5
born to fly
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
born to fly DORD BURROUGH 2005 Artist
Editor
DR DEBORAH SETTERLUND OAM 1965 Community Service
Contributors
DR PHILIPPA HALL 1977 Anaesthetist CHELSEA HIGGINS 2011 Equestrian DR LAURIE DELBRIDGE 1942 Medicine & Athletics MEG RYLANCE 2007 Editor
Alice Tidmarsh
Toni Riordan, Sue Russell, Wendy Biggs and Michele Grant, as well as our Old Girls, who have generously given their time for this edition of Born to Fly 5.
Photography Paul Clark Marc Pricop Travelshoot
Design Annie Fanning
DR LOUISE RAWLINGS 1997 Economist KATE GREENWOOD 1979 Barrister EMMA ISHTA 2007 Actor CAE ASHTON 1980 Education MADELEINE SWETE KELLY 2006 Architect RACHEL SAKURAI 1999 Business JULIA MCKENNA 1990 Community Service
Disclaimer The Editors have gone to great efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information compiled in this publication but can accept no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. Although the Editors support the right of expression by members of the student body and other writers, we wish to make it clear that the views expressed by individual authors are not necessarily those held by the Editors or St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Corinda.
born to fly I invite you to delight in the fifth edition of Born to Fly. For 90 years St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School has enjoyed a rich history of consistent academic and extra-curricular success. Our founders, the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, were committed to nurturing and teaching young women; this premise remains as our benchmark. The 13 profiles of past students included in this edition of Born to Fly highlight our school’s mission over the many years and which continues today: we promote and empower young women through education and opportunity. We do this by giving them support, excellent female role models, confidence to flourish and a belief that they can achieve anything. We aspire to educate girls who are authentic, caring, confident, creative and connected and who value reason, imagination, truth, compassion and responsibility. I am confident you will note these values reflected in the stories of the women in this edition and the four previous editions of Born to Fly. I thank our Old Girls for their stories which provide inspiration for our current students, allowing a solid foundation from which to pursue their dreams. I acknowledge the hard work of the Alumni Office and Marketing team for this publication. I take the opportunity to thank our staff, both past and present who care for our students and alumni in a vibrant learning environment that honours our Sisters’ values and ethos. Toni Riordan
B Ed, M Ed Leadership, MACEL, MACE, GAICD, FIML
DORD BURROUGH 2005
Artist
DORD BURROUGH 2005
Artist
DORD BURROUGH 2005 Artist
Dord Burrough’s life may have been very different without the mentorship of St Aidan’s art teacher, Gaye Brown. “I definitely lucked out in the teacher department when it came to studying art. Gaye could see how excited I was about making art and helped me realise that it was something that I could take seriously as a career and life-long pursuit,” Dord says. Gaye Brown shared her own enthusiasm for art with her young student, exploring the work of new contemporary artists, most of whom were not necessarily on the standard curriculum. Even Dord’s first job after school was working as an art assistant at St Aidan’s, alongside her mentor.
Since graduating from Queensland College of Art in 2008, Dord has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Brisbane, Sydney and Berlin. She has been selected in the Churchie Emerging Art Award and ‘Test Pattern’ at Ryan Renshaw Gallery in 2012. Dord still maintains a close relationship with her former art teacher who she considers a friend and credits with guiding her towards her passion and career.
DR DEBORAH SETTERLUND OAM Haggarty 1965
Community Service
DR DEBORAH SETTERLUND OAM Haggarty 1965
Community Service
As a shy school girl at St Aidan’s, Deborah Setterlund developed a lifelong love of learning and caring that would stay with her well beyond retirement.
St Aidan’s was small enough to allow learning in small classes with a personal attention from caring teachers,” she says.
Deborah believes that it was the St Aidan’s ‘can do’ attitude encouraged among its students that saw her qualify as a social worker and ultimately embark on an academic career in which she not only worked as a lecturer and tutor, but became a mother to two daughters and completed a Masters and then a PhD.
As one of the authors of a highly regarded social work text book and numerous academic articles, and a former lecturer in Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at the University of Queensland, Deborah is still using her academic and research skills into retirement. She and her husband Rod assist a community in Nepal for the Nepal Australia Friendship Association (NAFA), for which the couple have both received an Order of Australia Medal.
