Verity - December 2023 - Issue 47

D E C E M B E R

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FEATURES GOING UP? 14

30 14 Cover Image Students performing a simulated mission to Mars at Space Camp USA - photo provided by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Alabama.

Inside Cover Image Loreto College Performing Arts students in the production of My Fair Lady - photo by Paul Shire Editorial Team Jayde Harrington, Narelle Mulrooney, Kellie Rudlin, Michelle Brodrick & Stacey Franklin

NASA SPACE CAMP 2023 18

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Print Revolution Print

After four years of planning and a few false starts, the Loreto College NASA Space Camp finally launched in early July this year. Follow their journey on the trip of a lifetime.

IMMERSION EXPERIENCES 22

Photography Liz Crothers, Paul Shire, MSP, H Studios, staff and student photos Design Narelle Mulrooney

A Government grant allows Loreto College to install a much needed lift and redevelopment of the Quadrangle, to solve accessibility issues to old buildings and the upper levels of the College - resulting in the St Anne’s Wing Lift Project.

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A group of students immerse themselves in a cultural experience to remember in the Tiwi Islands and Daly River.

LANGUAGE TOUR TO JAPAN 30

Contributions to Verity can be sent to: Loreto College Ballarat The Marketing & Development Office 1600 Sturt Street Ballarat VIC 3350 or verity@loreto.vic.edu.au

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The reopening of Japan’s borders this year allowed students and staff the opportunity to spend two weeks savouring the highlights of Japan, enhancing language skills, and immersing themselves in the culture.

MESSAGES FROM LORETO

From the Principal Words by Michelle Brodrick

In the pursuit of education, we often find ourselves immersed in the comfort of familiar surroundings, routines, and wellestablished norms. However, as we delve into the rich tapestry of learning and personal growth, it becomes increasingly evident there is immense value in stepping out of our comfort zones.

Travel, with its ability to broaden horizons and challenge preconceived notions, serves as a powerful tool...”

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The spirit of exploration and understanding is not confined to the classroom but extends to the world beyond. With this in mind, trips by Loreto College students and staff to NASA, Japan, indigenous communities and MWIA (Mary Ward International Australia) in Timor Leste are featured in this edition of Verity.

In 2023, the year of Justice, we are called upon to be active participants in the pursuit of a more equitable and compassionate world. When our students venture beyond the familiar, whether it be to distant countries or neighbouring communities, they are confronted with the stark realities of injustice – be it economic disparities, social inequalities, or environmental challenges. Such encounters prompt reflection, fostering a deep sense of responsibility to address the injustices that persist on a global scale. These experiences serve as a powerful catalyst, igniting a passion for justice and a commitment to creating positive change. Whether engaging in service projects or witnessing first-hand the challenges faced by marginalised communities, students are inspired to

become compassionate agents of positive transformation. The Year of Justice, when viewed through the lens of travel, becomes a call to arms – a call to bridge the gap between awareness and action.

The vision of the College, captured in the Strategic Plan, is to be an innovative and contemporary College that engages students and prioritises student agency.

We are committed to following in the footsteps of Mary Ward by developing courageous students who are able to thrive in a changing world.

Travel, with its ability to broaden horizons and challenge preconceived notions, serves as a powerful tool in achieving this goal. By venturing beyond the familiar, students are exposed to diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives that enrich their understanding of the world. An education that transcends borders, either physically or virtually, fosters a sense of global citizenship and empathy. Whether exploring space, engaging with local communities, or participating in cultural exchanges, these experiences instil a profound appreciation for the rich tapestry of humanity.

Students embarking on educational travel tours during 2023. Above Left - Students meet Astronaut Charlie Duke at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama. Above Right: Students gather at Melbourne Airport before flying to Japan. Bottom Left: A student learning to screen print from Indigenous artists in the Tiwi Islands. Bottom Right: Students interact with Indigenous students at a school in Daly River.

Moreover, stepping out of one’s comfort zone through travel nurtures essential life skills. It encourages adaptability, resilience, and the ability to navigate unfamiliar terrain – a metaphorical and literal journey that mirrors the challenges one may face in the pursuit of personal and professional endeavours. These skills are invaluable in an ever-changing world where the ability to thrive in diverse environments is a prerequisite for success.

Beyond the practical benefits, the spiritual and ethical dimensions of our charism can be magnified through

such experiences. Mary Ward’s legacy of promoting justice, freedom, and sincerity finds resonance in the exploration of social issues and advocacy for positive change. This is evident in the work of Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA).

Whether it is participating in broad extra-curricular offerings or embracing opportunities that exist within the everyday occurrences of the College, students being educated in 2023 have endless possibilities to understand the call to action in this year of Justice.

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From the Board Words by Melanie Robertson - Board Chair

When given the theme of travel for this edition of Verity – I reflected on the fulfilment and enrichment that it provides us and the journey of the Board this year. I also reflected on our Year 12 students as they coddiwomple towards their newly formed path. By the way, coddiwomple, a great word I stumbled across, means to travel purposefully towards an as yet unknown destination.

We have created an environment where we value diversity, where we respect opinions and the skillset and perspective of each and everyone of us.”

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This reflection led me to the quote ‘do not follow where the path may lead.

Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail’. The fulfilment of travel does not necessarily occur with arriving at a destination but it is the process of getting there that is important and where the real learning occurs The Board in 2023 has had its own journey and we have been focused on ensuring that a new path is created, by challenging ourselves to step outside the businessas-usual approach. We have created an environment where we value diversity, where we respect opinions and the skillset and perspective of each and everyone of us.

The Board is united on its mission and I have the pleasure of Chairing a highly skilled and ambitious Board.

The culture of the Board ultimately defines the future direction of the College and as such we must mirror the ambition, the vitality of spirit, the enthusiasm of the students and staff, and act with strength, courage and optimism in our decision making process. The Board brings a lens of curiosity, of questioning and taking a long term strategic approach to our decision making process.

Under the Board sit three committees - Finance and Risk, Facilities, and Engagement - which provide expert advice and direction to the Board.

The role of the finance committee ensures the management of the College’s finances is sound and well managed and works to develop the budget for Board approval.

The facilities committee is charged with ensuring the mechanics of the decision making process so that the improvement and maintenance of existing facilities are appropriately prioritised and meet the needs of the College.

The engagement committee has fulfilled the function of being the interface between past pupils, the community and the Board.

With the increased focus on governance and compliance we are looking at how the committee structure best serves the needs of our Loreto Community and how we can reconfigure our structure to best meet the needs of the College.

We will continue to travel on our journey.

There will be forks in the roads and we will be asked to draw on our perspective, our skill set and the information at hand to make decisions leading the organisation forward.

I wish to thank all the Board members for their invaluable contributions of time and energy they devote to the College, each member adding something unique and purposeful. We thank the Leadership Team for their passion and commitment to Loreto College Ballarat and most of all we thank the Loreto Community.

It is a privilege and an honour to be on this journey.

From the College Captains Words by Bridget Bales and Alexandra Grieve

We are the trail blazers, embodying spirit, impact and collaboration to create our legacy”

As we reflect on our year of Justice, we are grateful for the opportunities the role as College Captains has provided us, and have felt nothing but joy when representing Loreto College. Leading such a spectacular group of individuals and creating endless amounts of spirit within the Loreto College community is something we are extremely proud of.

From the beginning, we developed goals not only for ourselves as leaders, but also how we wanted the College environment to look and feel – a place where everyone felt safe and supported, encouraged to be their true authentic selves, and for us to be Captains who were approachable, listening to student voices and creating an environment of long lasting memories.

We believe we have achieved this by getting behind special events and

activities, encouraging whole College involvement, such as Valentine’s Day dances, pieing the teachers at GB Day and our whole College Mary Ward treasure hunt. We feel we have achieved these goals and couldn’t be happier with the amount of involvement, enthusiasm, and positivity shown within the College grounds throughout the year.

We hope that the spirit of this year will leave a long-lasting impact that others can build on in future years and stamp a new chapter for our culture and an embodiment of the integral values at Loreto College Ballarat. We want to thank all students for being encouraging, passionate and willing peers, embracing all we have offered with generosity and belief in us as leaders. We have been privileged to create stronger relationships and connections with each year level and treasure the time we had with everyone at the College.

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A special mention to our Year 12s, you have all been amazing individuals and the abundance of love from you all has been so significant to us. We feel lucky to have gone through this chapter with all of you and are grateful for Loreto College to be a place where these connections have strengthened.

We do apologise that we were unable to provide chocolate milk in the school bubble taps (as promised last year) but hope our other efforts and most of all, our positive leadership, outweighs this.

At the beginning of the year, the Senate created a vision, which began with the SEN23 motto: ‘We are the trail blazers, embodying spirit, impact and collaboration to create our legacy.’

We believe this is something we can all wholeheartedly agree that we, as a Senate, have achieved. Along the way there have been lots of laughs, initiatives, and times where we saw the College spirit lift and we are proudly leaving on a positive note.

We both would like to acknowledge the guidance and support we have felt from all the staff at Loreto College including Ms Brodrick and the Leadership Team, along with our families for allowing us to be the leaders we set out to be. A special mention to our ‘College Mum’, Ms Kate Martin. Her care for each and every one of us has not gone unnoticed and we have appreciated the time and ongoing effort she has made to make our Senate group as close as we are today.

Thanks to our splendid Senate. We have loved and appreciated having them as the backbone and support which has enabled our captaincy to be such a memorable and enjoyable journey. We couldn’t thank them enough for the dedication they have shown, and we will always be grateful for the friendships we have made. We wish the new fun and fantastic Senate all the best as they start their new chapter in the leadership world. They 8

will make incredible leaders and we can’t wait to see what they do in the year to come.

Best wishes to our 2024 Captains, Bella and Steph, who have such exciting times ahead. We know the College is in safe hands and their qualities will help them lead with Loreto spirit and passion in the year of Sincerity. We know that they will be inspiring and kind-hearted leaders.

To the Year 7s, we hope we have made this first year a memorable and exciting one and you all thrive through the years at Loreto College. We can remember our time sitting where you are now and we ask that you embrace and try new things, and channel this all throughout your time at Loreto, because it really goes by so quickly.

We do hope that all students have felt well led, supported, inspired, and enthused to continue to be part of our wonderful Loreto College community.

As Mother Gonzaga Barry said, ‘Leave after you something which others may build’, a message that we feel truly encapsulates our journey as leaders here at Loreto College, and for future generations to know the privilege of being a ‘Loreto Girl’.

