Verity - May 2023 - Issue 46

VERITY

Cover Photograph

Our 2023 Women in Time –Inspiring Alumni Inductees captured by Lachlan Bence from The Ballarat Courier

Inside Cover Chalk messages created by the Senate for the first day of school in 2023

Editorial Team

Jayde Harrington, Linda McDonald, Narelle Mulrooney & Michelle Brodrick.

Photography

Liz Crothers, Paul Shire, MSP, H Studios, staff and student photos

Design

Narelle Mulrooney

Print

Revolution Print

Contributions to Verity can be sent to: Loreto College

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

FEATURES

MARY WARD CONNECT

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Year 10 Loreto College students from around Australia unite for a three-day program to connect and plan for the 150-year celebrations due for 2025

2023 WOMEN IN TIMEINSPIRING ALUMNI

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In 2023 we once again celebrate three truly inspiring women at our annual Women’s Day Breakfast.

THE LITTLE ISSUE

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Matilda Goodbourn is making a real difference in the local and global community, showing us that there are innovative ways to have a positive impact on the world with her publication of The Little Issue

WALKING ALONGSIDE FIRST NATIONS WOMEN

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We feature two stories of female empowerment, supported by MWIA partners Enterprise Partnerships WA and CatholicCare Wilcannia Forbes, working together with women towards financial independence and sustainable economies.

In 2023, the Loreto community in Australia celebrates the value of Justice. At Loreto College Ballarat we are ‘Shining a Light on Justice’.

As a theme, this can be interpreted in many different ways, such as shining a light on the people in our world that require justice, and on what we can do, or being a light in our world that people look to as being People of Justice.

Alice Parry (pictured above), our 2023 Creative Arts Captain, worked with the Faith and Identity Team to bring these understandings to an artwork that features on our badge that all students receive. Alice represented our College through the use of our House colours as spotlights shining on the word justice, representing that everyone at Loreto College Ballarat has a responsibility to ‘Shine a Light on Justice’.

Shine a Light on Justice

Words by Felicity Knobel

This year, like every Loreto school in Australia, we are celebrating our year of Justice. Mother Gonzaga Barry said, ‘do not endeavour so much to please others as to be of use to them.’ With this sentiment in mind, at Loreto College Ballarat, in our year of Justice, we are shining a light on Justice and ultimately shining a light on us as people of Loreto and what we can do in order to bring Justice to our College Community, our local community and to our world. It is a year of action for all of us.

The great Jewish prophets, the forerunners of Jesus, coined a mantra which ran something like this:

‘The quality of your faith will be judged by the quality of justice in the land and the quality of justice in the land will be judged by how the vulnerable groups in society have fared while you were alive.’

Each and every person is responsible for bringing justice to our world and it is our privilege as a Loreto community in 2023 to Shine a Light on Justice.

We are called.

The

Justice Prayer God of love,

Who teaches us to love without limits or borders, to open our hearts to all.

Grant us the courage to be our true, authentic selves; to be people who strive to listen, understand and empower others, recognising our relatedness, and the right of all to fulfil their God-given potential. Help us to be open and loving, and to celebrate the diversity of our communities.

May we unite in our common goal of justice for all, and harness our capacity to affect long-lasting change that brings your love to life in our world.

Guide us in our journeys to find our own voices and empowering others to find theirs; that together we may use our gifts to promote justice in the wider community and create respect for everyone’s inherent human dignity.

Inspired by Mary Ward, may we answer the call to act wholeheartedly for genuine change that responds to the needs of our time.

May we be constant, effective and loving, so that we too may leave behind something on which others can build.

May we follow in Mary Ward’s footsteps as seekers of truth and doers of justice.

In Jesus’ name and through the grace of the Holy Spirit, we say, Amen.

Towards the end of 2022, all of the Loreto College Captains of Australia joined together to write our Justice Prayer.”

From the Principal

Words by Michelle Brodrick

“Be seekers of truth and doers of justice.” Mary Ward

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Verity.

All Loreto Colleges in Australia share the same set of values: Freedom, Justice, Sincerity, Verity, and Felicity. They are at the heart of our educational philosophy and shape our identity as a school. This year the focus for our College is ‘Justice’. Mary Ward described Justice as ‘having strong values that help guide us in our relationships with God, with other people, and with the whole of creation. It is about being a person of action’. Therefore, the 2023 theme, Shine a Light on Justice, reminds us to always strive to be a person of action. The examples of action in this magazine represent the good work of many.

Justice is at the heart of the New Testament and essential to Loreto spirituality.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

(Luke 4:18)

As principal of Loreto, and as a mother, a daughter, aunt and friend, reading about the young people and women who are, or have been a part of the Loreto College Ballarat community is truly energising.

For International Women’s Day we recognised three women who have inspired the lives of everyone with whom they have connected.

Sr Trish Franklin has created opportunities and hope for many refugees, especially through education, understanding and action. Michelle Payne made us sit up and take notice through her fierce determination in a male dominated industry; and along the way she showed what inclusion and love meant through the story of her life with brother, Stevie. Olivia Sellars, who was recognised as a young achiever, is forging a path that celebrates success in the Arts again through her aspirations and hard work. The stories of all three women shared a common denominator – being strong, compassionate and brave.

Our past students play a significant role in the story of Loreto. I would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Meg Barry (Class of 1962) as Past Pupil’s Association president. Faith White (Class of 1995) has taken up the role of President of the Past Pupils’ Association in 2023. The connections with students and alumni are of immense benefit to our College community, particularly the inspiration and motivation they provide, and the sense of joy we feel in celebrating their successes. We continue to foster strong connections with our extended Loreto community, recognising the valuable and long-lasting contributions made to Loreto over the past 148 years.

Justice is at the heart of the New Testament and essential to Loreto spirituality.”

From the Board

Words by Melanie Robertson – Board Chair

The vision, the dogged determination, dedication and courage of both Mary Ward and Mother Gonzaga Barry and the legacy resulting from these qualities is something that I often reflect upon in my role of Board Chair. What would they be saying to us now as we embark on our journey of creating a new campus to educate young women of the future? ‘I am almost certain it would be whispers of be brave, believe in your vision and trust in your judgement’.

The College’s vision – to offer innovative and contemporary education that engages students and priorities student agency. We are committed to following the footsteps of Mary Ward by developing courageous students able to thrive in a challenging world.

To develop courageous students we must have a courageous leadership approach. We must role model this to our students. Courageous isn’t being rash and brazen in our approach, it is being considered and visionary. In this dynamic environment in which we live, we know that ‘if we stand still, we go backwards’ (Mark Twain) so in order to bring the Loreto College Ballarat vision to reality, we must have the same dogged determination, focus, dedication and courage of Mary Ward and Mother Gonzaga Barry.

The Loreto College Board is charged with making critical decisions for the future of the College and the responsibility that comes alongside that is not lost on us. Our work so far this year has been about laying the foundations to ensure that our decision-making process is robust, that it has a risk-based approach and that our decisions are backed by evidence and data. We are making sure that we are dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s in making decisions around the new campus development. It is

uncharted territory for this College in the past 100 years, so there is much at stake and much we need to consider.

We do accept that there is a level of risk. Risks that accompany growth, transformation, innovation and these risks are proportionate with the potential reward.

Loreto College Ballarat’s approach to risk appetite is to minimise our exposure of risks to our people, their safety, our reputation and corporate governance whilst accepting and encouraging an increased degree of risk in pursuit of our key strategic directives.

So, a little about the Board and the role of the Board in the College - is that we provide strategic oversight of the College, ensure that resources are used efficiently, maintain oversight of the College operations and ensure that the organisation is being governed appropriately. We are a skilled Board with expertise and experience in community engagement, sustainability, education, IT, formation, infrastructure, finance, fundraising and governance. This diversity is critical to ensure that the decisions we make take into consideration a wide range of factors.

Our Board meets regularly throughout the year and is strongly supported by the work of committees – the Facilities Committee, the Finance and Risk Committee and the Engagement Committee. It is also supported by the Executive Leadership Team at Loreto College Ballarat and also Loreto Ministeries.

I can’t finish without a special mention to past Chair Luke Dunne for his outstanding leadership, diligence and commitment to Loreto College Ballarat. His leadership has placed the organisation in an incredible position for a prosperous future. As a volunteer he has devoted hundreds of hours to the realisation of the vision for the school. We sincerely thank him for his enormous contribution. They are big shoes to fill.

To develop courageous students we must have a courageous leadership approach. We must role model this to our students.”

From the College Captains

Words by Alexandra Grieve and Bridget Bales

2023 is a year of shining a light on Justice. Justice being the core focus within the College Community this year has already meant continuing to provide as opportunities and experiences for every student, especially the younger year levels, as they start their Loreto journey. This year has already created a positive energy with an endless amount of enthusiasm, joy, spirit and involvement in all areas of the College from all individuals.

A key highlight as College Captains so far has been meeting with the other Loreto School Captains from across Australia for a three day conference. During this time, we spent hours sharing stories, learning more about our wonderful College, our past and present leaders, diving further into our important history and most valuably, as a group collectively writing the 2023 Prayer of Justice.

We have both learned the importance of radiating fun and positive energy to all year levels and embracing all elements of school both socially and academically. With the help of our fantastic Senate, we are all fully committed to making this year of Justice as memorable and influential as possible.

Our new structure of Student Leadership involves our Year 12 Senate representative of portfolios such as Sport, House, Felicity, Sustainability, Performing Arts, Creative Arts, Communications and Media, First Nations, Liturgy and Social Justice. The increase of student agency by involving a representative from each year level in each portfolio creates leadership responsibilities from all year levels, and a communication platform throughout the College effectively. All students selected for their roles are dedicated to making fun, exciting and new events and activities specialised in their portfolio. In our role as Captains, leading the Senate, we are extremely

We are extremely honoured to be leading Loreto College Ballarat this year and wish to do so standing by the strong Loreto values and helping create stronger bonds across all year levels...”

Right: the 2023 Loreto College Captains Bridget Bales and Alexandra Grieve together with Michelle Brodrick.

excited to see what is to come within each portfolio’s area with their talented representatives.

