, and who has a proven track record of sensitive but innovative design capability.

We will keep you informed as this exciting process unfolds.

This process will take time – I recently read on an architectural website that ‘school design is best slow cooked’.

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Whole School Picnic Spring Bluff

A picnic rug, a basket of lunch, live music and plenty of outdoor picnic games ensured a wonderful day for our families at the annual Fairholme Whole School Picnic in February. Around 60 families enjoyed sunny skies and a relaxed atmosphere amid the blooming flowers of historic Spring Bluff. Sack races, croquet, and egg and spoon races kept families entertained while our talented Fairholme girls provided an afternoon of music.

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Whole School Picnic Spring Bluff

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Life... In Reverse Fleur Anderson | Fairholme Old Girl 1999 When Fleur Anderson returned to Fairholme College this year, as part of the launch of its Strategic Plan (2018 – 2022), she once again found herself promoting team spirit. By her own admission, Fleur became addicted to team culture at Fairholme, where she was awarded the ‘Spirit of Fairholme’ award for three years in a row.

Today, she is the Founding Director of ‘The Rural Collective’; an idea that came to her when she discovered the need for an online community, for people who wanted to connect professionally but are geographically isolated. Here’s what Fleur shared with our parents.

They say life is understood only in reverse.

For the past 15 years I have been working in rural communities across Australia in a range of different activities – from the cotton industry to native title, to small - town Chambers of Commerce and local government to community health organisations, from corporate mining companies to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

The power of community is something that I see every day. There is no doubt that community, that natural instinct for people to come together, is what takes individuals to achieve phenomenal things. That connection to each other and the fundamental desire we have to connect to something bigger than ourselves is what makes us unique as humans. Without it we simply fail to thrive.

When I left Fairholme, set to take on the world, it’s fair to say that living in Theodore, a town of 500, and married to a farmer, with two kids wasn’t exactly how I pictured it.

However, life is understood in reverse and it’s no surprise that a strong sense of community and bringing people together for a purpose greater than ourselves runs as a strong theme throughout each twist and turn my LinkedIn profile has taken. The grounding for this the place where this value was embedded at my core was undoubtedly the Jacaranda- lined driveway of 40 Wirra Wirra St. Here, little by little, it was stitched into the fabric of who I am. Stitch by stitch.

With every foggy morning walk to swim training.

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With every tear on the shoulder of a dorm roommate on the days where home felt a bit too far. With every time I stepped out to try something new.

With every fellow student’s home I was welcomed into broadening my sense of family. With every Jump and Jive.

Stitch by stitch. So many stitches were sewn that the fabric is so strong I take it with me every day, whether I come to realise it or not.

I was thrilled to see that Ardens Sed Virens became a cornerstone of the development of the Fairholme Strategic Plan. There’s no doubt that with every move to a higher level, with every new achievement, there is some burn.

Discomfort is the only way to move on to something bigger and better. I’ve tried to find an exception, believe me, but I’m yet to find it. This rite of passage allows us to ascend to a higher rung on the ladder, to positive change.

And it is in a community that this burning occurs. Without the support, the shelter and protection of the community, without the collective burn, the flourish never occurs. This is how you know if your tribe, your community, is healthy and vibrant – you help each other succeed, you build upon each other and grow alongside each other. Sometimes you’re in the shade and sometimes you’re providing the shelter. Community is there in the weak moments to scaffold you and pick you up and it’s there in the triumph, to exalt and celebrate.

Here at Fairholme, community is at the core; it’s the underlying assumption across all the goals and strategic objectives set in this plan and in the work that will flow from this. We can

achieve great things with a bit of burn, and, most importantly, as a collective.

I am living in the shelter of the Fairholme community. Some of my friends are living lives that are a far cry from cotton farming in Theodore.

When you travel to the US for your New Yorker friend’s wedding and join up with six other friends that have travelled from Belgium, New Zealand, the UK and Australia, you know that’s a tribe that has been built with some serious stitching in its fabric. When word goes through the grapevine that one of our friends is in need, we are there. And it’s worth noting we did the first decade of this without Facebook!

My fondest memory here was when we would welcome home our teams that had represented us away and come home with success. Whether it was the Instrumental Band at the State Eisteddfod or the Athletics Team at the National All-schools Challenge, as we lined the drive and celebrated the feeling was electric. That feeling of not just joy but SHARED JOY. Joy in others’, success.

That was THE STUFF. It got in my veins and I was hooked. It’s informed so many of my decisions from there. Life is best understood in reverse.

That indescribable intangible element.

The juice, the Fairholme spirit -that’s community. It’s what gives a plan wings.

It’s what separates a strategy that sits on the shelf from one that comes to life.

So if life is best understood in reverse… how do we live looking forward? With purpose, with passion, with faith and, most importantly, together.

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My Island Home Delvene Cockatoo-Collins | Fairholme Old Girl 1991 Delvene Cockatoo Collins, the artist behind the Commondwealth Games Medals, and former Fairholme student, welcomed Fairholme to her Island Home, ‘Minjerribah’, for a tour and a trip down memory lane.

Stepping off the main ferry from Redland Bay to Dunwich, I spot Delvene waving from an old 80s model Toyota Landcruiser.

‘Quick,’ she says, calling out through the window, ‘I’m not meant to pull up here.’ I jump in, and once we’re out of the busy carpark, Delvene relaxes.

She is calm, and careful with her words.

‘I remember my time at Fairholme vividly. Mum and I were talking about it the other day. Mum said ‘You really wanted to go.’ You know I had a choice — did I want to stay at home or did I want to go and I really wanted to go — and I think having that attitude of wanting to be there, from the very beginning, helped me in the early days with homesickness.’

Delvene had come from her family home in Central Queensland, and she joined Cathy Freeman as the only two Indigenous students at the time.

‘I had a coach who told me I should consider Fairholme, and he’d already sent Cathy Freeman there.’

Delvene was desperate to get to Fairholme, but admits she probably underestimated the homesickness that came with leaving home.

The Boarding House antics didn’t help.

‘In my first week I was told about the ‘Grey Lady’ who apparently haunted the Boarding House, and one of the girls jumped under my bed that night and started scratching under my bed, and I believed it! It scared the hell out of me.’ But it was a connection with her Mum, back in Central Queensland, that helped get Delvene through her homesickness.

‘Aside from my desire to be successful at Fairholme, the other thing that got me through were letters from Mum. We still have some of those letters.’

Delvene’s Mum wrote to her every second day, and she would reply with news from the Boarding House. The homesickness settled, and Fairholme became a special place for Delvene.

‘It was a space where I was encouraged to grow.

I was part of Amnesty International. I loved the piano, I loved the training for athletics.

PE was probably my favourite,’ she remembers, laughing. ‘We were all scared of Ma (Ma Lawson was Head of

Boarding), - mainly out of respect. We had to toe the line, and be on our best behaviour.’

The homesickness returned when Cathy Freeman left Fairholme for a new Athletics program.

‘I really felt her absence when she left.

I think at that stage I might have been the only Indigenous student, and I do remember feeling that. I really missed my family.’ That desire to be with her family never really subsided. ‘I think I’ve always wanted to be here on the island with Mum and my people.

Wherever Mum was, I wanted to be.’

Her success in Athletics was hampered due to an injury in her last six months of training.

Delvene went on to University and she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Leisure Management, all the while working part-time.

‘While I was studying tourism I was doing a bit of work in key Aboriginal organisations. I learnt the importance of creating a product that has your integrity entrenched in it.’

She started making art, and entered her work in competitions. But she had met her husband, a talented AFL player, Che Cockatoo-Collins, and children three boys — followed.

‘My artwork all stopped. We were living

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in Adelaide and building our own lives.

But it wasn’t long before I felt that urge to be home again. It took me two years to convince Che to move here. Now he keeps ribbing me, saying, “I told you it was a good idea to move back here.”’

She points out the local school as drive past.

‘That where the kids go to school.

Mum’s around the corner, brother’s up the hill, school is down the road,’ she looks at me in the rear-view mirror and smiles.

‘Life is blissful. I’m so grateful for the chance to live like this. Every day I just thank the world for allowing this to happen.’

She’s not only referring to the move to Minjerribah, but the moments that have followed. In particular, being approached to design the 2018 Commonwealth Games medals.

‘I was shocked when they first contacted me. There’s a lot of things I’ve said no to; I won’t mass produce, and if I make something I don’t love I destroy it. I consider myself an emerging artist, so when they approached me I was shocked.’

It turns out the co-ordinators had been watching Delvene’s work for some time through her social media accounts.

They had big plans.

‘In the back of mind I could hear Fiona Foley, an artist I admire, saying ,“You need to take every opportunity”. So I said yes.’

The outcome was better than she expected.

‘The way people have received my work, around town, locals here were really happy for me. And for the athletes to say to me, “This makes me want to earn this medal”, I think that’s the biggest tick of approval.’

Delvene’s work aimed at sparking reflection and a connection to the coastline. The tides are depicted in her artwork on the medal, while traditional weaving techniques are featured on the ribbon.