So, we would like to finally express our gratitude to everyone for giving us the opportunity to serve as the 2023 Loreto College Captains. We have loved every moment of representing Loreto. We can both say this has been the most rewarding and great experience for each of us. We step down as the 2023 College Captains with full hearts and sincerely thank everyone at Loreto College for the contribution you have allowed us to make this year.

Around Loreto We are proud to announce our 2024 Student Leadership Team:

2024 COLLEGE CAPTAINS: Isabella Davies & Stephanie Jenks

2024 SENATE: Sport Captains: Performing Arts Captain: Felicity Captain: Sustainability Captain: Creative Arts Captain: Communication and Media Captain: First Nations Captain: Liturgy Captain: Social Justice Captain: House Captains: Barry: Ward: Mornane: Mulhall:

Year 12 Awards As part of the Year 12 Celebration Assembly, we celebrated our Year 12 award recipients across many areas of the College.

Congratulations to the following students: Emma-Kate McGrath Spirit Award - Mary-Kate Beaston Barry House Award - Allira Kennedy Mornane House Award - Amelia Hoffman Mulhall House Award - Sophie John Ward House Award - Courtney Cummins Senior Music Award - Mikayla Brown Senior Performing Arts Award - Rosie Bathurst Senior Sports Award - Kailah Scott Olympic Change Maker Award - Jemma Amoore ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award - Bridget Bales ADF Future Innovators Award - Myah Grylewicz ACU Impact Award - Bo Mitchell Federation University Year 12 Award for Excellence - Molly Davies The Aspiring Dream Scholarship - Jessica Sheehan The Honorable Catherine King Award - The Year 12 VCAL Class Heinz Law Aspiring Young Lawyer Award - Sophie Jones Constance May Christie Award - Ally Steenhuis & Ann-Mary Chalakkal Mary Elizabeth Chatham Prize - Ruby Stringer Past Pupils’ Association Engagement Award - Rose Canavan Dorothy Irene Ellis-Thomas Academic Scholarship - Jessica Sheehan Mary Ward Prize - Alexandra Grieve Principal’s Award for All Round Excellence - Grace Corbic & Jessica Stute

Remy Callender & Rosie Hunt Demi Anwyl Lucy Eales Holly Boyd Phoebe Crawley Georgia Halstead Ella McCormack Hannah McCrum Chloe Cook Milly Wakefield Olivia Parnell Bridgette O’Brien Tia Kinnersly

Around Loreto Celebrating Gonzaga Barry Day Thursday 20 July was our celebration of all things Mother Gonzaga Barry. Each year as a Loreto Community we celebrate the landing of Mother Gonzaga Barry and our Loreto sisters in Ballarat in 1875. This year with the theme of ‘what used to be cool’ we saw a creative array of costumes from double denim to DVDs through to The Wiggles. As always, lots was happening around the College with the amazing stalls run by our Mentor Groups and a fun-filled assembly led by the Senate. Proceeds from the day will now go towards Mary Ward International projects in Ostico, Timor Leste.

Players for Pink This year our Senate were busy raising awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia at our Players for Pink football and netball matches against Ballarat Clarendon College and St Patrick’s College. The football match was held in June with Clarendon walking away with a win. There was a sea of pink on the sidelines with much support from both sides. The netball match was held against St Patrick’s College in August, where we saw student representatives for both teams hit the court before Loreto College emerged as victors. Our Senate did an incredible job, raising over $5,000 across both events with donations, bake and beanie sales. Both attracted a great spectator turnout and it was ultimately a great fundraising result!

My Fair Lady The MMC was filled with cockney accents, dancing and laughter as Loreto College held their annual production, My Fair Lady.

The show ran over four days and was a great way to showcase the talent of the performing arts students, both on and off stage. The audience enjoyed classic songs such as ‘ Get me to the Church’, ‘Wouldn’t it be lovely’ and ‘I Could Have Danced all Night.’ Being part of the production is a great way for students to make strong connections with people from other year levels. Well done to the entire cast and crew for creating such an amazing show.

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House Arts The annual House Arts Competition had it all, with a bit of dancing, singing, drama, arts and media. All houses - Barry, Mornane, Mulhall and Ward took to the stage to take us ‘Back in Time’. Well done to our arts leaders who put together an entertaining show and to all the students involved. Congratulations to our 2023 winners, Mulhall and our runners-up, Ward, who performed at the Loreto College Arts Festival. It was fabulous to see such an array of talent across all areas of the performing arts.

Michael Dolce Visit On 30 August our Year 7 and 8 students were treated to a visit from well renowned guitarist, Michael Dolce, who has toured and recorded with some of the greats including Keith Urban, Guy Sebastian, Jason Derulo, Boy George, Lionel Richie, Kylie Minogue, Madden Brothers plus many more. Michael has been the house guitarist for the Aussie version of The Voice for the past decade, and shared his experiences with our students on what it was like to play on set during the show. He also talked about overcoming nerves when performing, providing our students with some advice on how to get the most from each performance and connecting with an audience. He then ran a private workshop for our Co-Curricular Guitar students, providing some really good tips for creating great music.

Kindness Rocks Throughout the year, our Year 8s have been creating Kindness Rocks as part of their Positive Education classes. It is planned that these rocks will be placed into a permanent outdoor display to be a reminder of the importance of taking chances and catching those Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTS) and transferring them to Positive Expected Thoughts (PETS). During Tem 4, the College held a blessing ceremony for the rocks, before being placed on display within the beautiful grounds of the College, for everyone to enjoy some much-needed positivity!

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Students in Action Netball State Championships At the Netball Victoria School Championships we had six teams participating with over 60 students taking to the court.

Three teams progressed to the State Championships held in September. The teams showed heart, soul and talent!

Ms Griffiths said ‘It was a terrific day where our girls showed persistence, stamina, enthusiasm, good sportspersonship and talent. Go Loreto!’

Our seniors won six from eight games and only narrowly missed the finals. Our intermediates won three from eight games and the juniors had a fantastic day winning eight games. They then fought it out in the semi finals, which they unfortunately lost in overtime. All of the teams supported each other and some fantastic Loreto Spirit was on show.

Public Speaking and Debating Loreto College Public Speaking students have excelled once again in 2023. Lucy Eales and Ann Chalakkal took out the runner up and winning place (respectively) at the VCAA Plain English Speaking Award (PESA) during May - a prestigious and highly competitive competition. Ann then went on to compete at the State Competition. Loreto College also achieved fantastic results in the Rostrum Voice of Youth competition with Mia Keeting and Ann Chalakkal winning their divisions and Sophie John taking out runner up. Loreto College Ballarat was also well represented at the Royal South Street competitions with Lucy and Jemima Knobel winning Best Speaker in their age groups.

Philosothon During the Term 3 holidays, Loreto College took part in the 2023 Australasian Philosothon online on Zoom. There were 18 participating schools from Australia and New Zealand with approximately 90 students involved from Years 8-12. The judges all agreed that the discussions were at the Graduate level!

Year 12 - Ann Chalakkal won second place. Year 11 - Georgia Halstead won second place. Year 9 - Zoe Crack won first place.

Year 8 - Isobel Wise won first place. Overall, Loreto College came equal fourth in the competition, which was an amazing effort.

The chief judge of the competition, Prof Rob Wilson from the University of WA, wrote a personal message congratulating our students and said; “To have such a wealth of creative, critical, and collaborating thinkers at the school is both a credit to the school and a bright sign for society!”

All students are current or past members of our Socrates Café where a different philosophical question has been explored every Friday lunchtime for 20 years.

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Mindshop Excellence During August, four students participated in Commerce Ballarat’s Mindshop Excellence Program. As part of this program, students work alongside an industry partner to help solve a real-life business challenge using different problem solving and workshopping skills. Tayah, Annabel, Matilda and Neon partnered with Bartlett Blinds to help find sustainability and waste reduction solutions, using problem solving techniques and workshopping different options. Our students then presented their ideas to the business leaders who were quite impressed with their innovative and fresh perspective.

Ballarat Youth Awards Congratulations to these students who were nominated in the City of Ballarat Youth Awards for the following categories: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Award - Kailah Scott Group Project Award - Year 11 and 12 VM students (Do It For Dolly Day) Leadership in Sport and Recreation Award - Bella Davies, Jemma Amoore and Laila Lappin Personal Growth Award - Bridget Bales Positive Leader Award - Alexandra Grieve, Ann Chalakkal and Bridget Bales What a great celebration of young people contributing to the local community.

Jemma Bounces to the Big League A big congratulations to Year 12 student, Jemma Amoore who has successfully attained a college scholarship to Sacramento State in the USA for 2024! After many years of hard work, what an incredible achievement to reach this level. We wish Jemma all the best on this exciting adventure in the States.

Maths Distinction In Term 3, over 190 Loreto College students participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition – Australia’s longest running, largest and most well-known maths competition. We congratulate the following students for achieving a Level of Distinction in this competition: Year 7: Milla Kinnersly, Pearl Goodwin & Charlotte Irvin Year 9: Eliza Dodd & Dikshita Depak Year 10: Abigail Cartledge Year 11: Olivia Jones Year 12: Grace Corbic The Best in School Certificate was awarded to Eliza Dodd.

Well done to all involved – there was a fantastic representation from Loreto College Ballarat, achieving great results.

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Going Up? Words by Narelle Mulrooney

Over the years, it has become apparent that these buildings are in desperate need of refurbishment with increased accessibility required for students and staff” 14

For some time, Loreto College has understood the need to find solutions to continuing population growth and intense pressures on enrolment numbers each year.

This, combined with the necessity to bring 100-year-old buildings into a time of inclusion and accessibility, has highlighted a dire need to plan and fund several projects, to provide adequate facilities to meet the demands of the community and fully maximise every available space.

In 2021, Loreto College was fortunate to receive a Government grant to provide better access to the upper levels of the College. This grant has formed the St Anne’s Wing Lift Project, a project that will address the issues associated with accessibility in the Quadrangle, St Anne’s Wing and Residential Wing, with possible future projects concentrating on opening up the top levels of The Abbey and the St Michael’s Novitiate buildings, all currently tired, old and unused spaces.

These projects are pivotal in achieving the strategic goals of inclusion for students of all abilities and the provision of facilities to meet individual social, emotional, spiritual, personal and academic learning needs.