“At St Aidan’s we were always encouraged to read widely and to question what we were studying. In those days, it was normal to just accept what was taught, instead we were told to ask questions and be critical and curious.
DR PHILIPPA HALL 1977
Anaesthetist
DR PHILIPPA HALL 1977
Anaesthetist
When Philippa Hall turned six she received a nurse’s uniform for her birthday. She wore the costume and played dress ups, but even at a tender age Philippa knew that a career in medicine was her future – but as a doctor. Now a leading anaesthetist, Philippa’s time at St Aidan’s began in Year 4 when her family moved to Brisbane from the United Kingdom. She would return to the UK, and her school outside London, before completing the long journey back to Australia to complete her senior years in Corinda. For Philippa, still determined to succeed in medicine, St Aidan’s reinforced in her a self-belief that she was more than capable of achieving her goals.
“I truly think that the school’s motto of Born to Fly is so correct because that is exactly what they encourage their students to do.” Philippa says one of the other values that St Aidan’s ingrains in their girls is to give back to the community and that is what she has done through her continued work with Interplast Australia, a notfor-profit organisation which works in the Asia Pacific region to give medical care to those in need though a network of highly qualified doctors, nurses and health professionals. Philippa gives up her time free of charge to help improve lives. She has travelled to places like Fiji and Nepal, to help those less fortunate through Interplast and AusNep, a Gold Coast based charity.
CHELSEA HIGGINS 2011
Equestrian
CHELSEA HIGGINS 2011
Equestrian
Chelsea Higgins doesn’t think she is anything special. In fact, she is continually amazed when people compliment her on her achievements. The 23-year-old equestrian champion is still recovering from an horrific riding accident in 2010 that saw her placed in an induced coma for 10 days, incurring extensive injuries, the symptoms of which, including impaired vision, continual spasms and loss of movement and sensation. By rights it should have been the end of her equestrian career. Instead, a determined Chelsea whose dream has always been to compete in an Olympics, has turned what some would consider a disability, into a highly successful career as a Paralympian.
“I hate playing the victim,” she says. “There are so many other people who are far worse off than me and they are still competing in sport at a world class level. I’ve never lost the dream of representing Australia at an Olympic level and my accident hasn’t stopped that.” Chelsea credits St Aidan’s for helping her through her senior years as she struggled to cope with both the physical and emotional effects of her accident. “St Aidan’s were incredibly supportive. A retired teacher gave up her time to give me extra tutoring. I was allowed to go to sick bay or home if I felt unwell and my school workload was reduced. I don’t believe that any other school would go above and beyond in their care for a student the way St Aidan’s did for me,” she says. Chelsea’s next goal is to compete in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.
DR LAURIE DELBRIDGE Trotter 1942
Medicine & Athletics
DR LAURIE DELBRIDGE Trotter 1942
Medicine & Athletics
Laurie Delbridge was never one to sit still. Her
A natural athlete, Laurie resumed her love of running
enthusiasm for life and learning began early. She
after her daughter Gail began competing. As a senior,
was school captain in 1942 and 1943 and was the
she went on to win many gold medals at the Australian
first St Aidan’s student to sit for Physics in both Junior
Masters Games and still holds the sprint record for the
and Senior exams. Laurie also managed to squeeze
200 metres in the 75-79 age category.
four years’ of Physics and German study into just two years. Upon leaving St Aidan’s, Laurie studied medicine at the University of Queensland and after graduation practised in Mareeba and the Redlands District. Laurie was also a member of the Medical Women’s Society throughout her career and served as their President.
She was closely involved with the Redland Museum and many of her achievements are on display at the museum, including her book, Memories of Medicine. Laurie Delbridge passed away 25 March 2017. She was 93.