‘Everyone can contribute to a story in different ways. I feel like, yes, we’re all on a pathway and there’s many ways to move around it. I think you need to feel confident and comfortable. And when you don’t feel that, your curiosity around that should drive you to get on the right path for you.’

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Parents’ & Friends’ Autumn Gala Ball Ladies in ball gowns and gentlemen in tuxedos danced the night away at the Fairholme College Parents’ and Friends’ Association annual Autumn Gala Ball in May. The Empire Theatre Church provided the beautiful backdrop to the ball with live music from the Fairholme Chamber Strings Ensemble.

Local band, Special Guest, had guests on the dancefloor until the late evening. The Fairholme P&F is a vibrant, active and committed group of parents which organises events such as the Autumn Ball to bring the community together, foster friendships and develop a support network within the Fairholme College community.

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From

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3 Fairholme Old Girls, 1 Farmhouse, 100 Years At Fairholme

Jocelyn Parry (nee Hancock) | Fairholme Old Girl 1983 Lyndall McCormack (nee Hancock) | Fairholme Old Girl 1978 Margie Ward (nee Comerford)| Fairholme Old Girl 1983

Owner of Cake and Bake in Brisbane, Jocelyn Hancock (1983) convinced her best friend Margie Ward (1983) and her sister, Lyndall McCormack (1978) to help her cook and serve a lunch for Fairholme families in her Killarney Farmhouse, as part of the College’s 100 Year celebrations. We captured the three ‘Old Girls’ working together to make the lunch come together, along with a few old school memories.

‘Thinking about it now, it was a really hard time as a Boarder. It was not a happy time at all,’ Jocelyn says to Margie. Margie nods.

‘There were only 54 girls. The old Black Dormitory burnt down while we were there. Rebuilding that and all having to live in very close quarters for a while… that was pretty tough.’

Jocelyn continues preparing for the guests who won the lunch as part of the 100 Years’ Gala Ball celebrations in 2017. There’s fresh honey, citrus and pomegranates – all grown on the farm.

Jocelyn lives and runs Cake & Bake in Brisbane, but gets away to the farmhouse in Killarney whenever she can, along with her husband and two sons.

‘Lyndall has a farm here too, that she bought from Mum and Dad. She’s a producer too,’ Jocelyn says as she pulls a Quiche Lorraine from the oven.

‘I provide the meat and vegetables,’

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Lyndall says, adding that her diverse lifestyle mirrors her time at Fairholme.

‘I wasn’t a Home Ec girl like these two were at school,’ she says, pointing at Margie and Jocelyn. ‘I was into Geography and History, and those teachers were incredible. I still remember the concepts we were taught. It was a real life education.’

‘Things were so basic then. There was just classrooms and an oval. We played a lot of tennis, athletics — not much else. You went to school, you survived, and you went home on holidays. You lived to go home. But I look back now and I think, it taught me a lot.’

Margie calls out from the table, where she’s finishing hand writing the menus for the day. ‘We were the Home Ec girls, weren’t we Jocelyn?’

‘I didn’t really get into to it until the last two terms, though,’ replies Jocelyn.

‘Mrs Greenwood – “Greenie” — was so daggy and it was just a curriculum you followed. I wanted more creativity.’

‘Yeah, I think we both did,’ says Margie.

‘I thought for sure I would do something in food, but then I had a year overseas and while I was in Japan my host mother told me I would be better as an architect – and so that’s what I did.’

Then Jocelyn says, ‘Marg was the architect of this house, you know.’

It is more than a farmhouse, with beautiful natural stone everywhere, overlooking the rolling green hills of Killarney.

For a moment, Jocelyn’s eyes rise above the busy kitchen to look out through the huge glass doors. ‘I’d be happy to live here,’ she says. ‘I’m glad Marg and I met up again after school – but it wasn’t until about 20 years later.’

Jocelyn was doing a cooking course at Executive Chef in Brisbane, when she was reunited with Margie.

‘I knew Marg had married and had children and I hadn’t even married at that stage. She had young boys. So Marg’s boys are 24 and 21 and mine are 12 and 10. We’ve all got boys — so we don’t have any girls to send to Fairholme.’

Jocelyn later opened Jocelyn’s Provisions, her first catering company.

Now she’s known for her popular Cake & Bake in West End. A Boarder from Goondiwindi, Margie says Fairholme provided them all with a strong grounding for the future.

‘I think the diversity of our careers is a testament to Fairholme. I mean it was tough, and at first I didn’t want to go to Boarding school, but you soon realised what you’d be missing out on if you didn’t.’

The lucky winners of the lunch arrive, and Jocelyn moves into hosting mode.

There’s Quiche Lorraine, oven - roasted eggplant and cauliflower, mini Pavlovas and Jocelyn’s famous lemon curd a view of the Killarney range — and a dozen women with a Fairholme connection.

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Fairholme Formal 2018

The McLaren tartan was swapped for silk, satin and organza at the 2018 Fairholme Formal, as our Senior cohort transformed from schoolgirls to stylish and sophisticated young women. Palm Avenue was fringed with crowds of eager and excited family and friends awaiting the entrance of the girls and their partners. After the red-carpet arrivals, the evening continued with a soiree for parents, teachers, the girls and their partners in the Assembly Hall, followed by a celebration at Picnic Point. The formal is a highlight of the year for our Senior girls and is a chance for them to celebrate their time at Fairholme.

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Fairholme Formal 2018

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Legally Staged Rebekah O’Sullivan | Fairholme Old Girl 1992 Being voted Drama Vice Captain, Powell House Captain and Interact Captain in her final year at Fairholme, ignited a fire in Rebekah O’Sullivan’s belly, and began a journey that would take her from the bright lights of the stage into the courtroom, and with a little more hard work… back to Broadway.

Who could’ve guessed that the ‘little blonde Fairholme girl from Toowoomba’ would make such an impact on the world’s Entertainment Industry… and not just on the stage? ‘Oh I have so many fond memories of Fairholme particularly as Drama Vice Captain, Powell House Captain and Interact Captain for our year!’

Even then, Rebekah O’Sullivan had a fire in her belly, driving her to succeed. It was obvious when she chose to redesign the Powell House Sports Uniform, and had a new range of ‘funky’ clothes designed for the Seniors competing at sporting events. It was obvious when she attempted a shakeup of the old House Choir competition.

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‘I tried to dispense with the old traditional songs in favour of more contemporary tunes from U2’s album, much to the surprise of Faculty!

However, I will never forget how beautiful the song sounded in the Assembly hall as we sang the song loud and proud, as a close group of Seniors and friends.’ It was perhaps less obvious when Rebekah led a shampoo and conditioner fight in the dorms during Boarding School.

‘The punishment of weeding the courtyard in Toowoomba winter wasn’t so memorable, though!’ She says laughing at the memory. And if none of these moments prepared the Fairholme community to witness the birth of a star, then Rebekah’s lead role in the College play must have.

‘My fondest memory at Fairholme was playing the lead in the school play, Ernie. That set the tone for my love of the performing arts which has influenced my career choices, significantly.’

‘My fondest memory at Fairholme was playing the lead in the school play, Ernie. That set the tone for my love of the performing arts which has influenced my career choices, significantly.’

It took Rebekah from graduation to an exchange in Finland, back to Australia and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and Journalism.

‘From there, I was awarded an international scholarship to study for my second Bachelor of Arts Honours at one of London’s leading acting schools. After graduation, I went on to work as an actor and teach within

Rebekah pictured in College Musical (front row 7th from left)

the entertainment industry.’ But after years in the industry, the fire began to burn again. ‘I wanted to understand the entertainment industry from the top down, not just the bottom up, to help protect creatives from exploitation.’

Rebekah won a Global Entrepreneurial Double Scholarship to Bond University in Australia to study for her Juris Doctor and Masters of Legal Practice, specialising in Entertainment, Intellectual Property and Immigration law. She went on to further study at the prestigious University of Southern California for her law degree and from there went into legal practice.

That burning passion for the stage and acting continued, though, and Rebekah didn’t question for a moment that she could continue her work in acting.

As a result, she’s been the Director of a Professional training company in Australia for the past 20 years, where she trains and mentors professional actors and voice-over artists.

‘This is my absolute passion. I was recently awarded a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London for my dedication to assisting artists;

an International Women’s Business Leadership award, and nominated for NMF for Women in Film, which I am deeply humbled by.’ The result has been a varied and rewarding career in an industry that often offers very little certainty. Of course, it hasn’t come without a lot of very hard work and long hours.

‘In my legal work, I saw a gap in the market and became a specialist in a niche area of entertainment law. This enabled me to represent clients within the motion picture, television, theatre, music, art and sporting industries.’ By creating a training company, Rebekah created affordable and accessible training to help Australian actors achieve their goals in the cut-throat industry. ‘I am deeply invested in mentoring our performers of today and love nothing more than helping actors achieve their goals.’

