Sporting showcase

Allison Yee (1987) Every experience shapes you

What experiences happened at Santa that helped shape my life? Three words immediately come to mind: truth – leadership – community.

I attended Santa from 1982 to 1987, entering the gates in Year 7, knowing only one other girl from my primary school. I grew up with three brothers and uncles, who had friends who had brothers. Everywhere I went there were boys. It was an era where gender differentiation was still the norm, in family, education, sport, study, career.

When I arrived at Santa, I loved that it was an all girls’ school. I loved the ‘can do’ attitude, not because of the binaries, but because you were you. Every moment I was at Santa, I felt that gender did not matter. We were seen for our interests, our abilities, our strengths. I knew if I ever had a daughter, I would want her to be a Santa girl.

VERITAS

It was written on our diaries, our bags, our blazers. It stuck. Veritas. Truth.

Our learnings at Santa were steeped in our school motto. What began as an understanding of universal truths naturally matured into an exploration of my own truth. For me that meant pursuing a pathway in life, love and work that is meaningful and purposeful. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Sydney University, followed by further postgraduate studies in accounting, I pursued my true passion for community service by studying a Master’s in Community Management at the University of Technology Sydney. Moving from the corporate accounting and consulting sector to the not-for-profit sector was an important and authentic direction for me.

Alison with her daughter Jade (Year 11).

LEADERSHIP

I am grateful for the opportunity I had at Santa to experience leadership roles under the guidance of a dedicated team of teachers and leadership mentors. In Year 11, I was a Homeroom Prefect and in Year 12, I joined the Executive Team as College Vice-Captain. Santa has always

Marni Lysaght (2011) Paying it forward

Ilook back on my time at Santa Sabina fondly. I have retained the discipline, accountability, integrity, and strong sense of social justice I developed and acquired during my time at the school. In my final year, I was focused on cadetships to acquire industry experience as opposed to university scholarships. As a result, work in the financial services and investment banking industry accompanied my university studies.

I gained experience at an investment banking firm straight out of school and continued for the first two years of my degree, and subsequently had internships at Morgan Stanley and Aberdeen Standard Life. I studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) at the University of Sydney (current equivalent is the Bachelor of instilled a strong sense of social justice but beyond that, it instils a strong sense of accountability.

My memories of leadership at Santa were about upholding the rules, respecting our elders, listening, facilitating meetings, being fair, a role model, friendly and inclusive, representing the school with pride, and arranging fun and creative interschool challenges with St Pat’s. Thirty years on, what leadership means to me is still very much the same, except the bit about St Pat’s boys.

COMMUNITY

I am currently the General Manager of Inner West Neighbour Aid, a not-for-profit organisation that supports people over 65 with centre-based and community programs, exercise programs, shopping support, nature and wellness workshops, social and intergenerational activities, gardening in clients’ homes as well as the 5 Senses Garden in Rhodes. Inner West Neighbour Aid’s vision is a community where seniors connect and share their knowledge to lead active, social and independent lives. To this end, I have also been involved with establishing a trusted private handyman service targeted at seniors. I am very proud to be part of this organisation, working alongside a team of professional staff who facilitate programs, connections and relationships that bring joy. I am also inspired by our amazing volunteers who show us every day that there is always an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.

My former roles in the community sector have included Aged Care Manager at the Benevolent Society, Project Manager at AFFORD (Australian Foundation for Disability), Director of Community Service Development (Autism Spectrum Australia) and Executive Manager of Business Development and Strategy at Marist 180 (formerly Marist Youth Care).

One of my greatest joys is sharing my love for martial arts and how challenges, learning and reflection help us to become the best versions of ourselves. During my years at

Alison teaches martial arts.

Santa I began training in Kempo Bushido Ryu karate and achieved my 1st dan black belt in Year 11. I then went on to train in Tae Kwon Do and competed in Canada at the World All Styles Organisation World Titles in 1996. I founded a karate school in 1995 and still teach to this day. Having taught over 1000 children over the years, the karate school in many ways is a lovely blend of my experiences at Santa: community and leadership.

