Shout out to...

KATE LYONS (1991)

Kate Lyons has had a career that has taken her around the world! What started as a passion in maths, accounting and biology at Loreto, has turned into a career focused on helping people and businesses be resilient to disasters and loss. Studying a Bachelor of Commerce at UQ and then Actuarial Studies with the Institute of Actuaries, Kate has found these skills to be global and relevant in every country and language. In London, Kate worked with local and international government entities and insurance companies to design and implement optimal reinsurance programs. More recently, she is seeking to influence climate change and address insurance affordability with her role as Chair for the Climate Action Committee on the Insurance Council of Australia. Kate is Group Head of Sustainability with QBE Insurance, working with more than 10,000 people in the organisation across 27 countries.

HELEN SVOBODA (2011)

Helen Svoboda, the 2021 Young Alumnus of Loreto, recently embarked on a transformative residency with the Helsinki International Artist Programme in Finland. Immersed in her practice as a double bassist, vocalist, and composer, Svoboda discovered that ‘practice’ extends beyond hours with her instrument. Embracing a slower pace, she drew inspiration from her surroundings and collaborated with fellow artists. Her experiences were captured in an article she wrote for the Australian Music Centre in their ‘Resonate’ magazine, where she shared the profound impact of the residency on her artistic journey. Svoboda’s dedication to pushing boundaries and inspiring others is evident as she continues to evolve as an artist and composer. Read the full article here - The Finnish biosphere, curiosity, and unexpected sounds on the double bass : Blog Article : Australian Music Centre

MEGAN CULLEN ( NEE LAYCOCK, 2015)

Megan has achieved significant milestones in her career and personal life. She recently graduated as a Crew Attendant in the Royal Australian Airforce, playing a vital role in transporting important figures such as the Prime Minister and dignitaries to London for the Queen’s funeral. In addition, Megan recently tied the knot with Lance Cullen, an alumnus of St Laurence’s. The wedding was a beautiful family affair, with two of Megan’s sisters serving as bridesmaids. It was a special occasion for the Laycock family, as Megan’s mother, Barb Laycock (nee Bergin – 1985), and all four Laycock sisters are proud Loreto College Coorparoo alumni.

JASMINE SUE (2006)

Jasmine is living proof that accountants are not boring. A registered Chartered Accountant, Jasmine has been crunching numbers and analysing data for the last 15 years, her career having led to professional and personal adventures in Australia, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Her time abroad nurtured her passion for travel, photography and food - leading to the beginnings of her blog and side hustle, The Travel Quandary. Exploring her creative side online and through social media has led to some amazing collaborations with wellknown brands including Booking.com, Myer and Mountain Designs. Jasmine has since returned to Brisbane where she resides with her husband. Tragically, she lost her firstborn son, Archie, in March 2022. Today, she is a fierce advocate for bereaved parents, raising awareness and funds for stillbirth research, baby and pregnancy loss. Check out Jasmine’s Instagram @thetravelquandary

AUDREY MCCOSKER (2017)

Audrey graduated with a Bachelor of Medical & Mechanical Engineering (Honours) from QUT. She currently works as a Field Service Engineer at GE Healthcare, specialising in installing, maintaining, and repairing anaesthetic machines and ventilators. Her research on manipulating 3D-printed bioresorbable microfibre scaffolds for tissue regeneration was published in Advanced Materials Technologies. Audrey was also a finalist in QUT’s Research in Focus competition. She has contributed to the development of a wearable biometric device for monitoring heat stress and cognitive fatigue levels in remote workers. Audrey’s passion for Medical Engineering was sparked by her teachers at Loreto, motivating her to pursue a career in STEM. Her goal is to create life-changing technology for individuals with disabilities.

ELEONORA DEAK (1995)

Eleonora pursued a career as a linguist in northern Australia after completing her Honours at UQ. She worked in various locations, including Katherine, an Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land, and Port Hedland in Western Australia. During her time in Port Hedland, she volunteered as an ambulance officer, which led her to transition to nursing. Eleonora has been working as a dedicated dialysis nurse for the past 6.5 years, finding it to be her most fulfilling job.

Inspired by the many guest speakers that she heard from during her time at Loreto, Eleonora learned that there are numerous ways to serve and live a meaningful life. She aims to share this message, emphasising the importance of personal growth and community service in finding one’s path.

PRUE HEMPEL (2014)

Prue completed a Business degree at QUT, majoring in Marketing and International Business. She gained valuable internships, including an unforgettable experience at Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World. Prue then entered the media and advertising industry, where she has been working for the past five years. Starting at Channel 7, she now specialises in audio as an Account Manager at Southern Cross Austereo, handling major media agencies in Brisbane. Prue is thrilled to be working alongside Katerina Jackson, a fellow Loreto graduate. The Loreto bond remains strong, as they both proudly wear their Loreto rings and cherish the shared memories of their time at school. The confidence instilled in them by their peers and teachers at Loreto has empowered them to pursue their dreams in the media industry.

TAMARA MULHERIN (previously known as CONDON, 1984)

In July 2022, Tamara graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Politics from the University of Edinburgh. In recent times, she has been a Research Fellow with the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, a Tutor in British Politics at the University of Edinburgh, and a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Northumbria University, researching COVID-19 pandemic lockdown experiences of residents and practitioners in Gateshead, Northeast England. Tamara is now a Lecturer in Organisational Studies in the Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University. She lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with her partner and her two adult daughters.