It’s on the edge of the Toowoomba escarpment, in a tartan dress and brown shiny shoes, where this drive to succeed and support others was built. ‘Fairholme taught me the routine and discipline I needed to be a very hard worker – and not a complainer.

It taught me to be a confident speaker and all-rounder. There has been many a time in my career where the Tall Poppy Syndrome was in full effect. Fairholme taught me to back myself and be a fierce competitor. My teachers taught me the power of endurance and hard work. To get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Most importantly, the school’s ethos taught me the value of kindness towards others, and friendship.’

The journey is far from over for Rebekah, with her passion for the Australian Film and Theatre industry still burning.

‘I would like to extend my skills by becoming a Broadway Theatre lawyer in New York. I have recently sat my New York Legal Bar exams to open that door.

As a trained actor, theatre will always be my greatest love. I also wish to continue mentoring, training and supporting our amazing Australian talent and productions – for that is truly what sets my heart on fire.’

Rebekah will attend Presenting Fairholme on Friday 2 November, as Guest Speaker.

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Three Golds In One Year Gemma Etheridge | Fairholme Old Girl 2004 Gemma Etheridge has long been known for her passion and drive to succeed – even during her years at Fairholme. She may have set a new record though, after taking home Gold at the 2016 Olympic Games for Rugby 7s, marrying her beau and giving birth to her first child, Charlie, all in 12 months.

As we wander down the dusty driveway towards a yard of Charolais bulls, Gemma Etheridge proudly lifts her 7-month-old boy, Charlie, into the air – much to his delight. ‘You got Mummy out of work didn’t you?’ she says to him.

Charlie giggles, and Gemma goes on to explain what a wonderful surprise this blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy was.

‘I got home from the Olympics in Rio and spent some time travelling round schools and visiting the next generation of Rugby 7s players, and then I got straight into wedding planning. It was about a week before the wedding when we found out I was pregnant,’ she says, shaking her head. ‘Not that it mattered but we did think it would be maybe another six months before we had news of that kind.’

It’s not surprising that Gemma has somehow managed to fit a lifetime of goals into 12 months. Her passion and drive to succeed were clear to anyone who taught her at Fairholme in the early 2000s, while her dedication to training to overcome injury and make it to the Olympics made her a star before she was even named in the squad.

‘Growing up, I had friends who used

to say, ‘‘I want to get married’’ and I was always like, ‘‘I want to go to the Olympics.’’ So I ticked that one off, and the next one was like maybe I’ll get married and have a family. I wasn’t planning on it all happening at once – but I wouldn’t change any of it.’

Charlie squeals as the camera flashes.

‘He’s got seven teeth now. He’s drooling everywhere and everything is going in the mouth.’ It’s a new area of expertise for Gemma, and it is clear that she is enjoying every minute of it.

The conversation volleys between baby development, Rugby 7s, motherhood, cattle and a change in career.

Gemma spent some time commentating for Fox Sports at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and surprised herself at how much she enjoyed talking tactics.

‘You get to describe why players are running different lines, and sort of go behind the scenes of the game. I really enjoyed passing on the knowledge that I’ve developed, and being involved.’

Watching from the sideline is something Gemma is happy to do, particularly if it

means she can commentate alongside other women. In August she joined an all-female panel to give the background and insight of the Wallaroos’ groundbreaking Test Match against the New Zealand Black Ferns.

‘It’s important to have women coming in who are able to understand what the game involves, and how the players might be feeling.’

She sighs sadly when the outcome of the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal game is mentioned.

‘It was hard to watch that last game, especially when you know the girls and know how invested they are. I mean, it’s awful any time the Kiwis beat Australia … but just knowing what they’re still putting their bodies through, and then not to come away with that reward,’ she shakes her head. ‘It was hard to watch.’

Asked if she would consider running on for the Rugby 7s again, Gemma is certain in her answer.

‘I don’t think I’ll play again. I miss the girls and I miss playing. But I don’t miss being away from Ben and training when it’s freezing. The training is really

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hard on your body. I would like to keep doing some commentary and I might do some work with local teams in Warwick.’

She stops to tickle Charlie under the arm.

‘Gotta keep involved for you, don’t I? But if you have knees like your Mum and Dad you might have to be a golf player instead,’ she says, laughing.

Gemma’s husband Ben has had two knee reconstructions. She’s had three.

She thought the injuries and pain would make labour and birth less painful.

‘I was wrong. So wrong. It’s a whole other level.’

I ask if it was like winning Gold all over again when she was induced, nine days over her due date, and finally held Charlie for the first time after a complicated delivery.

‘Better. Way better,’ she says, kissing Charlie on the forehead.

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For now, Gemma is happy to leave the footy boots in the cupboard, replaced by a dusty old pair of boots she wears around their farm on the outskirts of Warwick.

Ben is working for one of the biggest stud bull sellers in Australia, and has the unique position of Business Development Genetics.

Gemma is content to slow down after a whirlwind of success, and is relishing her new role as a Mum. ‘It’s amazing how you have to change the whole house around now that Charlie’s on the move. Watch that stool,’ she says, pointing to the one Charlie’s headed for. ‘It’s dangerous – too top heavy.’

Before we leave, Gemma pulls out the Gold Medal from Rio. ‘It’s not in the undies drawer anymore,’ she says, smiling, lifting it from a beautiful handcrafted wooden box.

It’s too heavy for Charlie to hold, but he crawls with speed towards it, his blue eyes sparkling.

‘I don’t think I’ll play again. I miss the girls and I miss playing, but I don’t miss being away from Ben and training when it’s freezing.

The training is really hard on your body.’

Photo: Adam Head

Gemma pictured with her Gold Medal at Rio Olympics 2016 (top). Gemma and Ben tied the knot in front of friends and family in Tamworth. (pictured above) (Left) Charlie tries on Gold.

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Learning To Lead Ellie Randall | Fairholme College Head Girl 2018 ‘Leaders are coaches with a passion for developing people, not players. They get satisfaction from achieving objects through others. Leaders inspire people through a shared vision and create an environment where people feel valued and fulfilled.’

(Randy Stocklin, co-founder and CEO of One Click Ventures.)

In 2018, the first year of a new century for the College, Fairholme’s Head Girl, Ellie Randall, has proved there is satisfaction in developing leadership in others.

‘This year I kind of made it my goal to build a real team at Fairholme by connecting all the grades. I wanted the girls to consider the whole school as a team. We all have individual goals, but as a school we’ve got goals, too. I think everyone has taken it and really run with it. I’ve left a lot of work with the Houses and they’ve all worked on building their mottos. In terms of the amount of participation, a lot of girls from across all grades have really taken it on board.’

It’s only Term 3, but already this quiet achiever feels good about completing her final year at the place she’s known as a second home for more than a decade.

‘I’ve been at Fairholme for 14 years – I’ve gotten pretty comfortable here, and I think the shelter Fairholme has provided me with has been good for me – but I’m ready. I’m ready for new challenges and new people.’

Despite the comfort, Ellie agrees the year has had its moments.

‘There are moments when I am overwhelmed. It wouldn’t be Year

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12 without those moments. I mean moments when you feel like you’re not going to be able to get everything done.

But when you break it down, it’s not that bad. And when you get it done? I think that’s the best feeling. It’s so much more of a better feeling if there’s a bit of stress around that, and you still get it done. No substitute for hard work,’ she says, smiling.

Hard work comes in the shape of a scholarship next year, after Ellie was awarded the Tuckwell Scholarship this year. She was one of only 25 students Australia-wide to receive the scholarship, and the first Fairholme recipient.

The Tuckwell recognises academic excellence and leadership capability. It’s a scholarship to study medicine that works to find future leaders who are already making valuable contributions to their community — even at such a young age. Ellie is humble and relaxed by the recognition.

‘I have no expectations for what next year holds – it is just going to be all about meeting new people and throwing myself into everything. I think if I take a lot of the values we hold at Fairholme with me, I will be fine.’

Values she’s already used this year, in

every aspect of both her leadership and learning. Despite already having a scholarship, Ellie still sat the UMAT exam, and her results were some of the highest in Queensland.

‘I definitely felt mixture of surprise, as I was not expecting it, and relief because all my hard work and study payed off.’

One thing Ellie has learnt this year, is that she’s keen to share the community spirit with others.

‘I’ve been at Fairholme for 14 years.... and I think the shelter Fairholme has provided me with has been good for me - but I’m ready. I’m ready for new challenges...’

‘Participating turns into creating.

There’s so many Seniors and younger girls who have stepped up to the mark this year. It’s pretty awesome to sit back and watch people take an idea and make it work.’

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Woman Of Strength

Professor Fiona Wood | Plastic Surgeon, mother, researcher, specialist and Australian Living Treasure

‘Education gives you choice in life. Education gives you the opportunity to get up in the morning and enjoy what you do.’

In July this year, Professor Fiona Wood sat in the Fairholme Homestead for breakfast with a group of Year 12 students, and staff members. When the breakfast was over, her energy remained in the old Homestead. Fiona Wood is not someone you can meet and fail to be affected by her enthusiasm and motivation. This plastic surgeon, mother of six, researcher, specialist and Australian Living Treasure, is an example to us all of what happens when determination, resilience and kindness are exuded from one person.