I loved my time at Santa. I passed the baton on to my daughter Jade when she started middle school in 2016. It is her school now. Jade will be in the class of 2022, the next generation of Santa girls creating their own memories and experiences.

Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies – Dalyell Scholars), majoring in Accounting and Finance, and completed part of my degree at Harvard University as an exchange/study abroad student.

I pursued a career in the financial services industry and have experience across Investment Management, Equity Research and Equity Capital Markets. I am currently an Equity Research Analyst at Macquarie Capital, which gives me access to executive management teams (CEO, CFO) and boards of ASX listed companies. It involves studying a cohort of listed companies and advising institutional investment managers (hedge funds, mutual funds, super funds) on investment in the businesses I specialise in.

I am passionate about my work and highly encourage those who have a high level of curiosity, strong quantitative skills and robust interpersonal skills who seek dynamic, unpredictable and highly intellectually rigorous work to consider a career in Equity Research, Investment Banking or Investment Management.

My education at Santa Sabina has shaped my consistent interest in charitable efforts and ensuring I have a positive impact on society and the environment. I believe in ‘paying it forward’ and spent a university break volunteering as a teacher in South Africa. My current charitable work and interests have led me to be a Climate Leader with Al Gore's Climate Reality Project and a volunteer with the United Nations.

Hannah Rayment (2006), Gemma Rayment (2010) and Emily Cummins (2010) Communities for communities

Many students leave Santa Sabina with a deeper passion for social justice and are inspired to pursue charity work and volunteering, which is certainly the case for sisters Hannah (2006) and Gemma Rayment (2010) and Emily Cummins (2010), who sit on the volunteer committee of Communities for Communities (C4C).

C4C is a 100% volunteer-run organisation dedicated to supporting communities in need through fundraising, community events and immersion trips. Formed in 2002, C4C began as a small group of friends who wanted to make an impact as volunteers.

The founder and President, Lance Brooks, is the father of a Santa Sabina graduate (Michelle Brooks, 2005). Santa Sabina ex-students and current families volunteer and generously donate time and money as individuals or provide business sponsorship.

Now, 19 years later, C4C has raised almost $3 million for projects in Australia and abroad, engaged over 1800 volunteers, hosted over 130 community events, supported over 2000 families, and built more than 900 houses in six countries.

C4C is committed to building and connecting community. Volunteers have travelled on unique immersion experiences to Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. Through partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, our volunteers have spent time working in villages to build houses, schools, sanitation facilities, provided safe water, electricity, disability access and playgrounds.

In Australia, C4C has also supported Lucas Gardens School, Five Dock. Our fundraising efforts have gone towards paediatric physiotherapy services, much-needed classroom technology and a range of facilities and programs including a hydrotherapy centre, a school bus, and an all-abilities playground.

More recently, C4C commenced a new partnership with the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council, assisting their school holiday program. Local indigenous children participate at the end of the term with C4C volunteers running a range of activities including sport, art and craft, games and music that promote health, wellness, and cultural awareness.

Another new partnership is with the Kokoda Memorial Trust, whereby C4C supports the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, Concord, to ensure the walkway is preserved, and educational and informational activities continue.

At the heart of C4C are the people who volunteer their time to help at events, travel on immersions, or sit on the committee to ensure the organisation runs smoothly.

Hannah, Gemma, and Emily have been on 12 immersion trips between them and organised and assisted at countless fundraising events.

As the current Vice-President of C4C, Hannah is proud of the impact the organisation has had on many communities, and the connections she has made.

‘I am so thankful for the education I received at Santa that placed a huge emphasis on social justice, kindness and giving back to the community. Despite it sometimes being a huge commitment, I love volunteering for C4C, raising money for great causes and meeting other great humans who also want to make an impact in the lives of others.’

If you are interested in finding out more about C4C, please follow the organisation on social media or visit www.communitiesforcommunities.com.au.

Danielle Funston (1999) and Vanessa Andersen (1989) are both partners at national law firm, Maddocks, and Santa Sabina mums

Danielle bonded with Vanessa immediately and recalls Vanessa being welcoming, inclusive, principled and down to earth. Vanessa was drawn to Danielle for exactly the same reasons. It was therefore no surprise for either of them to learn that they were both Santa Sabina girls!