Term 1 has been jam-packed with Loreto-loving traditions and we can’t wait to share all celebrations and events with the whole College without any restrictions and return to the normality of a Loreto school year. We are so proud of every student who has embraced change, tried new things and participated in keeping the Loreto spirit alive. This was evident in the participation of all students in the Swimming Carnival, both in and out of the pool. Backing it up with a lively presence at the Athletics Carnival Day, proving that all students are making this year one to remember with strong levels of passion at College events. Whether it was participating in events or on the side of the pool and track cheering with their fellow students in their House, all students embodied the true House spirit and created a successful day.

As Valentines Day is a memorable tradition at Loreto College, this day was filled with an overwhelming amount of love across the College, with the whole

Loreto Community coming together to celebrate all kinds of love by watching a video created by Bridget, the Year 12 dance and concluding the day with all students coming together to sing and dance in the quad.

We were both so grateful for the opportunity to recognise our determined and inspiring Past Pupils by acknowledging their past work and wonderful contributions at the International Women’s Day Breakfast. The ‘Women in Time’ Awards were held and our 2023 Inspiring Alumni Inductees were acknowledged. We were both thrilled to co-MC at the special event and present the awards to the Loreto College Past Pupils with the wider Loreto Community. As current Loreto College students, the opportunity was empowering and it was incredibly moving to hear of the recipient’s stories and journeys. One of the most memorable parts of the day was listening to the incredible and inspiring stories they shared and how their Loreto College education, along with the values of Mary Ward, were the key influences in their future endeavors to come and their achievements so far.

Head of the Lake drew an unbelievable crowd, as it does each year, with the Loreto excitement and energy being heard from all around Lake Wendouree. This was a day where we commended the hard work and dedication of all Loreto rowers and coaches as the rowing squad were encouraged by our eager Year 12 Spit Crew. The Spit Crew showed their gratitude for all the rowers’ hard work and acknowledged their commitment towards the Loreto Rowing program.

We are extremely honoured to be leading Loreto College Ballarat this year and wish to do so standing by the strong Loreto values; helping to create stronger bonds across all year levels, encouraging involvement, promoting Loreto College spirit and a place for all individual students to thrive, be accepted and most of all, truly appreciated in the year of Justice. We look forward to continuing the year with Justice and may the year bring new experiences, achieve goals, friendships and provide new learning opportunities.

Below: the 2023 Loreto College Senate: (Top left to right) Kailah, Tahlia, Amelia, Sarah, Ruby, Lucy, Ann, Molly, Rose, (Bottom left to right) Alice, Ally, Jane, Bridget, Alexendra, Mary-Kate and Grace.

Around Loreto

Swimming Carnival First Day of School

Our Senate (Student Leadership Team) created a variety of chalk messages on the entry main path, providing a stunning entrance for the first day. It was a fabulous welcome for all our students, in particular the Year 7s and new students across Years 8-12 who have joined us in 2023. They were also warmly welcomed in person by our Senate on the morning of 2 February, 2023, who played popular music on the loud speaker providing a very fun and engaging atmosphere to the morning. Our Year 7s were also surprised to find welcoming post-it notes on their lockers with some words of encouragement.

The 2023 Swimming Carnival, as always, was a highlyspirited occasion. The Houses battled competitively throughout the day in the assortment of swimming events and fun novelty events. Mornane was crowned the overall House Champion and the coveted Year 12 synchronised swimming prize was as fierce as ever, with Barry taking out this year’s win along with the Spirit Stick for their cheer and good spirits throughout the day.

Athletics Carnival

It was a clean sweep for Ward at our 2023 Athletics Carnival, winning the day plus the Tug of War and the Spirit Stick! Despite the rain, it was a great day joining in on the fun of the Athletics Carnival from the traditional events to the novelty events. A fantastic day all round with phenomenal participation by all students and many athletics records broken considering the less-than-ideal conditions. Congratulations to all!

Kaboom Percussion

Our Year 7, 8 and 9 students were treated to an amazing performance and Co-Curricular workshops by Kaboom Percussion. The percussion show featured newly-built and never-before-seen instruments such as a tin can cimbalom, one-ofa-kind angled marimbas and portable recycled drum kits. Students were captivated by how even the simplest of objects, such as a chair, could be used to make amazing music. This performance was originally booked for 2020, so it was fantastic to finally be able to welcome the performers to our wonderful state-of-the-art Abbey Theatre.

Ruchi Page Visit

On Tuesday 7 March, our VCE Vocational Major students were treated to a talk from past pupil, Ruchi Page (Class of 2012), a digital creator, advocate for inclusive beauty and body positive activist, who spoke about finding your own path and not listening to negative narrative by others and more importantly, from your inner self. Ruchi encouraged students to find their passion in life and work towards achieving goals with that passion. Our VM space once again became a hub for inspired learning and a delicious spread created by the students and staff to be enjoyed by all.

This talk from Ruchi Page follows an inspiring feature on ‘Women in Business’ highlighting Loreto’s commitment to educating future business leaders, visit: https://timesnewsgroup.com.au

Loreto was well represented at various ceremonies on ANZAC Day, and as we gathered again for the beginning of Term 2 on 26 April, our College Community paused to reflect once again on those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country to preserve our way of life, with a morning ANZAC service. Lest We Forget.

Students in Action

Next Gen 2023

Loreto College Arts students excel in Visual Arts at

2022 Loreto Visual Art students exhibited their artworks in the Next Gen Art Exhibition featured at the Ballarat Art Gallery from 18 February to 16 April.

Next Gen 2023 showcased the work of students from Government, Catholic and Independent schools in Ballarat and its broader region who have just completed VCE studies in Art, Studio Arts, Design and Technology, Visual Communication and Design and Media.

The Arts Faculty congratulates the following students for their dynamic and stunning artworks created during Year 12, 2022:

Mob Janson – Screams of those whom cannot run; will you be okay with this Lexi Ryan – A Nation’s Inspiration

Hailey Harman – Freedom

Phoebe McCallum – Ceramics

Angel Harris – Cleithrophobia (Winner of the People’s Choice Award)

“When I entered Loreto in 2017 there was no doubt in my mind that art was what I was most passionate about. The school accommodated with their unending support and a wide variety of tools from a dark room for photography to every colour of oil paint imaginable. In 2022, Ms Davison created a classroom environment built on self-expression, exploration and even ‘love and thunder’.” by Mob Janson

Next Gen.”

Pictured left: Mob’s artwork - Screams of those whom

Students in Action

Community Engagement

Our VCE VM students participated in a Community Engagement Day, completing projects aimed at helping local community groups. These included finishing off the Little Flower Pizza Oven so that it can used as a Loreto College community space; cooking food for the Exodus Drop-in Club (disadvantaged families/people living in the Wendouree community) for which they have already made over 200 quiches and veggie slices this year; painting two tiny houses at the Platinum Institute, which was donated to Grampians Health and auctioned for charity. The students were also involved in working in the community garden for the Food is Free group.

It was fabulous to see our Little Flower Pizza Oven finally complete. A big thank you to Ms Helena Spencer for coming out of retirement to help students complete the project. We can’t wait to create delicious pizzas for all to enjoy soon!

Lions Youth of the Year Competition

Congratulations to Lucy Eales who was awarded Best Speaker and Overall Winner at the Buninyong Club’s Lions Youth of the Year competition held in February and was then awarded Best Speaker at the Regional Final held in March.

She completed an extensive application form, an hour-long interview, two 2-minute speeches and a prepared 5-minute speech.

Lucy found some kindred spirits in the fellow competitors. Like minded, high achieving and incredibly involved young people.

Loreto College Sporting Champions

Congratulations to the following talented sporting champions for their outstanding efforts:

• Grace Crowe (Year 9) won gold at the Victorian Track and Field Championships in the U16 100m and 200m. She also competed in the Australian Junior Athletics Championships and placed seventh in the U16 Womens 100m.

• Summer Jenkins (Year 9) won a silver medal in the pole vault at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships and Kiana Jenkins (Year 8) came fifth in pole vault.

• Eleanor Downey (Year 7) won gold & four silver medals at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships.

• Charlotte Prendagast (Year 10) came runner-up in the Senior Henderson Tennis Shield Singles Championships.

• Jemma Amoore (Year 12) has competed in the 2023 Australian Junior Basketball Championships playing for the Victorian Under 20 State development team. An extremely talented athlete, Jemma has been representing Victoria at an elite level for many years.

Jemma’s sister, past pupil Georgia Amoore (Class of 2019), is currently playing college basketball in America for Virginia Tech Women’s Basketball. Georgia is having an incredible season with the Hokies, achieving many college and National basketball records.

• Maya Simanjuntak (Year 7) won gold for Level Nine Uneven Bars at the Senior Victorian Gymnastics Championships held in March.

• Leni Howlett (Year 7) won the Junior Section of the Alana Haines Australasian Awards 2023 (Ballet)

• Lilli Aggett (Year 10) won third place in U16 Calisthenics Victoria State Championships

• Allira Kennedy (Year 12) won second place at the Victorian State Championships for Calisthenics

• Maddy Pierce (Year 11) was recently a finalist at the Australian Age Swimming Championships in the Girls U16 50m Breaststroke, Medley and Freestyle Relays.

Students in Action

Words by Amy Foley – Junior & Support Rowing Coordinator

Rowing Action in 2023

This term at Loreto Rowing we have seen all of our crews have a fantastic racing season. Our squads have been training since Term 3 in 2022, where they have been putting in solid work each training session with the aim of building their fitness levels, ultimately aiming to set them up for a strong and competitive Term 1 of racing.

Since January we have had our Squads (Juniors, Intermediates & Seniors) competing over 9 Regattas, where we saw them all being put to the test for this racing season.

Main regattas and results:

HOTL:

Juniors – Division 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 all achieving first place, and Division 4 achieving second place.

Intermediates – Division 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 achieving first place.

Seniors – Division 4, 5 & 6 achieving first place, Division 1 achieving second place, Division 2 & 3 achieving third place.

Single & Double Sculls achieving first place. A fabulous result for Loreto College winning a total of 15/19 Races

Junior States:

Juniors – Division 1, 2 & 3 achieved second in A Final, Division 4 achieved first in C Final, Division 5 achieved first in the B Final, Division 6 achieved fourth in the A Final.