When she speaks, it is not hard to understand how Fiona Wood came to achieve so much in such a short time.

‘I feel energised by their dreams for their future. I have youth envy right now,’ she says, as she watches the Year 12 Fairholme students head off to class – and there’s a spring in their step because Professor Wood’s energy is contagious.

It spread through Fairholme in the short time she spent here.

‘There is no point getting up in the morning to be average. If I came into surgery and said, “Ah well, near enough is good enough” – I don’t think that would be acceptable. So why in any other field of endeavour is it ok? I have zero tolerance for average.’

Ironically, Fiona Wood came from what could been described as an average home in a mining village in

Yorkshire. Her parents left school at 13 and 14 years of age, and worked in the coal mine. But they had a passion for education.

‘My Dad was absolutely adamant that my older brothers would not go down the mines. He said, “I won’t be satisfied until I see one of my kids in light blue and one in dark blue going over the Bridge of Sighs. And someone said to him, “Who are you to say your kids can go to Oxford and Cambridge?” And he replied, “Who am I not to dream?”’

Fiona said she grew up in a space that allowed her to believe there was nothing she couldn’t do.

‘All I had to do was remember there’s a four-letter word in there, hiding. A four-letter word called WORK. And it’s attached to another word, HARD. There is absolutely no substitute for hard work. In fact, the harder you work – the luckier you get.’

At the age of 13, however, Fiona had a life-changing decision made for her.

‘The education system was about to change, and it seemed I was destined to finish school in Year 10. My mum didn’t think that was a good plan; she believed I should be given the opportunity to go to university - and that meant finishing Year 12.’

In the Wood family’s neighbouring

village there was the Ackworth School, run by the Society of Friends, also known as Quakers.

‘My mum saw there was a job as a house mother, so she applied for the Boarding job. She went to the interview and came out as the PE teacher,’ Fiona says, laughing.

‘The whole drive behind this job was so that I could finish Year 12, and that would take me to the fullness of my schooling.’

Fiona moved through those final Senior years of school quickly, and made a plan.

‘I wanted to be an astronaut – not that I’m competitive or anything, but I wanted to be the first female astronaut — none of this second business! Anyway ,some Russian chick did it. So I crossed that one off the list, and turned my attention to Science and Engineering.’

But Fiona’s brothers thought Medicine would be a better fit for her, and took her on a weekend away to London to visit their other brother who was already studying Medicine.

‘And we had one hell of a weekend.

I came back on the Monday, and my application form was due in that day, and I changed it to Medicine.’

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So in 1975 Fiona Wood began her studies in Medicine, and decided within the first week that she was going to be a surgeon. She was, however, one of only 12 women studying in her field, and admits it became quite polarising that women weren’t really accepted in the industry.

‘As a result of that I learned very quickly something that has helped me throughout my entire life.’

‘Criticism without engaging problemsolving is a black hole. It’ll suck you dry.

It’ll take your energy and it will feast on you. Engaging in that criticism is just a waste of your precious time and energy.

Walk on by.’

‘Criticism with engagement and problem-solving, however, is life blood.

That is what we need. We want to know how we can do it better. What we want to do is learn from today to make tomorrow better.’

It is this rare quality, aggressive in her thirst for knowledge but kind in spirit, that makes Professor Fiona Wood an Australian Living Treasure. It is the kindness and drive to build a better world that has seen her voted Australia’s Most Trusted Person for six years in a row, that has allowed her to be a mother to six children and still save lives.

It is also quite possibly the reason we managed to welcome this surgical pioneer to Australia, as Fiona recalls.

‘It was 1985 and I was on a course and there’s an unusual boy there with a strange accent. Thirteen weeks later I married him.’

The boy with the strange accent was Australian, Tony Keirath, and he made it clear that if she married him, they would be living in Perth, not Scotland.

Two years later the couple touched down in Perth, with a 15-month-old son

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and five week old daughter. They found a house on the Sunday, and got the Mortgage on Monday.

so much capacity for good. That’s where we should spend our time and our energies, linking together.’

‘On Tuesday, I discovered that the letter I had telling me I had a plastic surgeon job was actually not true. I went to the hospital to get my form signed and in the conversation — which was addressed to my husband — it became apparent that they’d heard on the grapevine that I was a mother with two children and they didn’t’ think I could do the job, so they’d given it to someone else.’

It was her closing encouragement that left its mark on our Fairholme students and staff.

Fiona says she was incensed.

‘How would they know if I could do the job or not?’

But she picked up a job at the same hospital that employed Tony and worked hard in surgery, research and plastics for a year. She presented at a conference in New Zealand, and at the end of the following year, was offered both the general surgery and plastic surgery jobs with the original hospital.

‘And I looked at them and said, “Have I got this in writing this time?” And he said, “yeah, yes – sure — of course”, and he handed me the paperwork. I looked at it and said, ‘‘Good…. cause I’m pregnant again.’’ ’ Fiona had three children while she worked as a registrar and then three when she was a consultant.

Her world, and the way she would deal with burns, changed in 2002, when she lead a team of surgeons to assist in the tragic aftermath of the Bali Bombings.

After three weeks Fiona says she returned to WA a changed surgeon.

‘We saw something very special there.

We saw the whole community come together. I’m a great believer in people.

I’m a great believer in the human spirit.

There is so much good in the world, and

‘How often have you done less than your best so that people around you don’t get embarrassed? Every single one of you has a gift to give. But have you got the courage to share it? Have the courage to get up and shout it from the roof tops. And the best thing? Have the courage to help your mate shout even louder.

Help each other be the best you can be. There’s absolutely no substitute for hard work, but kindness comes a close second.’

Women Of Strength 2018 The 2018 Women of Strength fundraiser was held at the Mills Precint with guest speaker, Professor Fiona Wood, and Fairholme College a Major Sponsor. The Fairholme Dance Troupe danced to the sounds of the Chamber Strings and a group of students sang This Is Me from The Greatest Showman. Hospitality students waited on the 350+ guests, helping the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation raise nearly $40,000.

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Women Of Strength

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Youth On Side Zoe Webster and Tatum Stewart | Current Students Don’t underestimate the dedication of a Fairholme girl. Despite their youth, Year 11 student, Tatum Stewart, and Year 12 student, Zoe Webster, are already turning heads on the hockey and touch football fields.

Tatum Stewart made the tough call between her two favourite sports – cricket and hockey – this year.

‘I’m not playing cricket any more. It was a really tough decision because our team was the first women’s team in the Brisbane club, and we’d just been accepted into Division One. But it was getting to a point where I had to decide between the hockey stick or the cricket bat.’

Turns out, hockey was a great choice.

Tatum started the year off playing club hockey with the Under 18s in Tasmania, then went on to make the State Championships U16s team.

But it was the School Sport Australia team selection that saw Tatum gain her first Australian representative honours.

‘I went to South Africa for a testmatch series, where we played their South African team three times.

Unfortunately we lost three times in a row, but I played really well and ended up getting the Most Valued Player for the tournament.’

The pressure of QCS and Year 12 exams hasn’t held Zoe Webster back from putting some markers down for her touch football career either, selected to play on the Australian Youth side this year.

‘I definitely went into the squad as an underdog. I was competing against all these great players to make the team. I trialled really well, and I worked hard on my fitness and speed. But I was still shocked to be named in the side.’

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For both girls, their successes didn’t come without a lot of hard work. Zoe trains twice a day, travels to Brisbane twice a week and often spends weekends in clinics and camps.

Tatum trains five times a week, plays up to four games a week and also travels to Brisbane weekly.

‘It’s obviously hard. You’ve got to be good at the sport to start with, but unless you’re willing to dedicate a lot of time and work really hard, someone else will take your spot,’ says Tatum.

Zoe agrees.

Meanwhile, Tatum is following in the footsteps of Fairholme Old Girl, Hope Brown, as one of the youngest players in the Australian side.

‘You know you’re younger, and the older girls know they’re older than you.

It’s really only an obstacle at the start, though, when you’re trying to figure out where you fit.’

With an MVP at her first Australian tournament, Tatum has a fair idea where she fits in.

‘It’s a real struggle to fit in my school work, but I make sure I do. If I juggle it the right way, I can reach goals on the touch field and at school.’

‘It’s a real struggle to fit in my school work, but I make sure I do.’

Next year, she’s hoping to study in Brisbane and continue to play touch football. Former Fairholme touch football player, now Rugby 7s Olympic Gold medallist, Emilee Cherry, is understandably Zoe’s role model.

‘I remember getting a call up to A Grade, and Emilee Cherry high-fived me. I was thrilled!’

But she says she has no desire to move into Rugby 7s, and will continue to play touch football next year.

Following the success of both Zoe and Tatum, Year 11 student, Briana Suey was named alongside Tatum in the Australian schoolgirls hockey side.

