2022 Women in Time - Inspiring Alumni

Words by Judy-Ann Quilliam

Our 2022 Women in Time – Inspiring Alumni were announced at the annual Loreto College International Women’s Day Breakfast on 8 March.

The story of our Women in Time - Inspiring Alumni begins with Mary Ward’s vision that “women in time to come, will do much”, women “apt for all good works”, and “who do ordinary things well.” When Mother Gonzaga Barry and her small group of Irish nuns arrived in Ballarat and opened the first Loreto school in Australia, who could have imagined the influence they would have on Catholic education in Australia and all the young women attending Loreto schools throughout the country?

Women in Time – Inspiring Alumni formally celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of Loreto College Ballarat Alumni who have become exemplars of Mary Ward’s vision.

Nominations are called from the Loreto Community annually for a wide range of categories including Arts and Cultural Excellence, Sporting Excellence, Community Service Leadership, Religious and Social Justice Leadership, STEAM and Innovation Excellence, Young Achiever and Entrepreneur awards, and for a Verity award. Inductees are featured on communications platforms and a prominent display on the walls of the College.

Our 2022 inductees are:

• Maria Myers AC (Class of 1964) for Arts and Cultural Excellence & Community Service Leadership

• Kate Torney AO (Class of 1985) for Academic and Professional Excellence & Community Service Leadership

• Sr Cynthia Wright (Class of 1953) posthumous recognition for Religious and Social Justice Leadership

The 2022 inductees Maria Myers AC and Kate Torney AO at the Loreto College International Women’s Day Breakfast

Maria Myers AC has carried the values and traditions inculcated in 13 years of Loreto education into her cultural, educational and conservation activities. A qualified social worker and lawyer, her involvement in education has included the Loreto Education Board, Loreto Ballarat School Board, St Mary’s College Council at the University of Melbourne and Mary Ward International Board.

In conservation, Maria has been a trustee of The Trust For Nature and serves on the Board of The Nature Conservancy and its Asia Pacific Council and the Burnet Institute. In the arts, Maria has served on the Board and is now the Patron of the Australian String Quartet, Vice-President of the State Library of Victoria and a member of the Board of Museum of Australian Democracy.

In the late 90’s Maria became involved in the world of Indigenous rock art in the Kimberley region in Western Australia. This led to a deep and ongoing engagement with Kalumburu Aboriginal Community. Maria is now Chairwoman of the Kimberley Foundation Australia (now Rock Art Australia), which is dedicated to the research, preservation, and promotion of Kimberley rock art with the traditional owners of the land wherein the art was to be found.

Maria shared with the audience, “Above all, (they) instilled in me that life meant a life of service - but it wasn’t service alone, it was service with generosity, love and kindness.” Adding that the opportunity to serve on boards and support institutions was “part of the social contract” to which we all belong.

Kate Torney AO has extensive experience in the Australian media, cultural and philanthropic sectors, having spent 20 years at the ABC, including six as News Director, six years as Chief Executive of the State Library of Victoria and now as CEO of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, which supports the work of some of the world’s leading cancer researchers.

Above all, (they) instilled in me that life meant a life of service... it was service with generosity, love and kindness.

Opened in 1856, the State Library is now one of the most visited libraries in the world and Kate led an $88 million redevelopment to reimagine services and stunning heritage spaces for the 21st century.

During Kate’s time at the ABC, she led a team of 1,400 reporters and production colleagues across Australia and globally. She also oversaw the major review that led to the ABC’s successful re-orientation towards digital platforms, including the launch of the ABC News channel and the expansion of ABC News online.

Kate implored the next generation of Loreto students to follow in the footsteps of the ‘pioneering women’ who founded the College and the educators who followed, all of whom recognised the transformative power of education. “Education is the gateway to equality,” says Kate.

Sr Cynthia Wright attended Loreto Convent Dawson St from 1940 – 1951 and died on 8 July 2015. For 57 years, she was an enthusiastic, dedicated and joy-filled member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (ibvm). Mission was at the heart of Cynthia’s passion and the pursuit of social justice was integral. She was a gifted teacher, an inspiring, innovative and much loved Principal, a leader, a counsellor, a mentor and loyal friend to many. Sr Cynthia met every challenge with confidence in God. A woman of her time, a strong leader and guide, always accepting each new challenge with positive energy and a deep faith in the future.

Sr Cynthia was an inspiration to many people, near and far and her religious and social justice service saw her work in various locations in Ballarat, Melbourne, Broome and Perth.

The induction was accepted on her behalf by Sr Margaret Finlay ibvm and Ms Meg Barry (President of the Past Pupils’ Association). Sr Margaret shared, “It is difficult to think of a more fitting person to join this group of extraordinary women and a joy to have this occasion to, once again, celebrate Cynthia’s life of faithfulness and service.”

Sr Margaret Finlay ibvm speaking at the Loreto College 2022 IWD Breakfast

Sr Margaret shared the word from the First Chapter of Paul to the Philippians to sum up Cynthia’s approach to life as a true daughter of Mary Ward…

“I thank my God for you every time I think of you and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way you have helped me in the work of the Gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you will carry it until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus. You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me the privilege that God has given me... My deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Jesus himself.”

New for 2022 was a Women in Time – Student Award, an initiative of the inaugural 2021 Women in Time – Inspiring Alumni inductees (Margaret Heffernan OAM, Professor Michelle McIntosh, Jane Hill and Ebony Monson). The $500 Award is presented to a senior student who demonstrates qualities, potential and aspiration aligned to Women in Time. The award was presented to Year 11 student, Ann Chalakkal.

Jane Hill, Professor Michelle McIntosh and Ebony Monson with award winning student, Ann Chalakkal, at the breakfast event.

Please nominate a Loreto Alumna you know now for future consideration: https://pastpupils. loreto.vic.edu.au/#womenintime