Intermediates – Division 1 achieved second in A Final, Division 2 & 3 achieved first in the B Final, Division 4 achieved first in the C Final, Division 5 achieved third in the A Final

Senior States:

Open Division 1 achieved sixth in the A Final, Open Division 2 achieved fourth in the A Final, Open Division 3 achieved first in the A Final, Open Division 4 achieved second in the A Final, Open Division 5 achieved first in the A Final, Open Division 6 achieved third in the Open Division 5 A Final.

Double Scull achieved seventh in the B Final, Single Scull eighth in the B Final.

We have been so impressed and blown away this season with all of our rower’s, coxswain’s and coach’s hard work, dedication and commitment to this 2022/23 season.”

HOSG:

Juniors – Division 1 achieved fourth in the A Final, Division 2 achieved third in the C Final, Division 3 achieved third in the B Final, Division 4 achieved second in the B Final, Division 5 achieved first in the D Final, Division 6 achieved fourth in the B Final.

Intermediates – Division 1 & 2 achieved second in the A Final, Division 3 achieved first in the B Final, Division 4 achieved third in the B Final, Division 5 achieved fourth in the A Final.

Seniors – Division 1, 2 & 4 achieved third in the A Final, Division 3 achieved fourth in the A Final, Division 5 achieved first in the A Final, Division 6 achieved fourth in the Division 5 A Final.

Our Intermediate Division 1 & 2 crews have been the first Intermediate Crews to ever medal in the Quad events for Loreto College.

Australian Rowing National Championships in Perth

Our Intermediate Division 1, Intermediate Division 2, Open Division 1 & Open Division 2 all competed at the event held in March 2023.

Our Intermediates came away with third, crowning them as the third best in Australia in the U17 School Girl Coxed 8! This crew was made up of our Intermediate Division 1 and 2 crews. As more icing on the cake, they are the first Loreto College Ballarat Intermediate crew to medal at Nationals and were also the only Victorian crew in the final!

Our Seniors were also impressive with our Open Division 1 rowers taking home fourth place to a strongly Ballaratrepresented field for the Schoolgirl’s Coxed 4 and our Open Division 2 placed 12th in Australia in the same event. Our Open Divison 1 and 2 crews also combined for the U19 Coxed 8 and placed 11th in Australia!

We have seen some great results throughout the season but most importantly we have seen our squads

grow, learn, develop and learn to love the sport of rowing. We have been very lucky and blessed to have so many volunteer coaches who dedicate their time to teaching students everything they know about rowing, with 95% of our coaching staff being previous rowing alumni who have been in the program recently themselves.

This season has been filled with many new challenges and changes. With our new Rowing Coordinator, Craig Smith joining us this season. Craig has brought some great new ideas and has been working closely with our senior squad. We have seen him challenge them all but most importantly we have seen them rise to the occasion.

This season also had the largest amount of Year 12 rowers we have ever seen in the program, which sadly means we will be farewelling 18 Year 12 rowers in 2023. We have been so impressed and blown away this season with all of our rower’s, coxswain’s and coach’s hard work, dedication and commitment to this 2022/23 season.

Mary Ward Connect

Words by Emma Kilpatrick

Established in 2009, the Mary Ward Connect Program is intended to develop further connectedness between the Loreto schools in Australia. The annual three-day program sees each school welcome visitors from two Loreto schools. This year Loreto College Ballarat was paired with Loreto Coorparoo and Loreto Normanhurst. 16 students from Loreto Ballarat were selected to visit Coorparoo and Normanhurst, and another 16 students assisted in our buddy program held here in Ballarat for the respective Colleges.

The overarching intention of the program is to provide visiting staff and students the chance to gain a firsthand insight into life at the College, and the opportunity to experience some of what Ballarat has to offer. The program offers students the chance to share in the kindred spirit of Mary Ward and the legacy she has left for us all. After several years of the program being unable to run to its full capacity due to COVID, it was wonderful to see our students wholly engage in the activities offered through the week.

This year the program centred around the planning for the 150-year celebrations of Loreto in Australia, which will coincide with our Year 10 cohort’s graduating Year 12 in 2025. In preparation for this, students participated in a range of year-level challenges, the creation of a 150-year visual timeline of Loreto schools, and creating design ideas for the mannequins that will be created to

commemorate each school and their unique history. Furthermore, our Year 10s engaged in tours of the College, an online session with the other Loreto schools, an excursion to Sovereign Hill and a Moonlight Cinema held in our beautiful Antoinette Hayden Library. Each of these activities were ably supported by our Ballarat buddies.

One of the most encouraging outcomes of the week was the connections developed between our students and the friendships we hope will continue over the years. An email from staff member Ms Tammy Vandenberg enroute to Coorpooroo summed up how strong the Loreto connection can be:

‘The girls are so sweet, it’s like a family reunion! We even bumped into Loreto Mandeville at the airport on their way to Adelaide for MWC. The Mandeville girls literally ran to our girls with excitement… they don’t even know each other but are united by Mary Ward. It made my heart melt.’

The program offers students the chance to share in the kindred spirit of Mary Ward and the legacy she has left for us all.”

Pictured from top left: students at Loreto Normanhurst, Ballarat students outside Brisbane airport, Ballarat and Coorpooroo students in Coorpooroo, Centre: Loreto Ballarat, Coorpooroo and Normanhurst students gather with the Mary Ward statue at Ballarat, Mandeville and Ballarat students meet at Melbourne airport, Ballarat and Coorpooroo students gather with the Mary Ward statue at Coorpooroo.

Words by Bethany Ryan – Year 10

I was very fortunate and privileged to be selected as one of only eight students from Loreto College Ballarat who got the opportunity to travel to Loreto Normanhurst Sydney during March, 2023.

Once we arrived in Sydney, we met our host buddy students and had dinner as a group. We were also given a tour of the Loreto Normanhurst Campus. Over the next few days we participated in regular classes with our buddies and learned about Loreto Normanhurst school life. We broke into Year 10 House groups to listen to a live Zoom presentation, which included all National Loreto Year 10 students including Ballarat, Coorparoo, Kirribilli, Marryatville, Normanhurst and Toorak – and heard some inspiring words from Sr Sandra Perrett ibvm. We then began planning for the 150-year celebrations of Loreto in 2025, when all the current Year 10s will be in Year

12 and graduating. We also had the opportunity to show a video that we created for the Coorparoo and Normanhurst girls, which included a tour, interviews and a glimpse of life at Loreto College Ballarat.

We enjoyed a bush walk, visited the Loreto Normanhurst Cemetery and met the Year 10 boarders for a pizza dinner night. It became a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and make friendships. We also played a game of Benchball together which was a very engaging, inclusive and fun game for everyone.

On Thursday we were lucky to visit the Primary School within Loreto Normanhurst and assisted the Year 5 and 6 students with their schoolwork. This was a unique experience, as we do not have primary students at Loreto College Ballarat.

We were then were able to explore the city, catching a ferry. We saw the amazing Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, ventured to The Rocks,

took some time to shop and then had dinner together. We managed to get a group photo of all the Loreto students that were in Sydney.

Friday quickly came around and it was time to travel back to Ballarat. We attended Chapel in the morning, which is where we were presented with candles, and spent the last hours with our Normanhurst buddies. We then traveled to the airport and said goodbye to our Coorperoo friends we had met on our journey.

I gained a great deal from this experience, including the gathering of many ideas that can be incorporated into Loreto life in Ballarat. I built and made many new connections with the girls from both Coorperoo and the Sydney buddies, as well as the Year 10 day students and boarders. This was an experience I will never forget and I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to attend this program and build my understanding of Mary Ward and Loreto Schools.

Above: students gather with the Mary Ward statue at Loreto Normanhurst.

Rise Up

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Your faith in a Loreto education will help students rise up!

Mother Gonzaga Barry and the Loreto Sisters came to Ballarat in 1875 with the courageous mission to establish a Loreto education for Australian students. Almost 150 years later, we find ourselves in a similar exciting period of growth, change and challenge.

Our school and our students have risen to challenges, particularly in recent years, with faith, courage and strength. For our Annual Giving we invite you to help us celebrate and grow by making a Loreto education accessible for more regional students, through our Rise Up Scholarship Fund.

Our Rise Up Scholarship Fund aims to raise $500,000 by 2025 that will become a managed investment fund to ensure an ongoing 50% remission scholarship for two or more students every year (for the duration of their education from Year 7 – Year 12). The Rise Up Scholarship Fund will ensure that Loreto College Ballarat remains accessible to students who may not be able to afford to attend the school, and help towards ensuring a diverse community into the future.

You can help young people to continue Mary Ward and Mother Gonzaga Barry’s mission and become ‘seekers of truth and doers of justice’ by giving students the platform they need to rise up!

We need your help to reach our $500,000 target by 2025.

Mary Ward and Mother Gonzaga Barry had a mission: to educate girls, whatever their circumstances. Over the past four centuries, the Loreto Sisters have supported that mission, as we at Loreto College Ballarat have also done for almost 150 years.

For our 2023 Annual Giving we invite you to help us fulfil this mission and establish new opportunities for regional students. Every gift, regardless of size, is important to our College and sends a powerful message that our community believes in Loreto and its educational vision.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND DONATION

Donate today (tax deductible) either online at www.events.loreto.vic.edu.au/riseupscholarship OR via cheque, direct deposit or credit card by calling 03 5329 6100 or email development@loreto.vic.edu.au

“Watch me as I go, there’s no stopping me...”

2023 Women in Time – Inspiring Alumni

Words by Jayde Harrington

“Women in time will come to do much,” is one of the most wellknown Mary Ward quotes. This quote was truly visionary and is still a quote used to inspire students today. However, what about those during this time who have gone on to ‘do much’? Enter the Women in Time – Inspiring Alumni initiative where for the third year, we seek to celebrate the breadth of service, talent and achievements of over 148 years of graduates at Loreto College Ballarat.