MEG RYLANCE 2007
Editor
MEG RYLANCE 2007
Editor
Meg is a third generation St Aidan’s girl who started in 1998. She was the Junior and Senior School Hartland House Captain as well as Rowing Captain in the year St Aidan’s achieved the Aggregate Cup. In 2007, Meg was the recipient of the Walker Memorial Prize for Sporting Spirit. The graduating assessment in Information Technology Systems proved to be a lightbulb moment for Meg. Meg devoted every spare minute to the film she was required to write, direct, shoot and edit, and her dedication paid off when she was awarded the subject prize at Annual Awards. Meg went on to study Film and Television at Bond University and in her fourth semester she was the most junior student in a team of three selected to produce a Qantas advertisement in Longreach, winning the Best Editor award for her film. In her first year out of university, on request from a music video
director, Meg flew to Norway to edit a Christmas single for the Norwegian X Factor runner up. At 26 years old, Meg became the youngest person to achieve an Editor role at MasterChef. In the difficult and competitive world of prime-time television, Meg is a sought-after contractor, having worked on The Block, My Kitchen Rules, Great Australian Spelling Bee, Australia’s Got Talent, Great Australian Bake Off and House Rules. The Executive Producer of MKR wrote, “in all my time producing, I can safely say that Meg has a gift. A rare and unique skillset that is well beyond her years. She is truly one of the country’s great young editors.” Meg reflects on her time at St Aidan’s, “I was never an academic, and yet I still felt special and supported. St Aidan’s offered so many different experiences and then encouraged and facilitated us to excel in the disciplines we took special interest in.”
DR LOUISE RAWLINGS Tamaschke 1997
Economist
DR LOUISE RAWLINGS Tamaschke 1997 Economist
Louise Rawlings has come a long way from her school days at St Aidan’s. Now a Director of Economic Policy in the Federal Government, Louise has worked for several government departments including the Prime Minister’s department. Louise’s work in government has spanned the full policy development process including budgets and through Cabinet. She is also a married mother of three and looks back fondly on her time at St Aidan’s. “St Aidan’s encouraged us to think that girls can do anything and allowed each of us to follow our own passions.”
“These various passions were encouraged within a school community that was so warm and positive and this was critical at such a formative time of life,” Louise says. Louise is also a visiting research fellow at the Australian National University. She has a PhD from the University of Queensland on regional economic development and has published academic papers on labour economics and health economics. She is also a member of the Economic Society of Australia and the Women in Economics Network.
KATE GREENWOOD 1979
Barrister
KATE GREENWOOD 1979
Barrister
The life lessons Kate Greenwood learnt from her time at St Aidan’s taught her not to wait for favourable conditions but, she says, “to pursue what needs to be done and to be part of the change that is required.” It is this sentiment that Kate has followed throughout her life and career, in law, technology, and management, working for many years in International Humanitarian Law and in the War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague. Currently, Kate is working in law reform as it affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, an area she is very passionate about. “Australia is unique because we live with the world’s oldest continuous culture and we need to do that better,” she says.
Kate was inspired by a remarkable physics teacher to pursue science as well as humanities and believes that the friendships formed across the whole of St Aidan’s and the school’s expectation to give everything a go has had a huge impact on her life. “I have done a lot but I think one day I’ll stop to look back and see a swathe of change that I will identify as my contribution,” she says.
EMMA ISHTA Douglas-Powell 2007 Actor
EMMA ISHTA Douglas-Powell 2007 Actor
The influence of her schooling at St Aidan’s continues to play a major role in the life of US-based actor, Emma Ishta. Now considering middle school options for her step daughter, Emma is reflecting on the confidence, maturity, independence and unfailing belief in herself and the women around her that her school life in Corinda gave her. “I was surrounded by exceptional teachers who nurtured my passion and challenged me to challenge myself,” she says. “I wouldn’t be an actor if it weren’t for my teacher Gerry Kay and his continued encouragement, guidance and mentorship. Mr Kay came to my 21st birthday party and gave me the compassionate kick I needed to start seriously pursuing acting.”
“Gentle Mr Galbraith was always so kind and shared his great love of music with me. Without these teachers and so many more, my path may have been very different.” In her career, Emma has landed roles in the award nominated film I Smile Back, upcoming feature film Crown Vic as well as television shows Black Box, Power and Manhattan Love Story. She was cast as the lead role of Kirsten Clark in the American TV series Stitchers. She is currently developing a documentary series on motherhood and has a part in a new Netflix series, The Good Cop.
