She’s got

VERONICA GRAVOLIN (2004)

While attending school, Veronica showcased her talent in gymnastics by competing in two World Championships. She achieved 4th place in Year 10 and 2nd place in Year 12.

With the support of Loreto College, she balanced her sporting pursuits and academic studies, graduating with an OP 5. At 17, Veronica joined Cirque du Soleil, performing as a professional gymnast while starting university. She later completed her Bachelor of Business with the highest GPA in Business Management. Veronica established successful health clinics called Health Place, catering to esteemed clients like the Broncos, the Reds, QLD Ballet, and the Wallabies for over a decade. Additionally, Veronica is the founder and current operator of Airlisting, a real estate agency that prioritises cost-effectiveness and high-performance sales, ensuring property owners maximise their profits. Presently, Veronica is returning to her passion for gymnastics and focusing on the development of online gymnastics courses. Her journey exemplifies her dedication and entrepreneurial spirit in both athletics and business.

ELOISE CARROLL (2013)

Eloise excelled in athletics at Loreto, becoming Ward House Captain and representing Queensland in national championships for cross country and track and field. After graduating, Eloise studied a Bachelor of Business at QUT and joined BDO as an auditor. She has also completed her Chartered Accountant qualification and is now a senior auditor at EY. Eloise continued her passion for running and began competing in triathlons, before progressing to Half Ironman and Ironman events alongside her professional career. Whilst working full-time as a senior auditor, Eloise was also completing swimming, cycling and running training at least 20 hours per week.

After competing at the Cairns Ironman in 2020, Eloise qualified for the Kona Ironman World Championships. In October 2022 she completed the Kona Ironman World Championships (3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle, 42 km run) in a time of 12 hours 30 minutes and 58 seconds placing her 62nd in the world for her age group and joins an elite group of athletes who have completed the Kona Ironman. Eloise is a strong advocate for women in sports and intends to continue to balance her professional and sporting careers and compete in other Ironman events across the world.

REBECCA LANE (2009)

Rebecca’s passion for science was first ignited during her years at Loreto. After graduating, she studied a Bachelor of Science (Honours I) majoring in Biomedical Science at UQ. She was awarded a University Medal and the Biochemistry Alumni Honours Prize for her academic performance. She completed her PhD at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at UQ. Her thesis focused on the discovery of blood-based biomarkers for breast cancer, inspired by women in her family who have bravely battled this disease. She then remained at the AIBN as a post-doctoral researcher focusing on the development of diagnostic assays for brain cancer and traumatic brain injury.

In 2022, she relocated to the UK to begin further training in clinical cancer genomics with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. She hopes to combine practice as a clinical scientist with a program of research in this field. Her aspiration is to contribute to our evolving understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and apply this to benefit patients. She is also passionate about encouraging young women to consider a career in STEM.

FIONA PARK (1988)

After graduating from Loreto, Fiona embarked on a remarkable journey that took her around the world and shaped her professional path. She spent a transformative year in Turkey as a Rotary exchange student, immersing herself in a new culture and broadening her horizons. Motivated by her passion for engineering, Fiona then pursued a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at QUT, where she honed her technical skills and gained a solid foundation in the field.

Fiona’s career took her to diverse locations, including remote mining sites in Arnhem Land, Myanmar, Switzerland, and the UAE. These experiences not only exposed her to different environments and challenges but also provided valuable insights into the global nature of the industry. Recognising the growing importance of information technology, Fiona further expanded her knowledge by completing an IT qualification through night school.

Returning to Australia, Fiona joined a prominent management consulting firm, where she made significant contributions to telecommunications, electricity, and financial sector projects. Her expertise and dedication helped drive the successful delivery of major infrastructure initiatives for the Victorian Government, all while pursuing her MBA at Melbourne Business School.

Since 2012, Fiona has been a valuable asset to the Northern Territory Government, where her role involves promoting investment opportunities across Asia. Her extensive travels and cross-cultural experiences have equipped her with a deep understanding of international business dynamics and a keen ability to forge connections with diverse stakeholders.

MADELEINE LITTLE (2012)

Since her drama classes in the Casket building and music classes in the Mary Ward Centre fuelled her love of the stage, Madeleine has pursued professional arts practice with the goal of making art accessible for all to make and enjoy. Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) at QUT, Maddie opted to research accessible theatre practice for her Master of Arts (Creative Arts) study at UniSQ. While studying, Maddie worked at La Boite Theatre and for University of Melbourne as a research assistant on The Last Avant Garde Research Project. As a theatre maker and performer, Maddie has performed at Brisbane Powerhouse, La Boite Theatre, Home of the Arts Gold Coast and Adelaide Fringe.

Maddie has been recognised both for her acting and her leadership in the arts. She recently won the Best Supporting Actor in an Independent Production Award at the 2022 Matilda Awards for her work as Dr Emma Brookner in The Normal Heart (Ad Astra Theatre). She was also recognised nationally by Australia Council for the Arts with a 2022 Early Career Artist National Arts and Disability Award. Other recognitions include 2019 National Leadership Award from Arts Access Australia and 2018 Stella Young Award from Arts Access Victoria. Maddie provides access consulting for performing arts organisations, and counts The Little Red Company among her clients working on the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols 2021 and 2022. She is a proud disabled woman and also delivers disability awareness training to arts and corporate clients.

Maddie currently holds the position of Festival Director for Undercover Artist Festival, Australia’s premier disability-led performing arts festival returning 20th to 23rd September at Queensland Theatre in partnership with Brisbane Festival.