This year, we had the honour of building on this initiative, inducting the following three incredible women at our International Women’s Day Breakfast in March:

Sr Trish Franklin ibvm AO

(Class of 1968) – Religious and Social Justice Leadership

Michelle Payne OAM

(Class of 2003) – Sporting Excellence, Gender Equity & Inclusion

Olivia Sellers

(Class of 2015) – Young Achiever and Entrepreneur

As an extraordinary Loreto College graduate and also a passionate Mulhallian, our first inductee was Sr Trish Franklin ibvm AO who has forged a lasting legacy. Following her time at Mary’s Mount, Sr Trish had her eyes on a career in education with a particular passion for supporting children with

special needs. After working at what is now the Ballarat Specialist School, Sr Trish also decided to become a Loreto Sister. This took Sr Trish on a journey she would never forget. What initially began as volunteering at refugee camps along the Thai-Cambodian border, lead to a lifetime of dedication to supporting the poor, disabled and disadvantaged. While along the Thai-Cambodian border, Sr Trish radiated hope and supported many refugees who had suffered during the Khmer Rouge regime. Following this, Sr Trish found herself in Vietnam. It was here where she founded the Loreto Vietnam Australia Program (LVAP), helping over 90,000 poor, disadvantaged and special-needs children develop a love of learning and gain an education. Her courageous work with LVAP implemented programs across eight remote provinces where no other charities were operating, and saw her receive the Friendship Medal: the highest recognition that a foreigner can receive from the Vietnamese Government. At the Breakfast, Sr Trish reflected on some of the stories that have stuck with her over the years, the long-lasting positive impact she has seen her work and the work of the LVAP achieve.

Inducted into the category of Religious and Social Justice Leadership, Sr Trish is one of our school’s most inspirational role models, always giving her time willingly to students, alumni and the wider Loreto community, while also sharing her story and passion for helping those less fortunate.

In 2023 we once again celebrate three truly inspiring women at our annual Women’s Day Breakfast.”

Left: the 2023 inductees Olivia Sellers, Michelle Payne and Sr Trish Franklin at the Loreto College International Women’s Day Breakfast (together with Loreto College Ballarat Principal, Michelle Brodrick). Top image by Lachlan Bence from The Ballarat Courier.

After sharing her incredible story, a humble Sr Trish took the opportunity to lift up those around her, referencing the impact Mary Ward has on us all. Reflecting that ‘it was as if she catapulted all women to make changes in our world’ Sister Trish said. ‘We have done this, we are doing this and we will continue to do much.’

Our second inductee, Michelle Payne OAM is one woman who famously impacted society in the area of Sporting Excellence, Gender Equity & Inclusion. Michelle became a national icon when she captured the hearts of the Nation after winning the 2015 Melbourne Cup on the 100 to 1 priced Prince of Penzance. What followed was one of the most emotional moments in Australian sport where Michelle was greeted post-race by younger brother and strapper Stevie followed by her iconic ‘get stuffed’ line, targeted towards the doubters of womens’ rightful place in sport. Being the first and only female to have won the event,

Michelle’s triumph catapulted her into stardom where she is now a highly successful trainer, jockey and author. Prior to her successful racing career, Michelle joined us at Loreto College in 1998. From there, a balancing act between schooling and following her passion ensued. An example of this was shared with the Breakfast audience when a suspicious Mr Morris was concerned that Michelle had to go to the toilet so often. One day, Mr Morris caught Michelle listening to the transistor radio at her locker on one of her toilet breaks, listening to a race one her of brothers was racing in. A negotiation followed that was mutually beneficial for both Michelle and Mr Morris where Michelle would provide race recommendations and in return, Mr Morris would let Michelle use ‘the toilet’ whenever she liked.

Michelle shared that her time at the College confirmed her belief that women were capable of whatever they set their minds to, supported by

role models in the likes of her strong network of Loreto friends, Mr Roger Morris and Ms Kelli Baird. By Year 9, Michelle was ready to take up a jockey apprenticeship and focus on her achieving dreams.

Since her momentous win, Michelle was awarded the highly-coveted Don Prize in 2016 for Most Inspirational Australian Athlete at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Awards. That same year she also released her first book, ‘Life As I Know It’ which was in the Top 10 best sellers for the first six months. In 2019, her story was translated to the big screen for a major motion picture ‘Ride Like A Girl’ which was the highest-grossing Australian film that year and in 2021 was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to horse racing.

Following a challenging and decorated career as a jockey and sportswoman, Michelle has since become a successful dual jockey/

trainer, establishing her own thriving racing stables and operating at the highest levels in the equestrian world.

Michelle Payne will forever be written into history books as that rare kind of icon – one who lives with gratitude and humility, and who inspires genuine equality. Her enduring love and support of her family and friends, especially her brother Stevie, has organically inspired one of the greatest stories of equality and inclusion in our time.

At our Breakfast, our final inductee for 2023 saw Olivia Sellers encourage students to ‘find your passion, run with it and fight for it’. Olivia’s passion stems from her courage as a young student to volunteer backstage for a Loreto Arts Festival in the old hall. This was a defining moment in her journey, spending her years at Loreto College assisting backstage wherever she could. Olivia’s dream was enhanced by Ms Stephanie Greet, who could see Olivia’s potential. By the end of her time at the College, Olivia had a clear dream to pursue the highly-competitive field of stage management.

Since Loreto College, Olivia has continued to make the most of every opportunity available to her. Within three years, Olivia graduated from the Western Australian Academic for Performing Arts (WAAPA) and was thrown into the world of forging a career in the Arts as the world began to tackle COVID-19. This didn’t hinder Olivia’s determination to rise to the top of the Australian Arts industry. Her talent, skills, passion, persistence and entrepreneurial spirit, has seen Olivia go from strength to strength where she has secured the coveted role of Deputy Stage Manager for Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House.

Olivia has been determined to prove herself in this career, making her an inspiring inductee into the Young Alumni and Entrepreneur category. Olivia acknowledged the challenges in progressing in the industry at a young age but also appreciated her growth personally during these challenging times. We look forward to seeing what’s next for Olivia as she hopes to travel the world and work in theatre globally.

We also had the opportunity to recognise a senior student as part of the Women in Time celebrations with Georgia Halstead receiving the 2023 Women in Time – Student Award. Georgia is a current Year 11 student who has continued to be engaged at a high level across all aspects of College life. In both House and Year Level Committees in 2022, Georgia showed highly-developed leadership skills with her contributions being active and coherent.

Her resilience and capacity to thrive even in the face of adversity were also proven as she demonstrated her strength in Term 4 after the events of the bus accident, and her continued dedication to displaying leadership in her year level and House.

Georgia’s enthusiasm, commitment, and both leadership and teamwork skills are unmatched. Paired with her high academic achievement and consistent work ethic, this student has continually proven herself to be a dynamic young person with an extremely bright future.

Above: Principal, Michelle Brodrick, with Inaugural Inductees, Ebony Monson and Jane Hill with award-winning student, Georgia Halstead, at the breakfast event.

The Women in Time – Inspiring Alumni initiative doesn’t stop here though. In order to continue inspiring our students in generations to come, please make sure to nominate someone who deserves to be formally recognised for their outstanding achievement and contributions to society. Nominations are open in the categories of Arts and Cultural Excellence, Sporting Excellence, Community Service Leadership, Religious and Social Justice Leadership, STEAM & Innovation Excellence, Young Achiever & Entrepreneur and the Verity Award.

Nominate someone you know for future consideration.

Please visit pastpupils.loreto.vic.edu.au for more information on the 2024 Women in Time – Inspiring Alumni process.

Generations of Inspiration

Mary Halstead, Georgia Halstead’s mum, thought it was only fitting that Georgia’s grandmother be with her on the day she received her Women in Time Student Award, so she tucked the framed picture into her bag for the Breakfast event. ‘I must admit I was overwhelmed when I received the call that Georgia was to receive this special award, and that those exact words chosen were engraved onto the picture is just incredible!’ Mary said.

The photo pictured above is of Patricia Carmel Troy, Georgia Halstead’s grandmother, dressed in her full Loreto College uniform at Manderville Hall, Toorak. She was approximately 14–16 years old (Circa 1944-46).

Mary explained ‘My mum gave this picture of herself with Mary Ward’s words on the plaque to Grace and Georgia (Mary’s daughters) the year they started at Loreto in 2019. Mum died in July of that year, and we all miss her, she loved Loreto and ‘Did Much’ with her life to honour her school and education.’

Patricia married a Ballarat boy (William, Bill Hart) in 1956 at St Mary’s in Melbourne. Mary being the youngest of the five children that her mum raised on her own after her dad passed away of an epileptic seizure at just 33 years old.

The Loreto Ballarat Nuns, namely Sr Antoinette Hayden, reached out to Patricia and offered to educate all five children. Mary’s brothers Michael and Philip both attended kindergarten with Mother Brendan and the sisters Kate, Anne and Mary all thrived at ‘Mary’s Mount’ for 13 years respectively.

‘We have never taken the generous gift of our Loreto days lightly!’ Mary reflected, ‘Like Mary Ward, mum was extremely ahead of her time and many things she talked about came to fruition during her lifetime and beyond.’

Georgia Halstead was awarded the 2023 Women in Time Student Award, presented annually to a senior student who demonstrates the qualities and potential to personify Mary Ward’s vision, to encourage them to continue their path. She is a third generation Loreto College student who is certain to ‘Do Much’.

Words by Narelle Mulrooney

Matilda is making a real difference in the local and global community, showing us that there are innovative ways to have a positive impact in the world.”

The Little Issue

Words by Narelle Mulrooney

If there is one student who epitomises the values of Loreto College it is Matilda Goodbourn, a Year 7 student, who was recently selected as the Fred Hollows Humanity Junior Ambassador for Victoria during late 2022 for her work as the editor of ‘The Little Issue’, a children’s magazine that focuses on social justice and environmental issues.

Matilda began ‘The Little Issue’ at the age of eight after seeing ‘The Big Issue’, a magazine targeted to adults - an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and creating work opportunities for people experiencing homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage. She immediately saw there was an opportunity to create a similar magazine targeted to kids

‘I saw a vendor selling “The Big Issue”, a magazine that supports homeless and disadvantaged people. I love reading, so I asked Mum if I could buy one. She explained “The Big Issue” was for adults and I thought that there should be one for kids too’ she explained ‘Kids should know about the issues facing our community too.’

Matilda immediately went to work, travelling to Melbourne to interview the editor of ‘The Big Issue’, Amy Hetherington, who showed her how to create a storyboard, explained sound bites and helped plan the magazine. Matilda then set about interviewing a variety of people, creating content for her magazine, overcoming the hurdles and challenges that come with creating a publication.