The Residential Wing, located at the front of the College, includes the original schoolroom (now the main staff office) that was first built in 1882. This building, spanning three levels (plus an attic), was home to the nuns that taught at the College and is now used by VCE senior students. Level three has housed the College Language Department for many years, requiring students to climb more than 60 steps across several staircases, on a daily basis - great for those wanting to increase fitness but challenging for others who find stairs difficult to navigate.

The St Anne’s Wing, in comparison quite a modern building, was built in 1955.

During construction several concrete walkways and staircases were added to the Residential Wing to link the two

Left page: aerial view of the current Loreto College buildings Above left: original Wynne house, pictured from East - purchased by Mother Gonzaga Barry in 1875 to form what is now known as Loreto College.

Top right: Residential wing built in 1882, added to the original house.

Top right middle: Residential wing from the back, with original external staircase.

Right bottom: original schoolroom currently serves as the main staffroom.

(Source Loreto Archives)

buildings together. The St Anne’s Wing is currently utilised by senior students, spanning from Year 9 to Year 12. Access to all areas above ground level is via the concrete staircases built in 1955, with only one other access point via the newly constructed Mulhall Building added in 2016.

The Abbey or Administration Building encompasses the original main house built in the 1860s, later purchased by Mother Gonzaga Barry in 1875, to form what is now known as Loreto College.

A neo gothic façade was added to the main house in 1914 to match the beautifully constructed chapel.

Over the years, it has become apparent that these buildings are in desperate need of refurbishment with increased accessibility required for students and staff. They were all constructed in different eras, adjusted over time and linked in varying ways, resulting in a mishmash of walkways, staircases and irregularly located doorways. It is not out of the ordinary to find a random doorway situated halfway up a wall, evidence of a forever changing environment adapted to the needs of the time. While charming, the ability to move freely, without restrictive access is almost

impossible and the ability to timetable classes on the ground level for all students with accessibility restrictions has become increasingly difficult and unfeasible.

The grant has been wonderful news and to see the project finally coming to fruition is very encouraging to the future of Loreto College. Architects, Morton & Co, have been working with the College over the past few years to finalise plans, while also liaising with Heritage Victoria, to ensure the project not only answers the accessibility issues but also maintains the historical nature of these iconic buildings.

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Construction of the new lift will begin in January 2024 and is planned to take six months to complete.

The first stages will include removal of the current concrete staircases and balconies, stripping the Residential Wing back to the original 1880s structure. This will then allow for new walkways and a lift shaft to be added, providing level walkways and access to all levels via a lift. Half of the quadrangle courtyard will be lifted to allow for new access ramps to be added, providing accessibility access to all three buildings from the outside. The raised outdoor area will provide ease of flow between all three buildings from the courtyard, without the need to navigate small and intricate stairways. Extra seating and structured garden beds will be a welcome addition to the tired, old courtyard area.

As we approach 150 years at Loreto College Ballarat, the new lift and walkways will certainly benefit the students and staff at the College, opening areas otherwise inaccessible to all. There is still a great deal of work to do regarding unused spaces on the top levels of The Abbey and the St Michael’s Novitiate buildings, with future projects looking to maximise even more space within the existing footprint of the College.

It is hoped that in the future, thoughtful flow patterns will provide easy movement throughout the College from top to bottom, while still maintaining the old charm of a random doorway, halfway up a wall leading to nowhere, reminding us all of the deep history ingrained in these old, exquisite buildings.

Top: A random elevated doorway inside The Abbey today. Below: View of the Residential building from the courtyard showing original external staircase c1920-30s (source Loreto Archives)

In Memoriam Loreto College would like to acknowledge Peter-John Di Michiel, Associate at Morton & Co Architects, and the outstanding contributions he has made to this project. We are saddened by the news of his recent passing and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues at this time.

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Above Left: View of the Residential building in current times showing concrete stairwells and walkways added in the 1950s to link the St Anne’s Wing.

Above: Architectural images by Morton & Co of the new lift, stairwell and courtyard, proposed for January 2024.

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NASA Space Camp Words by Narelle Mulrooney

After four years of planning and a few false starts, the Loreto College NASA Space Camp finally launched in early July this year. Twenty-one students and four staff members embarked on a journey of a lifetime, to the USA in the name of science - a trip designed to inspire and educate students that are interested in science and space.

I would recommend going on this trip because it really helped me understand

Following the bus accident enroute to the camp in 2022, it was important for some of us to be able to finally find closure on such a traumatic experience.

After a gruelling 30 hours of international travel, we finally made it to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Space Camp), Huntsville, Alabama. The weather was hot and steamy with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, combined with lightning and thunderstorms - very different conditions to what we had left back in Ballarat.

The students immediately entered into the weeklong experience of the Advanced Space Academy®, a thrilling course based on NASA astronaut training, focusing on teamwork and leadership skills through an immersive experience in science, engineering, technology and maths.

As staff members, we were amazed at the exciting activities that students were able to experience on a daily basis. Activities such as being spun around in a Multi-Axis trainer, experiencing neutral buoyancy by SCUBA diving, designing and launching a team rocket to safely recover it’s passenger (the egg - hopefully still intact),

scaling high walls and jumping off tall poles, flying jet simulators, and best of all, exploring space and Mars through mission simulations and immersive Planetarium sessions.

The Mars missions were an absolute hit with the students. Operating in a massive, black shed with replica space buildings and equipment, the students were broken into teams which rotated for each mission.

Some were responsible for running the mission from the control room - simulating being back at base. Another group were stationed inside the mock space station or shuttles and a few were responsible for completing the tasks while suspended in the air. Challenges were thrown at them constantly, forcing the teams to work together, remotely, in problem solving.

It was very uplifting to see so many excited, smiling faces and watch the students immerse themselves in all the challenges.

One student, Shae, reflected:

‘Something that will stay with me forever is definitely the memories of everyone working as a team and solving problems together.’

the real-world applications of things I’ve learned at school” Left - Loreto College students experience simulated space missions at the US Space & Rocket Centre (Space Camp). Right - students inside the mission control room.

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Above - students inside the Neutral Buoyancy tank, learning how to SCUBA dive.

Another student, Freya, reflected:

‘I would recommend going on this trip because it really helped me understand the real-world applications of things I’ve learned at school.’

Another hit with the students was the SCUBA diving activity, designed to experience neutral buoyancy - similar to that felt in space. Those who were able to submerse themselves underwater to a depth of 40 feet (12 meters), played basketball games, navigated underwater obstacles and completed simple tasks of fitting poles together.

As the tank was made of steel, there were a few delays in the program due to lightening activity in the area. Water, steel and lightening do not go well together... apparently!

Something that wasn’t such a big hit was the American canteen style food, served in a cafeteria catering for over 800 meals per day. There were some

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astonishing food combinations that we ‘Aussies’ were not used to, such as ‘Chicken Waffle’ - a chicken schnitzel placed on top of a sweet waffle then drizzled in maple syrup. The locals love it but we definitely had our doubts.

The staff at Space Camp were a unique mix of science or field specific enthusiasts and university students, working on their summer break. They were all very caring and engaging, looking after all of the students 24/7 and ensuring all tasks were well instructed and safely executed.

At the completion of the camp, the students were treated to an extra special graduation ceremony with real life astronauts Robert (Hoot) Gibson and Charlie Duke. Charlie enthralled us with his experiences as CAPCOM for the Apollo 11 mission and his moon landing adventures on the Apollo 16 mission.

He told a great tale about his near death experience on the moon while

participating in the very first ‘Moon Olympics’. We were lucky enough to be able to chat directly with Charlie after the graduation and have our photo taken. This was such an amazing experience - one that does not come along often.

After leaving Huntsville, we then travelled to Orlando where we were treated to an educational, behind the scenes tour of Universal Studios.

Entering the park early, before any other people were allowed in, we strolled, toured and experienced rides without any interruptions.

The first ride we analysed was The Mummy Returns, learning how the ride worked prior to boarding and how the special effects added to the ride’s overall experience. We rode it once with the lights on and then in darkness, as it should be experienced, to witness all the special effects in action. This became the theme of the

Above Left - a student who has just jumped from the Pamper Pole, hangs while being lowered to the ground. Above Right - a student prepares to experience the tumble spin of the Multi Axis Trainer.

Above Left - Loreto College staff and students with Astronaut Charlie Duke. Above Right - students at the entrance of Universal Studios.

day, with the Transformers ride and then the Jason Bourne show – learning how the attractions worked prior to experiencing them. We were amazed at the amount of science required for the design, planning and execution of all the attractions at Universal Studios – certainly inspiring for our future engineers.

The following day, staff and students were free to roam the park and enjoy (or to be scared out of their wits!) all the attractions including Harry Potter and Jurasic Worlds and their hair-raising rollercoasters.

On our final day we were all treated to iFly, a simulated sky diving experience.

Before experiencing the gravity defying wind tunnel, students had to formulate their own terminal velocity by measuring their body surface area and weight, which was crossed checked by actual data once completing the ride.

The maths equations were something out of my intelligence realm, but well embraced by our super smart students and the maths and science teachers.

The trip overall was very enlightening on the science front. Tour leader Ms Natalie Howard explained:

‘These trips are so important as research shows that participation in educational tours like this, results in a higher engagement in the study of science through VCE and university.’

It is advantageous for Loreto College to keep providing these opportunities in order to inspire the next generation of female engineers, science researchers and perhaps even astronauts.

While I am not a person knowledgeable in maths or science, I can truly say that this experience was thrilling and enlightening - witnessing these programs in action was inspiring enough to turn even me into a ‘Science Nerd’.

... participation in educational tours like this results in a higher engagement in the study of science through VCE and university”

Above Left - Loreto College staff and students entering the Kennedy Space Centre. Above Right - a student experiences simulated sky diving at iFly.

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Immersion Experiences Words by Gemma McDermott and Felicity Knobel

The most interesting thing that I found was how the local culture and knowledge was so connected to the season and land. It was a new way of seeing the country we live in.”

Mr Tim Huf

Right: students arrive at Xavier Catholic College in the Tiwi Islands.

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Tiwi Island Immersion Experience Loreto College Ballarat is committed to developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous Communities through immersive experiences. The Loreto values are at the very heart of these experiences and particularly in 2023, the year of Justice. Immersions provide a powerful transformational experience and can help students better understand their world and the role they have in it.

During May, 11 Year 10 students and three staff members from Loreto College embarked on an experience of a lifetime to Tiwi Islands with Catholic Mission Facilitator, Bernadette Sullivan.