The girls head to Europe to play in the green and gold in 2019.

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Scanning The Stage Emma Scanlon | Current Year 12 student When Year 12 student, Emma Scanlon auditioned for the Simon Gallaher-led adaptation of Pirates of Penzance, she had no idea she would land one of the leading roles. After playing Nancy in Fairholme and Toowoomba Grammar’s production of Oliver the previous year, the performance gave her a new taste for musical theatre, and an idea of what life after Fairholme might look like.

‘I auditioned for Pirates thinking, “oh why not?” There are so many musicals on at the Empire Theatre during the year and I really didn’t know a lot about it. I just auditioned and I was so surprised when I found out I would be in it.’

Emma had no idea this Pirates of Penzance would be directed by the well-known Terence O’Connell, or that she would be sharing the stage with West End star Michael Cormick as the robust, swashbuckling, Pirate King.

‘I didn’t know who was coming to direct it, I thought it was just a Toowoomba production, but then I found out it was a director from Sydney. I learnt so much from working with a very professional crew.’

‘I’m a very disorganised person, and I learnt from day one that you have to be very organised. Going into a musical like Pirates, that has had a long standing musical presence, gave me a taste of what working in Theatre could be like.’

But after two years of big roles – Nancy in Oliver, and Kate – one of the

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fabulous Singlettes - in Pirates of Penzance, Emma is keeping all options open next year.

‘I did want to be in the theatre, but there’s a lot of things to weigh up. A lot of people tell me to be in theatre I need to be the best of the best and that it’s a difficult industry. That doesn’t frighten me. I always try, and if I fail, I do it again. But after Pirates I got into a band, which is very different to musical theatre – it’s all jazz and RnB vibes.

Now I don’t know what I want to focus on. I think I’ll have a go at everything!’

The long list of inspiring Fairholme stage stars are at the very least proof that she can have a life in the theatre, and in a band.

‘There’s so many inspiring Fairholme Girls out there. Belle Perrignon – she was Prefect for Arts when I was in Year 8 – I remember her being my idol. Then there’s Nina Wildman, Meg McBain, Georgina Hopson, Libby Munro. They all epitomise what musical theatre and performing is all about. Hard work, but… what’s that saying? If you love what you do, then you’ll never work a day in your life?’ she laughs and then

adds, ‘well I think you could also say “If you love what you do, you’ll get there.”

I know I will - no matter what stands in my way.’

‘I didn’t know who was coming to direct it, and I thought it was a local production. But then I found out it was a Director from Sydney.

I learnt so much from working with a very professional crew.’

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Getting To The Heart Of The Matter Dr Rolf Gomes Dr Rolf Gomes is a determined, passionate and driven Cardiologist. He is also a busy Dad, a grateful husband, a kind person with a big heart that continues to beat for the bush. Fairholme College is a proud sponsor of the Heart of Australia, providing a host of specialist services for many of our Boarder families. Here is Dr Gomes’ story.

Rolf Gomes is a passionate man. A man willing to mortgage his own home to see a dream come true. But that dream isn’t for himself or even his own wife and kids. It’s for Rural Queensland. So how did a boy from Calcutta come to care so much for the Australian Bush?

‘When we were living in Calcutta, my brother became very sick. My parents took him to the hospital but were told to take him home because they were having trouble with the power. He died at home that night.

That’s when my parents decided to move us to Australia, for a better life. I’ve always wanted to give something back to the country that has given me so much.’

‘That’s when my parents decided to move us to Australia, for a better life. I’ve always wanted to give something back to the country that has given me so much.’

patients in the bush were missing out on vital equipment, just because of where they lived.

‘If you live in the bush, away from a city centre, you have a 44% greater chance of dying of heart disease. You can’t look at a situation like that and say the best way to address it is to maintain the status quo.’ And so Dr Rolf ’s plan for the truck began.

The first Heart Truck was launched in 2014, and was privately funded. Rolf mortgaged his own family home, and took in sponsorship from supporters and companies.

The truck was as successful, as Dr Gomes imagined it would be, and in August this year, he launched the second mobile service, thanks to an anonymous donor.

‘I love the instant gratification of this work. Last week I drove into Winton.

It took 15 hours to get there. I saw a number of patients, and I can tell you that in the 24 hours I was there, the lives of four people were most likely saved.’

But it’s no longer only servicing people with a heart condition.

Rolf studied hard and became an Electrical Engineer, but soon discovered he wanted to spend his time with people, not computers.

Women’s services are now available, with a Gynaecologist on board plus two endoscopes which were provided by Fairholme College.

He studied Medicine and became a Cardiologist, but in his first years of residency he became frustrated that

‘The endoscopes mean that our Gynaecologists can provide the same services women get when they book to

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see a specialist in the city – only without the waiting time.’

Fairholme made the decision to fund the cost of the scopes, in lieu of advertising, by way of giving back to our Boarder communities.

‘We first supported the Heart Truck in 2017, and it made sense to continue our partnership with Dr Gomes. He is a great supporter of small communities and an incredible inspiration to our students – our future leaders,’ says Principal, Dr Linda Evans.

Dr Gomes hopes the relationship built with Fairholme over the past twelve months will continue for years to come.

‘The support from Fairholme College Toowoomba has not only been important for us to be able to offer new medical services with our mobile clinics, it also allowed us to direct funds that would otherwise have been used on operation costs into delivering patient care.’

Dr Gomes says he hopes his service will spread into New South Wales, and up into the Northern Territory in the years to come.

‘I don’t know what people look to achieve in their lives, but if I achieve nothing else, then this would perhaps be enough.’

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From Little Things... Big Things Grow Jo Darbyshire | Early Childhood Teacher For 16 years she’s been the face our smallest students have come to love and trust, and it would appear Jo Darbyshire still has a lot more to offer Fairholme Kindy. After spending this year working with the Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority, Jo is looking forward to the roll-out of a new Kindy Curriculum program in 2019.

In 2010 the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) first decided they would create a learning framework specifically for kindy-aged students.

Teachers were identified and approached to be involved, and Fairholme Kindy’s Jo Darbyshire was one of them.

‘Up until that point, the QSA did not have a curriculum for Kindergartens.

We spent a lot of time identifying the specific needs and the appropriate pedagogy for this age group. It was then trialled in some Kindys around Queensland – including Fairholme’s.’

Eight years later, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (previously QSA) decided it was time for a review, to ensure the program was still relevant and meeting our current understanding of children’s thinking and learning, and they asked Jo Darbyshire to be part of the review team again.

‘It’s a revision really – not a major change. It has involved a lot of meetings, though, and we looked at all the relevant support documents. I loved reading the literature review. It was really valuable to have an opportunity to look at what was happening all over the world for that age group. It validated a lot of what we are doing, and some of the things that we could change or strengthen.’

Jo says while there won’t be a lot of noticeable changes, there is a strong focus on intentional teaching, reflective practice and increased awareness of the development of executive functioning.

‘Executive functioning includes three important aspects: inhibitory control, which means you can ignore outside distractions to concentrate on a task; working memory, which requires the child to draw on memories of what they know and to hold on to information needed for decision making; flexible thinking, which is the ability to adapt when rules or circumstances change and to apply different rules in different situations . Those are the three really important things and there’s a very strong international interest in it – research is indicating it’s a much bigger predictor than even your IQ in how well you will succeed at school.’

Globally, Queensland is doing well in its Kindy offering, Jo says, although because of the research around the development of executive functioning, many countries don’t have children starting school until they are six years old.

‘Up until then it should be about playbased learning, language opportunities, real life and hands-on experiences and quality interactions. We know that a critical stage of the development of

executive-functioning skills is between the ages of two and six. If you haven’t developed some good executivefunctioning skills by the time you start school, you will struggle to make the most of the opportunities presented in a school context.’

Jo says another area of focus is building a sense of community and connection to a community in our youngest generation, particularly in today’s busy society.

‘If children have been in an early learning environment since they were really little, they may be a bit disconnected from the wider community. When they come to Kindy at Fairholme there is a strong focus on how we make connections with the community. This will start with the families we have attending and building a sense of belonging to our Kindy, which then widens to our Fairholme community and the broader Toowoomba area.’

The Kindy learning guidelines also have a focus on how to help children gain some feeling of ownership and control.

‘Children’s Agency is another important consideration – how do we help children have control or ownership of what goes on, to follow through on their ideas. We set up our Kindy

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room to help with their sense of agency, so they feel they have some choice, decision-making opportunities and control.’

The revised curriculum includes a strong focus on intentional teaching.

This means that educators are aware of the learning and development goals they have for the Kindy class and for individuals within the class.

With these in mind, the interaction and conversations with children, the decisions about the play opportunities, group time experiences and transition activities will be decided with intentionality to support these goals.

After 16 years at Fairholme Kindy, Jo says the curriculum review has reinvigorated her teaching practices.

‘I loved working alongside some really good educators. We shared ideas and really challenged each other’s thinking.

It gave me an opportunity to reflect on our current Kindy Program and see where the strengths are and where we might be able to include something different.’