‘Once we had everything we wanted in the first edition, it was time to lay it out like a magazine. It took help from teachers and family to get it right. One teacher put in a lot of time to help finish the first edition.’

Matilda has since created four more editions of the magazine, selling them at school assemblies, at the school office and cafes around Ballarat. All the proceeds from ‘The Little Issue’ go towards the Soup Bus in Ballarat, which supports those in our community who are homeless or less fortunate. The Soup Bus provides meals, haircuts, blankets, school supplies and more.

As the winner of the Fred Hollows Humanity – Junior Ambassador Award for Victoria, Matilda was awarded $5000 to donate to any part of the foundation. Matilda chose to give the money to The Fred Hollows Foundation’s work in Vietnam as she felt a connection with this charity. Her grandmother worked as a nurse in Vietnam and Matilda felt it was important to support a cause that was close to her heart.

In Vietnam, many people still don’t have access to basic eye care. While eye care in Vietnam has drastically improved over the past 25 years, in regional provinces many people live in relative poverty and don’t have access to basic eye care. Without outreach programs like the ones provided by The Fred Hollows Foundation, many families are not able to financially aid treatment for their loved ones. For more information on the Fred Hollows Foundation visit: www.hollows.org/au/home

Matilda has settled well into Loreto College life, signing up for everything she can. She has joined the Loreto Lark team – a student-run publication focusing on the students at Loreto College. ‘I’ve loved meeting the people I interview” she said, “I enjoy the whole process of publishing –interviewing, writing the stories and seeing it all come together’. While Matilda is not quite sure if publishing and editing is a career goal just yet, it is certainly high on the list.

Matilda is making a real difference in the local and global community, showing us that there are innovative ways to have a positive impact in the world. Keep an eye out for the next edition of ‘The Little Issue’, due for release soon.

Walking Alongside First Nations Women

Words by Kirstin Del Beato – MWIA Projects & Partnerships Manager

In Australia, MWIA partners with organisations that work together with women towards financial independence and sustainable economies.

The following are two stories of female empowerment, supported by MWIA partners Enterprise Partnerships WA and CatholicCare Wilcannia Forbes.

PIRIWA OP SHOP AND ENTERPRISE HUB

Piriwa is a female-led community organisation in Balgo (Wirrimanu), one of Australia’s most remote First Nations communities. Young women in Balgo face overwhelming social and environmental barriers to education, training, and employment, and most available opportunities do not meet the needs of First Nations women. Piriwa aims to overcome these barriers and improve the well-being of local women by engaging them in culturally-based enterprise development while nurturing connection to country.

Monica Njamme is one of four local women leading Piriwa and is involved in the organisation’s op shop and enterprise hub, both located in the town centre. Profits from the op shop are used to fund on-country trips, during which women collect bush materials to make natural products like soaps, balms, and medicine. As tourism increases in Balgo, these bush products will be sold to visitors, enabling the women to gain financial independence and economic dignity while promoting their cultural identity and wellbeing.

It’s good we get to take young girls out from Balgo to collect bush tucker and learn from the elders and older people. I like to take the young girls out bush and show them bush plants for medicine and bush soaps for when you are cold or sick, then we collect the plants and can make them at Piriwa.”

Monica Njamme (right)

When leading bush trips, Monica sees first-hand how the experience impacts all who participate. Being on country together connects female elders with disenfranchised young women from Balgo, creating a secure space for them to learn from each other. The sharing of cultural knowledge and stories continues back at the enterprise hub, where the women work together to create various bush products and place-based artwork.

Monica is optimistic about the organisation’s future. Its impact on the economic inclusion and empowerment of local women is apparent to all in Balgo, as is its positive contribution to First Nations health, and social and emotional well-being.

Monica is immensely proud that Piriwa is rapidly becoming a hub of work and activity, where First Nations women thrive and develop the skills required to sustain a business, explore meaningful employment opportunities, and are supported to launch their own enterprise initiatives – all while strengthening connection to culture and country.

WILCANNIA MARKETPLACE HAIR SALON

Emma*, a lifelong resident of Wilcannia in outback New South Wales, often experiences great difficulty accessing basic goods and services due to the lack of public transport between her hometown and the larger regional centre of Broken Hill, over 200 kilometres away. When Emma’s friends told her that a hair salon named ‘Cooee for Cuts’ had just opened in town, she was excited to learn more. Along with her friends, Emma got a new haircut while chatting with hairdresser Juliann and other customers, all of whom were thrilled to finally have a hair salon in town.

The hair salon is part of the larger Wilcannia Marketplace, a social enterprise hub designed to create employment opportunities and fill service gaps within the local community. The hub also includes the town’s only coffee shop and will soon open a recycled-fashion boutique.

The salon is open three days per month and is regularly booked out. Consequently, Juliann needed a trainee assistant, and Emma, with her natural ability to connect to people, was a perfect fit. Employment opportunities like this are uncommon in Wilcannia; many must leave town to find work. This is particularly difficult for the large First Nations community of Wilcannia, many of whom feel a deep connection to country.

For Emma, meaningful economic participation will enable her to be independent and make decisions about her life and circumstances, which many women never experience. Through her new position at the salon, she will also serve as a positive role model to other First Nations women living in Wilcannia.

The hair salon has transformed the community, lifted spirits and created a sense of well-being. As the business continues to grow, it is hoped that more employment opportunities will become available to women like Emma.

* Name changed

Our Loreto Experts

CAROLYN BENNETT

How long have you been working at Loreto College?

11 years altogether (with a small gap in the middle!)

What is your role and what does it involve?

I teach singing one day per week as part of the Co-Curricular Instrumental Program, plus I work as the Performing Arts Officer for 3 days per week covering Sam Marks while she is on maternity leave. My role includes a huge variety of things, such as helping to facilitate all of the wonderful things that happen in the Performing Arts department, in particulater the Mary’s Mount Centre. I also manage the external MMC hire, timetabling and payroll for the Instrumental Music tutors and I help organise new programs and implement ideas for the centre. I also have been known to coordinate the occasional reorganisation of a cupboard or two!

Tell us something about your job role that others may not know?

One of the fun things I’ve learned in this job is how to (very basically) operate the sound and lighting desk in the Abbey Theatre Bio Box, working the sound and lights for shows on stage.

The other great thing about this job is the variety of tasks that change on a daily basis. There is always something new going on, so the time always passes quickly.

Describe yourself in five words?

Organised, friendly, calm, happy and busy.

Tell us something about yourself that others may not know?

Almost 10 years ago (March), I had emergency open heart surgery. It was a complete surprise, I didn’t know that anything was even wrong. It definitely taught me to appreciate the fragility of life and enjoy the little moments. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I have two daughters, Lara and Emma, who keep me pretty busy when I’m not working. We love music, bush walking, adventures, and time at the beach. I also love reading and pottering around in my garden.

What are some of your favourite memories or highlights of working at Loreto College so far?

I’ve had the privilege of teaching some really sensational VCE singers over the years at Loreto College, all that I’ve been incredibly proud of. I have loved this last year, experiencing a different side of the music and Performing Arts department from an organisational point of view.

Last year, I thought the Art Exhibition opening of Love and Thunder was an incredible display of talent.

I’ve had the privilege of teaching some really sensational VCE singers over the years at Loreto College, all that I’ve been incredibly proud of.”

KELLY PEARCE

How long have you been working at Loreto College?

I began my teaching career at Loreto College in 2012 until December, 2017 to move to Queensland. I have just rejoined the College in 2023. So that would make it 6 to 7 years altogether.

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am a part of the Wellbeing Team as a Year 8 Coordinator. This role involves overseeing the wellbeing and academic workload of our Year 8 students, encouraging school connectedness and enhancing our young people’s sense of belonging to Loreto College and their individual homerooms. Within this role, I hope to strengthen student voice by providing opportunities to voice ideas, concerns and facilitate student agency by teaching our young people the tools they need to become future leaders and be in charge of their own learning journeys. As one of our founding Loreto Sisters said, ‘Leave behind yourself something upon which others can build’ Mother Gonzaga Barry.

Tell us something about your job role that others may not know?

My role is to help make everyone’s day a little bit happier! Come see me for your daily dose of cringy math jokes and a Freddo Frog!

Describe yourself in five words?

Full of life - zesty, love life and love learning

Tell us something about yourself that others may not know?

I recently won three awards in the teaching industry, which are due to my contribution in Positive Education:

• 2019: Australia’s Top 10 Most Influential Education Leaders.

• 2018: The 2018 Educator Hot List (Top 53 Educators in Australia).

• 2018: University of Melbourne –Student Spotlight.

My background in student wellbeing helped me to develop and implement a social-emotional-learning program called “Wonder Women”, which is an assets-based wellbeing program. The Wonder Women project has successful results including increased school engagement through enhanced selfefficacy beliefs, school connectedness and positive coping strategies.

Many moons ago, I was also Mrs Christina Sofis and Mr Luke Ellis’s student teacher! I learned a wealth of knowledge from both of these amazing educators.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

My family makes me whole. I spend as much time with my husband, our two daughters (Mia and Lily), as well as our new fur babies – two golden retrievers named Teddy and Bear.

I also love to play tennis and enjoy the great outdoors.

What are some of your favourite memories or highlights of working at Loreto College so far?

One of my favourite memories was in 2016 when Mr Roger Morris was informed he would be sharing an office with me (he hadn’t shared an office with anyone for 20+ years and is known to like his own space). I was nervous to break the news so Mr Doug Wilson gifted Roger a pair of ear muffs to block out my love of talking!

Another favourite memory was participating in the Loreto Pilgrimage to Europe in 2016 and more specifically, our visit to the Bar Convent in York. The Bar Convent has been a place of worship for the Loreto Sisters for over 400 years (1605). As women faced significant adversity accessing education during this time, the convent was designed to be ‘hidden’ in plain sight from the general public, but behind closed doors it was a beautiful place to worship. This memory reinforces the tremendous effort by Mary Ward and her Loreto Sisters to provide education and equality for women, even in the face of adversity.

Within this role, I hope to strengthen student voice ... by teaching our young people the tools they need to become future leaders and be in charge of their own learning journeys.”