After spending two days in Darwin visiting Nungalinya College, a place that embraces and empowers Indigenous Christians through leadership courses on Art, Faith and Wellbeing, the group caught a ferry to Bathurst Island in Tiwi.

Once on the island we spent eight days immersed in the daily runnings of Xavier

Catholic College and parts of the local community. On Tiwi it is a known fact there are two religions, their Catholic faith and AFL, so it was a wonderful opportunity for the students and staff to experience a few games of local footy.

Over the week the Loreto College students got to know a lot of the local children who attended the College.

They experienced classes in the preschool, primary and secondary areas of the school and looked forward to every afternoon, after the final bell, to play on the oval with the primary school children.

The students learned a great deal about Indigenous culture and the Tiwi people, who belong to one of the oldest Indigenous communities. Before leaving, we were invited to a women’s yarn circle where there was singing and dancing as part of a traditional farewell. Some students would like to return to Tiwi when they leave school, as the adventure proved to be life changing. They have expressed how grateful they are for the opportunity and are richer for the experience.

Above - Loreto College staff and students join a women’s yarn circle as part of thier farewell from the Tiwi Islands.

Daly River Immersion Experience During June, 15 Year 9 students and three staff members travelled to the Nauiyu Community (Daly River) in the Northern Territory immersing themselves in our First Nations culture. These educational opportunities for our students and our staff, and ultimately for our Loreto Community, are powerfully transformational experiences where we can build positive relationships, build understanding and show our students how to live out our Loreto values in the wider world.

Our students had the opportunity to be out on Country cooking kangaroo tail and damper, picking bush plums and importantly receiving a welcome that involved water being placed on their heads and belly buttons as a way of mixing their souls and the souls of the Country to tell the students that their ancestors have given permission to be there.

Here are some reflections from some of the students who were on the tour:

‘It was an eye opening trip that I will only ever have one chance to experience. I will remember the way that all of the kids welcomed us and the overwhelming happiness they felt when they were out on Country.

I met a six-year-old who knew everything there was to know about cooking turtle and another girl who was an amazing damper cook.’

Alice McKenzie.

‘It was a once in a life time opportunity. At first I was challenged by being so far away from home, but as soon as you step into the community you get the biggest welcome into the community and it starts to feel like your whole new family. If I could go back I would just make the absolute most of the time and jump into every opportunity that is given to me.’ Molly Hudson.

‘One of my favourite memories when visiting the community was seeing how happy and appreciative the kids were. I loved the funny little things I would hear them say and see them do; such as making little cubby houses in the classrooms with the fluffy blankets we brought them.’ Georgie Nash ‘Something I found really interesting is how much of a familly and how close everyone in the community was, another thing that will stay with me forever is seeing how happy everyone was and how greatful they all were for the little things in life.’

Neve Griffiths

Left and Above: students immersed in the Daly River community

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Possum Skin Cloak Marking Words by Janine Quick

The Indigenous students at Loreto College Ballarat recently had the opportunity to delve into the traditional cultural practice of making a possum skin cloak through BADAC (Ballarat and District Aboriginal Coorperative).

Traditionally, possum skin cloaks were used in the cooler climates of the southern parts of (what is now known as) Victoria. They are of great cultural significance to Aboriginal people in this area. Often, the inner surface of each cloak displays individual markings to map the identity of their owner, hold stories of kinship, family groups and connection to Country.

Possum skin cloaks were extremely versatile and were used for a multitude of purposes. They were vital for warmth, used as baby carriers, coverings at night, drums in ceremony and for burial.

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Still today these cloaks play an important role in Aboriginal culture.

A possum skin pelt may be gifted to a newborn baby, who will continue to gather additional pelts at each significant milestone throughout their lives. These are then stitched together using sinew to create the full cloak.

Often, the completed possum skin cloak is buried with the owner at the end of their life.

Due to the cultural significance of this practice, we decided to construct a cloak to be worn at Acknowledgements and special Loreto College events, recording our students’ Loreto journey. One of continuing history, each Aboriginal student from the Dhurrung Centre (the Loreto College First Nations students’ meeting place) had the opportunity to ‘add their mark’ to the Loreto cloak.

Originally, markings were made using animal teeth or sharp tools to etch and then paint with ochre. These days the practice of marking continues, but replacing the traditional tool use,

are electric burners to scorch the stories into the skin. This was the process used by the Indigenous students at the College.

A central story was designed for the cloak reflecting how each student is connected through their Loreto College journey. It also highlights the connection to the local Lake Wendouree, with circles depicting the regular yarning time in the Dhurrung Centre. The students have added their individual mark onto the outside pelts which are connected to the central story by footprints. As each new Indigenous student joins the Loreto College Ballarat community, they too will add their own personal mark.

Teaming with BADAC for this cultural process has been an enlightening experience for the Loreto College Ballarat students from the Dhurrung Centre. This has provided a culturally rich understanding and essential knowledge of such a deeply valued rite of passage in their cultural journey.

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.

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/

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Loreto Launchpad The Glow Project

Above Left: Meg and Molly in front of The Glow Project bus. Above Right: A trip to Pick Your Own Sunflowers farm at Dunnstown.

Two Loreto College past pupil friends have joined together to create The Glow Project - a program offering inclusive services to young females with disabilities. The aim is to provide a safe and welcoming space for all participants to grow their confidence and to learn and develop life skills, all whilst making genuine connections and friendships.

Who are the faces behind the Glow Project?

We (Meg and Molly) created The Glow Project with the goal of providing young females with disabilities an opportunity for fun and friendships, and to discover a place of belonging.

We both graduated Loreto College in 2016 and went onto complete further studies, whilst also working in the disability industry. Meg completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science and Molly worked as a Registered Nurse in the Oncology ward for over three years.

We were lucky enough to have Brooke Harwood join our team since commencing The Glow Project. Brooke also

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graduated from Loreto College in 2016, and went on to work at the Ballarat Specialist School for over five years.

Brooke’s experience and bubbly personality has been the perfect addition to our team.

Where did the idea to start the Glow Project come from?

We were lucky enough to have the help and guidance from the boys at Project Growth, which is a like for like program tailored for young men within the Ballarat community. We were highly motivated and inspired by their success and the way in which they were able to provide a sense purpose for young males.

We were out for dinner and came across a photo from the Project Growth Instagram page. We began talking about how inspiring their program was and how happy the participants were, we then pitched the idea to each other that “we should start one for the girls”.

From there, the idea was stuck in our minds and after a few back and forward text messages, we then reached out to the boys who were so supportive and excited to help us in this journey.

Why are you passionate about supporting females through your work?

As young females ourselves, we know how vital it is to create meaningful relationships and to develop a sense of belonging, and the positive impact that these things can have on our self-esteem and mental wellbeing. We are determined to support females to live a fulfilled life, whilst also having fun and trying new things. We also aspire to provide a safe space to help our participants achieve their goals and increase their confidence, as we know these go hand in hand. We are passionate about allowing young women to ‘glow’ and become the best version of themselves.

What does a typical day at The Glow Project look like?

What kind of positive outcomes are you seeing?

We begin each morning by picking up our participants in The Glow Project mini bus. The Glow Project runs out of a home base located in Nerrina, Ballarat. We continue our day by encouraging participants to socialise and interact with one another, whilst also having shared access to electronics, games, books, arts and crafts, puzzles, and much more. Each day includes a planned activity that is tailored to the hobbies and interests of the participants. Activities include cooking and baking, arts and crafts, and contributing to meaningful and ongoing projects such as planting, growing and caring for their own plant.

We have been lucky enough to see some amazing friendships form within the program, which have also continued into the girls’ personal lives. We have seen so many of our participants come out of their shells, begin to try new things, socialise and form connections with one another.

Many of our participants have begun to make positive changes in their personal lifestyles, such as healthy eating and cooking, exercising regularly, setting a routine and improving their sleep patterns so that they are energised for the program.

The Glow Project program also includes regular access to the community, as we believe it is important for our girls to be active and experience life outside of the home base. Whilst regularly utilising venues within Ballarat, we also incorporate regular trips to Melbourne, Geelong, and other cities to keep the program exciting and unique.

We have been so fortunate to meet so many amazing young women along this journey. Our favourite moments so far would be the connections we have made with each participant, as well as our karaoke bus trips and our continuous jokes and laughs with the girls. Overall, the greatest part about The Glow Project is giving young females with disabilities the opportunities they deserve. If we are able to make any small impact on their lives, we have achieved our goal and will continue to work hard to do so.

Our hope for The Glow Project is that our tailored activities and social events will facilitate opportunities for socialising, teamwork, fun and creativity.

What have been some of the best things so far?

For more information on The Glow Project, visit theglowproject.com.au

Above: A day at Sovereign Hill brings smiles to many faces.

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A Vision of Change Words by Hannah George, Executive Officer, Mary Ward International Australia

Poverty, inequality, and limited access to education and work opportunities are daily realities for many women in Timor-Leste, particularly in rural areas. ”

Donate Today!

Together, we can strengthen communities through equitable & inclusive education. Visit: https://www.mwia.org.au/ donate/current-appeal/

Right: Girls at the Centro Loreto Preschool

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In 2002, Sister Mary Wright, then the global leader of the Loreto Sisters, issued a call to action - the ‘Courage to Move.’ This initiative implored every region to assess the needs of neighbouring disadvantaged countries, urging Loreto Sisters worldwide to transcend borders and reignite their missionary spirit.

Embarking on this courageous journey, the Loreto Sisters of Australia and South East Asia found themselves deeply involved in the transformation of TimorLeste, a country grappling with numerous challenges. Central to this call was the Mary Ward charism, aiming to create a more just world that upholds dignity and equal opportunities for all, especially women and children.

Mary Ward International Australia, alongside our philanthropic-minded Loreto schools and supporters, has been an integral part of this journey. Together, we’ve successfully constructed a thriving preschool and a community development centre in Gari-uai. In neighbouring Ostico, we collaborate with the local community to ensure access to clean water, fresh food, and small business opportunities.

Earlier this year, on my first trip to TimorLeste, it became clear how much of a difference there was in development between Australia and Timor-Leste. I was acutely aware of the strong commitment

of the local communities and the Loreto Sisters to narrow this gap.