‘I loved working alongside some really good educators. We shared ideas and really challenged each other’s thinking.’

‘I think every time you step outside your environment you challenge your thinking, reinforce your beliefs and, most importantly, come away refreshed. It has been so valuable for me as a professional.’ Valuable too, for Fairholme Kindy, and its families.

The new curriculum will be rolled out in 2019.

Activities that will support the development of Executive Function are listed below AGES 2 - 6

Inhibitory Control • • • • •

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Conversations (listening & turn taking) Musical statues Simon Says Follow the Leader Completing a puzzle, story, song

Working Memories

• • • • • • •

Songs, rhymes, finger plays Imaginary play Board/card games Memory I spy Duck Duck Goose Remembering 2 or 3 instructions

Flexible Thinking

• • • •

I’m thinking of... (descriptive games) Change the order or rules to a familiar game Sorting games with more than one ‘rule’, eg colour and shape Change the ending of a familiar story

FACETS Of Fairholme

The 2018 Facets of Fairholme drew crowds to both the Opening Night and the Artist Brunch. We thank our Sponsors for their support in awarding the following artists: Mary Snow Memorial Emerging Artist Award Meg Hansen,‘Yoolooburrabee’ Rugby Farms Acquisitive Award Leisl Mott, ‘Winter in the Japanese Garden’ Condon Charles Lawyers Open Art Prize Belinda Perkins, ‘Black Soil Plains’ Hutchinson Builders Acquisitive Award Katrina Goldsworthy, ‘Looking Back’ Fairholme College P&F Acquisitive Award Ellena Vanriet, ‘Windows full of Memories’ Stonestreets Packer’s Open Art Prize Georgia Shine, ‘Mist of the Falls’ Fairholme Old Girls Association Past Student Award Georgia Hayward, ‘De Goya Re-contextualiased’ USQ Artsworx and McGregor Retreat Inspiring Creativity Bursary Award Robyn Gray, ‘In Grandma’s Garden’

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FACETS Of Fairholme

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FACETS Of Fairholme and FACETS Brunch

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Fairholme Old Girls’ Association Mrs Robyn Blakeley (Reardon) | President Our monthly meetings have kept us connected to the current activities of Fairholme College. The year started with a report from Stewart Peacock, Head of Teaching and Learning, who spoke of the aspirations and results from the 2017 Year 12 cohort. We always enjoy hearing about the many and varied achievements of the current students and FOGA has continued its commitment and financial support to the school in a variety of ways.

Archives, the Fairholme Education Foundation, and the annual Founders’ Day Bursaries have all received support again this year, as well as a donation made to the Marj Milliken Bursary from the funds received when the Brisbane Branch of FOGA closed, and to the Facets of Fairholme Art Exhibition to be held 4 August.

Each week, during the term, a group of dedicated and loyal volunteers also assist Jenny Noble, our Archivist, with the hands-on work in the Archives section of the College.

Some of our members were able to attend the 2018 Fairholme Alumni Lunch in Brisbane in March and the Founders’ Day Lunch in June with the Year 8 mothers and their daughters.

We have heard from Jenny Sutton, Acting Deputy Head of Boarding, who brought us up to date on the Boarding House and Cath Butler, Head of Ministry and Mission, informed us of the planned trip during the June holidays to a remote Arnhem Land Community where the girls were to help build a vegetable garden for its residents.

We have had a couple of fundraising events recently. The first one was our all-day morning tea on Saturday the 4th of August in conjunction with Supporters of Fairholme Arts, supplying coffee, cakes, slices and sandwiches to those attending the Facets of Fairholme Art Exhibition.

We also hosted a very popular High Tea in the Fairholme Homestead on Saturday 1 September.

It is hoped that the October Spring Fair and FOGA Church service on 20-21 October will again bring many former Old Girls back to the College to renew friendships and share memories of their days at Fairholme, and I look forward to seeing you all on this weekend.

Best wishes Robyn Blakeley (nee Reardon) Fairholme Old Girls’ Association 2018 Committee

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Fairholme College Old Girls’ Association 2018 Committee PRESIDENT Mrs Robyn Blakeley (Reardon) VICE-PRESIDENT Ms Marie Cameron SECRETARY Mrs Christine Gilshenan (Dehnert) TREASURER Mrs Lyn Brandon (Taylor) PATRONESS Mrs Jocelyn Mercer (Cossart)

Stay connected with the Alumni and Old Girls’ Association. Update your details on the Fairholme Website or contact Helen Lange Alumni Officer Helen.Lange@fairholme.qld.edu.au T 4688 4614

2018 REUNIONS 2018 ‘Class of 2008’ 10 Year Reunion

Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018 Location: The Conservatory, Burke and Wills Hotel Time: From 5pm Cost: $50pp RSVP: www.fairholme.qld.edu.au Co-ordinator(s): Georgia Soutar M: 0407 982 061 E: georgiasoutar@hotmail.com

2018 ‘Class of 1998’ 20 Year Reunion

2018 FOGA Reunion Program Saturday 20 October 2018 Fairholme Spring Fair Starts at 10am

Carnival rides, market place, food court, fairy floss and a whole lot more! Enjoy the beautiful College grounds, take a tour of the Boarding House and reconnect with old friends at the Fairholme College 2018 Spring Fair.

Sunday 21 October 2018

All Year Levels Chapel Service and Reunion Brunch 9am Chapel Service, New Chapel 10am Brunch in the Homestead Where: Fairholme College Wirra Wirra Street, Toowoomba Cost: $35pp Co-Ordinator: Helen Lange E: foga@fairholme.qld.edu.au P: 4688 2335

Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018 Location: Ortem, Railway Street, Toowoomba Time: 6pm Cost: $50pp RSVP: October 5, 2018 Co-ordinator(s): Stacey Wild (nee Charteris) M: 0412 207 642 E: stacey@wildpharmhmr.com.au

2018 ‘Class of 1978’ 40 Year Reunion

Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018 Location: Muller Bros, Bell Street, Toowoomba Time: From 6pm Cost: $50pp RSVP: www.trybooking.com (search: Fairholme 40 Year Reunion) Co-ordinator(s): Helen Clark (Krimmer) M: 0402 203 327 Lou Wilson M: 0414 471 362

2018 ‘Class of 1968’ 50 Year Reunion

Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018 Location: Urban Grounds Cafe, 201 Herries Street, Toowoomba Time: 6.30pm for 7pm Cost: A-La-Carte Menu RSVP: Jan Byrnes E: janbyrnes@hotmail.com / Belinda Maher E: b.maher51@optus.net.com.au Co-ordinator(s): Jan Byrnes E: janbyrnes@hotmail.com

2018 All Year-Levels Lunch

Date: Sunday, 21 October 2018 Location: Cameron Homestead and Dining Room, Wirra Wirra Street, Toowoomba Time: Chapel Service (Cameron Homestead) 10.30am, followed by lunch (Dining Room) at 11.30am Cost: $30 Co-ordinator: Helen Lange E: foga@fairholme.qld.edu.au PH 4688 2335.

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FOGA Spring HIGH TEA

It was a sweet start to Spring at Fairholme with the Inaugural Fairholme Old Girls’ High Tea. Around 57 Old Girls and friends gathered together in Cameron Homestead to listen to guest speaker Georgia Soutar (Stafford, 2008), enjoy delicious afternoontea treats and catch up with old friends. Funds raised from the afternoon went towards supporting families in need. Since 1921, FOGA has maintained a rich tradition of connecting past students of the College while creating new connections with present girls.

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Weddings Beth Havinga (née Martin) (Fairholme Old Girl 2000) Since she left Fairholme, fresh-faced and ready to take on the world, life has been a whirlwind for Beth Martin (2000).

Her journey from Year 12 has taken her around the globe, from Switzerland to San Francisco, South Africa to Israel, and from Australia to Austria.

All the while, she says, she kept the Fairholme motto, Burning Yet Flourishing, firmly in her mind.

‘Being a female in an industry that combines both education management and the tech sector means that I am constantly one of the only women in the room and have to fight many uphill battles and much gender discrimination,’ Beth reflects. ‘I firmly believe what I was shown during my time at Fairholme, that women can do anything, and I try and support other women founders and entrepreneurs; together our voices are stronger.’

Beth decided early on to face traditional male-dominated roles head-on and refused to believe that her gender barred her from technological and entrepreneurial ventures. In doing so, she has forged a path both inspiring and encouraging for those who follow in her footsteps.

‘From there, I founded education startups in both the USA and Germany, splitting my time for a number of subsequent years between Berlin and San Francisco. I also launched a foundation in South Africa in the Kalahari Desert, fostering cultural and entrepreneurial exchanges to the region for school-aged children.’

In 2009, Beth founded her own consultancy company and has been working globally with large tech corporations, as well as education publishing companies and start-ups in over 46 countries.

‘I remember posters from the classrooms at Fairholme which detailed prospective jobs that were possible with certain degrees. I have firmly fallen outside any of the jobs we knew to be possible back then and have been creating my own career path in an industry segment that didn’t even exist when I was in school.’