Vanessa left Santa after Year 9 to finish school in Canberra after which she studied Arts/Law at ANU. Specialising in employment law, she leads the NSW Government team at Maddocks and works with both private and public sector employers. Vanessa is also the Sydney Graduate and Recruitment Partner. Vanessa has a son, Henry (HSC 2021), and a daughter, Evie, who is a Year 9 Santa girl. Vanessa did not hesitate to enrol Evie for the Dominican values of celebrating the whole person and a commitment to social justice.

Following Year 12, Danielle was employed by the College, teaching various string ensembles, the College orchestra and private violin lessons. She simultaneously completed a Communications (Media)/Law degree at UTS in Restructuring and Insolvency law. She has worked on a number of high profile matters involving Australian and overseas entities. Danielle has two daughters and her eldest, Audrey Williams, will be starting at Goia House next year.

Danielle is a director of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association and also a director of St Lucy’s School Wahroonga – a role she truly cherishes.

Dr Annalyse Crane (1996) was a champion swimmer at school and former PE teacher (2003-2006) at Santa

She has reignited her passion for swimming not in the pool but in the ocean. Annalyse is a patrol captain at Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and has competed in the state and national titles. In her spare time she swims around Shark island and up and down the beaches of Cronulla. Anna has three children with her husband Brad and they celebrate 10 years of marriage this year. Annalyse works as a specialist General Practitioner in Kirrawee with an interest in aviation medicine.

Kerryl McGrath 1960

Kerryl McGrath began travelling to Santa Sabina in 1956 by train from Menangle, quite a distance from the College. At her enrolment interview Mother St John recommended she travel with Helen Clarke who would look after her on the long commute. Kerryl says, ‘Helen certainly did look after me. On one occasion after days and days of rain when we arrived at the entrance gate absolutely drenched, Helen decided we should go home. Home we returned and I was severely admonished by my mother.’

‘I am not sure when it was that another teacher, Sr Denise, said to my mother, ‘I do not think that Helen Clarke is a suitable companion for Kerryl.’ With the advantage of maturity, I realised what Sr Denise meant was ‘Kerryl is easily led’. I related this to Helen in later years – we had a laugh! What I really want to tell everyone is that Helen is now Sr Helen Clarke in the Sisters of Charity and was on the Board of St Vincent’s Hospital. What a success Helen has been, how lucky I have been to be her friend and I am thinking that our time at Santa Sabina prepared us for greater things in life.’

As for Kerryl herself, after secretarial school she joined BP Australia. Later she retrained as a teacher and taught at the Dominican school Prouille in Wahroonga. Kerryl’s family was instrumental in raising funds to build the current College Hall.

Melanie Evans (1994)

Melanie is CEO of ING Bank Australia. Melanie studied a Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW while completing an industry cadetship program. She has spent 25 years in financial services and returned to study to complete her Master’s at UNSW as well as executive education at Harvard Business School. Melanie has led businesses across equities, superannuation, investments, consumer banking and business banking. Melanie’s most important role is mum to her two children (Sophia 5 and James 4). She volunteers her time as a Director of Surf Life Saving Australia, a Director of the European Australian Business Council and a Director of the Australian Banking Association. Melanie is a member of Chief Executive Women and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Monica Barten (1999)

After completing a BA in Communications at UTS followed by a Master’s in International Communications at Macquarie, Monica worked in PR locally and then in London where she stayed six years (and met her future husband) before transferring with payments firm Visa to Singapore and then to Dubai where she has been for the last six years. In Dubai she has worked as the head of communications for Visa and Standard Chartered Bank for Africa and the Middle East. She is the head of communications for the Middle East at a large global FMCG where she sits on the management team.

In the dusty sandpit which she now calls home, she is raising two girls, both of whom have been enrolled to go to Santa! Santa set the foundation for Monica to grow into a successful and independent working mother.