Educational empowerment and community-led development The Centro Loreto preschool serves as a beacon of hope, nurturing young minds and fostering a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, and social skills. This educational initiative not only benefits the children of Gari-uai but also encourages community participation through the attached community centre, offering nonformal education and training for adults.

Loreto’s more recent move to Ostico marked a significant milestone. This relocation has enabled the Loreto Sisters to engage closely with the local community, fostering dialogue, and supporting development initiatives.

From agricultural planning to health and nutrition workshops, the new centre has become a hub of community collaboration.

Women leading the way In the heart of Timor-Leste, remarkable women are paving the way towards a brighter future. They are striving to overcome poverty, create opportunities, and build self-sufficient communities.

However, the path isn’t easy. Poverty, inequality, and limited access to education and work opportunities are daily realities for many women in TimorLeste, particularly in rural areas.

Above: Members of the Hamelale on the poultry farm

Yet, these women are not deterred.

They are the change-makers, the leaders, the trailblazers of their communities. With support, they will overcome barriers, earn a fair income, and lead their communities out of poverty.

In the rural area of Ostico, TimorLeste, a group of 11 emerging female leaders known as Hamelale (meaning ‘through the long grass’) are challenging the status quo.

They run a poultry farm, a small food production business, and a savings and loan scheme. Their ambition is to scale up their business to further support themselves and their community.

Another inspiring woman, Maria Tilman, leads the HAFUCO (‘Growing the Future with the Community’) Group. They have been working tirelessly for over a decade to improve the economy, education, and health of their community. One of their key activities is delivering maternal and child health training, which is critically important in a region where almost 50 per cent of

children under five years of age suffer from malnutrition.

These women are shining examples of resilience, determination, and the power of community. They are making a real difference in their communities, but they can’t do it alone.

Supporting change: your role As the holiday season approaches, consider the impact of your support on the lives of these courageous women and their communities.

Investing in them can foster sustainable change, propelling these local initiatives to new heights and ensure more women become catalysts for transformation.

Let this Christmas be more than just a time for giving; let it be a season of growth, change and nurturing resilience in the hearts of those striving to make a difference.

Together, let us make this courageous journey towards empowerment and sustainable development in TimorLeste a resounding success.

Loreto College Ballarat Support At Loreto College Ballarat, the focus for our Gonzaga Barry Day celebrations have been aimed towards building our partnership with Mary Ward International Australia.

This year we focused on learning about and fundraising for the MWIA project in Ostico, Timor Leste.

We are working hard as a community to ensure that other women and girls also benefit from the opportunities of a Loreto education, which Mother Gonzaga Barry began in Ballarat 148 years ago. Our celebrations on this day involve significant input from our staff and students who work together to create a carnival of stalls including great food and a variety of games that all proved to be thoroughly entertaining, as well as a fashion parade of costumes and a talent show. This day is truly a special Loreto College Ballarat event, as we honour Mother Gonzaga Barry and the many women that have come before us. We also know that we are part of this history with the responsibility to continue assisting other Loreto communities throughout the world.

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Language Tour of Japan Words by Rebecca Lawry

A Language Exchange Tour provides so much more than an average holiday. It’s an opportunity to get a glimpse and a feel for a different way of living.”

Top: At Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Middle Left: Japanese banquet at Miyajima Seaside Hotel.

Lower Left: Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama.

Lower Right: Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa.

Right: Strolling at Omicho Market in Kanazawa

When you are offered the chance to participate in a Language Tour to Japan, there is one word you absolutely need: (ikimashou / let’s go!).

The reopening of Japan’s borders this year gave 23 students and four staff the opportunity to spend two weeks savouring the highlights of the country, enhancing language skills, and immersing ourselves in a culture most of us had only learned about from a great distance. For many students, this was their first trip without family, and for some this would be their first trip overseas. They came home with not just increased confidence in speaking another language, but also skills in juggling passports, packing luggage, navigating planes and trains and buses, budgeting money and planning meals.

of Japanese scenery: mountains and tunnels, cities and rice fields, rivers and railroads. The students had a taste of independent exploration in Kanazawa, as they planned their own day of historical sightseeing, cultural activities, tasting gold-leaf ice cream and navigating public transport. While each group was accompanied by one of the staff, it was the students who were in charge (and responsible for most of the communication!).

Miyajima Island was one of the most memorable places we visited, with most wishing for a longer stay there.

At Itsukushima Shrine, we learned how to petition the kami (spirits) to hear our prayers, before admiring the iconic ‘floating’ torii gate. Our accommodation that night was in a ryokan, where we dressed in yukata for a traditional evening

Our first stop, Tokyo, provided us with a rapid introduction to many elements of modern Japanese culture. Those of us new to Japan quickly learned the etiquette of public transport, and the skill of navigating busy Shibuya street crossings and enormous train stations. A full day at Shibuya High School provided a chance for a cross-cultural exchange with students swapping stories of home and school in both English and Japanese.

After lunch, the Shibuya students took their new friends exploring around the local area, some even venturing to the legendary Harajuku district.

Packing our bags and buying our bentos, we left Tokyo bound for Kanazawa on the west coast. A ride on the Shinkansen showed us the glorious juxtaposition

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meal, and then slept soundly on futons spread across tatami floors. Across the water we could see the lights of Hiroshima. Our visit to the Peace Memorial the next day stopped us all in a moment of sombre reflection as we came face-to-face with the brutalities of history and witnessed the city’s ongoing and inspirational dedication to peace.

Our final tourist destination was Kyoto, the capital of Imperial Japan for over one thousand years. Here, our tour guide took us to temples, gardens and historic districts, all while sharing the stories of the monks, shoguns and ordinary people who lived, worked and prayed in these places.

Key to the tour was a visit to Sacred Heart Obayashi, and a weekend homestay with a Japanese family. At Sacred Heart the students joined in with lessons, games and extra-curricular activities such as naginata class and calligraphy club. In pairs, they then spent a weekend in the company of a Sacred Heart student and their family.

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Above - Loreto College students joined by the past-exchange students at Tokyo Disney Land

This is the part of the trip that students most look forward to - it is a unique opportunity to experience and compare what life is like in another part of the world.

A Language Exchange Tour provides so much more than an average holiday.

It’s an opportunity to get a glimpse

and a feel for a different way of living.

It’s validation for all those hard hours spent learning another language.

It fosters confidence in travel and communication. And it’s an inspiration to keep on learning.

Above Left: Loreto College students in the Kentokuen Garden in Kanazawa. Above Right: Students in Yukata.

A Lifetime of Memories and Friendships The Loreto College visit to Sacred Heart Obayashi in Japan created new connections and friendships through conversations, lessons and games, followed by a weekend spent with host families. These friendships were strengthened when 22 Obayashi students visited Australia for two weeks, and were able to reconnect with their ‘buddies’ once again.

Two of these reconnected students were Tomoko (Year 9 – Obayashi) and Breanna (Year 11 – Loreto College).

Breanna stayed with Tomoko and her family during the Japanese Language Tour and was able to prepare Tomoko for her much awaited visit to Australia later in the year. Communicating via emails and Snapchat messaging, Tomoko was well prepared to fully immerse herself in Loreto life including joining the College Hockey team with Breanna for the two weeks she was here. When Tomoko was asked if she had played hockey before, she said no, but wanted to play anyway with her friend Breanna.

On reflection, Breanna wrote:

‘When I first met Tomoko in Japan, I was very nervous, but I’m very glad to have done the homestay with Tomoko and her family as I got to live and experience life with her family in Japan. Her whole family was so nice to take care of me, we had so much fun getting to know each other. We got to experience the culture by visiting Hirota Temple, and then going to a popular ramen shop for lunch, where the servings were huge. They also took me to a big shopping mall and took me out for dinner to a sushi train restaurant. All the food was amazing, I also got to experience making matcha and playing with some fireworks. When it was time to leave my host family, we were sad to say goodbye. On my last day with Tomoko, we got the chance to play tennis at her club in school, it was a lot of fun. When I found out that Tomoko was coming to Australia to visit Loreto, I was over the moon, because now she got to have the experience here with me and I was her buddy in school. When Tomoko visited Loreto in Australia she joined me in my club in after-school hockey, she was amazing and even scored her very first goal.’

Tomoko enjoyed her exchange experience, making lifelong memories, later writing:

‘I want to thank Breanna for accepting me for two weeks at this school. She came to Japan and stayed at my house as a foreign student. We spent a lot of great times going to stores, temples and watching TV. It was good as we could learn something about each other in that time. It was a very precious experience for me. After her visit to Japan, we spent time sending emails to each other – I sent them in English and in Japanese, and then Breanna would send me some like that too. We saw each other again at Loreto College Ballarat and I was very glad to see her again – it made me very happy. I will treasure these experiences and have many good memories that will stay with me into the future.’

During 2023 Loreto College Ballarat hosted 43 Japanese students via a well oiled hosting program lead by Faculty Coordinator: Languages, Ms Yoshie Burrows. Students from a variety of schools including: Kyoiku Gakuen in Tokyo, Otsuma High School in Tokyo, Doshisha Junior High School in Kyoto and Sacred Heart Obayashi near Osaka were welcomed to Loreto College Ballarat this year.

These students spent their time immersing themselves in Loreto College life, learning English and experiencing the Australian culture, as well as visiting a few well known sites such as Sovereign Hill and the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

These visits provide worldwide connections and a lifetime of memories and friendships.

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Student Artwork unbounded 2023 The Loreto unbounded 2023 VCE Visual Art and Product Design & Technology Exhibition celebrates the works created by students studying Art Creative Practice, Visual Communication & Design and, after a few years hiatus, Product Design & Technology in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). The highly anticipated live VCE Exhibition Opening and Media Showcase was held on 10 October 2023.

This exhibition of paintings, printmaking, drawing, photography, ceramics, installations, product and environmental designs, mixed media artworks and textile garments is evidence of a range of diverse ideas, interests, and skills of students at Loreto College Ballarat. We are proud of their achievements and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Ms Julia West - Faculty Coordinator: The Arts

SIENNA JOHNSTON - 2023 PRINCIPAL’S AWARD Flaw (pictured left) My artwork explores the physical emotion every individual can go through in a vibrant, colourful and quirky way. I have used materials or acrylic paint creating a range of colours both vibrant and dull. Both organic and geometric lines, shapes and patterns are used to display the range of emotions people can gather. Emotions can vary on how individuals think and feel, I wanted to convey the message that the more geometric and straighter the lines were, the harsher and dominant the feelings are, and the more organic and natural the shapes are, reveal less distinguished emotions.