‘In the past years, I have worked with education ministries as an expert advisor, consulting with them on their digital education strategies and implementations. Most recently, I have consulted to the Ministries in Finland, Australia, Germany, Israel and Austria, and have been given executive director and board member positions within special commissions of the ministries in Germany and Austria.’

Upon graduation, Beth flew straight to Fribourg, Switzerland, where she completed a degree in developmental psychology and education. Her next move saw her based in Berlin, Germany, studying linguistics and managing the education department for a network of bilingual schools.

‘Through my work as executive director of the German Alliance for Education, I act as the interface between the federal and state education ministries and the education industry in Germany, designing policy, working on changes to the constitution, and developing key framework initiatives that can be

implemented in all schools.’

But, she says, while this has not been without challenges, it has been constantly rewarding – and she wouldn’t change a thing.

‘Unfortunately, there is still an immense discrepancy between the roles that men and women in my field have and within which they are accepted. I am excited to empower the next generation of learners to excel and to continue to break down these stereotypes and gender-based boundaries.’

In recent years, Beth married, with celebrations both in Darwin where she was born and in Austria at her husband’s family’s vineyard. Fairholme Old Girls Candida Bellert (née Smith) and Lavinia Edgar were able to join the Darwin ceremony.

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Weddings

Carly Baker (née Jackson) Old Girl 2009 (pictured top)

Carly Jackson (2009) married Luke Baker (Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boy) on 31 March 2018 at a picturesque wedding at, ‘Cooaga’, Wandoan. Carly and Luke have been together since school. The wedding acted as a reunion for 21 Fairholme Old Girls who also caught up with Carly’s grandmother who attended Fairholme in 1950!

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Natasha Dreier (née McCraw) Old Girl 2007 (pictured bottom)

Natasha McCraw (2007) married Daniel Dreier on 6 May 2017 at Main Beach, Noosa Heads, followed by a reception at the Noosa Boathouse. The day was celebrated with Fairholme Old Girls Gabrielle McCraw (current Year 11 student), Kristie Hartmann (2007), Natasha Dreier (2007), Rebecca Connolly (nee Gillan, 2007) and Alison Steel (2007).

Weddings

Danni-Leigh Horrobin (née Bright) Old Girl 2010

Danni-Leigh Bright (2010) joined hands with Shea Horrobin (Downlands, 2002) last year in their wedding ceremony at Gip’s Restaurant, which also saw fellow Fairholme Old Girls Phoebe Raff (2011), Erin Hannant (2010), Tammy Horrobin (2003), Joelle Barnes (2010) and Allysha Hannant (2012) join in the celebrations.

Lucy Hulme (née Harris) Old Girl 2010

Lucy Harris (2010) wed Zander Hulme on 25 May 2018 at local winery Preston Peak. Lucy is the daughter of Fairholme Junior School teacher, Elaine Harris. Amitee Ryan (2010) was Maid of Honour.

Stay connected with the Alumni and Old Girls’ Association.

Update your details on the Fairholme Website or contact Helen Lange Alumni Officer Helen.Lange@fairholme.qld.edu.au T 4688 4614

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Baby News

Jennifer Haig Old Girl 1999

Jennifer added to her family earlier this year with the birth of son Quinn Robert Bell, with husband James Bell. Little Quinn joins big brother Reid.

Congratulations, Jennifer and James!

Laura Andrews (nĂŠe Andersen) Old Girl 2013

Our chairman, Mr Ian Andersen is a grandfather for the second time. His daughter, Laura (FOGA 2013) and son-in-law, Cameron (our College Piper), are new parents to Charlotte Elizabeth May Andrews, 7lb 12 oz; sister to Fletcher. Charlotte will look beautiful in tartan!

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Dr Katie Murray (nĂŠe Sutton) Old Girl 1999

Son Samuel Alden of Katie and Peter was born on the 9.9.2018, 9lb 8oz and 56cms long. Little Samuel was born to mother Dr Katie Murray who is a Law Lecturer at University of Southern Queensland, a member of the Fairholme Board of Directors and a Fairholme Old Girl. Proud Grandmother, Jenny Sutton, is the beloved Fairholme Boarding House Pastoral Carer (and also an Old Girl), while Grandfather Peter Sutton is the Maintenance Manager at the College. We welcome Samuel to the Fairholme family!

Fairholme Old Girls’ in the NEWS

A Life Of Giving Back Page Garland | Old Girl 1984

No matter how tough you think life is, there is always someone who has to face challenges that are tougher than yours.

Old Girl Paige Garland (1984) said this prevailing lesson she learnt at Fairholme set her on a lifetime path of giving back.

‘It was the values of care for others going through hardship, commitment to family, support for others, striving for high standards and value of community that have led me to where I am today,’ Paige said.

These days, Paige can be found fighting for the disadvantaged, displaced and discriminated as the Amnesty International Australia Board Member representing Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

‘Amnesty works closely with Indigenous communities and people seeking asylum to fight discrimination, unfair detention and to demand safety and a fair justice system. We also have a very active women’s and LGBTI activist networks campaigning on important gender and sexuality issues.’

She says between the service philosophies of Fairholme and those of her mother, Robin Garland-Sticovich, she was always driven to give back. ‘As a young girl in the 70s, I watched my mother’s commitment to protecting those in need; whether it be the environment, animals or people. She has been such a strong source of inspiration, encouragement and knowledge throughout my life.’

Paige said Fairholme, just like her mother, didn’t just talk the talk.

‘Fairholme helped me academically to achieve the necessary qualifications that have enabled me to work in diverse roles in the community services sector.

The College, through its assistance to me in my time of need, also showed a commitment to the core values of service to others.’

Fairholme was like a big, extended family which nurtured and cared and protected her. ‘Without their deep concern for my wellbeing, willingness to help me above and beyond what would reasonably be expected of a teacher, I would not have walked away with such a great academic outcome. I will always be grateful for that.’

‘Embrace your school and all the opportunities it offers you.

Enjoy your friends.

Be kind to your teachers.

Join Amnesty.’

But she said it was more than the academic side of the College which sent her on her way.

‘Fairholme was such a welcoming school. Even as a Day Girl, it was like being part of an extended family. Some of the friends I made at school still bring me comfort and laughter and inspire me today. The importance of family was a strong component of Fairholme culture.’

For the young women at Fairholme, her advice is simple:

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Fairholme Old Girls’ in the NEWS Opera

Fairholme Old Girl Jade Moffat (2005-2006) has been accepted as a member of the Glyndebourne Opera Company in England. A Lyric mezzo-soprano, Jade graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Advanced Performance from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2012 while also being a member of Opera Queensland’s Young Artist Program. Jade recently relocated to the UK to complete an Artist Masters at the Guildhall School of Music in their prestigious Opera course, studying with Yvonne Kenny.

My Fair Lady

When Georgina Hopson (pictured right) broke into impromptu song at the Fairholme Old Girls’ Association annual Brisbane Brunch in March, about 40 Old Girls listened in awe.

Georgina was special guest speaker at the annual brunch and spoke about her time since leaving Fairholme in 2007.

Last year, the talented singer and performer spent much of her time on tour with the production of My Fair Lady, which was directed by Julie Andrews. This year, Georgina won the prestigious Rob Guest Endowment Award. ‘To be given the stamp of approval from the industry itself is such an honour, and I feel so blessed to not only have work on the horizon, but to be recognised.’

Georgina attributes her early learning and love for Musical Theatre to her Fairholme singing teacher, Gwenyth Chappell.

‘She is just the most amazing teacher and I think Fairholme is so lucky to have her there, helping prepare girls for future in singing and music. I am always grateful to Mrs Chappell – that’s where my love for musicals began.’

Georgina packed her bags, and travelled with fellow Fairholme Old Girl, Aly Cochran (Senior 2007), to New York in June.

Reminiscing

There’s nothing the Fairholme Archives Department loves more than old Fairholme photographs. Pictured left is mother and daughter Jenny Sutton (Curtis) 1968-1972 and Daphne Curtis (Anderson) 1945-1947 reminiscing over a cup of tea and old black and whites. The photographs belonged to the late Hester McDonald (Falconer), who was a Boarder at Fairholme 1945-1946.

The album contains some wonderful informal photos of Fairholme girls in the 1940s. Daphne, a schoolmate and friend of Hester, appears in many of them and was able to provide Archivist Jenny Noble with names of girls in the photos as well as sharing some great Fairholme stories as well.

Daphne’s daughter Jenny Sutton and granddaughter Katie Murray (1995-1999) are also proud Fairholme Old Girls.

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Fairholme Old Girls’ in the NEWS

Mooting Champions

Fairholme Old Girl, Katie Murray (1999) (pictured above) coached our Fairholme girls, Alissa Woods, Sienna Davis and Lilli Anderson to take out the University of Southern Queensland Mooting finals.

The girls presented in a packed court room at the Toowoomba Magistrates Courthouse, in front of real judges. You can see more about the event on the USQ YouTube channel.