From the Archives

Words by Sarah Kelly

The Loreto College Ballarat Archives is a home for our wonderful historical artefacts and records. We focus on the history of the College and our students, past and present. Here at the Archives, we look after hundreds of objects and thousands of records. Our historical collection dates to the earliest days of the College and it’s opening, which means that it carries a Victorian colonial context with it.

Colonialism and Society

The Australian Indigenous collection is what is currently on our radar in terms of cultural ethics. For many years this collection was on display as part of what we call the Corridor Museum. Originally, it was a set of display cabinets, filled with interesting things from around the world.

The Loreto Sisters were keen on sending interesting artefacts to each other all over the globe, as it was a way for them to stay connected despite being oceans apart. The Loreto Sisters in Ballarat used these items as teaching aids to assist with classes like geography and natural sciences. The Loreto Order was progressive for

its time, but they were still a part of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which means that the precedence of colonisation was already a part of their society.

The Original Story

The historical story of the Indigenous collection was thought to be sound in terms of provenance, until very recently. The wonderful Province Archivist, Robin, had been sleuthing away quietly the last few years. Originally, it was thought that the artefacts were given as a gift to the Sisters during Mother Gonzaga Barry’s Jubilee in 1903. Mother Francis Tobin (Mother Gonzaga Barry, Her Life and Letters, 1923) wrote that the

Above: Loreto College Dhurrung students and archivist, Sarah Kelly, join a critical thinking session in the Archives Centre to network ideas on the future of the mysterious artefacts.

‘Aborigines from the Lake Condah mission came and gave a display of throwing boomerangs, spears etc. and dancing’. She wrote that ‘valuable specimens of boomerang, nullah and spear were presented to Mother General’. M. Francis Tobin noted that the Mother General also took photos of the dancers with her own camera. These photos, however, have never been found.

While not having photos from 1903 might make sense, the Sisters were quite studious with their photograph collections, as it was an expensive undertaking and the Sisters kept record of a lot of their photos. The point where even now, we know who is in most photographs, when it was taken and where it was up until photography became more common in the 1950s.

M. Francis Tobin’s account of M.

Gonzaga Barry’s Jubilee was written 20 years after the event happened, and M. Gonzaga Barry had passed away back in 1915, eight years prior. The account of this event can only be taken at face value, given the gap in time.

Worth noting is the fact that M. Francis Tobin’s account of the artefacts given doesn’t necessarily line up with the items in the collection. While there are a number of boomerangs, the account only describes one. There are no spears or nullah nullahs in the collection either. With nearly a dozen objects in the collection, the numbers don’t add up.

Mother Michael Corcoran was the Superior General of IBVM at the time. M. Michael Corcoran travelled through Australia and India between 1902 and 1908. She took numerous photos and was quite the letter writer. A letter from M. Michael Corcoran, dated to the day before the Jubilee, said that she hoped to be ‘visited by two Aborigines on the following day’. The Generalate Archives holds glass plates of M. Michael Corcoran’s photographs but there are none of the Indigenous people or the artefacts from the Jubilee celebration which means we cannot visually verify where the artefacts have come from.

The other point to note is that even if a few of the items are from this event and were a gift, there are multiple other artefacts that have been accumulated since or even before 1903 that are unaccounted for.

Given the gaps in provenance, Robin and myself have sought to have the artefacts identified. Gunditjmara representatives have noted that a few items may be from Portland, although they could not identify them. The team at Museum Victoria Discovery Centre have suggested that the coolamon may be from Central or Western Australia.

Moving Forward

So now we are putting the future research of these items into the hands of our wonderful Dhurrung students. They came for a critical thinking session over the future of the Indigenous collection and the possible outcomes of what cultural identification of the artefacts might produce. They have had some amazing ideas and are working on networking with other groups to see what can be done. With some guidance from the Archives Centre, the students are now taking the lead on moving forward and are heading the efforts to get the collection accurately identified.

Above left: the Sisters at ‘Govie’ (Government Paddock where, weather permitting a picnic lunch of billy tea and toasted jam sandwiches was taken every Saturday afternoon) Portland. Above: the artefacts.

the students are now taking the lead on moving forward and are heading the efforts to get the collection accurately identified.”

Loreto Weddings

Rose Murphy (Class of 2015) married Evan Green on Saturday 14 January 2023

Photography by Leonie Savige

Carli Lewicki (Class of 2013) married Peter O’Loughlan on Saturday 29 October 2022

Photography by Alexandra Bradley Photography

Sarah McKenzie (Class of 2006) married Matthew Bourke on Saturday 15 October 2022

Photography by One Point Photography

Loreto Weddings

Stephanie Kerwan (Class of 2011) married Thomas Germon on Saturday 7 January 2023

Photography by Sharna Sellars

Olivia Jones (Class of 2007) married Kirby Neville on Saturday 18 February 2023

Photography by Courtney - La Este Film

Sarah Hanley (Class of 2010) married Matthew Harrington on Saturday 25 February 2023

Photography by Dreamcave

Marriages

Sarah McKenzie (Class of 2006) married

Matthew Bourke on Saturday 15 October 2022

Carli Lewicki (Class of 2013) married

Peter O’Loughlan on Saturday 29 October 2022

Stephanie Kerwan (Class of 2011) married

Thomas Germon on Saturday 7 January 2023

Rose Murphy (Class of 2015) married

Evan Green on Saturday 14 January 2023

Olivia Jones (Class of 2007) married

Kirby Neville on Saturday 18 February 2023

Sarah Hanley (Class of 2010) married Matthew Harrington on Saturday 25 February 2023

Deaths

Sr Bernadette Ziesing (former principal 1981-89) passed away February, 2023

Mrs Helen Weir (former teacher and Head of Dawson St) passed away 19 February, 2023

Patricia Prendergast (nee O’Sullivan - Class of 1936) passed away on 8 January, 2023

Births

Kate (Class of 2013) & Emma Brierley welcomed Olive Audrey Brierley on 21 March 2023

Alumni Updates

Past Pupils’ Association

the students of 2022. I am very excited to announce that from this year forward, the LPPA have decided to also award the hard work of the Vocational Major (VM, formerly VCAL) Highest Achiever, with an equal amount of $500. We will also continue to support the Year 8 Performing Arts scholarships, which I look forward to presenting in the coming months.

In March, I, along with many other LPPA members, attended the Loreto International Women’s Day Breakfast. It was so wonderful to celebrate women, in a room of women. We heard from past pupils Sr Trish Franklin ibvm AO, Michelle Payne OAM and Olivia Sellers who were all worthy recipients of their awards. Their stories were all inspirational and wonderful to listen to.

The LPPA had an Easter Picnic planned, but unfortunately due to inclement weather this had to be cancelled. We look forward to planning again for Easter 2024.

I am Faith White (nee Austin, Class of 1995) and I am very pleased to have recently stepped into the role of President of the Loreto Past Pupils’ Association (LPPA).

I would like to begin by thanking outgoing President, Meg Barry (Class of 1962), for her years of tireless work and dedication as first a committee member and then President. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of former Secretary, Lyn Brown (Class of 1964) and committee member Jan Stephens (Class of 1965) who have both also resigned from their positions within the Association. The current committee, including incoming Secretary Michaela Prendergast (Class of 2012) and Treasurer Lauren Bromley (Class of 1995), are looking forward to working on future activities with past pupils over as many year levels and generations as possible.

I was delighted to recently present the Loreto Past Pupils’ Association Dux of 2022 award to Hannah Ollerenshaw, in the form of a cheque for $500. The Academic Awards celebrate years of hard work for

The main goal of the Loreto Past Pupils’ Association is to work collaboratively with the school on various activities to strengthen the bond of past students and to create awareness of the Association for current and outgoing students. Thank you to Ms Linda McDonald for your support with this.

For past pupils, the best thing you can do to stay in touch with Loreto College and the LPPA is update your details. You can do this at www.pastpupils.loreto.vic.edu.au. We have big plans for the 150-year celebrations of Loreto College in 2025, so would love to capture as many past pupils’ correct details as possible.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the LPPA, we would love to see you at our quarterly meetings. Please contact me faithaustin@hotmail.com or contact the school.

Faith White – President Loreto Past Pupils’ Association

Alumni Updates

Scholarship Recipient Travels to Malaysia and Beyond

Since leaving Loreto, Claire Demuth (Class of 2018) has ventured across the globe. While in high school, Claire wasn’t sure of her pathway post-Loreto, but trying her best and studying hard to provide options was important.

From attending a Change of Preference Day, Claire discovered an Engineering degree best aligned with her interests. Claire is now in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Product Design) at Swinburne University.

‘I love how in Engineering we can design things that can change the world. We can have an impact on climate action and societal issues. As an engineer, you can contribute to society by helping develop infrastructure and products that improve people’s lives. It is a challenging but rewarding field where I can solve problems and be creative. There are so many great opportunities in this space for travelling and working in other countries as well as for women.’

In 2022, Claire was awarded the prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship. Initiated by the Australian Government, this program aims to increase the knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region, where they support undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. The scholarship has seen Claire attend the New Colombo Plan National Summit in Canberra and participate in a Kakadu study tour.

‘I was lucky to travel to Kakadu on a study tour which aims to grow the understanding of the nature and contemporary expression of the enduring relationship between Australian Indigenous people, their cultures, and the environment. We camped, hiked and met with locals who were able to share their stories, experiences, and knowledge with us.’

When Claire found out she had received the New Columbo Plan Scholarship, she was excited to experience new cultures in the region.

‘I knew I wanted to take full advantage of this opportunity and push myself outside my comfort zone.’

The first component of the scholarship saw Claire study for a semester in the Mechanical Engineering Faculty at the University of Technology in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

‘I was able to grow as a person and gain a new perspective on how people live. I learned so much from my peers and I was able to have deep conversations about our differences in values, beliefs, and lifestyles.’

In the second component, Claire has begun interning with Tata Consulting Services (TCS), a global Indian conglomerate that expands across various businesses including aviation, steel, power, chemicals, renewable energy and information technology.

‘I have been in Sydney for a month where I have commenced my internship with TCS. We are working with Westpac on projects around Green IT and innovation within the FinTech space. This is an exciting field to be involved in, as technology continues progressing and plays an important role in our everyday lives. Next, I am heading to Mumbai for a three-month internship where I will continue creating proposals and assist in conducting tests for the projects.’