MAGGIE BROWNING - 2023 PRINCIPAL’S AWARD & OUTSTANDING 2D ARTWORK Undulate (pictured below) This year I have explored the role of portraiture, largely focusing on how inner human experience, emotion and identity can be expressed outwardly through a face.

Referring to personal and cultural ties, I took on an introspective approach to my theme, exploring aspects of my own identity and what I find important. A recurring idea I drew back on was a human connection to beauty, particularly in the individual and in nature.

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LEONORA DUFFY - 2023 OUTSTANDING MIXED MEDIA ARTWORK And We Walk After My work explores the intrinsic separations between past and present, and the corroding grief that comes with the loss of childhood. I was intrigued by the shadowy and ghostlike patterns that could be created by ink in water and used this to examine the nature of memories and their ability to warp and eventually fade throughout time. The window frames emphasise the sense of isolation I feel from my childhood persona, symbolising the distance between past and present almost as if they were different worlds. Meanwhile, the eerie figures and silhouetted trees represent nostalgic sites of my childhood in an empty and lifeless energy to communicate the inherent sorrow of separating from the past, as well as speaking to the people and places that have faded from my life.

ROSIE BATHURST - 2023 OUTSTANDING 3D ARTWORK My Father And I On The Highway Connection and heartbreak have been the focus of my work this year. I have drawn on personal experiences that have helped to shape the subject matter of my works. My aim was to portray the feeling of warmth and comfort during a time of great difficulty.

The use of delicate printmaking juxtaposed with heavy steel helps to echo the theme of heartbreak and connection.

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ALICE PARRY - 2023 CONCEPTUAL ART AWARD Our Space to Trash, to Treasure My installation piece employs ceramic, linoprint, digital, photography, woodwork and paint mediums in order to document a realistic and nostalgic perception of youth and the fragments of teenage-hood. I aim for my audience to consider the fleeting nature of the ‘transition period’; the cherished in-betweenness of independence and living in a familiar space, in which personal identity can be explored. The bedside table reflects space; our space to explore, trash, and document our lives.

EMMA MONAGHAN - 2023 MOST REFINED ART TECHNIQUE The Unnoticed Parts My work focuses on highlighting features of architecture that people would otherwise disregard in their day to day lives. For example, people may see a door and just walk through it, but it’s not until they take a step back and actually notice the door, that they appreciate the beauty of it. The style of the door handle, whether the door has glass in it, what type of door frame encompasses its beauty.

I used drawing techniques using fineliner, as I enjoyed creating details such as line and texture.

IMOGEN KEENE - 2023 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD I Carry It With Me My work explores the relationship between trauma and memory; how memories of events that have happened long before an event can be tarnished and warped by trauma. I explored this theme by experimenting with print making, fine liner and cyanotype, looking at how the mediums interact with one another. I ultimately only used cyanotype and fine liner, using photos from both my recent and younger years for the cyanotypes, then fine liner to express the trauma I have experienced.

I was mainly influenced by artists such as Joy Gregory, Rohan Daniel Eason, and Frida Kahlo, who I was able to connect with and the messages conveyed through her artworks depicting the trauma she also has experienced.

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ROSIE BATHURST - 2023 MOST OUTSTANDING VCD DESIGN Harsh Drive Harsh Drive is an American grunge band from the 1990’s. My client, Alicia Roman, the bassist of the band, required a new bass guitar design that she’ll play on their upcoming Australian reunion tour.

The band also required merchandise graphics that would be sold at the concert venues.

ROSE CANAVAN - 2023 MOST CREATIVE RESPONSE TO THE BRIEF CodFather Fish and Chippery CodFather Fish and Chippery is a newly established food truck along the Mornington Peninsula serving an upmarket and unique take on traditional style fish and chips.

The client, 28-year-old Leo, is a successful restaurant owner who requires a logo and menu design, as well as a packaging net and tissue paper insert. With a focus on sustainability and strong ocean themes, I explored both an obvious take on an ocean theme as well as a unique colour scheme that is more understated.

EMMA MONAGHAN - 2023 MOST EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION FORMAT Country Passion Country Passion is a small accommodation business located on client, Tommy Parker’s, family winery, located in the Barossa Valley. Due to the accommodation being an expansion of the winery, Tommy required floor plans and elevations to depict the layout and appearance of a simply designed, short stay, Airbnb. To promote the new part of the business, Tommy also required a logo to represent the accommodation part of the winery and a brochure to inform the guests of everything available in the Barossa Valley.

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MATILDA WAIGHT - 2023 SUSTAINABILITY AWARD Endless Inspired by the lavish puffy sleeves of a 1980s wedding dress, I felt compelled to address the environmental impact of one-time-use wedding gowns. My vision was to create a dress that seamlessly transitioned from ceremony to reception, while minimizing its ecological footprint and fusing timeless grace with durability. The adaptable skirt effortlessly shifts from a classic pleated look to a whimsical bubble silhouette, defying bridal norms and showcasing versatility. My ultimate goal is to establish a deep emotional connection between the bride and her dress, transforming it into a cherished heirloom. In this era of evolving sensibilities, my creation stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of beauty and environmental consciousness.

ALLIRA KENNEDY - 2023 DESIGN SOLUTIONS AWARD Liquid Silver The dress is inspired by the sparkling light shining on Lake Wendouree in the summer, creating a liquid silver appearance. I designed this dress for my end-user, Imogen, who will be wearing it to her Graduation Dinner in November 2023. Imogen was keen to have a dress that was visually and aesthetically pleasing, highlighting her natural beauty, colour, and style. She requested a formal evening dress reminiscent of 1930’s elegance and sophistication. Throughout the design process I researched many evening fabrics, colours and designs trends until I found a look that reflected Imogen’s personal style and taste. This dress has been created for Imogen to wear as she enjoys her last moments as a Loreto Girl.

Casual and comfortable, yet stylish and chic - Frankie reflects inclusiveness and the ability to cater to every women with products ranging from sizes 6 to 22.

Every woman deserves to enjoy looking stylish and feeling great. x

frankie and co.

Two beautiful boutique stores.

Bendigo: 154 - 156 High St, Bendigo, VIC, 3550 Swan Hill: 244 Campbell St, Swan Hill, 3585

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Fond Farewells to Loreto Staff Peter Foord Words by Linda McDonald, Georgia Wemyss, Ann Chalakkal and the WA6 Mentor Group (some pictured)

For many years Peter has taught VCE Biology or Religion and Society and one of his students remarked:

‘After the initial stress of undertaking a VCE subject early, I was grateful for Mr Foord’s constant support and genuine acknowledgment of the effort I put into performing well. His compassion and kindness carried me throughout this past year, and his willingness to answer my endless questions and mark countless practice exams in his own time is a testament to his commitment in ensuring every student’s understanding and success.’

‘He brought into the classroom an enthusiastic attitude, a handful of jokes, and a contagious passion for Science and Religion.’

These are some of the words students used to describe Mr Peter Foord’s teaching.

After 41 years, Peter has decided to retire despite still demonstrating a passion for learning and teaching.

Peter’s lengthy Loreto College Ballarat journey began in 1983, initially covering a 12-month maternity leave position teaching Science and RE at Dawson St. Peter developed a deep affection for the College and its students and has never left. He has been an outstanding teacher in and out of the classroom.

Peter has also been an innovator, developing the first Intranet used by Loreto College in 1999 and redesigning the College webpage to make it useful and user friendly. He loves technology, owning the first laptop in the College.

He brought the first computer into the Science Department and introduced Lego Technics and early robotics into his classes.

In 2003 he started a philosophy group in the College. Over the years, this evolved into Socrates Café, where many students would gather on a Friday lunchtime to share in conversations about every possible question you can think up. This group has grown over the years and recently competed, quite successfully in the Australasian Philsophon competition, under Peter’s guidance and support.

‘Mr Foord has provided a safe space for many to grow and adapt their thinking, and I sincerely believe it has made a lasting impact on us all.

He has a unique way of pulling you into discussions and captivating you with these out-of-theordinary ideas. It happens so organically that it becomes odd to walk away.’

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Peter has also been a valued Mentor teacher, a role he takes seriously and is a genuine supporter of his students. His students have appreciated his generosity and compassion, demonstrated by this student’s kind words.

‘Beyond the classroom, Mr Foord has always been someone that I knew I could come to for help or guidance; his approachability and authentic consideration for others is truly admirable.’

After 41 years of dedicating himself to all aspects of the broader Loreto Community, we are all eternally grateful for his professionalism and dedication to this vocation of educating Loreto women and personal gifts that he has shared with us during that journey. I think our students best sum up our deep respect for Peter and we wish him well in the future.

‘The classroom and College Community will undoubtably feel a void without his intelligence and vibrant personality. Thank you for being an extraordinary teacher and mentor, and we all wish you luck and happiness in all your future endeavours.’

‘There are some people you meet that alter the course of your life, for me Mr Foord is one of them. It has been my absolute honour to have had such an exemplary teacher who inspires and challenges me to aim higher than ever before. I can confidently say that I am not alone in this feeling and many others share such sentiments. As he ‘graduates’ alongside us this year, I am eternally grateful that he chose to abandon that laboratory and pursue teaching instead.’

It goes without saying that Peter will be greatly missed at Loreto College Ballarat, not only by the students but also staff and the extended Loreto Community.

We wish him well on the next chapter and can only hope we all get to see him again in our halls.

Sandra Rosenow Words by Thea Mooney

at diffusing situations with students with a smile, a cool calm manner and a whole lot of humour. These qualities were never more evident than when Sandra successfully took on the Year 9 Coordinator role while also running the Arts Festival for many years. Her skilful way of dealing with people and organising activities has always been one of her special qualities. As a Drama teacher, Sandra’s students have been very fortunate to be taught by her as she is always able to get the best out of her classes. Her VCE Drama students often achieved high ATAR scores.

How do I honestly thank someone who has been my dearest friend for 33 years, and who has also contributed so much to this College. It is so difficult to do this in such a short article space. I have always been impressed with Sandra’s incredibly cool and calm approach to all that she has dealt with as a person and as a teacher. I was able to watch and learn from her as she has a real talent

She has also taught in the English Faculty where it was noted that she has a voracious reading appetite and is the guru of teen fiction. She has been the English Faculty go-to when investigating and updating texts in the junior curriculum.