Keri Jones (Bullivant 1965) wrote a beautiful account of her life since Santa Sabina

I loved my time at Santa Sabina and am still in touch with many from the class of ’65. From the time I was very small I was constantly reminded of the words of my maternal grandmother who encouraged me to be a ‘lady chemist’. I completed Pharmacy at Sydney University in 1968, aged 19. I was too young to be registered. I decided on an Honours year followed by a Master of Science majoring in Microbiology. My work centred around a ‘superbug’ that was the cause of serious urinary tract infections in paraplegics and quadriplegics.

I continued to work as an unregistered pharmacist until I turned 21 and also as a Teaching Fellow in Pharmacy. I was approached by Ethnor Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, to be their Microbiologist. As the premises were new I also had to set up the laboratories and hire staff.

In the meantime I met and married my husband of 49 years, Alan. When we were first married we enrolled in a food and wine course at North Sydney Technical College. We also had wine appreciation lectures and I heard about a new degree in Wine Science at the Riverina CAE. Thus began my love affair with wine making and appreciation.

I used to give wine talks occasionally and took part in tastings for a wine magazine. I was largely a stay-at-home mum, working in retail pharmacy occasionally. After three children and moving to Brisbane I became a teachers’ aide which led to a Diploma in Education. I then worked part-time as a secondary teacher at Tintern AGGS teaching Junior Science, Agriculture and Biology! I was later offered a position as a Lecturer, and ultimately Co-ordinator of Pharmaceutical Microbiology. This was the best job ever as I ended up teaching Pharmacy students about Microbiology.

I have now largely retired but still work on a casual basis for Monash in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, as well as the School of Rural Medicine and Pharmacy at UNE. Mark Twain once said, ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’

Clare Cooper (1999)

Clare has spent two decades traveling, performing, directing festivals, co-founding two orchestras, and managing her design consultancy. Clare was based in Berlin from 20072013 which is where her daughter was born. After completing her PhD, Clare joined the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at The University of Sydney, where she lectures in design computing, interaction design, futuring, and electronic arts.

Catherine O’Grady (1964)

Catherine attended Santa for the final two years of her schooling. Yet, whenever asked where she went to school, her immediate response is Santa Sabina. She remembers those years with affection and is grateful for the independent spirit that the school instilled.

Following university and six years abroad, Catherine returned to Australia with a strong interest in issues of language and culture. She began a satisfying career with the Adult Migrant Education Service teaching English and inter-cultural communication in a wide variety of workplace settings. In time, her focus narrowed to doctor-patient communication and involvement in bridging courses for overseas trained doctors seeking local registration. Much later, she completed a PhD in Applied Linguistics that examined what makes for expert communication in General Practice. A period of research at Macquarie University followed and she is now a part time clinical communication tutor with Health Education Australia enjoying zoom classes with fascinating students from across Australia and beyond.

Catherine has one son, and, in addition to family and work, she has found great delight in singing with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs over the past 10 years.

Eleanor Tomkins (2014)

Eleanor completed a Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation at Macquarie University. She went on to work with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in the North Western Sydney Area, on Dharug-Wallumedegal land.

She has worked across a range of operational aspects, including park maintenance, threatened species conservation, park projects, Aboriginal cultural heritage, pest management, and as a firefighter to complete hazard reduction burns and respond to wildfires.

During the 2019/2020 fire season she was deployed across NSW, from Glen Innes to the South Coast, working alongside many brave, hard-working people.

In 2021 she accepted a Ranger position with NPWS, based in Bourke. As part of the role, she is responsible for the management and conservation of Toorale National Park and State Conservation Area on Kurnu-Baakandji Country. This area holds important state and federal conservation value, and rich Aboriginal heritage and continuing culture.

With the challenges we have all faced in the last 18 months, Eleanor feels grateful for the responsibility to care for this spectacular country and she is looking forward to everything that is to come.

Maddy Webster (Anne-Madeleine Rabaud 1970)

After many travels Maddy has been living in Western Australia since 1981 and is currently in Perth. She ran a business in the clothing industry for many years before retiring and now enjoys more travels, on a smaller scale in her home state.