STEPHANIE ESPRESTER (2012)

From a young age, Stephanie has always been curious to explore the world. Inspired by her Loreto experience and family values, social justice has always been one of her core values, and saw her dedicating her youth to volunteering and fundraising for various initiatives within her local community. Driven by this passion to support others, Stephanie studied a Bachelor of International Studies at the University of Queensland with a double major in Spanish and International Inequality and Development. Combining this passion for social justice and her travel dreams, Stephanie has dedicated her career to working for nonprofit organisations and social businesses in Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Spain and the US.

In 2022, she collaborated with a community of Guatemalan artisans to launch ‘mi eelo’ (meaning my thread), a social impact business that has created dignified work for over 60 women from communities surrounding the Guatemala City garbage dump. Spearheading a venture of this magnitude in a foreign country allowed Stephanie to witness the real power of entrepreneurship in a society where toxic masculinity, economic exclusion and extreme poverty remain barriers to sustainable change. Harnessing this entrepreneurial mindset, Stephanie now works as a Program Manager at Bridge for Billions, a global social enterprise that creates and manages high-quality incubation programs for all kinds of entrepreneurs around the world. To date, Bridge for Billions has supported over 3,600 entrepreneurs in 132 countries. Stephanie is proud to be part of a progressive and innovative movement towards more inclusive entrepreneurial support, so that all entrepreneurs have access to the opportunities they need to create sustainable solutions for themselves, their communities, and the world.

EMMY O’NEILL (NEE SCHOFIELD, 2002)

Emmy O’Neill, an Australian transplant athlete and organ donation advocate, recently represented Australia in swimming and triathlon at the World Transplant Games in Perth 2023. She achieved remarkable success, earning a gold medal in the 400m Freestyle, a bronze in the 4 x 50m Women’s Freestyle Relay, and a bronze in the Sprint Triathlon.

Emmy’s journey over the past five years involved navigating kidney failure and undergoing dialysis treatment until she received a life-saving kidney transplant from a deceased donor. This transplant granted her a second chance at life.

Using social media as a platform for storytelling, Emmy has shared her journey since 2018 to inspire others about the benefits of exercise, resilience, bravery, whilst dealing with chronic illness. She has also been an advocate for organ donation awareness, volunteering with Transplant Australia and working with organisations like Donate Life and Kidney Health Australia. Emmy’s impactful essay, ‘on dialysis,’ was selected for inclusion in the e-book “Stories from the Heart; Penning the Pandemic” and has been shared on various platforms, including podcasts and

Emmy’s advocacy extends beyond social media as she serves as a guest and motivational speaker at health conferences, advisory panels, and hospital departments, representing the patient’s perspective. Her passion for combining sports and advocacy developed during her time at Loreto, where she represented the school in various sports and actively participated in social justice initiatives.

Through documenting her life posttransplant, Emmy aims to inspire others to live active and positive lives. She continues to raise awareness about transplanted athletes in able-bodied sports, honouring her donor through her daily actions.

CATHERINE BAGLEY (NEE MANN, 1968)

Catherine Bagley, the esteemed Neonatal Physiotherapist, is revered as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in her field. Throughout her 50-year career, she has transformed the lives of children with disabilities worldwide. Jenny Murphy, Physiotherapy Team Leader at Mater Hospital Brisbane, praises Catherine for embodying the Mater Values and her relentless pursuit of excellence. Since joining Mater Children’s Hospital in 1976, Catherine’s dedication and passion have garnered admiration. Reflecting on her Loreto education, Catherine cherishes memories of learning, sports and friendships, including her friendship with the nuns. She acknowledges that, albeit briefly, the nuns even tried to encourage her to join their order—an idea that did not resonate with her. However, she later found great satisfaction when her profession and the impactful work she embarked upon were recognised as a true vocation. While Catherine acknowledges occasional clashes with the nuns during her school days, she went on to establish a profound friendship with Sr. Therese Daly, maintaining a close connection by meeting her in Melbourne whenever the opportunity arose. Catherine attributes the seed of her journey to the Loreto Sisters, as her subsequent work at Mater allowed her to collaborate with the remarkable Sisters of Mercy.

Catherine’s achievements range from pioneering neonatal respiratory physiotherapy to becoming an authority in evidence-based clubfoot management. She has also volunteered in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and published numerous clinical trials. On the eve of her retirement, Catherine expresses profound gratitude to Mater, her cherished home—a place that exudes a distinctive spirit instilled by the Sisters of Mercy. Her journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication and profound impact.

GRACE KING (2018)

Grace’s professional and personal endeavours revolve around advocating for and empowering women in music while striving for excellence in every aspect of her life. As a musician, composer, educator, and researcher, she dedicates herself to highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusivity for all gender identities in the music industry. Grace’s academic achievements serve as a testament to her commitment to the field.

In 2018, she completed her Associate Diploma in Drum-Kit Performance, followed by her Bachelor of Music with Distinction – Proxime Accessit in 2021. In 2022, Grace achieved First Class Honours, earning her membership in the prestigious International Golden Key Society. She was also honoured with the Griffith University Faculty Medal for Academic Achievement that same year. Her research, titled “The Feminine Touch: An Investigation into the Lack of Women Jazz Drummers and the Importance of Femininity in Jazz,” provides a platform for current women in jazz to share their experiences and perspectives on the challenges they face in the music industry. By exploring the role of femininity in jazz culture and practice, Grace aims to contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all musicians and gender identities.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Grace has showcased her musical talents in renowned venues such as the Brisbane River Stage, Suncorp Stadium, Fortitude Valley Music Hall, Home of the Arts Gold Coast and Government House. She has shared the stage with acclaimed performers like Mark Gable from the Choir Boys and renowned Sydney composer and pianist Charlie Chan, as well as working with organisations such as Opera Queensland, the ABC and Brisbane Festival.