Claire doesn’t shy away from the fact that Engineering can be challenging, but advises students to, ‘not get disheartened when it gets hard or difficult, because everyone experiences it. It is also not always about top marks, as having experience and understanding people is paramount to being a good engineer. I would recommend doing internships and work experience early on, as industry exposure will lead you to the next opportunity.’

Claire plans to study abroad later this year where she will head off to Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland. Claire would be delighted to talk to students who are interested in learning more about her university experience. Please feel free to contact us at development@loreto.vic.edu.au where we can put you in touch.

Alumni Updates

Chloe Heads to WA

Chloe Taylor (Class of 2022) is one of our most talented Performing Arts students, has secured a place at the prestigious WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) following the footsteps of many well-known actors, dancers, musicians and music theatre stars including Hugh Jackman, William McInnes, Lisa McCune, Eddie Perfect and Tim Minchin. She is beginning a Bachelor of Music Theatre in 2023, a course only 20 students Australiawide are accepted into. The audition process was extensive and Chloe recently recognised Loreto College for preparing her for success on this journey.

“While I entered Loreto with an already existing affection for all things musical theatre, it was this beautiful school that nurtured that passion and gave me the opportunity to pursue this love of mine. The school musical period of each year quickly became my favourite part of school, from my first school production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to my last with ‘Chicago.’ Sharing this dedication with my

fellow VCE theatre lovers in classes like ‘Music Performance’ became my haven as we reached for and achieved goals together. My understanding and appreciation for the technical and theoretical side of performing grew as teachers like Mary O’Driscoll and Carolyn Bennett passed on their own passion and love for the craft. And of course, as University applications came around the corner and prerequisites had to be met, my VCE English teacher, Ms Hillman, was my saving grace. Loreto has provided me with a safe space to learn, experiment, achieve, make mistakes, progress further, make more mistakes and become the best version of myself. And I am so excited to continue this journey further, across Australia, at the ‘Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts’ with some of the best of the best.”

Chloe Taylor

Alumni Updates

Sharon Retires After 30 Years of Service

Sharon Moss (nee Bromley, Class of 1976) recently retired after 30 years as a much respected and loved Specialist Palliative Care Nurse at the Ballarat Hospice Care. She spent her career giving, and was dearly loved and respected by the families and loved ones of all the patients and carers she has cared for over that time. In a recent article released by Ballarat Hospice Care, colleagues described Sharon as ‘one of those rare people you know you are so lucky and blessed to meet perhaps once in your lifetime’. She was also described as a person that defines the special place that is Ballarat Hospice Care. She has helped the organisation to grow and succeed. Her career is a remarkable length of time, yet it’s her impact that will be felt for many years to come.

Ballarat Hospice Care and the Loreto Community wish Sharon and her family the best of health, happiness and all the world has to offer in the new chapter of her life.

Photograph and words from Ballarat Hospice Care

Sr Bernadette Ziesing

In February 2023, our much-loved former principal (1981-89) Sr Bernadette Ziesing passed away at the age of 95, after celebrating 75 years as a Loreto Sister. Sr. Bernadette Ziesing, or Mother Gerard, her religious name, was born in Adelaide in 1928 and after attending school at Loreto Marryatville she entered the Loreto novitiate in Ballarat in 1948.

Bernadette spent over forty years teaching and in administration, most notably in Ballarat, over 30 years, in Claremont and as the inaugural Vice Principal at John XXIII College Perth.

To her students, Bernadette was a knowledgeable and passionate teacher who expected high standards from them. She had an engaging personality, breadth of interests and a winning sense of humour. She never missed reunions, clearly enjoying time spent with former pupils.

To her staff, Bernadette was a remarkable educational leader and recogniser of latent talent, with the ability to guide that talent in productive directions.

In her Loreto Community, wherever she was, Bernadette’s supportive, prayerful, encouraging presence endeared her to all the Sisters. That she was highly gifted but never sought the lime-light allowed her to relate to a variety of people. Her piano playing accompanied and enlivened many a gathering, and her competitiveness showed in games such as table tennis.

When she retired from teaching in Loreto schools, her passionate commitment to education led her to work as a tutor and later as a chaplain in Youth Training Centres, Flexi-Schools, AIDS Centres and many youth, spirituality and homework programs across Australia. Throughout her life and ministry, Sr. Bernadette was motivated by an unwavering and abiding love for disadvantaged and disillusioned young people. She will be remembered fondly by past pupils and staff for being gentle, wise, compassionate, accepting of difference, honest, humble and always with a sense of humour.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon her. May the soul of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Helen Weir

On 19 February 2023, our former teacher and colleague, Mrs Helen Weir, sadly passed away due to Ovarian Cancer. Helen was fortunate to teach thousands of Loreto College students over her 36 years of teaching, which began in 1978 after she had recently arrived from Scotland aged 25. Over the years, Helen fulfilled many leadership roles at the College including classroom teacher in Religious Education and Humanities, Year Level Coordinator, Head of House, member of the College Leadership Team and Loreto Schools Australia Committee and finally Head of Campus Dawson Street. In these positions of leadership, we remember that Helen brought her own unique Scottish wisdom, humour, and expertise into the lives of her students and colleagues.

Helen began teaching at the College at the time when there were a considerable number of nuns on staff, and it was from these fine women that Helen said she ‘caught the Loreto bug.’ In the years that followed she would learn, read, listen, and develop a good knowledge of all things Loreto. She soon discovered the true meaning of the Loreto values from these nuns. Helen said her favourite value was Felicity, ‘isn’t it wonderful to value joy, fun and laughter.’ Helen’s colleagues remember her for her generous and very practical nature. She would freely give

her time to mentor young teachers, and to pass on the ‘Loreto bug’ to the new staff, just as the Sisters had done for her.

One of Helen’s passions as a geography teacher, was that she loved to travel. A highlight for her was to be a part of the inaugural Loreto Ballarat Pilgrimage trip to the United Kingdom, Europe, and Ireland. Combining her love for travel and her love for Loreto was a highlight for Helen. She once wrote that her Loreto College students over the years were ‘friendly, compassionate, generous and open hearted.’ Her former students say that is how they remember her, a teacher who was kind and generous, compassionate to others, who had a love of all things Loreto.

May she rest in peace.

Loreto Reunion Days

During April 2023, we hosted our 2023 Reunions.

It was a fabulous opportunity for our 2, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 year reunion alumni to reconnect, explore the College and see how it has changed over the years. Approximately 200 class mates returned to enjoy a glass of bubbles (or tea) and reminisce about old times. It was fantastic to see so much laughter throughout both days and everyone having a great time catching up.

CLASS OF 1973

CLASS OF 1983

CLASS OF 1993 CLASS OF 2003

CLASS OF 2013 CLASS OF 2021

The Ultimate Gift of Giving

A gift to Loreto College in your Will means your memory will live on

How do you want to be remembered?

Is there something you would like to pass on to the next generation?

Throughout our lives we are influenced by the actions of the generations that came before us and our esteemed Loreto history is one of the finest examples. Mary Ward, the Founder of the Loreto Order, embarked on a lifetime devoted to the recognition of women and girls as valuable human beings and important contributors to society.

Continuing the legacy is our Loreto Community. The Countess Elizabeth Wolff-Metternich’s goodness and

generosity famously enabled the completion of Mother Gonzaga Barry’s Loreto Chapel, which was restored in the 1990s thanks to a gift from Past Pupil Lucy Kerley, and is currently maintained with a gift from past pupil, Eileen Macintyre. The Coghlan family have recently supported students who would otherwise not be able to attend the College through the establishment of the Dora O’Sullevan Bursary.

As we inch closer to celebrating 150 years of Loreto in Australia, there have been many Past Pupils, staff and parents who have left a lasting legacy towards the education of young women at Loreto College, and to each of them, we are eternally grateful.

You too can continue Mary Ward’s mission by remembering Loreto College in your Will.

You may like to support our scholarship program to develop academic and gifted talents, or our bursary program to support students who may not otherwise be able to attend the College. Or, perhaps you would like to support our gardens, buildings and grounds, or our exciting new Loreto Lucas Campus.

To learn more about how you can leave a lasting legacy, please contact our Principal, our Marketing and Development Team or visit the Loreto College Ballarat website today.

https://loreto.vic.edu.au/loretocollege/heritage/philanthropy/

Academic Assembly

On 17 February we held our Academic Assembly to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements and hard work of the Class of 2022. The VCE Academic Honour Awards and Academic Excellence Awards were presented for each subject, and we heard from our Class of 2022 VCE, College Dux, Hannah Ollerenshaw:

To the class of Year 12; best of luck. But most of all, go easy on yourself and know that hard effort and persistence will do greater wonders for you...”

Words by Hannah Ollerenshaw – 2022 Loreto College Dux

recipients

Despite always being a dream of mine to be College Dux, I am equal parts terrified and grateful to be presenting a speech in front of a community I am no longer a part of in my day-to-day life. Most of all, I feel disbelief; to be part of the ranks of past duxes who I looked up to for so long, and realise that I am in their midst, despite an anxious, unorganised year that I am convinced is so unlike the final years of past duxes. Their speeches always impressed a superiority and intelligence on me, but now I am convinced, that their successes were only ever a single part of their high school experience, the sole facet of their academic life that they can share in their own speeches, rarely the tears and the disappointment.

Because I’ve been there too; for me, it was desperately living up to others’ expectations of me. It dictated my response to my academics to an overwhelming degree. Feeling from others that maybe I should be disappointed in my study score when I was already somewhat doubting myself, being embarrassed to share my results for certain subjects because I know they had predicted higher and hearing from someone close that anything below a 99 ATAR was a result of a lack of effort. All these comments, big and small, led me to believe that I didn’t deserve the high ATAR I got, but simultaneously and ironically, that I should have done better than what I did.

Let’s not kid ourselves; I had high expectations of myself. This isn’t solely the result of the expectations of others, but something I wished to prove for my own sake. But it became so easy for me to achieve at school when I knew others, more than myself, were proud of what I had done. I even imitated the ATAR one of my friends wished to achieve when I saw it at her house written on a sticky note, embarrassing though it is to admit. And as funny as it is to look back on, the night before the results day the only thing I hoped for was to achieve her expected ATAR; I had never set a number for myself.