The respondent team of Fairholme girls Sienna Davis, Lilli Anderson and Alissa Wood came up against the Toowoomba State High School team.

A record 36 teams participated in the 2018 USQ Secondary Schools Moot Competition including schools from

Toowoomba, Warwick, Stanthorpe, Kingaroy, Brisbane, Springfield and Ipswich.

15,000 volunteers came together as a diverse and united team to shape the best event in Games history!

Students received mentoring from USQ’s law lecturers and from legal professionals in the community.

‘We learned so much from our coach USQ Law lecturer Katie Murray over a short period of time,’ Sienna Davis said.

As part of the prize pool each member of the winning team received a full-year scholarship to study Law at USQ.

Gifted Treasure

Volunteering for the Commonwealth Games

Old Girl Lynda Kretchmann (Stallard) (1988-1995) (pictured above right) was a part of Commonwealth Games history when she volunteered at the Gold Coast Games in April. About

Archives was gifted with a treasure trove of old photos from Old Girl Marilyn Parker (Greenwood) (pictured above). Marilyn recalled her time as a Boarder from 1962-1964 where she roomed in Black Dorm and remembers it being very cold! After taking a tour of the updated dorms, Marilyn was amazed at how it looks like now.

Pictured is Marilyn at Fairholme in 1962 with her friends Dianne Fett and Jan Wockner.

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Fairholme Old Girls’ in the NEWS

A Fairholme Centenarian

Laurette Reynolds (Drysdale) 19291931 (pictured above) reached a major milestone as she celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year. The Fairholme Old Girl celebrated with family and friends in Toowoomba, including her great granddaughters Zoe (2017) and Lily Reynolds (2013) who are also Old Girls. Laurette is pictured with her fellow Boarders sitting outside the Homestead in 1928.

Highest Honour

A strong work ethic, a passion for learning and great determination has seen Fairholme Old Girl Nikki Cornwell (2015) (pictured right) earn an honorary medal for having the highest level of achievement in the Business Faculty of Bond University with a Bachelor of Actuarial Science. The Steven Johnson Memorial Award, which is not handed out regularly, is reserved for students who distinguish themselves in academic performance. Nikki credits her family and Fairholme teachers for preparing her for the hard slog of tertiary study.

‘The support from the people around me while at Bond made my time and achievements at uni possible.’

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Jewellery Award

Wallace Bishop Jeweller’s apprentice and Fairholme Old Girl, Georgia Piggott (2013) (pictured below right), recently took out the Apprentice of the Year at the Southbank Brisbane TAFE awards.

In addition, Georgia was also presented with the State Queensland Medal for the World Skills Competition. Georgia started her apprenticeship with Wallace Bishop in 2015 after completing work experience in Western Australia and Tasmania.

‘I’ve always been artistic, so to be able to go to work and make something beautiful that someone will cherish for years is pretty special,’ said Georgia.

‘Every day is different and there is plenty to learn and see. How many other jewellery workshops get to work with 10ct diamonds and emeralds!’

Georgia is also undertaking her gemmology qualification, and says that being able to see all of the different types of gems coming across her bench is exciting. Congratulating Georgia on her win, Stuart Bishop, Wallace Bishop CEO, said, ‘Wallace Bishop places high importance on training the next generation of jewellers and it’s great to see one of our young jewellers being

recognised in this way.’

Sad Passings Isobel Baldwin (Dodd) 1940-1941passed away 10.02.2018 aged 91 Gwynneth Barr (Mann) (1941) passed away 16.12.2017 aged 90 Lois Bovey (1950) passed away 21.05.2018 aged 83 Barbara Brown (Broadley) (1949-1950) passed away 11.10.2017 aged 83 Eileen Chisholm (Biggs) (1941-1942) passed away in February 2018 Jeanne Crawford (Schulte) (1941) passed away in February 2018 aged 90 Jean Graham (Telfer) (nee Lamb) (1927-1931) passed away 21.08.2018 aged 97 Esma Hagan (Currey) (1942-1943) passed away 3.05.2018 aged 90 Heather Henderson (Price) (1946) passed away 25.5.2018 aged 84 Jeanette Hutson(Lyttle) (1953-1954) passed away 21.6.2018 aged 78 Adele MacGillivray (Barron) (1946) passed away 29.5.2017 aged 85 Shirley McDonald (Falconer) (1945-1946) passed away 6.11.2010 aged 81 Alma Minnage (Williamson) (1936-1937) passed away 12.03.2018 aged 95 Mary (Maria) Pethard (Pardon) (1956-1957) passed away 17.02.2017 aged 77 Helen Ritchie (Bassett) (1957-1960) passed away 11.11.2017 aged 71 Yvonne Stone (Bassingthwaighte) (1943-1945) passed away 26.10.2016 aged 88 Gwen Traill (Wilson) (1944-1947) passed away 11.02.2018 aged 87 Judith Treweeke (McClymont) (1939-1943) passed away April 2018 aged 92 Catherine Wallace (Burrows) (1986-1989) passed away 30 May 2018 aged 46 Marjorie Webb (Cowderoy) (1938) passed away 16.11.2017 aged 94 Ada Young (1942-1946) passed away 26.08.2018 aged 88 Jean Buckley (Speed) (1942-1943) passed away 09.09.2018 aged 91 Jodie Ford (1997-1998) 30.08.2018 passed away aged 35 Dorothy Logan (Pedersen) (1940-1941) passed away 27.03.2018 aged 93 Adele Price (Parker) (1936) passed away 22.12.2017 aged 86

Mr John Moore Former Head of English (1986-1989), past Fairholme Parent and author of Fairholme – The first 75 Years 1917-1992, John H Moore, passed away in June this year. John’s wife Rita passed away in 2007, and their two daughters were at Fairholme: Janet (1983-1987) and Roslyn (1985-1989) (Roslyn was Head Girl in 1989). John was a prolific author, writing a number of books on Australian Military history, as well as a beloved member of the Fairholme staff.

The thoughts and prayers the of Fairholme College community are with you and your families in this difficult time.

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Sustaining Fashion

FAIRHOLME FASHION WEEK 2018 Fairholme College celebrates fashion in a big way, every year in October, dedicating a whole week to the industry. But the moral behind the weeklong event is much more serious than the fun that is had throughout the workshops, designs and gala parade.

Sustainability is a new buzz word in fashion, and Fairholme is ‘abuzz’ with it. The fashion industry is the second biggest polluter in the world, just behind oil. An average Australian buys 27 kilograms of new textiles every year and then discards 23 kilograms into landfills, mostly cheap fabrics made from petroleum that further pollute the environment when incinerated.

Fast fashion is costing the planet and unless future generations make a change, the world will suffer.

Fairholme Fashion Week is all about promoting sustainable fashion, particularly amongst students.

‘This year we have a number of workshops and they all revolve around the notion of sustainable fashion,’ says co-ordinator Mandi-Joy Meise.

‘We have a Mad Hatters workshop, where milliner Johanna Guerin helps participants redesign an old head piece or hat. Then we have a cotton wrap skirt-making class and on the Thursday night our fashion swap event, Designer d’Occasion, returns to Fairholme, allowing women to “sell on” designer garments they no longer wear.’

‘This event is really very exciting for the girls. For those entering the competition, they are learning all about the time and effort involved in creating a garment. For the girls who model, they learn about self confidence and style. For the students, staff and parents who attend the workshops, they are learning all about ethical and sustainable fashion. It is a unique event.’

The week culminates in the announcement of the Award Design winners at the Gala Parade at Spring Fair on Saturday, 20 October.

Designer, Pia Du Pradal returns for the third year in a row, and says she looks forward to working with the students each year.

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‘I don’t know another school who does anything like it. It is a wonderful way of ensuring the future of Australian designers.’

Fashion designers from the South West Region are invited to submit original, 80s-style garments for judging in the 2018 BOOST Juice Fairholme Fashion Week event.

For information on how to enter the design competition, or on workshops available please go to www.fairholme.qld.edu.au

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Mystery PHOTO In bygone days at Fairholme, when winter skirts were short and socks were long... these Fairholme students had their photo taken on Central Lawn. We don’t know who they are or when the photo was taken. They were wearing long brown socks and brown shoes with their MacLaren tartan skirts.

Are you in the photo?

Do you know when it was taken or why? Do you know someone who is in the photo?

If you have any information that can help solve this mystery, please contact us via email at archives@fairholme.qld.edu.au

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First Excursion

Fairholme girls took off on their first excursion with the College in 1926 to the Jenolan Caves in what was then called a ‘charabanc’ – a people mover in the 1920s.

Since then, Fairholme has gone further afield with their excursions! Recently, a group of Year 12s visited Arnhem Land while an annual Whitsundays trip sees a selection of Senior girls collecting rubbish on

the beaches for an environmental excursion. Junior School students make yearly visits to the Royal Bull’s Head Inn and the Empire Theatre.

Where did you go for your excursions when at Fairholme?

Let us know via email at archives@fairholme.qld.edu.au