CAE ASHTON Rees 1980
Education
CAE ASHTON Rees 1980 Education
Little did Cae Ashton know when she was studying at St Aidan’s that the skills she would learn at school would continue to keep her in good stead throughout her life. Now the principal at Autism Queensland Limited, Cae’s career has seen her heavily involved in special needs education. Part of this focus stems from her days at St Aidan’s. “There was a strong sense of empathy and enormous respect for others within the culture of St Aidan’s. There was no question about all of us being given the same broad range of opportunities, irrespective of our abilities. I genuinely believe my chosen career path was strongly influenced by my positive experiences at St Aidan’s,” she says.
Cae loves her job, but stresses the importance of maintaining a good balance with other aspects of life. For release, she regularly performs in a string ensemble, an interest first developed and nurtured at St Aidan’s.
MADELEINE SWETE KELLY 2006
Architect
JANO DAWES 1986 (nee Robertson)
Business owner
MADELEINE SWETE KELLY 2006
Architect
For Brisbane architect Madeleine Swete Kelly, St Aidan’s is more than a school – it is family. She speaks fondly of her former school and its influence on her life, both professionally and personally. “Being at a single gender school allowed me to become a woman in a nurturing and caring environment without distractions. I had amazing peers and teachers who inspired all the girls to believe that they could achieve anything they put their mind to,” she says. Madeleine studied a Bachelor of Design and a Masters of Architecture at Queensland University of Technology. After graduating she worked for the UNHCR Shelter and Settlement Section in Geneva for a year, which included a trip to Ethiopia to develop a master plan for six camps on the country’s border with Somalia.
Back in Brisbane, Madeleine pursued her passion for architecture and has worked on a range of master planning, commercial and educational projects. In a complete 360, the school that has had such an important impact on her as a student is now one of Madeleine’s clients. She is currently working on the new master plan for the School and Ambiwerra.
RACHEL SAKURAI Condos 1999 Business
RACHEL SAKURAI Condos 1999 Business
At the end of high school, when most students are excitedly looking forward to schoolies, Rachel Sakurai, then just 17, opted to travel overseas and begin a humanitarian quest to make a difference in the lives of others, which she has continued to this day. Rachel is now an Executive General Leader at Computershare and has more than 14 years’ experience in the financial services industry and the not-for-profit sector. And yet, it was a geography lesson at St Aidan’s in Year 11 that would have a profound effect on teenage Rachel. “I can always remember seeing a picture in class of a young malnourished child in Africa. I felt that his eyes were staring at me and asking for help,” she says.
This realisation came at the same time as an accident on the Brisbane River claimed the life of one of her friends and Rachel felt she needed to make a difference in the lives of others. To this day Rachel is heavily involved in World Youth International and the organisation’s work in Nepal. She has already sponsored several children, giving them the chance of an education and life-changing opportunities. She also sits on the St Aidan’s Foundation, the Brisbane Roar FC and the Computershare Global Change a Life committee.
JULIA MCKENNA Wilkins 1990
Community Service
JULIA MCKENNA Wilkins 1990
Community Service
From her school days at St Aidan’s, Julia McKenna knew she wanted to help others. It was this social conscience and the desire to make a positive impact in people’s lives that Julia says was not only fostered, but encouraged at St Aidan’s. After completing a Business Degree in Accounting and Banking and Finance, Julia’s career in International Investment Banking, saw her living and working in Sydney, London and Singapore over an 11 year period. Upon her return to Australia Julia’s focus changed dramatically. Today, Julia is the Director and Chief Financial Officer of Friends with Dignity, a national not-for-profit organisation which provides assistance to men, women and children who have been displaced by domestic violence.
Founded just three years ago, Friends with Dignity has recently been named as the 2018 Australian Charity of the Year. For Julia, the influence of her time at St Aidan’s on her professional career has been immeasurable. “I feel St Aidan’s gave me the confidence to believe that I could achieve whatever I set my mind to. For me, that involved not only my finance career, but also using my strong sense of social justice,” Julia says.
born to fly
Previous editions of Born to Fly
Born to Fly I
Born to Fly II
Born to Fly III
For a copy of earlier editions of Born to Fly please contact us: reception@staidans.qld.edu.au
Born to Fly IV
per volur sunata
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School
confidence and success
11 Ruthven Street Corinda Qld 4075 T: 61 7 3373 5999 E: school@staidans.qld.edu.au www.staidans.qld.edu.au CRICOS Provider Number 01194K
A School of the Society of the Sacred Advent