Going into Year 12 demands many things of ourselves, and I hate to add to

the heavy burdens that VCE already places on so many students simply to go to a certain university, get a certain job. For most VCE students, it may be getting the guaranteed ATAR that is the end goal; for some, it is to push their academic bounds, see what it is possible to achieve. Before having your goals and aims distorted by the people around you, consider, the next test, the next SAC, the next assignment, what do you actually want to achieve? Is this number above 95? Above 80? A pass? Considering I cried after the Methods exam when I went onto the VCE Discussion Space and saw suggested answers, avoiding too much talk about exams and SACs, when it is in the past and unchangeable, is something I recommend for all. Staying on the Discussion Space just for the GAT memes and not during exam time or reconsidering if you really need Simon average on your laptop is a good place to begin if you feel overwhelmed. And perhaps the hardest part, discovering how best you work before Year 12 is something I readily push, even though I was scrambling to figure this out myself at the end of Term 3. Pushing ahead in completing Methods chapters, such that I could

start practice exams in Term 2, allowed me to stay afloat in Specialised Maths, while committing to one essay a day during SWOTVAC for English Literature allowed me to utilise feedback without forgetting it, and without feeling overwhelmed. Perhaps unconventional, and even useless for some students, but I believe it is infinitely better than feeling suffocated by generic study plans when that is simply not beneficial for you. And when I say push ahead or discover before Year 12, I don’t mean pushing ahead in Year 7 Humanities, or trying out the Pomodoro Method for one test in Year 9, but simply to be open to ideas, and not to bury oneself and waste time worried about what should be done, but rather what works best for you.

And what kind of a Dux speech would this be if I didn’t address making memories in high school. Treasuring memories is a concept most readily pushed, and it is paradoxical to say the least; I had no desire to remember any of my Year 12, mostly because it was spent worrying about my exams and ATAR, yet graduating made me realise how little I had retained of it. Every Dux has come through and said similar words, as have most of my teachers,

and I will reiterate once more, just how important it is to treasure such moments, big and small.

Like Ms Wheaton running out of the Spec classroom in a fire drill, leading my classmates and I, screaming, down the science corridor and terrifying the Year 7s. Or Mr Smith bringing balloons and raw onions into class, and telling me my sentences are too long, advice I very clearly haven’t taken on. Or the debates that broke out about which Plath poem is best, although I will die before admitting the “Arrival of the Bee Box” is a good poem. Purposefully asking Mr Stowe questions about black holes to stall him about complicated physics, especially when it concerned thought experiments and special relativity, two concepts I still don’t understand. And of course, my friends ordering pizza in the last week of school and eating piping hot garlic bread and meat lovers on the floor while teachers walked through and thought it best not to ask what we were doing.

I wish I had greater wisdom to impart, but ultimately, I am a student like all the students that stand before me. It feels hypocritical to admit, but much of what I have shared as past tense

Left: Hannah on stage at the Academic Assembly. Above: Hannah and President of the Past Pupils’ Association, Faith Austin.

persists even now; turning 18, graduating and my ATAR, has not enlightened me enough on how to express self-worth, be an individual, and seek goals that reflect only the self, although I can tell you all about antidifferentiation and ecocriticism as a literary theory. Even as I wrote this speech, and sat on my bed with multiple Verity magazines strewn before me, I was asking myself “is my speech like theirs?” “Is this too cliche? Too repetitive?” and most importantly “what does that word mean?” Standing up here, I am still confused. It feels wrong to give advice when I myself am uncertain, still a teenager with my whole life ahead of me, just like all the students that sit before me. If it helps, I only discovered a week ago how to use an induction stove.

I am acutely aware that this speech doesn’t feel like a Dux speech at all. I stand up and admit to crying, being overdramatic and being oversensitive, and all the while give you only three pieces of advice. But it is my hope to not overwhelm you, especially Year 12s; 10 hours of sleep daily, consistent exercise and socialising, a perfect study routine,

all while cramming 48 hours of homework into three hours; it’s not possible in the stress of Year 12, and it only adds pressure when you convince yourself, like I did, that every Dux before you has done that, when 9 times out of 10 they have not. I can assure you that they have felt that same stress and worry, and felt unorganised and disappointed, even cried in front of teachers, like I did three times in front of Mrs McNamara because I can’t write politics essays.

To the class of Year 12; best of luck. But most of all, go easy on yourself and know that hard effort and persistence will do greater wonders for you than listening to any Dux speech, or perfecting a pastelcoloured study timetable. And to all students; you are your own being, let no other person determine what you want to do, in academics and in all other aspects of life.

An overwhelming thank you to my parents, who did everything possible and more for me all my schooling; if I have a complaint, it is that you chose to renovate the dining room and kitchen

during SWOTVAC, and despite sacrificing my usual study space for this renovation, the room is, yes in February, still unfinished. But thank you.

My siblings: my older brother for answering all physics related questions and to my sister, providing encouragement always. Thank you.

My friends: for providing endless entertainment and comfort in the corner of my Year 12 mentor room, taking turns in front of the heater so as not to freeze. Thank you.

The Dux of 2021, Mia Mulheron: an unlikely friendship formed at the 2021 Academic Assembly. For your help with Spec questions, Methods-related tears, and life in general. And of course, for editing this speech. Thank you.

To all Loreto teachers and staff, regardless of if or when or what you taught, as a full-time or substitute teacher; whether you minutely or significantly changed me, you have allowed me to stand here and you have nonetheless made an impact, for which I am grateful. Thank you.

Sponsors

2022 VCE, VCAL & VET Highest Study Scores and Award Sponsors

Academic Excellence Subject Recipient Sponsor

Loreto College Dux 2022

VCAL Award

VET Award

Agricultural & Horticultural Science

Hannah Ollerenshaw Loreto Ballarat Past Pupils’ Association

Laura O’Connor

Kate Merygold

Amity Smith

Charlotte McDougall

Georgia Siemensma

Art Hailey Harman

Biology

Business Management

Chemistry

DJB Plumbing and Gas

Phil Mac Plumbing

Meg Barry (Class of 1962)

Dr Margaret Heffernan OAM (Class of 1970)

Hailey Harman University of Notre Dame

Rose Canavan Prudence Brew (Class of 2007)

Ella Hansen

Charlotte McDougall

Melinda Unmack (Class of 1984)

English Hailey Harman Anthea Stevens (Class of 2010)

English as an Additional Language

English Language

English Literature

Food Studies

Health & Human Development

History: Revolutions

French

Global Politics

Japanese

Legal Studies

Caitlin Ong

Bella Clark

Gemma Hanrahan

Bethany Wright

Macey Cheesman

Stephanie Mornane

India Black

Julia McLennan

Ellie Mulder

Davin Murray

Sholeh O’Keeffe

Bethany Wright

Jessica Sheehan

Dr Anne Sarros (Class of 1970)

The Stephanie Carswell VCE English Language Award

Sharon Moss (Class of 1976)

Jan Stephen (Class of 1965)

Dr Sarah Ringin (Flynn) – (Class of 2007)

Jill Fenwick (Class of 1964)

Loreto College Ballarat

The Hurley Family

Catherine Curtis Margaret McGeever (Knowles - Class of 1964)

Jenna Gleeson

Jessica Stute

BJT Legal

Hannah Ollerenshaw 2023 Studies | Bachelor of Science University of Melbourne

Laura O’Connor 2023 Studies | Certificate III in Education Support (traineeship)

Kate Marygold 2023 Studies | Certificate III in Dental Nursing (traineeship)

Amity Smith 2023 Studies | Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management, Diploma of Applied Agronomy and Certificate IV in Wool Classing Longerenong College

Sponsors

Academic Excellence Subject Recipient Sponsor

Mathematics: Further

Mathematical Methods

Mathematics: Specialist

Media

Music Performance

Physical Education

Physics

Product Design & Technology

Psychology

Religion and Society

Sociology

Studio Arts

Theatre Studies

Visual Communication Design

VET Creative and Digital Media

Charlotte Townsend

Veronica Micich (Class of 1997)

Hannah Ollerenshaw The Catholic Development Fund

Hannah Ollerenshaw

Eloise Davenport

Chloe Taylor

Bella Clark

Hannah Ollerenshaw

Maya Howard

Charlotte Townsend

Jessica Stute

Jemma Amoore

Julia Caughey

Ruby Willowhite

Trudi Kannourakis (Class of 1972) & Rebecca Kannourakis (Class of 2009)

MSP Photography

Loreto College Ballarat

Greta Stevens (Class of 2015)

Veronica Micich (Class of 1997)

Jessica Slade (Class of 2008)

Jessica Slade (Class of 2008)

The Sr Jennifer Collins AwardPrincipal of Loreto Dawson Street 1971-75

Anne Nathan (Smurthwaite) – (Class of 1961)

Lexi Ryan Revolution Print

Asha Hoiles

Grace Hunt

Angel Harris

Regent Cinemas Ballarat

Morton+Co Architects

Loreto College Ballarat

Above Left: Paula Hurley with Jessica.

Below Left: BJT Legal Representative, Stacey Grose with Jenna and Jessica.

Above Right: Veronica Micich with Charlotte

Below Right: The Regent Representative, Sue Anderson with Asha.

Honour Students

2022 VCE students who achieved an ATAR over 90

Hannah Ollerenshaw 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Science University of Melbourne

Bella Clark 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Commerce University of Melbourne

Ella Hansen 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Global Studies Monash University

Bethany Wright

Grace Hunt 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Business Deakin University

Charlotte Townsend 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Commerce Deakin University

Hailey Harman 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Animal & Veterinary Bioscience La Trobe University

Charli Ross 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Physiotherapy - ACU

Gemma Hanrahan 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Biomedical Science Monash University

Julia Caughey 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Criminal Justice & Criminology - Swinburne University

Sophie Boyd 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) - ACU

Cassie Lynch 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Biomedical Science Monash University

Macey Cheesman 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Physiotherapy - ACU

Charlotte McDougall

Ruby Willowhite 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws Deakin University

Ashlyn Walker 2023 Offer | Bachelor of Psychology - Monash University

Loreto College Ballarat

1600 Sturt Street

Ballarat VIC 3350

03 5329 6100

development@loreto.vic.edu.au

loreto.vic.edu.au