2022 Foundation Activities

Perth College Foundation events are a great opportunity to celebrate all that donors enable us to achieve, meet with staff and students, network with other donors and experience some of the wonderful activities the School organises. Some highlights from 2022:

Donor Pre-show Reception: Anastasia The Musical

Perth Colleges Senior School Musicals are always highly anticipated musical theatre events and wonderful performances and Anastasia The Musical was no exception. Perth Colleges adaptation was an incredible showcase of student’s talents, and the donor pre-show reception was a testimony to the importance of the performing arts in education.

Annual Scholarship Donor Breakfast

A favourite among our donors, the Foundations Annual Scholarship Donor Breakfast is a fabulous opportunity to hear firsthand about the impact that scholarships are having.

Among this year’s panel members were scholarship recipients Sophie Boswell, (Year 12) Margaret and Patricia Feilman InsideOut Scholarship, and Mackenzie Elsegood-Smith, (Year 11) Joan and George Lefroy General Excellence Academic Scholarship.

Our Guest Speaker was Helen Sewell AM, an Old Girl, past Old Girls Association President and Council member, where she served as Council Chair for two years. Helen has been a valued supporter over many years and was also instrumental in resurrecting the Foundation, as well as being its cornerstone donor.

Helen’s charitable contributions are truly inspiring because, as well as providing generous funding, she joined the Board of charities to help make things happen. Having experienced the 1989 death of her eldest daughter Johanna (also an Old Girl), Helen personally funded the building of Australia’s first specialist adolescent cancer ward at Princess Margaret Hospital in 2005. At the same time, Helen was a founding Director of Redkite, which helps families of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. Helen stayed on the Board for 14 year,s during which time Redkite became a National organisation which now helps families throughout Australia. Helen remains a Patron and is still a very involved supporter.

Later Helen funded the establishment of a breast cancer tumour bank in WA and continues to support research into breast cancer as well as the causes of Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological diseases.

At the Scholarship Donor Breakfast, Helen shared her personal and moving story of what motivated her to make such a tremendous difference to turn her business success, and personal loss, into a power for good. Helen believes that she is very fortunate to be able to give now and see the results of her endeavours.

Foundation Festive Celebration

Fast becoming a firm favourite among donors, our Festive Celebration held in Myalla House was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that our incredible donors helped the Foundation facilitate in 2022.

We were delighted to welcome Emily Gelineau (2016 Perth College Graduate and accomplished violinist, pianist, composer and arranger, known for playing and interpreting many styles of music from jazz to pop, rock, world styles, and the classical westernart tradition), and Danilo da Paz (a Brazilian born performer, accordionist, guitarist and music researcher), who provided a wonderful blend of Jazz and Festive classics!

The Festive Celebration was also an occasion to celebrate the establishment of the Anne Cranston Rural Student Scholarship in honour of the late Anne Cranston (PC Old Girl), who was an exceptionally generous donor. The inaugural scholarship will be awarded in 2023, and we look forward to keeping you updated on the impact this scholarship has on Perth College students.

Perth College Presentation Night

At the heart of the Schools’ annual Presentation Night is the spirit of generosity and celebration. It is a wonderful event that acknowledges and revels in the outstanding achievements of students, recognising academic accomplishment, artistic, musical, creative talent, sporting triumphs and community service and leadership skills. Whilst not a Foundation event, we are delighted to be a part of Perth College’s Presentation Night and continue to sponsor the prestigious Dux of Perth College Prize, awarded to the top academic student in Year 12. In 2022 there were two Dux of Perth College Prize recipients, a wonderful accomplishment. Both recipients reflected on receiving the impressive prize.

Isha Singh Goraya

“Getting this Prize means so much to me; it means that all my hard work paid off and that I was able to make the most of all the incredible resources Perth College offered to me. It also opens up so many opportunities for the future, and I greatly appreciate the generous financial support I have been given to pursue my further education aspirations and goals.”

Taylor Racey

“Taylor Racey - Dux of Perth College. For as long as I can remember, that sentence has been my ultimate dream. Why? Well, until not long ago, I really couldn’t say. Maybe, I didn’t know. All I knew was that that was the goal. So, I studied hard, constantly sought feedback, met with teachers, did everything I could to be always improving, and pushed myself as far as I could go. I never questioned why.

Then, on December 6, 2022, my dream finally became a reality. Never in my life have I experienced such an overwhelming sense of pride. It was at that moment that I realised why.

This award is not mine, personally. It is a recognition of teamwork; validation for everyone who helped me along the way. I couldn’t have done it alone. More specifically, I couldn’t have done it without Perth College. I see this award as recognition for my teachers. For the countless hours they spent preparing me, supporting me and pushing me to be the best version of myself possible. For caring about my mental wellbeing, not just the content they were delivering. For making me believe in myself. I will forever be indebted to them.

Also, for my family. For all of their support, love and encouragement. For their patience and sacrifice. This award is for them too.

So that answers the question of why. Because I wanted to make proud the important people in my life. I wanted them to know that their hard work had paid off too. This award is as much for them as it is for me.

I would like to conclude by thanking the Perth College Foundation directly. This award means the world to me, and I am beyond grateful for the prize you so generously presented me with. Perth College has shaped me into the person I am today, and I will forever be grateful that I had the opportunity to spend my senior schooling years at Perth College.”