On a personal level, as my dearest friend I cannot express how much

Sandra has done for me. When I needed to know and understand the behaviour of a student or how to do something, Sandra was always a wealth of knowledge. During COVID, I could not have coped without her. Our daily phone calls where we would debrief about the difficulties of online learning helped me get through each day.

Those of you who are fortunate to be Sandra’s friend, you know that she always has your back and is there for you. Now as she moves into the next stage of life, I know that she will love not having to mark endless essays or spend evenings and weekends working.

Enjoy this special time with your mum, as her carer, reading whatever books you want and hopefully have time to do some writing or just play with your precious cats. Congratulations on your retirement dear friend. Enjoy this next stage and the freedom it brings.

Carmel Parker Words by Kelli Baird and Naomi Russell

spend quality time with her husband, four beautiful children and their partners and her pride and joy, her four grandchildren.

I hear you all saying Carmel (Mrs Parker) does not look old enough to have grandchildren or be retiring! That has been our standard line in the GBC, “If we are as fit and healthy as Carmel when we are #!%, we will be thrilled”.

How do you say farewell to the matriarch of your faculty? The person who has looked over and supported so many of us with kindness, respect, and genuine affection. A teacher who has always been fully invested in making her classes meaningful.

This is what the Health & PE Faculty must do at the end of 2023. After 25 years at Loreto College working in various faculties, Carmel is retiring to

Carmel is one of the most optimistic, dynamic, and adaptable people you will meet. She looks at every situation as a challenge in trying to do better.

This year is a prime example of this attitude at work; 13 different classes, some subjects she had not taught in several years and her first thoughts were of going to PD to get upskilled so she could meet the challenge head on.

There is never any cruising to the finish line for Carmel! Her final classes for the year and her career will be taught with the same passion, energy, and vibrancy as she had at the very beginning and throughout.

Carmel has held many leadership positions; she has been Head of Barry House, a Year Level Coordinator and most recently, the innovative leader of our Health & PE Faculty for nine years.

In this position she gently encouraged us to try different things, challenge ourselves, learn from each other and has embedded a Loreto College PE & Health Philosophy that we could all live by and find purpose in.

Carmel’s attitude made us always look for the positive. She constantly helped us trouble shoot any issues that we had. What we will miss most (apart from her magnificent cake cooking) are the family photos and updates about what adventures she and Dave have planned for the next holidays, her original GB Day costumes, but most of all her warmth and kindness.

Carmel’s Loreto Spirit (Go Barry!) will be greatly missed by both staff and students. It has been a privilege to work alongside such an outstanding role model and truly valiant woman.

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Jenifer Walsh Words by Meghan Douglas

value of individuals. She tirelessly advocated for the potential she saw in others. Jen had an uncanny ability to boost confidence and inspire people to believe in themselves, just as she did. She also insisted on instilling a broader perspective in our students.

She believed in opening their eyes to the vast world beyond textbooks and classrooms. Her ability to connect classroom lessons to real-world experiences left an indelible mark on her students, proving that there’s a world of opportunities awaiting them.

Over the span of 16 years, Jen Walsh has woven herself into the fabric of Loreto College. Jen’s legacy is her warmth and belief in the inherent

Jen’s unique blend of practicality and level-headedness made her an invaluable ally to her colleagues.

Whether it was losing track of time during conversations or finding solace in the serenity of Retreat days, Jen

brought comfort and joy to her friends.

Jen’s passion for justice, coupled with her sense of humour, made her an exceptional friend and confidant. Her colleagues admire her problem-solving skills and her role as an empathetic listener. She is celebrated for her curiosity, divergent thinking, and wisdom, traits that have left a lasting impact on those around her.

As we say goodbye to Jen, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a future filled with joy, surprises, and adventures.

We carry with us the memories of a remarkable colleague, a cherished friend, and a true champion of the young people under her care.

Janine Ronaldson Words by Alex Davison

After a remarkable 14.5 years of dedicated service, Janine, our esteemed Art Technician at Loreto, has bid farewell to the College community.

With her unparalleled passion for the arts and unwavering commitment to fostering creativity among students, Janine has left an indelible mark on the College. Her profound expertise has inspired countless young artists, nurturing their talents and shaping their artistic journeys.

Janine’s departure leaves a void that will be deeply felt by students and colleagues alike, as she not only excelled

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in her role but also became a beloved mentor and friend to many.

As we bid her farewell, we express our heartfelt gratitude for her invaluable contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavours. The legacy she leaves behind will continue to inspire and enrich the artistic spirit of Loreto College for years to come. Janine has embarked on a new adventure alongside her daughter Ruby at the Ross Creek Gallery, located in Smythes Creek, and we have no doubt that this dynamic duo will continue to shine brightly in the world of art.

Loretta Hyland Words by Yoshie Burrows & Cameron Smith

We have had the privilege of working with Loretta for the past 12 years. Her involvement initially was as a parent, and later, she became a valuable member of our Language and English Departments as a Japanese and English teacher. From the very beginning,

Loretta impressed us with her creative flair and innovative teaching methods in the field of language education.

Her warm and welcoming manner has endeared her to every student she has taught, and they all greatly appreciate her deep knowledge of Japanese culture.

to build and refine their skills across a range of areas in speaking, listening, reading, viewing and writing (in both languages!). Her kindness, warmth and collegial nature is also appreciated by the many staff members who have had the privilege of working alongside Loretta.

Her enthusiasm is infectious and many students have blossomed under her care and vast expertise. Loretta ‘thinks big’ in her approach to the study of English and with deep, creative insight.

Through this she has been able to build a classroom culture that is alive with energy. Her dedication, care and compassion is appreciated by current and past students alike.

Loretta consistently crafted lesson plans that incorporated cutting-edge IT skills, making each class engaging and dynamic. She always differentiated lessons to cater to a diverse range of students. Her strong passion for integrating technology into the classroom not only enriched the leaning experience but also kept our students thoroughly enjoyed in every lesson.

Loretta is particularly adept at welcoming some of our youngest students in Year 7 to Loreto College.

She instils confidence in all students

We thank Loretta for her valuable contributions to the College and we wish her the very best for the whatever the next chapter may hold!

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Aniela Marciniak Words by Jayne Carrigg

We have been blessed at Loreto College to have had Aniela share her passion and enthusiasm for teaching and learning for the past nine years.

She has been an integral part of the Humanities and English faculties during this time and it is with sadness that we are saying goodbye to her at the end of this year.

Aniela, in her professional practice as a teacher, calls upon her students to be better than their current best. She believes that all students can rise and achieve with careful guidance and the development of key skills. She creates

in her classes experiences which share with them the beauty, mystery, joy, complexity of human nature, intrigue and wonderment of the world. These are experiences which students will remember long after the exams and homework are done. There is a special place reserved in Aniela’s heart for her Year 12 History Revolutions students.

She is an experienced assessor for the VCAA and generously shares her expertise and creativity with her students. These students have been treated to a Boston Tea party complete with fine china, tea and delicious delights, a trial of King Louis complete with french food, the creation of 3D printing of revolutionary artifacts, a trip to Melbourne to see Hamilton the Musical and much more.

To her colleagues, Aniela is a generous learned mentor and wonderful friend.

She has made a significant contribution to both the Humanities and English Faculties. Aniela has a flare for curriculum development and a strong desire for continual improvement to enhance the learning experiences of our students. Her colleagues have shared the following reflections:

‘Aniela is a gift. She is conscientious, so well read, and impeccably dressed

at all times. Our students have benefited greatly from her wisdom and dedication, which she carries so humbly, and we as staff and friends have as well. She will be missed here, but I am delighted for her!’ said Meghan Douglas.

‘Aniela has contributed to the Loreto College English Department for many years. Her enthusiasm and panache is held in high regard by students and colleagues alike. She has contributed to curriculum across a variety of year levels, and her insightful ideas and wealth of knowledge ultimately create classrooms that are alive with activity and endeavour. On behalf of the English Faculty, we wish Aniela the very best for what the next chapter holds’ said Cameron Smith.

Beyond the Loreto College gates, Aniela is a wonderful chef who creates beautiful dishes for family and friends, a talented artist particularly in the area of tapestry and she has a fondness for her dear cats, Saphie and Smudge.

We wish her much joy as she embarks on her retirement, thank her for her significant contribution to the College and know that we are richer for her presence.

Karishma Sestan (Bhatt) Words by Natalie Howard

Karishma commenced her journey at Loreto College in January 2017, as a freshed faced graduate teacher who had come highly recommended, and she quickly developed a strong relationship with both staff and students.

Over the years, Karishma taught junior Science, junior Mathematics and senior Biology.

She took on the role of Head of Mornane House in 2018 and was passionate about mighty Mornane throughout her time at Loreto College.

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Having moved from Melbourne to teach at Loreto, she quickly fell in love with the culture, students and staff at the College, referring frequently to it as her second family.

During her six years at the College, she also married Nick in 2019 and then gave birth to Olivia in 2021.

She took maternity leave at this time and returned to work in 2023 before resigning to take her family overseas and work in Austria.

We wish Karishma all the best for this exciting next chapter.

Alumni Updates Past Pupils’ Association What a year 2023 has been! It is hard to believe we are closing in on the end of another year.

The Loreto Past Pupils’ Assocation has been very busy this year, particularly in the last few months. In May, we attended the Loreto College production of My Fair Lady and in October, the VCE Visual Arts and Product Design & Technology Exhibition. We enjoyed both immensely the talent of the students is truly outstanding and each one of them should be so proud of themselves.

The Association hosted a very successful High Tea and Mass of Remembrance in November. A special thank you to Thea Mooney, Faculty Coordinator: Technology, and her VCE Food Studies students for the exquisite food. To have these students all wait on the tables and have a chat to alumni was very special. The Mass of Remembrance is held each year and is a lovely way for alumni to take some time to reflect on the year that was and for those in our College community who have passed away. A special thank you also to Felicity Knobel, Assistant Principal: Faith and Identity, for organising the mass.

At our quarterly meeting in July, we welcomed Fiza from Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA) to speak to us about the work the organisation does both locally in Australia and around the world. The Loreto Past Pupils’ Association make an annual donation to MWIA, so it was a wonderful opportunity to learn about and understand how our donations help female communities globally.

Our Annual General Meeting was moved to an evening time slot to try and make the meeting more accessible for College parents and working alumni to attend. I would like to thank the Lake View Hotel for hosting our meeting and for all who attended. There were no leadership position changes in the Past Pupils’ Association for the 2024 year.