Patricia Fennell (White 1957) was one of our boarders

After leaving Santa she took up nursing at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst. On completing her Registered Nursing training, she moved back to Dubbo, met her husband then moved to Brewarrina. Patricia is now back in Dubbo.

Sarah Peeters (2018)

Sarah started her career a few weeks after her last HSC exam and has completed her first year as a Childcare Trainee.

She told Around the Plot:

‘Getting paid to study while training is a plus but it has pushed me to my limits, but I have mostly enjoyed being with children, as they tell me the funniest stories. I work full time, nine hours a day, which only gives Friday nights and weekends to hang out with my friends and family. But this has helped me so much in getting through this past year.’

Vanessa Lahoud (1993)

Vanessa studied languages and education. After teaching languages for some time, her passion for student wellbeing and child protection took her to the corporate education sector, developing policies and practices. However, she knew that being on the ground and working with students made a real, positive impact. She began to scope roles that worked directly with schools to build safe, resilient communities supported to identify and support students with vulnerabilities.

She is now a Specialist Program Director with the Department of Education, working with a large multidisciplinary team that delivers the Safeguarding Kids Together program to government schools, state-wide. The program supports schools to mitigate and manage risk. She loves her multi-faceted role. She values the diverse opportunities and privilege that her education at Santa Sabina College provided her, and today provides her own three children.

Susan Skehan (Ricketts 1970)

Susan trained at St Vincent’s Hospital after leaving Santa and pursued a nursing career. After her early married years in Sydney she and her husband John and four children moved to Bowral for 30 years. About 20 months ago she and John moved to the Central Coast and now reside on St Huberts Island. The saddest thing for her was missing out on her 50 year reunion. She was so looking forward to catching up with old friends.

Elizabeth O’Sullivan (Johns 1976)

Elizabeth from Port Moresby was a boarder at Santa Sabina but once our boarding closed she spent her final two years of school at St Vincent’s Potts Point. Elizabeth shared some school memories

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the life of a boarder. We were a close knit group of girls from a variety of towns and properties around NSW and other countries too. I only went home for the May and Christmas holidays and friends and relatives looked after me at Easter and in the September holidays here in Australia. Dom’s Plot was always out of bounds so we never put a foot on that bit of grass! I loved swimming and playing tennis, softball and netball…anything to have the opportunity to go out on a weekend to play against other girls from other schools.’

Elizabeth attended the Sydney Kindergarten Teachers College at Waverley from 1977-1979.

She then taught at Tumut Pre-school from May 1980-1982, and then at Toormina Pre-school near Sawtell from 1984-2000. She retrained as s high school teacher in 2003 and taught at Wee Waa for three years from 2004-2006. She then returned to the coast and taught at Macksville High from 2007-2019.

Elizabeth took unpaid leave at the start of 2020 and has just decided to retire this year.

She is living with her husband Terry on a three-acre property in Boambee, which is between Coffs Harbour and Sawtell. She has five grown up children and five grandchildren, with another due at Christmas.

Lescinka Fernandez (2015)

Lescinka is a lawyer at the Department of Home Affairs in the Migration and Citizenship Legislation team. She is working on legislation that addresses the exploitation of migrant workers in Australia. She has also accepted an offer to study a Master of Laws, specialising in International Dispute Resolution, at Kings College London. She will be moving to the United Kingdom in September, to pursue her passion for international human rights law.

Joanne Eniko Drogitis (Gulyas

1979) writes: ‘My rich Hungarian heritage led me to be a part of a dance group, performing around Australia and at the Sydney Opera House for many years as well as a member of the Hungarian Girl Guides. I completed a BA and a Diploma in Information Management at UNSW in 1983. In 1984, I attained a professional position at the State Library of NSW as a librarian in the Cataloguing Department. I have been there ever since and today I am a Specialist Librarian in Collection Access & Description. My main role is to build the collection of NSW material and make it accessible for current and future generations. Married for 35 years, I have three adult children and love to travel around Australia, when possible. I have fond memories of my high school years and great pride in Santa Sabina’s excellence.’