As the year comes to a close, we are already in the planning phases for 2024. Our Easter picnic will be held the week before Easter and all alumni and their families are welcome to attend. We hope that the weather cooperates with us for this event in 2024, unlike this year!

We will also be hosting our annual Mother’s Day liturgy and afternoon tea again, with details to follow in the new year.

Keep your eyes out for more alumni events as things ramp up towards our 150 year celebrations in 2025, which we are very excited about! I am very proud of the collaborative work that the Loreto Past Pupils’ Association and the College are involved in. A big thank you to Linda

McDonald, Director of Community partnerships as well as Kellie Rudlin and Jayde Harrington from the Marketing and Development team - I am so grateful for your guidance and assistance.

In closing, I had the honour of attending the 2023 Year 12 Graduation assembly and presented a Loreto Past Pupils’ Association Award to a very worthy recipient, Rose Canavan (pictured above). This award was given to Rose for ‘displaying dedication to the full life of the Loreto Community and excellence in athletic or artistic pursuits, while maintaining a positive attitude throughout their academic journey’. It was so wonderful to be a part of the special day and to see the Year 12 students on their Graduation Day. I still remember my own graduation clearly! The excitement of finishing school, the anxiety of the unknown, the sadness of parting ways with friends and the familiarity of Loreto College, are all feelings still very familiar to me. The Loreto Past Pupils’ Association wishes the Class of 2023 all the best for their exams and whatever you choose to do in the future - the world is yours! To keep in contact with Loreto College and alumni events, make sure your details are up to date via pastpupils.loreto.vic.edu.au We are always welcoming new members to the Loreto Past Pupils’ Association and we would love to see new people at our quarterly meetings. If you would like to attend, please do not hesitate to contact me at faithaustin@hotmail.com or contact the College.

Wishing you and all your families a safe and Merry Christmas!

Faith White President, Loreto Past Pupils’ Association.

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Alumni Updates Your Past Pupils’ Association Committee Faith White (nee Austin) President After graduating in 1995, I commenced a Social Welfare Degree here in Ballarat. On completion, I worked for Centrelink and then for Ballarat Health Services. I have been lucky enough to have done quite a bit of travelling but always like to get home to Ballarat.

I was so fortunate to go through school with a great group of girls, many of whom I still catch up regularly.

I have been a committee member on the PPA for a few years now but this is my first year of being President. It’s been great to work with past pupils and also current students. Please keep your eyes out for news on exciting events coming up.

Michaela Prendergast Secretary Michaela graduated from Loreto College in 2012, and was part of the first year level to complete Year 7-12 at the Sturt St campus. She was also the Editor of the college yearbook, The Abbey, in her final year. Since graduating, Michaela has travelled extensively and worked in London as an au pair. In the last few years, Michaela has returned to Ballarat and works as an Executive Assistant for the State Revenue Office. She also assists administratively and with productions at the performing arts school she attended growing up, Ballarat Centre of Music Arts. Michaela is excited to be involved with Loreto College once again as Secretary of the Past Pupils’ Association.

Lauren Bromley Treasurer Lauren graduated from Loreto College in the Class of 1995. She was Mulhall Music Captain and Loreto College Band Captain.

Since graduation Lauren went on to complete Bachelor of Commerce/Arts at Deakin University. Then furthering her studies to achieve her qualifications as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor.

After working in the accounting industry since graduating, Lauren founded her own female driven accounting practice in Geelong in 2017.

Lauren attributes her time at Loreto College to instilling the importance of supporting other women and enjoys that aspect of her work to encourage women in business to achieve their goals and dreams. In her minimal spare time she is still a drummer and avid musical theatre lover.

Lauren is happy to have the chance to give back to the Loreto Community that supported her and provided such amazing memories.

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Brittany Rose Committee Member Brittany graduated from Loreto College in 2012.

Since graduating, she has completed a Bachelor of Arts (Politics/History), Masters of Social Work and is completing a Juris Doctor course through RMIT University. Brittany has spent the past few years working in the public sector, and is currently working for a Federal Member of Parliament.

Her time at Loreto College has had a profound influence on her life, and she attributes her Loreto College education to her passion for social justice and desire to create positive social change.

Brittany is very excited to be a member of the Past Pupils’ Association and to continue promoting the spirit of Loreto College Ballarat.

Sally Eastwood Committee Member Sally graduated from Loreto College in 2001 and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Deakin University, a member of the first graduating class. Since completing university, Sally has worked predominately for Grampians Health in various OT roles. She also lived and worked overseas for many years, some of this time spent volunteering in Peru, with what is now known as Mary Ward International. Sally is excited to join the Past Pupils’ Association, to continue to bring the Loreto Community together and to celebrate all things Loreto.

Trudi Kannourakis (nee Martin) Committee Member

Frances Davis (nee McInerney) Committee Member Following her departure from Loreto College, and a brief exploration of the fashion world, Frances returned to Loreto Commercial College to gain new skills. She took a position as a legal secretary in a Ballarat Law Firm.

Moving to Melbourne, she became a senior Law Clerk in a large Legal Law firm, a position which she loved.

Marriage, travel and three sons later, Frances’s role in life changed, providing new opportunities where she embarked on a career in small business as an owner, manager and mentor in areas as diverse as medical practice and the breeding of stud cattle.

Frances believes her Loreto education encouraged enquiry, a love of learning and problem solving, meeting challenges, the equality of man, the importance of truth and loyalty, all underpinned with a classical education.

Lily Corboy Committee Member Since graduating from Loreto College in 2014, Lily has completed a Bachelor of Biomedicine and Doctor of Medicine. She has now moved back to Ballarat and is working as a junior doctor at Grampians Health Ballarat.

Lily loved her time at Loreto College, and is grateful for the opportunity to join the Past Pupils’ Association and continue her connection with the College.

Trudi thoroughly enjoyed attending Loreto Abbey Mary’s Mount from kindergarten to Year 12.

She then completed Medical Radiography followed by post graduate studies in Clinical Ultrasound and worked at The Royal Children’s Hospital as their inaugural Chief Sonographer.

She was on the Medical Radiations teaching staff of RMIT for over 15 years.

On returning to Ballarat after two years in Boston, she was involved in setting up a high risk maternity assessment unit at BHS, performing the ultrasound examinations there for nearly 25 years.

Trudi has two children, Josh and Rebecca (who also attended Loreto College). Rebecca and Trudi were both fortunate enough to be elected Mulhall captains.

Trudi was on the Loreto College Board for 10 years (2008-2017), and the Engagement Committee for 15 years.

She feels privileged to be a committee member of the Past Pupils’ Association and values the wonderful friendships and dedication shown by past and present members.

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Loreto Weddings

Ella Pipkorn (Class of 2013) married Thomas Mooney on Saturday 4 March 2023 Photography by Pretty Flamingo Photography

Keely Keating (Class of 2014) married Darren Bruty on Saturday 11 March 2023 Photography by Pretty Flamingo Photography

Molly Lyle (Class of 2016) married Zachary Voight on Saturday 18 March 2023 Photography by RachaelVPhotography

Alexandra Richardson (Class of 2017) married Jed Bragge on Saturday 25 March 2023 Photography by The Bear Moments Photography

Laura Williams (Class of 2011) married Kieren Morley on Saturday 16 September 2023 Photography by Sharna Sellars Photography

Alumni Events Past Pupils’ High Tea - Thursday 2 November

Deaths Annette Mullany - nee Rice (Class of 1965) sadly passed away on 25 October 2023

We rely on the individual, a family member or representative, funeral director or legal counsel to formally advise the College of the details of any births, deaths or marriages to be published in Verity. Only confirmed members of the Loreto Community will be published. We invite deaths notices to be included and commemorated at our annual Past Pupils’ Mass of Remembrance in November. Contributions gratefully received to verity@loreto.vic.edu.au

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Alumni Events Past Pupils’ Christmas Drinks and AGM - Thursday 16 November

Save the date for our Past Pupils’ Easter Picnic to be held Wednesday 27 March in the beautiful Loreto College Ballarat Gardens.

Keep an eye on our website for more information in early 2024.

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S AV E T H E D AT E Reunions are a fantastic opportunity for alumni to reconnect with each other and the Loreto College community. We are excited to welcome the following year levels back to Loreto College for our Reunion Day:

We are also excited to welcome back to Loreto College for special 50 & 60 Year Reunions:

SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2024

SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2024

Class of 1984 – 40 Year Reunion Class of 1994 – 30 Year Reunion Class of 2004 – 20 Year Reunion

Class of 1974 – 50 Year Reunion 1963, 1964 & 1965 – 60 Year Reunion

Class of 2014 – 10 Year Reunion Class of 2022 – 2 Year Reunion

Update your details Invitations will be sent out early 2023 so please make sure you update your details by scanning the QR code or visit: pastpupils.loreto.vic.edu.au and click on the Update Your Details link.

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2023 Annual Giving We sincerely thank the following supporters of our 2023 Annual Giving Program along with those who have donated at each reunion.

Rise Up

Their generous support will ensure

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

our Scholarship, Building and Bursary Funds are maintained for the future.

Rita Andre Anne Appledore David Atkinson Marea Breisch Maria Campbell Angela Chandler Amy Dalton Margot De Deugd Inoka De Silva Suzanne Dooley Monica Eastwood Natasha Fedke Elizabeth Gyory Anne Halloran Gabrielle Jarvis

Maggie Lynch OAM Robina Maconochie Yvonne Matta Noela Morgan Sharon & Don Moss Michelle Payne Elizabeth Phillips Anna Pipkorn Ella Pipkorn Pauline & Bruce Pipkorn Jenny Rawlings Mardi Richardson Rose Robertson Judith Sacco Anne Sarros

People first law Commercial Law

Dispute Resolution

Family Law

Wills & Probate

Property Law

Estate Planning

T (03) 5331 2966 E info@heinzlaw.com.au 54

A 6 Dawson St Nth, Ballarat, VIC 3350 W www.heinzlaw.com.au

Jan Stephen Jodie Thompson Janet Torney Claire Torpy Jo-Anne Van der Voort Brenda Verbeek Belinda Walton Sarah Warton Louise Woods Committee for Ballarat Future Shapers 2023 Cohort The Australiana Society (VIC Branch)

Loreto College Ballarat 1600 Sturt Street Ballarat VIC 3350 03 5329 6100 development@loreto.vic.edu.au

loreto.vic.edu.au